Career Development Grant

To promote the October 13, 2015 launch of my memoir NEWLYWEDS AFLOAT: Married Bliss and Mechanical Breakdowns While Living on a Trawler. To achieve this goal, three major launch events will be held in October 2015 in Duluth Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois, and the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. At least six smaller events will be held at harbors in Spring/Summer 2016. Promotional materials will be sent to key media outlets in event areas. Electronic invitations will be sent to individuals and organizations, and social media will be used to promote the book and events. Posters will be displayed in relevant locations. Promotional materials will be sent to bookstores and specialty stores (such as marina stores) in areas featured in the memoir. The Evaluation Plan is both Quantitative and Qualitative. Quantitative: Number of books sold at three launch events and smaller readings (tabulated per event). Total number of books sold in the first year. Number of audience members at three launch events and smaller readings (tabulated per event). Number of people added to my mailing list. Number of mailings to media outlets in each area. Media response in each area (number of book reviews, blurbs, articles, interviews, etc.). Number of mailings of promotional materials to bookstores and specialty stores. Number of bookstores and specialty stores that feature the book in targeted areas. Qualitative: The overall success of the launch events and smaller readings. Who was there? What kind of energy was present? What kinds of conversations did I have with people? What did I learn about the audience? About literary events? About book promotion? Overall success of marketing campaign. What kinds of connections did I make with editors, news directors, managers? What did I learn about promoting to media outlets? What did I learn about reviews, about interviewing?