Debra Eckerling Shares Blog and Goal Setting Expertise

TITLE: Write On Blogging
SUBTITLE: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog 

AUTHOR: Debra Eckerling

AISN: B01MSP9HTN 

LINK: http://bitly.com/WriteOnBlogging

GENRE: Non-Fiction: 

CATEGORY: Blogging & Blogs and Writing Skills

All an author has to say to me is “tips” and I’m sold. They make easy reading and I nearly always find something among them that is new to me.

Debra Eckerling’s new book, Write On Blogging,does that for me, but it does a whole lot more. It’s a short book, but it’s complete—a whole lot more than tips. 

I like that Eckerling doesn’t assume an author knows anything about blogging. She takes her tutorial from the needs of fresh (and scared!) beginnings like opening a blog to developing blogging skills that even a veteran will appreciated. 

She also keeps a blogger on track with practical advice like “You want to develop a long and lasting relationship with your blog, and also open the lines of communication with your readers” found in Chapter Eight titled “Stay on Track.” 

She also brings the same goal-making skills she offers her clients to this slender book—things like scheduling, priorities, commitment.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who blogs. It will either put bloggers on track or help keep them there. 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

You will find Debra Eckerling:

On LinkedIn
On Facebook
On Twitter
On Pinterest
On  Instagram
On YouTube.com
Via Email
On WriteOnOnline.com

Listen, watch, or read show notes from Write On Online’s Guided Goals Podcast. Sign up for her Write On Online Newsletter

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Carolyn Howard-Johnson brings her experience as a publicist, journalist, marketer, and retailer to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. The books in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers have won multiple awards. That series includes both the first and second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor won awards from USA Book News, Readers’ Views Literary Award, the marketing award from Next Generation Indie Books and others including the coveted Irwin award. How To Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically is the newest book in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers.

Howard-Johnson is the recipient of the California Legislature’s Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, and her community’s Character and Ethics award for her work promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly’s list of “Fourteen San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen” and was given her community’s Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts. 

The author loves to travel. She has visited eighty-nine countries and has studied writing at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom; Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia; and Charles University, Prague. She admits to carrying a pen and journal wherever she goes. Her Web site is www.howtodoitfrugally.com. 

ABOUT THIS BLOG

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Award-Winning Author Advocate Gets Five Stars from Vine Reviewer

How to Get Great Book Review Frugally and Ethically
Subtitle: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing career
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Author's Web site: http://HowToDoItFrugally.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson
Series: The multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers
Genre: Nonfiction: How-To/Writing/Marketing
Pages: 340
ISBN? 978-1-5369-4837
Available as paper and e-book on Amazon
Five-Star Review

Reviewed by Joy V. Smith, a Vine reviewer for Amazon

It's hard to do justice to this book because it covers so much territory. I've been reviewing, promoting, and marketing for a long time, but I learned a lot more in this book; and even as I was reading it, I used the Tweet, etc. icons function on my Amazon buy page, per her suggestion. Thank you, Carolyn!

She tells you how to use endorsements and blurbs--and blurb excerpts--in promotion--and how long an excerpt should be (fair use) and how to use ellipses in these excerpts. (I knew that about ellipses, but not everyone does.) I appreciated the Amazon info about the excerpt length she shared.

Re: Networking: I've written blurbs for books and acknowledgments and received acknowledgments; she gives tips about that and more; and she addresses the importance of exposure and frequency. "This is a process, not a project."

I also learned more about Amazon Prime and may use it. Oh, and that "As seen in ..." tip is another one I can use right now. I'll be rereading it again. And I learned more about reusing your Amazon review.

So much into, including the Ten-Best Lists tip. (One of my books was listed on MyShelf.com; I'd forgotten that!) Oh, oh. I haven't kept track of my book reviews. I could have had a notebook for that!

The Questions and Answers section is very helpful; and then there are the Appendices:

"... Each publishing occasion that calls for a query...is different. Ditto for each circumstance that requires a media release. Thus, the samples (templates?) in my appendices are merely suggestions. ..."

