MPLA conference and exhibition

We set up our booth for the MPLA (Mountain Plains Library Association), which includes twelve states, at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City Monday. With as many books 4RV now has, the job was a big one for three rather mature women, none of whom is in the best of health. However we succeeded.

All books from our company were on display, but I'll have to admit Confessions of a Former Rock Queen was the focal point.


We did have a few purchases, but most libraries must send us a PO in order to order. Many seemed quite interested and took notes of which books they wanted, and the fact we offer a 30% discount for libraries, schools, and museums interested them more.

Galand Nuchols traveled from her home in Texas to join us, and she may not have worked an event like this before but showed many "experienced" authors how to do the job. She approached visitors as soon as they entered the door (our booth was just inside one set of doors), gave them her card, and told them not only about her book Second Chance, but also about the other 4RV titles.


Several librarians showed an interest in Elysabeth's series about the states, as well as other titles that can be used in their programs.

Many want to know as soon as Shirl Yancey's book comes out because it sounds interesting and like a great resource. Shirl prepared a framed copy of the cover for Conscience: Breaching Social Amnesia and had business cards beside the framed copy. On the photo of the table for 4RV Publishing at the right end, the framed photo can be seen.

Suzy and Shirl

Suzy Koch joined us for part of the days we were exhibiting. She greeted some of the librarians, too, as did Lisa Willis on Wednesday.






I hobbled home exhausted and barely able to walk. Jacque Graham, Galand, and Shirl nearly tied me to my chair, trying to keep me off my feet, but those who know me understand that's difficult for me.


Yes, it's a joke, but they did manage to some extent.

Jacque greets libarian, Lisa in background

Speaking of Jacque, she was on hand working much too hard, too -- as usual.

I didn't get a picture of Eric Mathe, who came to help us take everything down and reload in my van.



I'll end with a couple of shots of the very large area used for the exhibition. We did enjoy meeting people from Oklahoma and many other states. Several of us have appearance dates set as a result. 4RV has been invited to Denver, Colorado for something (we're supposed to receive an email with information).

Both pictures are taken from our table and give such a small view of the space used.



I have many other pictures taken during the MPLA exhibition. Maybe I can use them another time.


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Only 2 weeks to Heartland New Day BookFest

Although the book fest is not part of 4RV Publishing and 4RV is not a sponsor, 4RV Publishing is registered for the Heartland New Day BookFest, along with four other publishers, sixty-five authors, seven illustrators, and three literary groups.

I'm personally one of the organizational committee members, and we're meeting weekly now that the festival will be April 9 and 10. However, our meeting today had to be canceled. The first day of spring brought a winter storm with already over seven inches of snow.

Here are a few photos of our last meeting: Suzy Koch and Bill VanOsdol discuss the football (signed by OU Heisman winners) which is a door prize for the festival. Other door prizes include two $25 savings bonds from Citizens' Bank of Edmond and a Day of Beauty, provided by Lynn M. Center and Hair by Shad.





Shirl Yancey is secretary of the committee, and she took the opportunity to show off the cover of her book, which will come out later this year, if all goes well. More information can be found on her website, vehoae conscience.








Committee member John LaGroue and festival director Suzy Koch discuss plans.




Friday, April 9, several attending authors and illustrators will visit schools in the area and will speak to students about writing and illustrating. Then that evening, a dinner will be held starting at 6:30. Jordan Dane will be the keynote speaker, and awards will be presented to students who placed in the essay contest and to authors whose books placed in the published book competition. Reservations for the dinner can still be made. Details can be found on the Heartland New Day BookFest website, on the Dinner page.

Saturday, April 10, the book festival is open to the public from 9 AM - 3 PM. Of the sixty-some authors present with their books, several are best-selling and/or award-winning authors. Two of the publishers will take pitches from writers hoping to have books published. See the Publishers page on the website for information.

All but a couple tables are reserved for the book festival itself, two slots per table. Anyone wanting to register need to do so quickly.

I hope everyone in or near Oklahoma will make a trip to the Heartland New Day BookFest and meet us.



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Encyclo-Media Oklahoma

A year ago, Jacque Graham and I "discovered" Encyclo-Media and started planning on having a booth for 4RV Publishing this year.

Encyclo-Media is sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Education under State Superintendent Sandy Garrett. The event has over 1,000 exhibitors and many sessions for teachers, librarians, and school councilors.

We saved and continued publishing books. After less than two years in business, we took twenty-three titles to the event, displaying them in a 10 x 10 booth.

On Wednesday, Jacque, Suzy Koch (whose book Being Jacob: First Day of School made its debut), and I, with help from Mike Koch, set up our booth.

Thursday, the event began. Jacque and I were on site, after driving through rain, by 7:30 AM. We left for home a little before 5 PM. Suzy joined us that morning after battling her way through masses of idiot drivers and left in time to pick up her sons at school.

Hundreds and hundreds of the 5,000 or more teachers, librarians, and/or counselors attending stopped and examined our books. More than half who stopped and looked took notes about the titles that interested them. All had to return to their schools and send out purchase orders for any books they wanted.

Quite a few teachers asked if we would/could prepare AR tests to go with the books. Jacque has worked with Advanced Reader for more than one grade level and said we could and would. A few of our books already have study guides, some of which have tests already: Bubba & Giganto: Odds Against Us by Lea Schizas, State of Wilderness and State of Quarries by Elysabeth Eldering (illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven), and Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel, illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard.

I put together a written process for educators to follow when they order from the company so they get a discount. Most of those who visited with us thought the discount was an incentive for schools to order from us.


Friday, we were on duty from 7:30 until shortly before 3. They locked the doors of the hall at 3. Jacob, Suzy's son and the Jacob of her book, joined us Friday.

All of us were excited, tired, and anxious.

Now we wait.

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News article about Being Jacob: First Day of School

Being Jacob: First Day of School, written by Suzy Koch and illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven, was released by 4RV Publishing the middle of August.

The day after Suzy picked up her copies, she gave a copy to a disc jockey who was talking on the radio about his youngest starting his first day of school. Suzy kept calling as she drove toward the radio station, and she was on line with the dj as she parked outside the station. She told him she had something for him.

After she left a copy with the receptionist and got back to her car, the dj was telling his listening audience about a wonderful little book.

A short time later, Aaron Wright, editor of The Sun, contacted me about an interview with Suzy and me.

The following article is the result of that interview.



The official launch of Being Jacob: First Day of School will be September 17 and 18 at the Oklahoma State Department of Education's Encyclo-Media.


Note: To be able to read the article better, go to 4RV Publishing. The article is on the home page.


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Being Jacob: First Day of School hits the airwaves

Suzy Koch picked up copies of her book Being Jacob: First Day of School yesterday evening.

This morning as she drove with the radio filling the quietness, she heard Phil on Bob FM, 96.9 say his youngest son started to school today. She called the talk radio phone number and kept calling until she got through. By then she was parked in the radio station parking lot. She told Phil that she had something for him to go along with his son's first day of school and was leaving it with the receptionist.

Suzy left a copy of the book at the front of the station, and by the time she returned to her car and the radio, Phil was raving about the wonderful book Being Jacob: First Day of School, even mentioned 4RV Publishing. Thanks, Phil

Wow! What a way to promote your book, Suzy, a smart and creative way.


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OKC Zoo Animal Author Expo in pictures

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OKC Zoo Animal Author Expo - children's books

Saturday, July 25, the Oklahoma City Zoo will host the 2nd Animal Author Expo from 9 AM until noon. Children's books will be found all around the entrance to the zoo, especially those about animals. At least 20 or more authors will participate.

4RV Publishing will be there with twelve different titles, and another book that can be ordered. Two 4RV authors, besides me - Vivian Zabel, will also participate: Eric Mathe with Tommy Turtle: Exercise is Fun! illustrated by Rey Marz; and Suzy Koch with brochures for Being Jacob: First Day of School (the order didn't arrive) and her Prayer Pig (published elsewhere).

