MANA's Writer's Workshop Video Now Available

Do you want to write a book but can’t get it started? You know you have an excellent idea but aren’t quite sure how to develop it. 

Perhaps, you have started writing but cannot think of an impactful way of continuing or ending the story. 

If you feel stuck, then MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) can help. 

MANA held a Writer's Workshop hosted by Dr. Fairy C. Hayes-Scott (a.k.a. DR C), an English Language consultant, author of five books, and English college instructor for 45 years. She is the owner of MarketingNewAuthors.com, a self-publishing book company, and Robbie Dean Press, a textbook publishing company. 

Dr. Hayes-Scott guided her beginner writers in a creative writing course to write short stories, plays, and poetry to write the published work, Community College Students' Literary Collage, edited by Dr. Hayes-Scott. 

In this workshop, you will learn the importance of:

• having a purpose for your story

• developing the plot of your story

• developing your characters

• describing your characters

• using perspective in your story (for instance, first person, third-person observer)

If you were not able to attend the workshop, then view the video below.

If you would like more information about book publishing services provided by MANA or Robbie Dean Press, send your inquiries to:  info@marketingnewauthors.com or call 734-975-0028.

Go here to preview the book Community College Students' Literary Collage on the website of MarketingNewAuthors.com

Is Writing A Book Hard Or Easy? You'll Never Know Unless You Do It!

 

If you have always wanted to be a writer, and someone asked you who do you dream of becoming, what would you tell that person? 

You may feel embarrassed telling someone about your ambitions of being an author because you may not believe that your dream will come true. Sometimes it’s just easier to dream rather than try to make a dream become a reality. 

This is a huge mistake because you can achieve anything you want to achieve. Realizing your dream may be easier than you think. However, it may be hard. But even if it is, that shouldn't stop you from trying. To quote the character, Jimmy Dugan, the baseball team manager in the movie, A League of Their Own:

 “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”

You will not know whether your goal is easy or hard if you never try to accomplish it. If you have tried once and failed, you may not want to try again. But don’t give up. There’s an old saying, “no guts, no glory.” In other words, if you want to be successful, you must have the courage to take risks. 

So, Where Do You Start?

If you want to be a novelist, what do you do? The first step is to simply start writing. 

Are you having trouble getting started? 

If so, there are few things you can do, such as:

• Read books similar to what you want to write and see how the author began the story, developed the characters and ended the book. 

• Take a course on how to write a book.

• Contact authors who have published books and ask for their advice—and thank them!

The next step is to decide whether you want to self-publish your book or have it published by a traditional publisher. Don’t know the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing? Then, it’s time to do research on book publishing and the costs involved. (Check out MANA's free publication: Is Self-Publishing Right For You? Putting the Publishing Pieces Together by downloading it here.)

The final step is to submit your work. But, before you do, make sure your manuscript has been reviewed by a professional editor and proofreader. When it comes to traditional publishing, it may take months to hear from a traditional publisher. The self-publishing process isn’t as lengthy. 

Once your book is published, you can actually say that you are a “published author.” Then, it’s on to writing the next book. 

So, What's Next? 

Whether you want to be an author, an engineer, a teacher, or an astronaut, you have to take the first step, and that’s usually the hardest thing to do. 

But once you have accomplished your goal, you no longer feel the need to downplay your objectives to others or embrace the fear of failure. You can attack your goals with confidence because failure, for you, is no longer an option. 

Do you have questions about publishing a book? If so, feel free to contact MarketingNewAuthors.com at info@marketingnewauthors.com. We are here to help.

How Do You Find Time To Write? Prioritize!

Do you ever find yourself disappointed at the end of the day because you were not able to work on your manuscript? 

Does this happen to you consistently?

If the answer is “yes,” you’re not alone. Many writers struggle with this feeling all the time. It can seem like an amazing feat just to finish the day knowing that you wrote even a few paragraphs.

But, you can accomplish your goal by prioritizing your writing time. Learning how to properly prioritize your writing time is the number one way to boost your productivity. 

Just putting it at the bottom of a “to-do” list isn’t enough. You need to determine if writing is really important to you or simply a hobby. And if it is, then it’s time for you to take it more seriously by giving it  priority along with your other daily responsibilities.  

So, let’s get started. 

Steps to Prioritizing Your Writing

1. Make a list of everything you need to do today. Don’t worry about prioritizing now; just get everything down, including your writing goals. 

2. Review your list. Ask yourself, “What are the most important tasks that I must do today?” 

3. Arrange your items in order of importance. You can assume that working, picking up the kids from school, and other daily responsibilities are essential tasks. 

4. Insert time for writing. Find out where you can carve out time—and how much time—to write.

5. Decide on your writing goal for the day. If you need to do research, decide on an outline for your story, or develop your characters, place your writing goal on the list. 

If you cannot find the time to write, how will missing one day of writing impact your writing goal? If you have high-priority tasks, such as family or work responsibilities, then schedule a day for writing when you have fewer tasks so that you can make up for the writing time that you will miss. 

The point is to find a way to prioritize your tasks so that you can accomplish your writing goals. 

MANA Announces Winners Of Its Summer 2021 Short Story Contests

MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) is pleased to announce Gregory Shafer as the 1st Place winner of MANA's two Summer 2021 Short Story Contests. 

The first contest ran from June 4-11, 2021 and the second contest ran from June 12-18. 

Entrants were asked to write a short story based on one of two (or both) photographs that served as visual prompts.

Shafer's story, "The Date" was the first place winner of the first contest. His story, "Sometimes At Night—Songs" was the winning entrant of the second contest. 

Go HERE to read "The Date." 

Go HERE to read "Sometimes At Night—Songs.

Similarly, Bernadette Gongora was selected as the 2nd Place winner for her story "Table for Two" which was entered the first contest. Gongora placed second in the second contest for her story, "Shades of Beauty."'

Go HERE to read "Table For Two".

Go HERE to read "Shades of Beauty.

The stories will also be included in MANA's Short Story Series. A list of short stories is located on the right side of the MANA Sunriser blog. 

MarketingNewAuthors.com wishes everyone a happy CINCO DE MAYO! Enjoy and Be Safe! And never forget the reason for the celebration.

 

Getting a Book Published: The Easiest Ways to Find Publishers

Are you interested in publishing a book? If so, the first step to take involves finding publishers to approach. For many new authors, this is the most overwhelming part of the whole process. 

The good news is that there are multiple ways that you can find publishers, but how do you start? 

The following are 3 ways that are not difficult or time-consuming and should produce good results for you:

1. Research publishers online 

If you already know the names of publishers in your genre, visit their websites to find out what services they offer and the costs of the services. If you do not have names, do a generalized search by using phrases such as, "science fiction book publishers" or "publishers of poetry collections." 

Study the websites carefully and look to see whether the company:

• Helps authors to promote their books
• Provide editing, proofreading, book formatting, or other related services
• Has guidelines, restrictions, and other rules for writers 
• Has detailed information on current books, including photos and short descriptions
• Displays pricing for its services
• Has contact information (mailing address, email address, phone number)

Doing online research will go a long way in helping you get your work published.

Read our post: "5 Research Tips For Authors"

2. Printed Resources

A number of printed resources are available to help you find information on publishers. Among the most popular printed resources are the Writer's Market books. These books are developed for a number of different genres, including children's books, novels, and short stories. Some of the sections in the books include: 

• Listings of book publishers, consumer and trade magazines, literary agents
• Contests and awards
• Submission requirements
• Articles on the business and promotion of writing

Writer's Market books range from $20-$26 and are also available in e-book format. The books are also available at libraries.

Read our post: DR C's Tip#2: Know What Traditional Publishers Expect

3. Literary Agents

If you hope to have well-known traditional publishers to handle your book, then contact a literary agent. Some traditional publishers will only work through literary agents. So, Some publishers will only accept manuscripts from a literary agent and not directly from authors

Most literary agencies have great websites that display the agents' names, photos, and genres of interest. Literary agents will help you find the perfect publisher for your book and do a large percentage of the research for you. 

Something to consider: A literary agent charges a fee. So, before you enlist the services of a literary agency, ask about the cost to determine if you want to take this route.

Read our post: "Do You Need a Literary Agent for Your Self-Published Book?"

Find The Way That Is Best for You

Another way of finding publishers is simply asking previously published authors for recommendations. Ask them about their experiences, the costs, services, and overall satisfaction with the company.

As you can see, there are several ways to find publishers. And, as for which approach is best for you will depend on your own preferences

Doing your due diligence in researching publishers will help you find a publisher that will be the perfect fit for you and your book. 

Do you have questions about publishing or are you ready to publish your book? Contact MarketingNewAuthors.com at 734-975-0028 or info@marketingnewauthors.com

Are you ready to publish your book? Then, go here to check out MANA's May Spring Publishing Offers.

Time Management Tips for Writers

"I don't have time to write!"

Does that sound familiar? 

This is something that just about every writer has said at one point in time. It seems as if there’s never enough time in the day to work on your writing project. And, the pressure builds if you have to meet a deadline.

Time management may be the answer to overcome this difficulty. So, dividing your time between writing and performing your daily activities might take the pressure off of you.

To encourage you to continue with your writing project, here are 10 tips to help you make the most of each day:

MANA Celebrates National Poetry Month!

April is National Poetry Month, an annual celebration that recognizes the important role that poets play in our culture and that poetry matters.

The American Academy of American Poets (AAAP) established the event in 1996 and it has since become the largest literary celebration in the world. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the annual literary celebration:

The goal of National Poetry Month is to: 

• highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets;

• encouraging the reading of poetry;

• help teachers in bringing poetry into their classroom;

• encourage increased publication and distribution of poetry books; and

• encourage support for poets and poetry.

AAAP Sponsors Poster Contest

Winning Poster

In celebration of the 25th anniversary, the AAAP sponsored a 2021 National Poetry Month Poster Contest. The AAAP invited 9th through 12th-grade students to submit artwork that incorporated lines from the poem "For Keeps" by the current U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and that reflected the art of poetry. 

The winner was Bao Lu, a 12th-grader from Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York. Lu chose the following lines:

"There is nowhere else I want to be but here.

I lean into the rhythm of your heart to see where it will take us."

In his artist's statement, Lu said he chose these lines, in part, because:

Love and connections are motivations that I think are very intertwined in my thought process. I find myself fascinated with love, and how that manifests in our daily lives... But there is a cruel irony that I have observed: in an age of infinite connection (whether it's social media, etc.), I find that there is deprivation of human interaction and a struggle to look for a higher meaning of love.

 

MANA's Celebration of National Poetry Month

MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) supports the efforts of the AAAP. We help poets and writers of prose self-publish and market their works. In recognition of National Poetry Month, we will introduce you to poetry written by MANA authors and by familiar writers. 

If you are a poetry lover, then we hope you enjoy the poetry excerpts we provide this month on our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and blog posts. 

You may also enjoy the collection of poetry and prose from MANA authors. To preview the books and to find out more information, click on the book's title which will take you to the book's page on MANA's website:

A Collection of Prayers of an Alpha Man by Clarence C. Straham Sr. These inspirational prayers function as a modern-day Book of Psalms. There is a prayer for every need or challenge faced by any individual. The 242 prayers can serve as inspiration for speeches, sermons, and personal texts.

A Soldier's Poetic Response: A Slice of His Life by Captain Adrian D. Massey. Captain Massey reflects about his role as a soldier but as a friend and as a person of the world. 

Autism—Poetic Pride by "Queen" Anya Rutz. This book speaks to anyone who has been confronted by life's moments, mentally knocked down, and spiritually uplifted. The messages are appropriate for any reader who appreciates the power of poetry. 

Della's Writings, A Senior Citizen's Poetry and Short Stories by Della Frye. This is a collection of short stories and poems that entertain both adults and children. There are 14 short stories and over 700 poems that cover every facet of life.

From War to When by Hilary George. The poet and her family actually fled England during World War II and settled in Australia. This collection of poetry transports readers from the strife of personal and global wars to a "when" of promised peace.

God's Gift to Me: I Share with You—Book One by Doris Zarzycki
God's Gift to Me: I Share with You—Book Two by Doris Zarzycki 
The poems in both books elicit words of wisdom that help readers make sense of the world during some of its most trying times. These books help readers discover the good in themselves and be able to survive and thrive in the world.

Meta-tations: A Book of Mental Meanderings by Dr. Jerry L. Curtis. This poet shares reflections about art, the earth, love, and humor, and other themes that are carried through the poetry. 

Poems of the Spirit: In God's Hands by Shirley Barnett. This collection of poems focuses on various aspects of life. Readers do not have to be of any particular religion to appreciate these works since these poems speak to the spirit of its readers. The messages in the poems will help readers get through the challenges of daily life. 

Selling Memories: Tales for my Grandchildren When They Grow Up by Rita Gitik. Every tale and poem will touch the hearts and souls of many grandchildren who may think their grandmothers do not understand their many experiences with life. 

Simply: A Collection of Poetry by Jessyca Mathews. This variety of poetry appeals to the "children in an adult," reflecting on special memories readers will hold dear. This work won the 2013 MANA Passion for Poetry Poet contest.

Sweet Ache by Elesia K. Powell. This collection of poems reflects a combination of Jamaican and American heritage. The subject matter of the poems vary, from the love of a mother for her child to the love of a woman for a man. The poems reflect the raw honesty of the heart. This work won the 2014 MANA Passion for Poetry Poet contest.

Are You Ready to Publish Your Poetry or Prose?

Do you have a collection of poetry or prose that you would like to have published? Then, check out MANA's May Spring Publishing Offers. Go HERE to our blog post to find out more information about the offers. 

Asian American Women Poets Featured In MANA's Podcast For Women's History Month

In recognition of Women's History Month, MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) presents the works of Asian American women poets. 

This segment features:

"Love" by Tina Chang, a professor, editor, and public speaker. In 2010, she was named Poet Laureate of Brooklyn. Chang currently works as director of creative writing at Binghampton University, her alma mater.

"My Own Private Patriarchy" by Jennifer Chang, an assistant professor of English and Creative Writing at George Washington University. 

"Triple Sonnet for Black Hair" by Dorothy Chan, an assistant professor of Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and serves as the poetry editor of Hobart. Chan received the 2019 Phillip Freund Prize in Creative Writing from Cornell University. 

"Choi Jeong Min" by Franny Choi, a social activist and news editor for Hyphen Magazine, a nonprofit Asian culture publication. 

Enjoy these works read by MANA's DR C: