Friday, July 30, 2010

VBT - Writers on the Move

Put your writing career in motion with our yahoo marketing group VBT–Writers on the Move. Promote your platform, yourself and your books! We utilize ONGOING feature spots for our members; link exchange; and much more to increase visibility and readership.

Visit: http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com/

To find out more contact Karen at: karenrcfv@yahoo.com.

Please put "VBT (dmc)" in the subject box.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Interview with Carole Anne Carr

Carole Anne and I met through blogging and have forged a terrific online relationship. Come along on this fascinating interview of Carole's writing and publishing world. You will be astounded!

DMc: As everyone is an individual each author’s road to publication is unique. Please share with us what or whom inspired you to become a writer.


CAC: An interesting question, Donna. I think my inspiration came from the writer Elizabeth Goudge and her children’s book The Little White Horse. This was the book that also inspired J.K. Rowling to write for children.

DMc: The illustration of the dragon on your website is mesmerizing. Who designed such an alluring piece of artwork?

CAC: I’m afraid I don’t know. My Grandson, James Brinkler, who is a graphics designer, purchases the photographs and drawings for my website and book covers. He recently completed my website, and despite the many changes that I asked him to undertake, he is still speaking to me....

DMc: Your books are published under your own publishing house. Please share with our readers what prompted you to become a publisher along with writing?


CAC: I’m laughing at this question. The short answer is my age. I’m in my seventies, and thinking that no publisher would be interested in me as an unknown author, I decided to take matters into my own hands. For six months I studied Google’s how-to articles on publishing, making print ready files, publicity, distribution, Photoshop, book signings, and articles on many of the other skills I would need to set up as an independent publisher. Unable to afford to pay an illustrator, apart for one book cover, I have drawn upon my limited skills and have begun to illustrate some of my work.

DMc: Where can our readers learn more about your publishing house and guidelines?


CAC: Like many other independent publishers, I set up my own publishing house in order to have an outlet for my books. However, I am more than willing to help any reader who is thinking of going down this difficult but rewarding route. I can be contacted at carole@caroleannecarr.com and on my website http://caroleannecarr.co.uk/

DMc: What advice would you provide to the newbie writer?

CAC:
1. Writing requires the same learning period as any other skill. It took me four years, and many more after that, to become a good teacher. It has taken me years to become a reasonable writer and I’m still learning new writing skills every day.

2. Find a good source of inspiration and listen to advice. The old saying, ‘You must write something every day,’ should be followed religiously. Keep up to date with what is being published in your own genre and read, read, read. Haunt bookshops and libraries. I found how-to book people who inspired me and undertook a two-year part-time university course on Children’s Literature.

3. If you are writing a novel, you must expect the editing to take six months to a year, and often much longer, especially at the beginning of your career. It is lack of editing which causes the majority of publishers’ rejection slips to come your way.

4. And never, never give up!

DMc: A signature request I like to ask every author, illustrator, editor, etc., I interview is for the individual to share with us a tidbit form their lives that the reader will find either humorous or surprising. Carole, can you please share one with us?


CAC: How long do your readers have? After surviving the bombing of London in World War 2, (my best friend being a German woman who survived the bombing of Berlin at the same time), I ran away from university to marry in a shantytown in Central Africa. Having survived malaria, arrest by mistake in Portuguese East Africa, and being lost in the jungle of what was then the Belgian Congo, I returned to England and finished my education. I have since had various careers: teacher, actress, poet, minister in the church, own art and craft business, Franciscan, and now writer. I’m running out of time and careers, so I’m hoping that this writing one will be a big success. Hugs.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Come Explore Write What Inspires You for Testimonials, Author Interviews, Book Trailers, Releases, and Reviews

M E D I A  R E L E A S E


CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Chilldren’s Author
Email: dmcdine@optonline.net
Phone: 845-721-7802

For Immediate Release

Come Explore Write What Inspires You for Testimonials, Author Interviews, Book Trailers, Releases, and Reviews

Cruise on over to Write What Inspires You at: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/ and hear what satisfied clients of Dynamic Media Release Services have to say, author interviews, book trailer and reviews, Guardian Angel Publishing June releases, and a special contest announcement.

