JAY-Z AND R KELLY FEUD DURING TOUR - Rap star JAY-Z is allegedly refusing to talk to R KELLY during their current American tour - because he's disgusted by the IGNITION singer's child pornography charges. Jay-Z turned down the opportunity to perform with Kelly when their first CD collaboration, BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, came out in 2002 - after the star was accused of filming sex with underage girls. But Jay-Z finally agreed to support the second part of the collaboration, a CD and tour, both called BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS, provided he isn't made to socialize with Kelly offstage, reports the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS' website. An insider says, ''Offstage, they're not even speaking. It's become a huge problem.'' Another source adds that ''Jay-Z destroyed R Kelly onstage'' on the first night of the tour, after Kelly horrified the Chicago audience by mocking his felony charges and dressing as an inmate to simulate sex with two women in a cage onstage. Prosecutors in the child pornography case may use the video of the gig. But Kelly's spokesman, ALAN MAYER, contends, ''A tour like this goes through constant adjustment. Things get added and dropped all the time. Jay and Rob have known each other for years and have tremendous respect for each other.''

SLIMMING SPICES ELLIOTT'S SEX LIFE - Losing 32 kilograms (five stone) has changed hip-hop star MISSY ELLIOTT's life - and revolutionized her sex life. The rapper was told by doctors she could die if she didn't trim her size 22 frame, and she's thrilled with the effect it has had on her libido. She says, ''I guess you're more open when you lose weight and I don't have to worry about turning off the lights any more. ''I ain't ready to do it in public just yet, though. Give me another few months in the gym and who knows where you'll find me. ''But I'd better steer clear of making home videos considering what happened to PARIS HILTON.''

TOMMY LEE DECLINES TO PARTY AT COLLEGE - Hell raising rocker TOMMY LEE has refused to party with his newfound college pals after enrolling at Lincoln's University of Nebraska. The former MOTLEY CRUE drummer, 42, has been enjoying college activities like trying out for the marching band and learning about plant identification and chemistry, for NBC's upcoming six-episode reality TV show. Lee's horticulture classmate BURT KILGORE complains, ''Everyone wants to party with him,'' but adds the rocker has declined invitations. The show's executive producer EDDIE OCTOBER explains, ''That's Tommy's former or original rock star life. ''The concept of the show is very much that Tommy is a fish out of water and Tommy is making the effort to fit into this collegiate experience.'' Band veteran BEN COLEMAN admits he was shocked when Lee turned up on campus at 7am till 9am every day for practice in Nebraska's chilly autumn mornings. Coleman says, ''When he showed up I didn't know what to think. He really had the greatest attitude about work, trying to make it happen. ''He's actually got really good time and a really good feel for what's going on.'' The untitled show will be broadcast in July 2005.

FERDINAND THRILL CHILDREN AT UNDERAGE SHOW - Scottish rockers FRANZ FERDINAND were thrilled with the success of their concert exclusively for underage fans - because it gave kids the chance to see them live. The band performed a matinee show for under eighteen-year-olds at Glasgow Barrowlands on Saturday (16OCT04) and were blown away by the response of the packed crowd of children, many as young as nine. Frontman ALEX KAPRANOS says, ''I thought, if we could do something like that it must make a big impact on someone's life. Kids don't really get to go to shows. You keep hearing that people are into the band but are only like eight years old.''

BUSH JEOPARDIZES AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTE - US President GEORGE W BUSH has infuriated African-American voters by refusing to appear on BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION (BET), unlike his Democrat rival JOHN KERRY. Bush may have lost the support of black voters to Presidential hopeful Kerry, who appeared on the cable network earlier this month (07OCT04), by snubbing a grilling by host ED GORDON, which would have reached more than 10 million black households. BET founder BOB JOHNSON complains, ''I'm disappointed, obviously. We invited both of them to speak with us before the election. John Kerry was quick to say, 'Absolutely, yes.' The White House thus far has said, 'No, we won't talk to you.' ''The Republicans are saying they're trying to reach out to African-American voters around the country. So why wouldn't he take advantage of that? ''If the President sat down with us for 30 minutes, he could make sure African- Americans know about his NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND program, his views on same-sex marriage, his commitment to jobs and talk about all the other issues he pays lip service to.'' Johnson is appealing to the President's prominent black appointees, Secretary of State COLIN POWELL, National Security Adviser CONDOLEEZZA RICE and Secretary of Education ROD PAIGE to persuade Bush to reverse the decision.

ROBERTS PLANS BREAK AFTER CHILDBIRTH - JULIA ROBERTS will take a five-year break from acting after giving birth to twins next year (05), according to her personal trainer. The actress finally conceived her ''miracle children'' with husband DANNY MODER after repeated attempts at IVF treatment - and she's determined to make the most of the twins' early years, rather than worry about regaining her shape. Her longtime friend and personal trainer KATHY KAEHLER reveals, ''Julia couldn't care less about getting her movie-star body back once those babes are born - she says she's taking at least five years off from movie-making to raise her twins. ''Julia says her body will return to where it was naturally over in time, instead of rushing it with crazy diets. She thinks it sends the wrong message and says, if her career is kaput because she took time off to raise her kids, then it's a lousy indictment of the industry. ''She waited so long to be a mother and fought so hard to be one that she wants to devote all her time to her babies.''

Although it is certainly true that many excellent and commercially successful films have been made that had protagonists that were not likeable and were merely fascinating to watch... SCARFACE, GODFATHER, etc., in general the more common formula is to have a protagonist who is somebody that viewers can relate to and cheer on.

Creating protagonists like this will give your screenplay something easily recognized as a marketable element.

Having recently read some screenplays that were based on really strong ideas with great plotlines, unfortunately, the protagonist that was created was given repugnant traits or behaved in ways that were not consistent with how the character was initially depicted.

If your protagonist is a cool action hero, don't make a scene where he breaks into tears when he fears the loss of his romantic interest. "The writer," I assume - felt that this would really add some dramatic punch. And he would be correct, if this was a heartfelt drama. But, this was a wild action film, and your hero cracks jokes while in life threatening situations as he battles overwhelming odds to save the girl and win the day. So, making him start crying when he thinks he's going to lose the girl is not consistent with his character and will turn off viewers, or more importantly to you at this stage of the game, readers. Whatever genre you're writing make sure your character remains true to that format.

Secondly, don't give your character repulsive traits because it makes him seem human. A strong willed protagonist shouldn't have a bowel control problem or be really weird in some other way. MONK on USA is a great television show and the protagonist is quite flawed, but that is the hook of the show... a very disturbed genius that solves crimes who's also really a great guy. If you have a feature with this kind of hook that can maybe work. But, don't throw these kinds of traits onto a character who is not supposed to be a disturbed weirdo.

If you are a new writer (novelist or screenwriter -one without a major theatrical release credit to his/her name) then, it's my opinion that you're better off playing the odds and writing films that are based on proven formulas.

Noted novelist and short story writer Joseph Foti is currently featured in ISSUE FOUR /AUTUMN 2004 of Fusing Horizons magazine for his short story "The Sweater."

Fusing Horizons is a London based literary magazine of dark fiction for imaginative readers, which was recently nominated for the BRITISH FANTASY AWARD - BEST SMALL-PRESS!)

Foti's writing deals with contemporary issues and runs the gamut genre-wise from literary to romance, horror to fantasy. (Often invoking elements of all four). His critically acclaimed novel, The Carrot and the Mule (published by PublishAmerica) has also received rave reviews from NYC to India.

Isis -Action, Adventure, Family
A young girl finds the bracelet of the ancient god Isis and inherits her powers; she also awakens a dark force. [Pitch]
Studio: Paramount
Production Company: Grammnet Productions, Energy Producers: Kelsey Grammer, Joanne Asquith Weiss, Brooklyn Weaver
Writer: Ali Russell, Darren Davis
Agency: Energy, Alter Ego Entertainment
Representatives: Brooklyn Weaver, Daniel Alter
Price: Low- against mid-six figures
Comments: 21-year-old Ali Russell sold this pitch based upon the comic book by Darren Davis. She recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting and was scouted by Brooklyn Weaver out of the UCLA writing program.

Heckled -Comedy
A heckler gets an NBA superstar suspended, then finds his own life in chaos when the roles are reversed and the heckler becomes the heckled. [Script]
Studio: New Line
Executives: Mark Kaufman, Matt Moore, Luke Ryan
Production Company: Karz Entertainment
Producers: Mike Karz, Russell Hollander
Writer: Jeremy Haft, Ed Gonzalez
Agency: Summit Agency, Nine Yards Entertainment
Representatives: Sandy Weinberg, Matt Luber
Comments: Vince Vaughn could star. Debut screenwriter

IDT LAUNCHES NEW ARC FOR GENRE FLICKS. - IDT Ent. announced the launch of New Arc Ent., a film production company producing live- action feature films and animated movies in the supernatural/thriller/action genre. New Arc is committed to producing multiple live-action features, several animated films and one animated series within its first 15 months of operation. John W. Hyde, coo of IDT Ent., will manage the new company.

Principal photography on THE FALLEN ONES, New Arc's first feature, was completed in September 2004. The film, starring Casper Van Dien, Robert Wagner, Tom Bosley and Kristin Miller, and directed by Kevin Van Hook, is a supernatural thriller. New Arc's next film, ALL SOULS DAY: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, starring Laura Elena Harring and Danny Trejo and directed by Jeremy Kasten, (THE ATTIC EXPEDITIONS), began principal photography in October 2004. The film was produced by Mindfire Ent. through their CFQ Films division and was written by Mark Altman and produced by Mark Gottwald and Altman, also publishers of CFQ (formerly CINEFANTASTIQUE) and FEMME FATALES magazines. Additional New Arc projects in pre-production include several feature films with producer Stephen J. Cannell (SILK STALKINGS, 21 JUMP STREET).

October 16, 2004

Bombs and house sprays pose a threat to the human inhabitants. When used properly they are considered safe and effective, but these products are toxic and should be used only as a last resort. To help Mother Nature naturally, without toxic poisons, use organic homemade controls.

Are bugs - Man's new Best Friend? Well many a bug lover would argue this point. And yes, there are limits to everything - having a spider problem myself (Brown Recluse). I cornered one; it reminded me of that movie Arachnophobia. I moved one way, it moved the other... it was a cat n' mouse game. This thing actually seemed to have a brain!

Dr. Bader helps you identify the problem in your home or garden then provides a number of solutions that can easily be put to use against beetles, Mites, Rove beetles, Earwigs, Wheel bugs, Spiders, etc. It practically covers every bug imaginable! Not only does the book point out what attract these pesky bugs, but also natural repellants.

Using humorous illustrations Club the Bugs and Scare the Critters focuses on pesticides and the hazards to human and animal life, as well as the environment is life threatening.

Overall, this book is well worth the investment. Try one or a number of these simple organic recipes to rid your turf of nasty pests. Hopefully, you will have good results and not to mention a healthy, safe, and successful home or garden.

Reviewed by Betsie

The film sponsor, Count Cagliostro, pays for Graham's expenses for travel to location. The Count has the namesake of a 17th century con man who was infamous for dabbling in the occult, as well as swindling large sums from unsuspecting victims.

Upon arrival to the set, not only does Graham find his leading lady irresistible, but Deidre Carson is also more than capable of matching Graham in battle of the sexes. Throughout the filming of the play, a number of strange occurrences cause Graham to do some investigative inquiry about the films' sponsor.

Meanwhile, Count Cagliostro is performing his magical tricks and mind-manipulating tactics for his own purpose, which appear to be something other than the production of the play. The Count's practices put Graham and Deidre in a life or death situation in which the outcome is totally dependant on Grahams choice of action.

David M. Dibble's fictional romance details a love story within a love story. The play itself is nicely written. However, I found the character of Count Cagliostro contradictory in actions as to the legendary description of a charlatan. What did the Count gain from all of this? Why did he bother? If this story's intent is to baffle the mind, mission accomplished. I found myself, as puzzled as it's main characters.

Having read the author's last work 'Typhoon Rising' which was an exceptional read, I felt let down. Enchanter could have used a bit more developing in the two main characters.

Reviewed by Juanita Reynolds

I don't want to believe that our time on earth will come to an end soon. Oftentimes I try to keep those thought out of my head - unsuccessfully. This book gave meaning to those thoughts but now I await the signs of the "end time." Weinland has stated that we were given 6,000 years of self-rule and God's kingdom will replace the "kingdom of man." He also stated that to date, only one being has entered heaven, and that being is Christ. Weinland also mentioned that there will be an imminent power shift from the nation that is perceived as the most powerful. Now, keep in mind, these items were developed within the first few pages and then developed - in laymen's terms - throughout the book.

Many people will be skeptical and refuse to believe that these events will occur. Weinland has prefaced his words with the basis for his findings (the bible) and the religious standpoint that he views these events from. In the end, the decision is yours and you must try to do what must be done to prepare for these events that have been prophesied, Weinland is offering advice and a course to follow.

I respect the author's religious views and applaud him for placing his name and reputation on the line to bring these difficult facts to our attention. If we can unify as a planet and try to get within the good grace of God, by whatever name he takes in our hearts, maybe there's a chance. I'd like to believe this but in the meantime we will have to watch and hope. As I look at the world today and the course that it's taking, I pray that there is a resolution and a brotherhood of all humanity. If you say the Lord's Prayer, say the words slowly and digest each and every word, especially the following:

"The Prophesied End-time" has opened a hidden door in my soul and as I step inside, I am beginning to grasp at what will become of the world if we continue this course. As every book should, it will mean something different for each and every reader - this review is merely what I've taken from this book. You, on the other hand, may gain so much more by reading these pages as well.

Reviewed by Tyrone Vincent Banks

Dean Bishop assigns Vermeer the task of liaison between Harvard and the MacInnes who are demanding answers. The lead investigator in the case is Captain Barbara Brouillard, nicknamed by the department as 'Ms. Biz', also known for making up her own rules. She takes a liking to Vermeer, but isn't sure if he's an asset or an impediment to her investigation.

Desperate to clear himself and discover the truth, Wim begins his own investigation into the case.

Corpses begin to pile up, when Libby, the MacInnes' daughter, is found murdered. Both rumors, as well as computer evidence begin to point towards Wim Vermeer. It doesn't take long for Vermeer to realize he's been setup for a devious cover-up. With secrets unraveling, and higher members of the faculty being held responsible, the atmosphere in the halls of the Harvard Business School quickly tense.

Jeffrey Cruikshank's descriptive settings of Boston, Cambridge and the Harvard Campus, New York and Puerto Rico help create an interesting debut novel, although the story is somewhat slow to start. However, there are enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing.

Reviewed by Betsie

Missing Pieces: A Woman's Search For Her Birth Family by Sherry Cochran
Publisher: KiwE Publishing,Ltd. (April 2004)
ISBN: 1931195099
Paperback; 175pp
$16.50

Rating: Recommended

October 21, 2004

11 year old Cheryl is in a world virtually alone.Taken away from her loving family after they fell on hard times was shuffled through the foster care system to abusive adults who were suppose to protect and nurture her. This caused Cheryl to grow up feeling broken, misunderstood, and distrustful of adults.

In later years of Cheryl life she is driven to chemical dependency and depression and attempted suicide.

It is with the help of FINALLY being with positive foster parents Sarah and Don,she begins to see her own self worth and what she can do to turn her life around.

Going through counseling and meeting others like herself,she understands she must relive those painful memories and put the pieces of the bad dream (her- life) together.

She begins to search for her birth family and to search for her self as well. She finds strength and courage she didn't know she possessed.

This story makes you want to collect all the broken children in the world and provide a save heaven.

The author Sherry Cochran grew up through the foster system with abusive and neglectful parents and faced these same feelings of lovelessness and loneliness with a hidden and unknown hearing disability.

Sherry allows you to step into the shoes of a young and trustful child and experience the heartache, disappointments,and abuse. It is only when you return to your safe everyday existence you become horrified and shocked of what some people are capable of doing to a child, some may even be your next door neighbor, teacher, or even a family member.

Sherry Has provided a list of agencies in this book to help children report abuse and neglect, runaways, and search organizations to help with finding their birth parents.

I hope all the foster care parents read this book so they can understand and pickup the messages these lost and lonely souls are sending out. They must intercede and help them get on the right track.

Reviewed by Demetria Harris

Article Announce - An egroup writer and publisher exchange created to give writers a chance to get published and help publishers locate content they want.

FICTION on the WEB - Site devoted to quality original short stories and poems invites writers to submit any short stories or drabbles for publication online (submissions of poetry will not be accepted).

K illing The Buddha - Accepts reportage, essays, fiction, and criticism submissions.

Sp eak - Speak accepts unsolicited manuscripts, fiction and nonfiction. Please include writing samples with any pitches.

Stories on the Web - This new site encourages you to submit short stories, plays and poems for possible publication.

Cherr y Bleeds - Publishes stories and articles. It's best to keep stories under 2500 words. Stories up to 5000 words are sometimes published though. No poetry.

Remember: Celebrity endorsements are a good way to boost book sales or any product for that matter, so don't be shy about sending out those requests!

Calvin Trillin (best-selling author of "Remembering Denny")
c/o New York Magazine
Ed. Dept. 4 Time Square
New York, NY. 10036

Dick van Dyke
23215 Mariposa DeOro
Malibu, CA 90265

The Dukes of Hazzard (Action/Comedy)
Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Pictures Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Jessica Simpson.

Never Let Go (Adventure/Drama)
P2M Productions
32 Reilly Road
La Grangeville, NY 12540-6121
Cast: Francis Dumaurier, Jacque Esteves, Oksana Orlenko, Karen Nazarov, Marina Freeman, Ernest Trosman, Nina Ester, Nikita Ester, Nick Ruscha.

The Son (Drama)
Figment Films
2-4 Noel Street
London
England
W1V 3RB
Cast: Brooke Mason, Claude Laniado, Malinda Bennit, Isle Burns, Trea Magnusson, Vernon Lombard, Caroline Berkton-Barre.

Date School (Romantic comedy)
DreamWorks Pictures/Red Hour Films/Firm Films/Flower Films
100 Universal Plaza, Building 477
Universal City, CA 91608
Cast: Owen Wilson
Producers: Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld, Beau Flynn, Nancy Juvonen

Remember pitching your story idea to any one of these magazines will bring your book or product to the attention of thousands!

Police Magazine
21061 South Western Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
Email: police@bobit.com
Phone: 310-533-2400
Fax: 310-533-2504
Frequency: 1 x month
Circulation: 52,000
Editorial Profile: Magazine contains law enforcement features, including book reviews, and articles on new products.

Campus Life
465 Gundersen Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188-2415
Email: clmag@campuslife.net
Phone: 630-260-6200
Fax: 630-260-0114
Frequency: 9 x year
Circulation: 100,000
Editorial Profile: Publication is geared toward Christian high school students; focuses on teenage lifestyles and problems from a Christian perspective.

Comedy Scene Magazine
1249 Washington Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48226
Email: info@comedyscenemagazine.com
Phone: 313-961-7955
Fax: 313-961-7956
Frequency: 1 x month
Circulation: 100,000
Editorial Profile: Publication is dedicated to the preservation of the art of comedy; contains interviews, reviews, jokes, and industry information.

Arts and Leisure Times
2446 East 65th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11234-6718
Email: aieditor@yahoo.com
Phone: 718-763-7034
Fax: 718-763-7035
Frequency: 1 x week
Circulation: 248,000
Editorial Profile: Publication provides coverage of leisure time activities; includes dining, travel, movies, theater, books, sports, and consumer electronics.

Romantic Times
55 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-6336
Email: rtmagl@romantictimes.com
Phone: 718-237-1097
Fax: 718-624-4231
Frequency: 1 x month
Circulation: 150,000
Editorial Profile: Publication provides the reader of romantic fiction with reviews, author profiles, how-to books, and information about writers' conventions.

Landing a feature in any one of these magazines could also add up in sales - so don't procrastinate - get cracking and call, write, or morse code your news today!

Smaller papers are more apt to getting the news out about your book or product in front of readers, so don't leave them out!

