Thinking Outside the Box

If my less than stellar mathematical skills in high school and college were a tale-tale sign of my future then I should’ve known thinking outside of the box was right up my alley. On each math exam or quiz I groaned at the sight of a box with algebraic equations, L x W x H, or whatever else they could come up to torture me with. My issue wasn’t so much the math itself but the fact there sat a space confined within four sides. No way did I want to be in the center of that. I’d prefer to be on the outside of it exploring what else was going on. 

While this method of thinking doesn’t fare so well with math, it does when it comes to selling books. When I first ventured out I did the usual—set up book signings at bookstores and libraries. These turned out pretty well considering most unknown authors sell 4-5 books at these. I sold 45 in my home town but everywhere else I prayed to get 10. I did this for my first year, and then it dawned on me. I see people reading everywhere. So why not have signings at places other than book stores and libraries?

I started out at my desk at work. Co-workers. Why not? They always asked me to buy something their kids were selling. And, in most cases my books were by far cheaper. I made a form just like their kids had and emailed it and passed it out. Before long people were stopping by my desk on their breaks. As years passed I found more and more things to do. The most recent, a conference that had absolutely nothing to do with literacy. While at the conference this past weekend not only did I sale close to a hundred books in two days, but it opened the doorways to more conferences and with the marketing material I stuck inside the book after signing I am sure to pick up more sales. 

So, to those who only think inside the box prepare to be disappointed. But, to those who dare to be dance to your own tune be prepared to soar. It may not happen overnight, but if you keep at it it will. Good luck.

O. Keeys

www.okeeys.com

Making the News

Today's blog is simply a highlight of my book release party for Rise and Fall of a Track Star. Below was pulled from the front page of the Michigan City News Dispatch.

 

Emotional Reunion

Omegia Keeys shows her book Saturday to her former coach, Bennie Edwards. Photo by Tim Moran

Amid book signing, former Elston track star sees coach for first time since 1993

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

MICHIGAN CITY — There was nothing but smiles on the faces of Omegia Keeys and Bennie Edwards at Sophia’s House of Pancakes on Saturday afternoon.

Although Keeys did have a few tears running down her cheek, her run-in with Edwards at the local eatery was a heartwarming reunion.

Keeys, a Michigan City born author and former Elston High School track star, and Edwards, her high school coach and mentor in the early 1990s, were speaking to each other in person for the first time since 1993, the year Keeys graduated and began running track at Indiana State University.

Saturday’s reunion was part of a book signing where Keeys, who now lives in Indianapolis, returned to her home town to sign copies of her latest book, “Rise and Fall of a Track Star.”

“It is so wonderful to see Benny come back and to see the two of them together,” said JoAnn Johnson-Campbell, Keeys’ mother.

Edwards and Keeys took a few minutes, after an emotional hug, of course, to look through an old scrapbook of photos from their days with the Elston track team.

“It is so great to see him,” Keeys said. “It has been way too long.”

A proud Edwards could only smile when speaking of his 1991 state champion in the 400-meter dash.

“It is truly a blessing to hear and know about all her accomplishments,” Edwards said. “It is very enlightening to me to see her become a fantastic author and successful writer.”

It wasn’t just Edwards who came to see Keeys, now the author of six books. Her friends, family and a number of former teammates were on hand as she signed and sold copies of her newest work.

“It’s a great day to be back home,” the author said. “People have come in that I have not seen since high school.”

“Rise and Fall of a Track Star,” which can be purchased online at Amazon.com and other sites, is an emotional tale of how Keeys never gave up on her goals despite being a victim of a rape at 16 that led to the birth of her son.

Other works by the former stellar athlete include ones centered on preventing bullying and peer pressure.

“They are all for good causes,” Keeys said.

Edwards also was reunited with Keeys’ sister, Teresa Brown, who ran at Elston in the 1980s and qualified for the state tournament three times in the 200- and 400-meter dash events.

“It’s great to have the whole family here,” Johnson-Campbell said.



Need I say any more about my book signing? It was a blast! I would like to thank one of my closet and life long friend Stacey for being a part of this journey and Veronica, my ISU friend and track mate, for making the trip from Chicago.


Until Next Time,


Omegia

Definition of Success

I learned early on that my level isn’t the same as everyone else’s definition of where I should be. For me success is any milestone I cross which propels me forward in my career and life in general. That being said, this past weekend in Decatur bust my definition wide open. With every book sold my spirit soared further and further into the clouds. I am surprised I was able to come down in order to write this blog. 

This festival boasted a myriad of talent writing in every genre you could imagine and some I never heard of. With so many authors to choose from I am overly thankful they found their way into my booth with cash and credit card extended to purchase. Those who didn’t purchase took a flyer in order to by online later, and guess what from checking my ratings on Amazon this morning it seemed as if they did. 

 Me inspiring young minds

Even without the dozens of books I sold at the event I would have still been happy because my name and pen name is getting out there to the masses. More people learning I exist is a level of success to me. You never know whose hands it may fall in.

 Me spreading my seduction

My simple affirmation is to keep on moving forward. Had I given up on book one I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now, people feel confident in my work to pre-order my new work. Some lady bought all 5 of my titles on hand and handed me cash for Rise and Fall of a Track Star to send to her. I was accustomed to the online pre-orders but cash in hand from a stranger….wow!

My question to my aspiring and established authors out there is what is your level of success? Is it too high for you to relish in immediate gratification or so low you are only happy to sell to your family?

Until next time!

Omegia Keeys