FiledBy Adds More Than 1 Million New Sites for Co-authors, Illustrators, Photographers, Artists, Editors, Translators and Others

Nashville, Tenn., (May 18, 2009) – FiledBy has expanded its online author directory (www.filedby.com) by adding and linking together sites for co-authors, illustrators, artists, photographers and others who contributed to the publication of a book.

“The contribution of illustrators, photographers, artists and many other creators are important to the publication of books in a wide range of formats and subject categories,” said Peter Clifton, FiledBy CEO and president. “FiledBy now offers a platform for further expansion of their ideas and creativity on the web.”

FiledBy featured 1.8 million author sites in its directory before the latest expansion, which adds more than 1 million contributors whose efforts led to a published work.

Each contributor now has a free site that he or she can claim and enhance with photographs, a biography, links and multimedia (video, podcast or PDF). All sites are now linked to relevant contributors on FiledBy and include pages for each of their books. Finding and connecting with new audiences on the web is critical for authors and creators to be successful. FiledBy provides a marketing platform for those who do not have a web presence and provides additional value for those that do.

FiledBy has three valuable benefits. It is the largest online directory organized by authors and contributors. It offers any author or contributor a free website where they can connect with fans and peers as well promote their work. And it offers authors and contributors affordable digital marketing tools to enhance their online presence.

The platform is ideal for any author or contributor who needs a low-cost and effective web presence. Author and contributor sites can integrate photographs, biographies, video, podcasts, press kits, blogs, event listings and more. For others, it is an online platform that complements and links to existing author websites, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, publisher pages or blogs.

Authors and books on FiledBy cover all subject and publishing categories including general trade, academic and professional. In addition to author and contributor sites, FiledBy features more than 7.5 million books. All books are available for sale through Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N.com, Powells, Borders, Indigo and Indiebound.

The data used on the site is licensed from trusted industry sources and supplemented by data from publishers and content provided by authors and contributors.

FiledBy is the largest online directory of author sites providing web tools, e-commerce and community-building solutions for published book authors and contributors — co-authors, illustrators, photographers, artists, translators and editors. FiledBy provides authors and readers with social tools to connect with each other and can be discovered through a single database.

Link – http://www.filedby.com

Writers’ Podcast Promises an Exciting Start to Summer with Its Author Offerings

Writers in the Sky Podcast Guests Offer Discussions That Will Motivate Your Writing Efforts and Inspire You to Think Big

Nashville, TN, May 30, 2009—The Writers in the Sky podcasts for the month of June will present a series of interviews that will be both educational and inspirational for the listeners. The month will begin with a woman whose background and proven excellence in editing and author assistant services will be of interest to anyone involved in the business of writing. The next week features another editor who has received accolades for her services, and who is also a ghostwriter as well as the author of her own mystery novels. Anyone looking for tips that will lead to greater success in any profession will want to tune into our next podcast, which features an interview with a dynamic personal and business coach. Writers in the Sky will end the month with a Jewish man who survived Nazi-occupied France and has spent his adult life teaching others his family and cultural history.

The weekly podcast will present its first guest for the new month on June 5, when Writers in the Sky owner Yvonne Perry welcomes Karen Reddick. Karen is the author of the book Grammar Done Right!, which offers quick and easy access to the most common grammar, usage, and style rules laid-out in alphabetical format and making it a perfect companion to keep by a writer’s keyboard. Karen Reddick is also the owner of The Red Pen Editor and V and E Services and provides editing and author assistant services to publishers, authors, and writers. Karen was awarded the designation of Master Virtual Author’s Assistant (MVAA) and Master Virtual Assistant (MVA), both of which are considered the highest achievements in her industry. Karen will be discussing her services and how they may be of benefit to both new and experienced writers. Please visit http://www.grammardoneright.com/ to learn about Karen’s book.

On June 12, the focus on services that are available to writers will continue, as Barbara Milbourn will be interviewing LJ Sellers. Ms. Sellers is an award-winning journalist, editor, novelist, and occasional standup comic based in Eugene, Oregon. She is the author of the highly praised mystery/suspense novel, The Sex Club, and has a second Detective Jackson story, Secrets to Die For, coming out in September. Ms. Sellers is also an excellent editor and ghostwriter with a great sense of story structure, tension, and pacing. She is a member of the popular editing blog, The Blood Red Pencil. LJ Sellers will be discussing both the editing services she provides and her two novels. Learn more about LJ Sellers and her work at http://ljsellers.com/.

The podcast focus broadens on June 19 when Yvonne Perry sits down with Joe Lavelle to discuss his new book Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail. Joe is the president of Results First Consulting LLC, through which he shares a collection of strategies that he has learned as a personal and business coach. Joe has now translated this information into a book that is geared towards career-oriented professionals who want to accelerate their career growth and find strategies, knowledge, and tools to get promotions and raises faster. He teaches goal-setting, communication skills, team building, and much more. Please visit http://www.actasifblog.com/ to discover more about Joe Lavelle and the information that he offers to professionals in all areas.

The last podcast interview of the month will take place on June 26. Barbara Milbourn will share her discussion with Leo Abrami, author of the new book Evading the Nazis. Mr. Abrami was taken by his mother to hide with farmers in Normandy, France during World War II to avoid the inevitable persecution by the Nazis. Although Jewish, he pretended to be Catholic and lived safely with his adoptive family until France finally was liberated by the Allies. Evading the Nazis tells Mr. Abrami’s story of survival during the war and his determination to investigate his family and cultural history once he was free. Tune into this discussion to learn more about one boy’s amazing experience during war, and the man’s later determination to speak for others who could not. Please visit www.outskirtspress.com/evadingthenazis to purchase the book.

“We are excited to publicize the expertise of some of our fellow writers and editors as part of the June podcast series,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “If you also consider the interviews which share stories that I believe may inspire listeners to greater personal heights, this month is filled with wonderful offerings.”

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://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.

Children's Author Fiona Ingram

Writers in the Sky Podcast welcomes Fiona Ingram as she is interviewed by Barbara Milbourn. They will be discussing Fiona's book The Secret of the Sacred Scarab.

Fiona Ingram was born and educated in South Africa. She is a full-time journalist and editor with an interest in ancient history, mystery, and legends, and travel. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the first in her exciting children's adventure series--Chronicles of the Stone.

Book Synopsis

Cousins Justin and Adam are ecstatic about accompanying their aunt to Egypt. Both love adventure and know the work of James Kinnaird, an archaeologist searching for the tomb of an ancient Egyptian ruler, the Scarab King. Some dismiss the tomb as legend, but Justin and Adam believe differently.From the moment their plane lands, Justin and Adam bounce from one mysterious event to another, starting from the moment a street peddler gives Adam an ancient scarab. Dr. Khalid, head of the department of antiquities and research at the Egyptian Museum, shows excessive interest in the cousins and their relic. Then, when the boys learn that James Kinnaird is missing, they realize something sinister is afoot.Kidnapped and taken across the desert, the boys are plunged into serious danger and chased by ruthless enemies. Dr. Khalid will stop at nothing to discover the Scarab King's tomb and claim its treasures. But he has underestimated the boys' ingenuity.Join Justin and Adam as they evade their captors and unravel the secrets of the Scarab King. Relying on their wits, courage, and each other, the boys must solve the mystery of the sacred scarab and rescue James Kinnaird before time runs out.

