Cover of the Year - Asking for Your Vote

I just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)

I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.

If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)

Nikki


Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion

Nimrod Rising - A Novel By Steven Clark Bradley

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book? I returned back to the United States to live here after having lived abroad for over 17 years. My country had changed so much and the values had disappeared to a great extent. One night, back in 1995, I remember so well, I sat down and started writing and out of the consuming need to research and describe where the source of the heart-felt change I saw came Nimrod Rising. It represents 12 years of wonderfully difficult work. It is a work of fiction based on truth. No one knows what the terms, 666 or antichrist really mean. We can only put together what seems historically and biblically logical. Nimrod Rising is not a Christian novel, but does declare its premise to be based on what I believe to be truth in the Bible. It is scary, not so much for its content as because it is predicted to come to pass. All the background about Nimrod is true and factual as well as the scenarios of war and the prelude to war. I think it will speak to believers and non-believers alike.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic? - I currently live in Los Angeles but am a former resident and South Bend. I was involved in a big political movement there and was the 1999 mayoral candidate. Needless to say, I lost. I have lived or been to 34 countries. The include Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey and many countries throughout Europe. The story of Nimrod rising takes place in many cultures, all of which I am very familiar with in terms of culture and language. I was able to put the images in very lively terms having visited or lived in the places described. Also, Nimrod Rising is a real look at the religion of Islam. I have spent my whole adult life working with Muslims. That gives me a real knowledge of the faith of over one billion people. I have a master's degree in liberal studies from Indiana University and I speak French and Turkish. I also have been an assistant to a prosecutor, a university instructor in several countries and a freelance journalist. These areas of expertise, along with my political background gave me an easy understanding of the world around me. I have also authored two other novels, Probable Cause and Stillborn! also published by PublishAmerica.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic? - I think the most important thing for readers to be as they read Nimrod Rising is open-minded. They need to try to get beyond the physical world we see every day and try to accept that there is more out there than just us. I don't want people to consider Nimrod Rising as just another scary story. It is far more than that. Nimrod Rising is a book about the history of life and the origin of evil. The reader needs to pose the questions such as the following: Who are we? Where did we come from? What was here before us? Where are we going? Are there answers to the question why the world faces its condition today? Nimrod Rising offers “possible” answers to those questions. It will awake the imagination and the cause self perception as they read.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons? - I want people to know that there is a novel out there like none they have ever read before. That is not a cliché either. I believe they will find Nimrod Rising very unique and thrilling as well as challenging to their long-held beliefs. Groups such as you represent are great ways of allowing those who participate to see that life is greater than they ever believed and that they are more than accident on this tiny planet but vital living reasons to have hope and faith in a day lacking both.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose? - I think anyone who feels that they want to know more about why they are here and who love history and whose imagination needs stimulus and challenge will love this book. Also, readers who have suffered things for which they may have no answer could find a few very helpful explanations about the things we cannot explain. I myself am one of those. I think it is important that young adults read Nimrod Rising. Today our kids are taught things about sexuality and acceptance of things once held as wrong. Those taught in such an atmosphere need to see what may be the motivations of those who teach as right that which was once held as completely wrong. It will cause you to pose those questions that we would never pose to ourselves without such challenge.

