Welcome to week ten of the Christian Author Bootcamp! This is a ten week book promotion blitz created to help you whip your publicity plan into shape. This week your challenge is write guest posts and articles for various websites. There are thousands of blogs out there looking for fresh, free content. By giving them guest posts you’ll get publicity in return. It’s a win-win for everyone.
We introduced you to author Paulette George with her post, How to Find a Literary Agent. Now we’re giving you a chance to win a signed copy of her new book, Good Morning Beautiful and a signed copy of Steve Holy’s album Blue Moon, which contains the hit song Good Morning Beautiful.
In Good Morning, Beautiful, published by Ambassador International, Paulette shares her family’s journey through the violent storms of 
epilepsy and autism. Hanging on to hope as their daughter Christina’s life was being ripped away by more than one hundred villainous seizures a day, the story chronicles their miraculous discovery of a diet with roots in Scripture that helped her and her husband hang on to hope. Theirs is a story of enduring love, unstoppable courage, and overcoming faith in the God of miracles. The book also explains the remarkable role the hit country song Good Morning Beautiful played in her daughter’s recovery. Hearing the family’s story, recording artist Steve Holy has become a close family friend to the George’s and an advocate to Christina.
There are three chances to win this fabulous prize pack. Just make sure you leave a comment every time you do one of these things:
1. Follow author Paulette George on Twitter and send out a tweet about this giveaway. Feel free to use this tweet: Enter to win the book Good Morning Beautiful by @Paulette_George & a signed copy of @SteveHoly album Blue Moon! http://tinyurl.com/yh5dm3m.
2. Become a fan of Paulette George on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment below telling us why you’d like to win Paulette’s book and Steve’s album.
One winner will be chosen at random on March 30! This is only open to US entries. Thanks and good luck!
Marketing Expert Sally Stuart
Need a little help marketing your Christian book in 2010? Then you won’t want to miss this free teleseminar on January 20 at 7pm EST with marketing expert Sally Stuart. Be a part of this 70-minute presentation by sending Sally your biggest marketing question at AskSallyStuart.com. You will then be registered which allows you to receive a free 23-page chapter from Stuart’s book, Sally Stuart’s Guide to Getting Published. The book is about the business of writing books and your free chapter includes important information on preparing your fiction or non-fiction book manuscript.
If you’re not able to listen to the teleseminar live, everyone who registers will have access to a recording so that you can listen to it on your own time. But if it’s your goal to get published in the Christian market in 2010, tune in to this free teleseminar for some guidance, instruction and motivation that will help you reach your goal.
Bill Anderson
After joining the Christian Booksellers Association back in 1978, CBA leader Bill Anderson has ended his more than three decades with the organization, according to a news release issued by the organization. Anderson became president of the Christian retailing association in 1985, leading the Colorado Springs-based group through ups and downs. “Christian retail has been given a high and holy calling, and we must be faithful to God and His Word. CBA plays a vital role in his industry, and the industry has a vital role in the Kingdom,” Anderson said in the CBA statement.
Reigning simultaneously was CBA board chairman Jim Whittaker of New Life Christian Stores. Whittaker said that increased time demands of managing the transition from Anderson to a new director was the reason for his departure. That put chair-elect George Thomsem at the head of the group. Thomsen, along with the board executive committee and staffers will continue CBA’s work and find a replacement for Anderson. Thomsen said told Publisher’s Weekly that a search committee would be created to find a suitable replacement.
Image courtesy of cbaonline.org
Author Laken Lovely Wrote Through Greiving the Loss of Her Brother
Today Christian Publishing Tips is excited to introduce author Laken Lovely. Laken’s new book, Through Charlie’s Eyes, published by Ambassador International, will hit store shelves on October 30, the day her brother Charlie would have turned 17. Laken shares the power writing can have to heal a heart and work through grief.
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Writing has been proven to be a very powerful therapeutic tool. In fact, therapeutic writing has helped even people that don’t necessarily enjoy writing cope with their emotions and life situations.
In my personal experience, I have found that writing as you move through the grieving process can be very difficult and emotional, but it is also extremely therapeutic and sometimes comforting.
My life changed dramatically when my little brother, Charlie, was diagnosed with leukemia the day after he turned sixteen. Sixty-two days later, he passed away. It was devastating.
The day after Charlie’s services were held, I pulled out his composition notebook he had been writing in since his diagnosis. I also started watching hours of footage of Charlie in the hospital. You see, I had made a promise to Charlie. No matter what the outcome of the situation, life or death, I would help Charlie tell his story to inspire and give strength to others. If he lived, we would compile all of the footage of his hospital experience and create a documentary. If he passed away, I would write his story for him.
It took me about six months to finish writing his story, officially titled, Through Charlie’s Eyes. In the process of writing my little brother’s story, I went back through and re-hashed every moment of the emotional roller coaster ride his cancer diagnosis took us on, but this time, I was experiencing all of it from his perspective. There were times in this writing process when my tears soaked the paper I was writing on and the pages in Charlie’s journal. However, by the end of the process, I felt even closer to Charlie than I had ever felt before. I had gained a better understanding of this event that had dramatically changed the path of all of our lives, Charlie’s, our families and mine.
I don’t believe that the grieving process ever really ends. A day will never come when you don’t miss your loved ones that have already passed on. However, acceptance and understanding can help you keep moving forward with strength and hope and writing can help give you that.
The following is a book trailer about Through Charlie’s Eyes.
