Getting Your (and My) Ask Out There

December 14, 2013 by

One of Bob Baker’s articles posted on The Book Designer has recently caught my attention.

To Succeed as an Author, Get Your ASK out There!

Hum, hum, I thought.

Although all writers I know are people-persons, I don’t know many who are comfortable with pushing their book into the hands of potential readers and buyers.

On the other hand, most writers don’t have a problem talking about books they like and about writers who deserve to be read.

So I thought I would ask you to pay a visit to the following writers who in addition to their blogs have also published a book in the last twelve months.

The 228 Legacy

By Jennifer J. Chow

This book held the ingredients that instinctively draw me to a story: family saga told through three generation women, people torn between two languages and cultures, the first novel of a young writer. So it made sense for me to read it.

But I wasn’t expecting to learn about the history of Taiwan. We all belong to a place that shapes us. Jennifer has successfully linked a personal event to a page of Taiwan’s history. And added Jack, an interesting male character, to the classic trio of women.

You can read more about Jennifer and her writing on her blog.

Rise of the Writer: Writing and Marketing Like a Pro in the 21st Century

By Joe Warnimont

Writers of all genres will find helpful tips in this practical and honest book.

Practical because Joe provides clear and specific tips on how to write and market in the 21st century.

Honest because he doesn’t pretend that it is easy or will produce instant results.

Joe has managed to write a book for writers who aren’t high tech experts but are aware of the importance of social media and online presence. I wasn’t looking for writing help, but you will find helpful tips in this area as well, and also humorous nuggets on how to live a healthy writer’s lifestyle.

Written in an approachable voice that makes his blog enjoyable, Joe offers a little book that will give you big ideas on how to `rise as a writer.’

You can read more about Joe and his writing on his blog.

Love for Now

By Anthony Wilson

This very personal memoir offers a glimpse of a life transformed by cancer. The fear, the physical pain, the ups and downs, the support of friends and family, the clumsiness of acquaintances, the care provided by nurses and doctors: everything is documented as in a journal.

It could be too much, yet I found the memoir deeply positive. Friend’s visits, descriptions of the seasonal changes – yes, life goes on even when we are very ill – of food cravings – funny and touching at the same time – of poems and TV shows, which accompany Anthony as he goes through his treatment and his warm and realistic relationship with his wife and children – I have a weakness for the boy, the youngest – all touched me because it comes from the heart of someone who loves life.

Because Anthony is British, there is also a lot of humor – never hurts, especially in a book that tells of living with cancer. There are also beautiful sentences throughout the book. It is no surprise, though, as Anthony is also a poet.

This little book should be left in oncologists’ waiting rooms.

You can read more about Anthony and his writing on his blog.

Well, I thought when I was finished, I’m not so sure I‘ve followed Bob Baker’s advice.

But do I really have to ask people to check out my book?

Okay, I’ll do it.

You can read what other readers wrote about Trapped in Paris on Goodreads where you are welcome to add a review, too. If, like me, you are a late holiday shopper and still have a gift to make to a young teen in your life, a book is a great choice.

A printed and electronic version of my novel are available on Amazon, but your bookseller can order it through their distributor as well.

Phew, I really got my ASK out there.

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Filed Under: Latest Post, Trapped in Paris, Uncategorized, Writing for Children, Writing in a foreign language, Writing life Tagged With: , , , ,

Trapped in Paris

September 24, 2012 by

Trapped in Paris, my juvenile fiction novel (12 and up) has been released.
Set in contemporary Paris and the Parisian suburbs, Trapped in Paris is a fast paced action novel on a background of loss.

Social and cultural backgrounds separate Cameron and Framboise, yet when the two teenagers find themselves stuck at the airport in Paris, their paths cross, and they become unlikely partners in a fast spine-chilling four-day adventure, leading to the dismantlement of a human trafficking network and ultimately to the possibility of change and love for Cameron and Framboise.

What is Trapped in Paris?
The first idea of the story came to my mind when the volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted in Iceland in the spring 2010 and shut down air transportation through the entire world.
This incident triggered the set of adventures that happen to Cameron and Framboise. However, the novel remains the product of my imagination.
As often when I write, my French roots cross my now days’ life in the USA.
Paris came as a natural setting. Through the introduction of a few French words and short sentences, here and there throughout the novel, I share my affection for my native language.

 

A Few Words About Trapped in Paris:

Sixteen-year-old Cameron and Framboise have nothing in common and no reason to meet. But when a volcano eruption in Iceland interrupts all air traffic activity, the two teenagers find themselves trapped in Paris.
When they witness a murder on the River Seine and are kidnapped by a mysterious dangerous man, they become unlikely partners in a fast spine-chilling four-day adventure through the Parisian suburbs.
Confronted with exceptional events, Cameron and Framboise must rely on each other. When they get separated, after a disagreement, Cameron will trust his survival instinct, brave danger, and act with unexpected courage.
Ultimately Cameron and Frambroise will also overcome their personal grief and open their hearts to the possibility of change and love.

 

A Few Thoughts on my Mind:

1- The solitary writer.
I wrote Trapped in Paris alone but never felt lonely, thanks to a supportive group of fellow writers and a loving family. All of them provided advice, productive critique, encouragement, and countless joyful moments.
2- Profound changes
 Changes in the publishing industry are affecting writers, editors, agents, and more importantly the way books are made and distributed.
The appearance of e-books is still at its beginning. As anything new it challenges what was familiar. Book lovers – and I am one – still have a difficult time to consider e-books “real books”.
Of course, no screen can ever replace the touch and smell of paper.
Yet voracious readers remain voracious readers, with a paperback or an e-book.
This summer, because I traveled a lot, I couldn’t carry heavy books in my bag and suitcase. I purchased several books before my departure and downloaded them on my Kindle.
In the end, I read as much this summer as I previously did. That is why I’m happy to offer both versions of my novel.
3-To everything there is a silver lining.
The communication revolution that started in the mid 90s, and deeply changed the way we now listen to music, watch movies and interact with each other has more recently reached the book industry.
The way stories are now published and read has definitely changed, but it certainly hasn’t changed the fact that human beings crave stories.
Boys and girls, men and women, regardless of age, race, ethnic or national origins, we will always be seeking words that take us away, make us dream, laugh, cry, cheer, and make us more human.
Stories, either published in a physical book or electronically, found in a bookstore or online, still unite people through the universality of human feelings.
Trapped in Paris is available as a paperback and can be purchased in your favorite bookshop as well as on Amazon.com
In addition the e-book version for Kindle is also available.
Happy Reading!

Filed Under: published juvenile fiction september 2012, Trapped in Paris
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