Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Some people think that Cinco de May, the celebration held on May fifth commemorates Mexico’s independence, but this is not the case. The actual Mexican Independence Day is September 16. Actually, Cinco de Mayo celebrates and commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, undder General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín’s leadership.This  victory was important to the US union government because Lincoln feared that France would use Mexico as a base to help the Confederacy in the War between the States. Today, in Mexico, the country celebrates it as a national holiday from work and school. In the US, celebrations emphasize Mexican food and culture. Other areas like Windsor Ontario Canada holds  the “Cinco de Mayo Street Festival. some Canadian pubs also celebrate with traditional Mexican food and music. Vancouver Canada holds a Cinco de Mayo skydiving event. In the Caribbean Cayman Islands, they have an anual Cinco de Mayo air guitar competition. IN Montego Bay Jamacia, Bisbane Queensland Australia, London, Paris, tokyo, and New Zealand they also celebrate that day.

 

What Does May 5th have to do with Book Marketing?

Thursdays are the day that I discuss aspects of book marketing, so why (other than the fact that it is Cinco de Mayo) am I mentioning the date? Well, since Cinco de Mayo is a day commemorating a victory, I think that it is important to remember to celebrate the victories in our own lives. Marketing books is hard work. Most people have no idea how rough it can be to write a book and then as most writers find out very quickly,that success is very elusive.

Celebrate Daily Writing and Marketing Victories

I have been thinking about how I could celebrate my daily writing and marketing victories and I have been thinking about various rituals that I could do on those days when I have successfully done what I said that I would do that day. I was thinking that celebrations call for eating and drinking and dancing. Why not create a celebration for a day well done by eating a special food, drinking a special drink (doesn’t have to be alcoholic) or putting on some uplifting music and dancing around the room to the music’s rhythm. I don’t think I would want to do the same thing day in and day out so I could change it up a bit like taking a long hot bath or watching a favorite movie or television program.

Celebrating Monthly Victories

I think too, that I should celebrate other victories as well. I could celebrate weekly victories in writing and marketing for completing the tasks for the week similar to as I plan to do for daily successes, but I think that might be a little much. I not want celebrations to seem like obligations. I want each to be special so I think that the next increment that I celebrate might be monthly victories of actual results, not just actions. For instance, lets say I make record sales of my books in a certain month, then a celebration would be in order. Perhaps I could go to my favorite restaurant or something.

Celebrating Special Occasions

Then of course, there are those special occasions that deserve celebration. I like to celebrate the dates that I launch my books. Celebrating cutting the tether with a job could also be a reason for celebrating. A major marketing contract with a major company could also make this list. I am going to keep looking for ways that I can celebrate my writing and book marketing accomplishments. In what ways do you think you could celebrate your writing and book marketing accomplishments?

 

Donna Brown is pastor at Faith in God Church  1 1/2 miles south of Brandsville, Missouri on Hwy 63. Sunday services are at 10 am and Wednesday night Bible Study at 6:30 pm.   As Author Cygnet Brown, she  has recently published her first nonfiction book: Simply Vegetable Gardening: Simple Organic Gardening Tips for the Beginning Gardener

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and most recently, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga

Her most recent publication were two booklets Help From Kelp and Using Diatomaceous Earth Around the House and Yard. Available in paperback

.For more information about Cygnet Brown and her book, check out her website at http://www.cygnetbrow.com .