Beautiful piece, Anjali! I'm looking forward to meeting you at the IAAC lit festival in NYC.

Great example, Lorraine. And how wonderful of your family and friends to give you that kind of boost. Every platform needs a strong foundation.

Thanks for the comments and ideas, everyone. You are all officially entered into the giveaway contest. Susan - Wordstock would be wonderful, but it is on hiatus this year and will be reconfigured under Literary Arts for next year. I've got it on my...

Here is the link to Wordstock:  http://www.literary-arts.org/what-we-do/wordstock  It doesn't get better than this to get your book into the hands of many people. You've got a few weeks to make it happen--it's a dynamite event. You could even give...

Oh, a P.S....I believe there is a big book event in November in Portland. The name escapes me, I'm sorry. Word.....something. One word. Trying googling it, see if you can get on a panel there or get a booth!

Hi Elizabeth, Congratulation on your book launch. That is terrific. I live in Portland and did my first launch at Annie Bloom's books--another place known for helping to birth new authors. You might try contacting them. They are a wonderful...

Congratulations on your launch and on winning the SWP contest! My first circle of authentic connection is likely found in the online friends I've met through writing, blogging, and meeting them face-to-face when possible. They are strong encouragers...

Congratulations on the book launch. You start where you are at and just keep at it. I'm working on building a platform through blogging and facebook connections. Hasn't paid big dividends yet but I keep at it. Going to try the craft fair network,...