Pamela Q. Fernandes's Blog, page 22

36 Building A Vibrant Parish

“We should always look for people who have no one or know no one in the parish and reach out to them.” Patti Maguire Armstrong on building a vibrant parish.

Building A Vibrant parish

Patti Maguire Armstrong is a correspondent for  newspaper and the National Catholic Register, and works in marketing for Teresa Tomeo Communications. She is an award-winning author and was the managing editor and co-author of Ascension Press’ bestselling Amazing Grace series. Her latest books are: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families and Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious. She has appeared on EWTN, Catholic TV, Fox & Friends, and numerous radio programs across the country.

Patti Maguire Armstrong

Patti studied a year of journalism at University of Detroit, has a B.A. in social work and an M.A. in public administration, and worked in both those fields before staying home to work as a freelance writer. She and her husband met in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia. They now live in North Dakota where they are still raising the tail end of their 10 children.

In this episode, Patti Maguire talks to us about what building a vibrant parish involves.

She talks about:

-What a vibrant parish looks like

-How we need to get out of our comfort zones

-How God maybe calling us to do things in our parish.

This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church

Building A Vibrant Parish

I enjoyed recording this podcast for a number of reasons. I reached out to Patti months ago during Temptation month since she’d written an article 10 points on fighting the devil. For some reason, the emails got mixed up and this month she reached out to me and I told her that we’re talking about vibrant parishes this month. She agreed to do the podcast. In total, I think we exchanged 21 emails. Phew. 

PAINTING KUWAIT VIOLET IS OUT NOW!

Painting Kuwait Violet is out! Yay! I’m so happy to share this news with you. We went through nearly six rounds of edits. My editor John De Boer was really kind and patient through the whole process. You might be familiar with the cover. I shared it with you all a while back.

Here’s the book.

You can purchase your copy from Amazon here. 

Here’s the blurb: In 1996, a young graduate, Violet Baretto leaves Goa to work in oil-rich Kuwait as a maid for a wealthy Kuwaiti woman. To her horror, she finds herself accused of theft, her colleagues assaulted, thrown from moving cars or performing ‘favors.’

Sabah Dashti, the Kuwaiti matriarch can’t tell Violet the truth; nine of Sabah’s previous maids have absconded, five of them were found pregnant or that the police think she’s running a prostitution ring. Sabah has no idea who’s responsible.

Kuwait is still patriarchal and women are second-class citizens. Despite their differences, both Sabah and Violet are hungry for success as it will give them a chance to live life on their own terms. Together they build a thriving business.

But a woman-hating, the killer has set eyes on them and will not let them succeed at any cost. Poignant, chilling and honest, Painting Kuwait Violet underlines the reality of women on either side of the country’s class divide.

Over the next month I’ll share more about why I wrote Painting Kuwait Violet. Why the issue of maids and abuse is so important and needs to be addressed in the Middle East.

I’ll share giveaways and prizes. I am giving away 50 review copies on Bookfunnel for just 1 month! I’d appreciate it if you could let me know what you think of the book. I do understand its a controversial subject and I’m hoping that people see this region with a fresh perspective.

I also want to thank the people who made this book possible in little ways. Samarpita Mukherjee who read this first and gave me developmental feedback. Also, Jill Storm who was my beta reader and told me me to keep all the food in the book. Carrie Pestritto for her advice on the market for this book. Kaelan Rhywiol who took my query and polished it till it sung! John, my editor,  who edited this book with a fine tooth comb, you deserve all the credit.

I agree it takes a village to publish a book. These were the people in my corner, who helped me in many ways. I hope you enjoy reading Painting Kuwait Violet as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I’m giddy about this release. There’s not been much fanfare about it as I hope to engage more than just my romance readers. Women’s fiction readers will like the hard hitting subjects here.

Give it a read and tell me what you think.

 

 

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Mother Teresa Being the Arms of Christ

“I challenge anyone who’s listening to this podcast, go to your parish and you’ll find there’s always a need!” Charles Johnston on being like Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa on doing things with love.

Charles Johnston is a father and husband in Phoenix, Arizona. His conversion journey has taken years, as he felt God pulling him toward His Church but he resisted until he couldn’t take it anymore. He gave in and fell in love with His Church.  He blogs for ‘Now that I’m catholic.wordpress.com’.

 

 

In this episode, Charles talks about Mother Teresa and

-How she received her call within a call?

-Why she reached out to so many poor?

-How we can imitate her and be the arms and feet of Jesus

-What can we do in our own parishes?

This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. Find out more about them here.  They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church

MOTHER TERESA

This episode on Mother Teresa is part of this month’s series of Building Vibrant Parishes. And with her feast today, the 5th of September its wonderful to be able to share the life of this great saint. What was interesting was how Mother Teresa was influenced by another saint we’ve done before, St. Therese of Lisieux.

Mother Teresa responded to the call to serve where God called her. One of the best things about today’s podcast was where Charles talk about how you should spot a need and maybe respond to the call where God is calling you. Yes, you will meet rejection and pain, but keep at it. You will grow spiritually and find yourself a source of inspiration for many to follow.

He gives some examples of what it is like to serve and how you can start something in your own parish. If you need any inspiration, Mother Teresa should spur you on.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on Building a Good Marriage and Fellowship. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.

 

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34 Tips for Personal Prayer

“You’ll be surprised by how you’ll be blessed when you prioritize prayer time.” Pat Gohn on Personal Prayer.

Tips for Personal Prayer

Pat completed her  MA in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville (2008). She’s no stranger to writing or public speaking, as she got a BS in Communications from St. John’s University in New York (1982), and enjoyed several years in radio. Her favorite subject matter to teach and write about is the Catholic faith and its application to daily life.

She’s a speaker and offers retreats, primarily for women, yet not exclusively.  Her podcast, Among Women, is a program for Catholic women that celebrates their faith and life. Find it at AmongWomenPodcast.com. 

Pat Gohn

Her first book, for women, Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious, Celebrating the Gift of Catholic Womanhood, was published by Ave Maria Press. It introduces the feminine genius, focusing on the dignity, gifts, and mission of women. It won a Catholic Press Association Award in 2014.

Her second book, All In: Why Belonging to the Catholic Church Matters released in 2017 and it shares why she believe we can have confidence in what the Church teaches, and become more confident Catholics.

You’ll find her online and in print in Catholic Digest and Catechist magazines. She’s long contributed to online websites like the Catholic portal at Patheos, Catholic Mom, Catholic Lane, Catholic Exchange, Amazing Catechists, and elsewhere. Presently she’s the editor at Catechist magazine and Catechist.com. Pat’s married to Bob for 35+ years, and has raised three young adults.

This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. Find out more about them here.  They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church

PAT GOHN’S TIPS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER

I first read of Pat Gohn through her article on Personal Prayer. It certainly opened my eyes and I thought why not include it in our month on family prayer. It was really wonderful talking to Pat because she covered some amazing things like:

-Making an appointment with God

-Keeping your Bible close

-Praying with a spouse

-Turning off social media while praying

-Praying with children and teenagers.

They’re all fantastic points. And it drive homes one point: Prioritize Prayer.

Praying with a Spouse

I’m not married yet, but I watched my parents pray together every evening for most of their 34 years of marriage. And I was so impressed with Pat’s prayer relationship with her husband. Her advice about inviting your spouse to pray is so important. I honestly pray I can someday have this with my future spouse. Since my new prayer focus for the next decade is going to be praying for the institution of marriages globally I hope this is one thing you can start with your partners.

Personal Prayer with a Spouse

Praying with Children

Pat talks about praying on the spot with your children. I can’t stress this enough. My own mother used to do this especially when we were facing something difficult. She’d sit us down at three o’clock everyday even though we were fidgety and raring to go. I’ll never forget those times of prayer. Today I stop at three for my own prayers purely out of habit. Pat explains how you can stay in touch with the heart of your children through personal prayer. She talks about praying on the spot for them. And reiterates how you model prayer in your children.

Giveaway

Pat is giving away three copies of her book All In. You can contact her via pat.gohn@comcast.net, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIN.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on Building a Good Marriage and Raising Children of Character. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.
Become a Patron!

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Why I Write?

Why I write? I was sharing my query with an editor the other day and she asked me this question. And it got me thinking. Why do I write?

Why I write?

The last week has been painful. I’ve been reading a number of books and the angst in them drove me up the wall. I cried all week and couldn’t believe how grief and separation hurt me. I honestly believe books should be labeled HEA or non-HEA.

I for one read because I like happy endings, the main characters should triumph. Because life is sad enough as it is. It’s also made me vow to never read said authors again. I don’t like being played as a reader or being tricked, so that’s that. No more crying over book characters!

It also got me thinking why I write? Could I write a book that would make someone hurt so bad? Could I create such damaged people that there was no redemption and hope in them?

