Joyce Carol Oates headliner at Pennwriters Writers Conference

Tickets to see Joyce Carol Oates, award-winning author and icon of contemporary American literature, at the 21st Annual Pennwriters Conference May 16-18 at the Host Resort in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, go on sale January 2.
Oates, who has been writing since age 14 and is now a creative writing professor at Princeton University, released her 36th book, "The Gravedigger’s Daughter," this year. Her dinner presentation on Friday evening, May 16, will include commentary on her books and the writing process as well as a question and answer session and a book signing.
Oates’ presentation is one of many events during the three-day conference that are designed to introduce beginning writers to the world of publishing and to provide experienced authors with opportunities to network. The conference theme, “A Writer’s Smorgasbord,” reflects the rich traditions of Lancaster County and the diverse nature of writing as a career.
Included in the conference price is the opportunity for writers to pitch finished manuscripts to 10 well-established agents and editors in the publishing business. Among them are Irene Goodman, an agent who started as the assistant to Stephen King’s editor 25 years ago and has since built her own agency in New York City, and Melanie Donovan, the executive editor of HarperCollins Children. These 10-minute pitches are designed to give writers the chance to bypass the traditional query letter process and present their work face-to-face. Other agents scheduled to be at the conference include agents Irene Goodman from the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Ginger Clark from Curtis Brown, Ltd., Jessica Regel from Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, and Elaine P. English. Other editors include Editor in Chief Ginjer Buchanan from Ace/Roc, Associate Editor Paul Stevens from Tom Doherty Associates (Tor/Forge), Assistant Editor Tessa Woodward from Avon, and Editorial Director Jane Friedman from F+W Publications.
Hour-long workshops led by agents, editors, and published authors start Friday morning and continue throughout the weekend until Sunday at noon. Visiting authors include Jonathan Maberry, Bram Stoker award-winning author of Ghost Road Blues; Maria V. Snyder, winner of the 2006 Compton Crook Award for Best First Novel, Poison Study; and debut author D.L. Wilson, who will also speak during Saturday’s luncheon.
Pennwriters is a statewide organization of more than 450 published and unpublished writers from Pennsylvania. Annual conferences are held in alternating years in Pittsburgh and either Harrisburg or Lancaster.
Conference tickets, which include an option to see Oates, are available online January 2, 2008, at www.pennwriters.org or by e-mailing the conference coordinator at conferenceco1 (AT) pennwriters (DOT) org for a registration form. Three-day conference packages start at $199 for members and $249 for nonmembers. After March 2, 2008, dinner tickets with Joyce Carol Oates will be sold separately from the conference at $65 for Pennwriters members and $99 for nonmembers.

Authors Website to Promote Increased Book Sales Honors Award-Winning Writer

New author promotion website honors award-winning author and helps other authors gain more visibility on the web.

Edinboro, PA (PRWEB) November 6, 2007 -- Sporting a new look, and introducing its interactive community for readers and writers, the Polka Dot Banner is pleased to honor Liana Laverentz, author of the bestselling novels "Thin Ice" and "Jake's Return". Laverentz recently won the coveted Golden Leaf award, which is presented annually by the New Jersey Romance Writers, a large branch of the national Romance Writers of America.

Says Laverentz, "I feel the Polka Dot Banner has helped me to have a positive and professional presence on the Internet, a place where readers can go to find out more about me, my books, and the books of my fellow authors."

The Polka Dot Banner, also known as the "PDB," is a site that utilizes the power of numbers to increase attention to its members' books. "Not everyone is Stephen King, Jackie Collins, or John Grisham," says Jamie Saloff, fellow author and site owner. "Authors have to work harder today to capture their market."

In the old days, authors could rely on their publisher to do the sales and promotion work for them. Not anymore. Those days are gone for all but a chosen few. Today, most publishing houses expect their authors to have a ready-made platform and to generate sales (or exposure) on their own.

Unfortunately, most writers, many who are specialists in their field of expertise or even bestsellers in their genre, don't know the first thing about sales and promotion. They've focused all their talents on honing their craft and writing the best book they possibly can.

The goal of the Polka Dot Banner is to guide authors with simple self-promotion steps they can easily complete in five to ten minutes, and to create an overall cooperative of authors who will help each other to generate sales.

The PDB's founding principle is "there is strength in numbers". And it's working. "I had great sales this month!" writes Mary McGovern, author of The Reason We Are Here - The Truth. "Thank you for all the work you're doing with the PDB." McGovern, who has little time to promote her book, is grateful for the help offered by a multi-author site.

A long-time web designer and Internet marketer, Saloff knows that a one-author website can only garner so much exposure amid a sea of billions of other websites. However, she is proving how a multi-author site, where everyone works together promoting their books, multiplies an author's exposure times the number of all of its members. "Even if each author only does a little," says Saloff, "it benefits all of the site's members when their blog, press release, website link, or forum posting brings visitors to the site. Every little bit helps, and the member's efforts have led to the site's growth causing site hits to double month after month."

