Your Name: Barbara Weaver Smith

Nikki Leigh – Where you are from and where are you now?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I lived for many years in Indiana, most recently in Indianapolis, but in the spring of this year I relocated to Scottsdale, AZ.  We moved our company to Arizona last year.
Nikki Leigh – How did you get started writing?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I have always loved to write.  As an English major and later as a professor, I wrote all kinds of academic papers, research papers, essays—the typical academic things.  But after I founded The Whale Hunters, it became very important to write the first book—Whale Hunting: How to Land Big Sales and Transform Your Company. Your first book is a required “calling card” or credibility factor for a consultant, speaker, coach and trainer.  I also write articles, newsletters, a blog, and curriculum and instructional materials to teach other people how to implement The Whale Hunters Process™.

Nikki Leigh –  What do you do when you are not writing?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I work ON my business, The Whale Hunters.  We are a team, and we  address our business development strategy and all of the concerns of a growing business.  I also manage The Whale Hunters website and our online community, Pier9.

When I am not working, I like to swim, golf, eat out, hang out with friends, sit on the balcony and watch birds, read, and watch movies on my new iPad.
Nikki Leigh –  What would readers like to know about you?

Barbara Weaver Smith – After working in bureaucratic organizations for many years (universities and a statewide nonprofit), I found that I loved being an entrepreneur.  I have had my own business since 1996 and founded The Whale Hunters in 2004.  Building a company, as opposed to just being an independent contractor or consultant, is the most challenging work I have ever undertaken.  Through my experiences, I have become inspired by America’s small business entrepreneurs who I help, teach, and encourage.  The founders and owners of independent businesses will be the saviors of the American economy.  I have a passion to help them succeed, to grow, to excel.

Nikki Leigh – What inspired your first book?

Barbara Weaver Smith – Whale Hunting: How to Land Big Sales and Transform Your Company was my first book.  It was inspired by the true story of the Inuit whale hunters, who live on the far northwest coast of Alaska, and who prepared all winter for an amazing whale hunt each spring, when the whales were migrating north to colder waters.  The Whale Hunters Process that we teach to business owners, executives, and sales people is derived from that process.  Since in its early days The Whale Hunters was a consulting company, it seemed important to write a book to explain our methodology.
Nikki Leigh –  How many books have you written?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I have now written seven books, with number 8 nearing completion.

Nikki Leigh – What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

Barbara Weaver Smith – All of my books are nonfiction books about sales process and business development.

They include:

Whale Hunting: How to Land Big Sales and Transform Your Company
Winning Whales with an RFP
Whale Hunting Women
Mind of a Hunter: Cultivate Your Company’s Strategic Sales Mentality
The Hunt :Strengthen Your Sales Process to Accelerate Business Growth
Riding the Whale: Adapt Your Sales Strategies to Close Big Deals
The Whale Hunting Culture:  Engage Your Entire Company in Business Development

Nikki Leigh – Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

Barbara Weaver Smith – As you know I’ve had some interesting career transitions.  How did an English professor and university dean become the champion of small business sales development?  In some ways that you would probably not have predicted, some of my formal education was extremely relevant to selling.  I was a student of rhetoric—the original sales training, art of persuasion—and also a student of writing.  So I learned early on how to be persuasive and how to get into the head of my audience – which is a critically important sales skill.  But it was really after I started my first company that I began to apply this knowledge to the business arena.  I did a great deal of consulting on big messy collaborative projects that involved universities, businesses, schools, philanthropic organizations, and governments.  These were economic development projects, or regional planning projects, or new buildings or research facilities or joint ventures of all kinds.  And through that work I learned a lot about how to manage collaboration and how to manage change.  I invented a detailed change management process, which is now the foundation of The Whale Hunters methodologies.

Nikki Leigh – Tell us about The Whale Hunters?

Barbara Weaver Smith – The Whale Hunters is a strategic sales coaching company that helps small businesses grow fast by making bigger sales to bigger customers.  We define a “whale” as a new, targeted account that is 5 to 20 times large than your current average account.

Here’s how we deliver our services.  We have Certified Partners in (x) markets around the United States and even around the world.  They offer community workshops, for a variety of people from different companies, and private workshops, for your team alone.  They also offer chapters, where 12 – 15 entrepreneurs/owners/senior executives from noncompeting businesses come together monthly to learn and implement The Whale Hunters Process™ and to provide peer-to-peer deal coaching for one another.

Nikki Leigh – What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

Barbara Weaver Smith – Our overall marketing strategy is built around “Free” – giving sample ideas, information, resources, materials, and experiences to our audiences.  We have three distinct marketing methods.

1. Partners.  We are building a community of Certified Whale Hunters Partners in major metropolitan regions around the US, and soon to be in Canada and Europe.  These Partners deliver Whale Hunters services in the form of chapter memberships, public workshops, and private (in house) workshops within their region.
2. Strategic Alliances.  The Whale Hunting strategy also involves identifying national and regional membership associations whose members could become whale hunters, and engaging them in our strategic alliance program where we offer free content and opportunities to their members in exchange for their bringing us visibility to their members.  We have both for-profit and nonprofit strategic allies, and we are building every day.
3. Social Media and Opt-In Email.  The third strategy is built on our opt-in email list, social media presence, and web site where we continually try to attract more entrepreneurs to join/sign up for free benefits.

My first unique method of marketing was to engage you, Nikki, to host my first Virtual Blog Tour in 2008.  That two-month tour greatly increased my online presence and introduced me to many bloggers and radio hosts who have remained friendly to The Whale Hunters.

We also offer “Virtual Preview Events” – free webinars each month to invite people to learn about opportunities to engage with The Whale Hunters.  I host a free “Expert Series Call” each month, which attracts increasing numbers of people, so that they can sample the ideas and business development content that we promote.
Nikki Leigh – What do you have in the works now?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I’m devoting much of my energies to the continued development of our website, creating new content for the website, writing new books and white papers, and training new Whale Hunters Certified Partners.

I’m also working to develop online, virtual training programs for Whale Hunters practitioners that will be delivered entirely online.

Nikki Leigh – What does the future hold for you and your books?

Barbara Weaver Smith – We are going to continue to build The Whale Hunters online community—Pier9—and intend to influence 500,000 small businesses by 2015.  I know that’s an ambitious goal, but it’s still less than 3% of the potential audience of entrepreneurs, just in the U.S. alone!  And we get lots of interest from other countries as well.

I will continue to write new books and to work with other Whale Hunters who want to write.  Our next project has the working title Whale Hunting at Work: Stories from the Field about Growing Small Businesses. Certified Partners are contributing the chapters; we hope to release it in January 2011.

Nikki Leigh – What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books and your business?

Barbara Weaver Smith – Promotion is a long, slow process.  I think it starts with being well-networked, partially in person but also on social media.  Invite people’s interest.  Find ways to meet them where they are in their business or their life.  I have continuing success in building an opt-in list for my newsletter.  That list continues to feed all of the other offers and activities that we have.

Nikki Leigh – What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books and your business?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I have made many presentations to groups of business women, entrepreneurs, executives and so forth.  These are always fun and I enjoy them, but they do not necessarily lead to new business commensurate with the time and travel spent.
Nikki Leigh – What makes your latest venture to launch The Whale Hunters special to you?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I love small business.  I have never been happier than when I became the head of my own companies, nor have I ever been so challenged and, occasionally, so afraid.  More important, in this economy, we cannot expect the big corporations to pull us out of the slump.  The economic recovery rests on the back of America’s entrepreneurs, and The Whale Hunters want to do our part to support their business development and growth.

Nikki Leigh – What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?

Barbara Weaver Smith – I am most creative when I have a disciplined goal.  In 2004 I started writing an article to be delivered faithfully every two weeks as a free resource to readers.  I’ve maintained that every two-weeks deadline for six years.  To get the Whale Hunting book completed, I had a very aggressive deadline from the publisher that I had to meet.  So as you can tell, deadlines help me.  But also, writing regularly helps to build a lot of content that makes its way into books and other forms of presentation.  I try to create some new content every day.  That makes me creative.

Also I read advice about how to get articles, blog posts, eBooks and longer books finished. There’s a quote that I love:  “Real artists ship.”  That means they finish their pieces, sell them, and ship them out.  To me, that’s the ultimate in creativity.

Nikki Leigh – The economy in the US is very strained at this time, what advantage or disadvantage do you think this economy offers to entrepreneurs?

Barbara Weaver Smith – Obviously the economy has been difficult for many if not most businesses.  Entrepreneurs are not immune, and The Whale Hunters have many clients who have had to scramble to keep their doors open and, especially, to avoid laying off key employees.  The biggest challenge my clients have faced is violating their target filters—bringing in whatever business there is in order to maintain cash flow and keep people working.  Now, as the economy is clearly improving, they need to regain their sense of choice and suitability of their new customers.

Clearly, however, economic downturns historically have been times of great opportunity for small businesses and times of great innovation.  Small companies are more agile, more inventive, and more creative than most big companies.  Big companies are hurting more.  They are laying off people, many of whom smaller companies have been able to hire.  They are cutting R&D budgets and other costs that will be disadvantageous to them for a very long time.  And they will find it much harder to recover.

For entrepreneurs, many of their competitors have gone out of business.  They have a great opportunity to gain market share and/or to acquire smaller or floundering companies that have great products and services.  Overall, a down economy FAVORS the entrepreneur.