Click here to listen to Fiona's interview with Barbara Milbourn...

The Difference in Networking and Marketing

by Yvonne Perry

Networking and marketing may be similar but they are definitely not one in the same.

Networking is the art of making acquaintances and sharing information about yourself, your business or product. Its purpose is to build relationships that offer a mutual opportunity for both parties to prosper.

Marketing is publicizing a service or product with the intent of closing a sale.

In promoting my business, I use networking efforts far more than sales and marketing tactics mainly because it is fun and I love people.

I don’t like to be face-to-face or on the phone with a pushy salesperson and I do not enjoy hard-sell printed ads that rude methods to persuade me to buy a product. Many times these ads are boastful and make promises that I know cannot be fulfilled by the product.

On the other hand, I do enjoy reading content-rich articles or listening to an online seminar or teleclass that offers good information even if there is a subtle sales plug in it. I also like to talk with people and find out more about them and what they do. Many times that involves the swapping of information about the services and/or products we each offer. This information is shared for the purpose of building a friendship and helping one another grow our businesses.

By letting me know what you do or have to offer, I will keep my eyes and ears open for someone I meet who might benefit from your products or services. In the same manner, the person I share my information with may know someone who needs a writer and because we have a business and personal relationship, that person will recommend me. After all, most people would rather utilize the services of an individual or company who has been recommended by someone we trust rather than hiring someone from the Yellow Pages. For example: if you need an auto repair would you rather take your car to the mechanic your friend has been satisfied with for years or would you rather drive into a greasy garage not knowing anything about the reputation of the company?

Ways to network
I enjoy reading newsletters, so I have subscribed to several. In them I find people and services that interest me and I take the time to email or call the person to say hello. Many times I’ll offer to put an announcement in my newsletter or ask to interview them for my podcast, thereby furthering their opportunity to have their name or product in front of people on my subscriber list. In return, I have content-rich material to offer my readers and listeners. I always use a permission-based service to launch my newsletters. Spamming is no way to network or build a relationship.

Where to Network
The possibilities are endless. If you meet someone at the gym, or at school, or church, or in your social club, or while dining out, you have an opportunity to make a new friend and do some networking. Think of the times when you have taken a silent elevator ride with a stranger. Who says that person has to be a stranger by the time we reach the seventh floor? Most people know what an “elevator speech” is and a good networker has refined their one-minute blurb to a few concise sentences that explain who they are, what they do, and how they can help people. Be bold and make the attempt to speak to people. Even if you only have one minute with a stranger, introduce yourself. Be friendly and always have your business cards handy.

Tools
You still need some marketing tools when networking. I give people my brochure, a giveaway item, or a business card with my contact information whenever I talk to someone. Otherwise, they may forget my name and Web address by the time they have access to paper and pen to write it down. I give two of any item so the person I’m speaking with has a way to contact me and they have something to give to the next person they tell about me. Networking is a win-win situation for everyone.

We all benefit from networking. Give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised by how fulfilling it is to help others as you help yourself.

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, Tennessee. She and her team of ghostwriters service clients all over the globe by offering quality writing at an affordable price. If you need a brochure, web text, business document, resume, bio, article or book, visit http://writersinthesky.com Be sure to subscribe to the RSS podcast feed and the free monthly newsletter about writing, networking, publishing and marketing.

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Tennessee Writers Alliance's WordFest 2009

Calling All Writers and Word Lovers to Tennessee Writers Alliance's WordFest 09,
June 12-13, at Cumberland University!

WHO: Tennessee Writers Alliance
WHAT: WordFest 09
WHEN: June 12-13
WHERE: Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee
WHY: Great speakers, good food, and door prizes!

Bestselling authors, Eric Wilson and J. T. Ellison, will be there along with Poet Wyatt Prunty. Speaking about networking is literary agent Etta Wilson. Others include: Creativity coach, Whitney Ferre; Singer-songwriter Ron Block of Union Station; Editor Kathryn Knight (book sales); Journalists Dwight Lewis and Leon Alligood. Get a First Page Critique and enjoy readings by William Gay and J. Wes Yoder. Join us for the reception at Sherlock's Emporium.


Find the schedule, registration, and accommodations information at http://www.tn-writers.org

Fiona Ingram Writes Adventure for Kids of All Ages

Barbara Milbourn will be interviewing teen genre novelist Fiona Ingram on WITS Podcast this Friday, May 29.

Fiona Ingram, born and educated in South Africa, is a full-time journalist and editor. Her interest in ancient history, mystery, and legends, and her enjoyment of travel has resulted in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in her exciting children's adventure series--Chronicles of the Stone.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
Author: Fiona Ingram
ISBN: Paperback 978-0-595-45716-8/Cloth 978-0-595-71977-8/
E-book 978-0-595-90017-6
Publisher: iUniverse in 2008
Pages: 258
Reviewed by: Barbara Milbourn for Writers in the Sky

Author Fiona Ingram understands that young readers have no patience for long, drawn-out prologues. At the first sentence—a one-word exclamation—of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, she jettisons readers off on an adventure to a far-away land with two young cousins.
Justin and Adam are leaving the comforts of home and the family dog for a one-week adventure in Egypt with ace writer/researcher Aunt Isabel and their loveable and zany Gran. In exchange for missing school, their assignment is to keep a daily record of things they’ve seen and learned along the way. It so happens that their aunt’s current project and the boys’ recent history lessons coincide and set the reader on firm footing before they even lift off.

Aunt Isabel has guaranteed their maximum travel experience and personal safety by booking them on a tour with a host of entertaining fellow sojourners and a tour-guide who is suspected of knowing far more than she shares with the group. Safety vanishes early in the hot, still air of a marketplace when the boys are encountered by a ragged peddler who bestows upon them four scarabs; one of which is particularly ancient and coveted.
The story flies forward from there as the boys put together fortuitous pieces of a puzzle in quest of a legendary tomb of an ancient Egyptian ruler and a missing archeologist. Ingram writes the landscape and the legend vividly and keeps the boys barely one step ahead of death and dismemberment at the hands of men in black, the fangs of a giant cobra, and all manner of danger that lurks in caves, shifting sands, and things hidden in deep, dark places.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is entertainment for readers up to around age fourteen and for those who wish they were fourteen again. It is at once adventure and history, art and architecture, humor and redemption, travel writing and social studies, and great fun. Fiona Ingram presents this as her first of seven in a series titled Chronicles of the Stone.

