We CAN! promote our books

Have a New Book Releasing? Let's Party!

Hi everyone! Pamela Meyers here with my monthly post on marketing your books. Last month I described the inception of my debut novel, Thyme for Love, which released last November with OakTara Publishing. Along with describing how the idea for my story evolved, I also shared ways in which thoughts toward marketing the book materialized as the story took shape.

As soon as I learned my release date of November 14, 2011, my thoughts went to how was I going to celebrate my debut novel and, at the same time, get the word out to people in my local area about the book? What better way than a party and book-signing event? After all, we only have one debut novel in our writing lives.

 

Before He Went Away, Part 12

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

John 15:5

Good Monday morning from Elizabeth Baker! As wordsmiths and lovers of letters, authors often have a unique way of looking at the world. I suspect we tend to dig a little deeper and look for answers even when others are not asking questions!

One of the first things a writer learns is to continually ask, “So, what?” For every article, every speech, every motivation of a fictional character, asking “So, what?” is critical to literary success. No matter how well placed the modifiers or how skillfully crafted each sentence, if there is no answer to that question, readers will drift off and soon lose interest.

I suppose that’s what instantly drew me to today’s verse. The “So, what?” answers fairly jump from the page promising not only logical solutions to practical problems but what writers call, “high take-away value” as well.

The first answer is the reality of fruit. It is actually possible to have more love, more joy, more peace, more patience and all those other delightful tidbits Paul identified as the fruits of the Spirit. [1] These are not pie-in-the-sky or wishful thinking or day-dreams. They’re real things that make a real difference. That is a big, “So, what?” because having more of that kind of fruit will change my world!

The second, “So, what?” is perhaps the most significant of all. It’s the good news that I don’t have to work up these good things on my own. I can get off the treadmill, leave the rat-race, rest. It no more depends on my efforts to grow fruit than it depends on the efforts of a branch to grow grapes. The effort and power come from the vine. A vine can get along without the branch just fine but the branch without the vine is dead before it hits the ground.

And, the last really big “So, what?” is the other side of that coin. While the fruit does not depend on me, that doesn’t mean I’m useless. I have a significant responsibility. I contribute to the process. If I don’t do my part, I won’t share in the benefits of fruit production. Other branches will take my place. They and the vine will go on without me. My job is to cling tightly to the vine. I don’t focus on fruit production, I focus on the vine and fruit comes as a byproduct.

Unfortunately, it is possible to be a Christian attend church and even read the Bible but stopped asking the question, “So, what?” When that happens, faith becomes disjointed from daily life; religion separates from living, and experiencing the dynamic flow from the Vine slows to a trickle.

How sad! For the solution to the problem is simple. Jesus told us about it before he left. We make it our business to firmly hang on to the Vine and a good way to do that is to keep asking the question, “So, what?”

 [1] Galatians 5:28

 

WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD: WRITING CONTROVERSY

                                            [The woman] looked closely at Peter and said, "This man was with him." But Peter denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. (Luke 22:56-57, NIV)

A blessed day to you! Maureen Pratt here with my second CAN Blog post. This time, I'm going to dive right into the deep end and talk about writing controversial subjects, characters, and themes. I've had very recent (ongoing, actually) experience with doing this, so I'm looking at the topic with eyes wide open and have some tips for handling not only the material, but also the feedback that inevitably comes when one "stirs the pot." (Although my experience is with a non-fiction piece, I hope these thought will be helpful to those who write fiction, too).

The Scripture verse I chose for this blog post sets the stage: For many people, even the strongest believer, controversy stirs up feelings of fear, denial, even cowardice. Yet, we people of faith are often called upon to confront issues and situations and stand firm, as our Lord did throughout his life. How much inside of us is Peter's "no!"? How much is Jesus' "yes!" How can we put on more courage and write boldly and maybe, just maybe, change hearts, too?

Before He Went Away, Part 11

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:12

I trust your Monday is going well. This is Elizabeth Baker with a few encouraging words for what is sometimes thought of as the worst day of the week! However, a few words from Jesus can often turn that attitude around; especially when he talks about love.

Although some instinct for loving seems to be biologically programmed, our primary source for learning love is by example. Instinct may draw us to love our children, but watching other mothers interacting with their offspring enables us to work out those instincts in practical ways.

Instinct is important; instruction is important. But it’s the repeated exposure to example that gives our love roots of stability and wings of action. Jesus knew this and more than once pointed followers to his own example of love. In fact, when it came to love, he not only led by example, He commanded that we follow his steps.

Hundreds of examples of Jesus’ love could be cited, but four particular samples have touched me during this study of John. He loved by humble service. He loved by holding a position of authority. He loved by sharing his heart. And, he loved by the example of proactive courage.

Attention is often given to the humble service Jesus showed when he took a basin and towel and washed the disciple’s feet. The moment of him kneeling before Peter has been extolled through sculpture and pictures, songs and poetry. Every time Jesus spoke of doing the will of the Father, he was giving us an example of love’s humble service. He said the very reason he came was to do the will of his Father. [1] Forty-five times in the book of John, Jesus spoke of the Father’s will and most of those references were to his obedience and delight in doing it.

Yet, the humble service of love was not his only example. Jesus also demonstrated how to accept and use high position and authority. As soon as he completed the task of foot-washing, Jesus put back on his robe and sat at the most honored place of the table. He said, “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well for so I am.” [2] This, too, is an example of love. Love accepts the responsibility of rank without shirking its weight.

There was also a personal, tender side of his love. There was much within the heart of the Master that was beyond the capability of the disciples to understand. [3] But that didn’t stop him from reaching out to share his heart. He spoke of his love, his sorrow, his frustration, his desires [4] and much, much more.

But perhaps the strongest, clearest, most consistent example he left of how love behaves was in the timing of it all. Love moves first, rather than waiting for the object of affection to move. He loved us from the foundation of the earth. He came to sacrifice for us before we cared about him. We love, because he first loved us. [5]

One of the last commands Jesus gave was that we love one another and following His example, we are blessed with a very clear path showing how to make that loving real.

[1] John 6:38 [2] John 13:13; John 17 [3] John 16:12 [4] John 15:12; Matthew 26:38; Luke 12:50 [5] I John 4:19

The Marketing Seesaw

Hi from Ava Pennington, CAN Secretary...

When was the last time you played on a seesaw? Maybe you called it a teeter-totter. The fun lasted only as long as the person on the other end weighed about the same as you. Enough of an imbalance and you either spent most of the time camped on the ground or hanging in the air.

A seesaw is not the only place balance is important.

It would be nice to think being an author meant spending all our time weaving words to enthrall readers. It would be nice...but not realistic. The reality of the publishing industry is that we must continuously build our platform, balancing writing and marketing. And balance is the key word…

Speaking Engagements - Pitching Your Program

Hi.  Winnie Griggs here, with the next installment in my posts about speaking engagements.  So far we've covered why book speaking engagements, dealing with butterflies, selecting a topic, creating a speaker resume and finding speaking venues.  Today we’re going to talk about how to actually pitch your talk. 

Once you have selected your topic, have your resume together and have located possible speaking opportunities, how do you let folks know you’re ready and willing?

Well, first you need to make certain you can effectively convey what it is you’re offering.  You do this in two steps:

Before He Went Away, Part 10

He who has My commands and keeps them, is he who loves Me. [And] I will love him and manifest myself to him.

 John 14:21 NKJV

Elizabeth Baker, here, sharing a Monday thought of encouragement and hope.

I was texting a troubled young man encouraging him to share his heart. “What’s the point?” he rudely responded. “It doesn’t matter.” My hand paused over the response key. Did it matter? Is there any point in showing our heart to another human? Finally I typed the only applicable truth I knew.

“The only point I’m sure of, is that having someone who knows and understands keeps us from being alone in this world.”

Before he went away, Jesus was careful to repeatedly assure us he would not leave us alone. Over and over again in a dozen ways he tells us that although we would no longer be able to touch him, it didn’t mean he was distant. He would know us. He would understand. And, more than that, he would help us to understand him, too.

In this passage, he confirms with a promise that he will “manifest” (declare plainly, show, inform) himself to us. Amazing. He cares enough to know us, but he also honors us enough to let us know him.

However, this rare and holy privilege is not available to all. Jesus does not expose his heart indiscriminately. In a few hours, he will express his love to all humanity on the cross but after the resurrection further expression will be restricted to a select group. Those who obey.

When we are confused about the mysterious ways of Divinity or feeling lonely or sincerely wondering what Jesus would do in a particular circumstance, the first step is to check out our personal obedience to him. Everything in order? If so, relax. By our behaviors we have chosen to be among the elite group to whom he promised to share his heart. It’s a promise. Wait for the answer. It will come.

Intimate Storytelling - Part II Character’s Feelings

   Warmest winter wishes from Gail Gaymer Martin at www.gailmartin.com It's amazing how the winter has marched by with warm temperatures in many of the colder states. It makes us anxious for spring, especially those places that have experienced the horrible tornadoes so early in the year. Prayers go out to all of them.

I believe that intimacy in our storytelling style helps us to touch readers in an amazing way. Part I of Intimate Storytelling covered some of the elements of staying in a POV character’s viewpoint, but intimate storytelling needs more than a character’s viewpoint. The reader needs to feel the story through the character’s impressions and experience. This is done by bringing the senses to life and Part II covers this point.

Let Someone Else Benefit

Happy Thursday from Jeanette Hanscome! I started a new book recently that I’m extremely excited about, not because I’m writing the book that I’ve always wanted to write or finally got a new contract (we don’t have one yet), but because I’m helping someone else tell their story.

Heavenly Horse Sense - A New Release

Heavenly Horse Sense by Rebecca Ondov

Horsewoman and bestselling author Rebecca Ondov invites you on some exciting horseback pack trips in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. Drawing on 15 years of working from the saddle, she takes you into the mountains to discover the unique personalities of horses and mules, the beauty of God’s creation, and the wonders—and dangers—of nature. You’ll experience:

• Three miracles in the life of a foal named Rahab
• How a horse’s amazing gift demonstrates God’s provision and guidance
• The ingenuity of a mule that reveals a strategy for handling trouble
• A stallion who accomplishes the “impossible” because of love and focus
• A newborn filly’s playfulness that demonstrates God’s desire for relationship

 

Along the trail you’ll encounter God’s tremendous love and the wisdom He offers if you’ll only ask.

 

Rebecca Ondov spent years on horseback doing ranch duties, pack trips, and Forest Service work. She’s the founder of Blazing Ink, Inc., and the author of The Once in a Blue Moon Boot Bus  children’s picture book, Horse Tales from Heaven: Reflections along the Trail with God, Horse Tales from Heaven Gift Edition, and numerous articles for media. Rebecca enjoys her menagerie of horses, mules, barn cats, and a dog. She lives in Montana and hits the trail as often as possible.

This new release information was uploaded by Cecelia Dowdy. Happy reading!