Nikki Leigh – If a small business person thinks that your new website wouldn’t be of interest them, what would you say to convince them to take a closer look? I’m thinking something better than “Its the greatest website ever.” Give me something more specific

Barbara Weaver Smith – Here are the questions I would ask:

• Do you want to grow your business and exceed the typical standard of growth in your industry?
• Is there anything you or your team might need to learn about approaching bigger customers or growing the size of your deals?
• Are you dissatisfied with your rate of growth, your pipeline, or your predictions?
• Would you like to have everyone on your payroll working together on business development?

If you answered “Yes” to any one of those questions, then you should visit this website for answers, resources, training, events, discussions, and mostly—practical, proven ideas about how to grow your business fast.

Nikki Leigh – Why does this topic interest you? Why would it interest business people? Give us a hook to reel in new people.

Barbara Weaver Smith – Very few companies ever become $10 million or $25 million or $100 million companies.  The growth of their business often lags behind the development of their ideas, their products, their services, and their team.  Whale Hunting is a truly proven methodology to help small business entrepreneurs and executives break through to a path of continual growth matched with continually increasing company capabilities.

I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small business leaders build their companies to their maximum potential.  This is essential to revitalize the U.S. economy, and it is essential to many other economies that encourage entrepreneurship and private ownership.   Entrepreneurship is probably also the best way to help people in developing nations to establish a viable economy, as evidenced by many micro-finance programs.  The international community of entrepreneurs will continually build and rebuild global economic engines.

Nikki Leigh – If a blog visitor is thinking about buying a membership on your site as a gift for a friend, what would you tell them if you could speak to them for a few minutes?

Barbara Weaver Smith – Membership to The Whale Hunters site will help your friend to be more successful in growing his or her business.  It will be a sign that you believe in them, that you support their business goals, and that you know they are ready to take their business to the next level.

Nikki Leigh – Did I miss anything you want to tell my blog readers?

Barbara Weaver Smith – The process to join Pier9: They should visit www.thewhalehunters.com and “sign up” for the free basic membership.  This will ensure that they get our newsletter, invitations to all of the face-to-face and virtual events that we host (many are free), and have access to a limited but extensive collection of articles and forums.

When they have tested it out, they should UPGRADE to the paid membership and get ten times the material plus free access to all webinars for their year of membership—currently worth $600, for only $29.95 per month or $299 per year.

For a wealth of similar sales and business development articles, podcasts, webinars, training courses, and online discussions, visit www.thewhalehunters.com and join today! Basic membership is free.

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.

Your Name:  Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Nikki Leigh – Where you are from and where are you now?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I’ve lived in Western Massachusetts my entire life. While I have moved around from city to town, I’ve never moved further than 30 miles from my childhood home. I currently reside in Wilbraham, which used to be part of Springfield until it became its own town in 1763.

I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We have the beauty of the four seasons, tons of great local events, and lots of open space.

Nikki Leigh – How did you get started writing?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I’ve dabbled in writing since I was a kid. I still have some of those stories and poems in my hope chest upstairs. I didn’t begin to pursue writing as a career until I became a stay-at-home mom in 2004. I enrolled in the Breaking into Print program from Long Ridge Writers Group and I’ve never looked back.

Nikki Leigh – What do you do when you are not writing?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - We have two young children and a son who is married. Just for the record, kids never stop needing you, no matter how old they are. I volunteer at church and at the girls’ schools. I also read a lot and garden when I have time. I also love cooking and baking. The holiday season is quickly approaching, so my time in the kitchen will greatly increase.

Nikki Leigh – What would readers like to know about you?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - While I coordinate virtual book tours every day, this is the first time I’m putting together one for myself. It’s a very different experience and makes me appreciate those writers who coordinate their own tours even more.

I’m a founding member of Musing Our Children and Editor in Chief of the group’s quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens, which is available as a free download from our website. I am also a regular contributor for Writer2Writer. My articles focus on helping writers increase productivity through time management and organization.

Nikki Leigh – What inspired your first book?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Would you believe a song? I often use Christmas hymns as lullabies for my girls. Years ago, when Katherine was still a toddler, I would sing “The Little Drummer Boy” to her and get this feeling that I needed to write a book about a young shepherd who visits the newborn King on the first Christmas.

While the finished Little Shepherd ended up being very different than the idea God first planted in my heart, it all started with that song.

Nikki Leigh – How many books have you written?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - While Little Shepherd is my first published book, I have another children’s picture book manuscript ready to submit, a middle grade novel I am working on, and a completed first draft of a women’s fiction novel I co-wrote with my sister that is desperately in need of edits.

Nikki Leigh – What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Little Shepherd is a Christian children’s picture book.

Nikki Leigh – Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I’ve been a Christian my entire life. I was baptized into the Catholic Church as an infant. I was confirmed as a teenager, but now attend a non-denominational church where I teach Sunday school and head up our Vacation Bible School program.

The Christmas story is one that has been retold many times, but this story of God’s love for us can’t be spoken of too often. It is a reminder to all that God keeps His promises.

Nikki Leigh – How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - It’s hard because I work from home. I had this grand delusion that working from home was easier. It’s not. Your office is always right there calling to you and your family is always wandering in and out to distract you.

Right now I spend the 7 hours a day my girls are at school to work on virtual book tours and sneak in some writing. I’m most productive after the girls are in bed, so I stay up late many nights to complete projects, though I don’t recommend it long-term.

Nikki Leigh – Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Money would be nice, but I don’t think anyone goes into it for the money. Not too many of us are going to become Joyce Meyer, Nora Roberts or Stephen King. Writing to me is like breathing—I have to do it or I die.

Nikki Leigh – What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I doubt my ways are unique, but I recently sat on two panels at a writers conference and have a two-and-a-half month virtual book tour that started on October 4^th. I’m also going to be signing copies of the book at our church’s annual Country Christmas Bazaar and Tag Sale on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Nikki Leigh – Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - While I talk about Little Shepherd at my website frequently, I don’t sell books off of it. I figure more of my sales are going to come off Amazon and other online retailers than from someone visiting my site.

Nikki Leigh – Where can people order your books?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Books are available at Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, indiebound.org, and from the Guardian Angel Publishing website.

Nikki Leigh – What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Little Shepherd is available as a PDF eBook, as an eBook CD, and in a printed version.

Nikki Leigh – Will you write more books?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Already on that. I don’t want to lose the momentum of promoting this first book by not coming out with another book for a long period of time.

Nikki Leigh – What do you have in the works now?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I have another children’s picture book set around Christmas that is more for a secular audience. It is about a young boy visiting Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve who learns the true spirit of season. I’m also twelve chapters into a middle grade historical that I simply love. I have a ghostwriting project in the wings, which would be a Christian chapter book. I’m waiting for the go-ahead on that one.

Nikki Leigh – What does the future hold for you and your books?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Hopefully lots of great things. I’m determined to persevere and keep working to achieve my dreams. I’m looking to pitch the Christmas story I mentioned above to an agent next month. We’ll see what happens. If it’s meant to be, it will all come together. Only God knows what He has in mind for me.

Nikki Leigh – What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - That’s hard to answer since I’m just getting going, but I can say that I have concentrated almost 100% of my efforts online and have already seen some sales. Through local networking I have several people awaiting autographed copies.

Nikki Leigh – What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I truly believe online promotion is where I need to concentrate. That will be my main focus. I’ve paid for some advertising spots on some blogs. Only time will tell if they were worth the cost.

Nikki Leigh – What makes this book special to you?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Well, it’s special because it’s my first, but also because God planted this idea in my heart years ago. Every time I sang that song the shepherd’s story would come to me. When God has a plan, He doesn’t give up.

Nikki Leigh – What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - What I’ve seen so far has been very positive. Kathi Macias, a Christian author whose work I greatly admire said, she would be delighted to read this book to her grandchildren. Dixie Phillips, a pastor’s wife and Christian children’s author called it a “gripping tale” that would “inspire and become a family favorite.”

Nikki Leigh – What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - As a Sunday school teacher, I’m always looking for new ways to bring passages of Scripture to life for little ones. Little Shepherd can do that. It’s important for kids to realize that God loves them, and that unlike others, God always keeps His promises. They need to know they can count on God for anything and everything.

Nikki Leigh – What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Little Shepherd is good for kids who already believe and for those who are just coming to know the Lord. For those who have heard the Christmas story time and again, it’s a new way for them to experience it. For those who might not be familiar with the story, it shares the true meaning of Christmas in a unique way, with a character who experiences emotions they or someone they know has dealt with. Obed, might be a shepherd, but he’s also a boy who is in awe of seeing the angels appear while afraid of the unknown. His father encourages him to go see the newborn King with the others, but even then Obed isn’t sure the choice he makes is the right one. It isn’t until he returns to his flock that he realizes what a miraculous night it is.

Nikki Leigh – What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - In this instance it was a song, but more times than not it’s my children. I make up a new story for them every night at bedtime. They’re disappointed if I claim I’m too tired or it’s too late. Having to come up with new stories every day certainly keeps the brain working

Writing prompts, timed writing sessions, and journaling are all good ways to spark creativity. I’ve used those in the past. I also like to go for walks and just let my mind wander.

Nikki Leigh – What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Most people I know do it because they can’t not do it. I’m the same way. Writing to me is just like getting dressed. Of course, I don’t have to worry about getting arrested if I don’t write one day. More times than not, I have a plethora of ideas waiting to be written. I keep a little notebook with all of them so I don’t forget any.

Nikki Leigh – Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Unusual isn’t really my thing. I’m very boring. Just ask my kids. What I recently did, however, is sponsor a website for a year. I’ve been a fan of this site for years. It’s how I met many of my online chums.

The cost was minimal considering what I could pay to promote my book online. The cover art for the book appears in the left-hand sidebar with a link to purchase it and a link to my website. It might not translate into many sales, but I didn’t have to mortgage my house to pay for it either.