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity? - I have always said that writing fiction is the closest thing to the divine that humans do. We take a world that does not exist, fill it with characters who have never been, develop scenarios and plots which have never been conceived of before, draw conclusions that are profound and make them speak to those who have never imagined the stories before. I want to try to answer the questions that we think of but are afraid, for many perceived reasons, to ask. That is the greatest way to germinate the creativity of the world around us. There are no stupid questions and no answers should be considered too asinine to approach. If I can stir up the imagination and the heart and souls of those who read my works, I will have participated in taking the tragedy out of human and replaced it with unlimited courage and creativity. That is my passion and my devotion to my writing and to my readers.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing? - I have written seven novels and have published three of them so far. Each time I start a new novel, I have those flutters in my stomach that remind of the massive task ahead. The time, the effort, the hours that consume us can be a monster that looms behind out eyes as well as a lack of self confidence can tell us and make us believe we cannot do it. Perhaps we have started a project before that we got into and the burdens of life and the responsibilities to family and friends seemed to crowd it all out. I have suffered those feelings more in the area of book promotion than in the actual writing. They try to have the same affects on me though. Yet, after having written one novel, and finally convincing myself that it is as it should be, I have now understood that writing is an effort of starting the work and then following it as it takes over and guides my fingers. Perhaps only a writer will understand what I am going to say, but I always have the most spiritual and amazing phenomenon come over me when I write a new story. It seems that the story really begins to write itself. Some friends I have bounced ideas off of before have often asked me how a new story is going. I inevitably respond, “I don't know, the story hasn't told me yet. It sounds crazy, but is perfectly logical to me. Also, we have to make ourselves believe that in writing, we are never late. Of course, some writers are under contract, but even in such situations, writers need to feel the words they arte writing. So those times when the words are still making their way to us, it is not time wasted. If emerging writers can make themselves believe that, then they will overcome the feelings of failure. The only failure anyway is not trying at all.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that? - Every time I have finished a novel, I have had to take time to refill the batteries. I do that by reading other author's works and unfortunately, critiquing them to death. Other writers will always get you going again. They are all different and all have very great abilities that are different than our own. Yet, I still believe the best defeat of defeat itself is by placing pen to paper and just start writing. Once the story begins to breath, so will you. Ride the idea, follow it and take stock of it and be willing to alter certain ideas and plots and above all, just have fun! It is a lot of fun to read what we have written for the day. Sometimes I laugh at my stupid mistakes and fix them and end up making them better than ever. I consider every character in all my novels to be my children, the good, the bad and the worse, none of them are ugly. :) They are all alive and need fed and dressed and I have to spend time with them. Does that sound wacky? Perhaps, but it works for me. Lastly, I think there is nothing quite like seeing a work on which you have spend a massive amount of time and toil finally bound and in book form lying in the palm of your hand! Once a writer has accomplished that for the first time, it will motivate them to feel the same thing as often as they can. Those are just a few personal and practical ways I keep writing even when I feel I cannot.

9 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book? - The person who would most suited to read my book is someone who loves life and country and who concern about the direction of their lives and the nation they love. I write stories that touch subjects that may be difficult to talk about openly and for which people desperately are seeking answers. If a reader wants to read a novel that entertain and inform them at the same time, Nimrod Rising is a great novel for them! It will shake the foundation of their lives but will give them a firm foundation on which to build their imagination and keep them turning the page.

10 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us? - I know that Nimrod Rising will both stimulate and propel readers into a world that no one wants to live in. That will serve in challenging each reader to possibly do more to ensure that our children and grandchildren always have a safe and secure world in which to grow. Nimrod Rising is just such a book. I believe you will love it!

For much more information about Steven Bradley Clark and Nimrod Rising - visit http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising

Nimrod Rising - A Novel By Steven Clark Bradley

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book? I returned back to the United States to live here after having lived abroad for over 17 years. My country had changed so much and the values had disappeared to a great extent. One night, back in 1995, I remember so well, I sat down and started writing and out of the consuming need to research and describe where the source of the heart-felt change I saw came Nimrod Rising. It represents 12 years of wonderfully difficult work. It is a work of fiction based on truth. No one knows what the terms, 666 or antichrist really mean. We can only put together what seems historically and biblically logical. Nimrod Rising is not a Christian novel, but does declare its premise to be based on what I believe to be truth in the Bible. It is scary, not so much for its content as because it is predicted to come to pass. All the background about Nimrod is true and factual as well as the scenarios of war and the prelude to war. I think it will speak to believers and non-believers alike.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic? - I currently live in Los Angeles but am a former resident and South Bend. I was involved in a big political movement there and was the 1999 mayoral candidate. Needless to say, I lost. I have lived or been to 34 countries. The include Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey and many countries throughout Europe. The story of Nimrod rising takes place in many cultures, all of which I am very familiar with in terms of culture and language. I was able to put the images in very lively terms having visited or lived in the places described. Also, Nimrod Rising is a real look at the religion of Islam. I have spent my whole adult life working with Muslims. That gives me a real knowledge of the faith of over one billion people. I have a master's degree in liberal studies from Indiana University and I speak French and Turkish. I also have been an assistant to a prosecutor, a university instructor in several countries and a freelance journalist. These areas of expertise, along with my political background gave me an easy understanding of the world around me. I have also authored two other novels, Probable Cause and Stillborn! also published by PublishAmerica.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic? - I think the most important thing for readers to be as they read Nimrod Rising is open-minded. They need to try to get beyond the physical world we see every day and try to accept that there is more out there than just us. I don't want people to consider Nimrod Rising as just another scary story. It is far more than that. Nimrod Rising is a book about the history of life and the origin of evil. The reader needs to pose the questions such as the following: Who are we? Where did we come from? What was here before us? Where are we going? Are there answers to the question why the world faces its condition today? Nimrod Rising offers “possible” answers to those questions. It will awake the imagination and the cause self perception as they read.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons? - I want people to know that there is a novel out there like none they have ever read before. That is not a cliché either. I believe they will find Nimrod Rising very unique and thrilling as well as challenging to their long-held beliefs. Groups such as you represent are great ways of allowing those who participate to see that life is greater than they ever believed and that they are more than accident on this tiny planet but vital living reasons to have hope and faith in a day lacking both.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose? - I think anyone who feels that they want to know more about why they are here and who love history and whose imagination needs stimulus and challenge will love this book. Also, readers who have suffered things for which they may have no answer could find a few very helpful explanations about the things we cannot explain. I myself am one of those. I think it is important that young adults read Nimrod Rising. Today our kids are taught things about sexuality and acceptance of things once held as wrong. Those taught in such an atmosphere need to see what may be the motivations of those who teach as right that which was once held as completely wrong. It will cause you to pose those questions that we would never pose to ourselves without such challenge.

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity? - I have always said that writing fiction is the closest thing to the divine that humans do. We take a world that does not exist, fill it with characters who have never been, develop scenarios and plots which have never been conceived of before, draw conclusions that are profound and make them speak to those who have never imagined the stories before. I want to try to answer the questions that we think of but are afraid, for many perceived reasons, to ask. That is the greatest way to germinate the creativity of the world around us. There are no stupid questions and no answers should be considered too asinine to approach. If I can stir up the imagination and the heart and souls of those who read my works, I will have participated in taking the tragedy out of human and replaced it with unlimited courage and creativity. That is my passion and my devotion to my writing and to my readers.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing? - I have written seven novels and have published three of them so far. Each time I start a new novel, I have those flutters in my stomach that remind of the massive task ahead. The time, the effort, the hours that consume us can be a monster that looms behind out eyes as well as a lack of self confidence can tell us and make us believe we cannot do it. Perhaps we have started a project before that we got into and the burdens of life and the responsibilities to family and friends seemed to crowd it all out. I have suffered those feelings more in the area of book promotion than in the actual writing. They try to have the same affects on me though. Yet, after having written one novel, and finally convincing myself that it is as it should be, I have now understood that writing is an effort of starting the work and then following it as it takes over and guides my fingers. Perhaps only a writer will understand what I am going to say, but I always have the most spiritual and amazing phenomenon come over me when I write a new story. It seems that the story really begins to write itself. Some friends I have bounced ideas off of before have often asked me how a new story is going. I inevitably respond, “I don't know, the story hasn't told me yet. It sounds crazy, but is perfectly logical to me. Also, we have to make ourselves believe that in writing, we are never late. Of course, some writers are under contract, but even in such situations, writers need to feel the words they arte writing. So those times when the words are still making their way to us, it is not time wasted. If emerging writers can make themselves believe that, then they will overcome the feelings of failure. The only failure anyway is not trying at all.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that? - Every time I have finished a novel, I have had to take time to refill the batteries. I do that by reading other author's works and unfortunately, critiquing them to death. Other writers will always get you going again. They are all different and all have very great abilities that are different than our own. Yet, I still believe the best defeat of defeat itself is by placing pen to paper and just start writing. Once the story begins to breath, so will you. Ride the idea, follow it and take stock of it and be willing to alter certain ideas and plots and above all, just have fun! It is a lot of fun to read what we have written for the day. Sometimes I laugh at my stupid mistakes and fix them and end up making them better than ever. I consider every character in all my novels to be my children, the good, the bad and the worse, none of them are ugly. :) They are all alive and need fed and dressed and I have to spend time with them. Does that sound wacky? Perhaps, but it works for me. Lastly, I think there is nothing quite like seeing a work on which you have spend a massive amount of time and toil finally bound and in book form lying in the palm of your hand! Once a writer has accomplished that for the first time, it will motivate them to feel the same thing as often as they can. Those are just a few personal and practical ways I keep writing even when I feel I cannot.

