WITS Team Member Featured in The Tennesssean

Kristen House is a member of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, a Nashville-based company that helps authors get their books ready for publishing. Kristen is also a writing instructor at Belmont University, and she came up with a novel idea about helping kids convert their creative talent for texting into a novel this summer. Learn more about the program at http://www.anovelideanashville.com/. She was featured in The Tennessean, a local Nashville newspaper, and her is a link to the article written by Julie Hubbard.

A Novel Idea: Making News! Featured in The Tennessean

Article, "Course Helps Teens Find Way With Words," featured on the Front Page of the Local Business Section, June 24, 2011

It's no secret that the young people who are a part of this summer's first class of novelists with A Novel Idea are doing fantastic work.

And as of today, that work is news.

Julie Hubbard, a reporter for The Tennessean, visited our class on Thursday, June 23rd, and was able to speak with students about their novels, their texting habits, and their confidence with the written word.

The article points to falling national trends on the SAT writing exam, and the increased importance of written communication in the 21st century workplace.

A Novel Idea seeks to address these concerns, introducing students to a daily writing habit that they can continue to foster after the program ends.

Most students in class have written over 15,000 words, with many topping the 20,000 mark. We just finished our second full week of writing.

You can read the story on page B-1 of today's Tennessean, or online, here. July's classes for middle school and high school have a few spaces remaining.

For more information, email kristen at anovelideanashville@gmail.com

Class C & D details: So you've been thinking about enrolling your son or daughter in A Novel Idea, but you haven't taken the plunge yet. There's still time (at the moment - The Tennessean article is just the first in a series of media stories).

Class C for middle school students begins on July 11th, and meets every Monday and Thursday until August 8th.

Class D for high school students begins on July 12th and meets each Tuesday and Friday through August 9th.

A Novel Idea is about passion, and not perfection. We strive to create daily writers of our students, not to stifle their creativity with criticism.

Students in class A are writing passionate prose, forging fast friendships with other wordy young people, and building incredible confidence in the process. For more information, email Kristen or visit http://www.anovelideanashville.com/. 

Note from the Chief Executive Muse

I have been humbled by the overwhelming response from educators across the state, and across the country! Thank you so much for your support, and thank you so much for recommending this truly novel concept to the wordy people in your lives.

Kristen House
A Novel Idea
Write Something Big!

News at a Glance Jumpstart: one-day workshop for adults enrolling now!

ANI Classes C & D: A few spaces remain

ANI T-Shirts and Buttons: Now available for purchase through http://www.thisisanovelidea.com/

Parents & Teachers: You've encouraged your students to sign up for A Novel Idea this summer. Now, it's your turn! A Novel Jumpstart is designed for busy adults like yourself. And if you're interested in teaching long-form fiction in your classroom, here's where you should start. Intrigued? Contact Kristen for more info.

We're Growing! ANI will soon be coming to a city near your friends! Interested in knowing where? Send an email to Kristen to find out if your favorite town is on our list of expansion cities. We're not wasting any time, are we?

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Poetry Corner June 2011

Some Days
by Dennis S Martin

Distant rumbles from a sky of
Misty gray, hanging low,
Moving steady, marking time,
Marching soldier in your prime.

Crispness chilling morning air,
Sitting on my front porch chair
I ponder what the day will bring.
Daintily the wind chimes sing

As robins chirp
And folks walk by,
Gentle breezes seem to sigh
And slide across the pine tree’s boughs,

Who protests slightly, but allows.
Plans were made
But will they serve?
Will protests yield what they deserve?

Or should I simply roll along
To see what fate holds in her song?
Some days are like this one,
No doubt.

I’ll wait to see what it’s about.

Positives
by Dennis S Martin

Mama always taught me that
There’s good in everyone,
That I should seek the positive
And overlook the rest.

Must admit, sometimes you have to
Look real deep to find it.
Some people give the microscope
A grueling, daunting test.

But if you seek, and seek you must,
And dwell on positives,
You just might find that
Life’s more kind
As you ponder your quest.

Is it worth the effort
To seek people at their best?
I believe that it’s the key
To life’s true happiness.

Bigger Picture
by Dennis S Martin

Searching through the scrambled pieces,
Hundreds, thousands, maybe more
Scattered loosely, helter skelter
Laid out on the puzzle board.

Trying hard to find an interlocking place
To fit, to be,
To integrate with all the rest
And form a perfect symmetry.

No one piece can be forgotten,
Not a single one misplaced,
Else the picture be misshapened
Vision hopelessly erased.

But when the whole has come together
And each piece knows where it should be,
Witness all the bigger picture
Formed with perfect clarity.
Escape
by Dennis S Martin
Tortured by the husking fruitless
Daily crush of energy marauders
Vexing, ever vexing and
Flexing brawny sinuous flesh,
Flaunting faux powers in feckless faces.
Pity the fools.

I close my eyes,
Lower my expectations and
Wait for sweet dreams
To invade my property.
Oft times comes easy,
Approaching angelic.
The bully backs down
Looking elsewhere for folly.
Prison bars soften and the gates open wide
As velveteen breezes offer their wings
Leaving me free to escape to Nirvana
Where honey flows free
And roses e’er bloom,
And thoughts are but whispers
Born on the wind.
I will linger here a while to
Follow the dream,
Seize the ring.
No misgivings for time well spent.


Silly Giggles
by Dennis S Martin

Nostalgic for the good old days
Of life’s simplistic interludes,
When dreams were fresh as lavender
As sunlight burns the morning dew.

Silly giggles way back then
Were all the sport we ever sought,
No responsibilities could
Trump the task of levity.

And weren’t we happy with our lot?
Time and trial our last concerns.
Foresight was for other fools
To dole and dither fitfully.

Sad to lose the youthful verve
That spawned so many memories, but
Time can be a spiteful mistress
If allowed to have her way.

Now in twilight do I find
The subtle nuance of her gift.
The looking back rekindles joy that
Silly giggles gave us then.

Heartshine
By Dennis S Martin

Mindful embraces form
Elegant sources
Gently caressing the
Lace-covered edges of memory
Harboring every emotion,
As I feel your Heartshine
Soft on my face.

Brighter than sunlight,
Fresher than springtime,
Warmer than summer
I bask in your glow.

Supple as willow trees
Free-flowing branches
Dancing with breezes,
I hold your embrace.
Welcome sweet Heartshine,
Come stay a while.
Linger til long shadows
Fade into night.

Joy is your reverie,
Truth your companion,
Beckoning all
To join in your chase.


Princess Bride
by Dennis S Martin

Sleepy nation wakes the dawning,
Spies the bunting on each ledge,
Something special stirs the scent of
Incense wafting in the breeze.

Quick to dress in finery
To suit such glorious occasion,
Chins held high and chests puffed full
In maximum anticipation.

Four white horses lead the carriage
Fully draped in ceremony
As the trumpets sound the herald
Echoing glad tidings all.

