Everyday Woman Radio Show with Vicki Hinze

Important Note

Effective today, I will be posting my blogs on my website as follows:

Writing: Craft, Art, Business and Life: My Kitchen Table

Spirituality: Faith Zone

The "Vicki Hinze on Writing" blog will be incorporated into the MY KITCHEN TABLE blog.

The website url, should you have link challenges or desire to paste into your browser is:

http://www.vickihinze.com

Blessings,

Vicki

P.S. If you're viewing this via reader, you'll need to visit the www.vickihinze.com website to view any updates.

I apologize for any inconvenience, but I'm paddling as hard as I can, and I just can't keep up, so I'm having to consolidate where and when possible. Appreciate your understanding.

For your convenience, I will still notify you of new posts here.

Vicki Hinze
www.vickihinze.com

TAGS: Vicki Hinze, hinze blog, CREATIVE WRITING, feature article, writing craft, books, novels, readers, authors, emerald coast writers, novelists, booksellers, book reviewers, everyday woman radio, romance writers, thriller writers, suspense writers

AUCTION TO BENEFIT DIABETES

My friend and fellow writer, Brenda Novak, has a son with diabetes and she’s determined to do what she can to help find a cure. I understand her passion for this; both my parents were diabetics and I have several dear friends who have this challenge.

Every year, Brenda sponsors an auction to raise money to help find a cure. Many writers, agents and editors participate. They auction everything from books to trips, dinners or luncheons with them, reads of your work, critiques and/or career strategy advice.

There are a ton of golden opportunities for writers in this auction, and for that reason, I wanted to share the current information I have on the auction. For the utmost latest, check out the diabetes auction section on Brenda’s website. www.brendanovak.com

I’ll be donating a bunch of books. Here’s the rest of what’s up at this time from Brenda:

Here's the list (so far) of "agent" items that will be available in my
upcoming on-line auction for diabetes research. Lots of great agents here, eh? (If
anyone has an agent who might be willing to participate, just let me know
and I'll ask them. :-))

1. Have lunch in New York City with historical romance author Kristina Cook
(author of Unlaced, Undressed, Unveiled, and To Love A Scoundrel) and her
agent, the fabulous Marcy Posner of Sterling Lord Literistic! Dish about
romance, writing, the publishing industry, or anything you like while you enjoy a
delicious lunch at the oh-so-trendy Manhattan hot spot, Five Points
(_http://www.fivepointsrestaurant.com/_ (http://www.fivepointsrestaurant.com/) ). Wine,
lunch, dessert (their sticky toffee pudding cake is to DIE for!), and
scintillating conversation included, along with a goody bag including autographed
novels and other fun stuff. Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity or two.
Date and time to be mutually agreed upon.
_www.kristinacook.com_ (http://www.kristinacook.com/)

2. Coffee or tea with multi-published Cathy McDavid (Harlequin American and
Dorchester author) and her agent, Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary
Agency at RWA National this summer.

3. Tea with Superromance Author Melinda Curtis and her agent Pam Hopkins at
RWA National this summer.
Award winning author Melinda has a passion for writing romance and
fast-paced action. RT gave her May 2007 Superromance, The Best-Kept Secret, 4.5 stars
and claimed readers "won't be able to put this one down". Recently “retired”
from the corporate world, Melinda is a part-time marketing consultant until
her writing career moves into full gear with the help of her agent, Pam
Hopkins. Melinda Curtis has her own hero, a man who makes her tremendously happy
while simultaneously driving her crazy - although he has help from their
three kids, two rambunctous labs and their bevy of relatives. Since 2003,
writing for Harlequin's Superromance line has been an enjoyable escape - although
you'll often find a spunky kid, beloved relative or ball-crazy dog in her
novels...she can't quite get away from her loved ones completely.

