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/
 

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
 

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!  

I Got Your Number! Using Numbers in a Book Title

By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications

Recently on LinkedIn, J.D. Gershbein, a global speaker and social branding specialist, raised the question, “Does a numbered step approach to titling a book have a positive effect on sales?” This particular question and subsequent thread made me delve deeper into the use of numbers in book titles and whether or not it makes sense.

Book titles are extremely important. As an author, creating a memorable title should be a high priority. Numbers in book titles work with items that already quantify. For example a book titled Get 6-Pack Abs in 6 Minutes a Day makes sense. I like using numbers in a book title when it’s relevant and useful in describing what the book is about. A recent example that really works is The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss and his 4-Hour Body. That number stops you in your tracks because it is shocking. How can you work just four hours a week? How can you have a good body in just four hours? Ferriss has capitalized on his branding of “4-Hour” and just published The 4 Hour Chef. He owns that number now. He’s branded his name with “4-Hour” and will be able to incorporate it in his future work.

A number is a quickly comprehended visual because it’s a symbol and is represented by a minimal amount of characters. For example “One Thousand” spelled out is represented by twelve characters, but only four characters if used as a number; 1000. This can save space on your cover and in this digital world sometimes a savings of a few characters can make a difference whether your complete book title is displayed by Google or even on Amazon. Furthermore, there’s a magic number of 65 characters for some search engines before it gets truncated or cut off. Another often overlooked benefit is that a number rises to the top of a list when alphabetized right along with symbols like @ or $ for example.

Here’s a list of a few well known books that have used a number in the title:

Catch-22
The 4-Hour Work Week
The 4-Hour Chef
The 4-Hour Body
Europe on $5 a Day
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Fahrenheit 451
1984
The 39 Steps
1, 2, Buckle My Shoe
Around the World in 80 Days
1001 Arabian Nights
13 Reasons Why
3:10 to Yuma
Beneath the 13 Moons
Size 12 is Not Fat
13 Little Blue Envelopes
13 Treasures
The 6th Target
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
7th Heaven
10,001 Ways to Live on a Small Budget
The $100 Startup
The 48 Laws of Power
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals
5: Where Will You Be Five Years From Today?
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School
30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30
17 Cents and a Dream (a new book from one of my clients)

Whenever possible I use numbers in my article headlines because it drives home what the article is about. Here's a sample:

22 Tips on What to Wear For a TV Interview
52 Ways to Promote Your iPhone App
33 Radio Interview Tips
55 Reasons to Send Out a Press Release
15 Tips for Great Book Cover Design
The Top 25 Book Fairs and Book Festivals Authors Should Attend

You can find even more articles on book promotion topics at http://book-marketing-expert.com/articles.htm

On LinkedIn, the question received many insightful responses. One I particularly liked was from James Cosenza, a software engineer, “I think the numbered approach is especially useful for self-help and how-to books. People want to know that they can change their lives or learn a new skill in 5, 10 or 15 ‘easy’ steps. I don't know about saturation, but I think conflicting titles on the same subject might be off-putting. For example, do you buy Install a New Patio in 10 Easy Steps vs. A New Patio in Seven Simple Steps?

Ethan de Jonge Kalmar, founder of Make Your English Work, says, “I think that it depends on your content and audience. Numbered lists certainly work well for blog posts and on social media sites, but given the speed of information now, and the tendency to want to have everything in concise, easy to digest form, I think that many readers of books (by which I mean works of at least 100 pages or so) are looking for more in-depth insight, and numbered list titles do not exactly communicate that the book provides that.”

“For a short promotional e-book, or perhaps the self-help/entrepreneur market it might work well. Also, I think that if you are providing information that is comprehensive because it covers many different things, it might work well, as in James Cosenza's example of 1000 Places to See before You Die.”

Tim Lemire responded from an author’s perspective, “I never worried about coming up with a good title; I knew the publisher was going to assign their own title to the book anyway.” Read the whole thread here http://linkd.in/NjWZ8r

Keep in mind, not every book title needs a number. For example, the number 7 is overused because people are trying to capitalize on Covey's books. Even he came out with the “8th” Habit to stray away from the number 7. So, if you’re thinking of tacking the number “7” into your book’s title, think again because it will not stand out.

