A MANA Moment Editorial: Celebrate Your Independence By Casting Your Vote

By Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott
Owner
MarketingNewAuthors.com
Robbie Dean Press

When I was a little girl, I would go with my Mom to the voting polls. Even though my Dad worked two and three jobs, he made it his top priority to make time to vote. 

As a matter of fact, my whole family felt it was crucial that they vote. Keep in mind the flexibility for people with tight work schedules to vote was not as open as it is now. Regardless of schedules, I knew that voting was very important.

One of those days when I was little, I asked why voting was necessary, I asked my Mom why was it so important. "Pumpkin, you know that your family is from Mississippi and Alabama."

"Yes, I know that."

"Well, when your Mommy and Daddy and your uncles and aunts grew up there, it was very difficult for Black folks to vote. As a matter of fact, some Black folks lost their lives. Even your Aunt F____ and Uncle N______ and your cousins had to move to California in fear for their lives."

Then, as I became older, I started paying attention to the national news. There were Andrew Goodman, James Cheney, and Michael Schwerner. These young Civil Rights workers lost their lives in 1964 because they were trying to register Black people in Mississippi to vote.

And I recall the death of Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers. I know this man lost his life because of his commitment to making people aware of the importance of people voting.

As a child, a teen, and an adult, I cherish and respect those who lost their lives to make it possible for me to vote. No, I do not tell people for whom to vote. I just feel so strongly that if there were many who died so that every American would have the right to vote, every American owes those who died that much. So, let us celebrate this month of Independence for which many died. 

It would be good for us to appreciate all that we, as Americans, have to be grateful for and to treasure.

Publish Your E-Book With MANA's Special Independence Month Offer

Do you want to publish a book but have limited funds? Then, MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) has just the self-publishing plan for you.

With MANA's Digital Deal for July, you can celebrate the Independence Month of July by publishing your poetry, short story writers, or novel.

The plan includes:

*Consultation

*Color Covers

*Document layout

*E-Commerce (acceptance of Amex, Discover, Mastercard, & VISA

*Webpage on MANA's website

What is the cost? $750

Rather than paying a great deal of money for printed books with no guarantee of sales, start with an e-book to see how well it sells.

All it takes is a $375 down payment to get the plan started.

So, take the next step to getting published by going HERE to MANA's website for more information.

5 Practical Tips For Pacing Your Story

If there’s one thing that writers don’t think about much is pacing their story. Pacing strategically controls the speed at which information and events flow in a story. 

What many storytellers struggle to understand is that poor pacing can cause your story to come off as drawn out or hurried. Readers typically get bored or feel lost when they sense the pacing is off.

Something that will help you with pacing is the plot of your story. So, before diving into writing, outline the plot. Determine the beginning, middle, and end, as well as key plot and subplot points and character arcs. Don’t forget to refer to your outline as you’re writing your story.

As a way to maintain pacing throughout your story, consider taking these 5 approaches:

1. Layer your story by adding multi-dimensional characters with a range of emotions, thoughts, behaviors, struggles, and complexities. In other words, readers should be able to connect or relate to the characters in your story. You may also want to consider creating events that help your characters grow and change throughout the story.

2. Steadily increase the emotional and psychological tension between characters to move the story forward and keep the readers’ attention. One way of building tension raising the stakes so that certain characters would gain or lose something important to them. This will also keep readers invested in the outcome.

3. Create interesting dialogue that brings your characters to life. This can include making each character's voice unique. For example, give characters distinct speech patterns, vocabularies, and mannerisms. Consider their background, education, and personality when crafting their dialogue. You can also use dialogue to reveal your characters' motivations, fears, and desires through what they say (and don't say) Let dialogue highlight your characters’ growth and changes over time. Make every line of dialogue move the story forward or reveal something important.

4. Make sure to include interesting or exciting moments in the middle part of the story. You can do this by allowing the characters to start disagreeing, competing, or misunderstanding each other. This will also help to build tension. If the midpoint of your story is simply a continuation of the beginning chapter with no new characters, conflict, or events introduced, readers may lose interest and put the book down. It’s hard to win back disinterested readers.

