Tuesday, September 30, 2014

My rant which just became a Letter to the Editors:

I find it hard to believe that, here we are in the age of communications, and publications such as the Boston Globe Horn Book are still stuck in the old industrial paradigm, serving only established publishing concerns when there are so many great independently published books out there, including my middle grade novel Nelson Telson – The Story of a True Blue Blood.  Google it.

When I read submission guidelines: “Books produced by publishers that are not listed in Literary Market Place are not considered,” it just breaks my heart to see that literary people whose job is to bring good books and the love of reading to the public are actually suppressing information and thereby robbing the very reading public they are supposed to serve.  Freedom of speech itself is wrapped up in this highfalutin reactionary, exclusive brotherhood between reviewers, agents, and publishing houses.  If you haven’t noticed, we entered the Information Age three decades ago; we’re riding the Third Wave now, and that includes independently published works of exceptional quality.  Hop onboard!

Yours truly,
Heidi Mayo

P.S. Were my book eligible in your exclusive domain, you would have received the following letter with my submission. 

Dear Reader,

I have enclosed my middle grade novel, NELSON TELSON – The Story of a True Blue Blood and supporting materials for your consideration.   For the sake of brevity, please find the synopsis on the back cover and brochure.

When I decided to self-publish, I embarked upon a very successful Kickstarter campaign that was funded 415% and covered all costs while pre-selling nearly 200 copies.  Based on the input of readers, I have come to understand the vast and outstanding value of this book to children, adults, and educators. 

Recently, I was excited to learn that the University of North Dakota’s Professor Lars Helgeson, Ph.D. has required Nelson Telson for his Primary and Secondary Ed. majors.  Additionally, a handful of middle school English Language Arts Coordinators have been happy to accept the book for inclusion in their libraries and English, Science, and Critical Reading classes.  This book will be adopted into core curriculums nationally as, along with its engaging story of fantasy and real-life characters and situations, it offers countless important learning opportunities about ecology, global interdependence, history, philosophy, relativity theory, and how perspective impacts reality, to name a few.  Enjoyed by readers of all ages, it’s a middle grade novel that grows up before your very eyes.

The enclosed book is of a special edition printed by Powder Horn Press (ISBN 978-0692234785) as rewards for my Kickstarter backers.  On page 199 there is a color feature not found in the books distributed online by CreateSpace Independent Publishing and Amazon (ISBN 978-1499538441).  A Kindle version will be available soon.

In the media packet you will find:
*   business card
*   marketing brochure
*   author Q and A
*   author bios
*   2 press releases
*   sampling of Amazon reviews

Links to video interviews and forthcoming articles can be found at www.heidimayo.com on my media packet page.


Thank you so much for your time and kind consideration. Enjoy the book!

Monday, September 8, 2014

AUTHOR’S BOOK-SIGNING EVENT at PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Heidi Mayo
heidi@heidimayo.com
www.heidimayo.com

AUTHOR’S BOOK-SIGNING EVENT at PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET

PLYMOUTH, MA, September 8, 2014 – Local author, artist and teacher Heidi Mayo will be at the Plymouth Farmers’ Market at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA on Thursday, September 18 from 2:30 to 6:00 for a special book-signing event.  Heidi will be available to answer questions and share her experiences about her just-published book, NELSON TELSON – The Story of a True Blue Blood, a story that takes place in Duxbury and Plymouth, MA.  Visit www.heidimayo.com for more information about this very special middle grade novel enjoyed by readers of all ages. Part of the proceeds will benefit Plimoth Plantation.

NELSON TELSON is available locally at Westwinds Bookshop in Duxbury, Plimoth Plantation Museum Shop, and online at amazon.com. 


The author loves presenting Nelson Telson to the public, media, groups, and schools.  To book an interview, appearance, or book signing, please contact heidi@heidimayo.com.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

BUY BOOKS LOCALLY

NELSON TELSON - The Story of a True Blue Blood signed special Powder Horn Press Edition books available at Westwinds Bookshop and Plimoth Plantation Museum Shop.

Book signing event at Plymouth Farmers Market, Plimoth Planataion, Sept 18, 2:30-6:00

#nelsontelson #horseshoecrab #westwindsbookshop #plimouthplantation

LESSONS FROM A HORSESHOE CRAB – BOOK SIGNING EVENT

PLYMOUTH, MA, August 29, 2014— Local author Heidi Mayo’s book NELSON TELSON – The Story of a True Blue Blood is a middle grade novel with many lessons for young and old alike. Readers take away concepts such as the interdependence of all living things, the need to sustain our environment, and the importance of selfless giving.  In that spirit, Mayo, with help from Powder Horn Press, has donated numerous copies of her book to Plymouth Intermediate Schools, Rising Tide Charter Public School, Duxbury Middle School, Duxbury Bay Maritime School, and South Shore Charter School.

When shy and lonely Mariah Miller finds a magic spearhead on the beach that enables her to talk to a wise old horseshoe crab, she travels through time and space and learns many lessons.  Nelson the horseshoe crab shares the wisdom of the ages, and along the way we learn just how important horseshoe crabs are to the survival of many species including our own. Horseshoe crabs thrived on this planet for over 455 million years without human interference. Now they need our protection. Mayo’s work supports the Ecological Research and Development Group of Dover, Delaware whose sole purpose is to stabilize global horseshoe crab populations. The author encourages people to shop through smile.amazon.com choosing Ecological Research and Development Group as their charity, so proceeds with benefit this important work.

MEET THE AUTHOR—Among Mariah’s many adventures on the shores of Duxbury and Plymouth, she visits the first Thanksgiving and learns much about the People of the First Light – the Wampanoag. You can meet the author right there at the Plymouth Farmers Market at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA on Thursday, September 18 from 2:30 to 6:00 for a special book-signing event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Plimoth Plantation.

NELSON TELSON is available locally at Westwinds Bookshop in Duxbury, Plimoth Plantation Museum Shop, and online at amazon.com. 

The author loves presenting Nelson Telson to the public, media, groups, and schools.  To book an interview, appearance, or book signing, please contact heidi@heidimayo.com.