Laura Duksta's Blog

This is one of our favorite stores! Another gallery FILLED with inspirational, beautiful, GIFTY things! My mom and aunt had actually stopped in when I Love You More first came out, but hadn’t secured an order. Several months later Don Earle and I were starting off on our 1st cross country ILYM Tour and hit Sarasota. We found what we thought was the cutest shop “Little Bo-Tique” –what a great name, though it was empty inside. To be fair it was the end of 2002 and some businesses were definitely feeling the effects of 9/11 –tourist travel was down. They told us they’d really been effected and wouldn’t be able to take on new merchandise. Lucky for us we walked around the corner and stumbled upon Garden Argosy–no one told them business had slowed–the store was packed, bustling with workers and shoppers! We asked to speak to an owner and was told she wasn’t in, as we explained a bit about our book, Kathie, one of the owners, who was just too busy to deal with “soliciters” spoke up because she remembered hearing about our book. She took a case of 40 books and we were on our way. They’ve sold 1000′s of copies since and they are ALWAYS busy!! It’s a fabulous store–be sure to stop in the next time you’re in Sarasota and let them know “The Bald Chick” sent you!

The week before Valentine’s Day my mom and I traveled over to Florida’s West Coast for my nieces State Champ Soccer Game. Unfortunately they lost after a double OT in penalty kicks, but it did give me the opportunity to stop by Garden Argosy and sign books! It’s always great to stop in here because as I shared they are ALWAYS busy! I signed books for a few people and then had the absolute pleasure of meeting James, Tyler and their parents. Tyler was a little shy but not James, he’s an avid reader and quite the shining star himself! We talked for a bit, I signed a book for him and his brother, he agreed to share my book with his class making him an official *Ambassador of Love* and then…he asked his mom if I could sign his jacket. At first she said “No” but quickly realized if he wanted his jacket signed who was she to stop him. It was a true *Rock Star Author* moment for the both of us I’d say! I did his mom a favor and signed on the inside James and I connected that night–he was born with a cleft lip–though it wasn’t his cleft lip that connected us, but his attitude about it. “I was born this way” was what he told me–bright, beaming and brilliant!! After his mom took the pictures of the two of us he turned to her and said, “Facebook It!” My kind of kid! Keep Shining James! Your attitude makes this world a brighter place!!

*Rock Star Author* Moment

James…A Shining STAR!

This is one of our favorite stores! Another gallery FILLED with inspirational, beautiful, GIFTY things! My mom and aunt had actually stopped in when I Love You More first came out, but hadn't secured an order. Several months later Don Earle and I were starting off on our 1st cross country ILYM Tour and hit Sarasota. We found what we thought was the cutest shop "Little Bo-Tique" –what a great name, though it was empty inside. To be fair it was the end of 2002 and some businesses were definitely feeling the effects of 9/11 –tourist travel was down. They told us they'd really been effected and wouldn't be able to take on new merchandise. Lucky for us we walked around the corner and stumbled upon Garden Argosy–no one told them business had slowed–the store was packed, bustling with workers and shoppers! We asked to speak to an owner and was told she wasn't in, as we explained a bit about our book, Kathie, one of the owners, who was just too busy to deal with "soliciters" spoke up because she remembered hearing about our book. She took a case of 40 books and we were on our way. They've sold 1000′s of copies since and they are ALWAYS busy!! It's a fabulous store–be sure to stop in the next time you're in Sarasota and let them know "The Bald Chick" sent you!

The week before Valentine's Day my mom and I traveled over to Florida's West Coast for my nieces State Champ Soccer Game. Unfortunately they lost after a double OT in penalty kicks, but it did give me the opportunity to stop by Garden Argosy and sign books! It's always great to stop in here because as I shared they are ALWAYS busy! I signed books for a few people and then had the absolute pleasure of meeting James, Tyler and their parents. Tyler was a little shy but not James, he's an avid reader and quite the shining star himself! We talked for a bit, I signed a book for him and his brother, he agreed to share my book with his class making him an official *Ambassador of Love* and then…he asked his mom if I could sign his jacket. At first she said "No" but quickly realized if he wanted his jacket signed who was she to stop him. It was a true *Rock Star Author* moment for the both of us I'd say! I did his mom a favor and signed on the inside James and I connected that night–he was born with a cleft lip–though it wasn't his cleft lip that connected us, but his attitude about it. "I was born this way" was what he told me–bright, beaming and brilliant!! After his mom took the pictures of the two of us he turned to her and said, "Facebook It!" My kind of kid! Keep Shining James! Your attitude makes this world a brighter place!!

