Saturday, May 31, 2008

Progress

Just an update on work in progress.
Books I & II are back from the editor and ready to go now. The new cover art has been completed as well. They will be completely different books when released through Dancing Lemur Press next spring!
My fall schedule is full! Many seminars and a few book events, including several new locations. I will stick with the five seminars I offer through next spring and may incorporate one more for the following fall.
I am also working on a non-fiction book that ties in with two of my seminars. After I finish, I'll let you know which is tougher to writer - fiction or non-fiction!
"Success is based on imagination plus ambition and the will to work."
- Thomas Edison

Friday, May 30, 2008

Contest

I am holding a contest at my Deviant Art site:
Best prose or poem describing this photo:




If you are a Deviant Art member, please feel free to submit a piece!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Journey

"Success is determined not by what you get for reaching your destination, but by what you become by reaching it."
- Zig Ziglar

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Author Tina Ann Forkner

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Ruby Among Us (WaterBrook Press May 20, 2008)
by
Tina Ann Forkner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. Originally from Oklahoma, she graduated with honors in English from CSU Sacramento before ultimately settling in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming where she now resides with her husband and their three children. Tina serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors and enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her family, and works as a full-time writer.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sometimes, the key that unlocks your future lies in someone else’s past...
In
Ruby Among Us, Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art─but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty can shield her from the memory of the mother she can no longer remember. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide from the past as Lucy is eager to find it.
From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento, to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search for a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby.
What she finds is enigmatic and stirring in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love.
“What an incredible story. As both mothers and daughters, Ruby Among Us struck a special cord in each of the four of us. Tina writes in a way that makes us feel like we’re there; from the first line, we were captivated and drawn into an intricate weaving of the precious and fragile relationships that define us.”~Point of Grace~
“Reading is a passion of mine, and when I find myself identifying with the characters, anxious to get to the next page to find answers to my questions, I know I’m into a good book! The daughter-mother-grandmother theme in Ruby Among Us pulled me in. Wonderful story-telling.”~Jordin Sparks~, 2007 winner of American Idol
“Highly recommended. If you’re a mother or daughter, you’re going to love Ruby Among Us. Forkner does an extraordinary job…. I look forward to more from this author.”~Ane Mulligan~, Novel Journey

“Don’t miss this one! Tina Ann Forkner is a strong new voice in fiction and Ruby Among Us is an amazing story of trials, regrets, and, ultimately, redemption. Lucy and her family history in the historic wine country of Sonoma bring to life the Scriptures about the Vine and His branches.”~Kristin Billerbeck~, author of The Trophy Wives Club
If you would like to read the first chapter go
HERE
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073588

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Book 'Em Charleston




Just some photos from the first Book 'Em in Charleston, SC! I enjoyed my visit to McClellanville Middle School and the main event on Saturday. The authors were wonderful and we learned so much from one another!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Speaking Engagements - The Spice of Life!

Speaking engagements are where the real money is made!
And they are what will gain an author attention and publicity.
I try to schedule a variety of appearances, from colleges to clubs to schools. This weekend, in addition to speaking at the Book 'Em Festival, I will also visit a local middle school. I have also accepted invitations to appear at Chesapeak Bay Academy's Book Festival this fall and speak at NCAEOP's annual conference next spring in Greensboro.
I wonder where this road will take me next... ?

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Author Sigmund Brouwer

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Broken Angel (WaterBrook Press (May 20, 2008)
by
Sigmund Brouwer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen best-selling novels for children and adults. His newest book is
Fuse of Armageddon and his novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC’s Good Morning America. A champion of literacy, he teaches writing workshops for students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Her birth was shrouded in mystery and tragedy.
Her destiny is beyond comprehension.
Her pursuers long to see her broken.
She fights to soar.
A father's love for his daughter…a decision that would change both their lives forever. But who is she really─and why must she now run for her life?
Caitlin's body has made her an outcast, a freak, and the target of vicious bounty hunters. As she begins a perilous journey, she is forced to seek answers for her father's betrayal in the only things she can carry with her─a letter he passes her before forcing her to run, and their shared memories together.
Being hunted forces Caitlyn to partner with two equally lonely companions, one longing to escape the horror of factory life in Appalachia and the others, an unexpected fugitive. Together the three will fight to reach a mysterious group that might be friend or foe, where Caitlyn hopes to uncover the secrets of her past...and the destiny she must fulfill.
In the rough, shadowy hills of Appalachia, a nation carved from the United States following years of government infighting, Caitlyn and her companions are the prey in a terrifying hunt. They must outwit the relentless bounty hunters, skirt an oppressive, ever-watchful society, and find passage over the walls of Appalachia to reveal the dark secrets behind Caitlyn’s existence–and understand her father’s betrayal.
Prepare yourself to experience a chilling America of the very near future, as you discover the unforgettable secret of the Broken Angel.
In this engrossing, lightning-paced story with a post-apocalyptic edge, best-selling author Sigmund Brouwer weaves a heroic, harrowing journey through the path of a treacherous culture only one or two steps removed from our own.
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Writing Show

If you are looking for tips, suggestions and some great ideas, head over to The Writing Show:
Paula Berinstein has put together a wonderful website that also features articles, author interviews and contests. She's also an incredible journalist and interviewer! There's something new every day, so add it to your bookmarks or feed!
* and if you want to listen to my podcast interview about book promotions:

Monday, May 19, 2008

Tips For Publishing

Tips from Lorilyn Bailey, Author/Publisher/Publicist, Raleigh, NC (919) 878-9108 http://www.guestfinder.com/
TOP 18 TIPS IF YOU WANT TO PUBLISH A BOOKS
So you want to publish your own book or become a publisher of books written by others? I published two books and offer services for authors and independent publishers. It can be a scary and very expensive world out there. Don't jump into it. Research all aspects of independent publishing, and take my advice.
1. Well before you publish, identify your audience. Know exactly who they are and why they would want to spend their hard-earned cash in this economy on your book. What need does it fill for them?
3. Join PMA, Publishers Marketing Association. Site: http://www.pma-online.org They have a good monthly magazine and a yearly conference a few days before BookExpo, the country's largest book conference. If you can ever get to BookExpo, usually held in Chicago, sometimes NY or LA, go. It is restricted to people in the book biz. You can exhibit your book through PMA if you're a member, and that will get you a pass to the show. The BookExpo is where deals are made, but new independent publishers should go as part of their education in the publishing industry. Do a lot of research about the show and how to make best use of your time while you're there. Wear comfortable shoes. It's huge. See: http://www.bookexpoamerica.com
4. Do a lot of research on everything, including book printers. Do not print more than 2,000 books your first time.
5. Be very careful in deciding upon a title for your book. There are many things to look at, including what the title will look like when it pops up in a chain bookstore database, trademarked items, soundalike titles, and misleading titles. Get feedback from many publishing experts about your title.
6. Do a lot of research before deciding upon a cover design. It's vital. There are certain things you must have on the front and back cover, and you'll read about those in the self-publishing "how-to" books. Get feedback on your cover design by experts in the industry. Many new publishers don't do it right and end up with a certain "look" to their covers that screams "self-published!" and makes all independent publishers look bad. By the way, "independent publisher" is the more politically correct term rather than "self-publisher" or even "small publisher." Some independent publishers publish others' works, and some only their own.
7. Know the financial realities before you do anything. Know exactly what the terms are with Amazon.com. Before spending any money, know exactly what you need to put in and exactly what you'll get out of it. Profits for publishers are probably not as much as you think.
8. Learn from experts. Join two discussion groups: a) PUBLISH-L@googlegroups.com run by Pat Gundry of Suitcase Books b) PubForum-Civil, which is run by several people, including Shel Horowitz ( FrugalFun.com).
9. Research distributors. Become an expert on wholesalers and distributers before you sign any contract. It's not easy getting a distributor. You need to know what they need, and you also need to know how they work.
10. Find a whole lot of other places to sell books in addition to bookstores. Highly recommended: John Kremer's 1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers . (My service, GuestFinder.com, which lists authors available for media interviews, is recommended in it, by the way.)
11. When you are ready to publish, hire a professional editor, typesetter, and book cover designer. Contract for their services. There are more than 50,000 books published each year, and you are competing against them.
12. Investigate ways to promote yourself to the media so you can talk about your book. As I said, the more you read, the better you'll be. Another book you need in your library is: How To Publish and Promote Online . Its author, MJ Rose, also mentions GuestFinder.com, my web site for authors available for media interviews, in her book (as do 23 other books on Amazon.com).
13. Be realistic. If an independent publisher sells 2,000 books, that's considered a success. Find out what types of independently published books do NOT sell (such as personal memoirs, novels, children's books) and DO NOT publish them. Non-fiction books sell much better than any other type of book and are much easier to promote. People want useful information. If you can provide that, you're ahead of the game.
14. Do not quit your day job! Few independent publishers make a living at publishing. To make a living, you have to work up to publishing multiple titles each and every year.
15. Recognize that despite ALL of that work, PROMOTING your book is the biggest part of the process. Timing is important. Plan your promotion before you even hire a printer. You, or your author, will be spending a lot of time and resources getting the word out. There are right ways and wrong ways. You can spent a TON of money (and yes, get ripped off), or you can do it reasonably.
16. If you decide to go with "POD" or "Print On Demand" publishing, RESEARCH everything first. Some distributors and bookstores will refuse to sell your books if you use POD. POD has to do with having printing only those books you know you will sell or have sold, instead of printing a large (and more expensive) run. It's tempting and may work best for you in some cases, but there are most definitely drawbacks.
17. Last of all, keep away from "vanity presses." There are people who will take all your money and print ("publish") your book, and you will be left with a bad book that no one wants, and that even if you did sell it, there would be no room for a penny of profit. Vanity presses won't TELL YOU they're vanity presses. That's why you need to do a lot of research before making a move.
18. Have fun!
Please visit Lorilyn's site at: http://www.GuestFinder.com

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Magazine Article Tip

Here's a tip I garnered from "Jump Start Your Book Sales" by Marilyn & Tom Ross.
Contact the advertising department of magazines of interest and request their media kit. That will give you a good taste of the style and needs of the magazine. Then you will be able to fine-tune your articles to that audience.
"If you don't have a destination, you'll never get there." - Harvey Mackay

Friday, May 16, 2008

Book 'Em Charleston

The Charleston Book 'Em Festival is next weekend in Mt. Pleasant, SC. There will be many, many authors attending the event and panel discussions & talks all day long. (*I am pleased to announce I will be on a panel!)
Book 'Em is Saturday May 24th from 9:30 - 4:30 at Wando High School.
There will be authors from all walks of life and at all stages of success. If you are a writer, you are sure to meet someone who will inspire you further on your path!
40%+ of Book 'Em's proceeds go to fight illiteracy in the schools.
Hope to see you there!
* It's not the destination but the journey that bring happiness! *

Thursday, May 15, 2008

American Idol Final

A little deviation from the norm...
But an interesting observation on American Idol.
David vs. David. Predicted that one many weeks ago. They are both very talented. However, I'll go one further and say it will be Archuleta instead of Cook. And why?
One reason - 12 year olds with cell phones!
Why do you think Jason lasted so long? "Oh, he's so cute! Must vote for him 20 times!"
American Idol will never be accurate until they set their voting computers up to accept just one vote per phone. And they could do that! They don't want to, because their total votes would go way down.
So until that time, we'll have to deal with askewed numbers!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Author Amy Wallace

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Healing Promises (Multnomah Publishers - April 15, 2008)
by
Amy Wallace
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Wallace is the author of
Ransomed Dreams, a homeschool mom, and a self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books, including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Facing a new threat.
When FBI Agent Clint Rollins takes a bullet during a standoff, it might just save his life. But not even the ugly things he’s seen during his years working in the Crimes Against Children Unit could prepare him for the overwhelming powerlessness of hospital tests revealing an unexpected diagnosis. If only Sara weren’t retreating into doctor mode…he needs his wife now more than ever.
Frozen in fear.
Sara Rollins is an oncologist with a mission–beating cancer when she can, easing her patients’ suffering at the very least. Now the life of her tall Texan husband is at stake. She never let the odds steal her hope before, but in this case, the question of God’s healing promises is personal. Can she hold on to the truth she claimed to believe?
Faith under fire.
As Clint continues to track down a serial kidnapper despite his illness, former investigations haunt his nightmares, pushing him beyond solving the case into risking his life and career. Clint struggles to believe God is still the God of miracles. Especially when he needs not one, but two. Everything in his life is reduced to one all-important question: Can God be trusted?
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Author Bob Johnson

One of the best things about being an author are the people I meet along my journeys!
I met Bob last fall at the Book 'Em Festival in Virginia. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his book and passed it along to our pastor. Bob's story is incredible and you can read about it here:
I got to see Bob again and meet his wife, Gail, at the Waldenbooks Book Expo in Martinsville, VA this past weekend, and we'll see each other at the Book 'Em Festival in Charleston, SC in a couple weeks.
Happy trails Bob and don't give up your quest!



Sunday, May 11, 2008

Book Expo and Dragons!

Yesterday I participated in the first Waldenbooks Local Book Expo in Martinsville, VA. There were sixteen authors in a wide range of subjects. Two of the authors were also publishers.


During the panel discussion, an author I had met at Book 'Em last fall commented that the biggest benefit was meeting other authors and the connections & leads that emerged from those encounters. Bob, that is so true! The friendships along the journey are what I treasure most! And I certainly value the friendship with the Waldenbooks staff there in Martinsville, because they have been such awesome supporters. Thanks Lynne, Amy, Heather and Sarah!

I also got to meet a dragon! Author J.G. Eastwood was in attendance, and she brought her dragon along, too! When he blew smoke, it was a hoot!

(Visit her at http://www.jgeastwoodauthor.com/ )

All in all, a wonderful experience!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Wit & Whimsey

I am in the middle of a fantastic marketing book, Marilyn & Tom Ross's "Jump Start Your Book Sales" and wanted to share some of their wit & whimsey insights:

"If a word in the dictionary was misspelled, how would you ever find it?"

"It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give up because by that time I was too famous." - Peter Benchley

"Why isn't phonetic spelled the way it sounds?"

"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

"I hear the definition of a dynamic presentation is a good beginning and a good end... with both sides as close together as possible."

"What's another word for thesaurus?"

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Author Mark Andrew Olsen

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
The Warriors (Bethany House April 1, 2008)
by Mark Andrew Olsen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
MARK ANDREW OLSEN whose novel
The Assignment was a Christy Award finalist, also collaborated on bestsellers Hadassah (now the major motion picture: One Night With the King), The Hadassah Covenant, and Rescued. His last novel was the supernatural thriller The Watchers. The son of missionaries to France, Mark is a Professional Writing graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Connie, live in Colorado Springs with their three children.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A failed recon mission deep in the tunnels of Afghanistan has provoked a demonic onslaught that had been brewing for centuries. The mission's sole survivor is reformed black ops assassin Dylan Hatfield, and he once again teams up with Abby Sherman, now at the helm of the Watchers, an ancient spiritual force. Uncovering and preventing a secret wave of death whispered across cyberspace and threatening to be unleash against civilization will require another level of spiritual power and expertise--the Warriors.
Journeying across the Alps of Europe through the multilayered history of warfare in the unseen world, Dylan and Abby uncover an age-old stone engraving that rouses the church's Warriors to action, placing them dead center in one of the fiercest spiritual battles of their time!
And once again they are reminded: This is all part of a vast and perpetual war, a war beyond all human conflicts, one that has engulfed heaven and earth since before the dawn of history....
Abby Sherman is headed back to Israel, where a Watcher, the Sentinel of Jerusalem, lies dying. In her last breaths the old woman tells Abby of an ancient document prophesying humanity's full-scale entry into the ongoing conflict between armies of heaven and fallen angels.
Dylan Hatfield has decided to answer a summons from his old boss and join a secret operation, its mission to reconnoiter the Afghani tunnel complex from which Osama bin Laden escaped in 2001. What he discovers sears his very soul and likely will end his life.
Abby learns of the peril facing Dylan, and she sends out a call for intercession on his behalf. Her frantic email message sets in motion a series of harrowing events, propelling the two on a new mission and quest--one where the stakes are the lives of millions!
The Warriors is packed with high-octane action, featuring exotic international locales, with characters in a clash against spiritual "principalities and powers" with eternal consequences, The Warriors is a story that will enthrall, enlighten, and engage its readers.
If that piques your interest, you can read the first chapter HERE
"Olsen, one of the better writers in this subgenre, delivers powerful, action-packed plots that delve into mystical paranormal worlds." ~Library Journal, Feb. 2008
"Olsen delivers an entertaining thriller likely to be enjoyed especially by fans of the spiritual warfare genre."~PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Google Earth For Research

Here's an unusual research source - Google Earth.
If you're writing a book that is based on a specific location, why not confirm the details by looking it up on Google Earth? It shows streets, buildings - even trees! You can also have restaurants, gas stations, points of interest, etc. pinpointed on the map, too. The maps are updated every few months, so it's fairly accurate. I used it recently double-checking the layout of Georgia Tech.
And look up your own house while you're at it, too!

Monday, May 05, 2008

Re-editing

I have spent the past couple weeks re-editing Book II of my series. Book I is already completed and been through my editor.
What amazes me as I do these edits is that the work does not seem like my own. This stands out more with Book II, as Book I needed some serious editing. Book II is smoother and as such, really feels like another author's work.
At the same time, I know the story well enough that it's almost like reading a diary. I can see the story and remember it as if it happened to me.
I wonder now many other authors share this experience?
"The quality of a person't life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of the chosen field of endeavor."
- Vincent T. Lombardi

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Interactive Books For Kids

If you are looking for interactive, educational books for your small children, check out Schoolside Press - http://www.schoolsidepress.com/index.cfm
Great for parents & teachers!
And if you order direct, you can even recieve an autographed copy - it doesn't get any better than that!
If you are a writer of children's books, it's a good site to explore as well. Creating a product that will sell and a website people like to use is vital!

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Upcoming Guest & Events

On June 3rd, I will have the honor of hosting Karen Salmansohn! She is the author of 29 books, does seminars, and has a radio program called the Be Happy Dammit Hour! Her blog can be viewed at: http://www.notsalmon.com/blog.php Check back on June 3rd for a dynamic interview!
On May 10th, the Waldenbooks in Martinsville, VA is hosting their first Author Festival from 11am-3pm. It includes a meet & greet, panel discussion, and autographing session with over a dozen authors from VA and NC. I love the crew at this Waldenbooks and know we'll have a great time that day!
Also, on May 24th is the first ever Book 'Em Festival in Charleston, SC! This is a big all-day event with talks & panel discussions featuring over 60 authors. Go to the Book 'Em's website for details - http://www.bookemfoundation.org/index.html

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Stop & Smell the Roses

Sometimes one must stop and smell the roses - even me!
So tonight and Friday I will be enjoying my 17th wedding anniversary!
Considering how much behind-the-scenes work my husband does for me, he definitely deserves some special attention. From designing my book covers and book marks to traveling with me to appearances, he contributes greatly to my success as an author & speaker.
And he's my biggest cheerleader!