Winter Authors Campaign; Savanna J

“Behind Closed Doors” is the story of two couples, Nia and her husband, Brett and Stephan and his fiancée, Brooke. From all appearance, these two couples seem to have it all together; successful careers, good friends and active social lives. They are the people we watch and envy.

What really takes place when these four go home at night and close their front doors? Is it truly as good as it seems? Brett’s got a secret but he’s too wrapped up in himself to notice, Nia does too. Stephan’s promised to love and stay faithful to Brooke but can he keep his promise when temptation moves into town?

In, “Behind Closed Doors,” author Savannah J, takes you on a journey, delving into topics that are taboo, but happen daily in our communities. Subjects that make us blush, yet leave us yearning to know more. Join her as she takes you on a roller coaster of a ride and reveals what really goes on, “Behind Closed Doors.”

Published November 1^st, 2011

Purchase this book today:  www.thesavannahjpublications.com

 Signing Off,

Dominique

 

Winter Authors Campaign; Savanna J

Savannah J. was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware in an Italian neighborhood affectionately referred to as “Little Italy”. The unconditional love and support of her family and influence of her environment fostered her love and talents in the Arts. Subsequently, during her college years, she studied music and literature, which fed her passion for writing. She is the author of “Toward the Light” and the sequel “The Prodigal Son,” and “Behind Closed Doors.” She has recently completed two additional titles, “The Drama Don’t Stop Cause a Brotha Turns 50,” and the suspense thriller, “The Prey,” to be released in the summer of 2012. She is also the founder and organizer and co-host of The Annual Authors Literary Festival, which is held yearly in the Richmond Virginia Metro Area.

Savannah J. currently resides in Virginia with her son and family. For more information see her website at www.thesavannahjpublications.com or email her at savnhj@aol.com. For more information on The Annual Authors Literary Festival visit the website at www.theannualauthlitfestival.com “Toward the Light” is available at www.authorhouse.com “The Prodigal Son,” and “Behind Closed Doors” are available through Savannah J’s website.

Author of Behind Closed Doors

Published on November 1^st, 2011

Read more on the Winter Authors Campaign at www.fromawriterspovmagazine.com

 

Winter Authors Campaign; Savanna J Interview

Savanna J joins us today on The POV Lounge. She is apart of the Winter Authors Campaign. We interviewed the author about her status as a published and her current book. Check her out!

From A Writer’s POV (POV): Why did you become a writer?

Savanna J (SJ): My college English professor felt that I had talent and commented that I should consider majoring in English and becoming a writer. I didn’t take him seriously at first but later, I began writing as a form of therapy to escape the stressors of life. The more I wrote, the more I enjoyed it. Eventually my writing led to publishing my first book and now I wouldn’t have it any other way.

POV: When did you know you wanted to publish a book?

SJ: After showing my first manuscript to a friend, she encouraged me to publish. It felt empowering to have someone believe in me and my writing, and it gave me the boost I needed to follow through with my dream of publishing.

POV: Why did you pick the genre that you write?

SJ: I’m really a hopeless romantic and I love happy endings, so I decided to create my own.

POV: If you could write in any other genre what would it be?

SJ: Someday, I would love to do a Non-Fiction. Actually, it’s currently in my plans to do so. I have the subject and title picked out.

POV: What is your writing process?

SJ: There is usually something or someone who inspires a story in me. Once I receive the inspiration, I plan the beginning and ending of the book. Because I’m easily distracted at home, I have a special place where I go alone to write. While I’m there, I don’t answer my phone or emails; that way I stay focused.

POV: How long did it take you to write your current book?

SJ: It took me about six months.

POV: What is different about your book from other books in its genre?

SJ: In Behind Closed Doors, I tackle a couple of topics that are considered taboo in the African-American culture. Subjects that are often swept under the rug because we are too uncomfortable to talk about them.

POV: What mistakes have you made with this book that you will be sure to correct next time?

SJ: With my next book, I plan on devoting more consistent time writing. I spent time working on Behind Closed Doors; I just didn’t spend time on it daily. My plan moving forward is to write everyday for at least four hours.

POV: When do you feel most comfortable in your writing zone?

SJ: When I’m in my writing spot. There are no distractions and no one who knows me. I can become so engrossed, that I look up and suddenly realize its dark outside and I’ve been writing for about five hours.

POV: Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?

SJ: My favorite author is Zora Neale Hurston. I think she’s one of the greatest authors who have ever lived. My favorite book is “Death Be Not Proud” by John J. Gunther.  It’s the story of his son’s battle with a brain tumor and a true testament of a parents love.

POV: What books are you currently reading?

SJ: I’m currently reading “Mama Ruby” by Mary Monroe.

POV: What advice do you have for those who are looking to publish their first book?

SJ: For starters definitely keep with your dream. You may look about and say, ‘wow the industry is so inundated with authors, who is going to care about what I have to say?’ To that I reply there is always room for more but remember writing your book is the easy piece. The work comes after your novel is completed; marketing is the important part. If you write a book and don’t push it no one will ever know and people are not going to seek you out; you have to go after the reader.

Secondly I’d say, align yourself with writers who are serious about their craft and are going somewhere; The Law of Attraction is real. If you surround yourself with people who are successful, and are willing to put in the hard work, you will become successful.

Lastly, find a mentor who is willing to support and guide you. This may be the most important part of all. As I said, it’s easy to write a book but if you don’t know where to go from there, you’ll become lost and discouraged. A mentor is like a map if you will and writing is an adventure. Have fun with it but seek guidance along the way to ensure you reach your destination.

Read more about the author at www.fromawriterspovmagazine.com

 

 

Winter Authors Campaign; Imani Wisdom

2012 is here and we have only two ladies to promote this month. In the Winter Authors Campaign we’d like to introduce, Savanna J and Imani Wisdom!

Imani Wisdom

In 1989, after graduating from Northwest High School in Indianapolis, Imani worked several factory jobs before she dedicated her life to care for her mother, grandparents, and aunt.  She stood by their side for 14 years; including being a single parent to three (two boys and a girl).

After Imani’s sister resumed the role as primary caregiver for their mother, Imani enrolled at a local community college to major in Paralegal Studies.  It was then, the four-time Dean’s List student discovered her passion of writing.  She wrote essays, short stories, and poetries, and a few were published in the college paper and a local magazine.

While being a Cargiver, Imani suffered the darkness of depression.  She described her emotions in a 2010 poem, Trapped With My Eyes Wide Open, she wrote:

Sadness is not defined by my blank stare
or the tears streaming down my face
staining my curly black hair
or the anxiety I feel in my heart
numbing paralysis
feeling like my soul is drifting apart

“Breaking free from the darkness hasn’t been easy, but there’s no choice,” She said, “It’s either wail in my depression or do something about it”.

And she did.

Author of Untimely Revelations: A Collection of Stories of Love, Faith, and Forgiveness

Book is coming soon!

Read more about the Winter Authors Campaign at: www.fromawriterspovmagazine.com

 

Get on From A Writer’s POV Next Campaign!!!!

The Authors Campaign is a 2 month promotion created by From A Writer’s POV to help promote authors. The campaign is looking to spotlight 3-5 authors for two months on our magazine, newsletter, blogs, sister sites and The POV Lounge. Depending on the genre of your writing, we are opening other spaces on our magazine to spotlight you. The cost of this event is only $35 for a two month campaign of exposure. This is not a blog tour. Most blog tours cost over $100 for just one week. We are giving you 2 months of only $35!!

The itinerary is as follows:

The Month of January:

• Blog spotlight on one Monday in September surrounding you, your website, social networks, events and your blogs.
• One month spotlight on our magazine with a short article about you, your website, your blogs and social networks involved in or operated by you.
• Free newsletter ad once a week in our newsletter
• Advertisement on twitter, facebook and other social networks.
• One Blogtalk Radio Interview with one of our sponsors

The Month of February:

• Blog spotlight on one Monday in October on The POV Lounge surrounding you, your website, events, social networks, blogs, your book and anything you are involved in.
• One month spotlight on our magazine with a short article about you and everything you’re involved in.
• Free newsletter ad once a week in our newsletter
• Advertisement on twitter, facebook and other social networks.
• One Blogtalk Radio Interview with one of our sponsors

An itinerary will be written up so that you will know exactly what days you will be spotlighted on the POV Lounge and other places on our magazine. Your spotlight on the magazine will be all month.

Guidelines:

• Must be a published author of at least one book (Book must be available for purchase)
• Obtain a website, blog and be a part of social networks
• Must make payment by November 18^th, 2011 and have sent all asked information in documents sent to you.

If you are interested in signing up, please email us at: inquiries@fromawriterspovmagazine.com and fill out the info below by copying and pasting it into an email.

(The information we need is between the two red lines)

Subject: WAC Submission

—————————-

Your Information

First and Last Name (Author Name):

Contact Email:

Phone Number (Optional)

Your Bio-Professional, written in third person: (Copy and paste here)

How many books have you published?

List your latest book here with publishing date and synopsis:

Genre of your writing

Questionnaire (Yes or No):

Do you have a website?

Do you have a blog?

Do you have a social network or a part of a social network?

Are you a published author of at least one book?

Are you a Poet?

Are you an inspirational writer?

Will you be able to attend a Blogtalk Radio Show for an individual interview?

Instructions:

Please attach a picture of yourself to this email (Professional headshot only)

Please attach a picture of your latest book to this email

————————-

If at that time we feel you are a good fit for our campaign, another email will be sent to you asking for payment and an Authors Info document will be sent. This form will need to be filled out and sent to us along with payment by November 18^th, 2011.

We WILL NOT accept any submissions after this date. This is on a first come, first serve bases.

Please do not sign up for the campaign if you are not serious about your literary career. This is not an opportunity for you to sit back and watch us advertise and work for you. We want motivated and committed authors on our campaign. Please consider this before signing up.

Thanks,

From A Writer’s POV

www.fromawriterspovmagazine.com

Point of Contact for this event:

Dominique L. Watson

 

Fall Authors Campaign; Angela Ringo Interview

Angela Ringo is back on The POV Lounge talking about her literary journey and giving some advice. She’s one of the participants in the Fall Authors Campaign. Check her out!

From A Writer’s POV (POV): Why did you become a writer?

Angela Ringo (AR): I believe this is my calling from God to do. There was always something for me to write about no matter what. Writing took me to a place in my mind where I could capture, create and experience a variety of things and places. A world designed by me where I could control the situation with varieties and outcomes. Places where I could escape from the everyday stresses of life. My thoughts turned into stories, stories I wanted to share with others.  My dream was to become a famous children’s writer and artist even though I have written many incomplete stories. I would wonder why I couldn’t finish them.

I started listening to my inner voice telling me things to do. I knew from that point God was telling me to write my life story first. Just looking at me, I look like I never been sick a day in my life. I lost my health at 19 years old due to Kidney Failure, was in a wheelchair and was told I might not ever walk again because I had 7% of my nerves and muscles in my body working at the time. God has blessed me with the gift of life not once but twice.

My life story is moving, inspirational and uplifting it makes others believe in miracles when all hope is gone. What I went through could help someone who might be going through the same thing.  My autobiography was written about 4 years ago but never published because I had more things to experience, more trials and tribulations to overcome.  Poetry came along with writing my autobiography of how I was feeling when certain things happened in my life. I could paint a picture with my words to explain how I was feeling at that time.

POV: When did you know you wanted to publish a book?

AR: Ever since I was a teenager

POV: Why did you pick the genre that you write?

AR: Writing poetry give me a chance to play with rhyming words at the same time to express my feelings and thoughts through words. Words are powerful and effective if used in the correct way and I want my message to get across to others.

POV: If you could write in any other genre what would it be?

AR: Romance

POV: What is my writing process?

AR: My writing style goes with what in my spirit at the time. My inner voice takes over and I just can’t stop writing but other times I have writers block. When that happens I focus on something else until I can write again. Most of my writing comes from personal experiences and my feelings at the time whether it joy, happiness, sadness, pain or sorrow. I write my best poems from emotions and the others are from what I see.

POV: How long did it take you to write my current book?

AR: 4-5 months

POV: What mistakes have you made with this book that you will be sure to correct next time?

AR: I chose a different publishing company for my 4^th book because they offered a better package. Sometimes better is not always good.  I had some issues about getting all of my books, marketing and communication issues with my publisher at one point. I throw up my hands and just didn’t care anymore. I never gave up on my passion for writing I worked on other projects. I am not one who gives up easy. I decide to take back my control over my destiny.  I stay positive and focus on my mission to reach my others. It was a struggle for me to find time to market my books because I am attending school online it takes so much of my time. I set deadlines and personal goals I created for myself to meet within a certain time period.  I thought I found a way to do both but it became very overwhelming I got little sleep at times or none, dark circles under my eyes; I was feeling the effects of being burnout and my body became physical weak. Nothing is worth or come before my health.  I took some time off from school, marketing and writing to regroup and got some much needed rest.  I do things different now on certain days I would write, on other days focus on marketing, school work, etc… My publisher and I have a better understanding and relationship now. We both are aiming for the same goal to sell my books.

POV: When do you feel most comfortable in your writing zone?

AR: When I am relaxed and focus without any interruptions.

POV: Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?

AR: Course I have to say me, “Poems for My Soul.” I love reading Francis Ray the Grayson series. My favorite book by her is ‘Someone to Love Me”

POV: What books are you currently reading?

AR: None at this present time, I am focusing on completing my books.

POV :What advice do you have for those who are looking to publish their first book?

AR: Put God first “though him all things are possible” stand strong in what you believe in. People will say the most hurtful things to you try to bring to down when you are trying to do something positive.  It doesn’t matter the things people say about you or even laugh in your face. You can’t let people get under your skin and don’t second guess your faith. If you don’t believe in yourself who will? Keep your head up high and stay focus on your passion for writing.

Whether writing started as a hobby or you want to make a career it’s really hard work, don’t expect overnight success, don’t depend on people close to you to buy your book usually it’s someone you don’t know. Be prepared there a chance your manuscript could get rejected but if happens don’t give up, go somewhere else and working harder. Improved your story by making it more interesting, bring characters life, capture your reader attention, make sure your story flows and not confuse your readers. If you can’t understand you own story how do you expect someone to.

Lastly, copyright your work first before letting anyone see your work. Be aware of spam artists not everyone who claim to be professional are, people will take your money and steal your work, be extra carefully about who you give your work to. Sometimes the less people know about what you are doing the better. If you decide to self publishing get a good marketing company to market your book and don’t try to do it yourself.

 Read more about Angela and her books on The Fall Authors Campaign: www.fromawriterspovmagazine.com

Signing Off,

Dominique

 

Fall Authors Campaign; Latisha Patteron; Airing Out Dirty Laundry

Welcome to the second month of the Fall Author’s Campaign. This month we meet and greet the authors and their books. Check them out!

Latisha Patterson

Author of “Airing out Dirty Laundry”

Published August 15^th, 2011

 

About the Book: Whoever said love was exhilarating can stop this roller coaster ride now…because these five friends want off the ride! Soon, you will witness five women with loads of secrets. Can laundry get any dirtier? Skye and her girlfriends are forced to come face to face with their secret skeletons, which soon see the light of day.

Skye seems to have it all, except a man with a full life of his own and some self-esteem to go along with it. Will the stubborn stains of his insecurity ruin the relationship?

Damisha has convinced the world, and herself, that she loves being single and free until two men stop her in her tracks: a “playa” who sweeps her off her feet and a church-going guy who professes his love for her. How long will she find herself in the spin cycle of romance?

Kori, a successful salon owner, knows the best moves to make in business matters but, when it comes to matters of the heart, she fails miserably. Will her hot-tempered personality get the best of her when her husband is caught in a compromising position?

Jamyya is a bored homemaker and mother of four. When she sets out to spice up her life with a new career, her mother is released from prison, moves in, and tumbles her household like a high-efficiency dryer.

Jasmine starts a new romance and is completely swept off her feet. But when her new man’s transgressions spills out like bleach on True Religion jeans, she has to decide if she can love a man she never really knew.

Right before the drama comes to a halt, more trouble creeps out of the clothes hamper. Will the stains of deceit be washed away for good when airing out dirty laundry?
Purchase this book today:

www.latishapatterson.com

amazon.con

barnesandnoble.com