Reader Feedback: When bad feedback is actually good.

Hi there -- it's me with my occasional blazon. I am always thrilled when I can share something that is positive and will also be encouraging to fellow authors.

I have been sincerely humbled the past few weeks since I received my pre-release author copies of Detour to Heaven. I am very selective with those I "give away" for feed back and promotional reasons. Hoping that the gesture of generosity on my part will be spiritually rewarded to glorify God. My hope has not been deferred.

Before explaining this entry title, let me share with you that as a Christian fiction author I am well aware when writing that I must reflect the honorable title of Christian (follower of Jesus Christ) at all times in a way as not to bring dishonor or shame to the Lord. So bearing that in mind, I proceeded with caution when I began Detour to Heaven because some content I knew would touch on sensitive areas of humanity. With humanity being the key word, I wanted to write what I sincerely believed was a good book inspired from God.

The first chapter reveals a rather shocking surprise, but I trusted the Lord to give me the eloquence to write without offending and compel the reader to continue reading to find the positive outcome. The novel contains further content that if not written well might leave the readers with a bad taste. However, that has not happened with my pre-release readers. And just this morning I received an email from a reader who humbled me with praise for the book.

Why the blog title: I have to smile when I remember my first encounter with one of the readers, she said: "I thought, I can't read this. But then I knew there had to be a good outcome." And another one of her comments was "At one point I was so angry, I wanted to throw the book through the window." (She was referring to what happened to one of the main characters.) She continued "But I didn't and kept reading." Her last comment is what every writer dreams of and loves to hear. . . "It's hard to put your book down." And when she finished it, "I wanted to call you last night to tell you how much I loved reading it, but I was afraid you would be asleep. I started reading it again." All the quoted material is from a professional who is employed at a place of business I frequent. Her enthusiasm for the book has led to pre-release sales.

Another encounter with a reader revealed a person who had obviously led a very sheltered life and had not encountered much of the world's ugliness. She was not even aware that one thing that took place in the novel actually happened in the world of humanity. She was genuinely surprised.

One reader said: "It is a little spicy." (Keep in mind that 'spicy' to some people may not always mean 'spicy' to others.) I asked her if she was offended, she said, "Oh no!" It's real life. I love it."

Another comment was: "Your first book was good, but you hit the nail on the head with this one."

So there you have it--sometimes negative reader comments are actually good comments.

Common denominator--all readers so far have identified in some way either with the main character or some event in the book. At this point I truly do feel blessed and humbled as an author. I have pending one book signing and one speaking engagement, dates to be announced after the release date of March 23, 2010.

An aside here: An open and personal belated congratulations Cliff Graham on your movie deal. You go! And thanks for keeping us encouraged to be passionately desirious to succeed.

Back In The Loop

The occasional blogger is back! tsk! tsk! I gave you fair warning in my earlier posts that I was an occasional poster. :)

There has been so much human drama in my life since my last attempt at being a blogger that I'm not even going to attempt to address them. The good news though, is that I have a release date for my latest novel "Detour to Heaven." The date is March 23, 2010. Further good news is that the pre-release option to purchase is available at my Tate Publisher's web page. http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61566-119-0" Paperback or ebook versions are available. I will be posting a 30 second trailer on this site as soon as it becomes available to me. You can get information about both my novels at my web site http://www.annwinters.net/

I will share with you that I have had a major challenge in my life these past few months, but as always the Lord has sustained me each step of the way. The life trial is not over. However, I stand in faith and am confident that I will ultimately come out victorious, because I truly believe what the Word of God says. If God be for us, who or what can be against us? ( In context: Read Romans 8:31)

It's early AM here in California. It's a cool crisp morning. A morning of clean air that follows a good rain. I am amazed that the earth still stands as I wait expectantly with many Christians for Christ's return. Yet I praise God that it is a day He has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Now, having did my duty to fulfill my promise as an occasional blogger, I will close this one out and go catch up with my fellow Tate bloggers and see what's new in their world.

A belated Merry Christmas! May God bless you abundantly during the New Year with all good things through Jesus Chrsit our Lord.

Strangers and Reader Feedback

As a writer of fiction I can't imagine anything more gratifying than positive feedback from readers or fans. Even more so, feedback from total strangers, those who know nothing about you except your style of writing penned between the pages of your book.

Authors, especially fiction authors are very well aware of how important "attraction" to your novel can be. Book covers for instance, can be an attraction or turn-off. Eye appeal is extremely important for book covers to gain interest to a book in the competitive world of publishing. As to non-fiction, personally I look for the title of a subject I might be interested in, rather than enticement of cover. That’s just my personal way of choosing non-fiction books.

Consider those things along with the all important "grab you" first few paragraphs or pages. I know some readers who never get past the first chapter of perfectly good books, simply because the first few paragraphs do not hold their interest. Also, readers can be turned off and put a book aside if there are too many errors, especially in the area of grammar. So as authors, we should pay rapt attention to grammar details, cooperate fully with, and listen to our editors when they make suggestions or changes. While as humans they can also error occasionally, the majority of the time they will be correct.

As a Christian fiction author, I'm also concerned that my novels carry a message that points the readers to the mercy and grace of God. Having said that, I'll share with you the following:

Shortly after my first novel Weapons of Light was published, I received an email through my web site from a total stranger. She shared with me that my book captivated her from the very beginning and was so grateful that she had read it. She ezplained that she had been on the verge of joining a witches' coven and reading my book changed her mind. I was so humbled by her email. There have been others, and I’m very thankful for them, who have given me positive feedback. But that first powerful reader feedback made the months of wondering if the book was good enough, working through production, and subsequent promotional efforts all worth it.

Tate Publishers' Mark Mingle, who is head of marketing, recently stated in an online blog that promotion and success can sometimes take much more time than we at first may realize. (Paraphrased) So when I get a little discouraged because things aren't moving as fast as I think they should, and I think sales should be better, I will remember Mark's words along with the kind stranger's response. And I will remember that my prayer had been if my novel changed just one life for the good, then it would have all been worth it. With that prayer answered, I am thankful for my success as an author, andI am eagerly looking forward to the release of my next novel later this year.

Having mentioned Mark's name, I want to also commend the rest of his staff for their excellent work, along with all of Tate's staff. Without their help and input to achieve my goal as an author, I would not be writing this commentary.

Another Successful Book Signing Event

Today, I was blessed with yet another successful book signing event for my novel Weapons Of Light. Fifteen out of the twenty books available for sale at Vine and Branches Christian Book Store in Lodi, sold during the three hours that I was there to sign. The bulk of which sold within the first two hours. My first event with this store last year was a complete sell out of the ten books the store ordered, with two back orders. This time the new owner asked me to supply twenty books for consignment at a very generous percentage for me. I had ten on hand, so I only had to order another ten for the event. The store events manager kept the five remaining books, confident that those also would sell. Plus, she was agreeable to my suggestion, as the new owner had been when I went in to meet him, that the store be the first event host for my next novel due out later this year. So, connections made with my current novel are working toward the success of novel number two.

Earlier during the week, I was at my local bank conducting business and the manager asked if I was retired, I told him that I was technically retired, but that I was a working author. He was immediately interested and asked what I wrote, I told him my genre, then he said that he would like to purchase a book for his wife. I told him that I had a copy in my car; he said "great, I'll take it!" Now I ask you, how easy was that?

For reasons that I won't go into, it's not always easy for me to get out and about to promote myself, so the help that I receive from my Tate marketing rep, Traci, is very valuable. Together we have co-ordinated my events. I'm not a top selling author at Tate, but I'm certainly consistent with successful book signing events, and I have gotten wonderful "stranger" feed back from my readers. So with humility, I consider myself a successful published author, thanks to Tate publishers and their wonderful staff. The couple of reviews posted on B&N and Amazon, have been favorable too.

Again, I am so thankful to God for His gift and inspiration to write, and to Tate for helping to make my little star shine brighter.

Spring Is Busting Out All Over!

Literally, spring is busting out all over in my neighborhood. I absolutely love this time of the year when the spring flowers bloom and the blossoms spout on the trees that line the streets. It is one of the beautiful reminders in an unsettled and frightened world that God is still in control.

I have an enormous sense of community here in the (what some residents still consider a small) city where I live and I am so pleased that my first book signing event of the year is with an established Christian bookstore, Vine and Branches, that has just recently changed ownership.

In the current unstable economical climate, we are striving here to support our small businesses and keep our community afloat. It hasn't always been easy, because we've lost two of our major auto dealerships that provided a great deal of revenue. However, you won't find an open display of discouragement, because our goal is to survive the economical slow down and do so by backing our communities small businesses with as much support as we can with the means available to us. Since my past book signings created for my past hosts a good deal of foot traffic, I'm hoping that the same will happen at this event. So we are looking forward to the event On April 4th, at Vine and Branches Christian Book Store in Lodi, with faith and expectation for a great turn out!

Happy spring to one and all!

Review of "The Shack"

In between working on my latest novel and waiting for April to start working with my editor and entering production of my second novel with Tate Publishers, I have been reading. I just last night, finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young.

I gave “The Shack” a 4 star rating because of originality and the fact that it held my interest, AFTER the foreword. My concern is that due to the style of writing it would be easy for some to forget that it is a work of fiction, and should be read as such. I have no doubt that supernatural encounters, dreams, and experiences do happen with God, because I personally believe with God all things are possible. However, usually those experiences line-up with the biblical depiction of how God does things.

I think it is great that the author stresses the need to depart from the religious ideologies and the impossible task of trying to live by the old testament laws. But instead, depend on the Grace of God--after all that is why Jesus came, to free us from religious bondage and the need to feel we must be perfect to please God. However, the author’s fictional way, in my opinion, leans more toward fantasy and new age philosophy, than the basic New Testament Gospel message.

The crust of the story is beautiful and impressive. How to reconcile and improve one's relationship with God, through Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, after some horrible thing has happened to make one angry with, and untrusting of God, by way of the “why do bad things happen to good people syndrome.” If you enjoy reading well written fiction, then by all means, read “The Shack.” But if you are adamant about how God reveals Himself, according to the Bible, then you may be a bit turned off by the “The Shack.”

When writing reviews, my goal is respect for fellow authors and their craft, along with truth in my opinion as a reader. On a personal level, as a Christian, I cannot endorse "The Shack." Even though it is fiction, as I said, it strays too far from the basic gospel message of the Bible. As a Christian fiction author, I always try to remain true to the message of Jesus as I "hear it" from the Word of God.

Quiet Concentration

Hear that quiet concentration? That’s Ann going over her manuscript one last time before handing it over to Rachael in production to assign to an editor. I love this! This is such an exciting time. One reason being because I have learned so much since my last go ‘round with editing, and have high expectations for the promotion and sales of this novel.

During this New Year, I will be applying all that I have learned since the release of my first novel, Weapons of Light, in May of ‘08, about promotion and sales, to both novels. I can hardly wait for the results. It’s not only the idea of “making money” but the thrill of seeing your hard work and love of the craft succeed.

I truly do love to write, and have started my third novel, a mystery set in the beautiful state of Alaska. Duh? I would be inspired to do Alaska; I suppose since the Lord gave me the gift of writing, he is using it to have me stretch my brain a bit to learn of the great and mysterious weather pattern state. I am very excited about this project, and each day am eager to get to it, to see what I’m going to write.

Honestly, the surprise is genuine. After wondering what my next story line or project was going to be for some time, (If you check my web sight for "works in progress" you will see that I already thought I had the agenda in control.) Ha! The muse had something else in mind. I woke up one morning about a month ago, with the whole story line start to finish The hard part? Filling in the pages between “Chapter One” and “The End.” It’s also the fulfilling and fun part for me, because I truly do not know what I’m going to write next.

I am thrilled and thankful for the gift of writing. Never a dull moment!

Write on!

It's Official!

What wonderful news to report! (Don’t you just love good reports?).

It’s now official. My new novel, yet untitled, has been reviewed and passed by my acquisitions editor, and will begin production sometime in the early New Year. How exciting!

To fully understand my excitement you would have to know me personally and the sometime bizarre circumstances of my life course. Since you are not privy to that, let me just say that God is awesome and His mercy endures forever! In all things, I have been victorious and blessed. Plus, now, I am at liberty to use the obvious gift of writing that the Lord so generously bestowed on me.

Since English and writing were not my majors or minors while in school and the little college education I did manage to attain, focused mainly on business economics -- the gift of writing can definitely be attributed wholly to God. That being said let me say this: as I wrote in my profile, I’ve always loved to put pen to paper and come up with prose, but the timing and circumstances just wasn’t manifest until I was of a mature adult age. This proves to me yet again, that God’s timing in our lives cannot be underestimated. If we are patient, He will fulfill his purpose for us.

Timing: God often uses some of His children to help others. If we look at the comment I just made, from a Christina perspective, me being a late blooming author, in a very competitive hard to break into publishing world--Tate, I feel, was used to help me attain the goal and degree of success as an author that the Lord intends for me.

So, I’ll close this blog entry with: Thanks to all of my supporters who happen to read this, and thanks once again to Tate, for making my little star shine brighter.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR TO ALL.

Ann Finally Makes Another Blog Entry!

I have, not a vengeful envy, but an awesome envy of those who are able to make daily, or even weekly contributions to their Blog. Writers write, right? Well, this writer is terribly inconsistence when it comes to blog entries. As I stated in my first entry, I’m an occasional blogger. My entries can vary from one day to months. Boring huh? Thank God, my efforts to write books are better than my efforts to blog.

In my first entry, I also stated that I’m a proud Tate Publication author, and that still stands. I am continually impressed by their efforts to assist and serve their authors and possible authors who are in acquisitions, production, or published. In addition, I can not praise Tate’s post publication marketing teams high enough. They go the extra mile, sometimes voluntarily making suggestions and giving input of how the author can assist in the marketing pursuit. Great partnership!

I have, and am currently experiencing the above service and consideration. My first novel is doing well for its short life in publication, thanks mostly to my marketing rep. My 2nd novel is pending acquisitions review. Whatever the outcome is, I have, and always will back Tate Publication for their integrity, excellent staff, and author relations.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Creating A Reader Fan Base

For the newly published, a starter guide to begin the journey.

Readers who think you’re a great author are the best, of course. They browse for your books at Barnes and Noble, Borders, your niche bookstore, and recommend you to all their friends, family and neighbors. (Hey, don’t stop there dear fan, how about your colleagues at work.) These types of fans support you through thick and thin, good and bad times just like a faithful husband or wife. High five to all authors who have a fan base as I just described. However, such is not the case with many of us.

The secret to building a fan base varies, and goes in many different directions. The number one factor is building relationships, and this starts during the production of your book. First by building anticipation of the release date, with local media, reviews, and even setting speaking events at your church, local clubs, whatever avenue may be open to you, to discuss how you became a writer and the road to publication. I have found that the reading audience is very interested in how an author got started in their career. All of this requires thought and a real desire to succeed—plus hard work. Good things rarely come easy. Tate authors have an advantage to building a fan base, because they have the full co-operation of their personal marketing representative. These valuable people are ready to make contacts, and assist you in any way available to them.

Things to consider when building a reader fan base. Will it be a short fling, or a long-term relationship? Just as we do in personal relationships, we must work to keep our fan base intact by continuing to be interesting and from an author’s perspective, marketable. How do we do that? By delivering a superior product—an interesting, or inspiring piece of literature—one that captivates and holds the interest of our readers, should be number one priority. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so it’s important to give fans something to talk about, long after they have read the book.

In the publishing world, readers are valued commodities, and we must cherish them. Write with your niche fans in mind; go to your audience, with the purpose to please them, rather than to sell to them. If they like the product, they will buy it.

In the business world, we hear of customer relations, to further the growth of a company. In the publishing world, the same principals apply. We must please our readers (customers) by giving them the products they want, to keep them coming back.

Points to remember: Know your readers—their interests—what is hot in your niche market. Exceed their expectations by writing the best book you can, possibly a best seller.

At Times Marketing Can Come Easy

Something interesting and flattering happened to me this past Thursday. Actually, it counts more as a compliment I suppose. I paid a visit to my local Christian book store to pick up the latest copy of one of my favorite author's books. The store had been my second book signing host. I was browsing the fiction section and the owner of the store came over to say hello and assist me. We had interesting conversation about the author since she is a local to us, and he had hosted a signing event for her when he was manager of a Family Christian store.

I told him that the author of the book I was purchasing was a real inspiration to aspiring Christian fiction writers and a very good author. Then I thanked him again for his support. He said that I was most welcome, and also welcomed to come back anytime.

I then remembered he had ordered 10 books for that event and they sold quickly. He then got his copy from behind the desk to use as display for back orders. In a small town such as the one that I live in, a first time author doing that well is a boon to the author's reputation. Also, at that event his manager told me that she had read Weapons of Light and enjoyed it very much. I was humbled and blessed by her comment.

Back to this past Thursday, I mentioned to the owner that I had signings in a neighboring city at Border's the 15th of November and possible one at B&N in Jan--but that I thought a spring signing for his store would be a good repeat time for a Weapons of Light event. He agreed.

After I returned home, I remembered that Weapons of Light has a very compelling Easter sermon near the dramatic ending. I was so blessed, because I can alert my Tate marketing rep to set the date the week or so before Easter, and I can use the Holiday as a great Easter gift idea, promotion tool. And I'm sure that the store will probably follow up on the idea.

I have my publisher Tate Publishers and editing staff to thank for making my little star shine a bit brighter.

Write on!

What Makes A Great Church Leader?

Years ago when my older dear brother was called into the ministry, the whole family felt so blessed and thrilled by the call on his life. What was amazing about the whole thing, was that a long time prophecy spoke over him at age eight was fulfilled.

The story goes: My mom attended a revival meeting one evening, pregnant with me and my eight-year-old brother in tow. The guest speaker at the end of the service, looked at my brother, then my mother and spoke these words: One day this young man will be a great preacher.

You know the term you hear, gone wild? Well, with my brother that was an understatement. He entered his teens and started a lifestyle that left no doubt in any one's mind that a preacher he would not be. He drank, he gambled, he chased women. He was not following in the footsteps of Jesus, for sure!

He married and had two children before the call finally became reality in his life. He went forward one evening at a small Baptist church in California. From that moment on there was a dramatic change in my brother. The pastor of that church took him under his wing and while my brother studied, prayed and did what he felt was the Lord's will for his life, the pastor would allow him to speak at evening services now and then.

In the ministry there is a term: separate the man from the pulpit. With my brother that is how the Lord thought me to do so. I would listen to my brother speak and be amazed, because the person I would hear from the pulpit was almost like a different person, as the Holy Spirit gave him utterance. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit my brother's natural love of people and winning personality transformed into Christ's love and quest to save souls.

My brother went on to pastor three Baptist churches in California, each one grew and prospered under his leadership. His out-reach programs were something to behold.

In the meantime, his family had grown to six children. He and his wife thought about perhaps a better place to raise their children, than in California. So they prayed. He was invited to do a revival for a church that was doing a pastor search in Arkansas. My sister-in-law, a native Californian, fell in love with the people, the state and the education system. My brother prayerfully sought the Lord and the answer was yes. There, is where they stayed until my brother retired from the pulpit as senior pastor, but still did revivals and interim ministries.

After they moved to Arkansas and settled in, the church grew into thousands for membership. Their children all attended and graduated college, and have, every one, wonderful careers. Their first born son first pastored a large church in Texas and is now senior pastor of an almost mega membership church in LA. He has his father's mantle, double portion.

My beloved brother went home to be with the Lord, right in the middle of my book production last year. He had battled a major illness, and survived. There was no apparent illness at the time of his death. He sat in his easy chair one night and simple went to be with the Lord. He had spent the past weekend with his four sons golfing, and had spent meaningful time with loved ones. My sister-in-law believes that the reason for his death only the Lord knows. She opted not to have am authopsy done.

Personally, I think my brother was tired. He had served the Lord, fought the good fight of faith and had finished the race, a winner.

A memorable thing that my brother once spoke, that I've never forgotten: You must run a church like a business, because our business is to win souls for Jesus.

So, what makes a great leader? The CALL. It can't be something that one says they want to be. It has to be a desire implanted into your heart by the Holy Spirit. I've seen pastors not succeed because they were doing what they thought or knew parents, spouse, or whoever, wanted them to do. It just doesn't work that way.

Greatness in the ministry as a pastor is not self-made. It is ordained by God. Counterfeits may exist, but they eventually will be revealed.

It's wonderful to visualize my brother dancing on streets of gold.

One More Time

I am a Tate author, and proud of it. And of course, I love to write. Yet, when it comes to blogging, my muse can fail me. However, I'm going to try one more time. This will be my third attempt with google blog. Why, again? Motivation is, well, a strong motivator. Because of the attacks that my publisher has come under, I have joined with my fellow authors to support Tate Publishers.

The word occasional in my blog title seemed most appropriate, since I am rarely inspired with subject matter for daily blog entrance. However, I'm sure now, with the new motivation, there will be some need to ccomment more often.

Once upon a time, blogging wasn't that difficult for me. I always had much to say and seemed to be able to find things of interest to blog about and humorous things to comment on, pertaining to my writing or everyday experiences.

I don't know what happened--perhaps my lack of inspiration was due to a recent major change in my lifestyle, or the lack of having a person to be in love with. Who knows? The desire to blog is present, but the topics are lacking. Could it be maybe, that all subjects are covered in the blogging world?

My last attempt at blogging, believe it or not, produced stress. Yes, stress! I felt guilty because I wasn't updating my blog as I see the really interesting (in my opinion) bloggers do, some on a daily basis. Humm . . . not good. Of course not good--because a writer should never compare themselves to other writers, it only leads to disappointment in oneself. Writers should be their own unique selves! And with that uniqueness they will find their audience.

So, having said all that, I'll end this first entry with the promise that occasionally, I will update my blog! Stay tuned, for there will be a post in the next day or so, from my heart, about Tate Publishers.