Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 284

THE PHOENIX: World of Symbols by Michelle Synder

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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">World of Symbols</span><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Michelle Snyder, M. Phil, Symbolist</span><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span>

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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.whiteknightstudio.com/&quo... style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com... style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">http://whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com...
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The legend
of the Russian Firebird</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is the ancestor of the Phoenix. The Firebird is a large bird
in majestic plumage that glows with red, orange, and yellow light. The feathers
do not cease glowing if removed; one feather can light a large room. In Faerie
tales the Firebird is typically the object of a difficult quest, usually
initiated by the finding of a lost feather. The hero</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sets out to find and capture the live bird. At first the hero
is charmed by the wonder of such a creature, but eventually the hero blames the
bird for his troubles. Like the Firebird, the Phoenix is a fabulous bird known
for extreme longevity, capable of auto-combustion, and can self-regenerate from
its own ashes. This peculiar bird is part of mythologies all over the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Phoenix is related to the Roc</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the Garuda</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of Hindu</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mythology. The fabulous creature was friend to Quetzalcoatl</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, bringing blessings and
happiness to the Aztec</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, Toltec</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, and Maya</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. In Chinese</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lore the Phoenix is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feng Hwang,</i> one of the four sacred
creatures of the directions, representing the solar Yang and lunar Yin powers.
Japan</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calls it the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ho-O</i>,
a bird representing the sun,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which comes to earth in successive ages to herald a new era.
In Arabia</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, the Phoenix is associated
with the sun; in their legends the bird sits in a nest that is ignited by solar
rays. The Greek name for the palm-tree is Phoenix; in some folklore the Phoenix
nest is on top of a palm tree; the branches of the palm tree have long been
associated with the sun. In Christian</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>iconography</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, the three-day rebirth of
the Phoenix is considered a perfect figure to represent the resurrection of the
Christ</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on the third day, and it was the only creature in the Garden
of Eden</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to resist the temptation of Eve</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many ancient symbols and myths the
Phoenix has its roots in astronomical observations, and ancient cultures that
recorded them. The myth of the Phoenix grew from observations of the
spectacular disappearance and reappearance of the sun during a total eclipse</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. Venerated as the
manifestation of the sun god of Heliopolis</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, the Phoenix appears only
once every thousand or so years. Legends claim there is never more than one
Phoenix at a time in the world; total solar eclipses are rare events; although
they occur somewhere on earth every eighteen months, they have been estimated
to recur at any given place only once every few centuries. As the eclipse
progresses, the corona and sun flares become visible to the eye. They could be
described as a great bird that catches fire, dies, and then is reborn. Our
ancestors observed and recorded the phenomenon, and legends of the Firebird,
and later the Phoenix, were born.</span></div>
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Review: THE DARLINGS by Cristina Alger

3 of 5 stars


"The Darlings" is the story of billionaire Carter Darling and his family. It chronicles their lives as they navigate from one New York society event to another. Paul Ross, a super-smart guy who is married to Merrill Darling, has already lived through one financial meltdown. With jobs scarce in the financial world, he has no choice, but to accept a position at his father-in-law's company. His world is turned upside down when a former flame brings him information about an SEC investigation. Will he help with the SEC's investigation or will he stand with his wife's family? 



I thought this book was going to be intriguing and exciting especially after reading the opening chapter, but the author introduces so many characters so quickly that it's hard to keep them all straight. From one chapter to the next, there is too much exposition on the lifestyle of the rich and famous and not enough on the characters.  The SEC investigation focuses on a Ponzi scheme of Carter's business associate Morty Reis. To me, it's the Bernie Madoff story again. The author certainly knows her way around the financial world, but it's hard to feel sympathy for the very snobbish super rich. I also found it was easy to put the book down between readings and that's never a good thing. 