Nikki Leigh – If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn’t interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I’m thinking something better than “It’s the greatest book ever.” Give me something more specific

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I think it would depend upon why they weren’t interested in the book. Christian fiction reaches out to a specific market. If you’re not of the Christian faith, it might not be of interest. I would, however, encourage that person to think of friends or relatives who might enjoy the book. Even if someone doesn’t have young children or grandchildren, their church might appreciate a copy as a donation.

Nikki Leigh – Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - As a mother and a Sunday school teacher, I like the message of Little Shepherd. I hope families everywhere believe in miracles such as Jesus being born into this world so that He could deliver us from our sin. Little Shepherd shares this message in a new way and I encourage children to take the journey with Obed to visit with the Christ Child and His family on the very first Christmas. Witness how a young shepherd’s visit with the Holy Family and the divine protection of his flock leads him to realize what a night of miracles it truly is.

Nikki Leigh – Did I miss anything you want to tell my blog readers?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos - I would like to thank you for allowing me to visit with your readers today. They can find out more about Little Shepherd and my other work if they stop by http://ccmalandrinos.com/ I’ll be talking about my virtual book tour at my new blog, http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/ They’ll also find a video trailer for the book in the right-hand sidebar of the blog. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.

There is an exciting giveaway as part of the promotion for Little Sheperd – http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/giveaways-announced-for-little-shepherd.html

First, I’ll share a little background –  Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. is the author of the widely acclaimed book, Wise Mind, Open Mind: Finding Purpose and Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss, and Change. He is the Executive Director of the OpenMind Training® Institute, practices mindfulness-based mind-body psychotherapy and leadership coaching in Santa Monica, CA for individuals and corporate clients. He teaches personal and clinical training groups for professionals in Integral Psychotherapy, Ericksonian mind-body healing therapies, mindfulness meditation, and positive psychology nationally and internationally since 1970. (www.openmindtraining.com) For more details about Ronald Alexander, PhD – visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/09/08/ronald-alexander-phd/

About Wise Mind, Open Mind: Finding Purpose and Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss & Change – In his groundbreaking book, Wise Mind, Open Mind pioneering psychotherapist, Dr. Ronald Alexander shares his innovative program for using mindfulness meditation, creative thinking, and positive psychology to transform times of crisis or change into opportunities for greater personal awareness, clarity, and creativity.  His original three-step plan includes, learning to let go of resistance to change, learning to tune in to your soul’s deep wisdom or core creativity; and then learning how to move forward based on your newly acquired insight. For more details about the contents of Wise Mind, Open Mind, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/09/08/wise-mind-open-mind/.

Nikki Leigh – Where you are from and where are you now?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I was born in Boston, MA and am now living in Los Angeles, CA
Nikki Leigh – How did you get started writing?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I’ve been writing throughout my career as a psychotherapist with the publishing of twelve papers in professional publications as well as my professional and personal training programs.

Nikki Leigh – What do you do when you are not writing?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I am a licensed psychotherapist, leadership consultant and clinical trainer as well as the Executive Director of the OpenMind Training® Institute in Santa Monica, a leading edge organization that offers personal and professional training programs in integrative mind-body therapies, transformational leadership, and mindfulness.

Nikki Leigh – What would readers like to know about you?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I had a very wise mentor in college who taught me to meditate instead of using pharmaceutical drugs to help with some personal issues. After receiving my doctorate in Humanistic Existential Psychology from Ryokan College, I did 12 years of post doctoral training and education in the fields of family therapy, Integrative Mind-Body therapies, Ericksonian hypnosis, somatic psychotherapy and Gestalt therapy. In addition to my traditional training my meditation and yoga practice had sparked a keen interest in eastern philosophy. In order to fully explore this area of mind state I made many extensive trips to Asia and India where I studied Theravada Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Vedic (Non Dual) approaches. Through all this extensive research and studies, I developed my Mindfulness Meditation technique that I integrated into my private psychotherapy practice as well as my clinical trainings and workshops.

Nikki Leigh – What inspired your first book?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I felt passionate about providing a map for alleviating pain and suffering and help people make positive transformations in their lives. I wanted to bring something fresh and original to readers who are searching for meaning and purpose in these painful times of personal, economic, and psychological change.

Nikki Leigh – How many books have you written and what is the genre?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Wise Mind, Open Mind is my first book and it is self help and spiritual.

Nikki Leigh – Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I have been a leading pioneer in the fields of Somatic Psychotherapy, Holistic Psychology, Mindfulness, Leadership Coaching, Integrative and Behavioral Medicine since 1970. I am a long time extension faculty member of the U.C.L.A. Departments of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Entertainment and a lecturer in the David Geffen School of Medicine as well as an adjunct faculty member at Pacifica Graduate Institute and Pepperdine Universities. I am also an associate member of the American Psychological Association, a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and a Diplomate in professional psychotherapy in the International Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Counseling and Psychotherapy and the American Psychotherapy Association.

Nikki Leigh – How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I practice what I teach as I found that by maintaining my mindfulness meditation practice it helped me to keep focused and on track while I was writing my book.

Nikki Leigh – Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Of course we all need to make a living but we also need to consider being in service, or seva, as we say in Sanskrit. At every step of the way you need to be helpful in some shape or form, whether it’s to somebody who can’t afford to see you or someone whose child has died. I think it’s important to see that we are all in this life together, it’s not about acquiring more stuff or taking care of what I have, but it’s about actively, in a social, political, spiritual way, contributing to the whole thing.

Think globally but act locally; act locally but then go and contribute globally. Seva helps to create meditation and compassion in action. It’s not enough to just sit on your cushion. In some paths it’s Okay to just spend your life at a monastery meditating for your own awakening because that will have a positive impact on the entire awakening of the world.

Nikki Leigh – What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Today there are an extraordinary number of avenues available to market ones book including Social Networking such as Facebook and Twitter, publicity, blogging, email campaigns, newsletters, bookstore talks, keynote presentations, workshops and training classes. What I enjoy the most is being able to connect with potential readers as this allows them to better understand the passion that I have for my techniques and my commitment to help them.

Nikki Leigh – Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Readers can connect on my website at http://www.ronaldalexander.com/books.html.

Nikki Leigh – Where can people order your books?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – My book is in print and sold through Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, NewHarbinger.com and fine booksellers everywhere.  Readers can connect with these outlets through my website at http://www.ronaldalexander.com/books.html.

Nikki Leigh – Will you write more books?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Yes, I have two or three books in mind that deal with integrating mindfulness, creativity and leadership as well as mindfulness mind-body psychotherapies

Nikki Leigh – What do you have in the works now?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – At the moment gathering notes on creativity, leadership and communication for a book that will especially help woman in the workplace and in their relationships. I love the freedom to speak my ideas and enjoy the process of developing them into final prose.

Nikki Leigh – What does the future hold for you and your books?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Well of course I would love to have a best seller but as well I have two books in mind on leadership and Mind-Body Psychotherapies that would be more technical and may not sell as well but it’s a labor of love…

Nikki Leigh – What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I found that television and print interviews along with blogging are effective ways to promote my book.  As well I participate in several email book campaigns that other authors are organizing to promote the release of their new books.

Nikki Leigh – What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I discovered that it was important to be selective of all the Blog Radio shows that are available as many of them were not an effective outlet to sell books.

Nikki Leigh – What makes this book special to you?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I have been helping people transform their times of crisis into opportunities for greater personal awareness, clarity and creativity for over thirty years now. Writing Wise Mind, Open Mind allowed me to share with readers the techniques that I have developed to help them alleviate their pain and suffering and bring meaning and purpose in these painful times of personal, economic, and psychological change.

The book focuses on the building of “mindstrength” — the ability to very quickly and easily shift out of a reactive mode and become fully present in the moment, experiencing the full force of your emotions even as you recognize that they are temporary and will soon dissipate. Through my unique three step process that combines mindfulness mediation, creative thinking and positive psychology readers will learn how to let go of their past; tune into the present and their core creativity; and move forward with passion and purpose.

Nikki Leigh – What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – The response Wise Mind, Open Mind received from pioneering leaders such as Ram Dass, Lama Surya Das, and Dr. Judith Orloff plus many readers has been very positive and encouraging. For example, Ram Dass, spiritual leader, and the author of “Be Here Now” says, “We have the creativity in us that creates the universe – all we need do is be aware of it. This book provides a wise roadmap to the treasure within.”

Nikki Leigh – What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – In my new book, Wise Mind, Open Mind I discuss a three step process that combines mindfulness meditation, creative thinking and positive psychology to help readers to let go of their past; tune into the present and their core creativity; and move forward with passion and purpose.  This approach allows one to focus on the building of their “mindstrength” — the ability to very quickly and easily shift out of a reactive mode and become fully present in the moment, experiencing the full force of your emotions even as you recognize that they are temporary and will soon dissipate.

Nikki Leigh – What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Anyone wishing to bring more clarity and passion into their lives or who need help to transition through some type of loss or challenge can benefit from my book. Wise Mind, Open Mind helps readers to be mindful of, and accepting of, the impermanence of life. Buddhism teaches that there are cycles of change. What is barren land will eventually provide delicious and ripe new fruit. The task is to accept the impermanence of our situations and not to fight against the losses or sorrows. If you watch a river, you’ll notice that it is always moving and changing. Something I find comforting is to tell myself that all my prized possessions are on loan to me while I’m on this planet. One day, we all must let go and return everything that we’ve held near and dear.

