Sandy J Cee's Blog, page 4
November 25, 2016
Leanne Wood’s Books on Amazon
November 23, 2016
Cathie Whitmore’s Books on Amazon
September 21, 2016
Why The Rider Waite Deck?
I am a visual person, I see images when I do readings. Even with the cards, I see different colours. So this deck was not one of my popular decks. The Original Rider Waite Tarot Pack by A.E. Waite lacked the bright colours I was used to by this time.
However, I thought that as I was teaching Tarot Card Reading, I ought to at least obtain a deck of these cards for myself. Most other teachers in Tarot Reading were using this for their students as a first deck. So I thought I should become familiar with them myself.
I discovered that, although they were not as bright and colourful as other decks, they seemed to be more straight forward. My readings became more straight and narrow. I found they cut off the possibilities more than other decks I had.
They were easier to read for one other reason. There was no theme. Each of the other decks I had in my collection were themed. So that meant less distraction on my part and more down to earth readings.
They were easier to see what each card was at a glance. Whether it was one of the pip cards, a court card or one of the major arcana cards. Their meanings were more obvious and therefore I resonated with them much quicker.
That being said, I still had trouble accepting them as my favourite deck. To this day, I have other decks which remain on my favourite list, over the Rider Waite Deck. However to choose a deck to begin with, you couldn't go wrong with any of The Rider Waite Decks one the market.
This is why I chose to create my first book on Tarot Reading based on this deck. You can find my ebook on the subject here. A Workshop in Tarot Reading With Sandy Cee: Rider-Waite Deck by Sandy Cee
November 1, 2015
What Mischief Makers are thee?
When Dee and Zee arrive, little by little, to turn Jem’s arrival upside down and inside out, it seems that life itself is turned right around.
At first they appear as eyes coming from the ether. Then the nose appears, then the mouth. Jem began to think he was going crazy. Then they began talking in unison which really startled poor Jem. It wasn’t bad enough that he was a little befuddled having just awoken. He also had one of the worst headaches. It felt like his head was pounding from within.
They giggled and zipped here and there in front of him. They looked at each other and spoke in tongues that was unfamiliar to Jem. Of course, he is who he is after all. However his memory wasn’t what it ought to have been at that very moment. What more to do than to have a glass of Ice Cold Raspberry Syrup. It had been one of Jem’s favourite drinks in the old realm. Now he was happy to be able to conjure up three drinks – shaken, not stirred.
In this small cameo of them, we see jem offering his true hospitality.
“He looked at them once more. Walking back over toward them, he opened his left arm and waved as though to let them know all is well. “Sit ye down my two friends.” He waved his right arm toward them and back again. There were two seats for them to sit upon. Jem commanded the seats to be under them as long as they chose to be seated.
“Take the weight off thy shoes” said Jem with a wave, “slippers, drinks, ice? How doth thee take yours, my two good men?” he asked full of hospitality
“Thank ye Sire, that would be very kind of you, Sire” they both said looking up at Jem, not certain what he was intending. Then they both sat down on their comfortable seats which had followed them along the platform.
“Oh Sire, these seats are just lovely and comfortable.”
“Oh yes, indeedy, they are so lovely and comfy”
“Very comfy, indeed”
“They are simply – Heavenly!” They exclaimed together with a very long sigh.
Jem looked at them, not quite certain what to make of these two new fuzzy characters. Now he was looking at them again as though it were they who were quite mad and not him. He was beginning to wonder who, in fact was really mad around here.
“Here thee art, gentlemen. Thy drinks.” he handed them two glass stemmed goblets that had delicious ice-cold raspberry syrup within them.
“Ahh, Sire, this is just what we would have ordered. However did you know that this is just right for us?” They each took a long sip of their drinks, with their eyes closed and then looked up at Jem.
“Gentlemen” Jem said, with a small cough, clearing his throat “am I to understand that thee misunderstood who I am?” he asked in a very firm, yet quiet voice
“Oh No Sire” they wanted to reassure him that all was well. “We know who you are – do you-know-who-we-are?” they were rather stilted when they asked this.
“Thou art both drunken, now aren’t thee? I knew I shouldn’t have added that last drop of scotch in their syrup” He said to himself as he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head from side to side “I just don’t know.Wouldst it be true, thou art unable to hold thy liqueur? Thee should not be drinking. Did not thy mother tell thee that?” He looked at them both, drinking up and toasting each other with gay abandonment.