Dennis S Martin on WITS to Talk Poetry

My podcast guest today is my cousin, Dennis S. Martin.

Dennis has been writing poetry for almost half a century. In his 15 collections, which include more than 1,100 poems, he has broached nearly every subject imaginable. From the drowning angst of youth to the quiet reflection of aging, to the thoughtful projection of afterlife, no aspect of the human experience is left untouched.

In “Rhythmic Notions”, his latest collection, he has attempted a new approach. Every poem in the collection is actually a song lyric awaiting musical interpretation. He is looking for a musician to collaborate with so if you are interested in learning more about Dennis' song poems, please contact him!

In our interview, Dennis shares his publishing experience with Lulu.com. The basic package is free! Better hear what he has to say!


Dennis shares his typical approach to writing a collection of poems:

Before I begin a collection of poems I try to come up with a basic theme. For example, my collection “Love Endures” is a collection of love poems. “Passions” was a collection of things about which I have a passionate feeling. These two collections were published by iUniverse.com as a single book titled Love and Passions, available through all online bookstores. In Wordprattle I came up with a list 100 everyday words that I thought were interesting and wrote a poem using each word as a title.

I always write all of the titles in the collection first, creating a table of contents, and then go about writing the poems in the order I created the titles. Since I hold a full-time weekday job, I am a weekend writer. An early riser, I find I do my best work first thing in the morning. It usually takes me the better part of a year to complete a collection this way.

With the exception of Love Endures all of my work is self-published through Lulu.com. This also includes my three novels. Readers can preview my work at www.lulu.com/dsmartin. It can also be ordered through Lulu.com or from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Click here to listen to the interview...

Connect with Dennis online at:
http://www.iwritesome.com
http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/
http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Facebook

Challenge the Accepted Standards and Find the True Soul of Poetry

By Sarah Moore for Writers in the Sky

Is the definition of good poetry similar to that famous phrase uttered by Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart in 1964, the one in which he stated that hard-core pornography is hard to define but “I know it when I see it”? Can there be a standard barometer employed to determine that a certain piece of artistic expression can be viewed as “good poetry” while another is simply discarded as a ridiculous mess of rhyme and meter that has no merit? When each reader brings his or her own set of personal experiences and tastes to what is presented on the printed page, it seems that it would be impossible to assert an absolute conclusion concerning the poets who warrant our attention. However, when we sit in a classroom or allow the often biased reviews of others to filter our reading choices, we allow a very personal and passionate art form to lose some of its soul-filled emotion.

Just do a quick search on your computer for the syllabi to Introduction to Poetry classes that take place every semester on college campuses across our country. You undoubtedly will find the usual suspects well-represented. Shakespeare, Browning, Longfellow, Dickinson, and Keats all can rest in peace knowing that their work is being read by thousands of co-eds every year. And, these writers are given their place in every standard anthology for good reason as their words have certainly stood the test of time. You will find that new poets are placed somewhere on the syllabus for good measure, as well as poets of ethnic or other demographic minorities. How often, though, are these poets who are considered outside of the accepted poetic mainstream really given their time and studied in-depth by professors and their charges? How much are we limiting ourselves when we only study the academic poets deemed worthy by textbooks?

A similar question must be examined when evaluating the multitude of websites through which poets can share their work with fellow writers. The internet has provided many new opportunities for aspiring poets to find resources and connect with other people who have a real passion for the art form. These forums, though, often devolve into nothing more than opportunities for writers to slap each other on the back and wait for compliments to be reciprocated. Too often, any genuine criticism that it shared with a participating poet is deemed to be hurtful or unjustified. If poets, and writers of all genres for that matter, are serious about their craft and agree that some of the most exciting work is happening well beyond the ivory towers of academia, they should be open to frank discussions and have a desire to make their work better.

In his recently published collection, New and Selected Poems, poet John Yamrus uses many of the seventy-six pieces included in the book to challenge the ways in which readers decide to accept certain writers and work. He laments the closed circles in which “the academic poet” resides and offers direct responses to those who contact him with thoughtless admonitions as well as to fellow poets who subscribe to the collegial atmosphere of most poetry sharing. Along the way, Yamrus also uses his sharp language to provide his unique perspective on the everyday surroundings and events in our lives.

New and Selected Poems is the nineteenth book published by John Yamrus, whose previous works include sixteen books of poetry and two novels. New and Selected Poems can be purchased through the publisher, Lummox Press, or at Amazon.com.

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What is Article Marketing?

There are many online article directories where people look for material they can use in their newsletters and on their blogs and Web sites. They may as well find yours!

When people pick up your article, they are required to post the resource box along with it when they use it on their site or in their newsletter. This increases your exposure to more people than you would meet in a lifetime and it gives you links back to your blog or Web site. Naturally, a good resource box with a link is going to be important so write one that entices people to visit your blog or Web site where you can continue to network with them.

Your resource box needs to have your contact information and give your name, Web site or blog URL, and may give a call to take action (such as “call xxx or go to xxx for more info”). Some type of freebie can be presented to entice the reader to click and visit your blog or Web site. Here is an example of one I have used:

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS). She and her team of ghostwriters are ready to assist you with writing and editing for books, e-books, Web text, business documents, résumés, bios, articles, and media releases. For more information about writing, networking, publishing, and book promotion, or to sign up for free email delivery of WITS newsletter, please visit http://www.writersinthesky.com. New subscribers receive a free eBook Tips for Freelance Writing.

Interview with Ella Curry of EDC Creations on the Making of her Media Network

Ella D. Curry interviewed me on her blog, featured WITS in her Black Pearls Magazine, and had me on her Black Authors Network Radio Show as a guest.

I thought you might like to know more about this wonderful lady, so here is a Q&A interview with Ella.

1. In general, how did you become involved with books? Specifically, how did you get involved marketing black authors online?

EDC Answer: Working at Karibu bookstores was where I first came into contact with new authors. As a Buyer and the Product Submissions Manager, I would receive their book submissions and press-kits. It was a real shame how under educated most of the authors were at that time. I turned my web design and event planning company into EDC Creations and started helping the authors with their branding and marketing materials.

As a single parent, who spends all her spare time on the Internet, I realized that there were more and more businesses taking their business to the web. What I didn’t see on the web in 2000, when I started my online company, was an abundance of black people. I knew this was a market I could dominate with my skills and passion for reading and my people. At the time, I was attending UMUC and taking graphic design and business management, I merged all my talents into a profitable business, doing what I loved—reading quality literature. Today, I review books for publishing houses, interview celebrities as well as new authors on BAN radio and represent some of the hottest authors in African American literature.

