Tracee Lydia Garner's Blog, page 2
May 18, 2018
Friday Features
P A M E L A D. B E V E R L Y
[image error]
About Pamela’s Book, The Love Labyrinth, Noelle Harrison is a hard-working wife and loving mother to two young sons. Although supportive of her husband Wayne’s pursuits, she rails at his constant out-of-town conferences and seminars. What about her needs and wants?
Facing a life-threatening situation, she has a decision to make.
There are two sides to every story. Or maybe three.
Ann Marie Bryan is a dedicated, graceful, multi-talented leader with a passion for excellence. She is the CEO & Founder of Victorious By Design, an organization committed to providing top quality professional writing services, comprehensive personal and professional development programs and exceptional performing arts services to meet the unique needs of individuals and organizations.
Let’s see what The Love Laybrinth is all about, enjoy this excerpt:
Noelle was in a foul mood when she awoke the next morning. After church the previous day, she discovered her husband, Wayne, was packing to attend yet another conference.
“How long is this one?” she mumbled as she stood in the bedroom doorway, a hand on one hip.
He had been stuffing underwear and socks in a suitcase on the crème-colored coverlet that draped the bed, the decorative pillows flung out of the way. Wayne Harrison was
tall, yet of stocky build, with a golden-brown complexion and a thick mustache. His hair was receding a little in front, but he was still an attractive man in a rugged sort of way.
“Five days. I’ll be home by the weekend.”
“Whoopee.”
Wayne had turned, alook of exasperation crossing his features. Noelle knew she could drive the man to drink sometimes with her attitude, but at that moment, she didn’t care.
She was justified so a thing like that didn’t matter. “Now what’s wrong?”
Noelle stalked toward the bed. She pulled off her pumps, dress and hose, amazed at how dense he could be at times. She flung the dress and hose onto the bed and kicked
her pumps out of the way. “You promised to cut Rodney’s hair this weekend. Have you taken a look at it lately? And you know you’re the only one he allows near his head.
The health department’s going to come knocking on our door one of these days–“
“Give me a break, will you? I’ll cut it first thing Saturday morning. All right?” Wayne dropped the lid of the suitcase and zipped it shut. “Damn! Here I’m trying to climb the corporate ladder and all you want to do is knock me down. Now, may I have a kiss?”
They had kissed, more out of a sense of duty than desire. Afterwards, Wayne donned his coat. Picking up his suitcase and garment bag, he headed out of the bedroom and
down the stairs to the front door, with Noelle following. “I’ll talk to you and the boys tomorrow.”
“Don’t do me any favors,” she snapped, slamming the door behind him.
[image error]
Pamela D. Beverly describes herself as a Jacqueline-of-all-Trades but a master of none. S
he calls herself a student of
human nature that enjoys writing and studying mankind. A world traveller, she has been all over the United States as well as to several foreign countries and enjoys meeting people of all races, religions and creeds.
Her main wish for mankind is that we learn to get along and enjoy one another’s differences.
Visit with Pamela on her social media and get a copy of The Love Labyrinth online.
Facebook Page
Website
May 14, 2018
Pt. 3 Inclusive Design in Event Planning
Greetings!
Welcome to the final part of the event planning series, this one is probably the most important because it begs the question, “What good is an event if EVERYONE can’t participate?”
Check out the Free Printable Cheat Sheet for the Inclusive Event Planning and get this month’s Plan with Me blog post calendar for May.
Making events accessible ensures the participation of ALL. But it doesn’t just happen, there are some things you need to think about. As someone planning an event, and we have LOTS, tons even, of nonprofessional people setting up a website and calling themselves an event host but if that’s what it’s really going to be and be considered legitimate, you have to do a few extra steps to ensure access for all.
There may be a lot more, but for purposes of this post, I have five areas that I feel you need to concern yourself with most. Let’s get to it.
Event announcements, on and offline event promotions
Event Venue / Accommodations
Meeting Content, workshops and food
Event excursions / field trips
Wrap Up and Feedback
The first thing in making your events accessible is about clear and accessible messaging. In the disability community so many vital programs that people would enjoy accessing end up being underfunded and just plain canceled altogether. Do you know what the number one reason for upending a program many thought were a great idea to begin with? No one attended! No one participated. Know what my response is? You didn’t put messages in the right place? Your target audience had no idea this was even an option to them. You didn’t ensure that very population you said you wanted to serve could find the information easily and then respond to it appropriately. I liken this to let’s say a radio station that plans to offer live streaming of their radio shows online with captions. Yet the only place they advertised this (remember it’s going to be for persons that are Deaf or hard of hearing) was ON THE RADIO. Say what! Doesn’t that sound dumb?
So here’s some tips
Put the signs of accessibility in your materials – there are what many consider (not everyone but some) signs of accessibility that are a visual indicator that this will be accessible or CAN BE accessible to me, if I alert them
Use a variety of methods to promote – not just online but off line, print flyers, mailing and advertising and word of mouth, are all the ways you should promote an event. Limit to one vehicle and you limit your reach.
If you’re trying to reach the disability community, find out who their influences are. All of us (should) have a friend, disability organization or know a group of persons with disabilities and within that, you should feel comfortable asking for some help in areas you’re uncertain about – not knowing where is no longer a valid excuse. You can also reach out to larger organizations that can assist you, start with United Cerebral Palsy or the Spinal Cord Injury Network or any chapter, association already aware of the needs of this community.
Permit more than one way to register – both an e-mail and a number are two ways to ensure that whatever abilities a person has, there will be a way they can utilize to ask questions and to make their arrangements
Use stock photography of people with disabilities in your visual campaigns – these cost pennies and go the extra mile to show that you’ve thought about a group of people and possible patrons that often get overlooked
Use the language simple as it may be, “accessibility”, “ramp entrance”, “ADA rooms” “ASL interpretation”, and “if you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact…” are ALL the types of wording that signal someone thought about what they were writing and took the time to get these resources if they needed them
Hire/work with reputable agencies for Sign Language interpretation and similar services, not your best friend’s cousin who took a year of ASL but didn’t complete their licensure
Finally, if you’re going to offer any of the above, have it ready, don’t just wait for someone to call (hoping that they won’t) to know about where to find an interpreter, or an accessible taxi, and etc., or whether or not the venue is accessible and etc. You’re only making it worse for yourself and increasing the frustration of the user looking for these accommodations
Next is the Venue. While most events should be held at an accessible place, there are numerous other event spaces (including community centers, libraries, fire halls and other public county/town) that will be cheaper than the grand hotel ballroom but that most importantly are bound by state/federal law to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
A simple and fast rule, if you choose a reputable chain hotel or other public venue – you won’t have to worry as much. Most of the renovations to make things accessible should already be taken of. If, however, you’re planning to use a place that’s rented and off the beaten path a bit, ensure that you do a few things:
Take pictures – don’t hesitate to share them with the person attending who needs the accommodation but realize that even pictures have limitations.
Navigate the path of travel yourself, don’t just take the venue’s word for it
Invite a friend that has mobility issues to check out these venues
Google the reviews online
If special, advance preparation needs to be made, be certain these are going to be safe and not more hassle and costs than they are worth. Also ensure that if someone were to use this, it’s not only helping the person attending with a disability but it’s safe and secure. This instance would happen in a setting where say you rented a portable ramp. Understand how to use it and practice, don’t let the first time someone who uses a wheelchair arrive be the time you open the box. What if they sent you the wrong item? What if the ramp is not the proper length, width or was meant for a small step up and not a two steps staggered?
With all of this in mind, some of the most inaccessible spaces I have found include someone’s home. People’s homes are not typically accessible unless they happen to have a relative or elderly family member with a disability. The second most inaccessible places include older churches, some Veteran halls, such as a VFW post and anything that happens outdoors or on a boat. When it comes to retreats and boating excursions, or other types of events that involve nature, IF it rained the day before, most persons that use a wheelchair will not find the terrain friendly and getting stuck in the mud is not fun. I know because I’ve been there. While some boats in the area and water taxi’s are accessible, the water taxi you’ll be on for a limited time but for a longer trip on a boat such as a luncheon, the restrooms are often down a flight of stairs.
Finally be mindful of venues that say they’ve been renovated to address issues. How did they address the issues and what were some of the issues before the renovation process? A fresh coat of paint does not mean accessibility for all.
Lastly, you’ll want to look at parking and transit to/from the venue. Is there parking? What kind of parking and what is the costs? If you use a mini van like mine, often I’m not able to park underground. I usually work it out with someone at the front desk or the concierge if I’m staying at the event for the day or overnight, if I can park in an area in front of the hotel. Because it’s for a limited time, this is usually fine and they are accommodating. Try to work out some of these issues for your guests with special needs to show you’ve thought ahead and to ensure that staff can be flexible.
I love conferences and I’ve been to a lot of them and obviously, I’ve observed many things.
Two of my favorite things were in the actual workshop sessions, where space at both the front and the back had been taped off for access. These were unobtrusively and on the floor, some yellow tape that said “do not block, space for wheelchair users”. I thought this was ingenious. Never in a workshop had I had seen space marked off for me and my wheelchair. I would have preferred a different colored tape, I mean it was yellow, kind of like that crime scene investigation stuff, but I was still enamored with the designation and recognize that yellow probably stood out more for persons to see, so I was willing to overlook the color. The other thing were these t-shirts on the back of chairs that also marked chairs for persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the front. Little unobtrusive details like this made a world of difference and simply let people know not to hog the front seats and the fact that the tape was put down in the front and the back areas of the meeting room, meant that someone had enough forethought not to simply relegate me to the back (which is always standard at every other conference I’d been to until this particular one). I actually have always hated sitting in the back. I can’t hear anything if people don’t use/have microphones and when people stand up for applause, I call it quits because I can’t see anything.
Proper audio visual tools – while this can be an added expense for some smaller conference planners, people have also paid to attend and if they can’t hear, that’s a money loss for them too. You can get around sound issues with something as simple as a Karaoke machine. For our recent conference at ACFW Virginia, one of the volunteers was able to borrow such a machine from their local Homeowners Association. It was a great idea and it more than did the trick ensuring everyone, whether seated in the front or the back, could hear what the speaker said. With so many people doing their own events, you can also purchase or rent equipment relatively inexpensively from audio visual companies, not just mics and amps but projectors and screens, too.
Materials – I understand that “killing trees” is a perceived thing, it’s ink and paper, but handouts enhance the experience for many especially when some (really good ones) presenters pack a lot of awesome and helpful information into their talks. If you’re not going to print items, at least offer them electronically through a drop box or other electronic way of getting materials such as sending via e-mail.
Remember that everyone is a different kind of learner. In many conferences, a table is not provided and it’s difficult for some people with disabilities to take notes on their lap. Providing the notes becomes even more important. Making tables for note taking a part of each row can add cost (and space) to your room and I understand that’s problematic, hence the one table at the front or if a person with a disability ask for it, a smaller table for them ONLY could be an option too.
Regarding the ability to take notes, while not everyone needs a table, you could put one table at the front row and offer it to people with disabilities and those that use their laptop. It can be on a first come, first served basis, slap a sign on it that says “reserved” and if the area is designated for people with disabilities at the front, they can be assured snagging part of that table to write on.
When it comes to persons who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, there may be something called Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) – this will required a certified CART provider. That National Association of the Deaf (NAD) will have an extensive resources list for obtaining CART providers, ASL interpreters as well as a general overview of the needs of people with hearing-related disabilities.
When it comes to food, I think many people who require assistance are pretty good about asking someone for it. And I’ve experience that people are more than happy to help. Wait staff and whomever sets up the food bar can always assist someone. Two ways I would handle the situation as a conference planner is 1. alert your event contact (for the venue) ahead of time that someone might need assistance and to offer it, but this isn’t always necessary. 2. Tell that person who requires assistance, WHO they can reach out to specifically if they need anything and then THAT person may arrange on their own with the staff. Regardless of your way of doing it, it always a good idea to let ONE of the staff/manager’s know that you have a member with a disability (privately) not before the rest of the conference goers – and this is a dignifying and proper way to make the request.
Conference Excursions and Field Trips – Outings can enhance any multi-day event and they should be had whenever possible. It’s a fun way to explore the city and for visiting attendees to experience the city. A problem however, is usually the transit to/from the excursion for any out-of- towners with disabilities.
Does that mean no one should go anywhere? Of course not. But chartering a bus with a lift is an added expense. There may be a smaller company that could provide transit to someone with a mobility issue and this is fine. As persons with disabilities, we realize we won’t always be able to go with the group and yes, we wish that weren’t the case. But first planners need to ensure they’ve exhausted all options. Many transportation companies all over the United States have at least one or two busses with a lift and there should be no added steps to reserve it, other than doing so in a timely manner. Check also to see what transportation options the persons uses in their home if they are willing to share. For instance, here in the DMV, we have something called MetroAccess, this is what’s known as Paratransit, this door to door service for people with disabilities is often transferrable and can qualify the user for a similar service in other metro areas where they have similar programs.
After all is said and done, there’s the evaluation. IF kept to a page, and for smaller events, paper evaluations are fine. Sometimes, they are also more likely to be returned if given time at the last session. Nowadays, however, people are opting for Survey Monkey evaluations which can tabulate data and provide detailed reports that are easier to interpret and work well when you have a large amount of attendees. Whatever vehicle you will use, in your surveys, ensure there is always space or a field box for someone to write longer comments and express thoughts that can’t be extrapolated with circles and buttons alone.
Express that you really want to hear from folks, yes, we all know you really don’t always want to hear comments and open yourself up to possible negativity and groaning about some things, e.g. food, that really, at the end of the day, you cannot do much about or a drafty room, or a loud air conditioner or a speaker having a bad (unprepared) day. As an event planner you will hear it ALL. But in some of that, will be SOME good ideas for next time, some real thoughts and you don’t want to miss those kinds of constructive criticisms by having no way to capture the feedback at all.
In parting, one last important thing must be said and that is, while there are many responsibilities conference planners have, I won’t make excuses for anyone with a disability who makes a ruckus before, during or after the fact around access issues if they lack a forthcoming attitude prior to the events start. So here are some things to keep in mind AS a person with the disability planning to attend any event and a little reminder about what IS expected of us just as much as if not more than those same courtesies we’re asking of any conference planner:
Be Upfront – there’s nothing worse than knowing that something is coming up and using busyness OR “they should know” mentalities to accommodate your lack of preplanning. You require the accommodation, how can one accommodate if they don’t know you need it. Waiting until the last minute or making a huff publicly, on social media is just wrong and further perpetuates stigmas we as people with disabilities are always trying to over come.
Be specific – people don’t know you, they don’t know your unique needs. Tell them as it pertains to the accommodation needed!
Be kind.
Be On time.
Be Open – There is more than one way to do something to meet the shared goal: which is your (safe and secure) participation and enjoyment. Creative problem solving is an every day necessity for those of us with disabilities. In essence we’re no stranger to making it work because we do it every day. Working with people, however uber creative it must be (but always with safety in mind) to make the best out of any situation is always attractive and in our own best interest.
Additional resources for the event planning professional around disability accommodation and inclusive design practices.
