Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Writing Across the Curriculum, Creating Teacher's Guides

to Turn a One-subject-related Book into a Multi-curricula Teaching Aid for Supplementing All Subjects

by Elysabeth Eldering

Do you have a topic that is or can be used in the classroom to supplement a specific course of study? If so, how do you get that one topic to be multi-faceted and reach more than one subject? Teacher's guides. It may take a bit of research to get to the point of being cross curriculum, but it can be done.

My series, the Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS) 50-state, mystery, trivia series, is just that. Although my initial intentions were to supplement 4th and 5th grade social studies classes by creating a story that gives the readers more information about the states they never really learned in the classroom, I found that when writing the teacher's guides, I went beyond the social studies curriculum and ended up including science, arts and English Language Arts (ELA).

The teacher's guides don't have to be long to cover a lot of ground. For example, mine are about thirteen pages long and that is with the cover, copyright page, index, and bibliography. So how did I get from just a social studies supplement to include arts, ELA and science in such few pages? Easy. I added discussion/research questions all taken from some of the more historical clues and expanded them out so that the students will actually have to do a little bit of work and write a report or work in groups to come with a display or other creative item on the project. ELA is all about researching, writing, and reporting. This also adds the creative outlet for art projects. Next, I found that one of my clues actually has a science experiment that is widely used in schools across the United States. So, that clue became a science experiment with an explanation of how the experiment works. For fun, I added a puzzle and an end-of-book quiz that can be used for extra credit or can be graded as part of the curriculum. By doing these steps, I have just created a short, across the curriculum teacher's guide.

If you have a topic that can be used in the classrooms and think you are only able to reach one course of study, think about a teacher's guide to supplement the book. See how many subjects you can cover with a short, simple teacher's guide.

Growing up in a military family, Elysabeth lived in Japan, Germany, New York, Kentucky, and Texas before her family finally settled in a small town in South Carolina. Elysabeth, who lives in Honea Path, SC, has put her globetrotting skills to work in the Junior Geography Detective Squad's 50-state mystery trivia series. Published by 4RV Publishing, the series made its debut in summer 2008 with State of Wilderness. The Junior Geography Detective Squad will continue to put their mystery-solving talents to work in each state to challenge young readers on their knowledge of the nation's geography and interesting facts. State of Quarries is next in the line-up. For more check out her blog http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com

Monday, March 30, 2009

Tune Into Our Podcast This Friday for a Discussion of Some Little Stories

Our podcast guest this Friday will be Jeff Roberts, who is the author of the new book Little Stories. This collection of short stories, most of which were written as part his undergraduate course work through the University of Iowa, is packed with the real emotion that all of us have experienced at some point in life. Jeff deals with heartbreak, the death of a loved one, how we react to people who are different from ourselves, and the quest to love and be loved. Each short story offers a snapshot of a person at one crucial moment in his life.

Jeff Roberts has been recently nominated for a William Rockhill Nelson Award, and has been featured in the University of Iowa's Daily Palette. He currently resides with his family in Kansas City, Missouri.

To purchase Little Stories, please visit the Amazon bookstore or Jeff's page at Outskirts Press.

Title of Document: Book Review
Book Title: Little Stories
Author: Jeff Roberts
ISBN Number: 978-1-4327-2727-7
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com
Genre and Target Market: short stories; fiction; relationships
Publication Date: 2008
Book Length in Pages: 101

When I was growing up, my favorite location in the public library was the Biography section. I enjoyed the experience of diving into another person’s life and viewing relationships and world events using a stranger’s unique lens. Always of particular fascination would be diaries through which readers can witness an evolution in thought or perspective from one stage in life to another. Even in writing that is not as bare and personal as a journal, good writers still let us into their worlds through their chosen subjects and expression of emotion. In his new book Little Stories, Jeff Roberts shares a collection of short stories that he wrote during his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa. Each piece offers a look into the fragile human psyche and, at least for this reader, provides an intensely personal reaction to situations of social dynamics that are painfully honest. Roberts offers a glimpse into the worlds of his characters at a specific moment in their lives and does so through such engaging prose that his readers will undoubtedly remember a time when they found themselves in such a situation, or at least would have reacted the same way given the circumstances. When you open up Little Stories, be prepared for an emotional connection with the words on the page.

Roberts shares in some of his marketing material for Little Stories that reviewing the stories to compile for the book caused him both moments in which he cringed and others that brought great pride. I can understand the author’s wide range of emotions, as he reveals so much of himself in each story. Some of the pieces he admits are actual moments from his life, like the miracles of birth and death coming together at a local hospital or the feeling of being “dead inside” immediately following his divorce. Other stories appear to be comprised of fictional characters but who still evoke such emotion that the author seems to pull from a very real and personal place. Regardless of the inspiration for each story, Roberts is magnificent at developing a rich storyline and three-dimensional characters over the span of just a few short pages. He also gives us the opportunity to relive similar episodes from a place in our lives that is hopefully now wiser and more mature. To know that we have survived some of the heart-wrenching moments that Roberts details in his stories is quite gratifying.

One of the most powerful features of Roberts’ writing is the way that he examines the loneliness and insecurity that we often experience even in the most intimate of relationships. This study ranges from a young boy who feels desperately alone as he ponders the consequences of a failing mark on his report card to a husband determined to make his marriage work but instead returns home to a wife who is utterly distant and finding her romantic fulfillment through a computer screen. Whether literally through the text (such as “I never felt so alone” or “alone in this world”) or through the feelings he evokes by more subtle means, Roberts brings us to the conclusion of each story with a reminder that we really are individual entities who may be left alone at any moment. This feeling of isolation is most often not caused by a physical separation, but instead an emotional, sexual, or other manifested divide.

Often times, I will keep a collection of short stories on my nightstand with the intention of reading one selection each evening and therefore progressing slowly through the author’s work. In the case of Little Stories by Jeff Roberts, I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting. Since then, I have reopened the book many times to read certain stories that really spoke to me and I experienced a new detail each time. Little Stories contains raw emotions that never seem contrived or melodramatic, which can often occur in books through which the author is hoping to evoke a certain reaction from the reader. Instead, Roberts displays a great talent for capturing a real sense of human weakness and longing with the respect that these emotions deserve. I know that I am not done reading Little Stories, as it is a collection that can be read again and again. But, I also hope that Jeff Roberts chooses to publish another work that lets us into another stage in his life’s journey. I have no doubt that the result will be just as fascinating.

Is Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Important in the Age of Electronic Devices and Texting?

Here is a hilarious video about leaving comments on blogs.


Sunday, March 29, 2009

If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail!

Most freelance writers don't plan to fail.

They just fail to plan.

Join my Writers on Call Coaching and Marketing Club and get the help you need to create your own plan for a successful freelance writing career.

Every Thursday night, members of the club meet via telephone at 7:00 EDT for a 55-minute group coaching session with up to 4 writers taking the hotseat to have their marketing plans for the week evaluated.

Don't have a marketing plan?

Then you REALLY need Writers on Call. We'll help you create your marketing plan!

Become a member of Writers on Call now and join us Thursday night to get your career on track!

NOTE: When you join my intensive 12-week Writers on Call Coaching Program, you receive membership in Writers on Call FREE for 3 months.

Find out how to join the club here

Friday, March 27, 2009

Writers’ Podcast Will Examine Human Relationships with Self and Others

Writers in the Sky Podcast Guests Share Their New Books Which Focus on How Personality Affects Relationships, Self-Confidence, and Achievements

Nashville, TN, March 21, 2009—Writers in the Sky loves discovering the talents of new authors, especially when their writing provides insight. Wonderful books can entertain and promote self-reflection at the same time. The new releases featured in April’s series of podcast interviews provide such a perfect combination. WITS begins the month with an author who shares a collection of short stories that speak to heartache, new love, and the bonds of family. Next, is a discussion with a specialist in health and stress management who shares how to create a more balanced life. The podcasts continue with a touching new novel that explores the innocent experience of first love from a perspective of respect and humor. Ending the month of April listeners discover a teenage sleuth who teaches the readers about maintaining confidence and strength under the most difficult of circumstances.

On April 3, Sarah Moore will be interviewing Jeff Roberts about his new book entitled Little Stories. This book is a collection of short stories written by Mr. Roberts during his days as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa. The strength of his writing comes from his ability to capture the most heart-wrenching of emotions which most of us will experience at some point in our lives. While written as pieces of fiction, these stories contained within Little Stories read like the personal pages from a journal. The author will be discussing the inspiration he used to capture such raw emotion, his decision to place his student work into a published collection, and why he enjoys the short story format. Please visit the Outskirts Press Web site to learn more about Jeff Roberts and Little Stories.

The following Friday, April 10, will bring us an interview with Jay Greenfeld. He will be discussing his new book, My Choice My Life, which shares methods through which the readers can develop a greater sense of balance in key areas of their lives. The content is geared primarily towards a younger audience, with topics such as choosing healthy relationships, making smart decisions concerning alcohol and drugs, and succeeding in school or at that first job. Instead of simply providing a set of absolute answers, Greenfeld encourages his readers to reflect on their individual situations and use his advice as a springboard to determine solutions that make sense for them. My Choice My Life may be purchased at the Amazon Web site.

The series of interviews continues on April 17 with an author who uses the pen name Storyheart. In his new release, Across the Pond, Storyheart writes a story about the innocence and excitement accompanies first loves. When teenage boy Fred Squire is sent by his parents to visit family friends in America, he never imagined that he would meet the girl of his dreams in the very house in which he was staying. Storyheart allows their romance to unfold with a refreshing level of appropriateness for the age of his characters, but always in a way that is respectful of their genuine emotions. Along the way, he has some fun playing up the cultural and language differences that exist on both sides of the Atlantic. This novel rewards good decisions and the kindness that is displayed between the main characters. Interested readers can purchase Across the Pond at Amazon.

An interview with M. Carol Coffey on April 24 winds up the month as the author discusses her new novel, Zoe Lucky and the Green Gables Mystery. The young heroine of this book has recently moved into a new apartment complex at which frightening events keep occurring. She uses the strong will and determination that often can be found only in teenagers to pull together the clues in her surroundings and bring the lurking criminals to justice. Coffey uses her love of animals and personal affiliation with organizations that educate about birds to integrate the winged creatures into her plotline. From the parrot that recognizes the true character of those who walk into Zoe’s apartment to the crows with long memories that assist in locating the villains, the birds are essential to the story’s development. Readers may learn more about Ms. Coffey and Zoe Lucky and the Green Gables Mystery at the Outskirts Press website.

“As is our goal every time, we strive to provide our listeners with books and interviews that introduce interesting characters or insights into our own characters,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “I enjoy reaching the end of every interview with the feeling that I’ve learned something and, in many instances, made a new literary friend!”

About Writers in the Sky: Writers in the Sky blog, podcast, and newsletter is a three-fold production filled with information about writing, publishing, and book publicity created by Yvonne Perry as part of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (http://writersinthesky.com/). Listening to Writers in the Sky Podcast on a computer is easy. Go to http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/. On the right sidebar there is a list of archived shows. Click on the interview you would like to hear and it will open a post that has a link to the audio file.

Join Our Podcast Today for a Discussion on Dream Interpretation

WITS team member Sarah Moore will be joined by researcher and writer Christina Sponias for our weekly podcast interview. Ms. Sponias will be discussing her two e-books Dream Interpretation as a Science and Craziness Prevention. She has spent years furthering the research of psychotherapist Carl Jung and his theories concerning dream analysis. The culmination of her research has been her published description of how the scientific method can be used to in the area of dream interpretation. In addition to sharing her methodology, Sponias uses her books to detail many examples of actual clients who she has assisted through her anaylsis.

In her interview, Christina Sponias will be discussing how she developed her research, the many ways in which understanding your dreams can improve your life, and how her own background led to her continued interest in her chosen field. She also shares the unique challenges and benefits that come along with her decision to publish her work as e-books.

Click here to listen... to part one of the interview.

And, after an interruption to problems that sometimes occur with international phone calls ...

Click here to listen... to part two of the interview.

To purchase Dream Interpretation as a Science and receive Craziness Prevention as a bonus e-book absolutely free, please visit Christina Sponias' website.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

How experienced does a writer need to be to hire Writers in the Sky?

A writer or author need only to have a desire to improve his or her work in order to use our services. We can ghostwrite a book from conception to final proof, work with an author on development of a draft he or she has in progress, or we can copy edit/proofread a completed manuscript for an experienced writer. We have clients who are editors themselves; they want a second pair of eyes on their work before it goes public. We also have very green newbies who don’t know when to use a comma or a semi-colon. Regardless of experience or skill level, WITS can help.

