Friday, December 27, 2013

SAVE YOUR LIFE STORY! The Benefits of Memoir

By Deborah Wilbrink

First published in Mature Lifestyles of Tennessee, Nov. 2013. Reprinted by permission.

“I knocked on doors and convinced people that they needed electricity.”

“Mom and Dad took me to the welfare office and left me there.”

“Cows have personality, and Wild Sue was super shy.”

Everyone has a story to tell, as you can tell by reading these quotes from Tennesseans who write memoir. Every life is unique. What do you have to say? Telling your life story for others is the fascinating genre of memoir. Memoir is a life story, told by the person who lived it, that focuses on important key events.

If you’ve thought about saving your life story so that others can read or view it, you are not alone. Memoir writing is an increasingly popular activity, and books of memoir are scattered throughout the best seller lists. After all, “truth is stranger than fiction.” Recording your personal story or family history offers some excellent benefits!

1. Preservation. Some say the spirit endures three deaths in this world: when the body dies, when the body is buried, and when it is finally forgotten. You can ensure your life and the stories of your family are not forgotten by leaving your memoir.

2. Revelation – This is a chance to tell the truth as you see it. While history is written, and rewritten, tell others what really happened, personally and historically in memoir. You were there!

3. Education – Leave to others the valuable lessons you have learned about life! Storytelling is the oldest form of education. If you learned something the hard way, or have a valuable skill, why not share that in memoir?

4. Family Connection – The process is fun and interesting, prompting sharing between family members. Your memoir will bring you closer to family members, sometimes in unexpected ways. It can also be a treasured heritage gift.

5. Mental Stimulation – Simply making an outline of events can tickle dormant memories awake. You’ll enjoy corresponding, looking at old photos, and simply telling that special story as you compose your memoir. Learning new skills, meeting new people that help with your project, and practicing formal thought are enjoyable mental exercise.

6. Self-Awareness – As you recollect and record, you’ll find yourself revisiting choices that you made, or were made for you. But now, you have a whole life of wisdom. You may find that you see the past in a different light this time around. Memoir can be therapy and an aid to spiritual development.

Many people find these benefits and more from telling their life stories. Ninety-eight year old Thad Martin was proud of being the last person to remember croquet games at Nashville’s Centennial Park. He wanted to tell that and more, creating more conversation with his great-grandchildren. One year later, Thad’s family was listening to their minister read Thad’s stories about his religious experiences. Their elder had passed, but everyone was still laughing at his stories. His spirit was there, and the great-grandchildren saw love and respect for him all around them.

Mary Mallen is determined to make something of her journals and notes. She’s writing a memoir for her daughters’ families, and for the public. “Optimism and enthusiasm will get you through the hardships,” will be Mary’s theme as she recollects the changes in the travel industry. Mary started life in a traveling house trailer, but ended up revolutionizing airline sales.

Convinced yet? Many people have an idea for a memoir that stays with them for years. It’s important to act on that idea. Writing or recording your life story comes easily to some and seems difficult to others. There may be a “kin-keeper” in your family, the go-to person who saves the stories, the photographs, and whatever you may have of genealogy and family trees. A younger person may be willing to spend time recording and editing your story. Books, websites, and classes are available. Professionals are creating the new career path of personal historian, with a professional chapter in Tennessee. A personal historian, I offer a free blog subscription to tips on writing memoir at my website, PerfectMemoirs.com.

So put away your fears and procrastination, and take up your pen or recorder. Now, where were you when . . . ?

Deborah Wilbrink is an editor and ghostwriter for Writers in the Sky. She is a personal historian and proprietor of Perfect Memoirs, a personal history business. At PerfectMemoirs.com you can also subscribe to her blog about the genre of memoir, “Point of View.”
 

Monday, December 23, 2013

Poetry and Prose Corner December 2013

Are We Cold Yet?

It’s there
In the air,
You can sense the hawk sweeping.
Soon,
Very soon
It will wake from its sleeping
To bite and to nip
To claw and to rip
To haunt and to halt
In its bone-chilling grip.

Good sense says to hide,
To keep safely inside
Secure by the fireside
To weather the tide.
But fate bids me go
On my trek through the snow,
And suffer her wrath
As her glacial winds blow.

And the taut winter breeze
Brings the strong to their knees
As autumn surrenders
To deep winter’s freeze.

Dennis S. Martin
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/


The Realization

By Lisa Emery

The fountain of youth is easy to find; be still! It's beyond your mind. Remove all thought, take a breath... lose all judgment and regret. Negate all time; it's not what it seems... this life we're in, IS the dream. It's not something you do, it's more something you are; recognize this truth and there'll be no holds barred. Human and Being… separate yet whole... to learn the difference of each is our earthly goal. It really is simple yet touches so deep, true Realization may bring you to weep. Our physical bodies are human indeed, but to touch the Being Inside us is what we all need. Now "Being" you see is what's deep underneath... beyond all thoughts in this life, our body's our sheath. The soul that we house is eternal and truth. When you tap into this power you'll find timeless youth. There's no limitation when you touch this core, you'll see beauty around you never noticed before. The mysteries of life will then become clear; fear will no longer grip you when adversity is near. The Universe becomes helpful in all that you do, synchronicity appears and blessings shine through. Open your heart, open your soul... the manifestations you seek will be rewarded tenfold. Be 'one with life'; be always Present. Life is happening Now... this very instant. Accept each moment as it is, when this is achieved then true Peace shall live. The freedom that comes in the Present moment, is equal to none... it's the purpose of our existence.

Lisa Emery is a poet and writer trying to make a living with words as well as trying to make a difference. Randomnessfromwithin@wordpress.com



Please Don't Cry

By: Brenda McBride

Written for My Dad, Herbert Grant

Please don't cry; the salt from your tears can fill an ocean with sorrow.
So save your tears, and fill that ocean with cherished memories
that you store in your heart…
Those memories will sustain you, and keep you close to me when the pain becomes too much to bear, as you feel the hollow space
that's torn you apart…

Please don't cry; wipe away your tear drops one by one each day, as you begin to take one step forward to face a new future, one with promise and joy from deep within…
Leaving your sorrow behind you, while still feeling connected to those you've loved and lost, take charge of your emotions, let the healing begin…

Please don't cry; let your tears vanish into drops of hope, with many hopeful wishes that will indeed come true, in the process of your
healing and becoming strong…
The pain may be overwhelming now, but in time you'll see a remarkable change inside of you, miraculous in many ways…
Have patience, it won't take long…

Please don't cry; you must realize I'm still close by your side in spirit. I'll never leave you or wander too far away from where you are…
My world co-exists with yours; we are a part of one another. I'm in the cool breeze that passes you by and I'm in the warmth if the sun…
Accept my passing as part of life: it was my time to pass on. Your time will come too, when the day is done.


Brenda McBride lives in Temecula, California, with her two teenage girls and is a substitute teacher working with special education students. Several of her articles and poems have been published in various magazines in the last several years. When her father passed away in 2011, her grief became so unbearable that she began writing to release deep emotions. There's not a day that goes by without the thought and beautiful memories shared with her wonderful dad.


Caw-a-thon

Ten or twelve crows, maybe more, flitting and flighting from one pine tree to the next.

Caw! Caw!
Fussing and fuming, feathers a-flyin'.

A black-feathered family reunion
I believe it was.
Complete with baked beans and fried chicken.
Potato salad. Yes, potatoes, baby!

"I haven't seen you since last winter."

"Is that your green bean casserole?"

"Have you put on some weight, dear?" (Probably too much banana pudding.)

"Aunt Tooley!" (You're still living?)

There was enough cawing and calling and cackling to send a query overseas—or at least a long-distance call—to invite the rest of the crow family to come and fight over which tree to serve the desserts in.

(C) 2013 Yvonne Perry
 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Discovery—Planning an Exceptional Book Signing From Start to Finish (Part 1)

Despite the fact that bookstores are closing, authors still want signings and events. Now, more than ever, calendars fill up quickly for events, and space is even more precious than it has ever been in the past. What do you do when you have a book signing and no one shows up? Sure, that may sound like the beginning of a great joke, but for many of us, it’s our worst nightmare. Here are some tips on how to have a great event to help bring together existing fans and drive new readership.