I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Guest Post: HOW TO AVOID WRITER'S BLOCK IN COLLEGE

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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">We can’t avoid
experiencing the so-called writer’s block. If you’re a college student writer,
all the stress and pressure can sometimes affect your mind and body, resulting
to writer’s block. But don’t worry though because there are ways on how you can
avoid this from happening. Here are some tips on how you can prevent writer’s
block:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Eat a
balanced meal.</span></b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Food helps
fuel the brain so just imagine how essential it is for writers like you whose
mind is a constant source of ideas. Make it a habit to eat the right kind of
food such as those rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Proper
nutrition will ensure your brain to function properly and it will also help you
cope with stress.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t skip
meals.</span></b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Remember that
breakfast is the most important meal of the day so as much as possible, don’t
skip it. If you go to school or work with an empty stomach, your brain won’t
also be able to function well. This can result to writer’s block and other
illnesses.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Stay calm.</span></b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes,
writer’s block can also be brought about by too much anxiety. We all know how
hectic college life is especially if you’re working for the college paper and
at the same time serving as a full time student. As much as possible, stay calm
and avoid anxiety even when you’re under a lot of pressure. Try to lessen
anxiety by diverting your attention to other things or socializing with other
people so you can relieve stress. You can take some break from writing or
studying and hang around with friends, take a solitary walk, or go to a
beautiful spot near school where you can unwind and relax your mind.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Meditate
or yoga.</span></b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">You can
also avoid writer’s block by meditation or yoga so that you can relieve your
mind and body from stress and anxiety. Every morning or late afternoon, try to
join yoga classes or you can try meditating at home or at the dorm. This will
help relax your brain as well as your entire body.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Avoid
cramming.</span></b><span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #303243; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">If
possible, avoid cramming when a deadline is coming up. If you need to do <a href="http://www.solidessay.com/our-service..." target="_blank">college essay writing</a> and prepare a
paper that is due ASAP, don’t wait for the last minute to write it. Prepare
ahead so that you have plenty of time to research and write it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Know how to
manage stress and reduce anxiety. With these tips, you can now say goodbye to
your worst enemy called writer’s block.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Author Bio:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Steven is a former high-school teacher who now
works for <a href="http://www.solidessay.com/" target="_blank">SolidEssay.com</a>
which is a college paper writing service, consulting students on how to
structure their academic assignments properly. </span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>

