The Next Big Thing Week 17

Author Blog Share. Tag, You’re It!

Today, I’m sharing some insight about my personal writing process of a book that I recently published. At the end of the post, I will tag three people, who will answer these same questions on their blogs next week. We will also feature their interviews here on this blog.

Read last week’s post from Doreen Pendgracs, who helped start this simple marketing endeavor that links our blogs and makes search engines smile upon us. It also gives our readers some valuable information about the writing process of several writers/authors.

Where did the idea for your book originate?
I was discovering that more and more people were experiencing compassion fatigue from trying to help others. Many empathic or highly-sensitive people (HSP) take on the burdens of those they care for as well as the afflictions of total strangers they meet in public. For that reason, many sensitive people tend to become hermits, isolating from others and limiting their exposure to detrimental energy in the environment.

I felt I needed to share my story about how I operated as an untrained empath (until it took its toll on me) to give people an idea of how and why many HSPs could be misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and other psychological illnesses. There is such a lack of understanding about how empathic people process energy. Whose Stuff Is This? ~ Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You has more than two dozen methods to help empaths set boundaries and clear/protect their electromagnetic field from the onslaught of energy in the collective consciousness of humanity. The book is meeting a huge need as it connects with a market that is hungry for this information. The information it contains has also provided practitioners with new tools to help their clients manage the thoughts, feelings, and energy they pick up from others. See http://whosestuffisthis.com for more information about being overly sensitive and how to manage compassion fatigue.

What genre does your book fall under?
Spirituality/self-help

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Since this is a non-fiction book and I’m the only character (and quite a strange one at that!), I can’t see this book becoming a movie. Then, again…maybe the drama that permeated my life prior to learning how to manage emotional energy might make a good horror movie!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A guidebook to help highly-sensitive people learn how to avoid picking up the thoughts, feelings, and energy of those around them.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It was published in 2011 by CreateSpace, a publishing company owned by Amazon.com.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About six months. Then, several more months of editing, proofreading, formatting, and garnering endorsements and reviews to prepare for public release.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Amazon shows that people who buy my book also consider these titles by Rose Rosetree: Become the Most Important Person in the Room: Your 30-Day Plan for Empath Empowerment; Empowered by Empathy: 25 Ways to Fly in Spirit; Cut Cords of Attachment: Heal Yourself and Others with Energy Spirituality; and Spiritual Clearings: Sacred Practices to Release Negative Energy and Harmonize Your Life by Diana Burney. However, my latest book, Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience, takes the HSP a step farther in understanding how their intuitive gift of empathy can be used to help humanity shift as the Earth is raising her vibration. Information about that book may be found at http://shiftingintopurerconsciousness.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

Dr. Caron Goode and I had been doing some joint venture projects together and both of us were seeing the need for highly-sensitive people to have a better understanding of how the energy of others adversely affects us. She and I collaborated on the book; she wrote the forward and the chapter on the psychology of empathy. It was her urging and encouraging me to write the book that helped me stay on track with the project.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Here are the authors I’ve tagged for the She Writes “Next Big Thing” project for the upcoming weeks. I invite you to check out their websites and come back here to read their interviews in the upcoming weeks. 

Barbara Techel, the owner (mom) of the late Frankie the Walk ‘n’ Roll Dog now has a new love to write about. Learn about her work with disabled dachshunds and meet Joie at http://joyfulpaws.com/. 

Lisa Barretta is the author of The Book of Transformation and the executive producer of Surviving Death: A Paranormal Debate. 

Julie McIntyre is the author of Sex and the Intelligence of the Heart, published by Destiny books, a division of Inner Traditions - Bear & Company.

WITS Announcements

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

WITS client Tiago Bernal has released Messages from the Future Part I, the first instalment of his three-part interactive game book. The human race is facing extinction in the very near future, unless a few brave individuals are willing to stop it. Are you one of these people? We dare you to find out. If you decide to accept this challenge, you will find yourself in the midst of an adventure that will take all of your wits and courage to survive. To check out the trailer and buy Messages from the Future, visit: http://www.amazon.com/Messages-Future-Part-1/dp/B008R9QYW4
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Read the first chapter for free and then decide if you want to download the 3-hour-long mp3 audio book of More Than Meets the Eye ~ True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife for only $7.00 http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/p/chapter-1.html
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Need a Video Trailer for Your Book?

Recently I had the privilege of working with Daniel Harker (Dharkerwv Multimedia Productions) in the creation of a video trailer for my latest book. Not only did Daniel do an excellent job as you will see in the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYiT3HtP_w, he was great to work with—very conscientious about the message as well as the audio-video component. He was also prompt in responding to my emails.

If you are interested in querying Dharkerwv Multimedia Productions, please contact Daniel at dharkerwv@msn.com. Place "Query for Book Trailer" in the subject line.
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Each story in The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children focuses on life skills such as environmental awareness, helping others, being true to one’s self, overcoming fear, and following inner guidance. http://TheSidSeries.com
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We Are One in Spirit Podcast allows people of all walks of life to discuss their spiritual journey and life-transforming experiences that remind us that we are all ONE IN SPIRIT. Uplifting, enlightening, and insightful topics include healing, empathy, intuition, spiritual/psychic gifts, metaphysics, soul development, afterlife, spirit communication, and more. This interactive teleconference offers listeners a chance to chat directly with Yvonne Perry and her guest experts about spiritual matters of soul development. This interactive podcast has with a question and answer session at the end of each guest presentation. To participate on the phone call/Webinar or listen to the free replays, please subscribe to our blog so we can send you a reminder with the call-in info.
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Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those around You is a guidebook for empathic people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. See all purchasing options at http://whosestuffisthis.blogspot.com/p/purchase-book.html.
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State of Appreciation is a free weekly online newsletter that blends practical & spiritual approaches to enhance personal power and self-realization. Offers empowering articles, gifts, and free contemporary and classic empowerment downloads free at http://stateofappreciation.weebly.com
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While taking a metaphysical class, WITS team member Dana Micheli met an amazing illustrator. If you are looking for someone to create an original piece for your book cover, you may want to connect with Diane Daversa on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diane-Daversa-Fine-Art/109782219119036
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Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience is about how to embrace multidimensional frequencies, lessen physical and emotional symptoms of rapid spiritual ascension, and offers tips to make the ascension process easier and quicker.