"The Polka Dot Banner has been a great promotional boost for my first thriller novel, "Unholy Grail," which reached number 9 and 8 on the National Nielsen Bookscan ratings behind Nicholas Sparks, Stephen King, and Danielle Steele," says author and PDB member D. L. Wilson.

"I like PDB's aura and its simplicity," offers Perry Foster, author of "Hands Upon My Heart: My Journey Through Heart Disease and Into Life." "I clicked on my picture, copied 'my book,' 'about me,' and 'my reviews,' and sent it to our local newspaper. It got me my first feature story." Perry's book received the most author votes by visitors to the site in October which won him a featured position on the site.

The author listings provide quick information to viewers about members and their books including, speaking engagement availability, links to their personal blogs and websites, as well as awards and reviews they have garnered. "I wanted to make the site as easy as possible to use, while keeping a professional look," says Saloff. "I love the exposure gained from sites like MySpace and The Author's Den, but the blinking ads and self-created designs often do not lend a look of professionalism to the author."

The PDB offers different plan levels based on author need. The cost ranges from $10 per month for a basic listing, to more expensive "we do it for you plans" where listings are built for the author who either doesn't have time or the technical know how to create and maintain an Internet presence.

The PDB can also serve as an inexpensive, starter website for authors looking to get on the web fast for little expense. "That's what I did," says "Thin Ice" author Liana Laverentz. "I knew I had a book coming out and no clue about how to build a website. The PDB has given me a comfortable home for my links, reviews, and book news until I can find the time to create my own website. And when I do, I'll still be with the PDB. You can't beat the exposure."

For more information about Liana Laverentz and her award-winning novel, "Thin Ice," visit the PDB's "Featured" link to read an in-depth interview, or visit her profile listing on the PDB. To learn more about the PDB, visit http://www.polkadotbanner.com.

Author Liana Laverentz Gains Top Vote

The PDB would like to offer congratulations to Liana Laverentz, author of Thin Ice, for winning the most votes during our June promotion. Karen Minnich-Sadler won June's reader's drawing and gift certificate to Amazon.com. (Check the PDB for this month's promotion. You could be our next winner.)

PDB recently had an opportunity to interview Ms. Laverentz, which you can read below:

PDB: Congratulations on winning PDB's top vote getter award for June. For awhile, the vote was too close to call, then at the last minute, Thin Ice came through with a decisive win.

LL: Thank you. It’s an honor to be here.

PDB: What do you feel makes Thin Ice so endearing to readers?

LL: I can’t speak for my readers, especially since everyone who has read it seems to have enjoyed it for a different reason, both women and men, but in writing it, I tried to create real people in real situations with issues or challenges any one of us could have faced. Perhaps the universal themes of fear, trust, love and forgiveness give everyone who reads it something to relate to. All I know is it is the book of my heart, and I put everything I had into it—three times over.

PDB: I know you've worked on Thin Ice for many years, why did this one  book keep coming back to you and why did you keep reviving it?

LL: I am just totally in love with Eric. I felt his (and Emily’s, of course!) story needed to be told. I didn’t create him only to have him languish under my bed with the dust bunnies, although that was where the manuscript was when I pulled it out this last time. It had already made the rounds of traditional publishers a couple of times with no takers, and I’d moved on to other projects. But I loved it so much I was letting my friends read the manuscript, one by one, from a three ring binder, and then one of them, one who reads a lot of books, insisted I needed to give it one more shot. So at his encouragement and insistence, I re-wrote Thin Ice one more time, sent it out, and within days it sold. That’s why the book is dedicated to him.

PDB: Describe a typical day in your writing life.

LL: For me, there is no such thing. Every day is different. I’ve posted a few examples on the Sweeter Romantic Notions blog, a website dedicated to authors who write the sweeter, or less steamy novels. But I will say I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love having a vocation that I can work at any time of the day or night, and one that can ultimately make use of every experience I have, good or bad, and one that allows me the freedom to come and go as I please. I can spend the day reading a book (research!), visiting with a friend (networking!) or simply head for the beach or mountains to soak up some atmosphere (scoping out a location!). How many people can say sitting there and staring out at nothing in particular is part of “working?”

I love the freedom to be able to work until I am tired of it, then go and do something else, and come back totally refreshed and ready to work again. I have this quote from Elisabeth Kübler-Ross taped above my desk. “When you spend your life doing what you love to do, you are nourishing your soul. It matters not what you do, only that you love what you happen to do.”

My soul is nourished every day, and that’s the only thing typical about it.

PDB: How would you describe a romance book to someone who has never read one - but should?

