Author Talk Is Cheap
6 days ago
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The Poisoning of America
author unknown -
"The Liberal Nazi Thought Police are worse than any rightwinger I've ever met.
They brook no argument and stifle debate with their tedious whining while denying reality.
I have no time for people who may be offended by something that might offend someone else.
Taking offence by proxy is among the lowest forms of fluffy huggy self flagellation
and hand wringing, in my opinion. The sneering castigation of those who don't share their
views while doing sod all to improve the situation but whine, is as much use as a
back pocket on a sock. Champagne liberal ring a bell?
I abhor political correctness with a deep and anger-fuelled passion.
Political correctness is just tyranny with manners.
I have seen political correctness used to stealthily strip a nation of its identity,
of its pride in national institutions, of its self-assurance. I have seen it used by
Machiavellian politicians on all sides to further their own careers and agendas with
scant regard to the general good. I have seen it used to divide a population and turn it
against itself. I have seen ordinary, decent people turned into pariahs and those who
ought to have been vilified become folk-heroes by this dreadful perversion of rationality.
Even language itself, one of the most powerful tools in the forging of a nation, has been
suborned to the requirements of the politically-correct to re-define words and phrases to
marginalize, vilify and ridicule.
The state of affairs amongst mankind is never static; it swings back and forth like a pendulum.
Those who have coat-tailed on political correcteness will one day be brought to account.
Their reckoning is well overdue.
"The ox is slow but the earth is patient."
The tyranny of the minority, the tyranny of the congenital under-achiever, the tyranny of the
unelected and unelectable - call it what you like, political correctness is just another form
of tyranny. The judgement of history on the politically-correct will be harsh, but just.
The destruction of the tyranny of political correctness is the next great battle in the history
of mankind. How many billions remain to be sacrificed on its venal and corrupt altar is
something hidden in the dim shadows of the future but my guess is generations as yet unborn
will live to rue the cost and ask why their forbears stood by and did nothing.
Political correctness is an attack on free speech, clear thinking and discussion.
Political correctness is an attack on all the cohesive elements of our society using the grounds
that they are repressive and need liberalising. Political correctness is Marxism without the gun.
It seeks to inhibit personal freedom of speech and action, replacing it with a Marxist dogma that
we are all supposed to embrace. In reality though, Political correctness has done untold damage
to our society by giving supposedly 'repressed' groups freedoms without any sort of balancing
responsibility. Worst of all though, political correctness is an insidious ideological disease
which has spread unchecked because most people just think of it as a joke.
Political correctness has made common sense a thing of the past. If you catch a burglar
in your house then it's best to help the poor soul by carrying your possessions to the front
door lest he should trip up and hurt himself and it's you that end up in court!"
Thursday, June 23, 2011
A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give
Sometimes the words speak for themselves.
A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give
By Dennis Prager
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships. The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American.
This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans. If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity, race and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America , one of its three central values -- e pluribus Unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America 's values. This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a
society divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America 's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English --but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.
A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give
By Dennis Prager
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships. The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American.
This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans. If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity, race and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America , one of its three central values -- e pluribus Unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America 's values. This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a
society divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America 's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English --but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.
Monday, May 9, 2011
My Dad Met Jesus on Palm Sunday
I had the unusual honor of preaching my Dad's funeral on April 20, 2011. My father was 84 years old.
Dad had a knee replacement the Friday before, and never really recovered from the anesthetic. Over the last year, or so, he had developed a tumor between the bones in his knee joint and it had to come out. Instead of cutting into the tumor, the doctors decided it was just as good to replace the entire joint and avoid opening an encapsulated cancer.
On his last Friday morning, he began to have difficulty breathing, followed by a blood pressure crash, then a heart attack. Because I am so far away, my brother handled the hospital and they decided to chopper him to a very special, Cardiac Intervention Center at East Carolina Medical Center.
They should have let him slip away. What followed was two, plus days of life support systems and a clear path away from life.
It became necessary to direct the doctors to remove life support in stages, to avoid any unnecessary suffering. First we removed the many drugs - 12 IV's running at once. Next came the pressers and then the respirator.
I sat with him, on and off for two days and held his hand, sometimes reading him Scriptures, sometimes talking, sometimes just holding his hand.
When the end came, it was merciful, sweet and gentle. God blessed us in that regard and in so many others, through the weekend.
Their pastor was fairly new to their church and I would not allow a stranger to bury my dad. My father loved to sing hymns and celebrate life with his family. In his honor, we held a marvelous Celebration of Life, that began with a 30 minute hymn sing so that the congregation would understood the joy we felt knowing that my dad met Jesus.
Just before I took the pulpit, my oldest brother's, youngest son asked me if I would baptize him before he returned home. It was such a sweet and appropriate request, I asked if he minded being baptized at the end of his grandfather's service.
He was overjoyed and all those who came to say goodbye to my dad, stayed to celebrate the miracle of rebirth, with us. It was... unique. Even the funeral home staff commented on how beautiful it was to intertwine new birth with a funeral. I'm not sure how many other pastors would try it but it was right for us.
We had no body to bury. Dad donated his remains to the ECU Medical School to study the effects of polio, over 74 years. He one of the older surviving polio survivors, in America. In about 18 months mom will get his ashes and we will go from there.
If you are still reading, thanks. I wanted to share our joy and sorrow, in such a way that you might feel encouraged.
He is not there...
He has risen, just as He said...
and that, beloved, makes all the difference.
Peace be the Journey
Dad had a knee replacement the Friday before, and never really recovered from the anesthetic. Over the last year, or so, he had developed a tumor between the bones in his knee joint and it had to come out. Instead of cutting into the tumor, the doctors decided it was just as good to replace the entire joint and avoid opening an encapsulated cancer.
On his last Friday morning, he began to have difficulty breathing, followed by a blood pressure crash, then a heart attack. Because I am so far away, my brother handled the hospital and they decided to chopper him to a very special, Cardiac Intervention Center at East Carolina Medical Center.
They should have let him slip away. What followed was two, plus days of life support systems and a clear path away from life.
It became necessary to direct the doctors to remove life support in stages, to avoid any unnecessary suffering. First we removed the many drugs - 12 IV's running at once. Next came the pressers and then the respirator.
I sat with him, on and off for two days and held his hand, sometimes reading him Scriptures, sometimes talking, sometimes just holding his hand.
When the end came, it was merciful, sweet and gentle. God blessed us in that regard and in so many others, through the weekend.
Their pastor was fairly new to their church and I would not allow a stranger to bury my dad. My father loved to sing hymns and celebrate life with his family. In his honor, we held a marvelous Celebration of Life, that began with a 30 minute hymn sing so that the congregation would understood the joy we felt knowing that my dad met Jesus.
Just before I took the pulpit, my oldest brother's, youngest son asked me if I would baptize him before he returned home. It was such a sweet and appropriate request, I asked if he minded being baptized at the end of his grandfather's service.
He was overjoyed and all those who came to say goodbye to my dad, stayed to celebrate the miracle of rebirth, with us. It was... unique. Even the funeral home staff commented on how beautiful it was to intertwine new birth with a funeral. I'm not sure how many other pastors would try it but it was right for us.
We had no body to bury. Dad donated his remains to the ECU Medical School to study the effects of polio, over 74 years. He one of the older surviving polio survivors, in America. In about 18 months mom will get his ashes and we will go from there.
If you are still reading, thanks. I wanted to share our joy and sorrow, in such a way that you might feel encouraged.
He is not there...
He has risen, just as He said...
and that, beloved, makes all the difference.
Peace be the Journey
Truth cuts like a knife.
Lies lie there all your life.
Choose you this day whom you will serve...
Convenience or compassion
This Baby
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.
So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'
She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.
The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.
The crime is the same!
If you agree, please SHARE. Together we can help save precious lives!
"Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself..."
Jesus sacrificed Himself for the good of sinners! That's perfect love!
-unkown
Lies lie there all your life.
Choose you this day whom you will serve...
Convenience or compassion
This Baby
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.
So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'
She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.
The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.
The crime is the same!
If you agree, please SHARE. Together we can help save precious lives!
"Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself..."
Jesus sacrificed Himself for the good of sinners! That's perfect love!
-unkown
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Scripture reference for the president in the New Year
Psalm 109:8 (New King James Version)
8 Let his days be few,
And let another take his office.
8 Let his days be few,
And let another take his office.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
December
Luke:2 1-7 1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
We celebrate with God, the birth of His Son.
He came to free us...
and to save us...
and to give us Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
As you contemplate giving this year, think about giving the gift of God's Word to your friends and loved ones. It never goes out ineffective.
Hope for the future because He is Born.
Peace for the world because He reigns.
Joy which shall be to all people...
Love came down and we will never be the same.
Peace be the Journey.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Last Night at the Last Chance Diner
November 24, 2010
Life humbles us, hurts us, encourages us, and builds us up. The writing process for my new novel, Last Night at the Last Chance Diner, has been all of that, and more.
When I started, I knew that this novel was purposed to be a gift given to loved ones of believers, who might not understand, or be willing to understand, all that Christ has to give them. His gifts, given overwhelmingly, need to be shared and "Last Night at the Last Chance", is me giving forward.
From start to finish, I sometimes felt like a squirrel trapped on a treadmill. A novel is called fiction because you make it up. From the first words, to the finish line, every action, setting, occurrence, thought, word, or prayer is created out of the air, to be modified, reconsidered, retyped and re-retyped, until you sit back, smile that wonderful, satisfied smile and say, "It is finished."
Then you retype a little more.
...and repeat as necessary.
As I wrote, I felt a kinship with the people of The Last Chance, as they all reflected little bits of me. I could put myself inside their heads, as I searched for the right words, that felt real and put them in their mouths. Their stories are America's stories and are fulfilling, engaging, aggravating and heart warming. These are folks that hurt when you hit them and bleed when you cut them. Their hurts are center stage and we use them as examples of lives lived and lives left behind.
Once up on a time, I had a collie named Benjamin. He taught me that unconditional love can be received, even by someone utterly undeserving. The years he shadowed my every move are some of my most precious memories and I have deliberately chosen to write about him in my novel.
I am blessed for his love and blessed again with the memories.
My gratitude goes out to the photographer who provided the cover photos. They were taken in downtown Bethlehem, Pa. and provided by award winning photographer, Darius Aidala, also of Bethlehem, Pa.
My deepest appreciation goes to the Cover Designer, Miroslav Suster, of Serbia. His work is inspiring.
Without a doubt, I need to also thank Sara Davis, of Greenville, SC, who provided superb edit and proofreading skills, without which, this would still in my hard drive making me crazy.
No book is a single effort. Without great people, willing to bring their amazing talents together, these things are never complete.
You three are my new heroes.
To those of you who love to read a good story, please take a chance.
Read my new novel.
Then let me know what you think.
Peace be the journey...
Life humbles us, hurts us, encourages us, and builds us up. The writing process for my new novel, Last Night at the Last Chance Diner, has been all of that, and more.
When I started, I knew that this novel was purposed to be a gift given to loved ones of believers, who might not understand, or be willing to understand, all that Christ has to give them. His gifts, given overwhelmingly, need to be shared and "Last Night at the Last Chance", is me giving forward.
From start to finish, I sometimes felt like a squirrel trapped on a treadmill. A novel is called fiction because you make it up. From the first words, to the finish line, every action, setting, occurrence, thought, word, or prayer is created out of the air, to be modified, reconsidered, retyped and re-retyped, until you sit back, smile that wonderful, satisfied smile and say, "It is finished."
Then you retype a little more.
...and repeat as necessary.
As I wrote, I felt a kinship with the people of The Last Chance, as they all reflected little bits of me. I could put myself inside their heads, as I searched for the right words, that felt real and put them in their mouths. Their stories are America's stories and are fulfilling, engaging, aggravating and heart warming. These are folks that hurt when you hit them and bleed when you cut them. Their hurts are center stage and we use them as examples of lives lived and lives left behind.
Once up on a time, I had a collie named Benjamin. He taught me that unconditional love can be received, even by someone utterly undeserving. The years he shadowed my every move are some of my most precious memories and I have deliberately chosen to write about him in my novel.
I am blessed for his love and blessed again with the memories.
My gratitude goes out to the photographer who provided the cover photos. They were taken in downtown Bethlehem, Pa. and provided by award winning photographer, Darius Aidala, also of Bethlehem, Pa.
My deepest appreciation goes to the Cover Designer, Miroslav Suster, of Serbia. His work is inspiring.
Without a doubt, I need to also thank Sara Davis, of Greenville, SC, who provided superb edit and proofreading skills, without which, this would still in my hard drive making me crazy.
No book is a single effort. Without great people, willing to bring their amazing talents together, these things are never complete.
You three are my new heroes.
To those of you who love to read a good story, please take a chance.
Read my new novel.
Then let me know what you think.
Peace be the journey...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Last Night at the Last Chance Diner
December 24, 2012
10:59:56 p.m.
Just outside Bethlehem, PA, Norman Jacobs skids on the ice, hitting a power pole and briefly blacking out downtown. As power is restored, patrons of The Last Chance Diner, unknowingly begin a countdown to midnight, that will change the world like nothing that has ever happened.
Christmas Eve, 2012.
Meet the denizens of the Last Chance. Hear their stories, experience their heartaches and discover the desires of their hearts, as the clock counts down to the beginning...
Last Night at the Last Chance Diner is available from Blessings Remembered, beginning 12/15/2010. Order your copy today.
At just $7, priced for Christmas, it is a great Christmas gift idea for those who love a mystery, and loved ones who do not yet know the Lord.
10:59:56 p.m.
Just outside Bethlehem, PA, Norman Jacobs skids on the ice, hitting a power pole and briefly blacking out downtown. As power is restored, patrons of The Last Chance Diner, unknowingly begin a countdown to midnight, that will change the world like nothing that has ever happened.
Christmas Eve, 2012.
Meet the denizens of the Last Chance. Hear their stories, experience their heartaches and discover the desires of their hearts, as the clock counts down to the beginning...
Last Night at the Last Chance Diner is available from Blessings Remembered, beginning 12/15/2010. Order your copy today.
At just $7, priced for Christmas, it is a great Christmas gift idea for those who love a mystery, and loved ones who do not yet know the Lord.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
How Big is My Market?
There are those that say the social media revolution is changing America in an astounding way. Facebook alone has a membership larger than all but the world's top three nations.
Social media seems like the new methodology for Generation Y, as it becomes larger than the Baby Boomer Generation. Fully 96% of Generation Y are the new social media. Who is reaching them and with what message?
Who are their idols and what do they worship? Some political scholars say Barrack Obama won the presidency on the back of social networking and the emerging media surrounding it. Others, with just as good a resume, say Sarah Palin has put the Obama effect so far behind, it will take years for democrats to catch up.
Which is right? I think it's both.
As quickly as a new trend emerges, commercial users and emerging technology jumps out and enlarges it. Once improved and enlarged, others invent tag along technology and applications that alter, widen and ultimately convert followers to participants.
Are you riding the wave, or sitting in the sand?
Will you use the inexpensive but time consuming Social Media frenzy to get your word out? Are you aware of the power of the new medium? Generation Y does not search the web for news, anymore. The news follows and searches for them, via social networking and intelligent applications.
How does this affect publishing and emerging writers? We are poised over a gulf that reaches into virtually every home in the world. The information explosion can take a well polished and targeted message into corners unheard of three years ago, at almost no cost.
Be bold. Be true and be untiring. If you are a writer, write. then get your message out.
Social media seems like the new methodology for Generation Y, as it becomes larger than the Baby Boomer Generation. Fully 96% of Generation Y are the new social media. Who is reaching them and with what message?
Who are their idols and what do they worship? Some political scholars say Barrack Obama won the presidency on the back of social networking and the emerging media surrounding it. Others, with just as good a resume, say Sarah Palin has put the Obama effect so far behind, it will take years for democrats to catch up.
Which is right? I think it's both.
As quickly as a new trend emerges, commercial users and emerging technology jumps out and enlarges it. Once improved and enlarged, others invent tag along technology and applications that alter, widen and ultimately convert followers to participants.
Are you riding the wave, or sitting in the sand?
Will you use the inexpensive but time consuming Social Media frenzy to get your word out? Are you aware of the power of the new medium? Generation Y does not search the web for news, anymore. The news follows and searches for them, via social networking and intelligent applications.
How does this affect publishing and emerging writers? We are poised over a gulf that reaches into virtually every home in the world. The information explosion can take a well polished and targeted message into corners unheard of three years ago, at almost no cost.
Be bold. Be true and be untiring. If you are a writer, write. then get your message out.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Obama, Pelosi, Rangel, Geithner, Holder Head Judicial Watch 2009 Most Corrupt List
Judicial Watch 2009 Ten Most Corrupt Politicians.
Barrack Obama is #1 on Their List of Crooked Politicians
http://bit.ly/5prdXS
Obama, Pelosi, Rangel, Geithner, Holder on Judicial Watch 2009 Most Corrupt List
Mainstream Stream Media Silent
Judicial Watch issued its Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2009″ list a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been waiting for MSM coverage of this story–as President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Tim Geithner, Eric Holder, Charles Rangel, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, John Murtha, Roland Burris, Rep. Jesse Jackson, and John Ensign are this year’s trophy winners.
Furthermore, Obama has been on Judicial Watch’s Most Corrupt list each year since 2006—in 2008, and 2007, and 2006
Barrack Obama is #1 on Their List of Crooked Politicians
http://bit.ly/5prdXS
Obama, Pelosi, Rangel, Geithner, Holder on Judicial Watch 2009 Most Corrupt List
Mainstream Stream Media Silent
Judicial Watch issued its Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2009″ list a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been waiting for MSM coverage of this story–as President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Tim Geithner, Eric Holder, Charles Rangel, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, John Murtha, Roland Burris, Rep. Jesse Jackson, and John Ensign are this year’s trophy winners.
Furthermore, Obama has been on Judicial Watch’s Most Corrupt list each year since 2006—in 2008, and 2007, and 2006
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Why Did Scott Brown in Massachusetts???
On the rude arch that spanned the flood
In the April breeze their flag unfurled
Here the embattled farmer stood
And fired the shot heard round the world
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Did Scott brown win because of a pick-up truck?
Did Scott Brown win because of anti-Obama sentiment?
Is the Scott Brown win a referendum Obama-care?
Mr. Brown came to town in a pick-up truck and President Obama chose to attack the truck and the kind of people who drive and ride in pick-up trucks.
Mr. Brown will drive his truck to Washington.
Mr. Obama flew home with his tail between his legs.
Why DID Scott Brown Win In Massachusetts?
The question is being spun in so many directions that pundits must think the answer lies in a cotton candy maker. If you stayed up election night and surfed the plethora of experts and political forecasters, the responses ranged from a fluke, to a poorly run campaign, to divine intervention.
The truth is so obvious that it was largely ignored. Scott Brown won because, at the end of the counting, he had more votes. Though that sounds simplistic, take a step back and examine the facts.
Brown won in a state in which Democrats outnumber Republicans by 3.5 to 1, but independents account for a huge percentage of registered voters. in a state where the Democrats win by putting their names on a ballot, the unthinkable happened. The people failed to follow their script and the Democrats never considered that possibility.
Much of the democratic script involved sarcasm, arrogance and anger, coupled with attacks against everything from the Tea Party parties, to Rush Limbeau. Scott Brown's pick-up truck figured often in responses, as if the man's choice of wheels was shallow, disingenuous and unfair to the liberal challenger.
The degree of anger was no surprise but the depth of antipathy against former President Bush was a little out of place. To hear the pundits on MSNBC, one would believe that the democrat lost in Massachusetts because people are VERY mad at George Bush. That is an answer that will not resonate with voters, who don't like being boxed and packaged by liberals seeking a politically correct response, instead of the truth.
Scott Brown won for a long list of reasons, not the least of which is the poor campaign run by the Democratic nominee and the tidal wave of negative ads run by the campaign. People tuned out the negative campaign, almost before it began and that left them free to listen for a message coming from the challengers. Coakley failed to provide more than a dusting of commentary, sprinkled with liberal talking points, choosing to pretend Scott Brown and anyone voting with him were slightly stupid and sadly gullible.
Her arrogance and elitism turned off voters who waited in vain for her to speak out about issues and conditions that require hard work and a thoughtful approach. Her refusal to debate except on ridiculous terms, then failing to give strong performance in their debate, caused many to give up and start to listen to the candidate that actually spoke to people, instead of pretending to be oh so, above them all.
It is true that Massachusetts should have been a cake walk for Martha Coakley but the cook forgot to check the temperature of the oven and the cake burned.
There is a lot of unfocused anger in the liberal media today but refusing to examine the truth, opting to fix blame instead of the problem, means the party will miss the teachable moment, here.
When Barack Obama jetted into Massachusetts to save the day, he forgot that preaching to the choir would not necessarily communicate through to the congregation. His message was stilted, scripted, fake and arrogant. More Massachusetts voters polled in Scott Brown's favor after Obama's appearance, than before. The slide was noticeable - not slight and the party aggressively ignored what that meant, as they continue to ignore what it means going forward.
When President Obama insisted former President Clinton temporarily abandon the mercy mission in Haiti to fly him and his entourage to Massachusetts for a political rally, he failed to connect to real America.
Real America understands what Mr. Obama can't begin to fathom. The devastation in Haiti far outweighed the election in Massachusetts.
I have always known that kitchen table company is so much better than dining room guests. Real America happens around kitchen tables, not elegant dinners and private jets.
If you can't connect to real Americans at their kitchen table, you can't connect. The President failed to connect and did so boldly, loudly and with as much arrogance as possible. Americans in Massachusetts heard him and responded just as loudly. The difference is that Mr. Obama was not and is not listening. The beat of his own agenda, ego and elitism is making too much noise.
When Mr. Obama attacked Scott Brown for driving a pick up truck, he attacked what makes America American.
I drove a pick up for decades and loved it. I hope to drive one again. Mr. Obama and his machine can't get that and that's why Scott Brown won last night.
In the April breeze their flag unfurled
Here the embattled farmer stood
And fired the shot heard round the world
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Did Scott brown win because of a pick-up truck?
Did Scott Brown win because of anti-Obama sentiment?
Is the Scott Brown win a referendum Obama-care?
Mr. Brown came to town in a pick-up truck and President Obama chose to attack the truck and the kind of people who drive and ride in pick-up trucks.
Mr. Brown will drive his truck to Washington.
Mr. Obama flew home with his tail between his legs.
Why DID Scott Brown Win In Massachusetts?
The question is being spun in so many directions that pundits must think the answer lies in a cotton candy maker. If you stayed up election night and surfed the plethora of experts and political forecasters, the responses ranged from a fluke, to a poorly run campaign, to divine intervention.
The truth is so obvious that it was largely ignored. Scott Brown won because, at the end of the counting, he had more votes. Though that sounds simplistic, take a step back and examine the facts.
Brown won in a state in which Democrats outnumber Republicans by 3.5 to 1, but independents account for a huge percentage of registered voters. in a state where the Democrats win by putting their names on a ballot, the unthinkable happened. The people failed to follow their script and the Democrats never considered that possibility.
Much of the democratic script involved sarcasm, arrogance and anger, coupled with attacks against everything from the Tea Party parties, to Rush Limbeau. Scott Brown's pick-up truck figured often in responses, as if the man's choice of wheels was shallow, disingenuous and unfair to the liberal challenger.
The degree of anger was no surprise but the depth of antipathy against former President Bush was a little out of place. To hear the pundits on MSNBC, one would believe that the democrat lost in Massachusetts because people are VERY mad at George Bush. That is an answer that will not resonate with voters, who don't like being boxed and packaged by liberals seeking a politically correct response, instead of the truth.
Scott Brown won for a long list of reasons, not the least of which is the poor campaign run by the Democratic nominee and the tidal wave of negative ads run by the campaign. People tuned out the negative campaign, almost before it began and that left them free to listen for a message coming from the challengers. Coakley failed to provide more than a dusting of commentary, sprinkled with liberal talking points, choosing to pretend Scott Brown and anyone voting with him were slightly stupid and sadly gullible.
Her arrogance and elitism turned off voters who waited in vain for her to speak out about issues and conditions that require hard work and a thoughtful approach. Her refusal to debate except on ridiculous terms, then failing to give strong performance in their debate, caused many to give up and start to listen to the candidate that actually spoke to people, instead of pretending to be oh so, above them all.
It is true that Massachusetts should have been a cake walk for Martha Coakley but the cook forgot to check the temperature of the oven and the cake burned.
There is a lot of unfocused anger in the liberal media today but refusing to examine the truth, opting to fix blame instead of the problem, means the party will miss the teachable moment, here.
When Barack Obama jetted into Massachusetts to save the day, he forgot that preaching to the choir would not necessarily communicate through to the congregation. His message was stilted, scripted, fake and arrogant. More Massachusetts voters polled in Scott Brown's favor after Obama's appearance, than before. The slide was noticeable - not slight and the party aggressively ignored what that meant, as they continue to ignore what it means going forward.
When President Obama insisted former President Clinton temporarily abandon the mercy mission in Haiti to fly him and his entourage to Massachusetts for a political rally, he failed to connect to real America.
Real America understands what Mr. Obama can't begin to fathom. The devastation in Haiti far outweighed the election in Massachusetts.
I have always known that kitchen table company is so much better than dining room guests. Real America happens around kitchen tables, not elegant dinners and private jets.
If you can't connect to real Americans at their kitchen table, you can't connect. The President failed to connect and did so boldly, loudly and with as much arrogance as possible. Americans in Massachusetts heard him and responded just as loudly. The difference is that Mr. Obama was not and is not listening. The beat of his own agenda, ego and elitism is making too much noise.
When Mr. Obama attacked Scott Brown for driving a pick up truck, he attacked what makes America American.
I drove a pick up for decades and loved it. I hope to drive one again. Mr. Obama and his machine can't get that and that's why Scott Brown won last night.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Seven Reasons Agents Stop Reading Your First Chapter
From the Guide to Literary Agents Editor's Blog
Chuck Sambuchino shares the results of a fabulous piece of investigative research.
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/7+Reasons+Agents+Stop+Reading+Your+First+Chapter.aspx
7 Reasons Agents Stop Reading Your First Chapter
Posted by Chuck
I recently attended the Writer Idol Event at Boston Book Fest. It was not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to brave public ridicule, it was a great way to get helpful feedback.
This is how it worked: An actress picked manuscripts at random and read the first 250 words out loud for the panel and the audience. If at any point a panelist felt he would stop reading, he raised his hand. The actress read until two or more panelists raised their hands, at which point the panel discussed the reasons they stopped, or in cases where the actress read to the end, they discussed what worked. Helene Atwan (Director of Beacon Press) and agents Esmond Harmsworth, Eve Bridburg, and Janet Silver (all from Zachary Shuster Harmsworth) served on the panel.
These panelists were tough! I'd say less than 25% made it to the end of the passage. Here are some of the common reasons panelists stopped reading.
1. Generic beginnings: Stories that opened with the date or the weather didn’t really inspire interest. According to Harmsworth, you are only allowed to start with the weather if you're writing a book about meteorologists. Otherwise, pick something more creative.
2. Slow beginnings: Some manuscripts started with too much pedestrian detail (characters washing dishes, etc) or unnecessary background information.
3. Trying too hard: Sometimes it seemed like a writer was using big words or flowery prose in an attempt to sound more sophisticated. In several cases, the writer used big words incorrectly. Awkward or forced imagery was also a turnoff. At one point, the panelists raised their hands when a character's eyes were described as “little lubricated balls moving back and forth.”
4. TMI (Too Much Information): Overly detailed description of bodily functions or medical examinations had the panelists begging for mercy.
