VBT - Writers on the Move March Schedule

The March VBT - Writers on the Move schedule is ready. Please visit each day possible and leave a message. Just click on the host's name to go to his or her blog.

What makes the VBT - Writers on the Move's tour so special is that members offer writing and marketing advice, tips, and information. They cover genres including children's lit, poetry, romance, suspense, and nonfiction. Come join the fun and experiences.

1st Dianne Sagan is hosting Janet Ann Collins
2nd Karen Cioffi is hosting Gary Eby
3rd Kathy Stemke is hosting Debra Eckerling
4th Lea Schizas is hosting Dana Donovan
5th Vivian Zabel is hosting Margaret Fieland
6th Nancy Famolari is hosting Heidi Thomas
7th Margaret Fieland is hosting Helena Harper
8th Elysabeth Eldering is hosting Heather Paye
9th Helena Harper is hosting Kathy Stemke
10th Carolyn Howard-Johnson is hosting Vivian Zabel
11th Gayle Trent is hosting Maggie Ball
12th Mayra Calvani is hosting Darcia Helle
13th Marvin Wilson is hosting Dianne Sagan
14th Stephen Tremp is hosting Elysabeth Eldering
15th Darcia Helle is hosting Gayle Trent
16th Martha Swirzinski is hosting Mayra Calvani
17th Heidi Thomas is hosting Dallas Woodburn
18th Dana Donovan is hosting Katie Hines
19th Dallas Woodburn is hosting Kevin McNamee
20th Debra Eckerling is hosting Martha Swirzinski
21st Heather Paye is hosting Lea Schizas
22nd Maggie Ball is hosting Marvin Wilson
23rd Kevin McNamee is hosting Nancy Famolari
24th Janet Ann Collins is hosting Stephen Tremp
25th Gary Eby is hosting Karen Cioffi
26th Katie Hines is hosting Carolyn Howard-Johnson


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Components of a good blog tour

More and more authors are relying on blog or virtual book tours to present their books to the public, for several reasons including the high cost of traveling for personal, physical book tours.

I've taken part in several blog or virtual book tours, including a couple for my own books. I've followed other people's tours and been a part of blog tour groups. Some tours were more successful than others. Some stops attracted readers more than others. So what made some tours or some stops better?

1. The tour is well organized. Not only does the organizer prepare the compete tour well, with a mixture of hosts, providing the needed information such as book cover images, photo of author, and book information; but each host prepares the stop at his/her blog well with interesting, unique posts.

The organizer has reminded hosts of their day for a stop at least three times before the scheduled stop, including the day before.

2. Each stop on the tour is not a repeat of other stops. People find the blog stops interesting enough to want to follow the tour, or at least more than one visit at one stop.

3. All hosts post on their blogs on the correct day and all day. They schedule the post to appear very early the morning of the day scheduled.

4. Authors visit and leave comments, answer questions, and make observations at each stop several times during the day.

5. The host visits and leaves comments and observations several times during the day.

6. Both organizer and hosts promote the tour and its stops. Each host promotes the stop at his/her blog at least the day before and several times during the day of the stop. Then he/she promotes the stop after his/hers.

The organizer starts promotion for the complete tour at least a week before it starts and promotes each stop each day of the schedule. Promote, promote, promote.

7. The organizer, author, and/or hosts offer something to visitors who leave comments. It may be a PDF of a short story by the author or puzzle or even a copy of the book. Imagination is vital.

Email addresses are not required to be posted for someone to be considered for whatever is gifted or awarded. (note: this is a privacy subject. Ways of contacting can be found that do not require a person to post anything publicly.)

8. The host makes leaving a comment easy for the visitor. Moderation is eliminated at least during the tour stop. Some people can't "see" the symbols, letters, etc. required for a person to copy in order to leave a comment.

9. The author thanks the hosts (and the organizer if the author doesn't do the job).

10. The tour is fun.

I'm sure there are other components that would make a blog tour a good one, but those are the ones that have been most prominent in blog tours I've followed.

Please feel free to share what you discovered that makes a successful book blog tour, or what ruins one.


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Introducing Penny Sanvevieri

I've just "met" Penny Sanvevieri, and what I've read about her makes her a person I would like to know better. A talented woman, she's the CEO of a company and a best selling author. With her knowledge and ability, I wish I could hire her myself.

Now with information directly from Penny's biography, I give you Penny Sanvevieri.

Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. Her company researched, developed and implemented the first comprehensive Internet publicity campaign called The Virtual Author Tour™.