Learn more on our Web site.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

100 Articles in 100 Days Marathon Challenge

If you're a freelance writer trying to make a name for yourself, or a small business owner trying to promote your business, then you need to harness the power of online article marketing. So sign up for the 100 Articles in 100 Days Marathon Challenge, co-sponsored by Jeff Herring, Felicia Slattery, and Keith Goodrum.

The challenge launches today.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Art and Craft of Writing

by Dr. Marlene Caroselli

The Craft

For every writer, there are two prisms through which writing our words will be viewed. Readers expect us to be craftsneb. They trust we will have a fundamental grasp of the elements that constitute good writing. Researchers, for example, have found that sentences exceeding the ratio of one preposition for every eleven words are poorly written. They sound first-grade-ish. (“Syntactically immature” is what the experts call such writing.) The reader cannot flow through the sentence without encountering a verbal hiccup every few words.

Researchers have also found that sentences that contain more than fifteen words cause the reader to go back and read the sentence again to be sure they have understood the meaning. Think about it—some of the most persuasive sentences of our time are short: “Just do it!” “Yes, we can!” “It’s the economy, silly!”

Additionally, the successful writer knows her craft so well that grammatical errors don’t appear in it. Nor do clumsy phrases or a limited vocabulary.

But the successful writer knows both the technical matter and the techniques, has knowledge of the content, but can also place it in the right context, has a message and
can find the perfect medium in which to place it. That’s where the art of writing comes into play.

The Art

Our language has a million words, and is growing daily. Contrast that number to the number of words in the native tongue of Arubans. Papiamento has only 500 words.
We English speakers have so many choices with which to hook our readers. We have infinite combinations that can intrigue our fiction readers and persuade our non-fiction readers.

Your artistry is even more important when you are sending out query letters. After all, if you can’t persuade an editor to read your letter, let alone buy your submission, your readers will never get the chance to enjoy your artistry. Here are some Dos and Don’ts to considerbefore you send off your inquiry.

DO:

  • Regard life as an experiment. Write that cover letter in three different ways and solicit input as to which is most effective.
  • Use audience awareness to convince your reader. Consider what elements will be most appealing to your various readers. Use words that matter to them.
  • Remove barriers that may stand between you and others. One barrier might be your unfamiliarity with the publication in which you want to be featured. Spend some time learning about its uniqueness. Another barrier might be the editor’s “I’ve-heard-it-all-before” syndrome. Find ways to truly stand out from your competition.

DON'T:

  • Confuse persuasion with manipulation. Your efforts should yield mutually beneficial purposes.
  • Forget to consider the editor’s position. Editors are busy people. Make your query letters worthy of their time.
  • Neglect the questions that might arise in the editor’s head. Have answers incorporated within your query.

Your Love, Your Life, Your Lexicon

I often tell audiences I would rather write than do anything else in the world. (This may explain why I haven’t had a date since 1985!) If your passion matches mine, you are no doubt eager to expand your persuasive communications. Contact me about an e-book (Principled Persuasion) that will make your verbal expansion a pleasurable pursuit.

Dr. Marlene Caroselli (mccpd@frontiernet.net) is an author, keynoter, and corporate trainer. You can learn more about her via Google.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Join Us This Friday for Discussion of Dream Interpretation

Researcher and writer Christina Sponias will be joining the Writers in the Sky podcast to discuss her work surrounding dreams

Our podcast guest this week, Christina Sponias, will be discussing her e-books Dream Interpretation as a Science and Craziness Prevention. Ms. Sponias has spent nineteen years developing her research, which extends the work of psychotherapist Carl Jung. She applies the scientific method to dream analysis as a way of unlocking the messages that are sent to us through the unconscious mind. In her books, Ms. Sponias provides many examples of actual dreams that she had interpreted for her clients as well as an explanation of her method and a glossary of the symbols that are most often found in dreams.

Christina Sponias asserts that effective anaylsis of our dreams can lead to the correct decisions concerning love and career moves, as well as cure a wide variety of mental illnesses. She teaches readers how to apply her methods and promises that the skills needed to analyze your own dreams can be mastered in months.

To purchase Dream Interpretation as a Science, please click here. With this purchase, you will receive the e-book Craziness Prevention absolutely free!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Why Authors Need an Editor

The first step in successfully marketing your book is to create a quality product. On Dana Lynn Smith's blog, writer and editor Yvonne Perry shares her thoughts about working with editors.

Visit Dana's blog to learn:

Why is it so important for authors to hire an editor?
What advice can you give to authors about hiring and working with an editor?

Read more here.. http://tinyurl.com/c5lfqb

Friday, March 20, 2009

Bring Your Book to Market, Publishing Possibilities

On March 19, 2009 Pam Perry interviewed Cheryl Pickett and me (Yvonne Perry) on her show Chocolate Pages. How to write, publish and market your book is the focus of this show. Three publishing pros and authors, Cheryl Pickett, Pam Perry, and Yvonne Perry will discuss the paths to publishing and promotion.

Find out: What is the advantage of publishing an eBook over a printed book? What does an author need to promote a book online? What is a virtual blog tour? How long (on average) does it take to see some results?



Click to listen to this informative interview about book marketing.

WITS Brings Some Suspense to Today's Podcast

Please join Writers in the Sky team member Sarah Moore as she interviews new author Jennifer Chase. Jennifer will be discussing her recently published novel, Compulsion. She brings her educational background in forensic science and criminology to this thriller, which takes readers inside the terrifying minds of the worst of criminals.

Compulsion introduces readers to the character of Emily Stone, who works anonymously to track and then gather evidence against the criminals who are plaguing communities across the United States. She uses her camera, high-tech tracking devices, and her keen instincts concerning the criminal mind to complete her secret and dangerous work. Once she has made the case against the perpetrator, she anonymously hands over her findings to the local police department. However, when she becomes the target of a criminal in her own neighborhood, Emily Stone must reveal her identity in order to save herself and others. The race to capture the predators before they can do further harm makes for a captivating and sometimes terrifying read.

Click here to listen to the interview with Jennifer...

Jennifer Chase has established a blog for Compulsion, which provides articles about events related to the content of Compulsion as well as information about Jennifer's upcoming events.

