Writers are taught to "get the most mileage" from the material they research and write. When we write a book, can we write others in the same vein or related to it? You'll even find this in the children's book writing field.
When I discovered the children's story book, The Quiltmaker's Gift, I didn't realize there were related books with quilt patterns and suggestions. In researching an answer for a reader's question about this book, I discovered more and wrote about them in Follow-up Books for the Quiltmaker's Gift. You may want to check out these books:
The Quiltmaker's Gift
Quilts From the Quiltmaker's Gift
More Quilts From the Quiltmaker's Gift
How can you expand upon the books you write, whether they're for children or adults, fiction or non-fiction? Put on your thinking cap!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Books About Daylight Saving Time & Spring
Discover facts and figures (the curious and the ordinary) about Spring and Daylight Saving
Time
Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau
Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time by Michael Downing
Crafting Springtime Gifts: 25 Adorable Projects Featuring Bunnies, Chicks, Lambs & Other Springtime Favorites by Tone Finnanger
Time for Change: Setting Clocks Forward by One Hour Thorughout the Year by Mayer Hillman
The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle
Time
Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau
Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time by Michael Downing
Crafting Springtime Gifts: 25 Adorable Projects Featuring Bunnies, Chicks, Lambs & Other Springtime Favorites by Tone Finnanger
Time for Change: Setting Clocks Forward by One Hour Thorughout the Year by Mayer Hillman
The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Promoting Your Book Through Lectures &Talks
Learning to promote your book(s) through lectures and talks can become an enjoyable and profitable venture. Becoming an authority on the topic you write about also helps you gain recognition and appeal as a speaker.
Feather Schwartz Foster has become one of the foremost authorities on the First Ladies of the White House. She writes about them, gives presentations and teaches workshops. Feather through her research and writing, Feather has become a specialist or authority so her entertaining programs about the First Ladies are popular.
Her book, Ladies: A Conjecture of Personalities, presents the voices of the First Ladies in novel format in an entertaining way. The Ladies talk with one another without regard to time and express their thoughts and feelings. Garfield's Train, although not specifically about First Ladies, relates the death of President Garfield in novel form. Thus it ties in with the topic of the Presidency.
To further aid writers, Feather has written an e-book, On the Road with the Old Gals. Here she gives hints on how to promote one's book through lectures/speaking engagements.
Feather Schwartz Foster has become one of the foremost authorities on the First Ladies of the White House. She writes about them, gives presentations and teaches workshops. Feather through her research and writing, Feather has become a specialist or authority so her entertaining programs about the First Ladies are popular.
Her book, Ladies: A Conjecture of Personalities, presents the voices of the First Ladies in novel format in an entertaining way. The Ladies talk with one another without regard to time and express their thoughts and feelings. Garfield's Train, although not specifically about First Ladies, relates the death of President Garfield in novel form. Thus it ties in with the topic of the Presidency.
To further aid writers, Feather has written an e-book, On the Road with the Old Gals. Here she gives hints on how to promote one's book through lectures/speaking engagements.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Writing Prompts from Photos
Check out Mary Emma's Writing Tips at One Book Two Book for suggestions on developing writing prompts from photos. One photo can yield ideas for many types of writing. In this post, I've used a photo from my childhood of Nubble Lighthouse, Cape Neddick, Maine.
I'm also incorporating this idea into a workshop I'm teaching this week for a group of homeschoolers.
(If you'd like to learn more about my workshops for young writers, e-mail me at me.allen@juno.com .)
I'm also incorporating this idea into a workshop I'm teaching this week for a group of homeschoolers.
(If you'd like to learn more about my workshops for young writers, e-mail me at me.allen@juno.com .)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mary Emma Allen Published in Anthology
Children's author, Mary Emma Allen has stories featured in the new release, Eternally Yours, an anthology of poetry, light essays, devotions and meditations, edited by Mary Ellen Grisham and published by Xulon Press.
Featuring some of the best Christian writers on the Internet, this book represents work that has appeared in the Eternal Ink E-zine since it’s inception in 1999.
In addition, Mary gives presentations and teaches workshops at schools, libraries, writers’ conferences, and for other groups. Some of her talks include topics such as Alzheimer's and caregiving, quilt history and quiltmaking, New Hampshire history, and writing.
I was pleased when Ms. Grisham selected some of my stories for inclusion in this anthology. It's exciting to encourage and inspire others with my writing.
Featuring some of the best Christian writers on the Internet, this book represents work that has appeared in the Eternal Ink E-zine since it’s inception in 1999.
In addition, Mary gives presentations and teaches workshops at schools, libraries, writers’ conferences, and for other groups. Some of her talks include topics such as Alzheimer's and caregiving, quilt history and quiltmaking, New Hampshire history, and writing.
