My Fast Track Year
January 6, 2011
Hope you’re off to a great start for 2011! I’ve been thinking about 2010. This time last year, I hadn’t yet sealed the deal with my publisher. To say we fast-tracked my book would be an understatement! I’m often asked about the process. Here are snapshots from my year.
January and February 2010. Finalized book contract. Since I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2008 and spent my college summers studying in Europe, my book contained current, tried-and-true hot spots in twenty Euro countries. My publisher wanted this timely information on shelves in eight months…versus the two years it usually takes to push out a new book. Time to kick into high gear!!!
March. My publisher let me design the book cover. I decided to put men from true stories in the book on it. I focus-group tested cover layouts with single girls. This is what they chose.
April. Did my final book edit while interviewing over twenty more girlfriends who had just returned from studying and working abroad. I packed the manuscript with true stories in a chick lit feel. This month was crazy busy! I also had to continue working on the book cover. Let’s just say there were many late nights with my good friends Ben & Jerry!
May. My publisher thought I should create a blog. He said I could just quote parts of my book, but since my readers would be getting my book, I wanted to give them something more…so I started creating my videos.
June and July. First bunch of book interviews for newspapers and my first syndicated article.
August. Planned a university philanthropy book tour. Here is a picture of an event in Austin. It benefited First Book, which gives new books to underprivileged children.
September. As I continued doing book interviews and working on writing screenplay and creating videos, visitors to my website asked me to combine my book and film careers by answering the question, “If Audrey Hepburn were a single girl visiting Europe what would she do?” Here’s what I thought. If you have further ideas, email me. Katherine@MeetingEuropeanMen.com
October. This month was full of firsts. My first book hit shelves, I had my first book signing, was featured in my first Publishers Weekly video, had my first several radio interviews and philanthropy events, saw my book go to #1 in a travel category, and my videos went viral…thank you Perez Hilton:)
November. My first TV appearance, more radio interviews, and a Seattle Borders signing (pictured here) the day after Thanksgiving. My books sold out!
December. Philanthropy book event at Northwestern University benefitting abused children. Students Dayana and Allie planned the evening, which included a show by European men. I completed my 51st radio interview. Hope 2011 is the best year ever for all of you!
