Poet David Agnew: Belfast via Bedlam - is now available

David Agnew

Leeds, United Kingdom

Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce you to someone very dear, David Agnew. I met David online when my writing blog 'Scribbles Of A Writer' was being posted on myspace. From time to time David and I have had a chance to slowly get to know each other. It's a bond between writers sharing and supporting each other. I am always touched and moved by reading David's Poetry. Sometimes he makes me laugh and sometimes he makes me cry. When I read David's writing it always takes me in so many directions sometimes causing me to reflect on my own life while at other times making me feel very blessed by those in my life. I was so pleased when I saw David's newest update on his latest book that I wanted to share the news with all of you.

Belfast via Bedlam - is now available

"David’s writing is based on his own experience of the journey of recovery, now extending over more than twenty-one years. It is also informed by his long experience of working with the mentally ill, including those suffering from addiction problems. He firmly believes that, in recovery, we all travel a similar road, no matter where we begin.

Following on from his previous books - Walking into Eternity and First I Dreamt the Journey - David, in this book, further explores the paths, pitfalls and signposts on the journey.

These poems, although sometimes deeply personal, in particular those addressed to his mother, are nonetheless universal in their nature and can apply to us all. The poems are grouped under the headings - Reflections, Darker Days, Moving On, Steps of Faith, Memories and My Mother.

Gentler perhaps and more reflective in their nature than in his previous books these poems represent his own journey into a deeper more satisfying place in which his joy at the process of recovery shines through.

You can hear David reading his own words on a CD that comes with every book. Some of the poems have also been loaded to youtube so stop in and check out David's personal youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/davidagnewpoet

Previous books by David Agnew

Here you can check out other links for David's Work. David keeps a myspace page and enjoys hearing from those who take interest in his work. http://www.myspace.com/davidagnewpoet

This link will take you to David's website:

http://walkingintoeternity.com/

Be sure to stop back in and see I'll be talking about next. I hope you enjoy David's poetry as much as I do. Stop into his website and get a copy of his latest book.

What the Day Holds...Promoting and Networking As A Literary Agent

Wendy Adams
Promoter & Literary Agent? OH MY!!!!

As I start my day with a warm cup of tea setting it down on the computer desk and logging into my many accounts from which I network across.... I rub the sleep from my eyes, catch a view of the morning sun on the rise, and think 'TODAY IS A NEW DAY' it's my morning pep thought to ME!!! Each day holds new oppurtunities and there's no other way to start the day than to wake up ready to greet them.


One of the first things I do is check any messages left over night. I've already got a good idea what my plans are for the day to make the day run more smoothly. Yes, sometimes I might wake in the early morning hours thinking I need to be sure I.... and before I close my eyes it's been jotted down as a mental note right in the place I feel it will best suit my schedule.

The next thing I do is settle myself in my chair, take a deep breath and think of a morning opening. This might be a catch phrase to those connected to me on my pages, a quick update of what I might be doing such as 'Scouting publishing companies today leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can'. Whatever the opening is it's the first think I do to start my day off right.

After that I break into my routine of messaging a daily message one I try to get out without fail but if something comes up the message is sent out the night before I log off. The day feels completely new, fresh and welcoming.

Here it is only 1:00 p.m. and so much has already been done today. My morning message was a bit longer than usual as I had a goal in mind. I wanted to reach out to those I connect with and put the next phase of my testing Liz Lynch's book 'Smart Networking' to the test:

Morning everyone, As you can see my connections here on facebook are growing. You'd never guess that I was an Introvert person unless you personally knew me. Smart Networking by Liz Lynch says you can network well with just 150 connections and that's why I have chose ALL OF YOU!!! I'm at 102 connections right now and I...'d like to see that DOUBLE. THAT'S RIGHT I'm asking all my connections to step forward and help me out. "Your mission, should you choose to accept it..." ASKING JUST ONE PERSON YOU KNOW TO REQUEST ME HERE ON FACEBOOK. Have them put in the 'Request Box' who sent them so I can drop by your page and thank you! Smart Networking by Liz Lynch says ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE. I am really going to put her book to the test!


From there I accepted some requests waiting and went right to reading groups to promote Authors Darren Humby and Pamela Swyers books, two authors you'll want to keep an eyes on in 2010!


After that I put to use my plan of posting a small quote from one of my earlier blogs for newer authors who have come to my page. I plan on doing this on a regular bases now in hopes that some of the authors find these helpful.


