L.A. Jefferson, author of Unfinished Business, was interviewed on July 29, 2009 on BlogTalkRadio.com. Check it out on http://blogtalkradio.com/MichiganLiteraryNetwork.
Let me know your thoughts!
Also, tune in for the live broadcasting of the Michigan Literary Network Blog Talk every Wednesday at 5PM EST. Listen by calling in to 646-915-9177 or check out the website listed above to listen to previously aired shows.
I host on the 2nd Wednesdays of the month.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Martini's and Manuscripts: The After Glow
Martini's and Manuscripts was a success! The Renaissance Club was the perfect spot for the event, allowing for a night filled with intimate networking opportunity. While I didn't make any sales, I learned a lot. Here's a few things that I took from the experience:
1.) Networking is not chatting with the people you already are acquainted with. It's okay to mingle with familiar faces, but the whole purpose is to meet and expose yourself to people you don't know and, most importantly, people you want to know you.
2.) Be prepared for the unexpected. The featured author at the event had two meetings prior to the event. At no time was it said that there would be opportunity to introduce ourselves and read a selected passage from our books. Perhaps I should have expected this or at least been prepared, but like I said, this was my first event as a featured author. So when the time came, I hate to say I choked. Since publishing, I haven't read any parts of my book aloud and I was nervous about fumbling and getting choked up with a coughing episode. I won't harp over spilled milk, but needless to say until my next event I'll be practicing and I'll never let that kind of opportunity pass me by again.
3) Follow up with all contacts. Luckily this is one of my strong points. One aspiring writer and I engaged in an intriguing conversation about an upcoming project of mine on marriage and divorce. He's putting together an online critique group so I signed up. Well, this morning I confirmed him as a friend on Facebook. I also invited another writer friend of mine to complete our group. I made another contact with a woman, not interested in writing, but is an avid reader. She loves reading and offered her services of critiquing my work. Not sure if she charges a fee, but that gives me a reason to get in touch with her and tell her how great it was meeting her. I'll be touching base with her this evening. It's important not to wait too long, so people don't forget about you :)
4) Always take pictures. In this social networking & visual society we're operating in, pictures speak volumes to anything you're involved in. If you want people to get to know you, posting pictures is a great way. Not to mention the memories they create. I didn't have my own camera, but I was in quite a few pictures, which I'm sure will be on Facebook soon and I'll be sure to tag myself. But at the next event, I'll be sure to have my own camera.
With all this said, I'm eagerly awaiting the next networking opportunity. Details below:
What: Motown Writers Network Annual Literary Meet & Greet
When:Saturday, August 8 11:00AM- 2:00PM
Where: Barnes & Nobles Bookstore on E. Warren, Detroit, MI
Hope to see you there.
Til Later,
L.A. Jefferson
1.) Networking is not chatting with the people you already are acquainted with. It's okay to mingle with familiar faces, but the whole purpose is to meet and expose yourself to people you don't know and, most importantly, people you want to know you.
2.) Be prepared for the unexpected. The featured author at the event had two meetings prior to the event. At no time was it said that there would be opportunity to introduce ourselves and read a selected passage from our books. Perhaps I should have expected this or at least been prepared, but like I said, this was my first event as a featured author. So when the time came, I hate to say I choked. Since publishing, I haven't read any parts of my book aloud and I was nervous about fumbling and getting choked up with a coughing episode. I won't harp over spilled milk, but needless to say until my next event I'll be practicing and I'll never let that kind of opportunity pass me by again.
3) Follow up with all contacts. Luckily this is one of my strong points. One aspiring writer and I engaged in an intriguing conversation about an upcoming project of mine on marriage and divorce. He's putting together an online critique group so I signed up. Well, this morning I confirmed him as a friend on Facebook. I also invited another writer friend of mine to complete our group. I made another contact with a woman, not interested in writing, but is an avid reader. She loves reading and offered her services of critiquing my work. Not sure if she charges a fee, but that gives me a reason to get in touch with her and tell her how great it was meeting her. I'll be touching base with her this evening. It's important not to wait too long, so people don't forget about you :)
4) Always take pictures. In this social networking & visual society we're operating in, pictures speak volumes to anything you're involved in. If you want people to get to know you, posting pictures is a great way. Not to mention the memories they create. I didn't have my own camera, but I was in quite a few pictures, which I'm sure will be on Facebook soon and I'll be sure to tag myself. But at the next event, I'll be sure to have my own camera.
