Just wanted to offer up a prayer of gratitude, and thank all of you who pre-ordered the Gaian Tarot Limited Edition during the October Special Offer. Just before midnight last night (the cut-off date and time), the 350th order came in. This number exceeded my hopes and expectations.
The success of the Special Offer is due not only to the project itself (the deck and book and goodies that come along with it), but also to the marketing plan. Sometimes I think I worked as hard on crafting the marketing plan as I did on the whole deck! Well, not quite, but sometimes it felt like it. I want to acknowledge and honor the Marketing Goddess, Elizabeth Genco Purvis, for her guidance during this process, as well as the other women who were in the Abundant Business Mastermind Group with me.
And the lesson here, dear Readers, is this: if I can do it, so can you! (Every one of us has a special gift to give to the world. What's yours? And how are you offering it to the world?)
I'm pretty thrilled. And although I was not quite prepared for the mountain of admin work it would take to process the orders, print & sign & package the gifts etc, I am not complaining. What a joy to be able to produce this deluxe package for a group of people who are really going to appreciate it!
The Limited Edition is still available for pre-order and it will be ready by Spring Equinox or sooner. And the Llewellyn mass market version will be out in 2011. So there's something for everyone!
While many of you are working on your novels by participating in NaNoWriMo in November, I'll be writing like crazy this month too. But it will be non-fiction. I'll be finishing up the companion book to the Gaian Tarot, reworking those last few pieces of art and getting the art files ready to go to the printer. Then, I'll be designing the book and getting it ready for the printer. I'm really looking forward to a couple of months of intense creative work.
My heart is very full this morning. Deep, deep thanks.
Blessed be!
what a generous spirit you have to share your joy and success with us and to want the same for us. Thank you, Joanna.
love, Judy
Posted by: judy | November 04, 2009 at 07:20 AM
I'm doing a dance of excitement!
Posted by: Inanna | November 04, 2009 at 07:24 AM
This is SO fantastic!!! Congratulations, dearest Joanna! Wildest dreams DO come true!
xxxoxoxo!
- Beth
Posted by: Beth Owl's Daughter | November 04, 2009 at 07:28 AM
LOL!! I'm dancing with you, Inanna! Beth, thanks for all your love and support. And Judy - of course I want the same for you. Can you imagine a world where everyone's Gift was nurtured and they were able to bring it to the world, and have it appreciated, and see how it makes the world a better place? That would be Paradise indeed . . .
Posted by: joanna | November 04, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Joanna, as your post mentions--you had this success because you worked very hard for it. So I hope some of that deep thanks is going right back to yourself! I'm certainly grateful to you for putting this complicated and beautiful work into the world.
Posted by: L. | November 04, 2009 at 08:09 AM
This is very awesome! Congratulations! My husband ordered a set for our anniversary!
Posted by: Angela Raincatcher | November 04, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Wow! Joanna, that is wonderful!! I'm not really surprised. Your deck is beautiful and sure to be a classic. Congratulations!!
Posted by: Ellen-Mary | November 04, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Thank you L ~ yes a friend just reminded me to take a deep breath and acknowledge all that I did myself to make this happen. Why is it always so easy to thank everyone else and not necessarily ourselves? thank you.
Angela and Ellen-Mary - thank you, and I'm glad you both will have copies!
Posted by: joanna | November 04, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Your post mentions that it is still available for pre-order, but when I follow the link it tells me it isn't. Let me know, I'd be happy to join in!!
Posted by: Sulis Grove | November 04, 2009 at 11:22 AM
350 tarot collectors! And all with signed goodies? Do your poor fingers still work? Congratulations on a hugely successful launch on this project. Just wait 'til Llewellyn publishes...can you say "deck tour"? Enjoy writing the companion...this may be the last quiet time you get for a while!
Posted by: Grace Looney | November 04, 2009 at 12:01 PM
This just makes my heart sing Joanna. Ms Famous Tarot creator! Hard work deserves its rewards...enjoy.
Posted by: Marilyn | November 04, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Congratulations, dearest woman... this is absolutely wonderful... and you deserve SUCH goodness...
big love and blessings to you and your work
xoxoxo
goddess leonie
Posted by: Goddess Leonie | November 04, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Every time I remember that I ordered a deck, I do a little dance of inner glee. It's led to some strange looks at work.
Also, CONGRATS!!! :)
Posted by: Nelly | November 04, 2009 at 06:33 PM
The honor and thanks really should go out to you who have honored your gifts so well and brought them to life to share them with us!
Posted by: Anna | November 05, 2009 at 03:09 AM
Big,huge, congratulations Joanna! I've loved watching the deck unfold as your marketing has unfolded. It was, and is, a beautiful plan - full of integrity. I'm inspired!
Posted by: Tracie | November 05, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Sulis, I've sent you an email (as you know) - the deck is still available for pre-order but at the full price and without the extra goodies. I just haven't had time to put the sales page back up.
Thanks Grace :-) Yes my fingers still work but I still have about 100 prints to sign and package . . .
Marilyn, thanks for all your brilliant ideas in the MM group!!
Leonie, thank you. I know at least a couple of people bought the deck because they read your interview with me.
Nelly, that's a great image - LOL!
Anna - thank you. I'm learning to thank and appreciate myself!
Tracie, I'm so glad you're inspired! Truly, marketing with heart and integrity is the way to go . . . You go girl!
Posted by: joanna | November 05, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Thanks for encouraging us in our special gifts! Mine is writing and I did NaNoWriMo last year and finished the 50,000 words a week early, so I am glad you mentioned it. I am not doing NaNoWriMo this year, I am writing a novella for online fan fiction publishing and researching publishing houses for submissions of my short stories. I will have more time to write now, being forced into early retirement. Instead of being depressed with loosing my job of 26 years, I try to see it, and my pension - as a kick in the butt from the Goddess to get on with my writing! And I am so glad to be one of the 350 who will be looking forward to receiving your special Tarot deck edition next spring!
Blue Heron (Linda)
Posted by: Linda Daly | November 05, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Linda, what a great attitude you have! Best of luck on your novella and submissions. You can do it! :-)
Posted by: joanna | November 06, 2009 at 06:43 AM