Publishing during the pandemic; an author’s view.

I hope all you readers are staying safe & well….since we’re all getting a bit stir crazy here’s my newest guest blog to spark your creativity.  Introducing new author & experienced strategist Carol Van Den Hende discussing her new book & what it’s like getting published during a pandemic….in her words….

“In this time of pandemic, first and foremost, I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

Besides the obvious health concerns, the current crisis also creates other obstacles. Creatives may be faced with new challenges finding and reaching their audiences. My friends who are filmmakers, actors and writers are impacted by Broadway and other shutdowns. I’m feeling it too, as my debut novel, Goodbye, Orchid, is launching October 1^st. This book of my heart won’t benefit from in-person launch plans. But as I often say when presenting at writers’ conferences, marketing is an act of creativity.

We can apply our power of imagination towards identifying and engaging with the audiences we serve. Storytellers are getting resourceful by leveraging virtual channels. For instance, best-selling authors Caroline Leavitt and Jenna Blum created “A Mighty Blaze” to help authors whose book tours have been canceled due to COVID. Instead, they’re interviewing these writers online, thereby reaching more geographically dispersed audiences than they might otherwise have.

Much of the publishing industry has moved from requiring physical copies of books for reviews and contests, to accepting digital copies, a practice that has the dual benefit of speed of delivery, and reduced environmental impact.

For me, the pandemic is necessitating exploring ingenious ways to launch Goodbye, Orchid. As a professional marketer and strategist, I started with clear objectives, strategies, and partnering with a strong team of collaborators. My personal “why” acted as a steady guide in crafting launch plans. My book is inspired by combat-wounded veterans, so I’ve committed to donating a portion of the profits to military and other non-profits.  These charities, like Heather Abbott Foundation, have helped reach out to their communities.

In implementation, I’ve aimed to fully leverage each marketing element. For example, the cover design alone was used in a cover poll, as an animation, cut up into nine posts to takeover my Instagram page, revealed as a pixelated image, and more. I’ve even personalized versions of the cover to thank kickstarter supporters. Next, I’m developing partnerships and a media schedule.

Bottom line is, I hope this sharing has inspired you, and boosted your confidence to creatively explore new ideas. ”

For more info, please sign up for my newsletter, or connect via social channels:

https://www.carolvandenhende.com

https://fb.me/CarolVandenhendeAuthor

https://twitter.com/c_vandenhende

https://www.instagram.com/carolvandenhende/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54297964-goodbye-orchid

 

 

BIO

Carol is an MBA and strategist with twenty+ years’ experience in marketing, strategy and insights. Plus, she works in chocolate (there’s no ‘sweeter’ job!) Carol is also an author, public speaker and serves on a Board of Trustees. Her debut novel, Goodbye Orchid, will be published on October 1st, 2020. If you like heart-wrenching beautiful romances, then you’ll love Goodbye, Orchid. Available for pre-order at many major retailers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646631889/

https://bookshop.org/books/goodbye-orchid/9781646631889

https://www.target.com/p/goodbye-orchid-by-carol-van-den-hende-paperback/-/A-80666220

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodbye-orchid-carol-van-den-hende/1137193883?ean=9781646631889

A Comic Book Revolution

One great thing about the internet is how easily we can connect with other creative and like-minded people!  I recently made a connection via LinkedIn with Bob Coar, a unique comic book creator.  I liked his original perspective on current topics and political issues and also enjoyed the artistic style of the illustrations.  So, I invited him to be my latest guest blogger & share some insight into his revolutionary world of comics…..

Words from the soul of an author.

One of the best things about being a freelance artist is creating illustrations for novels. I get to work with imaginative authors to bring their visions and stories to life, and often, clients become friends along the way!  This is the case with Hawaiian author Samuel Omega Salt.  He hired me in 2014 to create many pen & ink illustrations for his spiritual, intriguing auto-biographical novel and we are now working on part 2.  I found his story so interesting that I invited him to be a guest blogger to share what inspired him to write his novel, “Preacher’s Kid”…

Bio 

My Father was an ordained Missouri Synod Lutheran minister, who served God  faithfully until his untimely death. Through Christ our Lord he gave me my  foundation built on the rock which I stand. The confidence of believing what  cannot be touched or seen, taken solely on faith.