ADA National Network – A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities
American Bar – Accessible Meetings Toolkit (includes a comprehensive checklist)
Everyone’s Invited, LLC – Event Accessibility Consulting Firm –
For your materials development to promote accessibility in an event, visit the Graphic Artist Guild to download (for free) all of the Disability Access Symbols
May 4, 2018
Friday Features
A N N M A R I E B R Y A N
[image error]
Ann Marie Bryan is a dedicated, graceful, multi-talented leader with a passion for excellence. She is the CEO & Founder of Victorious By Design, an organization committed to providing top quality professional writing services, comprehensive personal and professional development programs and exceptional performing arts services to meet the unique needs of individuals and organizations.
A Christian Fiction author, Ann Marie writes to educate, inspire and empower others. She desires to tell great stories with fascinating characters to show the awesome power of God in the lives of people and places. Shades of the Heart is the first book in her bestselling, Encounters of the Heart series. Book 2 – Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire was released February 2016. Book 3 – A Place For My Heart, the highly anticipated third installment in the series, was released in March 2017. Book 4 – Where My Heart Belongs was released in April 2018.
Ann Marie’s greatest passion is to empower others to succeed by tapping into their God-given potential. She enjoys writing, reading, dancing, teaching, meeting people and traveling. With all the knowledge and experiences that God has so graciously blessed her with, Ann Marie is determined to make her life a ministry for the Lord.
[image error]
Let’s see what Where My Heart Belongs is all about.
Love guided them to precisely what they needed—each other.
From the moment Tyler Bradshaw first lays eyes on Madison Kanate, it’s a dream come true. She is everything he wants, yet everything he feels he cannot have. He is determined to keep his distance, but he can’t, not with the love she offers him. They become the best of friends. That works flawlessly, until she wants more….
That was seven years ago.
Madison has come a long way since falling apart at any reminder of Tyler. He had left her questioning God’s plan for her life, and uncertain of how to move forward. Eventually, she takes charge of her life, putting memories of Tyler to rest with a successful interior design business, along with many charitable projects. Anything else, especially love, ranks a distant second.
Tyler and Madison reunite through the shenanigan of Mason, Madison’s twin brother. Tyler wishes he could change the past… but life does not offer do-overs. Even so, he believes God has provided a golden opportunity for him—his last chance to win Madison’s heart. As he begins to open up about his childhood and trailing baggage, Madison realizes that his faith has been built in the face of adversity.
But Tyler’s childhood holds a secret even he doesn’t know. In the face of a staggering revelation that challenges the fabric of his faith, Tyler drops a bombshell of his own. When Madison tries to walk away, she recognizes that deep down she wants happily-ever-after. With her faith rekindled, she decides to trust God, believing she will not be left to pick up the pieces of her heart all over again. But will Tyler allow himself to heal so he can let Madison in? Will they move beyond the past and build a life together?
Standalone books in the Encounters of the Heart series:
Book 1 – Shades of the Heart (The story of Blake & Gabrielle Montgomery)
Book 2 – Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (The story of Larry & Rozene Kanate)
Book 3 – A Place For My Heart (The story of Chandler Peynard and Sabrina Benjamin)
Book 4 – Where My Heart Belongs (The story of Tyler Bradshaw and Madison Kanate)
Other books by Ann Marie:
Unforgettable, My Love Has Come Along
Truth Awaits You on the Other Side: An Anthology about the Consequences of Sin
Mirrored Hearts (A Short Story)
An excerpt from Where My Heart Belongs
His heart rate kicked up and he raked a hand over his head as uneasy dread shot through his veins. Still, wisdom demanded he move speedily to help, even if the situation would force him to come face-to-face with someone he was unprepared to see.
“God, help her,” he prayed aloud, before jumping into action.
He moved swiftly to grab his Jeep keys from the coffee table then rushed through the door. He did not relish the journey that now lay before him. Nor did he wish to confront the one thing that would never let him rest—the one painful remorse that continually aggravated his gut. The one thing in his life he needed to fix—his relationship with the woman he had nicknamed Em.
Madison Emma Kanate. She was his first love….
Once his soul found her, he loved her.
One look and he was helpless to her pull. She had caught his attention and lingered in his heart ever since. He had endured two years of being near Madison—drowning in her love. She always stirred him. Around her, he constantly felt the flutter of butterfly wings in his stomach. She made him feel things he longed for… things he couldn’t have.
Despite all the love she offered him, he could not bring himself to reach for her. Fear held him bound, propelling him to escape the source of his misery.
At the first opportunity, he had left it all behind.
He ran.
He had run away like a frightened animal.
And he had kept moving. He hadn’t looked back.
But, he couldn’t outrun the memories or the guilt that haunted him.
.
Connect with Ann Marie on her many social media outlets and let her know you’ve read one of her books.
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK READERS GROUP
SIGN UP FOR HER NEWSLETTER
FOLLOW HER ON GOOGLE
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
GOODREADS
April 18, 2018
Authors In Bloom Special
Hello Friends. Welcome.
Today starts Author Dianne Venetta’s Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop. I’m so excited to be participating again this year, I think it’s my third year and I love it. I visit all the posts, you can too, here, and I see what awesome gardening tips and recipes authors/bloggers are sharing. And of course, if you’re following and commenting on the ALL the blog posts in the 10 day hop, scroll to the end to see the official rules and how to enter to win prizes along the way or the grand prize, a Kindle Fire.
I always love Spring and the new opportunities it brings, but OMG, Spring is like confused, sick, ill or I do not know what on earth is happening. It’s been really affecting my own mood and ability to get/feel motivated. I mean, you can’t do some gardening (here on the East Coast at least) as there is still the threat of snow/freeze even as I write this.
If you read my post last time, I still consider Spring my “REAL” New Year, but with the weather, it’s been delayed. Despite it’s delay, I still love it but I find myself needing a way to make myself feel springy even if outside my window, it’s still wintery.
My tips for this year’s Authors In Bloom post is about what you can do to help you FEEL like Spring event when it’s not and of course a recipe is included. Keep reading below!
Below are some of the things that I’m currently doing to help myself along and of course I hope you find something you can do too!
Flowers! First up for a couple of weeks, I’ve decided to purchase some flowers at my local grocer and guess what, I didn’t think about this UNTIL a friend/client brought me some flowers at work for helping her with some special projects. That kind gesture really made my day, and helped me feel a little perkier. That brings to my next tip…
[image error]SEND some flowers. I’m already thinking about Mother’s Day and what I’ll send my Godmother and Mom, but why not send someone flowers, whether that’s your friend or even yourself. Don’t forget a heartfelt note to go with it.
Plan a Me Day – In my work, I’ve finally had almost a full year where I haven’t been ill or in the hospital and I thank God. I say that because not taking off for sick leave or annual leaves, means it’s finally going up. A year doesn’t go by usually without me having some sort of infection or something to put me down for a few days or even hospitalize me. Welcome to chronic condition land. This last couple of weeks and into this summer, I’m excited about planning some me days. I’ve already had a couple this winter where I did nothing but watch Netflix or spring clean/purge which I enjoy, work on what I wanted to work on and that’s it. For my summer “staycay”, I’m not traveling as much this year for my books, doing lots of local stuff, but local stuff means I keep/save some money too, so I’ve decided to make a list of places I want to go but never seem to get to even though they are in my backyard. Planning something fun will make you happy whether you go right now or later. Some things I have planned include a trip to the National Gallery of Art to see the Obama portraits and even though I’ve been, I’ll take a friend who hasn’t gone, to the Museum of African-American History and Culture to see all that I missed the first couple of go-rounds, the Hillwood Museum has always interested me and I hope to have tea there, a fun shopping spree in DC because I rarely trek to DC for much of anything living just under and hour away and before I got so bogged down and busy, I used to plan a day of staying at the library for about four to five hours, reading all the magazines, relaxing and refueling myself. Who doesn’t like a bookstore that’s essentially filled with free books? This kind of plan, whatever you decide to do is more about making a conscious effort to do the stuff YOU like doing and to do the stuff you say you’re going to do “some day” but don’t.
