Sonia Marsh's Blog, page 13

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Published on December 04, 2014 22:27

From Morbid Obesity to Taking Charge of My Life

“My Gutsy Story®” by Kenn Ashcraft

It’s Thursday night and I’m on the red eye flight back to Kansas City from Beverly Hills. My legs felt unusually hot to the touch, especially since it was in the dead of winter. I made a trip to the lavatory and noticed they were reddened as if I had been sunbathing on the California beach. I straightened my clothes and returned to my seat without giving them or the pain they created another thought.

The next afternoon, an associate and I were returning from lunch when I fell to the floor as we entered our offices. “What in the hell, Kenn? Are you alright?” Bill asked.

“Damned if I know. Help me up,” I snapped back. Pulling me up, the man let go and I fell back to the floor. I couldn’t move—the pain was too intense. “Bill, I can’t stand,” I shouted. With the receptionist, the two of them carried me out to my car. Bill jumped into the driver’s seat and off we sped to the nearby hospital.

Once in the emergency room, Bill explained what happened. I was sitting in the chair, doubled in pain and unable to talk. He gave the nurse my personal details. Ignoring him, she barked for one of the ER doctors to my side. “What’s going on, sir? Where do you hurt?” the woman asked.

“My legs are on fire and they feel like shards of glass are ripping through my skin. Give me something for the pain—please,” I begged the woman.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Jacobson. What happened?” he asked. If he was the doctor, I must have been his grandpa. He didn’t look a day over eighteen and I was forty-one.

“Hell if I know. I got home last night from LA and my legs were on fire. The pain wasn’t this bad.” The doctor wheeled me into a room, explained that he was ordering a set of x-rays and some lab tests. He began pulling on my legs in different directions. I wanted to strangle the man. “Just fix my damn legs and make the pain go away,” I yelled.

The next minute I was in a hospital room. Janet, my wife, was sitting in the chair beside me and Alex, my son, was playing video games.

“Hello Mr. Ashcraft,” an older gentleman dressed in scrubs said as he entered my room. “I’m Dr. Thomsen and I’ll review the results of your tests.”

“Great, when can I get out of here? Make the pain stop,” I demanded. With his calm demeanor, the doctor explained that I had an attack of cellulitis and adding insult to injury, I also had gout.

“It’s not quite that simple. For the gout, I’ll drain your legs of fluid. That should relieve the pain—the ‘shards of glass’ feeling you described and for the redness and swollenness of your legs—that’s the cellulitis. We can treat that.”

“Well then, let’s do it and I can be on my way,” I said in my usual confident, boastful voice. I was ready to get home.

“Not so fast, Mr. Ashcraft. These are temporary fixes. You’ll need to schedule an appointment so we can further evaluate your needs. This could be a recurring problem,” the doctor replied.

“If the pain is going to be this bad, just cut off my legs and be done with it,” I sneered.

“Don’t laugh, sir. That is often reality,” Dr. Thomsen retorted back.

Fifteen years later I had become morbidly obese and was having the same issues with my legs—only worse. I couldn’t walk for more than twenty feet without being winded. I weighed over four hundred and fifty pounds and walked with a cane, avoided steps of any kind and ate pain killers to get through the day.

Kenn Ashcraft before photo

The end came quick. Dr. Brown, my family doctor, had suggested a complete physical to get to the bottom of the pain issue. Yes, obesity was a factor but she believed there was something more seriously involved.

“Kenn, to be frank, I am diagnosing you with lymphedema and insist that you apply for disability,” she said. “I’m also ordering some special physical therapy and treatment.”

“What is lymphedema?” I asked.

“You have a compromised lymphatic system; your body cannot rid itself of the unnecessary lymph fluids. That creates another set of problems… “, she continued.

“But, Doctor Brown; I need to work,” I cried.

“If you don’t quit work and get treatment Kenn, you could end up bed-ridden or worse; you could be dead.”