Both sets of Great Grandparents came from the old world – Germany. Pre –World War I. My only claim to fame is my Grandmother on my Father’s side was  born on the ship that brought her to this large melting pot called America. 

Wait a New York minute, that’s a fib. I am living proof miracles can, do and will  happen. From birth according to Mother, I came close to death as an infant on  numerous occasion. An as a young teen, I played chicken with a train caboose. I hit that caboose broadside doing over 100 mph. I literally walked away from that  major collision on my way to church. All of this and much more is in volume I  PK  Preacher’s Kid.

I moved to Hawaii in December 2003 from the original 13 Colonies, Atlanta  Georgia. Lost my southern accent to the Hawaiian W, which is a V sound.  Havaii.  Ewa is Eva. Little tidbit from your uncle Earl. Hawaii is where all  rainbows come from and the Menehune like to play tricks on you. 

I also lost my sister Ariel in January 2016 and the death of my Father is still very close to the surface. Adding fuel to the fire, not just writing about the previously stated, I also have to tell the story of Izzie. The second person I have  ever fallen madly in love with. Maria being the first. Many a day tears blind me from seeing the keyboard clearly and the shadows of melancholy over power me. Don’t be disheartened, I will recover and forge ahead. I’m currently  working on volume II and talking to a new publisher. 

“PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One” book cover

Synopsis

Facing his own image in the mirror and not recognizing his reflection was the last straw. A haunting figure broken on the inside and his attire skintight, gut sticking out from under the sweatshirt and overlapping his belt and pants. You would never guess he once was a star athlete half a life ago.  Zac found his way to Dr. Phoenix Redgrave’s doorstep, emotionally dead, fragmented into a million pieces of emptiness. His last chance for atonement and survival back to humanness.

Choices, two sides of the same coin. You can call it heads or tails — choose… and accept the consequences of one’s choices that may changes one’s path and the decisions one makes thereof. A wise man once said, “Think before you act and before you speak.” Choose wisely.

(c)Lauren Curtis

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul out of troubles. Proverbs 21:23  Tree of Life Version.

Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow! Proverbs 10:19 Living Bible

Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. Proverbs 18:2 The Message

An all— America boy — your garden variety male specimen growing up in the Midwest. Zachariah Wolf is a ‘PK’, a Preacher’s Kid’. The son of a pastor means your life is always under a magnifying glass. What really happens behind closed doors is out of sight from the prying eye. From birth Zac struggled with an under-developed esophagus causing mucous to block off the air passage Zac would gasp for air. He also has a learning disability later deemed as dyslexia. This caused his mother to resort to extreme abusive tactics of discipline from as far back as he can recall. Can you memorize a prayer with your head in a toilet?  Now I lay me down to sleep…

As Zachariah grew into adolescence, the abusive relationship with his mother did not affect his athletic ability and achievements. The doors of opportunity opened as he gained popularity, he took full advantage with a full ride scholarship.

The escapades of young manhood did not escape him in college life.  Zac strutted like a rooster around campus moonlighting between two older chickadees. In reality, the women were the foxes in the coop. One got his virginity, both trained him to their pleasures of womanly wiles….

(c)Lauren Curtis

To read the full story you can find the book at amazon.com | Barns & Noble | iTunes | Google play

Title of the book is PK Preacher’s Kid volume one by Samuel Omega Salt 

Please write a review of the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

http://www.amazon.com/PK-Preachers-Kid-Volume-One/dp/1682131254

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pk-samuel-omega salt/1122651492?ean=2940150950245

 

 

 

The pen creates words & art in this new novel.

It’s very satisfying, as a freelance artist, to be able to bring an author’s words to life and that’s what I’ve had the honor to do over the last year and a half for author Samuel Omega Salt (Hawaii) and his fact-based novel,  “PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One”.   This fascinating, spiritual journey is a riveting read and I have been commissioned to create pen & ink illustrations to accompany this novel.  I look forward to continuing work on volume two this coming year!

Now, here’s more details about “PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One” & how you can purchase your copy….

“PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One” book cover

Samuel Omega Salt’s new book “PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One” is a fact based story about being the proverbial black sheep in a religious family.
Recent release “PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One” from Page Publishing author Samuel Omega Salt is an all too true account of a young man under constant scrutiny, who manages to implode his family and his father’s ministry.
Samuel Omega Salt, a former rebel without a cause, has completed his new book “PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One”: the true story of growing up the son of a preacher, and making one terrible choice after another.
Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Samuel Omega Salt’s poignant tale describes the life of Zachariah Wolf. Young, healthy, and the son of a minister, Zachariah’s life choices are constantly under examination. While his siblings seem capable of maintaining the superior standards of conduct expected of a pastor’s family, Zac is not. He constantly gets into trouble causing his mother to resort to extreme tactics of discipline.

Firehand (c)Nov2014 pen & ink by Lauren Curtis

Zachariah’s personal struggles conflict with his great athletic achievements. The doors of opportunity open as he gains popularity, which he uses to his advantage. He engages on one relationship after another; including the university president’s daughter, an affair with the police chief’s wife, and an IRS agent. Zac’s failed marriage disgraces the family, which causes the congregation to split; taking down his father’s ministry along with it. Through all of his struggles he learns a lot about life, faith and the will to survive. In the end, he is able to see beyond his own existence and saves the lives of two young girls from certain death, reaffirming his faith in God and gaining a sense of peace and purpose.

Car Crash (c)Feb2015 pen & ink by Lauren Curtis

Readers who wish to experience this revealing work can purchase “PK: Preacher’s Kid – Volume One” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.
About Page Publishing
Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create – not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Church Exterior (c)Sept2014 pen & ink by Lauren Curtis

Your History is Your Personal Story

One of the best things about being a full time freelance artist is creating work for some talented clients from across the globe!  Some of my favorite clients to work with are authors as it’s very cool to bring someone’s story to life with artwork!  I recently designed a book cover for author “Just Judy” and when we started chatting about what we do, I found her own story so interesting, I invited her to be a guest blogger here….aside from her novels she also compiles stories based on people’s actual family histories and creates unique books just for them!  Below she shares her inspiration with us about this fascinating project and included is her contact info. if you’d like to have this done for yourself and your own family…..

JUST JUDY; author, personal historian

Personal History and the Circle of Life

Imagine a special shelf on your bookcase, displaying a few old, faded cloth covers with frayed corners, the packages of words written by your grandmother, or grandfather, or better yet, both. There would be pages filled with their stories of life’s pivotal moments and challenges, their anecdotes of parenthood, a short section for favorite family recipes, and maybe a remembrance of the day you were born: “We became grandparents today,” one would joyously announce. And, there would be pictures, just a few, of times long gone, before the days of images in color. The infant, you, may be sitting in a bassinet in front of your parents. Behind would be two stolid, stone-faced seniors, unfamiliar with this newfangled device called a camera, hiding the wide grin they wear within.

For me, words are music to my soul and art makes my spirit soar. A day spent reading such old cloth covered books would bring a warmth of emotion and a strong sense of what it means to be me and from whence I come. The record of one’s life is a gift that lasts and in the writing of it we gain perspective and strengthen our feeling of self within the larger picture of life.

It’s not all about us. It never was. Every writer of a personal history starts out with information of others, their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. We come from a fountain and from us flows new beings. There seems to be no end to this circle of life?

JUST JUDY; Holy Joe

I am a personal historian. This is a new gig for me. I’ve always been a reader and writer, but now I am hooked on life story. I help people mine their memories and record and arrange these images in a logical order. When the writing is complete, we are left with a unique package, so I help coordinate the cover art and short-run printer. Mostly, I keep the project on track and see it through to completion. I know that every life has a story to tell, and the world needs such stories.

If you leave this reading with a mental image of your own special bookshelf and awareness that there is such a thing as a personal historian, then I will be satisfied. There aren’t many of us; six-hundred-fifty members worldwide. But, we are growing. Not everyone is a writer, but everyone has a story to tell. I’m truly excited about this new career. It’s another expression of art and a mode for celebrating and preserving life.

Just Judy, novel, cover design by Lauren Curtis

Just Judy, Personal Historian (justjudy4@gmail.com)

Just Judy, Keepers of History (keepersofhistory.com)

Nationwide: The Association of Personal Historians (personalhistorians.org)