Two Self-Help Publishers You Can Count On
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

Last week I promised two self-help publishers you can count on.  They give good results and people I know who've used their services swear by them.  They won't leave you crying in your milk or beer and they won't break your bank.

Lulu - just put in www.lulu.com and get full particulars.

BookSurge.  This is Amazon's baby.  They are big, but are well organized.

One other thing - look in your yellow pages under "Publishers" and you'll find small, personal publishers who will help you.  They'll design your covers, suggest editors, etc.  A good one is really valuable.  But take care, the woods are full of crooks who promise much and deliver practically nothing.

I hope this series has helped you.  I got more response on some than on others, but each topic is one you're going to have to know.

I wish you well.  Get started - now!

Love and blessings,

Francine

12:11 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Self Publishing
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

You feel what you have is good and you want to share it with the world.  Well, the road is steep and rocky.  You've sent your love to editors and they haven't bitten.  Yet something tells you that this is worth being read.  What to do?

Well, I'd say keep working on it, fine tuning it until you've done all you can, put it aside, and go back later and work some more.  At this point, I suggest going to a good editor who can be found in Writers' Digest or in your Yellow Pages.  College bulletin boards are excellent sources.  Prices vary widely, but editors can be found who are reasonable and good.

You've got your editor.  Now listen carefully and work with him or her.  If a little voice tells you this isn't working out, treat yourself to another one.  Good editors are worth every penny you pay for them, make your work easier, and bring you more sales and better reviews.

Now, consult your Writers' Market again and if your typing is only so-so, find a good typist.  Again with Writers' Market, note how a first-class manuscript is prepared and get it prepared according to those guidelines.

At this point, if you're really pleased,  you might want to try sending it to a couple more editors.  But your next step may be doing it yourself -- self publishing.  Which is not altogether what the name says because you'll need others.  Others are there to help you and next week I'll give you the names of a couple who won't break your bank, cheat you out of your morning grits, or otherwise fail you.

I have few names in this category, but they are worth their weight in gold because there are many publishers-for-pay who will have you crying for a year or so.  Again, with library help, you can find more on your own.

And you're on your way!  You're anxious, sure, but you couldn't feel better. Life itself is all about hope.

Love and blessings,

Francine

Next week:  Two self-help publishers you can count on.

12:15 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

More Writing for Profit
Current mood: artistic
Category: Blogging

Believe me, it's far easier to start in your locality, get used to dealing with editors, and get your bearings, then try to move on to bigger things.

Mull this over and think about some of the smaller markets that will net you more than peanuts and give you excellent background and credentials for doing higher level writing.

Here are a few:

l)  Your local newspaper.  After reading it carefully, taking notes and practicing on your own version of some of their stories, see if you can't think of things going on about your community.  I'm assuming you've studied your books on article writing or taken a course, so you know what you're doing.  Go in and talk to an editor or an assistant.  They're always helpful because you're a reader and they want to keep on your best side.  And they're hungry for stories.  Keep the stories short at first until you get your feet wet.  And whatever you do, don't overlook the very small papers.  They're often incredibly helpful.

2.  I mention this again because it's such a lucrative field.  Small specialty mags pay relatively well and they use so many articles.  Your library is your best friend here.  You'll find many mags listed in Writer's Market.  Send a query letter to the editor and if you're in, brush up on photography.

3.  One of the best venues for new writers is the confession mags.  Lush, driven, they are constantly looking for new writers.  If you feel things deeply, are in love with romantic love and write even fairly well, give them a try.  You can find them all at any magazine shop.  A surprising number of big writers got their start writing for the confessions.  They pay from fairly well to well.

The first thing you're going to have to do is make up your mind to get started.  You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you gain in terms of satisfaction and money.

