http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVvpnQKxmfA

Check out my new book release today on my website....

www.amanipublishing.net or

www.barbarajoewilliams.com

Title: Moving the Furniture: 52 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Fresh

Price: $10.00

Page count: 88

 

Please visit my website to read my latest blog posts...

www.amanipublishing.net

 

It's been over five years since I first started writing and four years since I started my own publishing company. So many days I'm torn between whether or not I should be writing or working on publishing another book, or maybe doing some promoting for the books that are already on the market. Either way, I manage to stay busy from eight to two-thirty everyday. After that, my daughter gets off the bus hungry and ready to eat. So I have to push the writing, business, and promoting to the side for a few hours to concentrate on cooking and homework.

Anyway, I've been at this for some years now, and I've been wondering lately, am I learning anything? When I started out, I had a five year plan. The plan was to publish a book every year for the next five years and then reevaluate my business. Well, after self-publishing for about two years, I decided to step out and start publishing other aspiring authors. Since that time, I've published a total of twenty-one books. So it's time to stop and think for a second to see if I'm learning anything.

After a little time and consideration, I'm learning that:
1. I have to budget my time each day to accomplish anything.
2. As a stay-at-home (wife, mother, writer) whatever it's called, I need contact with real people everyday.
3. I'm not perfect, my family is not perfect, and my books are not perfect, but it's okay.
4. Friends are going to call me for crazy favors, but it's up to me to say yes or no.
5. I need daily exercise (time) because sitting in front of a computer for hours is not heathly at all.
6. I can't travel all over the world promoting my work, so I have to take advantage of local events.
7. Speaking at an event and selling books afterwards is more profitable than vending all day.
8. Reinvesting in my business is the only way to stay in business.
9. Reading books by other authors, helps me keep my creativity going.
10. Helping other aspiring writers get published, keeps me motivated to publish my own work.
11. I'm responsible for my happiness and success.
12. It's all about keeping my priorities in order.
13. There are talkers and there are doers and the more one talks, the less one does.
14. Everyone who buys my book is not going to read it, but they might pass it on to someone who will.
15. I'm thankful for everything in life, especially the small stuff.

Wow, I feel happier already. It's a good feeling to know that I am learning something...

October came in like a blast of wind. It reminded me of just how fast time flies. I can't believe that next month is Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner and soon another year will be coming to an end. I haven't met all of my goals for this year, but I'm thankful that I have a couple of months left to get it together.

First, I'd like to welcome the newest author to sign with Amani Publishing from Wickliffe, Ohio. Her name is Alesica Smith, and she's a poetess. The title of her book is Exhale: Wordz from Tha' Soul.  Alesica is a single parent who has been writing poetry for a while. She's excited about signing with Amani Publishing and so am I. Her book is expected to be available by February 15, 2009.

The Local Authors Network is off the ground. We had our first meeting on Saturday, September 27th. We had a nice showing considering the fact that Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden decided to stop in town during the same time as our meeting was scheduled. I went with a book and was prepared to read to myself for two hours, but some other writers decided to join me. We had a wonderful time discussing our writing projects and aspirations. Hopefully, everyone learned something from the meeting and will return to the next one on Saturday, November 15th, at the Main Library at 10:00 AM. This time, we'll meet in Program Room A/B on the main floor to accommodate the larger crowd that we're expecting.

RAW Sistaz (Reading & Writing Sistaz) Bookclub is hosting an online Writer's Conference beginning on Tuesday, October 28th, and lasting until Sunday, November 2nd. I will be conducting a couple of workshops so if you don't want to miss them, please register at your earliest convenience. RAW Sistaz is the number one online African-American bookclub. They also do book reviews, marketing, and other services for published and self-published authors. For more details, please visit: www.rawsistaz.com

The Women in Business Expo (hosted by You Can Women) held in August at Tallahassee Community College was an awesome event. It was so wonderful that one of the participates decided to have one in her city of Jacksonville, Florida. The date is set for Saturday, January 17, 2009. So stay tuned for more details as they develop. I'll also be presenting a publishing workshop at this event, and I'm looking forward to seeing some local people in Jacksonville. For more details regarding this program, please contact entrepreneur: Tonya M. Moore, tonya@aSpaLifestyle.com

I have to say a special "thank you" to everyone emailing me to ask about when my next novel will be available titled A Man of My Own. As you may or may not know, this is the title that I signed with an agent to sell to a major publisher. Well, the traditional publishing process moves a whole lot slower than the self-publishing process so I'm patiently waiting for my big break. In the meantime, I just finished editing my next nonfiction project titled Moving the Furniture: 52 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Fresh. Hopefully, the book will be available by February 1, 2009. I'm excited about this book and praying that it will help some married couples rekindled their unions. With twenty-seven years of marriage under my belt and a degree in counseling, I'm looking forward to receiving feedback about this publication. I also have a foreword in the book from the editor, Marilynn Griffith, author of Rhythms of Grace, and many more titles.

The fourth annual Local African-American Authors Day program will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009. The theme for next year is: Poetry. Each author will bring a favorite poem to share with the audience and we'll have an "Open Mic" session open to the general public. The event is always free and will be held again at Amen-Ra's Bookshop at 812 S. Macomb Street. If you're an author or aspiring author, please come out to meet other authors and our supportive community members.

Black Marriage Weekend is coming up on Friday, March 20, 2009. I'm honored to be the keynote speaker for the luncheon on Saturday, March 21. Please mark your calendars for this momentous event (if you're married and want to celebrate with us). For more details regarding the conference location and price, please contact Karen Randolph at: Randolphkd@aol.com

SistahFaith Garments of Praise Conference will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Tallahassee Community College from 10:00 - 4:00 PM. SistahFaith is a network of Christian women, ministers, and writers. Marilynn Griffith will be hosting the first conference. For more details, please visit the website at: www.sistahfaith.com
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That's it for now. Thanks for reading my message and please leave a comment because I love receiving email...




 

Here's an excerpt from the latest book titled, Like Whispers from Heaven, published by Amani Publishing. The title of the poem is, Little Black Girl by Carol R. Griffin. Be sure to check out her new book available at Amazon.com or Amanipublishing.net for only $12.00...

Little Black Girl

For so long I felt worthless

Because my thoughts and ideas didn't count.

So I kept everything inside

Letting nothing come out.

I was looked down upon

Because of the way I dressed.

Yet I was told if you're living

Then child you are blessed.

I held on to that thought by keeping it

In the back of my mind.

I knew that it had meaning

But to understand it would take time.

So many times I heard the words

Little Black Girl

Your smile is not pretty.

It would sound so rude and absurd.

As I grew up things were still the same.

I was filled with fear and felt so ashamed.

What do others think of me?

Why am I disliked so much?

What did I do wrong?

These questions I asked so many times.

Yet I never received answers

And still felt like crying.

Little Black Girl

You don't have any friends

And we don't want to play.

I'd drop my head and begin to cry

And just walk away.

Little Black Girl,

Your clothes aren't good enough

And they don't look like mine.

I'd shake my head and ask, "Why me?"

As tears filled my eyes,

Still I held on to the thought

Of being blessed by being alive.

So the more I was picked on,

The harder I strived.

This Little Black Girl

Was able to look up,

While being looked down upon,

I decided to push forward,

Endure the hardship, and be strong.

This Little Black Girl

Is blessed just to be alive.

So I cherish every moment

As I continue to strive.

 

Recently, I conducted a workshop on "Writing a Non-fiction Book in 90 Days" at Tallahassee Community College for the Women of Change. I'd like to share that outline with you along with a few pertinent details.

 

Month 1: Getting Started with Non-fiction

Definition of non-fiction:

Non-fiction books are based on reality and research.

 

Title and subtitle:

Use a catchy title containing seven words or less. If longer, use a subtitle.

 

Researching your title:

Do a title search at www.copyright.gov or www.amazon.com to see if your title has been used before.

 

Researching your content:

Spend some time at the library or online researching your content. Try using www.wikipedia.com for information on related topics.

 

Preparing yourself to write:

Start preparing yourself to write by facing your writing fears. Set a timer for three-minutes and try to list twenty-five of your writing fears. At the end of time, write a positive affirmation for overcoming each fear.

 

Outline:

Take some time during this month to brainstorm ideas. Then, come up with a detailed outline of your book. 

 

Month 2: Writing the Heart of Your Book

Write the first chapter:

Using your outline, write the first chapter of your book.

 

Write the last chapter:

You should know how the book is going to end so go on and write the last chapter next. It'll help you stay focused on the end while writing the middle.

 

A-Z Writing Tips:

(See A Writer's Guide to Self-Publishing & Marketing by Barbara Joe Williams).

 

Time management:

Writing takes time and sacrifice. You should set-up a time schedule for writing everyday even if it's only ten minutes at a time. If you write 3 – 5 pages a day, you'll have 90 – 150 pages in thirty days.

 

Month 3: Finishing Your Book

Self-editing:

Once your book is complete, take some time to edit it yourself. Start with the first chapter and do a thorough read through for common errors.

 

Find a professional editor:

After self-editing, find yourself a professional editor to help put the finishing touches on your manuscript. If you can't afford an editor, you can't afford to publish.

 

That's it. Make a commitment to have your book written in ninety days. And yes, you can do it.

 

Local Authors Network Meeting

Saturday, September 27, 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Leon County Main Library

 

New Book Release

Moving the Furniture: 52 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Fresh

Monday, February 2

 

Local African-American Authors Day

Saturday, February 28, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Amen-Ra's Bookshop, 812 S. Macomb Street