Just In Time For The Fall Semester: MANA's Academic Bundle

Going back to school is both an exciting and anxious time. The anxiety increases even more if you’re enrolling in college for the first time or returning after a long hiatus. So, getting as much academic support as possible may help to make the process a little easier. 

To that end, MarketingNewAuthors.com is offering an “Academic Bundle” for college students looking for resources that can reduce the stress of walking back into the classroom. 

One fundamental subject that all students—regardless of age—must sign up for is English. While English may sound like an easy course, it has its challenges, particularly for those who feel they need to brush up on their writing skills.  

To that end, MarketingNewAuthors.com has created an “Academic Bundle” of resources for English courses. The bundle includes:

Bare Essentials: Handbook for Beginner Writers, Linguistics For College Freshmen and Sophomores. This is a comprehensive handbook that reviews the very "bare" essentials of English—from the parts of speech to the more sophisticated aspect of themes and term papers. And there are different digital files that function as tutors to help you avoid comma spaces, punctuation errors, and other sentence structures and grammatical errors.

Linguistics For College Freshmen And Sophomores. This is an excellent work for students who are not majoring in linguistics but want a clear understanding of the intricacies of the science of language. This text demonstrates how language and its users can include, exclude, manipulate, and comfort.

DR C Consultant Services. DR C is an accomplished college English professor, having worked in that position for 45 years. DR C is also an established businesswoman. She owns two publishing companies, one traditional (30 years) and the other, self-publishing (20 years). Having taught students of all nationalities and challenges, her ability to guide students is without a doubt. 

Her third company, DR C Consultant Services, has given DR C the opportunity to provide that personal guidance. And consultation will work around YOUR schedule. Five (5) 30-minute tutoring/consultation times are a part of this offer. To learn more about DR C Consultant Services, go here to visit her website.

Cost: 

Academic Bundle Soft Cover: $69.95

Academic Bundle E-book: $49.95

So, if you need help with all aspects of writing, then go here to visit MANA's website to purchase MANA's Academic Bundle before the Fall semester begins.

MANA HIGHLIGHTS WINNING SHORT STORIES AND POEMS

MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) is pleased to announce the winning entries of MANA HIGHLIGHTS for June and July. The winners receive a $25 VISA Gift Card. Then, the top winning entry will receive $100.

Go HERE to learn more about MANA HIGHLIGHTS and how to submit your short story or poem.

JULY 

WINNING Poem

Somewhere in Nigeria
by Fadairo Tesleem

From Kano —to Bornu, Katsina to
Maiduguri, Jigawa to Minna. There's

always a bereft mother who holds her faith
so high—awaiting the emergence of her

martyred son — son whose body has been
buried beneath fumes of war — son

whose brittle fate has been shattered

by blasts at the war front. Say: what else

does a gun (if aimed at a game) do

except to dislodge the soul off its case?

At a church — in Owo — on a wintry Sunday;
at the verge of saying the grace, gunmen

barricaded the Lord's house and buried bullets 

of violence into bodies of innocent worshippers.

The truth is: in these previous years, it's been
boko haram & fulani herdsmen' attack. But,

today, we whimper bitterly,—shouldering
our loved ones' bodies out of the temple.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

JUNE  

WINNING  POEM

MESSAGE TO MY MOTHER

by DAVID MATT

How did you find the energy,

Mom, to do all the things you did, 

To be a teacher, nurse, and counselor to me when I was a kid?

How did you do it all, Mom,

To be a cook and a friend,

Yet find time to be a playmate?

I just can’t comprehend.

I see now it was love 

That made you come whenever I called.

Your inexhaustible love, Mom,

And I thank you for it all.

WINNING SHORT STORY

UNTITLED SHORT STORY

by HANK STEPHEN

As I took the call, my father’s deep baritone voice hit my ears with the same controlling effect it has had for years: “You must have something to fall back upon. What are you going to do if things go wrong?”

Ever since I was a child, I had seen him be like this. He has always tried to use pain as leverage to push me into doing something good in my life, and that has been his modus operandi.

There are two ways you can motivate someone. You can either use pain or you can use pleasure. With the kind of life he had lived, and the experiences that he had had in his life, he thought pain would work better.

If I have a safety net, am I truly going to be able to jump across the abyss onto the other side knowing that if I fall, I’ll be safe? I don’t need that safety net. In fact, that safety net is going to be a disadvantage. I wanted to have so much fear of whatever it is. So much passion, so much aggression, so much frustration; just that drive to be able to make it to the other side because if I don’t, I die. 

There is no second chance. I have to do it, one way or the other. I don’t want a safety net. In fact, if you give me a safety net, I will tear it bloody apart. I want to know if I have it in me. I want to know if I will be able to fly. I will not be able to fly if you are going to weaken me with a safety net.

“Son, you there?” his voice punctuated my chain of thoughts.

“Yes Dad, I am here.”

“What have you decided then?”

“Okay Dad, I will take the job.”

What my father never realized and probably never will is that having a backup option every time was a disadvantage in itself. How was I supposed to give it my all, knowing that even if things did not work out, I would still have something else to fall back upon?

The adrenaline rush that usually makes any endeavor worth the effort is not something I could explain to him. But I knew that it was something mandatory for me to feel satisfied.

Not Seeing Positive Results? Maybe It's Time To Brush Up On Your Grammar

Are you wondering why your book sales are sluggish?  Do you feel crushed when your family or friends no longer want to review your finished manuscripts?

This may cause you to shake your head in wonder, especially if you believe that you have a well-organized story, a riveting plot, and well-developed characters. But, could it be possible that poor grammar is the culprit?

If there’s anything that can turn off a reader, it’s common grammar mistakes. The Internet revolution allowed people to start their own blogs, set up their own websites, and self-publish their own works. 

But, in the process, many writers abandoned the rules of standard English. Unfortunately, the quality of their writing has suffered because of this, and some readers have accepted bad grammar as the norm. To counter this, writers need to express themselves within the rules. 

Writers, therefore, should make it a point to brush up on their grammar. It’s not difficult to do, particularly since there are many free and paid online software programs designed to find grammatical errors.

Besides grammar checker tools, writers can also brush up on their grammar and improve their writing skills simply by reading books similar to those they are writing. You can use new words that they encounter in the story, and discover phrases and idiomatic expressions that are used in the genre. 

Bare Essentials 
Handbook

If the problem with your poor grammar is actually the result of your lack of English language skills, then taking an online English course may be your answer. Or, you can purchase the e-book, Bare Essentials: An English Handbook for Beginner Writers, 19th ed., an all-encompassing book on English grammar. 

Keep in mind that grammar is a standard that everyone should subscribe to, whether you are a writer, teacher, student, business owner, or in any other walk of life. Good writing and English language skills are essential. 

Readers will not completely dismiss your work when you make one mistake. But, a book peppered with bad grammar and spelling errors can result in the loss of readers and book sales. 

Do you need help with your grammar? Check out the "Bare Essentials Bits Audio Series" on this blog. Or you may prefer a one-on-one consultation with MANA’s DR C. If so, contact Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott at 734-531-6684 or via email at dr_c_consultant@aol.com.

Go HERE to MANA's website to preview the e-book, Bare Essentials: An English Handbook for Beginner Writers, 19th ed.

Keep in mind that good writing and English language skills are essential 

to your future, whether you are a writer, business owner, teacher, or in any other walk of life. 

Questions? Contact MANA at info@marketingnewauthors.com.

"How To Navigate the Cacophony of Challenges That Comes With A Business Relocation" By Christopher Haymon

Editor's Note: The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, high gas prices, and other issues in society led MarketingNewAuthors.com to ask its audience "How are they coping during these challenging times?" 

Christopher Haymon has written an article on how challenging it is to relocate a small business, and what small businesses can do to minimize disruptions during the move. 

A marketing manager by day, Christopher Haymon created the Adulting Digest blog to use his financial knowledge to help others learn to conquer debt and reach for financial freedom. 

Guest Post

Photo by Ron Lach at Pexels.com

Small businesses tend to relocate more often than larger enterprises. And whether you're upgrading your office space, moving to a better spot in town, or relocating for any other reason, it's crucial to prepare diligently beforehand and make smart decisions throughout the process. 

Relocating can be challenging for smaller companies because there are many logistics involved, not to mention endless interruptions. Maintaining productivity and moving your team toward its goals must be a priority during the transition There is a way to plan and execute a business move that minimizes downtime, profit loss, and client problems. 

Modify Your Legal Structure

When moving your company to a new state, you'll need to adjust your legal structure. Each state issues different rules and regulations for establishing a corporation, so you'll need to ensure you and your team understand the necessary steps for establishing your business entity the right way. 