With all this said, I'm eagerly awaiting the next networking opportunity. Details below:
What: Motown Writers Network Annual Literary Meet & Greet
When:Saturday, August 8 11:00AM- 2:00PM
Where: Barnes & Nobles Bookstore on E. Warren, Detroit, MI
Hope to see you there.
Til Later,
L.A. Jefferson
If You Build it, They will Come
Last night I had a nightmare. The first of its kind. In the dream, a friend of mine at work was breaking the news to me that someone she had recommended my book to had read it and hated it! Said it was terrible, filled with errors. Of course, I was stunned speechless I was so devastated and embarrassed.
It's a no-brainer that I would I have this nightmare on the eve of my first public event as an author. The fear of my book not being well-received by others tormented me throughout the writing and publishing of my debut novel,Unfinished Business. In fact, that's the reason it took so dang long for me to finish the darn thing! And even longer for me to actually publish it.
What I've grown to understand with any art--whether it's a painting, a photograph, an article, a song, a poem, or a movie--everyone isn't going to like it. Think about it. Songs that hit the top of the music charts are loved by many, but hated by just as many. Some movies that are released, where one may wonder why in the world the actors accepted those scripts, some nominating committee is nominating them for an Oscar. Go figure. As the saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."
Fear has no place in an artist's life. The reward of art is its creation, not necessarily its warm reception by the target audience. Art has to be created, first, for the artist's satisfaction. Audience appreciation will follow. As another saying goes, "If you build it, they will come."
So I encourage all artists--writers, singers, actors, painters,etc--keep on building.
Til Later,
L.A. Jefferson
It's a no-brainer that I would I have this nightmare on the eve of my first public event as an author. The fear of my book not being well-received by others tormented me throughout the writing and publishing of my debut novel,Unfinished Business. In fact, that's the reason it took so dang long for me to finish the darn thing! And even longer for me to actually publish it.
What I've grown to understand with any art--whether it's a painting, a photograph, an article, a song, a poem, or a movie--everyone isn't going to like it. Think about it. Songs that hit the top of the music charts are loved by many, but hated by just as many. Some movies that are released, where one may wonder why in the world the actors accepted those scripts, some nominating committee is nominating them for an Oscar. Go figure. As the saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."
Fear has no place in an artist's life. The reward of art is its creation, not necessarily its warm reception by the target audience. Art has to be created, first, for the artist's satisfaction. Audience appreciation will follow. As another saying goes, "If you build it, they will come."
So I encourage all artists--writers, singers, actors, painters,etc--keep on building.
Til Later,
L.A. Jefferson
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Martini's and Manuscripts
Tomorrow is the BIG day! Martinis and Manuscripts at the Renaissance Center, Tower 200 in downtown Detroit. I'm pretty excited and filled with nervous anticipation, this being the first event I'm particiating in as a featured author! But being an active member of Motown Writers Network and host of the 2nd Wednesday Michigan Literary Network blogtalk radio show, I'm sure nervous anticipation will soon be a feeling of the past.
As for tomorrow, I have no clue what to expect! Will I be introduced? Will I have to introduce myself? Or will I just be standing behind my assigned table to speak with people who come up to chat? I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
In the meantime, I'm fighting off the jitterbugs and working on promotional items. Yes, I should've started working on those when I got offered the author spot. But what can I say? I'm a procrastinator :( Funny thing is, if I hadn't had a scare on Monday that my books weren't going to be shipped on time, I probably wouldn't have thought about any promotional items. As they say, "everything happens for a reason." It's a good thing the purpose of this event isn't selling books (though sales will be a definite plus), but networking and offering advise & words of wisdom. However, promotional items are a plus so I won't disappoint attendees. I'll have business cards, promotional bookmarks and writing tips to share.
I'm looking forward to a fulfilling & fun time tomorrow evening. If you can come out, please do. I'd love and appreciate your support
Til later :)
L.A. Jefferson
As for tomorrow, I have no clue what to expect! Will I be introduced? Will I have to introduce myself? Or will I just be standing behind my assigned table to speak with people who come up to chat? I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
In the meantime, I'm fighting off the jitterbugs and working on promotional items. Yes, I should've started working on those when I got offered the author spot. But what can I say? I'm a procrastinator :( Funny thing is, if I hadn't had a scare on Monday that my books weren't going to be shipped on time, I probably wouldn't have thought about any promotional items. As they say, "everything happens for a reason." It's a good thing the purpose of this event isn't selling books (though sales will be a definite plus), but networking and offering advise & words of wisdom. However, promotional items are a plus so I won't disappoint attendees. I'll have business cards, promotional bookmarks and writing tips to share.
I'm looking forward to a fulfilling & fun time tomorrow evening. If you can come out, please do. I'd love and appreciate your support
Til later :)
L.A. Jefferson
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Martini's and Manuscripts
It's official. Author L.A. Jefferson will be a feature author at the July 22nd event, Martini's and Manuscripts. As mentioned in a prior post, the purpose of this event is to bring together seasoned writers/authors with aspiring authors. Some of the authors who'll be in attendance include:
Anthony Cuffie
Ed Foxworth
Crystal Hickerson
Sylvia Hubbard
Monique Mensah
Dennis Reed
L.A. Jefferson
There will also be a local publishing house in attendance to offer assistance with getting your work published.
What to expect:
Gaining a wealth of knowledge from established authors and getting involved in a new brand of networking.
Get your tickets in advance to be entered into a drawing to win a weekend getaway. Below is the link for tickets: http://martinisandmanuscripts.eventbrite.com/
Anthony Cuffie
Ed Foxworth
Crystal Hickerson
Sylvia Hubbard
Monique Mensah
Dennis Reed
L.A. Jefferson
There will also be a local publishing house in attendance to offer assistance with getting your work published.
What to expect:
Gaining a wealth of knowledge from established authors and getting involved in a new brand of networking.
Get your tickets in advance to be entered into a drawing to win a weekend getaway. Below is the link for tickets: http://martinisandmanuscripts.eventbrite.com/
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Adding Radio Host to my Resume
Yesterday I achieved a great milestone in my writing career. I stepped out on faith and opened myself up in a way I've never done before. I, L.A. Jefferson, hosted my 1st online radio show! And as scary and intimidating as it was, I'm so glad I did it. The more I talked, the more natural the role became. I felt like I had been interviewing people for years. Anyway I'll be hosting the show every 2nd Wed at http://blogtalkradio.com/michiganliterarynetwork. So check your girl out.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Goodbye Michael
I've been rather quiet in my blogging regarding the sudden passing of King of Pop, Michael Jackson. First, I didn't quite know what to say about it. I guess I was shocked like the rest of the world. Then came all the speculation surrounding the circumstances of his death. Then came the resurfacing of the molestation accusations charges. Then came the details of his final will & testament.
It's just been a BIG mess!
But I refuse to get caught up in any of it. Not in the least bit!
Michael Jackson was the SUPERSTAR of superstars. His music, his influence on music, his creation of MUSIC VIDEOS! No words can express the infiniteness of this man's talent.
I vividly remember watching Michael's video on television. Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, Remember the Time, I'm Bad, Black & White, Scream (Mike & Janet)... The list goes on and on. That's just what I can think of off the top of my head. His videos brought families together. They were a BIG DEAL! His performances stopped all others. Tell me how many entertainers have brought family togethers like Michael Jackson. There are NONE.
Michael Jackson deserves every bit of everything that his fans are expressing during this time. We, his fans, are honoring the man who spent his life entertaining the world. Despite the troubles in her personal life, Michael achieved what he was put on this Earth for--to bring the world together through music.
Michael, you will be missed. I'm sorry for the public humiliation you endured. But R.I.P. knowing you ARE loved forever and you live on through your music and your family and ALL those who love you.
Personally I thank you for the joy your music brought to me. I'll think of you always whenever I hear your songs.
It's just been a BIG mess!
But I refuse to get caught up in any of it. Not in the least bit!
Michael Jackson was the SUPERSTAR of superstars. His music, his influence on music, his creation of MUSIC VIDEOS! No words can express the infiniteness of this man's talent.
I vividly remember watching Michael's video on television. Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, Remember the Time, I'm Bad, Black & White, Scream (Mike & Janet)... The list goes on and on. That's just what I can think of off the top of my head. His videos brought families together. They were a BIG DEAL! His performances stopped all others. Tell me how many entertainers have brought family togethers like Michael Jackson. There are NONE.
Michael Jackson deserves every bit of everything that his fans are expressing during this time. We, his fans, are honoring the man who spent his life entertaining the world. Despite the troubles in her personal life, Michael achieved what he was put on this Earth for--to bring the world together through music.
Michael, you will be missed. I'm sorry for the public humiliation you endured. But R.I.P. knowing you ARE loved forever and you live on through your music and your family and ALL those who love you.
Personally I thank you for the joy your music brought to me. I'll think of you always whenever I hear your songs.
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