I've only scratched the surface! This is a must-read book for writers; I know I have to read it again. I wish I had a print copy 'cause it'd be full of flags! Highly recommended.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Joy V. Smith has been writing stories since she was a kid. Her stories and articles have been published in print magazines, webzines, anthologies, and two audiobooks. Her books include Detour Trail, Strike Three, Sugar Time, and The Doorway and Other Stories. She is also an Amazon Vine reviewer.

You can find out more at her Web site: http://www.joyvsmith.com/ and her writing blog: http://pagadan.wordpress.com/

MORE ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Howard-Johnson brings her experience as a publicist, journalist, marketer, and retailer to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. The books in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers have won multiple awards. That series includes both the first and second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor won awards from USA Book News, Readers’ Views Literary Award, the marketing award from Next Generation Indie Books and others including the coveted Irwin award. Her next book in the HowToDoItFrugally series for writers will be How To Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically.

Howard-Johnson is the recipient of the California Legislature’s Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, and her community’s Character and Ethics award for her work promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly’s list of “Fourteen San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen” and was given her community’s Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts. 

                 

The author loves to travel. She has visited eighty-nine countries and has studied writing at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom; Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia; and Charles University, Prague. She admits to carrying a pen and journal wherever she goes. Her Web site is www.howtodoitfrugally.com. She tweets under @FrugalBookPromo and tries to like or retweet everytime an author includes her moniker in the author-related tweets. 

Romantic Stories Perfect Gift

Letterbox Love Stories

Authors: Jenny Twist, Lindsay Townsend, Cara Marsi, Marie Laval, Gemma Juliana, Helena Fairfax, Denyse Bridger, Rose Anderson, and Lynn Crain. 

Authors' Web site: http://worldromancewriters.blogspot.com.es/

Jenny Twist's Web site: https://sites.google.com/site/jennytwistauthor/home

Genre: Romance, anthology

ASIN: B01HJ41MKQ

Buy Link: myBook.to/LLS

Reviewed by Lynnette Sofras for Manic Scribbler

 Since I was already familiar with some of the authors featured in this anthology, I knew I could look forward to an entertaining read when I received this book, and I’m glad to say I wasn’t wrong.  It’s a diverse collection of stories ranging across genres, place and time and thematically linked by the arrival of a letter bringing unexpected news and adventures – what a great idea. 

There are too many to mention in one review, so I’ll just select the three most memorable.  Madeline Archer is a new author to me and her sweet historical fantasy ‘More than Wishes’ immediately transported me back to the childhood delights of first discovering the stories of the Arabian Nights. I found this story of sibling love and rivalry between twin Djin princes nothing short of enchanting.

Lindsay Townsend writes the most convincing and delightful historical fiction I’ve read in many years and her story set in mediaeval England, did not let me down.  This author has an assured sense of time and place and creates highly believable characters with very real struggles.  ‘Plain Harry’ is a compelling love story – faultless, different, and very satisfying.

Jenny Twist is one of my favourite modern authors, so I’m always eager to read anything new from her and ‘Minstrel Boy’ is one of the most powerfully evocative short stories I’ve read from her.  It concerns an idealistic young soldier-musician who goes off to fight for Spain in the Civil War, and the rather wonderful, feisty Rosa – a young Spanish woman who saves his life and steals his heart.  Beautifully told.  I want to read Rosa’s story and hope Ms Twist decides to write it. 

I could say much more about these stories.  They all demonstrate a very high standard of craftsmanship and I defy any reader not to find something they will love in this collection.  Each one is a substantial read, making the collection excellent value, and one I highly recommend.

ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Author Reviews Author's New Book on Getting Reviews!

So, you know as blogger of The New Book Review, I occasionally publish reviews of my own books, but this time I'm leading you directly to the review because I don't want you to miss the chance to win an e-book copy of How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically from Dr. Bob Rich. he published both a review and an interview in his Bobbin’ Around newsletter (and lots of other places!) 

