Join Us for a Conversation with Novelist Shawna C. Jones

Shawna C. Jones has always considered herself to be a seeker, both geographically and spiritually. Now she has added author to that list with her recently released first novel, Twist of Fate. It is the gripping story of a young woman's year-long trek through Europe and is based on Shawna's own adventures. Next week, Shawna will embark on a new kind of journey--traveling  the blog-o-sphere with the first of two virtual book tours.  We're thrilled to be a host site for both, so check back on May 28 to read more about Shawna's work. In the meantime, tune into our podcast to hear her dish about spirituality, wanderlust, and the inspiration to live the writer's life.

Thinking of Revising Your Self-Published Book? Read This First!

It’s no secret that first-time authors have an incredible learning curve, and that curve gets a lot steeper when they choose to self-publish.  After pouring their blood, sweat and tears into their book, they realize that all that effort was just the beginning. They now have to be willing to tirelessly promote their work and carve a presence for themselves in the endless sea of books flooding the market today. While self-publishing has done much to equalize the playing field, it has also placed a tremendous responsibility squarely on the author’s shoulders. Authors can publish their book without having to jump through hoops for agents and publishers; they also retain complete control over the finished product. However this control means that the author is accountable for errors in grammar, character development and storyline.  Like anything else in life, this process gets easier with experience, but there is one thing about that first book that may come back to haunt you.  

Let’s say that a few years ago you wrote your first book and “threw it up” on Amazon.  Perhaps you did not have it edited, or you didn’t know how to properly market it. In any case, it didn’t do much in the way of sales.  But undeterred, you stuck with your writing, and now you have improved your skills, you’ve found an editor that you work well with, and you have become a self-promotion expert.   Armed with this knowledge and perhaps a few books under your belt, you decide to go back and revise that first book—your baby.  When you’re done, you have a masterpiece! Beaming with pride, you make it available for sale, only to receive a slew of negative reviews, citing all its errors.  WHAAAT?! After careful investigation, you learn that the original version of your book is still available online, and that’s what readers and reviewers are getting their hands on.  

This is an all too common problem, and one of the topics on last week’s Aspects of Writing Radio Show. I spoke with James Kelly, the show's host and a published novelist; Janet Coursey, author of The Secrets of Time, and PR guru Travis Shortt about what authors can do to remedy this issue.  Here are a few takeaways from that discussion:

• If you are in the process of readying an original manuscript for self-publishing, the answer is obvious: don’t rush to publish! Get that editor, make sure your book is properly formatted, and have a marketing plan ready.
• If you have already published a first edition and are writing a revision, contact the publisher and tell them you would like them to take down that original version. Be persistent; email and/or call them and try to get a definitive answer as to when it will come down.
• Then, before publishing the revision, do an Internet search to find out if the original book is still available anywhere else.  Please note that it is not always possible to remove old versions. If this is the case, you must make it clear to your potential readers that there is a new version available.  Provide identifying information--such as a new cover, ISBN number, publisher, publication date, etc.—in all of your marketing materials.    

To hear a replay of that show, click here. For more advice on writing, publishing and book marketing, tune into Aspects of Writing every other Tuesday on KLAV radio. The next live show is Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm Pacific/ 3pm Central / 5pm Eastern.

Join Us For a Conversation with Writer Dan O'Brien

When I scheduled this interview with Dan O'Brien, I thought the conversation would primarily focus on his new Science Fiction novel, The Path of the Fallen. Little did I know that this fabulous book was only the tip of the iceberg, for O'Brien has written not only several novels, but screenplays as well.

Moreover, he doesn't just write Science Fiction, but everything from romance to philosophy. To realize how rare this is, you only have to ask a writing instructor. He/she will tell you that they advise their students to first: write what they know; and second: pick a genre that speaks to them and excel at it. Luckily for us, all genres speak to Dan.

We're also fortunate that his commitment to the craft of writing goes far beyond his own books. He has started a consulting business to help others get their stories to market. And given the scope of his own work--and the fact that he has been published both traditionally and independently--he is perfectly positioned to do so.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? Check out The Dan O'Brien Project, for information on all things writing. You can also buy The Path of the Fallen, read his other novels for free, or contact him about his consulting services. Dan is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Dan is also publishing the original unabridged version of  The Path of the Fallen! Click here to support his work or learn more.