Out she steps to breathless watchers,
Daintily her footfall glides,
Steadfastly her regal father
Leads his angel down the aisle.

Now she stands before the altar,
Nations watching, filled with pride,
And her young prince stands beside her
Proud to wed his princess bride.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com/
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Editors Are Not Out to Get You!

By Dana Micheli
In addition to my work for Writers in the Sky, I am also a teaching assistant for an online university. My job is primarily to grade English papers based on grammar, content, and whether the student has followed the assignment parameters set by the professor. Another part of my job is to answer emails from students and offer guidance whenever I can. Usually these are pleasant and—I hope—helpful exchanges.

So I was shocked when I opened an especially long email last week saw a barrage of angry words, all in capital letters. Internet yelling, directed at me. Somehow I had wronged these person, and grievously. They could not understand my comments on their paper, and felt I was somehow out to get them.

My first reaction, I admit, was respond with a lecture about Netiquette and ask how they expected to get anywhere in life if this is how they spoke to people. But I took a step back and a deep breath, and realized what I was dealing with here was the “I” in Writer.

I suddenly remembered what it was like when as an English major in college I had to distribute copies of my short story for my classmates to read. They were to take it home, read it, and return the next class to deliver their commentary. Aloud. In front of everyone. The fact that everyone had to do it didn’t make it any easier. At the time, I thought this exercise was cruel, humiliating, and without merit. I was wrong, however, and it made me a better writer. It also took me down a peg and taught me I didn't know everything.

My online student, I realized, had probably poured his/her heart and soul into the paper and now felt personally attacked.

Learning to check your ego at the door, I explained, is one of the most critical things you can do to improve your writing career. You don't have to agree with the critic, but listening to (and thinking about) the criticism opens you up to new perspectives and proves that you can learn from anyone, any time. And that is useful for any writer.

Dana Micheli is a freelance writer, editor, proofreader, and journalist. She has written and edited works of fiction and nonfiction, including novels (ghostwritten), news articles, resumes, business plans, and restaurant reviews. She also researched and wrote the legal and housing sections of New York: The Complete Resident’s Guide (Explorer Publishing). She is also the business writer for WITS.




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Tips for Prerecorded Podcast Interviews

By Vonnie Faroqui
Prerecorded podcast interviews differ from live radio in several ways. You will need to find out ahead of time how your interview will be conducted, live or as a prerecorded podcast to be aired at a later date.

Many Web radio and podcast interviews are prerecorded for the convenience of the blog host and site management. This allows for minor editing, a “positive” in favor of prerecording interviews that a good host will use to make higher quality podcasts. Writers In The Sky pre-records its podcasts and schedules these interviews to be aired on a weekly basis.

Even the best editing can’t turn Mr. Potato into a thrilling interviewee. That being the case, here are a few tips to help you on your way to becoming an interview superstar.

Get Comfortable

Live radio interviews can begin abruptly. A prerecorded interview usually allows you to get comfortable with your host and to ask questions of your interviewer before recording begins. For WITS Podcast interviews, I like to give our guests the general outline of the interview a day or two early, and then to answer questions before we begin recording. Taking the time to chat with my guests beforehand helps me gauge an author’s comfort level, break the ice, and address any fears our guests may have about interviewing. Live interviews rarely have time to allow a host to put their guest at ease. Interviewing is a skill that, as with all skills, gets easier through practice. Practice your interview skills with friendly audiences. Get your friends to ask you questions about your book and themes. Play around with your responses so that you learn to answer questions on the fly.

About timing

With prerecorded interviews, there are fewer concerns or constraints about time and timing than is the case for live interviews. During a live interview, you will need to be prepared to talk at a moment’s notice and to keep your answers brief so that your host can speak to other callers or break for commercial. With a prerecorded interview, it is possible to take more time with your answers as pauses and hiccups can be edited away. In both cases, help your host know when you are finished speaking by ending with a declarative sentence or by using a vocal downtick to make it clear to the host that you’ve completed your answer.

No prepared speeches

Don’t write out speeches to read during the interview. Instead, create a bullet point list of things you would like to convey during the interview, key thoughts or themes you want to work into your responses. Read answers are never very engaging and will make you sound stilted and mechanical unless you are theatrically trained. Even good actors avoid reading from a prepared script and take liberties with their material to allow for natural, conversational phrasing. Don’t make the mistake of reading prepared answers during your interview. It is a mood killer.

Listen to your host

Listen to your host and do your best to answer the questions they ask. Don’t assume that they are disinterested. Give them something to work with. An unresponsive guest is a hosts worst nightmare. A host will often ask follow up questions if they like what you’ve said, if they are trying to draw out more information from you or if they want to carry you deeper down a line of questioning they think will be of interest to their audience. If you are listening to your host, you will hear the cues they will give you. Be responsive and they will guide you through. An engaging guest is a delight to support and easy to sell. If you need a little help with energy and want to avoid sounding flat and uninspired, try matching or slightly exceeding your host’s energy level. To do this you have to . . . listen.

Share your passion

If you aren’t passionate about your book, who will be? Listeners will turn the dial if your interview lacks passion, but they will “hear it” if you SMILE – so get a telephone headset and free yourself to wave those arms around while you talk. Let the love you have for your book, theme, and characters come through in your voice. Standing while you speak conveys energy and confidence. Gesturing helps you convey intensity and meaning. We rely upon these things in everyday speech to help communicate clearly. Allowing for movement will help you relax during an interview and greatly enhance the sound of your voice.

Give of yourself

Being a good guest translates down to one thing. Give of yourself. When someone speaks from a place of inspiration about something they love, it is always interesting. Do you love your book? Didn’t you just invest time, energy, and money in creating and publishing it? If you love your book and speak from that place, you will have something interesting to say.

Letting go of fear and embracing life is a challenge that everyone faces. The circumstances may vary, but the opportunity to move past fear comes to all of us. I have one last tip to share and it will help you overcome any fears you have about interviewing. And it is . . .

Keep breathing

Breath is life. When you stop your breath, you stop your life, you freeze your emotions, and stifle your truth. Breathing frees stuck emotion and gives you voice. It carries you through and out of fear. If you encounter a question that throws you for a second, or need to gather your thoughts for a response, take a breath. In that moment of internal silence, while you concentrate on inhaling, your answer will come. It will come from a place of truth that exists deep inside of you, a place that is inside all of us. Share what comes to you and keep breathing.

Vonnie Faroqui is a freelance writer offering author promotions services through Ink-Slingers-Whimsey.com. She is a regular host for the popular writing show, Writers in the Sky Podcast.




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Book with a View June 2011

Book Title: Love From the Other Side
Author: Carol Shimp
ISBN: 978-1432767907
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui

Searching for Answers

At some point, most of us find ourselves searching for answers to the question of what comes after this life. We all have our own reasons for the search and it is in these times when books such as Carol Shimp’s, Love from the Other Side: a Search for Answers, find their way to us. Sometimes a friend will recommend we read, other times it will be through a review that our attention is caught. We may not always agree with what we read, but the need to understand drives us and so we turn the first page hoping to find peace and a sense of knowing.

