Book Promotion and Marketing: I'm Whining - So Sue Me! by Margot Finke

I met children's author, Margot Finke online early on in my writing career and I'm delighted that we have kept our connection through cyber-space. We are on opposite coasts of the United States and it's my desire to one day meet this wonderful Aussie from down under in person some day. Keeping my fingers crossed that at our next Guardian Angel Publishing gathering this will happen. Hey Lynda....hint, hint. Isn't it time for another grand GAP gathering?!

Margot Finke writes rhyming picture books and young teen adventures. She has a Manuscript Critique Service, and her website ( http://www.margotfinke.com ) offers lots of help for writers.


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“I’m Whining – So Sue Me!”

Donna invited me to write a column for Write What Inspires You, and my mind instantly went blank – that ever happen to you? So I am going to do a scatter-shot take on some of the things that I hate about being a published author. WHAT? You think I’m crazy? Who hates being published?

Okay, put away the butterfly nets and relax. I am not frothing at the mouth. Let’s clear up one thing at the get-go – I love writing books for kids. The child in me loves running rampant with ideas, plots, and wacky characters. The sort of stuff I loved when I was a kid. No mates, it’s what happens AFTER the darn thing is written, contracted, and actually published that gets my goat – my cat and my dog too, if truth be told.

There’s one dirty little word that sums it all up. Dare I whisper it? Oh, what the hey! I’ll risk it. . . PROMOTION! Like most children’s writers, I’m still a kid at heart. And kids believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and Leprechauns too – right? So I want a Promotion Fairy, or Guru, or Kingpin I can call on to do all the dreary and time consuming “stuff.” Like constantly updating Facebook, Twitter, Googlex, Linkedin and JacketFlap. Like creating witty, reader grabbing tid-bits that would make my blogs go viral. Like researching on the internet to dig up mountains of possible niche markets for my various books – and then creating sharp Press Releases to send to all those niche markets. And don’t get me started on the time it takes to research and tee up newspaper interviews, school visits, book reviews, and nice bloggers willing to interview me about my books and my writing ideas. I’ll bet even promotion Fairies or Gurus would need a second string of helpers to deal with all this. Am I whining? YOU BET!

I want to spend my time writing new books, or polishing several I have already written. Neglected book files cry out piteously every time I open my PC. As a late bloomer ( that’s code for an older woman whose lush red hair mysteriously went white overnight, and whose mirror warned her, “Don’t even think about that old bikini in the bottom drawer!”), I do not have an infinite amount of time to stun the children of the world with my literary offerings. I love meeting kids and talking to them about books and writing. I get a kick out of book signings in stores. It’s the RESEARCH time needed to tee it all up that has me frustrated and frazzled. And to think a few thousand dollars would BUY me someone to do it all! Sigh. . .

So, with all this wonderful technology we have thrown at us every day, what I want to know is, which techno genius will come up with my Promo Fairy/Guru, first – Bill Gates, Facebook’s Founder, or some new fount of technological wonder? Who’s gonna stop me whining, and make me a happy full time writer once more – for a reasonable fee? And who gets to say what amount is “reasonable?”

I know! I Know! I’m whining again.

Meanwhile, looks like I’m stuck blowing my own trumpet for the coming holiday season.

So, stand back while I BLAST you with my terrific

3x BOOK GIVEAWAY.

+ a BONUS!

EVERYONE who leaves an ANSWER or a COMMENT

also WINS a FREE copy of my fun, eBook adventure for kids.

Leave your comments and answers on Margot’s Magic Carpet http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

If you haven’t read Taconi and Claude just GOOGLE for answers

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And if you’d like to HEAR me READ from Taconi and Claude, link to the VIDEO on YouTube: http://youtu.be/eD8DblIxnHk

http://www.margotfinke.com/  


(Kindle – soft cover – eBook)

These + 8 other books on my website.

Guardian Angel Publishing http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

Margot,

It's been a true pleasure having you join me today. I'm sure many writer's are in the same boat.

All the best,
Donna


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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Book Review: Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind! by Margot Finke

Title: Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind!

Written by: Margot Finke

Illustrated by: K.C. Snider

Soft cover: 18 pages

Ages: 5-12

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Print ISBN 13: 978-1-61633-059-0

eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-60633-060-6

Published: May 2010

Print Price: $10.95

eBook Price: $5.00

Much like “the elephant in the room” and in this case the hippo’s fat behind, no one wants to acknowledge the sudden change in Ruthie’s behavior and what to do about it. Told in perfect rhyme, Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind! explores one child’s woes in moving. Once content and happy, Ruthie becomes unbearable to live with after her family moves clear across the state.
Determined not to accept her new home and surroundings, Ruthie embarks on a downward spiral of rude behavior towards all who cross her path, each day worse than the one before. Until the day an unexpected visitor pays Ruthie a visit. Will Ruthie accept this unconditional love or will she continue to self destruct? Find out today and purchase Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind!
Coupled with a Parent Teacher Guide Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind! provides the perfect opportunity to get our children and/or student’s into a lively discussion of what change means to them and how they’ve handled it and what they can do to make transition easier in the future.

Become mesmerized by Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind! in a cool book trailer @: http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/restbcm8/Book%20Trailers.htm#slide

Author: Margot E. Finke http://www.margotfinke.com/

Illustrations: KC Snider http://www.kcsniderart.com/

Snider is a well known fine artist who regularly shows her work in galleries, as well as known for her book illustrations.

Giveaway Contest: Leave a comment for Ms. Finke and you will be automatically entered at a chance to win one of three FREE PDF copy of Margot’s specially written short adventure story:

"Taconi and Claude's 21st Century Adventure," featuring Taconi, Ruthie and Horatio.

Because of a magical Boab Tree, Taconi and Claude find themselves marooned in the 21st Century. Ruthie and Horatio (2 characters from her other books) join forces to help Taconi and his cockatoo find their way back home to where they belong - the Aussie outback of the 1950's.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

The Writer’s Life with M.E Finke - National Writing for Children Center March Author Showcase

Welcome to day two of M.E. Finke’s 6-day NWFCC March Author Showcase tour and venture into Ms. Finke’s marvelous world of writing.


My writing days used to be packed with, well of course writing! Then there were book signings, school visits and talks to various organizations. Nowadays, due to hip and knee replacement problems, I do most of my book promotions online. Hopefully this will improve in a few months, and I will again be out there hawking my wares.


I converted the old family room, right off our kitchen, into my writing den. My husband made me a large U shaped desk, with cupboards and shelves, drawers and cubbyholes. There is a sofa and chairs, a cozy fire for winter, and big windows that look out onto the back garden. What I love most is the many shelves on the walls that house tender plants over winter. Gro-lux lights keep them blooming - the kinda tropical effect that keeps Oregon winters at bay, while infusing my imagination with “green” new ideas. Love it!


This is where I crouch over my computer after physical therapy torture, and spend most afternoons and early evenings. My husband and I have a deal. I quit at 8pm each night and we spend the evening together. Before that, I am free to lurk on Facebook, Tweet like a canary, and stalk online writing lists with my latest BOOK news.


Linkedin, JacketFlap and ReadersDen are my current stomping grounds. Writing something new is on the back burner at the moment. You have no idea how much time finding and contacting various newspapers, bookstores, and groups that might be interested in one of my books, takes.

Getting a Press Release just right, for a newspaper school or bookstore, is not easy: each one needs something slightly different and personalized. Then there’s bookmarks to design and make, and five blogs to keep fun, current and updated. YIKES!!


I also wrote a fun short story “tease” that introduces Taconi and Claude. It involves an adventure in the 21st Century, along with two troublesome characters from my other books. Readers can WIN a FREE Copy of my mid-grade adventure if their comment is chosen from the site. The short story is “Taconi and Claude’s BIG 2011 Adventure.”


Or - YOUR BOY can WIN his own copy by leaving a comment right here: http://taconiclaude.blogspot.com/.


To keep me out of mischief, I am tweaking my short story “tease” a tad, adding pictures, and turning it into an eBook. After slaving over this wannabe eBook for some time, sweating, tearing my hair, and suspecting I might needed mental therapy as well, it is almost ready to convert into PDF. Of course that will probably tip me completely over the edge. Who knew a simple little eBook could deliver such evil and Machiavellian torment.

Anyway, if we both survive the birth, a FREE copy of the eBook will go to anyone who buys an autographed copy of Taconi and Claude – Double Trouble. And if you aren’t sure your child will like my book, there’s a sample page on my blog: http://taconisample.blogspot.com/.


Follow Day 3 of Ms. Finke's tour tomorrow at http://www.melangeofcultures.wordpress.com/. Leave a comment and your name will automatically be entered to win a Three Angels Gourmet Co mug and a package of Divine Dill Dip Mix - at the end of the month, provided by the National Writing for Children Center.


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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Book Review ~ Taconic & Claude: Double Trouble by M.E. Finke

Title: Taconi & Claude: Double Trouble

Author: M. E. Finke

Soft cover: 104 pages

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. / January 2011

Print ISBN: 978-1-61633-130-6

e-Book ISBN: 978-1-61633-131-3

Price: $8.95

The fear of the unknown sends Taconi’s mind into the darkest corners of his imagination. Will his ever changing life continue to spiral out of control? Finding his one true place while saddling the life as an aboriginal in the Australian outback and then as a Jackaroo in the white man’s world is a constant struggle. With the anticipation of his man ceremony, Taconi fights his inner thoughts to be worthy of his aboriginal customs; all the while, striving to understand his father’s need to become the head cook on the Coorparoo Cattle Station.

The fight for balance becomes quite confusing for young Taconi in his determination not to forget his heritage and accepting the need to live in the white man’s world. Along the way he finds comfort and direction in an unlikely companion, the outspoken Claude the cockatoo. This unlikely and heartwarming friendship is wise beyond their years and will have the reader cheering for Taconi’s one true quest, acceptance. Will Taconi be able to weave customs from both worlds into a comfortable fit?

Author, M.E. Finke expertly brings forth her expertise of the Australian outback in this fast paced fictional story transporting the reader with the perfect blend of description and dialogue. For a deeper understanding of the Australian, author M.E. Finke provides a glossary of Australian terms, which will surely bring out the love of reading to the most reluctant reader.

Taconi & Claude: Double Trouble available at:

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/double-trouble.htm  

http://www.amazon.com/Taconi-Claude-Trouble-M-Finke/dp/1616331305

Visit M.E. Finke at: http://www.margotfinke.com and http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm