I’m pleased to introduce my guest blogger for the week, fellow Wild Rose Press author, Clover Autrey. She has a great sense of humor and today she will give us some insight on Promoting - that evil activity that takes far too much time away from us writers. Make sure to stop by her website and check out her books today. Take it away Clover. Tell us, please, advice on promo. 
I’d rather do just about anything besides strike up a conversation with a stranger. And walk up to a group already chatting? Not gonna happen.
- Introduce yourself and after everyone has introduced themselves to you, ask them about themselves. Use a question that is easy to answer and doesn’t drag into an awkward silence. No weather topics. Since hopefully this is a place to meet readers, a good question is a simple, “What kind of books do you like to read?” and let the conversation go from there. They will most likely reciprocate by asking you the same question where you can work in your book without feeling obnoxious about it. Keep it simple and casual.
- Don’t overstay your welcome, especially with an overlarge group. You don’t want to look as though you are desperately clinging to the edge. When the conversation lulls again, excuse yourself, saying how nice it was to meet them and walk away to find another group.
- Don’t be afraid to stand by yourself for awhile. Sometimes other people would rather walk up to a lon
e person than a group themselves. Keep your body language open, not closed with arms folded. Stand away from the wall with confidence and when someone gives you eye contact, be sure to smile or nod your head. If they don’t come to you, go to them, stick out your hand and introduce yourself.
Sounds easy, right? If you have that kind of personality that people gravitate to anyway, piece of cake. For the rest of us, especially those who are painfully shy, it can be the hardest thing in the world to do. It’s really hard for me, but I did try this out last month at a writer’s group. I went by myself and didn’t know a soul. I took a deep breath, held out my hand and introduced myself to everybody in the room, using this method. Best yet, I got to know a bunch of cool people and I don’t think my face went red once.
Hey authors out there today, what do you think of promotion? You have any other advice for us poor, shy things?? Thanks for being here today, Clover!
Well, this sweet little book has only been available for less than a month and I already have some stellar reviews.
Fallen Angel Reviews (5 Angels)
Meeting Mr. Right OnLine is a great read. I thought Lucy was a delight. She is like the typical sibling who shows a bit of the green-eyed monster when she hears about her sister’s news. I like the plot with Lucy and Julian communicating by chat and how they develop feelings for the other without even meeting. She shows her human side when deep down she wants to meet Julian, but another side of her wonders is she really ready. I could feel her enthusiasm at times and wanted to jump up and down with her. Cindy K. Green fashions a read with wit, elegance and a touch of romance. The cast of well-rounded characters blend well in the making of this tantalizing story. Ms. Green always crafts an entertaining read.
Author Green has written her clever tale in the first person, giving the reader a leading lady with charm, humor, and a healthy dash of klutziness. It’s a sweet story with an endearing cast. And the reader can decide if truth is stranger than fiction, or if fiction is just tweaking the truth. A fun read.
Manic Readers (4 Hearts):
This is a first for me reading one of Cindy K. Green books and won’t be the last. The way she brought these two together was unique and in a fun way. One minute you feel Lucinda’s doubts about Julian. Then Julian has little in the story when he comes out but he makes it up in a big way. Meeting Mr. Right Online is a sweet romance that shows that sometimes fate works in both ways.
Coffee Time Romance:
I really enjoyed this fast read. Lucy is a great character, very real, not too sweet or too jaded…This story is very well written and I do like a happy ending.
Remember Meeting Mr. Right in now available as an e-book for $1.49, in Kindle format for $1.19 or paperback for $5.95.
I’m very excited today to introduce my guest, Faith Bicknell-Brown. She is a successful author, editor, and the one to bring us the How to Avoid Writer’s Hell books. Without further ado, here is my interview with Faith. Please leave questions. I’m sure she’ll pop in to answer them later.
This Interview has been moved to the Interview section. Thanks!
Author Bio:
Faith Bicknell-Brown’s work has appeared in a wide range of genres such as: Would That It Were, Touch Magazine, GC Magazine, Ohio Writer Magazine (non-fiction), Waxing and Waning (Canada), and The Istanbul Literature Review (Turkey) just to name a few. She was a regular contributor to
For two years, Faith served as the co-editor of The Tenacity Times. In October 2001, she took the position of romance and horror editor for Wild Child Publishing and has served as the managing editor for WCP as well as its sister division, Freya’s Bower, going on three years.
She is represented by TriadaUS Literary Agency.
My full-length inspirational, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding, is listed on Amazon. And as I have joined Amazon Connect, I can now blog on my books there. So, I collected the most recent review snippets for A Funny Thing… and posted them to Amazon. I thought I may as well post them here too. It’s always a thrill to read how well this book has been received.
Fallen Angel Reviews (5 Angels):
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding by Cindy K. Green is one of those stories that you read, but never forget. I know it will come back to me at odd moments, when I least expect it to.
Long and Short Romance Reviews:
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding is a soul searching look at what makes the characters happy and how to serve God while doing so. Faith plays an integral part of the story whose ending will bring tears along with laughter to the reader. A must read for any fan on inspirational romance.
Two Lips Reviews (4.5/5)
Cindy Green has surely nailed a winner, in my humble opinion, with an inspirational novel that I could not put down. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding is a tremendous book of faith, despair, fear and regret that I thoroughly enjoyed and it is a testament to what all believers should strive for in this world that is so corrupt by greed…I heartily recommend reading this book.
The Romance Studio (5 Hearts):
Ms. Green’s characters are solid and embraceable; there are many and they are diverse. Conversely, they drew me into the story and did not let go. It is easy to imagine myself in a setting, such as a church, where I could function within this marvelous group of people! Ms. Green has presented a story with enough Gospel woven into it that anyone could believe; this is done, however, in a non-offensive manner. I highly recommend this work to anyone! Congratulations to you, Ms. Green, for this winner!
Manic Reviews (4 stars):
Cindy K Green envelopes you in this sweet inspirational romance. The characters are well written and the inner turmoil within Kari is gracefully done. This religiously based book is a very nice Sunday afternoon read. Green scores with this heart-felt tale.
Coffee Time Romance (4 cups)
Ms. Cindy K. Green has written a sweet, modern, romance with good old fashioned values and morals being the important ingredient. The hero and heroine show all of the anxiety that comes with relationships of the heart. The premise of this story is believable and very well written, making the emotions of the characters realistic. The underlying causes of some of the characters actions make the storyline all that more credible. I would recommend this story to any reader who wants a sweet likable romance.
Huntress Reviews (4 Stars):
This is a fun, refreshing, non-preachy read. Faith is simply part of the main characters’ lives. The people come across as being real and imperfect, but still individuals who are decidedly Christian. If you find it a challenge to find wholesome romances that are not sappy, the problem is now solved. Cindy Green is proving that nice does not mean wimpy.
My interview with Billie Williams posted to the Manic Readers site. Here’s the link if you’d like to take a peek. She asked me about my move to North Carolina, my history degree, homschooling my kids and a host of other things including my Works in Progress and my latest release, Meeting Mr. Right. It was a fun interview. Thanks Billie.
I’m very happy to host my next guest blogger, Sandy Wickersham-McWhorter, a fellow Wild Rose Press author. Today she has posted an excerpt for her book, Cottonwood Place (available now!). She will back next month to tell us a little more about herself and her work.
Megan sighed loudly to keep them awake. What do you want, Orion and Cassie MacCloud? What will it take for you to give us the keys?”
A ringing cell phone broke the silence. “Thank you Lord God that they can’t turn off ringers!” Ian said. “Meg, keep grilling them,” he pointed to the girls then ran to the sound’s source. He rummaged through the sand until he found the phone. “Hello?”
It was Rose, wondering where they were because she’d had a feeling they were in trouble. Ian told her what the girls had done. Rose said she’d have Merle call the other phone and let it ring.
Ian heard ringing in the tamarisk and got several painful cuts before he found it. “I found it, Rose.”
“Do you want us to come after you?”
“No way. The girls hid they keys, and until we find them, they’ll suffer out here in the heat with us!”
Rose laughed heartily. “Good luck. You are right, those two have a good reason for everything they do that they aren’t told to do. They’ve also learned practical joking from the best, so be careful.”
Back with Megan, he said, “That was your mom checking up on us. She knew we were in trouble.” He pointed to the two sleepy pets. “She said they don’t do anything without a good reason. We have to find out what their reason is for stranding us before they’ll cooperate.”
“We should settle down away from rocks but by the car. Scorpions and other dangerous animals hang around them.”
Megan talked to her pets all the way to the car, trying to cajole them into revealing the keys’ location. She failed as miserably as Ian had.
Megan spread out the blanket and she and Ian used clothes for pillows. She put Cassie and Orion between her and Ian to keep them out of trouble.
As they relaxed, Ian said, “Grandma had said after you were kidnapped that I’d have to face my worst fear to find you. She was right, but she meant to find you as my love, not physically find you after you were kidnapped. I didn’t know it was my worst fear until just now. I hated God for ruining my life, so I think I was also afraid He wouldn’t take me back because I’d sinned too much.”
“So that once you came back to Him, he allowed us to love each other and find the real us. That’s what’s happened today when I called you honey.”
They settled down to sleep with rested minds.
Sometime later, Orion crawled with her belly on the ground until she came behind Megan, and began pushing her toward Ian. Orion even swished her bushy tail on Megan’s face to make her move in her sleep. Meanwhile, Cassie did the same thing to Ian, pushing him toward Megan. They woke up quickly.
“Orion what are you doing?!” Megan asked.
“Cassie, stop that!” Ian said.
The humans tried to move the animals back to the middle.
Dog looked at cat, and cat looked at dog. Orion latched onto Megan’s hand with her teeth as Cassie latched onto Ian’s hand. Orion pulled on Megan’s arm as Cassie pulled on Ian’s arm.
“Ian, neither of them have ever acted this way. Don’t make any sudden moves. Maybe they’ll let go of us soon. Orion’s bite isn’t painful–yet.”
“Neither is Cassie’s, but it wouldn’t take much to puncture my skin. I think they’re trying to make us do something. Let them do it.”
Megan and Ian eventually felt their hands touch in the dark. When their people didn’t move further, the girls bit and pulled harder and began growling.
“Ian, take my hand in yours.”
The girls let go when he did, and they stopped growling. “Now, let go and back away.” she whispered. Cat and dog growls grew quickly into snarls and bared teeth.
Ian took her hand again and the snarls stopped. When he pulled Megan to him and kissed her, Cassie purred and Orion softly said, “Uh roo roo, uh roo roo.” Both curled against their owners in satisfaction.
Megan had never felt so much love and safety from a man’s kiss before. Ian’s closeness in the dark made wild feelings run rampant through her. She’d never had those feelings with
“I think they need to hear that. Separate again.”
The growling started again.
“They want us together and they won’t take no for an answer.”
“Neither will I for much longer. You said you love me. Can’t you trust me when I say I won’t drink anymore and trust God that he’s given you a good man?”
She looked in his eyes and murmured, “Yes, Ian, I can. Because I think my greatest fear was that God wouldn’t ever give me a good man. I decided you were that good man several days ago; and that I’d have to marry you. I don’t think we need to wait two years.”
“Did you tell anyone?”
“My mom and grandma, who probably told everyone else. Why?”
“There are two who don’t know.” He pointed to the girls who were watching their every move with hooded eyes.
“I didn’t think of them!” She pulled her pets close. “Orion, Cassie, Ian and I love each other and we’re getting married. He’s staying with us forever. Do you understand?” She kissed Ian then the girls. “I love Ian like I love you.”
Orion howled, “Uh roo roo.”
“Megan! She said I love you! She’s been saying it a long time! She wants us to say it each other.”
“I love you, Ian Hunter.”
As soon as he said ,“I love you, Megan MacCloud,” Cassie and Orion got up and started walking away from the car.
“Maybe they’ll show us where the keys are now.” Megan said hopefully.