If you missed Shifting into Purer Consciousness Ascension Training Telesummit and would like to listen to the replays, the collection of audios is now available for purchase at http://live-spirit.com/shifting-into-purer-consciousness-with-yvonne-perry/.

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Write your NaNoWriMo novel with Now Novel

NaNoWriMo is just around the corner, and what better time to finally start – and finish – that novel you’ve been wanting to write? Now Novel (www.nownovel.com) is an online novel writing course that leads aspiring authors through a step-by-step process to finishing their novels.

Through a series of in-depth question and answer sections, Now Novel helps you find your central idea, develop your plot and setting, create in-depth character studies, and put it all together with a custom-made skeleton that tells you what has to happen, and when. They also have a weekly emailer, a blog, Facebook page and forum, all tailored towards keeping you motivated and getting you to finish your novel.

Bridget McNulty is one of the co-founders of Now Novel, and a published author herself. Her first novel, Strange Nervous Laughter, was published in South Africa and the USA, and she was quickly inundated with queries about how to write a novel. “People kept emailing me and asking how to start their novels,” she says, “But it’s not really a quick answer. Now Novel is the result of all the knowledge I gained from studying creative writing in South Africa and the US.”

Now Novel is running a special on their course for NaNoWriMo. For this month only, you can get the course for only $9.99 – find out more here: http://www.nownovel.com/home/nanowrimo

Podcast Schedules October 2012

WAO Podcast

We Are One in Spirit Podcast allows for people of all walks of life to discuss their spiritual journey and life—transforming experiences that remind us that we are all ONE IN SPIRIT. Uplifting, enlightening, and insightful topics include healing, empathy, intuition, spiritual/psychic gifts, metaphysics, soul development, afterlife, spirit communication, and more. The metaphysical shows are archived at feed://nashvillewriter.audioacrobat.com. You will also find us on iTunes.

On October 18, Kenji Kumara will join Yvonne Perry to discuss the benefits of meditation. Kenji is the visionary and messenger of a unique body of work that is easily taught and received in a climate of loving support, trust, and openness. Kenji has devoted his 40+ years of research and study to help you move to the next level of acceleration and evolution. http://quantumlightweaving.com/

WITS Podcast

Writers in the Sky Podcast is a Nashville-based talk show about writing, publishing, and book marketing. An educational tool for people who want to learn more about the craft and business of writing, this show offers interviews with authors and writers, as well as the latest news about books currently on the market. You will also learn about publishing methods and marketing techniques as we interview publishers and publicists. Listen to archived shows via RSS Feed. Download WITS Podcast on iTunes for your iPod or iPad.

On October 26 join Sola Olu as she discusses her first book, The Summer of Angel: A Story of Hope on the Journey through Prematurity. This heart-wrenching memoir chronicles Sola's battle with preeclampsia and the struggle to save her children after they were born prematurely.

The Biggest Secret of Book Marketing Success

by Joel Friedlander

I love the enthusiasm of authors who are new to book publishing. After months or years of work on their book, many are rightfully proud of what they have created.

It’s no easy thing to finish writing a solid, salable book. Pretty easy to start, not so easy to finish, and you should be proud of that accomplishment.

The problem comes in when, after publishing the book, authors start to wonder why they have sold so few copies. Don’t other people realize how great the book is?

Well, the fact is that most authors don’t intuitively understand why books sell. This leads them to start thinking about:

• Buying advertising
• Hiring publicists
• Printing bookmarks

Or other things that usually mean you’ll end up with a lot less money in your pocket than when you started, and no guarantee of any book sales, either.

There’s nothing wrong with ads, publicists or bookmarks when they are part of a plan you have for marketing your books. But all too often we feel like we just have to do something.

There’s a Secret

Here’s the secret that savvy book marketers understand, and that most authors don’t:

No one knows in advance which books will sell and which won’t sell.

Of course I’m not talking about books by niche-market publishers who research and test their products before publication. But by and large, most trade publishing happens with absolutely no guarantee of what the sales of any particular book will be.

This is just as true for big traditional publishers with huge marketing departments as it is for huge Hollywood movie studios and big conglomerate television channels, so don’t feel too bad about it.
All the advertising, promotion and marketing in the world cannot guarantee that real actual people will buy your book.

For example, a long time ago Donald Trump, the real estate investor and television reality show host, published his first book, The Art of the Deal. It was a huge hit.

Of course Trump wanted to follow that up with another blockbuster. A book was created and rolled out in anticipation of huge sales. Books were stacked in huge pyramids of expectation in bookstore display windows.

Problem was, nobody bought the book. The return rate must have been shocking, because they all went right back to the publisher.

No Guarantees

Why is is that no one can guarantee a book will sell? I bet you can find the answer in your own book-buying habits.

It’s because most people buy books based on the recommendation of someone they know and trust. And you can’t buy those recommendations, can you?

