Interview with an InspirationaL Writer

Interview With Author Kimberly Mitchell

1.      What inspired you to write your latest book?  I was at a crossroads in my life and decided to write again. I actually wrote most of my life, but never a book. Once I made the decision to write, I had to figure out what subject matter I wanted to take on. Then one night, when I went out to dinner, I saw an older gentleman escort his wife to the table by putting his hand on the small of her back. That's when it hit me; I would write about chivalry! Once I started writing, I couldn't stop. The book took on a life of its own; covering topics from dating to blending, and more. I'm actually working on my second book now, along with blogging for others, offering presentations and speaking engagements.

2.      What have been the rewards and challenges of writing it?  Learning each and every task necessary to publish my own book. The second challenge was telling my story, while protecting anyone in my life by hurting them. I wanted to make sure I was genuine, honest, and responsible.

3.      What is the book's core message? The book is about a lot of things, but mainly it's about a woman's choices; her choices in dating or marriage, with her children, friends...even her finances! I talk about abuse, blending, discrimination, and religion, too. If there's a choice for women to make, most likely she can find a section in the book covering that topic.

4.      What do readers need to know about you? I am a woman with a purpose; to help women make better choices, while helping them realize their own self-worth.

5.      Any advice to a struggling writer? Make a table of contents BEFORE writing so you follow the flow as thoughts come to mind. Research, learn, and then write.

6.      Where do you see book publishing is heading? Self-publishing and audio books. When you go with traditional, you still have to do most of the marketing, which is the hardest part of the work. I tried to go traditional, but after almost ninety proposal packages I gave up. Now, after doing all the work, I'm grateful for what I've accomplished. My only regret is that I can't share my work with many of the bookstores because of nontraditional.

For more information, please consult: http://kimmitchellrelationshipadvice.wordpress.com/about-the-site  

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

Interview with Author Karen A. Lynch

1.      What is your newest book about?  Irish Holiday Fairy Tales, Volume 1, is the highly anticipated first children’s book by international award winning, feline, author, Finn McCool, the Magic Leprechaun Cat. The first of a series, Irish Holiday Fairy Tales, based on Irish legend, folklore or history with a wee bit o’ leprechaun magic, is entertaining, educational and beautifully illustrated by artist, Cheyenne Booker. Irish Holiday Fairy Tales is a delightful read for any child or adult who believes in fairies, magic, loves cats, or just loves a wonderful story.

In Irish Holiday Fairy Tales, Finn McCool, the Magic Leprechaun Cat, brings the magic of Ireland alive. Each fairytale has as its main character one of Finn’s Magic Leprechaun Cat relatives from his homeland on the mystical Hill of Tara, located in the enchanted Emerald Isle, Ireland. Finn’s stories celebrate the culture, heritage and history of the Irish people and their Celtic ancestors.

Finn is a real cat born of a feral mother, Lady Angel. He has been entrusted with an important job. As official spokescat for Florida Cause for Paws, a self-funded cat rescue based in Tampa, FL, Finn helps educate the public on the plight of homeless, helpless cats and kittens. His book, Irish Holiday Fairy Tales, and the publishing of his short stories, help fund the care and feeding of the many cats and kitten rescued by Florida Cause for Paws.

Since 2008, Finn McCool, the Magic Leprechaun Cat’s, short stories have been published and read in more than 60 countries spread over six continents. Finn’s stories have crossed ethnic, cultural and language barriers around the world. He has won short story awards from the international journal, “Creature Features”, among others. Irish Holiday Fairy Tales was chosen by Cat Fancy Magazine as its only book choice for it 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

2.      Why should we read it?Irish Holiday Fairy Tales by Finn McCool, the Magic Leprechaun Cat is the purrfect gift for any occasion. It is the gift that keeps on giving in more ways than one. Its stories are ageless, while at the same time, timely. They are a delight beyond expectation. They transport the reader, young or old, to a magical place, Ireland, where people still believe in the “good people” and their magic. They celebrate an ancient race, the Celts, and its heritage. Each fairytale is woven around a legend, bit of folklore, or actually history, enlightening the reader to a culture many would never otherwise experience. The stories carry with them a message, “To those that do good…good will come”, thus, bringing to the reader a sense of hope. Though they are meant to help support Florida Cause for Paws’ cats and kittens, Finn’s stories have evolved on another level, thanks to the many teachers who have learned the teaching benefits the stories bring to their students. If Irish Holiday Fairy Tales achieves its goal of helping helpless animals, it also accomplishes the goal of enriching the lives of its readers no matter their age, ethnicity, language, culture; all can learn something from the experience.

Maybe one of Irish Holiday Fairy Tales’ readers said it best, when asked why he felt it important people read this book, “Irish Holiday Fairy Talesshould be read because it contains the most vital human emotion of all…hope. In all of us there is the wish for good to triumph over evil, for love to win out over hate. A book, any book, should leave the reader with something that moved you when you read it. In Irish Holiday Fairy Tales, you will leave knowing that along life’s path the good deeds you bestowed upon others came full circle and were returned a hundred fold to you. Hope, that very essence of human emotion is woven into each of these stories. That, alone, makes it worth reading.”

3.      Why do I need to know about cats that would make a canine-lover like me go feline?In my interview with The Tampa Tribune, I am quoted as saying, “A dog gives you what you want. A cat gives you what you need.” Both give you unconditional love, but as the saying goes, “Dogs have masters. Cats have staff.”  Cats are the number one pet in America for a reason. They are easy. They simplify life, while giving their family the same level of comfort and love a dog provides. Just their demeanor creates a relaxed atmosphere. Yet, they are playful, inquisitive, intuitive and even protective, as I have experienced on two occasions with two separate cats, one a feral I feed in a parking lot, and the other, a cat we raised from a kitten. Cats are extremely intelligent, they can learn anything you can teach a dog; sit, stay, fetch, walk on a leash, they’ll do it. You just have to use a little thought in your training process. You are more successful with a cat if you make him think what you want him to do was his idea in the first place. They can be very entertaining. My husband, Gray, used to say, “A man has kittens, he doesn’t need television.” Cats add grace, elegance and an air of mystery to our lives, they come by it naturally.

4.      What are the rewards and challenges to writing your books? I pride myself on the authenticity of my work, no matter the genre. So, delivering on that premise can prove challenging. If I have not experienced personally some element of a story I am writing about, then I thoroughly research what is unfamiliar to me. That my sources are impeccable is especially important. When available, I will crosscheck a fact many times to ensure that what I have learned is in fact true and reliable. Time consuming, yes; important, absolutely; worth it, goes without saying as my reputation depends on it.

Ah, the rewards are many. Though monetary reward is the objective, the greatest reward is satisfaction with a job well done. Knowing that you have brought enjoyment to someone’s life with your work is to me very gratifying.

I had a play I wrote produced by an old, respected playhouse here in Tampa. It was titled Cat Scanned and was a comedy. On opening night I stood in the back of the theater and listened as the audience roared with laughter and applauded with delight at its conclusion. A live audience reviewing your work is the single best way to measure the success of your endeavor. Frightening, you bet, but oh so amazing to experience firsthand.

Still more amazing is the joy in a child’s eyes when first it holds a copy ofIrish Holiday Fairy Tales in its hands. During the Christmas holiday, I gave a copy of the book to a young girl who mentioned that day was her birthday. The premise of Irish Holiday Fairy Tales is “To those that do good; good will come.” As I handed her the autographed copy of the book, her father said, “You probably don’t remember me…” And, then it came to me. Months back, this same man saw me feeding the parking lot kitties where I work. He approached me and asked what I fed them. He went into the store to shop. Before he left, he again approached me and presented me with two bags of the food I fed. He didn’t know me. I didn’t know him. A simple act of generosity was rewarded with his child’s birthday gift. The next week her mother came to the store and thanked me for giving the girl the book. She told me the child read a story each night before going to bed and read them to her brothers and sisters, as well. A few days later my manager said I had received a card. It was a handmade thank you card from the child, the feeling…priceless.

5.      What will book publishing look like in 2023? I think it will look considerably different than it does now. The electronic age is here to stay, I am sorry to say. Bookstores may go the way of the dinosaur. Barnes and Noble stores are headed in that direction, though their demise has more to do with abysmal business practices then the electronic age takeover. On-line booksellers will flourish, along with the odd, determined independent bookshop.

I think self-publishing will continue to grow as writers grow tired of being rejected by publishers that like a sure thing and ignore the diamond in the rough. People care little who the publisher is. It is the story that they seek and a traditional publisher is no guarantee the story will be any better than one produced well by a self-publisher.

I would hate to see books and bookstores disappear in favor of the Nook and Kindle versions and on-line retailers being the only source of reading material.  I love to hold a beautiful book in my hand. When I am choosing a book, I want to be able to check it over in my hand not on some impersonal screen.

As for Irish Holiday Fairy Tales, I see a bright future for follow-up volumes. Irish legend, folklore and history, against which the stories are set, provide unlimited material for stories tailored to children and adults alike.

It is my intention that the central theme in all my children’s books continue to contain the inherent message, “He who does good, will meet good.” Hope is something we all need, now more than ever.

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

Can Tarzan Save The Post Office?

Up until a few years ago you could dream about being honored by the government with the issuance of a postage stamp of yourself. Now, you can go online and buy stamps with your face on them.”

Still, to be on a government-issued stamp is extremely rare. Only a few dozen stamps are issued by the Post Office each year and in the last year, it issued stamps honoring poets and other writers such as O’Henry (he wrote The Gift of the Magi) and Edgar Burroughs, who created the Tarzan story and was an influential sci-fi writer of the series, (John Carter of Mars.

Writers want to be read – to make an impact, to get rich, to be best-selling authors. And to be viewed with respect. Being on a stamp is a huge accomplishment. Will the Post Office one day honor another dead hero of the past – itself – and issue a stamp praising the accomplishments of itself?

It could have celebrated 150 years of Saturday letter delivery in 2013. Instead, it is closing branches, raising fees, and ending the 6-day a week letter delivery in August. Their motto used to go on about delivering mail no matter sleet or snow or rain, but apparently the calendar is now its toughest foe. The ramifications could be significant.

How will we receive Netflix, birthday cards, and checks on time? Banks, check-cashing places, and some stores, including the Post Office, will be bombarded on Mondays as result of the delayed check deposits taking place. People may not miss junk mail and bills can come a few days later to them, but Saturday commerce will no doubt be stalled by fewer people having money to shop. Businesses next to banks or post offices may suffer as they are no longer along the errand list for Saturday. Stores dependent on people receiving coupon mailers on Saturday to drive weekend activity will be hurt as well.

Heck, could elections be influenced when solicitations and campaign literature does not get delivered on Saturday before Election Day? Will people increasingly conduct their lives online because the Post Office is beginning to shut people out? To save the Post Office, according to government logic, will require making it smaller and less available to the people. IT runs a deficit of $40 million every single day of the year, whether its doors are open or not. Instead of decreasing service, it should increase it. Make its service better – and with a smile. There should be a better way to save it than to cut it.

Maybe the Post Office will one day issue a stamp to commemorate its lost services such as Saturday delivery, but by then, no one will be around to mail the letter carrying such a stamp.

Interview With Author Alexis Burling

  

1.      What do you find to be rewarding and challenging as a freelance writer? For many years, I worked in the publishing industry, first as a publicist, then as a writer and editor. Now, I work for myself. What do I find challenging? The fact that I never seem to stop working. Day and night. During the week and on the weekends, my brain is always circling around writing or reading or editing or what my next project might be. It can be challenging to Step. Away. From. The. Computer. 

Other struggles: Dealing with late payments. I abhor following up about missing or late checks. I write cloying passive-aggressive emails to well-meaning editors and the whole process, to put it bluntly, stinks. If anyone reading this has figured out a way to deal with this issue, please send a few tips my way. Also? Working from home means spending a lot of time alone. Don't get me wrong, I love being alone. But it certainly gets . . . interesting at times. Walks, hikes, (or, more often, runs) help. A stroll to the grocery store does the trick (now I understand why my grandmother's fridge was always so well stocked). And when in doubt, there's always coffee to be sipped or a secret movie to be watched. 

So, yes. Balance is key and I certainly find that . . . challenging. But on the flip-side, what do I love about freelancing full-time? Despite the pestilent freak outs over steady income (cringe), I love being my own boss. I love choosing each and every project I work on and knowing that there's always room to grow or learn something new. I love striving and reaching for a long-shot goal and, eventually, accomplishing it. I love having the freedom to decide how to structure my day and to be able to take time off when/if I need to. In short, the possibilities are endless and I find that to be tremendously invigorating. I never know where my next idea might come from. 

2.      What advice do you have to struggling writers? Every writer starts somewhere . . . even the most prolific and most celebrated authors. If you don't have any published clips, blog or take on jobs for free in order to start a portfolio. There are plenty of reputable Web sites that are open to queries from writers who are just starting out. Pick a focus you're passionate about and send out zillions of pitch letters. Sure, you'll get just as many rejection letters in return, but keep trying. Sooner or later, something you write will get picked up. 

When you have enough clips you're proud of, create your own Web site to show them off. Speaking as an editor as well, it's so much easier to browse a potential freelancer's clips if they're all in one place and accessible via a few clicks of the mouse. Plus, when you're emailing editors, you can direct them to your Web site rather than picking and choosing which clips to attach to your query emails. 

If you're working on self-publishing a novel or even an article, invest in a good editor, and, preferably, one who can copyedit. I've heard some aspiring writers complain that editors from publishing houses are too busy or too elitist or too [fill in the blank] to invest any time in a self-published project. Not true. In fact, there are plenty of editors out there (from inside the industry and out) who would be more than willing to help if they think they are suited for the job. I've had the pleasure (and, sometimes, extreme displeasure) of reviewing self-published work and let's just say it's very easy to tell the difference between an edited manuscript and an unedited one. All (well, most) of the editors I have worked with have been an invaluable resource not only for their line-edits and corrections (i.e. spelling, grammar, structure, flow), but for their ideas as well. Bottom line: Editor! Invest! Must!

Lastly, pay attention to what you're working on and try not to focus too much on what others are doing. In these days of the social media fiesta, it can be difficult to shut out the noise and not be incessantly aware of what other people have achieved. Sometimes that helps to spur you on, but other times, it can be a deterrent. Too much comparison is never a good idea, in my book. Be your own champion, basically . . . and I mean that in the least corny way possible!

3.      Where do you see book publishing heading? That's a tricky question. The short answer is: I don't know. But whatever happens, it's bound to be interesting.

A few years ago, I would've had a very different answer than I do today. Back then, it seemed that many people in the publishing industry were struggling to reconcile the old model (i.e. print) with the new(er) one (i.e. online) and to keep up with the ever-changing demands of technology. Plenty of articles foreshadowing the doomsday of print and physical books were written and it seemed like battles were always being waged between brick-and-mortar bookstores and online merchants, with opinionated and often indignant consumers taking their righteous stands on either side of the line. But today, dare I day that the disruptive tremors are settling ever so slightly and while arguments and tirades about technology are still having their field day, more and more people are tuning out and either adapting new technologies or . . . not. At least the publishing industry seems to be taking it all in stride.

4.      Will e-books squash physical books in the long run? I doubt it (at least, I hope not). Will bookstores in the flesh disappear? Wow, that would be a sad world if that came to pass---bookstores are some of the most magical and my most favorite places to stroll through. Is reading a physical book better than reading one on a tablet? Eh. I prefer to read a book I can hold, smell, and physically flip through, but that doesn't mean I won't EVER get some sort of device on which I can read the news or a book or two. (I'll say this: long-term traveling with an e-reader is much lighter than hoofing it with 7 books in your bag.) 

These are exciting times in publishing . . . for editors, publicists, marketers, designers, techies, illustrators, and of course, writers. It seems like anything is possible. You just have to have the right attitude and keep moving forward while embracing integral aspects of the past. 

5.      How did you become a book critic? As I mentioned earlier, I used to work in the PR departments of a few different publishing houses and one of my bosses gave me a very telling critique: my press releases sounded too opinionated---in other words, like reviews. When I thought about why that was, I realized it was because I wanted to review books instead of planning their publicity campaigns. While I continued to work in PR before eventually making the transition to editorial, I started to write reviews for free for various sites on my off-time. I developed a portfolio, picked up a few more prestigious (for lack of a better word) assignments while learning a lot from a team of excellent editors, created a Web site, and shazzam! Book critic, I am.

6.      Who do you write for? My reviews and articles have been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time Out New York Kids, Publishers Weekly, Bookreporter.com and other print and online publications. I have contributed articles to many of Scholastic's in-classroom curriculum-based educational magazines for kids and teens, and am writing a series of leveled nonfiction Hi-Lo books, also for kids. On a non-book level, I kept a blog detailing my travels through South and Central America for eight months in 2011. 

7.      What do you love about books? What don't I love about books?!  I think that's the best way to answer that one. 

For more information, please consult: www.AlexisBurling.com

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

Interview With Austin Author Debra Winegarten

1.      What inspired you to write your book? "There's Jews in Texas?" is my fourth book. Each book has had a different theme, although the overarching theme for all of them would be biography or narrative. I consider "There's Jews in Texas?" my surprise fluke run-away book. This book came about because a good friend of mine sent me a link to a chapbook contest for Poetica Publishing, an online magazine specializing in contemporary Jewish writing. My friend urged me to enter because she knew I had some good Jewish-themed poems. I agreed, so I entered, hoping against hope that I might win.

And I did win the national contest. Part of the prize, in addition to a chunk of money, was publication of my book. When I put the book together for the contest, I remembered the advice I got years ago from a workshop I took on "How to Write an Award-Winning Chapbook." Essentially, the advice was: Put your best poem first. When the judges open to the first page, they will see your best poem. Then, put your best poem last. When the judges reach the end of the book, they will be reading your best poem. Put your best poem in the very middle. That way, when the book accidentally falls open, your best poem will be there for all to see. Then, fill in the rest of the pages with your best poems.

I did my best to follow that advice. And even though I only had about 13 poems I felt worthy of being the "best" of my work within the broad theme, I went with those. I then had to figure out a title for my little book. I tried to think of an "angle" that would help set apart my book from the rest of the entrants. I looked to see where Poetica Publishing was located and saw that it was in the state of Virginia. I remember falling asleep that night, wondering, "If they're in Virginia, do they know there's Jews in Texas?" And with that inspired thought, I leaped out of bed, ran across the house to my computer, and typed in "Are There Jews in Texas?" as the title. But it didn't have quite the right ring to it, so the next morning, even though I knew the grammar police would disapprove, I changed the title to "There's Jews in Texas?" When I ran it by my retired librarian friend, he disagreed, saying it was improper and without the contraction, the title would read, "There is Jews in Texas?" which would be really wrong.

I decided to ignore his advice because, well, here in Texas, that's how we talk.

2.      What is the book's lasting message? The book's lasting message is the shining of a spotlight on what it means to be "other" or "different" in the middle of the dominant culture. Not in a bad way, just giving voice to the outsider experience. Because we all have that experience of "not belonging," regardless of our status in life. And I'm funny, so the book has a lot of humor.

3.      What have you done to market and promote it? You name it, I've probably done it. For me, a book is merely a "shmoozing delivery device," and in my heart-of-hearts, I'm a marketer first and a writer second. This comes from being a bona fide extrovert. I sold a little over 600 copies of my book in the first year of printing. The majority of my sales came from giving talks and presentations. I typically sell between 40-80% of my audience. Also, because the book has both a Jewish and a Texas theme, and I'm a member of the Texas Jewish Historical Society, I sent oversized postcards with the book cover on one side and ordering information on the other to 300 society members.

This year, I'm going to the Kosher Chili Cook-Offs in Austin, Dallas, and Houston and have reserved a table at each venue. I have found that when I'm at these types of events, such as the Texas Book Festival, "members of the tribe" can't help but smile when they walk by and see the big poster with my book cover on it. I can tell someone's relationship to Judaism by their responses--some I can tell feel guilty and walk by faster, some come over and buy the book for their mothers because they know it's the perfect gift for her, some tell me about the book they've always wanted to write. 

I also had good success in the month leading up to my book launch by running a promotion on Facebook. First, since I was turning 54, I said I wanted to sell 54 books online before my official book launch. When I reached that number, I said I would continue the sales in this fashion: Since my launch was at a local independent woman's bookstore here in Austin, one of the last 11 feminist bookstores left in the US, I would donate $1 to the bookstore for every book bought prior to the official launch. I think I ended up selling something like 80 books. I then went to a local printer and had them make one of those big checks like people get for winning the lottery, and used it as a photo op at the end of my book launch to present to the book store. And, I donated $2 for every book sold during the promotion. The book store still has that big check sitting on top of one of their shelves for everyone to see. We all got lots of good publicity and good will out of that event.

4.      What do you really, really love about writing? I love the way my brain feels when I'm "in the zone" of writing. The timelessness, the experience of being able to "talk" to my readers one-on-one and bring my subject matter alive. I'm one of these people who is passionate about what I do and I do my best to infuse my writing with that essence. I also love writing because it's a way of uplifting myself and others. I write lots of biographies for middle-school students, giving them inspirational role models in life. There is way too much gloom and evil being focused on in the world. I want my life to be a beacon for bringing forth beauty, truth, possibility and joy, so I stand in that place when I write.

5.      Where do you see book publishing is heading? I think we will always have books and book publishing. There are Luddites like me who are still very "20th century" and adore the weight and smell and feel of book pages and the paper between our fingers. I also love being able to throw 10 books on an e-reader device and plop it in my backpack on international trips so I can save precious luggage space for my flute and not have to shlep all those books around.

I do see the internet as doing away in some senses with the "middle man" and bringing the consumer right to the door of the author. However, I also see that Amazon is a huge force to be reckoned with in terms of distribution and it's the distribution that's key these days. The author's dilemma is how to rise above all the "noise" and kazillion things vying for peoples' attention so that they will slow down long enough to choose the author's book.

6.      What advice do you have for other writers? Find one or two people who are doing what you want to be doing in terms of writing, marketing, or publishing. Learn everything you can from them. In this day and age, a writer has to be an entrepreneur. My mother, the author of 18 books on women in Texas history once told me, "Don't quit your day job."

"But Mom," I protested, "I don't have a day job."

"Then get one," she said. And so I did. I work part-time at UT Austin in the Astronomy Department and this gives me amazing benefits. But my mornings are my own to write. 

Find out when your best writing time is, then guard it fiercely. And write during your best writing times. During the rest of your day (or night), do laundry, take walks, grocery shop. Don't try and write during the times that aren't your best, you'll write dreck and come away frustrated. Above all, have fun.

For more information, please consult: www.sociosights.com

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

Do You Practice Red Thread Thinking?

I recently was reading a new book from McGraw-Hill,  Red Thread Thinking: Weaving Together Connections for Brilliant Ideas and Profitable Innovation, by Debra Kaye with Karen Kelly. It offered five strategies that people can implement to attain greater creativity and production. Here they are;

Red Thread One: “Innovation- It’s All in Your Head” – We can fire up our brains to become better at observing and interpretation what we see around us.

Red Thread Two: “Everything Old is New” – Take a fresh look at the past to gain remarkable advantage

Red Thread Three: “People: The Strangest Animals in the Zoo” – Know what makes your market tick, and you’ll know what makes them spend

Red Thread Four: “What You See Is What You Get” – Learn how to create an entirely new accessible “language” to make your product stand out and be universally understood

Red Thread Five: “The Force of Passion” – Preserve, review, and refine your ideas without compromising your integrity or core beliefs

The ideas in the book come from Debra Kaye,  a global innovation and trends expert specializing in brand strategy and innovation for consumer businesses. Her clients have included Apple, Mars, Colgate, McDonalds, American Express, Kimberly-Clark and many more. A frequent commenter on American Public Radio’s “Marketplace” and contributor to Fast Company, she is partner at the innovation consultancy Lucule and former CEO of TBWA\Italy.

Book Excerpt:
“Just as people are destined to meet and connect, I believe the best innovations are the result of unexpected connections among history, technology, culture, behavior, needs, and emotions. Their destiny to meet is within our reach. Red Threads are the connecting strands of relationships in which knowledge, memories, and insights are woven together to create multi-textured fabric of seamless interconnectivity. Red Threads can also connect new products and services with consumer desires, and “despite the time, place, or circumstances are destined to meet” and succeed. Innovations that evoke a “that’s what I’ve been looking for” response in consumers will capture an audience.”

10 Tips Of Post-Divorce Recovery Advice From Author Don Love

1. Give yourself a bridge year  

2. Go forward a little every single day

3. Learn how to think and speak

4. Learn how to think about your divorce

5. Add new support resources for your life

6. Keep your children well

7. Cultivate peace of mind

8. Choose the new things you want from life

9. Choose to be a giver

10. Love yourself

A new eBook, Divorce Blues Recovery by Don Love is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008G3PDJ6.

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

Dr. Phil Says Rules Have Changed

A near full-page ad in USA Today last week declared: “The Rules Have Changed.” It was pushing a new book, Life Code, by TV talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw. The ad went on to say that: “Much of the conventional wisdom the last generation has passed on doesn’t apply anymore.”

Really, everything that grandma or dad taught us is useless?

My first reaction was how could everything from the past be wrong, irrelevant, or even obstructing our lives? Then I thought, well, things have changed dramatically over the past decade or two. Just look at technology, our media, our entertainment, and some of our social government policies. But the values we live by, the way we treat each other, and the purpose in our lives have not changed – nor should they.

But no one writes a book about consistency or preserving things as is. Every writer, especially one on a commercial mission, has to boldly declare the world today is not yesterday’s world and that only by reading this book shall we have a true blueprint of how to live our lives for tomorrow. Thank goodness Dr. Phil is here to save us with his prescription to fix our broken lives and ever-changing world.

One thing has not changed: the formula for selling books that people may not even need: Declare the world is not what you think it is or should be and claim you have the grandiose cure to our troubles. Looks like the rules really haven’t changed.

How Are You Celebrating International Flirtation Week? http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-do-you-celebrate-international.html  

How Are You Marketing Your Book To Younger, Ethnic Minority Smartphone Users?

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/young-minorities-lead-smartphone-owners.html

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

Young, Minorities Lead Smartphone Owners

A lot of online traffic is moving towards mobile phones. so if you are promoting your book online or with social media, you should know who owns a smartphone. Surprisingly, according to Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, a bigger percentage of non-whites own smart phones than whites. Hispanic adults (49%) and African Americans (47%) have smart phones, but only 42% of white adults own one.

Not surprisingly, the younger you are, the more likely you have a smart phone:

·         66% of 18-29 year-olds

·         59% of 30-49

·         34% of 50-64

·         11% of 65+

17% of people who are online at least once a week will use Twitter or other micro-blogging services. But almost as many – 15% -- will go online to watch or download erotic material. Maybe they Tweet porn as well.

So what do people do when they are on their smart phones? Adweek cited a survey done by Pew Research that shows the thing adults will use their phones in a given day to do is check weather reports (52%), use a social networking site (50%) and play a game (37%). Getting news ranked fourth (36%). Reading a book on a phone did not rank on the list of top 12 activities but 4% reportedly watch movies on TV through a paid subscription service on their phones.

Interview With Author Sarah Tun

1.      Sarah, what is your newest book about? FREE TO BE is about building self esteem. Too many of us (myself included up until a few years ago) wander through life operating at less than capacity because we feel unworthy or phony or weighed down by fear of "what the other guy will think of us." FREE TO BE addresses that, by identifying insecurity (I site some benchmarks that existed in myself to help the reader connect the concepts to him/herself), signposting strategies to overcome and offering practical application of these strategies.

2.      What inspired you to write it? I was on a short plane journey when the whole idea of the book came to me - the title originally designated as, FIGHT INSECURITY AND WIN! I follow Christ and so I knew that the key to my overcoming serious low self esteem had been my journey with the Holy Spirit through prayer and study of the Bible. (It isn't me who cured me but God!) I figure if He'll do it for me He'll do it for anyone else. Because most of us seem to hide behind a mask, I thought it'd be refreshing and freeing if we knew how to take off those masks without feeling paralyzed, so I wanted to share my 'story' and outline steps I took to overcome oppression and anxiety.

3.      What are you hoping to accomplish as a writer? My aim as a writer is to encourage and to uplift others - through children's lit and adult guide books - inspiring readers to be all they were created to be, fulfilling what's been put inside of them, without holding back because of fear or shame....or a lack of faith in themselves.

4.      What have been the rewards and challenges of writing books? The biggest rewards to writing - and this is my first published book - is having it 'finished'. They say a work of art is never finished - a painter is never fully satisfied. But when one goes from being a writer to being an author, well, for my part, it feels great! And when a stranger contacts you and says the book has helped him, that's so fantastic! I can't put enough exclamation marks for either of these 'rewards'. The challenges to marketing are immense. I've been on a steep learning curve re social networking, in order to get the name of the book "Out There". I'm not sorry for the workload and I'm 'meeting' a load of really cool people on-line and in person, but it is a lot of work and it eats away at the writing time.