Should you decide to incorporate a number into your book’s title, make sure it adds to the book. Do not shove a number in the title because you think it might be a good idea. Not all book titles need numbers. However, some books might sell better because of the number in their title.

The Bottom Line: Coming up with the right name for your book is beyond important—it’s critical. Creating a memorable title is really the point. Using numbers in your title might help make it even more memorable.

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.book-marketing-expert.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist

Editor's Corner October 2013

October is a transitory month—the short lull between the excitement of summer and the flurry of holiday preparations. As we pull our heavy sweaters out of storage and watch the leaves changing to brilliant reds and golds, it is easy to believe that all the shopping and party planning is still far in the future. The truth is that it will be here before we know it, and the early birds are already out there, searching for the perfect gifts for hard-to-buy-for friends and family. That’s why this “slow” month is the perfect time to launch a holiday marketing campaign for your book!

One of the most difficult aspects of marketing is finding that all-important hook to draw readers. That’s the great thing about marketing your book now—the holidays are the draw. Whether your book is a memoir, crime novel, or how-to manual, there is someone whose eyes will light up when they unwrap it.

And if you haven’t written a new book recently—no worries! The holiday season is also an opportunity to resurrect that book that’s been out for a while. So start tweeting and posting on Facebook. Write a blog post reminding your followers about your book. If you have more than one book available, you might even offer a “holiday special” (for example, buy one, get the second half-off). Or, be a guest on the WITS podcast so that our listeners can get to know you, as well as your work!

Ready or not, we are about to embark on the Season of Giving, so let people know that your book is the perfect gift!

Happy writing and marketing, everyone!

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.

 

Why Your Blog’s About Page is Completely Wrong

by Joel Friedlander

Blogging is important for authors. Lots of people consider it almost mandatory if you take your publishing career seriously.

And so hordes of writers have started blogs, and some have gone on to great success, building robust platforms that allow them to communicate with fans, announce new books or other products or services, and stay in constant communication with readers.

Yes, it’s great when it works. But too often, blogs don’t work. They don’t attract readers, or if they do, readers don’t hang around for long. Even blogs with good content can languish, unread, until the blogger just gives up, probably thinking, “it just didn’t work for me.”

There are lots of reasons that blogs fail. Lack of traffic is the most common, but often the people who come to the blog just never engage. And it’s that engagement that should be our guide when we’re creating basic pages on our blog.

Nowhere is this more urgent than on your About page.

That Old Thing? Really?

You might not think that your About page is a big deal. Many bloggers appear to have put one together when they first launched their blog and then promptly forgotten about it.

That’s a mistake.

Blogs are very personal. That personal quality is most often expressed through the content you post. As writers, it’s shown in our point of view, our personal writing style, by the topics we choose to cover, and those we don’t pay attention to. Sure, visitors come to your blog for information, education, or entertainment. But what makes them stay once they get there?

The best way for most bloggers to make their blogs more “sticky” destinations that readers look forward to visiting, and where they return time and time again, is to never forget that personal element.

This might mean something as simple as having your photo on the blog. Sounds easy, right? You might be surprised how many blogs just don’t have a photo of the blogger.

We’re All Human

When I like your content, I want to know more… about you. That’s a pretty human reaction. Nothing attracts us as much as another human, especially a face. We’re hardwired to respond to people who are looking at us.

So it’s just good sense to have a photo of yourself on your About page.

But here’s the reason I think these About pages get it completely wrong: they are written from the blogger’s point of view. Why? They think the About page is about them.

Why Your Blog Exists

If you’re blogging as a way to connect to readers, build a base of raving fans, or attract qualified leads for a business, your blog needs to focus on your readers.

It’s your readers’ needs that bring them to your site, so it’s your readers’ needs you should be thinking about when you write your About page.

But it seems most bloggers have never thought about this. Instead, we get About pages that tell us where the blogger grew up, how they love to make caramel apples, who their favorite authors are, and that they love waterskiing with their dogs. Then they end with something like, “I hope you’ll come back often!”

But seriously, why would we? Even though I may have loved your article, what do I care about waterskiing or caramel apples? Do they have anything to do with why I came here, or the subject you’re writing about?

Turning It Around

Anyone intrigued by your writing or wanting to know more about you as an author or a blogger is going to go to the About page first. I do that, don’t you?