2. Does online marketing generate an increase in online sales? Offline?
EDC Answer: Online marketing definitely increases online and offline sales. You can reach millions of potential customers in one day, via the Internet. You can conduct business in several countries from the comfort of your home, via the Internet. The use of online marketing is one sure way of increasing your territory and getting the word out about your product or service. Micro-blogging, social network marketing, RSS feed syndication and article submissions are just a few of the ways that business owners can connect and create relationships with their target audiences. Internet marketing has so many components, but a great business plan, marketing plan and solid publicity strategies can put it all together and definitely increase awareness and sales.

3. Name three online marketing strategies that no new author should do without.
EDC Answer:

a) Article placements on Internet sites is an important strategy and should be included in all authors overall publicity plan. Writing for Associated Content or becoming a professional blogger is a great way to build followers and to show your range of writing. It can be essential in building your overall brand.

b) Using Internet radio interviews should become an important part of the authors overall media and publicity strategy. Internet radio and the syndication of the shows to iTunes can award authors overnight popularity and cause a great deal of viral responses to their books. I am the producer for Black Authors Network Radio; we reach over 118,000 fans per show via RSS feeds delivered to their personal email accounts!

c) Creating a strong relationship with readers is the most important strategy of all. Authors can do this by social networking with their target audience. Finding out where their potential readers shop, socialize and play online and making meaningful conversation with them, can create repeat buyers and establish brand loyalty for life. Authors should share their news with the readers, as well as take sincere interest in the reader’s daily lives. Combining just these three strategies can take authors a long way, but there are hundreds of other more industry savvy ways that could be explored. That’s why people come to EDC Creations Media Group, my publicity company, to help them find those unique and cutting edge ways to reach the readers….LOL.

4. In what ways can EDC assist authors in online marketing?
EDC Answer: EDC Creations coaches each client on how to capitalize on what they already have in place. Be that a tight focus group to sell their first books to or to use their every day careers as a platform to showcase the books. We help the authors to get major book publicity in radio, local TV, print and on the Internet. The most important thing that EDC Creations does for our clients is bring out their strengths and weaknesses and address both in the most productive manner. We take the vision of our clients and chart the course to turn it into a reality!

Additionally, we offer services in:
Web Business Consultation
Marketing Strategy Creation
Marketing Plan Development
Corporate Identity creation
Comparative SWOT Analysis
Branding & Book Coaching Programs
Competitive Research
Marketing Communications

5. How does the economy affect book marketing? What can still be done to effectively market in downtimes?
EDC Answer: The economy being in this slump can play a significant part in the success of an independently published author. Traditionally published authors have the benefit of the publishing house presenting their books to libraries and bookstores via seasonal catalogs and through sales reps pushing the books. The self-published author has to write the books, market the books, distribute and promote the books. All of this can be very costly! In this economy the authors tend to start taking shortcuts to control the costs, sometimes this brings down the quality of the product. This is a serious no-no!

Also, when readers have less money to spend on entertainment, they tend to cut down on their book purchases. Some readers will turn to the libraries, online book swap groups and such sites as Book Crossings to find free or used books. The authors can work around this by creating personal relationships with their readers that will stimulate loyalty period. Some ways to do this is to create video blogs of the author in their every day life talking about the books and what’s going on with them. Create podcast readings from their books and post them all over the web. Use sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Ning networks to meet the readers on their own turf. Create blogs about their daily lives or what’s going on with their characters to give readers something to chat about amongst themselves. Virtual book/blog tours are the hottest thing going in the book world right now. The online tours are a great way to reach people without breaking the bank. At EDC Creations, we offer blog and radio tours starting at $199.00, which will increase the author’s territory and put them before thousands of readers per day!

6. How can people contact you for your services?
EDC Answer: For book promotions and publicity the best way to reach me is to visit my EDC Creations website. On the main website you can find Black Pearls Magazine, Black Authors Network Radio Show and all the packages we offer authors and publishers. The readers will also meet the authors we are featuring for the month.

To meet new authors and to explore the latest books, readers can visit the BAN Radio Community blog. We have two online bookstores established to suggest great literature for all our readers. The stores are updated monthly with new releases. It’s like going into any brick and mortar store; you can skim the books, and meet the authors. The site addresses are listed below for you and your readers to enjoy. It is a pleasure to meet new readers weekly! On BAN radio we always have gifts and prizes for the visitors. Frequent visitors and bloggers to our community, win books by posting regular and truly joining the conversations. Check us out…you won’t be disappointed! Thank you so much for this opportunity to share the world of EDC Creations Media Group with your network.

EDC Creations’ Main Website
http://www.edc-creations.com/

Black Pearls Magazine
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

EDC Creations Internet Book Promotions
Meet the authors on book tours in 2009
http://www.edccreationsbooktours.ning.com/

BAN Community Blog
http://www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com/

Black Pearls Magazine Blog
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/

EDC Creations Bookstores:
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20
http://astore.amazon.com/sanklitesoci-20

Meet the Writer Cousins on WITS Podcast This Friday

Dennis S. Martin is my cousin, who lives in Baltimore, but I've only met him once in my entire life. That was last year when he and I both happened to be in Georgia visiting our families (his mom and my dad are siblings) at the same time. Although we hadn't met until recently, we have been email buddies for many years and our love for writing and poetry has connected us in a way that only written words can.

Dennis has been writing poetry for almost half a century (that kind of tells you how old he is!). In his 15 collections, which include more than 1,100 poems, he has broached nearly every subject imaginable. From the drowning angst of youth to the quiet reflection of aging, to the thoughtful projection of afterlife, no aspect of the human experience is left untouched.

(Shown in photo: Yvonne Perry and Dennis Martin)

In Rhythmic Notions, his latest collection, he has attempted a new approach. Every poem in the collection is actually a song lyric awaiting musical interpretation.

“People have always told me that my poetry is rhythmic and lyrical. I have written songs before, even written plays for musical adaptation," says Dennis. "But I had never tried to sit down and write a whole collection with the intention of making each piece a song. The tunes are in my head as I write. At times, I even have a specific musical artist in mind when I develop a lyric. But I am not a musician."

Rhythmic Notions contains 100 song poems and should be an interesting read for anyone who enjoys structured, rhythmic, rhyming poetry. Many of the poems in the collection tell a story of love lost, love fulfilled, or just a little snippet of everyday life. There is a little bit of everything for everybody. My personal favorite is "Let’s Get Naked and Run through the
Sprinklers."

It is with great pride and pleasure that I interview this prolific poetic cousin on my podcast this week. Here's a preview poem from his latest book:

You Saved Me Again

You saved me
Just when my life was spinning out of control.
You rushed right in
With understanding and a hand to hold.
You touched my heart
And showed me how it is to be a friend.
Oh, and now
In my lonely hour
You saved me again.

You touched me
In gentle ways that I have never known.
Down deep inside
It’s clear to see how much the feeling has grown.
I know it’s true
You’ll always be there when I need a friend.
And when I’m down
You’ll be around
To save me again.

In my darkest hour when all hope was lost
You were always there with me
Traveling the road, sharing every load,
Knowing this is how it’s always meant to be.

