Decided to post this interview again because Ms. Ryan Hyde is just so dang interesting to listen to and her honesty about 'fame' so refreshing to hear.

She recently announced her intention to publish an anthology and is looking for submissions. I hope many MarketingtheMuse subscribers do just that.

The anthology theme is prejudice. Here's a snippet from her site. CLick below for more details.

We're looking for true stories from people who feel they've tasted the sting of prejudice. Anyone who feels they have not been accepted for who and what they are. Stories of racial and LGBT discrimination are of course welcome. But we are looking for a full spectrum. For example, if we use a story about an LGBT community member who feels the Christian community hates him (or her), I'd also like a story from a Christian who feels they are vilified for their religious beliefs, which may include an aversion to the LGBT community.

Get the idea? Hopefully it will add up to a look at how all of us want to be accepted for who we are, and how all of us feel we have been denied that right for any one of a number of reasons.

I even have a friend who has a pit bull who is very sensitive to criticism. He's very sweet and friendly, but people say horrible things to him when she's walking him down the street. Because he's a pit bull. And he's so hurt by it that he wants to stop and hold her hand until he gets over it enough to walk again. I've asked her to submit Tucker's story of prejudice. These are the types of things I'm particularly interested in, as they are more off the beaten path. But any take on the subject matter is welcome.

Click here to find out how to submit

She hooked readers with 5 pages!  Her challenge is maintaining what she's created while writing this memoir that continues to make readers want to turn the page. stay tuned; we will follow Hyla here. www.hylamolander.com

Much thanks to Jordan for sharing his recent rejection letter with us. He's not your average introvert writer type. His memoir My Ex-Wife Wants Me Back fills one block of his platform. His radio show, The "Sensitive Nice Guy" Show The Best Dating Advice on the Planet from a Recovering Wuss, adds another block. He’s funny and likes an audience, assets when marketing our muse.

Muse Advice:

Send out to other agents ASAP!

IF Jordan gets the similar feedback by at LEAST two other agents THEN it MIGHT be time to rethink his narrative arc.

What similar feedback would I be looking for?

Feedback from other agents that offered any version of this:

…..but as I read, I realized it also contributes to one of my main concerns. The concept of former lovers falling back into each other’s lives is nothing new in terms of plot direction, and originality ultimately hinges on a certain unique complexity that distinguishes the story from the rest of its kind.  Although the stakes are certainly high for Patrick—they don’t feel high, and I think this is because the tone rarely takes a more serious turn….. 

Remember, your platform is built with blocks, each one separate and supporting the whole. A radio show and blog are FAB building blocks for his memoir but they don’t have to mirror it. Their role can be supportive as in fan-base building.

Also remember, sensitive, nice guys dig deep; one reason why women like to date them...

to find out more about Jordan Rockwell, check out his site www.SensitiveNiceGuy.com

Marla Miller Interviews Claire LaZebnik
on Book Candy Studios TV

DATE: JANUARY 12, 2012
TIME: 6:00PM Pacific / 9:00PM Eastern
 
 Join prolific author Claire LaZebnik when she appears on Book Candy TV to
talk about her latest novel, Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts, her writing life and lots more with host, Marla Miller.  
Audience members - you - are invited to ask Claire questions, too.
Do her characters come to her first?
Does a theme drive the narrative of each story?
How influential is setting to the novels she writes?
What's her favorite point of view and why?

We will also discuss Claire's books about autism, and how writing non-fiction has influenced her fiction.
If you've yet to join a chat room during an interview with a notable author, don't miss this opportunity to join us at Book Candy Studios TV on January 12, 2012 @ 9PM Eastern / 6PM Pacific.  

it's free!  Just sign in.  It's the next best thing to being in a workshop.  Claire LaZebnik looks forward to answering our questions and discussing her craft, the creative process, and the caffeine that

fuels it all.

DATE: JANUARY 12th, 2011

TIME: 6:00PM Pacific / 9:00PM Eastern

How to join:

- first, click link below
-then 'click here to join' & enter
- use the guest tab (not registered users tab)
- enter your name in the guest field
- click enter button to join

http://t.wbx.me/gcrk9

Scott Sigler is a little bit traditional (Random House/Crown) and a lot 'indie.'  He was among the first to blaze the 'indie' trail at a time when most authors/editors/publishers thought he might be living a little too much in his imaginary world where  the 'galactic' football league and its creatures get into all kinds of trouble. Turns out this prolific horror/fantasy/sci-fi author got the vision right and now we're following his lead!  Check out his site, www.ScottSigler.com  and follow him-he's the leader in Indie publishing.

A snippet from MarketingtheMuse Workshop @ the Santa Barbara Writers Conference where Jeremy Lee James, founder of WriteClickHosting-a site specifically created for writers' needs  discussed the connection between blogging and our books. www.writeclickhosting.com

Writers interested in Y/A will be drawn to Ms. Sones' website. Why? It's inviting and personal. This link will take you on a short video tour of her writing place - http://www.sonyasones.com/gallery/gallery002.html.  The section on her site titled FOR WRITERS is a resource for Y/A authors in particular who will find valuable tips on the publishing process there. 

This romance writer produced a series of 8 very short videos 'goofing' on self publishing & marketing. Does this have anything to do with her books? Not specifically but the video content validates our own feelings/frustrations and that makes this writer and her work more interesting to us. She gave something of value to us & in return, we give back. Quite simply, that's the essence of 'inbound' marketing. Are you going to click? I know I did.

http://www.zoewinters.org

If she had to do it over, Claire says she would have jumped on the internet much sooner. "It fits my personality type" says this self described introvert who likes connecting to her readers online.

Her next novel, already penned, is her first Y/A. Hear what she has to say about writing Y/A fiction.

In Part One of our interview, Clairs talks about how the shift in publishing has impacted her own marketing strategies. This self described introvert says social media is a natural, especially for women. "Women learn through community" says Claire. 

To purchase her books: http://clairelazebnik.com/

 A MUST WATCH! Claire's hubby is the producer of The Simpsons. This animated trailer of his wife's latest book could be the beginning of a cottage industry for Mr. Lazebnik!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7560829/

Matt Stewart signed with an agent after making some changes she'd suggested. When he resubmitted, she liked what she read.  30 publisher rejections later, Matt took matters into his own hands and told his agent he was tweeting his novel. She was skeptical but he figured, why not? He was right. It took 3 months to tweet the manuscript and in that time he collected 3000 followers. An impressive number for sure but keep in mind, the STORY was on the page. One tweeter called his tweets 'Cliffnotes of The French Revolution.'  

As promised, we have added author interviews to our Marketing The Muse content lineup. Published authors now have an opportunity to build and expand their platforms with our new interview offerings. The goal: focused interviews on one aspect of writing in an 8-10 minute segment that authors on the road to publication will find useful.

Colin Broderick’s memoir, ORANGUTAN begins with his arrival in NYC from Northern Ireland when he was 21 years old. The troubled times in this young man’s life mixes sadness and desperation with lots of funny scenes. After all, Colin is Irish. Random House published ORANGUTAN in early 2010 and in 2011 will publish the follow up, That’s That, his memoir about growing up in war-torn Northern Ireland.

MtheM Skype Author Interview Series hopes to have him back on to discuss more about this writing life.