The BIG One!

Well, what a Summer that was! The last few months have been about picture book business, sell-out Storytimes, great events and lots of book signings! My Library Book Signing Tour was brilliant and there are too many experiences to write about here, but I will say, please go and read this blog post which concludes my tour: https://musicaudiostories.com/blog/library-book-tour.

Tada! I have some very special picture books for you! When I began my Music Audio Stories journey, I never could have imagined how dramatically it would change my life and how many unfamiliar situations it would put me in. If you follow my posts on social media, you would have noticed by now that I cover many many aspects, both in the creative and business fields.

One thing I didn't think of when I started to produce children's products was the fact that I would have to sell them. Sales! Another fun-filled world to learn about and not just online sales. Selling in person is not for the fainthearted! 🤣 

I was thrown in at the deep end a few years ago and it was a tough learning curve for me. There are sales techniques that help and are worth learning but one of the best lessons I have learned over the years from running stalls is to simply have fun!

Never put pressure on yourself to sell. It doesn't help! Just relax and enjoy telling people about the things you have created and leave expectations at home. Don't take lack of sales personally and always be prepared for the unexpected!

At this point, I must direct you to another blog post I wrote here: https://musicaudiostories.com/blog/festival-fun about the fun I had at this year's Hidden River Festival! As always, there's so much I want to tell you about but Music Audio Stories takes up so much of my time these days, that I have to be very selective with my time and so I move on quickly here to tell you about my next event. It's a BIG one...

I'm so proud to announce that my Storytime is heading to MCM London Comic Con! 🎉 This is the largest event and venue I'll have the privilege of performing at and I absolutely can't wait! Earlier this year, I brought my new picture book, Billy Joins the Circus, to MCM for Book Signing and it was brilliant. Now, I have been invited to do my fun interactive musical Circus Storytime for the children on Sunday 30th October at ExCel London. 

 Full event details and ticket link here: musicaudiostories.com/blog/storytime-at-mcm-london-comic-con

Don’t miss out on the best weekend of the year and my super fun Circus Storytime. Your little ones are in for a treat!

See you there...

♥ Anna-Christina

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MusicAudioStories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

Here and There, This and That

Ok, so normally, I would be using this time writing this blog post to tell you about my next Music Audio Stories event and I will, but first I want to write about something else. Quickly!

Since my last blog post, I did have another event and it was a huge success for many reasons. Last weekend, I took part in Brompton Annual Open Day. It was the first time setting up the Music Audio Stories stall with my new picture books, Storytime supplies and my interactive space for children.

A table may not seem like such an important thing to write about but I felt so proud, just seeing all of the fun things I have created over the years for children to enjoy, all laid out looking so beautiful. With the evolution of my company, so too has my stall evolved and it's still growing all the time. I spend so much time rushing here and there, doing this and that, I rarely have a moment to contemplate what I am achieving. But standing there, at my stall, looking at my products, I've never felt so proud of myself.

I have spent years testing my products to make sure they meet my high standards so I could go out into the world with confidence and say, yes, children love this. Yes, this is recommended by teachers. Yes, parents love it too and yes, reviewers and customers have given these products 5-star ratings!

I'm glad I took my time to try to perfect every detail because now, nothing is giving me more joy than seeing children reading and enjoying my new picture book in particular. I realise this is only the beginning of my book journey but so far, it has been extremely well received. Both the parents and children love the concept of the book with the audio and activities inside. I've had so many wonderful comments on the story, the colourful vibrant illustrations and the high-end quality of the book. It was well worth the great effort and investment put into it.

I am about to start my Library Book Signing Tour tomorrow which is so exciting! A new phrase of my life and business has already begun and I know that life will be busier than ever before but I am 100% up for the challenge. I can do the long days that often stretch late into the evening. I can do the heavy administration involved. I can manage the many social media platforms at once (with a little help from a friend).  I can sit there making and wrapping up hundreds of books to perfection over and over again. Why? Because I love Music Audio Stories and I love the positive impact it's having on children.

Read about my last event and see photos of my table and Storytime in the chapel here: funday-in-brompton

All the years of hard work that have led me to this moment were completely worth it and I can't wait to see what unfolds in the months ahead.

♥ Anna-Christina

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

 

London Film and Comic Con

Woohoooo! The surprises keep on coming. I've got another BIG announcement!

I'm brimming with excitement to tell you that my third book signing event will be at this year's London Film & Comic Con! July 2022 sees the return of Showmasters London Film & Comic Con at Olympia London. It promises to bring you some of your favourite stars from TV, Film and Comics as well as a whole host of fun activities including photo shoots, panels, autograph sessions and hundreds of stalls full of TV and Film memorabilia to browse.