Penny began her career in the publicity, book marketing, and literary field over 15 years ago. During that time she has been an author, freelance writer, publicist, and instructor. She has been instrumental in creating several highly successful marketing and publicity campaigns for author events and book launches. Penny, as President and CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., has developed and implemented countless marketing and publicity strategies. She has worked with such high profile clients as world renowned psychic and ghost buster, Jane Doherty, Barney Rosenzweig creator of Cagney & Lacey, Fred and Kim Goldman, owners of If I Did It, Jac Flanders (of the original Fantastic Four) and Tammi Menendez, wife of Erik Menendez and the first eBay auction of a Princess Diana gown (lot “9” from Christie’s New York). Her firm has worked with numerous bestsellers including: Happy for No Reason, The Go-Giver, The Laws of Thinking and such high-profile books as: Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. Her clients have been featured on The View, CBS The Early Show, The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, CNN Showbiz Tonight, National Public Radio, Something You Should Know, The Heloise Show and in Publishers Weekly, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, Essence Magazine, More Magazine, The Bridal Guide, Entertainment Weekly, MSNBC… and many others.

Penny's diverse background enables her to bring a multitude of talents to the table as well as a myriad of marketing techniques. She recently signed a three-book deal with a mainstream publisher: Morgan James Publishing, to re-release From Book to Bestseller (January 2006) and Get Published Today (January 2006) as well as publish her latest book, Red Hot Internet Publicity (June 2007).

Penny’s innovative marketing strategies have been featured in Marketing Sherpa, Writer’s Digest Magazine, Book Marketing Update, The Publicity Hound, The San Diego Union Tribune, Working Writer Magazine, Vision Magazine, Writer’s Web, New Book Reviews, Romance Writers of America, RW of Europe and many more. She is also editor for the e-newsletter "The Book Marketing Expert," which has a subscriber base in excess of 7,000.

Penny successfully marketed her first book, The Cliffhanger, which was released in 2000. After a strategic marketing campaign, it soared up the ranks at Amazon.com and held the #1 spot for three months. Her most recent book, Red Hot Internet Publicity, has been called “an indispensable guide to leveraging the Internet for success.”

Penny's Web Site

To purchase Red Hot Internet Publicity click title.

More about Penny and her book later this week.


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Another Visit with Harry Gilleland

I posted a review of Harry Gilleland's book, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man, earlier, so I won't review the book again except to say I really liked it.

Wednesday February 4, we'll discuss the difficulty in trying to write a novel, as Harry talks about how hard it is, and at times discouraging.

Of course Harry is known for his poetry and storeoms, and for good reason. He's a great poet. However, as with any author, he would love to see his book sell. Every book needs a good home, and his book is a good one to have in any home.

Today I'm going to swipe parts of an interview between Harry and Norm Goldman, Publisher and Editor of Bookpleasures.com. Mr. Goldman's name is a link to the complete interview.

Norm:
It is sometimes said that people in times of need turn to poetry. Is this true, and if so, why?

Harry:
I believe this is probably true. It is because in time of need people want comforting and to get in touch with their emotions. Poetry is capable of offering insight into situations from a point of view that the person had not considered previously. It makes them focus, examine their emotions, and think about what is important in their lives. Reading poetry can also be soothing and relaxing. It can take their mind off their problems for a while. Poetry has much to offer to its readers.

Norm:
Would you say you get clarity about a subject from writing a poem about it? If so, please elaborate.

Harry:
Definitely so! If I don't have a clear idea about the subject of my poem, then how could I convey to the reader the exact meaning I intended him/her to get from reading it? In writing a poem, I mull it over in my mind for several days before actually writing it down. I analyze what my feelings and thoughts on the subject are and what message I hope to convey. Writing a poem about a subject makes me crystallize my own beliefs and feelings regarding that issue.

Norm:
How would you define a good poem?

Harry:
A good poem is one that connects with its readers. Regardless of the form – rhyming or free verse, short or long, etc.—any poem that touches the mind and emotions of the readers so that they take away something from the poem is a good poem. A good poem will linger in the readers' minds and makes them consider their own feelings and beliefs anew.

(The final question and answer I'll use from that interview concerns a subject near to my heart, the correct use of language.)

Norm:
How do you feel as to the way language and words are used today?

Harry:
It is terrible how language and words are mistreated in today's society. In medical school we had to dumb down test questions because some medical students had never heard commonplace words, and remember these are the supposedly the best and brightest of college graduates.

Spelling and grammar seem to be a lost art among today's students and young workers. I am appalled at the poor quality of writing one encounters on the Internet. Today's young people seem to think they have no need to be able to speak and write well and correctly. After all, doesn't the computer have a spell-check and grammar-check?
Should I correct my own grown children when they mangle some word usage, they simply shrug and say, "Whatever!" Such is the sorry state of language, grammar, and spelling in the modern high-tech world.

(That last answer is why I want Harry for an editor for 4RV Publishing.)



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The Dog Men by Patricia Crandall part 2

Author Patricia Crandall Delves into the Deviant World of Dog Fighting
Patricia Crandall Takes a Stark Look at Dog Fighting in her recent novel, The Dog Men, posted by Denise Cassino, publicist, on BigNews.biz

Patricia Crandall, author of many published short stories and poems has released her first novel, The Dog Men, which takes a fictional look at the horrors of the sordid sport of dog fighting and the sick and seedy characters who inhabit it.

