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


Hello All...I recently had the privilege of interviewing Lea Schizas, multi-published author and award-winning editor of two Writer’s Digest 101 Top Web Sites.

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

M E D I A R E L E A S E
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


Hi All...I'm sure many of you are aware of Google Alerts, but in case you aren't you can sign up at: http://www.google.com/alerts and set up a Google Alert with the keyword stats that you want sent back to you.
It is very simple to set up. When you go to the page you are greeted with the below and the input prompt box is located on the right hand side.

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:

monitoring a developing news story
keeping current on a competitor or industry
getting the latest on a celebrity or event
keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams
Create an alert with the form on the page: http://www.google.com/alerts

Monday, April 21, 2008

Book Review ~ The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein


Title: The Truth (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything)
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

I'm thrilled to have guest author, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein with me today.
Take a moment to read her guest post as to what inspires her to write. I am sure you will be as enchanted with her post as I am.
Be sure to stop back on Monday, April 21st...when I post my book review of "The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything)".


"Why am I having more trouble with this assignment than most? Is it because I don't usually put into words what inspires me to write? Or is it that I somehow consider private and none of your business what inspires me to write? The product should be enough! And you want to know what goes on behind the scenes also? In my head? In my gut? In the semi-conscious pool of diffuse thoughts and emotions? Oh, alright, I'll be particularly good-natured and try to share some of it.

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


Title: Joey Gonzalez, Great American
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


On Thursday, April 10th I had the opportunity and privilege to attend the tele-class: Learn to Write Query Letters at the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club.

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



Don't fret any longer if you couldn't be part of the The Writing for Children Blog Fest!

Lea Schizas, host of the event has graciously made availabe to you all the valuable information that was posted for writers, readers, and anyone interested in writing for children.

The E-book is 175 pages of writing tips, reading recommendations, author interviews, and much more from a wonderful group of published children's writers.

Send an email to: mailto:dmcdine@optonline.net?subject=TheWritingforChildrenBlogFestEbook and I will forward the E-book to you in .pdf format.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Acceptance - Long Story Short


Hello....please take a moment to check out my recent acceptance of my children's non-fiction story entitled, "Shortening the Gap," at Long Story Short.
Click on non-fiction in the left hand column and then click on "Shortening the Gap."
Also, take the time out to read all the other wonderful articles and stories.

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