Writing and other ways into the heart...for kids and sometimes adults too.

Video additions to Help Market Your Book

2012-02-11T02:00:00.001-08:00

My first video trailer for my book, The Cancer Prayer Book. It was so much easier than I thought and adds so much to marketing the book. It is very inexpensive, free if you do one shorter than 30 seconds and anyone can do it. Can't wait to make more of them as I continue to write. Let me know what you think about adding media to your blogs and to your marketing plan.

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=10477d3e23fc8e931f04e71&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Interview with Children's Author, Kasey Kellem

2012-02-08T02:30:00.000-08:00

Please welcome Kasey Kellem to the blog today. She is the author of Believe.
1. Could you tell us a little about yourself? Presently, I am a high school counselor and have been in education for 22 years. Prior to counseling I was a special education teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels. I have a bachelors, masters and educational specialist degree all in various areas of education. I am a wife, step mother of two, aunt to 10 children, a daughter and have three sisters. I enjoy golfing, skiing and working out. My mission in life is to motivate and inspire children to overcome obstacles and challenges: To be resilient!

2. Describe your desk/workspace. I like to break up where I work to keep my thinking fresh, so I work either in my office or my Ma’am cave. My office is simply an extra bedroom transformed into an office. It is set up like a business office with all of the office supplies to market my books. I can stay focused and on task in the office area. I also utilize my ma’am cave which is our basement that I redid once the kids went off to college. It has an entire spa like work out area with a sauna, yoga area and work out machinery. I find myself able to think more clearly while in that area! I find my creative juices revitalize while I relax in the sauna or work out. Also, there is a family room area in the Ma’am cave where I work. I simply set up my writing in that area where it is very warm , welcoming, peaceful and quiet.

3. Do you have a favorite quote? “You are never to old to enjoy a happy childhood”-often stated by my 71 year old father who plays hard and “If this is the worst thing you ever face, aren’t you lucky” which was often stated by my mother!

4. What are you currently reading? “While They Slept” by Katheryn Harrison. It is a true story where the author interviews a young girl whose parents and sister were killed by her brother. She is quite resilient and overcomes all that she experienced with the trauma of losing her family to such violence!

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? To follow my dreams and to write a book!

6. If you could have coffee with anyone (living or dead, real or fictional), who would it be and why? My deceased mother because I miss her and want to tell her one more time how much I love her and appreciate her believing in me and inspiring me to be the person I am today. I think she would be very impressed with my books and proud of me!

7. What are your top three favorite books and why? Any books by David Sedaris, Augustine Burrows, & Jen Lancaster. They all write about their own resiliency and lives through humor. They all seemed to have faced some difficult situations in their lives, yet they overcame them and became successful authors!

8. What was your favorite book as a child and why? I loved all of the Dr. Suess books because they were whimsical and silly! I could get lost with my imagination with each page! I loved the silly rhymes and the vibrant illustrations. I still have the entire collection of Dr. Suess books!

9. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? I am definitely left brained and have to have everything symmetrical or patterned. Each page of each book is similar. The concept of the book (Believe) is on the left page and the rest of the message is on the right page. Believe…in yourself. Believe…..in your dreams, Believe….in high hopes.

10. Do you write full-time or part-time? Part-time. I work during the day and work on my books after work. Most of my books were completed during the summer when I was off of work. I tweaked the details after work once school started up again.

11. What are your current marketing strategies for Believe? I feel like I have a new college major in marketing! I Have utilized every social media (facebook, twitter, youtube, business website, blog and amazon) I sent my book , author bio and book release to Ellen, Oprah, Robyn Swoboda, the libraries, several preschools and daycares, all of the local newspapers and magazines. We have been in two newspapers and two big newsletters around town. I did a book reading at a day care and had a few book signings at a church function and craft fair. I have a book signing at a local library in April and my books are for loan at four of the local libraries.

12. Could you share about any current writing projects? I am finishing up the details for LOVE and am just about ready to go to print, though I need to sell more Believe books to be able to fund the printing for LOVE. I am also refining my additional MOM books, Laugh, Relax and Dream. The illustrations and words are completed, I just need to tweak some details.

13. What would be the best way for readers to contact you?

mindovermatterbooks@gmail.com

MOM Website

http://www.mindovermatterbooks.com

MOM Blog:

http://mindovermatterbooks.blogspot.com/

Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Over-Matter-Books/148030188625482

YouTube (Children’s Authors Show Interview):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_PPnSHXzzY

LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kasey-kellem/1a/552/94

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/kaseyc7

14. Where can people find your book, Believe:

Halo International-Believe:

http://www.halopublishing.com/bookstore/Kasey-Crawford-Kellem

MOM Website

http://www.mindovermatterbooks.com

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612440398

15. Is there anything else you'd like to share?

††My goal is to have these books in every preschool, school, church and child’s house so kids everywhere are constantly reminded of the five resiliency skills.

Interview: Children's Author- Maryann Sawka

2012-01-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

What age range is your book for?

A: My book has been published as a children’s book, but as the title indicates, it includes quick tips for all ages. The illustrations are geared for children as they exemplify the passages being discussed on each page.

Can you share a memory of yours or a story of you from when you were within the age range of your target readers?

A: I’m pretty sure as a child I read everything that Judy Bloom wrote including Freckle Juice, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Are you there God, it’s me Margaret. I also remember being a fan of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Both were very popular when I was in grade school. I remember that I enjoyed the stories very much, which helped me to develop such a strong love of reading. I would usually finish one book and ask my parents if I could get another when we went shopping or ask if we could visit our library right away because I needed another book!

How has life changed for children today than when you were that age?

A: I think when I was a child our culture was different in that most families didn’t have both parents working outside of the home. Usually one parent was home with the children while the other left the home to go to an outside job. When the parent who worked outside of the home returned at the end of their workday, families typically sat down together to a home-cooked meal and enjoyed the company of one another. Conversation included sharing stories from everyone’s day, current events and similar topics.

Today, it is not unusual for the family dynamic to not include two parents living in the same household or to have both parents working outside of the home. With that in mind, the nightly family-dinner of the past is not always a daily occurrence. Our emphasis is not always placed on family conversation and sharing our days with one another. More often, we eat our dinners at a drive-thru while driving from one activity to another. Our culture is more “on-the-go” today than in the past.

How is life still the same?

A: Our children still need our time, love and attention. Because of our rushed society, they probably need us now more than ever. They need us to teach them proper manners and etiquette. We need to look at this instruction as a gift that we are giving to them that helps them to grow and develop a strong character. It is a gift that will carryover into other areas of their lives including school, extra-curricular activities, relationships at home and behavior in public, to name a few.

Our sharing of good manners does not need to be boring or stuffy. My book exemplifies good manners using a fun, lively approach with tips that are demonstrated in the accompanying illustrations. The tips are straight-forward, short and easy to implement.

What was your favorite toy or activity when you were that age?

A: When I was a child, I loved to read and play outside. I used to ride my bike with friends in the neighborhood, play jacks on our front porch and play hide and seek at dusk with friends. I remember being able to play outside all day, coming in for lunch and dinner. Being a child then was fun! Kids have a lot of pressure put on them today.

What inspired this book and how did you decide on this age range for your book?

A: I was inspired to write this book because I value good manners. Teaching my own children to use good table manners has been a fun activity and I would like to share it with others. Learning manners at a young age allows a child to develop a strong character that will continue to flourish as they continue to grow and mature.

Finally, I have four kids. Over the years, they’ve attended a lot of birthday parties. I love the idea of building a theme gift around a book. If you were to give a gift basket to a child based on your book, what else would be in the basket besides (your book’s title)?

A: If the gift recipient were a girl, I would envision my book in a basket with some snacks, fancy gloves and a tea party set. I love to throw tea parties for my daughters and their friends. This is a great opportunity to teach manners in a fun way.

If the gift recipient were a boy, I would envision my book in a basket with some snacks, juice boxes and maybe a card game or matchbox cars. The theme could be built around enjoying a snack with friends, encouraging appropriate play and conversation.

What a fun idea! I like the idea of including a book in a gift basket for children!

Book Review: Good Table Manners Made Easy

2012-01-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

Good Table Manners Made Easy

Author: Maryann B. Sawka

Illustrated by: Amy Rottinger

Halo Publishing International

ISBN: 978-1-61244-046-0

From the Back Cover: Good Table Manners is a quick easy to read resource that teaches basic table manners in a delightfully fun way. It also serves as a quick refresher for the table manners that we may have forgotten.

My Review: Excellent and fun way to teach kids about manners especially when at the table. With families so busy and meals often on the run, kids may need a refresher on what good table manners really mean. This cute book will help parents reinforce good manners without being preachy or naggy. Kids will enjoy the illustrations and will gain good solid information about how to be polite. A great little book to refer to as children grow and learn.

Interview with Author, Rachel Yurchisin

2012-01-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

1. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became an author.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and I’ve lived there my whole life. I’ve gone to school in the Parma, Ohio region for both grade school and high school. I wrote my book because there was an assignment in 5^th grade to write a book. It was very official (for 5^th graders) with pictures and binding. Last summer I was looking through some old grade school boxes and came across this book that I made. My mother and I decided to send it to Halo Publishing and they accepted it right away- I’m very fortunate in that regard. The rest is history!

2. Tell us about your current book. Give a short summary, tell us about your publisher, and also how you got the idea for this book.

My current book is entitled,“Diary of My Days in Kenya.” It is a fictional story loosely based upon the real life occurrences of a nomadic lioness who nurtures baby oryx as if they were her own young. During a drought, a naturalist, Susan Polling, and other professionals, are sent on assignment to observe and document this special pairing. The book’s spirited protagonist, Polling, offers the reader interesting insights as to why this unique phenomenon has transpired. The story explores how the traditional relationship of predator and prey is transcended, presenting a spellbinding account of how a parental bond, even a non-traditional one, can never be broken.

Halo Publishing International is a great publisher. Being a young author who does tons of extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs, it was pretty difficult to find times to have meetings over the phone. Lisa Umina, an author and founder of Halo Publishing, is extremely understanding and helpful. Also, when it came to publicizing my book, the process was quite simple and easy to accomplish. When I write another book- I would definitely go back to Halo Publishing!

I got the idea for “Diary of My Days in Kenya” from a true story of a lioness who adopts baby oryx that was reported about in the Plain Dealer in their Saturday edition of “World Watch” column. The basis behind the book is true, the characters and the occurrences are created by me.

3. What is a typical writing day like for you?

I am quite the procrastinator so usually it would be a day that I don’t have anything else planned other than writing. There would be periods of time that I would be sitting in school and get an idea and would just have to write it down. It is great to have an epiphany but not so great to get behind in what the lesson was about in class!

4. What do you enjoy most about writing?

I love being able to express myself in the written word. If I didn’t have that outlet I don’t know what I would do. If I feel like I can’t control anything else in my life, I know that the second I pick up that pen or pencil, I have the power write out how I feel and express my feelings in a positive way.

5. What is the most difficult part of writing?

I can start writing and just keep going and going. The hardest part for me is figuring out an ending. I never want my stories or anything I write, even essays for school, to end.

6. Why do you like working with children and teens?

I wrote “Diary of My Days in Kenya” while I was in the fifth grade, so the book was written in the mind-set of that age-group. I’m only a junior in high school now, and I’m feeling like publicizing my book and having this much success already is helping me reach-out to some of my class mates that have been writing and are looking into becoming published authors themselves!

7. Do you make school visits or do speaking engagements? If so, please describe a typical presentation.

I haven’t made any school visits or anything of the like as of yet. I hope to go to my grade school where I wrote the book and publicize the book. I would like to speak to the middle grade school students who might have similar thoughts about the books that they had to write in fifth grade.

8. Do you have a website? If so, please give the URL. If not, where can readers go online to learn more about your book(s) and to order?

I don’t have a website of my own- however anyone who would like to order my book they can go to http://www.halopublishing.com/bookstore/Diary-of-My-Days . You can also learn more about me on Halo’s website in their Authors Café.

9. What are you working on right now?

I’m working on school work and getting ready for the state competition for my tennis team at school! I hoping to audition for my school’s fall and winter plays this year as well.

10. What is your best tip for aspiring authors?

Don’t be afraid to send a publisher what you wrote. Most of the time people don’t send out what they’ve wrote in fear of being rejected. It is an understandable fear; however with a few changes it will eventually be accepted. Just go for it!

11. What advice would you give children and teens as they prepare for life?

Try to find something that you enjoy; find a passion of yours and find an occupation that fits those requirements. If you accomplish that goal, you will find that you’ll never feel like you’ve worked a day in your life because you’re doing something that you love!

12. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readership?

