To sell books, it is imperative that one learn online marketing skills. Now this is one of those things that most people haven't a clue of how it works. In fact, they are intimidated and fearful of even trying. But in today's social networking world, online marketing is an absolute must. It's no longer enough to twitter, facebook, or google to your friends. You must do what the professionals do and grow a list of unrelated subscribers, not just a few close friends and family. Publishers expect authors to have these skills built in to their marketing plans. You must be able to show them you can sell your book and not fall back on the idea that your book can sell itself. That's simply not going to happen unless you take the steps needed in order to learn how to do online marketing. 

Yes, for some of you, this is a huge learning curb, but it isn't impossible. In all my Internet wanderings, I have come across most of the work at home 'get rich quick' schemes. I thought I had to learn SEO, which can be very daunting. So I purchased an online service, but found it to be too technical and I quickly let it go. However, I learned just enough to be dangerous. I kept looking and finally I found a FREE online program that is super simple and easy to do. I'm going to share this with you here, but first I want to tell you that I've already learned a great deal that will help me market my book, Date, Pray, Wait. I haven't even completed the whole course yet, which is set up in 10 easy lessons. In fact, I was already familiar with some of the techniques and was able to breeze through some of them. Of course, I made myself slow down so I wouldn't miss anything. 

What's great about this system is: (1) it's FREE, (2) it really works, and (3) you can make money doing it without investing any of your own. I have to tell you I'm really looking forward to that, and I will definitely be keeping you all posted on my progress. Today I learned about how to send out press releases nationwide. Now tell me, do you think that will help you market your book? You bet it will!  I can't wait to learn more about this new awesome system that will give you FREE online training in The 90 Day Online Income Challenge. Even if I don't make a dime, I will still benefit from the knowledge this system has to offer. You can take it in short snippets, 30 minutes a day or more. It's not hard. 

My sponsor is JIm, a 70 year old man who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I can call him anytime I need anything.  Now if he can learn this, anybody can.  And the really nice thing about this, Jim is being so honest with me. He said he just started in this system himself, but once he took the first steps, he started to make money within the first week.  Okay, I'm just starting this myself and I've only done one thing, so my results are yet to be seen. Anyway, if you're interested, visit the site at: http://www.100commiss.com and in the meantime, I'll keep you all posted. Wish me luck.

Success rarely happens over night. Most of us pursue our dreams while working a regular 9 to 5 and anxiously awaiting the day we can make the job we really want our career. Not a day goes by that I don't think about what life would be like as a full-time author. I've had fantasies about taking a leap of faith, quitting my job and pursing my passion full- time. Then, I realize that my mortgage is due the same time next month and reality sets in. I'm allergic to excessive poverty, homelessness, and hunger. I don't make enough as author to support myself...YET. Now don't misunderstand me, I actually enjoy my job, but I know I would enjoy spending my days writing and motivating others as I travel the globe promoting my books more. During this season in my life, I'm doing what some might call paying my dues. I'm working hard to lay a foundation for the future I want to have.

I liken this to building a house. Every house must have a foundation that will support the pieces of the house itself, the activities that will go on inside it and the people who will live in it. Without a solid foundation, the entire house will crumble and all the work that went into it will instantly become a waste of time. So, if you're working hard pursuing your passion but you haven't advanced to the level you would like, be encouraged. There are millions of people in the world just like you and with your continued hard work, a well-developed plan and faith, your dreams will come true. It's easy to get frustrated, begin to complain that things aren't moving fast enough and give up. But always remember this one thing, you are guaranteed to miss 100% of the shots you never take. Paying your dues can sometimes get emotionally, mentally and physically expensive but that's where strength, prayer and good old fashion determination come in handy. When you make it to where you want to be the cost will be well worth it. The key to successfully paying your dues without going broke is to:

(1) Set realistic goals. This will help maintain your sanity and your self-esteem. You will only frustrate and burn yourself out by trying to obtain the unobtainable. 

(2) Never lose sight of your goals. Work each day with a successful ending in mind.

(3) Make sure the activities you are doing are helping you to progress towards your goal. Going the distance in the wrong direction just takes you further away from the finish line.

(4) Never let the desire to succeed die. Some people call it staying hungry! Treat each goal reaching task as your prey and devour it as if you haven't eaten in days. Keep going even on the days you don't feel like it.   

The great poet Langston Hughes once asked the question, "What happens to a dream deferred?"

Well, Mr. Hughes, I don't know and I don't have any intention of finding out. I'm going to make my dreams come true.

On a side note--- If I say something to encourage or bless your spirit please share my musings of life with others. I can't get to where I'm trying to go if no one knows about me. Spread the word! Thank you to all my readers and supporters.

Be Blessed & Be Inspired!  

This blog was contributed by Jae Henderson, author of Somday and Somday Too!  Jae is also the Author and Founder of I'm A Good Woman. 

Fox Home Entertainment has released "LOVE’S EVERLASTING COURAGE" on DVD and recently approached me about showing a preview to my Christian writers group. Several of us stayed to watch the preview this past Saturday and loved it.  The movie is based upon a novel written by bestselling author, Janette Oke. The story carries strong themes of selfless devotion in marriage, the indomitable nature of a father’s love, and water as a symbol of life and grace. LOVE’S EVERLASTING COURAGE is an inspiring film for the whole family to enjoy.  I can see this movie being shown on the Hallmark channel soon. 

Here are a couple of reviews:

A very moving and inspiring story of perseverance and hope. Reminded me a lot of those "Little House on the Prairie" days with wholesome values, strong character, and morality all rolled into one great and well-made movie. The acting was superb, the wisdom shared from father to son unforgettable, and the message easily received. Well done!  - Londa Hayden

This movie was very well made and well put together. Each character portrayed their parts well and the actors gave a quality performance - very believable. The central message was clear and powerful. There was plenty of depth, drama, and a light touch of humor. The setting was beautiful and appropriate. The camera work was well done, too. I give it a two-thumbs up.
                                       -Terry Hatfield

For an excellent family movie night, be sure and pick up a copy of LOVE'S EVERLASTING COURAGE.   Available now on DVD at Walmart and on Amazon.com for $15.96.

Storycub.org is the newest concept in marketing picture books to kids and parents by introducing the book with new technology.  StoryCub is the e-learning digital media source that is dedicated to promoting quality picture books to parents and children around the world.  The mission is to get kids excited about reading by providing entertaining, multi-format video content that encourages the purchase of books and inspires learning.

This is the latest craze in promoting books to kids and parents. The website now has over one million visitors from all over the world.  Dave Swerdlick is the founder and managing partner.  This is an all in the family effort, which includes his children on the podcasts episodes. They love introducing new technology such as book apps for their listening audience.If you are a children's book author with a published book, then consider contact storycub for information about having your book reviewed and featured on the website and a podcast. This will help expand your platform and listening audience by leaps and bounds.     

"The vision is for an appointed time. Though it tarry, wait earnestly for it, for it will surely come."
(Habakkuk 2:3)

The world of publishing comes with a lot of rejection. The same as the entertainment industry. However, with each rejection I try or hope to take away something positive. Even though I am very disappointed again, it has gotten a little easier to take the rejection with a spoon full of sugar as in the words of Mary Poppins. Writing is hard work and a constant learning experience. One of my greatest challenges as a debut author is the fact that I do not have much in the way of platform. I have special interests and pet projects, but nothing in the way of what a publisher is looking for necessarily. It is frustrating to see famous movie stars and Broadway actors hit the market with bestsellers right off the bat. Granted, they've worked hard to get to where they are too, and they have that desired platform to offer a publisher. This is why publishers seek them out and approach them about book projects instead of the other way around, must be nice.

I love Julie Andrews just as much as the next person and her new book series is enchanting and I've no doubt—spit spot—charming. I understand that publishers are struggling with getting books sold in the thousands so they can keep their jobs and justify their existence. But the truth is, if I had come up with concept and idea of this kind of series, no matter how great it is, it most likely would have never been considered for publication by a traditional publisher and simply because of my lack of platform.

 An agent once told me that editors in today's industry do not do near the work that once was expected of them in the past. She said that editors have gotten lazy because the level of expectation has dropped considerably. Nowadays most of the work that an editor used to do for an author is expected to already be done by the author themselves before they even begin the submissions process. There is no more grooming time for talented debut authors. You have to be spot on or your not on at all. This is discouraging a lot of great writers to give up on traditional publishing all together and go into independent publishing on their own. 

Indie publishing was once considered the big taboo, but not so anymore. Yet even at that, many authors tend to get lazy; they don't have their work edited properly to insure a quality book. After all, it's just easier to take the cheap way out, right? Not! Every bit of time and money spent to better hone one's skills as a writer and to get their work properly edited will pay off in the end. It is always good to remember that if you do choose to self-publish, a traditional publisher might see your work at that point and decide to offer you a contract. If you are one of those lucky authors, then you will want to have put your best foot forward in the first place. Making the investment of time and money into putting out your best work will give any author a true advantage. Come along now—spit spot!

Lately, I've been very enthusiastic with learning about growing grapes and the process. My intent is not to start a winery, however that's a nice thought. I want to experience the satisfaction of growing something delicious and healthy. To do this, I will have to self-educate myself on the whole growing season, learn how to fertilize just the right amount at the right time, prune and trellis the vines, etc. There's a lot more to grapes than one would think. 

And of course the obvious question is what does growing a grapevine have to do with writing? Surprisingly, after thinking about it, growing anything is lot like writing. The whole process requires careful attention to detail and self-education, honing the craft is like pruning the vines, trellising the vines is like expanding your platform. Learning the perfect time to harvest your bounty is like timing a book release and scheduling book signings. And what will you do with all that jam and jelly or fresh grape juice? Depending on the abundance of your crop, will help you determine if you will have enough to sell at a farmers market or give away to family and friends. These are the same skills one will need to determine a target audience to market your book. 

Learning how to grow a garden or anything offers benefits all the way around for body, soul, and spirit. I am reminded of the Bible verse in John 15:5  " ... I am the vine and you are the branches ... " Staying with the process will produce much fruit. If you abandon the garden or your writing, it will be left to ruin with weeds, get overtaken by pests, and die for lack of water. What a shame to see all that hard work go to waste and be of no benefit to anyone. 

Here's the thing, patience is a must. The grapevines I purchased are already two years old, but even at that, I am told it will take another two years before I can expect to see any fruit. This is going to require me to pay close attention to the vines year round, making sure they are properly fertilized at the right time, protected appropriately, watered, trellised, and not overexposed to too much sun, which is a vital concern here in the south. Even though the vines require full sun, they only really need five to six hours a day. Here in the south, the days can easily stretch ten to twelve hours with heat indexes in the triple digits. That's enough to fry eggs and bacon on the pavement. That's also like getting burned out as a writer who's been slaving over a manuscript for years, editing, revising, and sending it out only to receive one rejection after another.  Sometimes, you just need to put a shade over it - stuff it in a drawer - and allow it sit there for a few days.  Eventually, a new day will come and when it does your manuscript will start to bud forth with new fruit and fresh perspective. 

Proverbs 11:2 “ ... with humility comes wisdom.”

We are given humbling experiences to hone our character much like we hone our skills as a writer. Some of us are born into humble circumstances to help us become better human beings. Those of us who are given a higher quality of life or are blessed with things: houses, cars, and all the things money can buy, must be humbled in other ways. Some of these ways may include addictions to drugs, gambling, alcohol or the like. These are like thorns in our sides, our weaknesses that follow us through life. They are used to hone the ways of humility into our personal character. They are given to us as gifts in order to remind us that we need God. To call bad circumstances a gift of humility may seem a bit of a stretch or even ridiculous to some of you, but please hear me out.

We are not just physical beings here on earth, who wander aimlessly without purpose. We are very spiritual beings with a strong sense of spiritual need and understanding. These physical thorns serve to remind of us of how fragile we all really are. Even the strongest man can get sick with a fatal decease that will ultimately kill his body. Yet, our spirit lives on and, depending on what state that spirit is in by the time we leave this world, will determine our final fate or destination.

When one has a child who suffers with addiction, yet you, the parent, may not have this problem, the experience serves to hone the character of humility into your own life as well. The embarrassment of having a child or loved one arrested and/or incarcerated or placed in rehab forces one to come down from his or her own pedestal so-to-speak, to get a grip on the same reality that many people must face each day, and to remember that we are all only frail humans.

This is why many of us suffer. This is why even Christians must suffer. Because we are so full of ourselves – so vain glorious, selfish, and prideful that not even God Himself can get through to us otherwise. He uses suffering to get our attention. He allows bad things to happen to us in order for us to learn and grow and become better and stronger people. It's been said that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. This is much easier said than done, but it is also true when we allow ourselves to see humbling experiences in this way. Going through a rape, an unsolicited or unwarranted incident that brings harm to you or a loved one, makes having to forgive the perpetrator(s) difficult to say the least and for many may seem impossible. Yet, Christ forgave us and paid the price for our incarceration of sin when he went to the cross and died for the sins of the world. God forgave all of mankind for killing His Son when Jesus' blood, the blood of the Lamb of God, was shed on the cross once and for all.

With this understanding, one may come to see humility as a gift, in whatever form it may come. No matter how unwelcomed, unfounded, or undesirable it may be, humility is here for a purpose, to make us more like Christ: more loving, more compassionate, more caring, more self-sacrificing and giving.

Such individual experiences provide inspirational writings that may then serve to help those who may be going through similar situations. Oh dear writer, be open to the Holy Spirit and what He is working in your life today. Be not afraid to write or to be vulnerable in sharing your personal experiences. They were given to you for such a time as this, for those who struggle to live today. 

What humbling experiences can you share with others today?