The Story of Marketing Perhaps Joy is the Reward

Tune into this page from time to time as I update milestones in the process and reveal the chronological progression of how PJR goes to market.

September 2023 - The Local Launch

  • Through the month of August, as the first print run was produced and shipped, the Capra Trail and Mountain Running store promoted PJR in their customer newsletter and kindly took in-store and online pre-orders for signed copies of the book to be picked up at the launch.

  • Capra hosted PJR’s Sept 16/17 launch celebration, a fun and well-attended meet-and-greet author signing inspired by, and dedicated to, a special community.

  • Following the launch, PJR’s availability on AMAZON in both paperback and eBook formats was announced in the randykwriter Newsletter and on social media.

Q4 2023 – To Begin: A Local Sea to Sky Corridor Store Shelf Focus

  • Launch day saw PJR on store shelves at Armchair Books in Whistler, and at Capra and The Little Bookshop in Squamish.

  • By mid-October, PJR occupied coveted shelf space at Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Squamish.

  • November contained busy promo weekends with lively, successful book signings at Armchair Books in Whistler and Distance Runwear in North Vancouver.

  • I was honoured to participate in an informative and chatty author panel at The Little Bookshop in Squamish with authors Amber Cowie and Kay Linley in late November.

  • December saw PJR displayed on gift shop shelves at the popular Sea to Sky Gondola. They also promoted PJR as a Christmas gift idea online.

  • It was rewarding to have the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series (a prominent race series in the book) promote PJR on their social media and as a Christmas gift idea online in the lead up to the holidays.

Q1 2024 – Getting Online & Rounding Out the Sea to Sky

  • This website launched mid-January with Book Club Resources coming online Jan 30.

  • Shortly thereafter, a spirited The Kook Jester Show podcast hosted by Dustin Dickout released on Jan 16.

  • The start of February saw PJR begin its borrowing life at the Squamish Public Library and the wait list grew fast enough to warrant more copies on the shelves within weeks.

  • PJR next found a home on the giftshop shelves of the Tourism Squamish Adventure Centre on Feb 21.

  • Two beautiful snowy weekends of inspiring conversations and signings took place over back-to-back weekends in early March up at the Sea to Sky Gondola lodge.

  • On Mar 15, The Self Publishing Agency released an online trailer of my Author Day interview teasing the full release in Q2.

  • Throughout March, the groundwork was laid to secure test signings with Chapters/Indigo. Success was achieved with dates confirmed for two locations in April.

Q2 2024 – First Steps to Marketing PJR Beyond Its Home Turf

  • April began with a very enjoyable book promo/signing in conjunction with the first 5 Peaks BC race of the season—Alice Lake. Capra hosted me at package pickup and onsite at the race. It was heartwarming to share PJR at the event that features so prominently in Chapter One, the race where my trail running journey saw its first steps.

  • April 11 saw a well-attended Squamish Public Library presentation on how PJR was specifically structured to spin out the narrative of a changed life while giving the reader the “experience” of enduring.

  • As of a successful signing on April 20, PJR settled on the shelf of Chapters Coquitlam, Pinetree Village. Officially in stock at its first national bookseller location!

This section last updated April 29, 2024