I learned this the hard way during my own book signing years ago. Though I had sent marketing materials in advance, the store manager hadn't put any of them out. No posters, no bag-stuffers, nothing. Needless to say, I learned the hard way that book signings are more than events: there needs to be a strategy behind them. As an author, you should be prepared to get up and talk to people. Don’t just sit there and sign—we should all be so lucky that the lines for our book are so long that we barely have time to jot down our signature in our book and move to the next fan. Generally, though, this isn't the case.

The Buddy System

Some authors like to have another person there signing with them to drive additional interest to the event. I've done it both ways, and they each have their merits. First of all, the buddy system will probably bring in more people since you are essentially doubling your publicizing efforts (or, at least you should be). You can turn a simple book signing into an event. One of you can be having a book discussion or workshop, while the other author is signing. It’s a great way to draw and keep a crowd. Also, often it’s easier to get publicity when there’s more than one author present. This type of book signing works well for unknown authors—if, say, you have a specific program or want to have a book signing that lasts all day. In fact, many bookstores now offer a night that celebrates new authors, so ask them if they do this. Often you’ll find that they will pull together as many as seven authors. While this may seem like a lot, it’s really a fantastic way to drive a larger crowd to the event.

No Sitting on the Job

As I mentioned previously, don’t just sit there and smile. Get up, move around, and engage people in conversation. Would you believe I’ve been told that some shoppers are actually intimidated to just walk up and talk to an author? But, if you speak to them first, you’re breaking the ice and, maybe, making a sale. Take your focus off of yourself and your stack of books and put it on the people in the store. As with anything in marketing you’re really selling yourself. Get up from your chair to greet people as they enter the store. I usually have a small flyer made up with the cover of my book and a blurb about it, and I tell people I’m signing books today. Smile and talk to them and hand them a book. If you tell them about your novel, be sure you have your short and punchy elevator pitch ready. The last thing you want to do is take up a ton of their time when they are there to shop. Get them excited about it—let your passion shine through. Passion is a very contagious thing.

Go See What the Competition is Doing

Have you ever visited someone else’s book signing? I did because I wanted to see what it was about, to see what other authors did. Some of your best ideas or taboos will come from watching other people. I remember the first one I went to. I entered the store and there she was, the smiling author, pen ready and stack of books looming over the table. I wondered if I were just a customer that happened into the store what would make me walk up to her unless my specific purpose had been to attend this signing? Then, I wondered what I could do to draw that traffic. Face it: no matter how much publicizing you do, unless you've got a spot on Good Morning America to talk up your signing, most of your foot traffic will probably just be shoppers. If you’re really lucky, you’ll see some frantic people in search of last-minute gifts, and autographed books make great presents!

Be Unique!

If your book involves anything that you can tie in with a theme or a prop, all the better. I went to a book signing for an author who specialized in period romance. This particular novel was set during the 1600s and she dressed in a gown fitting to the time. She also had a castle backdrop that a neighbor painted for her. Her neighbor was an aspiring artist, so not only was she doing the author a favor but the neighbor got to showcase her work as well. People really love this kind of thing. I mean anyone can sit at a table and smile, but sitting there (or likely standing) in a corset for four hours takes real passion. Give some thought to what you can do to develop a theme or prop for your signing. If the store will let you, you should bring in food, too. This is especially great if it ties into your signing. And you don’t necessarily have to show up in costume, but try to do what you can to set yourself apart from the rest.

A Few Final Notes on Book Signings

Be cautious of pay periods when scheduling a date for your signing. For example, I will always try to schedule mine around the 15th or 30th of the month. I live in a Navy town and, since they never fail to get paid on those dates, it really helps to boost my sales. Also, check to see if the store has a newsletter. If it does, offer to write a short article on your book or discussion topic that will draw more attention to your signing. Keep the article interesting and helpful without giving away everything you plan to share with your guests. Or, if your book is fiction, share an interesting excerpt from it. Sometimes bookstore newsletters are printed by their corporate offices, but generally they print them in-house and they are always in need of “filler” items.

Also, contact your local TV stations and speak to the producer. Call the day before (if your signing is on Sunday call them on Friday) and let him know you've sent a press release regarding your signing (you have, haven’t you?). If they need a sixty-second filler, you can offer their viewers some helpful tips on XYZ. Or, if your book is fiction, play up the “local author makes big” angle. Local stations love that. Speaking of media, if you can get yourself booked on a radio show the day before or preferably the morning of your signing you’ll really help to boost interest. If you get some on-air time, consider giving away a few of your books during the show. And remember to tie your book and event into something topical and relevant!

Finally, have fun! It's your big day and you've earned every glorious minute of it!

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com

 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

WITS Book Reviews December 2013

Book Title: Friending God: A Woman’s Quest through a Social Network
Author: Marsha L. Larsen
ISBN 10: 0989351807
Publisher: Lone Butte Press; First edition
Genre: faith, spirituality
Publication Date: September 30, 2013
Book Length in Pages: 136 pages
Reviewer: Dana Micheli

It’s not too often these days that we read a truly unique book—an eye-opener. Of course, this is relative; one person’s eye-opener is another person’s cure for insomnia. I personally found Marsha L. Larsen’s Friending God: A Woman’s Quest Through a Social Network to be the former. It not only taught me about the author and her fascinating journey, it also forced me to take a hard look at my own beliefs.

The book is about Larsen’s desire to know God better. As she states in her introduction, she had been searching for Him for years, but her attempts had “paved a path to a closed door.” I loved this line, for who hasn’t felt this way at one point or another? So, in the interest of paving a new path, she decided to conduct a series of interviews with women from her social network.

She chose a mix of people from various walks of life, geographical areas and, most importantly, belief systems: Buddhism, Catholicism, pantheism, and Protestantism (four different denominations). She also interviewed an atheist—which, in my opinion, demonstrates her commitment to getting different points of view. In other words, she did not engineer her interviews to get answers she wanted. Her most important criterion was that she chose women who she “suspected would have ripened ideas on the subject.” She was serious about learning about her subjects, and about God through them. Of course, she also wound up learning a whole lot about herself, and she is extremely candid about what she found.

What I found is that it’s impossible to read Friending God without learning about your own relationship with God… as well as your relationship with other people, yourself, and life. The interviews allowed me a window into each woman’s life, through the lens of her own spirituality. It forced me to re-examine my life as filtered through my beliefs, which is the first step to embracing those that work and those that are holding me back. She even included her questionnaire at the end—no avoidance allowed!

What I liked and appreciated most about this book (aside from Larsen’s smart yet down-to-earth writing style) was her approach. She conducted each interview with the professionalism of a journalist and the innocent curiosity of a seeker. 

Monday, December 16, 2013

Catch the Replay of Empowering Hour with Empaths for the Holidays

In the time we had together on yesterday's call, Veronica O'Grady and Yvonne Perry shared deep, seasoned wisdom to help empathic people get through the challenges of the season. If you were not able to be on the live call, please listen to the replay link below and share it with other highly sensitive people you know who could use some real peace during this festive holiday season.

http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=48749115

It is our desire that you come out of it all feeling empowered, clean, whole, balanced, and ready to create your new dreams.

Learn more about the gift of empathy in Yvonne Perry's book, Whose Stuff Is This? ~ Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those around You,



Friday, December 13, 2013

Self-Published Books Gain Recognition through Bookstore Consignment Programs

By Thomas Hill

A handful of brick-and-mortar bookstores are jumping on the consignment bandwagon. This is good news for self-publishing authors who are trying to reach readers in the very bookstores readers frequent. At the very least, it means that independent authors and publishers are getting shelf space that they didn’t have previously.

The American Booksellers Association reported recently on its website that a handful of small bookstores nationwide are participating in consignment programs, allowing independent authors to showcase and sell their books, as well as sponsor book signings and other events. This trend appears to be growing, according to the report, and many self-publishing authors are diving right in to participate.

Quite a few bookstores, like the Tattered Cover in Denver, offer local authors and small local publishers the opportunity to sell books on consignment—the author/publisher provides several copies of the book that the bookseller places on its shelves—and even host events at the store. Matt Miller, a spokesman for the Tattered Cover, which has been supporting local authors for decades through the Rocky Mountain Authors Program, sees the consignment program as steady. “We try to treat every author with the respect they deserve for their efforts and their desire to make their works available to the larger community,” the ABA article quotes Miller as saying.