This is the holy grail of book marketing, the “word of mouth” influence that travels directly from one individual to another.

By extension, it can also work for trusted book reviewers or others in the media who have earned readers’ trust, but it rarely extends past that.

For instance, I just read Lynne Truss’ Eats, Shoots & Leaves, a fantastic and very funny book about punctuation that I had known about for years but never read. It hasn’t been on television, I haven’t seen a book trailer about it, nor have I seen an ad for it anywhere.

But a friend mentioned it recently and told me I “just had to read it.” Doesn’t that happen to you all the time? And don’t you recommend books exactly the same way to people you know? I know I do.

What Next?

This leads to a big question for authors, and that is how do you get that word of mouth marketing working for you?

Of course, if I had scientifically worked out how to do that, I’d be selling it to some big publisher for a gazillion dollars, wouldn’t I?

But there are things we, as self-published authors, can do to get word of mouth started. You might boil it down to this:

Write the best book you possibly can, and get an editor to make it better.

Make sure the book speaks to the audience you wrote it for, and let readers judge whether you’ve hit your target.

Get your book in front of enough people who don’t know you to get the ball rolling.

Figuring out how to do this is why people hire professional book marketers, and that’s a smart move.

It also pays to really understand how to match up what you have to say with what readers really want to buy. Whether you call it “marketing” or “thinking deeply about the people who read my books” doesn’t much matter.

What does matter is getting the best book you can create in front of the largest number of people who are likely to love it. As an author and a publisher, you can’t do any less.

Because then at least you’ve put it where word of mouth can take over.

Joel Friedlander is a self-published author and book designer who 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.

The Next Big Thing week 16: Interview with an Author

by Doreen Pendgracs

This is a special, unscheduled post about The Next Big Thing, an author’s Work In Progress project from SheWrites. When I read A.K Andrews’s blog last week, I immediately thought what fantastic questions for any author to ask themselves. So I was thrilled when A.K. invited me to participate. A big “Thank You” to A.K. Please take a moment to check out the insights about her upcoming book, “Under the Bed.”

Here are the insights into my own upcoming book:

What is the working title of your book?

“Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate”
I’m planning on using this image on the back cover of the book as it epitomizes chocolate travel.
Where did the idea for the book originate?

I’ve always been an avid traveller and a lover of fine food and wine. But there have been many books written about culinary travel and wine travel, and none on chocolate travel. I love writing profiles, and so being able to profile the chocolatiers and chocolate makers I visit helps the chocolate-loving reader connect with the chocolatier/chocolate maker best suited to their own likes and personalities. And helps them plan their upcoming travel to places that specialize in chocolate events and services.

What genre does your book fall under?

Memoirs. Chocolatour is a travel narrative that is filled with lots of opinion. I’m sharing my thoughts on various chocolate places and products. It’s not my intent to influence the reader into liking or not liking something. But rather, to let them know what’s out there, what to watch for, what are some good pairing options and recipes, etc.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

The question is not really appropriate for my book as it’s definitely an ongoing journey of chocolate discovery. I’d be open to hosting a television series stemming from the travel in the book and will be leading chocolate tours around the world. I’m happy to have a leading role in those! If, by the time I’ve finished the research for the third edition and am too old or too fat to continue, it will be fun holding auditions to see which actress could consume the most chocolate and still smile and hold her own without getting too high from the caffeine in the chocolate.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

“Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate” takes the chocolate-loving reader around the globe on chocolate filled journeys that are satisfying, informative, and enticing whether you choose to participate as an arm-chair traveller, or you decide to take on some chocolate travel of your own.
Doreen (left) with friend, fellow writer and chocolate researcher, Virginia Heffernan on a cacao harvest in Peru
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I may be interested in partnering with an agent or publisher who can help bring Chocolatour to a global audience. But I have decided to self-publish the first edition as it is important to me to have full artistic control by choosing the right cover and which photographs will be included in the book, and determining the ultimate tone and flavour of the book.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

This is a work-in-progress, so I can’t really say for sure how long it will take to complete the chapters I intend to include in the first edition.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

There have been many books written about chocolate, but none about chocolate travel. There have been many books and memoirs written with travel in mind. Everyone knows about Eat, Pray, Love. It really resonated with women at a certain stage in their lives, and I think, motivated many of us to travel more and seek richer experiences from it. The purpose of Chocolatour is to get chocolate lovers to realize that there is a whole world of chocolate out there waiting to be experienced and visited. It’s a fun book intended to make the chocolate lover feel good and experiment a bit more in her/his chocolate discoveries.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The chocolatiers and chocolate makers I have met have been my inspiration. The world of chocolate is filled with passionate people who want to share their passion through their chocolate creations. What an amazing journey this has been and continues to be!

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The world of chocolate discovery is a never-ending one as there are always new chocolate creations, new chocolatiers, new trends, new chocolate festivals and services. I have spent the past three years completely immersed in the world of chocolate and I have barely scratched the surface! I don’t plan to quit until I have made my way around the world of chocolate and sourced out the best and most unique offerings there are on the planet. That is why the book will be published in three editions and will be continually updated. I guarantee that if it’s worth knowing about, it will be mentioned (either briefly or in detail) in Chocolatour.

Here are the authors I’ve tagged for the She Writes “Next Big Thing” project. Check out their websites and you’ll be able see their interviews posted there next week. The interesting thing is that I met each of these ladies online over the past couple of years and each has carved out her author’s career in a unique and inspiring way.

