Currently on a ten percent off sale for the summer at a variety of locations, ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love, recently joined the line-up of books featured on the G.R.I.T.S. Online Reading Club for the month of July 2008.  

A showcase of award-winning art by Luther E. Vann, whose work is currently on exhibit at the Jepson Center in Savannah, Georgia, and writings by well-known author Aberjhani, ELEMENTAL has become one of the most acclaimed gift books on the market since its release in May.  The weekly newsmagazine Connect Savannah described ELEMENTAL as, “a beautiful book…the reproductions of the paintings are outstanding. The poems were inspired by the paintings, and make perfect companions for the reproductions… a real delight and was definitely worth the wait.” Art critic, author, and collector Ja A. Jahannes called it “A wondrously amazing book.” 

The Art of Encouragement
Encouragement is essential to our very existence. I’m sure we can recall the popular childhood saying. “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
I couldn’t disagree with this statement more.

Words are extremely powerful. A stinging blow to your skin will leave a bruise that last for days. But venomous words that are lodged into your soul and spirit can last for a life time.

Those of us who write books love books. Am I right? When someone asks you what book is on your nightstand do you try to not laugh because it’s more a question of how many stacks you are trying to balance?

But for many people, the idea of reading a book is great effort. They have to be really “into” the book to finish it (not like myself who is determined to finish it regardless). Most people read a chapter or two and if it’s not working for them, they are done.

(or unorthadox ways to get publicity with an oversize business card)

Guerrilla marketing has been around for quite a while. Guerrilla marketing, as in Guerrilla warfare has certain attributes.  According to an entry on Wikapedia, the strengths of a guerrilla strategy are are:

1. Never attacking the enemy’s main force preserves resources.
2. It is very flexible and can be adapted to any situation, offensive or defensive.
3. It is very difficult to counter with conventional methods.

Today’s article is a by a special guest,  Athena Dean, founder of WinePress Publishing and three-time self-published author.

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The Who, What, Where, and Why of Christian Book Promotion & Marketing
By Athena Dean

So, do you think every Christian needs to read your book? If you do, let us stop for a moment and get real. If you think your book is going to end up in WalMart, on Oprah, and on the NY Times Bestseller List…really, I hate to rain on your parade, but you really are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment. It will help from the start to have realistic expectations and recognize clearly who your real market is. You must ask your self these defining questions…who, what and where? Then you must prove the why.