*Rock Star Author* Moment

James…A Shining STAR!

We learned early on that it's a challenge for self-published books to do well at major and even indie bookstores. Having a presence in these stores has definitely been one of the many gifts of being with a publisher. Our publisher, Sourcebooks, not only has relationships with these stores, they've also been able to afford opportunities to have our books displayed, according to some "children's leads" at Barnes and Nobles "more often that not!" I like that!!

I LOVE my gift shops and galleries, though one of the reasons we teamed up with a publisher is that we believe our message will make a difference for everyone that reads it, and we want our message in as many hearts, homes and classrooms as possible–millions of them! That's why it's important to make it available through many markets. There's a different audience that shops at bookstores than at galleries, and we've recently been picked up by Scholastic book fairs, which will make it available to even more young people and teachers! My favorite thing about Barnes and Noble is that I can stop in to stores all across the country and find my books. While I was on tour in the spring it was awesome–the I Love You More board books were at the front of the store on the Family Stories table by the register, and the hard cover I Love You More was on display on the picture book wall. You Are a Gift to the World was on the Father's Day display–and that was consistent in their 700+ stores…WOW!!

This Valentine's Day I Love You More is once again up on the Children's Picture Book wall, and starting next week–on the 21st I believe, it will be on a ladder display towards the front of the store! It will be sharing the ladder with none other than Love You Forever…a book that's sold well over 11,000,000 copies–we have some catching up to do!

So here's the contest…the first 3 people to go in to Barnes and Noble next week, purchase a copy of I Love You More and take a picture beside the display of I Love You More and Love You Forever, post it to Facebook with the location mentioned and me tagged…I will send you a signed copy of the ILYM board book! Mailed anywhere in the US.

I've had the absolute pleasure of meeting and connecting with the "children's leads" all over the country (that's what B&N calls the head of their children's departments) from Boca Raton to Coral Gables, FL, from Pasadena and Glendale, CA, from Copley Square Boston to Hingham, MA, from the Salt Lake City to stores all over the Phoenix area to this past weekend all around Tampa and MORE!! This month's display was very dear to my heart as it included SO many very special books to the I Love You More story! In the picture below you'll see these titles on the wall with us… What Mommies Do Best and What Daddies Do Best is the reason why my sister said "You should make I Love You More a flip book, with the mom and son's stories meeting in the middle." The Kissing Hand was one of my Mom's favorite books as she taught kindergarten for over 38 years, she also read, prior to ILYM, Love You Forever during Mother's Day teas. Gloria and Officer Buckle was the book of my mom's that I took and 'glue sticked' our draft pages in to, to see what our book would look like! I still bring this around to show the students at school visits! The Giving Tree is one of Karen's favorite books. And, On the Night You Were Born is one of my agent's other books! Quite a wall!! I've taken dozens of pictures of it–people must think I'm crazy–and they're probably right

Have a Wonderful Valentine's Week! Remember to look for the love that surrounds you; know that you are love and are loved!!

Keep Shining!!!

Laura

Picture Book Wall at Barnes and Noble

Christy at the Brandon, FL Barnes and Noble

* Art for the Soul *

As soon as I began researching galleries to carry I Love You More I came across Art for the Soul, with stores in Laguna Beach and Balboa Island. What a name! The PERFECT spot for my book, I thought?! I made a call, sent out a review copy and followed up several times with no response. Then Don Earle came on board and he wasn't going to be stopped, he called, and called and called again. Finally, Valinda the owner got on the phone and explained that she had received a review copy, and that the invoice said that the book was "slightly damaged" but that 1/2 the book was printed upside down and she would never carry something of such poor quality! HA! Don explained to her that the book was meant to be upside down, and the "slightly damaged" more than likely referred to a bent corner! She looked the book over, laughed, apologized and ordered a case. The next order she placed was for 4 cases 160 books, and to this day, almost ten years later, that is still about how many she orders every time! We've had many laughs over the years about her initial resistance! I've also had the honor of her sharing her very inspiring personal story with me and what prompted her to open her two beautiful stores–you can read her story on her website.

I've had the chance to visit both stores Laguna Beach at 272 Forest Ave and Balboa Island at 210 Marine Ave. If you're in the southern California area be sure to stop in and tell them I sent you! They've since become one of our best selling galleries with thousands of copies sold! Thanks Valinda and the Art for the Soul Team–You Are a Gift to ME and the World!! Be sure to visit  www.art4thesoul.com and their Facebook page www.Facebook.com/art-for-the-soul

Here's what Valinda had to say recently…

"We sell several books at Art for the Soul, but none evoke the emotional reaction that I Love You More does. We all enjoy watching as our customers discover I Love You More, they smile, often wipe a tear and then will carry the book around the store wrapped in their arms, hugging it. This book is a gift and we are grateful to have the opportunity to share and sell it in our stores!"

Keep Shining!

Signing I Love You More at Art for the Soul

A table full of Love and Inspiration at Art for the Soul

David the owner at Madison and Friends

In October 2004 I walked into Madison and Friends Children's Boutique on Rush Street in Chicago. I didn't have much time as Don Earle was double parked with his Ford F150 truck we were in on our 2nd cross-country tour with I Love You More. One thousand books packed tightly into the truck. We had traveled from the Gulf Coast of Florida to the Red Wood Forests in California (sound familiar) on our first trip and now we had headed north to saturate "Oprah-land" with love. Don Earle was a good friend who joined "Team Love" to help get our book and it's message out into the world. He was BRILLIANT at getting stores to carry I Love You More as he truly believed that everyone who read ILYM would benefit from it.

Back to Madison and Friends…I popped my head in to see the owner David who I'd dropped a book off for the day before. He barely looked up from his desk and said, "It looks good why don't you leave me six copies." To which I answered, "Six copies, are you crazy? You'll need more in a week!" David replied, "Why, how many do you want to leave me?" When I told him a case, which is 40 copies he 'nicely' said…"You can leave as many as you want, but I won't sell 40 books in 6 months!" "Bet On!" I said, "Not only will you sell them, but you'll need more before Christmas!" I think that was my all time favorite sales pitch!

He let me set them up on the counter and wouldn't you know that he ordered 2 more cases…yes, 80 more books before the end of the year! They now have two stores one at 43 East Oak Street and 2039 West Roscoe Street in Chicago. By far the COOLEST clothes for your children ever and the BEST selection of jeans in The Denim Lounge! Be sure to check out their website–you can order on line and their cool video starring David himself. Our book is featured right beside the "Wall of Fame" where all their celebrity and sports star clientele sign their names! Video: Madison and Friends Video featuring I Love You More

This year as I Love You More was turning 10 David gave us this fabulous quote…

"How could you say no to the "Bald Chick"?  It is not everyday when a super, hot looking bald chick comes into your store trying to sell you an amazing kid's book. Almost 10 years later and 1000′s of copies sold at Madison and Friends, we could not be happier that she walked into our store!"

David Shelist, owner, Madison and Friends, Celebrating our 15th Year! 43 East Oak St.-2039 W. Roscoe St. Chicago, IL www.madisonandfriends.com

Thanks David!! I Love You More fans be sure to stop by Madison and Friends when you're in Chicago and tell them "The Bald Chick" sent you! Also find them on Facebook. They also have my new book You Are a Gift to the World. If you stop in to the store take a picture and post it here or on Facebook and tag me in it. There will be random prize winners of signed board books or personal video readings for people who post pics!!

Keep Shining!!!

Laura

Hello Friends! I’m back. I seem to spend A LOT more time at www.Facebook.com/laura.duksta than tending to this blog. Here is one of my commitments for 2012: I am going to post one of my favorite galleries, children’s boutiques or bookstores every week this year that carries I Love You More and You Are a Gift to the World. I have some wonderful stories from over the years of stopping into stores across the country and finding great homes for my “babies”! I didn’t start in January, but rather declaring my year a failure, I’m going to post two spots each week in February. I’ll share with you, part of my resistance to blogging is not being comfortable with how it works, though I know, just like all new “techie stuff”–the more I use it, the more familiar I’ll become, the easier it will be! And it will be nice to have my posts archived rather than fleeting on my FB page! So, here goes…I’m testing the “QuickPress form” on WordPress…Testing 1, 2, 3… First highlighted store coming soon! Keep Blogging Laura, Keep Blogging!!