Click here to purchase Compulsion.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

How to Promote Your Expertise Online and Offline

From Valerie Connelly at Nightengale Press:

LIVE at 2PM Central Time TODAY!

You all can learn a lot from this show, so tune in and feel free to call in to ask questions using these numbers:

Listener Calls: 800-773-0355
(Outside the USA: 1-310-328-9300)

On today’s SPECIAL EDITION of Calling All Authors I’ll be talking with Joan Stewart, and we’ll be discussing “How to Promote Your Expertise Online and Offline and Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Publicity.” If you don’t have a penny to spend on advertising but you want the world to know about your product, service, cause or issue, and the areas in which you’re an expert, you’ll get lots of advice tonight.

Valerie Connelly
info@callingallauthors.org
Nightengale Press --- A Nightengale Media LLC Company
10936 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 206,
Mequon WI 53092-5031
Phone: 847-810-8498

Powering Up Your Thank You Page

By Diego Norte

Without doubt, the most important asset in any business is its database. This seemingly innocuous list of past and present customers, prospects, leads and other people you've met can, if managed correctly, turn your business from a small and mediocre performer into a hugely profitable and widely successful enterprise. It's like the old saying says, "It costs 7 times less to sell to an existing customer, than to get a new one." That being said, your database needs to be managed, and just by making a few small changes, you can ramp up the effectiveness of your online marketing offerings. The number of changes or strategies you can employ is vast, however in this article, we will focus on the thank you page, and the small changes you can make to put your new subscribers into a "buying mood" from the outset.

In short, your thank you page, is the page that appears after your prospects have subscribed to your database or completed a survey or finalized an online sale. It will appear once your prospect has entered his/her information correctly into the form.

The thank you page has a few goals... It is common courtesy to thank people for their interest in your products/services, and also, to briefly and subtly reinforce the benefits of subscribing to receive your eNewsletter, eBook, etc, and lastly, to impart some important information to your prospect.

You begin your message by thanking your prospect and informing them that their subscription has been successful. This is where you can briefly remind them of their brilliant choice in subscribing. If you use a system that requires a double opt-in, you'll need to remind them of this fact here. In this situation your subscriber will need to confirm their email address by clicking on a link in an email you will send to them.

Many businesses opt at this point to offer their new subscriber a gift to thank them for subscribing and start to build the rapport.

If you do not wish to give a gift at this point, why not provide them with a special offer they can take advantage of. (Depending on your database, a sales offer at this stage can be particularly lucrative.)

Another great idea is to offer them an incentive to refer a friend/family member to your database. This means more contacts for you to market to, and the referring person gets rewarded for their efforts.

The most frustrating thing that can happen to your prospect at this point is the promised email and/or eNewsletter not arriving. Unfortunately, nothing is entirely foolproof and mistakes can occur. It may not necessarily be a glitch with your email marketing service-provider either - your prospect may have not entered his/her email address into the form correctly, resulting in the email not arriving. Therefore, include a paragraph on this page with what course of action your prospect should take in this event. This would be either emailing you directly or contacting you by phone should they prefer.

The other reason the email would be received is that their Spam filter may block your email. Advise your prospect to add the address from which the email will be sent to their Spam Filters Address Book.

Connect with your clients personally at every stage in order to build rapport, and a few ways to do this via your thank you page is by signing off with your name, signature and perhaps including your photograph. You may also wish to include your contact numbers and invite your new database subscriber to contact you with any feedback, requests or suggestions.

The author, Diego Norte, is the creator of the Glyphius software. Discover Copywriting Software That Improves Profitability Using Statistical Analysis To Mathematically Study Profitable Ads... 100% Guaranteed! http://www.glyphius.com/

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Author with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy

Hello WITS community,

Most of you may know that WITS team member, Taryn Simpson is the ghostwriter for Jason Walker's memoirs. To jog your memory, Jason had quadriplegia and was the oldest living survivor (in his early 30s) of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. Taryn and Jason had a great time collaborating and the end result was an incredible book about his life, values, and strength. Taryn helped Jason get his book, Missing My Body, published in 2006.

His mother, Linda, asked WITS to let everyone know that Jason passed away March 16 at 9:30 p.m. in Thomasville, GA.

Jason once told Taryn that when she was notified of his passing, that he didn't want her to be sad because he would no longer be missing his body. He wanted us to keep his dream going and continue to help his book sell so he can help people even after he is gone. If you can Tweet about this or notify some of your groups, that would be great. The book can be purchased on Lulu.com.

Please keep Jason's mom and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services Gives Literary Award for Best Creative Writing

On March 7, 2009, authors of winning books entered in Reader Views Literary Awards were announced and 14 sponsors distributed prizes to finalists in 32 fiction and nonfiction categories. Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services awarded the $100 cash prize to James Earle McCracken.

Reader Views Literary Awards accepted submissions from authors who published books in the English language targeted for the North American market with a 2008 copyright date. Work published by major book publishers, their subsidiaries, or their imprints were not eligible. All initial judging was done by reviewers from Reader Views, who are experts in their fields as well as avid readers. Three finalists in each category were determined by a point system. Final judging was determined by a jury of judges.

“Reader Views is pleased to offer an opportunity for much-needed and much-deserved publicity for quality books in a wide range of genres and categories that are self-published or published through a small traditional publisher,” says Irene Watson, the owner of Reader Views. “Because we rely on our staff of book reviewers, real readers, not literary judges, to score the books, you could say Reader Views Literary Awards are equivalent to the People’s Choice awards for books. We are honored at Reader Views that so many authors have come to appreciate our commitment and expertise, and this contest allows us to return that favor.”

Virginia-based author James Earle McCracken won the $100 cash prize awarded by Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (http://writersinthesky.com/). His general fiction book, Rue de la Pompe: A Satiric Urban Fantasy (ISBN 9780595485055), met the criteria required for the award: that the book have original, imaginative, and creative use of words that create vivid mental pictures of scenes and characters. James’ book was published by iUniverse in 2008. For more information on this author, please visit http://jamesearlemccracken.com/.

“…when I first looked over the special categories of the Reader Views awards, the Writers in the Sky award jumped out at me because it represented so much of what I was trying to achieve in my novel. It was extremely gratifying to receive it and equal to the thrill of winning the general fiction prize,” says McCracken, who was mailed a check, a certificate suitable for framing, and a graphic to use in his promotion efforts.

“Congratulations to James McCracken on his excellent work. WITS wishes him well in his writing career,” says Yvonne Perry, the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, Tennessee. “In addition to honoring Mr. McCracken, three of our own clients: Carl David, author of Bader Field (Nightengale Press); Dawn Menge, author of Queen Vernita's Visitors (Outskirts Press); and Linda Ballou Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i (Star Publish), who entered their books in 2008 Literary Awards Finalists made semi-finalist position.” The team of professionals at Writers in the Sky (WITS) Creative Writing Services provides editing, ghostwriting, and proofreading for individuals and businesses.

Book reviewer, Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson of Reader Views says McCracken’s book is

“….different and truly refreshing! …The author manages to poke fun at pretty much everything and everybody, but he does so in a highly entertaining and intelligent way. …It was wild, it was unpredictable, it was mad-cap and scary at times; but always witty, picturesque and never boring…by far the most original work I’ve read lately and I do hope the author will keep his promise about the upcoming book two.”

The Reader Views contest is an annual event. Authors interested in Annual Literary Awards 2009 may download a registration form on Reader Views’ Web site: http://www.readerviews.com/Awards.html.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Jennifer Chase Set to Join Podcast on Friday

Our podcast guest this week will be Jennifer Chase, author of the new book Compulsion. Jennifer used her educational background in forensics and criminology when creating her first offering to the literary genre of thriller fiction. She also admits to a personal interest in the workings of the criminal mind, which is quite evident as the plot of Compulsion develops.

The protagonist of Compulsion is Emily Stone, an independent investigator who works anonymously to collect evidence against the worst of criminals. She uses her laptop, camera, and other tracking devices, and then slips the information to law enforcement once enough material is present to seal the case. When two serial killers terrorize her own neighborhood, Emily Stone's secrets may need to be revealed in order to catch the criminals and save her own life.

To purchase Compulsion, please visit Amazon or the author's website at Outskirts Press. Jennifer Chase also maintains a blog on topics related to her book Compulsion and future projects she is developing.

Title of Document: Book Review
Book Title: Compulsion
Author: Jennifer Chase
ISBN Number: 978-1-4327-3416-9
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com
Genre and Target Market: thriller; fiction; criminal psychology
Publication Date: 2009
Book Length in Pages: 301

There are certain types of books that are almost guaranteed to keep me turning the pages into the late hours of the night. The first is any novel that develops a compelling story of the complexities found in human relationships. Second, I love a great piece of historical fiction that places me in a previous moment in time. And, finally, I gravitate towards thrilling mysteries that are filled with breath-taking action and plot twists. For literary satisfaction on the last count, I am so excited to have discovered new author Jennifer Chase. Her first book, Compulsion, is a fascinating story of serial murderers, pedophiles, and the one amazing woman who is able to bring them all to justice. When a book contains these elements and is well-written, which Compulsion most certainly is, you have the recipe for an amazing read.

Author Jennifer Chase introduces us to the great character of Emily Stone. Working anonymously with her camera, computer, and trusted weapon at her constant disposal, Stone goes on the hunt for some of the most violent and deplorable criminals one can imagine. She uses her police background and natural ability to get inside the criminal mind to gather detailed, on-the-scene evidence. Then, she sends her information to the police and another villain is taken off the streets. When Stone’s identity is revealed to the latest killer on her radar screen, the fast-paced action that unfolds becomes the heart of the story and takes the reader on an amazing journey of heightened adrenaline and fear.

One of the greatest strengths in Chase’s writing is the careful unfolding of her characters’ personalities. The man known to the readers for most of Compulsion’s pages only as The Killer is first revealed through the gruesome crimes he commits. We learn of his brutal style of murder through the description of police on the scene. Further into the book, we are let into the mind of The Killer and the motivation behind his violent spree. Chase’s portrayal of a man sitting alone with his twisted thoughts brings the character into a more frightening focus. When the name and full story behind The Killer is finally revealed, the weight provided by the complete picture of this terrifying man is felt. The author employs this same development technique for her other characters, which adds an important element to the tension and sense of uncertainty. But don’t think that you are necessarily on the right track when learning more about a person in this novel. I found myself fooled by Chase’s convincing efforts to lead us down a path of assuming the guilt of an innocent person on more than one occasion.

Both the language and overall format of this book are evidence of Chase’s genuine talent in the genre of thrillers. For example, the tension and terror of the book escalates as The Killer and The Accomplice become more voracious in their need for prey. As they drive across the country with the intention of murdering Emily Stone, their need to commit violence at every step is overpowering. Readers can envision these men clenching their fists and tapping their feet with nervous energy and Chase reminds us at the close of every chapter in this climactic series of events that, “The Killers are coming.” It is a taunt that helps to create a sense of terrified anticipation. Each chapter is also quite short, often not more than three or four pages in length. This purposefully abrupt , snapshot approach jostles the reader from one event to the next, and is wonderful at generating the way that Emily Stone must feel when moving from one case to the next and not knowing who or what may be around the corner.

The new novel Compulsion by Jennifer Chase is a captivating thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page is read. The careful character development results in real, three-dimensional men and women, even if some of them are almost unimaginably horrifying. The plot, with its slowly revealed layers, is one that engages the readers immediately and takes them on quite an adventure. I was excited to read on Chase’s back cover that she is currently at work on the next book in the series. She can be certain that this new fan will be among the first to read the next installment. I believe that you, too, will find that Compulsion will leave you excited for more.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Enter Your Book in Reader Views' Literary Award Contest

Each year since 2006, Reader Views has hosted a contest where writers who self-published or had their books published by a subsidy publisher, small press, university press, or independent book publisher can compete to win literary awards.

This is the third year that Writers in the Sky has offered a $100 cash prize for Best Creative Writing of the Year through Reader Views. Since we are participating as a sponsor, we are not in any way involved in the judging process.

If you think your book has literary merit, I encourage you to submit your published work to Reader Views' Annual Literary Awards 2009.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

DreamQuestOne.com Poetry Contest

Attention Poets!

I got an email from Andre L. West, editor at DreamQuestOne.com, announcing a poetry contest I think you may be interested in. Good luck to all who enter! Forward the news to your poetry writing friends. Details are below.

Yvonne Perry

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves expressing innermost thoughts and feelings into the beautiful art of poetry or writing a short story that is worth telling everyone! And to all who have the ability to dream. Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. http://www.dreamquestone.com

Guidelines:

Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.
And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed.
Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark deadline: July 31, 2009
All contest winners will be announced on August 31, 2009

Prizes:

Writing Contest

First Prize is $500.
Second Prize: $250.
Third Prize: $100.

Poetry Contest
First Prize is $250.
Second Prize: $125.
Third Prize: $50.

Entry fees:

Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story.
Poetry Contest entry fee: $5 per poem.

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: “DREAMQUESTONE.COM

Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654
Visit
http://www.dreamquestone.com for further details or to enter!

Friday, March 13, 2009

How About Some Divine Intervention on Our Podcast?

Our podcast guest today is Patricia Milner, the author of Divine Intervention. Patricia is an international psychic medium, Reiki master, spiritual teacher and trainer who has been psychic since birth. For the last ten years, she has worked full time in the counseling, training and healing fields. Before that, she worked as a human resource director and then managed her own human resources business for over ten years.

In her current work, she uses crystals, crystal energy, color, sound and sound vibration to help people heal. Her spiritual retreats guide people through life’s changes and challenges by helping them with their spiritual growth and development. She also uses her music and singing voice to create her own meditation music.

Contact Patricia for a reading or healing at www.PatriciaMilner.com or join the spiritual community at www.yourspiritualworld.com

Patricia has written articles for national magazines and a column about spiritual well-being for a local newspaper in England. She has also appeared on numerous radio and television programs discussing her healing work.

Click here to listen to the interview...

Synopsis

She could remember every detail. Every line, every flaw, and every feature was burned into her memory. Whether it was the intricate design of the crochet blanket in the back of the rapist's truck, or the smile on her dead grandfather's face when he spoke to her at his own funeral, her vivid memory was just a small side effect of her increasing psychic skills.

Nobody had a clue about what she was going through—not her mother, her siblings, not even her father (whom she adored). The only ones who seemed to understand were her animal companions, some “beings” that floated around in her bedroom and those invisible strangers at school. She just knew things. She could read everyone's thoughts, and at times, it was just too much to handle. So she retreated into her fantasy world, walking through the fields, only to find again, that she was not alone.

Growing up with a foot in several dimensions was not easy, especially where her mother was concerned. Patricia was blamed for everything and never felt loved or appreciated. Considered the "freaky kid" at school, she stood up for herself by fighting and standing her ground. But, when she started hearing noises, having headaches, and receiving immediate answers to the questions in her head, she knew that something was happening —something frightening, yet beautiful and profound. From the angel who “took over” her singing voice at her solo concert, to the beings who took her on journeys across the universe, to her enhanced perception of colors, sound, and nature, slowly, over the years, she began to understand why she was so different.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Calling for Submissions for WITS Newsletter April 2009!

It's time to submit your book reviews, articles, poems, and announcements about anything related to writing, editing, publishing, and book promotion.

If you wish to contribute anything to Writers in the Sky Newsletter for April 2009, please review the guidelines on our Web site: http://writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html
.

Hurry, the deadline is March 24, 2009!!

To help us improve our newsletter, please select your favorite WITS feature at http://www.socialtoo.com/survey/view/620


I also want to let you know that my new eBook Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy is available at OnlinePromotionMadeEasy.com . You will find many free tips for book marketing on the site as well.

Yvonne Perry
Owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services

Monday, March 09, 2009

I’m Thankful for Divine Intervention!

Our podcast guest this week is Patricia Milner, the author of Divine Intervention. Patricia is an international psychic medium, Reiki master, spiritual teacher and trainer who has been psychic since birth. For the last ten years, she has worked full time in the counseling, training and healing fields. Before that, she worked as a human resource director and then managed her own human resources business for over ten years.

In her current work, she uses crystals, crystal energy, color, sound and sound vibration to help people heal. Her spiritual retreats guide people through life’s changes and challenges by helping them with their spiritual growth and development. She also uses her music and singing voice to create her own meditation music.

Patricia has written articles for national magazines and a column about spiritual well-being for a local newspaper in England. She has also appeared on numerous radio and television programs discussing her healing work.


Divine Intervention
Patricia Milner
Nightengale Press (2008)
U.S. $15.95
ISBN 1933449705
Reviewed by Yvonne Perry for WITS

I’m Thankful for Divine Intervention!

How would you like to be able to see, hear, and feel the spirit world and have no one believe you when you tell them? What if your own mother rejects you when, as a child, you mention your invisible playmates? Your friends make fun of you behind your back You might think you are a misfit. Such was the case with Patricia Milner whose psychic gifts began to manifest at a very young age.

Feeling like an outsider who didn’t belong with her family or schoolmates, Patricia sought refuge in the fields, gardens, and woods where she would be greeted by angels, guardians, animal spirits, and other light beings who encouraged and directed her through difficult times. Unable to turn off the divine voices that seemed to be everywhere, she finally became rebellious—especially toward those who picked on her for being different.

She faced many physical and emotional tragedies. If not for her daughter, born when she was only eighteen years old, life might have been too much to bear. It was this precious soul that kept Patricia moving to the next level of her spiritual development. Protecting little Angela led Patricia to escape her abusive marriage. One would think that all this trouble would have made Patricia crazy or bitter. She’s neither. Instead, she now uses her experience and her spiritual gifts to help others who are going through similar hardships.

All in all, I found the book a very interesting read. While my spiritual gifts are not nearly as developed as Patricia’s, I can relate to her experience and have no problem believing that what she experienced was real. We all have spirit guides that provide divine intervention. Some people just seem to acknowledge it more than others.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

WITS Best Creative Writing of the Year Award

The results of 2008 Literary Awards from Reader Views have been announced!

Writers in the Sky Award for the Best Creative Writing of the Year goes to James Earle McCracken for his book Rue de la Pompe, A Satiric Urban Fantasy published by iUniverse. James will receive $100 cash prize from Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services for having the most original, imaginative, and creative use of words that create vivid mental pictures of scenes and characters.

See a list of all finalists on Reader Views.

Enter your book for the 2009 contest NOW!

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Reader Views' Semi-finalist List

Congratulations to three WITS clients (Carl David, Dawn Menge, & Linda Ballou) whose books made semi-finalist position in 2008 Literary Awards Finalists sponsored by Reader Views.

This is the list of finalists from which the winners will be chosen. The finalist list will be available March 15th or sooner. We will announce the winners as soon as the final judging is completed and Reader Views makes this list available.

Carl David's memoir, Bader Field, (Nightengale Press) won Honorable Mention in the 2008 Reader Views Award competition. Yvonne served as developmental and copy editor for this book.

Dawn Menge's children's book, Queen Vernita's Visitors, (Outskirts Press) won Honorable Mention in the 6- to 8-year-old's category. Dawn was interviewed by Sarah Moore on WITS Podcast and you may listen to the interview here.

Linda Ballou's book, Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i (Star Publish), received Honorable Mention in the category of historical fiction. Linda was interviewed by Barbara Milbourn on WITS Podcast and you may listen to the interview here. Barbara served as the editor for this book.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Shayn Cutino on Writers in the Sky Podcast Today!

Isn't it about time we started loving ourselves?

How can we give love to others, if we do not recognize ourselves as being worthy of love? How can we give anything of ourselves if we feel empty inside?

Shayn Cutino has written a book, The Anja Technique, The Art of Self Love that will teach you how to love yourself. Join us today as Writers in the Sky Podcast host, Yvonne Perry, interviews this new author.

Click here to listen to Shayn's interview...

Shayn Cutino is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, a member of the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapist, the International Hypnosis Research Institute and the International Hypnosis Federation. In order to fulfill her passion to care about the "whole" person, she sought further accreditation and earned her certification with honors as a Holistic Health Practitioner from GCNM.

In working with people in a therapeutic capacity, it became apparent to Shayn that the missing connection between each person and a productive life was the relationship they had with themselves.

The Anja Technique was developed by Shayn to teach individuals how to really love and appreciate themselves. Throughout the book, individuals will discover that love is the greatest energy in the universe and it is crucial to personal success. This powerful and comprehensive 5-step process allows individuals to release blocks and obstacles that no longer serve them and to transform their lives into one of self acceptance and love.

Shayn loves in Northern California with her husband and children, where she maintains her private practice.

Book Synopsis:

The Anja Technique takes you on a spiritual journey to reawaken the love within yourself. This comprehensive and powerful 5-step process will help you overcome obstacles of guilt, inner conflict, self doubt, fear, jealousy, anger, and more. You will learn about the powerful subconscious, techniques and tools as well as affirmations. This will allow you to release blocks and obstacles that have held you back from yourself. Transform your life into one of love and self acceptance.


Book available at:
http://www.theanjatechnique.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
http://www.borders.com/
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.waldenbooks.com/
*******************************
Listening to Writers in the Sky Podcast on a computer is easy. Just click this link: http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com and go to my blog. On the right sidebar there is a list of archived shows. Click on the interview you would like to hear and it will open a post that has a link to the audio file.

Have you thought of hosting your own podcast? It's easy. Learn how at http://nashvillewriter.audioacrobat.com/

If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to leave a comment on iTunes to help others find it.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Writing Your Book Proposal Before Writing Your Book

I use Carolyn Howard-Johnson's Amazon short, The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Book in Twenty Minutes or Less, to set up a Word document with all the components needed to write a book proposal. She explains these components (sections) and what each one should contain, so all I have to do is start filling in the blanks.

You still have to write your sample chapters, come up with a marketing plan, compose a full bio on the author, and write summaries for each chapter in your book, but at least you have a game plan laid out for you when using Carolyn's example.

If you create your book proposal before you write your book, you will have a solid outline to use for writing the book by the time you get the proposal done! And, the overview you write for your proposal, may very well make a great introduction for your book. The cover letter you send with your proposal can provide material for your back cover blurb!

Give it a try! Write your own book proposal using Carolyn's 49-cent Amazon short. If you get stuck, you can always have Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services assist you.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Copywriting Keys to Conquer the Social Media Kingdom

I met Allison Nazarian through Facebook a few months ago and I've enjoyed networking with her. She recently sent me an announcement about a free webinar I think may interest my readers.

As you know, I think copywriting is pretty important when it comes to selling. And I, like most of you, know that Social Media is the way of the future (and of the now for that matter) when it comes to marketing anything - yourself, your brand or your business.

So I am teaming up with Craig Cannings, a well-known very successful leader of social media, a trainer and e-learning expert (and many of you will also know him as Founder of VAClassroom.com) to present a free (as in NO CHARGE!) webinar event entitled:

"Discover the Copywriting Keys to Conquering the Social Media Kingdom."

There is tons (and tons and tons) of content that needs to be produced (by you or someone working on your behalf) regularly...articles, blog posts, press releases, twitter bios and tweets, other social media profiles, PDF e-books, Hubpages and Squidoo Lenses - and the list goes on.

Many businesses are seeing the great value in creating and mass distributing relevant web content to their target market(s) BUT they are lacking either copywriting skills or the social marketing savvy they must have to effectively bolster their business efforts.

In this webinar, we will discuss how you can use copywriting to leverage the power of social media and move your business exactly where you want it to be - in 2009 and beyond.

So, check out this five-minute video and sign up for the NO-CHARGE (as in free) webinar event: http://www.copywritingkingdom.com/.

Be sure to add your name and e-mail address to receive some great bonus content (you will also receive a Special Report entitled Five Copywriting Strategies Guaranteed To Successfully Bring You, Your Brand & Your Business Into The New Kingdom)

So take five minutes to visit and check out the video - and most importantly, to claim your spot for this webinar: http://www.copywritingkingdom.com/

(For quick reference, the free webinar "Discover the Copywriting Keys to Conquering the Social Media Kingdom" will take place on March 5, at 5 p.m. Eastern (2 p.m. PST)I look forward to connecting with you at the webinar in a couple weeks.

To Your Success,
Allison Nazarian

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

E-zine for Writers, Readers, & Book Marketers

The March issue of Writers in the Sky E-zine is now ready and you may read the information about writing, editing, publishing, and book marketing on our Web site: http://www.writersinthesky.com.

Tell your friends about it, and make sure you are subscribed to get the writing newsletter delivered to your inbox the first Tuesday of each month.

Monday, March 02, 2009

The Anja Technique, The Art of Self Love

On March 6, Writers in the Sky Podcast host, Yvonne Perry, will interview Shayn Cutino about her new book, The Anja Technique, The Art of Self Love.