At the insistence of her, my lawyer and my wife, I left the work force involuntarily and applied for disability. It must have been divinely planned because five months to the date of my application, I received my first disability check.

After a few years of therapy and self-denial; I pursued a new direction. I consulted with a nationally recognized bariatric surgeon in our area and opted to have weight loss surgery. That was two years ago and I have lost two hundred pounds and am on my way to losing an additional eighty. This will put me at my ideal body weight of one hundred and eighty. As for the lymphedema, it’s always going to be with me but it’s more controlled, due in part from the weight loss and partly because of my attitude change. My confidence has returned and I am determined not to let it rule my life.

I am involved in a program that will not only strengthen my entire body but will provide me the necessary tools to take me through to my next journey. In late 2015, I plan to bicycle my way through all one hundred and five counties in Kansas before returning home 4,000 miles later. Along the way, I will hold public seminars at every hospital and talk about lymphedema—what it is and what can be done and weight loss surgery and how it can be an effective tool in battling this debilitating condition.

KENN ASHCRAFT: My name is Kenn Ashcraft; however I’m known as “Kenn Kann”, because if anyone can, Kenn Kann. I live in suburban Johnson County in the Kansas City area and if you have doubts—there are plenty of hills & trees in Kansas—I live amidst all of them. I was retired to medical disability early because of being diagnosed with lymphedema and morbid obesity. I choose to write about living with these issues.

Facebook: “Kenn Kann”

Facebook Page: “A Spin through the Sunflower Patch.”

SONIA MARSH SAYS: I look forward to reading about the next chapter of your life where you ride your bike and hold public seminars at every hospital. This will inspire others who are going through a difficult period and need a boost from someone who overcame his health issues.

WIN 10 FREE COPIES
TO GIVE AWAY AS HOLIDAY GIFTS
CONTEST RULES
Send us a 500 word max. story by December 13th (e-mail: Sonia@soniaMarsh.com)
1). Have You Inspired Someone to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
2). Has Someone Inspired You to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
Win 10 FREE copies of the My Gutsy Story®

Anthology to give as Christmas Gifts and motivate others to Become Gutsy in 2015

Do you have a story to share about changing one person? Making them go for their dreams, encouraging them?

Take the risk contest today.

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Published on December 01, 2014 06:31

Happy Thanksgiving from Sunny California

Sunny Oxnard, California on Thanksgiving Day

I am spending Thanksgiving with my cousin and her family in Ventura, California.

The gym was packed as people exercise before their BIG THANKSGIVING MEAL. I was one of them.

It’s 85 F today, and I know my friends from Europe would love to enjoy our summer weather.

I am grateful to all my wonderful friends around the world, and to my three sons whom I miss today.

Next Thanksgiving, who knows where I shall be. Another “Gutsy” adventure?

What about you?

WIN 10 FREE COPIES
TO GIVE AWAY AS HOLIDAY GIFTS
CONTEST RULES
Send us a 500 word max. story by December 13th (e-mail: Sonia@soniaMarsh.com)
1). Have You Inspired Someone to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
2). Has Someone Inspired You to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
Win 10 FREE copies of the My Gutsy Story®

Anthology to give as Christmas Gifts and motivate others to Become Gutsy in 2015

Do you have a story to share about changing one person? Making them go for their dreams, encouraging them?

Take the risk contest today.

Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of gutsy Living on a Tropical Island

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Published on November 27, 2014 12:30

What Do You Get From Winning a Book Award?

Receiving my Award from Debra Gaynor

The 2014 Readers’ Favorites Awards ceremony just ended in Miami, Florida. I was lucky to step on stage to receive the “Gold” medal for my memoir,

The ceremony was held at the Regency Hotel in conjunction with the Miami Book Fair, on November 22nd, 2014.

Apart from the typical book exposure, recognition, a medal, bragging rights, PR, networking and potential book sales, I believe the most important thing you get, is the unexpected. It’s up to you to find out what that is for you.

