2014 Holiday Shout-Out To Authors Who Completed Their Books

Happy Holidays everyone!

I want to end this year 2014 by sending a shout-out to my writing buds who have completed their books and have them ready or in final stages for publication and purchase. Congratulations authors!

Marcie Hill’s book,62 Blog Posts To Overcome Bloggers Block, is available for purchase in January. Here’s the pre order link: http://overcomingbloggersblock.com/

 How do you show your mate you love him or her without

coming on too strong? How do you show them your appreciation while still being respectful? What should one do when they can’t seem to attract a mate? How does one flirt successfully; what are the dynamics involved? What is the effect of marriage on mortality rates? How does a couple know if

their relationship or marriage has been ordained by God?

These are just a few of the questions answered by “The Essence of Romance”, a practical guide for today’s male/female relationships, for both the novice and the expert. So, whether you’re single, married, widowed, separated, or divorced, “Essence” just might help you deal with your situation tactfully and constructively.

The Essence of Romance by

Eve Cogdell

featuring Clara Freeman

GREEN APPLE PUBLICATIONS

FIRST CHOICE BOOKS

ISBN 000-0-00000-000-0

$20.00

Working with Evelyn on her book was an awesome experience, resulting in a wonderful relationship resource for couples and singles. I hope you support our collaboration and purchase a copy of The Essence of Romance either for yourself or as a ‘holiday’ gift for your friends. Contact Evelyn Cogdell at 773-488-4119 for purchasing information.

Congratulations to Kathleen Pooler for completing her memoir Ever Faithful To His Lead. Read more about Kathy’s book/purchase info at  http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Pooler/e/B00GIBCKQC or visit her website:

http://www.krpooler.com

My final holiday /end of 2014 book accomplishment goes out to a favorite cyber connection/friend/supporter and author, Ms LaTanya Davis @reflectionsbooks.org and whose memoir is in ready for editing & proofing. All of you have inspired me to “keep-a-going” and perhaps my year of book accomplishment will come:)

I’m taking a holiday break until January…peace, blessing, love, grace and glory to everyone during this festive holiday season and a new year ahead.

“Always treat yourself special”

Clara.

Works of Local Chicago Authors- Black History Month Showcase

Happy Friday visionaries! What better way to celebrate Black History Month than by introducing my readers (you guys):) to some of Chicago’s very own women authors and History makers in the making? First of all let me also remind everyone that February is also Women History, Chinese New Year and the opening of The Olympic Games! There’s so many worthy and historical causes happening during the month of February and as a woman and African-American, I chose to pay tribute to those past visionaries by sharing works of deserving folks right here in Chicago.

Yvonne Randle and Evette Collins are two charismatic authors who met as members of the Hurston-Hughes Writing Ministry. The two women teamed up to pen their inspirational and self-improvement relationship book, “The Secret to Creating Loving Relationships.” To pick up a copy visit the website at www.24-karatlove.homestead.com

Ms. Marcie Hill is a favorite among the Chicago elite group of writers and authors and is highly regarded in Social Media. Her latest book for writers and bloggers that is touted to become an educational resource for schools, libraries and other businesses, is “62 Blog Posts to Overcome Blogger’s Block”. Visit amazon.com to pick up your Kindle edition http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D9Q1R4A

Evelyn Cogdell is one of my favorite local authors. She modestly pens Romance Novels that sizzles with a Christian theme of what true love between the sheets really looks likes. A great interviewer, Evelyn latest interview is with Author and Playwright Crystal Rhodes. Read it here: http://voices.yahoo.com/renowned-playwright-succeeds-as-author-12524038.html

No, I don’t have another book at the moment, but while you’re waiting 🙂 you can read my latest poem here -http://voices.yahoo.com/a-matter-perception-12521027.html

Finally and believe me I didn’t realize how many great writers I knew, right here in Chicago! Can you imagine those I don’t? Anyway, up last are four women authors (diversity!) consisting of Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells, Cynthea Liu, Jen Cullerton Johnson and Trina Satira who formed MuseWrite by and for women of change. Their anthology in honor of First Lady Michelle Obama is called First Lady Depiction and due out in mid February. One of my poems, “Brown Girl Challenge” was chosen for inclusion. You can visit their website here-http://www.mldwrites.com/MIchelle_s_Bio.html.

This is a peek into some of what The Windy City has to offer by way of literary contributions. Please support these wonderful authors and feel free to share input on creatives in your city that you feel people really should know.

Enjoy your weekend!

Psst, Have You Gotten Your Copy?

Psst, because my site is in Marcie Hill’s new book, I can’t give a review. However, you didn’t hear it from clara54, but, this book is so right for “the trendsetter” in blogsville, meaning you guys… Support Marcie by picking up your copy today!

Pre-Order 62 Blog Posts to Overcome Blogger’s Block

Hey all! I am happy to announce that my book, 62 Blog Posts to Overcome Blogger’s Block, will launch this month. This is the first book EVER  that focuses on blog CONTENT only. I’m so excited.

To help me celebrate, I am offering you an opportunity to invest in your blogging education by taking advantage of my pre-release offer to buy my book, 62 Blog Posts to Overcome Blogger’s Block for $99, and get the workbook FREE ($39 value) through August 17, 2012.

