Black in American: CNN Reports this Week

Black In America- A CNN Investigation-Airing July 23rd &24th
Uploaded by thatsfunny

I am a big fan of CNN's Soledad O'Brien, so when I saw this announcement in the current issue of Essence Magazine I had to pass it on.

"CNN Presents: Black in America" a four-hour television event that
examines the complex issues, successes and struggles of black men, women
and families. In this next installment of CNN's Black in America series, Soledad O'Brien examines the successes, struggles and complex issues faced by black men, women and families -- 40 years after the death of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Watch July 23 and 24.Airing July 23rd & 24th at 9pmET/PT on CNN

Christian Fiction News: The Shack, Dekker & Free Books

Christian Fiction News for week ending June 17,
Great American Bargain Book Show

Register for Great American Bargain Book Show, an overstock, remainder, bargain and value book show where you can save on new books and book related product, additional media venues and gift items discounted from 75% - 90% off retail. Christian Vendors slated to be there:

• B& H Publishers (Booths: 319-320, 337-338)
• David C. Cook (Booth 449)
• Thomas Nelson (Booths: 417-420, 433-436)

Writing Seminars of Interest:

• Russ Marshalek, public relations director, Wordsmiths Books, Decatur, Ga., "How To Arrange a Bookstore Signing for Your Book”…
• Anna DeStefano, novelist and president, Georgia Romance Writers, "How To Write Romances and Get Them Published
• Darlene Ford Wofford, series novel author, "How I Got Local and National Publicity for My Books."

click here to register

Dekker Shooting for Mainstream Bestseller's List 2009with Center Street

Hatchett Book Group (HBG) CEO David Young said Ted Dekker "has huge potential. He has grown a significant and loyal audience in the Christian market and is on the threshold of breaking out as major national best-seller in the general market. We intend to throw our full resources behind the effort to help him become a major commercial fiction force."(Christian Retailing)

Charles Colson, The Shack and Orthodoxy

The Shack's Heresy Charge Garners with Windblown Media into Partnership with Hatchette. Apparently Charles Colson's orthodoxy charges have not effected the Book. The Shack has sold more than 1 Million book since Mid-May. But here's a question: Shouldn't orthodoxy matter?

Teleseminar on writing fiction, children's books

Moody Publisher Fiction Editor Andy McGuire will answer questions in a free live 70-minute teleseminar, scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. EST, June 18.

Literary agent Terry Whalin, who will host the teleconference, will ask McGuire about the publication of his first children's book, Rainy Day Games: Fun With the Animals of Noah's Ark (Harvest House Publishers).

Anyone who registers for the teleseminar at www.askandymcguire.com will receive McGuire's free four-chapter eBook Novel Curriculum, which will help writers understand some of the basics related to creating and shaping Christian fiction.

Christian Fiction News: The Shack, Dekker & Free Books

Christian Fiction News for week ending June 17,
Great American Bargain Book Show

Register for Great American Bargain Book Show, an overstock, remainder, bargain and value book show where you can save on new books and book related product, additional media venues and gift items discounted from 75% - 90% off retail. Christian Vendors slated to be there:

• B& H Publishers (Booths: 319-320, 337-338)
• David C. Cook (Booth 449)
• Thomas Nelson (Booths: 417-420, 433-436)

Writing Seminars of Interest:

• Russ Marshalek, public relations director, Wordsmiths Books, Decatur, Ga., "How To Arrange a Bookstore Signing for Your Book”…
• Anna DeStefano, novelist and president, Georgia Romance Writers, "How To Write Romances and Get Them Published
• Darlene Ford Wofford, series novel author, "How I Got Local and National Publicity for My Books."

click here to register

Dekker Shooting for Mainstream Bestseller's List 2009with Center Street

Hatchett Book Group (HBG) CEO David Young said Ted Dekker "has huge potential. He has grown a significant and loyal audience in the Christian market and is on the threshold of breaking out as major national best-seller in the general market. We intend to throw our full resources behind the effort to help him become a major commercial fiction force."(Christian Retailing)

Charles Colson, The Shack and Orthodoxy

The Shack's Heresy Charge Garners with Windblown Media into Partnership with Hatchette. Apparently Charles Colson's orthodoxy charges have not effected the Book. The Shack has sold more than 1 Million book since Mid-May. But here's a question: Shouldn't orthodoxy matter?

Teleseminar on writing fiction, children's books

Moody Publisher Fiction Editor Andy McGuire will answer questions in a free live 70-minute teleseminar, scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. EST, June 18.

Literary agent Terry Whalin, who will host the teleconference, will ask McGuire about the publication of his first children's book, Rainy Day Games: Fun With the Animals of Noah's Ark (Harvest House Publishers).

Anyone who registers for the teleseminar at www.askandymcguire.com will receive McGuire's free four-chapter eBook Novel Curriculum, which will help writers understand some of the basics related to creating and shaping Christian fiction.

7 Tips to Help You Have an Effective Blog Tak Radio Interview

Last night I had the pleasure of participating in a blog talk radio show. This is my fifth now I believe and I've begun to notice some trends, particularly among the people being interviewed, some good ones and some not so good ones. Don't fret. The not so good ones can be easily fixed. Let me tell you how.

1. Be on Time

Call in to your show before the show begins, so that the host will be prepared to give a good show. It helps take the edge off the show.

2. Prepare Your Message Before Your Interview Time

You will have a great opportunity to promote your book during this interview. Therefore, you should prepare to share your bio and you current project. Prepare your bio in one sentence, your book in one sentence less than seventeen words, and give your website and best contact information.

Here is an example:

I am Dee Stewart, owner of Christian Fiction Blog, a blog devoted to promoting compelling Christian stories via film, books and theatre. In July we are featuring Young Adult Novels You can visit me at http://christianfiction.blogspot.com Or follow me on Twitter at DeeGospel.

Another Example for authors:

I am Dee Stewart, multimedia journalist and author. My Story Angel on the Back Pew is the story a single mom falls for the handsome new pastor while searching for her brother-in-laws killer. You can visit me at http://christianfiction.blogspot.com Or follow me on Twitter at DeeGospel.

3. Submit an Interview Request form to the Radio Host

The best way to prepare for your interview is to know what questions will be asked and to also let the host know what questions you will not answer(personal, controversial.) You can get this information having your publicist or you prepare an interview request form. The form should specify the media outlet, date, interviewee/host, topic, and call in numbers. It should also have a list of the questions you are prepared to answer.

4. Understand the topic discussion

Even if you use an interview request form there still may be questions the host would like you to answer, questions that aren’t no-nos on your (IRF) interview request form. The host may have a theme or topic for discussion. You need to prepare for that topic.

5. Prepare your Environment for the Interview

Many blog talk radio stations mic you for the interview, which means your listening audience will hear everything around you: screaming children, the television, your chewing. So before your interview, choose a spot that is quiet and away from your family. Inform your family that you will be working for that time period and to not disturb you. If you need to hire a sitter for the time period, do so. Blog Talk Radio shows are live, then recorded. You want every media opportunity to present yourself in the best and clearest way possible.

6. Share Your Story

If you’re a writer, you’re a storyteller. Make sure you bring your storytelling elements to the interview. Give anecdotes, be personable, find a universality that relates to the book you’re trying to promote.

7. Promote Your Broadcast Interview via Social Media

1. Twitter

1. Announce Your Meeting Time Hours before the Interview

2. Make sure Twitter is embedded in your blog or website.

3. Invite your Twitter Followers to the meeting.

4. Add call in number and time to listen

5. Share tidbits of Interview in RealTime on Twitter

2. MySpace or Shoutlife

1. Send Bulletin

2. Invite Friends

3. Facebook

1. Invite your Facebook Friends to Interview with Events

2. Ask Facebook for answers to topics to be discussed.

3. Add Twitter Appi to Facebook Account

4. Ning

Announce your Interview on your social network and the ones you belong to.

Dee Stewart is a writing diva mother, Entertainment Editor for Hope for Women Magazine, inspirational book reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine, and owner of Christian Fiction Blog. Her writings have appeared in: Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Good Girl Book Club, The Dabbling Mum, Atlanta Christian Family, Mosaic Literary, Precious Times, Vertical Fix just a few. Follow me on Twitter at DeeGospel.

Talk to Me Tonight On Blog Talk Radio

Listen to me tonight on Black Authors Network @ 8PM EST. http://tinyurl.com/64ujfa I'llbe sharing Christian Book News. If you want to be spotlighted, hit me up.

Dee

Win $500 Zappos Gift Certificate

Win $500 Zappos gift certificate by participating in the What's the coolest thing you can do with a shoe? contest The contest lasts for three weeks. I would love to win some shoes. Let me know if you enter. :)

3 Steps to Self-Editing the Vertical Novel

This month God blessed me with the completion of a manuscript I thought was lost forever. Last year all my writing-- seven years worth-- vanished. I had renewed my mind and prepared to start anew. However, there was a story among the missing about a fallen woman that wouldn't let me go. And as I began to tell her story I discovered an even greater one, one that continues to shape my own story, one that explores a deeper understanding of my faith and why I live the way I do. This woman's story became more than just a novel, but a vertical expression of Christianity. How this happened is what I want to share with you today. Because if you're like me, a writer who prays daily to breathe and be The Master's Artist, you don't want to fail Him. Click here to read more.