Shrum Encourages Freshman Authors

All FCCW guest speakers bring interesting messages and helpful hints to our meetings. But every so often we’re showered with additional, very useful material. Such was the case with Estelle Shrum’s presentation at last Thursday’s FCCW meeting.

In her presentation, Estelle described her life, and the troubling experiences that were foundational to her new book titled, He Is The Word, a compilation of poems written over two years. As she described it, her book is proof that a life visited by frequent, unhappy events out of one’s control, can produce both victory and a deeper relationship with God.

Estelle grew up in a house with an abusive father and a paranoid, schizophrenic mother. The effect of such a toxic environment led first to frequent panic attacks as a young woman, and later, two attempts at suicide. In later years, her daughter experienced some of the ripple-effects from her family tree, developing serious problems of her own.

Estelle related that today, both she and her daughter are living examples of God’s healing victory. As she pointed out, “The four best years of my life were when I dated my husband. And we’ve been married over forty years!”

Because all of Estelle’s poems are related to scripture, He Is The Word is both a resource for practical Biblical guidance as well as an escape into poetic literature. Glancing through the book, it is easy for one to pinpoint a topic of interest and be directed to a relevant poem. Each passage brings out the essence of scripture through insightful, tender paraphrase of God’s perspective.

Estelle told us the reason for the poetic format is to, “Encourage Christians and non-Christians to read the Bible.”

In addition to poetry, Estelle included sections at the end such as, “The Many Names Of Jesus,” and “The Bible Vs. The Koran,” -- an overview of the similarities and differences between two of the world’s most important books.

As for the “extra gift,” Estelle covered a large table with several, very helpful handouts such as:

“Avoiding literary scams”

“Writers Beware: Thumbs-Down Agency List”

“How To Find The Right Book Publisher”

“Fake Writing Contests.”

She included three long lists of Christian publishers and Christian self-publishing resources.

Estelle’s own book was published through an organization called, “Publish America,” a co-op company requiring no down payment by the author. As she put it, “It’s a subject of particular importance to all freshman authors!”

FCCW extends a warm thanks to Estelle and hopes many readers will enjoy her book for a relaxing, insightful poetic journey through the Bible.

By Ken Overman, FCCW Member

Queen Lily's Vet & Author Tells Her Story

At some point in our lives we’ve all experienced the trauma of a move. For children in particular, relocating to a new, strange place can be very unnerving.

That is the premise of Sharon Hoffman’s new book, The Story of Queen Lily. In it, Sharon relates to anxious young readers about the upside of moving. The story puts them at ease through well-written, child-oriented dialogue and delightful photos.

Photos of what? Of the main character, Lily, who happens to be a fluffy, gregarious cat with lots of experience on the topic.

Sharon, a veterinary dentist and oral surgeon, wanted to write a book about “something other than medical journals.” She and her family moved from Ohio to Jacksonville four years ago and, as she related it, the strain of the move became the seed of an idea for the book.

Queen Lily, their family cat, moved with them, but seemed to be the only one without trauma in the ordeal. As soon as they arrived, Lily went about exploring their new neighbors, the beach and the marshland around her new home. Thus, Lily provided both material and rationale for the story.

The story captivated members of FCCW at this week’s meeting through Sharon’s slides and discussion. She took it further by relating some important points about what it took to get published – a topic close to our hearts.

When she explored publishing options, Sharon found it too expensive, too complicated and that it took too long. As a first-time writer, she needed simpler approach, and was about to shelve the idea. Then, she found her answer at a small bookshop in Fernandina Beach where she met a “co-op publisher,” named G.W. Reynolds.

Mr. Reynolds explained his company’s minimal risk, fast approach to publishing. She agreed to the partnership he offered, and signed with Mr. Reynolds’ company called, High-Pitched Hum Publishing.

The happy ending is the book is now in print, and being enjoyed by numerous young ones, whether they’re moving or not.

By Ken Overman, FCCW Member

Dr. Lorraine Facilitates FCCW Mission Revision

FCCW’s President, Dr. Haataia, spoke at the weekly meeting of FCCW where she facilitated the final draft of FCCW’s Mission Statement.

The original draft was formulated at the December 18^th FCCW meeting when the general membership submitted their views on why FCCW exists.

Lorraine guided the members through a brainstorming session in an effort to focus on the core values and key objectives of the group, now in its second year.

Comments and suggestions from the group were myriad, prompting Lorraine to comment, “It’s a real challenge to do this with a room full of writers!”

When the board was full of notes, the final, boiled-down version emerged which read,

FCCW’s mission is to support members through:

· Improving writing skills with education and critiques,

· Networking within the publishing industry, and,

· Holding each other accountable to achieve goals.

Of note, is Dr. Haataia’s handling of all the information. The sheer volume of all the input could have taken all night, but her skills in efficiency consulting among other things, got the job done, and right on time!

The remainder of the evening was dedicated to critiques of a few aspiring writers.

By Ken Overman, FCCW member

Bestseller Fast Shares How She Published

On Thursday night, we had the pleasure of hearing, Julie Fast, best selling non-fiction author, share on her life as a writer.

Writing for Julie, came as an answer for her own personal challenges and frustration. She had struggled with Bipolar Disorder for years and did not get the relief she hoped from medications. She was frustrated and felt defeated. Necessity is surely the mother of invention for instead of giving up; Julie developed a method for living with the challenges that being Bipolar creates. She invented and personally implemented into her own life, a Health Cards Treatment Plan. Within 6 months, she noticed great results in her own health and in her relationships. This treatment plan would become her first book.

While living in France in the early 2000 with her significant other she focused on making her Bipolar Health Plan and her next book, Bipolar Happens, available to others. After a frustrating experience with an agent, Julie decided to offer her first books as e-books. At that time, guidelines for e-books were non-existent, so she taped into her creativity and found a market for her copies of both books online by advertising with Google Ad Words. Browsers ordered and paid online with a credit card. Books were shipped to them in manuscript form. The first month her books sold $3,000 in copies.

Julie shared two valuable lessons that came from this experience

1. A web presence is essential for all writers.

2. Timing is everything – especially in a niche market.

Part of Julie's early success came because alternative information on mental health and specifically, bipolar disorder was not available. Once the medical profession realized the hungry market in this genre, they caught on. In the next four years, Julie sold three major books that are now bestsellers including Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder (New Harbinger, 2004), Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder (Warner Wellness, 2006) and Get it Done When You're Depressed (Alpha Penguin, 2008).

Julie has clear goals and a tried and true system for all of her projects.

Here are a few of her suggestions for writing non-fiction:

• Julie stresses that all writers need to have an outline before they write a book--this makes the writing a lot easier.
• Find an agent you trust - a valuable asset in developing your career as a writer.
• Perfect your query writing skills. Your entire career often depends on a query!
• Query for an agent and wait for an agent you trust. Agents are the first and essential step to publishing a book. 
• Once you have an agent (if you have a good idea with a well written query, you can get an agent!) you will write a proposal on your topic. This proposal includes a brief sales letter about your book including why your book is needed, the audience and your ability to market the book. The next section is a table of contents, chapter summaries and two sample chapters.
• Authors are part of a publishing  machine. The more you know about the business side of writing, the more successful you can be in the industry.
• Never sign away your electronic book rights (also called display rights), audio or foreign rights. Contract for written English print rights only and then negotiate for the rest.
• Nothing provides return like good old networking. Suggestions include writers groups and conferences.
• Create a professional photo to use on all of your materials.
• If you have a niche market or you are good with Public Relations and Marketing –look into publishing yourself. Just make sure you get a professional editor as well as a professional type setter and graphic designer.

Julie regularly speaks on mental health topics at churches and other organizations and also works as a corporate consultant on the topic of employee productivity.

Julie's latest book is the Geezer Guide to Creating and Selling eBooks. This book gives a writer all of the tools needed to write successful and professional eBooks.

To find out more about Julie, visit her at www.juliefast.com.

Find her books on amazon.com and in major bookstores. For an interview or presentation, please contact Julie's PR agent Laura Solop via email at ladat@comcast.net.

by Cyndi Rice, FCCW Member

Waterhouse Writes Book in Nine Days!

Steve started his writing career in a way that most of us dream about.  A nationally recognized publishing house contacted him and asked him to write a book on sales. 

Tonight we had the pleasure of having Steve Waterhouse speak to our group.  Steve is an accomplished sales consultant and author. Steve shared tips for working with a large publishing house, such as contract negotiation and how to manage a timeline for writing your book. 

One of the many valuable tips Steve shared was Dianna Booher’s 13-step process for writing a book.  Once his research was complete, Dianna’s strategies enabled Steve to write his book in nine days!

 

Steve Waterhouse is a consultant and author who helps organizations around the world improve their sales and leadership development. In his unique career, he has been an engineer on the Patriot Missile System and directed a 300% turnaround of Vortech Corporation in just 24 months.

His consulting, lecturing and training have directly helped 10's of thousands of people in 38 states, 10 countries and 4 continents. His clients include IBM, Boston Scientific, Xerox, and United Airlines. He is the author of The Team Selling Solution: Creating and Managing Teams That Win the Complex Sale, (McGraw-Hill).

Mr. Waterhouse has a BSEE from Syracuse University and holds the CSP, the highest earned award from the National Speakers Association.

To learn more about Steve’s writing and consulting, visit him at Waterhouse Group. 

by Linda Harvey, FCCW VP of Membership

King Lays Down Life to Make Time to Write

Author Michael Ray King revealed he was a closet writer for twenty years before he decided to come out into the open. Due to insecurity, he felt his knowledge inferior or unworthy to be presented to the public.

Using John 3:16 as his guiding principle, he shed this apprehension. He concluded that he truly loved writing; therefore, he would lay down his life and “make the time” to write and ensure his book was published. Through intense research, he established his own publishing company and learned the art of creative self-publishing. His discussion was filled with exciting new ways to print, promote and sell.

His main advice to fellow writer’s: use John 3:16 as your guide, every day write 500 word articles at www.articles.com, and blog twice a week.

Together, Mike and his wife Bobbie, co-founded ClearView Press, Inc. in May 2007. Learning the publishing side of writing has been and continues to be an exciting and challenging part of their busy lives. As they move forward with new books, they wear many hats - author, publisher and marketer/promoter.

In this first of what will be many publications, Michael Ray King makes his debut with one of his favorite subjects, Fatherhood 101: Bonding Tips for Building Loving Relationships. The opportunity to help other men learn what it means to be a solid, caring father is his top priority. Through books, white papers, pamphlets, speaking engagements and consulting, Michael hopes to have a positive impact on the lives of fathers and their children.

Michael won a Royal Palm Literary Award Honorable Mention at the 2008 Florida Writers Association Conference for his book Fatherhood 101. 

By Priscilla Weaver, VP PR First Coast Christian Writers

Author Auth Reveals Emmy's Question

Jeannine Auth was at her computer making final revisions to an historical novel she’d been working on for almost five years when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Her granddaughter, Emily, who was ten at the time, plopped her diary on Jeannine’s desk and said, “Grannie, I’ve been thinking about this. You’re a writer. I want you to take my diary and make a book out of it so other kids like me—other children of alcoholics—will know they’re not alone. They need to know they can still be okay even if their parent doesn’t get well. But they’ve got to know to ask somebody for help.”

Jeannine flipped through the journal pages filled with shame, bewilderment, and anger--but also love and hope. Right then, she filed the historical novel away in the bottom of a filing cabinet, and Emmy’s Question was born. Although inspired by the writing and drawings in Emily’s diary, the story has been fictionalized to include experiences of other children of alcoholics as well. There are over 11 million children under the age of eighteen in the U.S. who have an alcoholic parent–not counting kids whose parents are drug-addicted. These children for the most part don’t have a voice and do not get help. They live in a culture of shame, denial, “don’t tell”, and isolation. Having worked through her own pain and understanding, “Emmy” became their voice.

Jeannine devoted the next two years to writing Emmy’s Question. The title came from Emily’s struggle to answer the question: How could Mommie choose wine over me?  Her ultimate understanding that she could find the best in herself in spite of her parent’s alcoholism is a message of hope to any child living under the cloud of  parental addiction. The book is carefully researched, and won the endorsement of the Betty Ford Center prior to publication. Jerry Moe, the Children’s Program Director for Betty Ford, critiqued the manuscript to ensure that information and messages presented were in keeping with current-day understanding of the special needs of these children.

Emmy’s Question has won a number of prestigious awards and multiple endorsements. It was published by Morningtide Press, a small independent publishing company owned by Jeannine and her husband, Dennis.  The book is available through bookstores nationwide and all on-line booksellers. It is being used in counseling practices, schools, and rehab centers. She hopes to complete a sequel to Emmy’s Question over the next year, as well as resuming work on her earlier novel.

Jeannine stressed the need for aspiring writers to study and learn the craft of writing. She advised the group on some do’s and don’ts of the writing trade and suggested several books she found especially helpful. These books include:

The Craft of Writing, William Sloane

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Browne & King

The Art of Fiction, John Gardner

Makely Shapely Fiction, Jerome Stern

The Elements of Style, Strunk & White

Bird by Bird, Ann Lamott

Members and guests gathered around Jeannine after the program concluded to ask questions. Jeannine graciously offered sage advice to those hoping to break into the publishing field.

By Ron Moore, Member First Coast Christian Writers

Chicken of the Sea Author Says Surfing Saves

"God gave me surfing to save me," says Paul Hayden, author of Chicken of the Sea. What almost drowned him as a child saved him as an adult. He tried numerous times over the years to write the book, but today it's a reality.

When he lived in Long Island, Paul's friends used to call him the "Chicken of the Sea" because he was afraid of the surf after a near-death experience in the water. Not only did he overcome this fear, but surfing has become one of his passions. Paul says that surfing gives him strength--that the ocean is cleansing. Paul chose to publish this book with Tate, a partnership publisher.

Paul encourages writers to have the faith and conviction not only to write, but also to publish. It takes courage to write about your own life and the people you know, but it's also healing to do so.

After his book was published, one of the teachers from his high school wanted to add his book to her curriculum, but shortly after, she left the school so it didn't work out. What a great idea, however, for schools and colleges to use the books of their graduates!

Paul is currently working on a faith-based novel which he hopes to title, The Nonconformist. He also has a children's book, Byron the Lonely Christmas Tree, coming out very soon. He doesn't use scripture in his faith-based books. He tells his story just like it is from the joy and pain in his life--this is how people can see his faith.

"Write from your heart. Write what you know." Paul writes in a conversational style, no big words.

He writes all his first drafts long-hand. He picked up this habit when he was traveling a lot. He learned to make the most of his time whether he was in an airport, hotel or restaurant. He burned through quite a few ink pen refills and he saves the empty ones to quantify his progress.

"If you don't have a name, it's difficult as a first time author, but don't give up. Be patient. God has a plan for you. It's really great when people write to you and tell you that  you've made a difference in their lives."

"Don't let anyone talk you out of following your dream," says Hayden. "And be sure to set deadlines, or you'll never get anything done!"

Wood Brings Books into the Classroom

"If the story is in you, it will come out," is what Jane learned from a UNF professor. Jane used to outline her writing and plan everything out before she wrote. But today she prefers not to worry much about outlining and structure, but focuses on letting the stories happen more organically.

Jane's books are for readers age 9-14. To be sure that she doesn't lose touch with her audience, Jane keeps up with movies and activities targeting children 9-14.

"My husband is a good sport, he'll see the movies with me," says Wood.

She has found her niche among teachers and students. Most of her presentations are in schools.  Her books tell a story and provide history and other lessons for students. Jane also provides teachers with resources to use in the classroom: vocabulary words, discussion questions, an electronic scavenger hunt and more.  Jane's first three books have been a great success and she's working on two more to add to her collection.

About Jane:

Jane Wood was born in Astoria, Oregon, a community rich in Scandinavian heritage. Jane’s family moved to Cocoa, Florida, when she was ten. She grew up near Cape Canaveral and watched America’s journey into space first-hand. During two of her college summers, she worked at the Kennedy Space Center.

She graduated from the University of Florida with a major in history and a minor in English. She taught junior high and high school in Central Florida, but left the classroom when her first son, Jonathan, was born. Three years later, along came Brian.

Jane remained a “stay-at-home mom” while her sons were growing up in Jacksonville, Florida. She was involved in school parent groups, Boy Scout activities, and their athletic associations. Jonathan played baseball, soccer and ran cross-county in high school. Brian played baseball, soccer and football in high school. Today Jonathan lives in Jacksonville Beach with his wife Jennifer, and Brian coaches college baseball and conducts clinics for coaches and young players.

When the boys were older, Jane spent three years writing part-time for a local newspaper. After earning a Masters degree in Education in 1988, she went to work at the local cable company as the Educational Programming Coordinator. During her 12 years there, she produced numerous television shows relating to education, including many that involved local youngsters in the productions.

Jane has also been involved in many international activities in her community. She is active in the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association and was elected to the board of directors for Sister Cities International. She has traveled to three of Jacksonville’s sister cities in Russia, China and France. Jane lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband Terry. They like to travel and spend time with their family and friends.

Victims' Advocate Editor Speaks Up for People

This evening, Shirley Shaw, Editor of Justice Coalition's Victims' Advocate spoke at FCCW. She told the story of how the Justice Coalition came about and how she became involved with the organization.

Shaw also told us the story of an amazing man, Terry Lane, whom she describes in her article entitled, "Look at the Children," in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Today's Christian.

Shirley clearly has a passion for telling stories of the many interesting people she meets.

Thank you for inspiring all of us this evening Shirley!

Your First Readers Aren't Your Audience

This evening, author Vic DiGenti reminded writers that our first readers aren't always our audience. The person who buys the book isn't necessarily the person who reads the book.

Vic suggested that writers do six things in an open:

1. Get the reader hooked.
2. Establish a bond between the reader and the lead character.
3. Set the scene through dialogue or action--show, don't tell.
4. Get conflict going.
5. Describe the hero or heroine briefly so readers can picture him or her.
6. Surprise or startle the reader.

"Writing is an obsessive-compulsive behavior," say DiGenti. I find this to be true as I continue on my quest for researching, experiencing, writing and publishing more and more ideas. There's never enough time to observe and write, experience and write, think and write, read and write! Anyone else agree?

Hope to see you soon at First Coast Christian Writers.

Tropical Storm Fay Rains On FCCW

This is the first time we didn't hold a weekly meeting since we first started in January. The storm pounded Jacksonville with wind and rain, leaving many residents without electricity. Trees were down and local officials urged people to stay home as tornado warnings persisted into the evening.

See you next week, God willing.