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Sources of Light
COMING SOON!
Due out April 12, 2010 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
It's 1962, a year after the death of Sam's father--he was a war hero--and Sam and her mother must move, along with their very liberal views, to Jackson, Mississippi, her father's conservative hometown. Needless to say, they don't quite fit in.
People like the McLemores fear that Sam, her mother, and her mother's artist friend, Perry, are in the South to "agitate" and to shake up the dividing lines between black and white and blur it all to grey. As racial injustices ensue--sit-ins and run-ins with secret white supremacists--Sam learns to focus with her camera lens to bring forth the social injustice out of the darkness and into the light.
To read an interview with Margaret McMullan about her newest books,
Margaret McMullan is the author of five novels including In My Mother's House,
??Cashay, and When I Crossed No-Bob, a 2008 Parents' Choice Silver Honor, a 2007 School Library Journal Best Book, a 2008 finalist for the Willie Morris Prize for Southern Fiction, and a 2008 Horace Mann Upstander Honor book. Both When I Crossed No-Bob and How I Found the Strong won the Mississippi Arts and Letters Award for Best Fiction (in 2004 and 2008) and the Indiana Best Young Adult Book (in 2005 and 2008). How I Found the Strong also won the 2006 Award for Fiction from the Mississippi Library Association, was named an ALA 2005 Notable Social Studies Book, and a Booklist's Top Ten First Novel for Youth. Her essays and short stories have appeared in Glamour, the Chicago Tribune, Southern Accents, the Indianapolis Star, TriQuarterly, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Greensboro Review, The Southern California Anthology, Mississippi Magazine, Other Voices, Boulevard, Ploughshares, The Pinch, and The Sun among several other journals and anthologies. She received a Special Mention in the 2005 Pushcart Prize collection and twice she received the Individual Artist Fellowship from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was the 2007 Eudora Welty Visiting Writer at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and she received her M.F.A. in fiction from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She is currently a board member of the New Harmony Project and a professor of English at the University of Evansville, in Evansville, Indiana, where she's working on a collection of stories and a new young adult novel for Houghton Mifflin due out in 2010. She lives with her husband, Patrick O'Connor and their son, James.
Letting My Pen Bleed is a collection of evocative writings that capture feelings of fear, pain, anticipation and love.
The life of Beverly Jones Davis, an African American, single mother of two and published poet, resembles a roller coaster in slow motion, inching slowly up, only to roll back down. At times in her 27 years, Davis has risen above her circumstances. Despite being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, she continues to be upbeat, controlling the condition and not allowing it to control her life.
Davis has dreams, of publishing her poetry, starting a clothing design company, sending her children to college.
Check upcoming issues and our monthly Authors & Artists Magazine for scheduled readings and signings. Purchase book today at Amazon.com.
Suggested Retail: $8.99 ISBN: 978-0-7369-2050-6 Case Lot Quantity: 80
Suggested Retail: $8.99 ISBN: 978-0-7369-2050-6 Case Lot Quantity: 80
Release Date: January 01, 2009 Size: 5 x 7 Binding: Trade
Deborah Smith Pegues, author of the top–selling 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (more than 360,000 copies sold) and 30 Days to Taming Your Stress, offers 60–second etiquette solutions for awkward pauses, social situations, and everyday encounters. While other books focus on doing things right, Deborah shares how to do the right thing as she presents simple ways for readers to
make proper and inviting introductions
give gifts for any occasion graciously
scribe personable emails, letters, and thank–you notes
understand and be mindful of intercultural do’s and don’ts
host events, dinners, and overnight guests with ease and generosity
For everything from networking to dating to tipping, this quick and thorough guide is conveniently sized so readers can turn their thoughts to the needs of others and practice courtesy and consideration anytime. AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SOON. . .
Amid the confusion, anger, and anxiety surrounding the U.S. economic crisis, this book offers proven strategies and wise counsel for financial survival. Deborah answers the most frequently asked questions and addresses common financial dilemmas. This book also offers practical advice on how to cope emotionally, physically, and relationally during times of uncertainty. She arms you with the information you need to make wise decisions, prioritize and control spending, get out of debt, cultivate contentment, maintain quality of life amidst the economic turmoil, and much more. Soul-searching questions and biblical principles combine to fill each chapter with hope. AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SOON. . .
Deborah Smith Peguesis an experienced certified public accountant, a Bible teacher, a speaker, and a certified behavioral consultant specializing in understanding personality temperaments. As well as the bestselling 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (more than 300,000 sold), she has authored 30 Days to Taming Your Finances and 30 Days to Taming Your Stress. She and her husband, Darnell, have been married for nearly 30 years and make their home in California.