Sonia’s Summary of the Awards ceremony

What do you get from your Award?

Your book is displayed at the Readers’ Favorite Booth at the Miami Book Festival
PR- Readers’ Favorites promoted the event and listed all the winners online
The media was at the Awards ceremony, and randomly selected authors to interview. I tried to “push” my way in front of a journalist, but arrived too late
Why I believe it’s important to enter Book Award Contests

Sonia at Readers Favorite Booth at 2014 Miami Book Fair

My author friends, Susan Ellison Busch and Linda Kovic-Skow

Miami Book Fair rainy first day

Booths in rain

What do you get from networking during the awards?

Meeting other authors from around the world and making new friends.
Brainstorming about ways to promote, ideas on what to focus on, helping one another.
What’s your next book?
Unexpected epiphanies? ( I got one related to what’s going on in my life right now. One author said, “You will figure something out while you are here. Something you are not expecting.”)

Gisela Hausmann, Linda Kovic-Skow, Sonia Marsh

Gisela Haussman, Linda Kovic-Skow, Sonia Marsh

Sonia, Carol Bodensteiner and Linda Kovic-Skow

I finally met author Gisela Hausmann, also a gold medal winner in the “Motivational” category, and Carol Bodensteiner, a silver medal winner. They are both “My Gutsy Story®“ Anthology contributors.

Sonia’s Conclusion (from her perspective)

All of us face the same problems as indie authors.

The # 1 question I kept hearing was, “How do I sell more books?

I have written about this topic (click link above) and know that book marketing and promotion is a full-time job. Many authors don’t have enough time as they also have day-jobs, so I believe we have to be realistic about our book sales, and what we are able to accomplish on a small budget.

Find Your Readers

One lesson I learned from my author friend, Linda Kovic-Skow, whom I really enjoyed spending time with sight-seeing as well as networking is the following:

Sonia Marsh, Linda Kovic-Skow, Debra Gaynor and Susan Joyce

We need to find our readers, and not just focus on our writer friends, (which I believe many of us, including myself, tend to do.)

BUT HOW?

If you’re a memoir writer like Linda Kovic-Skow, and myself, then join the “We Love Memoirs Group,” on Facebook. Most of the 2,000 followers are readers, not writers.

The perfect example is Susan Jackson, a huge fan of memoirs, who made T-Shirts for all of us Memoir writers, and stayed with us, to show her support as a memoir reader.

Susan Jackson made the T-Shirts for us. She has the white one on the far right

Thank you Susan for your kindness. I love my turquoise T-Shirt.

ATTENTION READERS AND WRITERS

HAVE YOU JOINED OUR CONTEST TO WIN 10 FREE COPIES OF EITHER ANTHOLOGY? Click here for details
WANT TO GET PUBLISHED IN OUR AWARD-WINNING 2015 ANTHOLOGY? Click here for details.

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Published on November 25, 2014 12:37

Readers’ Favorite Awards-2014 Gold Medal for My Memoir

I’m on my way to Miami to receive the 2014 Readers’ Favorite, “Gold” Medal Award for memoirs.

I am very happy, honored and surprised.

My biggest joy is to meet my fellow bloggers, authors, and those who have contributed to the “My Gutsy Story” Anthology.

Linda Kovic Skov on page 234 of My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure From Around the World

Gisela Hausmann who also won a “Gold Medal” for Naked Determination, in the motivational category.

Freeways to Flip-Flops with the gold seal from Readers’ Favorite Awards

I shall share photos with you from Miami.

WIN 10 FREE COPIES
TO GIVE AWAY AS HOLIDAY GIFTS
CONTEST RULES
Send us a 500 word max. story by December 13th (e-mail: Sonia@soniaMarsh.com)
1). Have You Inspired Someone to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
2). Has Someone Inspired You to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
Win 10 FREE copies of the My Gutsy Story®

Anthology to give as Christmas Gifts and motivate others to Become Gutsy in 2015

I receive wonderful testimonials from people who are inspired by these stories, and here is one example.

