Andre Peters returns in the novel, Consequences

ORDER TODAY AT AMAZON.COM, BARNES & NOBLE, BORDERS, XPRESS YOURSELF PUBLISHING, AND THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE, WWW.LINDARHERMAN.COM.

Ways and Means- An author survey

By Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Okay you’ve got me. I know what this looks like. It would appear from my work area that I am a slob. What you cannot see is that I’m just a few feet from the kitchen table. What is not pictured is the refrigerator, sink, and range just out of the camera’s periphery. This is in fact my home office or where as I put it, “the magic happens.” My office also happens to be located in my home’s breakfast nook, architecturally speaking. It is part of a room with a view.

I am a novelist that completed my final edits on my first novel, Soon and Very Soon in this cramped space, as well as completed my manuscript for my 2009 release, The Manual due out in October.We moved into this house in 2006 and in a sacrificial act reminiscent of those in the O’Henry’s classic tale, The Gift of the Magi, I gave up my office space in my old house for a house that my husband (who is an equally talented chef) could have an adequate and open kitchen space in which to work. Only recently did I begin to feel claustrophobic in my chair that conveniently swivels from the kitchen to my workstation.

Character sketches, drafts of blog posts and strands of my marketing plan were all overlapping with family schedules, bills and work-related stuff. A writing schedule for my next two projects that coincided with my decision to go back to teaching full time had me at an impasse. Had me in creative limbo.This is not the writer’s life that I imagined for myself. But I Push through, like the author of that title, Sapphire, said once during The Black Writer’s Conference I attended many moons ago, “I write or I’ll die.” But you can imagine the funk I am in. There’s got to be a better way than waking up at an ungodly hour to write, teaching three classes of English Literature and mentoring a Write-A-Book club, and then trying to burn the candle at both ends by staying up wicked late to finish a line or two. Not to mention, husband, kids, Facebook and Myspace friends that all need my attention.

I don’t know if anyone else has been here. What source book shows me how to win the tussle with time and the management of it? Is there a Clean House specifically for writers? Is Discovery Health airing live footage of an author giving birth to a writing project?It’s obvious I am wet behind the ears, and a little disorganized to boot, but it got me to thinking about other writers and their habits. Articles and interviews do a good job at getting a synopsis or inspiration behind a writing project, but some lack the time to really delve into the character behind the characters-the untold story of the ways and means of an author. Is there a process behind or just beyond the writing process we writer’s use. In the case of my W-A-B teens does J.K. Rowlings (Harry Potter series) or Stephanie Meyers (Twilight Series) write on a PC or laptop? Do they draw inspiration from Shakesphere or comic books? Do they write to classical music, folk or rock? Do they people watch or character sketch? How do they research a setting, a character’s dialect, a character flaw? Aspiring writers want to know?

Let me let you in on another vice of mine. Please don’t judge. Eric Jerome Dickey novels. Yes, I read them, specifically the ones in the Gideon series. They are fast paced and smartly written with enough sex and violence in it to make a Christian author like me blush. So, I take them in small doses. It’s my equivalent to a Soprano’s or Sex and the City DVD collection. I am that devoted, but the best part of his novels, by far to me, is in the acknowledgements which he has in the back of his books. To an inquisitive author like myself, this is worth the Canada cover price to me. He details there the inspiration for his characters, more like conversations (real or in jest) with characters. He talks about writing on tour, and how these experiences help create settings in his future novels. I’m talking London, Tijuana, and recently (Dying for Revenge) Antigua. I’m not talking about tourist maps and a Sony digital camera either. He thanks hordes of people he has supped with, spoken with, and been chauffeured around by. Suddenly I feel like I’ve been half-stepping with my internet research and playing it safe setting a scene at home here in Maryland. His bio always proclaims he lives on the road, but rests in Southern Cali. So as I’m searching the Bible for envy and covetousness scriptures to convict me for the jealousy I feel, I realize, this is the life I imagined. I want to be Eric Jerome Dickey. Sorry for any fan that may be in line behind me when I meet him, but I have a rough outline of what I would say to him like Charlotte prepared for Big in the Sex and the City movie, with less aggravation and way more admiration.