I was pleased when Ms. Grisham selected some of my stories for inclusion in this anthology. It's exciting to encourage and inspire others with my writing.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Abraham Lincoln with an Obama Connection
With so many references to Abraham Lincoln, during Barack Obama's Inauguration festivities, it might be helpful to have some resources so youngsters can learn more about our 16th President. He was criticized during his term in office and was blamed for mistakes in the Civil War fought at that time.
Yet he was important to the black people because he issued the Emancipation Proclamation giving the slaves their freedom. Also, his leadership ensured that our country stayed together.
Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life & Times with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Janis Herbert
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler
A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden
Abraham Lincoln and His Family Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney
You Are There: Abraham Lincoln's Greatest Moments: The Emancipation Proclamation/The Gettysburg Address (DVD) starring Walte Cronkite and Paul Birch
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America by Allen C. Guelzo
Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America by Garry Wills
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (The Story of the Gettysburg Address) by Jean Fritz
Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips (One of my favorite books about Lincoln)Emancipation Proclamation Silk Necktie (produced for the NY Historical Society from Lincoln's handwritten original)
Yet he was important to the black people because he issued the Emancipation Proclamation giving the slaves their freedom. Also, his leadership ensured that our country stayed together.
Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life & Times with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Janis Herbert
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler
A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden
Abraham Lincoln and His Family Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney
You Are There: Abraham Lincoln's Greatest Moments: The Emancipation Proclamation/The Gettysburg Address (DVD) starring Walte Cronkite and Paul Birch
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America by Allen C. Guelzo
Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America by Garry Wills
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (The Story of the Gettysburg Address) by Jean Fritz
Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips (One of my favorite books about Lincoln)Emancipation Proclamation Silk Necktie (produced for the NY Historical Society from Lincoln's handwritten original)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Authors - Use Obama's Techniques for Successful Promotions
Promotional Techniques in the Internet Age
More than any other presidential candidate, Barack Obama and his team appear to have utilized the wide reaching appeal of the Internet and the technique of branding to appeal to the masses and promote him as the best person to lead our country. Whether you agree or not with the results of the presidential election, you’ll have to admit that the Obama team used promotional methods that worked. Can we as authors learn from this?
BRANDING – Finding a key word or buzz word that captured the attention and emotions of the public seemed important in the campaign. What did they settle on? Something very simple…. the word CHANGE. This word has a different meaning for everyone. It can evoke images of change for the better or fear of change for the worst.
Somehow the Obama team was able to construe images of changing one’s present situation for the better so that the majority followed blindly with images of something they considered “better” dancing in their heads. As more and more people picked up on CHANGE, the campaign gained momentum for most Democrat candidates.
Can you find a buzz word that will appeal to your readers? It should be something simple…something that ties in with your book, your writing, and/or you. It should evoke appealing images and emotion in the minds of your readers (who will become your fans or followers). However, be cautious that your buzz word doesn’t give the idea that you promise more than you can deliver.
USE OF THE INTERNET – In today’s world, it’s almost imperative that you utilize the Internet as much as you can. You saw this in the Obama campaign with web sites, blogs, and YouTube town meetings.
Web Site/Blog - Most authors have a web site and/or blog where they post information about their books and their lives. Blogs enable them to keep their readers informed on a day-to-day basis.
YouTube can help you with book trailers, talks, and demonstrations, even meetings with your readers. How did Obama utilize these online features to reach the public, whereas other candidates appeared still to be learning there was an Internet out there?
Do you have a Buzz Word?
More than any other presidential candidate, Barack Obama and his team appear to have utilized the wide reaching appeal of the Internet and the technique of branding to appeal to the masses and promote him as the best person to lead our country. Whether you agree or not with the results of the presidential election, you’ll have to admit that the Obama team used promotional methods that worked. Can we as authors learn from this?
BRANDING – Finding a key word or buzz word that captured the attention and emotions of the public seemed important in the campaign. What did they settle on? Something very simple…. the word CHANGE. This word has a different meaning for everyone. It can evoke images of change for the better or fear of change for the worst.
Somehow the Obama team was able to construe images of changing one’s present situation for the better so that the majority followed blindly with images of something they considered “better” dancing in their heads. As more and more people picked up on CHANGE, the campaign gained momentum for most Democrat candidates.
Can you find a buzz word that will appeal to your readers? It should be something simple…something that ties in with your book, your writing, and/or you. It should evoke appealing images and emotion in the minds of your readers (who will become your fans or followers). However, be cautious that your buzz word doesn’t give the idea that you promise more than you can deliver.
USE OF THE INTERNET – In today’s world, it’s almost imperative that you utilize the Internet as much as you can. You saw this in the Obama campaign with web sites, blogs, and YouTube town meetings.
Web Site/Blog - Most authors have a web site and/or blog where they post information about their books and their lives. Blogs enable them to keep their readers informed on a day-to-day basis.
YouTube can help you with book trailers, talks, and demonstrations, even meetings with your readers. How did Obama utilize these online features to reach the public, whereas other candidates appeared still to be learning there was an Internet out there?
Do you have a Buzz Word?
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