This Sunday hundreds of Christian authors, publishers, literary agents, and retailers will descend on Denver, Colorado for the 60th annual International Christian Retail Show. While some wonder whether the show will be successful after the dismal showing at the Christian Book Expo last spring, most of the biggest names in Christian publishing will still be turning out for this annual event. For a complete list of those registered to attend visit ChristianRetailShow.com. Christian Publishing Tips will be there to bring you the news and highlights of the event. Visit CPT throughout July 12-15 for exclusive details of this year’s International Christian Retail Show.
On the latest episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8, the couple admitted they were splitting up. TLC announced that on June 22, the couple had filed for divorce, exactly ten years and ten days after they said “I do.” Christian publishing house Zondervan published two books by Kate Gosselin, Multiple Blessings and Eight Little Faces. A third book, Love is in the Mix, is schedule for release this fall. This is the description of Love is in the Mix:
If you enjoyed Multiple Blessings and Eight Little Faces, you won’t want to miss this inside look at one of America’s most famous close-knit families. Kate Gosselin shares recipes, traditions, photos, and more that will inspire you to make your family time more memorable and meaningful.
Christian publisher Zondervan, has received many negative comments about their involvement with the Gosselin family on the company’s blog. Many of the comments include requests to get the family help along with promises to never buy one of the Gosselin’s books. Others claim the company is deleting unflattering comments about Kate Gosselin and Zondervan.
The latest developments in the Gosselin’s marriage beg the question, what should Zondervan do? We have asked Zondervan for a statement, but so far we have not heard a response. What do you think?
Your Right Job Right Now By Brian Golter
When Brian Golter wrote his book Your Right Job Right Now, he had no idea how needed and timely it would be. His book, released this month by Ambassador International, is a survival guide for the new job market. It’s not only a great read for those on the job hunt, but also for those feeling like they’re not reaching the full potential God has in mind for them with their current job. Today Brian joins us to explain why he wrote the book, and how his mission changed as the economy changed.
**Keep reading for your chance to WIN Brian’s new book!**
When I wrote this book in 2008, I was writing to those rare individuals who wish to see their careers as an opportunity to transform themselves. To overcome their deep-rooted fears and inadequacies, and become the man or woman they had always dreamed of being. It was a book about turning fear into courage, mistrust into trust and inadequacy into confidence.
But as the saying goes, “that was then and this is now”. Since the time I completed this manuscript, we have entered into one of the most difficult job markets in modern history. This book is no longer for rare individuals. It has become a survival guide for the new job market. Understanding how to bring your absolute best to the job market is no longer a luxury. It has become a necessity.
The old rules simply no longer apply. If you’re looking for a job, it’s no longer enough to get on the computer, send out your resume and expect to get a job. The days of just “showing up” to the interview and getting an attractive offer are over.
Quite simply, if you are experiencing a lack of motivation, enthusiasm or confidence, you are not going to find the job you want. No, faking won’t help you either. In this market, employers have their choice of hundreds of candidates. Of course, they will eliminate people on the traditional criteria: by experience, skills and salary. But what most job seekers don’t realize is just how large a role expectations, confidence, risk-taking and attitude play in getting the job they want. They play a larger role than education and experience. This has always been true. Today’s serious candidates have to pay attention to those deep places in themselves: those places that determine how other people experience them. The days of covering up the real you and still getting what you want are slowly but surely coming to an end.
For those of you willing to do the work of overcoming your fears and inadequacies, there is a silver lining. And what a wonderful silver lining it is! It’s truly a new day in which you can reach for what you know is true and rewarding. A day in which you can no longer get away with, or be rewarded for, the very things you don’t like about yourself. A day when you can become the man or woman God designed you to be.
For those of you who refuse to take up this challenge, it could just be the death sentence of your career. It’s time to get real and dig deep. To use the adversity you are experiencing to become so honest with yourself, so humble, that you will get the right job, right now.
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Win a copy of Brian’s new book, Your Right Job Right Now. Simply leave a comment below for one entry. Tweet about our giveaway to be entered a second time, and blog about to be entered a whopping FIVE MORE TIMES! Sorry guys, but this giveaway is only open to US entries. A winner will be selected on June 12. Tell your friends!
George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story
We are pleased to announce the winner of the brand new George Beverly Shea authorized biography is Mark Harvey! Congratulations Mark! We hope you enjoy the book! If you did not win, but are a Bev Shea fan or have followed the Billy Graham ministry, this book is a great read. Pick it up at Ambassador International’s website for $24.99.
Win A Copy of This New Book
George Beverly Shea turned 100 years old in February. The legendary gospel singer and member of the Billy Graham evangelistic team has lived an extraordinary life. This month his new authorized biography is being released by Ambassador International. You can buy the book for $24.99, or try to win a copy here at Christian Publishing Tips! Here’s a little bit about the book:
The white hair. Those horn-rimmed glasses. And that voice– that unmistakable bass-baritone voice. George Beverly Shea has witnessed to more than 220 million people, in over 185 countries around the world, making him one of the most well-known gospel singers of all time. His decades-long partnership with Billy Graham took him to stages in every state and on every continent, but that doesn’t mean Bev Shea should be labeled as a performer or an entertainer. No, he was God’s instrument for bringing the hope of the Gospel around the world.George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story is a detailed and fascinating look into the life and music of the man often called “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer,” an ordinary insurance worker God used to spread the Gospel to every continent of the world.
To enter do at least one of the following, or all three for additional entries:
1. Leave a comment here at Christian Publishing Tips and include your email address.
2. Write a blog about our giveaway and include a link to this post.
3. Tweet about our giveaway on Twitter. (Make sure you let us know!)
One winner will be drawn on Monday, May 18. Only US entries allowed this time. Good luck!
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