Carol has given the gift of her story in, Love from the Other Side, a memoir recounting her spiritual exploration, paranormal experiences, and quest to balance daily life with experiences of the spirit world, precognitive dreams and other worldly messages. Through this book, the reader will discover hidden groups of spiritual seekers, spiritual teachings, and have an opportunity to encounter teachings that are often obscured for the protection of the innocent. In a world that has grown skeptical of anything that cannot be scientifically weighed and measured, psychic and paranormal experiences remain a taboo subject in most homes, or a matter of ridicule and scorn. As I read, I found myself drawn into the memoir by the sincerity of the author.

The quality of writing is pleasing; the chapters are well constructed, making the story easy to follow. Great care is given in the treatment of spiritual beliefs and matters of faith. Carol does not denounce or espouse any particular faith, although she does share that her background and religious path is Catholic. She receives assistance from a group of spiritual seekers and eventually undergoes a non-Catholic exorcism of energies that were detrimental to her spiritual and mental health.

This is a marvelous book for the curious and for spiritual seekers. There are wonderful spiritual truths within the folds of Love from the Other Side that will enrich the unfamiliar and gratify those initiated in the practices and teachings of spiritualists and mediums. Rather than portraying the sensational, Carol’s style and message are without guile. In the end what is revealed comes from a place of love and is offered without condition.

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Book Title: Shee Willow
Author: Claudy Conn
ISBN: 978-1613099933
Publisher: Wings ePress
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui

Claudy Conn’s Shee Willow, carries us deep into the world of fae intrigue and danger . . . exciting and fast paced, this is a novel with plenty of plot twists and surprises to support the romance. This tale can stand on its own but Conn brings back the cast of faery characters we fell in love with from Spellbound-Legend, deepening the Seelie intrigues, romance, and dangers in part two of the series.

Once again Conn ignites the page with hunk madness, as every which way Willow turns brings hot potential for love and misdirection. A Conn story is always full of rich layers and like dark chocolate cake waiting to be licked from sticky fingers; she tempts even the most discriminating reader to escapism. I can’t help but pout a little when she tortures us with characters that we want for ourselves only to find out later that our hunk of hotness is just no good for us or our heroine.

In Shee Willow, Conn writes from the first person perspective of each of her main characters, giving a different feel to the book than you will have encountered in reading Spellbound–Legend. If you like to imagine yourself in the role of the characters, this perspective and writing style might challenge you at first. It won’t matter past the first chapter, because once you get reading you will find that Conn is a master of the craft and the story is a pleaser.

I didn’t think the series could get better but Conn is developing the magical and political intrigue of the underlying plot connecting the books, as well as the romantic drama. Additional characters open the scope for rising action and she continues to weave in future romances and danger.

Conn is in high form and never shorts her heroine or her reader. It is pure torture deciding which of the men or fae to fantasize over, and I do so love the bad ones!

You got me again, Claudy!

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Book Title: I Am Going Where I Belong
Author: Hans Lindor
ISBN: 978-1592322657
Publisher: Enaz Publications
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui

I Am Going Where I Belong relates a fictionalized and tragic tale of life for Haiti native Hans Leger. Born into the ruling class of Haiti and a life of privilege, Hans Leger discovers a side of his homeland that is both shocking and horrifying. The narrative carries the reader through a chance encounter with a child prostitute and her son, to the murder of Han’s father, and his family’s flight to and life in the USA as political refugees. This story reflects deeply on the living conditions, mental attitudes and struggles of the Haitian people. The narrative voice of the book relates and reflects upon issues of personal safety, survival, self loathing, racial and economic discrimination and political despotism.

Insightfully written, I Am Going Where I Belong is loosely built around aspects of the author’s personal experiences, and offers a perspective and a vision of the Haitian people that have until now been given little or no voice. Author Hans Lindor eloquently weaves his personal experiences of life in Haiti and beyond into this fictionalized account, successfully capturing for his audience truths that can only be felt when shared by one who has lived and breathed them. Lindor has lifted his pen on behalf of Haiti and his native people.

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Hans Lindor after having read his book, I Am Gong Where I Belong. Lindor will tell you that the book is about a fictional character and that it is not about his life. After having interviewed the author, I can see why he would assert this. Many aspects of the character Hans’s life are fictionalized and differ from events that played out Lindor’s own story. However, the book also contains events, losses, and incidents that the author has drawn directly from his personal experience. The road of circumstance traveled may differ for the character, Hans, but when you read about Marie and her son, or when a beloved character is gunned down and must be left untended in the streets, there is an aspect of reality being shared that is heartrendingly real. These are elements of the author's own story which are retold using the vehicle of fiction to soften the impact for both the author and the reader. It is in these moments that Lindor’s ability to write is at its best. He transmits into words the incredible horror, loss and grief that has been his own and shares with all of us a tale of Haiti's children.

If you are at all interested in the lost boys of Haiti or in the politics and struggles surrounding this nation, you will benefit by reading I Am Gong Where I Belong. Well written and easy to understand, this book will open your eyes to realities and difficulties faced every day by the Haitian people. The author digs deep and offers up a piece of his soul in, I Am Gong Where I Belong.
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Book Title: The Quetzal Skull
Author: Margaret Gill
ISBN: 978-1432768669
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui

Superb from beginning to end!

There is much good to be said about Margaret Gill's writing and The Quetzal Skull in particular. To begin, Margaret knows how to weave a delicious story that will captivate her youthful audience as well as those adults that enjoy reading the Young Adult Fiction genre of books. The Quetzal Skull follows, Narwhal, as part two in a series and is superbly written.

The Quetzal Skull relates the continuing tale of Gray, a young man on the verge of discovering his deepening psychic gifts and his place in the world as a shaman. After his brush with death, in Narwhal, Gray goes to the mainland to attend art school. He intends to study art that is, but it seems once again fate and prophecy have a plan for Gray which is outside of his understanding and control. Kidnapping is the least of the lengths his enemies will go in their efforts to maintain their drive for power and control. They perceive Gray as a threat to their plans and won't stop coming after him until they have eliminated the threat he poses, permanently. Follow Gray around the globe into the heart of myth and mystery, as he strives to solve secrets locked in the distant past and fulfill his destiny.

Margaret does an excellent job of depicting and explaining concepts of psychic energy work and shamanism that accurately portray the teachings, methods and practices of modern and historic shamanic practitioners. She is able to capture in words and through story telling the atmosphere of time and place, which combine to create a flavor of danger and increased tension. Her research and insight into traditional shamanic roles and practices, as well as into the healing or mystical properties of certain herbs and the political intrigue used in her story, is to be commended. There is much to be learned, about our world and its societies, which she has cleverly revealed in the story or used as a device to develop her plot.

