Louise Wise

Monday, 13 February 2012

Fulfill your Threats - author spotlight/win a Kindle Fire!



T
his incisive, well-written book shares profound insights into the psychology that drives doers to do what they do, and to do it with confidence, method and persistence. Its energizing claim is that we can all be effective doers if we take simple steps to yank our ambitions from the realm of idle thought and idle talk, and to mobilize those dreams and aspirations into projects that achieve results that can be seen, touched and experienced. Wutawunashe draws from experience and observation to illustrate how business ideas, personal development efforts, social influence and other schemes can be pursued in a manner that assures effective, sustained impact . In an engaging style that melds entertaining anecdotes, humorous turn of phrase and powerful didactic principle in a uniquely seamless manner, Wutawunashe delivers a powerful manual that could well come with a warranty, given the ease with which the reader can apply these lessons and see results.





Sample:
In this my first book, I offer the thesis that success is the outcome of a simple process based on deciding, doing and learning. These activities are locked in a sequential loop that can be linear or non-linear depending on specific circumstances. Whatever the sequence at any point, however, one element is constant, and that element is you. You take the decision, you do the things you have decided, and you learn the lessons that are necessary for you to succeed. I readily admit that this is a blatant truism, but venture that too few people realize how powerful and liberating this obvious fact is. Most failures in life are failures in commonsense.

Jonathan's Book Launch Contest  February 4 -23
First Prize: Kindle Fire
Two runner up prizes :  $50.00 gift certificates


Click the link below to be taken to the contest. Good luck!



Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe cut his teeth as a diplomat in Washington, DC and New York during the 1980s. Educated and trained in his native Zimbabwe, in Australia, the United States and Belgium, Wutawunashe played key roles as a top manager and leader in key posts and functions in Zimbabwe, North America, Europe and Asia. One of his more widely publicized accomplishments was his presentation of the case against nuclear weapons at the International Court of Justice in November 1995.
Ambassador Wutawunashe is a sought-after speaker and counselor who has motivated audiences at universities, churches, training seminars, trade symposiums and in other contexts in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. His personal achievements include writing for magazines and academic journals from an early age, musical compositions and an extensive discography that has caught the attention of researchers and writers on global culture. He has done creative work for television, for which he has received plaudits, and has also established several  audio-visual recording and mastering studios. The Ambassador holds  post-graduate degrees in literature and social sciences. He is married to Shuvai, and the couple have three children, Tinashe, Tendai and  Paidamoyo.  You can read more about Wutawunashe on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Wutawunashe.


Links: 




Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/possibilitypages

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Are you waiting too long to market your book?

guest post 
by 
Cindi Maciolek

Your fingers tingle as they touch the very first copy of your newly published book. Your heart races, your head spins. Excitement rushes through your body. 

“I’ve written a magnificent tome. It will go viral and sell itself!”

Really?

I’m amazed when I speak with authors awaiting the arrival of a new book. Some are lucky enough to not only have an agent, but a traditional publisher. Very often, the excitement wanes when they realize the book will be here shortly and their thoughts turn to marketing.

“I’m not quite sure what will happen once the books are out.”

Yikes!

Marketing is more than wishful thinking, tweeting or blogging. Fact is, it begins before you even write the first word. The characters, the location, the era, the breadth or depth of content, even the cover design play a role in attracting your target reader.

Here are a few thoughts to put you ahead of the game.
  •  Market far in advance of the release. Many authors, including myself, don’t like to share too much about their work until the first draft is complete. However, there must be something you can promote at least six months to two years ahead. If you don’t care to divulge too much, think of interesting teasers to keep your audience attentive.
  • Market to a broader audience. It’s possible to reach beyond your intended market simply by making a minor change to your book. Or, expand your thinking and recognize the book as-is will appeal to an additional market. When I wrote Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion, most people assumed I was writing it for other bird lovers. In fact, I want everyone who loves animals to enjoy the read, a much broader market, and I adjusted the content accordingly.
  • Expand your circle of early readers to market your book. The novel I’m currently writing is clearly aimed at a female audience. Yet, I have a male reader who has provided valuable feedback. Not only has he helped to make it a better book, he will no doubt tell everyone he knows just how much he enjoyed it.
  • Utilize the book cover to your advantage. I had the cover of my book designed over a year before I held printed copies in my hand. It attracted a lot of attention. A cockatiel wearing a tiara certainly piques interest.
  • Forage for media contacts. It can sometimes take months to reach an editor, a celebrity or a producer. If you wait until your book arrives, you’re practically old news. Put together your media list far in advance, and work it, work it, work it!