5. Clichés: "The buildings were ramrod straight." "The morning air was raw." "Character X blossomed into Y." "A young woman looks into the mirror and tells us what she sees." Clichés are hard to avoid, but when you revise, go through and try to remove them.
6. Loss of Focus: Some manuscripts didn't have a clear narrative and hopped disjointedly from one theme to the next.
7. Unrealistic internal narrative: Make sure a character's internal narrative—what the character is thinking or feeling—matches up with reality. For example, you wouldn't want a long eloquent narration of what getting strangled feels like—the character would be too busy gasping for breath and passing out. Also, avoid having the character think about things just for the sake of letting the reader know about them.
Chuck Sambuchino shares the results of a fabulous piece of investigative research.
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/7+Reasons+Agents+Stop+Reading+Your+First+Chapter.aspx
7 Reasons Agents Stop Reading Your First Chapter
Posted by Chuck
I recently attended the Writer Idol Event at Boston Book Fest. It was not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to brave public ridicule, it was a great way to get helpful feedback.
This is how it worked: An actress picked manuscripts at random and read the first 250 words out loud for the panel and the audience. If at any point a panelist felt he would stop reading, he raised his hand. The actress read until two or more panelists raised their hands, at which point the panel discussed the reasons they stopped, or in cases where the actress read to the end, they discussed what worked. Helene Atwan (Director of Beacon Press) and agents Esmond Harmsworth, Eve Bridburg, and Janet Silver (all from Zachary Shuster Harmsworth) served on the panel.
These panelists were tough! I'd say less than 25% made it to the end of the passage. Here are some of the common reasons panelists stopped reading.
1. Generic beginnings: Stories that opened with the date or the weather didn’t really inspire interest. According to Harmsworth, you are only allowed to start with the weather if you're writing a book about meteorologists. Otherwise, pick something more creative.
2. Slow beginnings: Some manuscripts started with too much pedestrian detail (characters washing dishes, etc) or unnecessary background information.
3. Trying too hard: Sometimes it seemed like a writer was using big words or flowery prose in an attempt to sound more sophisticated. In several cases, the writer used big words incorrectly. Awkward or forced imagery was also a turnoff. At one point, the panelists raised their hands when a character's eyes were described as “little lubricated balls moving back and forth.”
4. TMI (Too Much Information): Overly detailed description of bodily functions or medical examinations had the panelists begging for mercy.
5. Clichés: "The buildings were ramrod straight." "The morning air was raw." "Character X blossomed into Y." "A young woman looks into the mirror and tells us what she sees." Clichés are hard to avoid, but when you revise, go through and try to remove them.
6. Loss of Focus: Some manuscripts didn't have a clear narrative and hopped disjointedly from one theme to the next.
7. Unrealistic internal narrative: Make sure a character's internal narrative—what the character is thinking or feeling—matches up with reality. For example, you wouldn't want a long eloquent narration of what getting strangled feels like—the character would be too busy gasping for breath and passing out. Also, avoid having the character think about things just for the sake of letting the reader know about them.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Ever Thought About Going It Alone?
As a Guest Blogger, Nicole O'Dell Talks About Publishing Without An Agent
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2009/12/guest-blogger-nicole-odell.html
One Isn't Always the Loneliest Number
I’ve never considered myself to be a rule breaker. But if you looked at my publishing history, you might think differently.
Let’s take a look at some “unbreakable” industry rules:
→ An unpublished author cannot sell an unwritten fiction manuscript.
In 2008, as an unpublished author, I got a two-book deal for unfinished fiction.
→ An unpublished author can only gain the attention of an agent or editor at a conference or by referral.
Not true for me. I’ve never been to a conference. (I’d LOVE to go but my toddler triplets have other plans for me right now.)
→ An unpublished author cannot approach publishers without an agent.
That two-book deal I mentioned above? There have been two more two-book deals since then. That’s six books since 2008 - with no agent.
In my few short years in the publishing industry, I’ve toiled many hours over the question of whether or not to find an agent to represent my work. In 2008, I was blessed beyond measure to receive a contract for my first two books through direct communication with Barbour Publishing. I didn’t have representation, my manuscripts were incomplete and I was unpublished at the time. I truly believed that my idea was going to sell my books, so I decided to give it a try on my own. Plus, I figured it would be just as difficult to get my ideas in front of an agent as it would be to go to the publisher directly. I broke several industry “rules” by going about it in that way, but it worked for me.
Granted, there are only a few publishers that are open to unagented authors, and fewer still who will contract a novel without it being complete. I happened to find a publisher who did both.
Sometimes, it’s just not the right time to work with an agent. If you’re an unpublished writer whose work is unfinished or unpolished, you’ll only damage the potential of a future contact by approaching them prematurely—after all, what do you expect them to represent? A hope and a promise?
Or, perhaps you’re like me and you’ve gotten your first contracts, written some books, secured future contracts and see a nice steady road mapped out ahead of you—you may not feel you “need” an agent right now, either.
Would things have been different for me if I’d had representation from the beginning? I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m not a negotiator—I’m a contract signer. I’m not a sales person—I’m just a grateful working writer. I’m not an industry-savvy professional—I’m just a learn-as-I-go hard worker. So, in all likelihood, my advance would have been a little higher. Perhaps my royalty split would have been a little tighter. And, an agent would have definitely encouraged me to perfect my work more, knowing that I was still in the throes of learning. But, I think all of that is true for any author, with or without an agent. There’s always something to second guess.
If I were to seek an agent for future projects, I would want someone who believed in me as an author and wanted to manage my career, not just one book. She/he would be able to negotiate killer contracts, ensure that excellent books are published, guide me toward making sure they are marketed properly, etc. My perfect author/agent relationship would include a joint ministry focus, an overall approach to branding and a shared outlook on the future. That’s a tall order. Many agents don’t want to participate in all of that, and that’s fine. But, I would rather not sign with one at all than to settle for anything other than that.
Sometimes it’s okay to work alone. Your writing career doesn’t begin the day you join forces with a literary agency. You can still be a working writer, still pursue contracts and still chase your dreams one step at a time until the doors to the hallowed halls of the perfect literary agency open for you. The key is to keep going, keep writing and keep your eyes on your goals.
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2009/12/guest-blogger-nicole-odell.html
One Isn't Always the Loneliest Number
I’ve never considered myself to be a rule breaker. But if you looked at my publishing history, you might think differently.
Let’s take a look at some “unbreakable” industry rules:
→ An unpublished author cannot sell an unwritten fiction manuscript.
In 2008, as an unpublished author, I got a two-book deal for unfinished fiction.
→ An unpublished author can only gain the attention of an agent or editor at a conference or by referral.
Not true for me. I’ve never been to a conference. (I’d LOVE to go but my toddler triplets have other plans for me right now.)
→ An unpublished author cannot approach publishers without an agent.
That two-book deal I mentioned above? There have been two more two-book deals since then. That’s six books since 2008 - with no agent.
In my few short years in the publishing industry, I’ve toiled many hours over the question of whether or not to find an agent to represent my work. In 2008, I was blessed beyond measure to receive a contract for my first two books through direct communication with Barbour Publishing. I didn’t have representation, my manuscripts were incomplete and I was unpublished at the time. I truly believed that my idea was going to sell my books, so I decided to give it a try on my own. Plus, I figured it would be just as difficult to get my ideas in front of an agent as it would be to go to the publisher directly. I broke several industry “rules” by going about it in that way, but it worked for me.
Granted, there are only a few publishers that are open to unagented authors, and fewer still who will contract a novel without it being complete. I happened to find a publisher who did both.
Sometimes, it’s just not the right time to work with an agent. If you’re an unpublished writer whose work is unfinished or unpolished, you’ll only damage the potential of a future contact by approaching them prematurely—after all, what do you expect them to represent? A hope and a promise?
Or, perhaps you’re like me and you’ve gotten your first contracts, written some books, secured future contracts and see a nice steady road mapped out ahead of you—you may not feel you “need” an agent right now, either.
Would things have been different for me if I’d had representation from the beginning? I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m not a negotiator—I’m a contract signer. I’m not a sales person—I’m just a grateful working writer. I’m not an industry-savvy professional—I’m just a learn-as-I-go hard worker. So, in all likelihood, my advance would have been a little higher. Perhaps my royalty split would have been a little tighter. And, an agent would have definitely encouraged me to perfect my work more, knowing that I was still in the throes of learning. But, I think all of that is true for any author, with or without an agent. There’s always something to second guess.
If I were to seek an agent for future projects, I would want someone who believed in me as an author and wanted to manage my career, not just one book. She/he would be able to negotiate killer contracts, ensure that excellent books are published, guide me toward making sure they are marketed properly, etc. My perfect author/agent relationship would include a joint ministry focus, an overall approach to branding and a shared outlook on the future. That’s a tall order. Many agents don’t want to participate in all of that, and that’s fine. But, I would rather not sign with one at all than to settle for anything other than that.
Sometimes it’s okay to work alone. Your writing career doesn’t begin the day you join forces with a literary agency. You can still be a working writer, still pursue contracts and still chase your dreams one step at a time until the doors to the hallowed halls of the perfect literary agency open for you. The key is to keep going, keep writing and keep your eyes on your goals.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Is This The End of America?
This is not my usual blog topic.
Everyday I read the news and wonder just how much more freedom can survive.
The obama administration seems determined to change America into a post American social experiment, where his troops use the patriot act to destroy those who disagree, or resist his agenda.