Hello Friends! I'm back. I seem to spend A LOT more time at www.Facebook.com/laura.duksta than tending to this blog. Here is one of my commitments for 2012: I am going to post one of my favorite galleries, children's boutiques or bookstores every week this year that carries I Love You More and You Are a Gift to the World. I have some wonderful stories from over the years of stopping into stores across the country and finding great homes for my "babies"! I didn't start in January, but rather declaring my year a failure, I'm going to post two spots each week in February. I'll share with you, part of my resistance to blogging is not being comfortable with how it works, though I know, just like all new "techie stuff"–the more I use it, the more familiar I'll become, the easier it will be! And it will be nice to have my posts archived rather than fleeting on my FB page! So, here goes…I'm testing the "QuickPress form" on WordPress…Testing 1, 2, 3… First highlighted store coming soon! Keep Blogging Laura, Keep Blogging!!

I've been waiting for the "right" day to officially start my blog. In doing so I've missed some some good opportunities, my 1st book, I Love You More landing on the New York Times bestsellers list, the launch of my 2nd book, You Are a Gift to the World, my birthday and others, though August 14 has been a special day in my life for the last 23 years. So, today I will make my first official post in The Conversation of Love Blog! I'm quite certain I could write a book about this experience so my challenge here will be to give you some highlights and save the rest for future posts!

Losing my hair at age 11 and wearing wigs had made me extremely introverted and I didn't make friends easily. In the summer of 1987 I met Donna Lee Morrison through a roommate service. It's hard to believe we only knew each other for a little over a year, though over that year we were inseparable. Our favorite thing to do was to go out dancing. House music was all the craze in Boston and we were "Dirty Dancing" right along with the movie. "I Had the Time of My Life" became one of our theme songs. I decided that after my 2nd year at Boston College I was going to transfer to University of Maryland, Donna without hesitation said, "Well, if you're moving, then so am I". That was when I knew I had a true best friend. We made plans to head down to DC to get her a job and apartment a few weeks before school started. She was a graphic artist. Donna worked for a design company and didn't get off work till 10pm on Friday. We planned to drive to NYC, go dancing at The World and then continue down to DC. We were young and clearly thought ourselves invincible. We arrived in Maryland and spent some time visiting with her childhood friend from Maine, before heading out to get her an apartment in Georgetown and a job in Adams Morgan–perfect! We had lunch at Pizzeria Uno which was one of our favorites, as we'd gone to the one in Harvard Sq the first night we met. Then we had a drink at Paper Moon which I visited recently while on tour and we headed back to NYC. There was a nightclub that went through name and crowd phases called Roxy or 1018. Donna had never been and she asked if we could go there even though it wasn't a hotspot at the time. I didn't mind and we ended up dancing with a small group of guys in the back who were "voguing". We had one drink, a sea breeze, as we planned to get back on the road and drive home as Donna had a dance troupe fashion show event she was part of that Sunday afternoon.

That was the first time I heard my loud inner voice. As we pulled on to 95 I heard a voice that wasn't mine say, "put your seat belt on". I actually argued with it saying "I don't wear my seat belt, wonder if I get stuck in it?" It replied even louder, "put it on." I did as I was told and said to the voice, "Then I should tell Donna to put hers on too." It answered, "No, it has to have been her choice whether to wear it or not." She was driving and the last thing I remember was hearing "Every Little Step You Take" by Bobby Brown another one of "our songs". I smiled at her and then must have fallen asleep, which I had promised not to do, but after almost 48 hours of being up it happened. Donna must have nodded off too, and the next thing I remember was being in the car upside down strapped in my seatbelt, someone was knocking on the window asking if I was okay. I was wearing at-shirt that said, "Will Somebody Rescue Me". I was able to let myself out of the seatbelt and car and they took both Donna and I to the hospital. She had flown through the window and ended up not making it. That was the night my best friend became my best angel. I now believe in my heart that she was going to die that night and if I had told her to put her seatbelt on I would have thought she might have survived if she hadn't had it on… There were so many little god-incidences that happened. This was before cell phones, I'd come out of the bathroom and she'd be sitting on the floor on the pay phone talking to ex boyfriends, friends and family members. She had also recently seen her cousin who she hadn't spoken to in months and found out that she was also transferring to University of Maryland. Sara and I saw each other at the funeral in Maine and decided it made sense to go to school since we'd be together. The funeral was tough, her mother was hysterical, I cried more than any human being would think possible, and everyone got choked up when my dad approached the coffin and started to cry. Maryland is a HUGE school, but Sara and I ended up living in the same dorm only doors away from each other. When I arrived at Maryland my dad walked me down the hallway to the last room, where there were two stars on the door, Laura and Donna…yes, my roommate for the next year had the same name as my best friend who had just died. This was the beginning of Donna showing up in unexpected ways and how my awareness, experience and understanding that life goes on formed. Not that it made it any easier at first, I think I cried for three years at least once a day.