Interview with Mark Saunders

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Can you
give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nobody
Knows the Spanish I Speak</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a humorous memoir about dropping out late in life,
selling almost everything, and moving to the middle of Mexico, where you don’t
know a soul and can barely speak the language.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>The story arc of my memoir is a simple one: we lose our jobs, drop
out, and move to Mexico (Act 1); we experience conflict, both good and bad,
before moving back to the States (end of Act 2); finally, we resolve our
biggest conflict by moving back to Mexico (Conclusion), where we hope to stay
longer this time.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<br />
</b>My wife and I were the last persons we ever thought would drop out and move
to Mexico, especially when we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 
</span>We were in our late 50s at the time, did not have much money to back us
up, and were not the adventurous types. We were both working in high-tech, for
different companies, and coincidently our jobs were going away around the same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>At our age, we felt boxed in—or
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>So we sold our condo in
downtown Portland, Oregon, with the spectacular view of Mt. Hood and Mt. St.
Helens and lived in Mexico for two years off the proceeds of the sale. Put
another way, we gave ourselves a self-funded, open-ended sabbatical. Funny
things happened to us almost immediately and I thought I should start writing
about what was going on, and do so mostly from the point of view of someone who
was totally ill-equipped and ill-prepared to live in a foreign country.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<br />
</b>In violation of such mainstream media expectations, in moving to Mexico we
didn’t get car-jacked, kidnapped, mistakenly shot at, or ripped off by a shady
contractor hoping to live in Panama on our life savings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We had, however, our share of mishaps,
made some dreadful mistakes, got in and out of trouble, and learned a thing or
two about life, Mexico, and each other. Even though my memoir reenacts no
homicides or rescue attempts, my story covers plenty of interesting ground,
landscaped with prickly pear cactus, scorpions, mammoth speed bumps,
lung-choking dust, yoga, disco, firecrackers, car repairs, lost-in-translation
moments, and a near-death collision on a two-lane highway. All right, that last
bit is an exaggeration. The two six-wheelers missed us by a good five inches.<br />
<br />
My book is not part of a series, although I am working on a sequel. The working
title for the sequel is “The Duke of San Miguel”; the second book will be
partly about moving back to Mexico and partly about our new dog, an 80-pound
male, apricot-colored Standard Poodle named Duke. He literally stops traffic
whenever we take him out for his walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 
</span>And at least once a week a Mexican family on vacation will ask if they
can have their picture taken with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 
</span>Of course, they always ask us to move out of the frame. We’re thinking
about putting a sign around his neck and charging for the photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you
have a favorite character? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our car, a black Audi Quattro. Although it doesn’t have any
speaking parts, it has a strong presence and reasserts itself frequently, sort
of like a cross between a pastrami sandwich and Banquo’s Ghost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher? </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Once my
manuscript was nearly completed, I took the usual steps: researched the market;
created query letters; put together a 50-page proposal. But as it turned out, I
didn’t need my proposal. One of the principals at FUZE knew me and found out I
was working on a book about dropping out and moving to Mexico. She asked to
read my manuscript when it was ready. I sent it to them. They liked it. I
signed. Cue the trumpets. And it’s been a rewarding experience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">How did
you choose your book’s title?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I wanted a title that would combine Mexico and humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>One early title was (groan) “Two Years
Before the Masa,” which wouldn’t work, I realized, since the Richard Dana book
referred to disappeared from bookshelves a long time ago and only serious cooks
knew that tortillas come from masa or corn dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Then, I thought of going with “A Year of Doing Nothing,” but
had to scratch that title once we entered our second year in San Miguel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I tried “Lost and Found in Mexico,” but
there’s already a documentary film with that title. Then, I chose “We’ll Always
Have Parasites,” thinking it would make a great title, but ran it by a few
people and they all thought it sounded like a book about stomach disorders.
Eventually I settled on “Nobody Knows the Spanish I Speak” for the title
because it’s a chapter from the book and because it captures, in six words, my
total confusion and incompetence as an expat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nobody Knows the
Spanish I Speak</i> is, of course, a play on the old spiritual “Nobody knows
the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows but Jesus” and, I think, it’s a title that
says this is a light-hearted book about a non-Hispanic living in Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Plus, as bonus points, our car mechanic’s
name was Jesus and he knew a lot about the troubles we had with our car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you
belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes and No. I did and I don’t. I belonged to two such groups
when I lived in Portland, Oregon: a critique group for playwrights and a
separate group for screenwriters. Both were invaluable, very helpful, and I
miss them. In San Miguel, I am a member of a wonderful writers’ organization
called The Literary Sala. However, it’s a monthly gathering where two guest
writers give a public reading from their work. Critiques are not part of the
program. Occasionally, I meet for breakfast with other writers in town and we
discuss what we’re working on, but we don’t critique each other’s works. We
criticize the coffee instead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What is
your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Post-college my resume read like a good-grief of odd jobs:
military journalist, medical librarian, college instructor, book packer, mill
worker, business owner, technical writer, software documentation manager,
marketing manager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>If I could have
thrown in gold prospector and hobo, I would have been Jack London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Between and during those jobs, I always
worked on creative projects, mostly writing and cartooning and, like many
writers, all of it in my spare time, either writing before or after work or
over the weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>While at work,
in addition to my regular job, I’d also be doing what’s known in the computer
industry as “background processing,” working out story problems in the garage
of my mind and jotting notes down so I wouldn’t forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>If I happened to get mugged coming home
from work, the unlucky guy would get scraps of paper and Post-it Notes with
bits of dialogue, plot points, and partly developed scenes on them. Not exactly
stuff you could easily fence. So my writing process, as a part-time writer, was
catch-as-catch-can. Today, I am a full-time writer, with more can than catch. I
would prefer to be listening to music, but as I type these words our dog is
barking furiously and someone is ringing the doorbell. Oy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you
outline your story or just go where your muse takes you? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Both. Once I have an idea for a story or chapter or play or
screenplay or letter to the editor or ransom note or grocery list or whatever,
I create an outline. Before starting, I need at least the bare bones of an
outline, a sense of direction with some stops indicated along the way. I can’t help
it; I was taught by nuns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>(Even
though I first create a roadmap, that doesn’t mean I’m going to follow it all
the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’m basically a wordy
cartoonist with a short attention span, the kind of guy who is easily seduced
by detours.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The time I invest in
an outline varies, depending on the project. When writing screenplays, for
example, I create a detailed beat sheet, including dialogue, before writing any
scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It seems I am always
writing, whether I am looking out the window, watching a TV program, walking
the dog, or sitting at my computer screen. My muse must be lazy because I do a
lot of sitting and staring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>That
said, I believe I am at my happiest and most productive when I am lost in a
writing project. It’s been described elsewhere by much smarter people as the
concept of “Flow,” which in Mexico has more to do with backed-up plumbing than
creativity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did you
hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I was one of the lucky ones. As part of my contract with
FUZE, they provided me with an absolutely amazing editor. By the time we were
done working together on my book, she knew my book better than I did, inside
and out, left and right, chapter and verse, word-by-word. My original
manuscript was going to be modeled along the lines of a David Sedaris
collection of stand-alone essays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 
</span>My editor convinced me to give it more of a narrative thread and guided
me through the process of making those connections. Now I’m a true believer. I
would never publish a book without first running it by an editor. I also feel
fortunate in the book designer that FUZE selected for me. In my opinion, the
book designer knocked the cover, as well as the inside design, out of the park.
It’s exactly what I was hoping to get, a whimsical, colorful cover that reminds
me of one of those Road Runner cartoon landscapes by Chuck Jones. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Besides
writing, do you have any other passions? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Food and drink. If a cartographer were to divide my body
into distinct neighborhoods like a map of Manhattan, I would, of course, have
uptown, midtown, and downtown sections. Likewise, there would also be two
large, generalized areas known as Eastside and Westside. (In case you’re
wondering, I sleep on my Eastside.) My body would be host to a medley of
smaller neighborhoods, from historic to modern, charming to seedy. Upper Body
would include such areas as Bald Peak and Braintown. Whereas the far end of the
island, a large section known as Lower Body, would end in Toeville, my own
private Montauk. But my favorite neighborhood, bar none, the one where I seem
to spend so much time and devote far too much interest, would be a midtown area
that locals refer to as NoJo—or North of Johnson, an area known to doctors as
my stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Don’t get me
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I love the Johnson
neighborhood. It’s one of my favorite haunts and I know every corner of it
intimately. I always have a good time whenever I visit it or share its
side-street pleasures with another. In fact, some of my favorite moments have
been spent on the Johnson playground, even with its aging equipment. But there’s
no place like NoJo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What’s
next for you? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lunch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Fuze Publishing website: <a href="http://www.fuzepublishing.com/"&... </b></span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>

Book Tour Blast: JULIA by Charles Sheehan-Miles

 

A Song for Julia (Thompson Sisters)

Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out
his rage at the world. Six years later, he's still at odds with his father, a Boston
cop, and doesn't ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters
is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job.

The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music
and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in
Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life.
Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and
refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a
guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002,
the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

 



The Thompson Sisters:
A Song for Julia is part of a series of novels centering around the Thompson sisters. Though the books center on the same family, they are standalone novels and can be read in any order. From the author of the Amazon bestselling author of Just Remember to Breathe, A Song for Julia has garnered more than 350 five-star reviews on Goodreads and been described by reviewers as "EXQUISITE. Best book of 2012,"
"Absolutely breathtaking story," and "Absolutely heart wrenching."



 

Purchase A Song for Julia for only $2.99 on Amazon

 

About the Author
Charles Sheehan-Miles served in combat with the 24th Infantry Division during the 1991 Gulf War, and was decorated for valor for helping rescue fellow tank crewmen from a burning tank during the Battle at Rumayla. He is a former President and co-founder of the National Gulf War Resource Center and later was executive director of Veterans for Common Sense. 



Follow on:
Website | Facebook |Twitter | GoodReads 



Tour Prize $50 Amazon gift card open where ever you can use an Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to enter 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

New #Horror Release: DARKBOUND by Michaelbrent Collings

Book Description:


The New York subway system has:
656 miles of track... 468 stations... 31 thousand turnstiles...
and
1.64 BILLION fares yearly.

For six of those fares, the trip is going to be one they will never forget.

Six strangers will board a subway. But this subway is unlike the others.

This subway doesn't take you where you want or where you need. It takes you where you fear.

This subway...is DARKBOUND.



Buy links:


Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/Darkbound-ebook/dp/B00B6NY4SY

Paperback:  http://www.amazon.com/Darkbound-Michaelbrent-Collings/dp/1482016990

Spotlight: STANDING GUARD by VH Folland

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Book Blurb:
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Flying home from their display seems a perfect time for Jim
to train his wife on radio procedures. An SOS on a non-aviation channel was the
last thing he expected to hear. The laws of sea and air are clear: the person
who receives a distress call is bound to assist. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Even if they are in a very old aircraft, over a very large
ocean, looking for a very small boat.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Standing Guard is an aviation short story.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Buy links:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL...by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya

 




Renowned Russian writer Ludmilla Petrushevskaya is back with
a new collection of macabre love stores: THERE ONCE LIVED A GIRL WHO SEDUCED
HER SISTER’S HUSBAND, AND HE HANGED HIMSELF—translated with an introduction
by Anna Summers, decked out with fantastic cover art, and just in time for
Valentine’s Day




Petrushevskaya’s previous collection of scary fairy tales, There
Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor’s Baby, was a the New
York Times bestseller, winner of a World Fantasy Award, one of New York
magazine’s Ten Best Books of the Year and one of NPR’s
Five Best Works of Foreign Fiction.




In this new release, Petrushevskaya demonstrates how much
can be said about human connection with so few words. These realist tales of
women looking for love are the stories that she is best known for in Russia .
Stories from this collection have been published in Harper’s, Playboy,
The Paris Review
and Zoetrope
and the early reviews are fantastic: Elle calls it “on par with the
work of such horror maestros as Edgar Allen Poe,” and Kirkus raves, “Think
Chekhov writing from a female perspective.”




THERE ONCE LIVED A GIRL... is made up
of seventeen fables of marriage, courtship, sex, and love: the office one-night
stand that creates a baby; the awkward tryst in a communal apartment; the
responsible father chased away from his family by an insane and jealous wife;
and the unremarkable and predictable souls who find they have drifted
inevitably into union. Romance, violence, infidelity, tenderness—Petrushevskaya
has compiled all of those great narrative traditions into an elegant and
macabre collection of stories that show just why she is Russia ’s preeminent
contemporary fiction writer.

  



A Murky
Fate Excerpt:




This is what happened. An unmarried woman in her thirties
implored her mother to leave their one-room apartment for one night so she
could bring home a lover.




This so-called lover bounced between two households, his
mother’s and his wife’s, and he had an overripe daughter of fourteen to
consider as well. About his work at the laboratory he constantly fretted. He
would brag to anyone who listened about the imminent promotion that never
materialized. The insatiable appetite he displayed at office parties, where he
stuffed himself, was the result of an undiagnosed diabetes that enslaved him to
thirst and hunger and lacquered him with pasty skin, thick glasses, and
dandruff. A fat, balding man-child of forty-two with a dead-end job and ruined
health—this was the treasure our unmarried thirtysomething brought to her
apartment for a night of love.




He approached the upcoming tryst matter-of-factly, almost
like a business meeting, while she approached it from the black desperation of
loneliness. She gave it the appearance of love or at least infatuation:
reproaches and tears, pleadings to tell her that he loved her, to which he
replied, “Yes, yes, I quite agree.” But despite her illusions she knew there
was no romance in how they moved from the office to her apartment, picking up
cake and wine at his request; how her hands shook when she was unlocking the
door, terrified that her mother might have decided to stay.




The woman put water on for tea, poured wine, and cut cake.
Her lover, stuffed with cake, flopped himself across the armchair. He checked
the time, then unfastened his watch and placed it on a chair. His underwear was
white and clean. He sat down on the edge of the sofa, wiped his feet with his
socks, and lay down on the fresh sheets. Afterward they chatted; he asked again
what she thought of his chances for a promotion. He got up to leave. At the
door, he turned back toward the cake and cut himself another large piece. He
asked her to change a three-ruble bill but, receiving no reply, pecked her on
the forehead and slammed the door behind him. She didn’t get up. Of course the
affair was over for him. He wasn’t coming back—in his childishness he hadn’t
understood even that much, skipping off happily, unaware of the catastrophe,
taking his three rubles and his overstuffed belly.




The next day she didn’t go to the cafeteria but ate lunch at
her desk. She thought about the coming evening, when she’d have to face her
mother and resume her old life. Suddenly she blurted out to her officemate: “Well,
have you found a man yet?” The woman blushed miserably: “No, not yet.” Her
husband had left her, and she’d been living alone with her shame and
humiliation, never inviting any of her friends to her empty apartment. “How
about you?” she asked. “Yes, I’m seeing someone,” the woman replied. Tears of
joy welled up in her eyes.




But she knew she was lost. From now on, she understood, she’d
be chained to the pay phone, ringing her beloved at his mother’s, or his wife’s.
To them she’d be known as that woman—the last in a series of female voices who
had called the same numbers, looking for the same thing. She supposed he must
have been loved by many women, all of whom he must have asked about his chances
for promotion, then dumped. Her beloved was insensitive and crude—everything
was clear in his case. There was nothing but pain in store for her, yet she
cried with happiness and couldn’t stop.




Reprinted
by arrangement with Viking, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., from There
Once Lived a Girl Who Seduced Her Sister’s Husband, and He Hanged Himself by
Ludmilla Petrushevskaya, selected and translated by Anna Summers. Copyright ©
2013 by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya. Translation and introduction copyright © 2013
by Anna Summers.

Book Tour:THE HOMICIDE CHRONICLE by Ralph Shamas

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The Homicide Chronicle

Defending the Citizen Accused
by Ralph Shamas










Blog Tour Hosted by
The Masquerade Crew





Synopsis: A chilling murder. A sensational courtroom drama.




The naked body of a young single mother is found in the bedroom of her own home. She's been sexually assaulted and stabbed 36 times. There is blood splatter, candle wax, a mysterious drinking glass, and other compelling evidence found at the scene.




Bill Castro, a working man, a thoughtful and loving husband, the father of a young child, is charged with the horrifying crime. Lawyer Bruce Sanah is retained to represent Bill Castro and finds himself having to confront disturbing evidence and unsettling surprise. Is Bill Castro innocent or is he a brutal murderer?




The Homicide Chronicle, written by a man who has years of experience in the courtroom, delivers a true insider's look into a fascinating murder investigation and jury trial. Ultimately, the absorbing conclusion will confirm that the pursuit of truth and justice is often complicated and unpredictable.









Prologue:

I am a lawyer. For more than 35 years, my job has been to defend people accused of committing all manner of wrongful acts. I love what I do, and I never look back on my decision to become a lawyer. In fact, that decision was made when I was a middle-school student, just 13 years old, as I listened to a local lawyer who had come to speak to our civics class. He was passionate in expressing the irreplaceable value of good lawyers in our free society and was forceful in demonstrating with his charismatic presence that a lawyer can command a huge image in the eyes of others. Duly impressed, and convinced that I wanted to be just such a man, I went home that day to announce my intentions. I did so at the dinner table that evening. My parents, both occupied with their daily stresses, nodded slightly, implying only some tacit approval. Still, I was absolutely determined, and in actual fact, I never changed my mind. 



Even before I entered law school I discovered that all lawyers sadly must acknowledge that not everyone sees the profession as honorable. Then, beginning in the early years of my law practice, I started hearing the question, usually asked by some new acquaintance at a social function: ìHow can you represent a guilty man?î I still get that question on occasion and suppose I will always will. People are programmed, it seems, to bring that question to mind when the topic of lawyers is brought up. Admit it, you are probably asking that same question right now. Well enough. My response, for now, is simply this: You surely will have at least some understanding of what I believe to be the most compelling and appropriate answer once you have finished reading this book.




Over the course of my legal career, I have represented hundreds of clients, had hundreds of trials, and became familiar with scores of other cases. One murder case stands out as the most intriguing and enigmatic of them all. This book focuses on and fictionalizes that single case: the case of a sexual murder, the despicable acts of a twisted mind. With this said, you may be ready to assume that I was the defense lawyer. I will not confirm that for you. In fact, the main fictional character in this book is named R. Bruce Sanah, and with him as your companion, you will pass through and experience the course of a trial like no other you have ever heard or read about. Who committed the awful, heinous crime? Well, all I will tell you now is that it is just not that easy to say. Did Lawyer Sanah represent a guilty man? You be the judge, if you can.




The events have been set, for purposes of this story, in Douglas, Arizona, a border town separated by a tall barbed-wire fence from Agua Prieta, Mexico. The Douglas population has been approximately 15,000 to 20,000, give or take a few thousand, for decades. It is the county seat of Cochise County and a much-overlooked port of entry with Mexico. You will read that Bruce Sanah was born there and grew up attending the Douglas public schools. He loved the people in Douglas; it was his home. And just as I personally persisted in my desire to become a practicing lawyer, Bruce Sanah never wavered from his intent to study law and to return to Douglas following his law school graduation.




This extraordinary murder trial took place in 1983, at a time when Bruce Sanah was a relatively young lawyer. It was an age that preceded modern-day computers and smartphones. Consequently, you should refrain from asking yourself why he did not, at critical moments, go online for an answer or for relevant background information. Lawyers did what they could with what was available at the time. There were no laptops in the courtroom, only copious handwritten notes made with pens on legal pads.




The case this book focuses upon and fictionalizes was in many ways on my mind (or at least at the back of my mind) for a good many years. Justifiably, you may wonder why I waited so long to write the story. Well, there is no truly good answer I can give you, except to say that after you have finished this book, you may better understand my feeling that some things are just so compelling that words do not come easily to describe them. However, aside from the fact that it was decades before I sat down to write the tale you are going to read, it simply had to be told and it had to be told by someone like meóa lawyer who has been there, in court with a client accused of murder.




One final thing: Please keep in mind that names and places have been changed, and many of the facts have been fictionalized. If a name or situation I have used is the same or resembles another name or situation, or is the same or resembles someone elseís name or circumstance, that is simply coincidence. That being said, I assure you that there was a ìCastroî murder trial, and you are about to become a part of an unforgettable few months through the eyes of my fictional character, Bruce Sanah.




So, let us begin.









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Interview with Sandra Bornstein

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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzEQOQxy58o..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzEQOQxy58o..." width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Why did you decide to write your
memoir?
</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During my first trip to India, I
started a private travel blog. I wanted to share my unusual experiences with a
select group of friends and relatives. The positive feedback they provided made
me wonder whether I should take my writing a step further. I contemplated a
memoir, but knew that my story had to be more than a travelogue.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Shortly after returning to the US,
I abruptly stopped writing my blog. I was deeply moved by my husband’s horrific
accident and overwhelmed by the choices that I needed to make. I lost the
desire to write.  After returning to India, I was tempted to write again.  I
was confident that a blog about my international classroom would generate an
audience, but I was reluctant to invade my students’ privacy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">After I returned to the US, I could
not put the brakes on my writing anymore. The lessons that I had learned from
my adventure needed to be shared. A memoir that chronicled my choice to live
outside my comfort zone and my incredible teaching and traveling experiences
needed to be written. I wanted to provide useful information to fellow teachers
who are considering working abroad and teachers who work with diverse learners.
It is my sincere hope that my words will resonate with people facing unusual
challenges and others who need encouragement to take a special journey.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">What message are you sharing with
your readers?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">There are multiple messages that I
am sharing with my readers. The most prevalent lesson pertains to individual
choices. People tend to be most comfortable living within their established
comfort zone and rarely make daring decisions. Stepping outside a self-imposed
boundary oftentimes creates unnecessary anxiety and irrational fear. When I
decided to plunge into the pool of uncertainty, I let my emotions take control
and felt unbalanced. Eventually, I overcame my fears and learned that stepping
outside of my comfort zone can be an invigorating experience that enhances
life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">After teaching at a highly regarded
international school in Bangalore, India, what was your most memorable
experience?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> will always remember the fifth grade jungle trip to Kabini
River Lodge, a former hunting lodge for the maharaja of Mysore. In the U.S.,
5th or 6th grade students usually attend an outdoor education program at a
nearby rustic facility. My students took motor coaches without a restroom to
this well-regarded accommodation. Seeing the jungle through the eyes of 5th
graders was a unique experience. I also had the opportunity to interact with my
students in a social setting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Throughout
your book you mention songs. What role did music play in your journey?</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Music was my constant companion. I
heard songs even when my Ipod and computer were not turned on. The lyrics from
my youth prevailed. They added a level of comfort that helped me cope with my
overwhelming feelings of loneliness. Being separated from my family for an
extended period of time was challenging. I could always rely on my music to
bring a smile to my face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
factors influenced your decision to self-publish to Amazon?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I decided to go the self-publishing route because I wanted
to maintain more control over my content, the book’s interior style, the book
cover, and the price of the book. I knew that this would require a budget of
upfront costs since I would need to hire experts to assist me. With the help of
professional editors, I created the content and the pervasive threads, located
my voice, and decided on my message. Additionally, I hired a design team and
formatters to assist me. By being responsible for all of the decisions, I took
complete ownership of my book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I also wanted to publish my book in a timely manner so that
I could move on to the next project. Had I not put myself into the driver’s
seat, I might still be waiting for a literary agent to respond. I’d rather be
moving forward than stuck in a holding pattern.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did you
hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I worked with several editors. The first editor was a
developmental editor. After reading the book, he suggested that I begin at a
more dramatic point of my journey and end with the lessons that I learned. With
his assistance, I enhanced my writing style by taking a closer look at my voice
and how I used dialogue to engage the reader.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I also hired a copyeditor to review my manuscript for word
usage, consistencies in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and fact checking. Prior
to publishing, a final professional edit was done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did you
hire a graphic artist for your book cover? Were you actively involved in the
creation of the cover?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Many people follow the adage “you can tell a book by its
cover.” I knew that a cover design was important and realized that I did not
have the required skills to design an appropriate cover. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Last spring when I launched my website, I hired a graphic
artist. I accepted the book cover design and started to use it on my website. I
started to have doubts about the design and also realized that the graphic
artist should have included a spine and back cover design. If I used that
design, I would either have to format the spine and back cover myself or hire
another person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As part of my contract negotiations with <a href="https://www.createspace.com/">... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></a>, I opted for a new cover
design. <a href="https://www.createspace.com/">... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></a> provided two design options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After making a few adjustments to the <a href="https://www.createspace.com/">... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></a> design that I liked more, I
had a new cover that illustrated the gist of my story better than the original
option.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What have
you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I learned to be patient. Everything took longer than I
anticipated. I rarely completed a task within the anticipated timeframe. I
realized that the quality of my book was more important than publishing the
book quickly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What kinds
of marketing [twitter, Facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for
promoting your book(s)?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Social media has become part of my daily routine. I have a
multiple page website that includes information about my book, my background, a
photo gallery, a press kit, events, and a blog. I post blogs on a regular
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I also take advantage of
opportunities to be a guest blogger. I have accounts with Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, Google+ and Goodreads. My video book trailer is posted on several
sites. Even though it is a time consuming endeavor, I try to maintain an active
presence on all levels of social media. I recently started my first virtual
book tour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing
arena?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Before starting the ball rolling for self-publishing I
suggest the following:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Do not procrastinate.
Accept the challenge and move forward. Create a proposed timeline and start
finding ways to accomplish your goals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I recommend thinking about the following things:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Has the manuscript been professionally edited? Are you
hiring a professional editor? Is the editing being done by the self-publishing
company?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Research your different publishing options. Connect with
self-published authors and get their feedback about different companies. Decide
which company meets your specific requirements. Read all of the fine print and
make sure you understand all sections of the contract. Don’t be afraid to ask
questions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Make sure you check and recheck everything that needs to be
approved. When in doubt ask a friend or family member to look over your work.
Typos and extra spaces can mysteriously reappear without warning. A new set of
eyes will usually find these lurking pests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For years, I put my passion for writing on hold. As each
year passed, I became more disappointed and angry with myself. I had one excuse
after another. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, when holding my published book in my hand, I ask, “Why did
I wait so long?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Being able to publish, <a href="http://www.sandrabornstein.com/"... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">MAY THIS BE THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE</span></a>
was an amazing accomplishment.</span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>