When a few malcontent liberals can derail the purchase of a sports team because they object to a person's opinions, then go out and fabricate statements just to have something to complain about, is a symptom of the end of our lifestyle as we know it.
The 2010 midterm election is our closest chance to limit the damage obama and his pack of wolves are doing, but we might not have a country to save in another year.
Publishers are pulling books because someone "might" be offended, someday and elitist liberals are demanding more.
Schools are labeling five year old children sex offenders for hugging a crying classmate.
Courts are inventing laws just to please their cocktail party friends and other courts are too timid to reverse them, for fear of being labeled by the left.
Are we experiencing the end of America? Is obama the one that is to blame? Is george soros really the puppet master, controlling obama just as David Rockerfeller controlled Jimmy Carter?
When the dollar fails completely, as obama and his pack of wolves are working toward, how do Americans pay bills, keep the electricity on, fund schools, maintain hospitals and buy food?
The trillions in new deficit sending is guaranteed to collapse our economic system and overwhelm the governments, which is exactly what obama's mentor, Saul Alinsky preached in his writings.
When you look at obama's plans, you see a list of new deficit spending out to the horizon, as if the destruction of America is exactly what he wants.
I think it's coming time to push back and demand accountability, refuse to be silenced by a partisan media with shivers down their legs and elect a new congress and senate. Force these newly elected representatives to appoint intelligent and decent people to judgeship's and stop the insanity.
We have no choice left but to take responsibility for our government's actions and demand that they stop the wholesale destruction of our economy, before there is nothing left to save.
Here is a good plan.
Be Prayerful. Pray for guidance, protection, honorable leaders and courage.
Be Brave.
Be unswayed by the emotional cocktails of the administration's crooks and liars.
Be Honest and Straightforward, giving no quarter to a bunch that would take over your local hospital and turn you out in a heartbeat.
Hold your elected government accountable. Do not let them wiggle off the hook by blaming George Bush, or anyone else.
This is the president that proclaimed no lobbyists would be allowed in his administration, then hired more lobbyists than the last four administrations put together.
This is the president that promised the most open administration in history but sealed the White House visitor records so no one can determine who is coming and going, has sealed every one of his records from first grade on up, and refuses to provide basic information about how he paid for his Harvard education and exactly what did his wife do for over $ 300,000 a year in a Chicago hospital, a job that began right after he was elected to the senate, after a bunch of questionable campaign activities.
In an economic meltdown, while making speeches about people tightening their belts, this is the president that spent millions of our money to go on a date to NYC, then flew Hawaiian dancers to Washington dance for him, at dinner one night.
This is the president that sent his wife on a separate 747, to speak to the Olympic committee, then flew over himself, twelve hours later, ignoring the massive wasted tax money.
This is the president that PROMISED bills would be posted online for FIVE DAYS before a vote so the people could know what their government was doing. You saw the stimulus passed by representatives that were never given time to read what they were hammered to pass and now they plan the exact same thing with health care and then cap and trade.
Each of those are multi-trillion dollar deficit programs, designed to harm American taxpayers. That debt is money the treasury can never tax people enough to pay back but they are inventing taxes at a record pace.
We are living through the end of America at the hands of a despotic regime. It's time to stand up and refuse to die.
Everyday I read the news and wonder just how much more freedom can survive.
The obama administration seems determined to change America into a post American social experiment, where his troops use the patriot act to destroy those who disagree, or resist his agenda.
When a few malcontent liberals can derail the purchase of a sports team because they object to a person's opinions, then go out and fabricate statements just to have something to complain about, is a symptom of the end of our lifestyle as we know it.
The 2010 midterm election is our closest chance to limit the damage obama and his pack of wolves are doing, but we might not have a country to save in another year.
Publishers are pulling books because someone "might" be offended, someday and elitist liberals are demanding more.
Schools are labeling five year old children sex offenders for hugging a crying classmate.
Courts are inventing laws just to please their cocktail party friends and other courts are too timid to reverse them, for fear of being labeled by the left.
Are we experiencing the end of America? Is obama the one that is to blame? Is george soros really the puppet master, controlling obama just as David Rockerfeller controlled Jimmy Carter?
When the dollar fails completely, as obama and his pack of wolves are working toward, how do Americans pay bills, keep the electricity on, fund schools, maintain hospitals and buy food?
The trillions in new deficit sending is guaranteed to collapse our economic system and overwhelm the governments, which is exactly what obama's mentor, Saul Alinsky preached in his writings.
When you look at obama's plans, you see a list of new deficit spending out to the horizon, as if the destruction of America is exactly what he wants.
I think it's coming time to push back and demand accountability, refuse to be silenced by a partisan media with shivers down their legs and elect a new congress and senate. Force these newly elected representatives to appoint intelligent and decent people to judgeship's and stop the insanity.
We have no choice left but to take responsibility for our government's actions and demand that they stop the wholesale destruction of our economy, before there is nothing left to save.
Here is a good plan.
Be Prayerful. Pray for guidance, protection, honorable leaders and courage.
Be Brave.
Be unswayed by the emotional cocktails of the administration's crooks and liars.
Be Honest and Straightforward, giving no quarter to a bunch that would take over your local hospital and turn you out in a heartbeat.
Hold your elected government accountable. Do not let them wiggle off the hook by blaming George Bush, or anyone else.
This is the president that proclaimed no lobbyists would be allowed in his administration, then hired more lobbyists than the last four administrations put together.
This is the president that promised the most open administration in history but sealed the White House visitor records so no one can determine who is coming and going, has sealed every one of his records from first grade on up, and refuses to provide basic information about how he paid for his Harvard education and exactly what did his wife do for over $ 300,000 a year in a Chicago hospital, a job that began right after he was elected to the senate, after a bunch of questionable campaign activities.
In an economic meltdown, while making speeches about people tightening their belts, this is the president that spent millions of our money to go on a date to NYC, then flew Hawaiian dancers to Washington dance for him, at dinner one night.
This is the president that sent his wife on a separate 747, to speak to the Olympic committee, then flew over himself, twelve hours later, ignoring the massive wasted tax money.
This is the president that PROMISED bills would be posted online for FIVE DAYS before a vote so the people could know what their government was doing. You saw the stimulus passed by representatives that were never given time to read what they were hammered to pass and now they plan the exact same thing with health care and then cap and trade.
Each of those are multi-trillion dollar deficit programs, designed to harm American taxpayers. That debt is money the treasury can never tax people enough to pay back but they are inventing taxes at a record pace.
We are living through the end of America at the hands of a despotic regime. It's time to stand up and refuse to die.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
You Say You Want to Become a Professional Speaker... Then What?
Mike Hyatt shares much of what he learned from Ken Davis at the Professional Communicators Summit in Nashville, Tennessee.
There is a tremendous amount of information, distilled into a handful of paragraphs and lots of conversation topics. Use what is good for you and file the rest for future reference.
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/09/so-you-want-to-be-a-professional-speaker.html#IDComment36489586
As someone who does a fair amount of speaking myself, I was confident I could benefit personally form the Summit. However, I also thought I could use this information with many of the authors I publish as the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was right on both counts.
The conference is sponsored by Ken Davis. In case you are not familiar with Ken, he is a very popular Christian speaker and comedian. He has had a significant, wide-reaching career. He is also a student of speaking and, especially, the business of speaking. He has distilled everything he has learned in 30 years of professional speaking and used it to take hundreds of other speakers to the next level.
Over the course of three days, we learned four things:
1. How to discover our assets as a speaker. We took an inventory of our talents and gifts. We looked at our status and platform. We reviewed our own proprietary information and expertise. We even considered how we could convert our weaknesses into strengths. This was hugely eye-opening. I discovered that I had much more to work with than I originally thought.
2. How to design our products. Our “product” is all about how we package and sell our assets. We began with the question, “What product am I really promoting, selling, or delivering to your buyers? We then discussed four kinds of products:
* A presentation at someone else’s event
* Our own events, like seminars or conferences
* Resources, like books, DVDs, CDs, etc.
* Services, like consulting, coaching, counseling, etc.
3. How to market our products. We discussed what marketing is and four steps to building a perception about our products. It was especially helpful to learn about the kinds of things that damage perception. We also discussed what meeting planners are looking for, how to develop effective promotional materials, and the pluses and minuses of speakers bureaus and booking agents.
4. How to determine our value. Frankly, this was one of the most helpful segments. We discussed why we should charge for our services, how much we should charge, and an extremely helpful pricing concept called “high bar/low bar.” Ken even role-played a fee negotiation with one of the other instructors that demonstrated how natural this conversation can be and to do it in a way that is comfortable for both parties.
Ken was not the only instructor at the event. He had a team of dynamic communicators. I was also privileged to lead a session on “How Professional Speakers Can Get Published.” I will also be speaking at this next event.
If you have been thinking about “going pro” by either starting a speaking career or taking your existing career to the next level, this is the conference for you. This is the only conference of this type that I am aware of. It is both motivational and practical. You will leave pumped up about the possibilities for your career, with concrete tools that you can put to work immediately.
There is a tremendous amount of information, distilled into a handful of paragraphs and lots of conversation topics. Use what is good for you and file the rest for future reference.
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/09/so-you-want-to-be-a-professional-speaker.html#IDComment36489586
As someone who does a fair amount of speaking myself, I was confident I could benefit personally form the Summit. However, I also thought I could use this information with many of the authors I publish as the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was right on both counts.