I found myself still scouting out editors and publishing companies that I find helpful to connect with and accepted more requests from those looking to connect with me, I left messages and comments to those I felt I needed to get in touch with. Darren updated me on what's been happening with him and for those who missed it on my pages Darren has a new blog set up on his website which talks about his characters from his books and he own personal views on angels. you can check out his blog at http://www.darrenhumby.com/


After speaking with some more recent authors who have been connecting with me I was delighted to find that Julie Carobini had posted one of the photos I sent to her for her blog theme of things beachy and water landscapes. You can check out her post 'Beachy Pennsylvania' http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ I'm so happy she found my photos useful.

With all that going on you can only imagine what pops into my head unexpectly but with warm welcome as the day progresses into a productive day of promoting and networking as a literay agent. I continue into my other pages to post updates and connect with those their, editing and updating my stats to keep everyone informed of what has been released out and what is coming next.

Darren Humby is completing his work on his historical fiction manuscript 'Known Unto God' which I can't wait to write a review up on. Darren is not only an author I'm promoting but a connection I made back in 2009 who has become a dear friend whom by all mean convinced me to take that next step in becoming a literary agent. So, while you read this and think 'Wow she stays busy' things are really starting to pick up and the connections I'm making are working out well. This is really becoming a nice balance between Promoting and being a Literary Agent.

And that's my day so far... You've just had a walk through my morning and I'm breaking for something to eat. I hope you've enjoyed your reading and that you come back and read my next posts.

'Promoting And Me' By Wendy Adams

Whether I'm promoting a musician or an author you can be sure of one thing. I will always keep your best interests at heart. Sometimes it seems to be endless hours of pitching and networking.What's that one catch phrase that is going to draw attention to you!

With musician and songwriter Vaughan Adams it was 'Let Me Bring Vaughan To You' and so with each new person or band the thinking process starts turning and I ask that very question.

Each author I must ask myself 'What's the catch phrase?' Do I base it off the author themselves or the book being promoted at the time. In order to promote an author you need to stay update on everything they are doing. How their current book is selling, what they are working on now, are they speaking someplace or doing a book signing. There's always someone new to introduce their work too. When I'm not promoting online I'm writing to newspapers, editors. All that in itself can get exhausting but that's just one side of promoting.

There's still the long hours of researching, getting in touch with record companies or publishers and it's more than just finding a NAME and address. It's finding what best suits the musician or author. If I'm looking for a publishing company for Angelic Fiction well I won't go to a publishing company that focus on Romance Novels.

As hard as it might sound for me as a promoter and literary agent just think how hard it is for a new author. You've written you manuscript, you've edited it three, four, maybe even ten times before you get the nerve up to want to send it out for someone to accept. So you're thinking about being published? What do you do? Well first decide if you want a literary agent or not then decide if you want to self publish or not. Next step is to find what fits you as an author and your genre. If you're turning to a publishing company you might think BIGGER IS BETTER but there are very good small publishing companies out there who will actually let you get your foot in the door with your proposal.

Don't just hand your manuscript out to anyone, research the companies and ask questions. If they're not willing to answer your questions they're not the one for you! There are lots of publishing companies out there and you have to remember the publishing company is looking out for themselves FIRST. When choosing a literary agent you want to make sure they put YOU FIRST. If you've got a publishing company or even a literary agent saying 'THEY LOVE YOUR BOOK' all you need to do is... RUN please RUN IF THEY ARE ASKING YOU FOR MONEY!!!!! They are asking for money to print your book. And will do very little to promote it. This is called vanity publishing!!! They will print your book whether it is good or bad because you're paying them too. If the publisher is a reputable company they will read your book without any fee and offer you a contract if they like it. They will work hard to make it happen even by promoting your book because that's when they get their money. They want your book to sell!

I have one strict rule as a literary agent..

I DON"T GET PAID UNLESS YOU GET PAID!

I DON'T CHARGE a reading fee for a book someone wants me promoting as a literary agent. My job is to decide if I want to back you.. Do I want to spend all those hours pushing your book, pitching you as an author and seeking out that publisher who will give you a contract. If that decision is YES than I start right at work. I start throwing your name out there, your links, I write up a review on your book and literary work for YOU!!! I like communicating with those I'm promoting constantly tossing ideas back and forth, keeping everything updated. There's never a moment I'm not looking for the next thing that's going to get a reader to buy your book or a publish to look at it.

Another thing you might want to keep in mind as a new author. Look at how many books are out there. If you have a favorite author see who published them it's right there in their book. Don't just hit those online ads and magazine ads 'LOOKING FOR AUTHORS' most likely their scams.

I hope you have found this article helpful in some way. Maybe it helps you understand more of what I do or maybe it's given you a few ideas as a new author which way you want to go next. If you have a question you'd like to ask feel free.

Publishers Want To Know You Have Promoting Ideas

The past few days I've realized a lot of writers don't know how to promote their work or even where to start. I've been researching a lot of discussion forms and find the same questions asked again and again. Do I need an agent? How do I get my book noticed? Start by believing in You and by all means social media network til your heart is content...Agents and Publishers want to know you have promoting ideas and are willing to work hard for your success. Network with other writers join discussion forums. I know you might find it hard but "Talk up your book like you just had the best sex ever."

Now don't laugh..I know that's funny but it's true! Agents and Publisher want you to feel passionate about your work. And if you're promoting it in everyway possible known to you they're going to take you serious.

Start by networking on sites like facebook and myspace. Join writing forums and discussion groups. If you haven't decided to start a website to showcase your work "THINK ABOUT IT". And by all means NETWORK get your links out there enjoy your fellow writes, let them enjoy you!

One thing you might find helpful is reporting local news. What? Yes, that's what I said. I love writing and what a better way to get your foot in the doctor than being seen and known for reporting news as it happens. LOCAL EXPOSURE..get your face seen and be known. I've reported a number of local stories and was interveiwed. I started to get known for it and people would call me with the news. YES LAUGH THAT'S FUNNY!!! I'd get a call from my mom saying so and so called her and they thought I should go catch it out and call it in. I'd reply "Can't they call it in?" I'd go check it out see the potential in the story and I'd call up the station or send them a quick e-mail. I'd get a call back and there it was on the news that night.

What ever it is that gets you started in the right direction use it, learn from it and keep going.

Promoting Darren Humby

Darren Humby
Author of Angelic Fantasy
Writing Industry

March 2010 – Present (1 month)

Wendy has decided and is very pleased with the decision to promote Author: Darren Humby from the United Kingdom. While promoting Darren, Wendy will be writing informative updates on his latest books coming out and giving a personal review on those she has read. Wendy will also be introducing Darren and his work to others in the Writing Industry and make the required connections for possible interviews and one on one contact with Darren.

Promoting A Musician

It takes a lot of work promoting a musician not only did I get in contact with many people in the record business but I also wrote the blog on Vaughan's page "Grace On Vaughan" which kept his fans informed about his music and what he was up too.

Vaughan at one point had a very close relationship with his fans and as his music started taking off there were more demands for him to be in the studio. The blog helped bridge that transition period between Vaughan and his fans and built a more respectful following of Vaughan's music and himself.

It's important for a musician to draw the line clear for fans as to where staying in contact is welcomed but disrespectful comments are not. Everyone wants to hear "I LOVE YOUR MUSIC" but when you're called hun, babe, sweetness unless your single and not 100% ready to prove yourself as a professional those things are just not exceptable. If you want to be taken seriously the line needs to be drawn. And that was part of my job as I worked Vaughan's pages for him and the blog. I have to say it went over quite well once the fans knew Vaughan position and his determination to succeed in the music world the fans had no problem supporting him and the few that didn't well there's always a few in every bunch but those few disappeared making way for more supportive fans to emerge in their place.

Promoting a musician meant a lot of phone time and computer time. E-mails went out time and time again. Updates were constantly being posted and there were always new people to get in touch with. Yes, there were a lot of No's and there will always be a lot of people saying "No not interested" for one reason or another but the true promoter perseveres.

I have nothing but the deepest respect for Vaughan as a musician. He produces and edits his own work himself in his home studio. You have to remember a lot of musicians out there have five six people working everything for them and their just performing. It has been an honour and a learning experience and I wish Vaughan nothing but the best in his career.

How I Got Started Promoting

Vaughan Adams a musician from Perth Australia and I had known each other for sometime and we had been talking on the phone like we normally did on a daily bases. He was saying during one of our many conversations how frustrating it was not to have the time to keep in touch with his fans...that the music was requiring more and more of his time and he felt like he was letting the fans down.

I mentioned the idea of a blog being posted where he could briefly tell the fans what he's doing, the idea of a video blog and that he should even start thinking of a fan site. A few weeks later Vaughan asked me to do it!

We started up the "Grace On Vaughan" blog on his page which at this point is exclusively being posted on the fan site and that's really how it all started taking off.

I started the blog, put up the fan site, started getting into touch with labels, A&R personal, radio stations and talking to people about interviews. It was long hours and a lot of work ahead of me.