Liz Palmer is writing a book about the best champagne houses of the world. Find her at: http://liz-palmer.com/

Yvonne Perry is a spiritual writer who has self-published several books. Find her here: http://whosestuffisthis.com

Irene Levine is a travel writer and specialist in the world of friendship. Find her at http://www.moretimetotravel.com/

I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know these talented ladies, and that you’ll enjoy reading their profiles next week on their own sites. Then please join us back here the week of Oct 15th for our next new post.

About Doreen Pendgracs
Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I'm currently researching and writing "Chocolatour: A Quest for the World's Best Chocolate". You can follow my travels on "Travel Diversions with Doreen".

She Writes the Next Big Thing

I have an opportunity for authors who have recently published books or have one in progress to be featured on a high-traffic blog owned by a writer/author friend of mine, Doreen Pendegracs.

For the past 16 weeks she has interviewed 16 different authors and next week is my turn to share. Part of the assignment is to tag three authors in my post who will share their stories with Doreen's readers in the upcoming weeks.

See this week's featured author at http://doreenpendgracs.com/the-next-big-thing-week-16-interview-with-an-author and let me know if you would like to be tagged in my post next week. Hurry! I need to hear from you as soon as possible so I can incorporate the link to your work into my post on She Writes.

Contact Yvonne now.

Calling All Memphis-Area Bookworms!

We are pleased to announce that author and WITS client Dr. Steve Brannon will be participating in the Bookstock Authors' Fair this Saturday, October 6. The one day event will take place at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, located  at 3030 Poplar Avenue in Memphis. Steve will be there to discuss  his book, The Two Agreements.

This all day free family event will also include:
n Over 40 Memphis area authors, who will showcase their books.

n  Keynote speaker, Kristen Iversen will speak on “A Passion for Story: From Book Idea to Finished Manuscript.”

n Live Music, Cooking Demos, Author Talks, Food Truck, Author Book Signings and an Author Scavenger Hunt for prizes! People can also learn how to make sushi.

n Want to know Who is Who in Memphis and about stories set in Memphis? Come and meet our fiction and non-fiction authors in the program: “It’s all about Memphis --Truth or Tales about Memphis.”

n  Practical tips on how to enhance your outer beauty and how to embrace and strengthen your inner beauty.

n Need a motivational boost? Be inspired, be invigorated, and how to be personally and professionally fulfilled.

n  Activities for Children and Teens include: Mural Creation; Magician; Book Making

n It’s all free. Call 415-2700 or visit memphislibrary.org for more information.

Poetry and Prose Corner September 2012

Hucksters, Inner City
By Rita Janice Traub

“Strawberries” was the huckster’s call,
morning and afternoon,
from a mild day in misty May
through the green weeks of June.
“Watermelones,” the next one cried,
“melones, red to the rind.”
Into the alley we would race,
strawberries left behind.
One huckster chanted, “Raspberries,”
another, “Sugar corn”
(cadences from a time before
any of us were born).
The huckster I remember best
waited till August heat.
His horse would clop the cobblestones
down where the alleys meet.
No food he hawked, just curios
that he called, “Rags and bones,”
his face cadaverous, his voice
deepest of baritones.
He’d let you climb aboard his cart
to sift through odds and ends.
Somehow he always frightened me
though he and Dad were friends.
Fall’s harbinger he must have been.
Trees balded more each day.
The scissors grinder made his rounds,
but hucksters stayed away.
Say “June,” and I’ll think, ”Strawberries,”
“July,” “Watermelones.”
But just the one word “summertime”
conjures up “Rags and bones.”

 

What Offer Does Your Author Blog Make?

by Joel Friedlander

It seems that authors fall into two categories when it comes to author blogging:
1. Authors who are blogging regularly
2. Authors who think they should be blogging regularly

If you read blogs you come to the conclusion that there are lots of reasons authors are blogging. But sometimes I wonder whether authors have thought about the reason they are blogging—why their blog exists.

Now, admittedly there are lots of kinds of author blogs.
There’s a big divide between fiction authors who blog and nonfiction authors. And within nonfiction, there’s a big difference between the kind of blog you can develop if you write literary criticism or medieval history, or if you write about how to get rid of the weeds in your garden or how to make great vegan dishes.
So every author is different, and our subjects and audiences are infinitely varied.

But having some clarity about what purpose your blog serves can really help you achieve your goals. Even better, being able to sum it up in just a few words—why readers would bother to stop there and read it—is one of the best early exercises for new bloggers.

The Magic of the Tagline
When you decide to start a blog, you have to right away come up with a name for it. Or you can blog under your own name, on the “domain-name-of-your-author-name” plan.

No matter what domain name you end up with, you’ll notice that most blogs have a tagline, a bit like a book’s subtitle.

For instance, here are some taglines from blogs I visit:
• The Creative Penn: Helping you write, publish and market your book
• The Passive Voice: Writers, Writing, Publishing, Disruptive Innovation and the Universe
• Writer Unboxed: about the craft and business of fiction
• Copyblogger: Content Marketing Solutions for WordPress that Work
• Social Media Examiner: Your Guide to the Social Media Jungle
• We Grow Media: Helping Writers & Publishers Make an Impact and Build Their Legacies
In each case, the blogger has tried to sum up the value of the blog to the reader.
Creating the Tagline for Your Blog
Doing this exercise was a lot more difficult for me than I thought it would be. I already had the name of the blog—thebookdesigner.com—so that wasn’t a problem.

But it took several hours and a lot of thought before I arrived at the tagline. But going through that work was also very valuable, and I recommend this exercise to every author who is setting up, or reviving, a blog.

