A suggestion to anyone trying to lure conventioneers to your trade show booth: Perch yourself at a table between a beautiful dog and a gaggle of enthusiastic women. People will rush over to meet you.
That’s how it worked at the American Library Association convention this week, anyway. My publisher, Blue Marlin Publications, generously donated 80 copies of Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound for me to give away there, and I signed books for librarians who visited the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) booth on Sunday, and then again at the booth for the Illinois chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) on Tuesday morning. Hanni’s pawprint was rubber-stamped into each copy, too, and a flyer titled ”Hanni and Beth Love to Travel” was slipped into each book. The flyers gave librarians details on what Hanni and I do during author visits to schools and libraries. Librarians flocked to see Hanni, and the women working both booths were so helpful that I didn’t have to lift a finger. Except to sign books, of course.
Our time at the ASPCA booth on Sunday was especially entertaining — so many people came up to tell the staff how much they love the ASPCA, how they weep when they see the ASPCA commercial with singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan, how they got their own cat/dog/rabbit at a humane shelter, how they named that animal {FILL IN BLANK HERE} and how much they love {FILL IN BLANK HERE}. The staff member would listen appreciatively, then ask, would you like a signed book?” She’d point to our book cover, and then to me. Saving the best for last, the staff member would finally point down at Hanni, nodding off comfortably on the carpet. “We’re asking for a ten dollar donation for each book,” the staff member would say. “The donations will go to PAWS Chicago and Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society.” How could they resist?!
Signing books at the ASPCA booth.
Our time slot at the Illinois SCBWI booth on Tuesday was two hours long, the very last two hours of the entire convention. I was afraid everyone there would be sick of books by then! But I was wrong — the time slot turned out to be perfect. There was such a vacuum at that time –no other authors signing, no sessions going on — that Hanni and I were a major draw. Librarians actually stood in line to meet Hanni and have their copies of Safe & Sound signed. Thank goodness my friend Colleen and the SCBWI-Illinois staff were there to help — I was busy the entire two hours, signing books for librarians from the Bronx, Atlanta, New Jersey, even Hawaii! I had time to talk with each librarian one on one, which is what I enjoy most about doing book signings: I love meeting new people. And from a book promoter’s point of view, being last on the docket might have been the best time slot of all. The encounters librarians had with me might have been the very last (and hopefully, the most memorable) one they had with an author during the entire ALA convention.
Let me know when Hawaii calls for a school visit!
Sounds like it was a very successful (and fun!) event. Hanni’s sweetness is definitely a draw no matter what the circumstances. I also love the ASPCA. I’ve been a supporter for the past couple of years. They do fantastic work.
No Way Marilee – I did seven years “hard-time” in Hawaii. When Hawaii calls Beth and she and Hanni head west I am so going to be the one Beth chooses!
Glad to hear the show went well Beth – I have no doubt that you were one of the favorites that attendees are still talking about.
Ahem. Hanni will want me along. Can’t speak for Beth.
Lucky for Mike, Hanni would be able to go with me to Hawaii, so she’d have a vote. “average” dogs have to be quarantined when they arrive on the Hawaiian Islands, but thanks to the hard work of an organization of blind people who use guide dogs (the organization is called Guide Dog Users, Inc, or “GDUI”) The laws on the Hawaiian Islands have been changed. Guide dogs can enter without being quarantined if they are working with a person who is blind. “Average” dogs must be quarantined for up to 120 days before entering. The Hawaiian Islands are completely free of rabies — and officials want to keep them that way. So even those of us with guide dogs can’t just waltz off the plane with our dogs when we land in Hawaii. Here are a few of the requirements we have to meet in order for our guide dogs to skip quarantine:
• Current rabies vaccination, with documentation
• Microchip
• Pass the OIE-FAVN rabies antibody test in the last three years
• Standard health certificate less than 30 days old
• Doctor’s note that certifies owner’s disability [source:
Hawaii Department of Agriculture].
There are specific ports we have to land in, and we have to notify Hawaiian officials of our arrival before we land. Hanni would have to be inspected when we got there, so we’d have to make sure to plan ahead.
Hmm. Maybe after reading all these rules Marilee and Patricia might not want to accompany us after all!
“Rules shmules”, I’m there for you Beth.
Thanks for that update on quarantine. I was wondering about that-when was that law changed? Can’t believe that they would quarantine guide dogs. What would a person do? I guess they just wouldn’t go there. Congrats to the GDUI!
I’m glad but not surprised you got a warm welcome from the librarians. I wondered if you were at the conference. I mostly had lunches and dinners with old friends from out of town.
I know you don’t need any special requirements to visit Minnesota. Can you send me some ”Hanni and Beth Love to Travel” flyers. School starts soon and the school library is a proud holder of your book. I’m sure they would love a visit from the author!
You *sure* we don’t need extra papers to get into Minnesota?! It’s a pretty special state, especially now with your NEW JUNIOR SENATOR! I am checking with the “Beth Finke, Inc.” secretary to see if the flyers can be sent to you as an attachment, that way you can print out as many as you want and distribute them all over. In fact, please do that — Hanni and I would *love* to come visit Minnesota — thanks for asking!
Wow– Beth, that’s awesome!
So when’s the next book coming out…Hanni & Beth Do America?
Since Beth has mentioned GDUI, and I was personally honored to endorse Hanni and Beth on behalf of GDUI, I thought you might be interested in learning a bit more about who we are. GDUI is indeed the organization that with the assistance of Honolulu Attorney, Mike Lilly, forged the historic settlement allowing guide dogs to finally enter Hawaii in 1998, after many years of pursuing the issue. Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) strives to promote civil rights and enhance the quality of life of working guide dog teams. Drawing on the experiences and varied knowledge of its members, GDUI provides peer support, advocacy and information to guide dog users everywhere. In addition, GDUI works with public entities, private businesses and individuals to ensure that guide dog users enjoy the same rights to travel, employment, housing, and participation in all aspects of life that people
without disabilities enjoy.
Oh, I’m so glad Sheila commented here – I love that organization, Guide Dog Users, Inc. It is grassroots, and run entirely by people who are blind and use guide dogs. If those of you reading my blog want to support GDUI, there are all sorts of ways to do so – you can become a member, you can donate, or you can buy stuff for your dog at their site. I often buy supplies and toys for Hanni from GDUI and I can vouch for their good customer service. Link to their website http://www.gdui.org for more info, or if you feel more comfortable placing orders over the phone you can call their toll-free number, its 1-866-799-8436.
Rock on, GDUI!
[…] my friend Beth seems to love her book signings. If I could borrow her personality or her dog Hanni, I might have a chance…once I finish […]
[…] Marilee has been accompanying me during book events at Printers Row Lit Fest and the American Library Association convention. She helps guide Hanni and me safely to our destinations, then makes sure everything is set when it […]
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