I'm thrilled to announce my manuscript entitled, The Hockey Agony as been accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing.

A bit of the journey...this ms was critiqued in the early stages by Suzanne Lieurance (CWCC) and my online critique groups (thanks Lori Calabrese!!) and placed as Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 78th Writing Competition, then edited after the competition by Lea Schizas to assist in expanding the story since it was no longer under a word constraint from the contest.

The ink is barely dry on the contract and I'm over the moon!

Thank you to all who had a direct hand in making this dream come true!

Best wishes to you all!

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine

Children’s Author

Email: dmcdine@optonline.net

Phone: 845-721-7802

For Immediate Release

Does Perseverance pay in the End for Children’s Authors?

An author’s dream is to impact their readers in positive thought provoking words, whether writing for adults or children. When children’s author, Donna McDine, first embarked on her writing career in 2007 she dreamed of the day a child would feel the wow factor through her storytelling. And much to her delight she received those encouraging words from several young muses early in the writing stages of The Golden Pathway.

Visit with Donna McDine through her charismatic interview by freelance author, Nancy Sanders on Friday, June 18 at:

http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/author-interview-donna-m-mcdine/.

Stop by for a spell and enjoy the chance to get to know this up and coming children’s author. Donna will be on hand throughout the day to field your questions and to respond to your comments.

Thank you for your interest.

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Let’s face it, before we get published we all have fantasies about the hundreds of fans standing in line to get their books signed by us at some major bookstore.

The reality, however, is that unless you are already a literary superstar, or famous for some other reason, when you step out into the world as a debut author, strangers aren’t going to know who you are. There’s a lot of competition vying for their attention. “If you build it, they will come,” does not apply in this industry.

But, I am an optimistic realist and believe that a little thinking outside the box can go a long way.

If you are a small press author, your publisher probably isn’t spending thousands and thousands of dollars marketing and touring you. (Heck, larger publishers won’t do that either if you’re an unknown.)

Do yourself and your publisher a favour and consider an “alternative” book tour.

I have walked into a store to buy nothing and ended up purchasing an item simply because I enjoyed the person selling it. A writer once said that we read to connect ourselves with others. So, an intimate event, or an event in a community-driven environment might be the best place to have those connections. Give someone the chance to enjoy your work after they’ve had a chance to enjoy you as a person.

Let’s forget the big box bookstores for a moment and think about where else we can make appearances?

Have you been to the Indie Bound website and found some great indie bookstores? Local indie book stores can be much appreciative of visits by pro-active authors. They also tend to be involved in a community, sometimes being connected to libraries and schools. Indie Bound also lists other retail spaces. Consider doing a reading in a space that’s not a bookstore at all, but might cater to your demographic.

Check to see if the city you are visiting has a literary space. In Seattle, there’s Richard Hugo House. In Vancouver, BC we have Christianne’s Lyceum. In San Francisco they have Youth Speaks. Why not hold a themed book party, workshop, or panel in a literary space? Invite 2 or 3 local authors to read with you, perhaps. These places have their own audiences and each author brings some as well. Throw in some snacks and beverages and people will get comfortable and hang out.

Consider doing readings in small towns rather than a large city. There’s far more competition in a city. One of the best poetry readings I ever gave was in Tiffin, OH. I hadn’t even heard of Tiffin, but had met someone from there. I read at a local café to a “standing room only” crowd. They treated me like a star. To this day it was one of my favourite readings because everyone was so genuinely glad I was there.

In a small town or neighbourhood, how about getting space at a Farmer’s Market or another local fair of some kind? This is a great way to talk with a lot of different people.

And finally, here’s a radical idea: do events in people’s homes! I read about an author who did an entire book tour out of fans’ homes. He said each audience was different. He also said the hosts were dutiful in getting audiences, because no one likes to throw a party to an empty house. He would read from his book and then engage the group in a discussion. Sometimes they all bought books, sometimes none bought books, but you can bet they remembered the experience.

Of course, school and library visits are terrific, but are there other appropriate educational environments that might work well for your book? A zoo? An aquarium? A science center? A planetarium?

Remember, as a debut author, it’s your job to put yourself out there. Virtually and physically. Make connections anywhere you can. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious. Remember - an enthusiastic individual in a small town coffee shop might turn out to be your best ally.

It’s on like Donkey Kong! Indie-Debut 2010 member, Lori Calabrese, is all set to be a guest on Dellani’s Tea Time, this Monday!

The online radio program hosted by Dellani Oakes takes place at 4:00 pm (Eastern Time) on Red River Radio/ BlogTalkRadio. You’re welcome to call in or visit the chatroom and I’d be happy to chat or answer any questions you might have.

To set a reminder for the show or to listen in, visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2010/06/14/dellanis-tea-time

I look forward to talking about my latest picture book, THE BUG THAT PLAGUED THE ENTIRE THIRD GRADE, the whole writing process and everything in between!

Don’t miss it!

I remember fondly my elementary school days wherne the book mobile would come to visit our school. What is a book mobile you may ask? It's a trailer home setup as a libary. My classmates and I would squeeze into line and anxiously await for the class before us to descend the metal steps so we could enter. The smell of new books would fill your nose the moment you reached the top step. Choices abound and excitement swirled in the air.

Much of these wonderful memories came back to life on Christmas morning when my family gave me a Kindle. I love technology! The ease of downloading my latest choice is a snap, it's lightweight and compact, and fits in my purse. I bring it everywhere I go and read much more now. I especially like the built in dictionary, it has proven quite helpful. Learning is an everyday experience is it not, even if it is just one new word.

Do you have an eReader? If yes, which one? What's your favorite feature?

Looking forward to chatting with you.

M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Beth Bence Reinke, Author and Registered Dietitian

Email: rdwriter@hotmail.com

Website: http://www.bethbencereinke.com/

For Immediate Release



Come Discover What or Whom is Splish-Splashing through Cyberspace

Take a moment to listen for splish-splashing sounds taking over cyberspace. Don’t worry, it won’t damage your computer. What is the source, you may ask? It’s a children’s book entitled, In My Bath by author Beth Bence Reinke.

Join in the virtual book tour introducing an imaginative little boy and all kinds of water-loving animals. Is there room for all in the tub? Find out for yourself through their adventures in cyberspace:

June 8 – Jo Ramsey http://www.joramsey.com/?page_id=9

June 9 – Donna McDine http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/

June 21 – Amy Allgeyer Cook http://lux-st-clare.blogspot.com/

June 23 – Rena Jones http://renajjones.blogspot.com/

June 25 – Nancy Sharpe http://cybrarianbookreviews.blogspot.com/ (book review) and
http://nasharpe.blogspot.com/ (interview)

June 28 – Lori Calabrese http://loricalabrese.com/blog

June 30 - Beverly Stowe McClure http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com/ (book review & interview)

July 1 - Scott Heydt http://scotthbooks.blogspot.com/

http://blog.scotthbooks.com/

July 5 – Danika Dinsmore http://www.theaccidentalnovelist.wordpress.com/

July 7 – Miriam Forster http://msforster.blogspot.com/

July 9 – Carla Mooney http://carlamooney.livejournal.com/

Be sure to post your comments and/or questions for Ms. Reinke. She will be on hand each day to interact with you.

Beth Bence Reinke is an author and registered dietitian. She writes children’s books, devotional books and articles about food and nutrition. Beth’s professional affiliations include The American Dietetic Association and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is also a member of Indie-Debut 2010, a group of first-time authors who help promote each other’s books that hail from independent publishers. In My Bath is Beth’s first children’s book.

Author: Beth Bence Reinke

Website: http://www.bethbencereinke.com/

Food and Faith blog: http://www.bethbencereinke.com/foodandfaith

Beth’s Book Basket blog: http://bethbencereinke.com/bethsbookbasket

E-mail: rdwriter@hotmail.com

Illustrator: Ginger Nielson

Website: http://www.gingernielson.com/

Blog: http://www.gingerpixels.blogspot.com/

Publisher: 4RV Publishing http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/ 

Thank you in advance for your interest.



###

Form rejections are part of the business for writers.  If you're like me, your instinct will be to chuck the ugly thing in the trash.  Instead, take a minute and read through it with a careful eye.  There are usually some positives wrapped in these big, fat NOs.  I've pasted one of my very own form rejection letters below and highlighted a few inspiring points at the bottom. 


Dear Writer:


Thank you for giving me the opportunity to consider your manuscript.


I'm sorry to say that I do not see a place for your manuscript at XYZ. We receive a very large number of book proposals and manuscript submissions, including many of considerable merit, and of these we are able to publish very few. I regret that this volume also prevents me from replying with individual editorial comments.


Publishing decisions are, of course, influenced by a publishing houses's style and an editor's opinion. Although your work isn't right for XYZ, perhaps it will have a place at another company. I wish you every success in your publishing endeavors.


Sincerely,


Editor ABC


Positive things of note in this letter:

1. You got a response! Many houses don't even bother anymore if they're not interested, so this is something to be happy about. You can confidently mark this submission 'closed' and not wonder if it got lost in the mail.

2. This publishing house receives "a very large number of...submissions". Sometimes these numbers are in the tens of thousands per year. If your submission was in the top 1%, that would put your manuscript in the top 100...which is great-- unless the company only publishes fifty books a year. Being rejected doesn't mean your book sucks.

3. The point the editor makes about decisions being influenced by a house's style and an editor's opinion is exactly right. Another house and another editor may feel completely different, so get that manuscript out again.*

4. You rock for putting your work out there! It takes time and effort and stainless steel guts to create a query, compile the submission and send it off to be critiqued. And most likely you'll do this many more times than you'd like before finding a home for your book. So give yourself a cookie and be happy knowing you've knocked down one of the rejections on your way to fame, fortune and publishing success.



*I'm a huge advocate of submitting. As I've often quoted, "100% of shots not taken, don't score" so a book that sits in a drawer has zero chance of being published. However, a book that's not ready to send out has the same chances. So does a middle-grade novel sent to Flux, since Flux only publishes YA. So, send out your work, but make sure it's ready first and do your homework to make sure you're sending it to appropriate people. The Children's Writers and Illustrators Market is invaluable for that.