“Just wanted you to know that you have been such an encouragement for me, and I appreciate you! I didn’t want to start my own imprint, but now I see how important it is and will do so after the first of the year. You have already encouraged so many women to get out there and get it done! a true inspiration. And if the Peace Corps doesn’t work out, then there are plenty of women right here in OC who need your help in starting a business.” Janet Simcic.

My author friend, Shirley Showalter, planted the seed of a contest on how you have, or can help SOMEONE become more “GUTSY” in their life.

Do you have a story to share about changing one person? Making them go for their dreams, encouraging them?
Take the risk contest today.

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Published on November 20, 2014 06:40

Take the Risk Contest

Take The Risk Contest.

I started the My Gutsy Story ® Anthology series in order to inspire people to help one another take risks in life.
I’m a firm believer in going for your dreams and passions in life. Whether those are “baby steps” or huge changes in your life, I’m all for it. As you know this site is called:
“Gutsy Living: Life’s Too Short to Play it Safe.”
I also believe in being proactive and making things happen. Things don’t just happen, you have to make them happen.

Everyone goes through different stages in life, and I myself am going through a major change in the last 4 months, including my divorce.

My goal is to inspire people to take their so-called “problems” and turn them into opportunities.

WIN 10 FREE COPIES
TO GIVE AWAY AS HOLIDAY GIFTS
CONTEST RULES
Send us a 500 word max. story by December 13th (e-mail: Sonia@soniaMarsh.com)
1). Have You Inspired Someone to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
2). Has Someone Inspired You to Take a Risk and be Gutsy?
Win 10 FREE copies of the My Gutsy Story®

Anthology to give as Christmas Gifts and motivate others to Become Gutsy in 2015

I receive wonderful testimonials from people who are inspired by these stories, and here is one example.

“Just wanted you to know that you have been such an encouragement for me, and I appreciate you! I didn’t want to start my own imprint, but now I see how important it is and will do so after the first of the year. You have already encouraged so many women to get out there and get it done! a true inspiration. And if the Peace Corps doesn’t work out, then there are plenty of women right here in OC who need your help in starting a business.” Janet Simcic.

My author friend, Shirley Showalter, planted the seed of a contest on how you have, or can help SOMEONE become more “GUTSY” in their life.

Do you have a story to share about changing one person? Making them go for their dreams, encouraging them?
Take the risk contest today.

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Published on November 17, 2014 16:03

Winner of the October 2014 “My Gutsy Story®”

This October we had FOUR OUTSTANDING “My Gutsy Story®” authors. Some of these stories will be included in our 3rd “My Gutsy Story®” Anthology, published in 2015. Thank you to all five authors. Your stories are all WINNERS.

1st Place, with 63% of the votes, goes to Jane Franklin with her moving story entitled: “Proud to Serve, But the War Wasn’t Over For Him”

Jane Franklin and her husband.

Jane Franklin

2nd Place, with 24% of the votes, goes to Sherri Martins-Hutchinson with her story entitled, “My Journey From Suburbanite to Farm Girl.”

Sherri Martins-Hutchinson

3rd Place goes to Don Darkes, ““Wait. Don’t shoot!” How My Family Came Close to Extinction.”

Don Darkes

4th Place goes to Lee Lomas, with her story, “Having the Courage to Be Myself.”

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Get Published in our 3rd
“My Gutsy Story®”Anthology in 2015

Click on cover to go to Amazon

2013 Benjamin Franklin Honoree Winner

2014 International Book Awards FINALIST

2014 WINNER of the PARIS BOOK FESTIVAL

We just won our 4th Award for the Anthology.

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Published on November 13, 2014 12:30

Portraying Pain and Survival in Memoir by Amy Friedman

Amy Friedman photo credit: http://www.amyfriedman.net/

As someone who loves to read and write memoirs, I was inspired by Amy Friedman’s life story, and the lessons she offered memoir writers at the California Writers Club-Orange, on Saturday, November 8th, 2014.

Her presentation topic, “Portraying Pain and Survival in Memoir,” is one that she is intimately connected to herself, with her own memoir: Desperado’s Wife, a memoir about falling in love with a prisoner.

Amy teaches creative writing and offered some helpful tools for us to consider when writing our memoirs.

“When you can write down something that troubles you, it can change you. Something changes in the brain.”

Amy made a comment that applies to memoir writers:

You have to let go of your agendas

What does this mean?

Well if you’re trying to prove something like, “I’m not crazy to have married a prisoner, ” Amy says, or

perhaps trying to prove that, “People in prison are people too.”

In other words, if your agenda is, I’m going to:

Show you
Prove to you
Teach you

Then you are probably going to lie on the page to prove your point.

This is a great point that I had not thought of, and it makes complete sense.

Don’t waste your time talking about your story; write about it instead.

Amy says that we waste energy when we talk about our story. Just write about it instead.

Write to discover what you don’t know about your story.
If you cannot remember stuff, start writing. Talking and thinking about it doesn’t make you remember it, but writing does.
Sometimes what you don’t remember is more interesting. Write about it.

Most memoir writers worry about what other family members might think, feel or fear.

You can’t worry about what others might think, feel or fear.

Amy reminded us that it’s important to write about what is gnawing at us.

Worry about it later when you think about publishing your story.

The more intimate and personal your writing, the more it’s about your truth, the more your story is relatable.
When you write and think that something is not important, pat attention to it, especially if you keep coming back to it.
When you write your memoir, tell your story first.
The reflection aspect of memoir, the “I think, I feel, I understand,” should come last.

MY QUESTION TO AMY FRIEDMAN:

When I wrote my memoir, Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of gutsy Living on a Tropical Island, it wasn’t until the very end that I figured out the message I wanted to convey to my readers.

When I write my next memoir, hopefully about my 27-months in the Peace Corps and the next “Gutsy” adventure in my life, I want to start with the message first as a way to outline my memoir. What do you think?

Amy stated that this is not a good idea. It’s like starting with an agenda. (See above.) Then you start your memoir and lie, in order to make everything fit the message. Amy confirmed that it’s normal to wait until the end to discover the message you want to convey to your audience.

Amy Friedman and me

Amy Friedman and Sonia Marsh at CWC-OC Orange, CA.

Amy Friedman: is an author and creative writing teacher whose books include Desperado’s Wife: A Memoir, Kick the Dog and Shoot the Cat, and Nothing Sacred: A Conversation with Feminism. She also works as a ghostwriter and editor, and her articles, essays and stories have appeared in magazines, newspapers and numerous anthologies. Since 1992 Amy has written the internationally syndicated newspaper featureTell Me A Story for Universal UClick, a column that has spawned two book collections and three audiobooks.

Amy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, the teacher and writer Dennis Danziger with whom she recently created POPS the club. Please visit POPS, Pain of the Prison System.

Her website: http://www.amyfriedman.net/

AMY FRIEDMAN will be on the NAMW “Breaking the Silence Teleconference ” on Friday, November 14th. Click here to find out more.

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Get Published in our 3rd
“My Gutsy Story®”Anthology in 2015

Click on cover to go to Amazon

2013 Benjamin Franklin Honoree Winner

2014 International Book Awards FINALIST

2014 WINNER of the PARIS BOOK FESTIVAL

We just won our 4th Award for the Anthology.

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Published on November 10, 2014 06:59

Finding Your Book Customers

Dan Poynter: photo credit www.tailwindsbook.com

Dan Poynter is the guru of self-publishing; we all know that, but what you might not know is that Dan is a pilot, skydiver, Master Parachute Rigger, and an aviation historian. He is a world traveler—53 countries and the North Pole.