9 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book? - The person who would most suited to read my book is someone who loves life and country and who concern about the direction of their lives and the nation they love. I write stories that touch subjects that may be difficult to talk about openly and for which people desperately are seeking answers. If a reader wants to read a novel that entertain and inform them at the same time, Nimrod Rising is a great novel for them! It will shake the foundation of their lives but will give them a firm foundation on which to build their imagination and keep them turning the page.

10 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us? - I know that Nimrod Rising will both stimulate and propel readers into a world that no one wants to live in. That will serve in challenging each reader to possibly do more to ensure that our children and grandchildren always have a safe and secure world in which to grow. Nimrod Rising is just such a book. I believe you will love it!

For much more information about Nimrod Rising and Steven Clark Bradley - feel free to visit his book tour home page - http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising

Genesis: The Untold Story

Start With The Facts

Genesis: The Untold Story

By: Dr. Lisa Aiken and Dr. Ira Michaels

Price: $24.95

ISBN: 0-9779629-1-1

Cloth Bound, 6x9,

265 pages, includes chapter summaries

Published by: Rossi Publications

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book?

Like many Jews, I read the Five Books of Moses when I was young. When I grew older, the stories about a talking snake in the Garden of Eden, Noah and the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the like no longer made a lot of sense to me. By the time I was in graduate school, I realized that I had a grade school education in Judaism, and I wanted to be as informed about Judaism as I was about psychology and other secular topics. There were no good books in English that reconciled reality with the stories in the Torah, and which explained how these stories spoke to us as modern people.

The stories in the book of Genesis seem especially simplistic or enigmatic. Why does Genesis say that God created the world in 6 days, when science shows that it took billions of years? Can we believe Genesis' account of Creation in light of evolutionary theory? Was there ever a couple named Adam and Eve, from whom all people descended? How do thinking people understand a Garden of Eden with a tree of life, another tree of knowledge of good and evil, and a talking snake? How do we know if Abraham really existed? If he did, what kind of a world did he live in? Did anyone write about him besides the Jews? Most importantly, can a rational person really believe that a Divine Author wrote Genesis and the other Five Books of Moses?

Many people simply dismiss Biblical stories as outdated or ridiculous. I believed that there must be great beauty and wisdom in them, and I tried to uncover it by learning from teachers who had studied ancient commentaries and understood how to explain them.

I believe that if Torah is the Owner's Manual for every Jew, it had to make sense and be relevant and accessible to people who were not scholars. Most Jews can't understand the original Torah, because it was written in ancient Hebrew, and in a kind of shorthand. Its Author did this so that we would have to rely on spiritual mentors who had studied traditional commentaries who could explain what the Five Books of Moses really mean. They would also guide the person who studies Torah to put it into practice in their daily lives.

Judaism teaches that understanding the Five Books of Moses is critically important to our spiritual development. If so, I wanted to understand these books better myself, and be able to share that knowledge with others.

Around 25 years ago, I started listening to audiotapes of lectures given by rabbis whom I had never met. They explained the Torah (Five Books of Moses) in such amazing ways that it made me want to learn more and more. Their explanations of these stories were so wise, so insightful, and so relevant, I wrote down their ideas so that I could share them with others.

In time, I convinced my husband to listen to these tapes as well. He was so moved and excited by what he heard that he took over writing down the ideas instead of me.

Over the next 14 years, I reworked the original notes. My husband and I each added our own understanding and insights about the various topics brought to light in the Genesis stories, based on our research and knowledge of many fields. These included biology, physics, archaeology, history, psychology and modern life. The result was a book that integrated the wisdom of Genesis with modern knowledge. Every chapter also tells us how we can apply the moral and spiritual insights of each story to our daily lives.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic?

I am a psychologist, Israeli tour guide, author of 8 Judaica books, and am an international speaker on topics of Jewish interest. My husband has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry, is a medical doctor, and studies Torah, Talmud and their commentaries. We have traveled the world and have studied many fields, including art, music, history, political science, literature, languages, world religions, and biology—to name a few. Together, we blended our knowledge in these many areas to draw out insights from the stories of Genesis, and suggest how readers can apply those ideas to our spiritual growth.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

The best way to become informed about the Torah is to study it with a guide that knows how to understand its deeper meanings. Today, people can study Torah in online classes, download audio lectures or MP3s, attend local Judaism classes, or study more intensively in a yeshiva or women's seminary.

