Story of parachuting WWII Dog, Bing, is Told in New Children's Book

I have been writing a bit on non-fiction lately, and here is a follow-through on that genre.  This, I think, is one of those magical historical pieces that has to be told.

Bing on battlefield with Jack Walton

The story of Bing, the parachuting World War II dog who lept from a plane on D-Day and led troops to victory, will be told for the first time in a children's book by British inventor, Gil Boyd.

Bing led the way on to battlefields with Army sniper Jack Walton. He led troops on to the D-Day battlefields and saved hundreds of lives at the pivotal Rhine Crossing in 1945.

Bing

Written from Bing’s point-of-view, the book recounts how he dropped to earth with invading soldiers before going ahead to warn of hidden perils.

Written from Bing’s point-of-view, the book recounts how he dropped to earth with invading soldiers before going ahead to warn of hidden perils.

Bing jumping from a Dakota Plane

During the D-Day landings, Bing would keep watch while his men slept. After the war, he returned to his owner in Essex – and his peacetime name of Brian – before dying of natural causes in 1955, aged 13. In 1947, he was awarded the PDSA Dicken Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
‘I felt this was a story that needed to be told,’ said Mr Boyd. Proceeds from sales of Amazing Adventures Of Bing The Parachuting Dog, will go to charities.

To order a copy, email airborne.enquiries@gmail.com

Sea Turtle Summer Wins Children's Literary Classic's Seal of Approval

I am delighted and honored to accept the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval for Sea Turtle Summer.  The book is the second in the Bella and Britt Series.  One Pelican at a Time also won the seal.

Below is the Children's Classics review of Sea Turtle Summer.  Thank you again for this amazing honor!

Sea Turtle Summer is the story of two brave young girls who simply won't take 'no' for an answer when it comes to saving a clutch of young turtle eggs. --After witnessing a turtle laying eggs on the beach, they rush to tell the ranger so no harm will come to the eggs. Upon discovering that the ranger is out sick for the day, the girls take matters into their own hands. Despite numerous obstacles, the girls insist upon helping ensure the safety of the eggs. In the end, they are rewarded for their efforts when, months later, they have the opportunity to help guide the hatchlings safely to sea.

Sea Turtle Summer offers an inspiring message of empowerment while fostering a love for nature and wildlife. Nancy Stewart, bestselling author of the Bella and Britt Beach Series children's books, has created another heartwarming tale of hope and determination which is sure to instill positive values in the minds of young readers.

Sea Turtle Summer earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.
 

Winnie-the-Pooh: From Acton to Hundred Acre Wood

A new plaque to mark Winnie-the-Pooh’s birthplace was revealed in April in Acton, West London.  The Farnell Factory, which manufactured Britain’s first teddy bears, was Pooh's unlikely birthplace. Since the factory has since been demolished the plaque has been placed on The Elms, a Georgian house owned by the Farnell family.

The bear was one of a batch produced in 1921 and sent from silk merchant John Kirby Farnell’s factory to Harrods, where Daphne Milne, Christopher Robin’s mother, bought him for her son’s first birthday present.

Pooh spent the rest of his days flitting between the Milnes’ London home and Cotchford Farm in Hartfield, an area in East Sussex that inspired AA Milne’s Enchanted Place, Hundred Acre Wood, the House at Pooh Corner, and Pooh’s other favorite haunts.

 

It is unclear whether Pooh spent the entirety of World War Two at Cotchford Farm, when the real Christopher Robin was in the navy.   He had always felt resentful towards the toys that eclipsed him throughout his life.  His father also grew exasperated with the bear, as no one paid his adult literary works more attention than his vastly popular children’s stories, which he came to dismiss as “trifles for the young."

When AA Milne died in 1956 – notably with neither funeral nor memorial stone organised by his family, so disenchanted with his creations and alienated were they at this stage – he left much of Pooh’s legacy to The Garrick Club. The fund, known informally as “The Pooh Trust”, caused such infighting that the Club almost crumbled.

A plaque seems inadequate acknowledgement of such an eventful life. The original Farnell factory’s instructions for bear care are sadly prophetic: “The ideal place to keep an elderly bear is in a glass-fronted cupboard where it can be seen and taken out from time to time.”

 The Life and Times of the Real Winnie-the-Pooh: the Teddy Bear Who Inspired A.A. Milne by Shirley Harrison is published by Pen & Sword.

How to Research Before Writing a Children's Book

What?  Do you really have to research a book for kids?  I mean, they're not sophisticated in any way.  What's the difference?


Of course, we all know kids deserve better than what's written in the paragraph above.  But the question still remains, "How much research?"  And the answer is, As much as it takes for accuracy.  Complete accuracy.

When I begin a child's fiction or non-fiction book, research is pivotal.  Whether I'm writing about pelicans harmed in an oil spill, manatees being rounded up for food or a mystery in Namibia, the facts must be accurate, straightforward and compelling.

Although the Internet has made research a dream (I remember 4x6 inch cards in a box), the sources must be stellar.  I use sites such as National Geographic, Moat Aquarium, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to name but a few
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Katrina and Nancy researching material for Katrina
and Winter:  Partners in Courage

It is always good to cross-check your information, stats, etc. against another source to be totally sure.  For me, only then will I find the material acceptable to use in a book.

Another way I research is to read other children's books on the same topic.  Analyzing authors’ styles, how they build scenes, develop characters and advance their plots has been a wealth of information.  It needs to built around the excellent research you've found. 

When you come to the story, biography, narrative non-fiction or straight non-fiction, with all your research well and truly in place, the sky's the limit.  Have fun, be creative, let your mind soar, all safe in the knowledge you're creating a worthwhile piece of literature that rings true from beginning to end

The Relevance of Sea Turtle Summer (Children's Book Week)

Please have a look at the trailer for Sea Turtle Summer at the post's end.  Also, please sign up below to win gifts. And, take a look at the six blogs of the other Guardian Angel authors participating in the Children's Book Week Celebration listed at the end of this post.

Why a book called Sea Turtle Summer?  So much is written about sea turtles.  Another one?

The answer, of course, is a resounding yes!  Sea turtles have been on this earth for over fifty million years.  They breathed the same air as dinosaurs, and now they, too, are threatened.  Not by a giant meteor but by humans.  But we humans can do something about the fate of these wondrous sea creatures.


Enter Bella and Britt.  In the series, I try to address marine animals that are in peril, generally because of human interference. 

 The girls find a female Loggerhead sea turtle (the largest of them all) on their beach in the middle of the day. Realizing she needs to return safely to the sea, the girls wait until she's back in the water then turn their attention to her nest.

Dusk is coming, and a light rain begins to fall. They have to return home. Marking the nest as best as they can, they fretfully leave it, vowing to return early the next morning.  What happens next is an adventure and a growth process for them.

Through the book, Britt and Bella learn to become empowered, realizing they must make decisions some adults will not like.  What they do to try and save the nest takes courage and perseverance.  Can they do it?

Sea turtles are certainly worthy of the attention given to them today.  Some species are even making a small comeback with the help of volunteers who stand guard and guide hatchlings into the silvery sea by moonlight.  Much more needs to be done to help preserve these ancient creatures. 

In the words of the girls...

Be careful, Little Ones, whispered Britt. She gently helped two hatchlings slide over a small silvery wave.

Yeah, Bella said softly. Saving you is the best part of living by the beach.

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Entry during the Children's Book Week celebration by Guardian Angel Publishing does not guarantee winning the FREE tote bag of Guardian Angel Publishing books, or the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke. Winner of the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke shall not hold Ms. Finke liable in publication success of submitted picture book manuscrip

Guardian Angel Publishing Author Blogs:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog

Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

What's Selling in Children's Non-Fiction and Why? (Children's Book Week)

Once again, prior to the post, please sign up below to win gifts. Also, take a look at the six blogs of the other Guardian Angel authors participating in the Children's Book Week Celebration listed at the end of this post.

Non-Fiction.  A word that sends chills down the backs of many readers, as they flee into the fiction department! 

Not to be feared, this is a genre, albeit large and encompassing, that has much to offer, particularly in children's books.

 They take children to foreign lands or even outer space, introduce them to long-deceased historical figures, interest them in a new found hobby, or educate them about the wonders of science.

Teachers, and I speak from experience, find non-fiction books to aid their discussions of almost every subject.  Interestingly, parents find that they learn just as much as their kids when they read the pages of quality children's non-fiction.

What qualities, then should we look for when choosing for our kids and/or students?  Here are a few tips:

1. Accuracy and objectivity are prime and must not be overlooked when buying.
2. The subject should not be trivialized or glossed over, leaving holes in the information.
3. Examine the Index, Glossary or Author's Page/s.  These give organization and credence to the topic.
4. Pay attention to the shape (no, I'm not making this up) of the book:  Tall and thin for a reluctant reader. Short and thick books give the impression of serious information.

I chose Candace Fleming's book Amelia Lost as a fine example of thoroughly written nonfiction for kids. A Butterfly is Patient by Diana Hutts Aston is a gorgeous mixture of science the beauty of this world.  Billy the Kid by Michael Wallis is an objective, non-sensationalistic biography of the legendary outlaw.

Don't run from the Non-fiction section of the bookstore!  No telling what treasures are waiting to be found there.

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Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog

Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

Katrina and Winter Launched During Children's Book Week!

Once again, prior to the post, please sign up below to win gifts.  Also, take a look at the six blogs of the other Guardian Angel authors participating in the Children's Book Week Celebration listed at the end of this post.

Please allow me to start this post with an apology.  I realize I began the celebration of Children's Book Week with a post about my new book but did not realize the launch would take place in the middle of CBW.  (We're a few days early, which is wonderful!)  Because of the timing, I'll give you just a bit more about the book and the people behind it.

Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage was a collaboration of people who love Katrina and want only the best for her. Her story was first brought to light by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in general and David Yates, the CEO, in particular. 

When the Simpkins family serendipitously turned up at the aquarium headed to Disney World, Mr. Yates himself welcomed the family to the aquarium.  Katrina was so overwhelmed by seeing Winter, she forgot her shyness and asked him if she could meet the young dolphin.  He, without hesitation, arranged it on the spot. 

Katrina never looked back, and Mr. Yates has never stopped looking forward in relation to Katrina's well-being and best interest.  He arranged for the family to visit Winter and the aquarium on several occasions and has championed and supported Katrina in so many ways.  He gave her the opportunity to star in a video that now runs each hour the aquarium is open, telling the story of Katrina and Winter.

Without the kindness and caring of so many people,  Katrina's story would not be shared with the world.  I hope you will read the book and will also support the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as well.  Each has a story worth the telling.

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Guardian Angel Publishing Author Blogs:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog

Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

The Story Behind the Writing of One Pelican at a Time for Children's Book Week

A note before the post...Please take a look at the PBS GulfWatch video on the writing of One Pelican at a Time at the bottom of the post.  Please don't forget to vote, and the other authors' blog addresses are below as well!

One Pelican at a Time is a book that should not have been written.   Strange thing, one might think, for an author to say about her own book.  It is, though, quite true.

The first book in the Bella and Britt Series, Bella Saves the Beach, was slated to launch within weeks, when a major ecological catastrophe occurred in the US.  It was the Deepwater Horizons oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010. 

My publisher Lynda Burch at Guardian Angel Publishing and I agreed that a book had to be done about such an event.  She thought the Bella and Britt series was the perfect vehicle to use and she was right.

  Lynda shelved "Beach Bella," and I went to work on Pelican.  (It was yet to be named.)  We both wanted the book to be the first one in the US, and it was!  We're very proud of that.

Normally, a book takes months or more to complete.  I worked night and day on the manuscript and finished it in six weeks.  Actually, I don't know if I should be proud or embarrassed about it!

One Pelican at a Time turned out to be a labor of love.  I had lots of encouragement from our wonderful publisher, Lynda.  And though I worked flat out, I never once felt under anyone's "gun" except my own.

I am delighted to say that Pelican stayed on Amazon's Bestseller List for Children for18 weeks.  It won the Children's Classics Seal of Approval and was nominated for a Global eBook Award.  PBS Tampa did a feature on my writing of Pelican for their series GufWatch.  It can be viewed at the very end of this post.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the fabulous artwork by Samantha Bell.  She is a much sought after watercolorist, and the work she did for the whole series is beyond belief.  What a magical talent is hers.

Pelican, then, led the way for the Bella and Britt Series to come.  And what about Bella Saves the Beach?  That is the next book to be published.  A little late but all due to a good, but tragic, cause.

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog

Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

Disclaimer:

Entry during the Children's Book Week celebration by Guardian Angel Publishing does not guarantee winning the FREE tote bag of Guardian Angel Publishing books, or the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke. Winner of the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke shall not hold Ms. Finke liable in publication success of submitted picture book manuscrip

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Considering Narrative Non-Fiction for the Second Day of Children's Book Week

I will be on the faculty of the Florida SCBWI Orlando Conference June 15-16, 2012.  It is my pleasure to co-teach with Deborah Wayshak, editor at Candlewick Books.  We will discuss non-fiction for children.   For this post, I decided to  take on Narrative Non-Fiction for adults with one child's book as a teaser, as both are such hot topics now!

Also, please have a look at the blogs of the six other Guardian Angel Publishing authors included in this celebration of Children's Book Week.  And please vote to win below!

There is, by writing standards, a new'ish genre in town.  What is it?  Narrative non-fiction.  This genre offers a true story that is written in a style associated with fiction. 

This genre in some forms, though, has been around awhile.  People have written memoirs and autobiographies for many years, but the emphasis has not been in a narrative style.

The person credited for bringing narrative non-fiction into the mainstream is, of course, Truman Capote and his journalistic book In Cold Blood.  The book describes the murder of the Cluter family, subsequent trial and hangings of the two accused men.

Capote wrote the book in the style of a journalist, researching and interviewing countless people.  Added to this, he is the narrator of the story and allows his bias to show through.

Are there any criticisms of such a genre?  Indeed.  The problem often sited is no stringent standards or guidelines.  The reader wants to know what is fiction and what is not.  Sometimes the lines are blurred, leading to confusion and even rejection of the work. 

In spite of some criticism, this genre has gained popularity, particularly in the early 21st century. A book such as Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home by Nando Parrado (2006) is a good example.  

And for the kids, the market is just as good.  An example:

Jeanette Winter tells the story of Alia Muhammed Baker, the chief librarian of Basra, Iraq, who saved 30,000 books from Basra's library before it burned during the US invasion of Iraq.

I hope this has whetted your appetite enough for you to take a look at narrative non-fiction! It has become a powerhouse genre in the book market.

If it is done well, accurately and is interesting to kids, it has real merit.  Narrative non-fiction is full of teachable moments and can make such an impact on a child's life.

Look for the genre to continue.

Please visit the other Guardian Angel Authors celebrating CBW! They are:

Mayra Calvani – www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill – www.margodill.com/blog

Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Donna McDine – www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

Nancy Stewart – www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Kai Strand – www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Nicole Weaver – www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

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Children's Book Week: Celebrate with Guardian Angel Publishing Authors (May 7 - 13)

Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast! 

Visit Guardian Angel Publishing authors via their blogs as they celebrate Children's Book Week. Each stop includes special topics of discussion: teaching writing and grammar using children’s books, road to publication, professional critiques, educator guides, Skype and in-person author visits, what’s selling in children’s non-fiction, writing narrative non-fiction, interviews, book reviews, individual book information, and so much more.

Enter at a chance to win two prizes:

·         One FREE Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Margot Finke

·         One FREE tote bag of children's books from the participating authors

Visit May 7-13, 2012 and automatically enter at a chance to win by commenting, GFC Follower, and/or become a Facebook Fan or Friend at each of the author blogs.

Guardian Angel Publishing Author Blogs:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog

Margot Finke – www.hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Kai Strand - www.kaistrand.blogspot.com

Nicole Weaver - www.mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

About the authors:

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her children’s picture books include Crash, The Magic Violin, Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster, Frederico, the Mouse Violinist, The Doll Violinist, The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book I and the upcoming The Fox in the Night. She’s had over 300 reviews, articles, stories and interviews published online and in print. She’s represented by Mansion Street Literary Management.

Margo L. Dill is a freelance writer, editor, and teacher, living in St. Louis, Missouri. Her work has appeared in publications such as Grit, Pockets, Missouri Life, ByLine Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, True Love, On the Line, Fun for Kidz, and The News-Gazette. She is a columnist, instructor, and contributing editor for WOW! Women On Writing. She writes weekly book reviews for The News-Gazette (Champaign, IL). Her first book, Finding My Place, a middle-grade historical novel, will be published by White Mane Kids in 2012. She also has a picture book accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing and another by High Hill Press.

Margot Finke is an Aussie transplant who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. She has 11 books published so far. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between writing. Her husband is very supportive, though not interested in children's books . Their three children are now grown and doing very well. Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes! "

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, The Golden Pathway, an historical fiction story book about the Underground Railroad. Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Donna has three more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey, and A Sandy Grave. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids, Publicist for the Working Writer’s Club, and owner of Author PR Services.

Nancy Stewart is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children. Her newest book, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the biography of Katrina Simpkins with Winter, the dolphin. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a frequent speaker and presenter at writing conferences throughout the United States. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to writing for children.

Kai Strand writes fiction for children and young adults. Her debut title, The Weaver, was a finalist in the EPIC eBook Awards. Her upcoming titles, Save The Lemmings! and The Wishing Well, Another Weaver Tale, will be released in 2012. Links to current and upcoming short stories can be found on her website. You can find book related downloads and more information about Kai and her writing at www.kaistrand.com.

Nicole Weaver was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She came to the United States when she was ten years old. She is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish, and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish. Her second children’s trilingual book, My Sister is My Best Friend was published by Guardian Angel Publishing, November 2011. She is also the author of a children’s trilingual picture book, Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle. The story is about a Haitian girl who resides by the beach in Haiti.

We look forward to your visit. Thank you and good luck!

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Proud to be American – May 2012 Issue

We invite you to visit and explore the Guardian Angel Kids www.guardian-angel-kids.com May 2012 issue of "Proud to be American " through rich history poetry, the sacrifices of military families, embracing American freedom, the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Tuskegee Airmen, and activities to get you moving and grooving.

Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Donna M. McDine

Featured Book:

Ebenezer’s Cousin by Kristen K. Zajac and illustrated by Jennifer Houdeshell

SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATION:

Alvin and the Chipmunks sing Proud to be an American

Children’S poetry, ACTIVITIES, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:

“History Class” poetry by Margaret Fieland – the rich history of our nation.

“Activities that Celebrate America in Song,” by Kathy Stemke – the use of songs with accompanying movements helps develop gross motor movements and rhythm in our children.

“A Sergeant for Sophie,” by Catherine May Webb and illustrated by Katherine Bullock – the waves of emotions military deployment brings to young children.
“My Country,” by Sue Bangert-Wood and illustrated by Jack Foster – embracing the freedom of America.

“Proud to Say the Pledge,” by Shari L. Klase – when we say the Pledge, we are making a promise to do something.

“History Can Teach Valuable Lessons for Today: The Tuskegee Airmen Story,” by Kristen Zajac – the first African American pilots during World II and their special place in military and social history.

Visit Guardian Angel Kid today and www.guardian-angel-kids.com and enjoy a child safe and ad free Ezine.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

Engage in Social Networking the Twitter Way by Donna McDine

It is my pleasure to once again welcome Donna McDine to the blog.  Donna will be posting a monthly entry here.  Everything you wanted to know about marketing your material and more, will be found in her guest posts.  Donna, welcome! 

To be an effective social networker/marketer, setting up your profile is the first step, but it goes far beyond the setup. The saying from the Field of Dreams movie… “Build it and they will come” will not work in this instance. You must continually develop online relationships and share relevant information from your expertise. Like your website and blog, social networking is a constant work-in-progress. Don’t let your shoulders sag. Engagement does not need to take you endless hours every day.

Today I will focus on….

How to strengthen your Twitter participation:

To be an effective member of the Twitter community, you need to tweet on a consistent basis. Note tweets are limited to 140 characters including spaces and the URL you are directing the reader to. Your tweets can be just about anything, such as your latest book, your newsletter, book reviews, author interviews, and information you find interesting to the freelance writing career, etc. My rule of thumb is to tweet at least 4-5 times per day, Monday through Friday. I give myself time off on weekends for good behavior.

Use www.tinyurl.com to shorten the length of the URL you are providing in your tweet, so you save valuable characters for your message.

Don’t just tweet about yourself. Avoid the “it’s all about me attitude." Become a master communicator with tweeting a combination of your own tweets with those of colleagues.

Take out ten to fifteen minutes per day and visit Twitter and retweet (RT) posts of interest for those you are following. You’ll be amazed how appreciative tweeters are for RT. It is a terrific way to broaden the contact base for all those participating.

Scheduling Your Tweets Ahead of Time: Save valuable time and plan your tweets ahead of time (at least weekly). Create your tweets in Word and double check the character length by highlighting your tweet, clicking Review in the toolbar and to the right of Translate on the far left click the ABC/123 symbol. A pop-up screen will appear providing full statistics and make note of the Characters (with spaces) number. To set-up and schedule your tweets, I recommend www.dynamictweets.com. Once you register an account you will be able to schedule a one-time tweet or tweets you’d like to repeat throughout a specific time frame. The template/site is simple to use. 

Tweeting Lingo and What It Means for Your Tweeting Experience:

# - hashtag – by searching for a keyword with the # (hashtag) before it will pull you up a list of the latest tweets regarding the topic. This is a great way to get in specific conversations and tweeter parties.

@ - symbol before username – by searching for a particular username the results provides their tweets and mentions by fellow tweeters.

Direct Messages – by clicking on the “head” image the pull down menu will appear. Click on direct messages, here you will find a listing of all messages sent to you by fellow tweeters.

For more lingo details visit: https://support.twitter.com/articles/166337-the-twitter-glossary

Remember, tackle your social networking campaign with baby steps every day for each step will develop into a quantum leap.

Next month I will discuss the social networking platform LinkedIn.

If you require further guidance or have additional questions, please free to contact me at donna@donnamcdine.com. As a PR Publicist I offer an array of services to help you free up your valuable writing time, visit www.authorprservices.com for details.

Thank you for joining me today, it’s been a pleasure.