Quickie Post: My Past 10 Days

It could be that the weather is getting better. Or it could be something else; me making a conscious effort to get out more! Over the past week and a half I have been busy going from event to event. It started Tuesday when I had a photo shoot with +Maria U. The following day I attended the Women's Business to Business Networking Event organized by +Dwania Peele (Canadian Small Business Women). Not only was I able to network and sell a few copies of my book, I also was given an amazing opportunity to speak briefly at the event. 

This takes me to the following Monday where I attended an art exhibit in Toronto called ALIVE by Camille Lauren. I had no intention of selling my books, but since I always carry copies with me, I was able to sell a few there as well. I was also given a free (and unexpected) shout out by the MC, Jordon Veira ‏(twitter: @JVDaPoet). Again, at this event I was able to network. 

On Wednesday I had another event which was catered to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. There we had the pleasure of listening to guest speaker Nikki Clarke of The Nikki Clarke Show. She was a great a speaker, giving a wealth of information. I was also able to network at this event. 

I have a few events this weekend as well, but I have to say I am happy with the progress that I have been making. 

Note to self, and note to you, attend as many (relevant) events as possible, and always have a copy of your book. Imagine me telling someone, “Oh, I wrote this booked called, What If the World Had No Colour?” and when they ask to see it I respond with, “Oh, umm I did not bring a copy with me...” I do not want to end up in that situation, because then it becomes a missed opportunity. 

I will continue to keep you posted on my progress and other GREAT opportunities coming up.

Until next time!


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Upon A Star Books Inc.

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Something is different, isn't it?

If you have frequented my blog before you may have noticed something a bit different...I changed the template! My previous template was a bit dark, but I admit there was something about it that I liked: 

Every now and then, it is time for change. I guess you can call this "spring cleaning." I like the new look, it is bright and fresh. With that being said, it is not just about what it looks like visually, it is about the content. Not only will I continue to show you my journey as a writer and publisher, but I will also look to highlight the journey of others as well.

I am really excited about the new direction my blog is going, and continuing to promote my book, "What If the World Had No Colour?"

I'll check back in within the next few days with some more updates!


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Upon A Star Books Inc.

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Have your say, do you like the updates?

Book Trailer and Updates

Book Trailer: What If the World Had No Colour?

So I am pleased to share with you what I came up with for the book trailer. It's a large file so I have attached a link to my website here, so you can watch it!

I thought this would be a cool way for people to get a glimpse at what my book is about.

The Month of April (so far)

The month of April has slowed for me a bit, but it has given me time to network and do more research. I constantly have to be researching, improving upon my brand and my business. 

Here is a video I found today (from YouTube; I do not own the rights to this video), that in a way sums up the different things I have been researching for some time now.

The company who sponsored the video, Infinity Publishing, promoted their company by putting together a video that gave free advice to aspiring writers looking to go the way of self-publishing.

Eventbrite (Events website)

I am falling in love with this site. They have so many events (including free ones!) advertised on here. It is like a networkers dream! An interesting event coming up this week is offered by Mediabistro. They are putting together a free event for publishers, writers, photographers etc. to come together and network. Not only do I feel as though I can find great events on here, but I can also promote any of my future events on here as well. 


At the end of this week I will update you with some more news! Stay tuned!

Getting Social

I hate to sound like a broken record, but here it is...it is very hard to promote your product these days without social media. As I have become more acclimated with social media I am learning new ways to engage with others. Even by watching how other businesses utilize social media to engage clients, fans, and followers with discussions and giveaways has really inspired me to take my social media ventures to another level.

Although I had already created a Facebook page for my publishing company (Upon A Star Books Inc.) back in January, today I have created a new Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/authorJessicaAlex

Here I will have updates about events I'm attending, and every Wednesday I will host an active discussion on my page (starting next week)!

Beyond getting social via the internet, I have also been getting social at various events. I have chosen events that allow me to network with others, but also sell my children's book, What If the World Had No Colour? This has turned out to be very successful for me, both in selling my books and meeting new contacts such as Dwania, founder of Canadian Small Business Women. What has also been gratifying at those events, was that I was able to donate proceeds from those sales to important causes such as JCA's Saturday Tutoring Program. 

I am also excited about the trailer I am working on. Yes, you heard read correctly. I am working on a trailer, a book trailer, so that you can get a preview of what my book is about. That will be up before the end of this month!

In the meantime I am continuing to brainstorm and connect with others, finding ways to make my book a success!


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Upon A Star Books Inc.

I'm Back for More

I have not forgotten about you, or my promise to keep you in the loop of my self-publishing journey.

It has been a while since I have posted something about my self-publishing journey. So many things have happened since my last blog post. Starting from the end of February things really began to pick up in a whole new way. Since Feb 28th I have attended four different events to promote my book. Each event has been successful, not only in promoting my book, but making contacts with a lot of wonderful people. With all that being said, I have decided to dedicate this post to book marketing.

If I have not already said this, book publishing is not easy. Although there has been a shift in publishing, one that allows flexibility for an everyday person to self-publish, it does not mean that it is for everyone. That might sound surprising to hear that coming from me, but I have gained a new respect for major publishers during my experience. I stand by my decision to self-publish 100% because I am business and entrepreneurial-minded, however, a lot more groundwork goes along with self-publishing. You have got to pound the pavement constantly and cannot drop the ball (ever).

Seeing that I also hold a full-time job, it is not always easy to do that, but because of my passion and dedication I have found a way to make it happen. 