Exciting and enlightening, full of physical and spiritual dangers, The Quetzal Skull takes Gray and the reader on an adventure of thrilling proportions. Discover wonder and mystery in the crystal skull of Quetzal. A cast of memorable characters waits for you. You will not want to put this book down.



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Network with Us June 2011

Check out the e-books designed especially to help authors promote their books online. http://tinyurl.com/DanaWITS.


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Kristen House has developed a summer writing program called "A Novel Idea." It is aimed at teaching middle-grade students (rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders) and high-school students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) to write a novel in a month during their summer break. Contact Kristen for details.

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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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Join Yvonne Perry as she gives a lecture at Cosmic Connections in Nashville on June 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on what it means to be an empath and how to clear your energy field.

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WITS team member Dianna Calareso published her memoir, At Ease, in digital format through Smashwords. The book only costs $2.49, and she’s donating 25 percent of every sale to the Alzheimer's Association (the memoir is about her grandfather, a retired Marine who suffered from Alzheimer's until his death in 2005). Here's the link for downloading: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53669. If you need help formatting your book for Smashwords, Kindle, or Nook let Dianna know.

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“Empaths Shifting into 2012: A Telesummit to Help Energy-sensitive People Understand Their Spiritual Role on Earth” is scheduled for four consecutive Tuesdays this September. There will be seven panelists sharing more than 12 hours of useful information about helping humanity shift into higher consciousness. More info at http://dld.bz/aaK6e.

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Editor's Corner June 2011

By Yvonne Perry, Owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (http://writersinthesky.com/)


I've been on vacation for the past two weeks! Lots of time with family and getting some fresh air and sunshine. Ah, life is good!

And, this is good news too: Amazon.com has lowered the price of my book AGAIN! It’s now offered at an incredibly low price of only $12.23! 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 .

I plan to give a lecture at Cosmic Connections in Nashville on June 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please join me for a discussion on what it means to be an empath and how to clear your energy field.

Also, I’m putting together a free online event “Empaths Shifting into 2012: A Telesummit to Help Energy-sensitive People Understand Their Spiritual Role on Earth” for this September. There will be seven panelists sharing more than 12 hours of useful information about helping humanity shift into higher consciousness. In my presentation, “There are No Victims! Helping Empaths to See Themselves as Empowered Beings of Light,” I will share why forgiveness is so important to empaths who want to stay clear of negativity and align with higher frequencies in order to accomplish their life’s mission. More info at http://dld.bz/aaK6e.

Book marketing expert Dana Lynn Smith is the author of many e-books (including the ones listed below) to help authors promote their books online. She and I conducted a free teleconference to share some of the information in her books. If you missed the call, you can get the replay at http://tinyurl.com/DanaWITS. Here are some of Dana’s books:

• How to Sell More Books on Amazon;

• The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Selling Your Book to Libraries;

• The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing;

• Facebook Guide for Authors;

• Twitter Guide for Authors;

• Boost Your Book Sales With Twitter - Audio Program;

• Get Connected: Build Your Business With Online Networking Promoting;

• Texas Book Marketing Handbook

Be sure to read the helpful articles in this issue written by the WITS team members. Considering seeking podcast and radio interviews to help market your book? WITS Podcast host Vonnie Faroqui has some tips for how to give a good interview. If you need help formatting your book for Smashwords, Kindle, or Nook Dianna can help!. I think you’ll especially enjoy our new column, “Grammar Hero is in the House! Say What?” I also like this helpful tip from Wendy Lachmuth on when to use there, their, and they're:

They're going to visit their parents next week, and will be there for two weeks. However, their pets, won't be there, as they're going to stay with their favorite pet sitter. They'll be very happy, though, to return to their families once they're home again. After all, there's no place like home!

Have a great month, everyone!

Yvonne Perry,
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Writers in the Sky Podcast June 2011

During the month of June Writers in the Sky audiences will enjoy podcast interviews with authors, from a wide spectrum of genres. June’s guests share their recent literary creations and writing publishing experiences, and talk with Writers in the Sky host Vonnie Faroqui about book marketing using blogging and social media.
On June 3, 2011, Vonnie Faroqui interviews 85 year old author, Betsy Houser, about her romance novel, Summer Is Her Name. “This was a charmingly delightful novel and the author was a joy to converse with.” Betsy shares an excerpt from her book and offers some encouraging words for other authors.
On June 10, 2011, J. C. Stevens shares his book, The Killing Game, a crime novel about a mob hit man forced out of retirement to become a pawn in the deeper game. Stevens talks about using a pseudonym to write in multiple genres and discusses blogging as a marketing tool with host Vonnie Faroqui. Listen in and pick up some ideas for how blogging could help you too.

On June 17, 2011, Jerome Peoples talks about his historical book, Lee’s Bread Machines. Learn from this author historian about a true life, African American inventor who changed the bread making industry of America. Jerome T. Peoples has a long distinguished career as a science teacher and now adds author to his list of accomplishments. Realizing the need for Afro-American inventors to be introduced to the general public, Jerome worked for seven years gathering the information presented in his book. “Lee’s Bread Machines is a fascinating piece of US history that will inspire you.”

On June 24, 2011, Writers in the Sky Podcast guest, author Allison Wynn presents her book, The Answer, “ A Journey From Anger To Peace.” Allison Wynne has spent 30 years helping people create more peaceful lives. The two questions she’s been asked the most are, “How do I deal with anger in either myself or others,” and “How do I create a more peaceful life?” Join podcast host Vonnie Faroqui for her interview with this exciting guest.

Writers in the Sky blog, podcast, and newsletter is a three-fold production filled with information about writing, publishing, and book publicity created by Yvonne Perry as part of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services. Listen to Writers in the Sky Podcast at http://writersinthesky.blogspot.com/p/wits-podcast.html


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The Grammar Hero is in the House! Say What?

By Kristen House
My mom recently sent me an email asking me to take a 10 minute survey. And although I love my mom, I simply could not do it. Say What? That’s right I couldn’t do it because a hyphen is needed to create a compound modifier from two nouns. Neither “10” nor “minute” could stand alone to modify “survey.” You wouldn’t say “10 survey” or “minute survey” because neither 10 nor minute is an adjective: they're both nouns! So I put on my Grammar Hero cape and jotted her a quick note that read, " I can't do this, Mom. But, I would be willing to take a 10-minute survey!" Grammar Hero to the rescue!

I pulled a late night and when I woke up this morning, I was devastated to find that I had run out of coffee and milk. I was also out of toilet paper. Still in my pajamas, I drove to the grocery store to purchase three items. And there, under the flickering fluorescent lights of my local grocery store, I once again donned my Grammar Hero Cape. A woman with dozens of coupons clogged aisle four, the only open checkout lane, but there was nobody standing in the "Ten Items or Less" aisle. Guess where I went? Yep, aisle four. Say What? The sign on the express lane should have read "Ten Items or Fewer." "Fewer" is used to describe a countable number of items, whereas "less" modifies measurable mass. For example, "I weigh less now than I did when I was pregnant," or "I sure wish I had fewer pounds around my middle." The cashier and her manager were very impressed. Grammar Hero to the rescue!