Also, consider hiring an online service to take care of your formation. Search "start corporation" to connect with top-notch, affordable services. 

Make A Detailed Plan 

The ultimate goal of any business relocation is to transition seamlessly without losing any productivity or profit. Doing so requires you to develop a detailed plan for every possible task and scenario.

Make sure there is a timeline for when everything will take place and a guide for how you will accomplish each task. Also, do your research and estimate the costs of the move to create a reliable budget.

You'll also want to determine which team members will be responsible for which duties. Delegate tasks according to each employee's skills and availability, and put the plan on paper. 

5 Steps For Turning Your Hobby Into A Business by Derek Goodman

Guest Post 

Editor's Note: Some authors decide to go beyond simply writing articles or books to become "authorpreneurs" —writers who turn their writing into a business by offering products and services based on their written works. Derek Coleman offers some tips to help you get started on your journey.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Have you ever thought about turning your hobby into a profitable small business in Iowa City, IA, or online? You may have a pastime that easily becomes a brick-and-mortar store, or perhaps you've already toyed with selling goods and services online. Converting your hobby into something professional will take time, hard work, and patience. 

Remember that many people engage in hobbies as distractions from responsibilities such as work, family care, and chores. Some people are happy doing what they love for work, while others prefer to keep their favorite pastimes as outlets for stress and creativity. If you're the type of person who loves the challenge of entrepreneurship, turning your hobby into a business is a great place to start. Consider these steps as you begin the process. 

1. Find Your Platform 

You may wish to set up your website to enable e-commerce or you might start a brick-and-mortar store—or you might want to do a little bit of both. It's important to know who you're selling to as well as where this type of customer may buy items they're searching for. For example, consider a person who wishes to sell homemade soup on an e-commerce platform. His or her best bet for consistent sales is a customer-to-customer sales platform such as Etsy, Amazon, or Squarespace. This person could make a plan to select a platform, set rates, and upload pictures of his or her soap.

2. Brainstorm About Your Brand

Building a brand involves creating a business name, a logo, and a narrative that speaks to your customer base. Consider working with a writer from MarketingNewAuthors.com to create engaging and descriptive marketing content that showcases your brand. It's important for your brand to reflect professionalism as well as integrity.

3. Establish Your Social Media Before You Launch

Digital marketing can be a valuable tool for those just starting out—but how do you sell to people when they don't know who you are? This is where social media comes in. Try establishing your website as well as starting Facebook groups, gaining Instagram followers, and putting out TikTok videos to get the word out about your brand before you even launch. 

4. Complete Your Legal Paperwork 

According to the IRS, there are several steps you'll need to take to legitimize your new small business. For example, are you registering your entity as an LLC? Do you know how to file your taxes at the end of the year? How will you pay the freelancers you may hire to build your website, design your logo, or write content for your social media? While these questions may seem intimidating at first, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with these processes (and get answers) for yourself now rather than later. You can find many of the templates and documents that you'll need online. 

5. Develop A Budget 

You may have not had to track your expenses for your hobby thus far, but now you should. You'll have to keep track of your spending and report the amount of money you make to the IRS at the end of every tax year. Be sure to pick accounting software that can link with your tax program if you plan to do your business taxes by yourself.

These five steps should start you in the right direction if you wish to turn your hobby into a business. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't immediately take off. Many profitable companies have experienced a slow, steady path to success!

Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He'd always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site, "Inbizability," (www.inbizability.com) to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later. 

Call for Reviewers For The INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS

The INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS (IJFTEWS) is returning! The IJFTEWS is a peer-reviewed publication for people interested in teaching writing or participating in the unique art form of writing. Submissions should contain an abstract and article focusing on effective teaching methodologies for students in elementary, secondary, and college. The article should be detailed so that other educators can immediately implement the lessons in a classroom. 

There will be four issues for $20 each year. Three issues of the journal will contain articles. The fourth issue will be for students' and teachers' poetry and short stories. The journal will return in January 2023 and submissions will begin in October 2022. 

The articles will be refereed. The poems and short stories will be refereed by the editor-in-chief of the journal and the editor of the materials submitted to The MANA Sunriser, the blog of MarketingNewAuthors.com.

The journal needs a diverse group of reviewers who are teaching English writing skills. Elementary, secondary, and college educators can be referees. Being a referee gives educators—especially new educators—an opportunity to enhance their resumes. Referees will receive a free subscription for as long as they wish to serve as referees. 

Every referee will receive free copies of the journal for the year s/he provides the referee service. Also, as an expression of gratitude, after the first review of articles, each referee will receive a $25 VISA Gift Card.

The IJFTEWS is published by Robbie Dean Press, a traditional publisher of academic textbooks based in Ann Arbor, MI. Also, Robbie Dean Press is the parent company of MarketingNewAuthors.com.

For more details about the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS or if you are interested in becoming a referee, contact Dr. Fairy Hayes-Scott at fairyha@aol.com.

Call for Short Stories and Poems for MANA HIGHLIGHTS; READ SUBMISSIONS

MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) is pleased to offer MANA HIGHLIGHTS, an opportunity that provides writers of short stories and poems the chance to be recognized at no cost and to win a $25 VISA Gift Card. The short story or poem submitted can be a topic of choice (please, no erotica). 

MANA's efforts to showcase talent will continue in August. The best short story writer and poet for June, July, and August will each win a $25 VISA Gift Card. Then, the best of the best will receive $100. This $100 donation comes from Dr. Gregory Shafer and Ms. Bernadette Gongora, former MANA winners of best short stories. They want to encourage writers. MANA appreciates their donation! 

To read short stories by Gregory Shafer, click on the story titles: "Sometimes at Night—Songs" and "The Date."

To read short stories by Bernadette Gongora, click on the story titles:

"Table for Two" and "Shades of Beauty."

SUBMIT YOUR WORKS FOR AUGUST

If you write poems and short stories, then consider submitting your works to MANA HIGHLIGHTS.

The offer goes as follows:

1. Submit a short story or poem on the topic of your choice (please, no erotica).

2. Number of words for this short story: A minimum of 150 words to a maximum of 500 words. The number of words for the poem: A minimum of 10 words to 250 words.

3. The MANA Review Board will determine the best short story and poem for the month of August. 

4. The best short story will win a $25 VISA Gift Card. The best poem will win a $25 VISA Gift Card.

5. The selected works will be posted on MANA’s blog, The MANA Sunriser for three months, depending on the number of submitted works. 

Writers will maintain full copyright.

All short stories and poems for MANA HIGHLIGHTS should be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) format. The deadline to submit your work is August 31.

Send your files via email to: info@marketingnewauthors.com.

For more details, visit the MANA HIGHLIGHTS page on MarketingNewAuthors.com. 

Go HERE to read the MANA HIGHLIGHTS winning entries for June and July.

Below are the short stories and poems that have been submitted for the months of JUNE and JULY to MANA HIGHLIGHTS:

The Academic and the Affective Factors: The Self-Publisher Must Consider Part 3

The extent of family support can be a key factor in coping and succeeding as a self-publisher. 

If you have a significant other: 

• Is that individual excited about the project?

 

• Can that person provide some assistance or is the significant other “put off” by the whole idea? 

• Is there agreement as long as “it does not infringe on my wants and needs”? 

• If you have children, are they able to take on some household responsibilities while you, the self-publisher, are preparing the project? 

And what about parents and siblings? Sometimes, unfortunately, these individuals can cause more stress than those in the nuclear family. Can you handle this stress? Will a parent say, “why are you wasting your time and money on this?”  Or are there health challenges they are experiencing that require your care and support? 

If you are considering self-publishing and are very capable of handling and coping with these less than supportive situations, then, you should move forward.

The Academic and The Affective—Factors the Self-Publisher Must Consider Part 2

Self-publishers need to embrace the technology available. In many cases, they are novices. And for many self-publishers, technology means the Internet or an e-book. But, there are other effective means of book promotion. For example:

• Those who have a website should utilize its effectiveness.  

• CD-ROM promotions can be very effective. People are apt to throw away a brochure that does not pique their interest. However, they do not throw away a CD as quickly or a file that can be inserted into a computer. Some self-publishers stay away from CD or file promotions with concerns about compatibility issues. As the technology continues to improve, this becomes less of an issue. 

• The idea of providing a commercial, an animated trailer for a book is a new method that self-publishers need to consider. Books 'N Motion, an audiobook publisher, provides this kind of innovative marketing tool. 

Another effective way for self-publishers to promote their books is not necessarily related to technology. It involves authors connecting to their audience through book readings. Readings from certain passages from the book could, also, be a way of gaining a potential customer's interest in the work.