Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Author Suzanne Lieurance Guests on Sound Authors Radio
Listen to this recorded interview on Sound Authors Radio with children's author and writing coach, Suzanne Lieurance.
Lieurance talks about her new book, The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, and what it's like to write historical fiction for children.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Interview with Lea Schizas
The interview is now published on The National Writing for Children Center - http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com
Please stop by, read Lea's remarkable interview, and leave a comment. Included is a wonderful surprise offer.
Friday, April 25, 2008
TRI Studio LLC Announces Winners of the 2008 Out of the Box Promotion Idea Contest for Writers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathe GogolewskiE-Mail: kgogolewski@sbcglobal.net
TRI Studio LLC Announces Winners of the 2008 Out of the Box Promotion Idea Contest for Writers
Judged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
TRI Studio LLC www.tri-studio.com, in cooperation with Authors' Coalition www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com, announces the winners of The 2008 Out of the Box Promotion Contest for Writers in an ebook publishing their winning ideas.
The top winners include promotional experts Janet Elaine Smith, Allyn Evans, Phil Harris and Billie Williams. Ideas range from a Book-of-the-Week Club that partners the publisher and author with an internet radio program, to an Amazon Tour Group, a Video Tour Group, and an idea that allows readers to watch the progress as an author writes a book.
The e-book is available from TRI Studio and Authors' Coalition as a free download. It is also available for free distribution for interested parties to post on their websites.
Winners of the Honorable Mention awards are presented in random order and include authors Mindy P. Lawrence, Dorothea Buckingham, Nikki Leigh, Margot Finke, Karina Fabian and Jessica Kennedy.
The contest was sponsored and created by TRI Studio LLC, producer of The Fiction Flyer, a free ezine for writers of fiction www.tri-studio.com/ezine.html.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson www.carolynhoward-johnson.com, author of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor, judged the contest based on the following criteria:
1) the originality of the idea,
2) The breadth of applicability, and
3) the ease of use.
Says Johnson, "There were some very interesting ideas which made judging extremely difficult." According to Kathe Gogolewski, author and President of TRI Studio LLC, the contest was created as a way to showcase new and interesting promotion ideas by authors and for authors. "We wanted to create a tool to help writers in their craft," she adds.
The ebook, The Winners of The 2008 Out of the Box Promotions Contest for Writers ebook is available for download and distribution here: www.tri-studio.com/outofthebox.html
Interested parties may contact Kathe Gogolewski at kgogolewski@sbcglobal.net or Carolyn Howard-Johnson at hojonews@aol.com.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Google Alerts
Welcome to Google Alerts ~ Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic. Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:
keeping current on a competitor or industry
getting the latest on a celebrity or event
keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams
Monday, April 21, 2008
Book Review ~ The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Written by: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Soft cover: 91 pages
Ages: 8-14
Publisher: Enchanted Self Press
ISBN: 978-0-9798952-0-3
Publication: February 2008
The Truth (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything) is written in diary excerpts through the eyes of a young girl of her daily thoughts and experiences. Frustrated by her parents’ lack of communication skills with one another and with her, she truthfully declares her heartfelt desires for her childhood and future.
“Why do grown-ups fight over stupid things? I don’t get it. Before you know it, everyone’s mood is bad and the day is ruined.”
From the moment you begin to read this book as an adult you will immediately remember what it was like being a young girl and you will find yourself nodding your head in agreement. One of the most important lessons for the young and adult reader to walk away with from this wonderful book is to be true to oneself, have fun, honesty, to treat children’s questions with importance, and to take them seriously.
Dr. Barbara expertly brings you this eye opening and entertaining revelation of the inner most thoughts of one particular young girl on the brink of growing up.
About the author:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, nationally known Positive Psychologist, is the creator of The Enchanted Self, a systematic way of helping bring more joy, meaning, and purpose into our lives. Visit Dr. Holstein at: http://www.enchantedself.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
Guest Author ~ Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Sometimes what inspires me to write is a surge of emotion that left without an outlet might get nasty. For example, when I was in college I was thinking a lot about my aunt who died of cancer when I was thirteen. I never really resolved my feelings of loss. So I wrote a story about her. And it helped. The story is now upstairs in my filing cabinet. I'm not sure who ever read it besides me and perhaps my roommates. But it did seem to help to write it.
Sometimes what inspires me to write is humor, or the irony of a situation. I am related to Miressa Berenson, the actress. We are about the same age. When I was about 35 I saw her in a movie and admired her grace and beauty. In fact, I was so mesmerized I almost expected to look like her in the mirror after the movie. Of course I didn't. But I wrote a very funny short story titled, "Am I my Cousin's Cousin?" In other words, I admired her and would have loved to know her personally. On the other hand, to Miressa I didn't exist. So were we cousins? Writing the story made me somebody! Actually, I sent that story into a few magazines. It was not accepted. It lives in the top little drawer in my dining room now.