Kristen House is an Adjunct Instructor of Writing at Belmont University, and the Chief Executive Muse of A Novel Idea. She writes fiction every day for hours, even when there isn’t anything to write about. Kristen lives in Nashville with her husband, Andrew, sons, Holden and Shephard, and a yippy little dog named Osie.





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The June Issue of Writers in the Sky E-zine is Now Available!

The June issue of Writers in the Sky E-zine is now available! This publication provides a rich resource of articles and information about the craft and business of writing, publishing, and book marketing. Go to http://writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html and scroll down to the archives and click the link to this month’s issue. It will download as a PDF. If you would like to get once-a-month email delivery of the e-zine, you may subscribe for free at https://app.quicksizzle.com/survey.aspx?sfid=13065






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There, Their, or They're?

This seems like a simple one, I'm sure, but it's incredible how many people just don't know the difference between these words! 
They're going to visit their parents next week, and will be there for two weeks. However, their pets, won't be there, as they're going to stay with their favorite pet sitter. They'll be very happy, though, to return to their families once they're home again. After all, there's no place like home!


See the difference? :)


Submitted by Wendy Lachmuth

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Tennessee Rep Announces Schedule for Ingram New Works Festival: John Patrick Shanley--Tony and Pulitzer-winning Playwright of Doubt—Highlights Festival

Performance Schedule:

Ingram New Works Festival

Wednesday, June 1, 7:00 PM Henson by Shawn Knight
Thursday, June 2, 7:00 PM The Hobo and the Housecat by Heidi Ervin
Friday, June 3, 7:00 PM Hunger in Paradise by Mary McCallum
Saturday, June 4, 7:00 PM The City of the Dead by Nate Eppler
Sunday, June 5, 2:30 PM The Hand on the Plough by Lisa Soland
Tuesday, June 7, 7:00 PM Now You See Him by Christine Mather
Wednesday, June 8, 7:00 PM She’s Dead by Joe Giordan
Thursday, June 9, 7:00 PM Sleeping Demon by John Patrick Shanley
Friday, June 10, 7:00 PM Sleeping Demon by John Patrick Shanley
Saturday, June 11, 7:00 PM Sleeping Demon by John Patrick Shanley

Tickets: Free for Tennessee Rep 2010-11 season subscribers. $10 per reading for non-subscribers ($5 for students with valid student ID.). Tickets available at the door. Reservations available by e-mailing represervations@gmail.com or by calling 244-4878.

Nashville, TN— Tennessee Repertory Theatre has announced its schedule for the Martha R. Ingram New Works Festival. The festival will be held June 1 – 11 at Vanderbilt University’s Neely Auditorium and will feature staged readings of new plays from seven local playwrights as well as Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner John Patrick Shanley. Shanley is this year’s recipient of the Ingram New Works Fellowship.

The Martha R. Ingram New Works Fellowship was created by Tennessee Rep co-founder Martha R. Ingram to provide an opportunity for theatre artists to develop new theatre works while in residency with Tennessee Rep. Past recipients include David Alford (Clara’s Hands), Victoria Stewart (Rich Girl), and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner David Auburn (The Columnist), which will make its Broadway premiere in January 2012.
Currently in its fourth year, the program has evolved to include a New Works Lab for seven local playwrights who are being mentored by Shanley. The Lab offers these playwrights the opportunity to not only receive feedback but also hear their works read by professional actors during the writing process.
“The Ingram Charitable Fund is thrilled to make this opportunity available in support of new works for the theatre,” says Ingram. “New work is the life force of every art form. We have no better example than William Shakespeare who, after all, created nothing but new work. And the same can be said for Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, George Bernard Shaw, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and the list goes on.

“As Tennessee Repertory Theatre continues to be a leading regional theatre, it is thrilling to see the company collaborate with nationally-recognized playwrights such as John Patrick Shanley as well as foster the development of local playwrights through the New Works Lab that culminates with the New Works Festival. I am confident that this collaboration will not only have positive contributions to the Nashville theatre community, but also the American theatre landscape as a whole.”
The seven local playwrights-in-residence include Nate Eppler, Heidi Ervin, Joe Giordano, Shawn Knight, Mary McCallum, Christine Mather, and Lisa Soland.
Lab participant Nate Eppler says, “The development of new plays is literally the lifeblood of theatre as a whole; to have the opportunity to develop new work with the guidance of a playwright of John Patrick Shanley’s caliber is rare and wonderful, to then be able to see the voices of Nashville theatre elevated into the national theatre conversation would be extraordinary.”
Shanley’s plays include Doubt (2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play), Defiance, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Savage in Limbo, Beggars in the House of Plenty, and Sailor’s Song. He won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for Moonstruck and also wrote and directed the film adaptation of Doubt which featured Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

“I could not be more excited to welcome John Patrick Shanley as Tennessee Rep’s Ingram New Works Fellow,” says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland. “Directing Doubt was a professional highlight for me, so the prospect of getting to direct the staged reading of his new play that will debut at the Festival in June thrills me beyond words. But I am equally thrilled to have Shanley mentoring the members of the playwrighting Lab. What a privilege for our local playwrights to get to work with someone of his talent and reputation! To have Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winners in back-to-back years speaks volumes to the vibrancy of our New Works Program, and I am elated that Tennessee Rep is in a position to share these new plays with Nashville and contribute in such a positive way to theatre on a regional and national level.”
Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, please visit http://www.tennesseerep.org/.
# # #
Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland, Festival Director Lauren Shouse, and playwrights participating in the New Works Lab are available for live or taped interview beginning Tuesday, May 17. John Patrick Shanley is available for limited interviews by special advanced arrangement.

Please contact Pat Patrick at pat@tennesseerep.org to inquire about availability.


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Writers’ Podcasts for June offer Romance, Conspiracy, a History lesson and Self Help

Learn what you need to know from the Writers in the Sky guests and team

Nashville, TN, June, 2011— during the month of June Writers in the Sky audiences will enjoy podcast interviews with authors, from a wide spectrum of genres. June’s guests share their recent literary creations and writing publishing experiences, and talk with Writers in the Sky host Vonnie Faroqui about book marketing using blogging and social media.

On June 3, 2011, Vonnie Faroqui interviews 85-year-old author, Betsy Houser, about her romance novel, Summer Is Her Name. “This was a charmingly delightful novel and the author was a joy to converse with.” Betsy shares an excerpt from her book and offers some encouraging words for other authors.

On June 10, 2011, J. C. Stevens shares his book, The Killing Game, a crime novel about a mob hit man forced out of retirement to become a pawn in the deeper game. Stevens talks about using a pseudonym to write in multiple genres and discusses blogging as a marketing tool with host Vonnie Faroqui. Listen in and pick up some ideas for how blogging could help you too.

