Cruising and Shameless Book Promoting

posted by Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy

As most of you know, Aunty recently returned from a fabulous eleven day cruise to Mexico. Yes, I had a wonderful time, but I'm here to tell you that it wasn't all fun and games!

Okay, maybe it really was fun and games, but our lovely publicist Danielle has rubbed off on me, because I also found an opportunity to promote my newest release, The Treasures of Venice. In the midst of my cruise, no less!

In case you haven't been on a cruise before, you might not know that not every day is spent in a wonderful and exotic port. Some days you have to spend getting from place to place. On these 'at sea' days, the cruise director and his staff try to provide entertaining ways for passengers to occupy their time.

Since I am not a sun-worshipper, a card player, or an exercise fanatic (EEK!), I do appreciate the efforts to provide other ways to occupy ones time. After all, there are a limited number of times Aunty can force herself to watch "Star Trek," "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," and "My Life In Ruins," (5, 3, and 4 respectively) especially on that tiny 7 inch TV screen in my cabin! And the singers, dancers, and comedians perform only after dinner. So games like Movie Trivia and the Newly-Wed and Not so Newly-Weds are fun diversions and also offer audience participation.

On one of our later sea days, the game for the afternoon was "What's My Line." Suddenly, Danielle's admonisions about taking every opportunity to promote our books echoed inside my head. Here was a great opportunity because *I* had an unusual and interesting job! With my DH egging me on, I went up before the game started and put down my name, hometown, and my unusual occupation: Romance Novelist.

Turns out, the cruise director, who was in charge of the game, also thought my job was unique, and I was one of the 6 contestants selected to stump the panel (two comedians and a singer). While I nervously awaited my turn on stage, the two people who went on before me had really wild jobs. One owned an "adult entertainment" store and the other was a female SWAT cop. I was afraid I would be a little anti-climactic after those two. But when the assistant held up my occupation for the 100 or so people in the audience to see, a ripple of applause and positive laughter went through the crowd.

Once I heard that, my nerves disappeared! I even managed to give some funny answers to the panel's questions (Panelist: Does your job provide something everybody needs? Aunty: I think everyone needs it, but no, not really.) and I totally 'stumped' them as to my job. In short, I was a success, and the cruise director even asked me the title and release date of my latest book! HOORAY! I clearly and distinctly enunciated each syllable, knowing I would make Danielle proud.

Best of all, when I got back to my seat, dozens of people asked if I had a card. Did I?!?! (I was never a scout, but I know how to be prepared!) I grabbed my purse and started passing out bookmarks and post cards! My DH even helped. And after that, in the hallways and elevators, other passengers would look at me and ask, "Aren't you the writer?"

So now you all know what I did on my vacation. I promoted my book!

Do you remember the game show "What's My Line?" What about other old game shows from television? Which ones were your favorites? Do you like the newest ones like "Deal or No Deal?"