He says, 

“I hadn't heard from Carolyn for some months, and wrote her a "how are you" email. The result is both a review and an interview I posted at http://wp.me/p3Xihq-Nt.

“This was a real interview, although by email: I responded to each of her answers with a new question, rather than sending her a list of questions to answer. I think the result is entertaining, and useful to any writer. Have a read, leave a comment and let us know.

“One commenter won a free e-book copy of her How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically which you can learn about on Carolyn's site or http://bit.ly/HowToGetReviews on Amzaon at http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews. 

"I am privileged to be the first person Carolyn shared the cover with. She wants to acknowledge the designer, http://desimonedesign.com/."

Bob
Dr Bob Rich
Web site: http://bobswriting.com
Bobbing Around newsletter:  http://wp.me/P3Xihq-1
MY BEST BOOK: http://bobswriting.com/ascending.html

Commit random acts of kindness

Live simply so you may simply live

So, won't you make this your pass it forward for authors everywhere and the publishing world in general. Your good deed. And in Karma-like fashion, you'll be put in touch with Bob, his writing and the good he does for authors.

PS: How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically is now available on Amazon in paperback! 

MORE ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Children's Author: Definitely a Readers' Favorite!

A Turtle's Magical Adventure 

by Wanda Luthman 

www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com 

Children's Chapter Book (ages 6-10) 

ISBN 153083256X 

Given a 5 star review (highest review available) 

May purchase as e-book, audio, or paper on Amazon. 

(Free on Kindle Unlimited or .99 ebook for a limited time) 

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Turtle's Magical Adventure by Wanda Luthman is an adorable storybook for children with an excellent message; that of accepting their flaws and loving themselves, and turning their negatives into positives. Tad the turtle loves swimming, but he was curious to know why turtles are slow on land. He meets a few people who give him different responses, but he still wants to become fast. Steve the snake advises him to meet a wizard who lives deep in Timberwood Forest and Tad decides to listen to him. Will the wizard be able to guide Tad and make him faster on land? Or will Tad the turtle accept himself and be happy?

The story is whimsical and has good life lessons for children. The message of accepting oneself is encouraging for a lot of children, especially those who are unhappy with themselves. It's a good story for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries and also makes a good bedtime storybook. The illustrations are vivid and lively, and they give a good pace and movement to the story. They succeed in making the scenes and characters tangible to young readers.

Children understand a concept, moral, and message with clarity when these are conveyed with the help of a story and illustrations. Tad the turtle and the rest of the characters in Timberwood Forest are magical and will enthrall young readers till the very end.

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/a-turtles-magical-adventure

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wanda Luthman is the author of The Lilac Princess, A Turtle's Magical Adventure, and Little Birdie Grows Up. She blogs at www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com.

Learn more about her here:

Twitter--@wandalu64 

Facebook--www.facebook.com/wluthman 

YouTube--www.youtube.com/c/WandaLuthman 

Instagram--www.instagram.com/wandalu64 

Google+--https://plus.google.com/+WandaLuthman 

Goodreads--https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14469611.Wanda_Luthman 

LinkedIn:--https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-luthman-37b836117 

MORE ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Award-Winning Novel Given Midwest Book Review Nod

Title: SARA BAREFIELD

Author: Marian D. Schwartz

Gristmill Publishing, L.L.C.

GENRE: Contemporary Fiction

ISBNS: 978-0-9886076-7-5, 978-0-9886076-8-2

Purchase on Amazon 

Reviewed by Paul Black originally for the Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice


The heroine of the novel named for her, Sara Barefield was born into a poor white Southern family. Ashamed of her family name and embarrassed by her poverty, she had two dreams when she was growing up: to go to college to become a teacher and to marry Tully Rutland. College was impossible financially, but making a life with Tully, the only man she ever loved, would have been a reality if he hadn't come back from Vietnam with PTSD. At the age of forty, she has accepted the loss of her dreams and is satisfied that she has at least lifted herself out of poverty with a nice apartment and a good job as a school secretary.