Next, don’t forget about LIGHT Therapy. Those of us with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) know all about light therapy. Having a day lamp or switching to day bulbs could be one way to feel better, and trick your brain.
Treats! Who doesn’t love a treat (often)? – What’s a summer favorite that you don’t eat much of when it’s cold? Ice Cream? It was cold the other day and the last thing I wanted to do was eat something that would only make me colder but I went to Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins (there in the same shop where I live). I was so happy, LOL, I got a scoop of my cookies and cream and when I finished I turned on my heating blanket and wrapped up. Problem solved.
Go to bed earlier. Lately, during the week I’ve been going to bed pretty early, like 8:30 compared to 10:00 and 11:00 p.m. Sometimes, I don’t go to sleep right away, (but little can compete once I’m in a horizontal position) but I might watch a little television or listen to songs on my phone but I’m in bed and the earlier hour has made me feel better when it’s time to get up. During the summer months, this probably won’t happen, I am a night owl after all, but since it’s still cold, to beddy bye I’m going.
[image error]Almost to the end of my list but as I was writing this post, I looked over and saw a book that I have on my desk by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst, that I’m really liking very much. I just happened upon browsing my local book store one day. I opened it and was reading about its offerings and the description said it contained TWO pull out journals. I didn’t need to read any further. This book called, A Book That It’s Takes Time, has all kinds of little nuggets of gold, including crafts, journaling, postcards and many other aesthetically pleasing ideas to help you unplug from your technology and reconnect to your heart and creative mind. I haven’t even explored mine fully but each time I crack the spine, I find something fun and exciting to do.
Finally, the recipe and the last tip is to simply change the scents around you – I love fruity scents and anything watermelon, berries, vanilla and cinnamon but I refuse to spend almost thirty bucks on a single candle, no matter how many wicks it has. BUT over the holiday I did purchase the Pink Petal Teacake from Bath and Body Works as a gift to myself and when I first smelled it, I absolutely loved it. And of important note, I’m not a smelly kind of girl. I use Dial and I use vaseline and I don’t care what people say about Vaseline, it works for me. My point is that as a non-perfume type, the candles are the happy medium. One other scent I like is the Vera Bradley (yes she sells perfume now) Apple Berry Champagne that I bought over a year ago. I love it.
Fill your house with some home made scents like this recipe I’m sharing for Apple Crumble. Guess what, you can use almost any fruit and make this same kind of topping for it. So here we go, here is a farewell to winter recipe that will have your house smelling some kind of good. I usually make this in the fall and winter, and for any work parties where I have to bring something. It travels fairly well and tastes good hot or room temperature. If served hot, be sure to get some ice cream. 
April 16, 2018
Event Planning Pt. 2
Greetings!
Welcome, welcome to part 2 of my two-part event planning I’m continuing this month from March, see the March post here.
This next installment is two fold, I’m going to talk about some of the things I see event planners doing that bother me from an author/vendor perspective and things I feel should occur when I switch my hat and assume the role of event planner.
I love events. In fact, conferences, festivals, book club conferences, just about all the live events make more money for me than online/social media selling of my books. I hope that live events will be a mainstay of our industry for many, many years to come.
Like with anything, there are a couple of “practices” that I see that come across as outright rude and very inconsiderate and I want to change that. There are likely more than ten things that each of us can do to ensure success as event planner and vendor, but these are just some of the ones I think of as I address this subject.
AND don’t forget, I am late and I apologize, but get this month’s Freebie Planner for April and the event planner cheat sheet for larger events and conferences at their respective links.
10 things WE Can Do to Show Good VENDOR Behavior
10. NEVER, EVER talk poorly about the event at the event or express negativity about the promotion or the event host. Yes, I have talked about some concerns one to one, usually to a table mate or via e-mail after the event but to talk about an issue AT the event is simply poor taste. Everyone has had a bad event, we’ve all experienced low turnout but these are lessons and grievances that should be outlined in a proper, formal evaluation that you can share with the host(s) upon the conclusion of the event.
What we all should be talking about is what outlets WE used to help promote the event and share resources. Unfortunately, that might be a very short conversation.
9. Always offer a wonderful experience for YOUR shopper. You are not only representing yourself, you are representing the event/hosts and their “selection” of you. If you need inspiration for table/booth set ups, look through the pictures on my social media pages and use my Book-signing Checklist to help you prepare. I have seen A LOT of tablescapes being in this business but I saw the best one recently when I met the Brittany Traveste – author of BLOOM.
Look at her table, it’s beautiful.
[image error]Brittany Traveste and her Mom at the Harambee Book Festival
She has three important things
Her table is super pretty with the flowers (and her book’s title is Bloom, like, oh my gah!). She has a clearly marked sign with the book price and she has another sign with her twitter/website (on the left) in a very nice picture frame. The wonderful thing is the lettering on the floor in front of her table. That took some work I’m assuming but it came out awesome.
There is no excuse for shaggy presentations and it is a reflection NOT only on you but the planners too! Little added things that make the experience that much nicer, insert a book mark into your books, have nice bags for whatever you sell, make something small/cute/inexpensive to give away like a little journal or purse sized pad, if you sell scents or body-butters/creams, are there samples you can get made, ask the Mary Kay Lady to help you. Whatever you sell, it’s little details like that, that make all the difference to the user/shopper experience.
8. Take time to network. You’re mighty lonely sitting there just waiting for someone to come by your table. Take time to network at every single event and to talk to other vendors. I would dare say stand up, lean in, engage. I would stand up if I could but I use a wheelchair, so if room permits me, I go around my table to engage, I even call all passerby (probably hoping I don’t notice them) over to my table, they are always willing to engage and that’s the first step in any potential relationship.
7. Promote yourself PRIOR to the event as you would if it WAS your own event – Sadly if all of us, especially authors took the time to promote the event as if it were our own, we could expect a better turn out every single time. And I’d even say that if you are attending any event, that event is YOUR OWN. We are all guilty of expecting the host/planner to do the majority of the promotion and that’s unfortunate. Sadly some events move around and the planner cannot possibly know about all the smaller clubs, news outlets and local social media they can tap. That’s where us local people come in. At present, when I’m going to attend or even if I’m only considering attending an upcoming event, I Google the event using different variations of the event name, to see where news about the event is popping up. Moreover, a new event will not have the turnout that a more established event has. It can take years, sometimes 8 – 10 years for an annual event to build a solid and considerable following, so if the event is in year one, they’ll need even more assistance with their promotional efforts and just because an event is in its infancy stages, thats no reason not to attend. Promotion is a group effort, enhance ONLY by many people doing it.
6. Consider the Vendor Fee – Will you make back what you paid? What grade would you give the host for their promotional efforts and their attendance numbers? These are just some of the considerations I make regarding whether or not I’m going. It seems a no-brainer but an event can be worth the costs (in rare circumstances) and you still don’t make back what you paid. Breaking even is important and as more and more opportunities come my way, I’m evaluating everything about it to make the right choice for myself and my wallet. An opportunity to meet someone you need to meet could be one way that the ROI isn’t going to be met at the end but still good to go ahead and pay. Really think about those pluses and minuses and then you’ll feel much better having a checked your expectations.
