Did you ever hear the expression, "It's all about who you know?" For instance, if you know the right people you can get the right job? That may be true. When I graduated from high school, my Aunt was instrumental in getting me a job in a bookbindery. Summer is their busiest season, so I was able to go back every year during my college days. After college, a family friend got me an office job, which was good experience for future work.

Will knowing the right people help promote my writing? I read in the Sunday newspapers: Local author (so and so) reads at (such and such) library, or bookstore, or even a school visit. Will my name ever be in that blank? Of course, I don't have any books published, yet.

Reaching out to someone I knew was really unplanned. Wee Ones Magazine (an on-line magazine for kids) published an article I had written about the origin of the ice cream sundae. I called my daughter-in-law Lori, who is the librarian for a small town library, and offered to read my article in a kids program. She accepted. We talked about treating the kids to ice cream. She said she'd buy ice cream and I volunteered to make my recipe of hot fudge sauce. One day Lori happened to meet the woman who runs the local ice cream shop. In conversation, Lori told her about my upcoming event. The woman volunteered to furnish ice cream and topping for the kids. I found dishes in the shape of ice cream cones with spoons to match in a dollar store. I printed up business cards with my name and the URL for Wee Ones Magazine. Moms and kids alike were happy with the ice cream program, especially since we let them take the dishes home.

My second library visit came as a surprise. After hearing stories about my husband's childhood in England, I planned my American version of an English Tea, complete with my hand-made Crackers. They were so easy to make that I wrote an article, "Christmas Tea and Crackers." While doing research at the library, Pat, the children's librarian, told me that her daughter had been in Scotland at Christmas time and brought back some Crackers. I had to let her know when Fun For Kidz accepted my article with the craft. One hot summer day I stopped at the library to pick up a book. Pat was planning her schedule for the coming season and asked if I'd be willing to do the craft in December. I agreed. So I stood before the kids and a few adults and told the story of the history of the Christmas Cracker, and then we made them. The kids enjoyed it so much they've done it every year since.

I read about a call for Christmas stories and submitted two. They were both accepted for MISTLETOE MADNESS (Blooming Tree Press, 2004), edited by Miriam Hees. That was an exciting experience: from the letter of acceptance, the telephone call from the editor, signing the contract, reading the proofs, and finally holding that precious book in my hand. Now I felt like a writer, even though I hadn't written the whole book. I received the press release, along with flyers advertising the book. What to do next? I was so new at this. I sent the press release to the newspaper and waited. I talked with the woman in charge of the children's section at Barnes and Noble. Nothing happened. My name never made "local author" news. I gave a copy of the book to Pat at the library and agreed to do a reading. I planned a craft to go along with "Grandmas and Snowmen" and made Emily's favorite cookies (I included a recipe with the story) to serve. However, the morning I was scheduled to read I woke up with pneumonia and could only drag myself to the doctor's office. Pat read the story to the kids. My husband ate the cookies.

My sister-in-law's sister, Laurie, teaches second grade at a local school. I suggested that I'd be willing to read my story to her class. She jumped at the offer. Before my visit she prepared her class to meet a "real author." She showed them the book, had my name written on the blackboard, and they were ready. I read the Christmas story and had them draw snowmen. I asked them how grandmas are like snowmen and got some cute answers, like both have buttons. I explained that each snowman is different and grandmas are different, too. Some grandmas give expensive gifts while other grandmas give gifts they make, like knitted sweaters. I provided wiggle eyes and pieces of felt for hat, scarf, and carrot nose for their pictures. Again I made Emily's favorite cookies and got permission to give the kids a treat. I'm used to kids calling this gray-haired grandma Mrs. Tickner, but one little boy called me Marion Tickner, which is really my name. Then I thought about it. When I'm referring to an author, I don't say Mr. Coville, I say Bruce Coville or Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary. After my presentation, I was taken to the library as the school librarian wanted to meet a "real author." I gave her a copy of MISTLETOE MADNESS.

Another story was accepted for the next anthology, SUMMER SHORTS. Laurie invited me back to read "Lost In The Cow Pasture," a silly story about a boy trying to avoid going to a birthday party. This time I asked the children to draw a picture to illustrate the story. I found a website with pictures of cows for children to cut out and color. Since these are inner-city kids, I didn't know if any of them had been in the country or even seen a cow. After they'd finished drawing, we met again on the story rug and I read the story a second time. The kids held up their pictures when I came to the part they'd drawn. This time I had been able to find "cow tales" candy sticks to give them.

What about my fee? I've heard that author visits can bring in anywhere from $100 and up. When I did the "Christmas Tea and Crackers" presentation, the library gave me an honorarium. Otherwise, my fee is satisfaction of working with kids and hopefully making a difference in their lives.

At the school visits, the class (teacher) had a surprise for me. After "Grandmas and Snowmen" they gave me a Christmas tree ball with pictures of snowmen on it and a packet of tissues with pictures of tiny snowmen. Also each child wrote me a thank you note and drew a picture, like a Christmas card. After "Lost in the Cow Pasture" they gave me a box of Gertrude Hawks chocolate cows and a stuffed cow, which every child had hugged. I was told that when I need a special hug, I can hug the cow and think of them.

Laurie has a new class this year and invited me back to read my stories again. Shortly after Christmas I fell and injured myself. One day I received in the mail a packet of "get well" cards the children made. The spelling is precious.

Don't depend on the newspaper to advertise "local author." Who do you know that would be happy to get your writing before the public?