The reason we need to know this is that Dan emphasizes how passion for a specific topic makes it easier to build your brand, and market and sell your books. Dan stated his passion is skydiving and aviation, and he is the author of 132 books, many of them on aviation. He likes to entertain his audience and tell jokes, and claims that at age 76, he’s had many years to write over 130 books.

At the PWSD (Publishers and Writers of San Deigo) meeting on October 25th, 2014, Dan Poynter starts with a quote by John Rakestraw, Book Designer:

“Marketing is hard.

Selling is scary.

But ….talking to people about what we love to do, is something we do every chance we get.”

I enjoy Dan’s honest and straightforward approach to giving indie authors advice on how to find their customers and sell books.

According to Dan here are his 3 dont’s:

Don’t “Spray and Pray.” This is when you promote to everyone and hope for some sales.
Don’t “Batch and Blast.” This is when you send the same message to everyone.
Don’t Hunt with a Shotgun as Opposed to a Rifle.” This applies to those who send their book announcement to more than their target audience.

Dan believes that the Internet, is the modern “campfire,” and as authors know:

Book promotion is up to us, whether we are traditionally or indie published.

Dan candidly explains that the BIG 5 traditional publishers treat books like products and they don’t care about your topic- like skydiving and where you could promote it. All they care about is the paycheck they are receiving from bookstores, and,

Bookstores are a lousy place to sell your books.
Only send information out to those who are interested in your book.

That’s when Dan reminds us that the “Spray and Pray” system where we send our book out to everyone with the hope that someone will buy it doesn’t work.

Dan says we need to:

Fish where the fish are. (Most of the time that’s not in the bookstores.
Get the word out to only those who care since this costs less and you only want to find those readers who are interested in your books subject.

How do you find readers who are interested in your book topic?

That’s easy when you have a specific topic like Persian cats, parachuting, mountain biking. You only look for those who are fascinated by those specific topics. For example with cats, only search for those interested in Persian cats, not all cat lovers.

Here are some tips from Dan Poynter that I found very helpful:

Promote with (other people’s blogs) “Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far.” –Will Rogers
Google Alerts (Sign up for alerts on your own favorite topics to get information on your book right away.)
Join Groups/Forums and get known. LinkedIn, Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Twitter. (Use 5 different photos of yourself and in 24 hours, all those photos will pop up on Google Images.) I found this very interesting and shall test this out. Let me know if you try it as well.
Leave Reviews, and always add your name, your book and your URL at the end of the review. Dan mentioned leaving your URL on Amazon reviews, however, I do not believe this is allowed on Amazon.
Spend your time online (in your field,)
Locate reporters who write about your subject. HARO (Help a reporter out) is one way. www.helpareporter.com
Book Covers Dan suggested having your name on the top of the book cover, like they do for famous authors, such as Dan Brown. “That way you will appear to be more important in the in the industry. People will ask, “Did we miss this person?” I loved this idea.
Each book should have it’s own URL, and dedicated website. for me that would be: http://MyGutsyStoryAnthology, or http://FreewaystoFlipFlops.com

Bottom line is we all want to be “DISCOVERABLE.”

Another tip, which I have also said in my previous blog posts, is

“Do what you’re good at, and hire out the rest.”

Dan Poynter also said,

“Do not start a blog” if you haven’t got one. Instead, “Contribute to other people’s blogs on your subject.”

You can find Dan Poynter’s books and articles on his website.

We Need More Submissions For Our 2015 Anthology ASAP

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Get Published in our 3rd
“My Gutsy Story®”Anthology in 2015

Click on cover to go to Amazon

2013 Benjamin Franklin Honoree Winner

2014 International Book Awards FINALIST

2014 WINNER of the PARIS BOOK FESTIVAL

We just won our 4th Award for the Anthology.

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Published on November 06, 2014 21:38

How to Create A Super Successful Book Launch

Zov Karamardian, owner of Zov’s Bistro, Tustin, Sonia Marsh, and Ann Pulice moderator.

A successful book launch is about creating a friendly ambiance at a fantastic location like Zov’s Bistro.

Everyone loves to feel welcomed, and part of a “like-minded” group.

An event based on a theme, great food, delicious wine and a warm atmosphere, is critical in creating that special “atmosphere.”

I try to offer the same when I invite people to my book launches.

As I wrote in How to Create a Successful Book Launch à la “Academy Awards”, it takes planning and inviting people who are interested in the theme of your book, as well as entertaining everyone.

This year, for the launch of our 2nd My Gutsy Story® Anthology: Taking Chances and Changing Your Life, I invited a panel of 4 speakers and merged the Peace Corps as a way to show where I hope to start the new chapter of my next “gutsy” adventure in my life.

Click on cover to go straight to Amazon

I invited Ann Pulice Owens to moderate our event. Ann is an Emmy/Golden Mic award-winning journalist serving as co-anchor of PBS SoCal’s (KOCE-TV) “Real Orange,” did a fantastic job of introducing the panelists and keeping us on track.

Ann Pulice, moderator

Our wonderful audience signed up and entered the raffle with my volunteer friend, Sylvia McDonald, the amazing organizer.

Sylvia McDonald my fantastic friend/organizer/volunteer

Our enthusiastic audience:

Our panel of “Gutsy” authors.

Panelists

Our panel consisted of :

Sonia Marsh (ME):

Sonia Marsh: Award-winning author of Freeways to Flip-flops and founder of the My Gutsy Story®

Julia Capizzi: This dynamic bilingual Peace Corps volunteer turned professional Peace Corps recruiter has lived abroad in El Salvador and Bolivia.

Julia Capizzi on left and Terri Elders (Returning Peace Corps Volunteer) right.

Colleen Hannegan: Author and professional speaker, certified business advisor and personal life coach for women in transition.

Colleen Hannegan and her now book, “Girl on a Bike.”

Mariana Williams : Author and founder of the “Long Beach Searches for Greatest Storyteller,” married to Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Paul Williams.

Mariana Williams

Jonathan Yanez: Went from renting cars, to following his dream of becoming an author. His three-book series publishing contract has now been optioned for film.

Jonathan Yanez

My wonderful editor Eve Gumpel, if you are a writer and need a fabulous editor.

Eve Gumpel, my fantastic editor

Barbara Kimler, my wonderful publicist.

Sonia Marsh and her great publicist, Barbara Kimler

Suzanne Chun from “The Examiner” took notes and many photos here are from her, as well as Barbara Kimler.

3 media musketeers: Jennifer Heinly, Barbara Kimler, Suzanne Chun (right)

Tips to a Successful book launch

Start 3-4 months before
Offer a panel of speakers to entertain your audience based on your book’s theme
Have a moderator (locally famous if you can)
Hire a local publicist to help you get local media attention
Think outside the box of what organization might be relevant to your book’s topic and invite them to join
Pick a nice venue
Offer food and wine
Charge people for the food and wine, and offer a “free” book to everyone
Sign up with Eventbrite on FB
Use the Eventbrite countdown widget on your blog (Contact me if you need help with this or any marketing suggestions)
Offer great door prizes
Make each person on your panel speak for 5 minutes or so
Engage the audience and get the moderator to have Q & A
Invite everyone to review your book on Amazon
Be kind, helpful and chat with everyone

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Get Published in our 3rd
“My Gutsy Story®”Anthology in 2015

Click on cover to go to Amazon

2013 Benjamin Franklin Honoree Winner

2014 International Book Awards FINALIST

2014 WINNER of the PARIS BOOK FESTIVAL

We just won our 4th Award for the Anthology.