Tips from the Pros: Ellie Gustafson

, by

An interview with Eleanor Gustafson and Marti Pieper Welcome back to the CAN blog, Ellie. How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles? I have five published novels. The ones still in print are The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David and Dynamo. I checked out your website, and both books sound intriguing. Ellie, you were last featured on the CAN blog in 2012. What are the chief lessons you’ve learned about the writing life since then? There’s far more to publishing books than just writing them. That’s the easy…

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Mona Hodgson

, by

Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the honor of interviewing Mona Hodgson, author of almost forty fiction and nonfiction books! Mona also gives back to the writing community. I’m one of many writers who have benefitted from Mona’s teaching and warmth at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. This past year Mona also took on the responsibility as director of the conference, and she’s doing an excellent job! Mona, how many books do you have published? Twenty-eight children’s picture books, early readers, and middle-grade nonfiction. Eleven novels and novellas, and a Cripple Creek novella releasing in November.

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Mike Dellosso

, by

Steamy summer greetings from Marti Pieper in central Florida, where the International Christian Retail Show will begin in about ten days. I met Mike Dellosso, the subject of today’s interview, in a much cooler climate, however—high in the Colorado Rockies near Estes Park, home of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, where we both served on faculty. I’m delighted to welcome him on this return visit to our CAN blog. Mike, although I met you not long ago, we didn’t discuss your work. Let’s change that right now. How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles? I have…

Read More

The Family PR Team

, by

When our first book was released, our mentor, Jim Conway, (Men in Mid-Life Crisis), told our three young sons, “Your life is copy written. Make a deal with your folks, if they use a story from your life, you should get some benefit.” That was great advice because our boys would BRING us stories to use in exchange for a “royalty payment”. When they were little, tangible coins went into a jar for each, but with in a few years, we all agreed it was easier to give them their percentage when our royalty checks came, and that money went…

Read More

KEEPING PINTEREST FRESH

, by

A Note from Carol McAdams Moore Today, let’s wrap up a three part series on Pinterest. We began with an overview of Pinterest. Then we talked about the basics of setting up Pinterest boards. Today, let’s talk about keeping your Pinterest boards fresh. Below is a check list to guide the author in doing that. Keep boards that represent your new releases, speaking engagements, and blog posts current. Remember that many people follow Pinterest. Your Pinterest followers may or may not be the ones who are friends on Facebook or who follow you on Twitter. Keeping your most recent online…

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Sharon K. Souza

, by

Greetings from Marti Pieper in lovely Mount Dora, Florida, where the temperatures seem unduly warm after my nine-day sojourn in Estes Park, Colorado teaching and serving on staff at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I took my husband along this year, and the final day, we went from snow to sweltering in less than twelve hours’ time. But I trust that no matter how warm you are, the following interview with author Sharon K. Souza will blow into your day like a refreshing breeze. Although I don’t know Sharon personally, she and I met online several years ago through the popular (now…

Read More

MARKETING: ANOTHER LOOK AT PINTEREST

, by

  A Note from Carol McAdams Moore Do you remember the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words? Sometimes that is difficult for authors to embrace. We are used to painting pictures with our words. Using an actual picture to communicate an idea makes us stop and reroute our creative process.  Last month, I posted an introduction to Pinterest here. Today we will look at the basics of setting up an account and creating Pinterest boards.

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Susan Osborn

, by

Greetings from Sarah Sundin! Today I have the honor of interviewing Susan Osborn. Her name is familiar to most Christian authors due to her books on writing, handy pamphlets (I have at least one), and her manuscript critique service. Susan is also a multi-published author of nonfiction books for women. Susan, how many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles? 31 books. My latest titles are Wounded by Words, Too Soon to Say Goodbye, and Breaking Invisible Chains, co-authored by Jeenie Gordon and Karen Kosman, published by New Hope Publishers.

Read More

Tips from the Pros: Janet Perez Eckles

, by

Greetings from Marti Pieper in spring-is-coming Mount Dora, Florida! In my yard, that means the amaryllis are blooming, with the Easter lilies not far behind. And I imagine it’s close to the same in the yard of the subject of this interview, since she’s practically my neighbor here in central Florida. Janet Perez Eckles and I have known each other for a few years now, and I assure you that she is as lovely in person as she appears in this interview. I take great delight in sharing Janet and her special brand of sweet and spicy wisdom with you.    …

Read More

BOOK MARKETING: ONE CAFE’S APPROACH

, by

A Note from Carol We know that coupling a book signing with an event is an effect approach to promotion. Recently, I had the pleasure of doing a book signing at the 6 North Cafe in Ballwin, MO. You may wonder how that would be classified as an event. This breakfast and brunch restaurant has a rich tradition of serving customers great food, amazing coffee, and the opportunity to meet local authors. Kudos to Maria and the folks at 6 North Cafe.

Read More