On June 17, 2011, Jerome Peoples talks about his historical book, Lee’s Bread Machines. Learn from this author historian about a true life, African American inventor who changed the bread making industry of America. Jerome T. Peoples has a long distinguished career as a science teacher and now adds author to his list of accomplishments. Realizing the need for Afro-American inventors to be introduced to the general public, Jerome worked for seven years gathering the information presented in his book. “Lee’s Bread Machines is a fascinating piece of US history that will inspire you.”
On June 24, 2011, Writers in the Sky Podcast guest, author Allison Wynn presents her book, The Answer, “ A Journey From Anger To Peace.” Allison Wynne has spent 30 years helping people create more peaceful lives. The two questions she’s been asked the most are, “How do I deal with anger in either myself or others,” and “How do I create a more peaceful life?” Join podcast host Vonnie Faroqui for her interview with this exciting guest.

About Writers in the Sky: Writers in the Sky blog, podcast, and newsletter is a three-fold production filled with information about writing, publishing, and book publicity created by Yvonne Perry as part of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services. Listen to Writers in the Sky Podcast at http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/
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Free Webinar and Videos to Reach Your Goals

Wow! 2011 is already almost half over. Are you on track to meet your goals for this year? or are you overwhelmed and stuck in maintenance mode? If it’s the latter, then I have good news!

For the first time ever, my friend Allison Maslan International/CEO of Blast Off Business and Life Mentoring is offering a FREE webinar, “Six Steps to Reaching Your Goals Once and For All! Your 2011 Mid-Year Success Check-Up” and a FREE video series called “The 6 Ms of Success."

And you’re invited! All you’ve got to do to access BOTH the call and the video series is sign up here: http://www.myblastoff.com/2011goals/
During the three videos, Allison will share her experiences as a serial entrepreneur – and her favorite techniques for harnessing your own brilliance so you can blast off into a fulfilling, abundant future of your creation.

The first video, available now, covers:

* Components Allison has used to build 9 successful businesses of her own from the ground up.

* Her story of how she built a national advertising and PR firm with no experience, by the time she was 25.

* How she overcame her fear and walked away from an unhappy life toward a better, more fulfilling life she loves.
* How you can design your destiny, rather than being thrown around by it.

* An overview of Maslan’s 6 Ms of Success – a set of ideas necessary to create a long-term thriving and enlivening business that withstands the test of time and life in general.

Reserve your spot: http://www.myblastoff.com/2011goals/

This webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, June 8th at 5:00 pm PST, is for business owners – or future business owners – who want to get focused, and turn their great ideas into stellar, life-changing growth. Your time is NOW!

Are you among the many brilliant business owners who set goals but don’t have the time or the focus to bring them to fruition? Are you ready to change all that?

Then you definitely won’t want to miss this 75-minute webinar, during which you discover how to:
1. Apply laser focus to what’s critical so you power through 2011, achieving all your biggest, most important goals and dreams.

2. Follow through on your great ideas, so you can turn those ideas into actions and reach your goals this year.

3. Choose which ideas deserve your full attention – and then follow those through to completion, every time, without distraction.

4. Stop finding reasons why your great ideas won’t work – and start figuring out how to THINK and ACT BIG to make them happen.

5. Become aligned with what you do, so you can build a business and a life that energizes and excites you, daily.

6. Stay on track with your short- and long-term goals of every size, without feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

The year is almost half over! It’s time to get out of overwhelm and into overdrive so you start achieving your most important goals now. Are you ready? If so, you’re going to want to be on this webinar.

Remember, the call absolutely FREE with no obligations!


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Nashville's Notables Come Together for Literacy

The Nashville International Book Festival comes to RiverGate Mall June 3rd through 5th for a weekend of fun and learning. Aimed at encouraging students to read at least two books per week, this event has added a new component.
The New "Celebrity Read Out Loud" will begin Friday the 3rd at 11:00 a.m. with meteorologist Barak Shapiro reading to eager students. Throughout the weekend many of the Nashville's recognized talent will take 30 minutes to read to students grades k-12. Individuals such as Meteorologist Lelan Statom and Kelly Cox, News Anchor Heather Jensen, State Rep Brenda Gilmore and many more will delight young audiences while showing them that reading is fun.

Two stages will be setup through the common areas of the mall. The public is invited and there is no admission. We encourage other community leaders to join us in our quest to boost the reading levels of students and adult that may need assistance in these areas.

Through our R2Books program 1,000 area students will receive a certificate redeemable for one brand new age-appropriate book. Schools, churches and civic organizations who may want to receive certificates for their students should email a request to Takaya@44th.net

Questions about the "Celebrity Read Out Loud" can be directed to Takaya Sweeny at (313) 862-5000 or www.NashvilleInternationalBookFestival.info/celebrityrol


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4 Solutions to the Book Discount System

by Joel Friedlander

I’m finding in talking to new self-publishers that many people don’t quite get how the discounting works in different parts of the book distribution system. This is vital to understand because it affects whether your publishing company will make a profit or not, whether it will be a viable business enterprise. Besides, you want to know how much you make for each book you sell, don’t you? Sure, and why not. So let’s step through it together.

As a publisher, you are a retail product manufacturer. You are supplying a unique product to the market and it’s up to you to set the terms on which you’ll sell your product.

Depending on how your book is produced, you may have more or less flexibility in how you deal with the rest of the chain of distribution. Here are some scenarios:

 You ignore it completely

You do this by not selling your book wholesale. In other words, you, as the manufacturer, sell direct to the end user. For example, John T. Reed who I’ve written about before, only sells his line of books from his website. He has no need for a discount schedule because he is outside the chain of distribution. This method has some advantages, too. You capture 100% of the sales price, since you don’t have to share it within wholesalers, distributors, jobbers, or retailers. You also can capture the names of everyone who buys a book, which can build an asset that’s very valuable when it comes time to offer other books or services to the same market. The disadvantage is that you have to do all the work yourself, or pay for fulfillment through a fulfillment service. Also, some people may be reluctant to buy from a self-publisher’s website, trusting big companies like Amazon to protect them and offer services like bundled shipping or free shipping, returns, and other amenities. In addition, you will have to do all the marketing for your book, and any interruption you have in your website hosting will cause a financial loss from lost sales.

 You use a print on demand supplier

Most print on demand suppliers restrict the size of your discount, demand minimum discounts, or don’t allow you any say at all in discounts. Other suppliers, like Lightning Source, allow you to set your own discount within limits, but offer just that one discount to every retailer or jobber who buys your book from Ingram, whom Lightning Source supplies. So if you set your discount to 20%—the minimum allowed—bookstores won’t buy the book because they need a minimum 40% discount. But if you set your discount at 40% to appeal to the bookstores, and then end up selling most of your books on Amazon or BN.com, you will have given up 20% and gotten nothing in return.