Nikki Leigh – What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I list many ways to access one’s core creativity in my book, Wise Mind Open Mind.  One of the most effective ways though is through mindfulness practice, which is what I use. Mindfulness allows us to listen and pay attention to what we might otherwise overlook—whether it’s a fresh idea or a new way of perceiving a situation—enhancing our creativity and letting go of our obstacles to innovation.  I also encourage my patients to dabble in the Arts. Simply dabbling in the fine arts, with no specific goals or intentions, awakens our ability to approach life with greater openness and curiosity. If you feel that you simply have no creative abilities, consider your dreams. Most nights, your mind generates at least a few fantastical images that you can recall upon waking if you slowly bring yourself back into consciousness with the intent of remembering your dreams. I often ask my clients to work with the images of their dreams by meditating on them, writing about them, and exploring them to see what ideas and insights they have to offer.

Another way to access your core creativity is through Mindful Movement.  Disciplines such as martial arts, tai chi, and yoga are the most well-known ways of quieting the rational mind and opening up to the intuitive mind and its connection to the numinous creative force. Any physical activity that involves discipline and a slowing down of thoughts, from skiing to dance, actually creates new neural pathways in your brain that become roads to innovation.  Finally you need to trust in the creative process.   Artists are often seen as flighty, but in my experience the most successful ones are extremely disciplined. When blocked, they aren’t afraid to shift gears, to take a walk or a long retreat, to pick up a pen instead of a guitar, to break the formula of how they’ve always chosen to connect to their creativity by trying something entirely different. Trusting that they’ll tap into that flow, they persevere long past the point when others would give up.

Nikki Leigh – What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I feel that most authors have a passion and drive to share their work with others.  When an author writes with this type of motivation then their writing becomes a pathway to tap into their core creativity so that it becomes almost a spiritual expression and experience.

Nikki Leigh – Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – I created a website called the Open Mind Resource Center (www.openmindresourcecenter.com) that with the help of other innovative leaders is a place where people can come to get the support and tools they need to help them through a crisis.

Nikki Leigh – If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn’t interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I’m thinking something better than “It’s the greatest book ever.” Give me something more specific

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – If a reader has resistance to purchasing a copy of Wise Mind, Open Mind then they could believe in one of the four basic myths about Mindfulness Mediation. The first myth is that practicing mindfulness meditation will conflict with my religious beliefs, which in reality is free of religious and spiritual dogma. In fact, if you believe in turning to God for guidance, you can use mindfulness meditation to set aside distractions and listen to the divine wisdom that can be found only when you tune out the endless chain of thoughts your own mind creates. The second is that people are too restless and busy to learn to be quiet and practice any form of meditation. But with just ten to twenty minutes on a meditation cushion once or twice each day will cause you to need less sleep, be more productive and less distracted, and make the most of your time during the day. The third misconception is that mindfulness will put out the fire of one’s ambition and creativity. Mindfulness practice seems to ground restless people, transforming their energy from a chaotic, even manic, discharge to a more focused and heightened exuberance that then can be channeled into productivity. The fourth fallacy is if I practice mindfulness, what I’ll discover will be so upsetting that I will become paralyzed with fear. The fear of what will arise from the subconscious isn’t entirely irrational, but the chances of experiencing intense discomfort while mindfully meditating are slim. If you have been avoiding painful feelings and thoughts for a long time, you may need someone with you to support you in your process of uncovering this pain. A skilled psychologist or mindfulness meditation teacher can be enormously helpful in guiding you through these emotions and modulating their intensity.

Nikki Leigh – Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – Whether you know you’re ready to change or sense that you should, whether you’re struggling to accept that your circumstances have shifted or you’re feeling stuck or blocked by an unknown force and unable to move forward, it’s important to recognize that change is unavoidable. Life is continually in flux, and even that which seems immutable can be destroyed or altered in an instant. The Buddhists refer to this as the law of impermanence. Nothing stays the same, not even the rocks and the mountains, which rain, snow, and rivers sculpt over time. Each day, millions of your body’s cells die while millions more are born. Stasis is an illusion our egos create to fend off the fear of change.

When change is not your choice, you can’t avoid suffering, but you can choose to view the change as an avenue to personal evolution. You can push aside your perceived limitations and let go of the habits that have provided you with comfort, familiarity, and a false sense of safety, and go forth with fear in check, using creativity to illuminate new paths. You can break out of the dynamic of push and pull, of desire for change and resistance to it, and step past the boundaries of the known. You can recognize that while you may attain some comfort from the habit of trying to control the flow of your life, clinging to the familiar also breeds boredom and discontent. It prevents you from fully inhabiting your life and keeps you mired in regret. It keeps you small.

The secret to successful reinvention is to understand that you don’t have to greet change with apprehension and resistance, focusing on the potential for suffering, because if you take that route, you experience the very suffering you’d hoped to avoid. When it’s time for change, whether you’re losing a loved one, your perfect health, the job you loved, or the lifestyle you enjoyed, you have the opportunity to make your life even better than it is, as unfathomable as that may seem at first.

Nikki Leigh – Did I miss anything you want to tell my blog readers?

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D. – No, I believe we have covered everything.  Thank you for speaking with me and sharing my information with your readers.

He graduates from the Rick Stevens School of Improvisation in San Diego, and an award- winning Toastmaster, Steve has achieved success in the celebrity look-alike and improvisational worlds. In his first year of improvisational comedy, International Celebrity Images presented him with the prestigious Reel Award for Big Mouth Comedy for his Kramer impersonations. He has performed at conventions across the globe and made appearances on the Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In his capacity as both a lawyer and a celebrity impersonator, Steve has been interviewed by The San Diego Union, The San Diego Weekly Reader, Duke Magazine in Australia, the Long Beach Telegram, and Las Vegas Magazine.

But today, we want to focus on his writing and the background that he brings to his book – How To Sue A Telemarketer- A Manual for Restoring Peace on Earth One Call at a Time.

Nikki Leigh – .Steve, its great to have a chance to speak with you. So, let’s dive right in. How did you get started writing?

Steve Ostrow – I always jot down creative thoughts..  I keep a file of the ideas I want to remember.  Enough collections started the format for the book.

NL – What do you do when you are not writing?

SO – Work as a lawyer pays most of my bills.  I do acting and comedy. Actually toastmasters helped me with my writing and public speaking.

NL – You have a diverse set of interests. What would readers like to know about you?

SO – Being able to double for Kramer, I jumped on the opportunity. When the idea for the book came along, I jumped on it.  I like the coaching advice to take advantage of all stage time.

NL – How many books have you written? What are the titles and the genres?

SO – How To Sue A Telemarketer- A Manual for Restoring Peace on Earth One Call at a Time is my first – it is a humorous, non-fiction, how-to book

NL – Whenever I am trying to decide whether to buy a non-fiction book, I always want to know the person’s qualifications. So, tell us, why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

SO – As a lawyer, former small claims judge, and Kramer impersonator all traits are combined.

NL – How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

SO – I keep moving forward. One day at a time. I made the goal t complete the book and I’m good at keeping commitments and reaching my goals.

NL – Many writers, write to make money, for the love of writing or both? Why did you write this book?

SO – Neither…. I wrote to tell the story, and to see what opportunities may transpire from it.

NL – What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

SO – My website, public speaking engagements and telling about the book is the best.

NL – Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address?

SO – Yes, www.howtosueatelemarketer.com

NL – Where can people order your books?

SO – On my website – www.howtosueatelemarketer.com, on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/How-Sue-Telemarketer-Stephen-Ostrow/dp/0615338178) and Barnes and Noble.com (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Sue-a-Telemarketer/Stephen-I-Ostrow/e/9780615338170/)

NL – What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

SO – It is in print and soon it will available as an e-book.

NL – What does the future hold for you and your books?

SO – The Dailey Show is my ultimate goal, but the ride is slow. Hopefully there will be a way at a gig that my humor will be discovered and utilized.

NL – As authors we all try many things to promote our books – some work well and others don[‘t work very well. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

SO – Expecting that people would just find me and love the book.

NL – What makes this book special to you?

SO – The book is humorous and serves a purpose. People can learn to protect themselves, and enjoy the learning process.

NL – What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

SO – Suing telemarketers is something  that everyone can agree upon.

NL – What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

SO – Everyone can use a good chuckle.  Even if 99 out of 100 people do not want to sue a telemarketer, everyone can learn their rights and regain the power of their own telephone.

NL – Authors all need to be creative, so what sparks your creativity? Do you have any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

SO – When a creative thought happens, it important to write it down.  Creativity cannot and will not wait. Write down the inspirations, comedy, and whacko stuff immediately.  A tape recorder on your person is a good idea.  The creative process happens when sleeping, walking, showering, eating… just keep writing it down.

NL – What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

SO – We all have something to express inside all of us… and we need the tenacity to put it on paper and to see it through to publication.

NL – Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

SO – I have a very unique opportunity through my Kramer impersonation. I use the Kramer double approach. I co-authored the book as Steve Ostrow the lawyer, and Ozmo Kramer….with a picture of Kramer on the back cover.

NL – If a potential reader thinks your book would not interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy?

SO – If you own a telephone and like to be amused, this book is for you.  Honestly, if you don’t own a telephone, or if you do not like Seinfeld humor, then this book is not for you.

NL – Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

SO – Just imagine Kramer going to law school.  That is what this book is about – Kramer graduating law school and going after the dreaded telemarketers.

NL – Did I miss anything you want to tell my blog readers?

SO – You should read How To Sue a Telemarketer, if you want to see one more fresh episode of Seinfeld, see how Kramer handles the telemarketers. It is a great hobby, its profitable, and everyone should know their rights.  And did I mention that it’s amusing?