The event has around 100,000 attendees over three days and takes up the whole of London Olympia. I am thrilled to have been invited to do a book signing with my illustrator, Jenika Ioffreda.

 

Olympia London

Date: Friday 8th July
Time: 10 am - 7 pm

Date: Saturday 9th July
Time: 9 am - 7 pm

Date: Sunday 10th July
Time: 9 am - 6 pm

Address: Hammersmith Road
London
W14 8UX

Train Station: Kensington Olympia (District line)

Come and meet the stars, comic book artists, authors and illustrators and of course me! I will be there on all three days, so come and say hello to me and my illustrator, Jenika, and get your signed discounted copy of our new picture book, Billy Joins the Circus!

See you there...

♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

MCM London Comic Con

Wow! This word pretty much sums up my time at MCM London Comic Con. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I've been to a convention before but this was the first time I was there as an exhibitor and it was quite an experience. My illustrator, Jenika Ioffreda, takes part in many Comic Cons, all over the world, and it was absolutely brilliant to be there with her, signing copies of our new picture book, Billy Joins the Circus.

 
I rolled into ExCel London, with my purple suitcase full of picture books, at around 4 pm on Thursday for set up. I purchased a snazzy new Beeswift Hi-Vis security jacket and as soon as the set up was complete, I headed over to check out The Treehouse and the Family Lounge area. It was a magical forest setting, complete with cute mushrooms, bean bags, little tables, sunflowers and a tree at its center point. I've never seen ExCel this way before. In set up mode. It was pretty cool seeing the artists and creators wheeling their things in and setting up. It was 'the quiet' before the show!

We created an interactive space where children could listen, watch videos, read and learn about our story, Billy Joins the Circus. It was a lovely opportunity for little ones to meet us and get a signed discounted copy of our beautiful new picture book.

From the moment I stepped off the train at Custom House on Friday morning, I felt like I had stepped into another Universe! I rushed past Spiderman, Wonder Woman and many other superheroes as I was running late and wanted to make sure everything was ready to go before they arrived. After a few little adjustments, quick photos and a coffee, the doors opened and the fun began. MCM London Comic Con is the biggest convention of this kind in the UK, with about 130000 visitors in three days. Saturday was sold out and although there were times when I found it a challenge to keep up, it was fantastic!

We were in the Artist Alley close to The Treehouse and Family Lounge area, so every now and then I popped over to see the children and chat with the lovely folks over there. I didn't manage to see much of the exhibition or take many more photos as it was so hectic and there wasn't any time. I even missed taking photos of our book signings but I can say, that everyone we talked to had a great time and it was a very successful weekend. I feel so lucky to have been part of such an incredible event and now I can't wait for London Film & Comic Con coming up in July!

As always, I'm trying to keep up but I do have more exciting news, events and I must tell you about an adventure I had recently! More blog posts coming your way so watch this space...

♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

Epic Book Signing Events

I can hardly believe this is happening and how lucky I am to announce my first-ever book signing is at one of the largest events in the UK! MCM London Comic Con! It's back from 27th to 29th May at ExCel London. It's the biggest convention of this kind in the UK, with about 130000 visitors in three days and I am going to be there with my illustrator, Jenika Ioffreda, signing copies of my new picture book, Billy Joins the Circus. WAHOOOOOOO!!!

This convention has its roots in comic books. Comic Con started in 1970 as the Golden State Comic-Con, a three-day event that drew about 300 people. As comic book movies have become of increasing importance to Hollywood, there has been more and more movie and television involvement in Comic Con, in turn attracting more mainstream media attention and a wider base of potential attendees. Conventions take place all around the world and they probably have the most comprehensive selection of comics in any one location. Fans dress as their favourite superheroes and it really is packed with fantastic entertainment and so much to see and do.

Check out all the family-friendly interactive sessions, entertaining performances and things to do with your little ones here The Treehouse. Gather your padawans, young wizards and little superheroes! Kids ten and under go free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder – so you can bring the whole family along to enjoy the show, explore the Treehouse family area and make some memories together. I'll be there on all three days, so come and meet me and my illustrator, Jenika, and get your signed discounted copy of my new picture book, Billy Joins the Circus! Don’t miss out on the best weekend of the year...