Most bookstores that participate in consignment programs cater to regional authors with very little exception. Chico, Calif.-based Lyon Books runs a consignment program that allows authors living within 60 miles of the store to sell books. The ABA report suggests that over 200 authors live within 60 miles of Lyon Books.

The good news for self-publishing authors is that the sky is the limit. John Locke, Gemma Halliday, and Amanda Hocking: these are just a handful of authors who have gained national and international recognition by self-publishing titles on online bookseller sites like Amazon. The international bestseller, The Shack, started out as an indie publication. “No question, traditional publishers play an important role in the publishing world. Still, for better or worse, the days when they were the sole gatekeepers are behind us,” writes Terri Guiliano Long of IndieReader.

Today’s shifting publishing market makes exposure for independent publishers and authors attainable and sustainable. Print-on-demand outfits have started a book printing revolution that has spilled over into the digital world. Consignment programs at brick-and-mortar bookstores in local communities are just another step in the independent publisher revolution that is taking place.

Indie authors and publishers who are interested in participating in promoting and selling their books via a consignment program should follow some basic guidelines in their quest to find coveted shelf space. At the very least, the book or books should have the look and feel of a professional publisher. Books should have a professionally composed cover with a bound spine, a professional layout for all interior pages, and readily identifiable registration (International Serial Bin Number, or ISBN), with contact information for the publisher, author, and website. The Rocky Mountain Authors program, for example, list several criteria in determining which books end up on their shelves. According to their website, the above list comprises the “minimum industry and customer standards” to which they hold all consignment books accountable.

For more information on selling independently published books on consignment, contact your local independent bookstore.

Thomas M. Hill is the founder of Launchpad Press, a full-service book production company, and author of Self-Publishing Made Easy: What Authors Should Know about Book Production (http://bit.ly/vGXgy8).

 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Empowering Hour with Empaths for the Holidays

If you are an empath or  highly sensitive to sounds, people, events, lights, and certain situations and get thrown off balance by them, you will not want to miss "Empowering Hour for Empaths for the Holidays," a 1-hour online webcast this afternoon!

The intense energy of the holidays with all the festivities and chaos can
be painful for those who are sensitive to outer
energies.

Family and business gatherings can often be difficult any time of year but during this time of year they are especially taxing for empaths. Join us for this special event to help you get ready for this holiday season.

In this group call, you’ll learn new ways of handling and protecting your energy to feel more balanced through bustling holiday situations. Some of the tools and perspectives we offer can even help heal many of your past relationships as your energy become more whole and protected.

There are three ways to attend "Empowering Hour with Empaths for the Holidays" on Thursday, December 12th at 2:00 p.m. Central Time

1. Attend online: http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=48749115 (check the world time zone map for the correct time to tune in: http://www.worldtimezone.com).

2. By phone: (206) 402-0100 (or, check for a local dial-in number at http://InstantTeleseminar.com/Local  and use pin code: 187842#

3. Connect with Skype: Add joinconference as a contact and initiate a session. Once connected, select show dial pad from the Call menu and enter guest pin code 187842#

Seasoned empaths and healers Yvonne Perry and Veronica O’Grady will answer your questions about how to handle energy in ways that make you feel stronger, more whole, centered, and stabilized, throughout the entire holiday season. Some of these tools shared are in Yvonne’s book Whose Stuff Is This? ~ Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those around You, as well as what is going to be in Veronica’s upcoming live events and 2014 online courses. The information is yours for *FREE* during this call.

For more info, click on our websites:

Yvonne Perry http://weare1inspirit.com

Veronica O'Grady: http://www.quantumalchemyhealing.com/3.html

We’ve been there, and we want to help!

In the time we had together on yesterday's call, Veronica O'Grady and Yvonne Perry shared deep, seasoned wisdom to help empathic people get through the challenges of the season. If you were not able to be on the live call, please listen to the replay link below and share it with other highly sensitive people you know who could use some real peace during this festive holiday season.

http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=48749115

It is our desire that you come out of it all feeling empowered, clean, whole, balanced, and ready to create your new dreams.

Learn more about the gift of empathy in Yvonne Perry's book, Whose Stuff Is This? ~ Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those around You,

 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Editor's Corner December 2013

Happy December, Everyone!

By the time you read this, you will have already enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, complete with all the fixings (and followed by a turkey coma). Hopefully, you’ve also survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the two busiest (albeit, very different) shopping days of the year.

Ten years ago, most people would not have considered doing their holiday shopping from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Today, it is simply considered a more convenient way to get your loved ones what they want. Ever since the term “Cyber Monday” was coined in a press release on November 28, 2005, it has literally changed the face of holiday commerce. Some people have embraced this change, while others (myself included) have been slower to accept it as the “new norm.” After all, it’s not holiday shopping if you’re not fighting crowds for the last Xbox or waiting in a 3-hour line, right? Well, not really—not anymore.

For those who follow astrology, the past few months have been all about letting go of the old to make room for the new. Even those who don’t believe in that stuff have felt a certain something in the air, and it’s not just the holiday spirit. It’s the winds of change, my friends. Technology has changed the way we connect with others; the way we read books and absorb knowledge; and, yes, it has changed the way we do business. (I recently heard that Instagram is the next big marketing tool. I was about to dismiss that information until I remembered that I used to feel the same about Twitter.) Depending on life philosophy, we might have different views on this phenomenon, but each of us has the option to fight it or embrace it as the wave of the future. This is true whether you are shopping for someone else or marketing your own work.

I wish you a joyous holiday season and a New Year full of the wonderful and unexpected.

Dana Micheli
Writer and Editor, Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com
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Writers in the Sky is a team of ghostwriters, editors, and book marketing specialists committed to the craft and business of writing. We work with our clients on all levels of the publishing process from editing and manuscript assessments to book formatting and marketing. So, whether you are a first-time author or a veteran of the craft, let Writers in the Sky help you get your book out into the world. We also provide assistance with résumés, business documents, and academic essays. For more information, visit www.writersinthesky.com.
 

Friday, December 6, 2013

Write Content for the Holidays and Give Your Blog a Seasonal Surge in Traffic!

By Mike Nielsen

Do you know how to make the most of the holidays on your blog when you write content?

Bloggers tend to either hate or love seasonal holidays. Depending on your niche it can be almost impossible to incorporate seasonal holidays into your posts. In addition to that, a lot of bloggers are mainly looking for "evergreen" traffic, which just isn't suitable when you write about the holidays.

Here's my take on the problem: try to look at holiday traffic as a bonus!

This is a great opportunity to introduce new readers to your blog. Holiday posts can add a tremendous personal touch to your blog while still providing valuable information.

However, there is one problem! It isn't always easy to fit seasonal content into your blog. It is simply harder to do in some niches than in others. It's easy enough to do in niches like home improvement and cooking. It can be done in niches like health and fitness and finance. Other niches, however, might not seem like optimal candidates for seasonal posts.

Having said that, as I'm typing this, I'm having difficulty thinking of a niche where it's completely impossible. The key to coming up with a seasonal post is to pick a good "angle" for the content you write. That can be difficult but, in most cases, it can be done. Finding the right angle for a holiday post is a great exercise that will serve you well in the future. So, as far as I'm concerned, this is a great exercise for any blogger.

The goal here is to create a surge in traffic, but it doesn't hurt to write content that will also generate traffic outside the holiday for which it was written. You want as much "evergreen" content on your blog as possible, and it is important that you think about that when you write content.

Because seasonal blog posts are a way to attract new readers to your blog, you need to make sure that your post contains solid information from which your readers will get a lot of value. If this is the first impression people get of your blog you have to make sure it is a good first impression. That is done by providing great value!

In fact, if you don't write content that provides great value to your readers your blog will never be successful! Give your readers great value and turn your "surge traffic" into evergreen traffic!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Nielsen

 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Coaching Podcast Schedule December 2013

We Are One in Spirit Podcast allows for people from all walks of life to discuss their spiritual journey and life—transforming experiences that remind us that we are all one in spirit. Uplifting, enlightening, and insightful topics include healing, empathy, intuition, spiritual/psychic gifts, metaphysics, soul development, afterlife, spirit communication, and more. The metaphysical shows are archived at feed://nashvillewriter.audioacrobat.com. You will also find us on iTunes. Please subscribe to the We Are One in Spirit mailing list to receive the call log-in information: http://weare1inspirit.com/blog/


This month’s interactive calls include group coaching for empaths on December 12 and for walk-ins on December 19. Both webinar conference calls are at 2 p.m., central time.