You can see my own end result in the masthead: practical advice to help build better books.
And no matter how far afield the articles here have wandered, this statement hasn’t changed, because my offer has never changed.
If you think about it, how well you fulfill the promise of this statement will have a lot to do with the success of your blog. And if it does succeed, it can become a vehicle capable of supporting your writing and publishing efforts, the ultimate foundation of your author platform.
We blog at the permission of our readers, and the exercise of creating a tagline for your blog is one of the best ways to focus on exactly what your offer is to your readers.

Joel Friedlander is a self-published author and book designer who 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.

Let Your Spirit Lead the Way

Why let your ego with all of its insecurities get in the way of going with the flow? Let your spirit lead the way. It is a matter of letting go of doubt and embracing faith. Let go of fear and let love be your guiding force.

All too often in life, you allow yourself to fall into negative patterns that perpetuate themselves. What you put out, you attract. You can break the cycle. Just remember that grace is always flowing your way. It's up to you to claim it for yourself.

Practice awareness of your thoughts. Observe them without judging them. Allow yourself the freedom to choose the ones you want. Take responsibility for your life.

It all starts with your thoughts. Discard the ones that don't serve your spirit. Embrace those that enhance it. Then you will send forth rockets of desire that will manifest those things you wish to possess. Positive thoughts will bring positive results.

Now, it's time to put into practice the principles you are learning. You are not in this life alone. As you let your spirit and love be your guiding force, you will attract more of the same from others.

Do not attach any conditions. Appreciate what is and do not dwell on what has not yet manifested. It is all a matter of accepting that life and people are inherently good; so are you! Remember, the Source of your being only wants the best for you. It is up to you to believe that.

Consider the following. Will you be empowered by a particular thought or action? Will you feel “good” about it? Is it a loving one or is it based upon a selfish thought or desire? Are you following The Golden Rule which is to do to others what you would have them do unto you? If you can answer yes to the following questions, you will be coming from a place of love.

You have the choice. You can create heaven for yourselves or you can create hell. Why would anyone choose to create the latter choice? Heaven can be yours now.

What I am speaking about is leading a life based upon spirit. It does not necessarily have anything to do with religion. All you need to do is to believe in yourself and that there is a benevolent power in the universe. This power only wants the best for you. Yet it will not manifest if you don't put into practice the principles of which I am speaking.

There are only two forces operating in the universe – love and fear. It's up to you to choose. As it's been said, there is nothing to fear except fear itself. Let the power of love be yours today.

Remain aware and do no wrong. If you make an error, remember it is correctable. It simply means it's time to admit you are wrong and to forgive yourself. Practice the same love for yourself that you would extend to another. Do not be your own worst enemy.

Stay in the moment. Affirm and practice that which is positive. Always let your spirit lead the way. The results will be amazing.

Written by Davis Aujourd'hui http://bestsatireseriesofthedecade.blogspot.com

Book with a View September 2012

   Title: Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience
Author: Yvonne Perry
Publisher: Write On! (May 15, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0982572290
Reviewer: Dana Micheli
Yvonne Perry's New Book is Required Reading for Your Spiritual Journey
No matter who you talk to, 2012 will be a pivotal year in human history. For some, it is the end of the world; for others, it MIGHT be the end of the world, depending on who wins the presidential election. Those in the metaphysical community, however, believe that 2012 signifies a much more positive, less political, shift: an unparalleled elevation of human consciousness. For those of us seeking a deeper understanding of the Universe and our place in it, there has never been a better time to begin our transformation.
But learning more about our spiritual path is often not as simple as it sounds. The endless supply of information at our fingertips can be difficult to wade through. That's why Yvonne Perry's latest book, Shifting into Purer Consciousness: Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience, is such a Godsend. With her trademark blend of in-depth research, deeply personal stories, and techniques for transformation, Yvonne makes learning about such topics as Miraculous Healing, Soul Retrieval and Spiritual Purification a joyful and stimulating adventure.
Whether you are a veteran of metaphysical studies, just beginning your transformation, or--like me--somewhere in between, reading this book is like having a conversation with a trusted friend and counselor. It was a safe place for me to find answers to my many, many questions, some of which I didn't even know I had until Yvonne anticipated them. For years, psychics and other metaphysical folks have tried to explain to me about the nature of the soul and how things work "On the Other Side"; yet, I could not wrap my mind around some of these concepts until reading this book. Yvonne Perry has once again demonstrated her incredible knack for explaining complex spiritual topics in a language that mere mortals can understand.

Title: Mia and Jake: Finding the One
Author: Sherri Starr
Publisher: SEAHILL PRESS INC (September 1, 2012)
ISBN: 978-1-937720-09-4
Reviewer: Dana Micheli

Online dating; set-ups; blind dates; speed-dating. These are just a few of the ways men and women are spending their time, money, and tears to meet people these days. It reminds me of the movie, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” when Drew Barrymore waxes nostalgic over the ordinary answering machine. Either there was a message when you got home, or there wasn’t. Now, she points out, singles get strung along or rejected via voicemail and text, to say nothing of Facebook, MySpace and various other forms of social media. Indeed, finding “the one” has never been easy, but it seems like modern technology has only increased our chances for humiliation.
Thankfully, we always have our sense of humor to fall back on, and Sherri Star’s new book, Mia and Jake: Finding the One, proves that laugher is still the best medicine for all that ails us. The book takes us on a physical and emotional journey as Mia, a cheerful, smart and highly evolved stick figure navigates singledom and searches for her other half. The witty text is complemented by the hilarious illustrations as Mia twists herself into a yoga pose, moves to a new city (with a bigger dating pool) and gets advice from well-meaning but often misguided friends.
The best part is that at the end of Mia’s story, you can flip the book over and read it again, this time from Jake’s point of view. This both doubles the laughs and debunks the myth that women are tortured by the single life while men coast through it with ease and manly grace.
Mia and Jake is a great gift for others, but an even better gift for yourself. I laughed out loud with each turn of the page, and I know I’ll be returning to it again for a pick me up on my own journey to finding the one.
Sherri Starr doesn’t only talk the talk, she has already walked the walk. The inspiration for the book was drawn from her determination to live her fullest, best possible life, even before she found her “Jake”. I can’t wait until she comes out with the next installment of Mia and Jake.

Title: I Don’t Want to Be Your Guru but I Have Something to Say
Author: Joyce Shafer
ISBN: 978-1-4303-1411-0
Reviewer: Yvonne Perry
Maybe You Should Be My Guru!
When I first started reading I Don’t Want to Be Your Guru but I Have Something to Say I thought it was going to be a novel containing a “ghost-like” mystery story. But then the beautiful and enlightening discussion between the characters in this flashback scene started ringing with truth and such validity that I soon realized this book could just as easily be a non-fiction work in the spirituality genre. I like the way the author was able to pull that off with such cohesiveness!
Joyce Shafer created a story within a story that kept me interested all the way. For example, Old Bill and A.J. are casually discussing religion over a slice of apple pie and a cup of coffee when Bill says, “Ideals should guide your life, not rule ‘em (it). Someone might be really good at being whatever the ‘ism’ is—let’s use Christian for example—but they don’t go the distance…they don’t aim to be Christ-like. It’s easy to quote chapter and verse, but how deeply is it understood? Is it integrated into the life?”
For one who was steeped in fundamentalist religion before embracing a metaphysical view of life, this rang true to me. My new goal in life is to be more Christ-like and that means ascending in consciousness, keeping my thoughts pure, never judging self or others, seeking the will of the Divine Plan, and expecting miracles (doing and receiving them) on a regular basis. Yes, it’s a process with many “oops” along the way, but my beliefs are being integrated into my daily experience. It was refreshing to read Bill’s commentary on this and many other thought-provoking topics.
This is a great short book for anyone who would like a simply put overview of a deep spiritual (rather than religious) dissertation on how our thoughts create reality.

How to Analyze Your Website Traffic

For many of us, traffic and website analytics is a very foreign idea. But understanding traffic and reading website analytics reports doesn't have to be a complicated endeavor. First up, let's break down the terminology:

Page views: Each time someone lands on your site (when they load one of your pages) it generates a page view. Keep in mind that this tallies regardless of who visits or how many times they've been to the site. It sounds like a bad measurement of traffic and to some degree it is. We all love returning visitors but most of us really care about those valuable first time folks.
Visits: This measure shares how many users have spent time on your website, regardless of the number of pages each user views.
Unique visitors: This is an important stat and as the name implies, this metric counts only the unique users who visit the site. If a particular visitor comes to the site every day, it still only counts as one visit.
Pages/visit: This metric shows you how many pages a visitor perused during each session, the higher this number, the better.
Average visit duration: How much time do users spend on the site during each visit? While you want someone to spend a long time on a site, the average time spent is generally 3-5 minutes and sometimes less. Obviously longer is better, but the only site in the world that gets massive visit duration is currently Facebook, with an average of 20 minutes per visit.
Bounce rate: This number indicated people who "bounce" off of the page. So, someone visits and then decides they are either in the wrong place or you've sent them into "surf shock" and they leave. Generally the lower the number the better, but the average bounce rate is around 50-59%.
% new visits: This measure is the percentage of your traffic from first-time users who have never been to the site before. If you're eager to get repeat people to your site (and this will often depend on the nature of your business) you'll want this number lower than your repeating visitor number.
Understanding Google Analytics
These days, most websites use a service called Google Analytics to measure traffic. It's considered by most web designers to be the gold standard of measurement and it's also free which is great.
Getting Google Analytics is easy, you can just register on the site and it will give you a snippet of code that will go on each page of your website. Your web person can do this if it wasn't installed when your site was built. Most hosting companies come with a C-panel backend that measures traffic, even so I highly recommend getting Google Analytics for accuracy and other reasons you'll see in a minute.
Once you set up Google Analytics, give it a few days to gather data, once you do you'll start to see numbers appear on your dashboard. Google Analytics continues to update their system and recently launched a beta version of real-time traffic. Once you're logged in you can find it on the left hand side of the page.
Real Time Traffic
I tend to watch these real-time traffic numbers pretty closely. It's also a great tool if you're on top of a promotion, you can see what kind of traffic you're driving to your website, in real time!
Getting to Know Your Data
When you first start looking through the numbers, you'll want to get a sense of some of the numbers we described above: Page Views, Bounce Rate, etc. If you're worried that your bounce rate is too high, consult your web person to see if there's anything you can do to lower it.
One of the areas I spend a lot of time on is the Traffic from All Sources so I can gauge what's coming from where. Not only will this help me as I'm creating referring traffic from various channels, but it also helps me know what works and what doesn't. You can find this area here: Click on Traffic Sources and then All Traffic.
Measuring Social Media
One of the most exciting additions to Google Analytics has been their tracking of social media. This is a fantastic tool that lets you see how much of your traffic is coming from social media. So, what's a good mix? I think half of your traffic should come from social media, the rest should come organically from Google. Here's a snapshot of what these two graphs look like. Once you do that, you'll see two sets of bars/graphs indicating traffic patterns.
The top bar shows you the social media referrals, with a comparison chart to all traffic, which is super helpful. You don't need to do anything to set this up. Google tracks social traffic automatically.
Measuring AdWords
Google Analytics can also connect to your AdWords campaign, allowing you to measure how your online ad campaign is performing. This will allow you to track how your ads are doing and whether they are bringing you visitors. If you run ads on your site, click Content > AdSense > Overview to see which pages on your site are earning the most revenue (and how much). You'll need to link them together in the AdSense tool first.
How much traffic you get and how well it's converting will depend on your reach and your website, but knowing these numbers is important. Keep in mind that the importance of each category will depend largely on the industry you're in as I mentioned previously. If you want lots of returning visitors, then the percent of new visits number will need to be lower. If you're looking for lots of new traffic then Unique Visitors is what you need to pay attention to.
Getting to know your traffic is not only important, but mandatory if you're going to know how effective your online marketing is. Also, knowing your Google Analytics numbers will also show you if there's a problem on your site, like low conversion which could be because of a broken page or broken link.

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

Editor's Corner September 2012

I am constantly moved by the many WITS clients who are dedicated to helping others. Yes, of course they want to sell books, but their primarily goal is to spread a message of hope and healing to the world. Why, just last month I had the pleasure of working with two new clients who have completely different approaches, but get their respective messages across just as powerfully. Sherri Starr, author of Mia and Jake: Finding the One (and our guest on the August 31st episode of the WITS Podcast) is on a mission to help singles find their soul mate with humor. Sola Olu’s inspiring memoir, The Summer Called Angel: A Story of Hope on the Journey through Prematurity, aims to support other parents struggling to save their newborns. Indeed, this is one of my favorite things about WITS: the opportunity to collaborate with, and learn from, a very diverse group of writers.

Our clients work so hard for others that it’s always a pleasure to make their lives a little bit easier. Author, blogger, and chocolate aficionado Doreen Pendgracs feels the same way; that’s why she recently shared this juicy tidbit (and godsend), The Espresso Book Printing Machine (I don’t think it makes coffee, but a girl can dream, right?). In any event, check out Doreen’s post, and let her know what you think.
Dana MicheliWriter and editor, Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com
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WITS Announcements September 2012

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


Len Edgerly, who blogs and hosts a weekly podcast about the Kindle and eBooks at thekindlechronicles.com, is doing an informal survey comparing the Kindle Fire and E Ink Kindles as platforms for reading. If you have both devices and would be willing to describe briefly what sorts of book or publication reading you do on each, please email the info to Len: PodChronicles @Gmail DOT Com.
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Read the first chapter for free and then decide if you want to download the 3-hour-long mp3 audio book of More Than Meets the Eye ~ True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife for only $7.00 http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/p/chapter-1.html
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Need a Video Trailer for Your Book?

Recently I had the privilege of working with Daniel Harker (Dharkerwv Multimedia Productions) in the creation of a video trailer for my latest book. Not only did Daniel do an excellent job as you will see in the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYiT3HtP_w, he was great to work with—very conscientious about the message as well as the audio-video component. He was also prompt in responding to my emails.

If you are interested in querying Dharkerwv Multimedia Productions, please contact Daniel at dharkerwv [at[ msn [dot] com. Place "Query for Book Trailer" in the subject line.
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Each story in The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children focuses on life skills such as environmental awareness, helping others, being true to one’s self, overcoming fear, and following inner guidance. http://TheSidSeries.com
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We Are One in Spirit Podcast allows people of all walks of life to discuss their spiritual journey and life-transforming experiences that remind us that we are all ONE IN SPIRIT. Uplifting, enlightening, and insightful topics include healing, empathy, intuition, spiritual/psychic gifts, metaphysics, soul development, afterlife, spirit communication, and more. This interactive teleconference offers listeners a chance to chat directly with Yvonne Perry and her guest experts about spiritual matters of soul development. This interactive podcast has with a question and answer session at the end of each guest presentation. To participate on the phone call/Webinar or listen to the free replays, please subscribe to our blog so we can send you a reminder with the call-in info.
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Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those around You is a guidebook for empathic people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. See all purchasing options at http://whosestuffisthis.blogspot.com/p/purchase-book.html.
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State of Appreciation is a free weekly online newsletter that blends practical & spiritual approaches to enhance personal power and self-realization. Offers empowering articles, gifts, and free contemporary and classic empowerment downloads free at http://stateofappreciation.weebly.com
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While taking a metaphysical class, WITS team member Dana Micheli met an amazing illustrator. If you are looking for someone to create an original piece for your book cover, you may want to connect with Diane Daversa on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diane-Daversa-Fine-Art/109782219119036
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Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience is about how to embrace multidimensional frequencies, lessen physical and emotional symptoms of rapid spiritual ascension, and offers tips to make the ascension process easier and quicker.

If you missed Shifting into Purer Consciousness Ascension Training Telesummit and would like to listen to the replays, the collection of audios is now available for purchase at http://live-spirit.com/shifting-into-purer-consciousness-with-yvonne-perry/.

Writers in the Sky Podcast Schedule September 2012

Writers in the Sky Podcast is a Nashville-based talk show about writing, publishing, and book marketing. An educational tool for people who want to learn more about the craft and business of writing, this show offers interviews with authors and writers, as well as the latest news about books currently on the market. You will also learn about publishing methods and marketing techniques as we interview publishers and publicists. Listen to archived shows via RSS Feed. Download WITS Podcast on iTunes for your iPod or iPad.

September 7: Join Sola Olu as she discusses her first book, The Summer of Angel: A Story of Hope on the Journey Through Prematurity. This heart-wrenching memoir chronicles Sola's battle with preeclampsia and the struggle to save her children after they are born prematurely.

Conveying a Character's Journey on the First Page of a Novel

Notes on Good Grief by Lolly Winston
by Bill Johnson
I teach that a story creates movement and the movement transport an audience. In many of the unpublished novels I read, I'm often 40 pages into a manuscript before I have any idea of a main character's journey. In some cases, I have to read to the end of a novel to understand that journey. This puts me (and readers) in the unfortunate position of needing to keep track of all the details about a character while I wait for some sense of purpose to become apparent. This makes reading a novel work.
Lolly Winston's novel Good Grief has a structure that clearly conveys the stages of grief that a young woman goes through when her husband dies and leaves her a widow. This external framework communicates that the novel has a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end. From its opening lines, the story has a destination.
Each stage of the main character's journey is divided into sections. The chapters in Part One are about denial, Oreos, anger, depression, escrow, and ashes. Each chapter that follows is about the main character's journey in dealing with her grief over her husband's death. The title, Good Grief, speaks to the narrator learning that there can be good grief (which revolves around passing through the stages of grief) and bad grief (getting stuck on the journey).
A review of the opening of Good Grief conveys how a main character's journey is set out.
The opening line:
How can I be a Widow?
The answer to this question comes in the opening paragraphs as the narrator sits in a grief support group. In a few paragraphs, the narrator explains why she's in the group.
My name is Sophie and I've joined the grief group because...well, because I sort of did a crazy thing. I drove my Honda through our garage door.
What's important about these lines is they show the narrator is not only in grief, she's being overwhelmed by grief. What set up the garage accident was an irrational thought that she needed to get into the house quickly to tell her husband something. Except he's deceased. She's in denial.
Continuing in a few paragraphs:
Maybe later I'll tell the group how I dream about Ethan every night. That he's still alive in the Eastern Standard Time zone and if I fly to New York, I can see him for another three hours.
The narrator tries to deal with her grief by going back to work, but she quickly finds herself overwhelmed. In the past, when she felt overwhelmed, she called her husband. The chapter ends with these lines.
The cursor on my computer screen pulses impatiently, and the red voice mail light on my phone flashes. My stomach growls and my head throbs. But I can't call my husband. Because, here's the thing: I am a widow.
She has started to come out of her denial about her husband's death. The first chapter is a clearly defined journey on her journey through grief.
Each chapter continues that journey until the narrator has passed through good grief to being whole again.
Highly recommended for writers who want to learn about structure by reading a well-written novel.
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A fourth edition of Bill Johnson's writing workbook, A Story is a Promise & the Spirit of Storytelling, is now available for $2.99 for Kindle Reader at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004V020N0

    

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

Calling for Submissions for September 2012 WITS Ezine!

It's time for us to start putting together the next fantastic and information-filled e-zine for September 2012. That means I need you to send me your articles, poems, contest announcements, and brags to be included in the next issue.

Read our guidelines for submitting. Remember, the better your piece is written, the better attention and credibility it receives.

Poetry and Prose Corner

Welcome, Sunshine

Shadows of the night, be gone.
Your time well-spent in nourishment,
Nurturing the dreams of light,
As dawn brings hope of new beginnings.

Welcome, Sunshine,
Welcome friend,
Smiling down upon my face.
Spread your joy across my brow,
Raise your manna to my lips.

Sadness cannot breach your fortress,
Tragic cause must pass you by as
Every creature great and small
Upward turns to meet your stare.

Faithful watcher,
Silent giver,
Asking nothing in return.
Not in worship, but our kinship,
Bids me pause to offer praise.

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

The Law of Attraction Manifests Abundance

Esther Hicks is a proponent of something called the Law of Attraction. It is the art of allowing well-being to flow, thereby overcoming resistance and attracting abundance. I have seen this manifesting in my life over the past several years while I have been prolifically writing my series of hilarious books. Two of them are published. Now I am beginning to experience abundance as channels of promotion for my books are flowing my way.
The law of attraction follows an emotional path. When one is feeling “good,” abundance naturally flows. Following a lifetime of challenges which have seemed to impede my progress, I am now experiencing a major shift. If I can do it, anybody can. This means you.

As Esther says, it is not a matter of working hard or taking any courses. It is not a matter of luck. The Source of our being only wants the best for each of us. It is only a matter of getting ourselves into a place of alignment with “good” feelings. When we do that, anything we desire is possible and eventually will manifest.

This is the law of the universe. It is simply a matter of replacing doubt with belief. It only follows the teachings of the great spiritual teachers such as Jesus. It is a simply a matter of faith.

These are lessons that I begin to weave in my books which are about a wayward nun. She teaches what she needs to learn as she affirms what is the truth she has discerned within herself. This is something you can also do for yourself.

This is what I ask you to do as Esther, herself, would encourage you to do. Whenever you recognize something you don't like, you will send forth a rocket of desire that will lead you in the direction you wish to head. It is important not to dwell upon your state of discontent. Rather, look with appreciation at all you already do possess. Gratitude is of utmost importance. It is the stepping stone to manifesting that which you desire.

No matter what, the most important thing is to follow your joy. As you do so, you will continue to attract more of the same. Allow yourself to be all you can be. It is a lesson you all will learn if you only apply yourself to the challenge of feeling good. Practice affirmations. You are worthy. You are beloved. You are deserving of all the goodness that your Source naturally wants for you.

The rewards will be amazing and will come quickly. Abundance is already yours. Simply claim it and it will naturally bring you more. As I have said, this is the great law of the universe which is always expanding just as you are.

Written by Davis Aujourd'hui http://bestsatireseriesofthedecade.blogspot.com