Surprise Sales

Just Between Us continues to take the world by storm. Even after casual conversations about my newest release, people have asked to purchase this story. Routine visits to a hair salon have led to at least two book sales. After being fortunate enough to speak with a female veteran for the first time, she asked for a shipment of five autographed books, including Just Between Us and Danny R.O.S.S. I can't wait to hear what she thinks about them.

These two books have been a part of my life for the better part of a decade. I am so thrilled that more and more readers are delving into these stories and others that I have written with sweat, determination, and a ton of heart.

Being a writer isn't trivial work. Hours of editing take a lot of time and effort and the right person to catch the things that can make or break a story. I am grateful for critique groups, open mics, and friends who continue to cheer me on.

As always, for those of you who've read anything I've written, please do leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. I greatly appreciate your honest feedback.

Best Sales Ever

Saturday, February 26, 2022, started out as any other vendor event day as I drove with a carful of books, a wagon, and a display case to my destination in Willingboro, NJ. Many other vehicles vied for position around me, quite busy for 8am traffic. A half-hour later, I pulled up to the curb in a space just vacated by another hopeful vendor. The crisp morning air didn't delay the flutter of helpers. Even check-in went without a hitch. I paced myself, not wanting to expend a lot of energy too soon. After all, I had nine hours ahead of me. I said a prayer and began to unpack the tablecloths, signage, bookmarks, mugs, and books. Hope welled up within me as the start time drew closer.

Once the flow of shoppers began, it hardly slowed down. I greeted many and gave the elevator pitch for the fourteen books stacked on the six-tier stand. The popular question, "You wrote all these books?" was met with something like, "Eleven, yes. I have short stories in two Chicken Soup for the Soul editions and one in a Cat & Mouse anthology." Jaws couldn't drop any lower. A handful of folks who'd heard me read a scene the previous week from Just Between Us picked up the book they'd thought about ever since I'd introduced them to Zach and Tosha. I kept signing books until after closing.

At the end of the day, I'd experienced my best sales day ever. These are the kinds of days every indie author dreams about. I'm so very grateful. Thank you to everyone who visited my table. You are much appreciated. Enjoy!

Celebrating the Release of "Just Between Us"

 I released Just Between Us on January 20, 2022, on Amazon (Kindle, Print) and held a book release party on Facebook on January 22, 2022. I was so thrilled to celebrate an older sister's birthday in this way. I wanted to publish this story a year ago, but so many things worked against that happening. In fact, the release almost didn't occur this year on the day I wanted. I spent the better part of the previous week applying proofreading corrections and formatting the manuscript for both eBook and paperback.

The party was a hit with over a dozen in attendance and numerous views afterwards. I read the first two chapters plus the beginning of the third in voices that match how I heard each character speaking as I wrote the story. Many of the viewers suggested I record audio books. More to come on that possibility. 

In the meantime, please consider purchasing a copy of Just Between Us and do leave a review so others can read what you thought about it.

Consider joining the following pages on Facebook: Fan page Cassandra Ulrich, Author and private group Cassandra Ulrich's Journey as an Author to read about the latest updates.

Cover Reveal for "Just Between Us"

 

Single mom Tosha has made a home with Chaz, her fiancé, and their toddler, Emily. She’d hoped that Chaz would have given her a wedding band after Emily’s birth, but he keeps dragging things out. During a visit to her friends’, Karida and Tevin, house, Tosha discovers she’s pregnant with Chaz’s second child. She figures he’d rush to the altar now. That is until she walks in on Chaz doing the nasty with another woman.

 

Young bachelor Zach is ready to commit to the right woman, but after the latest breakup, he’s grown hopeless that he’d find his match. His friends, Karida and Tevin, convince him to go on a blind date with a woman they are sure he’ll adore. Zach experiences an immediate connection to Tosha and takes her to visit a crystal statue of intertwined swans. She wins his heart when she gets the significance of the swan dance.

 

Tosha is amazed at how much she’s into Zach. The only problem: she bids him goodnight without telling him about her daughter and the baby on the way. He calls after the date as promised, but guilt over her secret prevents her from answering. Tosha’s not sure she’s ready to trust another man with her still healing heart.

***

A Romance novel 

by Cassandra Ulrich

COMING SOON on Amazon.

***

For the latest info, visit

My Website.

Three New Short Stories in the Dark Fantasy Genre

 I did it! I wrote over 51K words during #nanowrimo2021 in a genre that is new to me--Dark Fantasy. My first story with a cop and a vampire debuted during #nanowrimo2020, and now it's been joined by the second part. So far, two critique groups have raved about the story. I can only hope part two lives up to the praise. I also wrote two other stories: one about a demon-spawned sixteen year old guy and the other about a prince who's been cursed to be bound to his castle for centures due to a witch's jealous rant. I have plans to include these stoies in a Dark Anthology and will let you know when its ready to be released. Editing will be the theme during 2022.

Dark Creations for NaNoWriMo 2021

It's day 6 of NaNoWriMo 2021, and I'm laboring away on some short stories for an upcoming Dark Anthology. Last year's attempt at short stories for an anthology featuring Zale, my merboy, went so well, I'm trying it again with a different genre. In fact, two non-fiction stories I typed during November 2020 were printed in two different Chicken Soup for the Soul books in 2021: "I'm Speaking Now" and "Tough Times Won't Last But Tough People Will." I excited to see what I create this month. I already know it'll be challenging with all of my commitments, but I am determined not to back down from this challenge. Wish me luck!

Breaking Out of the Dry Spell

Sunny skies and a moderate temperature marked the start of a wonderful day. On September 25, 2021, I spent almost eight hours at the Westville Fall Festival, setting up, presenting my books and mugs to potential customers, and packing up for the day. My booth neigbor and fellow writing friend, Tom Minder, and I talked and joked between sales. Standing next to a small petting zoo didn't hurt in the least. In fact, the crowds that walked by our booths were a welcomed treat.

I featured my newest releases: the print versions of Love's Intensity, If It Kills Me, and Danny R.O.S.S. I published those novels in 2020 to make use of my extra time at home. Mugs decorated with pictures of all my book covers filled in the spaces, ready to serve as holiday gifts. I even had many copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: I'm Speaking Now which includes a memoir of an event that happened to me many years ago.

Being able to sell my books at an outdoor event this year brought some relief after having every single vendor event cancel last year. So many of my readers had been waiting for new signed releases, but they had no choice but to wait another year.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table to buy copies of my stories and poetry. I appreciate your patronage very much.

Now, I'm looking forward to doing this all over again at the Collingswood Book Festival from 10am to 4pm on October 2, 2021.