So how does this all tie in with marketing? The easiest part of publishing (in my opinion) is the writing of the book, putting it together, getting the copyright, getting the ISBN, getting it printed etc. The hardest part, especially if you are new to the scene is to MARKET the book. If people do not know about your book who is going to buy it? 
Furthermore, selling it to only friends and family will only get you so far. If you want to break-even and then some, you have to get your book out to the public. They have to know about your book, and more importantly, CARE about your book. Care enough that they at least want to buy it. 

So far I have had one article published about me in a previous issue of Community Contact (Montreal). That was a pretty big deal for me because Community Contact is a pretty well-known and successful newspaper in Montreal. Now, if I cannot get into the big papers here in Toronto, that is okay. Remember that saying, ‘start small.’ As my cousin Simon says, “All promotion is good promotion.” Local papers, neighbourhood papers are my next target. A little blurb about me in one given neighbourhood paper, in a city like this, can hit up to 5000 people. I will also be targeting community radio shows, which is a great way to get people to hear more about my book.

© Photo taken by +Maria U in a local restaurant at my website launch party, Jan 2013

From there I will have built a portfolio, one that I can post on my website, but also show larger newspapers and TV stations, “Look I’ve been featured before.” When calling in to one of our TV stations here, one of the first questions they asked me was, have I ever been featured in the media before? I have to be able to show that my book, my company etc. is newsworthy. When I approached a major bookstore about putting my book in one of their stores via consignment, they wanted to know, have I marketed my book, and have I had media coverage? They asked this because of course, they do not want my book sitting there collecting dust. 

Marketing does take a lot of time and research. Not everything that glitters is gold, and not everywhere that you can put your book means you should go there either. You have to think about the message behind your book, and who your target audience is. My book, “What If the World Had No Colour?” ($12.99 CAD, plus GST, available through www.uponastarbooks.ca) is a children’s book, so for instance if I am putting it in the media, I cannot have it in a “hot babe” magazine. Obviously that is an extreme example, but hopefully you get the idea.

It is important not to forget about my favourite, social media. As I had mentioned in one of my very first posts, “Social Mediaaaaaa" you would be hard-pressed to promote ANYTHING without having at least one social media outlet to promote from. 

For future I will not wait so long to post, no matter how busy things get. Look out for a follow-up on this marketing article, and I will also be sure to post some links on what will help you further to successfully promote your book, or whatever product it may be!

Best of luck.



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My Night at the African Canadian Achievement Awards

So last night I was invited last minute to the 28th annual African Canadian Achievement Awards. I was really in no condition to go, for several reasons, but I got myself together and I went. How could I pass up on an opportunity like that. You never know who you will meet, and even if it's just to show your face - this is a very critical step in my self-publishing journey. A year ago when I did not have a book that needed notoriety, I may have said "Um, I think I'll pass for tonight - I do not think I will be ready in time." However, this is not a year ago, this is now (see Now or Never? post below). 

I do not regret for one second going there. It was a wonderful evening where I was able to share in other peoples success stories and achievements. It was truly an inspiring evening, one that I hope I will get to be a part of again. 

I also had the opportunity to introduce myself to some important figures in the community, and pass along a few copies of my book. It is not like I am trying to be one of those hustlers who carry their CDs in their trunk, but guess what; that is exactly what I need to be right now in order to reach the next step. 

Being shy and worrying about what others might think will land me in one place: in my momma's basement with a box full of unsold books. 

As promised I will keep you posted on my ups and downs (hopefully mostly ups) of my first book publication.

~Until next time~

Now or Never?

Now or Never?

Simply put, if I was to choose between the two (now or never), I am choosing now. When it comes to my life, and going after my dreams, I cannot afford to procrastinate because who really knows what tomorrow will bring. Isn’t that why they say, “there is no time like the present.” Well my present to myself is to live in the present. However, I am not going YOLO style with this. I’m not going out there saying, “I’m young so let me live my life wild and stupid because tomorrow is never promised.” 

I am, however, going out there saying I have to go for my dreams now, and as far as I am concerned there is no such thing as the word ‘failure’ in my vocabulary. None of this “even if I fail, at least I can say I tried” anymore. No, instead I will say “Maybe, I may have setbacks along the way, but these are mechanisms to make me stronger and wiser.” Point. Blank. Period. My goals, my dreams, my aspirations, will come true by the measure of my work ethic. The scary thing is my work ethic is getting stronger everyday.

I will keep grinding, now, because if it is not now, it will be never. Who really wants to spend the rest of their lives saying what if? I know I don’t, which is why I will keep writing, and continue to keep dreaming up ways to promote my book, and continue to do what I set my mind to. 

The ‘dreaming’ is the paper, and the ‘doing’ is the pen, together it makes history, it makes the present amazing, and the future seem attainable. 

Below I have an excerpt from the upcoming newsletter for my company Upon A Star Books Inc: 

Just the beginning

By Jessica Alex

Ever since I was a little girl I loved to write and draw. That is something that 20 years later hasn’t changed. Four years ago I set out and wrote a children’s book called, “What If the World Had No Colour?” I left it, finished school and went about with my life. Then in 2012, I read my story over again and said, “Why not?” Why not publish this book. I didn’t go the traditional route by trying to find a literary agent, and subsequently a big-time publisher. 

Be sure to check out www.uponastarbooks.ca for the rest of this newsletter next week. Thank you for visiting my page, and look out for more postings!

I leave you with this, keep dreaming and start doing.

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