I want to thank my mom for doing everything in her power to help me succeed not only in my writing, but also in my life. To my dad for always believing in me, and saying,“ I knew you could.” To my papa who added color to my book and to my life. Finally, to the readers, I hope you enjoy the book and thanks for all your support!

Book Review: Diary of My Days in Kenya

2012-01-12T05:08:00.000-08:00

Rachel Yurchisin

Diary of My Days in Kenya

A Naturalist's Observations of a Lioness and Her Adopted Baby Oryx
Diary of My Days in Kenya is a fictional story loosely based upon the real life occurrences of a nomadic lioness who nurtures baby oryx as if they were her own young. During a drought, a naturalist, Susan Polling, and other professionals, are sent on assignment to observe and document this special (relationship) pairing. The book’s spirited protagonist, Polling, offers the reader interesting insights as to why this unique phenomenon has transpired. The story explores how the traditional relationship of predator and prey is transcended, presenting a spellbinding account of how a parental bond, even a non-traditional one, can never be broken.

Paperback $11.95

ISBN 978-1-935268-89-5

About the author: Rachel Yurchisin

Rachel's love of science and nature has inspired her to write her first children’s book in the hopes of passing on her passion to other young “budding” naturalists. She is currently a sophomore in high school residing in Cleveland, Ohio. She feeds her interest in animals and the natural world by participating in educational programs at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Museum of Natural History

My Review: This is a warm and interesting story from a young writer who I think will do big things in the future. The illustrations compliment the text and the package reads like a smooth National Geographic tale. A very good story.

Interview with Children's Author, Molly Nero

2012-01-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome Molly Nero to the blog today. She is an award winning children's author and her new book is Smarty Pig.

1. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became an author.

Beginning my 18 year career teaching elementary school, I found myself in the 4th grade classroom which became my training ground for writing. Writing rough drafts, editing and revising to model the process for my students allowed me to grow in my own abilities and desire to write. After 5 years, I became the music teacher giving me the opportunity to work with hundreds of kids from Kindergarten to 5th grade producing grade-level musicals each year. Stepping out of the “classroom” teacher role also enabled me to work with kids in a different way. With the lights off, I would play “Danse Macabre” very loudly on the stereo. My students were on the floor with their eyes closed as I narrated what was happening during the piece to help them understand and begin to appreciate the stories behind classical music. Students began to talk about their frustrations concerning different things to me, and that has given voice to my writing.

2. Tell us about your current book. Give a short summary, tell us about your publisher, and also how you got the idea for this book.

Smarty Pig is the story of a family of pigs that have given up on school. They don’t do their homework and feel it’s not important. The only one who does is teased and nic named Smarty Pig. When Smarty Pig gets good grades and the others fail, they reach out to her to help them. She agrees but asks them to try. She takes skills taught at school and puts them into real-life situations, ie: the kitchen becomes a grocery store with things to be purchased with play money. They begin to understand the learning CAN be fun, and it’s not just for school, learning is for life.

Halo Publishing saw the value in this message and has been incredibly supportive of me as I enter this new career. Lisa Umina has worked with me through each stage of this process, making sure I knew what was going on, what was expected of me and helping me brainstorm ideas for the best way to market this book series.

The idea for Smarty Pig came from hearing students express their apathy toward school after several days of taking state tests. During the year, it’s worksheet after worksheet preparing kids for the tests. Then you have intense review right before it’s given. They even have pep-rallies to try to excite the kids about taking the tests! The kids didn’t understand why it was necessary, and the pressure was undermining all the joy of learning for them. As the years passed, I heard this from younger and younger students. My object in Smarty Pig is to uplift our youngest learners early in their academic life to see the value and fun in learning.

3. What is a typical writing day like for you?

I’m up at 5:30am to start the day watching the Pink Panther with my daughter and 2 dogs snuggled up in 1 chair. COFFEE! Get both my kids off to school. Check on my mother who has her own house downstairs. Get on my treadmill to clear my thoughts listening to KLOVE radio. Then my husband and I discuss what the day will bring, and I’m on my computer writing, building the website, emailing… Some days I will work on only one story. Other days my mind jumps to ideas for other books. I’ve learned to just roll with it. The one thing I must have is a window to look out of while I’m writing. The endlessness of the sky reminds me that ideas are just as endless.

4. What do you enjoy most about writing?

The plot of the story developing is my favorite. My daughter is an artist, and she amazes me when she begins to paint a new picture. It’s the same anticipation and excitement when writing a story. You start with an idea that takes you in many different directions while you make choices along the way to help it grow. You’re never exactly sure how it will turn out, but the process is delightful.

5. What is the most difficult part of writing?

Smarty Pig is all in rhyme which can be challenging. I don’t want to sacrifice my message or give up a figure of speech or something that I know kids will relate to for the rhyme. It becomes like a dance where the story and words must work together to create a message that the kids can read, understand, and really enjoy.

6. Do you make school visits or do speaking/book signing engagements? If so, please describe a typical presentation.

I was known as “Mrs. Nero the Hero” to my Kindergarten students to help them learn my name. This is how I continue to introduce myself to school children. Bringing in my musical theater background to the visits, I incorporate music, cheers, and a visual, relatable message of Smarty Pig to the kids that “all they learn in school, they’ll use in life.”

7. Is there any book that, when you read it, you thought, "I wish I had written that!"?

Holes by Louis Sachar. I love it when a writer introduces numerous characters and situations and weaves them together by the end of the book. The creative process that must take place to even begin such a story inspires me.

8. Do you have a website? If so, please give the URL. If not, where can readers go online to learn more about your book(s) and to order?

http://www.smartypigbooks.com/ is my website and http://www.halopublishing.com/ is another site to order the book right now. After December 2011, the book will be available through all stores as Print On Demand.

9. What are you working on right now?

Smarty Pig and the Test Taking Terror is heading to the editor. I had a smart 4th grade boy put his head down on his desk when the state test was administered. He became so distraught; he couldn’t even write his name. I’ve never forgotten him. This book is for those kids that shut down when they take a test. Smarty Pig models strategies for breaking down the fear and panic.

Bullying is the next topic in this series. Both of my children have dealt with bullying situations. It is such a national problem and the ramifications are becoming more and more frightening. Kids have to learn to talk about what is happening.

10. What is your best tip for aspiring authors?

You need to edit and revise until you are certain it’s your best work. Ask others to read it. Be open to criticism, but don’t lose your voice. Then you just keep trying. You’ll find a way to get your idea out there.

11. What advice would you give children and teens as they prepare for life?

Slow down! It’s ok to be 6 or 9 or even 13. There are experiences at every age to enjoy and learn from, and that’s how you grow to become an adult. It isn’t worth it to rush ahead of yourself and try to be older than you are. Remember, there is always an answer, always a solution, and always someone who will help you.

12. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readership?

Parents are a vital part of their child’s education nowadays. Include them in every day to day activity that you can. It will reinforce skills they are learning at school and give them a sense of value in all they know. When you are together, stop and look at the leaves changing in the trees, listen to the crickets, talk about the colors of a sunset. Be a role model who appreciates the little things that help make up this amazing world.

World of Ink Tour for Molly Nero, Author of Smarty Pig

2012-01-05T02:00:00.000-08:00

Halo Author: Molly Nero

Month of World of Ink Tour: January 2012

Title of Book(s): Smarty Pig

Publisher: Halo Publishing, Int.

ISBN Number(s):978-1-61244-048-4

Genre of Book(s): Picture book

Publication Date(s): December 2011

Places where your book(s) are available for sale: www.halopublishing.com for pre-publication sales; all other bookstores POD after Dec.

Author Website: www.smartypigbooks.com

Facebook URL: Molly Costen Nero

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/E2L_NS2QqgM

Author Bio :

Molly Nero grew up in Texas loving to sing, dance, and read. She spent over 18 years teaching elementary school. Reading to her own children, she was inspired to write. Molly Nero recently moved to Pennsylvania where she resides with her family, 2 dogs, and a leopard spotted Gecko and enjoys writing, cooking, and making snowmen.

Synopsis:

The school year has started, but the pigs have given up and don’t do their homework, except Smarty Pig who is working hard. When the others fail, she becomes their tutor. By creating games in their home that practice skills, Smarty Pig shows them that learning is fun and not just for school, it’s for life.

Review

This book is so fun, great characterization relating the main character as a pig and a whole pig classroom to children. Children will be excited to read about school, about homework, and about what it feels like to do the right thing when friends don't agree. This story has so much fun and laughter. And it has a life lesson weaved throughout. Students won't recognize the fact that the book is educational because it is filled with kid friendly fun. I loved this book and can't wait to read more about these pigs who go to school.

For more on this fun story visit http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/ tomorrow.

Guest Post by Award Winning Author Karen Cioffi

2012-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

It is the first day of the New Year and I wanted to start off with a bang with useful information to jump start your writing for 2012. What better way than a quick lesson on rhyming by award winning author and founder of Writers on the Move, Karen Cioffi.

Please give Karen a warm welcome and bookmark this post. It is filled with useful information and helpful links for those of us who want to try our hand at writing in rhyme.

Writing in Rhyme

By Karen Cioffi

Rhyming, when done right, is a wonderful way to engage children. Children, as soon as they’re able, love to rhyme words . . . and this can begin as early as two-years-old: cat-hat, mouse-house. But, to write a rhyming story . . . a well written rhyming story . . . is difficult; you need a good story, rhyme, rhythm/beat, meter, stresses, and more—all this in addition to the already unique rules and tricks in writing for children. And, some writers just don’t have that innate ability to do rhyme well. But, it can be learned.

According to Delia Marshall Turner, Ph.D., the elements of poetry are: voice; stanza; sound; rhythm; figures of speech; and form.

Voice (the speaker)

Stanza (the format of lines grouped together)

Sound (rhyme and other patterns)

Rhythm (the beat and meter – the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables)

Figures of Speech (types of figurative language)

Form (the type of poem, its design)

Along with this there is perfect rhyme, and approximate rhyme:

Perfect rhyme: tie/lie; stay/day

Approximate rhyme: top/cope; comb/tomb

And, there are many more bits and pieces that go into writing poetry/ rhyme. But, the foundation that holds your rhyming story all together is the story itself—you need a good story, especially when writing for children.

According to the article, “To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme” by Dori Chaconas, in the Writer Magazine, October 2001:

“You may write in perfect rhyme, with perfect rhythm, but if your piece lacks the elements of a good story, your efforts will be all fluff without substance. I like to think of story as the key element, and if the story is solid, and conducive to rhyme, the rhyme will then enhance the story.”

This is a wonderful explanation because it mentions “if the story is solid, and conducive to rhyme.” This means that not all stories will work in rhyme, and the writer needs to know whether his will or will not.

So, if you’re interested in writing in rhyme and/or poetry, there are a number of sites and articles online that can help, there are also books available, and classes you can take. Do a Google search for the tools that are right for you.

For a head start, you can check out the sites below:

RhymeZone

http://www.rhymezone.com/

Type in a word, it gives you rhyming words

Rhymer

http://www.rhymer.com/

Rhymeus

http://www.rhymeus.com/#rhymes

Offers tips, information, dictionary, and rhyming words

Poets and Writers

http://pw.org/

eNotes

http://www.enotes.com/topics/poetry

Poetry Foundation

http://www.blogger.com/goog_532319695

~~~~~~~~~~

Karen Cioffi is a published author, freelance writer, and marketer, and to start the New Year with a BANG, from January 1 through February 28, 2012, she is offering all her writing and marketing e-books (purchased directly from her site/s using the Paypal SHOPPING CART) for a $1.19 each. And, this will include new titles added within that time period.

For a complete list of the available titles and links to more information:

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/2011/12/2012-writing-and-marketing-ebook.html

For a complete list (with brief descriptions of each ebook) go to: http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/p/karens-books.html

Please leave a comment and cruise on over to Karen's sites for some great deals on ebooks this month. Her expertise will amaze you and will definitely be a boost for to your writing and marketing skills for the New Year. Enjoy and Blessings for your writing success.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year.

My wish for you includes success as a writer, health, and prosperity.

Whether you wish for a publisher, a completed manuscript, more writing time, or an agent, I wish you all of this and more for 2012. Writers rock!

May 2012 be your best writing year yet.

Merry Christmas Friends

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

May you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends and find some time to curl up with a good book too.

Thanks for being a follower here and watch for fun and exciting things here for writers in 2012.

New Ideas for 2012

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is the rig my son works on but the one for traveling fieldtrips will have a reading logo.

I have so many ideas for 2012 that my poor head is spinning. The 30 picture book ideas are swirling around and some of those will be good ideas and some of those will blend into the major ideas I have for a traveling fieldtrip to promote health, wellness, and literacy for elementary students.

I also have some great ideas to help boost your writing and help you to find your own product to promote. Listen to your heart over the holidays and get a feel for what it is you want to do in 2012. Let's work together to make it happen.

The New Cover for My Picture Book

2011-12-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

Here is the tenative cover to my picture book coming out in 2012. What do you think?

Book Review: Darla Jade and the Balance of the Universe

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Darla Jade and the Balance of the Universe

Author: D.L.Reynolds

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4628-8763-7

E-Book 978-1-4628-8764-4

Darla Jade was yanked from her coffin. Little did she know that she would be an intricate part in an epic battle of good and evil in a supernatural world created by the author.

The fate of the world lies in her hands and the hands of the Guardians. This unique world of mystery, intrigue, magic, angels, and demons will keep young adult readers interested from the first pages.

This is the first in a series of 7 adventures with a Christian thread. The story line takes the reader to Heaven and beyond in a Peter Pan kind of way, with a sense that it is all to conquer evil and spread good on Earth like it is in Heaven with the help of the Guardians for course. Angels in disguise or demons? Is Striker who claims to be the Grim Reaper's assistant as bad as he wants the reader to think or is he even worse?

The reader will find a well crafted story with all the emotional tension needed to interest even the most reluctant reader as Darla Jade is thrown into the realms of revenge, betrayal, love and forgiveness. This book is available through http://www.amazon.com/ in hardback, paperback, or E-book additions.

Read more about this adventure and the books in the series at http://www.theguardians.co/

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Doll Violinist

Author: Mayra Calvani

Illustrations: Amy Moreno

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-61633-185-6

E-book 978-1-61633-187-0

Guardian Angel Publishing, INC

Ages 4-8

It is days before Christmas and a young girl falls in love with a beautiful doll in the shop window. The doll holds a tiny violin, just like the one her mama played before she passed away. Every day the child watches in the window and every day another doll is packed away in a pretty Christmas box. What if the doll with the violin gets taken?

The shop keeper has lost a child.. She isn't very friendly and yet the young girl comes everyday to look at the beautiful doll in the window. If only she had a doll like that, and she dreams on and on.

This is an enchanting story of loneliness, loss, beauty, dreams, and love all wrapped up in the perfect Christmas story for young readers. Little girls will love the idea of a beautiful doll and the magic of dreams.

And the heartfelt ending leaves the reader knowing that there was divine intervention bringing the shop keeper, the young girl, and the beautiful doll together at Christmas.

The author has done an excellent job writing this charming tale and the illustrations are the perfect addition to the text. This is a must have for your collection, one that will be read and enjoyed over and over again.

Visit the author at http://www.mayracalvani.com/ or the publisher at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/ for more information about the author, her books, or other great books published by GAP.

Spoonfuls of Hope: Restored

2011-12-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

A great new blog for encouragement from a writer from the publisher of The Cancer Prayer Book, at www.dreamwordspublishing.com

Check it out.

Spoonfuls of Hope: Restored: Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NISB Are there days when the responsibilities and ...

I Have 30 Picture Book Ideas

2011-12-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

I have been working on one picture book idea everyday for the month of November just as many of you have been. Why?

I love picture books
I think they are an important way for young children to learn and be entertained
I love the illustrations that accompany picture book text
I love the challenge of writing depth for kids with few words
I love a challenge
I need the encouragement this challenge brought this month

Will all my ideas turn out as published works? I am certain not. But I am going to work hard at developing at least a few of the ideas because they are good ones, they are original and I like them.

Visit http://taralazar.wordpress.com/piboidmo2010/ to sign up for next year and to find links to helpful information for those who write picture books. It is NOT a dying art. Children will always need picture books. So writers, keep writing.

December Challenge .....

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

I creating my own challenge for December and you are welcome to come along.

I challenge myself and anyone who joins me to do one thing for someone else everyday in December and to do one thing for myself to move my writing along for a bang up start to 2012.

I am hoping as I open myself up to giving or doing for others every single day, it will spark my own creativity and help me to get my writing organized for the new year. Here is a list of what I want to accomplish in December.

1. I want to get my blog posts organized so that I know well ahead of time what I will be posting. For example, Mondays might be book reviews, Wednesdays writing articles, etc. Each blog may need a different theme list or I may decide that I don't need as many blogs as I have. In organizing the blogs, I hope to also seek out the target audience that I am trying to reach and do something for them.

2. I want to narrow my passion list down to a doable list for 2012. I am so passionate about so many things that I find I loose focus. Then I want to be more active towards others using my passion. One of my passions is for kids with cancer, a place in dire need of volunteer effort, monetary effort, and maybe a place to start doing for others in a more passionate way.

3. I want to link my passions with my writing and with the goal of producing products that my target audience will want and need. In doing this, again I will be working towards doing for others. I have three specific book series I am working on the will fit this bill, but the ideas need to go from my head to paper and on to a finished draft for critique.

So to clarify my December challenge for myself....

Write daily
Do something for someone else daily
Focus my passions towards writing, producing something the will benefit others, and working on it everyday.

Pass it on, manage it up, give it away...... this is going to be the best December yet.

USA Book News Announces Winners and Finalists of the USE "Best Books 2011" Awards

2011-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

USA Book News Announces Winners and Finalists of the USE "Best Books 2011" Awards

Welcome Author Jewel Kats

2011-11-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving food is made, laundry is done, and I'm off to work the holiday night shift but before I go, please help me welcome Jewel Kats, a wonderful author for children. May all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving day.

Tell us about your current book. Give a short summary and also how you got the idea for this book.

I’ve always loved the story of, “Cinderella.” I’ve literally read every version out there—many with unique multicultural twists. However, I never came across a story that I could completely relate to. Up until now, there has never been a re-told version of “Cinderella” featuring a protagonist with a disability. Hence, I decided to fill this void. I thought it was about time there be a Princess on a wheelchair! High-time, actually!!!

As for the synopsis, “Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair” is a modern-day tale that takes place in a Kingdom far, far away. Cinderella is forced to work like a mule for Stepmother and her twin stepsisters. One day, an invitation arrives. It’s from the Palace. A Royal costume party is being held! Stepmother promises Cinderella she can attend. The catch? She has to make jewelry for the twins. Cinderella keeps her word. Whereas, Stepmother doesn’t. Magic ensues. And, I’ll leave the rest to your imagination…

What is a typical writing day like for you?

First of all, I hardly sleep! Seriously. It’s hard for me to shut down and catch some zzzzz’s. My mind is always running about. I currently write full-time, and for this I’m very grateful. Why? I have the luxury to write either in the afternoon; or if an idea strikes me at night. I usually work about six solid hours per day on some writing related project. I’m usually doing a few things at once. More often than not, I end up working more.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

I absolutely love the process of getting into my character. I often read what they’d like. Sometimes, I even dress like them! I really try to immerse myself into their brain. I’ve nicknamed this technique: “method writing.” I also enjoy the process of imagining new environments and new worlds.

What is the most difficult part of writing?

Sometimes, I struggle to write. Well, I still manage to write in a literal sense—but I don’t like anything that I record! I call them my “backspace days.” I’ve learned to get through this by telling myself something is better than an empty page. Moreover, I regurgitate maybe my version of “junk” is another person’s form of “art.” I’ve often been told that I’m too hard on myself—both personally and professionally. Read: I’m only human.

Is there any book that, when you read it, you thought, "I wish I had written that!"?

I really admire books from other genres—specifically, Harlequin Romances. It’s always been my dream to write one. I’ve gone as far as writing a story outline, and character sketches. However, something keeps holding me back. Perhaps, it’s fear? Deep down, I wonder if I have what it takes to write fiction for women. Thus far, much of my success has come from writing for folks under 30. My career as a journalist is a whole other story.

Do you have a website? If so, please give the URL. If not, where can readers go online to learn more about your book(s) and to order?

www.jewelkats.com

What are you working on right now?

We recently bought a poodle puppy named, Bambi. She will be coming home to us on Nov. 6^th. Anyhoooo, I got this wacky idea to host a real-life “puppy shower” for her. Through this thought, a children’s chapter book idea sprouted. The “what-ifs” started, and soon enough a grade one student named, Beatrice, formed. She’s a hilarious kid who orchestrates a puppy shower to show-off to her arch enemy.

What is your best tip for aspiring authors?

Please don’t ever give up! Rejection letters are a part of the book authoring process. Also, remember to be open to critiquing. Stories can always improve!

What advice would you give children and teens as they prepare for life?

Keep repeating this: “There is a silver lining around each dark cloud.” Learn to find positives in negatives. Learn to turn your frown into a smile. Learn to laugh through rain.

Author Spotlight : Jan Britland and The Rodger Dodger Series

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome author Jan Britland to the blog today in the form of an author spotlight. Reading her post about how she developed her brand, self-published her books, and has made a wonderful name for herself and Rodger Dodger Dog is an amazing story and one that should inspire all the writers reading this blog. Without further ado, please enjoy this author spotlight.

The story of Rodger Dodger Dog.

In 1986 I had to drive my children to a new town to start school at their new school. It was a 45 minute drive, which can become boring. On our drive we would pass a beagle type dog chained to a huge Magnolia tree. On some days we would see the chain hanging down from the tree. I think we just assumed the dog was in the house until one day we realized he was up in the tree. From that day on Rodger Dodger Dog as we called him became a favorite. As we passed him every day I would start telling a story about Rodger Dodger's adventures up the tree and beyond. Because I am so dyslexic the stories had to rhyme so I could remember them from day to day. They also started the same to get me going.

Years passed and we would often talk about Rodger Dodger Dog and recall his stories. One day in 2008,1 received a phone call from my daughter Kelly who had young children of her own. She was complaining her son Dalton brought home a book from pre-school that didn't make sense to him or her. She wanted me to write down the Rodger Dodger Dog stories so she could share them with her children. I of course immediately sat down and started writing. Thank goodness the stories had been in rhyme. I sent the finished copy to my daughter and waited to get the phone call that would tell me how much my grandchildren loved my stories. It never came. When I called her to ask her, she told me she was embarrassed to call me. Her children were so small they really needed to see illustrations to keep their interest. So being the good Gammy that I am I set out to find an illustrator.

Since the stories were called The Adventures of Rodger Dodger Dog, I wanted to have action in my illustrations. I found just what I was looking for on line in the form of Mike Swaim... a wonderful cartoonist. We connected right away, Rodger Dodger Dog was born. When Mike was done with the illustrations I made up a book to re-send to my grandchildren. Needless to say they loved it. They took it to school and the teachers loved it. They shared it with other friends and they loved it. Dalton's teacher told my daughter to tell me to get them published. I of course wasn't too sure. I thought they were cute and I loved the illustrations but publish?? I wasn't convinced. I had 20 stories and it had been so many years since I had been in school I thought I should at least try and re-learn punctuation. I signed up at an Edison college for a workshop through the local writers association. That night I was the only person who showed up for the workshop... It was great. Professor Hoeck sat down with me and went through my stories with me. After we were done he said I should get them published. I told him it wasn't in my plans, but he told me to do it anyway.

January of 2009,1 am now a member of SCBWI and The Peace River Center for Writers. I have the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Market in front of me. I research editors, I send out manuscripts to a select few, only to find out when I get my SCBWI updated magazine the editors I have sent to are gone, downsized, no longer in the publishing business. I was shocked. In some cases even their imprints were no longer in print. I showed my husband what was happening and he urged me to self-publish, which is exactly what I did.

Since my decision to self-publish I haven't looked back. I have four books out with six stories in print. I have a Super-sized Rodger Dodger Dog that travels with me to school appearances. I have three smaller Rodger Dodgers who travel around the world promoting reading. They get shipped to host families who in turn take pictures of him and write in his journal. They post the pictures on his Facebook fan page. Rodger has been across the U.S., to the Great Wall of China and Costa Rica. He will be leaving for Lochlelly Scotland shortly. Rodger Dodger Dog is the mascot for The Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County, Florida. He has his own theme song and he was invited up to Best Friends Pet Care at Walt Disney World to shoot a YouTube video for them. They actually read his books to their guests!

What is next for Rodger? Because the stories run like movies in my head I have written two screenplays for The Adventures of Rodger Dodger Dog TV Cartoon series. With 20 stories and counting, I can certainly fill at least one season or more.

I of course plan on publishing several more books.

When other writers tell me I have done everything wrong, self-publishing, getting an illustrator, etc. I just smile and tell them I know but it's how I get things done. I would still be sitting here with a box of manuscripts instead of a heart filled with wonderful memories.

Spotlight Natasha and Gretchen: World of Ink Tours

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Author Spotlight for my guests, Natasha Yim and Gretchen Maurer. Read a few tidbits about these children's authors and what life is like to be a writer.

It's rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a day job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you've had in your life? Have they influenced/inspired your writing?

Natasha: My day job is being a full-time Mom. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be home with my kids. Now that they’re in school at least part of the time (My son is in a half-day kindergarten), I can have larger chunks of writing time. But prior to kids, I worked as a counselor/social worker in group homes, foster homes, residential treatment centers, and finally with child protective services. Because I worked with kids, it gave me an insight into how kids thought and felt. The way kids perceive the world, their imaginations and creativity is always an inspiration. One of these days, I’d like to write either a book about the life of a social worker or foster kids and what they have to go through.

Gretchen: My main job is taking care of my family, and I’m glad I get to do it. I have 3 kids at 3 different schools rignt now, and life gets busy! Up until a few years ago, when I started to give more time to my writing, I also held various jobs in education: high school and college English teacher and teacher mentor. I worked full-time outside the home before my kids were born, and after that, part-time … and now instead of working part-time outside the home, I write most mornings. I feel thankful I have my family’s support and that we can swing it, at least for now. Teaching English has definitely helped my writing, because it’s forced me think about what makes good writing effective—what works, and why.

Can you share some writing experiences with us?

Natasha: The path to publication can be agonizingly long and the road from Point A to Point B is often NOT a straight line. My first book, Otto’s Rainy Day, was fairly straightforward. I submitted the manuscript unsolicited to Charlesbridge Publishing. It was the one and only house I submitted this story to. They took a year to make a decision on it, but decided to acquire the manuscript. We had to wait a year to sign the illustrator as she was busy with other contracts. It was finally published 3 years after I signed the contract. A long road, but a fairly positive experience. Charlesbridge Publishing just offered me a contract on my picture book, Goldy Luck and the Three Chans. This one took quite a torturous and circuitous route to publishing. I had submitted the manuscript unsolicited to Tricycle Press in 1996. It went through 3 editors, as the editors kept leaving the company. There were long lapses when I had no communication whatsoever—the last editor who had the manuscript went on emergency maternity leave and the manuscript was left in limbo; it was lost once, and I had to send another copy. Finally, in Aug. 2010, after 3 and a half years with Tricycle, the editor gave me the good news that they wanted to acquire it. I wasn’t represented by an agent then, so I had to do a lot of research into publishing contracts and negotiated my own contract. A few days after I signed it and sent it back, Tricycle Press’ parent organization, Random House, decided to close Tricycle. Most of the books on their list, including mine, were sadly orphaned. It was very discouraging. I sent the book back out to my former publisher, Charlesbridge Publishing. They don’t do a lot of folk tales or fairy tales, so I wasn’t holding out much hope that it’d find success there. My former editor Yolanda Scott had encouraged me to send it to her though because she thought the multi-cultural aspect interesting. In March 2011, I received an email from editor Alyssa Pusey. She really liked the story. Several rounds of revisions later, it was taken to acquisitions, but the Marketing Department wasn’t sure whether Charlesbridge should publish a fractured fairy tale as it would be a departure from what they normally publish. They decided to table any decisions on Goldy Luck till the fall. Yet another delay! But at least it wasn’t a rejection. By this time, I had an agent, Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary Agency. Over the summer, we re-submitted the manuscript to several other publishers. It garnered 2 rejections, and we did not hear back from the others. Finally, in October 2011 (specifically, Oct. 5 at 8:30 am.—you tend to remember these things!), Karen called me and said Charlesbridge is offering me a contract on Goldy Luck and the Three Chans. It has been a very long road for this story, and I’d like to tell those writing and aspiring to publish: Never Give up. Keep working on your manuscript and your craft, and your manuscript will find a home.

Gretchen: I attended college between 1984 & 1988. I was thinking the other day after Steve Jobs passed away how strange it is to think that I didn’t use a computer the first two years of college. No one I knew had a laptop, and even though my university probably had a computer lab, I don’t remember using it until my junior year. My parents gave me an electric typewriter for high school graduation, and I though it was just the coolest thing. (It has built in eraser tape! Check it out!) When I’d draft a paper, I’d use scissors to literally cut chunks of my paper out, move things around, and tape or paste the chunks onto other parts: I needed more than the eraser tape, that’s for sure. It ended up looking like a crazy snowflake. The last two years of college I used the computer lab, but in order to cut and paste and move text around, I had to key in F-commands, which was clumsy. So you can’t imagine how excited I was when, three years out of college, I brought my first Apple II E home. (My own little writing robot! It cuts and pastes like magic!) And then along came the internet …

Tell us briefly about your book and what you feel is the most important topic/sub-message you share.

Natasha: Cixi, The Dragon Empress is one of six books (all written by different authors) in Goosebottom Books’ series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames. The series profiles six women in history who have earned dastardly reputations. Cixi was the last empress of China who rose from the ranks of a lowly concubine to become ruler of a nation. As with all the dastardly dames, she was a woman who wielded great power at a time when women had very little say at all. She was vilified for many things from stealing funds from the imperial navy to support her extravagant tastes to poisoining rivals. But was she truly evil or merely misunderstood? Would she still have attained this reputation if she had been a man? In addition to telling her fascinating story, the book (as are all the books in the series) is filled with cultural and historical details of the time in which Cixi lived. And it poses the question: did she deserve her dastardly nickname? And begs kids to consider the long-lasting effects and consequences of name-calling.

Gretchen: I was happy to get my first choice, Mary Tudor, the first reigning queen of England, out of the 6 dames the publisher of Goosebottom Books planned to feature in her series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames. I chose Mary Tudor because to me her nickname, “Bloody Mary”, was the most brutal-sounding out of the 6, and I wanted to find out more about why and how she earned it, and whether or not she deserved it. I wanted to know if she did anything good, too, what her childhood ws like, and who she was as a person. I dug into my research and wrote a boiled down version of the fascinating stuff I learned, which, once edited and put into book form, became Mary Tudor “Bloody Mary”. It’s definitely a book that makes you think. I believe it’s important for girls to read books about powerful women in history, books that really flesh out their lives and explore the social/political times in which they lived. A lot of children’s books have been published about influential men in history, but not as many about women.

Like all authors you have had your fair share of rejection letters. You obviously did not let the letters deter you. How did you keep your determination without getting discouraged?

Natasha: I’ve been at the writing and publishing business for awhile, and what you learn along the way is that it’s okay to feel the sting of rejection—it’s part of the process—but if you let it derail you from your goal or vision, publishing that manuscript becomes so much harder. So let yourself grief briefly, and then pick your ego back up, and re-submit that manuscript elsewhere. And realize that it’s not personal. Editors have different tastes, just as writers and readers do. It’s a very subjective business. Goldy Luck and the Three Chans received countless rejections, but editors from Tricycle Press and Charlesbridge liked it enough to offer me a contract. You may get dozens of rejections (and many famous successful authors have) before that sale, but all it takes is that one editor who likes it. I have an agent now, but when I was submitting manuscripts on my own, I would stagger the submissions. I’d send 3 or 4 out at a time, then another stack a week or two later. That way, when a rejection came in, there were other manuscripts making the submission round out there and there was always hope.

Gretchen: I do get discouraged sometimes, and I know there are no guarentees, but thankfully I’m addicted to the writing process, so I never get overly discouraged. I shoot for the outcome of getting published, but I don’t focus on it. I focus on getting stuff on paper and improving my writing. As far as rejections go, I keep them in a file, because they remind me that I’m trying. It’s like having scars I’m strangley proud of: “I got that scar when …” When I get a rejection, I lob the manuscript right back out into the world. I think of it as a game of tennis: when the ball bounces back, I swing, hit it back over the net … and hopefully, ulitmately, I’ll score.

It is always fun to read about and learn from other children's authors. I hope you have enjoyed learning something new about these fine writers.

For more information or to follow their stops on the World of Ink Tour check this out:

You can find out more about Natasha Yim and Gretchen Maurer’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/YimandMaurer.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with Yim and Maurer, along with the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions.

In addition, come listen to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. The hosts VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Chirstopherson and Irene Roth will be chatting with Natasha Yim and Gretchen Maurer about their books, writing, the publishing industry and experiences with virtual tours. Yim and Maurer will also be sharing writing tips and trials, and tribulations of the writer’s life. The show will be live November 14, 2011 at 2pm EST

Writing Picture Books: Welcome to Writing Picture Books - A Group of Cri...

2011-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Writing Picture Books: Welcome to Writing Picture Books - A Group of Cri...: Welcome to our site. We are a group of writers who love to write picture books. We are also part of a closed critique group for picture b...

Picture Book Ideas... Fifteen Days and Counting

2011-11-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

PiBoIdMo is well underway and if you have been following the blogs and Facebook, you know that most of us have been successful at finding some neat ideas. Now that we are approaching the middle of the month the idea river might be dwindling.

Here are a few thoughts on keeping the well from running dry.

Grab ideas from a totally different topic pool. If you love writing about animals as main characters, try switching it out to biography ideas about animal trainers. Pick a nonfiction topic if you most often write fiction and do the same if your ideas tend to be mostly nonfiction, then choose a crazy loony fiction topic.
Planes, trains, and automobiles....biographies, histories, counting books, how to books, games, any topic with these vehicles that will grab the interest of male readers.
Interested in weather? How about how to make a rain collection device, monitor and track the temperatures on graphs, what makes a tornado so devastating, and the list goes on. Find a twist on weather that hasn't been overdone and run with it.
Cultural diversity is a big topic and has thousands of twists and turns that a story idea could develop from. Ancient history of a culture, folktales retold, holiday celebrations, being bullied because of ethnic background, fears, teen traditions including marriage choices, and again the list goes on.

With 15 more days to go, you may have to dig deeper for your ideas. Look around, read the news, or visit your librarian. New ideas are everywhere. See what you can find.

Twelve Big Blog Booboos by Award winning author Carolyn Howard-Johnson

2011-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to have a guest post today by talented author Carolyn Howard-Johnson. She is the author of The Frugal Book Promoter among other great titles. Her post today is for blogger-authors and offers great ideas for making your blog shine. I appreciate her time and I know you will enjoy this post. It will also get you thinking about how to improve your blog. What a great way to start off the week.

TWELVE Big Blog Booboos

Or How to Make Your Blogging Efforts a Big Waste of Time

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Blogging is easy. Blogging is fun. That's both good and bad. The downside is that the ease and fun of it often obscure the need to take it seriously enough to make it worth an author's time.

I often coach authors with their blogging projects. To look at their blogs, you might think these are rules they are following, when they should be doing just the opposite.

1. Never type “labels” or keywords into that little window-like form located under your blog post window. It's just an extra step and it certainly doesn't feel creative!

2. Treat your blog like a diary. Talk about anything that occurs to you. To heck with focusing so you can attract a following.

3. Oh, sure. Spend a lot of money getting someone to design your blog page. No one cares what you have to say. Everyone is there for the artistic experience.

4. Bury your blog on the most obscure service you can find and never, never use Real Simple Syndication (RSS Feeds) to send it anywhere else.

5. Choose a blog service that assures you it plans to censure and censor what you write. (Wordpress is one of those.)

6. Forget you have a voice. Keep your blog sounding like the driest text you ever read. Hey, write it just like a business letter or one of your hated high school assignments.

7. Don’t encourage comments. Turn off the comment button. Never ask a question.

8. Don't ever get any new ideas from someone else. Don’t read. Don’t invite guest bloggers. Don’t link to others’ blogs.

9. Don't ever leave comments on anyone else’s blogs—especially if they relate to yours. And don’t ever leave a link when you do. Or sign your post. In other words, forget all the manners your mother taught you.

10.Don’t add images, widgets, or ads. We don’t care if our readers get a visual. And we certainly don’t care if we ever make a little money from our blogs.

11.Don’t use a service like Google’s Analytics that will help you assess where your readers are coming from and which of your blogs attract the most readers.

12.Don’t ever, ever, ever mention any of the other things you do on the Web, like your Web site, your Facebook Like page, and your Twitter stream.

13.A baker’s dozen bonus here! Don’t read what Phyllis Zimbler Miller and I have written on blogging for fiction writers (http://www.fictionmarketing.blogspot.com/). Whatever you do, don’t! And don’t read all the blogging and other tried and true (tried by me!) promotion tips in The Frugal Book Promoter (http://www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo). Instead flail around on the web in hundreds of different places collecting tips from people with little or no experience.

Effective blogging involves others--writers, readers, and other bloggers. Effective blogging connects with your other online entities. You can have fun with it. You should have fun with it. But blogging effectively adds to the joy. Think of how much more fun it will be when you look at those stats and see that your blogging efforts are in fact a viable way to market your book.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of Your Blog, Your Business (www.budurl.com/Blogging4Retailers), and a new edition of the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (http://budurl.com/FrugalBkProm o.com) which has been Expanded! Updated! And is now a USA Book News winner in its own right! Follow her resources for writers at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo and, of course!, her blog at http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/