Tweet
October 29, 2015
Thymeline – Overview
Overview
Where else to begin than at the beginning of time itself. In fact, this book really begins before the beginning of time. Set in a part of the Galaxy that has never been explored before. In one quadrant that has been known to have much electrical energy. It is here that Jem and his Angels and band of Ancients come to settle.
In order for Jem to become creator, he must prepare himself, his Angels and Ancients to take on the archetypes that create His new world of Narramine. There is much to do and he has but one main helper to do the behind the scenes work that will help Jem get his project begun. Oephelia is his right hand Angel who works tirelessly for any of Jem’s commands. Then there are the two mischief makers – Dee and Zee who stop at nothing to create major and minor havoc in Jem’s new realm. It befalls to Oephelia to make sure that they behave themselves at all times, even though this seems like a lost cause. in reality, Dee and Zee are two of Jem’s most avid supporters
After the time of Jem’s awakening, most of the others begin to awaken as well. Jem is excited by this and calls Oephelia to organise a welcoming party for the gathering. It all starts well until another unexpected guest arrives.
What will become of this unexpected and unplanned Angel? Not only has he disrupted the gathering, he has thrown the numbers into chaos and become the thirteenth Angel. Such a bad number when all had been so meticulously planned for this auspicious occasion.
I invite you to come and read more exerts of this book, the first in the Thymeline series to see how it grows. I have it all planned, like Jem had everything planned. Down to the last word of the book. Let’s see what takes place with Jem and his Narramine. Follow him as he creates, and is tormented by an unexpected turn of events that show him as a vengeful and forthright God in his new realm.
Tweet
October 27, 2015
2016 Tamar Valley Writer’s Festival
Are you a short story writer, getting into writing, or just love to tell people a story. The beautiful Tamar Valley has a Writer’s Festival each year that began in 2014 in the township of Beaconsfield. March is one of the best times to visit Tasmania, as I have done over many years. The weather seems so perfect, no matter where you are. So if you are in the mood for sharing some of your work, why not enter this competition today.
The Tamar Valley Writers Festival has a short story competition celebrating creative writing across the ages. The competition has three categories for Adult, eighteen and under, and the Tamar Valley Schools in the competition. The entry fee for adult writers aged 18 and above is $10. Entry is free for writers under 18 years of age.
The entry form can be downloaded from this site.
Tweet
Orion Enterprises Publishing Competition
IT’S COMPETITION TIME!
Competition will run from the 20th October 2015, until the 20th January 2016.
Winner will be announced on the 20th February 2016
Entry fee $10 AU
…
Write an original short story, no longer than 30,000 words.
Your choice of topic and genre. *conditions apply*
Submissions to be in PDF format
Send your submission to:
orionenterprisespublishing@gmail.com
Subject line- short story competition
Message text – name of your short story, Author name, word count
Payment made to: paypal or direct deposit available for Australian citizens
( see bottom of page for details)
Winner will receive:
ebook and print formatting of their story
Cover design for their story
1 print version of their story,
(Soft cover 5 x 8 size)
6 months promotion on the Orion Enterprises Publishing website and Facebook
Winners certificate
2nd place will receive:
ebook formatting of their story
Cover design for their story
1 month promotion on the Orion Enterprises Publishing website
Runner up certificate
3rd place will receive:
Ebook formatting of their story
3rd place certificate.
*Terms and Conditions* please read carefully
1. Your short story must be an original unpublished work by you.
2. No fan fiction
3. Short story must be edited
4. No rape or beastiality
5. All submissions to be in PDF format. Times New Roman, 12 point, single line spacing
6. No communication will be entered into with contestants while competition is running
7. All winners final
8. All prizes final
Competition run by Orion Enterprises Publishing
www.orionenterprisespublishing.com
Tweet
July 15, 2015
Competition Time!!!
The Easychair Bookshop Website is now accepting entries for the 2016 Competition.
At this time the following is required:
Name of Book
Name of Author/s
Category Entered
Books can be entered in more than one category and several books by the same author may be entered into one category.
****NOTE****
Winners from 2015 are ineligible to enter.
Entries Close on December 31 2015
Finalists will be announced on March 31 2016
Winners will be announced on 1 July 2016
RULES
Only books posted on the Easychair Website by 31 December 2015 may be entered.
Round One will require the first 3 chapters or 60 pages only in PDF format.
Round Two will require the complete manuscript in PDF format.
