Weekend Chatter: Double Cross Book Trailer

I so don't want to sound biased when it comes to David C. Cook Publishing, but their marketing team is off the chizzzle. Anyway this weekend's chatterbox question is simple, how are you tracking your book trailer responses and are they converting to book sales?

This book trailer is from James Jordan's Double Cross. I will talk more about him tomorrow and Monday, so leave your comments here or tweet them or FB me.

Day 22: 2009 CFB African American Children Christmas Play Announcement

Every year I write one and so today I am completing Act One of a new children's Christmas play. When I'm done I will announce the play, the synopsis and how to get the play. Before I do that I want to talk about playwriting for a minute as we dip in Day 22 of Building a Better Book Blog.

One of the Greatest Things about creating your own blog is you have to opportunity to share your writing with the world.

Since I began this blog I've written a Christmas play for children ministries. As a parent and a product of church theater, I've always wanted more options for African American children church grous to have. It didn't dawn on me until a friend of mine-a pastor's wife- asked me to write a short play for her church. I gave that play away for free and it is still downloadable here. And it tickles me that churches are still using that play. I've written more plays since then, but they were commissioned.

When you decide upon the type of content you will put on your blog don't forget to add content that is unique to you and benefits those who aren't just online, but your community at large. If you want to make your blog bigger, then you need to give more.

If you want to stay informed about the Christmas play, then subscribe to the blog in my sidebar or here. Don't worry. I will be finishing this play in plenty of time for you to use this year at your church if you're still searching for something.

Also it's still not too late to join 30 Days to Build a Better Book Blog.

Can the Nook bring Book Community Back?

Barnes & Noble's e-Reader the Nook hits store shelves today, but it is it what bookclubs need. Let's take a deeper look.

PC World sets the Nook against the Kindle listing with such pros like:

• the fact that you can visit Barnes and actually test the nook before you purchase unlike Amazon
• Moreover when you enter the store the Nook alerts you to coupons and special promotions personalized to your book cravings.
• For bookclubs. Did you know you can share your books using the Nook?
  

I like that this e-reader's goal is to not just have book readers buy books, but to get them into the store. Although reading is a solitary experience, sharing the love for story is a communal experience. If stores can figure out how to bring community spirit back to stores and make book reading viral again without losing their shirts, while staying technically relevant we may have a win win.

I'll be writing more about the Nook at RAWSistaz Literary this month and why it is a possible solution for Bookclub presidents. To stay updated about this upcoming blog post and more like it, subscribe to Christian Fiction here or in the sidebar. We deliver straight to your email or your can subscribe to my notes at Facebook.

Trailer Park Tuesday: The Christmas List

This week's Trailer Park Tuesday is Richard Paul Evan's The Christmas List. The book released this month and debuts on the New York Time Bestseller's List at #12. ALREADY! Let's take a look at this trailer to see what's the fuss about. Personally, I'm a huge Christmas story gal. I loved the Christmas Box and so...let me know your thoughts about this trailer and the book.

Oh, if you're in Atlanta next weekend Richard will be reading at The Margaret Mitchell House, another favorite for me.

Tour Dates: Tyler Perry's Laugh to Keep From Crying

When Fall approaches so does the invitation to experience another Tyler Perry Stage Play.

Launched this month is TP's new play "Laugh to Keep From Crying."

Synopsis: The story line is based on life's struggles in the inner city. How does one understand and protect young people; how do you manage to keep a roof over your head when you lose your job; how do you separate true love from a deceiver? A family that receives redemption and a neighborhood that comes together with hope, love and respect are demonstrated.

Cast: Palmer Williams, Jr.("Floyd" of Tyler Perry's House of Payne and The Marriage Counselor) as the landlord; Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley, from previous stageplays and movies, as she portrays a single mother with 2 teenagers; D'atra Hicks (Madea's Family Reunion and What's Done in the Dark,) Chandra Currelley[my friend], from Diary of a Mad Black Woman the movie, What's Done in the Dark and many other plays ; and Tamar Davis, Stephanie Ferrett, and Donnie Sykes from "The Marriage Counselor".

Tour Dates:
Oct 20th, 2009
Aiken, SC
Univ. of South Carolina Aiken

Oct 21st, 2009
Albany, GA
Albany Civic Center

Oct 22nd, 2009
Columbus, GA
Columbus Civic Center

Oct 24th - 25th, 2009
Philadelphia, PA
Liacouras Center

Oct 27th - Nov 1st, 2009
Baltimore, MD
Murphy Fine Arts Ctr - Morgan State

Nov 3rd, 2009
Syracuse, NY
Landmark Theatre

Nov 5th - 6th, 2009
Richmond, VA
Landmark Theatre

Nov 7th, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA
Petersen Events Center

Nov 8th, 2009
Cincinnati, OH
Aronoff Center

Nov 10th, 2009
South Bend, IN
Morris PAC

Nov 11th, 2009
Peoria, IL
Peoria Civic Center

Nov 12th, 2009
Rockford, IL
Coronado PAC

Nov 13th - 14th, 2009
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Theatre WI Ctr District

Nov 15th, 2009
Louisville, KY
Louisville Palace

Nov 17th, 2009
Grand Rapids, MI
Devos Hall

Nov 18th, 2009
Lansing, MI
Wharton Center MSU

Nov 19th - 22nd, 2009
Chicago, IL
Arie Crown Theatre

Nov 24th - 29th, 2009
Detroit, MI
Music Hall

Update 11/20/2009: This tour will end November 2009.

Jan 16th - 17th, 2010
Oakland CA
Paramont Theatre (Oakland)


Jan 20th - 24th, 2010
Los Angeles, CA
Kodak Theatre


Apr 17th - 18th, 2010
Atlanta, GA
Fabulous Fox

Day 21: More about FTC Rules for Bloggers & Why Full Disclosure Works

This is Day 21 of 30 Days to Build a Better Book Blog Series...

After my post regarding the new FTC rules for bloggers I received emails and blog links concerning how book bloggers should post book reviews. From what I received I believe that some book bloggers still do not understand the ethical complications behind the issue and how to post a book review.

Let's talk about the ethical issue here...

1. The Opportunity to Gain a Profit

I've been a book blogger for five years, who have received at least ten books a month. I still have most of those books save the ones I give away on the blog or to my church library, my hospital, and my other book charities. For the past two years I've housed those books at Public Storage.That's how many books I have.

If I wanted to open a used bookstore I could. But I'm not a bookstore owner, I'm a reviewer. Irregardless I have the resources to start a bookstore and here's the rub. If I were to open up a store, that housed all the books I reviewed my reviews would become advertisements for the books, not a review.

2. The Opportunity to Lose Credibility with Your Subscribers

That reality isn't the purpose for my blog. Christian Fiction Blog's purpose is to connect Good books to good readers, not sell the books I have in Public Storage to my readers. If I want the respect of my subscribers(mainly bookclubs and book buyers,) who have been selecting books because of my blog, then I want them to rest assured that my reviews hold no monetary gain for me. There is no bias in my review. The reviews are pure.

3. The Opportunity to Legitmize your Blog with Full Disclosure

This week I will step through this topic in more details. My goal is to show you how to separate your review blog from your endorsements and how to monetize your blog ethically.

If you look at my blog (Christian Fiction Blog) you will notice I have different types of posts:

• reviews
• interviews
• lists
• writing life
• previews
  
• etc

Because each post has a different goal the way I use links are different. When I pick online book tours to join I change the wording and I don't add reviews. I don't use the Amazon link they provide. I make the post my own. I have textlinks and book cover space ads in the sidebar, but I don't review those books, because an author has paid for an ad in my sidebar. If I post a review for some of the magazines I write, I post a snippet and direct the reader to the magazine for more information.

Then the books that I review with a full review are books I've received for the purpose of a review. There is a deadline for the book review and it is understood that I will post any rated book. One thing that can bring your book blog credibility is to post all book reviews good or bad. It is your prerogative, but your review blog carries more weight when your readers can also see what you do not favor, buttressed with a balanced reason. Moreover, it shows the publishing industry that your blog isn't just an endorsement, but a review.

These reviews have no links to purchase outside of a link to the author or publishing house website if provided.

I have used this policy since I began the blog. Yet, my blog is syndicated and monetized. This week we will talk about monetizing your blog without throwing up red flags to the FTC.

Please leave your thoughts in comments or tweet about them and tweet this post, so that I can respond to you on Twitter or Facebook.

Related Topic:

• Day 16: Book Publishing News
• Day 11: Recognizing Oprah Book Club Picks before She does

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Call for Writers: Christmas Carnival of Short Fiction

Hi, it's Dee. For the December issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine I would like to do a Celebration of Christian Writing, a Holiday Short Fiction Carnival to be more exact. The way it works 5 to 10 short stories will be featured at my CFOM column. The stories will be housed either on the author's blog or my online literary review spot for CFOM. I will also set up a poll for readers to vote on their favorite story. The winner will receive a Christmas gift from me, a badge that they can put on their site and an opportunity to be featured in my columns for 2010(I write for a few other spots as well.)

So how do you participate?

Submit your short story to me as inline text or in Google Docs to deegospelpr at gmail dot com. The submission deadline is October 25, 2009, so that I have time to select the best stories, and make editorial changes if necessary.

What is a short story?

A story that can be read in one setting. It can be as short as 250 words but no longer than 8-10 pages double spaced written in 12pt font (Times.)

If selected I will contact you the last week of this month and ask for your bio and a jpeg photo of yourself.

The goal for this project is to showcase the diversity of Christian writing among cultures. The Holiday theme is universal and I'm excited to see what we come up with.

If you have more questions, leave your comments here or on Twitter or Facebook.