There will come a day
I can repay the kindness you have shown.
I’ll step right in
If you are feeling lost and alone.
I’ll prove to you
I’ve learned just what it means to be a friend.
Without regret
I won’t forget
How you saved me again and again and again.

If you are a musician wanting to work with Dennis on song collaboration, contact him on his blog at http://stores.lulu.com/dsmartin

New Author Michael Presutti Joins WITS Podcast Today

Michael Presutti discusses his new book, Last Words, with WITS owner Yvonne Perry today. Last Words shares Presutti's vision of what happens when one man infiltrates a military compound and releases a biological agent over the skies of the western United States. As the virus spreads across the country, the infected members of the population transform into zombie-like creatures who prey on family members and strangers alike. The survivors become more isloated as they fight off the growing numbers of infected individuals who roam the land.
Last Words is a story of heroism, our notion of civilized society, and the threat of an apocalypse.

Michael will be discussing how his lifelong interest in horror and thriller stories influenced the writing of Last Words and how he developed the characters whose terrifying stories are revealed as the book unfolds. He also will address the idea that a single disaster, either natural or man-made, can destroy the tenuous structure of an organized society that we have managed to build.

Michael not only shares his great book, he also offers some great tips on how he's marketing his books. Here is a list of sites Michael mentioned during his interview. Authors will want to take advantage of these free promotion opportunities!

• Booktour.com - promotes book events, lists signing dates, and helps you find other authors.
• Walmart.oodle.com - Free classifieds ad service by Wal-Mart. For anything you might post on Craigslist including books.
• Wordpress.com - Free blogger site.
• Basement full of books - Created by author Vonda McIntyre. Helps authors sell their books for free. (www.sff.net/bfob/)
• YourBookTube.com a free site to which you may upload your book video trailer.

Click here to listen...to the entire interview.

Click here to purchase Last Words.

Can You Have an Advanced Copyright Year on Book?

I received a question from an author this week and I think other authors might like to know the answer:

Question: Can a book that is printed and made available for sale in 2009 have a copyright date of 2010?

Answer from Greg McNey: The copyright year is the year of first publication and publication generally means making copies of an item available to the public. In the case you’re describing, it is 2009, particularly because of the phrase “made available for sale in 2009.” Simply printing the books this year would not require the 2009 notice; you could print them with a 2010 notice IF you hold them from distribution until that time.

Book Review for Hope Springs Eternal

Ginger Simpson’s release, Hope Springs Eternal is a novella and book three of Stages of Love. The other books in the series are Chastity's Charms, Forever Faith, and Amazing Grace. Today, she shares a review of her book.

Book Title: Hope Springs Eternal
Author: Ginger Simpson
ISBN: electronic -978-1-926647-62-3
Print - 978-1-926647-70-8
Publisher: ETERNAL PRESS, APRIL 2009
Link to purchase: http://www.eternalpress.ca (download) http://www.amazon.com (print)Reviewer Byline: Teagan, for Bookwenches.com

Hope Harrison is dreading going to the new doctor that has taken over for her retired one. It’s bad enough to have to undress, but it makes it so much worse when it is someone you have never met before. In for the shock of her life, Dr. Jerrod Carlson is a hunk of the first order and Hope can’t believe her luck when, he shows an interest in her after hours. Widowed for three years, Hope never dreamed she would find another man that could make her feel the way that Jerrod does, and though she knows he has feelings for her, she isn’t sure he feels as deeply as she does. Especially when an unexpected occurrence has her questioning everything.

Hope Springs Eternal is a heartfelt, realistic, page-turner. I am thrilled to read about a more mature relationship with all the nuances of love and respect. The realistic approach that Ms. Simpson uses in her writing brings her characters to life and draws the reader into their thoughts and feelings. The sweetness of the feelings that Hope and Jerrod have for each other, spoke to the romantic in me. The expressive use of words painted the story in my mind’s eye. Hope’s first visit to her new doctor and the description that was given was so dead on that it even had my nerves frayed. Women, you will completely understand what I mean when you read this wonderful story. Ms. Simpson has a talent for telling a tale and hitting the nail right on the head. I felt as if I was right there with Hope throughout the story. I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a sweet, heartfelt romance. Keep your eye on this talented author.

WITS Welcomes New Author Michael Presutti This Friday

Be sure to join us this Friday when WITS owner Yvonne Perry welcomes author Michael Presutti to discuss his new book Last Words. In this book, Presutti shares a terrifying story that begins with one man breaching the security of a military installation and releases an airborne biological virus across the skies of the western United States. As people become infected with the disease, they are transformed into disfigured and decaying zombie-like creatures who become intent on murder and destruction. Even close family members are not safe from the growing strength of this mutated beings.

As Last Words progresses, readers will meet some survivors who exhibit amazing determination and a will to survive. They also will experience the growing sense of isolation and fear that grips those who have managed to evade the virus. Last Words is a gripping book that inspires thoughts on the apocalypse and that thin line that we all walk between society and savagery.

Click here to purchase Last Words.

Title of Document: Book Review
Book Title: Last Words
Author: Michael Presutti
ISBN Number: 978-1-4327-3743-6
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com
Genre and Target Market: fiction; horror; thriller
Publication Date: 2009
Book Length in Pages: 123

As a child, I was not a fan of movies or books that detailed a violent apocalypse or a Hobbesian return to our primal selves. I was introduced to The Stand by Stephen King and the terrifying mini-series The Day After when I was college, however, and my interest in the darker elements of storytelling started to awaken. My accompanying studies of the Cold War in its waning days focused my attention further on the very real prospect of cataclysmic events affecting our planet. My love for the genre was sealed after marrying my husband, who is a devoted fan of the Sci-Fi Channel. Between ridiculous movies about spiders mutated by radiation, I discovered some serious cinematic commentaries on our current global state. I am now an advocate of the idea that extreme and violent stories of human destruction can provide wonderful insights into how carefully we all walk that line of maintaining a civil sanity. I share this background story to let you know how excited I am to discover author Michael Presutti and his recently published novel, Last Words. Presutti’s novel about traveling hordes of monsters, fratricide, and the daily fight for survival is terrifying and absolutely spellbinding … primarily because the possible reality of such a scenario is not as far-fetched as we might hope.

The author begins Last Words with a prologue that is guaranteed to grip the reader’s attention. We learn that a lone man bent on teaching the world a lesson has infiltrated a military compound and is set to release a deadly virus over the skies of the western United States. This brief and startling introduction is followed by a series of short broadcasts from a cable news network that tracks the progress of the virus as it spreads across the country. After only a week, the transmission signal goes dead. I knew that I was reading a piece of fiction, but I still felt a very real pang of helplessness and frustration with just this hint about the devastation that had occurred. Through his powerfully abrupt language, Presutti does a masterful job of creating emotional investment from his readers right away.