 

My book signing adventure continues at one of my favourite libraries, on Monday 30th May, with a Storytime Special. I will be entertaining children with my fun interactive musical circus Storytime at Wimbledon Library. Following this, I will be signing discounted copies for the lovely families at the library! Details for both of these fantastic events can be found here:

Storytime Special and Book Signing | MCM London Comic Con

As you can see from the banner above, I will also be at London Film & Comic Con in July! Details for this event will be posted soon, as well as more Storytime Specials, festivals and book signing events throughout the Summer. I can hardly contain my excitement!

Let the adventures begin...

♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

 

On Radio This Weekend

As a winner of the Funky Kids Radio People's Choice National Artist of the Year - Europe 2021 award, I was invited to do a live radio interview on Sunday 3rd April. The interview was broadcast at 7am in Melbourne, Australia.

My interview will be rebroadcasted, along with my music audiobook, Billy Joins the Circus, on Funky Kids Radio this weekend on:

• Saturday at 8am and 10pm
• And Sunday at 3pm

Listen here: https://streamdb3web.securenetsystems.net/v5/FKRADIO

And here's a short video with a little message for everyone who voted for me to win this award! 

 BIG THANK YOU once again to everyone who voted for me! I am extremely grateful to you all!

 ♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

This is going to have to be a very quick blog post as I'm rushing around doing way too many things at once at the moment! But I did want to keep you up to date on my news, so here we go...

Live Radio Interview

I am super excited to announce that I will be doing a live radio interview on Funky Kids Radio this Sunday 3rd April 4-5pmAEST / 7-8am UK. Live broadcast station: 94.1fm 3WBC Melbourne

Tune in to listen here ➡️ tunein.com/radio/3WBC-941FM-s106230/

This week, I received my lovely new winners badge and certificate. It's been a long time since I've done a live radio interview and I've never done one for Music Audio Stories, so I'm really looking forward to it. I know it's early for UK folks but I hope some of you can tune in and listen to it live!

Storytime Workshops

On Monday, I begin my Easter Storytimes at various libraries which is so exciting. I heard today that Wimbledon Library has sold out which is AMAZING! This is the second time one of my workshops has sold out this year! Although I'm very busy doing book stuff right now, I actually can't wait to be back at the libraries to see everyone again and to entertain the kids and meet the families. Even though I have enjoyed bringing my Storytime on YouTube, I have missed this side of Music Audio Stories greatly. Dates, times and locations can be found here: https://musicaudiostories.com/blog/easter-storytimes

Product Photography

And finally, I wrapped up product photography and there's a new Behind The Scenes YouTube Playlist with all the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhtHjyeLaQXl9-xGR4vS4dGKM-ijZ0Hwb

Right, that's it for now. Got to dash...

♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

Behind The Scenes

After running around in London last month, enthusiastically showing librarians my new picture book, this month, I've switched it up and been in the studio learning how to master product photography. Those of you who have ever attempted to do this may be thinking 'Why? Why AC would you want to put yourself through that trauma?' Well, I thought it would be a fun project and I am always up for a challenge!

First, I had to buy a new camera. Although Nikon cameras are known to be better for beginners due to the fact that their settings and terminology are easier to understand, I went with the Canon. Not only is it a great camera for photography but the video capacity is awesome too. My Canon has a mic input and flip screen which is so important for a YouTuber like me. Plus, people I work with use Canon so in the long run, it will be easier to match up film/photo footage later on.

I can't even tell you the number of times I have turned the camera on and been puzzled as to why there was no picture on the screen, to then realise, I'd left the lens cap on! 😆 It's a good job it comes with a strap too as I have almost dropped the camera several times! Although this camera is pretty straightforward, for a novice like me, it's a little overwhelming. Hello, YouTube tutorials...

I decided to use my Fovitec Soft Boxes. Lighting is a huge topic especially when it comes to product photography, so before I even attempted to take any photos, I did quite a lot of lighting research. I'm a bit of a studio tech person so I find this kind of thing interesting anyway. It doesn't matter if you have all the correct camera settings and angles right, if the lighting is wrong, the photo won't be good. It's as simple as that. I also decided to go with a white backdrop as I felt products photographed on white would be the most versatile in terms of posting them on Etsy and on the Music Audio Stories website.

No better way to learn than on the job! I set up my products on the floor and began to photograph them. However, about halfway through, I realised two problems...

One, because the display was on the floor, I found that the light was not hitting the products in the right way. This was especially noted on my picture book where I wanted to capture the high gloss finish of the cover. The light was hitting everything from the bottom and not the sides. Plus I was fighting with all sorts of shines and shadows in all the wrong places!

Two, crawling around on the floor for any length of time is agony for the knees and back and not something I would recommend. How did I ever build Lego cities on the floor! It also meant that I couldn't use my tripod for my front-faced shots which was a bit of a pain. However, I still managed to get some nice shots...

