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Maggie Goes On A Diet:

This book is about a 14 year old girl who goes on a diet and is transformed from being extremely overweight and insecure to a normal sized girl who becomes the school soccer star. Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self image.

This new release creates controvery with the word Diet. Will it lead to eating disorders, or help children understand the value of eating a healthy diet and exercising? While I haven't read the book, my first impression is that parts leave good messages; eating healthy, exercise. Another message, however, leaves me cold. In order to be popular and keep friends from bullying you, get thin and participate in team sports. The fact that Maggie loses weight and plays soccer is good, but this shouldn't be the only way to have friends. I'm also troubled that, apparently, the bullies have no accountability for their hurtful actions.

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be: By LaNiyah Bailey

The Heat of the Moment
Benefits 2007 San Diego Fire Survivors

Laurel, MD–December 1, 2007 — FIRE! You see it on the news, on the Internet, in the papers, but if it doesn't strike close to home it's easy to ignore. When a small fire in Karen Syed's Maryland apartment complex brought neighbors out, Karen got proactive. With one e-mail sent to 21 authors, The Heat of the Moment was developed. Each of the authors, the youngest being sixteen years old, involved in this remarkable collection of short stories has made a pledge. Contributors, authors, editors, and artist, have all committed their royalties to benefit the survivors of the San Diego fires of 2007.

After speaking with Marty Leavitt, President of the The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC), Echelon Press pledged to send all proceeds from the sale of The Heat of the Moment to the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County. "It is important to us that these people who have lost everything know they don't have to do this alone. We may be strangers, but we care," states Ms. Syed. The goal of "The Heat of the Moment" is to put money directly into the community of San Diego, and those who lost so much. With no direct link to San Diego, Ms. Syed had to make a difficult decision as to who would benefit from the publication of The Heat of the Moment. With thousands of homes destroyed in the 2007 San Diego fires, and dozens of injuries, the loss is impossible to measure. This fact alone spurred Karen Syed, president of Echelon Press, LLC, to take a step to do something. "This organization (FSCSDC) represents everything that we would like to accomplish with this project," states Syed.

The Heat of the Moment is a compilation of twenty short stories with one common theme—fire. From fantasies to tributes remembering historical catastrophes, chilling and moving, the stories will tap human emotions with their overwhelming credit to survival.

The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC) was formed in 1997 and is comprised of a 15-member Board of Directors (voting members). The Board consists of federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders as determined by the (FSCSDC). The (FSCSDC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is incorporated under the California Franchise Tax Board. The (FSCSDC) is a member of the California Fire Safe Council, a non-profit corporation, and is authorized to use the name "Fire Safe Council" and the FSC logo. All (FSCSDC) Council members have common goals of fire safety education and pre-fire management, attend meetings, and participate in SDCFSC programs and activities.

Echelon Press, LLC, is an independent publishing house based in Laurel, MD. With ninety authors in their three divisions, Echelon Press has spent nearly seven years cultivating a stable of authors ranging from beginners to national award winners. Echelon authors are located across America as well as in New Zealand, Australia, Israel, and Canada.

A listing of all parties contributing to The Heat of the Moment is available upon request. The list includes story titles and author locations.

For review copies, requests for interviews, and author events, please contact Karen L. Syed at [email protected].

My guest author today is Heather Ingemar

Heather S. Ingemar has loved to play with words since she was little, and it wasn’t long until she started writing her own stories. A musician since the age of five (piano, saxophone, violin, pennywhistle and Irish flute), she completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in December of 2006. She and her husband reside on the family cattle ranch, where she takes great delight in thinking up new stories to tell.

Mary: Welcome, Heather. Your latest story, A Slip of Wormwood, has a very intriguing title. Would you tell us a little about it?

Heather: Thank you, Mary, for having me here! "A Slip of Wormwood" is a dark little tale about what happens when sibling rivalries go too far. Dr. Edgar -- he's "Frog" -- has recently lost his brother, Hamilton -- "Toad" -- and is now in charge of taking care of the family estate. Through the course of the story, we find out that Toad was the family favorite and that Frog had terrible jealousy issues, to put it mildly. "Wormwood" details the brothers' relationship, and things quickly become not as they appear. I had a lot of fun writing "Wormwood." It's a delightfully twisted little tale; I think it's my best work yet.
Mary: Sounds very reptilian and the storyline sounds fascinating, Heather. In Darkness Cornered, two of your characters are a mad scientist, and a vampire named King Lear. Where did you come up with the story and the characters?
Heather: I don't know. They just came to me, as most of my stories do.