4. Nancy Yost with Lowenstein-Yost Associates Inc. – A Read

5. Caren Johnson – A Read

6. Elizabeth Pomada – A read, followed by a half-hour telephone
consultation.

7. Barbara Collins Rosenberg – A critique of the first three chapters of a
nonfiction proposal.

8. Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency – A read

9. Eileen Cope – Trident Media Group (Represents a lot of NY Times
bestsellers in multiple genres.) – A Read

10. Randall Klein – Trident Media Group – Randall is an assistant at
Trident, who is also a freelance editor, and he is donating an edit of a partial.

11. Robin Rue, Senior Agent, Writer's House Literary Agency - Read of a
proposal (around 50 pages).
Robin Rue began her long and illustrious career as an editor at Dell but has
spent the last thirty years as an agent (10 of those years working for Writer
’s House). She represents such big names and Linda Howard, Lisa Jackson,
Mary Jo Putney, Joann Ross, Pat Rice, Laura Lee Gurke, Jacqueline Frank, Holly
Lyle, Lynn Vale, and V.C. and Andrews. She loves almost any kind of fiction
and represents it well: women’s fiction, historicals, young adult, middle-grade
fiction, fantasy, hard-core mystery, thrillers, etc. (As an aside, straight
erotica and chick lit are not among her favorites.)

12. Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency — A read and an in-depth
written critique of the first 30-50 pages
Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency, LLC
Kristin established the Nelson Literary Agency in the chic/hip urban setting
of lower Downtown Denver in 2002. In such a short time, she has sold more
than 50 books to such publishers as Random House, Hyperion, Harlequin, Simon &
Schuster, Hachette/Warner and the Penguin Group. She has landed several film
deals and has contracted foreign rights on behalf of her clients in all the
major territories, including Germany, Spain, Holland, Japan, and even into
Russia and Indonesia. Her authors are RITA-award winners and national
bestsellers. Several NLA titles have appeared on the Barnes & Noble and The Denver Post
bestseller lists.
She specializes in representing commercial fiction (romance, women’s
fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult) and high caliber literary fiction.
She also considers a few nonfiction projects that tend to be story-based, such
as memoir and narrative nonfiction. Kristin is a hands-on agent and strongly
believes in taking on clients for their whole career. She provides editorial
and marketing guidance as well as aggressive expertise in contract
negotiation. Member: AAR, RWA, SFWA. Please visit our website _www.nelsonagency.com_
(http://www.nelsonagency.com/) before submitting

13. Nadia Cornier - Critique of a proposal, and a second Short Critique
followed by breakfast at RWA National this summer

14. Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency – A read
Christina Hogrebe is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency in New
York City. She is actively seeking commercial fiction--with a particular
interest in Southern settings, Latina lit, generational stories, suburban lit,
coming-of-middle-age stories, cozy mysteries, and legal thrillers—and food
memoirs and travelogues

15. Annelise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency—A read
Annelise Robey is a Literary Agent with the Jane Rotrosen Literary Agency in
New York City. She is actively looking for writers of all genres – both
published and unpublished authors.

16. Daniel Bial, Daniel Bial Agency –A read
Daniel Bial has been a literary agent, book packager and book doctor for 14
years. Among his clients is Yossef Bodansky, author of OSAMA BIN LADIN: THE
MAN WHO DECLARED WAR ON AMERICA, a number 1 New York Times bestseller. Dan
was also an editor for 14 years. Besides two years each at Holt and Longmeadow
Press, he spent 10 years at HarperCollins, where he acquired several
bestsellers just as Hank Aaron's I HAD A HAMMER and Ralph David Abernathy's AND THE
WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN. In addition, he is the author of four books of his
own, and translated another.
As a literary agent, Dan is primarily interested in biography, business,
cooking, entertainment, history, humor, Judaica, language, popular reference,
popular science, psychology, sports and travel.

17. From award-winning author and Ashley Grayson Literary Agency agent, Lois
Winston, a read and critique of the synopsis and first 50 pages of a
manuscript, plus signed copies of TALK GERTIE TO ME and LOVE, LIES AND A DOUBLE SHOT
OF DECEPTION.

18. Steven Axelrod, The Axelrod Agency – A Read

19. Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency – Breakfast with Deidre Knight and a
thirty minute career consultation at RWA National.