As a sought-out speaker and lecturer, Stedman Graham presents to corporations, organizations and nonprofits. He has authored a number of books including two New York Times bestsellers, You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success and Teens Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps to Success. He is working on new book Identity Passport to Freedom, the process of gaining freedom by becoming the leader of your own life.
In this exclusive interview with Suite101 he shares his thoughts on leadership, self development and his new book, Identity Passort to Freedom: Nine-Step Success Processwhich is expected to be on the market in the fall of 2010.
Q.You are working on a new book,Identity Passport to Freedom- What do you want readers to take away from this?
What I want readers to take away is the following: it’s the individual that really is in charge of their own life and there is process of being in charge. You can’t take control over your life if you are doing the same thing over every day.
Take a chance to think and evolve by learning how to take knowledge and information by making it relevant to you. You have to be able to define yourself and not let other people assign labels to you. It’s not an easy process. It takes a lot of work to be free. It’s a lifelong journey to gain freedom at all different levels of your life.
Q. There have been thousands of books written about successful leadership and development often focusing on competencies like communication, vision and interpersonal skills. How does your approach differ?
My approach differs because our work focuses on developing one’s identity and we try to go deeper by exploring and establishing a person’s purpose is life. What we like to do is build a strong foundation based on who they are. From there one can begin to organize his or her life into different segments and interests; identify different passions which allows one to become an expert in their field. It's about freedom to achieve their full potential.
You don’t become a leader based on being smarter or working harder, or able to be more organizationally developed than anyone else. In my opinion, leadership is deeply rooted in being connected to the work one does personally. To me that’s the best form of leadership. Sure, you can be a leader in title, by someone selecting you, or you can be a leader based on your position. What separates my leadership approach is to find out what you should be doing for the rest of your life, because that’s who you are.
Q. What particular experiences have convinced you that the Nine Step Process is the best approach?
It’s my own personal experience of looking for freedom in life. It’s about being able to not let other people define me but take control and define myself. It’s rooted in the fact that we have been programmed to memorize, take tests and get grades; then we realize we forgot most of what we learned in school.
This is a way of reversing the learning process and understanding how to take the information and make it relevant to your own development. I was programmed to believe a number of things that kept me in the box. So I was never able to think or grow beyond the box that I was in. The Nine Step Process personally was a path that allowed me to create freedom for myself. Learn more about My Life Is About at CLICK HERE. Visit Mr. Graham's CLICK HERE.
What a GREAT informative book! The information was both a reality check - the realities of publishing and reassuring – the steps to getting you there. The information is presented clearly, in layman terms with updated information on changes in the publishing industry, as well as a CD-ROM with sample pitch letters, proposal templates and a comprehensive list of literary agents and likes to fantastic author websites and more.
Each chapter is set up with the needed information, little asides – Hot Off The Press – tales about the publishing world, Definition – publishing terms clearly explained, Slush Pile – warnings of what to avoid, and Experts Say – Additional industry colleagues share their expertise, and end with The Least You Need To Know at the end of each chapter.
I consider this an excellent source for writers that are willing to DO THE WORK to become authors or professional writers.
About the Authors
Sheree Bykofsky, founder and owner of the Sheree Bykofsky Literary Agency, has written over a dozen nonfiction books and represented hundreds of successful titles. She teaches university courses on publishing and speaks at writer’s conferences. Visit Sheree CLICK HERE.
Jennifer Basye Sander has been an author and a book packager for nearly 20 years. She founded the Big City Books Group, a packager with over 40 successful books in print. She is also the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Self-Publishing. Visit Jennifer CLICK HERE
Excerpt
Chapter 8: Bulletproof Nonfiction Book Proposals
Video Clips
Videos - whether on videotape or on CD/DVD - of you being interviewed on a major television program are great to include with your proposal. Short clips are best, though. Don’t go overboard, as agents and editors will rarely watch an hour-long video. A professionally edited and labeled video clip is best. Worst is sending the wrong video, like the one of your children in the bathtub. Be sure to label your video clearly with your name and address in case it gets separated from your proposal.
Has all the proposal talk left you feeling overwhelmed? In Chapter 11, we fill you in on some folks who can help: proposal doctors and book doctors.
Gina Smith
Marketing & Promotions
Marketing authors and artists through print, television, radio and online promotions, scheduling and coordinating bookings, as well as other services. "My job is to help you and your product become known to a larger audience". Rates as low as $250.00/monthly.
Gina Johnson Smith is the founder of Smith Publishing & Media Group,the author of several books, numerous articles, and an Author & Artist Marketer. To retain her services, contact her at (888) 841-7779 or email her at smithpublish@yahoo.com.
God never intended for His creation to misuse, abuse or pervert their bodies sexually. Christ wants to be fully formed within you. And it is only through your body that He can reveal His power and glory.
"Can’t Touch This" is a blatantly candid, revealing and awe-inspiring testimony of a young woman’s struggle between obtaining sexual gratification and God’s will and purpose for her life. Buckle your seat belts because you’re going on a real ride to freedom, victory and liberty in Christ Jesus. It will shock you, inspire you, and provoke you to do things “God’s Way.” To purchase this book or to book Dominque for your group, visit Can't Touch This (click here).
Quest for Recognition of a Father’s Invention
Herman L. Grimes, Jr.
ISBN #978-0-9815783-1-6 U.S. $13.00
“Quest for Recognition of a Father’s Invention” is about an unsung African-American hero. It is a son’s journey to uphold his father’s legacy. Hermon L. Grimes, Sr., is one of the nation’s best-kept secrets. Mr. Grimes developed the official patent for FOLDING WING AIRCRAFT. U.S. Patent Office Number 2,137,486. The new folding wing aircraft was used extensively in the Pacific theater during World War II. Upon the attack of Pearl Harbor, it was made clear that the Japanese Navy had gained air superiority over the U.S. Navy. This handicap was quickly overcome by the implementation of folding wing aircraft on naval carriers. Hermon L. Grimes helped to revolutionized aviation.
Herman L. Grimes, Sr. received a Purple Heart, yet he died with a broken heart without receiving recognition or compensation for his invention. This is a must-read book for all who seek to right the wrongs of history. Available through Milligan Books (click here).
Here's our monthly newsletter from Goodreads—giving you the latest and greatest in our quest to connect people through reading!
Your love affair with a book doesn't have to end on the last page. Join a Goodreads book club to find fellow readers. Here is a sampling of some of our 10,000 book groups. Find an online group or search for local groups in your area!
How to Work With Your Book Marketer
These are great suggestions from a top marketer!
From Gina Johnson Smith - Author Marketer
Do’s
Tell them your schedule & where you’re speaking.
Give them ample time to process your requests and return your phone calls.
Tell them things that come across your desk or emails that would help them get the word out for you. They can’t be everywhere all the time.
Tell them if you get a good response from an interview.
Tell them your “wish” list of media interviews and hosts you’d like to talk to and WHY.
Give them as much background on you as possible: schools, awards, speaking engagements, places of employment (any place where there have been gatherings of people that know you or about you).
Help other author friends. You reap what you sow. Look out for others.
Keep a database. Everywhere you go and speak – start a mailing list.
Send personal thank you notes to the media. Keep in touch with them – but don’t be annoying.
Give them ideas. Discuss new publicity angles. Marketers work with a variety of clients and they appreciate clients that are engaged in their marketing process and can see natural opportunities that they might miss.
Give them good materials to work with: a great book cover, a good head shot, a great book title and great endorsements. Have a good business card too (with photo if possible).
Be nice to the media and get rid of the “entitlement” attitude.
Remember to say your book title and website several times during the interview.
Follow the advice, suggestions and recommendations of your marketing team.
Let your Marketer know your expectations right from the beginning.
Be consistent!
Make a positive confession about your marketing campaign and ask for prayer from your “inner circle”. They’re your “cheerleader” and intercessor.
Research & know your market and ask them what “buzz” they have heard about your book and what you could do to improve.
Critique your interviews and constantly improve your “sound bites.”
Don’ts
Ignore interview requests.
Don’t take credit for your “media” success – know that it’s God that orchestrates everything and a team that helps you LOOK good.
Don’t lie or over exaggerate the truth to the media. They check you out anyway.
Assume that the media will give you copies of the story or the interview. Ask before the interview begins, or better yet, tape them yourself and/or subscribe to their periodical/newspaper via the website.
Be a lone ranger. Connect with other writers/authors/speakers. Go to other author’s book signings. You reap what you sow.
Smith Publishing & Media Group's Author & Business Marketing services will help you implement your marketing plan and garnering media coverage. From drafting and distributing press releases to limited following-up with media contacts. With our services, we can help you successfully launch a regional, national or local marketing campaign for your Book, Project or Business at economical rates. For more information, click here - Pay4Ads.
Letting My Pen Bleed
Cheryl Iszard, Inspirations From the Heart