 You print offset

If your book has to be printed offset (and examples might include color books printed overseas, odd-sized books, and books that can’t be produced by print on demand methods) you will have to be your own distributor, unless you sign with a distributor (see the next option). That means that you’ll have to come up with a discount schedule that applies to retailers, maybe a separate one for libraries, and other terms for special sales or direct sales. In addition, some retailers will demand steep discounts, up to 55% off your retail price, and you’ll have to agree to take returns of unsold merchandise. In addition you’ll be responsible for shipping books to retailers, effectively reducing your profit margin even farther. And, as it should be clear by now, you will spend a lot more of your time handling all the details of wholesale selling, including paperwork, invoicing, tracking payments, packing and shipping books, and all the other minutia of doing your own fulfillment and distribution.

 You sign with a distributor

In this scenario your book is of wide enough interest and large enough potential or proven sales that you can get a distributor to take over supplying your book to retailers. Distributors will put your book in their catalog, their sales reps may help promote the book to booksellers, and they will deal with the bookstore bookkeeping, returns, shipping, warehousing and may even offer fulfillment services for single copy sales. The downside to having a distributor is what you have to give up: usually 65% or more of the cover price. Let’s say your book costs $10. You will receive $3.50 for each book sold after giving up 65%. If the book cost you $2.00 to produce, your gross profit is 15%. This is not significantly better than the royalty offered by most trade publishers, and it’s taking you a lot of work and risk to earn it. The only way this option makes sense to me is if you genuinely have a book that you think you can promote nationally, and for which you realistically can expect to have sales of 5,000 or more copies per year. Distribution also becomes a more viable option when you start to have more books in your line. If you have 5 books, you might find distribution an advantage, because if any one of them sells well it will help the others get a foot in the door.

When you plan your publishing project, think about the eventual buyers you plan to market to. Where do they buy their books? Knowing this can help you make smart decisions about how you approach dealing with retailers and, consequently, how you choose to discount your books.


Joel Friedlander is a self-published author, a book designer and blogs about book design, self-publishing and the indie publishing life at TheBookDesigner.com. He's also the proprietor of Marin Bookworks, where he helps publishers and authors who decide to publish get to market on time and on budget with books that are both properly constructed and beautiful to read.








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Got Writer's Block? Try a Change of Scenery

By Dana Micheli

This week, I've been juggling a heavy workload with my preparations for a trip to Arizona to see my family. It will definitely be a working vacation, and no small source of stress, as I contemplated how this change in my routine would impact my efficiency in meeting deadlines. There were so many things to consider, not the least of which is my odd hours. I tend to work best in the middle of the night, a habit that's certainly not conducive to spending quality time with my firmly diurnal family.

But then I remembered how a change in scenery is often the best way to get my creative juices flowing. I've often found that a different climate—along with different people and conversations-- tend to bring about a shift in energy that allows me to view even the most challenging projects through new eyes. Most importantly, perhaps, is the fact that I will have to reign in my inner workaholic (to which I usually give control over my daily life). The restorative effects of this, I suspect, will remain with me long after I've returned home. And that is never a bad thing.

Now, I know you can't just hop a plane every time you feel blocked. But, you can certainly take a walk in a nearby park, write in a new coffee shop, or talk to a friend you haven't seen in a while. You may be surprised by what appears on your next page.

Dana Micheli is a freelance writer, editor, proofreader, and journalist. She has written and edited works of fiction and nonfiction, including novels (ghostwritten), news articles, resumes, business plans, and restaurant reviews. She also researched and wrote the legal and housing sections of New York: The Complete Resident's Guide (Explorer Publishing). She is also the business writer for WITS.


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Book with a View May 2011

The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children
ISBN: 978-0982572207
Price: $15.95
Publisher: Write On!
Pub date: October 2009
Pages: 54
Genre: Children, mind-body-spirit

The Sid Series is an endearing collection of twelve short stories for young children. Each story shows how Sid and his grandparents experience universal truths about living and loving on Planet Earth. For example, Sid encounters angels and fairies, explores the magic and power of his imagination, and learns to look within for love and guidance. I love that the stories speak clearly to three year old children, and also excite the mind and heart of my nine year old daughter. If we can read books like The Sid Series to our youngest children, we can begin life-long conversations about self-discovery and the loving spirit that lives in all things universal. Thank you, Yvonne Perry, for condensing universal truths into beautiful tales that hold the attention of our toddlers. I feel this book is an act of creation not only for the hearts of our children, but for the wellbeing of our planet.

Alexandra Folz, author of Indigo's Bracelet
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What Would You Do? A Kid's Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers
Author: Melissa Ridenour
Publisher: Headline Books, May 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0938467113

Obviously, there is a need for this information. A copy of this book arrived the same day that my step-granddaughter told me she was learning about "safe touch" at school. She had a difficult time explaining what she had learned, and since she is an A student, there must have been some flaw in how the material was presented. Written so children can understand without feeling panic, What Would You Do: A Kid's Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers is the way I prefer my grandchildren learn about being safe.

From understanding how to use caller ID, setting a family code word, establishing an ICE (In Case of Emergency) list of safe people, to knowing what to do if a stranger comes calling, this book has everything a child needs to know about staying safe whether on the Internet, phone, or at home. With puzzles, quizzes, and a checklist to empower parents, this is a great handbook to help children discover their own answers to personal safety issues. This should be required reading for elementary school children.
Reviewed by Yvonne Perry is the author of Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You and The Sid Series—A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children. She is also a member of the National Writing for Children's Center.

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

The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself
Author: Dr. Eric Pearl
Publisher: Hay House (October 1, 2002)
ISBN-13: 978-1561708192

I read The Reconnection, Heal Others, Heal Yourself in preparation for an hour-long interview with Dr. Pearl on my show, We Are One in Spirit Podcast. From the time I began chapter 1, I kept hearing in my mind: "impartation of gifts." This is something I hadn't thought of since my intercessory prayer days. For many years while serving as a worship leader, I had witnessed people being healed. I suppose I was hoping that the source of this Reconnective Healing would miraculously infuse Eric's writing and that by reading the book, I might sense an increase the gift of healing in me.
When I reached the close of chapter 8, I found Dr. Pearl's assurance that an impartation can occur with the reading of this book. I could feel the energy when I "played" with it as is taught in the book, but I can't say that any increase in my ability to heal myself or others manifested as a result.
In my interview with Dr. Pearl, he explained how the activation process of this all-inclusive spectrum of healing frequencies can be taught and caught in his weekend seminars. At first, this might sound like the author is trying to get money from people by urging them to attend his seminars. But, in reality he has witnessed doctors, energy workers, and healers as they begin to access a level of healing (light and information) beyond anything any of them has been able to access prior to the seminar.
I may be somewhat skeptic, but I always want to know if something is real. When I posted an announcement on Facebook that Dr. Pearl was going to be a guest on my show, my friend, Wayne, emailed me. Three years ago Wayne attended a lecture given by Dr. Pearl. My friend had been in agonizing shoulder pain for almost nine months, so he raised his hand when Eric asked if anyone had shoulder pain. Eric invited him to come up front. Eric waved his hand in front of Wayne's shoulder. Wayne felt something cool, then warm, then cool again like a breeze blowing inside his shoulder. After a few minutes he was able to raise his arm over his head with barely any pain at all. The next day he was pain free and noted an increase in mobility. Two years later, Wayne had x-rays that showed an inoperable and severely-torn rotator cuff. The doctor couldn't understand why Wayne was not in agonizing pain and how he had so much mobility. Wayne said, "Eric and Reconnective Healing are for real!"