5.      What advice would you share with a struggling writer? Write. And if you have an idea in the middle of the night - as I've had - get up and start to write. You won't regret it if you do (and I daresay you will regret it if you don't get up - at least I have). I once wrote the first draft of a story - which will soon be released as the first in a series of e-book novels! - on a hotel bathroom floor in the middle of the night, while my family were sound asleep.  It's worth the effort to create people, stories and often if you wait 'til morning the inspiration is gone.

6.      Where do you see book publishing is heading? Well, I've started LARUS PRESS for myself - a sole proprietorship for creating/selling e-books. I think we'll probably always have physical books, at least for a good long while, but E-books are here to stay! That seems to be turning the traditional publishers on their heads; but they'll evolve, blend, and find new ways to attract purchasers. So, I think books will always be popular, but the form may morph into - well - who knows what, eventually!

For more information, please check out: www.freetobelaruspress.wordpress.com or http://sarahtunexaminelife.blogspot.com.

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©

How Do You Celebrate International Flirting Week?

In celebration of International Flirting Week (February 13-19, 2013) and Valentine’s Day, Zoosk.com, the romantic social network, conducted a survey among more than 13,000 of its members around the world to gather their thoughts on flirting – why they do it, how they do it, and who does it best.  

“Flirting is the playful art of catching someone’s eye, and while some are natural flirts, others require practice to do it well,” says Robin Gorman Newman, founder of International Flirting Week and the author of How to Marry a Mensch. “As the Zoosk survey shows, many view flirting as fun even if they don’t want to date the person, but it’s also a way to jumpstart a relationship or rekindle romance.  In our busy lives, flirting can be a quick and effective way to remind your mate that you love and are excited by them.”

The firm I work for, Media Connect, has had the pleasure of promoting Zoosk for several radio tours over the past year. Their surveys are always interesting. Their survey findings include:

It’s a battle of the sexes!

• The majority of men (60%) think that women are the biggest flirts, and the majority of women (53%) think that men are more flirtatious!

#1 reason why people flirt? It’s fun.

• 41% of men and women around the world say, “flirting is just playful fun!”
• 20% say is it a good ice breaker when dating, although only 11% say they flirt to attract a partner.
• 18% say flirting helps keep the romance alive in a relationship

Both men and women admit to flirting just for fun.

• More than half of men (54%) will flirt with a woman even if he is not interested in pursuing a relationship with her.
• 41% of women will flirt with a man even if she is not interested in pursuing a relationship with him.

Flirting keeps the romance alive.

• 89% of men and women think that it is important to flirt with your significant other even when in an established relationship.

Biggest turn-off when it comes to flirting?

• Coming on too strong and invading personal space (32%).
• 20% say corny pick up lines are a turn off.
• 20% say inappropriate comments about one’s physical appearance.
• 7% say suggestive body language.

We all know it and they admit it: Italians are flirts!

• 97% of Italian men consider themselves a flirt, but American men are not too far behind at 76%.

Zoosk conducted the survey online in January 2013.  The survey garnered 13,611 responses from members of Zoosk in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, and Sweden.

About Zoosk

Zoosk is the romantic social network that helps members create and share their romantic journeys, with millions of members from around the globe enjoying the service each month. Zoosk provides members at different stages of their romantic journey with a fun and social set of tools such as Romantic Moments, Couple Profiles, and the Personals application. Members can easily access Zoosk’s services from its website, its Facebook app, mobile devices, and a downloadable desktop application. Zoosk is available in 25 languages and has members in more than 70 countries. Founded in 2007 by Shayan Zadeh and Alex Mehr, Zoosk, Inc. is based in San Francisco and backed by Canaan Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and ATA Ventures.

In case you missed these blog posts...

What Triggers A Book Sale?

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-triggers-book-sale.html

Author Vs. Content: Which Sells Books?

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/author-vs-content-which-sells-books.html

Book Advertisements Reveal Varied Sales Strategies

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-advertisements-reveal-varied-sales.html

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2013 ©