The Elsie Files

My book The Elsie Files has a national release date of February 5, 2013, but I pre-ordered 100 copies to sell to my friends and family.  This has been a lot of fun, as I can personally sign each book I sell.  I have sold quite a few books to my students.  It is an indescribably good feeling to tell students to "pull out their silent reading books" and see kids pull out something written by ME.  I have had a few different reactions to the book, so I figure I will tell you about some of them here:

1.  I almost had to take away the book from one girl because she wouldn't stop reading it during math class. After the second time I told her to put it down, she said that really it's my fault that she can't pay attention in math.  If I would have made the book a bit more boring, she would be able to put it away.  Ha ha...  Interesting argument there.  I still made her put it away, but I was a little flattered.

2.  One girl came up to me the morning after she bought the book and said, "Mrs. Webb, your book is the BEST book I've ever read.  I am allowed to stay up until 8:30 reading, and I couldn't stop until 8:42!  I would highly recommend that every child read your book.  Even the children in China."  I'm not sure why specifically the Chinese kids got a shout-out there, but oh well.  I would totally sell them books if they wanted them.

3.  One of my boys bought two books.  When I went to sign them, he said, "Could you please sign one of them to me, but in the other one just write your name?  See, one of them is for me to read, and the other one I am going to wrap up to keep it in mint condition.  That way, when you're really famous, I'll have a signed, mint-condition first edition copy of your first book.  It's how I'm going to become rich."  BWAHAHAHAHAHA!  I really appreciate his faith in my writing abilities.

4.  One girl came up to me and said, "Mrs. Webb, I'm so glad that I'm in your class.  It's so fun to rub it in my friends' faces that MY teacher is a real author and THEIRS isn't.  Ha ha!  I win."

5. I have been especially humbled by the students who used their own money to buy my book.  A couple of them are still saving up ($10 is a lot when you're in fifth grade).  I don't know how many authors get their books purchased using all coins, but I have now sold two books that way.  I have no idea what I'm going to do with all of those quarters and dimes.

6.  At recess I came across three girls reading my book.  I asked them how they were liking it so far, and they said they love it.  Furthermore, they have named themselves the "Elsie Files Fan Club."  SWEET!  I HAVE A FAN CLUB!  Now I've truly made it in life.

7.  One of my boys came up to me and said, "Mrs. Webb, your book is actually really funny."  It was as if he was truly surprised that teachers could be funny.  I think I earned a little bit more of his respect that day.

Anyway, it's been a fun experience to be a "real" author.  I am excited to do book signings and sell my books to strangers, but I don't think anything is going to be as satisfying as seeing how much my students enjoy it.  It was worth every second of work that I put into it.

If you don't have your copy yet, order one today!