Throughout the pages of Last Words that follow, Presutti invites his readers into the lives of people who are simply trying to survive the virus that spreads to their communities through the ever-growing population of “infected ones.” We meet parents who kill their own children and wives who feel compelled to attack their husbands, all due to the unforgiving virus. With wild eyes and mutilated bodies, the infected beings feast upon human and animal flesh alike. The author creates vivid descriptions of these encounters that are both jarring and utterly fascinating. The visuals play clearly in the mind of the reader with every page that is turned.

One of the most effective ways that Presutti develops his tale of zombie-like predators, the breakdown of society, and the heroic fight for survival is through the short story format he employs. Each chapter is only about ten pages in length but packed with action. This layout creates frantic episodes featuring the lives of those who are desperate to see another sunrise. At no point in Last Words does the reader get a chance to relax or even take a deep breath. Even the interludes between each chapter feature single quotations printed on a stark white background. These words offer thoughts of Armageddon and often the human contribution to the approaching end of the world. Not exactly a respite from the agony felt through the main text of the plotline.

The new novel Last Words by Michael Presutti is a stunning read that leaves its readers thinking long after the final pages are closed. The author creates a scenario that could be campy and almost perversely comical if told from a different perspective. However, he instead develops a novel that delivers relatable characters and a mesmerizing plot. We feel the loneliness of the individuals who have managed to survive the grips of the virus and now long for any connection with another human being. We ache for those who have the charge of protecting our leaders but realize the bunker has become nothing more than an inevitable death trap. We cheer for the few who choose to forge ahead and help as many people as possible along the way. Last Words should be read not only by those who are drawn to the X-Files aspect of the book, but also anyone who can appreciate a story about the human condition under the most unimaginable of circumstances.

Questions and Answers from a Full-time Ghostwriter

I would like to thank Ginger Simpson for the terrific questions she posed to me for an interview on her blog where she asks and I answer the following questions: 

1. Yvonne, you’ve created such a wonderful Web site in “Writers in the Sky.” What prompted you to spend so much time creating it?
   
2. I see that you promote many ‘paid’ services to authors, but you continue to solicit free postings for you monthly newsletter from any author who cares to contribute. Besides being a very generous offer of free promotion, how does this benefit you?
   
3. I note that you’ve ghostwritten a number of books. I’ve always been interested in how you become a ghostwriter. Could you divulge a little information about this part of your career?
   
4. If you could share only one valuable tip with other authors, what would it be?
   
5. How much faith do you have in blog tours and do you recommend them?
   
6. You’ve written some very interesting books, many of them self-help genres. What inspired you to write, More Than Meets the Eye?
   
7. I also notice you offer assistance in writing query letters. That seems to be a hot topic on many of the loops these days. Care to share a tip or two with us? Some of us have gotten to that stage and have no idea how to meld together the mixed bag of information on the Internet.
8. You made a very brave move in leaving a Fortune 500 career to begin your own business. If you had it to do over again, would you make that same decision?
9. I found it so interesting that you have been involved in Toastmasters. I attended for a number of years and thoroughly enjoyed it. How has your membership served you in the writing world?
   

There's a gift for those who leave a comment here or on Ginger's blog.

Book Proposal Help

Phyllis Zimbler Miller and Carolyn Howard-Johnson ran a fun Tweetchat on book proposals. She edited it for easier reading and posted it for those who missed it. There is lots of info in it on shopping your book to agents, too. Remember, you read tweet chats like you follow blogs. From the bottom up.

http://budurl.com/bookprotweetchat

Another book proposal help is The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less for 49 cents at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YG6O5U/

WITS Presents a Very Special Podcast Interview Today

Brent Sampson, the CEO of Outskirts Press, will be joining team member Sarah Moore today to discuss his book Adventures in Publishing. Outskirts Press is a self-publishing company that is often used by the writers who frequent this site, so this interview should contain a great deal of relevant information for our listeners. Mr. Sampson developed Adventures in Publishing in the form of a children's book as a way of detailing the steps that an author in this genre would encounter when considering publication through Outskirts Press. Adventures in Publishing addresses the fears and concerns of first-time authors as well as the great opportunities that await them in the self-publishing process.

In the interview, Brent Sampson will discuss the benefits of choosing the self-publishing route over a traditional publishing house, why he chose to make children's literature the focus of the book, the advice he has for first-time authors, and the specific process used by Outskirts Press in working with its writers.

Click here to listen... to the entire interview.

Adventures in Publishing by Brent Sampson may be purchased here.

Skill Tests!

Do you know when to use they're, their, or there? I just found a great grammar site with skill tests! http://www.better-english.com/easier/theyre.htm

Sign up to get free business English exercises sent to your inbox: http://tinyurl.com/5kka

Ten Steps for Developing a Social Media Marketing Plan

by Dana Lynn Smith

This guest article from Dana Lynn Smith is part of the virtual book tour for her new book, The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing. You can see the complete tour schedule at http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/booktour/.

Marketing through social media can be a great way to promote yourself and your book, but you'll save time and be more effective if you do some planning before you dive in. Below are some steps for developing an effective social marketing plan.

1. Think about the other promotional tactics you are already using and how social media fits in with them.

2. Decide how high a priority should be placed on social marketing, compared with other your marketing activities. How many hours a week can you devote to it?

3. Determine what target audiences you want to reach through social marketing. For example:

• Potential new customers
• Key influencers (people who can introduce/recommend you)
• Peers and other experts in my field or genre
• Publishing and marketing professionals

4. Set objectives, describing what you hope to gain by marketing through social media. Here are a few examples:

• Increase visibility and name or brand recognition
• Establish myself as an expert in my field
• Develop relationships with others in my field or genre
• Drive traffic to my website (directly and through enhanced SEO)
• Sell books and other products and services
• Develop relationships with potential joint venture partners

5. Based on your objectives, set specific, achievable, and measurable goals for your social marketing activities. Here are some examples:

• Add five new incoming links to my website this month
• Double the traffic to my website within two months
• Increase my opt-in mailing list by twenty five percent within three months
• Increase book sales by ten percent within two months

6. Develop your branding

• Get a good quality headshot photo, in low-resolution format, to use in all online marketing activities.
• Decide what "user name" you want to be known by online. Nonfiction authors should also develop a short tagline that reflects their specific area of expertise, such as "The Book Marketing Maven."
• Write standard bios in several lengths.
• Create an online signature for emails and online forums. Include your book title, company name if appropriate, website and blog address, and one or two social networks.

7. Determine which social marketing tactics are the best fit for your book, your audiences, your objectives, and your available time. Social marketing activities can include:

• Social aspects of blogging (commenting on blogs, doing blog tours, etc.)
• Social networking (Facebook, MySpace, etc.)
• Microblogging (Twitter)
• Reader communities (Goodreads, LibraryThing, etc.)
• Online forums
• Expert sites and wikis (Squidoo, HubPages, etc.)
• Media and content sharing sites (video and photo sharing sites, etc.)
• Social news and bookmarking (StumbleUpon, Digg, Delicious, etc.)