Often she showed up in music, it seemed either "The Time of My Life" or "Every Little Step You Take" would come on at just the right moment. But two new songs also took on great meaning. At Bayside one afternoon in Miami, as I was sitting with my family in the food court a song started playing that I knew, but never gave any thought to, tears started streaming down my face, "Fire and Rain"…but I always thought I'd see you again… This song would play at just the right time over the next 20+ years. Then, 10 years after the accident I was back in Connecticut for the first time-the accident happened close to the Stamford Hospital. I was with friends at the opening of a night club in Hartford. The DJ played a song, that as soon as it came on, tears started pouring uncontrollably down my face. I'd never heard the song before and didn't even hear the words given my sobbing. I asked the DJ about it later and he brought me to the booth to hear it. As soon as it began, again so did the tears. I still didn't hear the words! He made me a cassette and sent it to me in Miami–yes this was 1998 so before CDs! The song was called Shine by the Space Brothers and remixed by Paul Oakenfeld. The song says… The soul of an angel, touched from above, your spirit is shining, surrounded by love, there will be emotions you have never felt, there will be questions in your mind, your sister left your side to help you grow and now she watches while you shine, the soul of an angel… REALLY?!

That was the same night I found myself praying for my sister, when a voice clearly answered me and said, "Your sister is fine, pray for your nephew." Again I did as I was told, and as I prayed for Tyler the whole idea for I Love You More flooded my being. I guess my inner God speaks loudly in Connecticut maybe I'm due for a trip back! It took a while to transition from bartender to author. It was actually August 14, 2001 that we made the decision to self-publish. The end of this year will mark 10 years of I Love You More being in the world! We named our publishing company I Shine Inc and I've signed my books "Keep Shining!" because I know I have an angel by my side me who reminds me to always Keep Shining!

In 2008 I was in Boston promoting the re-release of I Love You More with Sourcebooks. It was a very full day, starting with a morning toddler time on the South Shore, an afternoon event at Curious George Goes to Wordsworth in Harvard Sq, lunch at Pizzeria UNO, and an event on the north shore in the evening. As I left Barnes and Noble, walking out to my car, I said, "this day has been perfect, except I didn't hear our song…" I got in the car, turned on the ignition and playing on the radio…."I Had the Time of My Life!" That weeks sales landed us on the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time!

In the coming years I'd also write my first song and poem about my angel experience. I know I've been blessed by the soul of an angel and will do my best to keep making world a brighter place by filling it up with the conversation of love and reminding all my brothers and sisters to…Keep Shining!!

Shine

Last night as I sang to the stars

I realized they may be the souls

Of former friends or of future children

So I sang louder and louder

And I thanked them for listening

I heard their applause

And they thanked me for being,

At the same time we all said, "Your Welcome!"

And as I watched them twinkle

They watched me SHINE

Remember loved ones that life goes on, and family and friends that leave us here in physical form become part of our team of angels! Oh…and one more angel moment…Sourcebooks picked a new illustrator for my 2nd book, You Are a Gift to the World..I wasn't surprised to find out that her name, though spelled Dona, is pronounced Donna! Still by my side, still reminding me to….Keep Shining!!

Thanks for reading!!! I'd love to connect here and on Facebook wwwfacebook.com/laura.Duksta also search for the I Love You More and You Are a Gift to the World pages. We'd love to hear from you and see pictures of you and your loved ones enjoying our books!

Welcome to my blog…we're getting there, slowly, but surely. Please check back in the next few days and The Conversation of Love should be in full swing! For now, please check out my website www.LauraDuksta.com and visit me at www.Facebook.com/Laura.Duksta.Author

Keep Shining!

Laura

Also remember to check out my website http://www.LauraDuksta.com