Ann Narcisian Videan's Blog, page 8

Secret orange-roll powers revealed

Thanksgiving tradition… spend all day Wednesday making orange rolls, and spend all day Thursday eating as many as you can.

If food could embody a superpower, these rolls would be Magneto, using culinary entrapment to lure friends and family from all points of the universe to your table.

As it is, not too many people appear to know about the super secret powers of these rolls. Their popularity may wane because preparing and baking them requires at least six hours. I’m telling you, though… Worth. The. Wait.

Everyone who tastes these raves and raves, and then raves some more. Sweet, tangy, light and soft… they melt in your mouth. Ahhh! It’s one of the main reasons I look forward to Thanksgiving every year, since it’s the only time we make them.

Ready to be drawn into our secret world of deliciousness?

You’re welcome.

Orange Rolls

Ann Videan, via Madge Narcisian, via Dee Alnutt

1 c. milk

1/2 c. margarine

1/2 c. sugar

3 eggs, well beaten

1 tsp. salt

2 cakes yeast

5c. flour

Scald milk, pour over shortening & sugar. Cool.

Add eggs, yeast, flour, salt, and mix well.

Let rise about 3 hrs.

1/2 c. softened butter

1 c. sugar

rind from 1 orange, grated (we like more, but not too much more )

Prepare butter and set aside.

Mix together sugar and orange zest.

Roll dough flat into a rectangle and spread on butter, then sugar mixture.

Roll up like a jelly roll. Cut to about 1.5″ wide.

Place in buttered muffin tins.

Let rise 1 hr.

Bake 375˚ just until light brown (less than 10 min.).

 

So, I’ve shared. Now, tell us about your most super-powered recipe… Pretty please, with sugar and orange zest on top?

 

Today’s key book marketing tips

Writers don’t only hang out at writing groups or libraries. One of their natural habitats is a coffee shop. That’s why I write a blog about those little hot spots. Check out my latest find on my Coffee CommuniTea blog: BuzzBerry Bistro

I love hanging out with authors. They’re interesting, smart, and — at least in my circles — extremely generous with helpful ideas. Every time I go to a place where writers hang out, I learn something.

So, what fun is it to keep all that great information to myself? I want you to benefit, too. So here are three great ideas heard in the last couple of weeks:

I’ve mentioned this one before, but it bears repeating. Use the Advanced Marketing Institute’s Headline Analyzer tool to check the emotional value of your blog/e-newsletter subject lines and headlines. (The emotional connection makes them want to read your stuff.)
Slip a postcard in the back of every book you put into a reader’s hand. On the card, ask for comments about the book, and leave a space for the recipient’s email. That way you can acknowledge his or her comment. Brilliant!
If you have the opportunity to give something away in a raffle, why not give away a few dollars in an envelope with a link to your ebook. This allows you to buy the book for your recipient, and all you ask for in return is his or her review on Amazon. Sweet!

What book marketing tips can you share?

Coffee CommuniTea: BuzzBerry Bistro, Scottsdale AZ

Today’s Cup o’ Tea

BuzzBerry Bistro Coffee, Smoothie, and Espresso Bar —Scottsdale, AZ

 

Perks (what I really like!)

I recently discovered BuzzBerry in the Park Scottsdale Shopping Center just a minute off Interstate 101 at McDonald. This down-to-earth, hot spot offers:

A comfortable, laid-back atmosphere.
A wee, bright outside patio.
Rave reviews about the made-in-front-of-you omelettes.

Baristas with personality: Bronte and Hannah.

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

Coffee
Smoothies
Espresso
Breakfast, lunch and dinner (BuzzBerry menu)

The Grounds (location)

5959 N Granite Reef Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

(480) 717-9962

geturbuzz.com

Tea Times (hours)

Open 24 hours a day!

Yelp rating: 4 stars from 164 reviews

……………………

I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel and Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress in coffee/tea venues, so I found it natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

ALWAYS explore key techniques to leverage book contests

The path to leveraging book contests… a bit rocky? Established writers, find out how to find the most appropriate contests for you, and how to merchandise your successes, at the next ALWAYS meeting in Gilbert. AZ.

Established writer:

• Are book contests important? If so, why?

• Do you know what book contests to enter?

