5 Reasons Why You Win with Me & Immediate Influence this Monday

Save the Date: Monday, January 26, 2009
9:00 PM
Call in: (646) 652-4923

Chat/Talk URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/immediateinfluence/2009/01/27/Marketing-Your-Book-to-the-Top-of-the-BestSellers-List

Now what will you get for listening:

1. The chance to chat with me, of course! lol
2. Ask me a question about book promotion
   
3. Receive my 10 step action plan to Making your Book Viral (Immediate Influenced Book Promotion)
4. Learn about my DIY Book Marketing Coaching Series
5. Win a free book

And don't forget Media Candy on Tuesday 8:00 PM EST. Marina and I are doing straight girltalk no bro-host chaser. :)

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Media Candy

What's on my Keeper Shelf?: Christian Fiction Blog

Today I am participating in Faith 'n Fiction Saturday. Today's question is:

So...what fiction books with faith elements are on your keeper shelf?

Last year Christian Fiction Blog shared over one hundred titles with you, but read at least three hundred books outside of the books I review for Romantic Times Magazine and for some book awards judging projects I participated in. As we speak I'm in a heavy reviewing period, so when I received today's question I almost cringed. I've been reviewing commercial fiction since 2002 and literary for a decade before that. How in the world am I going to decide on five books that are must haves on my book shelf. It's very simple, and if you're a subscriber of CB you won't be surprised by my answers.

1. France Ellen Harper's Iola Leroy. It is the first published Christian novel written by an African American Woman(1892.) It does what few Christian novels do now. Iola Leroy express in both theme and tone the issues that affected early 19th Century American life: Jim Crowism, slavery, women's suffrage, family responsibility, Reconstruction, and faith. Moreover the characters in this story are heavy and weighted in realism. Oftentimes I read newer faith based novels whereby the writer has watered down human reaction to a scene or a natural human response to a dilemma, in order to placate a general Christian audience. What Harper does is tell the world what she sees and feels and leaves the burden of how she will be perceived on the cross that Christ carried for us.
   
2. Toni Morrison's Beloved(1987.) Again this novel's is set during Jim Crow/Reconstruction. What makes it equally poignant, but vastly different from Harper is (1) it was written by an author 100 years later and (2) the issues Morrison addresses were still issues affecting people of faith in America 100 years later. Beloved exposes, brutally and beautifully what happens to a heartbroken soul. Her introduction of black spiritualism, womanism, and Christianity turned this classic horror into a magical fable, a cautionary tale for Christians who lose their faith to unexplained tragedy.
   
3. Marilyn Robinson's Gilead (2004.) Because I read so many commercial fiction stories it is always a thrill to read a book that makes you slow down and drink in every page. Reading Gilead felt like engaging in prayer. This fictional memoir of a 76 year old pastor in Gilead, Ohio is more than just a summation of letters to his young son for us to peak at as voyeurs, but it's a Reading Selah. This novel makes you read, then stop, breathe, praise, and read some more. There's something Gifted about it.
4. Tolkiens, The Lord of the Rings (1937.) I fell in love with this series when I was a child. I was introduced to Tolkien after reading The Hobbit, then The Lord of the Rings took my imagination away with me. This story is the story of the power of the human condition, what makes us glorius and tragic and oh so beautiful to God at the same time. I never grow tired of this book or watching the cinematic versions of the trilogies. And yes I possess the power of the ring. lol.
5. Claudy Burney's Zora & Nicky(2008.) This modernized/christianized version of Romeo & Juliette is one of my best finds last year(sidebar note: do you want to know my top picks of 2008? is it too late?) Burney's prose is reminscent to Ron Hansen(the Assassination of Jesse James,) Terry McMillan(Disappearing Acts,) and Gayle Jones(Eva's Man.) There is a sass in her female characters that makes me root for whatever cause--be it wrong or right. What I love the most about this novel is how Burney took the first kiss scene and paralleled it to Song of Solomon and teen angst at the same time. That scene had a perfect balance of what contemporary fiction should feel like and what christian fiction is on the verge of becoming.

Related articles:

• Zora & Nicky: A Review Inspired

• Book Review Tracking: Gilead at About.com

• Halo's Eve, Tolkien, & The Christy's

• Toni Morrison Tribute. March 31, 1988

If you don't want to miss a part of our discussion, subscribe to this blog or join the network.

Launch New Products to Leverage your Brand: Christian Fiction Blog

We're still receiving fabulous responses to our 1question interview Shine in 2009 Series. The question is

In this New Year what publishing goals have you set and how do you plan to accomplish them?

Mimi Pearson of First Alliance Blog Tours responds...

My husband and I are starting an Independent Press this year, launching in April. The first book will be published in August.

Book Marketing Coach Pam Perry also responds...

I am not looking for a breakthrough - this is my year of BREAK OUT! Everything I ever dreamed, thought or imagined is going to happen this year. I have my exspectors on and 2009 will be divine.

Don't want to miss the next Shine in 09 response subscribe to Christian Fiction Blog

Media Candy Tonight: Post Inauguration Virtual PJ Party

Media Candy Show Notes
Tonight's Theme: Post Inauguration PJ Party
8:00 -8:45 PM EST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediacandy

Call in # : (646) 649-1066

Our bro host tonight is Gregory Turner. Gregory Turner Gregory Turner, President and CEO of Abundant Solutions Enterprises, Inc. and The A.S.E. Foundation, Inc., is a well known leader, a pre-eminent power speaker, cutting edge thinker, as well as a motivator who encourages and equips people to rebuild their broken lives and communities. He is also co-host of Abundant Life Solutions on Blogtalkradio on www.blogtalkradio.com/asemotivation with his friend Brian Hunter. They discuss topics related to politics, community activism, and the roles of godly husbands. Visit his website at www.abundantsolutionsenterprises.com

Special Guest is media Candy Marketing Pro, Dana Pittman . Dana Pittman, JD, founder of Nia Promotions, is an entrepreneur and self-proclaimed visionary with 15+ years’ experience in business marketing and development. She started Nia Promotions after running a family-owned website development company since 2001. Now, she and her team assist publishing professionals, businesses and entrepreneurs with business development and marketing solutions aimed at initiating and nurturing customer relations and profitability.

Website: www.niapromotions.com Event Site: http://b3.niapromotions.com

Call-in Number: (646) 649-1066

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediacandy

The Someday List: Tour Spot Christian Fiction Blog

EXCERPT FROM The Someday List (Prologue)

Do you want to read the excerpt? Read it online at:
http://stacyhawkinsadams.com/books/tsl/excerpt.html


ABOUT THE BOOK

The Someday List
Jubilant Soul Series Book One
by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Rachelle Covington has it all. A fabulous home, a handsome and prestigious husband, two beautiful children, and a place in the upper crust that's quite comfortable. But her life is not all it's cracked up to be. When her husband goes away on business trip and the kids are sent off to the grandparents for a month, Rachelle takes up the challenge of a dying friend to start a list of things to do before she dies. She heads back to Jubilant, Texas, to reconnect with her past, her purpose, and herself. But when her ex shows up in town looking very fine and very single, Rachelle must confront feelings she thought she'd long buried. Will she give up everything to recover the past? Or will she find a reason to plan for the future? The Someday List is an honest look at what makes us who we are and what can throw us off track. Author Stacy Hawkins Adams writes with a voice that is fresh, sincere, and completely real. Her characters jump off the page and into her readers' hearts.

For more information about Stacy, visit her at stacyhawkinsadams.com.

THE SOMEDAY LIST BLOG GIVEAWAY

Stacy Hawkins Adams is the author of four Women's Fiction books and has contributed to two anthologies. Read the question below to see if you can answer it and provide the name of the book in which it was featured.

What did Charlotte give Serena, Erika and two other young ladies to teach them a life lesson? In what book was this scene featured?

Leave your answer in the comment section. Entries with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing for the The Someday List Blog Giveaway. View the prize package below:

• $50 American Express Gift Card
• Autographed Copies of all of Stacy's books: Speak to My Heart, Nothing But the Right Thing, and Watercolored Pearls, and the anthologies The Midnight Clear and This Far By Faith.
• 20% Discount Coupon from Tywebbin Creations. (May apply to one service)
  

Join Us for an Hour Long Chat with Stacy on January 30, 2009. We will announce the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the THE SOMEDAY LIST BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY during the call. For details, visit Stacy's blog.

~ ~ ~

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY TODAY!

Continue to visit other stops on The Someday List Blog Tour at:
http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/blog

Create Platform Building Goals to Reach Your Readers

For Christian Fiction Blog

Shine in 09

Author Linda Leigh Hargrove responds...

My publishing goals are more like platform-building goals. This year I plan to finish my third novel, continue blogging (on three separate sites), and scheduling more speaking engagements.

To keep me on task with my novel, I've contracted with a freelance editor and set a hard and fast date to deliver 'something of substance' to her by.

On my blog 'Reconciling Faith and Race' (17 Seeds.com ) I've set up themes for certain months of the year and I schedule posts ahead of time. I use Google alerts on certain keywords that keep my mind spinning in the right direction. These alerts also help feed me material for the other two (team) blogs for which I write. I use twitter and several ning groups to get the word out. I'm considering setting up lenses on Squidoo.

As for speaking opportunities, I regularly send out press releases to key individuals, churches, and ministries about the more news-worthy things I've blogged about or initiatives I've got going on in the area of biblical racial reconciliation or writing. In the press release I make sure I mention I'm available for speaking engagements. It's taken time but I'm starting to get bookings. My platform is growing. Praise God.

Links:
http://17seeds.com
http://llhargrove.com
http://urbanfaith.com