All books entered are to have all traces of title, author name and other identifying marks removed and are to be Copyright watermarked. If you are unable to do this, I can do on your behalf so please advise.
Books will be judged on the following:
Plot
Setting
Characters
Continuity
Editing
Judges decisions are final. No Judge will have a book entered in the category they are judging.
I will co-ordinate the competiton only. I will not have a book entered and I will not participate in judging.
PRIZES
Winners:
Medallion, ECertificate and EBadge
Full page in the front of the Easychair Website plus a blog post at one of my blogs
Runners-Up – 5th Place:
ECertificate and EBadge
Joint page in front of Easychair Website for 1 year.
THE ALLAN HEWITT MEMORIAL TROPHY
FOR WESTERN FICTION
As many of you know, I lost my beloved father in May this year. He was an avid Western fan and it was because of him, I developed my love of all things Western – Cowboys, Indians, Sheriffs, Outlaws etc.
He was my most devoted and loyal fan and to honor his memory, a special trophy to the Western category winner from 2016 onwards, will be given.
Romance
Western Romance
Romantic Suspense
Historical Romance
Crime/Mystery
Paranormal/Sci Fi
Novella
Childrens
Young Adult
Humor
GLBT
Menage
Erotic Romance
Over 18 Novella
Email Entries to: horsnells@yahoo.com.au
Tweet
June 24, 2015
An Interview with Emily Chantiri
Please tell us a little about yourself and your background? About You as a Writer
Emily’s Bio
Emily Chantiri is a Sydney journalist and author of five books including three best sellers. She has interviewed many international and Australian successful identities, including Andrew Forrest, Napoleon Perdis, Simmone Logue and Geoff Huegill. Emily spent five years as reporter at Fairfax media working the Australian Financial Review and BRW. Today she is a contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review and a number of magazines, including Marie Claire and Good Health Magazine and The News Daily.
Emily writes articles with a particular focus on work, money, finance, health and life balance. She also writes on travel, property and general business. She has appeared on numerous radio programs and on air in shows such as, A Current Affair, Channel 7 Sunrise morning show and has featured as a panel.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?To continue writing always.
How long have you been writing? For more than twenty five years.
Which writers inspire you? There are too many to list. Writers of fiction inspire me by taking me to places where I would not normally go. Non-fiction writers inspire me when I learn something new or profound from their expertise.
What is the easiest thing about writing? Anyone in the world can write. No matter where they come from, how old they are or what their belief.
How long on average does it take you to write a book? I have published 5 books, 2 of them have been co-authored. On average, it takes a year. I write in between my journalism and freelance writing work.
Do you ever get writer’s Block? If so, Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block? Generally no, though it is a fear I have. When I am ready to write a book, I do find the words come, but not without some challenges. The biggest block for me is that I write everyday and for a living; this does lead to fatigue. The best thing I find is to take a short break or time out from writing.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors. Yes, I tend to go through genres and I do not have a favourite author. There are too many good books.
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books? Easy, traditional.
What & whose book/s are you reading at present? Second Life by
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? I always use a professional proofreader or when publishing via a publisher, they have their own.
Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit? At times I have had time away, although only a few weeks. Most times I am on a deadline to deliver a book, so I always work towards that deadline.
When did you decide to become a writer? What made you decide to sit down and actually start something? From a very young age, I knew I wanted to write. There were no writers or creative people in my family, this made it difficult to pursue a career as a writer. But, luck was on my side when I started working for an advertising agency, where I learned the ropes as a copywriter. The rest is history. I’ve written and continue to write for great publications such as, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Marie Claire Magazine, ABC Life etc, BRW magazine and many more.
Why do you write? It is innate. I do not know what else I’d do.
Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured? I’m currently working part-time. I prefer to write in the earlier part of the day until lunch.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day? How successful are you at achieving that goal? When I am working on a book, yes I do. It’s important to set goals. If you have a publisher, then you need to have goals to reach your deadlines.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand? Do you use a special writing program, or just type away? Computer.
Where do your ideas come from? Mainly from being around people and reading.
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively? I believe I am getting better all the time. There is still a lot more room for improvement. This is what I love about writing; you are never done! There is always something to write about and to stretch your writing techniques. I’ve been fortunate to write across different areas, non-fiction, journalism and a memoir. This mean I challenge myself to adapt to that style of writing.
What is the hardest thing about writing? Sometimes it is a lack of motivation and inspiration. When I’m on a roll, it’s great and the words come through.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book? I’m about to embark on the next in series of a book I wrote some years back called, The Savvy Girl’s Money Book. My book was published by Murdoch books and it became a best-seller. Murdoch books has been taken over by Allen and Unwin, this means introducing myself to a new team and new people who were not part of Savvy Girl’s Money book.
How do you market your books? Why did you choose this route? Thankfully, most of publicity has been done by my publishers. One book I wrote, The Voice of Intuition which I self-published, I was able to get a few articles/reviews in some magazines.
Would you or do you use a PR agency? A PR agency could really add value, but they are incredibly expensive. I’d need a guarantee that I can get the money which I invested in PR firm back in book sales.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books? What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book? If you want your book to be a success – you need to put as much time in marketing as you do in writing
How do you relax? I start my mornings with a walk and coffee and most mornings I will also do a short meditation before work.
What is your favourite motivational phrase. Just do it
What is your favourite quote? Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Meher Baba
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time? In terms of writing, hopefully having another 2 books published.
About Your Books
What genre are your books? Women and Money. Although I have authored one book on Intuition
What draws you to this genre? Women haven’t always been very savvy when it comes to money (this includes myself) I started exploring ways to help women and in turn I helped myself.
How much research do you do? Plenty. I do as much research as I do writing.
Have you written any other books in collaboration with other writers? If so, with whom? Yes, the first book, The Money Club was co-authored. I had the idea for the book. It became a best-seller. It’s a book I am very proud of.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around. I have had four books published through the main publishers, Random House, Wiley Books and Murdoch books. Publishers do earn their keep. They take care of the distribution, publicity, design etc. I’ve only self-published one book, The Voice of Intuition. While I was able to get publicity and distribution, it was a lot of work. Today, my preference is for a publisher to publish my books.
What do you do to get book reviews? How successful has your quest for reviews been so far? I send a press release to the direct person. It’s important to do homework and get the right emails. I find it’s important to send a lot of press-releases if you want to get a review.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? Thankfully, most of the reviews have been very positive.
What’s your views on social media for marketing? Which social network worked best for you? I’m still yet to really understand if social media works.
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work? My publishers have always sent the press release to the relevant media. However, I did write one for the The Voice of Intuition.
Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch? No.
Do you think that giving books away free works and why? I tried this with the Voice of Intuition. I can’t say I saw any benefit in giving books away for free. I do believe you have to send free books to media/social media representatives if you want to get a review.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Never lose site of your dream and why you’re writing the book.
About Your Current Book
What are you working on at the minute? Another in the series of the Savvy Girl’s Money Book.
How are you publishing this book and why? The Savvy Girl’s Money Book was originally published by Murdoch Books. Since that time, Murdoch books have been taken over by Allen and Unwin. I trust that Allen and Unwin will consider my next book proposal in the Savvy series. (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
How can readers discover more about you and you work? www.emilychantiri.com
Please list all of your published books here.
FIVE BOOKS.
Book Title:
The Money Club,
Financially Fit for Life,
The Savvy Girl’s Money Book,
Every Day is Mother’s Day
The Voice of Intuition.
Website: http://www.emilychantiri.com
https://twitter.com/Chantirie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Chantiri
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Emily-Chantiri/e/B0034PCTC0
Some examples of Emily’s work:
Graziarich list (2) Declutter-WellBeing
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Tweet
April 23, 2015
An Interview with Ezio and Michelle De Angelis
Click to view slideshow.
Welcome To Author Talk
Today, I have the wonderful privilege of interviewing Ezio and Michelle De Angelis.
Please tell us a little about yourself and your background? About you as a Writer
We are often called Australia’s number one husband and wife psychic team, which is nice. We live in Sydney but our work takes us around the country where we present psychic shows to audiences. It means a lot to us to be able to do this work full time because we both feel it’s very important to help people understand that there is life beyond this one. We both see private clients for one on one psychic and mediumistic consultations. For many years we ran a spiritual teaching centre called The Gathering, where people came to learn about spirit and unlock their psychic potential.
We met around eleven years ago and have been married now for eight years. Our interest in spirit and esoteric subjects brought us together. We originally met briefly at a Psychic Fair but in truth, we feel like we came to earth to reunite as husband and wife. Being spiritually minded, we have both had visions of past lives we have shared together. We enjoy each other’s company and are best friends. Working and writing together comes naturally and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
How lovely for you both. Time does fly, for I remember you before you were married. It must be wonderful to know you are both soul mates.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
For the main part, we just like sharing spiritual insight, ideas and experiences in a no fuss, easy to understand and logical manner. Between us, we have published four books and would like to write and publish a few more before we are done.
How long have you been writing?
Since around the mid nineties. We first co-authored our book Postcards from the Other Side in 2012.
Which writers inspire you?
Illusions by Richard Bach is Ezio’s favourite. Michelle read far too many books to have a favourite!
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I think Johnny Depp would be a superb main character in Rainbows in the Dark…although he might be a bit old now lol. Our other books are non-fiction spiritual books so the characters are actually playing themselves!
What is the easiest thing about writing?
When you are in the flow of the book and the voice in your head is consistent throughout every page the writing comes easily. When you are in the flow, the writing does take on a life of its own…or in our case, the life of the spiritual inspiration that defines the feel, tempo and goals of the writing.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
About three to six months…if we are dedicated to the task! Rainbows in the Dark was written in about four or five weeks but that was highly unusual. Ezio wrote a chapter a day long hand on the train to work and then typed it up at night.
Do you ever get writer’s Block? If so, Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
Not if the idea is right. But we have to be inspired by the project. Neither of us really write just for the sake of writing. We tend to write when we have something to say…or a pressed by a deadline from our editor at That’s Life Magazine.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
I, Ezio don’t read a lot. Michelle reads anything a lot of fiction just for fun and has always been a big reader since she was a child. We don’t generally like reading books in the same genre as ours because we prefer to keep our voice unique and uninfluenced by other writers.
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books?
Both…but who doesn’t love paper books? As a published writer…we sell both kinds but our preference is to see our books on shelves in bookshops which is more and more difficult as many shopfronts have closed down over the last few years. There is a beautiful, elegant and romantic quality to paper books but electronic books are just so easy to obtain it’s obviously going to grab a bigger market share as time goes on and the world becomes more and more electronic.
What & whose book/s are you reading at present?
Ezio has just read a book called I can see clearly now by Margaret Marlow and Michelle has read three books during the few weeks it has taken to return this questionnaire but doesn’t even recall the titles as she reads so much.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
Postcards from the Other Side was professionally proof read and edited by our publishing house. Previous books we did ourselves because we self published them. Having said that, we have read many self published books that could really have used a professional editor so it’s worth investing in an editor. A good editor will help you define and more clearly state your case through your writing.
Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
Not really…although we let chapters sit for a few days after writing them before going back for the re-write. Most first draft writing needs revision to make its message better or clearer or simpler. the trick is to just get all your thoughts and ideas onto the page…that satisfies the creative urges…then go back a short while later and panel beat it into a more appealing shape.
When did you decide to become a writer? What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
For me, Ezio, it was after I read Illusions. But I didn’t think I could ever write anything that simple, elegant and brilliant so I didn’t really try until my mid thirties. I was 17 when I read Illusions. I always knew there was a book or two in me. Writing together was a real highlight for both of us. Two writers, one voice.
For me, Michelle it was when the opportunity arose – when I was invited to write articles for magazines and then when we got our publishing deal for Postcards.
Why do you write?
For the love of putting ideas into writing…and the thought that someone else might find those thoughts of relevance to their lives. Also, to document and honour the people and spirits we work with. That’s really important to us. primarily we are mediums and share the Afterlife message through our everyday work. Writing is something we do as part of that.
Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
Both. Books are part time. Our weekly column in That’s Life Magazine is pretty full on. We write when we have time and that usually works for us.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day? How successful are you at achieving that goal?
No. When we write…we just go for it head down and tail up!
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand? Do you use a special writing program, or just type away?
Computer and just type away!
Where do the your ideas come from?
Spirit, our work, things we have learnt over the years. Apparently there is an ideas factory and we can tap into it…as can others. It’s got to be inspired for us. We don’t just write for the fun of it because we are too busy. At least three separate editors have described us as natural writers but we usually only write if we have something worthwhile to share. As mediums, inspiration comes mostly from real life experiences through our work.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?
If you are going to get a publisher to take you on, you need an outline and book proposal. They won’t even look at it otherwise. They take the view that if you can’t formulate your ideas well enough to create a logical proposal then you won’t be able to express it properly. Having said that, once you get to the stage of actual writing, stream of consciousness can be very valuable to get inspiration out of your head and heart and onto the page. When things are really flowing, all sorts of things jump into your head and it can be difficult to keep up with the ideas, examples and stories.
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
Practice, Patience and Perseverance…oh…and rejections play their part too! Rejections if taken on board in the right way, can show you where you went wrong and help your own unique style evolve. It’s important to write with an authentic voice. What we mean by that is if you try and write like someone else, you will miss the magic of your own style. But in all honesty, most of us start out trying to sound like someone else, even if we don’t realise it. Its hard not to be influenced by others. But in time, your own style comes to the fore.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Writing is generally pretty easy. Getting the project’s “voice” right is the key. Getting published and supported is more difficult that we ever imagined.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
Nothing really. Writing Postcards from the Other Side was actually a really smooth and easy project. We co-authored it and wrote as one person. Our process was that one of us would write a chapter and the other would fill it out, massage it into shape. Our publisher said that she couldn’t tell who wrote what…two authors…one voice. That’s what we strived for.
How do you market your books? Why did you choose this route?
That’s the difficult part. We initially started with a supportive publisher but she left the company a few months after we released our book. While she was there, they assigned a PR person and that was great in getting us some promotional exposure but mostly we sell and promote our books through our shows. Luckily we have our Mediumship Shows to help promote our books and we still have it displayed in bookshops.
Would you or do you use a PR agency?
It’s very costly and if you don’t also have the distribution network…it won’t work. So our answer is yes…and no. Yes if we have guaranteed distribution, no if we don’t.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
It’s difficult to discuss this without sounding negative and the answer is different depending on whether you are published by a reputable publisher with connections and distribution or just trying to make your own way and self publish. Let’s be honest here. The chances of being taken up and supported by a real book publishing company is very slim. It just doesn’t happen very often unless you have a major media platform. So be smart. If you are self publishing, don’t print thousands of copies because it’s very depressing seeing them stockpiled in your garage! Marketing is part of what and who you are. For us, we are mediums. We connect people to their loved ones in the spirit world and have carved out a very small niche in which we can sell our book through our shows, website, Facebook. Social media and on line is the best way these days but it’s not easy.
When I, Ezio, published my first book, I just assumed I could run an ad and sell lots of copies. So, I ran an ad in one of the major new age magazines. The ad cost me around $500 and I sold four books which didn’t even nearly cover the cost of the ad.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
Our book is heavily displayed in everything we do, but we don’t actively market just the book.
How do you relax?
Time away from work and people, being outdoors, spending time with family.
What is your favourite motivational phrase.
Ezio: Here is a test to see if your mission on earth is finished. If you are alive, it isn’t.
Michelle: You are infinite, keep it in perspective.
What is your favourite positive saying?
Stay strong.
What is your favourite book and why?
Ezio: Illusions – Richard Bach. It talks of spiritual and physical possibilities, of only we can see the world as it truly is.
What is your favourite quote?
Ezio: What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly.
Michelle: I never knew how narrow was your mind until I stepped so slightly from it’s one track and fell so far in your estimation.
What is your favourite movie and why?
Ezio: Remember the Titans. It’s about overcoming adversity, prejudice and finding the power in teamwork, respect, honour and working hard. It also has great sixties music and wonderful emotive acting.
Michelle: The Mists of Avalon. It evokes a previous life and connections with my Guide.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
Doing pretty much the same as we are now. Working for spirit, living, loving and spending more time with those precious to us.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Ezio: Be a bit more upfront about what I need in life.
Michelle: Don’t take everything so seriously. Try and have some fun.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Ezio: David Bowie – still living. I have had a lifelong fascination with his music, creativity and willingness to not rest on his laurels. He was the first person to show me that it was okay to be different, to change when change was needed.
Michelle: Jennifer Saunders. She is so funny!
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Ezio: Illusions by Richard Bach. It’s just too good!
Michelle: Margaret Mitchell. Her book Gone with the Wind is just beautiful.
Wow! Thank you both of you. I have learned more about you than I thought I knew. You are both inspirational.
Now we want to move on to learning more About Your Books
What genre are your books?
Spiritual
What draws you to this genre?
Our work as mediums.
Ezio – I also have felt a lifelong compulsion to seek answers about life and death and the enduring nature of love and soul.
Michelle – it is my area of knowledge and expertise.
How much research do you do?
Our lives and work are our research, so we do a lot of it!
Have you written any other books in collaboration with other writers? If so, with whom?
We co-authored Postcards from the Other Side.
Why did you do decide to collaborate and did that affect your sales?
Because we work as a husband and wife team. As to affecting sales – we hope it did in a positive way.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
That’s easy. If a publisher takes you on, they usually have some distribution set up which is really difficult to procure on your own if you are self publishing. Distribution gets your book into more bookshops that you would ever be able to do yourself. That’s the main one. Creatively, they have people who can help edit, style and print the book which saves a lot of time and hassle for an author. Financially, you don’t have to outlay any money if a publisher takes you on…but you generally earn less per unit rate per book.
What do you do to get book reviews? How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?
Our publisher organised these when our book came out but usually they were interviews where the interviewer had just skimmed over the pages to pick out certain questions rather than a full review Surprisingly, there was a really poor response from spiritual magazines who wanted a paid advertisement in order for them to publish a review. even then, a couple of them wanted us to send them a review!
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?
Not at this stage. Our book was published a couple of years back now so it’s not an ongoing thing anymore. There were radio, television and newspaper interviews and reviews we tend to rely on people talking about it on social media now.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
None really.
What’s your views on social media for marketing? Which social network worked best for you?
Facebook…works well when people speak up about your book. We try and encourage people to share if they liked it but you can’t always be at the public to do so.
Any tips on what to do and what not to do?
Many aspiring authors think a book will make then rich. Not many writers actually get rich from writing so don’t give up your day job. Our advice is to not get too hung up on selling but rather focus on the quality of your writing. For us it’s about building an active community around our work and hoping people will pick up our book and read it as part of that. It’s very satisfying when they do. And don’t be afraid to re-write and use a good editor!
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
Yes…we managed to appear on Sunrise and in the Good weekend Magazine but these kinds of media outlets don’t like straight out book reviews. They want a story. for example, our Sunrise appearance was more about our work and a family we helped with a plug about the book at the end of the interview and story. the Good weekend was about us a Psychic couple which mentioned our book. It all helped with initial sales.
Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
Our launch was really for friends and family. Its generally recognised that launches don’t work very well unless you are a big name. We did one because we wanted to celebrate the release of Postcards from the Other Side with people we cared about.
Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
Sunrise was great, as were some radio interviews.
Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?
Not really
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
Great idea…we made one…but they can’t be too long…short, sweet and to the point. Ours can be viewed on our YouTube channel through our website www.eziodeangelis.com.au
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
Yes and no. We have actually literally given away hundreds of copies. We usually give one away during our show as we talk about what it’s about. That often seems to encourage others to buy a copy. We did some give ways through That’s Life Magazine as part of the initial promotion but don’t really have any way of checking how that influenced sales.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
We think this has been covered in previous answers but just stick with it if you are good at it and enjoy writing.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Downloadable for sure. Kindles, I pads…just too easy and inexpensive for publishers to resist. But we believe there will always be paper books because writers and readers want them.
Thank you for your informative answers guys. I love your analogy about the panel beaters.
Now it is time to learn more About Your Current Book
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Its nonfiction. But our book is about life lessons learned from many of the spirits and clients we see. That’s special. learning from those who have lived and died…and come back to tell the tale!
What are you working on at the minute?’
Just our magazine columns. We have some new book ideas brewing but our publisher isn’t doing anymore new age and spiritual books. That’s the down side of closure of so many bookshops in recent years. No outlet for sales so the publishers pull back on their output too.
Did you format your own book? In what formats is your book available?
Yes for early books We used a professional typesetter and it’s in paperback only. No for Postcards from the Other Side. Its available in paperback and electronic formats.
If formatted by someone else, how did you select them and what was your experience?
We don’t recall but it wasn’t overly expensive.
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about. Who designed your book cover/s?
Our publisher thought it best to have a picture of us on the cover smiling at the audience. They loved a particular photo of us and used it.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?www.ezioandmichelledeangelis.com.au
Please list all of your published books here.
Book Title: Postcards from the Other Side – True Stories of the Afterlife
Genre: Spiritual
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
AuthorS:Ezio and Michelle De Angelis
Paperback / Hardback: Paperback
Distributor/Seller: United Book distribution via Allen and Unwin Book Cover by: Allen and Unwin
Website: www.eziodeangelis.com.au
Facebook: Ezio: https://www.facebook.com/eziodeangelismedium
Michelle: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-De-Angelis-Medium/165161113545156?fref=ts
Here is a Video from our YouTube Channel.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Tweet
