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December 4, 2018April 5, 2021

Brand Mania: Book Review – Say My Name!

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Quote of the Day: Social media is changing the way we communicate and the way we are perceived, both positively and negatively. Every time you post a photo or update your status, you are contributing to your own digital footprints and personal brand. – Amy Jo Martin

Today I’ve reviewed an excellent book by Matt Bertram about building and maintaining your brand. He provides the big picture and the blueprint for attracting your ideal customer over time.

We need to understand and welcome the idea that everyone doesn’t fit into your fan base. Those who do will become a supporter and potential customer. And, that’s not all!

Now, with the right online tools and resources, you can monitor your brand and quickly take action to keep your brand in good standing without hurting yourself in the long run. This isn’t the time for “going to the mattresses” in godfather terms.

“Conversations among the members of your marketplace happen whether you like it or not. Good marketing encourages the right sort of conversations.” Seth Godin, Seth’s Blog

Note: There are many excellent monitoring sites on the Internet. For a start, you can Google your own and your business name and see what’s on the net about you. In addition, I personally use and recommend the monitoring provided by Mention and Google Alerts. Remember, to use your own name and keywords associated with your brand.

Build Your Brand Mania: How to Transform Yourself Into an Authoritative Brand That Will Attract Your Ideal Customers by Matt Bertram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bertram provides a step-by-step guide for developing an authoritative brand on the world-wide-web. His in-depth explanation provides a way to attract your ideal customer. You’ll learn how to filter out what doesn’t fit your business objectives. The end results will be the development of a cohesive plan to reach people interested in your offerings.

How do you handle unfavorable comments online? First, you need the best tools, and online resources to track communications about your brand. This seasoned digital marketer integrates the answers for what to do when confronted with the negativity that’ll soften the blow to your image.

If you want to become a trusted advisor or go-to person for a specific product or service, I highly recommend reading Brand Mania.

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I’d love to know about your experiences while branding your business. Leave a comment at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

Shopping for a special someone in your life? Whoever it is, we’re guessing they’d love a good book, because who doesn’t? Look no further than action-packed books by Carolyn Bowen!

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November 30, 2018April 5, 2021

The Modern Rules of Marketing for Writers

Quote of the Day: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yes, I’m hyper anticipating my new mystery novel coming out soon. So – I read – and read more to make my jittery nerves relax.

This book got my attention – maybe because I love Hemi trucks – they can pull a boat so I can ski on any lake/river/ocean accessible by land. I think you get it – crazy about water sports. And, I love knowing the latest marketing news! But, can I do what’s recommended? Stay-tuned.

Today’s book world is about learning and using the right communication and tools to reach your audience. The creative process and techniques for delivering the best marketing campaign to boost book/s to the bestseller list is a long and curvy road. I have been fortunate – just plain lucky in some instances in the past. However, going forward I will be on a steep learning curve to develop innovative ways to get my stories to be read and reviewed.

I’m old school with Hemingway influence where if you write a great novel everyone should want to read it – right? Times have changed and my writing reflects the current state of affairs in the criminal world. I think people still want to know the interworking of a character’s mind. And, that I can deliver. Maybe market – we’ll see.

Today’s review fits squarely into the marketing model I discussed earlier. How to Sell Books by the Truckload by Penny C. Sansevieri is a keeper. See my review from Goodreads below.
How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon.com – Book One and Two: Get More Sales – Get More Reviews! by Penny C. Sansevieri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Back your Hemi right on back and fill your truck bed with the best information for promoting your book. This book gives you the nitty-gritty about marketing both fiction and non-fiction.

It’s the equivalent of having your personal marketing expert working for you. The downside – you’ve got to learn the ropes and do it yourself.

I’d love an app that embodies everything this book describes but we all know advertising isn’t stagnant, always moving forward. Yet, you can benefit today from using these carefully researched and proven marketing techniques. Get ready for a mind-blowing experience! Follow this author to keep abreast of the changing marketing environment. Thanks, Penny!

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If you’d like to be an advance reader for my upcoming new mystery, complete the information below and an ebook will be made available for your reading pleasure. Thank you!

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December Holidays, Carolyn Bowen Author, The Writing Life — Photo Credit: Pixabay

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November 28, 2018April 5, 2021

DECEMBER HOLIDAYS And Love – How They Are The Same?

