Friday, April 29, 2011
2011 Writing Goals - How do you Stay on Track?
In my April/May 2011 Write What Inspires You Newsletter I shared my feelings about the renewal of spring and how I am staying on track with my 2011 writing goals. And to get the conversation going, I'm reprinting it below:
"I always consider spring a time of renewal and the opportunity to give the house a good old thorough cleaning after the long winter. This year I also took the time out to reorganize my office and to re-evaluate my writing goals set at the end of 2010 before 2011 kicked off. By doing such I gave myself kudos for what I accomplished in the first quarter of 2011 and did not beat myself up for what I didn’t get to. With the guidance of Suzanne Lieurance at the Working Writers’ Club I rolled over what I still wanted to achieve and let go of scheduling too much in one day. So far this is working for the second quarter of 2011 now that April is almost behind us."
I'd enjoy hearing what’s going on in your writing world and what adjustments (if any) have you made to make sure you achieve your 2011 goals.
I am looking forward to a lively conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Celebrate Children's Book Week and Visit with Exhilirating Children's Authors
Monday, May 2nd - Interview - Cheryl Malandrinos author of Little Shepherd
Tuesday, May 3rd - Interview - Bill Kirk, multi-published author
Wednesday, May 4th - Interview - Dixie Phillips author of Stilts the Stork
Thursday, May 5th - Interview - Nancy Stewart author of One Pelican at a Time, A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill
Friday, May 6th - Book Review - One Pelican at a Time, A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill by Nancy Stewart
Saturday, May 7th - Book Review - Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind by Margot Finke
Sunday, May 8th - Book Review - Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure
Please be sure to leave your comments or questions for my guest authors.
Thank you for your time and interest.
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
Sunday, April 24, 2011
An Easter Prayer
Easter Prayer
God our Father,
by raising Christ your Son
you conquered the power of death
and opened for us the way to eternal life.
Let our celebration today raise us up
and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Golden Pathway announced as a Global eBook Awards Nominee!
The nominations are in for the Global eBook Awards and I'm thrilled to share with you that The Golden Pathway has made the Children's Picture Books Fiction nomination list!!
My heartfelt best wishes to fellow nominees:
One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart
and
Sully's Topsy Tale by Donna Shepherd
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
Monday, April 11, 2011
Interview with Donna McDine by Maggie Ball
Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, and this is reprint of an original interview by Maggie Ball at http://magdalenaball.blogspot.com/.
What made you set up Dynamic Media Release Services?
As I progressed in my writing career I started to learn the importance of marketing and what it entailed and one of the crucial components is writing an effective media release. As time went by one of the most voiced frustrations of authors was finding the time to market themselves and their books all the while still finding the time to write. A light bulb went off after spending a year at the Stories for Children Magazine as the marketing manager and realized this was the time to create this valuable service to others.
Why is writing a good release important?
Like blogging, developing a noteworthy and catchy title is instrumental in grabbing your reader’s attention. We live in such a high paced society many people scan the headlines first before sinking into the meat of an article. Very much like hooking an editor or publisher with a terrific opening line to your manuscript. Getting to the point quickly and not putting too much fluff into a media release is essential so you don’t loss the attention of the reader from the onset.
What can you offer that individuals will find difficult to do themselves?
Since I am an author myself I know how difficult it is to edit out my own words. However, creating and editing another writer’s promotional material works for me with a fresh pair of eyes. Not being married to someone else’s words like my own makes this process flow quite simply.
Talk to me a bit about the process you go through for each person who uses your services.
Once initial contact is made I request the author to send me the following:
· Book Sell Sheet
· Synopsis
· Book Reviews
· Bio
While reviewing the documents I take notes to ask the client and depending on the client the next exchange of information is either conducted via email or telephone. It is completely up to the client what is more comfortable for them. Afterwards I write-up the draft media release and submit to the client for review. Upon approval by the client I submit the media release to various online media release sites. Once the email confirmations are received I forward to the client for their verification of posting and links. I also encourage the client to utilize their new media release in their online and print media kits and to distribute to their networks.
What is your ideal market?
I primarily work with children’s book authors at this time and I’m open to working with different types of clients.
Maggie, thank you for taking the time out to interview me, I look forward to interacting with your visitors.
If you're interested in learning more about Donna visit:
Donna’s Website: http://www.donnamcdine.com
Write What Inspires You Blog: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/
The Golden Pathway Blog: http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/
Write What Inspires You! Free newsletter: http://www.donnamcdine.com/ and receive a free e-book “Write What Inspires You Author Interviews”
Don't have time to write and post your media releases? Contact:Dynamic Media Release Services: http://www.donnamcdine.com/dynamicmediareleases.html
Visit Maggie Ball at http://magdalenaball.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mother’s Day Special - $100 off the National Writing for Children Center’s Author Showcase in May for Books about Mothers & Children
M E D I A R E L E A S E
CONTACT: Suzanne Lieurance
Email: suzannelieurance@hotmail.com
Website: http://writingforchildrencenter.com/
Mother’s Day Special - $100 off the National Writing for Children Center’s Author Showcase in May for Books about Mothers & Children
A 30-minute one-on-one interview on Book Bites for Kids
A written review of the author’s book by one of the NWFCC staff reviewers
A display of the author’s book trailer (if one is available) in the “Featured Trailers of the Month” section at the NWFCC
The author’s bio in the “Meet the Author” section of the showcase
Two media releases written and distributed to promote the author’s guest spot on Book Bites for Kids and his 6-day virtual book tour
If the author makes school visits and/or is available to speak at writer’s conferences and workshops, the author will be included in the Speakers Bureau at the NWFCC
Promotion of the author’s upcoming appearance on Book Bites for Kids and his showcase at the NWFCC – through various social networking sites – like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
A blurb about the author’s book – with announcement of his/her appearance on Book Bites for Kids and his inclusion in the showcase – will run in the NWFCC’s weekly newsletter
The author’s book can be offered in the “Weekly Book Giveaway” at the NWFCC
The author’s book will be included in the online bookstore at the National Writing for Children Center
Visit the National Writing for Children Center http://writingforchildrencenter.com/showcase-application/ and learn all about the 11 points that make the National Writing for Children Center’s author showcase an amazing book marketing opportunity - or email Suzanne Lieurance for more information at suzannelieurance@hotmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
Monday, April 4, 2011
Spring Rejuvenates the Soul: Get Healthy with the Guardian Angel Kids April 2011 Issue
M E D I A R E L E A S E
CONTACT: Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine
Email: submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com
Website: http://guardian-angel-kids.com/
For Immediate Release
Spring Rejuvenates the Soul: Get Healthy with the Guardian Angel Kids April 2011 Issue
Spring is beginning to awaken and what better time to get your body moving and grooving then through the April 2011 issue of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine. Healthy living and eating is always important to one’s well being for both mind and body so come along and spring on over to Guardian Angel Kids and find out what is in store for you this month http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/.
Without further ado we invite you to come explore the April 2011 issue of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/ through poetry, short stories, non-fiction, and a parent/teacher article. To add to your child’s learning enjoyment be sure to partake in the interactive activities, games, and videos.
FEATURED BOOKS:
Ouch! Sunburn, by Donna J. Shepherd’s snappy rhymes along with the 15 colorful and fun illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier helps children see the need to protect their skin in the sun.
Sarah’s Socks My World of Autism, by Litsa Kamateros and Nia Morfonios. Sarah has autism and hates socks. Thanks to an understanding teacher and her helpful classmates she is better able to cope...until she's asked to wear socks.
CHILDREN POETRY, STORIES, AND ARTICLES:
“The Runner,” by Debra Mayhew provides insights to what makes a runner tick.
“Does Noah Wash His Hands,” by Connie Arnold – the day in the life of a young boy.
“The Sleepover,” by Jennifer Gladen – the biggest spoiler of all, a cold before a sleepover. Jack Foster brings to life with his delightful illustration the fun of a girl’s sleepover.
“Finding Ideas,” by Cathy C. Hall – inspiration can be found in the ideas around us. We need to take the time to notice the simplicity of life around us. Samantha Bell’s charming illustration catches the essence of the imagination.
“Yum in the Tum,” by Jennifer Buchet - your mouth will water with these delicious and healthy recipes for the young and old to enjoy.
“Teach Your Child to Eat Healthy,” by Jacqueline Seewald – important tips to guide you to a healthy way of eating not only for your child, but for the whole family.
We look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.
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Full Media Kit and more are available upon request electronically.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
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