Writer’s juggle worlds and lives of characters in their minds and sometimes compromise or fumble in their own lives. More than anything I want my W-A-B teens to see the full spectrum of a writer’s life and not just that of their tortured time-and-space challenged club advisor.I created the Ways and Means survey for Writers to discover those craft practices that have helped writers create that authentic piece of work and present it to the world. It is by no means meant to be a conclusive or comprehensive study. The survey deals mostly with the art of writing and not marketing and promtions. I'll leave that to the experts. I am looking for 100 poets, novelist, journalist and wordsmiths in general to honestly take part and I will continue to finance the survey until that goal is reached. Names are optional and are not linked to survey results. Authors who leave a contact email in the name box will receive a promtional item from me for participating. I hope to publish the results on a blog near you,(cross your fingers for a blog tour) and use the findings as another vehicle to inspire those who desire to touch people with their words.And if anyone knows Eric Jerome Dickey, tell him I have some choice words for him, and please, direct him to my survey.

Take the survey here
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WY6vyfg27qcZgdWrQmMGZw_3d_3dEDC Creations Book Promotions

EDC Creations Top Books: 01/09

Literary Hallmarks for January 2009

EDC Creations is proud to announce the books that created an impact, for readers and the EDC Creations network. Our literary hallmarks indicate excellence in writing. These are the books we want to share with the world. Each year thousands of people — educators, concerned parents, community leaders, authors, poets and publishers — devote their time and resources to presenting the reader with great books! However, too many outstanding books do not get the attention and reader support that they deserve, they float just under the radar. It is our mission to connect readers with these hidden gems and bring them books that will change their lives.


We have previewed all of the books below and these are just a few of the magnificent books we love. Other lists will be posted bi-monthly of our fantastic literary finds. Readers please take a moment and examine the list below. There is something for all book lovers! The books are NOT listed in any order pertaining to the quality of the literature—they are all 4-5 star reads. Each book on this list will bring something of value to enrich the lives of the readers and to help to strengthen our future generations. If you are a fan of Erotica or Urban Literature, there is a book for you. If you are more in tune with books of a Spiritual or Motivational nature, there is a book for you. Like to live life on the edge and walk on the dark, mysterious side—we have a selection for you too. Enjoy!


Book of the Month for the Sankofa Literary Society
Smart Parenting for African Americans by Jeffrey Gardere, PH.D



Non-fiction Titles
A New Conversation with Men by Michael Taylor
Metu Neter Vol. 3 by Ra Un Nefer Amen
Hickeys, Hiccups & Homework by Keysha Whitaker
No More Excuses: Black Men Stand Up by Robert Jackson
Black Inventors by Keith C. Holmes
1001 Black Inventions Supplement by Pin Points, Inc.
Empowered to Birth Naturally by Patrice A. London

Michelle: A Biography by Liza Mundy
Through It All: Reflections on My Life...by Christine King Farris

Fiction Titles
Extraordinary Affair by Baba Evans Moore
A Different Kind of Blues by Gwynne Forster
Happily Ever Now by Nicole S. Rouse
Shadows of the Heart by Lord’Williams
The Fulani Girls by Margaret D. Pagan
Queen by Cynthia White
Make Me Whole by Roishina Clay Henderson
More Than a Slave by Margaret D. Pagan
Song Yet Sung by James McBride



Please join us in celebrating the best in literature by leaving comments or congrats below.

Black Authors Culture Center -- Twitter with Ella -- Black Pearls Mag

EDC Creations Book Promotions

Rearrange A Bookstore Day

EDC Creations Book Promotions


I’ve been known to go next door to my job, to the Wal-Mart, and rearrange books. Sure I have better things to do but I do it regularly. At first the store manager would, ask me what I’m doing and I simply told him “I’m straightening up your book shelf”. But then I guess they realized they were not just straightened up but also rearranged. LOL
They are not going to raise hell when I have a $100.00 worth of merchandise in my shopping cart now are they?