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Quote of the Day: Remember This December, that love weighs more than gold! Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon, American Writer

The holiday season is here and I’m counting down the days to Christmas. Everywhere I look, there’s a reminder of the coming of winter bliss.

This is the perfect time to spread good cheer and begin making plans for the New Year. What are your holiday plans?

The Writing Life, Carolyn M. Bowen, December Holidays — Photo credit: Pixabay

Family gatherings come to mind and sitting beside the fireplace in the still of the night with a great book and cup of cocoa are in my forethoughts. I hope you’ll make time for yourself this season to unwind and capture the precious moments that’ll never be again.

You’ve probably noticed from my blogging that I’m doing a lot of reading during this month. As I mentioned in earlier blogs, I read to learn more about the craft of writing, and marketing. I have a rotation going and share my reviews here and Goodreads primarily.

Author Updates

My next mystery novel is going through the final stages for publishing. If you’d like to be an advance reader, join my launch (street) team here. I look forward to your reviews.

As you go through the paces of preparing for and participating in the fascinating adventure of the Christmas holidays, I hope you’ll share love and kindness to all! Happy Holidays – Carolyn Bowen

I share on social media daily. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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November 27, 2018April 5, 2021

James Thayer’s: The Complete Guide to Writing a Novel

The Complete Guide to Writing a Novel

by James Thayer

Quote of the Day: If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write. Stephen King

The Essential Guide to Writing a Novel: A Complete and Concise Manual for Fiction Writers by James Stewart Thayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

James Thayer doesn’t mince words when describing the personal habits and characteristics of writers who want to succeed. Focus and concentration, persistence in staying the course, a willingness to learn, and perhaps some luck are helpful.

The Essential Guide shows you the proven techniques of writers such as John Grisham, Tom Wolf, Jeffery Deaver, and Patricia Cornwell to name a few. These insights provide clues for creating a successful novel.

My quick take is to do what has been shown to work time and time again and you’ll be successful. However, there’s room for outliers, the incredibly talented writers whose genius places them on a literary throne of their own. Thayer talks about the rules of writing and the breaking of the rules by some authors and what that means.

Creating a timeline for your manuscript
Thayer provided proven steps for creating a timeline for completing your manuscript. He was forthcoming with examples from well-known authors. I especially liked Stephen King’s formula for having a first draft ready within a season.

I highlighted throughout the book and will place a paperback order to add to my bookshelves to keep handy. I just touched on a few of the techniques discussed. Read – then reread it to get the most out of this writer’s guide.

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I share on social media daily. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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November 26, 2018April 5, 2021

Book Review: An Innocent Client

Quote of the Day: “I write not because I want to but because I am destined to.” Jules Haigler

The why behind the doing!

First, let me define some of the terms I’ll be using as to not complicate the understanding of what I’m saying.

Who is a writer?

A writer is a person who uses written words in various styles and techniques to communicate their ideas. Wikipedia

What is the difference between a writer and author?

According to the dictionary, a writer is one who expresses ideas in writing or engaged in literary work. An author is a person who writes a novel, poem, essay etc., and the composer of a literary work. You become an author when your books are published, but if your writings are never published, you remain a writer.

What is the meaning of authorpreneur?

Authorpreneur is the business end of being an author. To me, it’s no different than being an entrepreneur for starting up any kind of business. Of course, the author added to the shortened entrepreneur pinpoints the exact kind of business the person is involved in.

Learning to be an authorpreneur is about positioning yourself (branding) for the best possible outcome for your writing efforts.

You may be thinking I don’t want to do this! I’d prefer to just write. You are not by yourself. Many writers turned authors who became entrepreneurs feel the same way. However, even the bestselling authors are required to participate in the marketing of their books. Many embrace this opportunity to better understand their readers and to help keep the buzz around their names.

Being a writer and authorpreneur, in the business of promoting and marketing to sell and profit from your writing, is a lifetime learning experience. To accomplish this feat as a writer you need to write, read, and study the craft of writing.

Then changing directions towards getting your book/s in the hands of readers is another challenge in of itself. The same lessons apply to learn publishing and marketing – study, read, write, and learn how to expand your brand to reach new readers.

To improve as an author, I’ve found that it’s a good idea to read books in your genre, continue your daily writing and set aside time to learn more about writing.

Today’s blog post is the result of my applying these steps to my writing life. My personal standard is to never read a book I don’t think I’ll enjoy! Hope you enjoy my review of An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt!