Shayn Cutino is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, a member of the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapist, the International Hypnosis Research Institute and the International Hypnosis Federation. In order to fulfill her passion to care about the "whole" person, she sought further accreditation and earned her certification with honors as a Holistic Health Practitioner from GCNM.

In working with people in a therapeutic capacity, it became apparent to Shayn that the missing connection between each person and a productive life was the relationship they had with themselves.

The Anja Technique was developed by Shayn to teach individuals how to really love and appreciate themselves. Throughout the book, individuals will discover that love is the greatest energy in the universe and it is crucial to personal success. This powerful and comprehensive 5-step process allows individuals to release blocks and obstacles that no longer serve them and to transform their lives into one of self acceptance and love.

Shayn loves in Northern California with her husband and children, where she maintains her private practice.


The Anja Technique, The Art of Self Love
Shayn Cutino
Infinity Publishing.com (2008)
US $15.95 (includes CD)
ISBN: 0741451093
Reviewed by Yvonne Perry (02/09)

In reading self-help and new age books, I've noticed there is a common thread among the authors who write them. They seem to feel as though they didn't fit in or were somehow different from others--especially during childhood. This is probably due to the sad fact that our materialistic, ego-centric society hasn't been able to welcome the love and wisdom these light workers bring. It is natural for humans to react differently to those we feel are not like us. The author of The Anja Technique is a spiritually aware person who has learned to embrace her uniqueness in order to help others along their spiritual path to wholeness.

Becoming spiritually aware doesn't come easy for many people. Unlike being able to hire someone to clean our physical house, no one can clean our spiritual house for us. Expecting someone else to do our spiritual work for us is futile. As Shayn says, no one can take our first breath for us, and no one can resolve our soul's issues or make us truly happy with our life. These are choices we must each make for ourselves.

However, many folks do not know how to create the spiritual changes they desire. Knowledge is power, and with the teachings in
The Anji Technique, anyone who wishes to learn and practice, will be able to pull away from the outer noise of the world and hear the loving music of the soul's inner voice...Love!

Everyone wants to love and be loved. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to look outside ourselves for approval and validation--perhaps it is in our mate, family members, children, or even in our wealth, job, or perceived status. Love is accessible within our subconscious. Guided imagery and hypnosis are "allowing" processes taught in The Anja Technique that can help us find that place of love inside.

There are three parts of this book filled with affirmations and exercises to help the reader understand The Anja Technique. The book is short, but its message is powerful; and if followed, a seeker can embrace strengths and accept flaws without judgment. These are big steps toward learning to love yourself.

Book available at:
www.theanjatechnique.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.borders.com
www.amazon.com
www.waldenbooks.com

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Writers’ Podcast for March Will Examine the Many Amazing Powers of Our Minds

Writers in the Sky Podcast Guests Share Their New Books Concerning Hypnosis, Psychic Abilities, Criminal Mindsets, and Reading Our Dreams

Nashville, TN, March 1, 2009—The team members at Writers in the Sky just love it when our podcast guests, who are always wonderful, provide a cohesive theme to our month of interviews. This connection helps provide fluidity to our discussions and hopefully allows the listeners to build upon what they hear every week. In March, the four books that will be featured on our podcast each offer insight into the amazing complexity and power of the human mind. We will begin the month with an author who uses hypnosis to help people find love and self-acceptance. Next, we will speak with an author who has experience as a psychic and how she came to accept that gift. Our month continues with an interview about a new thriller novel, in which readers learn about both the criminal mind and the keen insights of those who protect and serve. Finally, we will close out March with a fascinating discussion about dream interpretation and how this skill can create a better life.

On March 6, Yvonne Perry will be interviewing Shayn Cutino about her new book The Anja Technique. Shayn is a certified clinical hypnotherapist who has discovered that the missing connection between each person and a productive life is the relationship they have with themselves. Shayn developed the Anja Technique to teach individuals how to love themselves and overcome the multitude of obstacles that attempt to block them from achieving a well rounded life. During her interview, Ms. Cutino will discuss her five-step process and how it can be used for the specific issues that are hindering your life. Purchase The Anja Technique through Amazon.

Our next interview, on March 13, also will be hosted by Yvonne and will feature the book Divine Intervention by Patricia Milner. The author will discuss how her psychic gifts have affected all areas of her life. Patricia is an international psychic medium, Reiki master, spiritual teacher and trainer who has been psychic since birth. Her spiritual retreats guide people through life’s changes and challenges by helping them with their spiritual growth and development. She also uses her music and singing voice to create her own meditation music. Divine Intervention can be purchased through Amazon.

Sarah Moore continues our month of interviews on March 20 when she discusses the novel Compulsion with new author Jennifer Chase. Ms. Chase uses her educational background in police forensics and criminology to bring amazing details to her thriller. In Compulsion, Chase creates Emily Stone, a woman who works anonymously to track pedophiles and killers and then bring them to justice. When Emily herself becomes the hunted one, the mind games increase with the tension. Chase found that her curiosity about the psychological aspects of crime inspired her desire to write, and that passion comes through in the characters she develops in her novel. During her interview, Chase will discuss the role that psychology plays in investigating crime scenes and how she unfolded the striking personalities in her novel. Please visit Outskirts Press to learn more about Compulsion and Jennifer Chase.

Our last interview of the month will be on March 27 and will feature Christina Sponias and a discussion of her new e-Book, Craziness Prevention. This book contains Sponias’ own theory for interpreting dreams and teaches people how to solve problems based on guidance received from the unconscious mind. Christina continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche by simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation. In her interview with Sarah Moore, Ms. Sponias will share how learning the techniques for translating the exact meaning of your dreams will allow you to find health, wisdom, and happiness. Please visit Christina Sponias’ website to learn more about the author and her publications.

“Once again, we are excited to offer our listeners an entertaining and thoughtful group of authors,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “I look forward to the insight that each writer will offer into the amazing complexity of the human mind!”

About Writers in the Sky: Writers in the Sky blog, podcast, and newsletter is a three-fold production filled with information about writing, publishing, and book publicity created by Yvonne Perry as part of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (www.writersinthesky.com).Listening to Writers in the Sky Podcast on a computer is easy. Go to http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com. On the right sidebar there is a list of archived shows. Click on the interview you would like to hear and it will open a post that has a link to the audio file.