Amery Free Press
215 South Keller Avenue
Amery, WI 54001-1275
Phone: 715-268-8101
Fax: 715-268-5300
Daily Circulation: 5,000
Frequency: 1 x week

Banner Journal
409 East Main Street
Black River Falls, WI 54615-1460
Phone: 715-284-4304
Fax: 715-284-4634
Daily Circulation: 4,600
Frequency: 1 x week

Campbellsport News
101 North Fond du Lac
Campbellsport, WI 53010-0138
Phone: 920-533-8338
Fax: 920-533-5579
Daily Circulation: 2,300
Frequency: 1 x week

Daily Jefferson County Union
28 West Milwaukee Avenue
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-2018
Email: djcunion@jefnet.com
Phone: 920-563-5553
Fax: 920-563-2329
Daily Circulation: 8,600
Frequency: 5 x week

Elm Grove Elm Leaves
15770 West Cleveland Avenue
New Berlin, WI 53151-3646
Phone: 262-938-5000
Fax: 262-938-5001
Daily Circulation: 1,596
Frequency: 1 x week

Fennimore Times
1150 Lincoln Avenue
Fennimore, WI 53809-0177
Phone: 608-822-3912
Fax: 608-822-3916
Daily Circulation: 1,800

Germantown Banner-Press
15770 West Cleveland Avenue
New Berlin, WI 53151-3646
Phone: 262-938-5000
Fax: 262-938-5001
Daily Circulation: 2,310
Frequency: 1 x week

Holmen Courier
N553 Highway 35
Onalaska, WI 54650
Email: holmennews@aol.com
Phone: 608-781-6700
Fax: 608-781-0905
Daily Circulation: 1,125
Frequency: 1 x week

Independent-Register
922 West Exchange Street
Brodhead, WI 53520-1469
Email: paper@indreg.com
Phone: 608-897-2193
Fax: 608-897-4137
Daily Circulation: 2,230
Frequency: 1 x week

Juneau County Star-Times
115 Oak Street
Mauston, WI 53948-1729
Phone: 608-847-6224
Fax: 608-847-5457
Daily Circulation: 3,100
Frequency: 2 x week

Kiel Tri-County Record
705 7th Street
Kiel, WI 53042-1013
Email: brecord@deltapublications.com
Phone: 920-894-2828
Fax: 920-894-2161
Daily Circulation: 3,000
Frequency: 1 x week

With thousands of listeners (to & from work or even at work) it's hard to leave out radio stations and their talk programs!

KAND-AM
1504 North Beaton
Corsicana, TX 75151-2298
Phone: 903-874-7421
Fax: 903-874-0789

KBLA-AM
123 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-628-8700
Fax: 213-628-1216

WBBM-AM
630 North McClurg Court
Chicago, IL 60611-4495
Email: winterj@wbbm-am.com
Phone: 312-944-6000
Fax: 312-951-3674
For news call toll free 1-800-78-4NEWS (1-800-784- 6397

WAEB-AM
1541 Alta Drive
Whitehall, PA 18052-5632
Phone: 610-434-1742
Fax: 610-434-6288

KABL-AM
340 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-1633
Email: 960kabl@960kabl.com
Phone: 415-977-0960
Fax: 415-395-9886

WAEC-AM
1465 Northside Drive
Atlanta, GA 30318-4212
Phone: 404-355-8600
Fax: 404-355-4156

WAXY-AM
20450 Northwest 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33169-2505
Email: jmonti@waxy.com
Phone: 305-521-5183
Fax: 305-652-5385

WCEI-AM
306 Port Street
Easton, MD 21601-4101
Please send all programming related emails to: matt@wceiradio.com
Phone: 410-822-3301
Fax: 410-822-0576

Always query first! DO NOT send materials until requested.

Linda Chester and Associates
630 Fifth Ave., Suite 2036
New York, NY 10011

West Coast:
2342 Shattuck Avenue, #506
Berkeley, CA 94704

Contact:
Linda Chester
lchester@lindachester.com

Wm. Clark Associates
325 W. 13th Street
New York, NY 10014
wmclark@wmclark.com

Lowenstein-Yost Associates
121 W. 27th Street, Suite 601
New York, NY 10001

West Coast:
1411 Gilman, Berkeley, CA 94706
(510) 306-6415
Dorian Karchmar
Dorian@Bookhaven.com
Go here for Email submissions

Laura Dail Literary Agency, Inc.
250 West 57th Street, Suite 1314
New York, NY 10107

Laura Dail
ldail@ldlainc.com

Talia Rosenblatt Cohen
trcohen@ldlainc.com

Wofford-Girand Literary Agency
80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1101
New York, New York 10011
Sally Wofford-Girand
woffordgirand@brickhouselit.com

Cynthia Cannell Literary Agency
833 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 396-9595
cynthiacannell@aol.com

Then make sure you post this information on your website under "available at the following locatiions."