Why I write?

I write because its what I wanted to do. My dream.  As I’ve grown in writing and after 5 years of being at it, for the first time can call myself a ‘proper’ author. Now, I write because I want to entertain and maybe for the next five years, I’ll want to inform and teach.

When I wanted to simply be published, I was submitting for every journal, every competition and press that was free. That’s why you see I’ve got speculative fiction, literary shorts, fantasy shorts, and romance. And like a headless chicken I was all over the place.

Now as I define why I write, I realize that I can’t be writing everything. I’ve definitely started taking notice of my voice, my style, my brand (I still don’t have one) and the books I’m writing. I’m not writing as furiously. The last five months, I’ve written till my eyes were red, every vacant moment at it,  and with four books slated for this year, which I’m not sure will be out in time, I’m exhausted. Happy exhausted.

Painting Kuwait Violet’s proofread has just been completed. The second draft of Ten Reminders for the Grieving Christian is ready and is quite messy with red ink all over. I’ve submitted the copy-edit for Starting Over in Roane’s Fall Anthology. Wish Upon A Bollywood Star’s cover is being created as we speak. A Maiden Innings final edit is done. And the second book in the sports series will be edited. Its good to be busy and keep writing but I’m good tired in a way.

There’s also a whole bunch of other things happening. I’m pitching new work for the next year and we’re considering the audiobook version for Ten Reminders for the Single Christian Woman. Hectic.

But my books are all part of my effort to entertain, feel good books that are hopeful and cheery. That love is perennial and people can choose to love and live. I thought of writing angst and once I read other books, decided I wanted to infuse joy and make laughter part of my books.

Why do you write? Does it dictate the kind of books you write? Do you write to shock or entertain? And while we’re at it, what’s the cure for book grief, is there is such a thing.

 

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33 The Men of Virtue Crusade

“In my own personal life, praying the Rosary has brought a deep sense of peace.” Michael Skinner 

Men of Virtue Crusade

Michael Skinner is the author of Men of Virtue Rosary a special Marian devotion designed for men and their families.  Since its debut on October 7, 2016, Men of Virtue – and its tag line “There has never been a greater need for good men!” has grown in popularity across the world, as has been featured in the Catholic Review, Radio Maria USA, and EWTN.  The Men of Virtue podcast (available on iTunes) has been downloaded in 32 countries across the world and in 45 states in the U.S.

Michael Skinner

Michael is blessed with his wife of nearly 25 years and their three wonderful boys, and is inspired by Saint John Paul II’s declaration, “The future of humanity passes by way of the family.”

In this episode,  Michael Skinner, creator of the Men of Virtue Rosary. he talks to us about:

-Why males are spiritual role models?

-How important is it for us to pray together

-The five virtues that men have

– How the family is important for the progress of the Church

MEN OF VIRTUE PODCAST



This podcast is not just for fathers, you can share this with your sons, spouses, future spouses and encourage them to read and pray the Men of Virtue Rosary. The Rosary focuses on the virtues, zeal, courage, gallantry, humility, and loyalty.

If you want to find out more about the Men of Virtue Rosary Crusade please go to www.menofvirtue.podbean.com. You can also reach out to Michael Skinner via Twitter @ twitter.com/_MenofVirtue


ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St. Paul and Raising Children of Character. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.
Become a Patron!

 

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Diamond Street Team Giveaway

You know what my book THE MILANESE STARS were all about? Pink Diamond! Actually, pink diamondsssss!

Yes all about pink diamonds or the Milanese Stars. Now, most of my readers know that with every release I usually create and giveaway some new merchandise.  And this time I’ve created Tshirts. They’re also for my street team. Since we had some kapow woman organizing a heist, I thought why not?

Here’s the Tshirt.

DIamond Tshirt Giveaway

How many Diamond Tshirts am I giving away?

5

And if that wasn’t enough, I’m also giving away a pink rhinestone necklace.

Rhinestone Necklace.

So what do you have to do to win?

Diamond Street Team Giveaway

It’s simple enough. Now if you want to know when my other giveaways are happening sign up to my newsletter. VIP and street team folks will get more giveaways. There’s so much more exciting stuff happening there.  I’ve kept it simple. No logging in, emails and doing stuff, just click or visit.

We’re building a street team of women and so if you win a Tshirt, I’d like for you to wear it and send me a picture. I can show it off to all my friends on Twitter and Facebook. Yay! Who knows next month I might give away something bigger.