For more details, visit http://www.howtosueatelemarketer.com

To see full details for the How to Sue a Telemarketer virtual tour, visit – http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/07/05/how-to-sue-a-telemarketer/

To read Nikki Leigh’s review of How to Sue a Telemarketer, visit – http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/182788

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.

Your Name: Alysa Braceau, Dreamshield

1. Where you are from and where are you now?

I am from the Netherlands (Europe) and Haarlem is were I live (a few miles from Amsterdam).
2. How did you get started writing?

That was about ten years ago.  It started when I friend of mine, who was a journalist, suggested I write my personal account and send it to magazine after a spiritual oriented workshop. So, I did and it turned out well. After that, I started writing as a freelancer for various magazines about spiritual, new age workshops and courses
3. What do you do when you are not writing?

I do a combination of different things. I’m working at a publishing company and I have a healing practice. In addition, I am very happy being the mother of an energetic and swirling 6-year old daughter. Accompanied by great friends, I have never a dull moment.
4. What would readers like to know about you?

They will like to know that I can travel with my dream body… and that readers can learn this skill also…

5. What inspired your first book?

Meeting a “man of Knowledge’ who taught me the art of mastering conscious dreaming and to be able to share this knowledge inspired me to write my book.

6. How many books have you written?

I have written one book: The Sorcerer’s Dream

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

The Sorcerer’s Dream: Dreaming and Spiritual Adventure in a New Millenium
8. Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

I mastered the art of conscious dreaming in the past years and I was an apprentice of the Indian ‘Man of Knowledge’ Running Deer.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

Oh, that was never a problem. I am not a fiction novelist but write about a certain topic I was taught about. It felt like an encouraging energy at my back was helping to bring this writing project to the finish.

10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

For the love and for freedom!

11. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

I published my book in the Netherlands first and the most successful thing I did there was writing articles about my (dream) work to be published in magazines.

12. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

I have a website: www.dreamshield.nl

Please visit.
13. Where can people order your books?

Booklocker – http://www.booklocker.com/books/4654.html

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Dream-Dreamshield-Alysa-Braceau/dp/1609101561
14. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

Print (paperback) and e-book

15. Will you write more books?

Oh yes, at least two or more…

16. What do you have in the works now?

My book is about my initiation into the sorcerer’s world and mastering conscious dreaming. It is an exciting spiritual adventure that takes you into the magic realms of the unknown. You can read it and learn more about:

Mastering conscious dreaming, dreaming practices,  traveling to the unknown, dreaming and the meaning of sexual energy, the healing of your inner child and the way to reach the totality of the Self by facing and releasing your emotional,  physical and spiritual blocks.
17. What does the future hold for you and your books?

I hope many enthusiastic readers and fellow travelers to explore the boundless unknown of dreaming and creativity.

18. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

When my book came out in the Netherlands I went to a spiritual fair where I start signing books. While I was there, I met a book promoter and publisher who offered me the opportunity to write a weekly column in his magazine and free promotion by making a workshop video and an interview on internet tv.

19. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

The least successful, was an advertisement in a spiritual orientated newspaper. The advertisement came out very bad (unclear) and the owner of the magazine wasn’t willing to refund my money or replace my ad.
20. What makes this book special to you?

I love to write about the art of conscious dreaming and to share this knowledge with others. In addition, I had the chance to write it the way I thought it would be best, despite the fact that the content might not be very mainstream.

21. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

What I hear is that people start dreaming while reading my book as if they travel along with my experiences and they enjoy that a lot. People find it to be a challenging, confrontational and exciting trip.

22. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

People must read it because this makes you more aware of yourself and your surroundings. You can come to the point where you realize that conscious dreaming feels as real as living in the everyday reality. Mastering conscious dreaming can bring you to the point where you discover that you are the creator of your own reality in a more conscious way.

23. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

People that are at a point where they want to explore more about themselves, their needs and to find out that they want to have more influence over their lives. They come to understand they want to live more consciously and use their gifts to live a (more) happy and self-fulfilling life.
24. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

In fact every moment of pleasure, relaxation and/or rest (stepping out of the structure of daily life) sparks my creativity. So, that’s why I build in those moments a few times a week by taking a walk in the dunes or yoga. I’m open to all impressions that come to me and welcome them as gifts.

25. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I love to entrust experiences and thoughts to paper and the opportunity to share it with others.
26. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Knocking on the door of book stores in Amsterdam and offering them my book, a flyer and a poster and tell them more about my book. Most of them were pretty enthusiastic about this action.
27. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn’t interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I’m thinking something better than “Its the greatest book ever.” Give me something more specific

I would say: My book is not only about dreaming, its about adventure, love, exploring the unknown. Besides that, this book makes you laugh. I fell in love deeply with my teacher and made a fool out of myself. Most people in my place would know right away that it would be impossible with a naqual. By the way wouldn’t you like to know more about the connection between dreaming and increasing your sexual energy?

28. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

I tried to examine my dreams when I was young and it felt very natural to be curious about what these dreams were telling me. I found out that by writing them down, I started to understand my dreams and I could remember them better. I noticed they developed in conscious dreaming (dreaming while being aware that you are dreaming) and I enjoyed that a lot, it encouraged me to go on.

Why would it interest potential readers? Well, cconscious dreaming is big fun because it gives you a great feeling. If you dream consciously, you have control over events. Or, you have the realization that you can control the situation. There will be a day that you can instruct yourself to dream about something; to fly like a bird or to meet a deceased loved one. So, why not give it a try. (In my book you will find all the dreaming practices by which you can achieve conscious dreaming in about 4 weeks).

You can come to the realization that conscious dreaming gives you the same feeling as living in the everyday reality, that makes you think and want to explore more about the two realities.

We invite you to join s on the virtual tour for The Sorcerer’s Dream by Alysa Braceau (Dreamshield). The full schedule can be seen at http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/05/03/sorcerers-dream.  You can learn much more about Dreamshield and her work on her website – www.dreamshield.nl. The book can be ordered on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Dream-Dreamshield-Alysa-Braceau/dp/1609101561. SPECIAL OFFER – Every time you post a comment on any tour post – you will be entered into a drawing for a $35 Amazon gift card — so, share your thoughts with us.

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.

Your Name: Lorene Burkhart

1. Where you are from and where are you now?  Vincennes, IN    /      Indianapolis, IN
2. How did you get started writing?  Progressed from radio, television scripts to magazine articles. Books seemed like the next project.

3. What do you do when you are not writing?  Serve on community boards; promote books.
4. What would readers like to know about you?  I’m a young 75-year-old woman who just keeps ticking.

5. What inspired your first book?  My life – it’s an autobiography.
6. How many books have you written?  Six in six years.

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they? Two about life on the farm, three children’s books, and one patient empowerment book.
8. Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?  Years of life experience and many careers.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?  Keep away from distractions; have materials ready.
10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?  Both – a portion of proceeds from each book title is given to a variety of non-profit causes.
11. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?  Am just entering the national arena, so am working with a publicist; all types of electronic possibilities through a Web 2.0 platform.
12. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?  Yes, www.burkhartnetwork.com.
13. Where can people order your books?  Website, amazon.com, ebooks, bookstores.
14. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?  Ebook and print.
15. Will you write more books?  Yes.

16. What do you have in the works now?  A book about how women pull themselves up through tough times.
17. What does the future hold for you and your books?  Hopefully, many more years.

18. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?  Marketing combines traditional public relations and Web 2.0. The combo seems to work well and leads people to the website to buy.

19. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?  Book signings have not sold many books, but they offer insight from readers.
20. What makes this book special to you?  It can make a difference in people’s lives as they pursue better relationships in the health care system.
21. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?  Medical community (doctors, nurses) love it as well as patients.

22. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?  It can change their attitude about their responsibility for their medical relationships.

23. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?  Any person who is a patient, which is everyone. It’s also a refreshing reminder for practicing professionals and great for medical students.
24. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?  Paying attention to everything around me.
25. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?  I don’t know about most people but I was motivated by the challenge.
26. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?  Hired an actor to do my YouTube video.
27. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn’t interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I’m thinking something better than “Its the greatest book ever.” Give me something more specific   They will manage their medical care in a more satisfactory manner.

28. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.  The topic of my book, “Sick of Doctors? Then Do Something About It” interests me because patient responsibility for their care is a huge problem and requires a shift in attitude. I love solving problems and sharing my insight where it makes a difference.

Join us on the Sick of Doctors? Then Do Something About It! virtual tour. To learn more about the tour, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/04/26/sick-of-doctors-tour/. You can also learn more about Lorene Burkhart and the book at http://www.burkhartnetwork.com/. If you would like to be a host on this tour, contact nikki @ nikkileigh.com

Your Name: Dr. Cindy Bradford

1. Where you are from and where are you now?

I grew up in Kilgore, Texas, in the East Texas Piney Woods, went to Baylor University in Waco, TX before I ended up in Dallas for 25 years. I now live at South Padre Island, Texas, at the southern most tip of the state.
2. How did you get started writing?

I don’t ever remember not writing. In high school I wrote poetry, but even before that when I was just a little girl I wanted to be a journalist, so I wrote little stories on leftover typing paper at my house. In college I wrote feature stories for a local newspaper and for the college newspaper. I taught English and journalism and then became director of communications for the school district. In that job, I wrote stories every day. I had numerous articles published in professional journals, but I always wanted to write a novel. When I retired, I began my first novel, which turned out to be Keeping Faith.

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

I love to work in my garden, especially with my herbs, which I use in cooking; another passion. I also travel every chance I get, and have visited about 40 countries in the last 8 years. Although I read many novels, magazines are what I enjoy most—since I have a short attention span!!