5. The story should continue building up so that it leads to a satisfying conclusion. Take the time to research the best practices for ending a story. To quote well-known crime novelist, Mickey Spillane, "The first page sells this book. The last page sells your next book."

Think of pacing in your story as a rollercoaster ride. Just like a rollercoaster doesn't immediately start with a big drop and then coast, it gradually builds up to the climax before delivering the thrilling moment.

If you reveal all the exciting parts too early, the rest of the story will be dull. On the other hand, if you save all the excitement for the end, readers will lose interest early on in the story.

Once you learn how to pace your story, basically by escalating suspense, your readers will remain engaged because you will have roped them into the story.

By maintaining intrigue in your story from start to finish, your readers may become loyal followers and look forward to your next best seller.

MANA and RDP Owner, Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott Featured on the Professional Podcast Network

Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott, owner of MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) and Robbie Dean Press, LLC (RDP) gave listeners of the Professional Podcast Network extensive information on how both companies have helped authors for decades.

Are you a writer with a story to share with the world? If so, MANA, a self-publishing book company, can help you bring your vision to life. 

Whether you're crafting the next great novel, an insightful memoir, or a groundbreaking non-fiction book, MANA's self-publishing services are designed to make your publishing dreams a reality.

RDP is a traditional textbook publishing company that produces the highest quality books for college faculty authors. RDP's goal is to help educators provide customized texts that support and enhance the learning experience of their students. 

Are you looking for dependable book publishing companies that offer exceptional services to authors? Then listen to the Professional Podcast Network’s interview with Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott.

For more information about self-publishing, contact MarketingNewAuthors.com at info@MarketingNewAuthors.com or 734-975-0028. For questions about traditional publishing, contact Robbie Dean Press at info@robbiedeanpress.com or 734-973-9511.

A Q&A With Dr. Nora White Martin on "A Widow's Sharing and Guide: Forever With Me"

MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) celebrates the publication of A Widow's Sharing and Guide: Forever With Me by Nora White Martin, Ph.D. In her work, Dr. Martin describes the deep, abiding love between her and her husband, Dr. Lee Van Martin Sr., and how she navigated a new journey after his death. 

MANA: What inspired you to write "A Widow's Sharing and Guide: Forever With Me" particularly while you were still experiencing grief over the loss of your husband?
Nora White Martin (NWM): After being approached by a number of widows who admired the way I appeared to be adjusting to my loss, I was asked, "How are you able to bounce back so smoothly?" I shared that even after losing my husband, I continued to keep in contact with family, church, friends, and groups. I was also honest and shared that in the quiet times, I would listen to music that allowed me to make a connection with Lee. My favorite song happened to be Yolanda Adams's “Forever with Me," the lyrics made me feel that I was speaking to him. This individual and small group discussions led to luncheon dates and informal meetings with widows. The major thrust of our conversations centered around two topics: "What do you miss most about him?" and "Would you consider remarriage or a new courtship?" I chose to include many of these responses toward the end of my book after my friends and family shared that Lee and I had a "love story for the ages" and my book should reflect our relationship—from courtship until his transition—as the basis for this memoir.

MANA: How did you navigate the emotional challenges of revisiting difficult memories while writing your memoir?
NWM: I would categorize in my own mind—the highs and lows of our marriage. For example, in the chapter where we were struggling with infertility, I pulled out the pictures, artwork, and essays that my grandchildren have accomplished. This takes me to the joys and blessings of the three children (who are all adults now) we finally were blessed to have. I am currently having ups and downs and other emotions because Lee is not here to see our two granddaughters graduate, one from college and the other one from high school. He would be so proud of them! They were 16 and 12 years old when he passed six years ago.

Embracing Your Unique Voice: The Pitfalls of Comparing Yourself to Established Authors

Image by Hans from Pixabay

If there’s one reason why aspiring writers stop short of becoming first-time authors is the feeling that they are not “good enough” to complete a manuscript and publish a book. This feeling can be detrimental particularly when beginning writers compare themselves with established authors and believe that they should be successful right from the start.