5. ASK, then LISTEN, then SHARE/TALK! This is probably my biggest pet peeve. I meet a LOT of authors and many of us, myself included happen to be “Jack” and “Jackie of all trades”. That is the nature of being creative. You really trial and error your way through lots of unrelated “jobs” and employment ventures, on your way to writing and publishing (or whatever you do). But with that, guess what? Spewing forth so many of your multiple ventures (regardless of their lucrativeness) when you first meet someone doesn’t inspire confidence, can make people tired and confused all at the same time. I have three questions that I use on different people at various times:
What do you like to read? Listen then if you have something like that great, point to it on your table, give it to them to hold and read and then converse some more. IF not, be well rounded enough in genres to suggest something else.
Hey, is the conference going good? What brought to this event?
General “how are you doing today, I’m Tracee and author of…” The only way I got into other “ventures” I have, is if we somehow landed on them. ALWAYS ask people their name, where they are form. My point is that we need to engage, make general conversation and tailor our “wares” to their “needs”. In order to find out their needs however, we’ve got to make small talk.
If you’ve gotten up to network, (# 8 above) guess what, you’d know what others sell and could then be in a position to make proper referrals to table/vendor mates around you and how selfless would that be?
4. In addition to networking, be observant. Recently, there were a group of ladies that had a luncheon in another room adjacent to the book event I was attending. If it wasn’t for those ladies, I wouldn’t have had any sales so I was thankful for them. But I looked at their attire as they walked by and most of the people attending our festival wore jeans and more plain clothes. They were not dressed up. This became an instant in for the conversation. I saw you ladies were having a luncheon, did you attend the luncheon?… and on it went but had I not paid attention, I wouldn’t have had thoughts to ask them what they were doing there and tell them what I was doing there.
3. Don’t let a bad day show – I’ve said this in the my Booksigning Checklist but sometimes selling your products is like being unemployed, after a couple of rejections it’s hard to get geared up with one more smile for the umpteenth interview but you can do it. The next one might turn things around.
2. Don’t just complain, offer solutions. If the turnout wasn’t what you expected, don’t just say “The turnout wasn’t what I expected, thank you.” Take time to put in some suggestions. The event will likely happen again and we only make things better with actionable suggestions. There are things that we as authors/vendors have been very creative about in order to sell our products that other’s haven’t ever thought about.
Give it another chance. There are a couple of events that I’ve been like, “uh, no, not going back.” But after some thought, I do think I’ll go back. It’s important, especially for anything you’ve been to only once/it’s their first event. You want to look and see what/how/ and if the event has learned lessons and implemented them to improve. One bad experience shouldn’t ruin all future events and again, ask what you can/did do to help make it success. Once it’s clear that things aren’t improving by all means, remove that event from your list but bad events can go to great given proper feedback and 364 days later.
10 Things Organizers/Event Planners Should Do to Welcome their Vendors and Ensure a Great Experience for All
10. It’s important for event planners to remember that authors are paying patrons like anyone else. We shouldn’t be some how relegated to a small room, in the back, packed in tightly where there’s little to no traffic. We’ve paid extra for a “vendor” opportunity, and even as such, remain a type of supporter of your event. My ideal location for authors, would be IN the room of the general session and a part of the event, tables on the outskirts of the room. This has worked well in every single event I’ve been to that’s set up this way. Not hidden or put away but in many ways, highlighted. Relegated to another room that few or no people will visit seems off-putting and dismissive.
Yes, we are selling products to your consumers. And many attendees like the shopping experience an event provides. Some don’t and that’s fine, those people won’t feel obligated to make a purchase. But others see added value in a one-stop shop where they are not only learning but get some new items they may not have thought about. I would say however, to ensure that people are not overwhelmed with similar items, create a rule where you’ll have only one-two of the same vendor type/item. Then next year, if someone wanted in that could not participate because similar vendors were already reached for the amount set, they can participate next time around. You’ll need to keep good records of who you had if you implement something like this.
9. Help promote the vendors you’re having throughout the actual event. You can do this a couple of ways. 1. Mention the availability of the vendor and share what they sell. Why not use at least some portion of the segment to highlight the products. What can that spa, Mary Kay independent beauty consultant, author/publisher, bath and body cream seller, shea butter outfit and life coach/motivational guru… DO for the people at your event? Highlight that. Any attendee/vendor should be more than willing to write you (the host) a two sentence informational commercial that you can read aloud during the breaks of your conference sessions. At each break, highlight two businesses and that will spark interest on behalf of your attendees and help promote your vendors even more by keeping them top of mind. 2. The other way is to always list ALL the vendors in your material/conference booklet. A simple mention will be taken with the attendees and when they are home, remind them of that “thing” they wanted to check out.
8. Feed EVERYONE – I’ve been at events where I paid extra for lunch but why can’t I just go to the buffet table like everyone and mingle? Why must I be brought my lunch like I’m not a part of the festivities? I am a part of it, I paid a little more than everyone else, yet I eat my lunch in the corner like a second class citizen. You could simply have empty (same looking) tables on the outskirts or perimeter of the room and place notes that reserve the tables. It’s at the back so the front and best seats won’t ever look and be empty.
7. SEEK Feedback and then Make Use of It! Evaluations are an important part of any future events overall success. I’ve read some awesome, truly helpful and encouraging comments in many a evaluation, even if they had a negative undertone, I’ve seen ways (buried) in there to address the issues. ONLY someone who truly wants to improve will offer an evaluation form and be mature enough to handle the good, the bad and the ugly. I say make use of them because it’s one thing to have them but it’s another thing to implement (some of) the suggestions within each one. You don’t have to take all the suggestions someone makes, of course, but ask yourself if what the person who took the time to write has a valid idea or is just writing to complain. You will know the difference.
6. Set a Reasonable Vendor Fee. I’ve seen some ridiculous vendor fees and I wonder if planners ever think about whether or not we as vendors will make back that return on our investment? Perhaps you don’t care but that seems like a poor business practice. It is an investment and I hope most people would want to make a little over what they’ve paid. We all need to check ourselves about what we think the other person is (and is not) making and set a price accordingly. As a planner you also need to distinguish between what a company does, having full financial backing and a line item for “outreach”, to what a small business does and the significant differences between small and large businesses revenue. I’m with the school of thought that you would like vendors to return to your event year after year. We can ONLY do that, if we feel we will turn a profit, making back our vendor fees.
5. Realize when you need a team of folks. Many small event planners bite off more than they can chew. You need to have a team of folks, even if it’s a small committee of three people, to help assist with small details otherwise you run around, feeling frazzled and some component of your event ends of lacking or isn’t properly planned at all. Poor planning shows and doesn’t make people desire to return. Also think about someone to work with difference kinds of people attending your event. E.g. A “liaison” for the vendors, two people to assist the attendees, a visual/tech person and so on. That way everyone involved has a point person and you are not everything to everyone.
4. Think about lower costing venues. We all want the big ballroom, the catered food and the wait staff, but both budgets and attendance don’t always rise up to those demands. Furthermore, look to graduate to those events as you grow NOT start out of the gate with a large and costly facility. Events do not have to be at the Hilton/Hyatt/Marriott to be awesome. They can be at community centers, libraries, conference centers, public schools and other smaller, less expensive venues, many of which permit you to bring basic, wrapped food in rather than purchasing their more costly options. I’d rather go to a school for a book festival and be able to have coffee/tea you brought in than go to a hotel where I’ve paid the vendor fee and then had to go to the restaurant paying seven bucks for one small cup. While any conference does not have to provide you with food/beverage, basics such as coffee/tea/water are courtesy items I think my vendor fee should have been able to spare particularly for any events that start at 8-9 o’clock in the morning and last more than four hours.