Mary: Your imagination must be as active as mine! What do you think is your most successful marketing tool? Do you find it more difficult to market e-books?

Heather: I think my most successful marketing tool has been my website. For authors, having a website is crucial in this day of internet searching for information. If a reader can't find you on the web, they immediately think you aren't worth reading, or that you're a small-time fish. Yes, having a website is very important for marketing. As for marketing ebooks, yes it's difficult, well, at least in my area. I live in an area where few people have even heard of ebooks. Many of them who have are very suspicious about them. They're leery. That makes it difficult to market face-to face, because you see in their eyes that they're doubting every word that comes out of your mouth. They may be excited to meet a published person, but they are also more likely to discredit you, write you off because you aren't in print. It makes it hard. In the online community, however, marketing is wonderfully easy! There, people know about ebooks, they like technology. It's a much easier sell online.

Heather Ingemar's website

A Slip of Wormwood is available through Echelon Press, LLC or Fictionwise

5. Libraries. When was the last time you actually visited a library as an author? Have you ever? This is something you had really better think about. I spend a lot of time in my library. I check out books to read. Books on marketing, books on publicity, books on how to writer better. You should be too. You can NEVER learn too much in this industry, in fact in any industry. New information comes out on a daily basis, so make sure you are keeping up with it.

I check out CD's and audio books on motivation, self-improvement, and sales strategies. Yes, you should be checking these things out as well. This may sound goofy, but one of the best motivational CD's I have listened to (and I have a set of the disks that I keep in my car at all times) is More than a Pink Cadillac

I also check out DVD's, but that is for my sanity and nothing else.

How does this all relate to marketing your books? Well, I'll tell you. All of the things I previously mentioned are about improving your professional demeanor and that is crucial in regard to how people see you and react to you. If you are not professional, no one will take you seriously.

Now, try and stay with me. When you check out all these books on self-improvement and writing, you are not only improving your personal quality, you are piquing the interest of the librarians who check you out. This is your chance to make small talk. They might ask a simple question, "Do you write?" BAMM! That is your in. You whip out that bookmark or business card and hand it to them. If you are outgoing you ramble on about your book while they finish their task. If you are shy, you simply hand it to them, smile, and let them lead the conversation. Don’t EVER leave home without promo materials on your person. And never leave the library without either handing something to someone or leaving something on the tables.

People generally go to the library to get books, so if you drop a bookmark on a table by someone, their natural instinct for curiosity will force them to pick it up. No conversation required. Take a small stack of the same bookmarks and ask to leave them on the information desk. Not a wad, maybe 25, or so, then each week, go back and ask to replenish. I doubt any library will tell you no.

Want to take that promotion a step further? All libraries have card catalogs, whether the old-fashioned ones or computers. Next to them are little boxes with scraps of paper. This is a little more time consuming, but could be very effective. You get a little rubber stamp from Vista Print, or a good color printer and you design a sheet that has 4 or six sections. You either stamp your book title with ISBN and web address or print it directly with a small shot of your cover. You use one ream of paper 500 sheets and you have at least 2000 scrap sheets to offer the library for people to make their notes on. This saves them money and you get to promote for little money. You can save money by not putting your cover on, just text, so you only use black ink. The hardest part of this is cutting the squares, but they don't have to be perfect, so it's not a big deal.

Get to know what your library is offering in the line of programs. Did you know that most libraries, even the small ones, will pay for entertaining and fun programs? Don't feel like you need to focus on the technique of writing. It might actually be better to focus on the readers. Give them something fun. Is your main character a gardener? Give a talk on gardening. Travel? Use the information in your story to build a fun program. Maybe you are into genealogy, mix that in with research, maybe researching your family history inspired you to write a historical novel.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. Be creative, your career depends on it!

When you put together a proposal to your library, give them choices. Offer two fun and personal ideas focused for readers and then two programs for writers teaching. This gives the library the option to choose what they think will work the best for them. If you are new to speaking, set a price and keep it low. This will help you build a reputation. As you do more programs, you increase your fee. In the beginning, simply state your fee as negotiable and let them tell you what they will pay. This might actually get you more money than your set price. If they don't have a set price, then you tell them your fee.

The most important thing is to make friends with your librarians. They are the backbone of the reader industry. It is through libraries that readers find new authors. Often someone will find a new author they enjoy so much that when future books come out, they will not want to wait and will go to the stores to purchase the books. Nothing good comes fast or easy, we have to work for it. Is it really a bad thing to make friends while working? I think not!

Librarians actually LIKE to tell people about new books, they are committed to the industry. Much more so than a fresh out of high school kid looking for an easy paycheck and a good discount in a store. Don't get me wrong, I love bookstores, but let's face it, the quality of customer service is far higher in a library than a store, it's all about commitment.

How committed to the success of your book are you? You've got to SELL BOOKS to succeed as an author.

I went to "The Write Stuff" conference and I give it a 10! This is a committed group of writers who know their stuff. I had about 10 editor interviews set with writers and ended up talking to about 22 writers. There were a few I could not help, but it did not lessen my excitement over their enthusiasm for what they are striving to accomplish.

I will say, the professionalism was at a peak as well. The writers were emotionally/mentally prepared for what they had to do (appointments) and they were physically presentable (those who know me know how important presentation is to me) and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.

I talked with writers about stories, and marketing, and books, and the business and it was wonderfully refreshing. I think the best part of the conference was the level of understanding these writers have for what it is really like in the business. They know it is going to be difficult and they are preparing themselves for the journey instead of looking for shortcuts.

One thing I would like to suggest to anyone out there who is working their way into the business is, take what we (editors and agents) with a grain of salt and analyze it for your own benefit. I said a lot of things on the editor panel on Saturday and not all of it will work for everyone in the room. I am confident that they will use what they can and share the rest with others who might make use of it.

This isn't a surefire industry. Much of the success is based on the mood of the person on the receiving end. What is an editor? A human being with feelings and a life. Editors have bad days and that will ultimately affect the determination of immediate success in any give situation where manuscript submission and consideration is concerned. It's not personal, and if it ends up that way, you don't want to work with that person anyway.

Every step of your journey is based on your own internal desires and needs, so each decision you make must be of your own determination an din your own best interest.

For me, "The Write Stuff" conference was a wonderful stop on my journey to success. I know that as an editor/publisher I am stronger because of the experience and I encourage each of you in the industry to take things kinds of stops in your journey and celebrate the potential success they provide.

Congrats to the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group for a job WELL done!

At last night's welcome reception I had the honor of sitting with a group of writers who were so eager to gather information on being "successful" authors that they seemed to be hanging on my every word. Now this is not meant to be a stroke for my ego, but a public acknowledgment for their commitment. We chatted casually for a brief moment when we all first sat down, and then the grilling began. I only remember some of the names, several others came and went, but Jacquelyn, Mitzi, Patricia, and Mark Twain look-a-like Charles stuck it out for the duration.

The questions they asked were bright, intriguing, and heartwarming for me. These writers wanted to know what THEY could do to increase their chances at success. Not one of them asked what I would do FOR them. I feel bad because I never got around to telling them what I WOULD do for them. They actually sat at this cocktail party taking notes. It was INCREDIBLE. The enthusiasm to gather information was so cool!

More and more I am finding those authors who don't want to be authors, at least not in the professional sense. They simply want to be published. They say they want to make a career of it, yet they never even move toward the second or third books. Being published is great, but unless you have the stamina to go the entire distance, think twice before signing a deal with a publisher, especially a small or Indy publisher. Bottom line: we have limited budgets and when we invest a lot of money in an author who doesn't have long term plans or even short term plans to make a serious effort to sell books, you are cheating the publishing house, it's other authors, and the readers. How do you think a reader feels about you and your publisher when they read a book by you, love it, and then never see another book by you. It's a betrayal of their loyalty to you. Think about that.

Getting back to "The Write Stuff" conference. If last night is any indication, I think today (Saturday) will be well worth the time I spent to get here. The volunteers and coordinators have been wonderful, to the point of getting me a convenient room to accommodate my injured status. They have really gone the extra mile to make me feel welcome and comfortable. A public thanks to them!

So if you are in the PA area and are looking for a group, you might want to check them out. Could be a great step for you and your career as an authors.

The GLVA website is http://www.glvwg.org/

People are funny...at least most of them think so. Today is April Fool's Day and in honor of all the practical jokes and lies that will be inflicted today, we want you to give us your best humorous story. The only "rule" is that the catalyst for the story must be a lie or practical joke. It can't be that hard, after all you are a brilliant writer who will be paid ONE MILLION DOLLARS if you win...aren't you? Remember, Echelon is all about escaping, so think outside the box and give readers the readers what they want.

Every author at every level should be committed to keeping their name in front of readers. Are you looking for your first publishing credit? Are you between books? Looking for a way to revive characters from books that have been out for a while? Want to introduce new characters for upcoming books? Looking for a way to build your readership? Have we got a promotional opportunity for you!

Echelon Press would like to publish your "Fast and Foolish" April story. The fast part means you have until April 12, 2007 to submit your story of 3000-6000 words. The winner will be notified by April 14, 2007 and have 5 days to edit/revise the story. Echelon Press will publish your story in its e-book division on April 19, 2007. Simple!

Send your submissions as a Word (doc) attachment to [email protected]. Your professional cover letter should be in the body of an e-mail. Cover letters that do not adhere to professional standards will disqualify the submission from further consideration. All submissions must include an active author/writer website to be considered. This is your most valuable source of marketing and is a requirement for consideration.

Submissions must adhere to the following guidelines.

Standard Manuscript format

• File saved in Word format (.doc) or (.rtf)
• 8 ½ x 11 page
• Times New Roman 12pt font/black
• 1-inch margin on all sides/ 1.5 line spacing
• Align text left, do not justify (aligning text both left and right)
• Header containing title, author name and page number
• Capital letters at the beginning of sentences and proper nouns
• Show new paragraphs by indenting first line of new paragraph .3. Do not add blank line between paragraphs.
• Show scene breaks with * * * * centered in the appropriate line.

All cover letters must include

• Name (and pseudonym if applicable)
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• E-mail address (if available)
• Web address (if available)

*Winners under 18 years of age must show parent's permission prior to contract.

Previous Winners:

March 2007 -- Janelle Dakota -- Hear the Wind Blow (Fanciful)
February 2007 -- Yvonne Walus -- Small Price to Pay (Frisky)
January 2007 -- Elysabeth Eldering -- The Tulip Kiss (Frigid)
December 2006 -- Dan Strohschien -- The Naughty List (Festive)
November 2006 -- Jamie Summers -- A True Friend (Fatal)
October 2006 -- C.A. Verstraete -- The Witch Tree (Freaky)

Please note that contests posts are made on Echelon Press' website on the designated dates. To get the announcements in a timely manner, please visit www.echelonpress.com/fast.htm

I have been reading for longer than I can remember. I will read anything...books, papers, shampoo bottles...do you know how much information is actually on the plastic around new toilet paper? Oy!

At any rate, there was a time when I would just pick something up and read. I think we've all been there. I know a few people who still are. They will literally read whatever they pick up first. I have become much more selective. Perhaps it is maturity...hmmm...naaah! I think it is acquired taste.

I can't really pinpoint what makes me pick something, mostly if it sounds interesting. My question to you is, what makes you pick certain books? What are the criteria for selecting the next book that will take up hours of your life? Is it interest? Price?

I'd really like to know.

Karen Syed

Every author at every level should be committed to keeping their name in front of readers. Are you looking for your first publishing credit? Are you between books? Looking for a way to revive characters from books that have been out for a while? Want to introduce new characters for upcoming books? Looking for a way to build your readership? Have we got a promotional opportunity for you!

Echelon Press would like to publish your "Fast and Fanciful" March story. The fast part means you have until March 6, 2007 to submit your story of 3000-6000 words. The winner will be notified by March7, 2007 and have 5 days to edit/revise the story. Echelon Press will publish your story in its e-book division on March 14, 2007. Simple!

Send your submissions as a Word (doc) attachment to [email protected]. Your cover letter should be in the body of an e-mail. Cover letters that do not adhere to professional standards will disqualify the submission from further consideration.

Our only real request is that magic and other flights of fancy be the catalyst for your story! You pick the genre. Stories must adhere to the following guidelines.

Standard Manuscript format:
File saved in Word format (.doc) or (.rtf)
8 ½ x 11 page
Times New Roman 12pt font/black
1-inch margin on all sides/ 1.5 line spacing
Align text left, do not justify (aligning text both left and right)
Header containing title, author name, and page number
Capital letters at the beginning of sentences and proper nouns
Show new paragraphs by indenting first line of new paragraph .3. Do not add blank line between paragraphs.
Show scene breaks with * * * * centered in the appropriate line.

All cover letters must include:
Name (and pseudonym if applicable)
Mailing address
Phone number
E-mail address (if available)
Web address (if available)

I spend a couple hours a day surfing the Internet looking for articles, opportunities, and information on the book and publishing industry. I find articles on marketing, promotions, events, etc. It's all great to know and I love the learning, but I can't help but wonder why there aren't more pieces on the actual reason we write for the public.

The industry organizations focus on style, technique, and skill. Those things are crucial to what we do and our potential for success, but recently I have found that there is something dramatically missing from what aspiring authors are being taught. It's about entertainment. That's right, you heard me. We write books to entertain readers. Did you forget that? Our goal should be to make readers feel something…to laugh, to cry, to shiver in eerie expectancy.

I have read several books lately that, while technically sound, they did not even remotely entertain me. The authors' overall performances were stale and one-dimensional.

Look at it from the angle of someone watching a movie. We go to the theater or rent DVD's because we thrive on the multi-dimensional aspects of the film. We cringe at the sound of a bone crunching punch. We sigh in anticipation along with lovers on the brink of embracing passionately. We escape into the action for that amount of time.

It should be the same with books. Readers pick up novels looking for something different, a diversion. Why isn't that as important to writers as it used to be?

Next time you sit down to write, consider this: You are an acting troupe. You are the writer, the director, and the actors. Put yourself into this setting and utilize the skills and demands of each role to increase the impact and presentation of your work.

As the writer, make certain your words are skillfully presented. Hone your grammatical and technical skills to perfection and you will eliminate the potential for distraction.

As the director, consider each and every action and ensure the proper level of reaction. Take extra care to ensure that everything happens for a reason and be the guiding hand in leading your actors through their performances.

As the actors, and this is most important, immerse yourself into each character's role. Be the character as you write. Play the scenes over and over in your mind, rehearsing them until you are living them. Then, and only then will you present your audience with a stellar and Oscar worthy performance.

One thing you must always remember is that you are writing for the reader. They are your audience and if you desire them to offer their loyalty and money to you on future performances, you must always cater to them. For, without readers, you have no job as an author.

For February, we want to experience the ecstasy of relationships through your words. Send us your romantic short...but it's not just about romance. We want frisky romance that's fun and flirtatious!

Every author at every level should be committed to keeping their name in front of readers. Are you between books? Looking for a way to revive characters from books that have been out for a while? Want to introduce new characters for upcoming books? Looking for a way to build your readership? Have we got a promotional opportunity for you!

Echelon Press would like to publish your "Fast and Frisky" February story. The fast part means you have until February 1, 2007 to submit your story of 3000-6000 words. The winner will be notified by February 2, 2007 and have 5 days to edit/revise the story. Echelon Press will publish your story in its e-book division on February 12, 2007. Simple!

Send your submissions as a Word (doc) attachment to [email protected]. Your cover letter should be in the body of an e-mail. Cover letters that do not adhere to professional standards will disqualify the submission from further consideration.

Our only real request is that romantic flirtation be the catalyst for your story! Stories must adhere to the following guidelines.

Standard Manuscript format:
File saved in Word format (.doc) or (.rtf)
8 ½ x 11 page
Times New Roman 12pt font/black
1-inch margin on all sides/ 1.5 line spacing
Align text left, do not justify (aligning text both left and right)
Header containing title, author name and page number
Capital letters at the beginning of sentences and proper nouns
Show new paragraphs by indenting first line of new paragraph .3. Do not add blank line between paragraphs.
Show scene breaks with * * * * centered in the appropriate line.

All cover letters must include:
Name (and pseudonym if applicable)
Mailing address
Phone number
E-mail address (if available)
Web address (if available)

It is the day before Christmas Eve and I am pleased to announce the newest addition to Echelon Press (Team Echelon). It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Dan Strohschein as the winner of the Fast & Festive Fiction Writing Contest.

Dan's winning entry was quite the twisted tale of holiday festivities, and I know that you'll love it when you read it. All I can say is, you better be good or you, too, could end up on The Naughty List.

I also want to take this time to thank all of you for making this Blog worthwhile. Without you taking the time to view, read, and comment, I'd just be talking to myself. Not that I am opposed to this, I do it all the time. Well, not all the time, but sometimes. Anyway...

I want to wish each of you the very happiest of ho ho holidays. And for what it's worth, I know that each of you will find great success in the coming year, as you've already made the commitment to learn the industry and hone your skills. I'm very proud of each of you.


Happy Holidays,
Karen Syed

The cover art for a book is probaby the second most important aspect of a book. With no doubt the story is the only thing more important. Some will argue that the editing...I'd place it third. Okay, enough rambling.

When a publisher begins the process of putting together a cover image, it should take many things into consideration. How does the cover work visually? Are the colors too extreme for the genre? Will readers enjoy the overall feel of the artwork? It's a crap shoot.

I've been in this business a long time and I've seen some dreadful covers. Some that were regency period with colonial images and costume. Historicals with contemporary costumes. etc. I"ve seen books with flowers and there isnothing flowery about them.

As an author published by small presses I have had some input in my own covers. Few of them worked. I know. I have learned alot. As an Indy pub I look to the big houses for osme things, but normally the artist and I go with our gut. We are both readers and we know what we like.

We take the author's views into consideration, and we develop. We have had some winners, but only a few losers. I think the key is to see what is out there already (big houses pay big dollars and do research) we learn from them.

Without a striking cover to draw in the reader, the words are of little use. As a business we need those sales, and in order to make those sales happen we have to give the reader a jumping point. That is the cover. As a former bookseller, I have seen covers break a sale and some make the sale.

What do you want to see in the covers of books you read? And what do you think of Echelon's covers?

How would you describe your mental health? As an underworked author and an overworked publisher, I would say my mental health is sketchy at best. LOL I find myself scouring other author's web sites to see what they are doing and what I might mimic to propel myself to the top of ANY best seller list. I scour other publisher's sites to do the same. I am always looking for some germ of a clue to the "big secret." Who am I kidding?

My mother used to tell me that there would come a day when I realized I did NOT know everything. Thanks, Mom. (note the sarcastic tilt of my font) You were so right. Hope your happy. LOL

Well, I may not know everything, but I am sure as shootin' willin' to try. I have taken a new approach to my hours of scouring. I am no longer looking for ways to mimic, I do still sour, but I constantly remind myself that it is all part of my education. What does this have to do with mental stability? Oh, plenty!

I talk to so many authors and the majority of them are seriously seeking the quick fix to fame and fortune with their book(s). Come on people, there are no quick fixes. It's a lot of hard work and grueling hours of research, both for the material you write and for the business you strive to be an active participant in. Nothing is easy. Was it easy when you first learned to walk? Heck no. Like the rest of us, you probably fell down a lot. Riding a bike? Roller skating? Dating? Don't even get me started. We had to go through hours of grueling activities to become even remotely good at these and so many other things.

So why would you torture yourself with the myth that writing is easy and that just because you write a book, and a few people say it's a good read, that you will become an instant success and wildly rich. Let's ask Nora Roberts how long it took her to reach her level of comfort within the industry. Or even the wildly popular Christopher Paolini who fought his way in kicking and selling. No one did it for him, he worked his young little butt off and probably spent more than one night wishing he was old enough to drink. But he had an awesome support system and he had DETERMINATION!

Back to mental health. It is crucial to your success. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is easy and that it will be all fun. The more you want, the harder you must work. The more you succeed, the more people will talk about you, and it won't always be nice. But I can tell you that there is no greater joy than to look within yourself and find satisfaction and to know that you have done your very best.

Do whatever is necessary to keep your mind at peace, your body in good shape, and your entire being in balance. Meditate (it really isn't all that freaky), exercise, and eat healthy. It is the best defense against mental instability. I never thought I would say this, but my most productive days are begun with a 30 minute workout at Curves, a small, but healthy breakfast, and some quiet reflection on what I will accomplish during the rest of the day.

Do you have any special routines or rituals that you do faithfully to ensure you stay happy and healthy? What role does this play in your writing?

As an active participant in the book industry for nearly twenty years, I have made it my business to try and give as much as I get. I have attended meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. in an effort to soak up as much information as I can on how to succeed in spite of the ever shrinking and overpopulated industry.

With this in mind, I would like to offer what I have learned to you. Now, there has been so much education for me that I wouldn't know where to begin. So why don't we make this about you!

Let me be clear on one thing, I am not offering to do it for you, I am offering to supplement your education with what I know.

Ask me your questions. I don't want to do your research for you, but I do want to help lead you in the right direction and I will answer your questions to the best of my abilities. If I don't know something, we can learn it together.

Every day I learn something new and I look forward to continuing my education with you.

What do we talk about first?