Every writer has a unique voice and style. However, if you are a writer and want to imitate the writing style of your favorite author, you are taking time away from developing your own style. What’s more, it’s easy to develop self-doubt and become discouraged when you believe your writing is not up to the same level as another author. 

The Downside of Comparison 

MANA's National Reading Month Special: Excerpts From The Children's Books, "Reesy—A Little Girl Learning Life's Lessons" and "Marvin's Lump"

To celebrate National Reading Month, MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) presents excerpts from the children's books, Reesy—A Little Girl Learning Life's Lessons by Annie Comor-Jacobs and Marvin's Lump by Jennifer Weil.

In Reesy—A Little Girl Learning Life's Lessons, Reesy learns about divorce, the deep South, deafness, and death. The excerpt here is about her third lesson—learning about death.

Marvin's Lump addresses children's fears and helps them see how to overcome them.

Listen to the audio below and follow along with MANA's Dr. Fairy-Hayes Scott as she does an interpretive reading of the first few pages of each book:

Reesy—A Little Girl Learning Life's Lessons

by Annie Comor-Jacobs

Reesy was so excited that she jumped out of her bed and rushed into her mother's room. Reesy whispered to her mother, "Mommy, Mommy, are you sure that my dress is going to be okay for today? 

"Yes," replied her sleepy mother. 

"I want to look special for Angela's graduation."

Reesy’s mother looked at the clock and said, “Reesy, it’s only 6:30 in the morning."

After the graduation, the family was invited to Angela's house for dinner. When Reesy and her mother arrived, Angela rushed over and gave Reesy a hug and said, "Reesy, I have something special for you. 

“Oh, no. Mommy said we have a special gift for you because you are the one who graduated."

A MANA Moment Editorial: Celebrating National Reading Month!

By Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott

Owner

MarketingNewAuthors.com

Robbie Dean Press

Fondly, I recall how my mother opened the world to me by the reading of books. Before I even knew myself, it was she who would read to me just before I went to sleep. 

And when I could read, she introduced sensitive subjects, for example, sex. I recall shock, and I ran back to where she was washing clothes and asked, "You and Daddy did that? Ughh!" 

However, it was through our discussions about so many subjects presented in books that my mother and I developed a very special bond.

I managed to establish that same bond with my children, especially my daughter. My stepson would be with us every other weekend, but it was my daughter whom I read to her The Cat in the Hat, Good Night, Moon, and so many more works every night. 

And every Sunday morn, we would read a passage from the Bible, play chess, and share any concerns she may have had with me. This was when I had to "zip my lip" and listen to her point of view. And to this day, when she visits, we still read a Biblical passage and have that special mother-daughter chat (she has less concerns about me, now‚ whew!).

National Reading Month is a celebration of bonds established between loved ones who read, found joy, experienced warmth, and established deep-seated relationships that will never be broken.

MANA's National Reading Month Special: Excerpts From The Children's Book, "Charlie: The Dog Who Lived The Dream" by Charmaine Stangl

In celebration of National Reading Month, MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) presents excerpts from the children's book, Charlie, The Dog Who Lived The Dream, by Charmaine Stangl, which is available on MANA's website. 

Listen to the audio below and follow along with MANA's Dr. Fairy-Hayes Scott as she does an interpretive reading of the first few pages of the book: 

Once not long ago, there was a man named Jake. He had a dog named Charlie who was truly his best friend. That is, if a best friend is someone who listens carefully when you have something to say, does everything you love to do with great enthusiasm, and would rather simply be with you than anything else in the world. Certainly, Charlie fits this description precisely.

Charlie loved to take long walks in the woods with Jake. He loved to feel the wind cooling his face and ruffling his fur. He loved to smell the scent of other animals in the woods. He loved to sit by the fire and just enjoy the peace and quiet. But most of all, much more even than all these wonderful things, he loved the sound of Jake’s voice when he said “Good boy, Charlie,” and the feel of Jake’s hand on his shoulder.