Sometimes I write because I have a message that must be conveyed. In fact, that is why I write most of the time now. Ever since I discovered what I call The Enchanted Self inside of women (The Enchanted Self is a capacity for happiness far greater than appreciated or understood by the women herself, or society at large) I have been on a mission. For over 15 years I have lived, breathed and shared The Enchanted Self and have never stopped. My first book appeared 11 years ago, The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy. That book is the first book in Positive Psychology, specifically for women. Also it is a pathfinder book in that it teaches both therapists and clients how to reframe their perceptions of themselves and their personal histories, resulting in focusing on what is right about ourselves rather than what is wrong. Oh, I can just go on and on. But instead I will say that the amount of inspiration behind this book was gigantic. The amount of effort to write the book was also gigantic. And it had to happen. The push was firm and unrelenting. Was it from me, or the great Divine or both? I'd say and believe both. If it were just from me there were many times I think I would have given up. But the push would be there-every day-through good and bad times.
And so, as I said, I'm not going to share all. Let me just finish by saying that the push behind my latest book, which believe it or not, is also about The Enchanted Self in each of us, is just as strong a push. Not only is the 'girl' in the book determined to come to life, but she has already made clear that I'm going to help her grow up through a series of books, of which The Truth, (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) is but the first. How is this book still about The Enchanted Self? It's simple. The 'girl' is struggling with holding on to parts of herself that will allow her to stay true to herself. She finds a way. I hope you will read the book and you'll see how clever her solution is. Anyway, that is what we must all do-find a way to stay true to ourselves. And if we do, we access The Enchanted Self inside of ourselves again and again. And we are happy and we thrive. And that is good!
I'll finish by saying that writing most of my life has paid off. My emotions are healthier and my writings no longer just sit in file cabinets. I have many books to my credit and they are read. And the web has provided a way to reach people around the world. Just last night I discovered that a professor gave a talk titled: “Almost a Religion": Oprah Winfrey, Media Mind Cure and the Enchanted Self I don't have access to the paper yet, but to see my concept travel around the globe and be included in a title with Oprah Winfrey-well it is wonderful and amazing. So listen to your inner voice and feel the push and keep writing. You never know where it will take you or who you will be sharing a title with!"
Monday, April 14, 2008
Book Review ~ Joey Gonzalez, Great American by Tony Robles
Written by: Tony Robles
Illustrated by: Jim Pryor
Hardcover: 42 pages
Ages: 8-12
Publisher: Kids Ahead
ISBN-13: 978-0-976726-93-7
Publication: March 2008
Written in English and Spanish, Tony Robles approaches the subject matter of affirmative action in a thought provoking way for children to understand that their desire to do well in school and in the work force is what will bring them just rewards. And not to rely on the government’s affirmative action policy to get them ahead in society.
Third grader, Joey Gonzalez is excited to start the new school year until his teacher points out to him in her narrow-mindlessness that he is a minority and “a little bit different.” “How can it be that I’m not American?” Joey asks. “Don’t worry, Joey,” said Mrs. Glass. “There’s a special way to help minorities get ahead. It’s affirmative action. Soon, we’ll learn all about it right here in the classroom.”
Joey is confused by the revelations of his teacher and arrives home at the end of the school day visibly upset. He discusses what occurred in school with his mother. And armed with confidence, Joey explains his family heritage to his teacher and classmates the next day at school. Feeling good about themselves, Joey’s friends also take a stand with Mrs. Glass and they proudly tell about their heritages.
Accompanied with beautiful illustrations by Jim Pryor, “Joey Gonzalez, Great American,” is a wonderful story of determination and pride that will surely hold a place in many families’ bookshelves.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Margot Finke ~ Learn to Write Query Letters
Margot Finke presented this workshop and presents different tele-classes the second Thursday of each month. Not only does she provide you with key aspects of the topic, she is quite humorous in her presentation and the hour flies by.
She is an Aussie who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For the past 25 years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Her 6 books series of rhyming picture books are fun and educational. They bring kids closer to many of the neat animals in the US and Australia. Excerpts and illustrations from these books can be viewed at BOOKS page, along with instructions on how to BUY and great reviews.
Take the time out now to visit the Children's Writers' Coaching Club and check out what membership can do for you.
Children's Writers' Coaching Club - Join Today!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Writing for Children Blog Fest
Monday, April 7, 2008
Acceptance - Long Story Short
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Cake Thief, by Sally O. Lee ~ Book Review
Cruise on over to The National Writing for Children Center - http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com and read my book review of "The Cake Thief," by Sally O. Lee. As an added bonus listen to the interview with Sally O. Lee conducted by Suzanne Lieurance.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Book Review
Cruise on over to the National Writing for Children Center and read my book review of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," by Jeff Kinney. Also, take the time out to read all the wonderful writers articles.