Updates

Updates in my quest to get published and get this book on the bookshelves.

The Vendor Blender in Holyoke, MA

On November 22nd, I presented “The Starbucks Effect” to a packed house of wedding professionals at the Vendor Blender event in Holyoke, MA. We had so many people show up…they had to bring in 20 more chairs! The event was hosted at the Delaney House in Holyoke and everyone enjoyed drinks, amazing appetizers, and some truly delectable desserts. Big thanks to Lisa Powers for helping to get this event organized and promoted!

The Vendor Blender at the Delaney House in Holyoke, MA

The Vendor Blender at the Delaney House in Holyoke, MA

The Western New England Fall Bridal Show

On November 21st, I presented a seminar about TBWRE at the Western New England Fall Bridal Show in Springfield, MA and we sold quite a few books very quickly.

Peter Merry with Jim Darby in TBWRE Booth

Peter Merry with Jim Darby in TBWRE Booth

My good friends, Jim Darby & Bettie-Jeanne Rivard-Darby (with DreamView Productions) from Ellington, CT. The show’s producer, Lisa Powers, met me over a year ago at the Wedding MBA show. We have already discussed scheduling for me to speak at their Spring Bridal Show in early March 2011.

Publisher’s Weekly Spotlight Interview

On November 19th, my publisher put me in touch with a reporter for Publisher’s Weekly who was working on a story about Authors who had landed publishing deals after first self-publishing and self-promoting their book themsevles. I was on a layover in Cleveland, OH on my way from Louisville, KY to Hartford, CT and we spent 30 minutes on the phone discussing exactly how I had put together and promoted my self-published version of TBWRE to the point that I had been able to sell over 11,000 copies in just over two years. I then shared with her how I had written up an overivew of the strides I had made with TBWRE (International Readership, TV Interviews, Speaking Engagements, Etc.) along with a marketing plan once it became a published work. We talked about how I sent it to 6 hand-picked publishers and received 3 rejection letters followed finally by an offer to publish from Sellers Publishing located in Portland, ME.

The completed article will be spotlighting 5 or 6 Authors and is due to published on their web site on December 21st.

The Professional Process Louisville, KY

On November 16th & 17th I presented “The Professional Process” (my 2-Day intenstive training program for wedding entertainers) in Louisville, KY. It was attended by about 14 people. A few were attending for the 2nd time and one attendee (Patrick Durham) was there for the 3rd time since last year.

The Professional Process Louisville, KY

The Professional Process Louisville, KY

I have currently trained over 110 wedding entertainers from the U.S. and around the world through this program.

The Wedding Loft in Cincinnati, OH

November 15th I spoke at a luncheon for about 30 wedding vendors at the Wedding Loft…a combined office space shared by Brandon Lindsey (of Hey! Mr. DJ) and Kathy Piech-Lukas (of Your Dream Day) in Cincinnati, OH…and then I spoke there again that evening for a group of about 10 people…mostly brides and grooms. I sold and signed a case of TBWRE books. Kathy also drove me to the local Barnes & Noble boosktore where I signed the copies of TBWRE they had in stock. And then we dropped of a signed copy of TBWRE for a news producer with WCPO Channel 9 as they scheduled me for a TV interview about me book for the 18th.

Another Signed Copy for Oprah

On November 12th, I mailed out two signed copies of TBWRE to my good friend, David Louis, (owner of Dynamic Sounds in Hawaii) as he recently made a connection with a relative of Kathy Ireland who is next door neighbors to Oprah Winfrey in Santa Barbara. Kathy has been on Oprah’s show several times and she’s currently developing some wedding venues in Hawaii…so we gave it a shot. One copy was signed for Kathy Ireland and the other was signed for Oprah Winfrey.

Attending the 2010 ABC National Conference

On November 7th, 8th, and 9th…I attended the ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) National Conference in an effort to learn who I need to know to set up a national speaking opportunity for next year as well as who to get in touch with about speaking for their local chapters during my upcoming book promo tour.

Elisabeth Scott Daley (who is also an Accredited Bridal Consultant™…1 of only about 50 in the country) helped me make some great connections and she also took some great promo photographs of me with fellow Author, Sasha Souza (who is also a Master Bridal Consultant™…1 of only about 60 in the country), and fellow Author and TV Show Host, David Tutera. We also captured video of David Tutera talking with me about the wedding he and I did together on October 2nd. That episode of “My Fair Wedding” is tentatively set to air on January 16th, 2011.

Peter Merry with Sasha Souza, Author & Master Bridal Consultant™™

Peter Merry with Sasha Souza, Author & Master Bridal Consultant™

 If I remember correctly, my good friend Neal Howard suggested taking a photo with my fellow authors featuring us reading each other’s books. Thanks for the great idea Neal!

Peter Merry with David Tutera, Author & TV Host

Peter Merry with David Tutera, Author & TV Host

I gave a signed copy of TBWRE to Kim Horn (she’s also a Master Bridal Consultant™) who produced the national conference and called me following the show to schedule a seminar for her local ABC Arizona Chapter on January 10th following Will Hegarty’s show Bridal Fashion Debut…and she also gave me some helpful pointers for landing a speaking slot for next year’s national show in Baltimore, MD. Kim produced the National Conference this year and she really did a tremendous job!

Peter Merry with Kim Horn, Master Bridal Consultant™

Peter Merry with Kim Horn, Master Bridal Consultant™

I also gave a signed copy of TBWRE to Carol Carroll (she’s the Director Membership Records for ABC) who oversees the books that get promoted in the ABC’s online bookstore and at their shows.

Peter Merry with Carol Carroll, ABC Director of Membership Records

Peter Merry with Carol Carroll, ABC Director of Membership Records

Liz and I were both surprised by how many ABC members wanted to stop me and take a picture with me while I was there. They were very surprised to see me just attending…but by doing so I’m hoping that I made a pretty positive impression with the powers that be at ABC.

I also ran into Gayle O’Donnell who used to carry my book in her bridal boutique in Seattle. She just happens to be good friends with Preston Bailey and so I mailed her a signed copy of TBWRE for herself and included a signed copy for Preston which she mailed out to him for me. Once we see how he likes the new version, we will look at sending him a signed copy for his good friend, Oprah Winfrey! Gayle also just published a fantastic blog article about TBWRE that really blew me away. You can check it out here…

http://www.paperpassionista.com/paperpassionista/2010/11/the-best-wedding-receptionever.html