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Dear Reader,
Today's guest column "Against All Odds" is written by author Judith Marshall. Please welcome Ms. Marshall to the book clubs and enter her drawing. She is giving away two ebooks. You can reach her at: Judith.Marshall@att.net
Take it away, Judith...
Against All Odds
In 2009, after more than two hundred rejections, I decided to independently publish my novel. Why? Because I believed in it--it was as simple as that. Not only did I believe it was a great story, but I could visualize it on the big screen. When I shared my dream of attracting the attention of a movie producer with people in the publishing industry and fellow writers, they thought I was crazy. Oh they didn't say so out loud, but I could tell by their thin smiles and nodding heads.
Undaunted, I purchased a block of ISBN's from Bowker, designed an imprint, set up a dba and purchased a publishing package from BookSurge (now CreateSpace). While waiting for the book to be released, I began to build my author platform. The first step was to establish a website. Next, I knew from networking with other authors, both traditionally and self-published, that I would be the only person to market my book. It would take lots of time, energy and some money to do this. I was prepared to spend time on the Internet in social networking, but how could I let the world (including Hollywood) know about my book?
After speaking to various book publicists and other expert resources, I decided to hire a marketing company to write and distribute a press release to over 1,850 local and national media outlets. The response resulted in a TV, several radio interviews, and some blog talk radio gigs. Not bad. But where was Hollywood? Once the book was released I got the idea to send the press release out again through one of the free distribution services, PR.com. Within a month, I received an email from a Hollywood producer saying she received the press release, thought the book sounded interesting and had ordered it on Amazon. I quickly responded offering her a free autographed copy. She read the book, loved it and sent me a 16-page option agreement, which I happily signed. A copy of the check I received is framed and hanging above my computer. The book is currently being adapted into a screenplay.
The bottom line is if you believe in your work, go for it. Don't let anything or anybody dissuade you. Passion and persistence can lead to success. See you at the movies!
About Judith Marshall: After leaving a successful career in corporate America as a human resources executive, her lifelong dream of writing was realized with the release of Husbands May Come and Go But Friends are Forever, winner of the Jack London Prize awarded by the California Writers Club, and Judith has just finished her second novel, Staying Afloat.
* Congratulations to the winners of Kaya McClaren's new book, How I Came to Sparkle, Barry Botsford, Janet Coughlin, Shawn Henline, Linda Hitchcock, Lois Needham, Jean Vallesteros, Michelle Moore, Pat Groshong, Shannon Allstott, Mary Robinson, Debra L Funk, Sharon, Teresa Napier, Ani Kendig, Michele Rybak, Bonnie Brown, Mary D., Barbara Lamb, Susie Rea, Gayle and Jane Dudly.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com
AUTHORBUZZ: THE SPANISH REVENGE (Thriller) by Allan Topol
In the follow-up to the highly acclaimed China Gambit, the daring Craig Page and the good-looking and resourceful Elizabeth Crowder, confront the nefarious Ahmed Sadi, who intends to inflict a blow on the Christian world and retake a portion of Southern Spain for Islam. The action moves between Paris, Morocco, Madrid, and Rome.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE SPANISH REVENGE to find out more about the book and the author, Allan Topol. Send him an email, he'd love to hear from you.
*Fun, free books and meet authors. Ask questions, they'll reply and read samples from their books. Visit AuthorBuzz at: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
(NonFiction)
SAVING EACH OTHER by Victoria Jackson & Ali Guthy
(Thriller)
THE 7TH WOMAN by Frederique Molay, Anne Trager (translator)
(Thriller)
SPIES AND LIES: The Paradox by Frederick L. Malphurs
(Thriller)
THE SPANISH REVENGE by Allan Topol
(Fiction)
ILLUMINATIONS by Mary Sharratt
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