What a crazy couple of weeks!

I recently completed a phone interview with Don McCauley of  The Authors Show, regarding the release of My Name Is Sam … and Heaven Is Still Shining Through. The interview has been scheduled on the The Authors Show site Thursday (Aug. 6). It will be posted all day from midnight to 11:59 p.m. at wnbnetworkwest.com on Channel 3.

This is a big deal for me. The Authors Show is more than a “show” in the traditional sense of the word.  It is a professional interview podcast that’s been around since 2005. It has continually grown and to date has produced well over 5,000 interviews. In this business, I’ve learned quality exposure is key.

So, there are two things to take away from the experience. First, I humbly ask you to tune in at your convenience Thursday to listen to the interview. As an aside,  I haven’t heard the podcast as yet, either, so we’ll all learn how effective I was.

That leads to point two. I would like to set up a live feed to discuss and expand upon the interview. My question is what is a good time for such a feed? I don’t want it to get too far away so I was thinking this weekend — Friday or Saturday (Aug. 7-8), 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. or Sunday (Aug. 9) 2, 4 or 7 p.m. Which would be the best time for you? Drop me a line at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can schedule. Include any general comments about the interview {good or bad} and any specific questions you may have.

Next on my shamelessly self-promotion post, I just received notification BOTH Heaven Shining Through (general fiction, page 5) AND Wisdom From a Father (general non-fiction, page 6) have advanced to the next round of the 2019 Author Academy Awards. Voting has been extended until Aug. 22. Vote at authoracademyawards.com/vote2019/

The top ten finalists in each category will be invited to present their book synopsis at the Author Academy Awards Red Carpet Sessions. The gala event is slate Oct. 25 at the Hilton Polaris (OH) Hotel and Conference Center.

This, too, is a big deal for a newbie author. This award recognizes excellence in literary achievements. Entries will be reviewed and evaluated on popular vote, social contribution, and overall presentation (cover, content, flow, and originality) by the Academy’s voting membership comprised of best-selling authors, literary agents, and industry leaders. Just being nominated for not one, but both books is an accomplishment and I am flattered to be included with such an elite field.

So I would ask you to consider casting a vote for me and sharing the news with others in your social media circle. Thanks in advance.

Finally, I am tentatively planning a live tour along the Route 1/Atlantic Coast from Key West, FL, to Fort Kent, ME. My thought is to spend a few days at select sites on the route, capturing the ambience of each locale and capping each visit with a live broadcast featuring fellow authors I am sure I’ll meet along the way. I don’t have a title for the tour yet {open to suggestions}, although I was thinking about Authors’ Journey; Taking the Fear Out of Writing; or Writing on the Road.

Here’s where you come in. I would like to have a fellow author from each spend some time  with me on camera as we reflect on the writing process, share helpful writing tips and ideas, and promote our books. Soooo, if you’re a writer from Key West, Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, Melbourne or Cocoa, FL, get in touch with me.

Thoughts and suggestions are welcomed!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Courage is … the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others — Winston Churchill