Why do I do this? Well first off , I don’t think we should be segregated. I will stick some Donna Hill’s and some Marcia King Gamble’s and most recently Cheryl Robinson’s, (just to name a few off a very long list), books into the Main Stream romance section

They ARE romance authors that just so happen to be black.

Yesterday I was at the Books A Million, here in Florida and I caught an attitude big time. the romance section was 43 feet long yes I counted. Each shelf was either 5 rows or 7 rows. The 5 rows were hard backs and mass paper backs and the 7 rows were trade paperbacks.

As I looked to see if any of us were sprinkled in, my attitude worsened.

I then went to the African American Literature section and really got pissed. The African American section was 9 feet long and each rack was 5 rows per, and very sparse. Not only was it romance it was also fiction, non fiction, and bio’s scattered in or shall I say peppered in. I started looking for some authors I know recently released new books. Hmmmm I am not happy, one Seduction and Lies, Donna Hill’s newest release, one Gotta Keep On Tryin’ De Berry and Grant one Tempting The Mogul, Marcia’s new book, 6 Something On The Side, Carl Weber’s book released last January 2008, and I could keep going be you get the point.

Yes maybe they were sold, it was the weekend, but re-stock damn it. It was not kept and not in order at all. I went to my friendly African American salesperson and asked her what’s up with this??? And why are we segregated?, Ain’t Obama in office now? We both laughed but she understood where I was coming from. She said the same argument that I’ve heard repeatedly, half the people want an African American section and half don’t.
That was still no excuse for the way the section looked.

I remember years ago when I wanted one too. The names of authors I wanted to read I did not know unless they came out in Essence magazine each month. I would run to the store and look for them and sometimes be disappointed because they weren’t there, or very annoyed when the salesperson said ”WHO”? GRRRR. E. LYNN HARRIS was the book I was requesting and it was not his first one either.

So I spent the afternoon doing my chosen task, putting the books in order, “peppering the salt” and I did a top shelf of new releases.
Hey, it’s all about love lol
While I was doing this I was thinking about Carlene Brice’s blog about give a black book to a non black reader.

Hmmmmm

Light Bulb Moment
What if I could get all my friends, bloggers, readers, and authors, to do this too???
THIS COULD BE BIG!!!!

If you spend as much time in bookstores as I do
Let’s pick a day and we all do it.
Rearrange, pepper in and spread us around
put us on the top shelf on an end cap at the check out counter. If they have several copies. If not face the book forward in the African American section.

The only thing I wish was I had way of tracking the results.

Are you willing to rearrange a bookstore?
I have even left notes to say “LOOK IN African American ROMANCE SECTION”….. by the way, it works both ways.
Put your favorite authors and new releases on top
“Pepper” them in “Main Stream” sections
Order some books they will add it into inventory or you can, when they hand them to you
Demand that books are in store and on shelf on release date
Talk to browsers about your favorite book or author
Place new books or your favorites face out
Don’t put them in a weird place; we do want folks to find them
Leave a book review
Leave a post it note
Leave a bookmark in the book from an author
Leave information about your book club
Start a African American club in store

Readers, do you want to add to the list?
Are you willing to adopt a African American book section?
I would love feedback on this

Just My 2 Cents, Simply-said.net

A New Conversation with Men by Michael Taylor

This book is starting a revolution in how men see themselves and their role in society. This message will empower men of all ethnicities, ages and religious backgrounds to embrace a new paradigm of masculinity that will empower them to reach their full potential.

A New Conversation with Men by Michael Taylor

This book is starting a revolution in how men see themselves and their role in society. This message will empower men of all ethnicities, ages and religious backgrounds to embrace a new paradigm of masculinity that will empower them to reach their full potential.

A New Conversation with Men by Michael Taylor

Is it possible to: Teach men to become great fathers? Encourage men to become better husbands? Teach men to live with passion and purpose? Get men involved in improving their communities? Join entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, and radio-show host Michael Taylor as he shares how creating a new paradigm of masculinity can help heal America. This book is written to inspire men of all ethnicities, ages, socio-economic levels, and religions to come together to redefine manhood and to eradicate the multiplicity of challenges facing America today. Its intention is to remove the separation among men and remove the hatred, fear, and distrust that too many men feel about each other. It is a powerful, inspirational document written to educate, motivate, and inspire all men to reach their full potential. Join the conversation, and become a part of the revolution!

Winners announced for the Novel to Film competition!

Greetings, The winners for the Novels to Films Feature Length Competition are: Consequences, When Love Is Blind by Linda Herman Battered Clergy: From Victim to Victor by Dr. Joseph Howard The Novels to Films Team and Moopy Vision Movies would like to thank you all for entering the competition. We received over 100 submissions for the feature category, which made it a very difficult decision. Unfortunately, we were only able to select two titles.

If you've yet to read this intriguing, thought-provoking book by Linda R. Herman, be sure to order your copy TODAY! Consequences When Love Is Blind is available at online retailers and should be requested at every bookstore and library worldwide. For autographed copies, visit the author's webstore at www.LindaRHerman.com.

Life for Sade Peters is picture perfect. With a fabulous home in upscale Atlanta, Georgia, Sade is living the life most of society only read about in magazines. A successful novelist, Sade is married to the man of her dreams, Andre Peters, an equally successful sports agent. Couple that with a set of fraternal twins, and you have all the makings of the contemporary modern day Huxtables.

However, what life looks like from the outside, may not necessarily match the inner workings of this household. The Down Low is a real and earth-shattering truth, and Sade’s happiness abruptly ends when she is faced with this reality.

Life as Sade knows it changes within the blink of an eye when she soon discovers that both she and her husband are HIV positive.

Imagine walking through life in Sade’s shoes. What happens when the men we trust commit the ultimate betrayal? Who is to blame when faith and trust is tested tremendously?

The Power of Words that Heal

Family, I'm in tears as I type these few lines.
My co-worker recently lost her mother who was only 54 years old. She died of cancer in October 2008. My co-worker and friend is currently reading Somebody Prayed for Me, and she just called me in tears after reading the story "One Moment With You" and the poem "Always In My Heart." These are pieces dedicated to the memory of my maternal grandmother who raised me, nurtured me, loved me, and taught me about being a strong woman. She died at the age of 64 in January 2006 and my life was forever changed that day because she was my grandmother, mother, and best friend.

I wrote those pieces for my own self-healing and today I learned that my words are helping someone else who is going through the same experience of losing a loved one.

I've been tired along this journey. There have been times when I wanted to throw in the towel and give up on writing. But God always finds a way to show me how my gift of writing can be a gift to others. Family, be inspired....never give up.

Linda R. Herman, Founder of ASA
www.LindaRHerman.com

Are you still excited about your book? If your not why should I be?

Are you still excited about your book? If your not why should I be?



Authors don’t get lazy. The same thing you did to create the initial buzz about your book, you need to continue, to keep the fire burning.

If you’re burnt out don’t let your fans or future readers see it. I want you as happy as I am to see me as I am happy to see you.

It works like a marriage, are you willing to put in the effort that it takes to make it work? What if divorce or no more sales were not an option, just a consequence?
Reaction brings action.


Surely you must realize that the effort you put in is what you’ll get back.

Step back and focus,
re-group, re-think and find the energy to keep it going.
Figure out what’s good about what your doing and what’s not working. It’s easier to maintain a buzz than to create one.

The hungry mouth gets fed, how hungry are you?
Learn how to fish you’ll eat for life.

Just my 2 cents,
Simply Said
Debra Owsley
www.simply-said.net
www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com

My Best Reads of 2008

Debra’s Picks The Best reads of 2008
Fiction
Not listed in any particular order

The Day I Stopped Being Pretty
Rodney Lofton

Shadows of The Heart
Lord Williams

Sex and Lies, Seduction and Lies, Temptation, On The Line
Donna Hill

Hook Line and Single, Tempting The Mogul, First Crush, Meet Phoenix
Marcia King-Gamble

Taking After Mudear
Tina McElroy-Ansa

Somewhat Saved
Pat G’Orge-Walker

Sleeping With Strangers, Waking With Enemies, Pleasure
Eric Jerome Dickey

Hallelujah Love, Sex In The Sanctuary
Lutishia Lovely

Mismatched
Laura Major

Something On The Side
Carl Weber

Double Platinum
Shelia M. Goss

Unexpected Interruptions
Trice Hickman

Dusk To Dawn
Niambi Brown Davis

Gotta Keep On Tryin’
Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant

When I’m With You
LaConnie Taylor-Jones

Something He Can Feel
Marissa Monteilh

Erotica City
Pynk

Lies Lovers Tell
Zuri Day

Ulterior Motive
Roy Glenn

Just To Good To Be True
E. Lynn Harris

Seen it All and Done the Rest
Pearl Cleage

Orange Mint and Honey
Carleen Brice

Once Upon A Project
Bettye Griffin

The Blues For Annie Mae
D.J. Parhams



Non Fiction

Letters to a Young Sister
Hill Harper

Letters to My Daughter
Maya Angelou

Get Rich Get Real
Farrah Gray

The Vision Board
Joyce Schwartz

How To Get Out Of Debt
Harrine Freeman

Do You
Russell Simmons

Dreams of My Father
Barack Obama

Advance Your Swagger
Fonzworth Bentley

Words of Wisdom:
Daily Affirmations of Faith from Run's House to Yours
Rev Run

Take Back Your Family
Rev. Run, Justine Simmons, and Chris Morrow



Honorable Mention

A Man In Transition
K.L. Bivens

Consequences
Linda R. Herman

Strength Within
Roland V. Tyler

This Hurts
Shaun Mathis

On My “TO BE READ LIST”

Midnight
Sister Souljah

Dying For Revenge
Eric Jerome Dickey

In the Night of the Heat
Blair Underwood, Tananarive Due, and Steven Barnes

Reflections Of A Mississippi Magnolia
Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Any author listed here is more than welcome to stop by and chat, leave a comment, and their website/strong>>



Just A Note
These books were the one’s that I could think of off the top of my head. If I forgot got some, Don’t worry It’s My Blog ….. LOL, I can always add more !!!

www.simply-said.net
www.simplysaid.ning.com
www.myspace.com/odebsimplysaid
www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com
odebdeb@aol.com
Debra Owsleystrong>

SCHAE'S STORY: A Woman's Transformation

In SCHAE'S STORY: A Woman's Transformation, by author Angelia Vernon Menchan, readers will see the unveiling of a woman everyone thought they knew. We will be exposed to how difficult it is for the people around us to accept our desire to change.

Also, that while many people preach that God will change someone’s life they really do not believe it to be true. Schae’s Story will also expose the many ways in which love manifests itself in a woman’s life, family love, community-love and most importantly the reciprocal love of God. For more details, visit the author's website:
www.angeliavmenchan.com

Curl up with a good book and register to WIN a FREE MP3 Player!

Want to curl up with a good book and register to win a FREE MP3 player?

It's EASY! Purchase your copy of the inspirationally uplifting anthology, Somebody Prayed for Me, and email proof of purchase to somebodyprayed4me@yahoo.com. You will then be registered for our March 15, 2009 drawing!

Many will enter but only ONE can win.

To find out how you can purchase your copy of Somebody Prayed for Me, visit the website at www.SomebodyPrayed4me.webs.com.

Be INSPIRED and register to WIN a FREE MP3 Player today!