 We writers are a passionate lot, but early marketing can lead to even greater success.

Friday, 10 February 2012

The Death of Grammar (and the English language) in e-readers.

As language evolves and Kindle makes it all too easy to publish I can see a time where spelling is simplified. The long-standing "joke" of spelling changing to how it's pronounced is now the norm in texing, but that's because of lack of space and the tiny keyboard.

But is it time the English word is simplified like American spellings? Color for colour (why the "u"?), Yogurt for yoghurt (who pronounces the "Y"?) and grey. I mean, can you HEAR the "E"? So why not use the American spelling GRAY?



Makes sense, doesn't it?

Noooooo!

The English language dates so far back there aren't any records of the first words (ugg?), and anyway English has been so reconstructed from the UK's neighbouring countries that our common language is a mixture of French, Latin and others. It's beautifully old, so to hear it change and American English creep in is a shame.

American English is beautiful in its own right, but that's where it has to stay. I don't want to eat chocolate colored yogurt - I want to eat chocolate coloured yoghurt. I want to pull my hair out in frustration trying to figure out the differences between practise and practice, and not give in and use the one with the two curly kuz, as my little boy calls them. 

But this article isn't only about the fast-evolving English language, it's about the lack of grammar in ebooks. Typos happen and even editors miss them (some traditionally published books prove this!), but we owe it to ourselves to make our books as error-free as possible. This means investing in not one, but two or more, proof-readers and editors. 

Edit your book yourself, and ONLY when you think it's perfect offer it to one or more beta readers. Put your wounded pride on the back burner (no space for pride in this job!) and take on board their suggestions. Re-edit your book. Read aloud your book; dust off your old cassette deck and use that even. Go through it line by line and then, and only then, seek out a professional. 

Children are like sponges when it comes to knowledge and are highly influenced, and so as a parent I want to feel I am helping them learn by giving them books to read. Image my horror when my eight year old insisted that the word existence is spelt existance all because he saw it in a book! 
 

It is with reluctance that I allow my children to read ebooks now unless I vet them first and that's a shame. But if I'm lacking faith in ebooks, an Indie writer, you can be certain there are others who regard them like people regard *reality TV!

If a traditionally published book has a typos it is classed as an editing or printing error, if Indies have one it's ALWAYS the author's fault. People LOOK for errors. Making our books low-priced is NO excuse for being cheap.

It's time we got serious.


Here are some howlers: 
http://www.funnytypos.com/

And websites that help: 
100 Most Often Mispelled Misspelled Words in English
Commonly Misspelled English Words

*Reality TV - has its place, but for low-intelligent people who wouldn't spot quality TV if they fell over it. 
Ouch! But that's where ebooks are heading unless WE do something about it. 


Monday, 6 February 2012

Join a campaign to join together writers/bloggers/and generally nice people


There are so many of us out there. Aspiring authors, bloggers (whether established or beginning), industry peeps, even published authors, all of whom want to build their online platforms. We write insightful posts and articles, actively blog within the blogosphere, take part in challenges, competitions, and contests galore. We have the passion and the drive to make it, but…we could all do with a bit of support. So I started thinking. What if we link all these people together? What if we create a way to meet people in a similar position, people who genuinely want to help build our online platform while at the same time building theirs? People who want to pay it forward in the spirit of writerly writerness and blogging beautificity (and see it come back to them in turn). And so, my Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign was born. 

What is the Campaign?

Well, to find out more and be taken to RACHAEL HARRIE's (the host) blog for instructions on how to join click below:

Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

And in spirit of this campaign, mention in the comment section below that you're joining, follow my blog and I'll add you to my Writer's Directory (be sure to add your genre and blog/website link).

BOGOF offer on Aaron Drew's novel Light Under the House


For TODAY ONLY, when you purchase Light Under the House by Aaron Drew for just $.99 on Amazon.com, with your proof of purchase, Aaron will gift you another book of your choice valued at the same price of $.99, (exluding Erotica). That's 2 books for the price of 1! So jump on the bandwagon and go get yourself some awesome books!
Send Proof of Purchase to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net with your Amazon receipt number, and the book of your choice (title and link) and preferred email. Once it's been verified, Aaron will gift you your book and send you a personal note of thanks.