Also watch out for more news. There’s so much happening behind the scenes that I can’t wait to share it with you guys.  Like my facebook page, tweet me if you have comments or leave some feedback down here in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you.

Winners to this giveaway will be announced on 14th September. Diamond Tshirts and the necklace will be shipped to 6 separate winners.  And this is open to all.  Share it with your girlfriends and pals.

If the message resonates and you have a specific group in mind I could even send these shirts to your health center or cancer awareness groups. Just write to me!

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32 Seven Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints

“The greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.” Bridget Costello on Raising Saints

7 Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints

Bridget Costello is young adult from Florida. Currently she serves as a parish administrator and youth minister. She is very active the pro-life movement, has a huge devotion to Our Lady, loves the Church and has a heart for the family. She is the co-founder of an apostolate called Travellers of the Holy Family.

Bridget Costello

In this apostolate she accompanies families and young people through catechetical and human formation. In order to help families become schools of life and love. Bridget is currently working on a degree in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary.

HOW TO RAISE SAINTS?

In this episode, I talk to Bridget Costello about the Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints :

-What role does a family play in shaping saints.

-What are the seven qualities that families can develop to produce saints?

-How important is family prayer?

-Why the Rosary is such a powerful tool?

-How faith and love can be caught and not taught!

I enjoyed talking to Bridget where she explains about raising saints. She has imparted so many practical tips and advice that makes for a great listen. I loved when she said, “Any beautiful piece of sculpture has to go through fire.”

Her advice about setting a good example is so necessary in a world where our role models are limited. She talks about holiness being caught and not taught. This is a must listen for parents with children and those contemplating marriage. She has some real zingers in there the best of which is “Marriage is sacrifice. Its messy but its sacrifice.”

Bridget credits her own mother for giving them the devotion of the Rosary. Her mother has raised a saint in the making.

Bridget Costello on Raising Saints

Please also pray for Bridget who is getting her degree in Theology! You can find Bridget on Facebook. Or you check out her website.

Enjoyed this Podcast?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St. Don Bosco and Raising Children of Character. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.

Become a Patron!

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Ask An Editor: Mistakes Authors Make

Editor Feedback. Yay! Today we welcome editor, Melody Miller here. I have worked with Melody Miller over the last two books, namely THE MILANESE STARS & the first book in my sports romance series. Hopefully, she’ll be working on my entire series. And she is wonderful to work with. There are some editors who just get your work and Melody “gets” my work.

Melody Miller is an editor at Touchpoint Press. She is also part of their acquisitions team. I asked Melody to share some tips about makes an editor accept a manuscript.

Ask An Editor: Melody Quinn on Manuscripts

1. What are the top 5 mistakes you see authors making in their novels?
1. Not starting your story with action.

When I found out that an editor may choose to

put down a manuscript if there is no action hook on the first page, I said, “Really? But that

doesn’t make sense.” As an editor, I can tell you that it makes all the difference.

Which manuscript is going to get more attention: one who starts with an action-packed sequence, one that incorporates action with character description and/or thought, or one who starts with a long stream of description and/or thoughts?

Really, either of the first two will catch my attention. I need to know that the author can grab my attention and make me feel like I’m right there with the character, and the easiest way to do this is by making action one of your priorities from page

one.

2. Not double-checking your editors or learning which editing style your publishing press follows.

TouchPoint Press follows the Chicago Manual Style. That’s a lot of rules to try to

keep straight. When you’re a writer, you want to focus on your writing and not have to

constantly worry about your commas and your periods and all that jazz. I get it. That’s my job as

an editor.

But it’s refreshing whenever I’m assigned a manuscript that looks like it’s been gone

over with a grammatically fine brush. Extra credit if you’ve paid attention to some CMS rules.

Every well-placed comma counts. Sadly, a well-edited manuscript has become a bit of a luxury

for me as an editor. You will catch my attention instantly if your manuscript falls into this

category.

3. Not having a sense of organic…ness.

I try to describe this to my authors regularly.

The timing should make sense, one scene or revelation should naturally build to another, the

dialogue should flow, the characters should feel real, the whole story needs to have a realistic

cohesiveness.

Readers need to be able to slip into your world. That means we have to iron out all

the little bumps that take away from that feeling. However, it’s great to work with an author who

has recognized these areas and started working on them.

