6 Social Media Trends for Authors and Speakers

, by

Greetings from Jackie M. Johnson! Keeping up to date with the latest social media trends isn’t always easy for busy writers and speakers. Things change quickly in the digital world, and we don’t always make time to read the most recent tech blogs or social media news. Yet, authors are required to “grow our platforms” so we can build our brand, market our books, build community and connect with readers and potential readers—and much of that is accomplished online. So I’ve culled 6 social media trends that may be helpful in your social media strategy.

Read More

Three steps to overcome rejection

, by

Hola from Janet Perez Eckles…Igniting Your Passion to Overcome A friend I knew from high school came to visit recently. As we sipped tea, we laughed about our days as teens. But then she got a bit serious and said, “You know, when you broke up with my brother, he was devastated.” Guilt came over me. I remembered the details of dating him. And for reasons only a 16-year-old immature girl knows, I ended the relationship in an insensitive and abrupt way.

Read More

“Just the Facts, Ma’am”

, by

Hi, Dave Fessenden here, to tell you what I’ve learned about writing from Detective Joe Friday, on the old TV show Dragnet. Sergeant Friday was a no-nonsense kind of guy. He didn’t let crime victims go on and on about their feelings; his motto was “Just the facts, Ma’am.” And that’s the attitude you need to take when you want to put more description in your writing.

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Trish Perry

, by

Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing Trish Perry, a multi-published, award-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction. She is well loved in the Christian fiction community for her support for her fellow authors. Trish, how did you get into writing? I went back to school as an adult to earn my Psychology degree. During that process, I found I really enjoyed the writing aspect of each of my courses. A number of my professors encouraged me to pursue writing beyond what I wrote for them. So I included several creative writing courses in…

Read More

Meeting Planners Are People Too

, by

Greetings from Pam Farrel  of Love-Wise: In our Simple Skills for Success books (for men and women) we share a quote we have said hundreds of times to our own children as well as everyone we have lead or mentored: Quality attracts quality. Be a quality person and you will  attract quality people. This principle is also true in relationships between author and audience, and speaker and meeting planner. I have sat on both sides of an event desk: 1) as the Pastor’s wife and Director of Women’s Ministry hosting an event and 2) as the Guest Communicator speaking at…

Read More

Four Styles Of Communication

, by

Georgia Shaffer from Pennsylvania An essential part of writing is understanding the various communication styles of your readers. For example, some people might skip over what they consider nonessential details just to get to your point. Other people will curl up in a corner and savor the words as they read your complete article or book. Some will find delight in your most interesting facts and details while other readers gain joy from the energy, enthusiasm and emotions of your stories. Using the four personalities described in the book Wired that Way written by Marita Littauer, here’s a brief overview…

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Donn Taylor

, by

A warm hello from Marti Pieper, writing from beautiful (and equally warm) Mount Dora, Florida. In this month of Thanksgiving, many of us are taking time to count our blessings.One of the blessings in my writing life is my friendship via social media and email with author Donn Taylor. We’ve never met in person but have enjoyed mutual support and encouragement over the past few years. I’m both grateful and delighted to share my friend with our CAN readers today. Greetings, Donn! I’m glad to welcome you to your encore interview with CAN. Let’s get started. How many books do you have published?…

Read More

Six Tips for Planning a Book Signing

, by

A note from Carol McAdams Moore Last month, Karen Whiting completed a three part blog series on creating the marketing section of a proposal. Let’s talk about how to implement a marketing or promotional plan for a book signing. For purposes of this post, let’s consider how to plan a book signing with an independent Christian bookstore. Here are six steps to consider.

Read More

Nov 2014-Identity Withheld by Sandra Orchard

, by

After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named “Kara Grant” is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter, Jake Steele, who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire but who thinks she’s guilty of burning her own home. About the author: Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Love Inspired Suspense and mysteries with Revell publishing. Her novels have garnered numerous awards for romance and mystery and suspense. In addition to her busy writing schedule, Sandra enjoys speaking at events and teaching writing workshops. Sandra and her…

Read More

Never Give In!

, by

Winston Churchill is famous for many things, but one of his most well-known claims to fame is the speech he gave at his alma mater, Harrow Academy, on October 29, 1941.  In this pivotal speech, Churchill spoke these words: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Read More