Category Archives: Authors

E-book vs. Print

Posted on June 20, 2012 by | 3 comments

E-book vs. Print

There are two types of people in the world: those who realize that this world is constantly reinventing itself and are usually capable of recognizing the new directions in which the world is headed, and those who can’t.

There’s this pathological fear that the world is more and more superficial; kids are dumb, the world is too fast and hungry and wants only to be fed information via an usb cable, people aren’t reading, paperbacks aren’t selling, bookstores are closing, and no one seems to read the newspapers anymore. And this is a global fear, it affects people on all continents, and yet…

READ ON CLICK HERE

or copy and paste to browser address bar http://cristianmihai.net/2012/05/15/e-book-vs-print/

Just found Cristian’s blog and if he does not mind I will steal a few of his jewels to share with you. You can just go to his blog of course… LOL

Thanks Cristian for some great writing and for helping others – JW

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Writing with a Deeper Point of View (POV)

Posted on June 19, 2012 by | 4 comments

Always on the prowl for interesting articles I found these two great blog posts on deepening your POV as a writer and found this so interesting that I had to share them… – JW

Deeper POV

From: iuemag.com

by Jody Lebel, Western Massachusetts

When you write in deep POV (point of view) you will never have to say s/he felt, s/he thought or s/he knew… realized… speculated… wondered… etc. These phrases create narrative distance. They are ‘telling’ sentences. The reader is at arm’s length, not in your character’s head where they belong.

If we are deep into our character’s psyche we can proceed directly to whatever it was s/he was thinking. In deep POV we get straight to the point exactly like the person would, creating ‘showing’ sentences. Here are some examples.

Before: He wondered if Kim would show up at the picnic.
After: Would Kim show up drunk at the picnic like last year and spoil it again?
Before: Two men approached the house. I hoped it wasn’t the cops again.
After: A pair of strangers walked briskly up the walk towards the front door. Not the cops again.
Before: He thought the dog needed a bath.
After:What a smell. He eyed the pristine bathroom then studied the muddy animal. What that dog needed was a good bath.

Another way to write with a deeper POV is to remove the was/were and rephrase with a hook. Start with a basic sentence: The night was dark. Pretty boring! Your reader is yawning…… Read More http://www.iuemag.com/june2012/deeper-pov.php

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Deep Point of View

Katie Ganshert June 18, 2012

Rivet your readers with deep point of view writing Jill Elizabeth NelsonDeep point of view allows the reader to feel and experience exactly what our characters feel and experience. Authors who do deep point of view well often create stories that are highly engaging – where the characters come to life and the reader gets lost in the pages.

Once we get the hang of it, deep point of view takes our writing to the next level.

So when I saw a tweet about this book called Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View, free on Kindle for a limited time, I was immediately intrigued. I hadn’t read a craft book in awhile, so I hopped on over and downloaded it.

I’m super glad I did.

It is a super quick (it’ll take you an hour, tops), informative read.

Not only did I freshen up on some important writing techniques, I now have a craft book I can recommend to lots and lots of writers.

The author (Jill Elizabeth Nelson) addresses techniques that so many writers fail to employ.

Mistakes I see all the time whenever I critique a piece of writing or judge a contest entry.

Two of the BIGGIES:

  • Authorial Intrusions
  • Prepositional Tells

Authorial Intrusions

Anytime you put an invisible narrator between the reader and the character, you’ve inserted an authorial intrusion.

Phrases like she wondered, she felt, she saw, she wished, she decided are all examples. Purging them from your manuscript will take your prose to the next level.

For example:

She realized where she put her purse.

Can be changed to…

Oh, right. That’s where she left her purse.

Another example:

She spotted the lime green bike swerving through traffic.

Can be changed to… READ MORE http://katieganshert.com/writing/deep-point-of-view/

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Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust – The Story of Legendary Studio Engineer and Producer Ken Scott

Posted on May 14, 2012 by | 2 comments

Ken Scott was the Studio Recording Engineer and Producer for groups like The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, Supertramp and so many more…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE5EC1xpmV0]

Ken Scott, in his new book Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust tells the behind the scenes stories of what went on in the studio. The personal stories, the politics and for all you audio techs and engineers, Ken talks about the process and gives specifics including equipment lists.

I met Ken Scott at a recent talk he gave at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA.

It was an incredible night of storytelling by the legendary recording engineer and producer.

Ken told humorous stories of the behind the scenes and he played, never before heard, clips of Beatles and David Bowie sessions.

I was transfixed as Ken is an excellent story teller and makes even the technical sound wonderfully interesting.

I was blessed later, to receive a pre release copy of the book… (no pictures) and I read it cover to cover as Ken seems to have worked with most of my more favorite bands of the 60’s and 70’s. His discography is a who’s who of famous albums, artists and singles.

I finally got to sit down with Ken at the corporate offices of Alfred Music Publishers, the publishers of Ken’s book, for an hour of talking about writing the book to Ken’s thoughts on current recording processes, record label politics and much more… It was truely an honor to hang out with Ken and I took the time to pummel him with questions. I had so many I did not get to them all, but luckily the book is very thorough.

I would like to thank Devon Blaine of the Blaine Group, Alfred Music Publishing and Ken Scott for setting this up and for taking the time to make this a great interview. – JW

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Ken ScottKen Scott

From Wikipedia

Scott started at the age of 16 working in the tape library at Abbey Road Studios. He became a recording engineer working with such acts as The Beatles, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Procol Harum.[1]

Scott moved to Trident Studios where he worked with such artists as Elton John, Harry Nilsson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, America and with George Harrison on the 6x platinum selling album All Things Must Pass.[2]

Scott went on to co-produce David Bowie‘s albums Hunky Dory (1971), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973) and Pin Ups (1973) before producing Supertramp, The Tubes, Dixie Dregs, Devo, Missing Persons, Kansas, Happy The Man and Level 42.[3][4]

More recently Scott has recorded a number of legendary drummers for a VST instrument called EpiK Drums – A Ken Scott Collection.[5]

Abbey Road to Ziggy StardustAbbey Road to Ziggy Stardust

Ken Scott is releasing his first book co-written with Bobby Owsinski, Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust for the 50th Anniversary of the Abbey Roads recordings with The Beatles and the 40th Anniversary of Ziggy Stardust.

From Amazon

Ken Scott holds a unique place in music history as one of only five engineers to have recorded The Beatles, but his experiences as a producer may be just as profound. Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust shares the intimate memories of Ken Scott s days working with some of the most important artists of the 20th century while crafting a sound that has influenced several generations of music makers.

The Beatles Sitting on Abbey Road Steps While Filming Famous Walk Across the Abbey Road

Ken’s work has left an indelible mark on hundreds of millions of fans with his skilled contributions to Magical Mystery Tour and The White Album, and as a producer and/or engineer of six David Bowie albums (including the groundbreaking Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars), as well as other timeless classics from a who’s-who of classic rock and jazz acts, including Elton John, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, Duran Duran, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, America, Devo, Kansas, The Tubes, Missing Persons, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Billy Cobham, Dixie Dregs, and Stanley Clarke.

Funny, poignant, and oh, so honest, Ken pulls no punches as he tells it as he saw it, as corroborated by a host of famous and not-so famous guests who were there as well. Plus, you’ll be privy to several exclusive stories, facts, and technical details only available in Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust.

National press campaign planned around 40th anniversary of Ziggy Stardust release on June 6, 2012 Includes never-before-told stories of The Beatles, David Bowie and Elton John Many never-before-seen photographs.

Epik Drums / EDU

Epik Drums

DRUM KITS AND GROOVES

epikdrumsboxEpiK DrumS – A Ken Scott Collection

“EpiK DrumS – A Ken Scott Collection” is a Sonic Reality virtual instrument/plug-in for drum kits and grooves with the authentic sound and feel of timeless classic albums. Expanding the Drum Masters series with high resolution vintage drum sounds, EpiK DrumS features drum kits and grooves of 5 of the world’s best drummers all recorded and mixed by legendary producer/engineer Ken Scott.

In this first massive volume from the Ken Scott Collection, Ken has recreated the drum sounds in the style of multi-track studio sessions he recorded with David Bowie, Supertramp, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dixie Dregs, Missing Persons, Elton John and The Beatles.

These authentic classic sounds were achieved by using the same rare recording equipment, drum kits, percussion and expert technical assistance from Ross Garfield “The Drum Doctor”, advanced programming by Sonic Reality and collaboration with the original legendary drummers Bill Cobham, Terry Bozzio, Woody Woodmansey, Bob Siebenberg and Rod Morgenstein.

All together it is one the most EPIK productions ever done for a software drum and groove instrument.

Listen to these EpiK DrumS Audio Demos : Bozzio Dimi, Cobham Existence is Monopoly, Cobham Meters Hence, Cobham_Fowl A Flame, Morgenstein Adventure, Morgenstein Frozen Pastries, Morgenstein Manic Habits, Siebenberg Did i mention it, Woodmansey Little Curious Friend

Epik Drums EDUEpiK DrumS EDU– Ken Scott Mentoring Sessions

EpiK DrumS EDU is the best tool for anyone interested in learning how to record and mix real drum kits.

With today’s technology, sampled drums are used more and more, but every engineer and producer needs to know how to record and mix a real drum kit.

This package contains everything you need to learn from the masters.

You get grooves played by five of the most iconic drummers of all time:

  • Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons),
  • Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra),
  • Rod Morgenstein (Winger, Dixie Dregs),
  • Bob Siebenberg (Super Tramp), and
  • Woody Woodmansey (David Bowie).

Every groove is included as a full multitrack session for both ProTools and Logic in addition to .wav files for each track.

A video is included with words of wisdom from legendary producer and engineer Ken Scott, who has worked with The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, and many other top artists.

Ken explains how he recorded and mixed these grooves, and there is also behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the drummers that provide intimate insight into the sessions.

And last but not least, for those who wish to delve further, additional sessions will be available online for easy download.
“Scott’s excellent DVD should be of great interest to anybody involved in recording drums, at any level.
5 Stars!”
–Drummer Magazine
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJwrKiW-bsM]

Ken Scott’s Discography

Engineered:

America
America

The Beatles
Magical Mystery Tour
White Album
Abbey Road

Jeff Beck
Truth

David Bowie
Man Of Words, Man of Music (Space Oddity)
The Man Who Sold The World

Duran Duran
Thank You
Pop Trash

George Harrison
All Things Must Pass

Elton John
Madman Across The Water
Honky Chateau
Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player [Grammy Nominated]

Lou Reed
Transformer

Mahavishnu Orchestra
Birds Of Fire

Harry Nilsson
Son Of Schmilsson [Grammy Nominated]

Rick Wakeman
The Six Wives of Henry th VIII

Pink Floyd  
Apples and Oranges
Corporal Clegg

John Lennon
Give Peache a Chance
Cold Turkey

Ringo Starr  
It Don’t Come Easy

The Rolling Stones  
Sticky Fingers

All Kooper
New York City (You’re a Women)

Joan Armatrading  
Whatever’s For Us

The New Seekers
I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing ( Coke Ad )

Lindisfarne  

Procol Harum
A Salty Dog

Produced and Engineered:

Jeff Beck
There And Back

David Bowie
Hunky Dory
Ziggy Stardust
Aladdin Sane
Pinups

Billy Cobham
Spectrum
Crosswinds
Total Eclipse
Shabazz

dada
Puzzle

Dixie Dregs
What If
Night Of The Living Dregs

Stanley Clarke
Clarke
Journey To Love [Grammy Nominated]
Schooldays

Kansas
Vinyl Confessions

Level 42
True Colours

Devo
Duty Now For The Future

Patrick Swayze & Larry Gatlin
Brothers

Mahavishnu Orchestra
Emerald Visions Of The Pure Beyond [Grammy Nominated]
The Lost Trident Sessions

Supertramp
Crime Of The Century [Grammy Nominated]
Crisis, What Crisis?

The Tubes
Young And Rich

Jeff Beck
There and Back

Hellion

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank You to Alfred Music Publishing

ALFRED Music

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Posted in Audio Podcast, Authors, Entertainment, Event, Interview, iTunes, Leisure, Lifestyle, Music, Video Podcast

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Build a Business Around Your Expertise from Top Revenue Strategist Stefanie Hartman

Posted on May 8, 2011 by | 1 comment

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJS4doQ6V8g&w=480&h=335]

Stefanie HartmanWe met Stefanie at Rick Frishman’s Author 101. Stefanie often works with authors and speakers to help them “Get it Done” as she helps them with marketing, revenue and other strategies.

Stefanie helps her clients propel themselves to new and higher levels of success.

I was at the conference for three days interviewing authors, speakers publishers, agents and many more excellent guests of Rick Frishman and as I did I would notice Stefanie sitting at a table with someone going over strategies for their business.

I was taken by the intensity and focus she gave each new person that entered the room and sat down with her. They each had her undivided and complete attention. Impressive.

I tried for the three days to get an interview with her as she was only 15 feet away from me at anytime she was in the room, but she had a steady line of clients the whole three days and could not find even a minute to sit with me.

Finally on the last day, I caught Stefanie as she got ready to break to get something to eat. I grabbed her… Sorry Stefanie, I know you and your husband were hungry, and had the wonderful Starley Murray do a short interview with her.

Rick had asked Stefanie to come to his event to help the authors that attended the event, because she has such a great track record of helping authors and other businesses propel their projects to new levels of success. I have never met Stefanie before, Rick has hired her for many of his top clients. That speaks, no pun intended, volumes to me. It turned out great, but I hope to get Stefanie to do a podcast with us soon. – JW

Stefanie Hartman

Often referred to as “The Expert’s Expert”, International Speaker and Consultant, Stefanie Hartman is a highly sought after Behind the Scenes Marketing Strategist for entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, coaches and experts throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.

Stefanie specializes in providing proven ‘real world’ powerful marketing strategies to generate on-going revenues, build your database and position you as a top expert in your field.  A rarity in the industry she reveals the TRUTH and helps entrepreneurs eliminate the learning curve and avoid the many pitfalls and costly mistakes that only the top 1% of income earners know. You can get more information at Stefanie’s web site www.StefanieHartman.com

Highlights:

  • Founded a Private Online Club that uses match-making technology to connect Entrepreneurs with casual partners that put your business or products in front of your target market worldwide.  www.PrivateJVClub.com .
  • Created the Millionairesin Training Program, an online school for Entrepreneurs, Authors and Speakers. www.MITProgram.com
  • Worked with “who’s who” of the industry: T. Harv Eker, Matt Bacak, 3-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez, Oprah Guest Cynthia Kersey, among others. Has shared the stage with Rick Frishman, Arielle Ford (Deepak Chopra), John Assaraf, Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for Soul).

    rick frishman and stefanie hartman

    Rick Frishman and Stefanie Hartman

  • Recently courted byan award winningNew York Publishing Firm to lend her marketing expertise to their famous and new authors.
  • Partnered with NY publisher to award publishing contracts to Entrepreneurs world-wide, including full & major distribution to retail bookstores, foreign rights, and online sellers via Ingram.
  • Partnered to create the first and only “Get it Done for You” Social Media & Marketing Service Company for JV product launches, best-seller campaigns, and 100% social media set up and ongoing monthly marketing to get you leads, profits and set up in 30 days or less.
  • Co-produced several television shows, specials and documentaries, including work for PBS, The Discovery Channel, CTV, The Outdoor Life Network, VTV Channel for Baton Broadcasting
  • Marketing Strategies that enabled a client to sell over $600,000 of products in one weekend.
  • Marketing campaign that propelled an un-known author to #1Best-Selling Status on date predicted.
  • Marketing Strategy that enabled an author to sell over $1 Million of products in 3 days.
  • Designed monthly revenue program for client that nets him $3,000 – $10,000 in sales per month, 99% leveraged work by other people. No selling, no product distribution.
  • Increased client sales from $18,000 – $54,000 in 4 weeks.
  • After only 1 hour consulting/training helped speaker sell $500,000 products in 9 months (after he gave up trying).

Rick Frishman’s Author 101

Are you curious about what publishers like Harper Collins, Morgan James, Adams Media, Wiley, Random House, and Simon & Schuster are looking for? What is the best way to get your manuscript read when you’re an unpublished author? Want to know the biggest mistakes to avoid when writing book proposals? You’ll be engaged as these top pros share their expertise, reveal the inner workings of the publishing industry, and discuss various approaches to common marketing and publishing challenges.

Author 101 University Event Website: www.author101university.com

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Disney Management and Leadership with Former Executive Director of Disney World Lee Cockerell

Posted on October 4, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Lee Cockerell and Mickey Mouse Disney WorldLee Cockerell, VP of Disney World Resort (Retired),

Talks about Disney Management and Leadership Strategies

“As the Senior Operating Executive for ten years Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping & entertainment village and a sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world.

” One of Lee’s major and lasting legacies was the creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies which continues on as the primary resource for developing the 7000 leaders at Walt Disney World. Lee talks to OPM about his strategies and how you can use them in your life and your business. Continue reading →

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Posted in Audio Podcast, Authors, Book, Business, Employment, Interview, iTunes, Management, Marketing, Self Development

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Rick Frishman on How to Write and Publish Your Own Book

Posted on September 18, 2010 by | 2 comments

Rick FrishmanFamous Book Publicist and Publisher Tells you How to Write Your Book, Get it Published and How to Market It

Rick Frishman, the founder of Morgan James Publishing in New Your and Planned Television Arts, now Media Connect, has been one of the leading book publicists in America for over 30 years.

Working with many of the top book editors, literary agents and publishers in America, including Simon and Schuster, Random House, Wiley, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Penguin Putnam, and Hyperion Books, he has worked with best-selling authors including:

Mitch Albom, Bill Moyers, Stephen King, Caroline Kennedy, Howard Stern, President Jimmy Carter, Mark Victor Hansen, Nelson DeMille, John Grisham, Hugh Downs, Henry Kissinger, Jack Canfield, Alan Deshowitz, Arnold Palmer, and Harvey Mackay.

Rick is Publisher at Morgan James Publishing in New York. David Hancock founded Morgan James in 2003 and in 2008 “MJ” published over 150 books. Morgan James only publishes non fiction books and looks for authors with a platform who believe in giving back. Morgan James gives a portion of every book sold to Habitat for Humanity.

Rick has also appeared on hundreds of radio shows and more than a dozen TV shows nationwide including OPRAH and Bloomberg TV. He has also been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Selling Power Magazine, New York Post and scores of publications.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LBomAF3wcc?rel=0&w=640&h=505]

He is the co-author of ten books, including national best-sellers GUERRILLA PUBLICITY and NETWORKING MAGIC. Along with media personality Robyn Freedman Spizman, Rick also co-wrote the popular four-book series AUTHOR 101™ and recently they teamed up for their highly acclaimed book entitled WHERE’S YOUR WOW? 16 Ways To Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You! (McGraw Hill, March, 2008).

Rick’s 10th book “Guerrilla Publicity” 2nd edition was published in October 2008.( Adams Media) He is the co-host (with attorney Richard Solomon) of the radio show Taking Care of Business, which airs every Thursday from 2:00-3:00 pm on WCWP-Radio in Long Island, New York. Rick has a B.F.A. in acting and directing and a B.S. from Ithaca College School of Communications and is a sought after lecturer on publishing and public relations and a member of PRSA and the National Speakers Association.

Rick and his wife Robbi live in Long Island with their three children, Adam, Rachel and Stephanie, and two Havanese puppies named Cody and Cooper. Go to www.rickfrishman.com for more information and to get Rick’s “Million Dollar Rolodex.”

JW Najarian and Bob Schecter got to talk with Rick about:

  • Why publicity is 100 times better than advertising.
  • Working with a PR firm for maximum effectiveness if that’s the route you choose to go.
  • How to become an author in 5 easy steps and in less than 90 days.
  • Real life stories about the “legends” in the business and what you can learn from them.
  • What does a publicity department do for you at a publishing firm and what that means for you.
  • How to get published in the traditional manner and not get taken advantage of.
  • How agents work, what they do and why you need to get them on your side.
  • Understanding the pluses and minuses of radio, TV and other media sources.
  • How to create a press kit that will get you noticed and get you coverage.
  • Maximize your effectiveness when you’re in front of the media to increase your chances for success.

We hope you enjoy this Networking Fools Podcast Presentation, a Network Alchemists Production.

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