Even though I am retired, I do educational consulting, so some days I am in schools evaluating them for accreditation purposes. I enjoy this because I am able to visit schools all over the world.
4. What would readers like to know about you?

I’m funny. I have a crazy sense of humor and nothing is sacred. Everything and everybody is at risk, especially me, because I laugh at myself and the dumb things I do before anyone else. I am one of the most persistent, impatient individuals in the world, which can be a great asset at times, but it causes me and everyone around me stress at other times.

When I like or love somebody, I am their true friend. I love wine, and would like to taste it in every country where it is made. That doesn’t leave much ground that I don’t want to see. A list of a thousand places to see before I die pales to all the places I don’t want to miss. And although I am very adventurous, I am wiser now in my 50s and know my limits—well a few of them anyway.  I have an untamed curiosity that helps be a lifelong learner, but also gets me into deep trouble on occasion.

5. What inspired your first book?

I know this sounds crazy, and I have heard other writers before say the same, and I thought they sounded silly, but I had a dream that got me thinking. I changed most of it to fit what I wanted the book to be about, but it was the impetus. Since I read newspapers, I follow contemporary issues and events, and they serve as inspiration as well. My own experiences of places I have been and people I have met or read about lent support for the first venture, as they continue to do.
6. How many books have you written?

Two, but I am working on two more.

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

Keeping Faith and Promises Kept. They are both contemporary women’s fiction, but numerous men have read the first and told me they really liked it. If they have to go in another category, it would have to be romance, but there is so much more to both of them than just romance.
8. Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

I used settings and topics, which I had knowledge of, and researched every item I needed information about. I am very inquisitive so I leave no stone unturned. I ask a million questions of people who are helpful and/or knowledgeable about the subjects I want to feature. I am somewhat of a perfectionist, so I persist until I think I have all the information I need.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

That is not always easy although I tend to be very focused when I have a job or responsibility. That said, I am very global so I jump around a lot, but I never miss a self-imposed or actual deadline. That probably comes from having been in journalism for awhile, but it is also just an innate quality. My parents insisted that I be responsible, dependable, and always on time. I have a great many interruptions because I still do consulting work, and that drives me crazy sometimes. I also have friends who want me to stop and “play.” I stop when I want to, but I keep my goals always on the front burner. I want writing to be fun and not a job, so I know when I need a break; I take it, but I re-focus quickly.
10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

Well, it would be great to make money doing something I love, but I don’t count on it to pay the bills. I hope that someday, writing pays off, but really it already has, since the ability to write has carried me a long way—from my first job, through my dissertation for my Ph.D., to having a good time just putting down my thoughts. Now, if I could be a bestseller, I would be very happy because I could buy more expensive wine, plus have a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

I tell everyone I meet about the book. Maybe that is why people are running from me these days!! I hand out loads of bookmarks, which look like the book and have my web site on them. I have what I think is a super web site where I post at least three blogs a week, and this appears to be paying off, especially since it is linked to my Facebook fan page (more than 125 fans) and Twitter( 800 followers). Book signings are helping me because I have been able to advertise these through the newspaper and a large email distribution furnished by friends and bookstores. I am also using online marketing such as bookmarking and other web sites. I send out a weekly email to more than 150 individuals, have an opt-in subscriber list, and use numerous sales distribution channels.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

I promote the book through my website www.doccbradford.com, but the books sales are handled through Amazon and other online book stores.
14. Where can people order your books?

On Amazon, www. wikio.com, www.Indiependentbooks.com, eBay, www. m.goodreads.com and BiggerBooks.com. Createspace extended distribution channel and Paragraphs Book Store.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

Print, Kindle, MobiPocket
16. Will you write more books?

Yes!

17. What do you have in the works now?

I have two I am working on—one about a human smuggler and another about letters sent back and forth from friends to a woman in prison
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?

Enjoyment and I hope a great deal of success.

19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

Hiring a publicist/agent type person who understands technology and online marketing much better than I do. Social media has also been very helpful. I hope the virtual book tour is the Most Successful step!

20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

Book signings so far have not resulted in many sales, but I think perhaps the promotion of them has resulted in some sales online.
22. What makes this book special to you?

Keeping Faith was all mine. I wrote every word and had every idea that went into it. It was my first, but more than that, I feel a strong sense of fulfillment for bringing it to fruition. Promise Kept, the sequel, is mine too and actually my favorite because it was so easy to write and it gelled from the beginning.
23. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

I’ve received more than 30 reviews of the first book, Keeping Faith, and all have been very supportive. Most people have told me they love the places I detail and they feel like they are right there. They also comment positively about the character descriptions and the overall story development, with twists and turns and the unexpected. Most people say they can’t wait for the sequel and I actually think they will like it as well or better.

24. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Both books are “easy reads”, and they reflect the everyday struggles common to all people. They remove the reader from her own thoughts and take her to other places where she gets to “see” new environs, “meet” new people and experience a broad range of emotions.

25. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Obviously everyone over 25 who can read!! The books are probably geared toward educated women who enjoy novels about love and life and who want to “escape” for a few hours; Keeping Faith has also drawn in a number of men who like the unexpected twists and turns.
26. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Watching people is a big help to me and paying attention to detail—what they are wearing, the looks on their faces and their body language. Traveling also sparks my interests. In my mind, I can build a character to experience a certain place I am visiting, and begin to see him/her right there in a story. Reading poetry or famous quotes helps also. So does listening to music. Both make me sensitive and mellow, which puts me in a writing mood.
27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I think everyone thinks he/she has a book inside, and most people are under the false pretense that if published they will be rich and famous. I know better than that, so I write because it is a passion—something that takes me away from all the other responsibilities I have and puts me in my own little world where imagination is bigger than life.
28. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Introduce myself to strangers and hand them a bookmark.
29. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn’t interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I’m thinking something better than “Its the greatest book ever.” Give me something more specific

I would tell them that most times in life a closed mind keeps people from experiencing events or happenings that could make them very happy and glad they took the chance. I pretty much can guarantee them it certainly won’t hurt them to just read the Prologue and they will be hooked.

I actually am serializing Keeping Faith on my website. Every Friday I post about 2,000 words and at that rate, it will take about a year to post the entire book. So I would tell them it is free to look—just go to my web site: www.doccbradford.com and read the weekly excerpts or view the book trailers. What do they have to lose! They may not want to wait a year for the whole story and then the sequel should be an easy sell.

30. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

In Keeping Faith, the topic of child abuse takes center stage as a contemporary issue. Unfortunately it has probably affected someone each of us has known. How the victim has risen above it is what the book is about. The story is not a depressing rehash of a bad experience, but rather about the triumph of the human spirit, of resilience and healing. These are attributes we can all identify with, and my characters in both books reflect people we want to reach out to and support, just like in real life. Promises Kept is more of a love story about an unforgettable young woman whose life’s journey has been filled with uncertainty, of searching for people and answers that others take for granted. Compassionate, courageous, strong-willed and persistent, she learns that sometimes these qualities aren’t enough, and that you just have to accept the cards life deals…but not without a fight.

Tour Note and Giveaway Details

We invite you to join us on the Promises Kept virtual tour and every comment you post on the tour posts – will get you an entry into a drawing for a copy of the first book in this series – Keeping Faith. Visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/03/02/promises-kept/ for the complete schedule. For more details about Cindy Bradford, visit -www.KeepingFaithTheNovel.com and www.DocCBradford.com/my-books

1 – How did you get interested in the topic that’s featured in your book?

My maternal grandparents were part Native American Indian. From that knowledge I developed an interest and a lifelong study of Native American peoples.

2 – Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic?

Since my teen years I’ve been involved with Native American community organizations and also with organizations that promote equal respect for all people. I have also cared about environmental concerns. My youth/YA fantasy novel, THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW is the first in a trilogy. It features Native American youth and young adults as the main characters.  The second book will feature Tibetan youth and young adults, and the third will feature African youth and young adults. These main characters help young people throughout the world in the spirit of mutual respect and cultural harmony.

3 – What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

I would urge them to strive to teach the people in their lives, especially young people, about environmental responsibility and about the universal need for cultural harmony. Regardless of our age, we each have a responsibility to this planet, and we each can chose to reject racial discrimination, intolerance, and narrow-mindedness by refusing to value any race of people more than another race of people.

4 – What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons?

Participating in groups and organizations is a way to join efforts with likeminded people to make a positive difference for a specific cause. Whatever our interests are, if we join efforts with people we have multiple hands and minds working together for a common cause. This will usually contribute to personal growth and perhaps to business growth too.

5 – Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

Ideally, the people that I most want to read my novel are school principals, teachers, youth advocates, especially those that serve underprivileged and at-risk youth, and parents. I believe these adults will recognize the value of the multifaceted aspects of this novel and will appreciate how this story can appeal to young readers. The target age group is approximately 11-22 years old, but the novel can be enjoyed by adults of all ages and by younger readers with advanced reading skills.  I know a nine-year-old who is a big fan of the characters.  She’s excitedly awaiting the second book in the trilogy. Regarding recommending my book to others, I hope that the adults who read THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW will put it into the hands of the young people in their lives. I wrote this novel especially for young readers to enchant them with an intriguing fantasy that will enthrall their imaginations.  I also wish to inspire young readers to treat all people with respect, and to help protect and take care of the earth.

6 – What do you think ignites a person’s creativity?

For me, an active imagination and an ability to speculate is my lit match.  Something that attracts my interest is a flash of a flicker that could spark once and then disappear in a thin swirl of dissipating smoke if not lit by my imagination and lit my willingness to wonder. I believe that most people can be creative if they will allow their imaginations to soar. Some people have an extraordinary talent, but even people that believe that they aren’t gifted can be creative if they will allow their imaginations free reign.

7 – What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing?

I can think of three huge stumbling blocks off the top of my head.

1. A LACK OF TRAINING.

Writing is a learned craft. Diligently study it. Take writing classes, read books about writing, and join writing groups. Also, in my opinion, a serious writer must be an avid read; he/she must constantly read. Reading teaches. If you want to write well-written horror stories, read well-written horror stories. If you want to write well-written mysteries, read well-written mysteries. If you want to write well-written murder mysteries, read well-written murder mysteries and study forensics. Don’t do this to copy or to imitate other writers. Do this to learn. Every skilled writer can be a teacher to you for the price of his/her book. Unskilled writers can be valuable teachers too. Their writing shares examples of mistakes and errors that you wish to avoid.

2. A RELUCTANCE TO REVISE.

I’ve met writers that believe what they write is “pure” from the start. They don’t want to revise. They want to “honor” what was gifted to them from their muse. I think that is ridiculous. Few of us write perfectly in our first draft. Revising smoothes, polishes, shapes, and refines our writing. It enables us to develop our stories and to fully create our characters. It allows us to correct mistakes, to rearrange material, etc. I’m constantly revising. It is an ongoing, laborious, tendentious, exciting, and wonderful process of improvement.  Our readers deserve the best writing we can offer. We rarely get the best writing we can produce from our first drafts. Sometimes it takes 10-20+ drafts to get there.

3. HAVING UNREALISTIST FINANCIAL EXPECTATIONS.

I’d write even if I never had the opportunity to publish/sell my work. I write for the pleasure of inventing interesting stories and creating believable characters. I wish to publish and to share my writing with readers. I’d love to make a living from my writing. Yet, I know that few writers do. Most writers have day jobs or additional means of financial support. They cannot rely solely upon the money they earn from writing. In nearly all creative arts (writing, music, theater, painting, dance, photography, etc.) you will find an enormous number of artists passionately embracing their chosen field because of their love for that particular field. Many do hope to make it financially but they are not deterred if they do not.

8 – How would you suggest they can overcome that?

1. Write because you love to write. Acknowledge that making money would be wonderful, but admit that it’s not the primary reason that you write. That is not being idealistic; it’s being truthful.

2. Read at least one half hour everyday, longer if possible. Read to research specific material that relates to your subject matter, read for pleasure, and read for general study. Sometimes I read a novel all the way though and then read it last-chapter-forward to study how the story/characters were developed. I keep a journal for words I like, words I’ve not used. I also write down character traits and health conditions that I find interesting. For example, I learned about synesthesia, an extremely uncommon and rare neurologically based condition that blends the senses. It fascinates me. I researched synesthesia thoroughly and then gave one of my characters the condition in THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia

3.  Revise your writing.  Have people that you trust read your material and then give you constructive critiques. Strive to improve your writing, to shape and to polish it to the best of your ability.

9 – What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame, or something else?

If you are a cosmetic surgeon that gives rich and famous people face lifts and body enhancement surgeries I will suspect that your biggest motivation is money and perhaps fame. If you are a cosmetic surgeon that reconstructs cleft lip/palates, and other face/body deformities of underprivileged people I will suspect that you main motivation is not financial. A person can be motivated by more than one factor. In my case, two of my biggest motivators were writers, my mother and her father. They admired my creative ability to make up stories when I was a child. They believed that I could become a gifted writer. My mother and my grandfather taught and encouraged me. I often talk with them with my heart when I’m writing and I always thank them when I write “THE END” to a book.

10 – Who is the “perfect” person to read your book?

I have two “perfect” types of people, two very specific types. The first is the dejected and discouraged young person alone someplace feeling uncared for, misunderstood, mistreated, and/or neglected.  The second is the happy young person living in a safe and loving home with a supportive and nurturing family.

11 – Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes, I wish to thank you for your generosity. It is extremely difficult to get the word out about a newly published book. My novel was published in March, 2009 by a small publishing company with a small budget. Most of the promotional costs are upon my shoulders and I have a small budget. I’m doing my best to get word about my novel out there. People cannot read or recommend it to others if they don’t know that it exists.  I thank you for being an avenue of support to struggling authors who need publicity assistance.

Topic to Discuss –   YOUTH DREAM TEAM

1 – How did you get interested in creating the YOUTH DREAM TEAM for your youth/YA fantasy novel, THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW?

I started the YOUTH DREAM TEAM to give youth that like the novel a place where they can share their endorsements. It is a safe place on my website that does not reveal the last names or the city location of anyone under the age of 18. THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW is a universal story. In time I hope to have YOUTH DREAM TEAM members across the globe. Becoming a member is a free opportunity.  I feature a photograph of the young person, a short summary about them, and their endorsement.  I need permission from parents or legal guardians for youth under 18. Eventually, I hope to provide members prizes, writing contests, collaborated writing opportunities, and more.  Please visit the endorsements page of THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW to learn more about the YOUTH DREAM TEAM. www.astarrynightproductions.com

2 – Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to the topic?

I’ve been a youth advocate and a volunteer writing mentor for young people for many years. On my website for the STARRY NIGHT CREATIVE ARTISTS COMMUNITY I answer questions that are emailed to me by teens.  If I’m unable to answer a question I will find someone that can answer it. Here is the link.   http://www.astarrynightproductions.com/creative/pages/qa.htm

3 – What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

I advise people to contact me. I will tell about my YOUTH DREAM TEAM and I will help them create their own. My email address is Pacini.Novelist@gmail.com.

4 – What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations that discuss this topic? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal or business growth. What are your reasons?

My YOUTH DREAM TEAM project enables young people to correspond with a published author, it allows them to submit their writing in contests, it provide opportunities to young writers to collaborate on projects, and it promotes reading and writing.  These opportunities can contribute to personal growth and perhaps to business growth if young writers decide to do a “for profit” project together.

5 – What products do you offer that would help a person who is interested in this topic?

My novel and I intend to offer writing contests, book give-away projects, and reading/writing opportunities that will interest young people and teachers. My YOUTH DREAM TEAM is developing. I believe when more young people learn about it that they will have creative suggestions/ideas too.

6 – Who is the ideal person for these products? If each person that reads this was going to recommend these products to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

Ideally, the people that I most want to learn about my YOUTH DREAM TEAM are school principals, teachers, youth advocates, especially those that serve underprivileged and at-risk youth, and parents. They are the adults that I believe will most appreciate the value of such a project and how it can appeal to young people. The target age group for my YOUTH DREAM TEAM is approximately 13-24.

7 – What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to learn more about this topic?

My youth/YA fantasy novel, THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW, was published in March, 2009. The YOUTH DREAM TEAM is a new project associated with my novel. My biggest challenge is getting the word out there. I contact a few educators, librarians, youth advocates, parents, and young people each week. It is a word-of-mouth, phone call, and email effort. I am a “one woman” team. The word is slowly getting out there. I’m excited about the YOUTH DREAM TEAM project, it has great potential.

8 – How would you suggest they can overcome that?

I overcome the problem of people not knowing about my YOUTH DREAM TEAM by telling people about it. I diligently tell more people every week.

9 – What do you find is the biggest motivator to learn more about this topic?

I’m motivated to tell people about my novel and my YOUTH DREAM TEAM project. I’ve written a wonderful novel and I believe that the YOUTH DREAM TEAM project can become a terrific opportunity for young people, especially young people that are interested in writing. I believe that my novel and the YOUTH DREAM TEAM project will motivate young people to read and to write.

10 – Who is the “perfect” person to delve into this information?

Young readers, young writers, school principals, teachers, youth advocates, especially those that serve underprivileged and at-risk youth, and parents should appreciate learning about the YOUTH DREAM TEAM.

11 – Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Those questions are only slightly different from what I had and I’m going to add them as an alternative way to post for this blog.)

Again, I wish to thank you for your generosity. It is extremely difficult to get the word out about a newly published book or about a project like my YOUTH DREAM TEAM.  I thank you for being an avenue of support.

*******

What inspired the book?  My dad suffered a stroke and his health went downhill year after year.  I worried about him all the time and one night I had a dream where I was able to take him to a new realm where he was no longer ill and we were happy again.  The next day I started writing Gateway To DreamWorld.

What makes this book special to you?  It was an escape from reality where my dad would live a happy, healthy life with the entire family.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?  We all have dreams and it is heartwarming to read that there is always hope.  It’s nice to read a story of dedication and love that although sad, has a happy ending.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?  Young readers and the young at heart who enjoy fantasies.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?  I pull ideas from life around me.  Sometimes it starts out in one direction and turns into a very different genre as I write.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

My biggest stumbling block was fine tuning the details that poured onto the page.  I would tell anyone trying to write a story to jot down your ideas first and work out from there.  I have found that if I get stumped, I can break the ideas apart and turn it into a new storyline.  One idea can blossom into several other directions and lead you to something extraordinary.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?  There is a story inside all of us and while some express themselves verbally, others are better at putting our thoughts and feelings in writing.  I have always had an imagination and after a debilitating injury that put me off work for several months, I decided to write a manuscript based on various dreams and soon the pieces came together to create a sci-fi novel, The Sagris.  I have continued with my writing since that time.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?  I love to write, however, I do not like the publicity portion.  I want to be a behind the scenes writer and would love to publish under someone else who loves to travel and visit with strangers.