20. Lucienne Diver, Spectrum Agency – A Read followed by a 45-minute coffee
or tea with the winner at RWA National.
BIO:
Lucienne Diver is a long time book addict who went to work for Spectrum
Literary Agency fourteen years ago to feed her habit. She now represents over
forty authors of commercial fiction, primarily in the areas of romance, fantasy,
mystery/suspense and erotica. Clients include Marjorie M. Liu, Susan
Krinard, Roberta Gellis, Rachel Caine and Claudia Bishop. Her alphabet soup of
memberships includes AAR, RWA, MWA and SFWA. Further information is available
on the website: _www.spectrumliteraryagency.com_
(http://www.spectrumliteraryagency.com/)

21. Mary Sue Seymour, The Seymour Agency—The read of a proposal of women’s
fiction, along with a follow-up tea at RWA National in Dallas.
Mary Sue represents all types of romance, mysteries, inspirational books and
also nonfiction written by credentialed authors. Some publishers in which
she has sold books are: Warner Books, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley/Jove and Bantam.
She is a member of the AAR, WGA, RWA and The Author’s Guild and has movie
industry contacts and aspires to sell her clients work for film. She enjoys
traveling to conferences and meeting with authors. Recent conferences include
Prepare to Pitch in Silicon Valley, Spring Into Romance in San Diego and the
Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention in Daytona Beach. For current sales and
upcoming conferences, consult Mary Sue’s web site at _www.theseymouragency.com_
(http://www.theseymouragency.com/)

22. Elaine P. English—The read of a proposal of women’s fiction, including
all types of romance and mysteries.

23. Amy Moore Benson, AMB Literary Management – A read

24. Meredith Bernstein, Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency – A read

25. Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media Group (my agent) – A read followed by
Lunch at RWA National

26. Donald Maass – Maass Agency - A read

27. Michelle Grajkowski – A read followed by a lunch at RWA National
Bio:
From the moment Michelle Grajkowski first opened her doors to the 3 Seas
Literary Agency in August of 2000, she has been living her dream. (What could be
better than surrounding yourself with great authors and their exciting and
imaginative books?)
Since then, she's successfully sold more than 200 titles to major publishing
houses including Harlequin, NAL, Berkley, Dorchester, Kensington, Avon,
Pocket, Random House (both here and in the UK), Knopf, Andrews McMeel, Warner and
HarperCollins.
Currently, she is looking for fantastic authors with a voice of their own.
Michelle focuses on romance, women's fiction, Chick-Lit young adult and
middle grade fiction.
Michelle is listed in the Diamond Edition of Who's Who in America
publication for 2006
28. Kelly Harms, Jane Rotrosen Agency – A Read
Here's to making a difference!
Brenda

May this be the year a cure is found!

Blessings,

Vicki

MISTAKES WE MAKE: Part 8

KNOWING WHAT WE NEED #1

We’re curious creatures. We listen to others and can tell them exactly what they need. We can watch world events, and we know what needs to be done. We can home in on what we’re told in even the most complicated of challenges and come up with solutions in a snap. And yet we often don’t give ourselves the focus we give those things to determine a very important thing that impacts us in every way on every level: what we need.

The result is that we become walking wounded. We hobble and limp through life never feeling quite content or fulfilled or (dare I say it) happy.

The thing is all of that and more is there for us. But we have to choose to embrace it. On the surface we want those things, and if someone asked, we’d say of course we do, and yet we don’t determine first, what is lacking or out of balance in our lives that prevents us from having those things and we don’t take action to fix it. Often we do plenty of complaining about what’s wrong, but we don’t define the source.

That’s a huge mistake that has far reaching consequences. Fortunately, it is one we can fix. We need only choose to and to determine what we need.

Well, duh, I hear you saying. If we knew how to determine it, we would. (See I have been here, too. :)) Here are a few givens to consider:

THINGS WE NEED


1. WE NEED A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

There is no way to measure accurately all that is created from a positive or negative environment. It is safe to say that because of those silent triggers that set off other reactions in us, there will be a substantial impact on things we expect and on those we didn’t and really can’t expect until they happen.

