Thursday, August 26, 2010

It's official!! The Golden Pathway is NOW available


It's official!! The Golden Pathway is NOW available:

Title: The Golden Pathway

Written by: Donna McDine

Illustrated by: K.C. Snider

Ages: 8-12

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hardcover: ISBN: 978-1-61633-081-1; 1616330813

Soft cover: ISBN: 978-1-61633-088-0; 1616330880

eBook: ISBN: 978-1-61633-082-8; 1616330821

Published: August 2010

Synopsis:
Raised in a hostile environment where abuse occurs daily, David attempts to break the mold and befriends the slave, Jenkins, owned by his Pa. Fighting against extraordinary times and beliefs, David leads Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa.

Author: Donna McDine http://www.donnamcdine.com/ 

Artist: K. C. Snider http://www.kcsniderart.com/

Ordering information:

Guardian Angel Publishing: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Pathway-Donna-M-McDIne/dp/1616330880/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282836673&sr=1-1 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Okay...I admit it...I goofed. I first published my interview with Carole Anne Carr on July 23rd when I should have posted it on August 23rd...so here it is again.

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.
 

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Indie-Debut 2010 Interview Feature with C. Lee McKenzie, The Write Game













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

Indie-Debut 2010 Interview Feature with C. Lee McKenzie, The Write Game

The Write Game http://writegame.blogspot.com/ hosted by C. Lee McKenzie is your one stop place to learn about up and coming debut writers in various genres. McKenzie is quite the accomplished author with several middle grade and young adult books to her credit, coupled with her experience teaching inter-cultural English and studies in American Language at San Jose State University. This makes for the perfect visit for the authors of Indie-Debut 2010 http://indiedebut2010.blogspot.com/.

Come along for this intriguing interview on Thursday, August 19 at http://writegame.blogspot.com/ and meet:

Lori Calabrese, The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade

Danika Dinsmore, Brigitta of the White Forest

Donna McDine, The Golden Pathway

Jo Ramsey, Connection

Beth Reinke, In My Bath

Be sure to leave a comment and or question, each author will check in throughout the day to field your comments and questions. Visitors participating in the contest point system please see further details within the Indie-debut 2010 interview. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a special giveaway tote bag with special treats.
Thank you in advance for your interest.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Children's Writers' Coaching Club Teleclass with Simon Rose






M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Suzanne Lieurance, The Working Writer’s Coach

Email: suzanne@workingwriterscoach.com

Website: http://writingforchildrencenter.com/ 

For Immediate Release

Internationally Renowned author, Simon Rose presents at the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club

The positive knack in which you deal with rejection as a writer is an essential part of creating your career. Yes, easier said than done, especially with the word NO printed in black and white for you to read over and over again. Do not despair and do not become discouraged.

Award-winning author and Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club instructor, Simon Rose is here to present his live 55-minute teleclass, “Dealing with Rejection – Part 1,” on Thursday, August 19 at 8 pm CDT. Mr. Rose will discuss ways to deal with rejection, how not to take rejection personally, the many reasons why publishers may choose not to publish your work, and how to turn rejection to your advantage. That’s right, to your advantage. The old saying when one door closes another one opens is never more apparent in the publishing industry.

Sign-up today at Get Real Resources and as an added bonus you will receive an email with a link to the recording of the teleclass for your future reference. All for $5.97!

Visit the National Writing for Children Center online at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com/ or the Children's Writers Coaching Club for more information on upcoming teleclasses and programs.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Using Facebook and Twitter as a Writer






M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Suzanne Lieurance, The Working Writer’s Coach

Email: suzanne@workingwriterscoach.com 

Website: http://writingforchildrencenter.com/ 

For Immediate Release

Using Facebook and Twitter as a Writer

The Internet superhighway has brought the world to our fingertips along with social networking. Does all the talk about Facebook and Twitter leave your mind swirling? Where in the world does one begin? Well swirl no more. Margo Dill, instructor for the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club, will present her teleclass, “Using Facebook and Twitter as a Writer,” on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 7 pm CDT.

Ms. Dill’s proactive approach in settling your nerves from the onset will leave you wondering what took you so long to get with the social networking times. Her jammed packed 55-minute live teleclass discusses creating a Facebook page that screams you are a writer and using Facebook tools effectively along with the ins and outs of utilizing Twitter to the maximum will have you socializing through cyberspace in no time.

Sign-up today at Get Real Resources and as an added bonus you will receive an email with a link to the recording of the teleclass for your future reference. All for $5.97!

Visit the National Writing for Children Center online at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com/ or the Children's Writers Coaching Club for more information on upcoming teleclasses and programs.

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