Post 9 KIRKUS

(Wikipedia Reports)

Kirkus Reviews (or Kirkus Media) is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980).^[1] The magazine is headquartered in New York City.^[2]

Virginia Kirkus was hired by Harper & Brothers to establish a children's book department in 1926. The department was eliminated as an economy measure in 1932 (for about a year), so Kirkus left and soon established her own book review service.^[4] Initially, she arranged to get galley proofs of "20 or so" books in advance of their publication; almost 80 years later, the service was receiving hundreds of books weekly and reviewing about 100.^[3]

Initially titled Bulletin by Kirkus' Bookshop Service from 1933 to 1954, the title was changed to Bulletin from Virginia Kirkus' Service from the January 1, 1955, issue onwards, and successively shortened to Virginia Kirkus' Service with the December 15, 1964, issue, and Kirkus Service in 1967, before it attained its definitive title, Kirkus Reviews, with the January 1, 1969, issue.^{[citation needed]}

In 1985 Anne Larsen was brought on as fiction editor, soon to become editor, remaining the editorial head of Kirkus until 2006 and modifying the review format and style for improved readability, concision, accuracy, and impact.

In 2014, Kirkus Reviews started the Kirkus Prize, bestowing $50,000 prizes annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature.

  

5-Step Book Marketing Guide

Guide can increase your book’s success, helping you to generate buzz, make connections in the industry, and break into foreign markets.

This guide will walk you through the 5 most successful steps to marketing your book. Our goal is to share tricks of the trade that large publishing houses have deployed for decades, as well as lesser-known strategies that have proven particularly successful for self-publishers.

Sign up to get insider tips on publishing and writing delivered straight to your inbox.

Unsubscribe at any time.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/writers-center/marketing/

The Book Marketing Guide Will Provide:

Post 8 Maui 2020 Writing Retreat

The 2020 Writing Retreat in Maui  

Chuck Sambuchino

Freelance Editor and Writers Conference Organizer

What I can tell you right now:

• This is not a writer's
  conference. It is a writing retreat. The amazing island setting allows writers to have the most downtime to write, learn, relax, meet other writers and read.
• It will last 4-5 days.
• I am aiming for fall/late 2020 — somewhere from September on of that year
• Because of limited space, this is a first-come-first-serve retreat, with 20 or fewer spots available.
• There will be almost a dozen intensive sessions on writing and publishing.
• All attendees will receive various personal critiques on their work.
• While many events take an academic focus, few events are able to seriously do all three of the following: 1) address the craft of writing and storytelling, 2) address the business of writing and getting published, and 3) allow writers plenty of time to recharge their batteries, read, and write creatively. This is a special retreat designed to not only maximize writing instruction and give writers the precise tools they need to get published, but also maximize personal time—whether than means writing, relaxing by the ocean, sipping a margarita, taking some time to meditate, or hopefully all four and much more.
• Maui is awesome.

Post 7 WD Competition

Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for more than 80 years. Enter our 89th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen..

Want to jumpstart your writing career? Let us help! For 89 years, Writer’s Digest has been looking for and shining the light on new and up-and-coming writers in any genre or category.  And it’s that time again—we’re looking for writing that strikes and grabs us, that we can’t put down. We’re looking for standout writing in any and all of the following categories: inspirational/spiritual memoirs/personal essays print or online article genre short story (think romance, thriller, mystery, sci-fi, etc.) mainstream/literary short story rhyming poetry non-rhyming poetry script (think stage play or television/movie script) children’s/young adult fiction That’s a lot of options, but we’re sure something you’ve written or are writing will fit in. And we’ve seen a wide range of winners in the past several years. Just be sure to check our website for entry details—we have strict word count restrictions for each category. So, how will this competition help you? That’s easy. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 in cash, a trip to New York City for the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, and an interview for a feature article in our magazine. Ten first place winners in each category receive $1,000, ten second place winners in each category win $500, and on and on! Ready to be the next writer we spotlight? Enter by May 4 for the best price! Prizes One Grand Prize winner will receive: $5,000 in cash An interview with the author in Writer’s Digest A paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a coveted Pitch Slam slot and more The First place winner in each category will receive $1,000 in cash The Second place winner in each category will receive $500 cash The Third place winner in each category will receive $250 in cash The Fourth place winner in each category will receive $100 in cash The Fifth place winner in each category will receive $50 in cash The Sixth through Tenth place winners in each category will receive $25 in cash All top winners will also receive: A  one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine, discounts on Writer’s Digest University workshops and more. The Grand Prize winning piece and the 1st place winning piece in each category will be published on WritersDigest.com. All other top winners will have their names listed in Writer’s Digest and on WritersDigest.com. All Honorable Mentions receive: 20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University Their names listed on WritersDigest.com. Categories Inspirational/Spiritual Memoirs/Personal Essay Print or Online Article Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.) Mainstream/Literary Short Story Rhyming Poetry Non-rhyming Poetry Script (Stage Play/Television/Movie Script/Short Film) Children’s/Young Adult Fiction How to Enter All entries must be submitted online. All entries must be in English. Only original works that have not been published in print, digital  or online publications will be considered. Self-published work in blogs, on social media, etc. will be considered. For the script category, only unproduced scripts will be considered. Entries in the Print or Online Article category may be previously published. It is preferred that an entry be formatted to 8.5 x 11 paper, single sided, 1 inch margins. We prefer any of the various standard-formatting styles (although non-conforming entries will not be disqualified). Scripts (TV/Movie, Stage Play or Short Film) and poems may be either double-or single-spaced; all other documents must be double-spaced. BE SURE OF YOUR WORD COUNT! Entries exceeding the word, line or page limits will be disqualified. Type the exact word count (counting every single word, except the title) at the top of the manuscript. Due to U.S. Government restrictions we are unable to accept entries from Syria, Iran, North Korea, or Crimea. For more information visit our Preparing Your Entry Page or our FAQ page. MORE INFO GO TO https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/annual-writing-competition?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=83473609&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9P-64xTfsEUOdDUgGYOMg1yMTPXYuXx-0BrxTzcPP8TaAnWcUAe-tClfHliR52fWKqewBu6KNlFAndIHxf0j3PfUrD4_9c64A2X22p9aYdlkXWc5g&_hsmi=83473609

Post 6 Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking/Roger Bourne

Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

By: Roger Bourne

Here you are, perfectly relaxed as you attend the farewell party of Joe.

Your boss comes up and asks," Would you give the farewell speech to Joe in 10 minutes time?"

"I can't'" you splutter, "my vocal chords are paralyzed."

And the fear kicks in.
"I can't do this!"
I must be crazy!"

That doesn't work so now you wait for the floor to open up and swallow you.

That doesn't happen either.

Public Speaking creates a great deal of anxiety in most people and arises when they face the prospect of giving a speech, particularly for the first time.

The truth is that public speaking is always a mixture of terror and exhilaration.

For everyone.

It's just like snow skiing.

When you start, all you can think about is how awkward you are, how dangerous it is and how you'll never be able to do this.

You get one turn right, get up a little bit of speed, the snow starts to fly in the sunshine and a tiny bit of excitement pops up.

Later, as you become a more accomplished skier, the balance between terror and exhilaration changes.
Now you are zipping down the slopes, carving those turns and feeling like an Olympic Champion!

But there is always that little bit of anxiety lurking, as you speed across the snow.

Typically for beginners in public speaking, all we experience is the terror.

Waiting for our turn to come, starting our speech, the terror remains.
This seems to consume us, makes us irrational and we often feel paralysed.
Then somehow we get through the presentation, come from the stage and as the numbness wears off, the next feeling we have is relief that the ordeal is over.

However, we still retain a sneaking regard for our courage in making that speech and a small glow of exhilaration starts to burn within.

Particularly if we can stop saying to ourselves, "how bad we were."

In fact, as you walk from the spotlight, say, "Well done indeed," to yourself.

Why?

Because it's true.

With more practice, the amount of terror reduces and the amount of excitement increases.
Now you do another speech, another presentation and pretty soon you actually realise that you are enjoying this and you become amazed.

And slowly you become hooked on the excitement of giving a speech.

So much so that when you go to fridge in the night for a drink, the fridge light comes on, and you give a 5-minute presentation!

And then the fun starts to creep in.

And by the way.

If you do not have any nervousness or excitement just before you speak, you will come across to your audience as flat.

Did you know that some of the greatest orators in the world have been known to be physically sick, before giving a stirring speech.

So, always be kind to yourself.

You will get better, with every presentation that you make.

But you have to make the presentations.

So learn the information and then simply "do it!"

Author Bio
Roger Bourne has been involved in Public Speaking, Personal Development and Coaching for more than 25 years.

As published author of "From Fear to Fame in Public Speaking," he knows how to makes it clear and simple for people getting started in Public Speaking.
Visit: www.feartofame.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Related Public Speaking Articles

3 Ways to Ruin Your Speaking or Singing Voice for Life
If somebody told me, "Go out there and ruin your voice for the rest of your life", I could do it in less than 1 year. Here is what I would do:

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©2006 ArticleGeek.com: Free Website Content - All Rights Reserved

Practice speaking as a tool to manage your thoughts and ideas for your writing projects..

Post 5 Writing from the Heart/Gina Ann Day

Writer's Cafe will help you to understand "writing from the heart" and to help you develop your abilities to recognize this phenomenon. The cafe will be a source of empowerment, as well as a tool, but you have to want to believe in the experience, and accept and trust God's will that you are an instrument of His peace. 

The words will flow.  If you allow them to do so. He will use you, your work, and the outcome to reach others, whether your genre is Sci-Fi, Old Fashion Romance, Biblical, or something in between.

I believe anyone can write if they set their hearts to co-pilot mode.  I'm not one to limit an individual by telling them either they have what it takes to write or they don't.  That's like telling a baby it has to crawl all its life because they keep falling.

I'm walking where I am led.  If you've never heard of me or any of my pen names, that's ok.  I'd prefer it that way.  I'm here to work the magic of a labor of love and to give God the glory for doing so.

There are other networks, social clubs, sites, and such that may seem to be the right place to work, but right here, God will let you know his anointing is reaching for you and that's priority. Enjoy your other memberships, but just delight in reaching beyond here.

This cafe is a place where I really walk hand in hand with you and work heart to heart with you to aid in YOU finding the right path for yourself and your work; to help you stay focused and in tune.  So, as we journey together, this nonconformist approach, keep an open mind and a loving heart to find the seeds of wisdom He sends your way.

Here we go.  Just do it and smile!

Writers are often instructed to plan out their book well before developing a tale.  You should already have the plot in mind, plan out a diagram or chart (of all elements), and add characters to the plan.  The keys are in planning, researching, developing, and producing.

Writing from the heart, from a Christian perspective is amazingly different; simpler.....much simpler.  It might be similar to writers who write at the speed of thought, but the Spirit is what makes the difference.  He, Jesus, makes it a real journey of passion and is definitely not a "written in stone" regimen.

Lesson number 1;

Learn to organize the portion of time you have managed to set aside for your writing in balance with priorities in order always.  It is very important.

We hope you are coming into that portion already clear in mind and body relaxed.  If not, it's best you get into the most relaxed position or setting which you enjoy, and park until you are clear in mind and relaxed.  Prayer really enhances this, your shifting downstage.

Being tense and still fumbling through a zillion thoughts from possibly days or weeks before, can and will block you from being able to focus on your writing.  Get in the habit of shaking off troubles by allowing God to lift them from you.  Again, prayer on a consistent basis will alleviate pressures and lift your conscience until your focus is on Him.  Not your troubles.

Priority.  It always works. 

Whatever amount of time it takes to relax and know you are in His presence, will be your catalyst into the rest of your allotment set aside for your writing.  Focus on listening.  Beyond everything else.  To Him.

Praise & Worship music, candles, and the door locked from possible imaginary emergencies that may come knocking (conjured up by family to distract you) goes a long way to set the mood, though many writers skip the intoxication of the senses for lack of time (or belief), though it really does work for most.  Even a long soak in the tub/hot tub will get you down to earth really fast.

Whatever it takes, do it.  The sooner before you go to writing, the better.  Remember, you have only a certain amount of time allotted for your writing, and you can't focus if you are stressed out and unable to focus.

So, dear writer, that is your first lesson.  Be able to get into good habits before you write.  If you already know what it takes, great.  You have until next month to enjoy the luxury of fine-tuning your shifting down reflexes.

I would love to hear how you shift down to relax before you write.  Write to me and let me know.  But, do keep in mind to focus on the Lord while you are doing it. 

My routine is flexible, but on synchronization is this; I turn off everything; TV, radio, computer, people..... I place a GONE FISHING note on office and front/back doors. (I really am in my way.) I begin with sincere prayer, body stretches with my eyes closed in a quiet setting, candles blazing, and think nothing.  I've made sure lots of ice-cold diet Dew and coffee is on hand.  I keep plenty of fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, and nuts stashed near the desk for munchies.   Once I'm settled down, I'm in....ready to write.  Something else; I'm a night owl.  There's something truly wonderful about dusk to dawn writing experiences.

Writing from the Heart..... #1

~ Let people see the REAL, IMPERFECT, FLAWED, QUIRKY, WEIRD, BEAUTIFUL & MAGICAL person that YOU are through the reflection of your soul revealed in your writing.  As you progress or digress, your writing will reveal your journey to inspire your new fans. ~

 -  Begin by making consistent, uninterrupted time for writing.  I used to love being the night owl.. writing all night long with coffee nearby and then admiring the breaking dawn (through eyes with toothpicks holding them open), then going to bed for the morning.  Not any more.  I am forced to be a day hiker. =sigh=

 - Create your space and park a sign - DO NOT DISTURB - clearly printed on one side and discussed with your loved ones.  On the other side should be - GONE FISHING - (or whatever you like) I like to surround myself with mementos and life collected photos that include family, friends, pets, and travels.  I have a window next to my roll-top desk that opens up to a twelve-foot high deck surrounded by the forest.  I can browse the quiet and the wildlife while I ponder my manuscript.  Whatever gives you peace will work.

Alright.  Now, start writing.  Submit two pages to my email ginaannwatkinsday@gmail.com to get a chance to be published on my blog.

Here is your prompt to write about;

Send each submission to ginaannwatkinsday@gmail.com I will post them for your friends, fans, and others to read.

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord..." Hebrews 12:14 

Thank you!

Gina