Treasure

   

    All the books I possess are treated with care and respect. No matter how old they are, or whether I'll actually ever read them again. When I damage one in any way, I feel as though I've vandalised it.

    However, I realise that not all of us feel the same way. Pages are torn out of books, corners are dog-eared and spines are broken all in the name of keeping the reader's page. Beverage cups and wine glasses are placed upon them to save the patina on occasional tables. As well as notes written in the margins, highlighting important phrases, sentences and words relevant to the reader.

    If the reader has bought the book, while it goes against my grain to do any of the above, it's theirs and theirs  to do as they please. But, if borrowed from a library I wish they would refrain from defacement and buy a book-mark, note-book, or a coaster, allowing others to enjoy their chosen read.

    Have a great week folks and please treasure the written word.



   

Here's a Thought

    Recently  when I walked into my study, I thought OMG, this place is like a garage and I don't mean I have a car parked there.

    What I am meaning is that over a period of time it seems to have become a dumping ground. A dumping ground for a collection of writing magazines, newspaper articles and old photographs. All of which I believed may come in handy at a later date.

    I'm surprised I could even get near my desk and PC. Never mind my bookcases that line two walls of the room. I have no idea why I let it get into this state. It was time to get my sleeves rolled up and get stuck in. Thankfully, with the help of my husband we rearranged the room and cleared the clutter just before I left for overseas. Therefore, I am happy to say the place is now ready to welcome me back in a few weeks time.

    Here's a thought, I wonder how long it will take me to mess the place up again?

Different Strokes Suit Different Folks

    Over the last week I have paid tribute to poet Robert Burns twice. Speaking to small audiences of around fifty people on each occasion over supper.

    I've heard actors, singers and stage performers say that their audience reacts differently each time they perform. Even at such small gatherings as I was speaking , both audiences reacted to me and my fellow speakers varyingly. I should add not in a bad way though.

    My conclusion on my speaking in public is that it is similar to writing,  different strokes suit different folks. We just have to do our best whatever we do all of the time.

Meet Book Publicist Bobbie Crawford

    I'm an author of three books and counting. I know first-hand that competition to sell a writer's work is both time consuming and daunting. That's why I was interested to find out what a book publicist can do for the author. Therefore, I've invited Canadian based book publicist, Bobbie Crawford from, Nurture Your Books, to feature in my blog today.

Bio:

    An avid fan of reading, collecting old books and painting watercolors when the mood strikes, Bobbie Crawford is the Founder and owner of Nurture Your books and she works on a little bit of everything, focusing primarily on the one-on-one with clients as a Book Publicist and Virtual Book Tour Coordinator.

Q&A

• Where in the sequence of publishing does a publicist fit in?

    Typically, a publicist gets to work once a book has been successfully published.

• Many of the large publishers we know use professional publicists. Does Nurture Your Books, offer services to both publishers and independent authors?

    Although we do offer our services to traditional and indie publishers, approximately 90-95% of our clients are self-published and indie authors.

• Do you specialize in one particular genre?

    No, I wouldn’t say that I specialize in a single genre. I have experience with assisting authors in nearly every genre out there

• What would you say is the most important function of a book publicist?

    I would say that the most important function of a book publicist is to be knowledgeable about industry trends and news. They should use solid information and leads to keep themselves up-to-date.

• Do you offer different publicity representation packages?

    Yes, we offer publicity representation packages in 4 different levels. They vary according to the amount of time allotted per month and the services included.

• Ideally when should an author wishing to use your services get in touch?

    There’s no time like the present. We offer a free initial consult so there’s nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.

• Bobbie, for those authors based outside Canada who are interested in using Nurture Your Books, can you also offer them your services?

    Absolutely! Although we are based in Canada, thanks to the Internet, we promote and assist authors from every corner of the globe. Thus far we have clients in Canada, the USA, the UK and Australia.

• Finally, can you tell us what the most exciting part of your job is?

  The most exciting part of my job is finding and helping a new client. I’ve spent over 7 years in the industry and I take much of my knowledge and expertise for granted. When I’m able to impart some of what I know to an author and help them achieve some of their goals, I am beyond thrilled.



      Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
      It was a pleasure getting to know you Bobbie.


bobbie@nurtureyourbooks.com
www.nurtureyourbooks.com
https://indiebooknexus.ning.com
Linkedin: Bobbie Crawford
Twitter: @NurtureYourBook
               @NurtureBookTour
Facebook Page:Nurture Your Books

Ae Fond Kiss to Robert Burns!

    In celebration of the anniversary of the birth of poet, Robert Burns, I'm featuring him today in my poetry spot. His song Ae Fond Kiss, I can remember my uncle singing to my aunt every New Year's Eve and the words therefore have special memories for me.

     I've also included pictures of the cottage he was born in. It isn't very big and considering two adults and seven children shared the home with livestock, it's no wonder that Burns health wasn't tip-top in latter years.

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever

Ae fareweel , alas, fore ever!

Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee

Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee

Who shall say that Fortune grieves him

While the star of hope she leaves him?

Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me;

Dark despair around benights me

I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy

Naething could resist my Nancy:

But to see her was to love her

Love but her, and love for ever

Had we never lov'd sae kindly

Had we never lov'd sae blindly

Never met-or never parted

We has ne'er been broken-hearted

Fair-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!

Fair-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!

Thine be ilka joy and treasure

Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever

Ae fareweel, alas, for ever

Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee

Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee

Robert Burns 25 January 1759-21 July 1796

    I'm looking forward to my haggis, neeps, tatties and a wee dram on January 25th, whatever you're doing enjoy. Slangevar!

When I Grow Up

   

    I was watching breakfast TV this morning and there was a feature about children in the UK's future career aspirations. The item didn't catch my interest because it was stating that their choice is gender-stereotyped, but because one little girl said that when she grew up she wanted to be an author.

    I can remember saying that too, however I can't recall as to what the particular reasons were I had for making such a choice. In an early blog I explained I had a love of stories because of my mother and when I got my first typewriter I was desperate to get down to storytelling. I loved writing stories about poor children rescued from a terrible fate, princes saving street urchins and bad boys turning good amongst many other things.

    The touch of a book page, a colourful outer cover, the loud thumping noise in the library when the librarian slides the piles of books along the high shelves to insert a book. As well as the fabulous worlds I could be transported too, both when reading and writing, all played a part.

    The little girl on TV this morning gave her reason as wanting to make people happy, laugh, and smile. Yes, she knows what writing is all about, something that stirs emotions. One thing she will find out though is that writing doesn't just make readers happy, laugh, smile, fearful, or cry. It has the same affect on the author and that's the most important person in the equation.

   

   

   

    

How Do I love thee?

    One English poet I was fascinated with as a kid was, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Reading her poetry swept me into her world, my imagination ran wild. I could see myself wearing long, flowing skirts, walking hand-in-hand with my love.

    Unfortunately, at some point reality does kick in and a little girl's dreams faded. However, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's words live on in the poem I've featured today.

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace

I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight
I love thee freely, as men strive for right
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs and with my childhood's faith
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath
Smiles, tears, of all my life and if God choose
I shall but love thee better after death