3. Do it or DON’T Bother – WHY are you really doing this? This is a great question that many of us in all aspects of life pursuits fail to address. You likely wanted to make money is a real and valid reason but if you’re going to scrape and scrimp, are you setting your event up for failure? You very well could have made a couple thousand (results not likely by the way) but if no one is coming back next year what’s the point?
2. Call the Thing the Thing! What does this even mean? It’s all about proper BRANDING. Recently, another event I attended as a vendor/author called the event a “fest”. Sadly, it wasn’t. It was a writer’s conference in disguise. There is nothing wrong with “writer’s conference”. What’s sad is that promoted as a writing event (which also happened to be free to outside attendees) and where people would receive the ins and outs of writing and publishing AND get to meet/greet some international best-selling authors… would have gained so much more support and attendance than it did touting the event as a “fest”. Moreover, festivals, for me, inspire thoughts of outdoors, food trucks, entertainment, local caterers selling food, artist selling beautiful tapestry/artwork and should have been easier to access than the lower level ballroom. Be certain, as the event planner/promotor that you are using the right words for the occasion/content.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO HIRE ASSISTANCE – Finally, while hiring a PR Firm can be costly, most of us think things are cost prohibitive yet we’ve come to that conclusion, often on our own, without real research. In today’s social media industry, many of us can get a young/knowledgeable, social media freelance guru for a small amount of funds that can give us greater reach than we can do on our own. It’s worth looking into to getting help to ensure your event’s increased exposure especially for the first couple years. Utilizing a professional until you build the contacts, the following and the reach is a great idea. Once you have worked with someone a couple of times, you’ll have more ability/confidence to do it on your own. If nothing else, for your payout, any reputable provider will at minimum, supply you with a list of outlets they have sought to gain exposure to, on your behalf AND with that list you can do this on your own in future.
Now that everyone has suggestions about what we can do to help one another be successful, lets get to it. Before you go, however, leave a comment below about…
What are some things YOU do as a vendor do to increase your event(s) exposure?
What are some trends YOU see in event planning that are being implemented to enhance attendance/attendee experience?
Do you think the online event (via Facebook, Twitter, webinars and etc.,) have replaced the live event?
What was most memorable about the last event you attended?
April 6, 2018
Friday Features
E Y W A D E
[image error]Ey considers herself to be a caged in frustrated author of thought provoking, mind bending books in several genres, from romance to mystery to juvenile picture books. She is, and always has been the single the mother of three adult daughters that were previously home-schooled and the drooling ‘Lovey’ to a little boy. Ey was born in Texas and reared as an Army brat. There is the constant need to speak- writing and telling stories is the way she chooses to communicate.
TRIPPING PRINCE CHARMING – Written in the format of acts and scenes, three friends join their love stories to create a romance that is both whimsical and beguiling. Enjoy the production of three epic tales of love, in this ‘rom-dramadey’
Carmella Candi, Ivy Gardiner, and Lillie-Rose McIntyre are best friends. Strong minded women, who defied the fairy tales, tore up the pink fluffy dresses and enjoyed pulling Prince Charming through the ringer and giving him a run for his money. They decided when ‘happily’ became ‘ever after’.
[image error]Here’s an Excerpt form Tripping Prince Charming, Ey’s latest:
Bernard turned into the driveway and drove into the two car garage. The sight of Franklin’s car sitting on the opposite side of the structure, spoke volumes. Hanging his keys on the wall, he grabbed a couple of pieces of hard candy from a variety of sweets sitting in the large bowl on the ornate shelving as he moved through the home’s foyer, Bernard called out to Franklin. Receiving no answer, he strolled through the rest of the house searching and calling for his friend.
Unable to find him in the house, Bernard crossed the living room, opened the glass patio door, and stepped outside. At first, he didn’t see Franklin sitting among the trees, in one of the chairs facing the brass water wall. When he did, he walked over and peered at his friend’s silhouette.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?” Bernard reached over and flicked on the switch which lit the entire yard. From the expression on Franklin’s face when the light’s reflection pierced his eyes, Bernard immediately clicked the switch back off. Sitting quietly near his friend Bernard stretched out his legs, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. After five minutes and no reactions from Franklin, he decided to just jump in.
“Things didn’t go well, huh?”
“Pfft, how can you tell?”
“Well, you’re sitting in the middle of an expensively landscaped yard in the dark, and you look as if you’ve lost everything you ever wanted in life. Plus, I saw your face as you walked out of Starbucks. I take it Carmella didn’t handle the explanation too well.”
“You can take it to the goal line. I think Carmella believes we deliberately played a trick on her.”
“You want me to talk to her? Obviously you weren’t clear enough in your explanation.”
Franklin’s laugh was dry. “Not if you value your life. Maybe my explanation was a little crazy. I don’t think she’s open enough to really hear me. From what she told me on the ride back to the church, she has a fear of falling for a controlling Neanderthal. Why would she even have such a fear?”
“The fear is the remnant of a situation dealing with her friend, Lillie-Rose.”
“Did Ivy tell you that? I can’t believe she would share so much of her cousin’s business.”
“Of course she didn’t. She’s not a gossip. I heard it from the women at the church.”
“Oh, you eavesdropped?”
“Of course not,” Bernard chuckled. “I was a part of the conversation…well, sort of. I stand around drinking coffee, they always circle around me talking and I offer the occasional, ‘uhm hmm’. Women tend to see me as a constituent. I put it down to the accent or the beauty. They get loose lips around me.”
“You can believe it’s your beauty, but I bet it’s the fact they think we’re gay.”
Bernard threw back his head and laughed loudly. “And probably that, too. Anyway, seems the guy Lillie-Rose was married to, someone they all knew as children, turned out to be controlling and abusive. In the end, Lillie-Rose ended up in the hospital. I heard she almost died. So, trust of men comes pretty hard with that trio.”
“Dang, that’s bad, but I’m nothing like that guy.”
“No, you’re not. I’m sure if you give Carmella time she will remember that fact.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, what did she say before she left you? Did she say she never wanted to see you again?”
“No, she said she would call me by the end of the week.”
“There you go then. If she hasn’t called you by then, my friend, you can come and mope in this beautiful garden. But, until then have some faith.”
“I guess you’re right.” Franklin stood and stretched. “You want something to drink?”
“Naw, I guess I’ll go to bed.”
“Really?” In the middle of the living room, Franklin turned to Bernard. “You mean you don’t want to tell me how your night went?” He continued toward the kitchen.
Bernard, unable to hold back his joy, whooped before smiling at his friend and following him into the kitchen, barely taking a seat at the island before diving into conversation.
“I’d love to. I didn’t want you to think I had no sympathy for you.”
“That’s dumb.” Franklin placed one of the canned drinks he held in his hand on the counter in front of Bernard. “You can tell me anything. I’m not crazy, I saw the way the two of you were looking at each other. Hell, your laughter carried all the way over to where we were sitting.” He laughed. “You weren’t laughing at me were you?”
Bernard laughed too.”You know I was. Ivy confirmed your girl wanted to run me over, so I guess we came clean just in time. I told you she was seeing me as some sort of jerk.”
“Yeah, well now we’re in the same boat with her. What about her cousin? How did she take the news?”
“Ecstatically, I told you, I know what God has said to me. Those are the chosen women for us and you know it. For me, this past year of standing on the sidelines getting to know Ivy has only confirmed the fact for me. And you know for yourself, Carmella is your destiny. There’s no way she is going to step away from you. Haven’t you watched the girl in church or in her cooking class? She can barely keep her eyes off of you. You are stuck with her. Life can be full of rocks, hills and mountains. Sometimes you’ll bruise your toes or trip on the hard parts which come your way, but you’ll just have to deal with it. Give Carmella her time. As for Ivy, she couldn’t hide her pleasure in being with me. A few more days of playing games with you and I would have lost her.” He swallowed the dregs from the can. “Go to bed, Franklin, worrying never changes anything.”
“You’re right.”
Climbing off the stool, Franklin tossed his empty can in the trash before locking up the house and going to his room.
Connect with Ey Wade at her
Website
Instagram, and
March 16, 2018
Friday Features
T U M I K A P A T R I C E C A I N
[image error]
Tumika Patrice Cain is an award-winning author and media personality. She writes in the women’s contemporary fiction and poetry genres, bringing messages of hope and empowerment to women. In addition, she is also a champion for indie authors and works tirelessly to coach, train, and create opportunities for exposure to those in the literary arena. Tumika is a respected book reviewer, editor, columnist and founder of Say What?? Book Club. She is also the CEO of Inkscriptions Publishing and Media Group. Her works have been featured in a number of publications and anthologies.
Tumika Patrice Cain is changing lives one word at a time…
Enjoy this excerpt from When a Man Loves a Woman: A Love Divine
[image error]Jacquie seemed moved by her performance. Michael was in tune to her every nuance. Poetry lover. Can appreciate deep thoughts. Good conversationalist, even if she does seem a little shy. The running checklist of her attributes was impressing him more by the minute.
Hours later as he walked her back to her car, they slowly strolled as if time didn’t exist. All they had was that moment and they wished it would last forever.
“To be honest, Jacquie, I wrestled with myself over whether to ask you for your phone number the day we met.”
“Why didn’t you?” He liked that she could be direct and shy intermittently, responding appropriately as each situation demanded. There was an innocence about her that he liked.
“Because sometimes you meet someone and you feel a connection, but you don’t take time to sit still and see what the universe is actually orchestrating. Sometimes it’s just something that you are supposed to give and receive for just that moment. Other times, it’s a business connect. Still, there are times when it’s so much more. But how do you ever know which way to go if you rush right into the first thing that comes to mind or to the first one who crosses your path? So I held my breath and let you pull off in that car, not knowing if I would ever see you again.”
The deepness of his voice fluttered over her senses, settling in her belly, making it do flip-flops. Whew! This man!! If he hadn’t been standing in front of her, she’d have fanned herself. Instead, she kept her facial expression neutral and gave him eye contact, nodding her head in agreement.
“I get it. What you said makes so much sense. I’ve never heard it put quite that way before, yet that is it, and it is so profound. I love your thoughts.” By now, they were at her car just leaned up against it taking in the whole atmosphere. The busy sounds of city life were all around them, even at eleven o’clock at night. Horns beeped. Snatches of conversations could be heard. Shopping carts from homeless passersby squeaked by. It was perfect.
“So check it out. I like you and I want to get to know you better. You game?” There was no mistaking who he was talking to. His pointed gaze held her captive. He was very sincere, yet cool, leaned up against her car with his legs crossed at the ankles, hands stuck deep into the pockets of his jeans. No pressure. If she had said no, it would have still been just as easy between them.
“Yeah, I’m game.” Her voice was a bit of a whisper. He grinned and stuck his hand deeper into his pockets. The sweetness of her response and the look on her face made him want to pull her close and kiss her, but it was too soon. Jacquie was a delicate flower, and he would treat her with the respect a lady deserves. Nothing less.
“Cool.” He received a shy smile in response.
“I have a question.”
“Yeah?”
“How old are you?”
He chuckled before answering. “Does it matter?”
“Not really. I was just curious.”
“I’m 25.” She gulped, glanced away, but said nothing. Dang! He’s not gonna want to hang anymore once he finds out how old I am. I’d better just put it on the table and get it over with. She braced herself then spit it out. If he was going to have an issue with her age, it was better to know it up front rather than to waste a bunch of time and emotions.
“Michael, I’m 37.” She looked at him directly, waiting on him to say something, but he never did. So she said, “Do you still want to get to know me better?”
“Am I still standing here?” She smiled sweetly in response, chuckling a little to herself, but said nothing. Good! I think this one is a keeper, she thought. This could have played out either way, but she was secretly glad it worked in the affirmative. Although it was a new connect, there was something about him that made her want to see just how far they could take it, age differences be damned.
Who is this beautiful woman with all the sex appeal of a Victoria Secrets model, yet the innocence of a schoolgirl still young enough to wear tights and ponytails? Michael wondered silently to himself. He couldn’t wait to find out.
Be sure to connect with Tumika on her Social Media homes:
Social Media links:
Website
Amazon
Linked In
Goodreads
Youtube
March 9, 2018
Friday Features
M I C H E L L E S T E P H E N S
[image error]National Bestselling Author Michelle Lynn Stephens hails from Durham, North Carolina and is an inspirational writer who encourages others to make comebacks out of setbacks and to overcome life’s obstacles through faith and perseverance. She is the author of The Divorcée Chronicles: Diary of a Divorcée Diva and her poetry collection, Straight from a Diva’s Heart. She is delighted to be co-author of the Brown Girls Books anthology, Single Mama Dating Drama. In addition to writing, Michelle enjoys singing, performing spoken word poetry, and dancing with her toddler.
ABOUT
A Divas Heart
[image error]If you need a quick, powerful bit of encouragement focused on life and love, this short read is made just for you. Selected from Michelle’s beloved spoken word performances, these words are all about being free to give and receive love according to God’s example. Another delightful trio of works, coming to you straight from a diva’s heart!
[image error]
Connect with Michelle on
Goodreads
and on her Blog
Event Planning Tips and Tricks
Greetings!
Welcome, welcome to the first part of my two-part event planning series and a sorta update from my Author Launch Party series found here. I absolutely loved writing this series almost three years ago, it was packed and I had so much fun. AND don’t forget, this month’s FREEBIE printable. You can get it right here if you’d like, but do return to enjoy the good information below.
Smaller Soiree’s and Intimate Gatherings
The first part is about the smaller, more intimate party type events, when I say that I’m talking about a small event at someone’s house or maybe at a small community room at your local community center or parks and recreation buildings, where the rental fees are fairly reasonable.
First I wanted to go over some myths that I have rethought about event planning over the years.
While I was never beholden to the idea of a theme, wherever I am on the spectrum, I’ve decided you don’t really NEED a theme. Is it helpful? Yes. I do believe that without one, you may have a more difficult time deciding and narrowing down what should be included in your party but it’s not impossible. Plus at the end of the day, what is theme? Working around a central subject or ambience and setting and that doesn’t have be formal, it can be a look or atmosphere you’re striving for, or a feeling. Not major for my new author types, you should really try to do something within your books, either using the food or somehow creating the same settings and subjects running through your prose. Now that, would be awesome. BUT my main point, if you don’t have one, don’t stress.
You can do it all…. You can but you might end up exhausted, angry, unable to enjoy your party, really annoyed by the smallest snafu’s, or you could end up in the hospital. Truly, many people have symptoms of stress masquerading as something more and it’s compounded by little stressors that turn into larger issues when ignored. Yes that’s extreme, but it does happen. Plus, I don’t really think you can do it all. Take greeting people and being able to mingle and conduct other aspects of your party. If you don’t have any greeters of even just one other person to tell people where everything is, people will come to YOU for everything. Plus greeters are at the entrance or the “front” – as the host or the author, you can’t stay at the entrance all day, you have to move around. Remember to ask friends and family to help out, give them ONE task and one tasks only for the day or evening and that’s it! You’ll feel so much better. See one more tip about asking for help in my Free Event Planning Cheat Sheet and Printable
You need food that lasts and lasts – No, you don’t. Yes, this is a hard one. My motto is that everyone who arrives in the first hour to ninety minutes of the event will eat IF your eating and mingling is during the first hour to ninety minutes. This is not a conference, this is an event. People can get pretty uptight about food but also remember that not everyone likes everything you will have, that’s just the way it goes.
Let’s move on to the rest of my tips.
Develop a CHECKLIST with TIMELINE/ASSIGNED TO NAME
This is super easy – choose your date and work backwards outlining everything you have to do. Also if you can, assign specific tasks and delegate to your team. Before you assign tasks, I would make a short list of the pleasant, always friendly and warm people in your life that help you anytime you may asks. Do the list of those names first and then the tasks, it will be more clear who should do what. With the names you’ve generated, here’s some tasks that they can do, who would you have do each one?
Greeters / Registration
Set up/Clean Up Crew
IT / Sound Technician – depends on what you’re doing
Back up – one or two floaters to help out where ever needed
Casher – depends on if you’re selling a product e.g. book/CD
2. GATHER INSPIRATION and IDEAS FROM OTHERS (EVERYWHERE) TO DESIGN YOUR CONTENT
I’ve mentioned in the past that Pinterest is a wonderful tool for just about anything but it is especially helpful for event planning and ideas. Whatever you see that you love, whether DIY easy or expensive, always DO WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR BUDGET. The more you do at the event, the more you have to do to prep for the event. There is so much information already out there, take some time to look at all the ideas.
3. INVITATIONS
On my FREE PRINTABLE THIS MONTH – I list a bunch of resources that really upped the appearance of the electronic invitation. And remember there is nothing, NOTHING wrong with an electronic invitation. They can be just as beautiful. E-vite is a wonderful tool but since it’s inception, there are not even more kinds of electronic invitation sites available that I like that just give a tone of elegance and are visually very nice and a step above what E-vite offers. Remember, make it fun and related it back to your personality and your theme (if you have one).
One VERY important note about any invitation, NEVER FORGET to list an RSVP by (cutoff) date (do this regardless of sending electronic or print invitations because it does not matter). There will always be people who feel like they can just show up. Not much you can do about it. You’ll need to make accommodations in your meal, chairs and other important parts of the event for usually I’d say about 5 – 8 people that are coming but refuse to RSVP. You may have been that very person a time or two in your life so it happens. But remember, there’s also another 5 – 8 people that said they were coming and don’t show. I’ve always seen things work out fine. But ALWAYS, ALWAYS put a cut off date. I also think you should put a cut off time unless you like people to stay forever and the venue is rented well into the night. You don’t have to rush people out as the final call approaches, but if an event ends, it ends and a good three hour, four hours, and shorter for smaller events, is enough time to get done whatever you set out to accomplish by having the event in the first place. As for the cut off date for the RSVP, this should be realistic, say anywhere from three days to a week or so before the event date that you can still make adjustments and if you are using a professional place or a hotel, they will have their own dates when they need head counts and they usually put that information in your contract. If they don’t be sure to ask.
4. ALL OF IT… START NOW… CREATE the INVITATION and INVITE LIST
You can’t start your invitation list or any part of the planning process for that matter, early enough. I have ideas for a party now that probably won’t happen until 2019. Anything you want to go well and run smoothly has to have a well prepared list of things and attention to details. I’m not a fan of just thinking about an event and tomorrow, oh lets have it. That’s asking for chaos if you ask me. So really take time. Who is coming? What are we going to do? What kind of food will we have? Where will this food come from?
Also, start looking at the invitations you receive in the snail mail or electronically. Hold on to the snail mail ones if you like them. Keep them and start a small, off Pinterest, inspiration board for your party/event.
When thinking about WHO, start a list of people. Go through your contacts, there will be people you forgot about and then, you’ll be surprised at how many people you can come up with and who will want to come. You also have family in the area and your Mom/Dad/SO’s friends/family that will expect an invitation too!
5. PLAN A REALISTIC BUDGET with WIGGLE ROOM
Yes, I hate budgeting too but only you (or you and your SO) really know how much you have to work with and really no one else need to know this information at all. The reason why I think that you generate lists of ideas and numbers of people first is because depending on what you come up with, the list of invitees, the theme or the decor, venue and food and content, is that you’ll start to see how quickly things add up and honestly, the biggest costs of any event is the food, second to that, depending on where you’re having it, is the venue and any specialty items. Will you have music or a musical guest, will you do music from an iPod or other computer, tablet electronic device and on and on. It’s up to you to do what you feel is important but it’s also up to you to know what/how many you/your venue can handle and what you can afford. As you start to approach that number, you can scale the event up or down and you can trade things off your list for cheaper items or seek to barter items you don’t have. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and to get creative.
You really don’t need a lot to plan a spectacular small event and intimate affair, when you really settle down and just finesse out some details, you’ll find that your preparation and your checklists are key. You will also find (but not usually until AFTER the event) that people just want to sit down, relax, laugh talk and of course eat. Everything else will work out fine. People comment more to me, after an event, about the nice people they met more than any food or music you painfully selected and agonized over.
This month’s FREE PRINTABLE Event Planning Cheat Sheet has all the resources and extra details you need to start generating awesome plans for your upcoming event. Note, some of the resources will discuss book events and launches (what else is there) specifically but they can be used and applied to any types of event you choose.
Enjoy.
Next month, I’m talking about planning a conference type event, like a writer’s conference or empowerment seminar which I do right here every year for my annual writer’s conference, called The Publishing Summit. It’s so much fun and we’ll go behind the scenes with pictures from last year’s event. If you’re local to the Virginia/DC and Maryland area and are interested in writing, come join us by registering here and check it out!
March 2, 2018
Friday Features
[image error]
Welcome to Friday Features, peeps.
Here’s another Veteran Author and romance Queen
H O P E R A M S A Y
[image error]Hope Ramsay is an award-winning, bestselling author and two-time Golden Heart finalist. Her series of heartwarming romances, published by Grand Central Publishing, have won critical acclaim. Hope is also a member of the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood and regularly blogs about storytelling and plotting. She is married to a good ol’ Georgia boy and has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Virginia where, when she’s not writing, she’s knitting or playing on her forty-year-old Martin guitar.
About
Here Comes the Bride
[image error]For Professor Laurie Wilson, planning her wedding to longtime boyfriend Brandon Kopp has been a whirlwind. But somehow, between all the cake tastings and dress fittings, she never imagined being left at the altar. In the aftermath, she does what any sensible woman would – she swigs champagne and considers keying his car. Until someone knocks on her door with a much better idea for revenge.
Best man Andrew Lyndon thinks Laurie’s better off without Brandon. But Laurie’s father – and Andrew’s boss – isn’t going to accept anything less than a reconciliation. And he’s made it Andrew’s problem to solve. So Andrew decides to make Brandon jealous by setting Laurie up on a string of “dates.” After a couple of weeks, Brandon will be begging Laurie to take him back. But Andrew’s plan works a little too well because suddenly he’s the one falling for Laurie — and planning a proposal of his own.
Meet Hope on the following social media outlets
Website
Coming In April, also from Hope Ramsay, the series continues with
The Bride Next Door
Courtney Wallace loves her job as a wedding planner, but she’s almost given up on her own happily-ever-after. She certainly doesn’t it expect to find it with Matthew Lyndon, the hotshot lawyer she overhears taking a bet to seduce her. She’s not amused by the challenge, but she decides to play along–after all, what better way to beat him at his own game?
Matt never intended to take the bet seriously. And moving next door wasn’t part of his strategy to win—it was just a happy coincidence—but the more he gets to know Courtney, the more intrigued he becomes. When fun and games turn into something real, will these two decide they’re in it to win it?