FICTION – If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?  I started with a general location for the story and changed it to suit the story as it progressed.

FICTION – What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.  The hero is this story is a young boy who would give up everything to save his family.  I hope this story reaches young adults everywhere and enlightens them to the world of fantasy where goods things can still come from tragedy.

FICTION – Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

If there’s anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.  I always believed that the hardest part would be writing the book.  I had no idea that the publisher would not handle the marketing.  I have since discovered that almost all promotion is up to the author.  Being a quiet homebody, I am having trouble in promoting my book and would appreciate any advise as to alternate marketing avenues.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.  Bks2plz.blogspot.com

Amazon.com, Barnes&Nobles.com, PowellsBooks.com

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.

Your Name: Melissa M. Williams

1. Where you are from and where are you now?

I am from Houston, Texas, and I lived in Dallas and Austin for about 5 years, but I just moved back to Houston 8 months ago.

2. How did you get started writing?

I have always loved to write and have writing since I was 8 years old.  During graduate school, I started taking lectures and creative writing workshops in my spare time.  My degrees are in psychology and professional counseling.  So, I have always wanted to write books with inspirational messages and psychological concepts.  I started in the children’s market first. 

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

Well, the past two years have been full of work.  I started a publishing company, LongTale Publishing and a literacy foundation, Read3Zero.  I definitely find ways to travel for work and pleasure.  I love experiencing new places.  It helps you see that your little way of living is NOT the only way to live.  I love running and yoga, but haven’t been doing it as much … I used to run marathons a few years ago, so I would train a lot!  I would like to get back into it again.  I love music, experiencing new things, and I enjoy spending time visiting friends and family.

4. What would readers like to know about you?

Iggy (the Iguana), the main character in my series, was my very first pet as a kid.  He was as long as I was tall … lived on top of my bookshelf, was potty trained, and could sit up on his hind legs.  Actually, all of the crazy animal characters in my books were pets of mine while growing up.  Horned toads, water dragons, turtles, iguanas, etc.  I always liked strange things, I guess you could say. 

5. What inspired your first book?

My pet Iggy!!  I have been writing about him and making up the voice for a cartoon series since I was eight years old.  I had a big imagination as a kid too.  One of my very first jobs was being a voice over actress for Japanese cartoons.

6. How many books have you written?

Two and working on the third.

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

Iggy the Iguana Juvenile Fiction (Ages 7-11)

Summer League (The Iggy Sequel) Juvenile Fiction (Ages 7-11)

Turtle Town (currently writing)

All of the books are Middle Grade Readers (Chapter books)

8. Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

I have lived the experiences, surrounded myself with my audience, and made sure my books got the seal of approval from many kids and teachers before they went to print.  The readers’ opinions are very important to me.  These books are more for them as opposed to big name reviewers.  Also, I try to experience everything my characters go through.  I substituted for elementary as research for the first book … studied all aspects of baseball for Summer League, and currently, I have been visiting California, researching the turtle society, and learning how to surf for Turtle Town.  San Diego is the location for the next book.  I’ve been interviewing surfer dudes too!

9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

That’s hard when being an author also means you must be a marketer too … not to mention a public speaker.  I have to take time out and go away and get out of the business life of being an entrepreneur.  Sometimes that literally means going away to another state and other times it means changing my surroundings and mindset a bit.  You can write anywhere, but sometimes certain spots inspire us more than others.  I actually wrote most of my last book in a cabin in Taos, New Mexico.

Time management and planning has always been very helpful to me too.  When I start writing a book, I have to stay persistent, so I write it into my schedule, but I also allow for the creative flow to take me away, and I write when ever the ideas come.  Jotting down notes is a constant for me.  I usually get great ideas when I’m running or driving for a long time.  Two really bad times to write notes down, I know … I’ve tried the voice recorders too.

10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

Definitely both.  I have turned this into my career, and I’ve got to live so I can do what I love to do … write!

12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

Word of mouth and connections you make with people along the way are #1 in this business!  You become the brand, so you have to market yourself by being in the public.  All authors must stand for something so they stand out.

I have done everything with my marketing team, from online social networking like Facebook and Twitter, press releases, newsletters, Events Events Events, you must get out there in person.  I do radio shows online and locally, I have been on the news and had articles written in papers, and I am a children’s columnist for an online paper in Houston.  Everything you do is marketing.  I haven’t even mentioned flyers, handouts, postcards, mailers, press kits, etc.  It always helps to have professionals guide you in the beginning, because good advice can go a long way and save time from making mistakes most new authors make.

13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

Yes, I sell through www.IggytheIguana.com.

14. Where can people order your books?

Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Target.com, and www.IggytheIguana.com.

15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

Print and Audio.  (I did all the voices for my audio book … it was so much fun to be back in the studio!)

16. Will you write more books?

Yes, forever!

17. What do you have in the works now?

Turtle Town, which is a spin off series of Iggy the Iguana.  And I am publishing a short story anthology of stories written by kids for kids too.

18. What does the future hold for you and your books?

I hope and pray movies, cartoons or learning computer games.  I think the Iggy characters are so cute and memorable, so I am just waiting to sell the license when the time is right.  I want to use them as symbols of diversity and acceptance for all children.  I would also like to grow as an author and business, so eventually, I would love for everyone to receive the positive energy the Iggy Series has to offer to the world.  I plan to write more books with inspirational and spiritual messages and use my counseling experience to reach other audiences.  Honestly, I am up for anything in this business.  I secretly want to be the voice of a Disney Cartoon.  


19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

I got really involved with schools and teachers.  Word of mouth and recommendations are your best friend in the children’s market.  I prepared ahead of time by becoming a substitute teacher as a part time job.  I also got involved with organizations like the Texas Library Association and did signings at their events and collected email addresses for my newsletters from all of my events.  Go where you know your target audience will be!

20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

Mailed books and info to schools.  I’m not saying don’t send out information … it has to be done, but it is costly for a low response rate.  They want to see you in person first or hear about you from another librarian or teacher.

22. What makes this book special to you?

I’ve been wanting to write it for the past 20 years.  It is very dear to my heart, as my pet Iggy was a best friend to me as a child.

23. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

Kids really relate to what the characters go through in their elementary years.  Parents tell me that even their children who don’t like to read can’t put it down.  I think they like Snap, the wannabe surfer box shell turtle “dude.”  All of the characters have very unique personalities.  Parents and teachers really appreciate the theme of acceptance and not judging others on the outside, which is the underlying foundation of all of the stories I write.


24. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Kids are learning at a really young age how to judge others.  It’s really sad, because it gets worse and worse and creates all ranges of bullying.  We can’t forget that everyone has feelings.  Understanding the value of acceptance, even into adulthood can go a long way.  When we don’t accept others, we cut off a lot of our own lives.  We become self conscious to try new things.  Fear can be depilating, so exercising an open mind can cure a lot of those problems.  

25. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

This is a great book for everyone.  I have parents reading it to their little kids, elementary students reading it over and over again, counselors and teachers reading it to their students, book clubs reading it as a group, and adults who love animals and a positive story reading it as well.  Its a great series for boys and girls, young and young at heart!

26. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?

Well, I believe there is no such thing as writer’s block.  It’s just an excuse.  Get out of your regular every day routine.  Go on an “Artist Date” as Julia Cameron would say, the author of the Artist’s Way.  We become stagnate in mind and body when we get comfortable and do not allow for new experiences, so get out there and the ideas will come.  Walking and workout helps too, at least for me.  OR go take a writing class, even if you don’t learn anything, your ideas will start to spark again.

27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Everyone has a story in them.  Some want to tell it, others wish they could tell it, and then others have to tell it.  The ones who have to, who follow their intuition, are the ones who become authors.  I was motivated to get into this “unusual” industry because its unusual.  I’m not a 9 to 5 kind a gal.  I like to move to the beat of my own drum.  Sometimes that means putting in 80 hours a week instead of 40, but at least I was the one who told myself I had to and no one else.  I never saw myself in an ordinary career.  God didn’t want that for me, so I listened.

28. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I have done book signings at Kroger grocery stores, craft shows, fast food restaurants, little league games, etc.  It definitely gets attention to be in a place where books and authors aren’t always expected.

29. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn’t interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I’m thinking something better than “Its the greatest book ever.” Give me something more specific

If I were trying to get a child with their parent to buy my book who wasn’t interested, I would ask them if they had any pets.  Next I say, “Well do you want to see a picture of the my real pet, Iggy, in the back of my book?”  They always say, yes.  Next, I would ask questions, like, “what grade are you in, do you like sports, have you ever started a new school?” to see what parts of the book would interest them the most, then I would talk about that aspect of the story.  You have  to know your reader to give them what they are looking for.

30. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

You learn things about life and interests of the world in this children’s series.  I get to learn knew things and become more open minded through every book I write.  Do you know how many miles are in a marathon, or what hitting the wall means, or why little boys shouldn’t through curve balls, where the “running of the bulls festival” takes place, what time of the day surfers can get the best waves, or how surfers don’t slip off their boards?  Well, you’ll get all of the answers by reading the Iggy the Iguana Series!

To learn more about Iggy and Melissa Williams – visit www.iggytheiguana.com. Win the Iggy the Iguana Give Away! Including the Newly Released Items in Iggy Collection, Snap Shell the Turtle (Plush Doll), Iggy Collector’s Baseball Cards, and The Read3Zero T-Shirt … supporting the fight against illiteracy 30 minutes at a time. Be our most active visitor during the tour for a chance to win this Iggy Collection — the tour schedule is posted at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2010/01/iggy-iguana-and-melissa-m-williams-tour.html to make it easy for you to visit and comment.