For my second shoot, I set up my display on a table which meant I could position my Soft Boxes exactly where I wanted them to be, use my tripod and sit on a stool! Ahhhhhh, this is how 'they' do it... At last, I was getting the hang of using the Canon, taking some decent photos and rather enjoying myself. My mission was to not only take good clear photos but to create lovely scenes and experiment with different angles and layouts. Get creative and have fun. That is so important when you are trying to do something that is challenging. At the end of the day, you've got to be having fun.

It's important to learn as much as possible about product photography if you are going to do it yourself but at the end of the day, nothing beats experience. It can be difficult to follow what you may have learned online as everyone's set-up, lights, space etc is different. Make a start, even if you're not ready to and just do it. I haven't fully learned everything about the Canon camera but it has been a fun experience being thrown in, somewhat at the deep end!

Shorts on YouTube here: Music Audio Stories YouTube

Enjoy!

♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

National Artist of the Year Winner!

Wow! I won the Funky Kids Radio Award! This is absolutely AMAZING! Throughout January, people voted for me to win THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE GLOBAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2021 - EUROPE! I can't even tell you how grateful I am! To have such support from followers, fans, friends, and colleagues, is just amazing!
 

What is wonderful about the Artist of the Year Award is that the winner is chosen by popular public voting. To know that people appreciate your work and will make the effort to show you their appreciation is just heartwarming! I managed to clinch the win with multiple 5 bonus point rewards thanks to everyone commenting and following the Funky Kids Radio Facebook page.

As a nominee for the Global Artist of the Year award, I was featured on 'Radio Info', Australia's largest radio industry site, in both their weekly updates, emailed to tens of thousands of subscribers across the industry! Funky Kids Radio were one of the first radio stations to feature Music Audio Stories, so this makes my win even more special!

BIG THANK YOU to everyone who voted for me! I feel so grateful to you all! 💓 I love what I do but it does have its challenges and it's nice to know that people care and support me. This is the second award I am winning from a public vote. You guys are the best, thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm feeling the love...

♥ Anna-Christina

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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/musicaud... 

Website: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/ 

Storytime: http://storytimewithannachristina.com/ 

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Subscribe to get a free audiobook here: http://www.musicaudiostories.com/#sub... 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicaudios... 

Storytime with Anna Christina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytimewi... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicaudiost...

A Dream Come True!

If you would have asked me a few years ago where I would be in my life today, I would never have guessed that I am where I am right now! My life has transformed beyond recognition and I am so grateful that the Universe turned my path, quite dramatically, a few years ago! Everything that has happened to me over the last few years has definitely been for my highest good and it feels amazing to be the master of my own ship! I feel so blessed to find myself surrounded by the best, talented, loving and supportive people I could have ever asked for to accompany me on this unpredictable and amazing journey that is my business, Music Audio Stories!

It is with great pleasure that I can tell you, (although those who follow Storytime with AC online will already know), I am officially a published children's book author! At Christmas, I released First Edition copies of my new children's picture book, Billy Joins the Circus and the response has been wonderful!

Now, I'm not going to lie, creating this book has been a huge challenge for me but it has also been a lot of fun and I have loved working on it with my awesome team! This book really is a dream come true for me and I can't believe it's finally out!

Find out more about the book here: limited-special-first-edition-picture-book

And if this wasn't good enough news I have more...

I am delighted to have been nominated for the

Funky Kids Radio GLOBAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD!

Woohooooo!!! Funky Kids Radio has featured my Music Audio Stories on their radio show several times and it is an honour to be nominated in the category of

PEOPLE'S CHOICE GLOBAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2021 - EUROPE!

Voting is now open via a Facebook poll! Tick the box on the left by my name.

5 HUGE BONUS POINTS for me if you follow the Funky Kids Radio Facebook page and comment with

"I follow FKR and I vote for Anna Christina at Music Audio Stories"

on Facebook! Vote for me here!

Voting will only take you a second and I would greatly appreciate your vote!

Over the next few months you will see me rushing around, like one of those crazy business people on The Apprentice, with my book in London! I can't wait! A whole new chapter of my story has already begun and I am so excited to see where it goes...

Thank you so much, everyone!

♥ Anna-Christina

Voting closes 10 pm AEDT on 23rd January and the winners will be announced on Valentines Day 14 February 2022! Winners will receive a platinum promotion package on Funky Kids Radio, award certificate and trophy, social media promotion and an interview on the Funky Kids Hour in 2022, which broadcasts on numerous terrestrial stations across Australia and over a dozen online stations globally each month.