I believe him. The new frequencies of Reconnective Healing have been scientifically measured by researchers, who are now calling it forefront of "Information Medicine." It reminds me of the primordial stem cells that seem to have divine intelligence in knowing exactly where to go to work on a patient to restore heal by regenerating a perfect and natural healing. I find this a very exciting day to be living on the planet, and I look for Reconnective Healing to continue transforming lives.


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2011 Nashville International Book Festival

The entire Rivergate Mall in Goodlettsville, Tennessee has been rented as the venue for the first annual Nashville International Book Festival.
Are you looking for a great place to sell your books? Are you tired of going to festivals only to have your precious inventory blown about the grounds by the wind and/or rained upon? This festival is not only located indoors but in a shopping mall. What better place to get exposure and sales?

Table are still available but the dates are fast approaching. It happens June 3rd through the 5th and it is certain to be a hit. Go to www.NashvilleInternationalBookFestival.info/authorapplication and reserve your table today. Or call The Author Collective at 313.862.5000



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Me, Myself (publishing), and I

By Dianna Calareso

I thought biting the bullet would be harder, taste steelier, and hurt my teeth more than it actually did. In reality, biting the bullet of self-publishing was more like eating a piece of cake . . . and then being offered another.

After two years, 130 agent queries, six "show me more" replies, and no takers, I went the route that most of us have been groomed to believe is shameful, desperate, and unsuccessful—much like my attitude toward online dating before I actually gave it a try and realized it was more fun and more successful than sitting at home, waiting for a stranger to find me. But as a self-published author, I feel proud, accomplished, and successful. I did it!

But, I had to get over a few things before taking the route that has been one of the best decisions of my life:

• Myself. I had to get over myself! Who cares if a 25-year-old agent in New York thinks I'm "not what she's looking for?" Was I really going to place all my confidence and worth as a writer in the hands of a stranger who I already know doesn't have the time or money to publish a non-celebrity memoir? I was about to, until a friend knocked some sense into me and literally said, "GET OVER YOURSELF." It was the best smack in the face I've ever received.
• Pride. Self-published ... ugh, right? Wrong. I wrote my book to tell a story, to share my experience, and to hopefully better the world. You don't need me to tell you how well that was working while my book was saved as a Word doc on my computer. Self-publishing has gotten my book out there, which is where it has to be if I want anyone to read it. And, if I don't want them to read it, I'm probably not ready to be a writer.
• Them. How could I possibly leave my books with the books of other self-published writers (who are obviously terrible writers, not good writers like me who had bad luck with agents)? Easily—by accepting that other self-published writers are good writers. They're great writers. Many of them are better writers than I'll ever be. They just took a different road, got their books out there, and got on with their lives.

The most encouraging part of the process was realizing I could use my self-publishing for good. On Smashwords, I was able to set my own price. Then, I could decide what to do with it! And I decided to donate 25% of every sale to the Alzheimer's Association (since my memoir is about my grandfather's battle with the disease).

So if you've exhausted your options for traditional publishing, at least consider self-publishing. At the very least, it's a good exercise in getting over yourself. And that's the first step in becoming a true and honest writer.

Dianna Calareso is a writer, editor, and teacher with WITS. Her work has been published online and in print; her most recent publications include Concisely magazine and the anthology Saying Goodbye. Her creative nonfiction essays can be found at http://www.dcalareso.blogspot.com/. Dianna specializes in developmental editing and proofreading at the final stage of the manuscript. She has a keen eye for small details that can overturn a manuscript, including shifts in POV and spelling/grammar inconsistencies; she also works to guide clients with questions about plot, characters, and tone. As a writer, she can empathize with whatever your struggle is; as an editor she is eager to help you make your writing better.


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What I've Learned About Novels from Kids

By Kristen House
I fancy myself a pretty great teacher. I don't mean to sound smug, but I've been at the chalkboard (or whiteboard as it may be) for nearly a decade now, and in that time, I've found the inner writer in college students that most teachers would have ignored. It is my passion, this pulling of words from a clammed-up college freshman who is more interested in pretending to sleep or texting his girlfriend than he is in my class.

But I would have never guessed that I would learn so much in my classroom from a group of 18-year-old students. Those kids, the ones who show up surly and under caffeinated each morning, were up for a challenge last semester. What if, I wondered, I asked more of them? Way more. What if I asked them to write every day, over 1,000 words at a time? Would they choke under the pressure? Or would they rise to the occasion? And what if I could rewind their lives to the point in time when they started doubting that they could write a competent sentence, and I gave them the tools to set a big goal, and then meet it?

That's when I developed A Novel Idea, a summer writing course for middle-school and high-school students that will teach them to write a novel in a month. And over the last two months, I've been honored to teach miniature versions of A Novel Idea to 47 classrooms of students. I have been humbled, awed, and shocked by what I've learned from them. Here are the highlights:

· Kids are thirsty for a challenge. They aren't only capable of writing novels in their spare time, they want to!

· They are far more competent than adults ever dreamed. Students as young as 11 years old intuitively know what makes for a good story, how to craft a flawed protagonist, and that a good kiss at the end of a story will bring readers back for more.

· When they're writing a story that matters to them, kids want to learn grammar (gasp!) because they want their characters to sound smart.

· Once the ball is rolling, students would rather jot down an idea for their novel than text a friend. Since the average teenager sends over 3,000 text messages per month, the potential for idea-jotting is staggering!

Lest you think I've forgotten what this means to my sleepy college students, I later met with that group of pioneers at Bongo Java near Belmont where I teach. To my astonishment, several months later they were all still writing. They found a freedom in the daily word count goal, a fluency with their writing that they hadn't felt before, and a level of competency that they'd never experienced. One student told me that the daily writing habit was revolutionary. Another told me it had changed his life. A third had decided change his major and use writing every day as a pastor.

I was humbled.

And what I would say to you is this: write every day. Write when you're tired, when the bills are due, when you're overwhelmed and angry and stressed and completely over your day. Write when you're so full of joy you feel you might burst. Write when it's rainy, when it's sunny, when you're shopping for your supper. Write when you're too sick to think straight. Write when you're bored. Whatever you're doing, just write. The habit is intoxicating, and the product, whether you become a best-selling novelist or a dedicated journal-writer, is something far more precious than you can imagine.

Kristen House is an Adjunct Instructor of Writing at Belmont University, and the Chief Executive Muse of A Novel Idea. She writes fiction every day for hours, even when there isn't anything to write about. Kristen lives in Nashville with her husband, Andrew, sons, Holden and Shephard, and a yippy little dog named Osie.

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