Business Card Contacts

“May we exchange business cards?” A question I often ask during conversation when meeting someone new. We’ve chatted about writing, the weather, family, etc. After a time of learning about the other person, I will inquire about exchanging cards.

Many times the answer is “Yes, I forgot I have business cards. Let me give you mine.”
Other times the answer is “Oh, I haven’t published anything. I don’t need business cards yet.”
Or “I’ve been meaning to purchase business cards.”

Whether you are published or not published, exchanging business cards is a great way to help others remember you, especially if your photo is on the card.
Having something published isn’t a requirement to have a card. I have friends who write a blog and hand out cards with the blog address. Some people list their website only while some list various ways to contact them, including social media.

My business card has my photo, a brief description of what I offer (Inspirational Author, Blogger, Speaker), my website address, and my email. The back of the card lists our family motto “It’s Always A Story With The Henderson’s”.
Brief and to the point.

A card with too much information may cause the receiver to glance and put the card away. Bright colors and a photo and a bit of information is easier to read. Give the receiver of the card enough information to make them want to find out more about you.

Once you have given and received cards from others, please keep in contact with the people you meet. If an email is listed, send a note of encouragement or thank them for chatting with you.
If a website is listed, visit the site and leave a comment.

I have found great friends and writing contacts by chatting and exchanging business cards.

Do you have a business card? Shall we exchange cards? :-)

"May we exchange business cards?" A question I often ask during conversation when meeting someone new. #seriouslywrite @mimionlife

“Whether you are published or not published, exchanging business cards is a great way to help others remember you, especially if your photo is on the card.” #seriouslywrite @mimionlife

Have a blessed day of writing and sharing God’s love,
Melissa Henderson

Melissa Henderson is a writer of inspirational messages through fiction, non-fiction, devotions, guest blogs, articles and more. Her first children’s book, “Licky the Lizard” was released in 2018. Some of her passions are helping in community and church. Melissa and her husband Alan moved from Virginia to South Carolina in 2017 to be near son, daughter-in-love and first grandchild. The family motto is "It’s Always A Story With The Henderson".

Website and blog : http://www.melissaghenderson.com
Amazon link to "Licky the Lizard"
Facebook : Melissa Henderson, Author
Pinterest : Melissa Henderson
Twitter : @mimionlife

The Writer in the Mirror by Betty Thomason Owens

No one knows a writer like another writer, and it's important to have those relationships as author Betty Thomason Owens talks about today. -- Sandy

Betty: Not long ago, I discovered a general truth: one of the best ways to encourage yourself as a writer is to encourage other writers. I suppose it’s true about life in general, but I’ve found writers to be especially vulnerable, sensitive creatures. Why is that? For one thing, writing is an artistic pursuit. Artists tend to be extremely fickle. They love what they’re working on today, but despise it tomorrow. Degas said, “Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.” The same could be said about writing.

One thing I’ve learned about the craft—you can never stop learning—the rules keep changing. So it’s an ongoing, continuing education kind of existence, which can cause discouragement. You think you know what you’re doing until you submit a story somewhere. I have a friend who goes through agony with each rejection. She told me it’s like they keep moving the finish line. She’s ready to quit forever. I just let her talk it out, because I know she’ll never quit. Writers are like that. If you’re called to write, you can’t not write. Having someone to talk to when you’re down is one of the best ways to overcome your anxiety. Another writer knows exactly what you’re going through. Calming your fear, and your discouragement not only helps you, but also builds strength in the one giving you support. Think about it, when you reach out to others and help them, doesn’t it make you feel really good inside? Not that you should only do these things for your own satisfaction, but if you’re down—feeling like quitting—maybe you need to reach out and help someone else. Perhaps this will get your mind off the writer in the mirror. 

Do you have someone who can provide the support you need when things aren't going as planned or hoped?

 

~~~~~

Betty Thomason Owens writes historical fiction, fantasy-adventure, and romantic comedy. She has contributed articles and interviews to various blogs around the Internet and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), where she leads a critique group. She’s a mentor, assisting other writers, a co-founder of a blog dedicated to inspiring writers, and serves on the planning committee of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference.

Her writing credits include Grace Award-winning Annabelle’s Ruth, Book 1, Kinsman Redeemer Series (2015), Amelia's Legacy, Book 1, Legacy Series (2014), and Carlotta’s Legacy, Book 2 of the Legacy Series (2016), from Write Integrity Press. She writes contemporary stories as a co-author of A Dozen Apologies and its sequels, The Love Boat Bachelor and Unlikely Merger, (2015). She has two fantasy-adventure novels, The Lady of the Haven and A Gathering of Eagles, in a second edition published by Sign of the Whale BooksTM, an imprint of Olivia Kimbrell PressTM.

Amazon Author Page

http://bettythomasonowens.com

https://twitter.com/batowens

https://facebook.com/betty.owens.author

https://pinterest.com/btowens

https://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com



Carlotta’s Legacy

Her life is in a downhill plunge. Will marrying an Italian count bring Rebecca the love she’s dreamed of?

Rebecca Lewis is a reluctant bride-to-be. Marrying Riccardo Alverá, a young Italian count, may seem like a dream come true—an instant answer to her family’s dire straits. But it also means she must leave American soil, possibly forever.

Riccardo is relentless in his pursuit of Rebecca. After her father’s death, she and her mother set sail for Italy. Though Rebecca is still plagued by doubt, Riccardo’s warmth and humor soon melt the icy frost encasing her heart. But as Rebecca settles into his Italian villa, her questions and fears return.

His mother, Carlotta Alverá, is dedicated to strict Roman Catholic beliefs. Will she ever accept Rebecca, who has no real faith? After Rebecca’s mother decides to pursue life on her own terms, peace comes to the villa. But not for long.

Trouble finds Rebecca, even in the tranquil heart of Italy. As political unrest shakes the core of Italian society, a dark shadow falls over Riccardo’s beautiful estate. In her deepest despair, Rebecca confronts her past, finds forgiveness, and finally … the love and acceptance she’s always longed for.

Networking Isn't a Dirty Word by Sandra Ardoin

Networking. You know. It’s what we do to form mutually-beneficial relationships.

When put that way, it sounds pretty cold-blooded, doesn’t it? It shouldn’t be, not when it’s accomplished with people with whom we have something in common. And if it’s a guilt-inducer for you, you’re probably going about it all wrong.

For this (in-person) introvert, I have to say I LOVE to network online. I’ve met so many great people—writers, readers, other Christians—through my social media activities and writing organizations. They live near me, they live in other parts of the country, they even live in other countries. I make new friends, commiserate with and encourage peers (and vice-versa), and support the writing of others while they support mine. Win-win-win!

If you’ve been writing during these first years of the twenty-first century, you know it can no longer be a tunnel-vision activity—sitting at a desk pounding out manuscript after manuscript and focusing solely on our own work. (I did that for years.) We should and must mingle with like-minded people. Thankfully, the internet has helped those of us who find it hard to string to two words together at a party, yet can virtually chat with anyone.

As my daughter has looked for a job in her career field, I’ve stressed networking, yet she shies away from it because she worries it smacks of stalking or taking advantage of people. Not if you keep these “BG”s in mind.

• Be Genuine – Connect with people you sincerely want to know better and let them see you as a person as well as a writer. You may receive the added bonus of striking up in-person friendships with those who live close by. **I’m waving to my NC/SC pals!** 

• Be Generous – How many times have you heard, “It’s not about you”? Well, those words should never be truer than when you’re making connections with other people. Use your talent to help others develop craft. If you hear of a publisher or agent who you think might be interested in someone’s work, share the news. When you expect to receive more than you’re willing to give, it becomes about you. 

• Be Grateful - After years of writing in the closet (so to speak), I never pass up a chance to get the word out that I’m a writer with books on the market, and I’m so grateful to those who help me do so. 

• Be a Grower – It’s hard to admit (and you may find it hard to believe), but I don’t know everything. Bad news: neither do you. Iron sharpens iron, y’all. 

I know I’m preaching to the choir, but here’s the bottom line: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” (Luke 6:31 NAS)

Networking is relationship, and if you don’t form genuine, generous, and grateful relationships, you won’t grow—as a person or as a writer.

So what is your favorite part about networking with other writers?

~~~~~~

Sandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. She’s the author of The Yuletide Angel and A Reluctant Melody. A wife and mom, she’s also a reader, football fan, NASCAR watcher, garden planter, country music listener, antique store prowler. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Join her email community to receive occasional updates and a free short story.

Cultivating Contacts from Conferences by Bonnie Doran

Bonnie Doran

Have you attended a writers' conference this year? Plans to attend any in 2014? Hey everyone, Annette here. Conferences are a great place for networking and fellowshiping with other authors. Bonnie Doran is here to share advice for what to do with those contacts you make. Enjoy!

Cultivating Contacts from Conferences

 by Bonnie Doran

            You’re a published or pre-published author and you’re headed to a writers' conference. Here are some tips to cultivate the contacts you make:

            Arm yourself before you go. Print some business cards that introduce yourself. They don’t need to be fancy. I suggest your name, head shot, email address, and links to your website, blog, Twitter, and Facebook if the thing doesn’t get so crowded you have to use an eight-point font. Your cell number is fine but don’t put personal information like your street address or home number. Keep the cards handy.

            You’ll meet a lot of fellow writers at meals and workshops. Exchange cards. When you get home, hunt down those contacts. Send an email, “Nice to have met you.” Friend them on Facebook. Follow them on Twitter. Comment on their blog.

            Confession here: I didn’t do this until September. The Colorado Christian Writers Conference was in May. Don’t do that.

            You’ll also hopefully meet some editors and agents during appointments. Ask for their cards and explain you want to send them a thank you. Send a handwritten note. These professionals seldom get a thank you from writers, so make yourself stand out. Enclose your business card—you know, the one with your photo on it.

            If you have a published book or one that already has a cover design, ask the publisher for bookmarks. They may not print them for you, but they should provide the artwork so you can print them yourself. Hand them out with your card.

            If you’re self-published, design the bookmarks yourself. It’s not hard with the templates and options the printers provide.

            Another contact tool is to hand out writing pens with your name and website engraved on them. These are a bit more pricey but well worth it. I’ve had people at conferences ask me for another pen because the one I gave them sprouted legs and ran away.  

            Be sure to order your stuff early. My bookmarks shipped to another customer. The printer rushed a new batch to me, but don’t put yourself through that anguish.

            Building relationships requires more than handing out contact info. Talk to the people you meet. Listen to them rather than spouting off about your latest novel. Be an encouragement to others and let them encourage you.

            I met a new friend at a conference because we didn’t just yak at lunch and go our separate ways. We spent the afternoon talking and laughing.

            Remember, the purpose of connecting with people at conferences is to cultivate lasting relationships, not to build your career by adding followers to your Twitter account.

            Pray for the people you’ll meet. You never know what divine appointment God has in store.

            Prepare, connect, and follow up. It’s that simple.

~~~~~

            

Bonnie Doran’s heart is in science fiction. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, and Sudoku puzzles. Her husband of thirty years is a Mad Scientist who owns a 2,300-pound electromagnet. They share their Denver home with two Siamese cats. 

~~~~~

Dark Biology

Dark Biology

Renowned vaccinologist "Hildi" Hildebrandt has set her sights on beating her brother to a Nobel Prize, and the opportunity to conduct experiments on the International Space Station might just provide the means to obtain that goal. Chet Hildebrandt should have had that opportunity. But now he'll teach a lesson to them all: his hot-shot astronaut sister, his philandering hypocritical father, and the CDC for not properly appreciating his work. One vial of a virus purloined from the CDC labs and released at his father's marriage seminar should do the trick, without hurting anybody. After all, it's only a mild influenza strain... Or is it?