This was a huge affair, primarily because my husband's family is...well, huge. We met "cousins" we had never met before (or if we had, had long since forgotten) and talked and laughed and celebrated for hours. And in the midst of it all, my husband and I distributed "Beyond Me" buttons to everyone who would hold still long enough to receive one.

Of course, we were careful that our "birth announcement" didn't overshadow the bride and groom, who were the obvious stars of the event, but family gatherings of this sort are the perfect way to market/publicize a book. In the past I thought I had to take my box of "freebie" books to this sort of event and hand them out to all those cousins whose names I didn't know and who would promptly place the free book on a shelf to gather dust. Experience has taught me otherwise. With a very few exceptions, my freebies are now reserved for media and other influential people who can actually help promote my book. But passing out buttons, business cards, and bookmarks is a great way to announce a new book and, hopefully, stimulate sales.

At least, it seems that way to me. And my handsome grandson Chazz appears to agree, don't you think? So consider giving it a try the next time you attend some sort of family gathering. Buttons and bookmarks aren't that expensive--especially if you get a good return on your investment!