The conference is sponsored by Ken Davis. In case you are not familiar with Ken, he is a very popular Christian speaker and comedian. He has had a significant, wide-reaching career. He is also a student of speaking and, especially, the business of speaking. He has distilled everything he has learned in 30 years of professional speaking and used it to take hundreds of other speakers to the next level.
Over the course of three days, we learned four things:
1. How to discover our assets as a speaker. We took an inventory of our talents and gifts. We looked at our status and platform. We reviewed our own proprietary information and expertise. We even considered how we could convert our weaknesses into strengths. This was hugely eye-opening. I discovered that I had much more to work with than I originally thought.
2. How to design our products. Our “product” is all about how we package and sell our assets. We began with the question, “What product am I really promoting, selling, or delivering to your buyers? We then discussed four kinds of products:
* A presentation at someone else’s event
* Our own events, like seminars or conferences
* Resources, like books, DVDs, CDs, etc.
* Services, like consulting, coaching, counseling, etc.
3. How to market our products. We discussed what marketing is and four steps to building a perception about our products. It was especially helpful to learn about the kinds of things that damage perception. We also discussed what meeting planners are looking for, how to develop effective promotional materials, and the pluses and minuses of speakers bureaus and booking agents.
4. How to determine our value. Frankly, this was one of the most helpful segments. We discussed why we should charge for our services, how much we should charge, and an extremely helpful pricing concept called “high bar/low bar.” Ken even role-played a fee negotiation with one of the other instructors that demonstrated how natural this conversation can be and to do it in a way that is comfortable for both parties.
Ken was not the only instructor at the event. He had a team of dynamic communicators. I was also privileged to lead a session on “How Professional Speakers Can Get Published.” I will also be speaking at this next event.
If you have been thinking about “going pro” by either starting a speaking career or taking your existing career to the next level, this is the conference for you. This is the only conference of this type that I am aware of. It is both motivational and practical. You will leave pumped up about the possibilities for your career, with concrete tools that you can put to work immediately.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Will You Still Love Him?
I preached, Sunday on the subject of September 11th. It is a bittersweet topic as I am a New Yorker by birth and even though I have lived away for decades, like so many others, I never left in my heart.
My Scripture was from Jeremiah...
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
...and my point was that even though the worst thing seemed to happen September 11th...
even though the world caved in on so many...
even though Taliban made indiscriminate war against innocent men, women and children...
even though America was hurt very badly...
even though the towers in your life sometimes collapse
and things seem to turn against you at every turn.
Even though you hurt so much you think it will surely kill you and hope that happens soon...
Will You Still Love Jesus Christ?
I cry every time I see the film of the towers coming down.
I cry when I hear the voice mail recordings of those poor souls who had a chance to call home and say I love you and be happy.
My tears would make a river but even so, I still love Him. I serve only Him. The intention of my life is to be worthy of being His child.
Will You Still Love Him????
My Scripture was from Jeremiah...
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
...and my point was that even though the worst thing seemed to happen September 11th...
even though the world caved in on so many...
even though Taliban made indiscriminate war against innocent men, women and children...
even though America was hurt very badly...
even though the towers in your life sometimes collapse
and things seem to turn against you at every turn.
Even though you hurt so much you think it will surely kill you and hope that happens soon...
Will You Still Love Jesus Christ?
I cry every time I see the film of the towers coming down.
I cry when I hear the voice mail recordings of those poor souls who had a chance to call home and say I love you and be happy.
My tears would make a river but even so, I still love Him. I serve only Him. The intention of my life is to be worthy of being His child.
Will You Still Love Him????
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Today When I Got Home...
Today when I got home, there was a box from Barbour Books on the front porch waiting for me.
Inside the box was the First Printing of the book to which I contributed ten devotions.
The Great Adventure - a daily devotional journal
http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/...aspx?Tab=Books
...was released and shipped on Friday.
It came out much nicer than I expected and I expected a lot!
It sort of feels like a new member of the family. You never get used to the first time you handle a new published work. I hope I never get over the thrill.
...End Of Shameless Self Promotion...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Mike Hyatt: Before You Hire a Literary Agent
One of the toughest decisions facing authors today, is what they will do about professional, positive, representation. Agents are like plumbers. For some things you can't just can't go it alone but for many others, it isn't absolutely necessary.
There are a list of "to do's" that come before hiring an agent and the list gets longer all the time.
In this age of electronic, on demand publishing, what can you do ahead of a representative to establish yourself, build a brand, lay out a solid, long term platform and find your reader base?
How can you create your finished product in publishable form, ready to be handed over to the wolves, ahead of hiring a representative?
What steps can you take to be an unpublished author of substance, who's work is ready for professional, positive, representation?
How do you know when you are nearing and / or crossing that fine line between being ready for representation and in need of representation?
Mike Hyatt has been there and done that. His suggestions are quite clear and on topic. He sits at the head of the largest publisher of Christ honoring literature in the world and knows something about this topic.
Before You Hire a Literary Agent
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/06/before-you-hire-a-literary-agent.html
A while back, I received an email from one of our authors, notifying us that he had hired a new literary agent. My first thought was, You’ve got to be kidding! Of all the agents out there, why would you pick THAT one!
Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against agents. Not only was I a literary agent for six years, I have been represented by an agent on all of the books I have personally published. And, of course, as a publisher, I deal with agents on a daily basis.
A few of these agents are close, personal friends. Many of them add real value to the publishing process. However, some of them do irreparable harm to the author’s reputation. Like most professions, it is a mixed bag. You owe it to yourself to do your homework.
As an author, the most important thing you need to understand about agents is that they represent YOU. If an agent has a good reputation (i.e., a brand), that reputation will accrue to your benefit:
* If the agent is knowledgeable and well-read, publishers will assume that you are a person of literary merit—someone to be taken seriously.
* If the agent is prompt and responsive, publishers will assume that you are cooperative and low-maintenance—someone they want to work with.
* If the agent is reasonable in the terms they request, publishers will assume that you are committed to a win-win paradigm—someone they want to invest in.
However, if an agent has a bad reputation, that reputation will also accrue to your detriment:
* If the agent isn’t well-read and isn’t conversant with your topic or proposal, publishers will assume that you don’t know what you are talking about either.
* If your agent is disorganized and unresponsive, publishers will assume that you are uncooperative and high-maintenance.
* If the agent is unreasonable and greedy, publishers will assume that you are committed to a win-lose paradigm and just in it for the money.
Frankly, I am amazed that so many authors hire agents without checking references. To be blunt, this is just stupid. You wouldn’t do this with an employee; why would you do it with an agent?
In hiring new employees, I have found that checking references is the single most important thing I can do. Prospective employees will tell you all kinds of things in an interview. They will spin their story to their advantage. But, as Ronald Reagan used to say, “trust but verify.” You never know for sure until you check the references. The same is true in hiring a literary agent.
Before you hire a literary agent, I would encourage you to:
1. Contact at least three authors whom the agent currently represents. Ask the agent for a list, including telephone numbers. Obviously, these will be clients the agent thinks will speak well of him. Regardless, you will still learn a great deal by talking to these clients. If possible, talk with them on the phone. People will tell you things on a phone call that they will not put in writing.
2. Contact at least three publishers with whom the agent has recently done business. Again, ask the agent to provide a list. Ask the publisher, four questions:
* “Did the agent present a compelling proposal?”
* “Did the agent provide you what you needed to make a good decision?”
* “Did the agent respond to your calls and emails in a timely manner?”
* “Was the agent fair and reasonable in the negotiating process?”
If you already have an agent, it is important that you monitor how you are being represented. Check in with your publisher from time to time and make sure that you are being well-represented. Keep in mind that the publisher will be reluctant to be candid unless he can count on your confidentiality.
By the way, I maintain a “List of Literary Agents who Represent Christian Authors”
http://michaelhyatt.com/2007/11/literary-agents-who-represent-christian-authors.html
There are a list of "to do's" that come before hiring an agent and the list gets longer all the time.
In this age of electronic, on demand publishing, what can you do ahead of a representative to establish yourself, build a brand, lay out a solid, long term platform and find your reader base?
How can you create your finished product in publishable form, ready to be handed over to the wolves, ahead of hiring a representative?
What steps can you take to be an unpublished author of substance, who's work is ready for professional, positive, representation?
How do you know when you are nearing and / or crossing that fine line between being ready for representation and in need of representation?
Mike Hyatt has been there and done that. His suggestions are quite clear and on topic. He sits at the head of the largest publisher of Christ honoring literature in the world and knows something about this topic.
Before You Hire a Literary Agent
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/06/before-you-hire-a-literary-agent.html
A while back, I received an email from one of our authors, notifying us that he had hired a new literary agent. My first thought was, You’ve got to be kidding! Of all the agents out there, why would you pick THAT one!
Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against agents. Not only was I a literary agent for six years, I have been represented by an agent on all of the books I have personally published. And, of course, as a publisher, I deal with agents on a daily basis.
A few of these agents are close, personal friends. Many of them add real value to the publishing process. However, some of them do irreparable harm to the author’s reputation. Like most professions, it is a mixed bag. You owe it to yourself to do your homework.
As an author, the most important thing you need to understand about agents is that they represent YOU. If an agent has a good reputation (i.e., a brand), that reputation will accrue to your benefit:
* If the agent is knowledgeable and well-read, publishers will assume that you are a person of literary merit—someone to be taken seriously.
* If the agent is prompt and responsive, publishers will assume that you are cooperative and low-maintenance—someone they want to work with.
* If the agent is reasonable in the terms they request, publishers will assume that you are committed to a win-win paradigm—someone they want to invest in.
However, if an agent has a bad reputation, that reputation will also accrue to your detriment:
* If the agent isn’t well-read and isn’t conversant with your topic or proposal, publishers will assume that you don’t know what you are talking about either.
* If your agent is disorganized and unresponsive, publishers will assume that you are uncooperative and high-maintenance.
* If the agent is unreasonable and greedy, publishers will assume that you are committed to a win-lose paradigm and just in it for the money.
Frankly, I am amazed that so many authors hire agents without checking references. To be blunt, this is just stupid. You wouldn’t do this with an employee; why would you do it with an agent?
In hiring new employees, I have found that checking references is the single most important thing I can do. Prospective employees will tell you all kinds of things in an interview. They will spin their story to their advantage. But, as Ronald Reagan used to say, “trust but verify.” You never know for sure until you check the references. The same is true in hiring a literary agent.
Before you hire a literary agent, I would encourage you to:
1. Contact at least three authors whom the agent currently represents. Ask the agent for a list, including telephone numbers. Obviously, these will be clients the agent thinks will speak well of him. Regardless, you will still learn a great deal by talking to these clients. If possible, talk with them on the phone. People will tell you things on a phone call that they will not put in writing.
2. Contact at least three publishers with whom the agent has recently done business. Again, ask the agent to provide a list. Ask the publisher, four questions:
* “Did the agent present a compelling proposal?”
* “Did the agent provide you what you needed to make a good decision?”
* “Did the agent respond to your calls and emails in a timely manner?”
* “Was the agent fair and reasonable in the negotiating process?”
If you already have an agent, it is important that you monitor how you are being represented. Check in with your publisher from time to time and make sure that you are being well-represented. Keep in mind that the publisher will be reluctant to be candid unless he can count on your confidentiality.
By the way, I maintain a “List of Literary Agents who Represent Christian Authors”
http://michaelhyatt.com/2007/11/literary-agents-who-represent-christian-authors.html
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Why Video Trailers Help Sell Your Book
Why a Video Will Help Sell Your Book
A shopper who watches a video about a product is more likely to buy it.
We are all concerned with the steps necessary to market our work. We wonder about how to spend very limited marketing dollars. Our thoughts are contradictory, at times and frustrating. At times it seems like we are taking a stab in the dark, with funds that need to be spent with the utmost care.
Alan Rinzler has a bit about one emerging marketing trend that seems promising, through a well produced video trailer. It's worth the read.
http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/
by Alan Rinzler
That’s why publishers and video producers are rushing to collaborate on low-cost video book trailers. Publicists and marketing professionals believe these videos are the best new way to create the kind of buzz that attracts readers and sales.
In the past few months, publishers like Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Scholastic, Wiley and others, have commissioned and produced hundreds of these short videos. They’re posting them on their own company websites, on Amazon, YouTube, author sites and blogs, and an expanding universe of multimedia and social networking sites.
Some of these book videos look like movie trailers, with high production values, location shots and paid actors. Some are just about the author, with talking heads and an interview at home about the book and how it was written.
Here’s one I love
This is a book trailer for New Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado (Broadway Books/Random House Sept. 09). It’s about the author and her quest for meaning and purpose in her life, which she discovers by becoming a master baker and opening her own shop in Vermont where she creates pastry and cakes to die for. They’re so well photographed you’ll want to rush out and buy them, and the book.
A sudden trend
This new approach is part of the sea change in the industry’s turbulent and volatile efforts to sell books. Most of us generally agree that the old ways of marketing books has become prohibitively expensive and obsolete, especially in the current economy and declining retail sales in all sectors.
That full-page ad in the New York Times Book Review or the 30-second national TV spot on a show like Today or Front Line can cost tens of thousands of dollars with few tangible results. At the same time the DIY free-access culture of the internet has shown how powerful a three-minute YouTube video can be, careening around cyberspace in a few minutes if viewers pass it on to interested friends in their social network.
Book publishers are struggling to figure out how to survive and flourish in this brave new world of digital marketing. Many are now willing try something new.
At John Wiley & Sons, for example, we’ve already commissioned many such videos. The Dummies division at Wiley in particular, is using video trailers to market its books. Simon & Schuster’s CEO Carolyn Reidy, told me at Book Expo this year that she’s a big supporter of this recent initiative and has ordered dozens of videos for her various imprints. Jeff Gomez at Penguin is another strong advocate of this marketing tool.
We’ve also found that these book trailers are perfect as audition tapes for national broadcast and print media, and to generate author publicity and support the author’s direct-to-reader marketing efforts to drive sales and engage customers.
Growing book trailer industry
Video production companies targeting authors are emerging to produce book trailers. For example, Andrew Kaplan, Business Development Manager of the internet video company TurnHere, says they’ve produced about 500 book videos and is releasing three or four new ones every week.
Another producer, Scott Robinson of RFI films in NYC has been creating book videos directly with the author, most notably our own favorite discovery, Lenore Skenazy.
A quick search online turned up other players, including Living Jacket, Circle of Seven Productions, and Expanded Books. I don’t have any personal experience with these companies, so please do your own due diligence if you consider using their services.
If you’re a writer under contract, be clear about who’s paying for producing the video. If you don’t yet have a book publisher, consider doing something within your budget, either on your own or with professional help. The cost for such an effort can range from a few hundred to $5,000.
How can you make the best use of this new resource?
Watch as many book videos as you can and become familiar with the rapidly changing state of the art. To get started, check out BookScreening, a hub for book trailers submitted by publishers and authors featuring great examples of this new medium. Another big player in this arena is the book trailer channel at Barnes & Noble Studio. Search YouTube for book trailers, and you’ll find more than 50,000. And there’s Vimeo, with a roster of more than 200 book videos. Also take a look at The Book Trailer Blog, with interesting background and commentary about making and re-purposing book videos.
Book trailers tend to fall into two major categories: Some are like Hollywood movie previews, with professional actors playing out elements of the stories in actual locations, with good music, slick editing, and high production values.
Others are entirely author focused, with a writer explaining why and how they wrote the book, often speaking from home. The author might be sitting behind a keyboard, walking through a location associated with the book, or conducting an interview with an on or off-camera journalist or friend.
Readers want a relationship with the author
“Our experience and field surveys show that what potential readers want most is contact with the author,” Kaplan of TurnHere says.
“Book tours don’t often bring authors to neighborhood events anymore, but people still crave that personal touch, that sense of a real person they can get to know, that relationship between author and reader.”
What would work best for your book? Would you prefer to dramatize the story in an enticing manner, or talk about your work and how you did it?
Consider roughing out a preview trailer on your own. Do you have any video equipment at home? Do you know someone who would be willing to experiment and have some fun working on this with you?
“I’ve seen good book trailers that started as an amateur Flip camera version made by the author and then later redone with professional production values,” says Robinson of RFI films.
“Lenore Skenazy and her husband Joe, for example, did a first-draft video for her book Free Range Kids with consumer equipment and software. They wrote their own script. It had humor – which is important for many book trailers — and a lot of smart ideas for inserts and locations. So we re-shot the whole thing with better audio and editing. Humor, good sound and good editing can all make a huge difference.” See the final version on Amazon.
Is Amazon charging for placement?
Book trailer producers have told me also that one of the biggest challenges they face now in video marketing campaigns is placement. It used to be easier to get a video trailer posted on Amazon, for example. Now I hear they’re beginning to charge for posting a video on the first page of a book listing.
Kaplan at TurnHere says that Amazon is beginning to charge some of his clients a $1500 fee for posting on the first page of a book listing. A spokesperson for Amazon, who prefers to remain anonymous, told me that such a fee would depend on how much business the publisher does with them, and the status of an individual author.
I’m told that we’re not paying that kind of money at Wiley for posting on Amazon, but we may be getting credit for the volume of cooperative advertising dollars that a publisher makes available to major retailers.
If anyone out there has had direct experience with Amazon regarding placement of a book trailer, we’d love to hear from you.
The bottom line
Here’s the bottom line: Smart buyers do research online before making any retail purchase. Book readers are no different. If they’ve heard about a book, or read something by a writer they like, they’ll search for it. When they find an actual video, the research shows that people have an attention span of about 3 minutes.
Three minutes doesn’t sound like much. But that little book video could make a big impact in your ultimate sales.
A shopper who watches a video about a product is more likely to buy it.
We are all concerned with the steps necessary to market our work. We wonder about how to spend very limited marketing dollars. Our thoughts are contradictory, at times and frustrating. At times it seems like we are taking a stab in the dark, with funds that need to be spent with the utmost care.
Alan Rinzler has a bit about one emerging marketing trend that seems promising, through a well produced video trailer. It's worth the read.
http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/
by Alan Rinzler
That’s why publishers and video producers are rushing to collaborate on low-cost video book trailers. Publicists and marketing professionals believe these videos are the best new way to create the kind of buzz that attracts readers and sales.
In the past few months, publishers like Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Scholastic, Wiley and others, have commissioned and produced hundreds of these short videos. They’re posting them on their own company websites, on Amazon, YouTube, author sites and blogs, and an expanding universe of multimedia and social networking sites.
Some of these book videos look like movie trailers, with high production values, location shots and paid actors. Some are just about the author, with talking heads and an interview at home about the book and how it was written.
