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Guidelines For A Compiled Book Series

It's amazing to me that compiled books are still being published. Even what is most likely the longest running series, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, is still taking submssions and printing books. Years ago, a publisher invited me to start a compiled series called God's Vitamin "C" for the Spirit and I caught the fever. I ended up compiling and editing about a dozen books in the series. Every once in a while someone contacts me with an idea for a compiled book and I still contribute to those as I can. Because of the successful books in my series, I could call myself "a best-selling author" and those books helped put my two children through college.

What Color Are Your Lenses?

 

Greetings from Connie Mann in Central Florida!

With Valentine’s Day just past, roses have been on my mind. Or, more particularly, rose-colored glasses. The term is often used as a negative, a condemnation of someone who deliberately overlooks life’s jagged reality, and instead, sees things with the harsh edges blurred. These are the folks who see what can be, rather than what is.

I’ve sometimes pooh-poohed such naiveté, but I’m changing my perspective on that lately.

New Year, New Perspective

 

Happy 2014, everyone! This is Connie Mann with a question for you. Do you choose a word for the year? Or maybe a phrase? Something that will act as a touchstone for the next twelve months?

 

Some years I’ve chosen one word; others needed a bit more. This year, I’m turning the whole process on its ear. I’ve realized my goal for 2014 is something much deeper, less tangible. It’s certainly not something I can check off a color-coded to-do list.

 

I’m trying to change my perspective.

The Season of Less

 

This is Connie Mann, wishing you Merry Christmas from Florida!

This Christmas season, I’m using a different approach. I’m on a “less is more” campaign. Instead of trying to figure out how to change the world, for example, (I do tend to think big), I’m focusing on more doable things, like decorating for a neighbor, sending a card, inviting someone over.

Instead of buying more, I’m buying less, but taking time to really think about each purchase. 

Seven Ways to Find Joy

It was our favorite Mexican restaurant and hubby and I sat across the table from friends with whom we re-connected after decades.

And in the lively conversation a comment was made that jolted my senses. I positioned the wheelchair beside the table (I still couldn’t put weight on the foot with the broken bone).

The comment came innocently, I’m sure. “Janet is blind and now lame,” he chuckled. “So… so much for this Jesus thing.”

Although it was a comment in jest, he had a point. Amigos, does the world think that when you become a Christ follower, life is perfect? Or does it mean that when you commit your life to Jesus, troubles end? Contracts flood in, and speaking engagements jam our calendar?

The answer is a resounding “no.” Life will not be perfect. But you will be perfectly equipped to face the fierce storms in life.

And even when life is ugly, here are seven ways to know joy, true joy that plays the melody of confidence in the symphony of Jesus’ promises:

1. Joy comes because we know His love will transcend all—blindness, illness, broken feet, broken hearts and broken plans.
2. Joy comes because He promised to bring solutions we never dreamed.
3. Joy fills our heart because loneliness is a foreign word. The constant whisper that God would never abandon us echoes while sweet sleep comes at night.
4. Joy is ours because when the rest of the world is searching, looking and hungry for fulfillment Christ fills the void, feeds the spiritual hunger, and puts in place the piece that makes us whole.
5.  Joy is complete because our purpose is defined: To Love God with all our mind, heart and soul and love one another. Love those who wound us, ridicule and insult us.
6. Joy sings in our heart because this life is short, often dotted with trials, but we live in anticipation to the forever eternity promised to those to whom Jesus is their Lord.
7. Joy is our promise, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, and you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy” (John 16:20).

Father, the joy you promise is the treasure that shines beyond setbacks, pain or troubles. For that gift, I praise and thank you in the name of your son Jesus, amen.

• Where do you find the joy that keeps you going?

• What is the force that ushers peace to your nights?

• Where do you turn in painful moments?

 

Janet Perez Eckles

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

www.janetperezeckles.com

 

ANYTHING BUT THAT, LORD---By Christine Lindsay

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

FACT—According to The Book of Lists, the fear of public speaking ranks number one in the minds of the majority of people. Far above the fear of death and disease, comes the fear of standing in front of a crowd.

Beating Stereotypes

Hello from Connie Mann!

Remember the Glamour Shot phenomenon twenty years ago? Average women would walk into a mall photo studio and come out with a stack of photos that made them look like movie stars. Big hair, heavy make-up, sultry smiles and feather boas were hallmarks of the look. Often, the photo bore little-to-no resemblance to the real woman smiling for the camera. But that was the idea: to be glamorous—even if only for a little while.

Too often, I think we are tempted to offer the world a glamour-shot picture of ourselves. We think we’re “supposed” to be, look and act a certain way. We pretend to be someone we’re not, because we’re afraid we won’t measure up to the dreaded “shoulds.”

Sailing to the Shore of Success

 

“Did you want a four or a seven-day Caribbean cruise?” the travel agent asked.

What a choice. Even one day on that luxurious cruise ship is enough to make me salivate with excitement.

Five Keys to Triumph Over Internet Insanity

By: Janet Perez Eckles

Anybody out there dizzy like I am? Are you being bombarded by offers, suggestions, advice, luring seminars, and workshops—all to expose your writing, enhance marketing efforts and boost sales?

Confessing…I’ve been caught in the gotta-try-that frenzy. Most of us are dashing here and there, hoping to get that platform built. Eager to get our books promoted. Trying to get that door to open, one that will make our work soar to the top. Trying to book that big speaking engagement. Trying, trying till we collapse in bed, our head exploding with endless possibilities—too many to try. And some, too expensive to accept.

So, what to do? How to dodge the firing of internet luring. I just came up with five practical steps, simple to follow. And with a bit of diligence, will bring serenity to the internet insanity.

1. Begin the day with prayer for God’s wisdom—abundant wisdom to choose, evaluate and discern.

2. Be careful. Is the offer sounding too good to be true? It probably is.

3. Be prepared. Is the lure touching your emotions with wording: “only three spots left; act now and save…offer only today.”

4. Be bold. Check out input from trusted fellow authors and speakers. They will share their experience, giving valuable insight.

5. Be faithful and embrace this truth: in the midst of endless offers, God offers His grace to accomplish what we cannot.

At the end of the day, you can put your head on the pillow of peace, and having made Godly-wise decisions, your heart will echo, “All is well with my soul.”

Janet

Cheering you on to experience life, harvest its lessons and share their outcome.

Although blind, Janet Perez Eckles inspires you to see the best in life. With her #1 Amazon best-selling release, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta, she inspires you to look beyond a complicated world to find the simplicity of God’s joy and success. www.janetperezeckles.com

Surprise, surprise!

Hey you sophisticated speakers out there. Have you ever
found a surprise during a speaking engagement?