*****
A Muncie, Indiana, native, Sandy’s lived in north-central Ohio since 1973 and has been an LPN since 1980. Her husband, two sons, a daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, two dogs, and an odd number of goldfish in her outdoor pond all live with her in an 1890s Victorian home that once was a general store\post office. Fortunately, only her dog has commandeered her writer’s cave. She began writing in third grade, when she started turning her dreams and nightmares into short stories (she still has that notebook). Science fiction and comic books were her reading mainstay; as an adult, she added romances in the ‘80s. The adult writing bug bit her in 1990. After realizing she needed cheap nursing CEUs, and the degree most writers seem to have, Ohio State University beckoned. While earning a bachelor’s in English, she sold an essay to Country, wrote for three newspapers and was a feature writer for Choice, a Christian magazine. While writing romance, science fiction, inspirational romance, women’s fiction and a mix of them, Sandy substitutes in local schools, teaches college English 101 in local prisons, gardens, and does many types of artwork. Her second book with The Wild Rose Press, The Winds of Fall, will be released in August.
For fun, I started a new blog on classic literature. I’ll be writing about classic books and authors (especially Jane Austen) and the adaptations that go along with them. If you have an interest, stop on by at http://classiclit.blogster.com/. Today I posted an article titled: ‘What is it about Jane Austen.’
Today I would like introduce to you fellow author and friend, Cami Checketts. She has some great advice on being a fit writer.
*****
Is it really possible to be a writer and stay fit? After sitting in a chair all day, the last thing any of us wants to do is bunny hop around an aerobics room, but I promise if you make time for exercise, you will reap the obvious benefits: lose weight, increase tone and strength, decrease the risk of contracting various illnesses, and you will also improve your writing career.
Now you’re actually listening.
It’s true. Being healthy makes your mind work better. Exercise is also a great time to get the muse working. The increased blood flow while exercising helps your brain as well as your body. People who are fit have a higher income than those who are not. Also, you’ll increase your energy, live longer and spend less time in the doctor’s office. All great ways to log more productive time writing.
Here are a few ways to get started.
#1 – Find out what you love and do it. Join a tennis league, go on a walk, join a gym, run, bike, dance, crawl. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you get away from that computer and move.
#2 – Wear a pedometer. Make sure you’re doing more than 10,000 steps a day and you will reap the benefits.
#3 – Eat in moderation. The best diets include all the good things nature has to offer: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, etc. Throw in a little chocolate or Diet Coke for sanity’s sake and you’ve got yourself a winner.
#4 – Portion control. You can eat almost anything you want if you’ll eat small servings and keep track of what you eat during the day.
#5 – Turn off the television. Whenever clients tell me they can’t fit in exercise I ask them how much t.v. they watch a day. I’ve never had someone say zero. If you really must see American Idol, run the stairs during commercials and stash your hand weights next to the couch so you can reach for them during the show.
#6 – Lift weights. Many women are afraid of weights. Don’t be. Weight training is fun and easy to learn. Buy a book on weight-lifting, look online for advice, hire a personal trainer, find a friend who knows what she’s doing and trade a favor, or read my blog: www.fitmommas.blogster.com.
Lifting weights will increase your metabolism significantly, decrease your risk of osteoporosis, make you look and feel better, and is the best way to stay fit for life.
Meeting Mr. Right Online is officially released. You can find it in e-book format on our website at www.bygracepublishing.com and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. In a couple weeks it will also be available in trade paperback on Amazon. To find out the winner of the free download from my month long contest, stop by our new message board at http://moonlitromance.com/yabb/YaBB.pl. I’ll post a winner on Monday. It was a fun month. Thank you to all who participated.
Blurb:
What’s a girl to do when she’s thirty-three and all her friends have started their lives and left her behind?
Teaser Excerpt:
The computer beeped letting me know it had finally booted up and there I was daydreaming again. I really had to stop doing that. I clicked the button once more, hoping this time it would be there. I held my breath for the few seconds it took to check my email messages, feeling that depressed, empty sensation once more when I didn’t see it. Rubbing my forehead, I closed my eyes. This was absolutely ridiculous. Why did I torture myself so?
Throughout the entire month of May, I’ll be hosting the By Grace Yahoo Group. At the end of the month, I’ll award a copy of my latest release: Meeting Mr. Right Online (Coming May 30th ). So, please join in the conversation. Every day you speak up, I’ll add your name into my drawing for a copy of this book. Here is the link to the group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bgpreadersloop/
Hope to see you there!