Friday, April 29, 2011

2011 Writing Goals - How do you Stay on Track?


In my April/May 2011 Write What Inspires You Newsletter I shared my feelings about the renewal of spring and how I am staying on track with my 2011 writing goals. And to get the conversation going, I'm reprinting it below:

"I always consider spring a time of renewal and the opportunity to give the house a good old thorough cleaning after the long winter. This year I also took the time out to reorganize my office and to re-evaluate my writing goals set at the end of 2010 before 2011 kicked off. By doing such I gave myself kudos for what I accomplished in the first quarter of 2011 and did not beat myself up for what I didn’t get to. With the guidance of Suzanne Lieurance at the Working Writers’ Club I rolled over what I still wanted to achieve and let go of scheduling too much in one day. So far this is working for the second quarter of 2011 now that April is almost behind us."


I'd enjoy hearing what’s going on in your writing world and what adjustments (if any) have you made to make sure you achieve your 2011 goals.

I am looking forward to a lively conversation.


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

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Celebrate Children's Book Week and Visit with Exhilirating Children's Authors


In celebration of Children's Book Week - May 2-8, 2011 I am featuring several different children's authors through book reviews and interviews. To add to the enjoyment of getting to know your favorite children's author certain stops will feature a Book Giveaway Contest.

Monday, May 2nd - Interview - Cheryl Malandrinos author of Little Shepherd

Tuesday, May 3rd - Interview - Bill Kirk, multi-published author

Wednesday, May 4th - Interview - Dixie Phillips author of Stilts the Stork

Thursday, May 5th - Interview - Nancy Stewart author of One Pelican at a Time, A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill

Friday, May 6th - Book Review - One Pelican at a Time, A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill by Nancy Stewart

Saturday, May 7th - Book Review - Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind by Margot Finke

Sunday, May 8th - Book Review - Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure

Please be sure to leave your comments or questions for my guest authors.

Thank you for your time and interest.

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

Sunday, April 24, 2011

An Easter Prayer


Easter Prayer



God our Father,

by raising Christ your Son

you conquered the power of death

and opened for us the way to eternal life.

Let our celebration today raise us up

and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Golden Pathway announced as a Global eBook Awards Nominee!


The nominations are in for the Global eBook Awards and I'm thrilled to share with you that The Golden Pathway has made the Children's Picture Books Fiction nomination list!!

My heartfelt best wishes to fellow nominees:

One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart

and

Sully's Topsy Tale by Donna Shepherd

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


Monday, April 11, 2011

Interview with Donna McDine by Maggie Ball


Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, and this is reprint of an original interview by Maggie Ball at http://magdalenaball.blogspot.com/.   
What made you set up Dynamic Media Release Services?

As I progressed in my writing career I started to learn the importance of marketing and what it entailed and one of the crucial components is writing an effective media release. As time went by one of the most voiced frustrations of authors was finding the time to market themselves and their books all the while still finding the time to write. A light bulb went off after spending a year at the Stories for Children Magazine as the marketing manager and realized this was the time to create this valuable service to others.
Why is writing a good release important?

Like blogging, developing a noteworthy and catchy title is instrumental in grabbing your reader’s attention. We live in such a high paced society many people scan the headlines first before sinking into the meat of an article. Very much like hooking an editor or publisher with a terrific opening line to your manuscript. Getting to the point quickly and not putting too much fluff into a media release is essential so you don’t loss the attention of the reader from the onset.

What can you offer that individuals will find difficult to do themselves?

Since I am an author myself I know how difficult it is to edit out my own words. However, creating and editing another writer’s promotional material works for me with a fresh pair of eyes. Not being married to someone else’s words like my own makes this process flow quite simply.
Talk to me a bit about the process you go through for each person who uses your services.

Once initial contact is made I request the author to send me the following:

· Book Sell Sheet

· Synopsis

· Book Reviews

· Bio

While reviewing the documents I take notes to ask the client and depending on the client the next exchange of information is either conducted via email or telephone. It is completely up to the client what is more comfortable for them. Afterwards I write-up the draft media release and submit to the client for review. Upon approval by the client I submit the media release to various online media release sites. Once the email confirmations are received I forward to the client for their verification of posting and links. I also encourage the client to utilize their new media release in their online and print media kits and to distribute to their networks.

What is your ideal market?

I primarily work with children’s book authors at this time and I’m open to working with different types of clients.

Maggie, thank you for taking the time out to interview me, I look forward to interacting with your visitors.
If you're interested in learning more about Donna visit:

Donna’s Website: http://www.donnamcdine.com

Write What Inspires You Blog: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/

The Golden Pathway Blog: http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/

Write What Inspires You! Free newsletter: http://www.donnamcdine.com/ and receive a free e-book “Write What Inspires You Author Interviews”

Don't have time to write and post your media releases? Contact:Dynamic Media Release Services: http://www.donnamcdine.com/dynamicmediareleases.html

Visit Maggie Ball at http://magdalenaball.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

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mother’s Day Special - $100 off the National Writing for Children Center’s Author Showcase in May for Books about Mothers & Children


M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Suzanne Lieurance
Email: suzannelieurance@hotmail.com
Website: http://writingforchildrencenter.com/

Mother’s Day Special - $100 off the National Writing for Children Center’s Author Showcase in May for Books about Mothers & Children


 
Are you a mama author and have a children’s book to promote? Does your children's book feature mothers or mothers and children? If so, the National Writing for Children Center would like to include your book in its Mother's Day Showcase, and the Center has a special offer for you...

