Self Marketing My Book

Hello Writers and Friends

I am pleased to connect with you again. Peter and I had a short staycation last week. We went to Niagara Falls to escape the severe cold here in Haliburton. That didn't work out too well as it was unseasonably cold there, too. We loved the Flight Over Niagara experience, a virtual 'flight" that felt so real that I was a little frightened. As I sat belted into my seat, I chatted with the person next to me, a young man from Belgium. It was so nice to meet him and welcome him to Canada. It made me think of you, my writing friends from other places in Canada and around the world. I would like to welcome you to Gates Open, my blog, and I will imagine you sitting next to me as I write. I am including two pictures of Peter and me, the first time we went together to Niagara Falls in 1967, and this last time, now. There have been several family outings with our children over the years, but these two mark how this is a special place for us.

Marketing My Book

Well, here I am at last. My book is “in the print cue” at the publisher. My proof copy should be here in a week or so. I am purchasing books to give away and perhaps even sell a few, and that leads me to telling you about my

Story-Sharing Afternoon

History is people, and our shared everyday life stories are personal and important. At my story-sharing afternoon, I will read a story or two from my book and hopefully inspire others to share their stories.

I will be employing a workshop approach with interactive prompts, activities and even a song or two.

Here is my invitation:

Here is Phase I of my marketing Plan

21 Smithfield Drive  - Family Stories

Book Launch / Marketing Plan

 Phase I

as of February 1, 2026

Phase I - Haliburton County, Social Media and Online Platforms

February 1st to Book Launch, March 8th

1. Local Media

a) Moose FM -

Interview with Rick - Feb. 24th @10am

and the community event page on their website

b) Haliburton County Echo, Minden Times and County Life

- pre-event story by Editor, Emily

to be published the week of February 16th

- one free ad

- reporter at the event

- post on the community events page

c) Canoe FM - request sent to Roxanne - no reply yet

- two live interviews

- PSA

- Penny at Canoe for Haliburton Happening

and will do a phone interview on her show

2. Newsletters

a) CFUW - February President’s Newsletter

 - Nora will put in for distribution to members on February 7th

b) Arts Council Haliburton Highlands - will be in February,

and will also be put on their online events calendar

3. Community organizations' Facebook posts - first week of February

a) The Haliburton and District Lions Club

b) Aging Together as Community

4. Email to groups I am associated with - first week of February

a) CFUW book club

b) Haliburton Writers

5. Personal Facebook Posts - first week of February

a) my page

b) Canada Writes

6. Additional Online platforms -first week of February

a) Substack

b) Blue Sky

c) Haliburton County Tourism website

7. My Website and My Gates Open Blog - first week of February, with updates each week

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Phase 2, March to June 2026

Ideas and Pre-planning

• South Etobicoke newspaper,

• Contact Etobicoke Public Library and the Humber Bay Branch

• Table at Bookapalooza, Minden, Haliburton County, in June

• Updates etc on all social media and online platforms