Monthly Archives: March 2021

7 Habits of Successful People Who Love Their Life

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By African American Books Author Denise Turney

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The 7 habits of successful people who love their life are practical actions, surprisingly easy steps you could incorporate into your daily life. To start, successful people understand that success is never owned. When you think about it, pursuing success is similar to pursuing happiness. Both goals keep you pressing, moving forward.

Success Is Not Final

Yet, you will never reach a point where you can hold onto success. You will never have “enough success stockpiled”. So, it’s important to accept that success is not final. Also, as part of the psychology of achievement, know the specific type of success that you want. For example, do you want to reduce your sugar consumption until your body is inflammation free?

Or perhaps you want to increase your small business revenues by 25% over the next 12 months. Starting a community arts education center, graduating with a degree that sets you up for a promotion and writing books that land on the New York Times bestseller list are other types of success you may want. As a tip, breakdown the steps you will take to achieve these goals. In fact, steps-to-goal-achievement is an integral part of the success mindset.

Developing a Success Mindset

Don’t rush this process. And consider setting goal deadlines. After all, each fulfilled goal serves as a success motivation. Each time you achieve a goal, your confidence builds. You show yourself that you can go from failure to success or from success to success. Other aspects of the success mindset include:

  • Relationships are your top priority. In other words, you’re not willing to ignore family, friends, colleagues, etc. so you can complete a goal step. If you do take that route, you may have a fulfilled goal and no one close to share your success with long term or, perhaps, even short term. And it’s amazing how much sweeter success is when you share it with people you trust and love.
  • Not only do you know what you want to succeed at, you know why you want to accomplish something.
  • You’re at peace with your goal and the actions needed to achieve the goal.
  • As it regards your health, you accept that success is a choice. Therefore, you make smart diet choices. You definitely understand that good health and high energy levels are going to play a key role in your success motivation and your belief that you can achieve the goals you set for yourself.

7 Habits of Successful People Who Love Their Life

Now, let’s look at the 7 habits of successful people who love their life. This first habit is one that I continue to practice. Even more, the first of the 7 habits of successful people saved me loads of money when I published my first book, Portia. Check out the habits. See how many you already have. Also, notice which of the 7 habits you want to develop:

  1. Research the industry you want to work in. As previously mentioned, before I published Portia, I researched and studied the book publishing industry. That research helped me to quickly spot good printing prices, how to get the most out of book signings and speaking events, which book printers to work with and book marketing actions that yield results.
  2. Map out the actions and decisions you need to make to get what you say that you want.
  3. Forgive and let go of past mistakes. I’ve never met a person who thinks that she/he has never failed. In fact, you might have a perception that you have stumbled more than you have succeeded. Therefore, it’s very important that you forgive yourself for past mistakes you have made. In this forgiveness, you can start to go from failure to success.

More Habits of Successful People Who Love Their Life

  • Keep learning. Oh, is this habit important. Think about it. The world, including technology, how we relate to each other as humans, societal laws, etc. change. So, you need to keep learning to stay aware of technological advances, revised industry  regulations, changing communication styles, new marketing opportunities and more.
  • Count your blessings. Appreciation fuels a success mindset. In fact, there may be no better success motivation than to count your blessings which shifts your focus to the good in your life.
  • Start your day by completing one action that you’ve been feeling nervous about. For example, you might set up meetings with three major retailer book buyers by 10am or you might submit your 501c3 paperwork if you operate a nonprofit.
  • Never quit. Of the 7 habits of successful people, this one is a must. The good news is, if you did your research and got clear about what you want and why you want what you want, you should easily have the success motivation to keep going until your experience your goal fulfilled.

Daily Success Habits

As with the success mindset and the psychology of achievement, to live a peaceful, joyous and rewarding life, you need to practice the 7 habits of successful people who love their life every day. Consider making the habits part of your daily lifestyle.

Also, try new things. Why? You don’t want to get bored. Challenge yourself. If you start to feel stuck or overwhelmed by the emotion of fear, add affirmations for success to your morning and before bed routines. For instance, positive affirmations for success that you could speak to yourself while you’re standing in front of a mirror include “success is a choice that I am making today,” “I deserve success,” “I am an extension of love and I deserve the best” and “It is my will to live a victorious life”.