I'll have my Prairie Dog Cowboy, along with a cute toy prairie dog given me by Jacque Graham as an early birthday present. Jacque will be there making sure all goes smoothly.

Books from 4RV attending without authors or illustrators will include Angeline Jellybean by Crystalee Calderwood and illustrated by Stephen Macquignon; Colors by Dana Warren and illustrated, too, by Stephen; Lion in the Living Room by Caelaach McKinnen and illustrated by A.R. Stone; A New Job for Dilly by Rena Jones and illustrated by Lisa Oakman; Would a Kangaraffe Make You Laffe? by Rich Aaron and illustrated by Stephen Macquignon; Bait for Lunch by Karen Okagaki and illustrated by Ryan Shaw; The Art of Science by Ransom Noble and illustrated by Stephen; Bubba and Giganto by Lea Schizas; State of Wilderness and State of Quarries by Elysabeth Eldering and illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven; and Trockle by Holly Jahangiri and illustrated by Jordan Vinyard.

Anyone in the Oklahoma City area is invited to come by and visit. See animals in books and out.




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Animal Author Expo, OKC Zoo

I will be there with several 4RV children's books, many with animals, and two other 4RV authors, Suzy Koch and Eric Mathe, will also attend with their new books: Being Jacob: First Day of School, written by Suzy and illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven; and Tommy Turtle: Exercise is Fun, written by Eric and illustrated by Rey Marz.

If you are in the Oklahoma City area, come join us.


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Border Queen Book Festival

Four of us connected to 4RV Publishing and to Pen and Keyboard Writers participated in the Border Queen Book Festival at Comanche, Oklahoma, Saturday March 7: Jacque Graham, Suzy Koch, and I are in the photo above.

Suzy's children's book Being Jacob: First Day of School hasn't been released yet, but she was handing out brochures about her first book from 4RV. Pre-orders are being taken now since the book will be released next month.

Dana Warren in the picture above and on the right as she talks with two customers. Dana's new children's book Colors was launched at the festival.

Best selling author Jordan Dane (who's an adopted member of Pen and Keyboard and a member of OWFI - Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.) also attended.

We're hoping to return next year, but I hope my name, photo, and bio are not left out of the special edition of the local paper again. I was assured repeatedly that the oversight wasn't deliberate, and I know it wasn't.

I'm talking to people around Edmond, trying to create enough interest that we could have a book festival here. The University of Central Oklahoma (located here) has the only in-state MFA program in writing. Wouldn't that help promote the program as well as writers all over Oklahoma and adjoining states?

The next events on my agenda include an appearance at Duncan Middle School (9 miles north of Comanche) and the OWFI conference and autograph party. The head of gifted and talent program at the middle school asked if I would visit and give a talk to the middle school, and I agreed. I told her about Jacque's representation of Belle Cobb, the first Indian woman doctor in Indian Territory and the subject of Jacque's work in progress. Jacque has been invited, too. We're not sure of the exact date, but it will probably be after the OWFI conference April 30 - May 3.

Any body in Oklahoma looking for a speaker or guest appearance by an author? Here we are.


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Blog tour winners

I used a virtual dice device on Writing.Com to find the winners of the four 4RV bags. First I assigned numbers to each person who left a comment; some people had more than one number because they let a comment on more than one blog. Over 80 numbers were assigned.

I've sent emails to all four and will mail the bags as soon as I receive addresses.

And the winners are:

From Rena Jones' blog - Adrienne Saldivar

Commenting on several blogs but the winning number from Ransom Noble's blog - Suzy Koch

Another commenter on more than one blog but with the number from Holly Jahangiri's blog winning - Morgan Mandel

Also with comments on many blogs, but winning with the number assigned her on Beverly Stowe McClure's blog - Charlotte Phillips

Thank you, all tour hosts, and thank you, all who visited and left comments.


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