LL: To me, a romance novel is about the commitment one man and one woman make to each other to live out the rest of their lives together. What came before does not matter, other than that any issues arising from it need to be resolved before our hero and heroine can be happy together. It might involve having a family, it might not. What it does involve is internal growth and change on the part of both characters as they work through whatever issues keep them from loving each other unconditionally, while at the same time dealing with the external obstacles that move the plot forward.

Ideally, just as in any other book, these external obstacles should provide the protagonist(s) with opportunities to conquer their inner demons or challenges. But romances are about love, so in our case, it’s about the struggle we all go through to love and be loved. In a sense, romances can allow us to see into other relationships to see how others manage to make it work for them. To me, a romance novel also reinforces the idea that no matter how successful you might be on your own, it just doesn’t mean anything unless you have someone to share it with.

Last, but not least, romance novels also guarantee you a happy ending, one designed to leave you with a sigh and a smile, feeling good inside when the book ends. I don’t think there can ever be too many opportunities in this world to feel good inside.

PDB: What advice would you offer new writers who are interested in  getting published?

LL: Believe in yourself, be persistent and find a partner who will help you stay on track. It can be a friend, relative, spouse or fellow writer. All you need is one unwavering soul in your corner for the days when you wonder why you bother, if you shouldn’t be spending your time in some other, more fruitful way. But remember this: if you don’t write your stories, no one else is going to do it for you. They won’t be written. Ever. And that will be a shame, because writers have a God-given talent for words, and to not use your gifts, whatever they may be, makes both you and God unhappy.

PDB: What's next for you?

I have a new book coming out from The Wild Rose Press electronically in the next couple of months, and in print in early 2008. Jake’s Return is another contemporary romance, this one with a hint of suspense. Small town bad boy returns home to find the woman he loves has also returned, and that they have a daughter. The villain in the story has a very dark secret and stoops to kidnapping and attempted murder to get Jake, who has just been released from prison, out of the way for good.

Also in 2008 I plan to re-release Ashton’s Secret, through The Wild Rose Press.

Thin Ice is available from the PDB website, Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com and other fine book stores across the country.

Author Stand Off!

At the Polka Dot Banner (PDB) we've been running a promotion among authors to see who would gain the most votes. Here are the standings as of June 27, 2007:

Liana Laverentz (Thin Ice) is running in a heated contest with Perry Foster (Hands Upon My Heart) and Jimmie Lou Watson (Her Spirit Lives in Us). D. L. Wilson (Unholy Grail) is close behind.

There are still 4 days left to vote. If you want to ensure your favortie author wins, there is still time to vote. We will announce the winner on July 1 and will draw June's Amazon.com gift certificate winner from those who voted.

If you've already voted (thanks!) forward this to your friends and ask them to vote for your favorite. The voting right now is very close, so even one vote could make the difference.

If you'd like to vote now, there are two ways to do so. Either visit your favorite PDB author's page and click the "News/Vote" button. Or you can send an email with your vote to pdb_newbooks@aweber.com (Note: You will need to CONFIRM your vote via the email you receive from our voting system in order for us to receive your vote and to be entered into the Amazon.com drawing. You can unsubscribe at any time. Our lists are never sold. Those who remain on the list remain eligible for future drawings.)

Here are some other great books you'll find on the site:

Mark Hyde, Coloring Outside the Lines, a inspirational book about one man's journey to find his true self and how others can do the same. A real page-turner you won't be able to put down.

Diane Dutton, A Woman's Ladder to Success Is Paved with Broken Glass Ceilings! (A Leadership Fable). If you are a woman working in the business world and struggling to climb the corporate ladder, this book is a must read. You will be amazed at how Diane shows you - easily - how to achieve the promotions and raises you have long deserved by following a few simple rules.

Dr. Nell Rodgers, Beyond Best (Just Released!). Learn how early childhood programming may be holding you back from reaching your peak potential.

Thanks for taking time to vote!

(Note: Votes left in the comments section are unable to be counted. Thanks!)

50 Reasons to Buy a Book... and counting

(see list below - feel free to add your own)

At the Polka Dot Banner we want to encourage you to read and buy books. Not only are they a great source of knowledge, many offer tremendous entertainment value as well. It is important to us at the PDB that you buy books and support our member authors so they can continue to write. When you buy a book, you are in a sense voting for that author's success.

In order to encourage you to buy, I've started a list of 50 reasons to buy a book. The only problem is, I ran out of good ideas before I reached 50. Perhaps you'd like to contribute to the list. Leave a comment with your idea, and I'll periodically update the list. Check back to see if your idea made the list.

When you're done, hop over to the Polka Dot Banner and vote for your favorite author. You can vote by buying their book, or feel free to leave a token vote by clicking on the "News/Vote" button" on any feature author's listing. (Click browse, click on any author, then click to vote - you can vote for any author from any author's page.)

