I'm so excited! I just found out that I've been chosen to be a mentor at the 1st annual Mount Hermon Christian Headstart Mentoring Clinic
April 1-3, 2009
The Mount Hermon Writing Conference has done so much for me...if you go to one conference next year. Make it this one! More info, here!
Headstart Mentoring Clinic Combines with Mount Hermon's 40th Annual Writers ConferenceFor 39 years, Mount Hermon has created an exhilarating laboratory for training writers, whether unpublished or professional and this year has become the only place that offers help to writers at three stages:
Now we Offer You:
1) The Headstart Mentoring Clinic immediately before the spring Writers Conference for the beginning writer (application required), providing 100 percent takeaway through small group critiquing and one-on-one mentoring.
2) The Spring Writers Conference for all levels of writing proficiency, providing a wonderful overview to writing, editing and publishing (including a mentoring track with personalized attention to the intermediate writer who knows where he/she wants to go--application required).
3) The Professional Track during Spring Writers Conference providing seasoned veterans with new motivation and challenges.
Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center
PO Box 413
Mount Hermon, CA 95041
831-430-1238
www.mounthermon.org/writers
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Advice for Novelists (Part 49)
C.J. Darlington, co-founder of TitleTrakk, is running a great series on her blog: She started a series of blog posts in which industry professionals (editors, agents, publicists, authors, etc.) share their responses to this question:
"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Sigmund Brouwer's to-the-point response:
Never, ever, ever, ever quit.
--Sigmund Brouwer, author of Broken Angel and over a dozen other novels for adults plus many more for teens and kids. Visit his website here.
"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Sigmund Brouwer's to-the-point response: Never, ever, ever, ever quit.
--Sigmund Brouwer, author of Broken Angel and over a dozen other novels for adults plus many more for teens and kids. Visit his website here.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
You've Got Books!
Did you know…you can receive excerpts of the books featured on You’ve Got Books! directly in your inbox? When you subscribe to Feedblitz, each time a new book is added to the book club, the update will be sent to you in an email.
Sign up through the Feedblitz box on the You’ve Got Books! websites.
http://www.christianauthorsnetwork.com/
Sign up through the Feedblitz box on the You’ve Got Books! websites.
http://www.christianauthorsnetwork.com/
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Great Advice from Terry Whalin
Branding Or Waste of Time
By W. Terry Whalin
Each of us have one commodity that we can't renew called time. For each additional task we add to our lives, we have to remove or let go of something else. I understand that's not very profound but I have people ask me these questions about whether to launch a website or not. Or they wonder if they should blog or not. Some of them have tried a blog and given up after a short amount of time.
Into this sphere of thinking comes something called Twitter. You have 140 characters to answer the simple question, "What are you doing now?" And you may wonder, "Does anyone care?" The answer may surprise you.
I've been reading about Twit ter for several months. Mike Hyatt at Thomas Nelson wrote an excellent post, The Beginner's Guide to Twitter. Earlier he wrote 12 reasons to Start Twittering. Also notice what he wrote in this post about experiencing a social media that almost a million people are using and it's free. Admittedly it is down from time to time but that's what happens when you are using these free tools (so be aware of it and while you can complain, it does little good).
In the last week, I've started to use Twitter and >here's my profile. I'm still learning how to use it (and I'm spending minimal amount of time on it).
Like blogging and other public forums, you have to use Twitter with an intention. For example, if you look at my profile, you will notice that I've changed the settings and template to highlight my Book Proposals That Sell. It was simple to change. I've been following several people and the people who are using it effectively have "branded" their appearance. These same people are using twitter as a way to inform people about something specific.
I do not have it figured out and it might be something to experiment with for a season then let go--like some people have let go of their blog. I do not have a large following on Twitter but I have a growing following and it's been fun to watch.
I was fascinated with the response of Internet Marketing Expert Joel Comm. When I started to "follow" Joel (something you do in Twitter), he wrote that because I was following him, he would follow me. His twitter posts have been interesting to read.
I've been following Michael Hyatt on Twitter and it was fascinating that he went through airport security this week with Vice President Al Gore. Mike introduced himself to the former Vice President. It was an exchange that I would not have been able to know about except through Mike's Twitters.
While many people think that I'm high tech, I do not read my email on my cell phone or have it connected to the Internet. It means if I'm going to Twitter, it will have to be when I am sitting at my computer--and no other time.
Here's a couple of other links to read about Twitter. David Hobson suggests that one of the ways you build a following on Twitter is to consistently deliver good content. That makes sense. Here's an analysis of the people on Twitter with large followings and they have built their following other places. Here's another good post about growing a Twitter following--and once again they are building value in their content.