Linda R. Herman
www.LindaRHerman.com

Developing Smart Marketing Solutions

Hello,

Before we can discuss marketing solutions, let’s get a clear picture of what marketing really is and the foundation you have to create before you can start the process of marketing. Marketing solutions will cover: the science of buying and selling books; the advertising, promotion, distribution and format of the books. It also covers the art of influencing people with your professional approach to writing and publishing a great book.

Many people confuse marketing with promotions and advertising, when the latter are elements of marketing not the process. At EDC Creations, we spend hours coaching our clients on the fact that marketing takes a dedication to learning, building relationships and establishing reachable goals. Marketing solutions will come from having a vision, a plan and the means to encourage readers to buy their books.

Marketing is the entire process by which you will identify your target audience, anticipate what they need and give the audience solutions and estimate their response. Once you know the audience, you will share your book with readers in a professional, appealing and cost effective way. Marketing is based on developing strong relationships to assist you in networking, advertising, promoting and gaining publicity. All of these fall under the umbrella of marketing. Marketing is the cart and the rest is what you fill it with.

Foundation for Creating Marketing Solutions

1) Write your vision on paper. Decide what it is you want at the end of the day. Brainstorm about ways to get the things you want and put them on paper so you can SEE where it is you really wanting to go. Think about your passions in life, the amount of money you have to invest, why you are really becoming a published author and what will this offer the reading community.

2) Create your marketing message. Your marketing message is a combination of the things that will later create your brand and determine how the reader will view you. It will tell your readers how you can solve their problems, why they should trust you, why they should buy your book and spread the word, also why they should keep supporting you later. The marketing message is the thing that will capture their attention.

Your marketing message is not created to solely tell them who YOU are. The entire marketing message is about telling your readers what your books can do for THEM. Even if it is a fiction book, it can show the reader how to deal with a difficult situation and come out on top. You have to share your unique ideas or style of writing to convey this message.

3) Define and identify who your target audience is and where they can be found. You can not reach all readers and your book is not for everyone. Use research to find those people who would benefit most from having your work in their hands.

4) Define the problems or issues surrounding this target; present your solution. When I say define the problem, I am not getting all political. It can be this simple: teens grow out of board books and children books. They now need books that will introduce them to puberty and peer pressure, the joys and ills of growing up. You can give them the solution by starting a teen series.

5) Present your results to the solution (a quality book) and tell them why they should select your book before any others. You will create wonderful marketing materials to capture their attention and you offer them your wisdom, experience, advice or a means to sheer entertainment in a well edited, properly produced book, at an affordable price.

6) Establish your brand and what it will take to strengthen it. Your brand is the vehicle that will take you to top of the book marketing game. Branding is the process of creating your image, the feelings, relationships, the actions and visual presentations your readers will come to associate with your name and the kind of books you put out. You will sell YOU as an AUTHOR as much as you will sell your message in your books.

7) Work on creating a network of people to help you with your marketing. You will need to create an internal support team, a social networking team, a business team and a publicity team to deliver your marketing message to the readers and publishing houses. You do this by communicating with others what you need, what you want and what you are willing to give to get it. Ask questions, do your research, seek help from the experts, but most of all really make relationships that will benefit you and the readers.

Now that we know what we are doing and have the foundation created to do it. Let’s get down to creating our marketing plan, marketing strategy and establish marketing solutions. The three all go hand in hand, it takes all three to be successful. My area of expertise is Internet Marketing, Promotions and Publicity. My contributions this month will focus primarily on those areas. Keep following the blog for more.


Ella Curry, EDC Creations
www.edc-creations.com

10 Ways to Promote your Books Through the Holidays

We have a few more weeks before Christmas, Kwanzaa, Watch Night and New Years. Bookstores have geared up for holiday shoppers, so no instore events for you to grab at the last minute. Public libraries have geared up for holiday reading events, so no author readings for you to participate in at the last minute. So what do you do? Table selling your books until 2009 or do you take advantage of Holiday Cheer? I say take advantage. Here are 10 ways to do promote your writing through the holidays.

Continue reading "10 Ways to Promote your Writing Through the Holidays" »