7/21/2010 - Testimonials to Affirm Dynamic Media Release Services

7/23/2010 – Guest Author Interview, Shari Maurer

7/26/2010 - The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade by Lori Calabrese

7/28/2010 – Guardian Angel Publishing Announces June 2010 Releases

7/30/2010 – Award-winning Penny and Rio series Contest by Jennifer Swanson

8/2/2010 – Lost Island Smugglers Max Elliot Anderson

8/4/2010 – Children’s Author, Editor and Owner and Founder of SFC Magazine Interview, VS Grenier

8/6/2010 – Slip, Slide into the World of Book Reviewing – Mayra Calvani

8/9/2010 – Another Satisfied Client of Dynamic Media Release Services

8/13/2010 – Book Review: Brigitta of the White Forest by Danika Dinsmore

8/16/2010 – Book Review: Owen and the Dragon by Carla Mooney

8/18/2010 – Book Review: The Guardian of Kelmar ~ Book I of the Kelmr Trilogy by Laura Sepesi

8/20/2010 – Book Review: If I Could Be Anything by Kevin McNamee

8/23/2010 – Book Review: The Sister Exchange by Kevin McNamee

8/23/2010 – Author and Publisher Interview: Carole Anne Carr at http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com  

8/25/2010 – The Soggy Town of Hilltop by Kevin McNamee

Mark your calendar today and be sure to visit http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/.

Thank you in advance for your interest.

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Saturday, July 10, 2010

Award-winning Children’s Author, Donna McDine - Launches First Book through Guardian Angel Publishing

M E D I A   R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Children’s Author
Website: http://www.donnamcdine.com/
Email: dmcdine@optonline.net
Phone: 845-721-7802

For Immediate Release

Award-winning Children’s Author, Donna McDine - Launches First Book through Guardian Angel Publishing

Tappan, New York – Donna M. McDine debuts her first children’s book, The Golden Pathway, August 2010, published by Guardian Angel Publishing. The book release is perfect timing in preparation of back to school as it ties into the grade school curriculum.

As one young boy struggles to come to terms with his father’s beliefs and actions towards slaves, he pulls from deep within his soul, courage and determination he never knew existed. Will David’s attempts to save Jenkins come to fruition or does David get caught red handed in defying his Pa?
“David crept into the barn. His first attempts to help Jenkins hadn’t gone well. Jenkins cringed when he saw David. Over time, David gained Jenkins’ trust with promises that he was not there to harm him, but to help. Tonight the wounds from the whip were worse than ever. The welts looked as if caterpillars were stuck under the skin.”

Journey along as McDine puts forth her unique mesmerizing voice where the depths of emotions from the main character spill forth from the pages and has you spell bound from the onset.

Visit Guardian Angel Publishinghttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/ for ordering information - August 2010.

About the Author

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions. Donna’s stories and features have been published in many print and online publications, and her first book, The Golden Pathway, will be published through Guardian Angel Publishing as well as her second book, The Hockey Agony. McDine’s interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Ms. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Musing Our Children, and The National Writing for Children Center.

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Full Media Kit, Headshot, Book Cover Art and more are available upon request.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July

The American Flag



When Freedom from her mountain height

Unfurled her standard to the air

She tore the azure robe of night

And set the stars of glory there!



She mingled with its gorgeous dyes

The milky baldric of the skies,

And striped its pure celestial white

With streakings of the morning light;



Then, from his mansion in the sun,

She called her eagle-bearer down,

And gave into his mighty hand,

The symbol of her chosen land.



Flag of the brave! thy folds shall fly

The sign of hope and triumph high!

When speaks the signal-trumpet tone

And the long line comes gleaming on.



Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet,

Has dimmed the glistening bayonet

Each soldier eye shall brightly turn

To where thy sky-born glories burn,

And as his springing steps advance,

Catch war and vengeance from the glance;



And when the cannon-mouthings loud

Heaven in wild wreaths the battle-shroud

And gory sabers rise and fall,

Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall;



Then shall thy meteor-glances glow,

And cowering foes shall sink beneath

Each gallant arm that strikes below

That lovely messenger of death.



Flag of the seas! on ocean wave

Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave;

When death. careening on the gale,

Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail,



And frighted waves rush wildly back

Before the broadside's reeling rack,

Each dying wanderer of the sea

Shall look at once to heaven and thee.

And smile to see thy splendors fly

In triumph o'er his closing eye.



Flag of the free heart's hope and home,

By angel hands to valor given!

Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,

And all thy hues were born in heaven.


Forever float that standard sheet!

Where breathes the foe but falls before us,

When Freedom's soil beneath our feet,

And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us!"



Joseph Rodman Drake


Thursday, July 1, 2010

Balancing the Writer’s Life and Mama’s Life

M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Children’s Author
Email: dmcdine@optonline.net
Phone: 845-721-7802

For Immediate Release


Balancing the Writer’s Life and Mama’s Life

Balance, balance, and some more balance. To find it at times with (as many fellow writers) the responsibilities of wife, mother, daughter, friend and my work as a virtual assistant can be quite daunting at times.

Visit with Donna McDine through her charismatic interview by freelance author, VS Grenier on Friday, July 2 at: http://thewritingmama.blogspot.com/.

Stop by for a spell and enjoy the chance to get to know this up and coming children’s author. Donna will be on hand throughout the day to field your questions and to respond to your comments.

Thank you for your interest.

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