Book Authors Gain Big from Attending Virtual Book Events

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By African American Writer Denise Turney

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To grow their reader base, authors might want to start attending more virtual book events. After all, virtual events are growing in popularity, thanks to advancing technology and more people working from home. In May 2021 alone, there were more than a dozen virtual book events. The next month’s numbers were higher with June having more than 14 virtual events.

Authors Networking at Virtual Events

While attending virtual book events, new writers as well as seasoned authors, can network absent travel time constraints and pricey booth costs (you can easily shell out $250 for a booth at an in-person book festival). Even more, writers who speak at virtual literary events can showcase their books, introducing their titles to new readers. They can also get their websites in front of book buyers.

Yet, it’s not all upside. In fact, as with offline book events, actually selling books at virtual events takes work, commitment, patience and tenacity. As an author, you might have to get creative to get your name and your book titles in front of readers, literary agents, publishers and editors who attend virtual events.

For starters, get the word out about virtual events you plan to attend, especially if you’re a panelist or feature presenter. As an example, you could post the date, starting times and URL for the event at each of your social media accounts. Another step you could take is to boost a social media post.

Virtual Book Events Success

You could also email book clubs, letting them know you’re speaking at an upcoming virtual event. And don’t forget to invite neighbors and relatives who appreciate books. Let me tell you, as a podcast host (Off The Shelf Books Talk Radio), it shows when authors actively promote events they attend.

Other actions you can take to turn your attendance at virtual book events into success follow:

  • Ask event hosts if you can sit on a panel or serve as a keynote speaker (add the link to your website in your bio and highlight your book titles in your bio)
  • Post comments in private Twitter Rooms, Facebook Live events, etc.
  • Publish and answer questions
  • Also, respond to polls posted during the events
  • Message editors, publishers, literary agents and authors you want to keep in touch with
  • Conduct live book readings if it’s allowed
  • Upload images of your books with comments
  • Add links to your book order pages if coordinators allow links

Also, consider attending small, local book events to complement your virtual book marketing efforts. After all, combining in-person and virtual events helps keep you in front of book lovers which can, in turn, increase your book sales.

Deepen Literary Relationships

If you’ve attended six or more book festivals, you know that sitting behind a booth watching hundreds of people pass generally won’t get you book sales. The same goes for virtual events. So, instead of simply showing up at virtual events, take steps that will get you seen.

Post comments. Ask questions. Also, make sure that your author website URL is listed on your social media profiles.

Event coordinators may fields questions and take note of comments. If you’re posting questions, answering questions and adding comments, coordinators might notice you. And, you may find out soon, especially if coordinators of virtual book events reach out to you after the event. That, or you might start receiving messages from the organization’s Twitter feed.

Keep these conversations going and you could strike up a rewarding business venture. You could also tap into someone (e.g. influential book bloggers, book TV talk show host, writing magazine editor) who could open the door for you to enter a whole new world of readers who love the types of books that you write.

How To Land Book Marketing Radio Interviews

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By Books Author Denise Turney

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Book marketing radio interviews are a path forward for authors. Conducting radio interviews, especially on the right stations, can differentiate new and seasoned books from the pack. See an increase in book sales and the effects extend beyond book rankings. For starters, it can take a lot of the struggle out of marketing books. It can also keep you encouraged.

After all, if you think writing a great book is tough, wait until you start the book marketing process. Part of the challenge has to do with the number of books published each year. It’s sobering. Each year, between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books are published. And this is in the United States alone.

Book Marketing Plan Ideas

Yet, as tough as it is, there are ways to distinguish your books from the crowd. To start, develop an effective book marketing plan. Here are items you could include in your book marketing plan:

  • Author biography – Include a professional photo with your biography. Also, add key public speaking events that you headlined, published articles and feature interviews.
  • Professional Website – Partner with an experienced website designer to design and build out your author website. Keep it simple, adding book excerpts and ways for visitors to easily purchase your books. Avoid adding too many links that lead away from your books and your book order pages.
  • Book catalog – Brief summaries or overviews of your books as well as ways to order your books are must-haves to add to your book catalog.
  • Book Blog – This may sound surprising. But a book blog is an effective way to attract readers. As a tip, add a new article or interview to your book blog at least once a week.
  • Social Media Book Marketing Strategies – Also, create a social media presence. This includes adding social media links at your author website and book blog.

Book Marketing Radio Interviews

But don’t just set up social media accounts as part of your book marketing plan. Post comments, questions, polls and upcoming book events at your social media accounts. Also, post information about a radio interview, including a live radio interview, that you’re scheduled to discuss your book on.

That’s right, radio interviews should be part of your book marketing strategy. If you’ve never done a live radio interview, the idea of doing a radio interview might seem intimidating. Fortunately, it’s not. In fact, you might end up loving doing radio interviews. But first you need to land a radio interview.

Here’s how you can do that. Save yourself time with a radio directory. There are online and print radio directories. Some of these directories include newspaper, magazine and television media contacts. If you’re book marketing locally, consider focusing on setting up radio interviews with local radio stations.

Track Live Book Marketing Radio Interviews Results

To track your results, set up a spreadsheet. On the spreadsheet, add the radio station call name, DJ at the radio station you want to interview with, website URL, telephone number and email address. Also, add three to four columns to track the dates that you reach out to a DJ to schedule a live radio interview.

Other steps you can take to land radio interviews are:

  • Email 5 to 10 radio stations a week – add the link to your website in your email signature
  • Send your author biography with the radio interview requests
  • Highlight specific benefits the radio station listeners will gain during your interview. It’s important that you let the DJ know how your book can improve the lives of the radio station’s listeners.
  • Follow up on radio interview requests within 5 to 7 days
  • Track each outreach and follow-up on the spreadsheet
  • Extend your radio interview book marketing plan to online and offline radio stations

Book Marketing Requires Ongoing Action

After you land your first radio interview, schedule another interview. To keep interviews engaging, expand your answers. Make radio interviews a lively conversation with the DJ. Yet, keep listeners in mind, continually offering tips, insight and entertainment as you respond to questions DJs ask you.

Another step you can take is to list radio interviews you’ve already done at your book blog and author website. Also, list upcoming radio interviews at your book blog and author website.

To continue to market and sell more copies of your books, consider reading manuals on eBook marketing, attending free book marketing webinars and taking advantage of guidance in content marketing books. Also, remember that book marketing, including landing radio interviews, is ongoing work. I’m rooting for you!

Fathers Raising Children as Single Parents

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By Books Writer Denise Turney

single parent african american father in gray shirt holding baby in white onesie
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Fathers raising children as single parents was nearly unheard of 50 years ago. I can still hear my father express how he wished there was someone he could talk with about raising daughters as a single parent. But there was no one he knew who could offer him guidance. So, my father turned to my aunts and grandmother, resources who, thankfully, turned out to be very good ones.

Fathers Raising Children as Single Parents

The thing is that since 1960, the numbers of fathers raising children as single parents has increased. According to the Pew Research Center, the numbers have increased nine-fold since 1960. As of 2011, 2.6 million households were led by single fathers.

Many of these single fathers live with someone. For example, these dads may have remarried or be living with a partner who they aren’t married to. On the other hand, about 52% of fathers raising children as single parents are divorced, widowed, not living with a partner or men who never married.

Also, becoming a single father happens to men as early as the teenage years. Additionally, fathers who are raising kids alone have a broad range of educational levels, from less than a high school diploma to a postgraduate degree.

Raising Children Alone

Fortunately, changing perceptions of what it takes to raise healthy children has removed some of the shock and lack of acceptance around fathers raising kids alone. Although raising kids alone offers challenges for both men and women, children raised by loving and caring men who are single parents may best know the value that these single parents offer.

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My father had a positive influence on me and my siblings. Our mother passing was his doorway into single parenthood. Despite pleas from other relatives, my father would not break us up, choosing the single parent route instead.

His courage, insight, guidance, leadership, active listening skills and business savvy were contagious. There were times when I swore that my dad was born for parenting. Looking back, I can see how his parents’ love, support, care and guidance had helped to prepare him for raising sons alone as well as raising daughters by himself.

Love of a Single Father

In spite of long odds, my father didn’t lose one child. Each of his children grew into a responsible, caring, giving and courageous adult. To this day, I wonder if I could have accomplished what he did while raising five children alone.

And again, his success as a single parent was, in large part, due to how he was raised. In fact, it’s easy to see the influence prior generations have on single parents. After all, we often repeat what was done to us until we forgive the past, let go, and change our thinking, choices and behavior.

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When Parenting Gets Hard

This is part of what’s illustrated in Love Pour Over Me, a book that spotlights the effects of raising a son alone when you’re not ready to parent. Adult children and older teens who grew up in families where single parents struggled may especially find strength, hope and healing while reading Love Pour Over Me.

After all, even if single parent fathers did receive an upbringing that prepared them to effectively operate a household, there are challenges. One parent can’t be everything to a child. Even with the best intentions, mistakes happen. Parents get tired. Life happens.

Love Pour Over Me

Love Pour Over Me is a book that follows a young man from high school well into adulthood, showing how, despite deep pain brought on from growing up under the guidance of a struggling father, it’s possible to keep progressing. Even more, Love Pour Over Me shows that it’s possible to grow in love with a soul mate after enduring an emotionally and physically hard childhood.

Yet, above all of these rewards, it’s witnessing the evolvement of the father’s and son’s relationship as the story unfolds that may indeed offer readers the most healing. After all, single fathers love their children deeply. They love their children even if they’re struggling with a personal issue which is why these fathers seek out and accept help.

Breaking Free from Suffering

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By Books Writer Denise Turney

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Breaking free from suffering takes more than desire. At its start, suffering is sharp, confusing. You don’t understand why someone is causing you pain. Or perhaps it’s an experience like an illness, abject poverty or a destructive storm that thrust you into a state of confusion. Regardless of the cause, if suffering continues for long periods, you could start to believe that pain is inevitable, simply a part of life.

Steps to Breaking Free from Suffering

The only experience that might shake that belief is witnessing someone who’s not suffering, to actually see someone who has learned to break free from suffering. This is when freedom from living in pain can really reward, not just you but, those around you. But, how to break free from suffering?

  • Understand that you have a True Self that rests in peace and joy.
  • To experience your right to freedom, practice watching your thoughts pass, similar to watching clouds float by. Keep your thoughts free of judgment. Instead, just watch them pass. Also, watch how your thoughts change. Eventually, you may observe that you aren’t the thoughts that pass through your brain. As a tip, you may find this to be a good exercise if your thoughts create the emotion of fear.
  • Pause before you take action if you feel off center or as if you’re giving into habit or an addictive way of thinking. This may not feel easy, especially if erroneous beliefs have been practiced a long time and seem like truth.

More Ways to Start Breaking Free from Suffering

  • Read books about people who have learned to break free of suffering from loneliness and other types of suffering. For example, you could read biographies, autobiographies and memoirs of people who had extremely challenging childhoods only to go on and experience joyous adult years.
  • To stay encouraged, engage in at least three activities each day that cause you to feel peace and joy. For example, you could enjoy a bike ride, work in a garden, walk outdoors, listen to music that you love or talk with a friend.
  • In a safe place, stand in front of a mirror naked and say “I love you” to yourself.
  • Accept gifts that are given to you sincerely.
  • Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend.
  • Write in a journal to express concerns you’re having. As simple as it sounds, this is an effective way to remain free of mental and emotional blocks.

Right to Freedom

Depending on your beliefs and childhood programming, it could take years to break free from suffering. This may be because your own thoughts are the root of your suffering. Seek help if needed, especially if you’re experiencing psychological suffering.

Yet, remember that you are responsible for your thoughts, beliefs and choices. Keep your freedom of choice in all circumstances.

Also, continue to break free from suffering. Don’t give up. Never give up on freedom. So be it if this path to freedom includes meditating, sitting still, journaling, traveling, meeting new people, dancing or working with a professional. Keep loving yourself. And keep believing in your personal freedom, your true inner right to freedom.

If you want encouragement as you continue to break free, consider Mulukan’s story in the book, Long Walk Up. This young orphan girl’s fictional story may leave a lasting impression on you, the type of impression that propels you onward.