Her book involves two kids who inadvertently become entangled in a dog fighting ring and are held hostage when they witness the sadistic sport first hand. Crandall found a plethora of material available in newspaper articles documenting criminal cases on the books.

Dog fighting came under public scrutiny in 2007 when Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick was convicted of running an illegal dog fighting and gambling ring. He is currently serving time in prison for the crime. A former Animal Control officer stated, “With dogs that don't win, it's not uncommon for them to be electrocuted, shot, hung or burned.” Another sources said owners sometimes file the canine teeth to a sharp point and put ground glass in the dogs fur before a fight.

The Dog Men is available through the publisher, PublishAmerica and at major online bookstores like Amazon.com.

Patricia Crandall's website




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Also visit Vivian's Mysteries and Prairie Dog Cowboy


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Interview with Rosemary Chaulk

Rosemary Chaulk, the author of Nissitissit Witch, is visiting with us today. Welcome, Rose. I hope you don't mind some of the nosy questions.


VZ: How did/does your history and home background affect your writing?

Rose: My history directly affects my writing. My childhood was a constant struggle, my biological father died before my mother knew she was pregnant. Poor prenatal care and having a grief stricken mother led to several birth defects. My mother remarried and she and my stepfather began developing and abusive relationship. My mother then divorced and fell into manic depressant alcoholism. I held the family together at a young age and grew up fast.

When my parents would fight I would run off and escape to the woods, finding solace with nature. This has lasted all my life with the woods being my escape, I naturally fell into land surveying where I could spend all of my working hours in the woods, away from the road, away from people, never having to deal with office politics.

Ten years ago I finally dealt with the last major issue in my life that still lingered from my birth defects. Finally by making my life complete I was able to open my heart to the world and write.

VZ: Tell us something about your educational background that has made you a better, or more caring, writer.

Rose: I was educated as a civil engineer that has served me well in many ways. When you look and see the bridge I see the foundation. I have learned that what you don’t see is more important that what you see. The finest bridge will not last if the foundations are poor. This also translates well into life in dealing with people. What you see in the presentation of someone is not as important as the things you don’t see.

VZ: Please fill us in on your hobbies, interests, or activities you participate in during your leisure time. *laugh* If you have any.

Rose: I don’t have much leisure time. I would say that my leisure time is my writing time. I work nine months a year in New England doing land survey and working as many hours as I can so that I can go to Florida for three months and write. I can only write when I am rested and relaxed.
I do still like to walk in the woods, and also I love playing in Texas Hold'em tournaments. The drama of cards can be quite exciting. I limit myself to very low buy in games and also play in a free league for points only.

VZ: Authors are often asked when they started writing or what triggered their interest in writing. I like to know that, also, but I would especially like to know what keeps you writing.

Rose: What triggered my writing was totally self-oriented. I found that by writing I could release some of the stored emotions I had and in a way deal with life to become a better person. I initially write a story for me and then reluctantly share it with the world. What keeps me writing is my desire to keep becoming a better person. Only when you know your own heart can you start to touch others.

VZ: Tell us a little about Nissitissit Witch. Where did you find the inspiration for this story?

Rose: I was born under the sign of the bull, forever connected to the earth. I have spent my entire life working outside year round doing land survey. I have a deep respect and love for the land and at times in my career I was sickened and even despondent about the massive pollution that I saw. In the early seventies I worked in a survey crew doing topographic surveys along the banks of the Merrimack River in Lowell, Mass. The branches of the trees, which hung in the river, were covered with toilet papers and condoms; tampons swam by like perverted sperm on their way to the ocean to infect the source of life. I have carried these images my whole life.

In the town I live was a village, North Village, and people to this day believe the village was cursed by a witch and died. A cursed piece of land right in the town I live in. But then I thought, “Can land be cursed or is it just the tortured souls who roam it who are cursed?”

In this book I found a way to express my love for the land and make people aware of just how much we polluted North America once we took it from the Indians

When the settlers took the valley from the Indians, they killed a tribe that had lived there for six thousand years. The settlers’ lust for the land was strong; it proved to be ironic that their lack of respect for this land was the very thing which killed them


VZ: Tell us about your main characters.

Rose: I based my fictional characters on actual newspaper articles. In doing the research I noticed that there were many mentions of people dying in an unusual way. Reading some of the research I found North Village to have a cobbler who made his own felt, in researching felt I found it to be made using mercuric oxide. The cobbler traveled the farms in the area selling his boots. There was also a velvet shop and in researching velvet I found that it has to be steamed and not ironed. Further research showed that all of the royal colors back then contained poisons and sometimes heavy metals, even the wallpaper back then was toxic and many infants died in their cribs. It is even rumored that Napolian’s insanity was caused by his love of green wallpaper, which was the most toxic. When I researched heavy metal poisoning, research showed that people died as raving lunatics, certainly an unusual way.

VZ: Thank you for joining us, Rose. I'm sure readers will find you and your information as interesting as I have. The book and more information on the book is available at Rosemary Chaulk’s website.

Rosemary Chaulk


Margaret Fieland hosts me this week.


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