Love and blessings,

Francine

Next week:  Self Publishing

12:27 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Let’s Write For Small Profit
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

So you've decided you'd like to write for fun and some profit.  This is an excellent way to train and keep  your spirits up as you perfect your craft.  The big stuff can always come later.  Here are three suggestions to get you started.

l)Greeting cards.  If you like to write simple poems with deep feeling, this is an ideal market.  Go to your library and check out the greeting card section of Writer's Market.  Stop at your greeting card counter and study some of the sentiments.  Buy a couple to experiment with and see if you're interested in writing them.  They pay fairly well and you'll be writing quite a few.

2.Specialty mags.  Think of a topic, any topic and there's a magazine catering to it.  Again, Writer's Digest is your friend.  There's a whole section devoted to mags and specialty mags are well represented.  Decide which ones interest you and order a few; they're usually pretty inexpensive. You'll find that they ask for simple language and fairly good writing.  Wrack your brain and come up with an "angle" nobody else has thought of.  These editors are anxious to get interesting material and will bend over backward to work with you.  And they pay fairly well.  Besides, hopefully you'll be writing a number of these articles and the money adds up. 

3. Newspaper articles.  No, I don't mean The New York Times or like newspapers.  Ther're many small newspapers about and they, like the speciality mags, are looking for short articles about your interesting neighbors and neighborhood.  Some don't pay, but give extra copies and oh, your friends are impressed!  Others pay a small amount.  Again, simple language and fairly good writing is wanted.

You can do it!  It only takes interest, time and patience.  You might want to consider purchasing your own copy of Writer's Digest. They're available from Amazon for $l9.95 and I use mine for about 4-5 years, although they're published yearly.

Good luck and God be with you as you venture into what I predict will soon become the love of your life.

Next week:  More Tips On Writing For Profit

Love and blessings,

Francine

11:27 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Writing Just For Fun
Current mood: artistic
Category: Blogging

I don't wonder that a whole lot of people want to write.  It's a good thing because those who are artistically inclined live longer, have more happiness in their lives and have a wonderful avenue of escape when life gets hairy.  (And more and more it does.) 

In writing for fun, it's good to pursue the same paths as in writing for profit.  Visit libraries and bookstores, set aside a time to write and do it faithfully.  There's something about creativity that smoothes all the kinks and soothes the soul.  I said at the outset that writing pieces for your club and/or your church is a lot of fun.  Get some books and try your hand at simple poetry.  It may surprise you.

If you've got a sympathetic family, lucky you.  After you've gone over what you've written and are satisfied that it's the best you can do, venture out and read it to loved ones or just let them read it.  They'll be impressed and I'll bet proud of you.  But in case you pick a lemon, back off and try somewhere else.

Another great plus for writing is many, many contests you can enter that require a written statement about why you like the product.  You may want to subscribe to a contest bulletin that gives you ongoing contests and tips on winning.

There.  And you thought only published authors had all the fun.  Not so.  You can have fun bigtime writing.  Try it!  You'll like it.

Next time:  Writing for smaller markets that let you hone your skills and where you have a greater chance to sell.

Love and blessings,

Francine

11:08 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

More Pointers On Getting Started in Writing
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

Here’s hoping you’ve made up your mind to take the leap -- you’re going to write!  I hope you’ve made friends with your librarian, visited at least one bookstore you’re interested in and checked out writing courses in your area.

Right off the bat, I suggested that you begin writing right away - to get the feel of it, to rid yourself of whatever fears and doubts you have.  I think after the trembling has stopped,  you’ll find euphoria setting in and you may be reluctant to stop.

Give yourself ample time to look over what you’ve written and I continue to caution -- please don’t censor yourself.  It will hurt you.  This is between you and your maker and no one needs to see it.  I’ve seen first-rate talent ruined with self doubt, so don’t do that to yourself.

So you spent your allotted time writing.  You’ve appraised it with a loving eye and spirit.  Be kind to yourself; all the best writers are.  You’re on your way to writing for fun and/or profit and you’d never dream how much fun, how much profit can be out there for you.

I’ve discussed what I’m telling you with a number of fellow writers and they agree that it’s an excellent way to begin.  They added tips I’m passing on to you and I’m happy to get any tips you have.  Some have already given them.  Please let me have your thoughts and your progress.

Next week:  Writing For Fun!

Love and blessings,

Francine 

12:53 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Useful Tips Getting Started To Write
Current mood: artistic
Category: Blogging

Three things will greatly help you to go further with your writing.  Keep in mind that you will spend a designated time daily or however many days a week you wish to spend writing anything that comes to mind.  Don’t censor it.  Just write.

Now, you probably already do, but if you don’t, spend time in your library.  Get acquainted with one of the librarians and talk with her about what you want to do.  Over many years, I have yet to find one who wasn’t helpful.  That’s their business.  Ask about "Writer’s Market," "Literary Marketplace," and magazines that might be helpful.  Okay, so you’re a  novice, well dreams, big dreams are going to be a part of your world.

Get in the habit of spending time in bookstores. Ask about books that might be helpful to a writer.  If you’ve already started thinking about the genre you want to write in -- mystery, comedy, romance, mainstream women’s fiction -- ask the clerk to suggest a couple of titles that can show you how it’s done.

Check out writing courses in local colleges and at your YM- and YWCA. They often have excellent courses at a nominal fee.  Online courses are great too and if you know a writer, ask if they’ll mentor you a bit.  Most writers are very helpful to novices.

You don’t want to make this too expensive, so choose wisely and get used books when you can.  And once you get the names of the books, you can often get them from your library.

Okay, these are few of the things that will help you get started with your writing.  Whatever you do, don’t let fear stop you.  Take a deep breath and dig in.  You’re going to find that you’re going on one of the most exciting trips of your life and nothing you will ever do will prove more enjoyable!

Love and blessings,

Francine

11:45 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

SO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO WRITE!
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

If you want to write, you couldn’t do it at a better time.  Self publishing, e-books, many places that will help you to publish for reasonable prices.  You’re in clover. No, you’re not there yet, but you can be on your way.

I get many letters asking how to get started in writing and nothing delights me more than giving my take on it.  There are many great books on the market about writing and you will buy many of them -- later. This is mostly for the absolute novices who complain that they haven’t a clue.

First, make is easy on yourself.  Pick a quiet place in the early morning or late night when all is quiet.  Put on your quiet, nondisruptive music and slip into something comfortable. Night clothes are fine.  Later, I have something else to say about garb and writing that I’ve found helpful.  Get everything you need - good lighting over your left shoulder, a supply of paper and pens and settle in.

Write.  Yes, write! Now! Everything and anything that comes to mind.  Do not censor.  Let it flow.  This isn’t something you’re going to show to anybody.  FYEO.  For your eyes only.  Close your eyes and let the images flow.  Your first kiss.  The first kiss with your husband or lover.  How you cringed when you heard your parents quareeling when you were little.  Write from the heart from the beginning and yes, from your soul.

I cannot stress it too strongly:  Do not censor yourself.  This will interfere with your thoughts.  Laugh.  Cry.  Feel exhilarated.  Sad.  Mournful. Just put your deepest thoughts on paper.

When you’ve finally finished,close your eyes and let the feelings wash over you. Slowly read what you’ve written with all the kindness you possess.  Look at it with kind eyes.  Now is not the time for editing, or showing to anyone else.  And don’t expect too much of yourself.  Rome really wasn’t built in a day.

Simple, but profound.  It’s the beginning of you and your pact with yourself to write!

(My next week’s blog will continue steps to get you started -- whether you want to write for your church or your club, or to be an exalted published writer, or to entertain yourself, friends, and family or just as a fun hobby.  Please join me and I welcome info you might have found useful in getting started.)

Love and blessings,

Francine

11:52 AM - 7 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

IN PRAISE OF PLUS-SIZED LADIES!
Current mood: blissful
Category: Blogging

Writing a book, you stick your neck out and you get a world of feedback.  My March book DESIGNED FOR PASSION reflects on the life of a beautiful, chocolate-skinned, voluptuous woman, Melodye, who has been savaged by her lighter, thinner mother and sister and her late husband.  The husband loved her at first, but got angry when she insisted on having twins he wanted to abort.  Luckily she has a loving grandfather and late grandmother.

But like so many of us, Melodye doesn’t do herself full justice.  Her world is full with her twins and her boutique and designing business for plus-sized women.  Love?  Foget it.  Melodye’s heart has been broken and she’ll settle for what she has.

Into her world comes Jim, a detective lieutenant investigating the cold case of her murdered husband.  Like her he is through with love.  But these two know each other from high school and flames burst into a conflagration with them from the beginning.

It’s a story that’s dear to my heart, but some readers have written that Melodye is too wimpish, that she should slam, not just fight, back.  Of course, it all comes out right in the end and love wins big!  But I find myself wondering if Melodye should have been a bigger feistier fighter.  She got everything she wanted.

What do you think, ladies of all sizes?  Should we be more aggressive, more kick butt, or take it as it comes?  Who do you like most to read about?  And what kind of woman are you?

I’d love hearing from you!

Love and blessings,

Francine 

11:23 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

IN PRAISE OF PLUS-SIZED LADIES!
Current mood: breezy
Category: Blogging

This blog is even closer to my heart than the others.  I think this is because these three tips have stood me in good stead through my adult life.  I have been plus-size for a good many years and I've often been dismayed at the snideness, the thoughtlessness and the total lack of judgment by some of my fellow citizens.

Three things have sailed me through with aplomb:

l.  Look to the inner you at all times.  Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Remember I cited earlier a Bronx kid's words on a wall: "God don't make no junk."  And He made you.  Do Him proud every waking minute you can.  And be as kind to others as you want them to be to you.

2.  Get involved in what you want most to do, in your family life, your friendship and your love life and contribute your best effort.  If you don't have a love life, don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself.  You've got plenty of company.  Be sure to love yourself because that's where love begins once you're grownup.

3.  Make a special effort to cultivate the spiritual side of yourself.  Prayers don't have to be answered to be worthwhile.  They bring you closer to God, soothe you, make you appreciate others more.  It often takes prayer to know what it is you want.  Getting it is just icing on the cake.

When I get down in the dumps, I take these three things I've typed and go over them.  They haven't failed to help me yet and I firmly believe they'll never fail to help you.

Love and blessings,

Francine

01:39 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

IN PRAISE OF PLUS-SIZED LADIES!
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

Ladies, listen up!  And this is for ladies of all sizes.  The first order of your life has to be:  Love Yourself!  Respect Yourself!  Be Kind to Yourself!

Got it?  If you don't, you might find you have trouble with getting what you want from others.  If writing my new book DESIGNED FOR PASSION taught me nothing else, it's to depend on yourself for what  you want most.

This probably applies more to us plus-sized women than to anyone else because we're on the receiving end of oh, so many bad jokes and rueful and downright mean comments.  Pull your protective shield around you and sail on!  If you'll just let it happen, there is plenty of love and admiration for you.  You have only to be open to it.

Determine that your life is going to belong to you and you're going to be the best woman possible.  Smile at yourself and look at yourself with eyes that love you.  And just remember to keep at it.  Psyches aren't built in a day.

Love and blessings,

Francine Craft

DESIGNED FOR PASSION - on sale now

11:55 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

IN PRAISE OF PLUS-SIZED WOMEN
Current mood: animated
Category: Blogging

DESIGNED FOR PASSION is the name of my new book about a chocolate-skinned, shapely, beautiful plus-sized woman named Melodye Carter. Her abusive husband has been murdered and the detective lieutenant who is handling the case is a man she knew in high school.  Bitterly hurt, Melodye is determined to spend her life developing her plus-sized designing business and raising her fabulous twins that her late husband wanted her to abort.  She has a paper-thin mother and model sister who never let her forget her weight.

Jim Ryman is the detective handling the case.  He lives with guilt over the death of his wife and their unborn child and like Melodye, he has no plans for ever loving again.

But fate has its own plans and these two are tinderboxes for each other from the beginning.  They decide to be friends only, but his mother and her grandfather have other ideas.  Who wins?  Who loses?  Find out.  You'll be glad you did.

I've often watched beautiful plus-sized women who don't have the self esteem they should have.  Luckily, I've watched a great many who do. So, my money is on the woman who loves herself and develops her self esteem no matter her size. Remember what the youth wrote on a Brooklyn abandoned storefront wall, "God Don't Make No Junk!"

DESIGNED FOR PASSION is available in all bookstores.  If they don't have, they'll order for no charge.  Available also at www.amazon.com and www.Barnesandnoble.com.

Love and blessings until next time,

Francine 

11:53 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

IN PRAISE OF PLUS-SIZED LADIES
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

Lately, plus-sized ladies have been in the news a lot.  There's new news pro and con the famed Body Mass Index (BMI)that suggests what you should weigh according to height and bone size.. Many medical advisors are against anything other than minor weight gains.  But others are coming out and saying that one size never fits all.

More and more, doctors are stressing good health, proper diets and exercise as valuable tools for being healthy.  Whatever you do, don't turn against yourself if you're plus-sized.  Look in the mirror and smile.  You're you and be proud of it.  Your slenderer sisters may not be as healthy as you are.

Don't get sucked into trying to be what you're not.  You have a cultural history straight from Africa of love and admiration for the big woman.  Know it and love, love, love yourself with all your heart.  Every pound of you deserves it!

I look forward to getting your views on you and what it means to be a plus-sized woman.

Love and blessings,

Francine

10:47 AM - 0 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

IN PRAISE OF BIG, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN!
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

We've just got to get our acts together.  As plus-sized women, we're not demanding our due.  We've got it all going on, or we could have anytime we want to strut our stuff.  But all too often we hang back, lost in low or lowered self-esteem.

When I look at Mo'nique, I start smiling.  Has she ever got it going for herself.  We should all take a lesson from her book and shine, shine, shine.  Good humor doesn't hurt.  Now we can't all be like her, but we can mostly have her sheer joy of living and getting out of life what we put into it.  This begins in our hearts with love of ourselves.

Our AA culture is founded on big and beautiful.  Feminene pulchritude is an old African blessing and nobody has more style than AA women have.  What is more beautiful than the fabrics and headdresses of certain African tribes?  We've made them our own here in America and it shows.

So ladies, let's stand up and be counted.  We're among the blessed.  This is nothing against our slimmer sisters.  They're beautiful, too, but they more often get their due.  We're the ones who all too often hang back, sighing, not enjoying the silk skin and luxusious curves added weight often brings.

Let's be more like Mo'Nique and live it up and be loved for our lush curves as much as anything!

(This is the first of several articles on Plus-sized beauty.  Please let me hear what you have to say.  hol718@aol.com).

12:10 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

My last virtual book tour stop is a fun one!
Current mood: triumphant
Category: Writing and Poetry

The final stop on my Never Without You…Again 2007 Virtual Book Tour is at All The Buzz Book Reviews & Literary Event Recaps, a subsidiary of Literary Signature Services!

At All The Buzz, CEO Renee Williams, is hosting a "Fall In Love All Over Again This Holiday Season with Francine Craft" gift box drawing to all our virtual book travelers . . . woo-hoo! So everyone is invited to join the celebration! Stop by All The Buzz Book Reviews & Literary Event Recaps for your chance to win a FABULOUS holiday gift box filled with 4 of Francine Craft's romance novels, 4 sensual body products, and the INTIMATE 4 PLAY Game designed for couples – oo-la-la!

Enter to win today! - http://allthebuzzliteraryreviews.blogspot.com/

More about All The Buzz Literary Reviews . . .
All The Buzz is the book reviews and literary event recap blog of Renee Williams, the CEO & Owner of Literary Signature Services, an event planning businss specializing in literary events for authors of every genre.

Visit All The Buzz with Renee Williams online today!



If you've missed the tour, never fear . . . . its all online! Go here to catch it all - http://thegrits.com/virtualbooktour/?cat=6

10:31 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment