My lovely, creative and talented friend, Andrea Beaulieu. I’m so proud of her and grateful to call her friend. Photo: courtesy of Scratch Pastries barista 2012
Treat yourself to a five minute break that will completely refresh your day.
All you need to do is enjoy this stunning new “One Heart, One Mind” video and song by my friend Andrea Beaulieu.
Ahh!
Celestial Seasonings tea bags create this dress and its accessories. If you wore this, would people talk about it? Duh. So, what creative idea can you come up with to get people talking about your book? We’ll brainstorm ideas together at our next ALWAYS authors lunch. Photo: ©2013 ANVidean
Topic for our gathering:
“Marketing Outside The Book: Outrageous Ideas to Build Readership:” a brainstorming session
At our next authors’ Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) gathering in Tempe, AZ, I’ll lead a mini brainstorm to generate unique ideas to entice readers to buy your book. I’ve conducted thousands of hours of marketing strategy sessions with entrepreneurs and authors to generate “out-of-the-circle” ideas to make people want to chat you up. I assure you, you’ll leave the meeting with at least one powerful idea to use immediately.
– Ann
When:
Thurs., Sept. 12, 2013
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(Due to a concentration of writers’ meetings the last week of each month, ALWAYS will meet now on second Thursdays.)
Where:
Tea Infusion
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy # 1064
Tempe, AZ 85281-4927
(480) 967-1141
(I am taking suggestions for another meeting place at or near Tempe Marketplace.)
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com
If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
Noel Stone, newly Noble Fae, musician, and sometime sheep shearer. Image by John Taylor. ©2013 VUPublishing
The Noble Fae, or “Goodies,” in my pending Song of the Ocarina novel, are based on geographical features and natural elements. If you were a character in my book, what name might you have? Use the chart below to select your good faerie name.
Use the first letter of your first name, for either a guy or a gal, then use the first letter of your last name. Example: As a gal with a first name starting with A, my Noble Fae first name is Raindrop. My last name starts with V, so my so my Noble Fae surname is Islander. Hello, Raindrop Islander!
If you haven’t already, from my recent post, you can also select your Dark Fae name, based on “bad boy” and “tough chick” rock stars.
Can you come up with a better Noble Fae name yourself? Please share.
| GUYS | GALS | SURNAME |
|
A Baye C Layke D O’Sean E River F Cliff G Dune H Guyser I Reefe J Volc K Sonny L Leif M Arc N Branch O Steele P Bronze Q Eddy R Rock S Bridge T Sleet U Knyt V Legend W Glenn X Stoney Y Noel Z Tundra |
A Raindrop C Dhay D B’rook E Lark F Delta G Fern H Mesa I Gaea J Summer K Meridian L Onyx M Rayne N Tweet O Marigold P Penny Q Silver R Trea S Faye T Rosie U Daisy V Creeke W Twigette X Lillie Y Obsidiana Z Pehtala |
A Derrickson C Seasonaire D Vale E Moonegrove F Plantfrond G Rhodium H Hurricane I Ironspring J Tigerseye K Whirlwind L Woodside M Rockforest N Broadgulf O Dewcove P Meadow Q Waterfall R Streamgurgle S Pondeglow T Windish U Pond V Islander W Sandhill X Desertside Y Glowcave Z Beacher |
A word-of-mouth marketing example from the lens of Ann Narcisian Videan
to inspire your business tribe/village.
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Montezuma’s Castle, just off I-17 south of Flagstaff, AZ. @2013 ANVidean
On the way back from Northern Arizona University, where my daughter took a college tour recently, she and I stopped to play tourist at Montezuma’s Castle.
The Native American ruin lies just over 30 minutes south of Flagstaff, and a short jaunt down a narrow road into the desert. You think you’re in the middle of nowhere when suddenly the Visitor’s Center parking lot looms ahead.
Hand-packed mud holds the walls together. ©2013 ANVidean
Another ruin, probably housing 100 people, in greater disrepair lies at the bottom of the elevated dwelling. ©2013 ANVidean
Along an easy 1/3-mile loop trail along Beaver Creek, you can witness how native Arizonans lived in a structure built 100 feet up in a cliff face. They made use of all the materials available to them: a natural cave, stones, soil, Arizona Sycamore trees, and nearby water to carve out an amazingly robust and protected life for themselves.
Humans are truly ingenious, are they not?
I totally suggest a visit, and a chat with the knowledgeable ranger staffing the center there.
What other impressive sights can you recommend in Arizona?
Writing Tip #11:
Two high-level considerations about traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
This article provides two initial decisions you must make to decide the best way to introduce your book into the market.
First, know your manuscript and research possible publishers. Be clear what kinds of material potential publishers print. Does your story fit? Will you need an agent? (Some publishers will not consider your manuscript without one.) They also require you to follow very specific guidelines when submitting manuscripts and otherwise dealing with them.
Luckily, you can find out everything you need to know about the writing marketplace — not only for traditional and other publishers, but for magazine articles, greeting card companies, and more — in the Writer’s Market publications available online, at libraries and in book stores.
If you do decide to pursue an agent and traditional publishing, check out individual agents, their histories, success rates and more at Agent Query. Writer’s Market provides a guide specific to literary agents, as well.
I decided to self-publish my first novel partly because agents I approached didn’t have a good system for incorporating its music “soundtrack.”
Second, armed with the above information, decide if you want to publish traditionally or self-publish. Pros and cons:
P.S. The decision to publish traditionally or by yourself involves a lot of nuances and choices. If you need additional input, ask a question in the comments below to see what others suggest.
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Okay, this Star Spangled Banner cover by Madison Rising video is cool. Just had to share. Go, America!
Bald eagle above a friend’s cabin on Coeur d’Alene Lake in Idaho. @2007 ANVidean
Why not share a cool patriotic video with us in the comments…
You’ve written and published your book. Now you must sell it. But how?
At the next authors’ Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) gathering, we’ll discuss this overwhelming topic with best-selling author and publicity guru Raleigh Pinskey.
Standing in front of shelves lined with myriad Celestial Seasonings teas is very similar to standing in front of shelves (or Web pages) filled with book publicity options.
Which do you choose to get the best bang for your book?
Photo: @2013 ANVidean
When:
Thurs. Aug. 15, 2013
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where:
Tea Infusion
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281-4927
(480) 967-1141
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook page or contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com.
If you’ve RSVP’d, PLEASE show up. If you run into a conflict later, please let me know before the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group. Cheers!
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Writing tip #10:
Catchy writing requires a fresh reader who is not YOU
I don’t care if you wrote 27 books, publish multiple corporate newsletters every month, or even edit others’ words. You cannot edit your own writing.
NO EXCEPTIONS! (Yes, that’s me stepping up on my soapbox and yelling.)
@2011 CEVidean
Fresh eyes, peeps. That’s what it’s all about.
When you write, your brain repeatedly works through messages the same way, and tends to gloss over words, phrases and ideas already “set” in your mind. It’s a subjective process. Someone else — and, preferably, a number of someone elses — can take a look at those same words, phrases and ideas and see something completely different. They provide a fresh, objective viewpoint.
Two quick examples:
• Writing a 68-page, four color, tabloid RealTime news magazine for computer resellers every two weeks required at least five sets of eyes on our team. Invariably, the designers would see mistakes the writer/editors missed, and vice versa.
• The professional editor of my initial Rhythms & Muse manuscript pointed out that I did not include any current-day scenes with my hero anywhere in the first half of the book. What? I couldn’t belief my oversight. Her input contributed to creating a much more complete, seamless, self-published novel, and helped make it interesting enough to rate almost all 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Sources of “other eyes,” though your #1 choice should always involve a professional editor:
OK, so did I make my point? You are not your own best editor!!!
Thank you. (I can step down off my soapbox now.]
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. How do you get input on your writing?
Today’s Cup o’ Tea
Celestial Seasonings
Boulder, CO
Perks (what I really like!)
An all-natural tea manufacturer, with a tea tasting room, art gallery, café, and gift shop in one of my favorite eclectic U.S. cities. What’s not to love?
Share a cuppa (the stories about the owner, building, history, name)
Celestial Seasonings, headquartered in Boulder, is one of the largest specialty tea manufacturers in North America.
What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)
My family and I dropped by the Celestial Seasonings facility, expecting to pop in to buy a few of our favorite teas at a discount. We ended up staying a couple of hours enjoying the flavors of many teas, buying presents, and learning about teas.
Tea-tasting room and art gallery. @2013 ANVidean
I especially loved the tea tasting room. When you walk into the light, inviting room, a host hands you a small porcelain teacup. You carry it over to the tea station featuring a handful of featured pre-brewed teas. If the flavor you want is not available, you walk up to the counter, ask to try a particular tea, and they fill your cup with hot water and give you a fresh teabag to brew your own.
They offer so many delicious teas! @2013 ANVidean
My new favorite: Jammin’ Lemon Ginger. Yum!
The Grind (what I would change)
Not a thing. My family thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Tea tasters: Codi, Bob and Cutter. @2013 ANVidean
Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)
This is a teapot! @2013 ANVidean
The Grounds (location)
4600 Sleepytime Dr.
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 581-1202
Tea Times (hours)
M–Sa. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Su. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Yelp rating: 4.5 stars from 165 reviews
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Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone. Can you guess what rock star’s name played muse for my antagonist’s identity? Comment below.
For my pending Song of the Ocarina novel, I picked Dark Fae character names based on famous, and even some burned-out, rock and rollers. Think long hair, studded black leathers, tattoos and piercings.
Use the first letter of your first name, for either a guy or a gal, then use the first letter of your last name.
Example:
As a gal, my first name starts with A, so my Dark Fae first name is Jett.
My last name starts with V, so my so my Dark Fae surname is Rotten.
That makes me Jett Rotten.
| GUYS | GALS | SURNAME |
| A Motorhead
B Bowie C Davyd Lee D Vynce E Jym F Skidd G Iggie H Mikk I Ronney J Keyth K Stevinn L Blackie M Chrys N Alyiss O Myke P Kert Q Eddy R Black S Axyl T Ozzy U Iron V Chryss W Elvish X Def Y Phyl Z Motley |
A Jett
B Nikki C Phair D Rhiki E Byorc F Siouxsie G Thyn Lizzy H Indigo I Boney J Jewyl K Sherr L Zola M Runaway N Janys O Inez P Tyna Q Mad Donna R Jhoan S Lyz T Cass U Exene V Chryssie W Shinayde X Queen Y Alanys Z Motley |
A Morryson
B Joplyn C Hendryx D Moon E Lawless F Winehouse G Crue H Pretender I Hynde J Osbourne K Banshee L Maiden M Kreeper N Wild O Whitesnake P Cyclone Q Guns R Thorne S Ness T Leeroth U Sabbath V Rotten W Distortion X Ratt Y Sixx Z Poison |
Can you come up with a better Dark Fae name yourself? Please share.
Ann Narcisian Videan: Book Shepherd/Editor/Author 