• How do you use a contest win to market your books?

• How much do they cost?

Phoenix-area authors will share their insights on book contests at our next ALWAYS tribe meeting.

Next gathering:

Thursday, Nov.. 12, 2015

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:

Romeo’s Euro Café

(downtown GIlbert, AZ)

207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105

Gilbert, Arizona 85234

(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:

Joe’s BBQ

301 N. Gilbert Rd.

Gilbert, AZ 85234

(480) 503-3805

Cost:

A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:

PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:

• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page

or

• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!

…………………………………………………………….

ABOUT ALWAYS

Are you an established writer who:

• Needs contacts to help your writing?

• Wants advice about your writing?

• Likes to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Established authors share best book blogging secrets – ALWAYS

Our tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers —

The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) —

gathers once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except our tips are not so secret, since we share them with you.

TOPIC: Book Blogging

Established writer:

• Do you blog about your, or other’s, books?

• How do you come up with meaningful content?

• What makes readers actually read your posts?

• How do you build traffic on your blog?

Established Phoenix-area authors will share their creative blogging best practices at our next ALWAYS tribe meeting, at a more central location.

Though geared for enewsletters, I found this posting frequency chart from Constant Contact quite interesting. This is the type of information I expect we will share at ALWAYS next month.

Next gathering:

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:

Old Spaghetti Factory

1418 N. Central Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(Just south of McDowell Road on Central Ave. Please plan extra time for downtown light rail traffic and parking.)

Cost:

A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:

PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:

• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page

or

• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!

…………………………………………………………….

ABOUT ALWAYS

Are you an established writer who:

• Needs contacts to help your writing?

• Wants advice about your writing?

• Likes to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

How to entice readers to support your book creation

Creating books can be overwhelming and expensive but, luckily, help is available! Authors can ask readers, or other interested folk, to help support the book’s creation… and pay it forward… through crowd funding campaigns like those available on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Buddy The Soldier Bear… created from the illustrations as the book’s mascot

Here’s an example of a live — through Sept. 18, 2015 — crowd funding campaign for a very worthwhile book. Buddy The Soldier Bear is a children’s book authored by a soldier’s mom and illustrated by a soldier.

If the campaign succeeds, author Marie Joy Monroe will be able to create her books and plush Buddy mascots, and donate them to public libraries, schools, and military support groups. Plus, a portion of any sales profits will go to Central AZ3 Blue Star Moms, and other nonprofit organizations who help soldiers.

You can see all the important elements of a crowd-funding campaign on Marie’s Indiegogo site:

A video introducing the book
A written story explaining the need
A listing of donation levels and associated perks
A call to action

Have you done a crowd funding campaign? What worked? What didn’t? What advice would you give to other authors considering this route?

P.S.  While you’re checking out Buddy’s live campaign, think about donating to it, or at least forwarding the information to families or those in your networks associated with the military. You would support an excellent cause, and have some fun, to boot!

[Just so you know, I’m not affiliated with the creation of Marie’s book, but I love her idea, and think her cause is very important. Why wouldn’t you want to support it, too?]

…………………..

Write on!

Ann Narcisian Videan

Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

Check out my Book Shepherding sessions.

avidean@videanunlimited.com

Established authors’ secrets for creating creative book covers – ALWAYS

The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) —

a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers —

gathers once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except our tips are not so secret, since we share them with you.

TOPIC:

Established authors, when it comes to book covers…

• Do you know what elements will catch a reader’s eye?

• Do you know some low-cost avenues for artwork?

• Do you know what to avoid in the design?

Let’s gather over a delicious lunch and share ideas.

If you can’t attend, can you leave a book-cover tip in the comments below?



Next gathering:

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)



Where:

Romeo’s Euro Café

(downtown GIlbert, AZ)

207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105

Gilbert, Arizona 85234

(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:

Joe’s BBQ

301 N. Gilbert Rd.

Gilbert, AZ 85234

(480) 503-3805

Cost:

A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:

PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:

• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page

or

• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!

…………………………………………………………….

ABOUT ALWAYS

• Need contacts to help your writing work?

• Want advice about your writing?

• Like to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

If music plays in the forest, you should be there to hear it.

