Selling a Book = Planning a Wedding

Ask any self-published author and they'll probably agree. Selling a book is a little like planning a wedding. First, there's the big excitement about being the center of attention followed by complete and utter horror followed by panic that leaves one stunned. Not so stunned that numbers and dollars and amounts are still left circulating in your head long after you've been left for catatonic by your near and dear ones.

First, where does the money come from? Second, how much is it? The budget grows by the minute. Here's my favorite: exactly who do you send the promotional copies to? Of course, you want the relatives at the wedding, but exactly which ones? The ones that you just want to finally (finally! forever and ever!) shut up or the ones you really care about? In terms of the book, it's a matter of, oh wait, do I HAVE to give them a copy or are they really going to help me sell something? I mean, come on - this is a $20 investment here. Hmmm... wait. Maybe I should just call the whole thing off.

Sadly, there's no short cut out of book promotions. You cannot elope to Vegas. You just have to live through the whole darn thing and hope that someone, somewhere says, "Hey, you HAVE GOT TO read this book!!!"

Book Reviews: Landlord Landmines

Yes, I've been put under the microscope. It's only fair if I do it to others, right?

Go on, read them. You know you want to!

"Landlord Landmines represents the PERFECT balance to all those "How to get rich investing in real estate" books! Only the IRS thinks being a landlord is a "passive" activity! What do they know?
"Purva has written her experience in a light, often funny style, that's easy on the digestion, concise, with a ton of hard earned insights. From me to you: Get a credit report EVERY TIME! People who pay their bills on time will pay their rent on time. Good reading!"
- Huck Ferrill, Sacramento mortgage broker.

“This little book points you in the right direction.
“I like this little book - it contains a lot of what to do and what to avoid. If I was a beginner, I would take it and put tabs on some of the pages, put it in a three ring binder, then add to it whenever something changed or I discovered a great way to do something - Sort of like mom's old cookbook!
“I think the book offers a lot of advice to prospective landlords. You do not have to be certified to be a landlord, but you do need to know a lot about a lot.”
– Michael Mast, landlord for over three decades.

“As a real estate investor herself, Purva and her husband, James, went through their share of landlord horror stories. Landlord Landmines is the book Purva wished they’d had when had when they were getting started. Landlord Landmines is written both from her own experience and from the experience of many other landlords who she interviewed for the book.
“Forget the theory and the spreadsheets — Landlord Landmines puts together decades of collective experience and stories from real investors, who teach you what you need to know and what you need to avoid.”
- John Lockwood, real estate broker of Elite Properties.

It's Here! The Book! The Book!

This morning I received the proof of "Landlord Landmines." I suppose I should use the real name for it and not refer to it any more simply as "the book." I can barely describe how I feel right now! I've been trying to upload a copy of the cover but it's a PDF file and I have no idea how to convert it into a JPEG.

Oh well.

You'll see it soon enough! Can't write any more. Must run out and celebrate! Absolutely psyched!

(And, by the way, I don't anyone to see any part of it right now because if you're anything like me you're going to find a typo.)

Spring Fever Poem

There are emotions, moments, and sometimes entire days that are mostly inexpressible. And then out of nowhere a line long forgotten enters your consciousness. And sticks. Nothing else but that line fits in its cadence, its rounded tones. Like a jigsaw piece.

Today was The Poetry of Departures by Philip Larkin.

I wanted to "chuck everything and just clear off," except it was everything but my life. Sometimes I quit making sense to myself. Which is when I know I have spring fever.

And that, in a nutshell, is why I read poetry!

Writer-ly Words: Homely

Just when did the word "homely" come to mean ugly and/or plain? The Online Etymology Dictionary claims it originally meant belonging to a household or domestic and then began to mean "unadorned" and "simple" around 1400.

My first introduction to this annoying word was when I first came to the United States. I said something was "homely" meaning "comfortable" - the way I do believe it is still used in some parts of the world. And learned very quickly what it meant here. Ugh.

I, for one, like my home. I don't look homely in it. Unless it's very early in the morning.

Background Music

I watch way too much television than is good for me and here’s proof. I think I know what’s wrong with reality: no background music. Just think about it. Think of how much fuller your life would be if Norah Jones crooned while your husband proposed. Or if Alanis screeched insults to your boyfriend as you drove away leaving him broken hearted.

My personal favorite is a slow beat that begins at some huge turning point in my life as I figure out just the thing to say. Then, as I stare into space with a very wise look (and by the way, perfect makeup) everything else slows and the music finally becomes loud enough to hear.

How perfect it would be if music paused life for us. Our defining moments would be highlighted, the drama minimized, the beauty of a rain shower brought into sharper focus.

Perhaps that was the idea behind the theme song. Remember this? It may have been the late 90s. Suddenly it seemed almost everyone wanted to have a theme song, something upbeat they could sing to themselves when they were feeling low. This is such a great idea, I say why stop at one? Pick one for sad days and pick one for happy days.

Maybe if life were like the movies, we would watch less of them. Note to self and husband. And bawling child.

Now if only I could find an iPod that fit inside my skull. Apple, get on it!

Another Blog?!?! Am I Insane?

Nope. Not really.

After all, where else am I going to talk about the other blogs?

Purva Brown's Resume

PROFILE

I have a solid background in fiction & nonfiction writing, with a strong emphasis in blogging. I consistently meet writing goals & deadlines. I am experienced in SEO techniques & especially skilled in well researched link-bait articles. I have excellent grammar & command of the English language.


EDUCATION

MFA in Creative Writing, California State University, Fresno.

BA in English Literature, St. Xavier’s College, Bombay.


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Currently a Realtor with Elite Properties & Freelance Writer.

On the Web http://www.sacramentorealestategal.com/ - Local real estate blog managed exclusively by me. Initially created as a way to capture more leads, the blog has now made it into the first three pages of Google for the term “Sacramento Real Estate.” Currently on page 2.

http://www.Sacramento-Home.com/real-estate-events - Company blog where I currently contribute approximately 5 posts a week of about 500 – 1000 words. Paid hourly.

http://landlordlandmines.blogspot.com/ - Blog managed and written exclusively by me as advertising and sale site for my book “Landlord Landmines,” an advice manual for landlords-to-be and current investment property owners. Currently in editing stage.

http://mommywantsanotherbaby.blogspot.com/ Blog written and managed exclusively by me. Future site of humorous memoir on parenting. Currently in writing stage – approximately 20 pages.

In Print

Surviving Bombay: Story collection – looking for representation.

Faithless in the Land of Gods: Novel – looking for representation.

Publications

My stories and poetry have appeared in Ellipsis, the San Joaquin Review, Flies Cockroaches & Poets, Potpourri, Emerging Writer’s Network (holiday publication), and Highway 99: an Anthology.


REFERENCES

Available on request.

EMAIL ME: purvabrown@msn.com