Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Interview with Author Michele Doucette

Please state your name and location. (City and State or Province, Country)

Michele Doucette, Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada

Tell us the title and publisher of your book:

A Travel in Time to Grand Pré

St. Clair Publications

Tell us about yourself:

A Special Education teacher of 25 years, I am as equally passionate about the written word; I love to orchestrate and manipulate words. I spend countless hours working on genealogy; sourcing and validating relationships. I am a firm believer in the healing energies of crystals, stones and positive thinking.

When was the book released?

The first edition of the book was available on July 3, 2009. The revised edition became available on March 16, 2010.

Give us an overview of your book.

A Travel in Time to Grand Pré is a historically informative adventure, tying the history of the descendants of Yeshua (Jesus) to modern day Nova Scotia, Canada. Madeleine Sinclair feels disconnected with the era of her birth, yet intuitively aware of herself in another time period in history. Transported back to 1754, she comes to learn, live and experience firsthand the lives of the French Acadian people, meeting Michel (dit Sophie) LeBlanc, her love of that time.

Through the warm, loving and helpful guidance of fellow time traveler, Madame Pêche, she comes to understand the predetermined course of her Sinclair bloodline, beginning with Rollo the Viking, father of William Longsword, a line that is shown to be linked to the Merovingians, the Cathars and the Knights Templar (protectors of the Holy Grail).

Before long, the reader is led to the very apex of this time travel adventure. Madeleine has been decreed the one who is to introduce the words of Yeshua, spoken in Aramaic at the height of his ministry, to the modern world. Herein, Yeshua explains how individuals can find their way, their truth(s), so as to live their lives to the fullest.

What inspired you to write this book?

In a plot that came to me in 1996, I knew how I wanted the story to begin and I knew how I wanted the story to end. While I was sure about certain elements for inclusion in the story, I was very surprised at how the story unfolded.

I was inspired by my French Acadian heritage, my fascination with genealogy and current DNA findings, my attraction to quantum physics (courtesy of the spiritual and metaphysical realms) and my enthrallment with the plausibility of a holy bloodline as discussed in The Holy Blood, The Holy Grail.

In addition, it seems that I had been duly positioned, beforehand, to conduct extensive research: authors, books, websites, email communication (regarding genealogy) with countless individuals.

When the time came for me to begin writing, the entire process took less than six months.

How is your book different from other books in this genre?

Having researched my own genealogy for close to 20 years, this book incorporates linkages to several ancestors of historical import.

Where can people buy your book?

Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble

Direct from the publisher at http://stan.stclair.net

Direct from the author via email at michele.doucette@nf.sympatico.ca

Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?

Since A Travel in Time to Grand Pré was released, I have gone on to release several spiritual / metaphysical books, both published through St. Clair Publications. The next few months shall see the publication of two additional spiritual / metaphysical tomes followed by several in reference to the wisdom of crystals and stones.

Currently, I am busy reading and researching for Back Home With Evangeline, the sequel to A Travel in Time to Grand Pré. In keeping, I am aiming for a Summer 2011 publication date. I shall also be releasing Germain Doucet (Sieur de LaVerdure): Ancestry of Michele Doucette, based on my paternal lineage, in the not too distant future.

If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?

Take the time to conduct thorough research into POD (Print On Demand) publication services before making a final decision. I also heartily endorse Stanley J. St. Clair of St. Clair Publications as a possible publisher.

If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited:

N/A

Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?

N/A

How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?

A good friend of mine, an author by the name of Jean-Claude Koven, was also reviewed by Allbooks Reviews, winning the Editor’s Choice Award for Best Metaphysical Book. It was this that led me to you.

Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?

I was pleasantly surprised by both the low cost as well as all that was contained within that price. To be featured for one month with the review thereafter being posted in the Review Showcase for the period of one year is sensational. In addition, the initial review is posted in a wide variety of publications, both printed as well as online. Interviews are also posted on the website. To know that your website is denoted as being one of the best websites for authors speaks volumes. Just knowing that each book is automatically considered for the Editor’s Choice Award at each year end is quite the opportunity.

While I am unsure as to anything else that Allbooks Reviews might be able to offer, especially after citing the previous information, I am sure that they will be able to come up with something fantastic.

Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Allbooks Review August 2010 Newsletter

Summer Festivals are everywhere

Nominate us for a listing in Writer's Digest's 101 Best Sites
of The Year. Please send your nomination, along with our web
name Allbooks Review and our URL www.allbookreviews.com
to: writersdig@fwpubs.com Subject "101 Sites".

Thank you for all of your support.

*****************************************************************************


ALLBOOKS REVIEW IS NOW ON iFOGO. Be sure and join the Albooks Review Author’s Group where we can share our success and our mistakes. Also join iFogo and get www.booksonfilm.com. Great promo for a great price, post audio, book trailers, contact with agents and producers and much more. Be sure and let them know Allbooks Review sent you and join our group.

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Submissions Wanted:

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Dream Quest One Writing Contest! Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject or write a short story, 5 pages maximum length, on any theme, for a chance to win cash awards!
Prizes: Writing - $500, $250, $100. Poetry - $250, $125, $50.
Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story. Postmark deadline: July 31.
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for details and to enter!
Military History Articles Wanted
--------------------------------
Military History Quarterly welcomes feature articles. All eras are of interest, particularly ancient times, if the writer bases an article on up-to-date historical research. Rates for feature articles start at $800 (more if special expenses incurred) for 1500-6000 words. Pays $400 for departments. View website for
details: http://tinyurl.com/28q8auo

Science Articles Wanted
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Cosmos, the Australian science magazine, is open to submissions.
Cosmos is largely interested in ideas, particularly those that involve, or are driven by, science and technology. Payment for features ranges from A $900 to a maximum of A $3,000. View PDF for full guidelines.
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/pdf/Cosmos_writers_guidelines.pdf

FEATURE
How to Get the Media Interested in You
You May Be Newsworthy Without Even Knowing It


Do you know what the media would consider newsworthy about you or your company?Many new clients come to us with a strong opinion about what their "pitch" should be, but often miss the mark, in terms of knowing what will get the media to sit up and pay attention to their message. But it's very understandable that this could occur, if you're not working with the media the way we do, day in and day out, developing story angles intended to grab their interest.

For those who are new to PR, my message is this - think outside of the box! As normal as it is to be focused on your own company and industry or field of interest, there is a lot going on in the world, and your expertise might be news in ways that you've not previously envisioned.

I always recommend to my clients that they try to view their companies from the outside looking in, particularly, from the perspective of the media. The best way for you to garner the media's interest is to understand what it is about you and your company that might be interesting to them. The process is actually quite simple.

1. Read the News - If you want to be featured in the news, you should read the news. Be general in your approach. Read the top headlines in all the categories, even if your company is in a niche industry, because you never know what is going to happen. For instance, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has focused a spotlight on oil rigs and the people who work on them. Journalists are looking at the companies who own oil rigs, drilling rights, and other oil company service firms. Analysts in that small business niche are being quoted in top tier media outlets, after existing for decades completely outside the reach of the media's radar. So, go broad with the topics that you track, and don't be afraid to become a little bit of a news geek. Being better informed about the world around you isn't a bad thing, and the by-product is that you'll be far more media savvy.
2. Track it Back - Now, as you absorb the headlines and the stories of the day, think about how one or more of them could track back to you, your company and your key messages. A good example comes from one of our clients, a maker of natural health supplements. Their primary product line uses a natural ingredient called Resveratrol. Clinical research has uncovered that Resveratrol can be helpful in reducing fatigue, restoring energy and safeguarding your immune system. Now, earlier this month, Reuters reported that doctors who performed an 11-year study of British civil servants discovered a direct link between heart disease and working 11 hours or more each day. Another story quoted U.S. Department of Labor statistics that more than 7 million Americans work at least two jobs. We combined those two pieces to demonstrate that millions of Americans are working way more than 11 hours, and are at risk for everything from chronic fatigue to heart disease. From there, it wasn't too difficult to beat a path back to the client's physician spokesperson who recommended a series of tips to prevent those outcomes, including a short tip about how some natural supplements can be helpful. At first blush, you wouldn't imagine that labor stats and a medical study in Great Britain would have any relationship with a natural health supplement, but by thinking creatively, we were able to make the connection and develop a strong radio pitch for that client.
3. Be Opportunistic - The news happens fast, so be prepared to think just as fast. Recently we took on a client named Jane Heimlich, who has a dual claim to fame. She is the daughter of dance hall king Arthur Murray, who established the largest chain of dance instruction centers in the country. She is also the wife of chest surgeon Dr. Hank Heimlich, the creator of the life-saving, anti-choking first aid technique called the Heimlich Maneuver. She had just written her memoir, and was looking to promote it via media interviews. When we brought her on board, the new season for the network TV show Dancing with the Stars was about to begin. In reading her book, we discovered that her father's TV show, The Arthur Murray Party, was the first network TV dance contest - and it involved the big stars of the day. So, we put together a radio pitch with the headline "Remembering the Original Dancing with the Stars." We booked 15 radio interviews and a full print campaign with that angle, and we just refreshed the angle with the CBS announcement that they are giving Paula Abdul her own TV dance competition.

At the end of the day, recognize that your expertise can be stretched beyond what you have in your marketing plan, and you'll be able to make you and your company more relevant to the press in a lot of creative ways.

Marsha Friedman
CEO EMSI Public Relations

SUCCESS STORIES


We love to hear of your success stories, submit them to us at: allbookreviews@aol.com

Remember to post your book signing, guest speaker events on our Bookstore page. Simply send us an email with details of your events and we will be happy to post them. Just part of the Allbooks service to our authors.

Congratulations to:

Conversations with Jerry and Other People I Thought Were Dead won the silver medal in the 2010 IP Death and Dying Category, and was a Finalist in the 2010 Indie Excellence Awards.

Irene

GREAT AUTHOR SERVICES

I highly recommend this cover designer. Trisha FitzGerald

COVER DESIGN www.myspace.com/bookdesign

PUBLISHING: E Books www.theebooksale.com

POD: www.realtimepublishings.com

EDITING: www.allbookreviews.com

Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)

Kerin Bellak Adams Englewood NJ

Tell us the title and publisher of your book:

AD/HD Success! Solutions to Boosting Self-Esteem: The Diary Method Ages 7-17

ISBN 978-1-61599-024-5

Tell us about yourself:

Kerin Bellak-Adams is accredited through ICF with an ACC certification and has years of experience as a highly respected coach, speaker, and expert on AD/HD. She has taught elementary school children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and comes from an unusual background being the daughter of world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Leopold Bellak, a pioneer in ADD, back in the 1960s. From her teaching experience, Kerin not only developed this book, but specializes in coaching parents on such issues as: how to find your child or teenager’s gifts, how to ask questions that help with focus and get the actions you most desire, and much more. She also coaches kids ages ten and older with ADD symptoms and helps them define small steps that will help them feel more in control of themselves and happier.

When was the book released?

Feb. 2010

Give us an overview of your book.

The book boosts self-esteem by developing a child or teenagers awareness of what comes naturally to them. The book also directs the reader to focusing on the areas that are challenging each day at school, helping them to emphasize their focus which is based on time-management, organization, and other areas, while gently encouraging and strengthening behavioral skills. Chapters are broken out to handle problems and situations common to children in specific age brackets within the overall range of 7-17 years old.

What inspired you to write this book?

My father who was a pioneer in the psychiatric study of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and being influenced by Dr. Edward Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction.

How is your book different from other books in this genre?

There is no other type book on the market that inspires the reader to grow, while boosting and maintaining their newly developed self-esteem. This book also is one of a kind as it directs and encourages the student to focus on challenging areas through prompts and questions while encouraging social skills. This book is both educational and for the home. Focus. There is a specific home/school accountability form designed for teachers and parents to use to communicate regularly on the students strengths and weaknesses, as they develop throughout their school life. There is also a parent evaluation and self-esteem logs and graphs.

Where can people buy your book?

Most people are buying it through online stores such as Amazon.com but you can call or visit your neighborhood bookstore and have them order it for you from Ingram with no shipping charges to pay.

Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?

Yes I am. It will be published in 2 years.

If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?

Don’t give up 5 minutes before the miracle!

If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited:

It creates some marketing ability, and cuts down on some costs.

Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?

My website has been the most successful marketing tool. Through a professional designer, I've been able to add book reviews, videos, promote events, and even add a special "Members Only" area where people who've purchased the books can download printable worksheets and extra content for free. I have to admit, a website is an author's best friend!

How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?

Through my publisher, Loving Healing Press Inc. Victor Volkman tells me that he is starting to use Allbooks Reviews both to promote brand-new self-help and personal growth titles AND to revive interest in backlist titles. He says an Allbooks Review is always fresh and generates new buzz.

Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?


I'd like to see a Content Management System (CMS) based website so that Allbooks Reviews could take better advantage of social networking tools. Imagine what using Drupal or Joomla could do to make visitors stays more interesting on the site!

Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you, I really appreciate it.

News:

Italian Writers Fight for More Rights

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Four young Italian writers have set up a protest group, Writers in Litigation, to protest what they see as unfair practices on the part of the Italian publishing industry. It appears that authors in Italy do not always receive their fair share of royalties.
For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/36qvj67

Publishing Industry Unlikely to Return to Pre-Recession Heights
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After eight out of ten publishers reported a fall in sales in 2010, the Chief Executive Officer of HarperCollins, Victoria Barnsley, has warned that sales are not likely to return to pre-recession figures. HarperCollins saw sales fall by over 13% in 2010 and as a result have reduced the number of books they will publish by 20%.
For more on this story visit: http://tinyurl.com/33bgx5s