What we can know definitively is that it’s hell being around negativity. Something always being wrong, nothing but doom and gloom can suck the life right out of you. How can you be excited or enthused, focusing on loving anything including your life and work if all you hear is negative comments?

Bringing this to a personal level, I once overheard a woman commenting to another at a wake, which in the south, is a time people come to the funeral home to pay their respects to the family and/or departed, before the actual funeral. Anyway, I was at this wake and I heard one woman tell another that she was sure the deceased willed himself to die to get away from his bitching wife.

I was twelve years old, and I’ve never forgotten it--and don’t nag my darling husband because of it! Often over the years, it has made me think, and whenever I encounter someone who is extremely negative I think of this. If I can help the person become more positive, I do. If not, I get away from that negative person and that situation.

Developing a “go down that road if you choose, but I’m not going with you” attitude is a healthy one. It’s difficult if not impossible to attract healthy, positive things when you’re in a negative environment.

Be selective about those with whom you associate. Friends and associates at work, all of those in your circle. Don’t feed your fears and doubts with negative thinking or actions. Things like jealousy, peer pressure, greed, the fear of there not being enough (there is always enough good for everyone; honest!)--will drag you down. Will suck you in until your view is as contaminated and polluted as that of those in your environment.

Does that mean you play Pollyanna? Ignore reality? Absolutely not. It means if your reality is contaminated or polluted, clean it up. Dust it off, scrub it up, or sweep it out.

Whiners and complainers are abundant and we’re all subjected to and vulnerable to them. So on this we must be diligent. No one ever changed anything for the better by whining and/or complaining. Pity parties don’t bring solutions to challenges, either.

This is fact. Not supposition. If you have a challenge or are presented with one, acknowledge it, by all means. But immediately turn your focus on finding a solution.

Challenges typically arise with the subtlety of a fog horn. You don’t have to dwell on them to know they’re there. Dwell instead on the solution. Positive, concrete action that you can take to correct the challenge.

It’s like anything broken. You do what you can to fix it. If it can’t be fixed, you accept it. If forgiveness is required, you give or receive it (if it’s offered, if not, accept that, too). And then you press on.

Remember, you can change a negative into a positive. Identify the negative. Determine what you must to make it a positive. Then take the necessary action to effect the change.

That last part--ACTION--is where many of us get lazy or hesitant or resistant. Without taking the necessary action, we’re in for more of the same. That’s the bottom line.

A positive environment is one that fosters what you want fostered to create the life and quality of life you want.

Think of it this way: you’re an orchid. Capable of incredible beauty and inspiration--being a blessing. Now you have a choice to make. You can live in a hot house, out in the cold, or in a healthy environment.

In which do you think you can best embrace beauty and inspire?

That brings us to detaching and attracting, which I’ll cover next time in Part 9 of MISTAKES WE MAKE.

Blessings,

Vicki

©2007, Vicki Hinze

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May you dream huge, reach your dreams and find your life filled with all good things!

Blessings,

Vicki

WORKING AT HOME, PART 2

The 2nd segment of a new Everyday Woman Radio show series on Working At Home has just been released by iWRN radio network. This show and several other recent ones are available through the www.everydaywomanradio.com web site. Blessings, Vicki

MOST EFFECTIVE PROMOTION

Warning: this is a no-edit zone...

I was asked today to review all the promotions I've done and to name the one I felt had been most effective.

I did, and hands down the best thing was a DVD. On it were two interviews, targetinng different groups, and a book short (trailer).

As well as having the video streams on my website, I had 1,000 DVDs that were all masters, so they'd run on 99% of all computers. They were terrific for events, mailings--you name it.

Writers-in-Motion did the one on BODY Double, and they did a terrific job.

Here's a URL to the book short:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4nUtjAXT4E

It wasn't the most or least expensive campaign I've done. But it was hands-down the most effective.

Blessings,

Vicki

Vicki Hinze
www.vickihinze.com