Tully commits suicide before Sara tells him that she's pregnant. Devastated, she realizes that her only choice is to move out of town if she wants to raise her baby without the interference of the Rutlands, who have never approved of her. She knows she'll need public assistance, but she believes it will only be temporary. She had climbed out of poverty once and is sure she can do it again.

Reality hits Sara when she goes to rent an apartment in a new town with the meager amount of money she can afford to pay. She must apply for food stamps and WIC to survive; she gets medical care at a public clinic. Her interview by a caseworker to obtain welfare is eye-opening. She begins to measure her experiences by degrees of humiliation. After the birth of the baby she can no longer afford to pay her rent, and she is threatened with eviction from her apartment. "I kept thinking that this was all a bad dream, that until a few weeks ago I was a hard-working, tax-paying citizen, that Adam and I couldn't end up living on the street, not us, not here in America. Certainly the system I had contributed to all my life would come to my rescue."

Sara isn't a quitter. She does what is necessary to survive, and the reader goes on this incredible journey with her, accompanying a decent, determined woman as she wends her way through the underside of American life, fighting to achieve her dreams. You'll cheer her on as she tells you her compelling story.

MORE ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Massachusetts Newspaper Reviews Jendi Reiter's Debut Novel

TITLE: Two Natures

AUTHOR: Jendi Reiter

PUBLISHER: Saddle Road Press

WEBSITE: www.jendireiter.com

GENRE: Fiction (Gay/Lesbian)

ISBN: 978-0-9969074-2-2

REVIEWER: Tinky Weisblat

PUBLICATION: The Recorder (Greenfield, MA newspaper)

http://www.recorder.com/Tinky-Weisblat-5348397

Reviewed by Tinky Weisblat originally for The Recorder in Greenfield, MA

REVIEW TEXT:

“Two Natures” is an unconventional but sweet romance set in an era that is at once far from us and very near indeed.

This engrossing debut novel by poet Jendi Reiter of Northampton tells the story of Julian Selkirk. A Georgia boy from a conservative, religious family, Julian arrives in New York in the early 1990s. He hopes to break into two often related worlds: fashion photography and gay culture.

He makes friends quickly, but it takes him years to find the true love for whom he longs.

Julian enjoys the sense of belonging that being gay in New York in the 1990s gives him. Although his siblings have guessed at his sexual orientation and his parents may know about it at a subliminal level, he was never able to come out back home in Georgia. In the city he can at last be himself.

Nevertheless, life in New York is far from perfect. Added to the difficulties all young people face in growing into their best selves and finding romance, Julian must face the promiscuity that is part of gay culture at the time.

He is thrilled to be able to enjoy sex at last and openly. Although he longs for exclusivity, he fears asking for it, however — and fears mentioning love to the object of his affection.

In addition, Julian and all of his friends must deal with the threat of AIDS, then at its height in this country.

And although they live from day to day in a subculture in which their sexuality is accepted and even often celebrated, they still come into contact with the larger society. There, being gay is viewed as an aberration by most and a sin by many.

When AIDS strikes close to home, they realize that the legal system offers them few protections from discrimination.

Julian is an engaging protagonist. His friends are varied and often funny, and Reiter’s careful, evocative prose brings the reader vividly into his life and world.

Julian’s struggles to establish a career, find a home and connect with someone with whom he can share his life will ring true to anyone who has ever been a young person trying to become established in the big city.

Jendi Reiter will read from “Two Natures” and sign copies of her book on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield. Food will be served. Reiter will also appear at the Broadside Bookshop in Northampton on Wednesday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jendi Reiter is the author of the newly released novel Two Natures (Saddle Road Press)

See the book trailer at http://bit.ly/twonaturestrailer  

She is  also an award-winning poet and editor of WinningWriters.com , named to  Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers."  Midwest Book Review says "Intense revelations about what it means to be both Christian and gay...a powerful saga,: 

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.