Placing yourself actively in your main characters’ shoes, picturing your story playing through on the movie screen of your mind, reading your dialogue out loud might help, enlisting the help of beta readers who enjoy reading your genre – these are all tips that can help write a cohesive, organic story.

4. Not balancing your storylines.

There are primary storylines and secondary storylines.

A finished manuscript should have a balance of both types of storylines. However, the primary

storylines, the ones that involve your main characters and the main themes of your book should

get top billing.

One of the number one complaints that I’ve heard from readers is that there were

too many storylines. The storylines got complicated. There were unfinished storylines because

there just wasn’t enough time to see them all through. These are serious problems.

Don’t depend too heavily on sequels to save you from dropped storylines. If you’re having a problem keeping your storylines cohesive or finding time to organically bring them all to a resolution at the end of your manuscript, you may sit down and decide which ones are necessary to your story and which ones simply aren’t.

5. Not knowing how to describe your work.

I’ve been in the same boat where you’re in the middle of writing something, or you’ve just written something, and you can’t quite figure out how to describe your work. By the time you hand your manuscript over to an editor – and even before during your pitch – you need to know how to describe your work. This is really advice for marketing your book rather than writing advice.

When you’re getting ready to pitch and/or market your book, you need to have a few different summaries jotted down. You need a page- long summary, a half a page summary, a paragraph summary, and a summary that’s only a sentence or two long.

You need to know what your major themes and messages are and what your reading demographic is. I’m always confused when authors leave this question blank or write down something that doesn’t make any sense. Know who you’re writing for and what it is you’re writing.

2. What makes you pick a manuscript, out of the many you receive at TPP?

The manuscripts that I often get the most excited about are ones that catch my attention from the beginning. Not necessarily the first page but the first chapter or two. That’s the first thing I look for, but a promising manuscript will hold some surprises in reserve.

I don’t often work with mystery novels, but you don’t have to be a mystery writer to space out your revelations and clues. I like to feel that I’m growing with the character, whether they’re learning more about themselves or someone else or the world around them. Plus, you won’t keep my interest as a reader if you spell everything out for me too early.

3. How can authors work better with editors?

I think that authors and editors both need to keep in mind that the process of manuscript editing

is a collaboration. Authors need to be willing to let go of a little bit of control over their

“manuscript children,” and editors need to remain respectful of the author’s work.

Communication, respect, an open mind – these are the keys to a smooth editing process. It’s that simple.

4. Your pet peeve as an editor?

I have a few. I’ve been asked this question before, and it’s hard to just pick one.

1. Authors who don’t follow the Oxford comma rule.

I understand that this rule is not universally followed, but Chicago Manual Style does recognize the Oxford comma rule and, almost more importantly, so do your editors. I think this one bothers me so much because I always follow the Oxford comma rule. It just makes sense to me. It takes a lot of time to go through and make sure that all the Oxford commas have been placed in a manuscript that was devoid of them. Learn your editors preferences!

2. block paragraphs

Another one is block paragraphs that take up half a page or more. You’d be surprised how often I work with first drafts that are full of long paragraphs. It’s a common occurrence, and it annoys me to no end. There is a reason we use paragraphs. Shorter paragraphs are easier to read and they create a more aesthetic page layout. If you’re looking at a paragraph that covers more than ten lines in a fiction novel, you probably need to take another look at it.

3. Hyphens

Lastly, I have this “thing” with hyphens. One of the first authors I worked with

during my college internship (not TouchPoint Press) hyphenated every other word that had multiple syllables, i.e. stop-light, air-conditioner, wrist-watch. I could never understand why he

insisted that that was how he wanted it to look in the final draft.

It just wasn’t necessary. Now I have to stop every time I see a hyphen in manuscripts and calm down that part of myself that still wants to shout, “Why?!” Some things need to be hyphenated, some things can be hyphenated according to preference, and some things really don’t need to be. We all need to be refreshed on these rules from time to time.

5. Your favorite book, that you would tell authors to read as a masterclass.

I have such a hard time answering “favorite book” questions. I’ve so many favorite books. I

also work with authors who write a variety of genres and I wouldn’t give them all the same

recommendation.

When working with middle-grade writers, I would recommend Gail Carson’s Levine unique

storytelling techniques.

I might recommend J.K. Rowling or L.M. Montgomery to my YA authors. They have a special

knack for getting into young character’s minds.

If I’m talking to an adult mystery or romance author, I’d mention Agatha Christie or F. Scott

Fitzgerald respectively. They are giants in their genres and their books are classics that never fail

to impress a new generation.

I wouldn’t fail to mention Anne McCaffery if I sat down for a powwow with TPP fantasy

authors. Another classic novelist who caused ripples in her genre that have yet to die down.

These are all authors whose books are listed on my five-star list on Goodreads, but it would

depend on the author which one I would recommend.

6. Your five star advice to any author.

You can only write your story. Read as many books as possible, add fuel to your imagination, go

out and experience different things, and then write your story. Don’t pay too much attention to

what’s popular or what’s selling while you’re writing your first drafts, especially if you’re a new

writer. Then when you begin to work with your editor, get excited about the collaboration

process.

Remember that it’s still your story and while your editor has a lot of say what your final

draft will look like, you have the right to make sure that your vision for your book remains intact.

If you start feeling overwhelmed with all the changes, be honest and let your editor know. We

can help. Write your story. Publish your story…with a little help from your creative collaborator.

7. A question no one has asked you before, but you’re dying to tell the world.

I’m hesitant to talk about my writing during work when the focus is not supposed to be on me as

an editor but on the actual writer. But I am a writer. That’s why I enjoy collaborating with

authors on content edits so much. I enjoy being able to stretch those writing muscles.

I’m inspired daily by the manuscripts that appear in my inbox. That’s my secret. I truly love

what I do and I believe that my career path is a blessing. While I spend a lot of time editing, a

good portion of my free time is spending writing my own pieces. I am working on several

manuscript-length inspirational books that aren’t ready for publication yet.

In the meantime, I write articles for my faith blog and other Christian websites. I have found my calling in using the written word – in work and in life – to encourage others, share others’ testimonies, and spread the Word of God.

So…yeah, now you know a little more about me not just as an editor but as a writer. Thank you for allowing me this chance to say hello!

Ask An Editor: Melody Quinn on Manuscripts

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How Instafreebie Got Me Over 500 New Readers

Instafreebie is a book delivery service. It’s one of the ways that authors get their books to audiences. I didn’t know about Instafreebie till I started searching ways to market THE MILANESE STARS. I’m always searching and looking.

Instafreebie got me new readers

How instafreebie works?

You sign up for different plans. They have a free plan that you can get started on. Then work your way from there. The basic plan allows you

Unlimited giveaways and distribution at no additional cost
Customer support for readers
1 pen name and author page

Other plans give you more perks like:

Add subscribers to a mailing list
Optional MailerLite or MailChimp integration
Instafreebie acceleration to the right readers
Fully customizable giveaways
Track giveaway success
Personalized giveaway branding

These plans can be 20$ a month or 50$ a month and you can go back to the free plan. Its very flexible.

Initially, I offered my  Advanced Reader Copy to readers and I had maybe 10 downloads. Then I joined someone else’s group giveaway and my book has been downloaded 330 times.

Now, I’m not sure when the reviews will come in. Will folks read, will they write a review and will they post it on all the book sites? My initial goal has been to get eyeballs on my book. So I’m quite happy that this is a good start. For this to work, you need to be sharing other folks books too, like I did my with my own newsletter and website. 

Mailing list

If you’re looking to build your mailing list, then Instafreebie can really help you increase signups. Our group giveaway had 11,000 signups. Now the site doesn’t force people to give their email, but it allows readers to choose if they want to sign up for a mailing list. So this can be a great way to grow your mailing list.

BLURBS

The authors here write blurbs for each other. I haven’t seen one for my book, but I’ve written blurbs for other authors. And this could be good way of collecting blurbs that you can use in your marketing.

Form Connections

I’ve been able to interact and speak to other authors, learn from them and share new material. Its wonderful to speak to them on Twitter and Facebook. If you’re looking to find your tribe. This is a great place. You have a mix of authors across the career graph, beginners, New York Times bestsellers, mid-list authors. debut authors and so on. Everyone’s learning, sharing and promoting.

Source: Instafreebie Googleplay store

I’ve actually enjoyed using Instafreebie. It does seem expensive but you can always start with the free option and tailor things according to your needs. For readers, they have a great app, so you can download books straight to your phone or reading device.

Have you tried it? What are your thoughts? If you haven’t give it a try!

Sign up for Instafreebie here.

Also, if you’re interested in signing up for free stories and other goodies sign up for my newsletter. Once a month I will send you the latest free books from my author buddies!

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The post How Instafreebie Got Me Over 500 New Readers appeared first on PAMELA Q. FERNANDES.