Your investment will get you:

• Instruction on how to use different forms of media to create blog content consistently
• Enough content to keep you busy for over a year if you post at least once a week
• The expertise and knowledge of over 60 bloggers that have over 10 million global followers

Bonus bonus: nearly one-third of the sites featured in the book are blogs about blogging which will help you learn more about the art of blogging

This is more than a book; we are transforming lives through writing and blogging. Pre-order to book now!

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Thank you for your support and let me know if you have any blogging or writing questions.

 

Guest Post: Marcie Hill

10 Ways to Keep Your Freelance Writing Mojo Going

In 2008 I left my human resources career to pursue my passion of writing. I was published in a local magazine the following month. That was a great start to my journey, which seemed very promising. I thought that one success was going to get me published in my “dream” magazines without having to query first. I was wrong.

I submitted a few query; received either rejection letters or no response at all; got discouraged; and gave up freelancing completely. During that time, blogging became the “hot” thing to do, and I was drawn to it like a magnet. That was a blessing and a curse. While it helped to improve my writing skills, it took my focus away from what I should have been doing all along – freelance writing.

To keep you from making the same mistakes I did, I would like to share 10 things ways you can keep your freelance writing mojo going. These tips apply whether you are a full-time or sometime writer.

1.      Write out your story idea. Flush out your story as much as you can during your first few drafts. Be sure to identify the central point. This will make it easier to select audiences.

2.      Who is your audience? Think of all of the audiences that may be interested in your story. Some will be more obvious than others, but after a little brainstorming, you will have a pretty full list.

3.      Which online and print publications cater to these audiences? To find print publications, use Writer’s Market. You’ll find information categorized by topic, genre and name of publication. They also detail the audiences served, topics accepted, and the best way to submit your story. Conduct a search for online magazines or visit Twitter to find online publications.

4.      Review the writer’s guidelines for each publication. You will find these guidelines by doing a general Google search or going to the websites of the individual publications. Be sure to write and submit the story as specified. Sometimes publications want the entire story, but query letters are preferred in many cases. You may even be asked to mail your submission.

5.      Write query letters. When writing query letters, share your idea and tell editors why their audience would care about the story. To get better results, specify in which department your story would fit. If you have an editor’s name, use it. If you don’t have the editor’s name, find it. Also, keep your query letter to one page.

6.   Be sure to submit your query letter. This may sound obvious; it isn’t. If you second guess or doubt yourself at ANY time, your dream of seeing your name in a byline will continue to be just that – a dream.

7.      Wait. But don’t wait too long. Some magazines will tell you when you should hear from them if they are interested. Others won’t say anything at all. If you don’t hear anything within a month, follow-up.

8.      Follow-up. You want to do this for two reasons: 1) to confirm that your story had been received, and 2) to let the editor know you are serious. If you don’t hear from the publication at all, move on. There are more audiences waiting to read your story. Continue to submit future stories to that publication, though.

9.      Have a tracking system. Keep a log of the date you sent the query letter, the title of the story and the name of the publication. This makes it easier to follow-up on your submissions and to see additional opportunities with other publications and audiences.

10.  Keep on moving. Laugh in the face of rejection. Keep submitting stories to the publications in which you’re really interested; they will notice you. Also, continue to build clips and credibility by submitting your work to smaller, lesser-known publications.

If being published is your desire, keep on writing, even if you only have a little time. This will build your confidence and credibility.  Most importantly, though, writing often will help you keep your freelance writing mojo going, which will ultimately increase your visibility and profitability.

Marcie Hill is a gifted writer and blogger who loves sharing stories, educating her audiences with little known and unknown facts, and giving people a platform to tell their stories. Find her at www.marciewrites.com.

An Update From Clara54

Image by eddiecoyote via Flickr

Hi Guys! Just a prelude to what’s coming up for your reading pleasure this Memorial Day Weekend🙂 I know you’re going to just want to chill and enjoy good times with family & friends and believe me, “I feel ya!” however, you might also want to check out an upcoming book review on Monday. Yep, another book review! Marcie Hill, a Chicago journalist, entrepreneur, blogger, live blogger, social media strategist AND a colleague has asked me to review her new ebook, The ABC’s Of Blogging: Blogging Basics From A to Z!

 Marcie Hill is a rare talent in the world of freelance writing and professional blogging. She owns and manages three blogs, one of which have landed her in the top five finalists of The Black Weblog Awards for Best Business Blog. She will also be attending at the Blogging While Brown Conference  hosted in California in July where she is presenting on live blogging ! So this VIP dynamic is a very busy entrepreneur and I’m proud to showcase her ebook here!

Anyhow, this ebook is a no nonsense and sensible read that has something for the newbie blogger as well as the seasoned pro. Come on back after the good food, good friends & fine wine on Monday for The ABCs of Blogging:Blogging Basics From A to Z.. And let’s not forget to honor our troops for all they do and sacrifice for us! 

Clara54

Related articles

• Behind the Scenes of Our New Ebook Launch at FeelGooder (problogger.net)
• The State and Future of Book Blogging (fatbooks.org)
• Why Bloggers Should Also Be Freelance Writers (problogger.net)
• The “T” Groove @ Clara54′s “T” Blog (wwwclara54.wordpress.com)