If all they find is you raving about what movies you like or how cute your nephew is, you might actually drive people away. Instead, think about rewriting your About page so it actually works on your behalf.

Make it into a story or an article. Write your About page as if you are writing a blog post, one that you hope will be a big hit with readers.

I’m going to bet that the blog posts on your site that are the most popular are the ones that have useful information for readers, or such a compelling story you just can’t stop reading. Your About page should be just like that: include either useful information for readers or a cracking good storyline.

Purpose of the About Page Revealed

All this isn’t to say that you don’t talk about yourself on your About page, but the point of view you take makes all the difference. Tell us why your degree in basketry makes you uniquely positioned to help readers with their basket-weaving problems.

The real purpose of your About page is to foster engagement with your readers while letting them know what kind of person you are, your own very human background. This is your chance to create a community of interest with visitors, to speak to their concerns, all while you appear to be talking about yourself.

“This is where I’m coming from, and why that’s helpful to you,” might be one way to look at it.

Ask yourself how well you know your readers. Can you put yourself in their shoes and understand why they might be interested in you, your subject, your solutions, your articles? That’s critical. Remember, we all act from a “what’s in it for me?” mentality, whether we realize it or not. Your About page should address that question directly.

Write from that knowledge, and speak to your readers like you’re sitting across the table at a coffee shop. Like they’ve asked you how you know all the stuff you’re sharing with them, but behind that question you know that their real interest is how they can become more like you in some way.

No matter what subject you write about, find a way to connect all that “about me” information to the reasons that readers visit your blog in the first place.

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.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Author and Publisher Monica F. Hudson

Monica F. Hudson is a woman on a mission. The author and publisher from Little Rock, Arkansas seeks to deliver God's message of love through her writing. This week, it was my pleasure to interview Monica about her latest book, Over There: Raindrops of Reflection. It's an eloquent and deeply moving devotional about God's promise to the world.

These days, many authors choose self-publishing as the best way to retain control over their work. Monica, however, took it one step further; she started Hudson Publishers, which publishes nonfiction Christian books based on discipleship and empowerment. In addition to her literary career, she is also a member of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and a twenty-plus-year veteran of the healthcare field. Her tireless energy and commitment is an inspiration to writers everywhere. 

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? You can buy Monica's books through her website, www.2Cdivineanswers.com, or at Wordsworth Bookstore and Company in Little Rock and other independent bookstores. To learn more about her work and ministry, visit her on Facebook and Twitter.    

WITS Announcements October 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.

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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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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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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Rock ‘N Roll Kamikaze – Evert Wilbrink Signs and Scotwald Sings in Multimedia and Multilingual Book signing in Nashville

October 21, 6PM at Grimey's Too, 1702 8th Avenue, Nashville

A novel approach to book signing suits this rock ‘n’ roller. Evert Wilbrink had Cat Stevens clean his car, spent two days at Jim Morrison's hospital bed, sailed with Bob Marley through the canals of Amsterdam, got Joan Jett her first record deal, got kissed by Elizabeth Taylor, handled promotion for Blondie and caused Fleetwood Mac's car sickness. He tells about 50 years in rock ‘n’ roll in his book, Rock ’n Roll Kamikaze, which will be seeing the light of day on October 21 6PM at Grimey’s Too, 1702 8th Avenue, Nashville. Westfrisian trio Skotwal will be there, too and play songs from their first album. Americana songs in the language that Americans would have spoken if William the Conqueror lost the Battle of Hastings. The presentation will be filmed for Dutch TV. Evert will do readings in English and Dutch; the book is in Nederlands (Dutch), and Scotwald sings in a Dutch dialect! It’s the most unique book signing you’ll make this year.

Evert wrote his first article in 1963 about the Beatles for his high-school magazine. Fifty years later he is still writing. He’s also a rock 'n roll consultant and managing partner in the Teye Guitar company. The book is available at the book signing and by contacting evertwilbrink@gmail.com
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
 

Spiritual Coaching Podcast Schedule October 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.

This month’s interactive calls include group coaching for empaths on October 10 and for walk-ins on October 24. Both webinar conference calls are at 8 PM Central Time. Please subscribe to the We Are One in Spirit mailing list to receive the call log-in information: http://weare1inspirit.com/subscribe-to-we-are-one-in-spirit.