WITS Announcements December 2013

As a subscriber to Writers in the Sky Newsletter, you are entitled to share your announcements with our readers. See guidelines at http://writersinthesky.blogspot.com/p/submit-your-material.html and send your material to us before the 24th of each month to make the next month’s issue. Anything posted in the WITS Newsletter is also shared with our blog readers at http://writersinthesky.blogspot.com.


Attract Your Ideal Weight E-Book Now Available

What would life be like if you no longer struggled with your weight? What if you could look good, feel good and, most importantly, silence your mind about your weight?

Attract Your Ideal Weight: 8 Secrets of People Who Lose Weight and Keep It Off, a new e-book by weight loss expert Zaheen Nanji, can teach you how. With Attract Your Ideal Weight’s revolutionary insights into weight loss, you can kiss dieting goodbye forever.

No matter what sort of history you have with weight gain and dieting, you can attract your ideal weight. And it’s easier than you might imagine. If you want to stop struggling with your weight and start attracting your ideal body instead, this is the book you’ve been waiting for.

The book is based on the latest scientific research and the real-life experiences of people who have lost weight and kept it off. It reveals eight secrets to attracting your ideal weight and includes inspiring success stories, helpful self-assessment questions, and fun food experiments.

Attract Your Ideal Weight: 8 Secrets of People Who Lose Weight and Keep It Off, is now available on Amazon Kindle. Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Attract-Your-Ideal-Weight-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00G7V4IZE/. Don’t have a Kindle reader? No problem! Just download the Kindle App on your iPad, iPhone, smartphone, or tablet and then download the book.
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Read the first chapter for free and then decide if you want to download the 3-hour-long MP3 audio book of More Than Meets the Eye ~ True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife for only $7.00. http://tinyurl.com/bd7qhy8
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Happy to announce that I have begun work on a new book: "The Writer Within; My First Fifty Years as a Writer." Although it is several months from completion, I wanted to give everyone a heads up on it. This book is designed to be a primer for anyone who desires to be a writer. It’s not necessarily instructional, but I hope it will inspire.

At the same time I am continuing work on my next book of poems, "The Times of Our Lives," which celebrates life events we all share. I will be posting poems for this collection here as they are completed. Hope you all enjoy.

Dennis S. Martin
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

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Each story in The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children focuses on life skills such as environmental awareness, helping others, being true to one’s self, overcoming fear, and following inner guidance. http://TheSidSeries.com
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The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves expressing innermost thoughts and feelings into the beautiful art of poetry, or writing a story that is worth telling everyone. Write a poem or a short story for a chance to win cash prizes! All works must be original. Postmark deadline: January 16, 2014. Visit our website for details: http://www.dreamquestone.com
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Yvonne Perry and her cousin, Jenny Bates, have been working for more than a year on a book about their family's history. This genealogy will include 200 photos and many stories from descendants of a line dating back to the early 1800s. If you are of the lineage of South Carolina-born Charlton Bates (b. 1812) and Nancy O'Kelly (b. 1813) who migrated to Cherokee County, Georgia, you may be interested in learning more. The blog for the book is http://charltonbatesancestry.blogspot.com if you would like to see what we have done with this project.
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Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You is a guidebook for empathic people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. See all purchasing options at http://whosestuffisthis.blogspot.com/p/purchase-book.html.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
State of Appreciation is a free weekly online newsletter that blends practical and spiritual approaches to enhance personal power and self-realization. This publication offers empowering articles, gifts, and free contemporary and classic empowerment downloads at http://stateofappreciation.weebly.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you are looking for someone to create an original piece for your book cover, you might want to connect with Diane Daversa on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diane-Daversa-Fine-Art/109782219119036.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience is about how to embrace multidimensional frequencies, lessen physical and emotional symptoms of rapid spiritual ascension, and offers tips to make the ascension process easier and quicker. http://shiftingintopurerconsciousness.com.
 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Poetry and Prose Corner November 2013

To Be Truly Thankful

In a world where so much can go wrong,
Will go wrong,
Often does,
It’s key to stop and oft reflect
On blessings dwelling ever near.

The quiet of the evening breeze
That sweeps away the sun-drenched day…

The blissful magic of “three words”
To wash away the hurt and pain…

The joyful laughter of a child,
Life unspoiled,
Song unsung…

Yielding to sweet slumbers’ kiss,
A prayer to a departed sun…

Days creep by before they run
And we must heed the piper’s call.
To be thankful…
To be truly thankful
Is the greatest blessing of them all.

Dennis S. Martin
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/


Deep Within

By Brenda McBride

As you travel down that road of loss, don't forget to be kind to yourself along the way….
Only you have the power to heal yourself, so be patient with compassion as you carry on from day to day…

Deep within, you hold the key to acceptance with an open heart to release the pain that you feel…
It takes time to process our emotions, to cope and to heal…

Give yourself permission to cry, and to reflect back on all those cherished moments you once shared that meant so much…
Deep within, you'll always be connected to your loved one, more than you know, remembering their special touch…

No one ever truly leaves us behind, and forgets the bond they shared
with endless love that touched our soul so deep and true…
They are forever near to us, for me and for you.

Brenda McBride lives in Temecula, California, with her two teenage girls and is a substitute teacher working with special education students. Several of her articles and poems have been published in various magazines over the last several years. When her father passed away in 2011, her grief became so unbearable that she began writing to release deep emotions. There's not a day that goes by without the thought and beautiful memories shared with her wonderful dad.


All That Is Good

All that is good,
Let it come to me softly.
I will embrace it with arms open wide,
Sharing its essence a thousand fold,
Spreading its gospel to grateful minds.

If it means harm,
Let me face it with honor,
Searching the undertones living below
So I may mute the thundering voices
And quell the torrent that rides stormy seas.

We are but brief
To move through the cosmos,
A wink and a blink in the footnotes of time.
No time to waste on the lost angst of demons.
Focused and fixed and anxious to find
All that is good.

Dennis S. Martin
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/
 

Friday, November 22, 2013

Discovery—10 Mistakes Authors Make That Can Cost Them a Fortune (and How to Avoid Them)

When it comes to books, promotion, and book production I know that it can sometimes feel like a minefield of choices. And, while I can’t address each of these in detail, there are a number of areas that are keenly tied to a book’s success (or lack thereof). Here are 10 for you to consider:

1) Not Understanding the Importance of a Book Cover

I always find it interesting that authors will sometimes spend years writing their books and then leave the cover design to someone who either isn't a designer, or who doesn't have a working knowledge of book design or the publishing industry. Or, worse, they create a design without having done the proper market research.

Consider these facts for a minute: shoppers in a bookstore spend an average of 8 seconds looking at the front cover of a book and 15 seconds looking at the back before deciding whether to buy it. Further, a survey of booksellers showed that 75 percent of them found the book cover to be the most important element of the book. Also, sales teams at book distribution often only take the book cover with them when they shop titles into stores. And, finally, please don’t attempt to design your own book cover. Much like cutting your own hair, this is never a good idea.

2) Sometimes You Get What You Pay For

There’s an old saying that goes, “You can find a cheap lawyer and a good lawyer, but you can’t find a good lawyer who is cheap.” Though this is a very different market, it’s kind of the same thing.

Yes, there are deals out there. I’m not saying that you have to pay a good publicity person tens of thousands of dollars, but if you find someone who’s willing to market you for $200, or something like that, I’d be asking questions about what you get for your money. While $200 isn't much, it’s $200 here and $99 there and, eventually, it all adds up. So if a deal seems too good to be true, make sure that you’re getting all the facts. Just because they aren't charging you a lot doesn't mean they shouldn't put it in writing. And by “in writing” I mean you should get a detailed list of deliverables. Finding a deal isn't a bad thing, but if you’re not careful it might just be a waste of money; ask good questions before you buy.

3) Listening to People Who Aren't Experts

When you ask someone’s opinion about your book, direction, or topic, make sure they are either working in your industry or know your consumer. If, for example, you have written a young adult (YA) book, don’t give it to your coworkers to read and get feedback. (Yes, I know some YA books have adult market crossover appeal, but this is different.) If you've written a book for teens, then give it to teens to read. The same is true for self-help, diet, or romance. Align yourself with your market. You want the book to be right for the reader; in the end, that’s all that matters.

4) Hope Is Not a Marketing Plan

I love hope. Hope is a wonderful thing, but one thing it isn't is a marketing plan. Hoping that something will happen is one thing, but leaving your marketing to “fate” is quite another. Even though you’ve written the book, even though you’ve toiled hours making it perfect, and even though you’ve felt that you have enough people you know who will buy it and/or recommend it to friends, you still have to market it.

More often than not authors tell me that they can’t seem to get family or friends to buy their book. I know that sounds odd but it’s true. And, even if they do, that’s 100 copies at the most? While family and friends do want to help, you shouldn't bank on them for success. So when it comes time to get your book out there, you need to have a solid plan in place or, at the very least, a set of actions on which you feel comfortable working. Waiting on a miracle, a sale, or a sign from above will cost you a lot in terms of book aging. Once your book is past a certain “age,” it gets harder and harder to get it reviewed. Don’t sit idly by and hope for something to happen. Make it happen. A book is not the “field of dreams”: just because you wrote it doesn't mean readers will beat a path to your door.

5) Work It or Not

There’s a real fallacy that exists in publishing and it’s this: the “instant bestseller.” Anyone who has spent any amount of time in the industry knows there is no such thing as “instant” and certainly the words “overnight success” are generally not reserved for books. There is also the belief that a “miracle” will just happen to you when you publish. Personally, I love miracles but they tend to not happen with books, sadly. Book promotion should be viewed as a long runway. By that I mean you should plan for the long term. Don’t spend all your marketing dollars in the first few months of a campaign; make sure you have enough money or personal momentum to keep it going.

Whether or not you hire a firm you must “work it”: working your marketing plan, working your goals, whatever. Publishing is a business. You’d never open up a store and then just sit around hoping people will show up to buy your stuff. You advertise, you run specials, you pitch yourself to local media. You work it. But what does “working it” mean? Well, it means that if you have a full-time job you find time each week to push the book in some form or fashion. You find time, you make time. You should be engaged in your own success; even if you hire someone to do this for you, you should still be involved. Sometimes it doesn't take much, but it does take a consistent effort, whatever that is. I have a friend who is losing weight. She’s lost 19 pounds over three months. Maybe that seems like pretty slow weight loss. I mean who wants to wait three months for a measly 19 pounds? Still, she’s ahead; she’s doing little things that make a big difference. Time will pass anyway. How will you use it?

6) Not Understanding Timing

While timing in publishing has essentially become obsolete, things like advanced reviews, advanced pitching, and early sales into bookstores aren't the be-all and end-all they once were. Still, timing is important. While it’s true that older books can sometimes see a surge of success, it’s not the rule. You’ll want to be prepared with your marketing early. In fact, you should have a plan in place months before the book is out. That doesn't mean that you’re sending 200 review copies out. It just means you have your ducks in a row, so to speak, and you know what your plan will be.

Also, timing can affect things like book events (especially if you’re trying to get into bookstores). Understand when you should pitch your book for review, and start to get to know your market and the bloggers you plan to pitch. Create a list and keep close track of whom to contact and when you need to get your review pitch out there. Though many things have changed regarding timing, it doesn't mean you shouldn't plan. I recommend that you sit down with someone who can help you strategize timing so you can plan appropriately for your book launch. A missed date is akin to a missed opportunity.

7) Hiring People Who Aren't in the Book Industry

Let’s face it: even to those of us who have been in this industry for a while it still doesn't always make sense. Hiring someone who has no book or publishing experience isn't just a mistake, it could be a costly error. With some vendors like web designers you can get away with that. But someone who has only designed business cards can’t, for example, design a book cover. Make sure you hire the right specialist for the right project. Also, since you've likely spent years putting together this project, make choices based on what’s right and not what’s cheapest. If you shop right, you can often find vendors who are perfect for your project and who fit your budget.

8) Designing Your Own Website

You should never cut your own hair or design your own site. Period. End of story. Let me elaborate. Let’s say you designed your own site that saved you a few thousand dollars you would have paid to a web designer. Now you’re off promoting your book and suddenly you’re getting a gazillion hits to your site. The problem is the site is not converting these visitors into a sale. How much money did you lose by punting the web designer and doing it yourself? Hard to know. Scary, isn't it?


9) Becoming a Media Diva

You need the media more than they need you. I know. Ouch. But it’s the unfortunate truth. So here’s the thing: be grateful. Thank the interviewer, send a follow-up thank-you note after the interview. Don’t expect the interviewer to read your book and don’t get upset if they get some facts wrong. Just gently, but professionally, correct them in such a way that they don’t look bad or stupid. Never ask for an interview to be redone. Most media people don’t have the time. I mention this because it actually happened to a producer friend of mine who did an interview with a guy; he decided he didn't like it and wanted a second shot. Not gonna happen. The thing is, until you get a dressing room with specially designed purple M&M’s, don’t even think about becoming a diva. The best thing you can do is to create relationships. Show up on time, show up prepared, and always, always, always be grateful.

10) Take Advantage

In this instance, I mean “take advantage” in the best possible way. There are a ton of resources out there for you. Seriously. Compared to when I was first in business almost 13 years ago, the resources and free promotional tools that are out there now are almost mind-numbing, and the fact that so many authors don’t take advantage of them is even crazier.

I’m talking about things like social media; I know it’s a time suck but you would be amazed at how many authors rock out their campaign by just being on Facebook or Wattpad or even Goodreads. When I wrote a Goodreads article a while back I got some interesting feedback from people who said that there was a lot of negativity on there. Well, that may be so but I've never seen it. If I do, I will ignore it. Point being, the stuff is out there. Find out for yourself what works and what doesn't. Yes, it’s fine to take advice from other authors, but you should still experience this for yourself before you decide if it’s right for you.

When it comes to marketing, the mistakes can cost you more than anything both in time and money. Knowing what to do to market your book is important, but knowing what to avoid may be equally as significant.

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free e-zine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com.
 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

WITS Book Reviews November 2013

Book Title: Echoes in the Universe: A Spiritual Memoir
Author: Leonard Goodwin
Publisher: Create Space (August 19, 2013)
ISBN: 978-1484985564
Reviewer: Dana Micheli

Many people spend a lifetime trying to reconcile their spiritual beliefs with the physical world around them. The good things in life, such as family, friends, and prosperity, are easy enough to accept; other things, however, challenge these beliefs and might even make us abandon them altogether. Leonard Goodwin understands the true, overlapping nature of the spiritual and physical worlds, and he shares his deeply personal (and often universal) experiences in Echoes in the Universe: A Spiritual Memoir.

Goodwin’s decision to write his story in poetic form was an excellent one. His finely wrought verses provide beautiful imagery to the progressive march of history, from the dark days of the Great Depression and World War II to the election of America’s first black president. His spiritual experiences, including a near-death experience after a heart attack, flow like a waterfall through the mind, flooding both the conscious and subconscious. Most importantly, though, Goodwin masterfully ties these two worlds together, illuminating for his readers not only his path, but everyone’s. Echoes in the Universe is as “must read.”


Book Title: Transitions: A Nurse’s Education about Life and Death
Author: Becki Hawkins
Publisher: Ladyhawk Publishing (October 15, 2013)
ISBN: 978-0984744503
Reviewer: Thomas Hill

Not many people see the world quite like Becki Hawkins. A retired oncology nurse and hospice chaplain, Hawkins has administered to the needs of many who have succumbed to a terminal illness. And yet, through all the emotional ups and downs that come in the professions in which she has worked, she is able to convey messages of hope and inspiration to her patients, her fellow nurses, and to the people who have been touched by the death of a loved one.

Some of these stories are available in her book, Transitions: A Nurse’s Education about Life and Death. Hawkins shares her unique perspective by animating the lives of several of her former patients. There they were, knowing that death was imminent. But, upon making peace with themselves, their families and friends, and their care providers, they offered messages of healing and unconditional love. Transitions is recommended reading for anyone who is caring for a terminally ill loved one, involved in care providing for the elderly or terminally ill, or anyone who seeks meaningful insights about living and dying.

Monday, November 18, 2013

WITS Announcements November 2013

As a subscriber to Writers in the Sky Newsletter, you are entitled to share your announcements with our readers. See guidelines at http://writersinthesky.blogspot.com/p/submit-your-material.html and send your material to us before the 24th of each month to make the next month’s issue. Anything posted in the WITS Newsletter is also shared with our blog readers at http://writersinthesky.blogspot.com.


If you are looking for someone to create an original piece for your book cover, you might want to connect with Diane Daversa on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diane-Daversa-Fine-Art/109782219119036.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Free the Story Within: ANI Online for Adults

"Psst!"
"Yeah, you! Over here."

"Hey, I'm that story you've been promising to write for years. And I'm starting to feel neglected and depressed. I'm dying in here. Your brain is crammed with grocery lists and office memos and it's getting really crowded and uncomfortable in here. Please let me out."
The wait is over.

ANI for adults is now online.
Registration is easy: click here 

Class is limited to 20 participants. Better get on it, buddy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read the first chapter for free and then decide if you want to download the 3-hour-long MP3 audiobook of More Than Meets the Eye ~ True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife for only $7.00. http://tinyurl.com/bd7qhy8.
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“Top Benefits of Writing Memoir" is an article by Deborah Wilbrink featured in Mature Lifestyles of Tennessee's November issue. Deborah has motivating tips about the genre of personal history and some examples from Tennessee senior authors. Tips continue on her blog, http://www.perfectmemoirs.com/point-of-view-blogpage/.
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Each story in The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children focuses on life skills such as environmental awareness, helping others, being true to oneself, overcoming fear, and following inner guidance. http://TheSidSeries.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those around You is a guidebook for empathic people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. See all purchasing options at http://whosestuffisthis.blogspot.com/p/purchase-book.html.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
State of Appreciation is a free weekly online newsletter that blends practical and spiritual approaches to enhance personal power and self-realization. This publication offers empowering articles, gifts, and free contemporary and classic empowerment downloads at http://stateofappreciation.weebly.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience is about how to embrace multidimensional frequencies, lessen physical and emotional symptoms of rapid spiritual ascension, and offers tips to make the ascension process easier and quicker. http://shiftingintopurerconsciousness.com.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Do You Know How to Avoid These Three Blogging Mistakes?

By Joel Friedlander

You’ve read the articles, heard the incredible success stories and seen other authors burst on the scene attracting interest, gaining authority, and making waves.

You know that a lot of these authors have used a blog as a means to get these great results, and everyone says you should start blogging as soon as possible. Marketing gurus like Seth Godin say you should start blogging three years before you publish, and traditional publishers are encouraging their authors to blog, too.

So off you go to start your blog. Maybe you have a good idea of what you’ll write about, or maybe you think you’ll figure it out as you go along. Hey, there are lots of roads that lead to success when it comes to blogging.

But there are even more roads that lead to failure. And that’s too bad, because many of the mistakes authors make when they dive into blogging are easy to avoid if they know how.

There’s nothing I find more depressing than running across blogs that their authors have been abandoned. You see the archives: lots of posts for a couple of months fading to a trickle, until there’s one post left that starts with something plaintive like, “Sorry I haven’t posted in a while…” and then silence. I don’t want that to happen to you.

Let’s take a look at the three biggest mistakes I see authors make when they start blogging. If you can get these things right, you’re much more likely to stick it out, find readers, and build a community you’ll enjoy—and profit from—for years to come.

Three Ways to Fail at Author Blogging

1. Not knowing who you are writing for

The most important question to ask yourself when you start blogging is “who am I writing for?” Exactly whom do you have in mind that will read your articles? I don’t mean to say that you won’t discover more about your audience as it grows and learn exactly who is attracted to what you’re writing. But if you don’t know for whom you’re writing, how will you know what to write and how to write it?

2. Not marketing your blog

Even if the author has studied blogging and has written excellent content, the biggest problem with many author blogs is that the author never markets them. Half of blogging is writing, and the other half is marketing. Contrary to what seems to be many people’s expectation, even good content does not magnetically attract hordes of readers. After all, if they don’t know about it, how can they discover, read, enjoy, and share it?

3. Not making a clear offer to your readers

Early bloggers started out writing what amounted to personal journals, so lots of authors think that writing a blog is about telling the world about their own day-to-day activities. This casual approach to blogging extends to the frequency of their posts, and some of the authors who write these “personal” blogs seem to post whenever the inspiration hits them. One day they write about how their work is going, the next day about what happened to their daughter in pre-school, and the next about how to find a good editor.

Sometimes weeks go by without an article and sometimes they’ll post every day for a while before going dormant. To be successful at blogging you need to make a clear offer to readers, and that includes both the content focus and the posting schedule. You wouldn’t subscribe to a magazine if you never knew when—or if—it would arrive, and what kind of content you were going to receive, would you?

Luckily, it’s not that hard to get a grip on these problems when you first get going with your blog. Here are some suggestions that will help you avoid these newbie mistakes and encourage your blog to grow.

How to Avoid Those Three Big Mistakes

1. Your audience. This is easier for nonfiction authors, because you can research your audience, find out where they like to hang out when they are involved with your topic, and then “listen in” on their conversations. For instance, searching for online forums, discussion groups, Twitter chats, Google+ communities, and other places people gather will lead you to ongoing discussions in your field. You can also research successful blogs in your field and take a look at the guest authors and the readers who leave comments to get a good idea of the audience. After all, these blogs have already succeeded in the same field, so they are a great place to learn more about your audience.

2. Blog marketing. The research you do on your audience is going to lead directly to the beginning of your own blog marketing. Why? All those forums, discussion groups, blogs, and other places you found your audience are the same places you’re going to start marketing your own insight, expertise, knowledge, and blog articles. They will also supply you with great opportunities to contribute to your community and to meet and network with other bloggers and thought leaders in your community. You’ll turn up guest blogging opportunities, and lots of communities where you can start to become known, leaving links that will build into a steady stream of traffic to your own blog.

3. Your offer. Setting a schedule and a clear topic focus that offers something to readers is foundational decision you make about your blog. Having a regular schedule is one of the best ways to de-stress blogging. Set a schedule that you absolutely know you can stick to no matter what. If that’s once a week, start with that.

As you get more proficient as a blogger, you can always increase the frequency of your posts, and that’s usually a good way to increase your traffic and readership. An easy way to do this is to have specific features you publish at specific times. For instance, you can add a shorter post every Tuesday with tips for your readers. People will start to look forward to your “Tuesday Tips” posts, and you’ll have pretty effortlessly increased your schedule. You also can create several of these posts and use your blog’s scheduling function to schedule them all at once—another great way to maintain a publication schedule.

And when it comes to your offer, travel some of the more popular blogs in your category, niche, or genre. Lots of bloggers try to communicate their offer right at the top of the blog where they know you’ll see it. The offer on this blog is included in the header: “practical advice to help build better books.” A glance at the blog also communicates my interest in interacting with readers in many ways. What offer does your blog make? Your clarity on this subject will be rewarded with appreciative readers.

Sometimes looking at your blog in a new way really helps. Blogging is one of the greatest marketing and engagement devices ever invented. Authors are perfectly positioned to make the most of blogging technology, so building on a solid foundation makes sense.

Joel Friedlander is a self-published author, an award-winning book designer, and an accomplished blogger. He's the founder of the Self-Publishing Roadmap online training course, and a frequent speaker at industry events where he talks to writers about how the new tools of publishing can help them reach and inspire their readers.
 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Don't Quit Your Day Job

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." ~ Maya Angelou

T.S. Eliot didn't quit his day job. In fact, he composed "The Waste Land" while working at Lloyd's Bank.

And did literary fame and fortune change his working ways? Nope. He joined the publishing house we now know as Faber & Faber, and went on to publish Ted Hughes and W.H. Auden among other household names.

Look, I know you're busy. But you contain multitudes, friend. Let's write about those crazy stories.  We can do it together.