I suggest you try Twitter and see what you can learn from it as another communication tool. Follow a few people and see how they use twitter and note what you can learn from it. Twitter can be one more tool in your marketing arsenal so you extend your brand or it could be a complete waste of time. The use and control is in your hands.
By W. Terry Whalin
Each of us have one commodity that we can't renew called time. For each additional task we add to our lives, we have to remove or let go of something else. I understand that's not very profound but I have people ask me these questions about whether to launch a website or not. Or they wonder if they should blog or not. Some of them have tried a blog and given up after a short amount of time.
Into this sphere of thinking comes something called Twitter. You have 140 characters to answer the simple question, "What are you doing now?" And you may wonder, "Does anyone care?" The answer may surprise you.
I've been reading about Twit ter for several months. Mike Hyatt at Thomas Nelson wrote an excellent post, The Beginner's Guide to Twitter. Earlier he wrote 12 reasons to Start Twittering. Also notice what he wrote in this post about experiencing a social media that almost a million people are using and it's free. Admittedly it is down from time to time but that's what happens when you are using these free tools (so be aware of it and while you can complain, it does little good).
In the last week, I've started to use Twitter and >here's my profile. I'm still learning how to use it (and I'm spending minimal amount of time on it).
Like blogging and other public forums, you have to use Twitter with an intention. For example, if you look at my profile, you will notice that I've changed the settings and template to highlight my Book Proposals That Sell. It was simple to change. I've been following several people and the people who are using it effectively have "branded" their appearance. These same people are using twitter as a way to inform people about something specific.
I do not have it figured out and it might be something to experiment with for a season then let go--like some people have let go of their blog. I do not have a large following on Twitter but I have a growing following and it's been fun to watch.
I was fascinated with the response of Internet Marketing Expert Joel Comm. When I started to "follow" Joel (something you do in Twitter), he wrote that because I was following him, he would follow me. His twitter posts have been interesting to read.
I've been following Michael Hyatt on Twitter and it was fascinating that he went through airport security this week with Vice President Al Gore. Mike introduced himself to the former Vice President. It was an exchange that I would not have been able to know about except through Mike's Twitters.
While many people think that I'm high tech, I do not read my email on my cell phone or have it connected to the Internet. It means if I'm going to Twitter, it will have to be when I am sitting at my computer--and no other time.
Here's a couple of other links to read about Twitter. David Hobson suggests that one of the ways you build a following on Twitter is to consistently deliver good content. That makes sense. Here's an analysis of the people on Twitter with large followings and they have built their following other places. Here's another good post about growing a Twitter following--and once again they are building value in their content.
I suggest you try Twitter and see what you can learn from it as another communication tool. Follow a few people and see how they use twitter and note what you can learn from it. Twitter can be one more tool in your marketing arsenal so you extend your brand or it could be a complete waste of time. The use and control is in your hands.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Advice for Novelists (Part 48)
C.J. Darlington, co-founder of TitleTrakk, is running a great series on her blog: She started a series of blog posts in which industry professionals (editors, agents, publicists, authors, etc.) share their responses to this question:
"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Randy Singer's response: Write for the audience of one. It sounds cliche, but the challenge comes when we start thinking "What does the market want?", "What does my editor want?", "What are people going to say about this book?" If we write the story we think God’s given us, that’s our best story.
The story you can’t stop thinking about, the one you daydream about, that’s the story God’s given you. It’s the characters you love, the story that just flows out of you. Our best writing occurs when we aren’t under contract deadline, we don’t have to produce, we’re just producing because we love the story and we love the characters. My whole life is boiled down to this issue of enthusiasm and passion and loving what you’re doing, working hard in that sweet spot of where your gifts and your interests intersect.
--Randy Singer, novelist, lawyer, pastor. His latest novel By Reason of Insanity has just released. Visit him online at his website.
"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Randy Singer's response: Write for the audience of one. It sounds cliche, but the challenge comes when we start thinking "What does the market want?", "What does my editor want?", "What are people going to say about this book?" If we write the story we think God’s given us, that’s our best story.
The story you can’t stop thinking about, the one you daydream about, that’s the story God’s given you. It’s the characters you love, the story that just flows out of you. Our best writing occurs when we aren’t under contract deadline, we don’t have to produce, we’re just producing because we love the story and we love the characters. My whole life is boiled down to this issue of enthusiasm and passion and loving what you’re doing, working hard in that sweet spot of where your gifts and your interests intersect.