An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wherein Lies the Truth?

Joe Dillard was a criminal defense attorney who didn’t like his job. Never did. His plans after law school were to work in the District Attorney’s office as a prosecutor. The problem, the pay didn’t line up with the time and cost of the education required to practice law.

The only choice was to open a law firm. He did with a promise to himself that eventually he’d quit and become a prosecuting attorney. But, first, he had to provide for his family and see his children through school. The pay was good. Yet, knowing his clients were guilty and worse, maggots of the earth tormented him. He desperately wanted to be on the opposite side, not defending the scum of the earth.

The years passed by and he was looking forward to retirement. The income from his practice and his wife’s management of their assets was securing their future. And, when the time was right, he’d call it quits. But, for once he’d like to represent an innocent client before he retired.

He was counting down the days to his exit from practicing law when a new case was offered him. He quoted a fee much higher than normal for he’d not planned to stay for a lengthy trial.

Money wasn’t an issue and his desire to represent an innocent client came to mind. All he had to do was talk to the young, beautiful woman charged with first-degree murder and decide whether to take the case. Would he finally get a chance to represent an innocent client?

If you enjoy reading legal thrillers and mysteries, check this one out! It’s a well-written story that’ll keep your interest.

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I share on social media daily. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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November 12, 2018April 5, 2021

Write and Grow Rich: Book Review

Quote of the Day: “You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” Octavia E. Butler

There are several things necessary for me to grow as an author/publisher. There are some easy, others difficult and timely to implement across my author network. First, the easy one – learn from reading books by others in the genre I write and publish. Second, study the craft of writing to become a better author. Third, learn how to build a business (tech stuff included) and marketing as a successful author. And, fourth, connect with other authors/publishers for mutual encouragement and knowledge.

Today I’m sharing my review of Write and Grow Rich. Reading this book was a learning experience for me and I’m grateful for the honesty reflected by this group of authors. Thank You!

Write and Grow Rich: Secrets of Successful Authors and Publishers by Alinka Rutkowska
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a must-read for how-to become a successful author and/or publisher. The book answers questions that maybe you didn’t know to ask yet in your authors’ journey. If you’re seeking personal and professional growth, this bestseller will lift you up mentally while delivering education that’ll make a difference in your future.

Each of the authors candidly answered the same questions with a variety of descriptive details of their failures and successes plus the tools they used for creating and marketing their products. It’s interesting how the members of the group turned negative events and downfalls into positive learning experiences with a successful outcome.

I made notes while reading and noticed trends for becoming successful and how it was defined individually for the author. You can bet that I’ll follow-up with the resources offered by this group of experts.

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I share on social media daily. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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November 8, 2018April 5, 2021

Lee Child – Past Tense Book Review

Quote of the Day: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” ― William Faulkner

Looking Back – A Game Changer!

Past Tense by Lee Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lee Child goes the distance with Past Tense; all the way back just asking – begging for trouble. Jack Reacher’s usual mode of transportation, hitchhiking, across America from Maine to California, brought him to a fork in the road deep in the New England woods. A place he’d never been before but the town where his father was born. Curious, he takes the detour.

Not far away as the crow flies, a young Canadian couple on their way to New York to sell a treasure has car trouble. They’re stranded and taken by the tow truck driver to a motel for the night until their car could be fixed in the morning. A friendly place at first glance, perhaps a little too friendly thought the couple.

By morning, Reacher is in the city clerk’s office looking for answers about his family’s home. He knew his father had lived there in the past, left and never returned. The city clerk’s office informed him no one by the name Reacher had ever lived there. He wondered if he was wrong about the location or if his father never lived there. Haunted by memories from the past, he had to investigate.

From day one, Reacher gets into some tight places because of his code of honor. Not that he was looking for trouble, but someone needed to take a stand. He was there, so it was left up to him. Detective Amos, a former MP, encourages him to leave town before something worse happened.

Reacher wasn’t finished exploring his father’s life and intended to stay. And, things did get worse as the Detective promised. Hidden out of sight, in a motel where the sign had been removed the young Canadians found themselves pinned into a bizarre experiment unable to leave. They wondered if and how they’d ever escape their tormentors.

Their stories converge as Reacher uncovers secrets about his family. Looking into the past can be deadly, but living in the present in Laconia was pure hell. The Reverend Patrick G would attest to this fact.

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I share on social media daily. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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October 29, 2018April 5, 2021

Marketing: What You Don’t Know May Hurt You!

Quote of the Day: “Build it, and they will come” only works in the movies. Social Media is a “build it, nurture it, engage them and they may come and stay.” – Seth Godin

Our world is constantly changing and business is no exception to this rule. Marketing strategies are constantly evolving and being made new to reach customers where they live and work with products/services relevant to their wants and needs.

Entrepreneurs are required to become smarter and more resourceful in attracting and maintaining customers’ loyalty. Marketing and advertising play a major role in accomplishing business goals with repeat satisfied customers.

Marketing is not a shush word one is afraid to say out loud. The best made beautifully crafted products or most polished service is unknown unless it is marketed and advertised. But, with the variety of marketing strategies available, it becomes deafening and confusing to most business owners.

The idea of simplicity is a favorite go-to for me. Just give me the facts, nothing fancy, like I’d have to stand on my head to accomplish and I’m happy. The 1- Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib made sense for me. Here is my review from Goodreads. Check it out and see if his marketing ideas will work for you.

The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd by Allan Dib
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No hype here. This marketing book is straightforward about its offerings. Allan Dib provides a step-by-step plan for developing and executing a marketing plan along with a sample one page worksheet to download. Simple instructions making the complexities of marketing easier and more customers oriented are at your fingertips. I’d also recommend buying the paperback to have on hand as a resource. This is one of the best marketing books available right now.

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I look forward to learning about your successes. Thank you for following my blog and reading my books. Hope you’ll check out my “About Page” to learn more about my books and writing life.

I’ll be writing and sharing on social media. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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October 26, 2018April 5, 2021

The Travesty of Self-Deception

Quote of the Day: Life isn’t about maneuvering in a straight upward line. It’s about negotiating the dips, twists, and turns encountered in everyday life thereby removing obstacles standing in your path to claim your noble calling. CMBowen Author

Now available in the Timeless Edition.

The first sentence in M. Scott Peck’s book, The Road Less Traveled, says “Life is difficult.” What a downer or surprise for those who believe failure is not an option.

Many years ago with the first edition, I wanted to quit reading after the first sentence. My definition of life was the direct opposite. Yet, I continued reading and joined a book study group to get the full force of the meaning and basis for the book. I’ll add here the end results enlarged my thinking to transcend difficulty and surrounded me with lots of warm, fuzzy feelings.

Struggle too many is unacceptable. If it becomes too hard they quit. But, the question comes to mind, how long should you struggle, sometimes leaving a trail of brokenness in your wake? Perhaps, you’re barking up the wrong tree decoded means this business/career is not for you. Highlight: There is a special way for you to showcase your talents. Go back to square one!

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

If you’re repeating previous failures, stop now and get some help before your upside down peeking out a mouse hole.

Question for Today

How long do you think you should attempt to accomplish a goal? For example, building a business, before quitting?

I look forward to reading your comments. Thank you, Carolyn Bowen

As always, I appreciate your following my blog and reading my books. Hope you’ll check out my “About Page” to learn more about my books and writing life.

I’ll be writing and sharing on social media. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen

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September 25, 2018April 5, 2021

Book Review: Enemy of the State

Quote of the Day: “A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” William Styron

silhouette of man — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Today’s post is a book review of Enemy of the State by Kyle Mills. You will find it exhilarating and possibly exhausting following in the steps of Mitch Rapp.

Book Review

Enemy of the State by Kyle Mills
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mitch Rapp pushes the limits in fighting terrorism wherever and however is necessary. Forced to change directions with the president’s approval, he quits the CIA.

Rapp assembles a group of independent contractors to get the job done. They had just begun infiltrating the Saudi government and ISIS when the new head of intelligence discovers their efforts and puts a stop to the plan by threating to go public with the post 9/11 agreement between the two countries.

Concerned about his political career and an international incident, the president turns his back on Rapp. The American intelligent agencies were ordered to join the Saudis’ effort in finding Rapp.

Rapp and his band of mercenaries become the center of a manhunt orchestrated to stop his mission. Who will win? Will Rapp vindicate himself and turn the tables on the Saudis and come out alive?

Kyle Mills has picked up the gauntlet from where Vince Flynn left off and has stayed true to his voice while expanding the old, and creating new characters to move the series forward.

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Page 5 of 8

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The Complete Guide to Writing a Novel

by James Thayer

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The why behind the doing!

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Question for Today

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