“Xylophone in the Forest,” in the Hokkaido Garden Show, was used to advertise a Japanese mobile phone company.

This happens to be an indescribably beautiful idea. When I have my own forest, I will make one of these instruments.

Cheers to Ruben Mandolini for posting this video.

AutoCrit editing software, to use or not to use?

The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) —

a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers — gather once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except the tips we discuss are not so secret, because we share them with you.

Here’s another one…

One of our members highly recommended using an affordable editing software she purchased, which she swore helped her become a better writer.

So, I visited the AutoCrit.com site and took advantage of its sample analysis, using the first chapter of my Beat of the Pakiri manuscript, which will be the second novel in my Delfaerune Rhapsody fantasy series. As a professional editor, I must admit, I found myself a bit skeptical going in… but, the analysis truly impressed me.

It felt a bit like magic to immediately see what words I use too many times, how many instances of passive voice it found, and how I stacked up against published fiction in my genre. Here’s a sampling of my report.

Partial AutoCrit analysis of my Beat of the Pakiri manuscript.

Not bad. :)

On the surface, it seems such software might put an editor like me out of business, but I think it may actually help me become a better one. Besides, in the AutoCrit video, they recommend you still use a human editor, who can catch nuances undecipherable by the software. Hooray, AutoCrit!

I say… use it. You can try a free 14-day trial, or pay for a monthly membership ranging from $5 to $12, depending on how much you want to use the software.

I also found this 2012 AutoCrit review from another blogger who loved AutoCrit. Some of the info may be a bit dated, but his very thorough example will walk you through all the benefits.

What editing software have you used? What do you like about it?

…………………..

Write on!

Ann Narcisian Videan

Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

Check out my Book Shepherding sessions.

avidean@videanunlimited.com

An insider’s view of volunteering at Phoenix Comicon

Comicon? What?

It’s a fan convention, originally centered around comic books, but now encompassing all kinds of pop culture. The most popular Comic Con is held in San Diego every summer, but its success prompted similar events around the world including the Phoenix Comicon (PCC), which we’ve held since 2002.

I gave away these homemade Fae Wishing Tins at my panel: with a lucky penny, pixie dust, candy, and one even included a thumb drive with my “Song of the Ocarina” ebook on it.

I started attending with my family four years ago because of our love of sci-fi and fantasy media: Star Wars, Dr. Who, Farscape, Star Trek, etc. This year, though, I spoke on a panel about “Finding Your Inner Fae,” and volunteered in Outdoor Programming.

I had not volunteered at PCC until this year. I had a blast working in Outdoor Programming along Third Street, just outside the main entrance to the con’. The idea of this blocked-off street is to entice people to the con’ and to keep the main foot-traffic area free of motorized vehicles.  Unless they were parked and on display, like these beauties.

Our team, headed by my friend Joanne de Biasi, helped the outdoor exhibitors load into booths, get what they needed, and find answers to all their questions. Not only was it fun to interact with the booth folk — like Build-A-Bear, and the dog rescue organization — but as a side perk, Event Staff receive a full event membership, t-shirt, $20 in vouchers for Hyatt food kiosks, and discounts with vendors. I’d already purchased my membership, though, so I donated mine to a friend.

My son’s band, The Darling Sounds, also played a set as part of the programming.

Besides the hundreds of break-out sessions on every geek topic you can imagine, including a writing/author track, I’ve developed a favorite trio of activities when I go to con':

Celebrity panels. We’ve seen Nathan Fillion, William Shatner, Steve Amell, Summer Glau, John Barrowman, and many others. It’s so fascinating to see their personalities first-hand, and hear behind-the-scenes info on their shows/activities.

The cosplay costumes. These people are dedicated to creating authentic and fun costumes. You’ll never see anything like them.

The Expo. Every possible geek product and service covers the main floor of the Phoenix Convention Center: posters, books/comic books, clothing, art, and tons of items you didn’t know you needed until you see them. My favorite may be a Castle badge sporting Nathan Fillion’s character photo and the title “Writer.”

I met some of the most creative, fun, and smart people, and cannot wait to do it again. Watch for next year’s post when I talk about my volunteer work with the writers/authors programming track. Woot!

If you’re interested, find out more details about volunteering at Phoenix Comicon.