8. Decide how you will measure the effectiveness of your social marketing efforts. What metrics will you track and what tools will you use to measure them. Below are some examples of metrics you might track:

• Friends or followers on social networks
• Articles or pages posted on expert sites or article sites
• Sales of books and other products and services
• Business contacts (peers, influencers, media, potential partners)
• Weekly unique visitors and return visitors to my website and blog
• Subscribers to my mailing list and blog
• Visitors to my website and blog
• Inbound links to my website and blog

9. Implement your chosen social marketing tactics, one at a time.

10. Evaluate your progress periodically. Can you tell which activities are generating the best results? Are some activities taking up too much of your time? Make adjustments to your strategy as necessary.

Dana Lynn Smith is a book marketing coach and author of The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing, www.SavvyBookMarketer.com. To view other articles in the Successful Social Marketing book tour, visit
http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/booktour/

Writers in the Sky E-zine Now Ready

Writers in the Sky E-zine is now available and you may read it online at http://writersinthesky.com/ezine/news-may09.html.

If you are not subscribed to the e-zine, you may do so at https://app.quicksizzle.com/survey.aspx?sfid=13065. Remind your friends to subscribe to our e-zine so they don't miss the next issue!

If you prefer to read one feature at a time, you may want to visit our e-zine blog and sign up for RSS feed or become a follower so you get a notice whenever we post something new.

WITS e-zine is proofread by Sarah Moore or Barbara Milbourn. I truly appreciate Sarah and Barbara for their hard work.

You may read our archived issues from 2006 to 2009 on our Web site: http://writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html#archives.

CEO of Outskirts Press to Join WITS Podcast on Friday!

Please make sure to mark your calendars and join us this Friday when our very special guest will be Brent Sampson, the CEO of Outskirts Press. This self-publishing company has been responsible for producing many of the books that have been featured on our podcast. Mr. Sampson has recently published Adventures in Publishing, which is written as a children's book and has the intention of sharing information about how to publish children's book. The content of Adventures in Publishing covers many of the fears and concerns that are mentioned by first-time authors, and the layout and illustrations demonstrate the wonderful options available through Outskirts Press when authors are creating their own book.

In addition to discussing Adventures in Publishing, Mr. Sampson will share many details concerning what Outskirts Press can offer authors and the advice that he has for writers approaching the publishing market for the first time. This is an interview not to be missed by writers and others in publishing industry alike!

Click here to purchase Adventures in Publishing. Visit the Outskirts Press website to learn more about Brent Sampson's company.


Title of Document: Book Review
Book Title: Adventures in Publishing
Author: Brent Sampson
ISBN Number: 978-1-932672-33-6
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com
Genre and Target Market: marketing; self-publishing authors
Publication Date: 2009
Book Length in Pages: 22

As someone who works on a regular basis with authors who have entered the self-publishing world for the first time, I understand the concerns and hesitations that come with determining the best way to put your written material out for public consumption. Which publishing company will be the best fit for my type of book and my specific needs? What about my concerns that the final product will not match the vision I had for my work when I started the process? How do I go about promoting my book in the most effective ways possible? Writing a book is a very personal process and authors want some assurance that their hard work will be taken seriously and given the care it deserves. With his new book, Adventures in Publishing, the CEO of Outskirts Press Brent Sampson shares the steps in working with his self-publishing company, and his wonderful creation will undoubtedly bring great comfort to new writers.

From the moment that a potential reader takes one look at the cover to Adventures in Publishing, she knows that an imaginative and beautiful reading adventure lies within its covers. The author has created a gorgeous piece that has the appearance of a children’s book, with the purpose of primarily appealing to authors of children’s books and other full-color publications, but contains substantial information that is essential for anyone hoping to see their name in print. Each page addresses a different element of the process at Outskirts Press as explained through rhyme. What aspiring author cannot relate to the following concepts, “Her adventure didn’t start easy because she didn’t know where to turn. Traditional? Independent? Full-service? It seemed too hard to learn.” Sampson then uses the next twenty pages to take the readers through his character Mindy’s Outskirts adventure and the growing sense of excitement that she feels as her dreams of being a published author move ever closer to fruition.

Obviously, this book is intended to serve as a marketing piece for the services offered by Outskirts Press. One of the most effective ways in which Sampson accomplishes this task is through the gorgeous illustrations that appear on each page of Adventures in Publishing. The pictures are striking in their color, detail, and relevance to the accompanying text. Children’s authors who are considering Outskirts Press for their publishing needs certainly will enjoy letting their imaginations run wild with the possible visuals that Sampson’s company may provide for their own stories. Sampson plays up the illustrating component of Outskirts by displaying the various options that are available for authors and touting the impressive pricing for the beautiful pictures.

Sampson not only takes readers through the publishing process experienced by the fictional author Mindy, but also introduces us to several real clients who share wonderful testimonials about their experiences with Outskirts Press. These author pages, which are included throughout Adventures in Publishing, each display a photo of the happy author, some words of appreciation for the service that Outskirts Press provided and the covers of the author’s published novel or novels. I appreciate Sampson’s effective weaving of actual clients into his book, as there is no more persuasive marketing tool for a company than the words of satisfied customers. After reading the testimonials, I came away with the strong belief that Outskirts Press is a business that is committed to meeting the needs of each author and that works tirelessly to make sure the publishing process is as smooth and enjoyable an experience as possible.

Once authors finish reading Adventures in Publishing by Brent Sampson, they will be familiar with every aspect of self-publishing as offered by Outskirts Press. From being assigned a representative to selecting a layout for the book to working with a marketing coach to reach as many potential readers as possible, new authors will be able to track the steps they can expect to follow when they are ready to offer their writing for publication. Links to specific information at the Outskirts Press website are printed throughout Adventures in Publishing so that authors can turn to their computers and automatically learn more than what is already covered in this introductory book. The message of optimism that is conveyed through every detail in this book, such the encouragement embedded in the text and the bright colors that jump off the pages, will likely inspire many new authors who had previously been hesitant to take that first step towards publication. Through Adventures in Publishing, Brent Sampson and Outskirts Press have produced a piece of which they should be proud, and one that I hope all aspiring authors will take the opportunity to read.

Writing Competition Where Writers Come Together!!

Recently, I joined a group of writers known as BunnyRabbitSex. BunnyRabbitSex is just a name. The site is built for writers to come together to share and discuss their works!

Bunny has just announced the group's very first competition! Entry is free, but you must be a member of BunnyRabbitSex. That's also free!

The prize is a mystery fan prize. It's a themed BunnyRabbitSex prize and it's also a mystery! This makes it more exciting! This prize is a parcel, and will arrive at its destination in a box.

Requirements for Entering:

• BunnyRabbitSex member for three or more days.
• Have shared at least three of your own original works.
• Have requested a badge.
• Are willing to provide a postal address.
• At least 16 years old.

Requirements for Entries:

• Must use the general start piece below. May include some changes (like making her a he, changing the time of day, etc etc).
  
• Must be no more than 25,500 characters and no less than 8,000 characters (Short story).
• Must be creative and original.
• Must be submitted by 12am Atlanta, Georgia (USA) time on the date of the deadline.
• Must use the competition icon and be placed in the short story board with the correct Posting Templates used.
  

Start Piece:
The sun was bright and warm, at least warm enough to heat the grass. She watched it wave in the breeze and shivered as it came through the bush she was hiding in. She could hear the children screaming and laughing as they played around her. She felt safe here. For now.

Some Inspiration Questions:
Who, or what is this girl?
Why is she hiding?
Is someone after her? If so who and why?
Where is she hiding (no, not the bush, the place)?
What year is it?
What country/world is she in?
When will she stop hiding?
Where will she go and what will she do?
Is she hurt?
Does she have anything special about her?

Bunny says, "We are looking for creativity, proper grammar, context, and spelling. We want you to use your imaginations and totally throw us out of the water, make us go for a tailspin! Do something we don't expect. Make it silly, or funny, or whatever! The most entertaining, well written, and creative piece wins!"

Competition Submission:
May 1st - June 1st (ends at 12 a.m. June 1, 2009 EST).

1. No one will be asked to pay any shipping/handling fees.
2. No address is recorded. We respect your privacy.
3. Please consult Bunny before making drastic changes to get them approved (show her your new paragraph). Try to keep the general idea.
   

You can view the full announcement at http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com

Today's Podcast Interview Shares One Immigrant's Story

Author Dao Huynh joins team member Sarah Moore today to discuss her new release An Unknown Journey. In this novel, Ms. Huynh shares the story of a Vietnamese girl (also named Dao) who flees her war-torn homeland as one of the "boat people" of the 1970s. Readers learn of her year-long journey to the United States, which includes a long stop in Malaysia, her adjustment to the cultural and language barriers in her new country, and her determination to be a success story in America. It really is a book of two parts, the first one narrating her compelling efforts to reach the United States and the second half expanding on the relationships and struggles she encounters once reaching her destination.


In the interview, Dao Huynh will be discussing how the details in the novel relate to her own background, why both immigrants and children of immigrants will be particularly affected by An Unknown Journey, and how she reached the decision that this story needed to be told. She also will share what sparked her interest in the expression of writing in the first place.

Click here to listen...to the entire interview.

An Unknown Journey by Dao Huynh can be purchased at the Amazon website.

Writers’ Podcast for May Offers Something for Everyone

Writers in the Sky Podcast Guests Will Discuss Books with Topics Ranging from the Apocalypse and Fleeing War to the Publishing Industry and Poetry.

Nashville, TN, April 25, 2009—The series of author podcasts that Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS) is offering in May is comprised of an amazing variety both in genre and personal writing styles. No matter your perspective or your place in the field of writing and publishing, Writers in the Sky has an interview that will peak your interest this month. WITS begins the month by discussing an inspirational story of an immigrant who faced amazing odds in her efforts to reach, and then succeed in, America. Next, podcast hosts will speak with the head of a self-publishing company with which many of our authors are already quite familiar. May continues with an author who shares his vision of a world in which an airborne virus has destroyed much of the earth’s population. As the month progresses toward summer, the spotlight will be on a poet who offers a new collection of his work. Finally, Memorial Day weekend will start with an opportunity to hear about a new children’s book in which two young boys must unlock an ancient secret.

On May 1, Sarah Moore will interview Dao Hyunh about her new book An Unknown Journey. This novel shares the story of a young girl named Dao who flees her war-torn homeland of Vietnam in search for a better life in America. She becomes one of the “boat people” whose travels became known around the world in the 1970s. The readers first learn about Dao’s life with her family in Vietnam, and then follow her during a year-long journey that finally brings her to the United States. Her determination to make a new home for herself and adapt to a new culture despite many roadblocks is a testament to the struggle of all immigrants. Please visit the Outskirts Press Web site to learn more about Dao Hyunh and An Unknown Journey.

The podcast on May 8 will feature Brent Sampson, the CEO of Outskirts Press. This self-publishing company is a frequent choice for the authors who are featured on our podcast. Mr. Sampson has a new book titled Adventures in Publishing. Written in the format of a child’s story, the book takes its readers through the self-publishing process. He addresses many of the fears and misconceptions that new authors may have. Also, Sampson is able to provide an example of the final product that Outskirts Press offers. Mr. Sampson will discuss his reason for writing Adventures in Publishing as well as how interested writers can get started on their own path to publishing. Adventures in Publishing can be purchased at the Amazon Web site. Please visit the Outskirts Press Web site to learn more about the company.

The month of podcasts takes a very different turn on May 15 when Sarah Moore interviews Michael Presutti, author of the new release Last Words. In this novel, a lone man infiltrates a military compound and releases a deadly virus over the skies of the western United States. As the story progresses, readers learn about those throughout the country who are trying to escape the growing number of the “infected ones.” These zombie-like creatures that have been exposed to the virus have mutilated bodies and are driven to kill their own families.
Readers can sense the desperation and the isolation as fewer and fewer people manage to stay a step ahead of the virus. Please go to Outskirts Press to learn more about Michael Presutti and purchase Last Words.

On May 22, Dennis Martin will be the featured guest. He will be discussing his new book of poetry, Rhythmic Notions. This book is intended for anyone who has a fondness for rhythmic, lyrical poetry. Some of the pieces from this collection have been featured over the past few months in the Writers in the Sky newsletter. Dennis creates much of his work with specific artists in mind, usually country artists, and he hopes that someone in the music industry is seriously looking for new, fresh lyrics for recording.

In Dennis’ own words, “There are a few good drinking/honky tonk songs, a number of love songs, love lost songs, far-from-home songs, and a couple of buddy songs. As usual, the tunes are in my head, but I am neither singer nor musician.” All of Dennis' books can be purchased through Lulu.com.

We end the month of May by having Barbara Milbourn host a discussion with Fiona Ingram, who will be sharing her new novel The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. In this book, a 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when young cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair receive an old scarab on their very first day in Egypt. The adventure begins when the evil Dr. Khalid shares a strong interest in the scarab and then pursues the boys in what becomes an amazing journey. Ms. Ingram will be share more details concerning the storyline of her book, how she encourages young readers to get involved with the history and culture to be learned, and what further journeys may lay ahead. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab can be purchased at the Amazon Web site and you can learn more about the book at the author’s Web site.

“May is going to be a wonderful month for our author podcasts, as we will be sharing a wide variety of the newly-published material,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “Whether you enjoy history, horror, grand adventures, poetry, or the opportunities to learn more about the publishing field, we offer something for you this month.”

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.