News

Bald is Beautiful

On March 16, 2009 / bald, cancer research, children, St. Baldrick's / 2 Comments

I received a message yesterday from my friend, Jo, in Texas. She is scheduled to have her head shaved next week. She has volunteered to do this in an effort to raise money for St. Baldrick’s childhood cancer research. She has less than a week to go to reach her goal of $2000. So far, she has about $1100. I think it’s an incredible thing she is doing.

I’m sharing this because I’m so impressed when people give this much of themselves. Although I’m not quite ready to have my head shaved, I was not at all surprised to hear Jo was going that extra mile. So instead, I’m helping to support her in this quest. (When I finally decide to cut my hair, I will donate it to the cause.)

How many of us are willing to do what Jo is doing? Not everyone has to go that far, but if you want to get involved, please go to http://www.stbaldricks.org/ and click on the “Find A Participant” tab. Then type her name (Jo Jensen) in the name field and make an online donation to this important cause! She’ll be posting an “AFTER” photo for you to see that she kept her promise of shaving her head just to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Yes, bald is beautiful, Jo. And so are you for helpling our “little people.”

A Thank You to the Protectors of our Children

On March 12, 2009 / attorneys, CASA, classroom, coaches, doctos, Echelon Press, nurses, police, social workers, teachers, The Advocate / 1 Comment

This is a thank you to all the people out there who have dedicated their lives to working with children—the teachers, the classroom aides, the doctors and nurses, the social workers, the attorneys, the judges, the police, the coaches, the CASA volunteers, the children’s charities, and anyone else who spends their time and money to help our precious “little people.”

There is nothing quite as rewarding as seeing a smile appear on a child’s face for something you have done for them. If you haven’t done anything lately to make a better life for a child, start today. You’ll be glad you did.

My novel, The Advocate, (Echelon Press, publisher) gives you a glimpse of what goes on in the juvenile court system. I’m hoping it will help to educate the masses a little on what the process is like and how much some of these children suffer. I’m in the process of setting up speaking events at non-profit functions where I can dedicate the proceeds from the novel to support organizations dedicated to child advocacy. It’s a small way to do my part.

Please add your thanks to these special people with your comments on this blog.

Does a new author need a publicist?

On March 4, 2009 / internet marketing, publicist / 4 Comments

If you read the websites of the PR specialists, they say you can’t afford to NOT have one. But, of course, what are they going to say? There are only so many marketing dollars available to all of us, and in these tough economic times, even less than usual. So, do you spend your hard earned dollars on a publicist or do you do try to do your own publicizing?

And if you do hire a publicist, how do you chose one? Of course, referral by someone you trust is probably the best way to go, but when you’re new to the industry you may not know anyone who can make that referral. And then there’s their area of expertise. Do you hire someone who is an expert in internet marketing or brick and mortar? Both would, of course, be ideal if you can find it. But if they do both, do they know both? Or are they spreading themselves too thin and not giving anything?

I have spoken to several authors who have had bad experiences with publicists, mostly the same complaint, “It was a waste of money.” I’m not suggesting this is a fact. I’m sure there are plenty of authors, novice and experienced, who have had success with their publicist. So, what does the new novelist do? Does one do his or her own promoting? I’m sure you’re all familiar with the saying, “An attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client.” That is certainly true in the legal field, but does it apply here? I’m just askin’. www.teresaburrell.com

Get In Line

On February 25, 2009 / Uncategorized / 4 Comments

So, I wrote the book, The Advocate. Then I rewrote the book. Then I rewrote the book again…and again…and again. I finally found a publisher willing to take a chance on me and guess what? She had me rewrite it again. But I’ve got to tell you, this process is great fun, every step more exciting than the one before. Look at that book cover….It’s gorgeous! And here is a description about the story. I’ll give you a minute to read it….

For Sabre Orin Brown, life is good; she has it all…or would have, if only she could solve the mysterious disappearance of her brother. The search for her brother and her career as a juvenile court attorney collide when she defends a nine-year-old whose father will go to any length to obtain custody.

Sabre finds herself immersed in a case with too many unanswered questions. Her quest for the truth takes her coast to coast and five years into the past. Confronted with mysterious clues and strange occurrences, Sabre is threatened by someone wanting to make her suffer the unbearable anguish of losing everything—including her life.

As Sabre’s passion to find the answers intensifies, she discovers a twisted history of desperation, deceit, and revenge. And she discovers how obscure and treacherous the truth can be.

…See, isn’t that just the coolest? Makes you want to read the whole thing, right?

My head is spinning with news from my publisher. Right now, I’m thinking the only thing better than writing books is marketing books. We’re planning all these exciting things: speaking engagements, charity events, races, book launches, press releases, and other promotional activities that are brand new to me. I have no clue what I’m doing half of the time. I’m blogging, and twittering, and facebooking, and linking in, and linking on, and learning, learning, learning. Sheer excitement is carrying me through the process and I’m smiling like a Cheshire cat all the way.

The Advocate will be released in August 2009. Yes, I said August 2009! That’s just around the corner. So, you might want to get in line now at your local bookstore to make sure you get a copy.

It’s Just Mind “Bloggling”

On February 18, 2009 / book contract, children, legal, mystery, novel, The Advocate / 6 Comments

I recently signed a book contract with Echelon Press Publishing. My legal drama, The Advocate, will be released late this summer or early fall.

Since I now have a book contract for The Advocate, I was told I should start blogging. So this is my first attempt at this incredible new communication system. This stuff still boggles, or should I say “bloggles,” my mind. But then I’m still amazed every time I fly, that those gigantic metal birds can stay up in the sky. I’m also impressed with robotic vacuum cleaners, cars that park themselves, and microwave ovens. So, you see, it doesn’t take much to impress me or “bloggle” my mind.

Once I get through this initial stage of figuring out how this all works, learn the mechanics, and get comfortable with the process, hopefully, I will come up with something intelligent or at least interesting to blog about. Meanwhile, if you want more information about my exciting new novel, The Advocate, (I keep saying the title because I just like seeing it in print.) please check out my website at https://www.teresaburrell.com.