--Randy Singer, novelist, lawyer, pastor. His latest novel By Reason of Insanity has just released. Visit him online at his website.
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Writing Spa
Great new Writing Mentoring website by author Mary DeMuth!
Need help along the publishing journey?
Need a book mentor?
Author and writing mentor Mary DeMuth has walked the road to publication. An accomplished nonfiction freelancer and novelist, Mary understands the twists and turns of the publishing industry. She’s passionate about the writing craft, savvy about marketing, and thrilled to help writers get to the next step in their writing journeys. If you’re looking for that next boost in your writing career; if you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to go forward, register now for a trip to The Writing Spa.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Help an author out!
Author Christy Barritt needs your help! She's the author of fun and well-written Squeaky Clean Mystery Series!
Check them out here!
A message from Christy:
Hey influencers, friends, and readers!
I just got word from my publisher that better sales numbers are needed if the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series is to continue. The thought of not being able to finish Gabby's story with the third and final book in the series, Organized Grime, makes me incredibly sad. Most of us know that the publishing world can be tough, and apparently the Christian publishing world hasn't quite embraced Christian mysteries yet (that's what the sources tell me, at least!). My only hope of finishing this series is if sales numbers of Hazardous Duty and Suspicious Minds increase by Spring.
That's why I'm writing you! I'm sponsoring a contest called "Help Save the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series."
The premise is easy: send me an email, using the contest name as the subject, and tell me what you've been doing to spread the word about Hazardous Duty and Suspicious Minds. The first place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to christianbook.com. Second-place winner will receive a snazzy musical Elvis Christmas ornament and some incredibly cute crime-scene tape bandaids. Third place winner will receive either the ornament or bandaids. Contest deadline is October 15.
I'll be looking for entries that demonstrate you're really trying to spread the word--either through book clubs, blogs, word of mouth, visiting bookstores, etc. If you can tell me about any direct sales due to your efforts, your entry will get special notice. Winners will be announced the first week of November. If anyone is interested, I still have some postage-paid postcards about the books, as well as bookmarks, that I can send you. Just let me know!
Thanks in advance for all you're doing to spread the word about the series.
Blessings!
Christy BarrittReporter ~ Chesapeake Clipper/Virginian-Pilot
http://www.christybarritt.com/
Mysteries that play havoc on the nerves and the funny boneSuspicious Minds: JUST RELEASED Hazardous Duty: Now on shelves!
So help an author out and spread the word and/or pick up a copy of Suspicious Minds for yourself!
Leave a comment telling me what your favorite mystery novel is and I'll enter your name into a drawing for a copy of Suspicious Minds!
Check them out here!
A message from Christy:
Hey influencers, friends, and readers!
I just got word from my publisher that better sales numbers are needed if the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series is to continue. The thought of not being able to finish Gabby's story with the third and final book in the series, Organized Grime, makes me incredibly sad. Most of us know that the publishing world can be tough, and apparently the Christian publishing world hasn't quite embraced Christian mysteries yet (that's what the sources tell me, at least!). My only hope of finishing this series is if sales numbers of Hazardous Duty and Suspicious Minds increase by Spring.
That's why I'm writing you! I'm sponsoring a contest called "Help Save the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series."
The premise is easy: send me an email, using the contest name as the subject, and tell me what you've been doing to spread the word about Hazardous Duty and Suspicious Minds. The first place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to christianbook.com. Second-place winner will receive a snazzy musical Elvis Christmas ornament and some incredibly cute crime-scene tape bandaids. Third place winner will receive either the ornament or bandaids. Contest deadline is October 15.
I'll be looking for entries that demonstrate you're really trying to spread the word--either through book clubs, blogs, word of mouth, visiting bookstores, etc. If you can tell me about any direct sales due to your efforts, your entry will get special notice. Winners will be announced the first week of November. If anyone is interested, I still have some postage-paid postcards about the books, as well as bookmarks, that I can send you. Just let me know!
Thanks in advance for all you're doing to spread the word about the series.
Blessings!
Christy BarrittReporter ~ Chesapeake Clipper/Virginian-Pilot
http://www.christybarritt.com/
Mysteries that play havoc on the nerves and the funny boneSuspicious Minds: JUST RELEASED Hazardous Duty: Now on shelves!
So help an author out and spread the word and/or pick up a copy of Suspicious Minds for yourself!
Leave a comment telling me what your favorite mystery novel is and I'll enter your name into a drawing for a copy of Suspicious Minds!
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