WITS Podcast: Self-Publishing Guru Dara M. Beevas Talks about The Indie Author Revolution

Anyone in the book business these days knows that self-publishing has become a powerful force in the literary world. Gone are the days when self-published books carry the stigma of not being "good enough" for agents and traditional houses. On the contrary, many authors are choosing to forgo the querying process altogether, simply because they want to maintain control over their work.

That doesn't not mean it's easy (because, let's face it, not much is easy when it comes to writing and selling your book). Self-publishing can be extremely daunting, especially for first time authors. Someone who just wanted to write is now making critical decisions about formatting their manuscript (and cover art!) that can really impact their book's reception in the marketplace. They also must be ready (and sooner rather than later) to promote both themselves and their work through traditional and social media.

That's why Dara M. Beevas' book is such a godsend. Drawing on her experience as both a traditionally and self-published author, Beevas has created a comprehensive guide to joining the indie revolution. Also apparent in the book is Beevas' passion for mentoring other writers, which is no surprise, given her "day job". Beevas is Vice President of Beaver's Pond Press, a Minneapolis-based company created for the sole purpose of helping indie writers get their story (and a quality product) out into the world.

Click here to listen to the podcast:

Like what you heard? Visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Beaver's Pond Press to order The Indie Author Revolution. For more information on Dara's work, visit Wise Ink.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Author and Writing Mentor Dara Beevas

Join us this Friday when author and self-publishing expert Dara Beevas discusses her new book, The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider's Guide to Self-Publishing. The book is both comprehensive yet easy to follow, and draws on Beevas'  experience as a writer, publisher and mentor.    

Self-publishing can be intimidating and difficult to navigate, especially for new authors. And Beevas would know. She has been writing since she was a child, when traditional publishing was an author's only option. But as anyone in the writing business knows, things have changed quite a bit since then, and Beevas found herself part of a fascinating new literary world.   

These days, she not only self-publishes her own work but mentors authors as Vice President of Beaver's Pond Press in Minneapolis. Created for the sole purpose of helping authors create books of the highest caliber, the Press takes them through every step of the process, from writing and editing to printing and marketing. The key, Beevas said, is to understand that there is more to creating a book than just writing it. Self-published authors must be willing to look at their book as a business.    

She even finds time to write her own blog, Wise Ink, which offers tips and tutorials on writing and publishing for the novice and expert alike. 

Join Us for a Conversation with Author and Law of Attraction Expert Zaheen Nanji

It is my pleasure to welcome author and wellness coach Zaheen Nanji to the WITS podcast. Zaheen is one of twelve wellness experts from the U.S. and Canada who authored Unlock the Power of YOU: 12 Steps to Health, Happiness and Success. Specifically, she discusses her chapter, Attracting Your Ideal Weight. Zaheen is also certified in the Law of Attraction and owner of the Shanti Wellness Centre in Alberta. The Centre provides a host of services, from yoga classes to life coaching, for a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Zaheen doesn't just teach these methods, she lives them. As a child, she suffered from a serious stuttering problem that affected every aspect of her life. However once she learned to conquer her fear, stuttering no longer had power over her, and the behavior changed. Today, she is comfortable with interviews and is a sought after public speaker. She also hosts the radio show, Fat to Thin and has created a series of YouTube videos to help people struggling to overcome their weight issues.

Click here to listen to the podcast:

Like what you heard? To order the book, visit www.zaheennanji.com. To learn more about the Shanti Wellness Centre, visit www.shantiwellnesscentre.com

Visit her on Facebook
Follow her on Twitter

This Friday's Podcast Guest: Sola Olu

Sola Olu joins us this week to discuss her new memoir, The Summer Called Angel: A Story of Hope on the Journey through Prematurity. What began as Sola's journal has become a tool to support and educate other parents of premature babies.

Premature birth remains the number one killer of newborns in the United States. In fact, with approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies resulting in premature birth each year, the U.S. has one of the worst records in the world, and certainly among developed nations. The statistics are not only appalling, but surprising, and many parents are shocked, frightened and confused when as they attempt to navigate the world of the neonatal intensive care unit. After she and her husband endured this agonizing experience, not once, but twice, Olu was inspired to help others in the same situation. With equal parts information and emotional candor, The Summer Called Angel will help parents identify with the challenges of prematurity and preeclampsia, as well as the general NICU experience.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? Order The Summer Called Angel is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Join Us for A Conversation with Author Luke Hays

If you're interested in mysteries, murders, and mystics, be sure to tune in when I speak with Luke Hays about his new novel, Psychic Detective.  Set in 1883, the story centers around New York Pinkerton Detective Henry Larsen, who is called to California to solve a string of brutal killings in the small town of Littleton.

To say that Larsen is a gifted crime solver is an understatement, for in addition to his traditional sleuthing skills, he is also a psychic. Of course, given his profession and the era in which he lives, he can't let anyone find out about that! No matter what, Larsen will do whatever it takes to find the killer before he can claim his next victim. 

Luke Hays, a born and bred New Englander, has been a prolific writer since grade school. At 21 years old he has already published two novels and is currently working on a third; which is the second installment of  his trilogy, The Blood Line.  

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? Psychic Detective (as well as Luke's first novel, The Sorcerer's Apprentice: The Blood Line) is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and
Outskirts Press

Also, be sure to check out Luke's blog, Rise of the Fallen. where he offers his thoughts on writing, as well as reviews of the latest movies.

Tune into Our Chat With Author Sherri Starr

Do you ever get tired of searching for "the One"? Constantly updating your online dating profile, or joining that yoga, scuba diving or art class, just so you can meet that special guy or girl? It can be a full-time job and an exercise in frustration. According to author Sherri Starr, much of the agony is also unnecessary (albeit entertaining). Starr's new book, Mia and Jake: Finding the One offers an uplifting and riotous take on some of the things singles do to find their other half.

Mia and Jake would make the perfect couple, but first they have to meet! In this sea of single, smart and funny stick figures, how will they ever find each other? Starr's answer may surprise you, and it will most definitely delight you.

 

Click here to listen to Sherri discuss the inspiration behind the book, her creative process, and how she met her real life "Jake".

 

Like what you heard? Contact Sherri to order the book and share your own dating stories.
www.miaandjake.com
mialovesmail@gmail.com
Like Mia and Jake on Facebook
Follow Mia on Twitter

Live from Las Vegas...It's the Aspects of Writing Radio Show

Earlier today I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Aspects of Writing Radio Show, hosted by James Kelly. Today's show focused on importance of securing the right public relations specialist to market your book. The other guests were veteran PR gurus Travis Shortt and Shelley Bruner. Travis Shortt is a former radio personality and co-founder of Aspyr Communications, and Shelley is a former Fox 5 news anchor and currently the Director of Advertising and Public Relations at David Saxe Productions. With their years of experience, they have forgotten more than most of us will ever learn about wooing the media. They provided a wealth of inside tips on what authors need to do, not only to sell their current book, but to brand themselves, and it was indeed a pleasure to speak with them.

This is my second time on the show, and it was even more enjoyable than the first. James Kelly is a wonderful host. With his "round table" platform and conversational interviewing style, he allows for a true exchange of ideas. A number of WITS clients, including comedian Melanie Vare and mystic Dr. Steve Brannon, have been guests, as well as award-winning novelist Michael Loyd Gray. You can listen today's show, as well as archived episodes, by clicking on the link above. Aspects of Writing airs live, every other Tuesday, at 2pm PDT.

In addition, to hosting several radio shows, James Kelly is also the author of two novels. The second, Alien Transcripts: Creating God, is now available for download on Amazon.

Join Us for Part II of Our Interview with Apostle Kevin A. Johnson

Last week Apostle Kevin A. Johnson spoke with us about Dust Collector, his step-by-step guide to holistically transform your life. Today, the dynamic minister, author and counselor will discuss his follow up book, Sabotage.

Whereas Dust Collector focuses largely on our inner dialogue, Sabotage helps us rid our lives of outside negative forces. Unfortunately, these forces are not always obvious, so Sabotage teaches us how to spot the seemingly innocuous people or circumstances that can lead us down a negative path. He uses as an example the group of college friends that ask you to go out for "a few drinks" the night before a big exam. They probably don't mean any harm; like most college students, they just want to have fun. Johnson's point however, is that they lack focus, and if you put their agenda ahead of your own, you could be making a choice that will haunt you later on.

But Sabotage also covers much more serious issues, such as drug abuse and criminal behavior. It is a tool to help us combat the “spiritual terrorists” that are the source of fear, despair and pain. In order to do this, he feels, we must be positive in word, deed and thought.

Click here to listen to the podcast:

Apostle Kevin A. Johnson is a minister, counselor, and writer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in Pastoral Studies from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude and was twice-named Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He also received special recognition for outstanding service by former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist.

In addition to his ministry, Apostle Johnson and his wife Terrah own and operate Just Breathe Ministries, LLC. They have five children. To contact Apostle Johnson or learn more his work,visit http://www.facebook.com/Kevin.a.johnson3 or email him directly at apostlekaj@yahoo.com

Sabotage is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AuthorHouse.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Apostle Kevin A. Johnson

There is a famous saying that “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Apostle Kevin A. Johnson takes this one step further in his new book, Dust Collector: Experiencing the God Who Collects Worthless Things and Makes Them Into Great Things in His Hands and for His Purpose. Join us this Friday for the first half of our two-part interview with this inspirational author and minister.

Dust Collector is a compassionate yet no-nonsense guide to holistic transformation through the love of Jesus Christ. It offers advice on everything from having a happy, Christ-centered marriage to overcoming childhood traumas. But the book’s most important message is not how God heals what others have done to hurt us, but what we have done to hurt ourselves.

Through our sins, addictions, and other destructive behaviors, we become bogged down. This is the “dust”, and it clouds our vision to all that is good in our lives. But, as Apostle Johnson writes, “a little dust on a silver cup does not make the silver worth any less!”, and like the silver, our dust does not make us any less valuable to God. He does not advocate that we try to rid ourselves of these bad memories, for this is often a painful and futile exercise; instead, he counsels us to simply commit them to God, for with His help, we can turn our junk into gold. Dust Collector provides an excellent, step by step process by which to rid our lives of the debt, dependence on drugs, and drama in our lives.

Apostle Kevin A. Johnson is a minister, counselor, and writer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in Pastoral Studies from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude and was twice-named Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He also received special recognition for outstanding service by former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist.

In addition to his ministry, Apostle Johnson and his wife Terrah operate Just Breathe Ministries, LLC. They have five children.

Dust Collector is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Xulon Press.

To contact Apostle Johnson about his work, visit http://www.facebook.com/Kevin.a.johnson3 or email him directly at apostlekaj@yahoo.com

Join Us for A Conversation With Ana M. Torres

Tommy Hulette feels anything but loved. After his happy childhood is destroyed by his mother's suicide and his father's abandonment, he struggles to shed the family legacies of secrecy and sadness. Tommy's poignant story of loss, survival, and self-acceptance is the subject of A.M. Torres' debut novel, Love Child.

Like her main character, Ana is a native New Yorker; however, they have little else in common. Born to large and close knit family, Ana and her six siblings grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn. At a young age she began keeping a journal of her innermost feelings, and these entries inspired her to construct another family dynamic, one very different from her own. This became the foundation for the ill-fated Hulettes.

Today Ana lives on Staten Island, where she is currently at work on the sequel to Love Child.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? Order your copy of Love Child today!
http://www.outskirtspress.com/lovechild

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Child-A-M-Torres/dp/143276411X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332977384&sr=1-1#_

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-child-a-m-torres/1102635292?ean=9781432764111&itm=1&usri=am+torres+love+child

Ana M. Torres is also a regular contributor to Yahoo Voices. To read her short stories and articles, click here. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/1395005/ana_m_torres.html