Sign up for ANI Online here http://www.anovelideanashville.com/#!jumpstart/c1vy3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Free the Story Within: ANI Online for Adults

"Psst!"
"Yeah, you! Over here."
"Hey, I'm that story you've been promising to write for years. And I'm starting to feel neglected and depressed. I'm dying in here. Your brain is crammed with grocery lists and office memos and it's getting really crowded and uncomfortable in here. Please let me out."

The wait is over.

ANI for adults is now online.

Registration is easy: click here 

Class is limited to 20 participants. Better get on it, buddy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tweet tweet!

Receive inspirational writing quotes, tips, and articles by following the wordy bird on Twitter!
@ANovelIdeaNash

Kristen House
Chief Executive Muse
A Novel Idea
 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Coaching Podcast Schedule for November

We Are One in Spirit podcast allows for people from all walks of life to discuss their spiritual journey and life—transforming experiences that remind us that we are all one in spirit. Uplifting, enlightening, and insightful topics include healing, empathy, intuition, spiritual/psychic gifts, metaphysics, soul development, afterlife, spirit communication, and more. The metaphysical shows are archived at feed://nashvillewriter.audioacrobat.com. You can also find us on iTunes. Please subscribe to the We Are One in Spirit mailing list to receive the call login information: http://weare1inspirit.com/blog/.

This month’s interactive calls include group coaching for empaths on November 14 at 8 p.m. Central Time, and for walk-ins on November 21 at 2 p.m. Central Time.



Editor's Corner November 2013

Welcome to the November edition of the WITS newsletter!

November is the official start of the holiday season, a time of family, friends, and food. It’s also a reminder to give thanks for our many blessings and share those blessings with others. It is my belief and experience that people always want to contribute, not just around the holidays. However, they often feel as though what they have to offer is not enough—not enough money, not enough time, not enough skills—to make a “real difference.”

But we all have something valuable to give to the world, whether it’s a large donation or a smile to a stranger. Or… there’s what writers do—use their words to uplift others. Many share their stories of spiritual transformation, like Joe Laws, in his soon-to-be-released book, Held By the Hand of God, or Leonard Goodwin’s Echoes in the Universe: Spiritual Memoir. Yvonne Perry’s books on spirituality have sparked many of my “ah-ha” moments. Others, like Denise Demaras, offer practical guidance on living authentically and holistically. Denise’s new newsletter, Women’s Holistic Health News, explores topics such as healthy eating, mindful breathing, and creating balance and abundance.

Every day, the WITS community inspires me. Our clients live on a diet of creativity and dedication, writing even when they’re exhausted and persevering in the face of rejection—or worse, writer’s block. Working with them makes me feel as if I’ve contributed to something as well.
Happy Thanksgiving and, as always, happy writing!

Dana Micheli
Writer and editor, Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com
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Writers in the Sky is a team of ghostwriters, editors, and book marketing specialists committed to the craft and business of writing. We work with our clients on all levels of the publishing process from editing and manuscript assessments to book formatting and marketing. So whether you are a first-time author or a veteran of the craft, let Writers in the Sky help you get your book out into the world. We also provide assistance with résumés, business documents, and academic essays. For more information, visit www.writersinthesky.com.






Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Poetry and Prose Corner October 2013

Falling For Autumn

Daylight recedes and night lingers longer,
A lazy sun lowers her arc in the sky,
And summer relents on her brutal endeavors,
Yields to the softness of crisp autumn dew.

Earth tones of red and gold burst with a frenzy
Flooding the eye with bountiful treat.
The fresh chill of morning makes night covers snuggle
And daybreak awakens a bright orange hue.

Pity to those denied your sweet treasure,
Who never bear witness to your vibrant show,
Charting your change with chameleon candor,
Rushing the senses with visual bliss.

Signals of change as a new dawn announces
The turn of the term,
The passage of time.
I pray that in Heaven there still will be seasons
So all may find favor
In sweet autumn’s kiss.


Dennis S. Martin
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/


I Am

By Brenda McBride

Written for my beloved Dad

I am in the cool breeze that forever blows so softly in the wind that passes by you......
Feeling at peace, where pain is no more, I'm in a timeless paradise full of love
that's so true......
I am in the melody of your favorite songs, gently swaying to the tune to the music
with harmony in my soul......
Feeling free with ease to soar far away into paradise, engulfed in bliss and joy,
dancing like never before, completely whole.....

I am the warmth that radiates from the heat of the sun, sending you comfort and co
passion to dry your tears as they fall, to add a smile to your day......
Feeling happy not sad, helping you get through your grief, trying to let you know I'm fine, more alive than words can say.......
I am in the rain fall, as it falls briskly beneath the sky, refreshing the land with a cool, crisp start, feeling so fresh as the rain falls down.....
Don't cry for me, I'm happy now, we'll meet again, so carry on without a frown.

I am very much alive, please watch for the signs I send to you as you continue your
life here on earth, Ill be close bye......
Think of me each day, and please don't cry.


Brenda McBride lives in Temecula, California with her two teenage girls and is a substitute teacher working with Special Education students. Several of her articles and poems have been published in various magazines throughout the last several years. When her father passed away in 2011, her grief became so unbearable that she began writing to release deep emotions. There's not a day that goes by without the thought and beautiful memories shared with her wonderful dad.


All Hallows Eve

Eerily, the shroud descends,
Veiled in mists of Hallows Eve,
As spirits amble in the mist
Reaching from their netherworld
To touch, to feel the naked flesh
Of those who walk and talk and breathe,
To feel the heartbeat of their blood,
A kinship to reality.

Children quake as darkness draws
A demon host from murky lair,
Ghouls and witches primed to scare,
Bats and black cats everywhere.
With mask and costume to disguise
They set out on their ghostly trek.
A trick they sport in lieu of treats
Belays the caution in their eyes.

All is magic,
Nothing planned
On Hallows Eve
When spirits rise.

Dennis S. Martin
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/
 

Friday, October 18, 2013

The Power of the Goodreads Giveaways

When it comes to marketing a book, never underestimate the power of a book giveaway. Perhaps one of the best ways to kick start book discovery is by offering your book for free. I recommend doing multiple giveaways for a book and, in fact, I have done pre-publication giveaways that have really helped to spike success and reviews on the site.

I recommend that you run your giveaways for 30 days. You can run them for a smaller amount of time, but the longer you have to promote the better, right? Be sure to post an update about this on your Goodreads page and you can also post it to your blog (for your blog readers) especially if your blog is connected to your Goodreads page. So how many books should you give away? I've done anywhere from ten to fifty. Keep in mind that while the higher number is great, at some point you will have to fulfill this order and Goodreads only allows printed books, so you can't give an eBook version or PDF, they have to be print books and they are all mailed (or you can also ship them from Amazon if you want to).

If you are a member of a few groups, it's likely that there is a thread to promote a giveaway. Find that thread and promote your giveaway. If you're running it for a month, you should feel free to post it once at the beginning and again as you're nearing the end of the giveaway. I'm not a fan of blasting groups with "all about me" posts so twice is my limit. You may find groups that encourage more frequent giveaway reminders but I doubt it. Remember that other authors are on there trying to get attention, too.

If you're reading this post and thinking, "Well, my book is too old for this," take heart. There aren't any rules on Goodreads preventing older books from getting promoted on the site. If you have a great book and are just discovering this site, by all means do a giveaway and see what happens. Especially if it's not your only book and you continue to write new material. I've known authors who have multiple titles that start with the oldest and work their way forward.

One more point on the giveaways. If you want to really max out your exposure on the site, I recommend letting the contest run worldwide. You'll get much better participation that way and in the big picture global shipping isn't really that expensive.

Ready to sign up for your own giveaway? Then head over here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway. Once you're there be ready to list the start and end dates as well as all of the pertinent book information such as ISBN, book description, publisher and number of copies you're willing to give away. Once you have that information, you're ready to go with your first Goodreads giveaway!

When the campaign is over, you'll get notified and the system will send you a spreadsheet with the winners, their Goodreads ID's and their addresses. It's a great idea to congratulate them on Goodreads and let them know you're shipping the book out. Why is this good? Because it's another great way to connect with the person on the receiving end of your book. And it helps encourage a review from the reader. You're no longer an anonymous writer; you are now connected on Goodreads and following each other's reviews, etc.

Whenever I've done a Goodreads giveaway I am always sure to include a short, hand-written note thanking them for participating and congratulating the person on winning. I never ask for a review in the note, but that's just me. Instead, I encourage their feedback because I really do want to know what the reader thinks of the book. Then I give them my email address if they wish to make direct contact. I think the added step of a personal note is key. Why? Because it's a great opportunity to connect with a reader and encourage them to connect with you. I also sign each of the books I give away. Why? Readers love signed books!

So how many reviews can you expect, really? Well Goodreads estimates that 60% of the books that are given away get reviewed. I think that's probably a really good average. I've seen numbers higher than 60% and also lower. A lot of it depends on the book of course. Good books get reviewed more frequently, also it would seem that fiction gets a lot more reviews than non-fiction, but I'm not always clear that that's true.

Another way to boost exposure is to run an ad to help push your giveaway. Ads are really simple on Goodreads. They operate on a pay-per-click system, which means you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. You also buy credit, so I suggest starting with $10, you can always add more, but you may never use $100. Get started by going here: http://www.goodreads.com/advertisers.

It's important to keep in mind that Goodreads openly admits that new ads that generate a lot of clicks in the first few days will be shown more frequently throughout the day - essentially Goodreads gives its users what they want. So make your ad content compelling, and don't go the super cheap route when it comes to bidding on your per click cost. The minimum is $.10, the max is $.50. Some people say go big or go home, I say do what you're comfortable with, but remember, higher per click ads are also given priority. Some additional insight into how Goodreads ads work can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/help/list/advertisers/.

I usually suggest creating two ads, try different tactics. One should say something like "Enter to Win" and the other should say something like "Get your FREE book." The words "win" and "free" are always hot. In the main content include a short, irresistible description of your book, something that will make it stand out and close with "giveaway ends [insert date]" to help push people to act. The link you include with your ad should be the link to your giveaway page. Don't know how to find the link? Go here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway and on the right hand side of the page you'll see a section for "Giveaways You've Created."

A few more giveaway tips:

* Let readers know if you plan on providing signed copies.
* End your giveaway on a non-popular date, like the middle of the week, definitely not a holiday.
* Again, more countries = more exposure.
* Mail your copies promptly.
* Reach out to winners with a short, respectful follow up. Friend them, let them know you'd love their input when they're ready.

Bonus! When you're done creating your ad you'll be given the HTML code for a giveaway widget that you can add to your blog or website!

While authors often tell me that they don't want to give copies of their book away, I always caution against that way of thinking. You have to give something to get something. Will every person who got your book review it? No. Do some people just want free books? Sure. But I've found that most of the readers on this site are genuinely interested in books and love it when their opinion matters. I mean, who doesn't?

Using the power of free to help boost your book is always a good idea, especially on a site like Goodreads. Just keep in mind that using a giveaway like this can help push other opportunities like connections to new readers and a dialog about your book in general. Maximize this opportunity; you'll be glad you did!

And one final note on this Goodreads piece. This was tested with anonymous, first time (fiction) authors. Why did I do that? Because I wanted to make sure the playing field was even and the test was authentic.

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

WITS Book Reviews October 2013



Book Title: The Stockholm Octavo
Author: Karen Engelmann
ISBN: 978-0061995347
Publisher: Ecco/Harper-Collins
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 2013
Book Length in Pages: 432 pages
Reviewer: Deborah Wilbrink

PLAYING HER TRUMP: NEW NOVELIST USES TAROT’S HISTORY

Mystery, political intrigue, scandal, culture, and a search for love–all set in 1791 Sweden. Engelmann, who lived in Sweden for eight years, has written a masterful first novel that reeks of reality that could only have been founded on deep research.

Unfolding the story like one of the ornamental fans upon which the plot turns, young Emil Larsson relates how his secretaire job in the Customs House depends upon securing a stabilizing marriage. With no prospects and no family contacts to help, he shares this with his friend, Mrs. Sparrow. Not only does Sparrow preside over a popular house of gaming, she is also a seer. Using a specially developed deck of cards based on Masonic principles of Divine Geometry, Mrs. Sparrow spreads a golden path for Emil. His fate is entwined with eight others found in the spread, including her: The Stockholm Octavo. With Mrs. Sparrow’s ties to Sweden’s controversial king, the Octavo expands. With the intruding background of the French revolution and Sweden’s disempowered nobility, Engelmann entangles her characters in the larger intrigues and trends of the times.

I asked the author about the unusual deck of cards used by her character Mrs. Sparrow. The creation of the cards and spread were synchronous with her writing process. “The Octavo in The Stockholm Octavo is a form of cartomancy that was created for the novel,” says Engelmann, “and came out of the writing process and the research. The early drafts of the book included the concept of eight characters that surrounded and influenced a significant event, and I called this eight the Octavo. But it took me several drafts to discover for myself what the Octavo was and how it worked.

“The early versions involved loads of card games—a primary form of social interaction in Sweden during the period. The narrator, Emil Larsson, frequents the gaming rooms of Mrs. Sparrow. Her character was inspired by a historical figure, Ulrica Arfvidsson, who lived in Stockholm during that period. Ulrica used tea leaves, coffee grounds and cards to predict the future. My research of gaming revealed that using cards as a means of divination was formalized in the late 18th century; the first book on cartomancy was published in 1770 by Jean-Baptiste Alliette (under the pen name Etteilla.) Etteilla used a standard French deck of 32 cards plus one, but also mentioned an Italian deck used for the popular game tarocchi. This deck of 52 plus 22 trump cards was the tool of choice for another Frenchman, Antoine Court de Gèbelin. When his essay on the subject was published in 1781 it began the occult sensation we know as Tarot. It was a perfect method for Mrs. Sparrow and for my book.”
The well-played characters traverse all the social layers of Swedish society from King Gustav III to scullery maid and all between. All of course, seeking betterment, whether by sponsorship of an opera or by making the best rabbit pie to please one’s employer. Love lingers just beyond all the action, waiting to be claimed. Engelmann has written a first novel that dances with elements of mystery, history, romance, and treatise, a genuinely original work that delights, leaving one breathless for more.


Title: Protocol 7
Author: Armen Gharabegian
Publisher: Arctica Studios LLC (January 5, 2013)
ASIN: B00AXD8NHQ
Reviewer: Dana Micheli

Have you ever read a book that’s dangerously good? Dangerous in the sense that once you start reading it, everything on your “to-do” list falls to the wayside because all you want to do is find out what happens? Armen Gharabegian’s Protocol 7 is such a book.

Protocol 7 opens in England, 2039. It is a world where artificial intelligence units are as commonplace as smart phones, yet some things have not changed; namely, relying on man’s best friend and a bottle of thirty-year-old Scotch for comfort. At least that’s what Oxford professor Simon Fitzpatrick does when he learns that his father, Oliver, has been killed in Antarctica. But while his beloved Great Dane, Jake, brings Simon some small measure of solace, the drink does nothing to dull the anger. For despite repeated attempts to get information on the circumstances of his father’s death, no one is breathing a word.

That all changes with a ring of the doorbell. When Simon answers, he finds his old friend and current CIA operative, Jonathan Weiss, standing at his door. Underneath his flippant demeanor, Weiss is there to deliver a very serious holographic message…from Oliver Fitzpatrick! At first Simon is thrilled to see his father’s face, but then he realizes that something is…off. His father is acting so cheerful that something must be wrong.

Citing the message as evidence that all is well, Weiss tells Simon to stay put, relax, and wait for his father to contact him directly. But Simon knows that if he waits he will really lose his father forever. Ignoring both Weiss and a UN quarantine on Antarctica, he heads off in search of Oliver, with no idea that he will stumble upon a conspiracy that makes the Da Vinci Code seem trivial.

Gharabegian is a beautiful writer; he has the ability—all too rare these days—to strike a balance between gripping commercial fiction and literary prose. He also manages to depict a technologically believable future while allowing us to hang on to the creature comforts of today.

As I reluctantly turned to the last page of Protocol 7, I was genuinely disappointed that it was over. The good news is that this is only Part 1 of Gharabegian’s Antarctica Trilogy. I have no doubt that Part 2 will be just as destructive to my “to-do” list—and yours as well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!