Thursday, 2 February 2012

FREE chicklit novel - A Proper Charlie

Charlie Wallis wants the two Cs: commitment and a career. Unfortunately, her boyfriend dumps her and her career is nothing more than a nine to five office job for London Core. She is the only singleton in London, or so it seems. Ben Middleton is a geek with family problems. He likes to keep his head down – preferably in a factual book on Astronomy – but basically down so he can avoid meeting people. He isn’t a singleton, he just wishes he were.


FREE until Saturday.


Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Find Indie writers FAST on Amazon and


You'll want to read them for life!
Find an Indie/self-pubbed works and find yourself a fresh new voice.

With kind permission from Michael James who has allowed me to copy and paste his grouped lists of Indie authors' books, painstakingly put together, so readers don't have to wade through book after book to find their desired read.


Add your book, find a book to read, write a review, blog/tweet about it and someone may do the same for you.
  

Action/Adventure @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx38TES6Q3FJN5X

Apocalyptic @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=TxQ3RAMIYS1O9P

Autobiography/Memoir @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx2UNIRDLX089JH

Children's Books @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=TxK4GE3KYOC5DC

Christian @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx3UDXHIZE1B8SG

Contemporary Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2GWUTUJY3CAQS&cdMsgID=Mx7WJMT1W1GOXG#Mx7WJMT1W1GOXG

Cozy Mystery @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx38WPN4Q8ALI0N&cdMsgID=Mx3440X2V7QG6TC#Mx3440X2V7QG6TC

Dystopia @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx1OBC6KJZB0IIM

Fantasy @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxG0CTZ5QQDTF8&cdMsgID=Mx20WSMRHNOLLCF#Mx20WSMRHNOLLCF

Ghost @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx1ATXBDLDLALZ3&cdMsgID=Mx9TR93HIVSDZI#Mx9TR93HIVSDZI

Graphic Novel/Comic @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx14FSMWWO8QPNH&cdMsgID=Mx3FO2GF0N0W65G#Mx3FO2GF0N0W65G

Halloween @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxSHXA0PDT2PD3&cdMsgID=Mx1YNZ5VTRORCNG#Mx1YNZ5VTRORCNG

Historical Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3APP0UUA9Y96O&cdMsgID=Mx64G8PX55JRJ2#Mx64G8PX55JRJ2

Historical Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2ALCG0W1XWBY2&cdMsgID=Mx32RC25WGW2QDK#Mx32RC25WGW2QDK

Horror @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3N5MWXQNLD8GI&cdMsgID=MxMEDBER2HWWSD#MxMEDBER2HWWSD

Humorous Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxY9YK1H4XDO5X&cdMsgID=Mx1C2B9VJISOJHB#Mx1C2B9VJISOJHB

Literary Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2QUPHM00ZN9NS&cdMsgID=MxG7RHX5XVHAKF#MxG7RHX5XVHAKF

Mystery/Hardboiled/Procedural @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx32QOBHER7D0RX&cdMsgID=Mx1K73GYJYJ962Y#Mx1K73GYJYJ962Y

Paranormal Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3OPNG2YFNLH4T&cdMsgID=MxSPSRTITZT594#MxSPSRTITZT594

Paranormal @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2LI6SSDHSSOX6&cdMsgID=Mx3LGLM8P8O1BPI#Mx3LGLM8P8O1BPI

Poetry @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=TxPEGXSRXSVYSH

Post-Apocalyptic @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx36ESB1ZVMIZMN

Science Fiction @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx1F00JO8AMTU25&cdMsgID=Mx106R0RMX1TXIL#Mx106R0RMX1TXIL

Short Stories @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQ0G9EAI2KDGA&cdMsgID=Mx280BARWR84BO5#Mx280BARWR84BO5

Suspense @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx21M4A40YT7GY6&cdMsgID=Mx39RCVGFFPQNG5#Mx39RCVGFFPQNG5

Thriller @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx29NG9AICHZ0SU&cdMsgID=Mx2C4ISRFACLPFH#Mx2C4ISRFACLPFH

Time Travel @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2R5F3XZ3WLE4N&cdMsgID=Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y#Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y

Vampire Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2R5F3XZ3WLE4N&cdMsgID=Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y#Mx3D4YTF4FHNN7Y

Western Romance @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2WP8RJIFC34TK&cdMsgID=Mx36LA6R9BEWMXT#Mx36LA6R9BEWMXT

Westerns @ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_search_res_ti?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdMsgNo=1&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxXO5XG8MR6GV7&cdMsgID=Mx1UY0L6XE6APP8#Mx1UY0L6XE6APP8

Young Adult @ http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2UYC1FC06SU8S&cdThread=Tx31AV7IW1I8KHU