Author Spotlight (Ellen Thomas)

Today's spotlight will be on my sister & fellow author Ellen Thomas. I had the privilege of meeting Ellen at the Tallahassee Writer's Association Conference in March 2011. The title of her book sparked my interest (I'll reveal that in a moment).

Ellen Thomas is the author of The BiPolar Express: One Christian Woman's Life Journey In The Company of a Child with Bipolar Disorder & Asperger's Syndrome. She is a world traveler, entrepreneur, public school teacher, guest lecturer & mother of a child with Bipolar Disorder & co-morbid Asperger's Syndrome. So this is no ordinary author we're talking about here. A victim of providence, Ellen received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education, 12 years prior to boarding the Bipolar Express. She has shared 28 years with her best friend & husband Jim. Together, they have raised their children: Tony, Luke & adopted adopted daughter Grace. Grace is the catalyst of this book.

Author Spotlight (Barbara Joe Williams)

Today's spotlight is an author who really needs no introduction. She is the co-founder of the Tallahassee Author's Network and the founder of Amani Publishing, LLC. I did ask her three questions, and wait until you see her responses. With that said, show your love for Barbara Joe Williams.

Barbara Joe Williams is a freelance writer, independent publisher, and motivational speaker living in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a graduate of Tallahassee Community College and Florida A & M University. Barbara is also the founder of Amani Publishing, LLC (2004), and the co-founder of the Tallahassee Authors Network since September 2008.

She has published books for over twenty authors and seven for herself including: A Writer’s Guide to Publishing & Marketing, Moving the Furniture: 52 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Fresh, Courtney’s Collage (with Sherille Fisher), How I Met My Sweetheart (Anthology),  Falling for Lies, Dancing with Temptation, and Forgive Us This Day.

Website: http://www.barbarajoewilliams.com/

1. Can you tell us as to what caused you & fellow author Marilynn Griffith to start TAN?

Marilynn & I had been traveling together for two years trying to promote our books. We were tired and on our way home from a road trip when Marilynn suggested that we start meeting at the library every other month to discuss building something in Tallahassee. I agreed with her and suggested that we open it up to other authors. After that, we formed TAN as a means to bring all locally published authors, aspiring writers, and avid readers together in one venue to support one another.

2. Do you find that successful people are rarely selfish people?

Yes, it's very hard to be selfish and successful. For example, I experienced success on my own, but once I connected with Marilynn, my business expanded. And once we formed TAN, my business has expanded even further.

3. Continuing from the prior question, because in many communities, most groups have the mentality of "every man for himself," how did you manage to not have that atmosphere in TAN?

Marilynn and I have learned that we're more powerful together than we are as individuals, so that was something that we were able to bring to the organization. I'm not afraid to share what I've learned because I know that what God has for me is for me, and the more I share what I have, the more He'll give to me. So I believe it's my positive attitude that affects the atmosphere of TAN more than anything...

Who Said? (First Discussion Topic)

This is a clip from a poem entitled Who Said (from my new book). What's your take on this:

Who said that a man can’t be emotional

When Your Word is more powerful than a devotional?

Is it just the women who are to be this way in a congregation?

And do we submit to their leadership regardless of the church’s denomination?

I know the stereotype is that more women are in church than men

It’s like that now, and from my understanding, it’s always been

When will we rid ourselves of these ridiculous labels?

 And allow men to worship the God who is able

Real men believe, just like women do,

Jesus is the only name that frees us too

Virtual Online Launch Party

Welcome to my Virtual Launch Party for Take It From Him!

Thank you so much for taking precious time out of your busy day to read this.

I hear you have questions for me! Fire away with them! Here’s how you can participate. You can write a comment and I’ll respond.

Question #1: Why am I having a virtual book launch party?

That’s a great question. Because not everyone is located in Tallahassee, FL; this gives everybody a chance to participate in this party.

And because bookstores don’t want to carry a local author’s book (even though it has the potential to be a bestseller and it’s on their website), I want to let you all partake in some giveaways and be able to purchase autographed copies. Here’s the beauty of it all, it’s available as an e-book as well as on Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s website. If you purchase any of my books on my website (www.maynetre.com), each one will be autographed. Oh, if you purchase Take It From Him, you will receive (just for today) one of my other books for free – just preview them and inbox me which one you want.

With all of that said, I would like to celebrate this day with my friends, family and all of my avid readers with this virtual launch party.

Question #2: Tell me about this book?

Well, Take It From Him is a look into the mind of men. There are things that we men go through that a lot of people don’t know because we tend to hide things due to our ego/pride. And the purpose is to remove the mask off masculinity. This is a brief synopsis.

I will be posting clips from not only this book but from my other two books, and I’ll pose a question or two about it.

First, I have three copies of my brand new book to give away.

All you have to do is inbox me with Contest One as the subject and answer this question (this is an excerpt from a poem entitled Where’s Love)?

Why do we lie when we're asked, "How are you?" and we say “fine,” when that's not the truth? I believe the lie is made, because the person who asked "how are you" really doesn't want to hear the truth. If “fine” isn't the answer, then you have to hear things like, "you need to work that out yourself,” or you’re discriminated. 

And that’s it! The contest ends at 11:30pm tonight.

Three people will be selected at random and contacted by e-mail.

Second, Win a Mystery book from one of my fellow authors!

One of my fellow authors have not only published books for herself, but she’s published books for others (translation: she’s published more works for others than she has for herself). That means she knows the writing/marketing industry and she knows what she’s talking about. 

For YOUR chance to win a signed copy of her book, inbox me with Contest TWO as the subject and answer this question: Why haven’t you pursued your passion/talent when you know that’s what you should be doing right now? And what will you do differently starting from this moment in time?!

And that’s it. You’re entered into the contest (this will also end at 11:30pm tonight).

This book is powerful, considering it’s for men of standard & the women who love them. But I want my copy now.

Just simply purchase the paperback or the e-book version on Amazon.com.

Let’s have some fun. I will post my first note shortly. 

Author Spotlight (Nedra Maurine White)

This week's author spotlight will be on my sister & fellow author Nedra Maurine White.

Nedra Maurine White is an author currently living in Tallahasse, Florida. Her debut release tittled, Gracie's Journey Out Of Darkness: A True Adoption Story of Separation, Taken Identity, Fear, Pain, and Glorious Sibling Reuniting. As a child in foster care, before adoption was sexually abused, and heartbroken. At the age of seven, she was adopted by a family in Detroit, Michigan, which unfortunately unknown to the State Of Michigan Child Welfare Dept. the adoptee mother was a Socio-Path. Nedra was tortured and terrorized. It is of her life Journey and a tribute to her children-who didn't just give her courage, but literally kept her alive, and to her sister Deborah Gates, that took fifty years to find her siblings.

 

It also is a remarkable story of hope and the faith one woman can have in order to finally bring back her own full family circle. Nedra has learned that there Is a GOD because only God could save her from herself.

 

Her books can be purchased on:

www.ourtskirtspress.com/graciesjood

http://www.amazon.com/Gracies-Journey-Out-Darkness-Separation/dp/1432751638/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307955066&sr=8-1

Who's Really Greedy?

Many people will say that the rich are greedy? And some will say that the poor are greedy? My response is both are guilty of being greedy!

Let’s talk about a couple of things. I said to myself in 2010, when the healthcare bill passed (note that I was neutral to it), why should I work? Somebody else can pay for it and I don’t have to work. Now, who’s really greedy?

It’s been said that the rich need to give more! People like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates. But you’ll never hear people say that Russell Simmons & P. Diddy need to give more. Why is that? Note that all of the above mentioned names actually have charities & foundations, but I guess the real complaint is that the money is not in YOUR hands. Now, who’s really greedy (and is the race card being thrown as well)?

Many people say there’s a class war. Here’s a question: are we blaming the rich because they are rich and you’re not?

Now don’t give me wrong, you can’t totally blame the rich for being rich, because the government (under all administrations) is helping the rich stay rich. Instead of complaining and blaming both, learn the rules to make yourself better. God can bless you with talents that will bless your life. Now what’s so hard with fulfilling your talent? Are you just too lazy to get off your behind and work towards your dream/goal/vision, whatever? It would be a tragedy to hear Jesus ask of you when you’re at the Judgment Seat, “why did you bury your talent?” With that said, you have something deep inside of you that will benefit not only you, but your realm of influence. So I ask you, are you going to continue to bury it due to fear? Are you burying it for fear of actually seeing a reality you’ve never seen before (that’s actually positive)?

It’s recorded in Scripture that the poor will be among you, and it also says (in 2 Thessalonians 3:12 – you don’t work, you don’t eat).

What I just said might have been a little off subject, but it still fit the topic.

Unfortunately, there will always be greedy rich people in this world. There will also be greedy poor people by choice. This is because they don’t want to work or they just simply want their mouths fed by someone else (even though they’re adults). It’s easy for them to be fed a fish than to learn how to fish and what it does it creates a constant cycle of greed.

Here’s something else to think about: on one show Oprah gave everyone in her audience a brand new car. Now her critics took that and said she was trying to buy popularity. Now some took it to mean that she had tremendous wealth and wanted to share it (I agree with that). Genuine rich people are generous because they know it’s not all about them. The critics got mad simply because of what I said above. If the car were given to all of her critics, they wouldn’t have been upset. But this proves my theory that they are just greedy (and are probably poor people). But here’s what I find interesting: when you have greedy poor people, they will never be satisfied. When you have greedy rich people, you have some ugly & cocky attitudes. Either way, greedy people are just downright selfish people (just like we all are when you think about it). On some level, we all are greedy people. But we have to suppress that ugly spirit of greed & selfishness.

In closing: Focus on your purpose while you’re here on earth and don’t worry about greedy rich or poor people. It would be a waste of a life if you spent it complaining and blaming because you’re not rich or guilty corrupt rich people are living the glamorous life and you’re not!

Tremayne's Book Release Party (June 18, 2011)

Happy Thursday everyone:

Don’t forget that on June 18^th, I will be having a virtual online release party for the release of my third poetry book, Take It From Him (For Men of Standard & The Women Who Love Them). This party will take place on three sites:

My blogspot: http://mayneman.blogspot.com

My personal Facebook page (I created an event, and if you attend, I’ll invite you to a live chat whwith me and possibly a few authors will participate).

My fan page on Facebook (there will be discussion topics brought up by fellow authors & yours truly)

I did it this way to give everyone three different options to join in. The unique thing about this party is that you can drop in for a minute or two and leave. There will be multiple giveaways (and a major giveaway near the end), but you’ve got to stop on by any one of my sites. We will be discussing my new release and there will even be a discussion of my prior books. Don’t forget you can preview them on my website www.maynetre.com (and click on published books).

If you or your friends purchase my Take It From Him between now & June 17^th, you will get a free copy of my debut book Take It From Me (some will qualify to get in place of my debut book my second book Take It From Her). Just go to my website and purchase (all books purchased there will be autographed).

Spread the word, more details will follow.