Are you terrified of marketing your book? Do you have it ready to go (or already published), but you feel stuck because you don’t know what to do next? Book marketing can feel like you’re never doing enough. It can seem impossible. How do you know if you’re focusing on the right marketing tactics? How do you know which strategy will work for you? What if you’re missing something? We’re here to help! Bethany Atazadeh and Mandi Lynn have each successfully marketed multiple novels and want to help you discover the best marketing tactics for YOU—starting with the book itself. Your book is your MOST powerful marketing tool.
Online Marketing for Busy Authors: A Step-by-Step Guide
If You Want People to Read Your Book, Writing It Is Only the Beginning
There has truly never been a better time to be an author. For the first time, authors have direct access to the public via the Internet—and can create a community eagerly awaiting their book. But where do new authors start? How do they sort through the dizzying range of online options? Where should they spend their time online and what should they be doing?
Have you written a book that just isn’t selling? Would you like the launch of your next one to be different?
Launch to Market provides a simple system to plan, track, and execute your book launch. It covers the basics of marketing in an easy-to-understand way, complete with exercises that will prepare you for your best launch ever.
Successful Book Launch Secrets: Book Marketing Tips From a Bestselling Author to Make YOU a Book Marketing Hero (The Christian Author’s Guide)
A book can be exceptionally useful in growing a business, yet not generally. Before you make a plunge, giving it genuine thought’s significant. Composing and cleaning a book requires additional time and exertion than the vast majority think, whether you work with a business distributer or independently publish. As a business person, you must adjust that against different requests on your time-like maintaining your business.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
The pandemic has changed the way we cook, and it’s given rise to new challenges and opportunities to reconnect with our kitchen. You may have gained a more refined palate while you mastered making silly mini pancakes. During this period, many of you also took on a serious social and racial equality stand. You also supported the efforts of local communities that are reclaiming food sovereignty.
After years of studying the trends for 2022, we decided to focus on what matters most to you now: what makes you happy and how we can make better food and beverage choices better for the planet.
Condiment Obsession
According to a survey conducted, 92% of American families plan on continuing to eat at home. However, cooking fatigue is real. If you’re not cooking as often because you don’t have the energy, then it’s time to step away from the kitchen and take a deep breath.
Due to the endless variety of food companies offering bold and diverse flavors, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to satisfying your hunger. Condiments are a great way to enhance taste and introduce bold flavors into family favorites.
The New Green Kitchen
A lot of people start their eco-friendly lifestyle in the kitchen. There are plenty of sustainable products out there that will make your life easier and less cluttered. One example of this is Stasher, a company that makes reusable storage bags.
Food waste is a large contributor to waste in the US, comprising 21% of all landfill. This is why composting is so important to reducing food waste.
The Food Network has launched a campaign called Combating Food Waste, which encourages people to turn their organic waste into something that can be used in their gardens and houses.
Underground Ordering
During the height of the pandemic, almost 8 million people were out of work. As a result, many states loosened restrictions so that people could sell “cottage food” directly to their customers. This was the key to Eric Huang, who was able to save his family’s restaurant after transitioning to a direct-to-consumer model.
Expect more restaurants to start using social media platforms to connect with their customers and expand their reach beyond the traditional restaurant model.
Fishless Fish
People are starting to understand the environmental impacts of illegal fishing. Due to the rising cases of ocean pollution, the term sustainable seafood has become outdated and unreliable.
According to a study conducted by the Yale Center for Communication, the carbon footprint associated with farming tilapia and catfish are equivalent to that of beef.
There are plenty of options out there that are both fish-free and plant-based. These products could be considered sustainable alternatives to traditional seafood.
Grocery Loyalty Pays
In the new world of grocery shopping, we’re using apps to order and pay for our food. While some basic items are cheaper, the cost is increasing due to the rising cost of food.
With grocery prices increasing at a 3.5% rate, many companies are revamping their loyalty programs to give members even more benefits. These plans can be found at Walmart, Albertson’s, and Kroger.
Some apps are also giving users exclusive perks, such as free shipping and delivery. They also have various bonuses, such as double gas points and discounts on prescriptions.
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE—The #1 New York Times bestselling worldwide sensation with more than 12 million copies sold, hailed by The New York Times Book Review as “a painfully beautiful first novel that is at once a murder mystery, a coming-of-age narrative and a celebration of nature.”
2. Anatomy of a Scandal: A Novel Paperback – October 2, 2018
SOON TO BE A HULU ORIGINAL SERIES • From the New York Times bestselling author of Normal People . . . “[A] cult-hit . . . [a] sharply realistic comedy of adultery and friendship.”—Entertainment Weekly
4. She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement
“An instant classic of investigative journalism…‘All the President’s Men’ for the Me Too era.” — Carlos Lozada, The Washington Post
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters who broke the news of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment and abuse for the New York Times, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the thrilling untold story of their investigation and its consequences for the #MeToo movement
5. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer I Turned Pretty, The) Paperback – April 6, 2010
by Jenny Han (Author) Soon to be a streaming series in Summer 2022!
Belly has an unforgettable summer in this stunning start to the Summer I Turned Pretty series from the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (now a major motion picture!), Jenny Han.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
Writing can be a very fulfilling experience, and it can be a lot of fun as well. The problem is that when there’s so much content out there, it can be hard to keep your readers engaged with your writing. A great way to do this is to add some humor to your writing. Humor is a great way to keep people glued to the page, especially if you can get your point across regardless of the humor. But how do you add humor to your writing? Here are a few tips to help you out.
Timing Is Everything
The goal of comedy writing is to create small narrative arcs that culminate with a funny ending. This strategy can help you build a compelling story and keep the audience laughing until the end. Instead of trying to force a laugh, make sure that you’re thoughtful and deliberate about what you’re saying.
Short and Sweet
Stand-up comedians often have long setups for their jokes as part of their act. They’re there to tell funny short stories, and they’re not there to dominate the narrative. When writing comedy, make sure that the setup is short and sweet. Focus on the narrative, and throw good jokes into the story as you go. Readers will lose interest if the whole thing takes too long to tell.
Use Cliches In A Surprising Way
Although it’s usually frowned upon by writers, using clichés can still create some humor in a story. For instance, the phrase “They lived happily ever after” is a common one used in fairy tales. However, it can also be used in different ways, such as “They lived happily ever…after until she met her real soulmate.”
Be Absurd
One of the most effective ways to add humor to a story is by stretching the reality of what’s happening in the story. For instance, if you’re saying that you’re so hungry that you could eat a horse, this statement can emphasize a point. Absurdity often works well when it comes to allowing people to suspend their reality and better accept outrageous situations meant to make them laugh.
Pick A Target Audience
One of the most important factors that a comedian must consider when it comes to adding humor to his or her work is the target audience. A good joke that’s funny for one audience might not work for another. Your audience should be able to relate to the subjects that you’re trying to address.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
Let’s continue with the anticipated food trends for 2022.
Chewy Food In Asia, chewy foods that require strong jaw muscles are revered, and the texture is starting to make its way into American cuisine due to the cultural influence of social media. Aside from boba, the concept of chewy food has also expanded to include rice cakes, ice cream, and tteokbokki. My Mochi ice cream is a small but oh-so-delicious treat that’s made from ice cream and peanut butter. It’s the most popular novelty food in the US.
Coffee Alternatives Due to the weather conditions and rising temperatures, the coffee harvests have been affected. The price of coffee has also increased due to the limited supply. Alt coffee is also an increasing trend. There are also single-serve tea bags that are caffeine-free. These products are very similar to traditional coffee. A golden milk drink is also becoming a new favorite. This drink is made with milk and spices, and it’s usually served hot.
Allergy-Friendly Foods In the US, there are around 32 million people with food allergies. It has been estimated that one in thirteen kids have at least one food allergy. Since there are few safe options in the grocery store, parents are more likely to create their kids’ food. There are also individuals who make it themselves by creating products that are 100% allergen-free. Christine Allen started Mo’Pweeze after she couldn’t find anything that was suitable for her kids with food allergies. Partake Foods is an online store that sells allergy-friendly mixes and cookies. There are also apps that help consumers find establishments that offer allergen-free products. The number of people with food allergies has increased significantly. This is also evidenced by the number of user comments on allergy-friendly food blogs.
Eating to support mental health In the past two years, 48% of Americans have focused on improving their mental and emotional health. If so, then it’s time to start consuming more functional food and drinks. From energy drinks to detox and recovery aids, there’s a whole slew of products that promise to improve your health. Take a look at these products and accept that a new healthy ritual is just a part of a whole wellness puzzle. Giada De Laurentiis, a celebrity French television personality, has also launched a new show called Simply Giada, which is inspired by her book “Eat Better, Feel Better.”
Indigenous restaurants This list is mainly comprised of individuals who are teaching us that food is important. Many of them are Native and Indigenous activists, chefs, and makers. This list is also for those who are underrepresented and have a hard time accessing foodways who have therefore fought for food sovereignty. Expect to see more people interested in the food that Native and Indigenous chefs are cooking. We especially admire Crystal Wahpepah, who is the first Native American to compete on “Chopped.” She has created seasonal menus that feature dishes made from local corn and buffalo. Another noteworthy example is Sean Sherman, the creator of The Sioux Chef, a modern Native American restaurant in Minneapolis. You won’t find traditional colonial ingredients on menus at many establishments. Instead, you’ll find dishes made with indigenous-produced ingredients.
Ice Cream Snacks The disruption of working and home life has caused us to eat differently. Since we’re now focused on consuming more than just food, we’re also consuming frozen dessert bars as a snack. Instead of being served ice cream, frozen treats are becoming more prevalent. These are low-calorie, individually wrapped, hand-held ice creams that are usually less than 500 calories.
Spring is set to arrive in the next few days and with it the hope of renewal and new life. While the current state of the world might invoke fear and apprehension in many, one cannot forget the beauty of nature and the blossoming of life. For many, new reading material is part and parcel of the change of the seasons. The following books represent some of the best new novels for spring and are sure to be big hits at bookstores around the country.
The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk
Olga Tokarczuk’s The Books of Jacob is a historical epic following the life of Jacob Frank, a Jewish man who lived in 18th Century Poland and claimed to be the messiah. At nearly a thousand pages, The Books of Jacob follows a third-person narrative style, transporting readers into the minds of those around Frank. First published in Poland in 2014, the novel won Tokarczuk the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2018. While readers might find Frank’s ideas on morality questionable, reviewers say that it is a modern masterpiece that lives up to the expectations of a sprawling epic.
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara is an alternate history novel centering on what would have happened had the United States split into multiple countries following the Civil War. Yanagihara divides her novel into three different epochs 100 years apart as characters change appearance and identity with the sands of times. The final moments of To Paradise take place in the dark reality of 2093, where dystopian governments race to control pandemics that are the scourge of humanity. While praising Yanagihara’s ambition, reviewers warn that To Paradise’s multiple time jumps and complex narrative will confuse readers while nevertheless providing awe-inspiring storytelling.
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo is a follow-up to his debut novel Shuggie Bain, which was itself a critical and commercial darling when it was released in 2020. Described as a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the book follows two men from Glasgow as they fall in love for the first time. The duo’s blossoming romance is complicated, however, by tensions between their working-class families and culturally ingrained ideas of masculinity. Reviews of Young Mungo say that despite the novel’s grim narrative, it nevertheless leaves readers with a sense of hope.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
The science of neuroplasticity demonstrates that our brains can and do change. We each not only have the power but use the power to create new neural pathways — for better or for worse. This science has demonstrated that we can create pathways that lead to resilience, vitality, greater peace of mind, and improved well-being.
Self-directed neuroplasticity is a method of accelerating neurological change through expressive writing. It’s what happens when you harness the power of your pen or keyboard in service of intention, attention, and action for your greater good.
This workbook of expressive writing for brain change can lead to increased well-being. As you learn and apply the principles of neuroplasticity to your own life, staged and sequenced through masterful application of writing techniques designed to promote positive brain change, improved satisfaction will not be far behind.
Fire Up Your Writing Brain: How to Use Proven Neuroscience to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Writer
Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, an endless number of pitfalls can trip up your efforts, from procrastination and writer’s block to thin characters and uninspired plots. Luckily, you have access to an extraordinary writing tool that can help overcome all of these problems: your brain.
Fire Up Your Writing Brain teaches you how to develop your brain to its fullest potential. Based on proven, easy-to-understand neuroscience, this book details ways to stimulate, nurture, and hone your brain into the ultimate writing tool.
Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)
Following on the heels of Lisa Cron’s breakout first book, Wired for Story, this writing guide reveals how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a scene-by-scene blueprint for a riveting story.
It’s every novelist’s greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page one rewrite.
The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot). Story coach Lisa Cron has spent her career discovering why these methods don’t work and coming up with a powerful alternative, based on the science behind what our brains are wired to crave in every story we read (and it’s not what you think).
The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine
For anyone who’s trying to make sense of their life, who wants to get unstuck from the patterns that hold them back, hear this incredible news: everything you need for the freedom you want is entirely within reach. This practice and pathway is free, it’s readily available every day of your life, it takes just minutes of your time, and anyone can do it.
Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what keeps readers transfixed. Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets—and it’s a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
Readers love to keep lists. They track the books they have read and maintain lists of the books they want to read. They look forward to the published lists of notable and best books of the year. The New York Times, Amazon.com, Publishers Weekly, Goodreads, NPR, and others publish annual best books lists. There seems to be no shortage in the insatiable desire for book lists.
Books lists are constantly evolving. There are lists and then sublists of the lists. Booklists categories include genre, publication period, author nationality, and author demographics. How does one go about deciding the best books list? Do sales determine the best books? If that is the case, then Don Quixote by Miquel de Cervantes has the distinction of selling more copies than any other book worldwide. This influential Spanish novel deserves a place on the well-curated bibliophiles’ to-read list. But then we come to the number two best-selling worldwide book, a Chinese-English dictionary. Useful, but not a likely entry for a reading list. Sales alone seem to be an inadequate basis for book rankings. Book reviewers, academics, and readers all rank books and generate lists. No two lists are the same. List making is subject to the prejudices of their makers.
One enterprising blogger has employed an algorithm to generate a best-of list based on, well, a lot of lists. The algorithm searches on and indexes books based on their rankings from 130 published “best of” book lists. Academics, editors, reviewers, authors, and readers contributed to the lists. The algorithm favors experts over general reader rankers but factors them in. So, how does the computer rank The Greatest Books? In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust came in at number one. The work is considered revolutionary and has influenced much of 20th-century literature. Proust’s novel consists of seven volumes. Any reader with In Search of Lost Time on their bucket list should probably start reading it now. Ulysses by James Joyce came in at number two, and Don Quixote also fared well. The computer ranked it third. Readers interested in the computer-generated rankings can find them at The Greatest Books of All Time.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
Well, resolutions have rolled around once again so here are some resources to get those resolutions started. Whether it’s weight loss, fitness, mindfulness, stress reduction, or clearing out that clutter – here are some great books to get you started!
Never Binge Again(tm): How Thousands of People Have Stopped Overeating and Binge Eating – and Stuck to the Diet of Their Choice! (By Reprogramming Themselves to Think Differently About Food.)
If you struggle with binge eating, emotional eating, stress eating, or if you repeatedly manage to lose weight only to gain it all back, you may be approaching things with the wrong mindset. Most contemporary thought on overeating and bingeing focuses on healing and self-love. But people who’ve overcome food addiction and weight issues often report it was more like capturing and caging a rabid dog than learning to love their inner child… Open the cage even an inch—or show that dog an ounce of fear—and it’ll quickly burst out to shred your healthy eating plans, undoing all your progress in a heartbeat. From his perspective as a formerly food-obsessed psychologist—and previous consultant to major food manufacturers—Dr. Livingston shares specific techniques for isolating and permanently dis-empowering your “fat thinking self.” He reveals much of his own personal journey in the process.
The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation (Muscle for Life)
Have you ever gotten into the car after a long day at work and headed straight for the couch instead of the gym?
Have you ever been unable to stop hitting the snooze button in the morning? Have you even felt secretly afraid you just don’t have what it takes to transform your body and health? Welcome to the club.
Working out and eating right takes time, energy, effort, discipline, dedication, and patience, and life always finds ways to interfere with our intentions and tempt us to stray. And here’s the ground truth:
It doesn’t ever get easier—we just have to get better. This book will help you get better.
Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday
Mindfulness is an evidence-based method for reducing stress, enhancing resilience, and maintaining mental well-being. Even short meditations can turn a bad day around, ground us in the present moment, and help us approach life with gratitude and kindness.
Practicing Mindfulness was created by the founder of One Mind Dharma. He developed these 75 essential exercises to offer practical guidance for anyone who wants to realize the benefits of mindful meditation. This includes expert advice on dealing with distorted or wandering thoughts and how to handle mental blocks.
Early meditations in Practicing Mindfulness take just 5 minutes and are highly accessible. As they progress, exercises grow with the reader, building on previous lessons to develop a transformative mindfulness practice. With meditations designed for specific situations or emotions, even experienced practitioners will have a continuing resource for mindfulness at every moment.
Begin a journey of peace and patience today on the path to a calmer, more balanced life with Practicing Mindfulness.
The Self Care Prescription: Powerful Solutions to Manage Stress, Reduce Anxiety & Increase Wellbeing
Picture your best life: Where would you work? What would your social calendar look like? What personal interests would you be exploring? This book is your prescription to turn those visions into a reality―with proven self care strategies for every area of your life.
The Self Care Prescription empowers you to find balance and purpose in your relationships, work, and life. From creating a plan to spend more time with family and friends, to zeroing-in on a career that you can feel good about, the book will help you create a personalized self care plan. You’ll also learn actionable techniques to fight anxiety, demotivation, or whatever else is holding you back from building the life you want to live.
Journal for Cleaning & Decorating, for Fans of Cluttered Mess)
From the Host of HGTV’s HOT MESS HOUSE
#1 Best Seller in Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating; Home Improvement & Decorating; Journaling; Personal Time Management; and Motivational Self-Help
A guided decluttering journal. Life happens to the best of us, whether we were born with messy tendencies or not. Messes find their way into our homes and lives and we can’t seem to find the strength or time to tackle them. That’s where this motivational guided journal by decluttering guru Cassandra Aarssen comes in.
Tested methods that work. Cas Aarssen wasn’t always an organization expert. She climbed out of years of cluttered living and transformed her home and her life through organization. In this self-help journal, Cas guides you through favorite tips and tricks that she used to declutter her home and find her way to a more organized and peaceful life.
Pages and pages of decluttering and organizational tools. This interactive journal is designed to help you declutter your home and life through mindfulness and self-motivation. Learn how to navigate the chaos of clutter by taking the time to understand yourself and the underlying meaning behind your clutter. Filled with inspiration and open-ended questions, The Declutter Challenge journal guides you onto the path to a clean and clutter-free home.
Make downsizing a reality.The Declutter Challenge helps you to work through both the emotional and the physical clutter in your life. Explore your thoughts and feelings about your belongings and discover the knowledge and strength to let go of excess.
This article was originally published on EditaKaye.net
After a challenging year, many Americans are ready to start making resolutions for the coming year. While many of them are focused on improving their mental and physical health, many others are planning on improving their diet and exercise. Thankfully, all of these go hand-in-hand. Below are some tips for a healthier version of you in the next year.
Get Exercise Regularly
There are numerous benefits of getting regular exercise. Being physically fit can help improve your mental and cardiovascular health. It can also reduce depression and improve your mood. Being active can help prevent mental health issues during the pandemic and during normal years.
Eat Healthy Meals
In addition to eating lots of vegetables and fruits, a diet low in red meat can help prevent chronic diseases and boost your blood cholesterol levels. It can also improve your risk of cancer. Aim for protein in the morning to keep your blood sugar in check and prevent it from getting too high. This can also help control appetite and prevent diabetes.
Get Enough Sleep
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted people’s sleep patterns, it’s still important to get at least eight hours of sleep a night to prevent infection and keep you mentally well. Try to set and keep a regular sleep schedule. Avoid caffeine and electronics before you head to bed.
Protect Yourself From Viruses
Getting a flu shot and a COVID-19 shot is the first step in the prevention of illnesses. If you feel sick, stay home so you can rest and avoid spreading the illness to others. Be sure to wash your hands often and wear a mask when around crowds of people.
Make A Plan
No matter what resolutions you set for the new year, it will be easier to stick to them if you make a plan and follow it. Create incentives, tell other people, write down goals and own up to what you want to change. All of these will help you stay accountable.
Most Americans are more than ready to say goodbye to this year. It has been difficult to stick to resolutions while going through the pandemic. Following some of these tips will help you get and stay healthier in the coming year and beyond.
Edita Kaye 