After reading my book, people can also contact me on my blog if they want to ask questions, or seek further information about resources. [ADAM, PUT THE BLOG INFO HERE]

4 -Who is the ideal person to read your book?

Someone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the book of Genesis. Someone who is interested in putting aside simplistic ideas that they might have learned in Sunday School or even in university, or who wants to gain deeper insights even though they are knowledgeable about traditional commentaries.

Judaism teaches that God gave the Torah to the Jewish people, and Christians also accept the Five Books of Moses as divine. God is able to speak to every person--children and adults, intellectuals as well as people who learn with their hearts. Readers of our book could include observant or non-observant Jews, totally secular people, and non-Jews. They would all be curious and want to expand their knowledge about how God's Book is eternal, and still speaks to us today. Readers will be able to see how science, archaeology, history, and the like inform our understanding of Genesis, and how Genesis deepens our understanding of ourselves, the world and its Creator.

5. If each person who reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

Someone who likes intellectual stimulation and who wants a deeper relationship with God, who seeks moral or ethical guidance, or who is interested in spiritual growth.

6 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing?

They either don't believe that they can do it, or they aren't willing to invest the hard work that is required to write and rewrite a number of times before they write well enough to get published. Many people don't want to make the effort if they aren't sure that they will succeed. The thought of failing keeps many people from trying.

7. How would you suggest they can overcome that?

Read and practice the exercises in The Artist's Way. (My sister gave me The Artist's Way a few years ago, and I started to read it. I never finished because I was too busy writing.)

Find a mentor who will encourage and help you. Work with a therapist or coach who can help you believe that you can do it.

My first book was never published. I wrote a novel, and sent two chapters to an English professor who taught how to write novels. He read the chapters and told me that it was a terrible book, but that it would make a great expose if I would rewrite it. I never rewrote the book, but he taught me a valuable lesson. I can't write fiction, and I don't waste my energy trying. I try to concentrate my efforts on writing a broad spectrum of Jewish non-fiction works.

8 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else?

People define success in many different ways. Some people are motivated by money, others by a desire for admiration or acclaim. Western society defines success by how visible someone is, how much money they have (as in "how much is he worth?"), how many degrees they have, and so on.

Many people who define success based on their emotional wants are motivated by material comfort, getting physical pleasure, and/or getting validated by others.

Many women are motivated by a desire for popularity, acceptance and/or nurturing in personal relationships.

Truly religious people are motivated to do what they believe is God's will for them. They tend to define success far more by what they give than by what they get.

Many people, whether they are overtly religious or not, feel that success is fulfilling their potentials. They are motivated by finding meaning. They feel that they have talents or resources that they need to express or share with others.

9.- Who is the "perfect" person to read your book?

Someone who appreciates an easy-to-read book that provides a deeper understanding of the world and our role in it, that gives guidance about to how to live a meaningful life, and who seeks the divine wisdom in the stories of Genesis.

Blog Tours - What Would You Like to Know

I'm doing a tele-seminar next week about blog tours and I would love input from you all.

There are many things to discuss about blog tours and I worked out some initial questions to get people thinking - they are:

Discover Ways to Promote Your Book on a Virtual Blog Tour to Gain Greater Visibility and Sales

• What are the benefits of doing a blog tour?

• Should you promote your book in a blog tour?

• Should fiction and non fiction books be promoted differently in a blog tour?

• Should you organize your own blog tour?

• Why hire a publicist to organize your tour?

• If you hire a publicist, will you still need to work on the tour?

• Can you use a blog tour to promote anything besides books?

• Is there a new option in book blog tours?

But, now I need to create a couple of handouts and I'd love your input. Is there any specific info about blog tours that any of you think would be most helpful? Some folks here have done tours, some have hosted touring authors and I bet some of you have thought about doing a tour. So, since many of the people here are authors, I figured it would be a great place to pose the question. What information would you suggest I offer in handouts? Thank you all for your thoughts. There will be plenty of blog tour info coming very soon .

Nikki Leigh

PS - The answer to the last question is - most definitely. Stay tuned for much more information about that option - SOON. Or, contact me to be added to the mailing list - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with Mailing List in the subject line.

Woman Submit

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book? I was beaten into it.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic? The title of the book is, Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence. I experienced domestic violence and abuse for a period of nine years over the course of two marriages. The most violent of the two marriages was the last in which my former husband was an associate pastor of our church.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic? It would really depend on why they were interested. Someone could be interested because they are experiencing abuse or domestic violence. Or they could be interested because someone they know and love is experiencing domestic violence. The book is written and contains advice for both groups.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons? I have started The Dorcas Network, which is an organization committed to working with [primarily] Christian individuals and ministries desiring to reach out in more compassionate, effective, and biblical ways to the battered/abused women within their spheres of influence. We can certainly accomplish more together than alone.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? Women experiencing domestic violence or abuse and those they are most likely to turn to for help. If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose? Women experiencing domestic violence or abuse or those they are most likely to turn to for help--including pastors and other spiritual leaders.

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity? I believe we write best when we write honestly about what we feel strongly about. As for myself, I cannot even stay interested in writing about anything I am not passionate about. And if I cannot stay interested in what I am writing, how can I expect anyone else to stay interested in reading what I write?

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing? Not having anything to say of course.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that? Find out what it is they feel strongly--even passionately--about, and write about that.

9 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else? Different things motivate different people. Money and success have never been able to motivate me for very long periods of time (although like most people, I wouldn't mind having some). I committed my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and I have found that anything he is not the center of, very quickly loses its appeal. But the things I allow His Spirit to lead me into, are the things that have endured.

10 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book? Any woman (or man) experiencing domestic violence or abuse and those they would most likely turn to for help. And since it is estimated that one out of four women experience abuse or domestic violence (some say one out of two!), that would make the target audience for my book just about everyone.

11 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Yes. I would like to pass along a message that I heard for the very first time from a mother whose precious daughter lost her life due to domestic violence, “Domestic Violence IS your business!” www.WomanSubmit.com

Laundry Tales

1. How did you get interested in the topic?

It came from a post about laundry by one of the Celebrate Moms team members. This post on the message board received about 3 pages of responses from our moms. We knew then it is a topic of interest.

2. Our background...What have we done in the past that relates to our book and that topic?

The whole Celebrate Moms website points to the book's message of "Lighten your Load". Our tagline for Celebrate Moms is "The Mother Load Gets Lighter Here".

3. What advice would we give to someone who is interested in our topic?

We can learn from anything in life, even the mundane things like laundry.

4. What do we see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations other than networking and personal /business growth?

Groups and organizations help us learn from one another and offer a support system.

5. Who is the ideal person to read our book?

The ideal audience for Laundry Tales to Lighten Your Load is made up of mothers ages 20-50. These ladies are the primary overseers of the household laundering chores, seeking acknowledgement and companionship in a lowly job. They are either currently Christians looking to grow closer to God in a unique way or seekers in the midst of child related struggles and open to learning more about God.

6. What do we think ignites a person's creativity?

Finding and pursuing their passion ignites creativity.

7. What have we found to be the biggest stumbling block for people to start writing?

Procrastination and lack of knowledge of how the industry works.

8. How would we suggest they can overcome that?

A quote that helps Melissa, our co-founder, is "Do what you don't want to do, so you can be what you want to be." Keep that in mind. Don't approach life, dreams etc, based on feelings. Just do it even if you don't want to do it.

9. What do we find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else?

We feel like all three of the ones listed are big motivators but we pray we would rise above it and Celebrate Moms motivation would be to please God.

10.Who is the "perfect" person to read our book?

Laundry is never done—moms struggling to keep up with this humdrum chore will find Laundry Tales to Lighten Your Load especially encouraging and uplifting. They need help in ways they can relate to. The length of each story delivers a shot in the arm that will help moms get through yet another load.

Laundry is a lonely, boring and often thankless job—moms looking for acknowledgement, a feeling of camaraderie, and a greater sense of self-worth will finish reading Laundry Tales to Lighten Your Load feeling like they have just sat and had coffee with a trusted friend. One that understands her struggles and has inspired her to embrace all the dirt life has to offer.

11. Is there anything else we would like to share with the audience?

Laundry Tales to Lighten Your Load is a lighthearted look at the things we have learned from doing the laundry. We encourage you to pick up a copy, get a cup of coffeee and enjoy some of the stories and insights we share.

Sandra B. Stanford
Bible Teacher/Speaker/Author
WWW.Sandrastanford.com
WWW.Celebratemoms.org
Team Member
"The Mother Load Gets Lighter Here"
Visit my blog: blog.sandrastanford.com
Go to Sandra's website and order Celebrate moms
new book "Laundry Tales" !