 
Suzanne Lieurance, Founder and Director of the National Writing for Children Center is offering $100 off the Author Showcase fee for the Month of May to children's authors whose books deal with mothers or mothers and their children. Take the pressure off and let us step in for the month of May and implement our 11-step marketing plan for you. The showcase will help get the word out about your new children's book through reviews, a virtual book tour, a radio interview, and a host of other promotional events that we carefully orchestrate. Here is what is included when an author or illustrator signs up to be showcased: 

A 30-minute one-on-one interview on Book Bites for Kids

A written review of the author’s book by one of the NWFCC staff reviewers

A display of the author’s book trailer (if one is available) in the “Featured Trailers of the Month” section at the NWFCC

The author’s bio in the “Meet the Author” section of the showcase

Two media releases written and distributed to promote the author’s guest spot on Book Bites for Kids and his 6-day virtual book tour

If the author makes school visits and/or is available to speak at writer’s conferences and workshops, the author will be included in the Speakers Bureau at the NWFCC

Promotion of the author’s upcoming appearance on Book Bites for Kids and his showcase at the NWFCC – through various social networking sites – like Facebook, Twitter, etc.

A blurb about the author’s book – with announcement of his/her appearance on Book Bites for Kids and his inclusion in the showcase – will run in the NWFCC’s weekly newsletter

The author’s book can be offered in the “Weekly Book Giveaway” at the NWFCC

The author’s book will be included in the online bookstore at the National Writing for Children Center

 
A 6-day virtual book tour where the author/illustrator will be the guest each day for 6 days at a different blog hosted by a fellow children’s writer Complete details on the above book promotion points can be found at http://writingforchildrencenter.com/showcase-application/.

 
The National Writing for Children Center receives over 12,000 visitors every month and its radio show, Book Bites for Kids, has over 84,000 listeners. What better way to make your special book announcement than through the National Writing for Children Center’s author showcase? There is huge interest in the National Writing for Children Center and Book Bites for Kids. And momentum continues to build daily.

Visit the National Writing for Children Center http://writingforchildrencenter.com/showcase-application/ and learn all about the 11 points that make the National Writing for Children Center’s author showcase an amazing book marketing opportunity - or email Suzanne Lieurance for more information at suzannelieurance@hotmail.com.

 
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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

Monday, April 4, 2011

Spring Rejuvenates the Soul: Get Healthy with the Guardian Angel Kids April 2011 Issue


M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine
Email: submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com
Website: http://guardian-angel-kids.com/

For Immediate Release

Spring Rejuvenates the Soul: Get Healthy with the Guardian Angel Kids April 2011 Issue

Spring is beginning to awaken and what better time to get your body moving and grooving then through the April 2011 issue of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine. Healthy living and eating is always important to one’s well being for both mind and body so come along and spring on over to Guardian Angel Kids and find out what is in store for you this month http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/.  

Without further ado we invite you to come explore the April 2011 issue of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/ through poetry, short stories, non-fiction, and a parent/teacher article. To add to your child’s learning enjoyment be sure to partake in the interactive activities, games, and videos.

FEATURED BOOKS:

Ouch! Sunburn, by Donna J. Shepherd’s snappy rhymes along with the 15 colorful and fun illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier helps children see the need to protect their skin in the sun.

Sarah’s Socks My World of Autism, by Litsa Kamateros and Nia Morfonios. Sarah has autism and hates socks. Thanks to an understanding teacher and her helpful classmates she is better able to cope...until she's asked to wear socks.

CHILDREN POETRY, STORIES, AND ARTICLES:

“The Runner,” by Debra Mayhew provides insights to what makes a runner tick.

“Does Noah Wash His Hands,” by Connie Arnold – the day in the life of a young boy.

“The Sleepover,” by Jennifer Gladen – the biggest spoiler of all, a cold before a sleepover. Jack Foster brings to life with his delightful illustration the fun of a girl’s sleepover.

“Finding Ideas,” by Cathy C. Hall – inspiration can be found in the ideas around us. We need to take the time to notice the simplicity of life around us. Samantha Bell’s charming illustration catches the essence of the imagination.

“Yum in the Tum,” by Jennifer Buchet - your mouth will water with these delicious and healthy recipes for the young and old to enjoy.

“Teach Your Child to Eat Healthy,” by Jacqueline Seewald – important tips to guide you to a healthy way of eating not only for your child, but for the whole family.

We look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

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Full Media Kit and more are available upon request electronically.


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