Here's the list - (Updated 6/27/07 with the help of some of my author friends at Pennwriters and those who commented below (feel free to add your own).

1. A great summer read
2. Must-have reference book
3. Need it for school
4. Makes great door stops
5. Bought it for a friend
6. Was a heartfelt gift
7. Wanted to know what the controversy was about
8. Needed something for an empty bookcase
9. Wanted to look sophisticated
10. Needed a baby's name
11. Number one bestseller
12. Recommended by a friend
13. Bored at the airport
14. iPod battery died
15. Sitting in the doctor's office
16. Labor pains stopped
17. Snowy afternoon by the fire
18. Reading to the kids
19. Can't sleep
20. Want to learn how to...
21. To look at the pictures
22. Revving the engines (erotica)
23. A good laugh is always welcome
24. An easier way to travel the world
25. Bathroom reading
26. Needed a good cry
27. Challenging beliefs
28. Helping writers afford the luxuries of life, like food, clothing, and shelter
29. TV is all reruns
30. Saw it on Oprah
31. Met the author
32. A portable DVD player costs too much
33. Author was a guest on the Daily Show
34. Featured in USA Today
35. Love his/her last book
36. Catchy title
37. Great cover
38. Because you might be on a quiz show someday
39. To entice the kids to read
40. To be inspired
41. To avoid talking to the person next to you on the .... (bus, plane, train, etc.) (I love this one!)
42. To exercise the creative mind

(any more?)

At the Polka Dot Banner (PDB) we've been running a promotion among authors to see who would gain the most votes. Here are the standings as of June 27, 2007:

Liana Laverentz (Thin Ice) is running in a heated contest with Perry Foster (Hands Upon My Heart) and Jimmie Lou Watson (Her Spirit Lives in Us). D. L. Wilson (Unholy Grail) is close behind.

There are still 4 days left to vote. If you want to ensure your favortie author wins, there is still time to vote. We will announce the winner on July 1 and will draw June's Amazon.com gift certificate winner from those who voted.

If you've already voted (thanks!) forward this to your friends and ask them to vote for your favorite. The voting right now is very close, so even one vote could make the difference.

If you'd like to vote now, there are two ways to do so. Either visit your favorite PDB author's page and click the "News/Vote" button. Or you can send an email with your vote to pdb_newbooks@aweber.com (Note: You will need to CONFIRM your vote via the email you receive from our voting system in order for us to receive your vote and to be entered into the Amazon.com drawing. You can unsubscribe at any time. Our lists are never sold. Those who remain on the list remain eligible for future drawings.)

Here are some other great books you'll find on the site:

Mark Hyde, Coloring Outside the Lines, a inspirational book about one man's journey to find his true self and how others can do the same. A real page-turner you won't be able to put down.

Diane Dutton, A Woman's Ladder to Success Is Paved with Broken Glass Ceilings! (A Leadership Fable). If you are a woman working in the business world and struggling to climb the corporate ladder, this book is a must read. You will be amazed at how Diane shows you - easily - how to achieve the promotions and raises you have long deserved by following a few simple rules.

Dr. Nell Rodgers, Beyond Best (Just Released!). Learn how early childhood programming may be holding you back from reaching your peak potential.

Thanks for taking time to vote!

(Note: Votes left in the comments section are unable to be counted. Thanks!)

Vote for Your Favorite PDB Author!

At the Polka Dot Banner, we are always looking for ways to generate traffic and a little healthy competition. So we've come up with a little promotion and would like to ask for your help.

We decided to let our viewers vote for their favorite PDB listed author. Just browse our site, click on the authors and read about their books and more. Then click the "news/vote" button to vote for the PDB feature author you like best.

Click here to visit the Polka Dot Banner.

We are currently holding a drawing for a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate which will be given to one lucky voter. Who knows, it might be you!

New Author Website Just Launched

Welcome to the Polka Dot Banner the new hangout for authors and readers alike!

Click Here to view the site.

We are pleased to present our new site designed to connect authors to readers. If you are an avid reader looking for a great book, we hope you will take time to browse our authors and their pages. Many of these authors are fresh voices with a lot to offer. If you'd like see a book listed on our site, tell us what you like about it and post your recommendation to our blog.

If you are an author, we invite you to join us. Authors receive tips on how to make more sales via our PDB newsletter. We will soon be offering virtual book tours and other exciting site enhancements designed to connect you to your readers. We are just getting started, so come join us and watch us grow! Pricing begins as low as $10 a month for listing including bio, book blurb, and links. So check us out. Not technically inclined? That's okay! We do all the work for you!

We invite your comments as we get this site up to speed and thank you for visiting.

Jamie Saloff, owner,
The Polka Dot Banner