Here’s one I love
This is a book trailer for New Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado (Broadway Books/Random House Sept. 09). It’s about the author and her quest for meaning and purpose in her life, which she discovers by becoming a master baker and opening her own shop in Vermont where she creates pastry and cakes to die for. They’re so well photographed you’ll want to rush out and buy them, and the book.
A sudden trend
This new approach is part of the sea change in the industry’s turbulent and volatile efforts to sell books. Most of us generally agree that the old ways of marketing books has become prohibitively expensive and obsolete, especially in the current economy and declining retail sales in all sectors.
That full-page ad in the New York Times Book Review or the 30-second national TV spot on a show like Today or Front Line can cost tens of thousands of dollars with few tangible results. At the same time the DIY free-access culture of the internet has shown how powerful a three-minute YouTube video can be, careening around cyberspace in a few minutes if viewers pass it on to interested friends in their social network.
Book publishers are struggling to figure out how to survive and flourish in this brave new world of digital marketing. Many are now willing try something new.
At John Wiley & Sons, for example, we’ve already commissioned many such videos. The Dummies division at Wiley in particular, is using video trailers to market its books. Simon & Schuster’s CEO Carolyn Reidy, told me at Book Expo this year that she’s a big supporter of this recent initiative and has ordered dozens of videos for her various imprints. Jeff Gomez at Penguin is another strong advocate of this marketing tool.
We’ve also found that these book trailers are perfect as audition tapes for national broadcast and print media, and to generate author publicity and support the author’s direct-to-reader marketing efforts to drive sales and engage customers.
Growing book trailer industry
Video production companies targeting authors are emerging to produce book trailers. For example, Andrew Kaplan, Business Development Manager of the internet video company TurnHere, says they’ve produced about 500 book videos and is releasing three or four new ones every week.
Another producer, Scott Robinson of RFI films in NYC has been creating book videos directly with the author, most notably our own favorite discovery, Lenore Skenazy.
A quick search online turned up other players, including Living Jacket, Circle of Seven Productions, and Expanded Books. I don’t have any personal experience with these companies, so please do your own due diligence if you consider using their services.
If you’re a writer under contract, be clear about who’s paying for producing the video. If you don’t yet have a book publisher, consider doing something within your budget, either on your own or with professional help. The cost for such an effort can range from a few hundred to $5,000.
How can you make the best use of this new resource?
Watch as many book videos as you can and become familiar with the rapidly changing state of the art. To get started, check out BookScreening, a hub for book trailers submitted by publishers and authors featuring great examples of this new medium. Another big player in this arena is the book trailer channel at Barnes & Noble Studio. Search YouTube for book trailers, and you’ll find more than 50,000. And there’s Vimeo, with a roster of more than 200 book videos. Also take a look at The Book Trailer Blog, with interesting background and commentary about making and re-purposing book videos.
Book trailers tend to fall into two major categories: Some are like Hollywood movie previews, with professional actors playing out elements of the stories in actual locations, with good music, slick editing, and high production values.
Others are entirely author focused, with a writer explaining why and how they wrote the book, often speaking from home. The author might be sitting behind a keyboard, walking through a location associated with the book, or conducting an interview with an on or off-camera journalist or friend.
Readers want a relationship with the author
“Our experience and field surveys show that what potential readers want most is contact with the author,” Kaplan of TurnHere says.
“Book tours don’t often bring authors to neighborhood events anymore, but people still crave that personal touch, that sense of a real person they can get to know, that relationship between author and reader.”
What would work best for your book? Would you prefer to dramatize the story in an enticing manner, or talk about your work and how you did it?
Consider roughing out a preview trailer on your own. Do you have any video equipment at home? Do you know someone who would be willing to experiment and have some fun working on this with you?
“I’ve seen good book trailers that started as an amateur Flip camera version made by the author and then later redone with professional production values,” says Robinson of RFI films.
“Lenore Skenazy and her husband Joe, for example, did a first-draft video for her book Free Range Kids with consumer equipment and software. They wrote their own script. It had humor – which is important for many book trailers — and a lot of smart ideas for inserts and locations. So we re-shot the whole thing with better audio and editing. Humor, good sound and good editing can all make a huge difference.” See the final version on Amazon.
Is Amazon charging for placement?
Book trailer producers have told me also that one of the biggest challenges they face now in video marketing campaigns is placement. It used to be easier to get a video trailer posted on Amazon, for example. Now I hear they’re beginning to charge for posting a video on the first page of a book listing.
Kaplan at TurnHere says that Amazon is beginning to charge some of his clients a $1500 fee for posting on the first page of a book listing. A spokesperson for Amazon, who prefers to remain anonymous, told me that such a fee would depend on how much business the publisher does with them, and the status of an individual author.
I’m told that we’re not paying that kind of money at Wiley for posting on Amazon, but we may be getting credit for the volume of cooperative advertising dollars that a publisher makes available to major retailers.
If anyone out there has had direct experience with Amazon regarding placement of a book trailer, we’d love to hear from you.
The bottom line
Here’s the bottom line: Smart buyers do research online before making any retail purchase. Book readers are no different. If they’ve heard about a book, or read something by a writer they like, they’ll search for it. When they find an actual video, the research shows that people have an attention span of about 3 minutes.
Three minutes doesn’t sound like much. But that little book video could make a big impact in your ultimate sales.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Idea Starters for Stuck Bloggers - Part II
Idea-Starters for Stuck Bloggers – Part Two
By Mike Hyatt
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/13-idea-starters-for-stuck-bloggers.html
The dreaded “writer’s block” afflicts us all from time to time. I struggle with it almost weekly. Occasionally, I have an easy run of several days, when the ideas seem to flow effortlessly. But that is rare. Most weeks, I get stuck at least once or twice.
So what do I do? What can you do? Here are some more idea-starters. I offer these up as possibilities for lighting a fire when your brain is damp:
Provide a step-by-step explanation for how to do something. When you provide five steps to this, or four strategies for that, people gobble it up. I think all of us have a need for down-to-earth, practical help with the items that interest us. Example: “How to Update Your Facebook Status With Twitter.”
Provide a list of resources. This is a huge way to give back to your industry or community. It is easy to take for granted what you know. You are probably sitting on priceless information that others would die to have access to. Resource lists are a great way to build traffic. Example: “Literary Agents Who Represent Christian Authors.”
Answer your readers’ questions. My readers ask some of the best questions. Sometimes they email them. Sometimes they put them in the comments of an older posts. Often they just Twitter them to me. I assume that if one person has the question, so do others. By answering these you demonstrate that you are listening. Example: “How Much Times Does Twittering Really Take?”
Make a seemingly overwhelming task simple. There is a huge audience for anyone who can make complex things simple. Provide a conceptual model, an outline, or an introduction to something you take for granted. Example: “Advice to First-Time Authors” and especially “Writing a Winning Book Proposal.”
Explain the rationale behind a decision. Intelligent people want to know why you do what you do. That is what makes everyone so interesting. You can explain the rational behind almost any decision you have made, and it will be instructive for others. Example: “Why Every Author Needs a Powerful Online Presence.”
Write a guide to something popular. This is especially good for technology topics—anything where people feel overwhelmed. I have written introductions to social networking, how to stay on top of email, and how to create a life plan. They key is not to assume the reader knows anything about the topic. Example: “The Beginner’s Guide to Twitter.”
Next time you get stuck, you might want to pull this list out and review it. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark to re-ignite the fire.
By Mike Hyatt
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/13-idea-starters-for-stuck-bloggers.html
The dreaded “writer’s block” afflicts us all from time to time. I struggle with it almost weekly. Occasionally, I have an easy run of several days, when the ideas seem to flow effortlessly. But that is rare. Most weeks, I get stuck at least once or twice.
So what do I do? What can you do? Here are some more idea-starters. I offer these up as possibilities for lighting a fire when your brain is damp:
Provide a step-by-step explanation for how to do something. When you provide five steps to this, or four strategies for that, people gobble it up. I think all of us have a need for down-to-earth, practical help with the items that interest us. Example: “How to Update Your Facebook Status With Twitter.”
Provide a list of resources. This is a huge way to give back to your industry or community. It is easy to take for granted what you know. You are probably sitting on priceless information that others would die to have access to. Resource lists are a great way to build traffic. Example: “Literary Agents Who Represent Christian Authors.”
Answer your readers’ questions. My readers ask some of the best questions. Sometimes they email them. Sometimes they put them in the comments of an older posts. Often they just Twitter them to me. I assume that if one person has the question, so do others. By answering these you demonstrate that you are listening. Example: “How Much Times Does Twittering Really Take?”
Make a seemingly overwhelming task simple. There is a huge audience for anyone who can make complex things simple. Provide a conceptual model, an outline, or an introduction to something you take for granted. Example: “Advice to First-Time Authors” and especially “Writing a Winning Book Proposal.”
Explain the rationale behind a decision. Intelligent people want to know why you do what you do. That is what makes everyone so interesting. You can explain the rational behind almost any decision you have made, and it will be instructive for others. Example: “Why Every Author Needs a Powerful Online Presence.”
Write a guide to something popular. This is especially good for technology topics—anything where people feel overwhelmed. I have written introductions to social networking, how to stay on top of email, and how to create a life plan. They key is not to assume the reader knows anything about the topic. Example: “The Beginner’s Guide to Twitter.”
Next time you get stuck, you might want to pull this list out and review it. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark to re-ignite the fire.
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