Moravian Book Shop
428 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Tel: 1-888-661-2888
Fax: 610-868-8330
info@moravianbookshop.com

Friar Tuck Bookshop
225 Columbia Mall Dr
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Tel (570) 387-8884
Fax (570) 387-6860
info@friartuckbookshop.com

Whistlestop Bookshop
129 West High St
Carlisle, PA 17013-2925
(717) 243-4744
whistlestopbookshop@juno.com

Tudor Book Shop and Café
100 Old Lackawanna Trail
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
717-586-9596

Lebanon Valley College Bookstore
Route 934 and Sheridan Avenue
Annville, PA 17003
Phone: 717-867-6313
Fax: 717-867-6017
bookstore@lvc.edu

Book N' Card Mall
209 Southgate Mall
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-264-3320

Reader's Café
125 Broadway
Hanover, PA 17331
717-630-2524
readerscafe@netrax.net

Layser's Family Bookstore
Briarcrest Square
Hershey, PA 17033
717-533-7162

Salt Shaker Book & Gift Shoppe
1043 Main Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
717-253-5251

Tarman Books
28 West Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
717-566-9843

Windsor Park Book & News
Windsor Park Shopping Center
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
717-795-8262

That Bookstore in Danville
316 Mill St
Danville, PA 17821-2058
Phone: (570) 275-6888
tbidbook@aol.com

Chester County Book Co.
975 Paoli Pike
West Goshen Center
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-1661 (phone)
610-429-9006 (fax)
servicedesk@ccbmc.com

Doylestown Bookshop
16 S. Main St
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215) 230-7610
doylestownbooks@aol.com

Erie Book Store
137 E. 13th St
Erie, PA 16503
814-480-5671
Fax: 814-480-5675
eriebook@velocity.net

The Bookstore
50 Bedford Sq
Everett, PA 15537
814-623-2000

Haverford College Bookstore
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford, PA 19041
610-896-1177
Fax: 610-896-1338
jsummerf@haverford.edu

Jerry Stigliano's BookSource
2880 E. State St
Hermitage, PA 16148
724-981-0777

Farley's Bookshop
44 S. Main St
New Hope, PA 18938
215-862-2452
Fax: 215-862-5568
farleysbookshop@netscape.net

Giovanni's Room
345 S. 12th St
Philadelphia, PA
Specialties:
Gay & Lesbian Books
215/923-2960

Yoder's Gospel Bookstore
10 Whitehall St
Belleville, PA 17004
(717) 483-6697

Family Christian Book Store
120 Byron Ave
Altoona, PA 16602
(814) 943-0531
info@fcsdirect.familychristian.com

Crossroads Gospel Bookstore
100 E Allegheny St
Martinsburg, PA 16662
(814) 793-3575

Heavenly Scent
27 Salem Avenue
Carbondale, PA 18407
717-282-4265

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Have you ever wondered why the same people/companies seem to attract all of the media coverage? No matter where you turn - newspapers, trade magazines, even lifestyle publications - it seems that some businesses are just natural media darlings. Do they know some secret that the rest of us don't?

The answer is not all that mysterious. "Those that get all the buzz usually have a good marriage of solid or innovative product or service with good promotional ideas.

Buzz needs an igniter--a circumstance, a surprise, a shortage, an inside scoop, a juicy tidbit, the right timing, a giveaway, even some ambiguity.

The first place to start creating your Buzz is through the massive power of the media. A simple news release picked up by a larger media show can inform a sizable audience--second to none.

If your buzz is truly buzz, you can bet other media organizations will jump on your buzz. Have you ever watched EXTRA, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, E!, or one of the other "industry gossip shows". Chances are if you've watched one, you'll see the same stories covered over and over again. Why? These media organizations are quick to jump on the latest and greatest stories of the hour.

Where do they get their gossip, and why is the same story seen on so many different shows? Press Releases commonly known as News Releases!

That's right! The buzz starts to flow when just one media organization runs your story. You can be sure each of these media outlets is certainly watching over the other. If one picks up your story, chances are others will follow. It's this repetitive story telling through a number of media outlets that will initially create your Buzz.

Other Buzz factors

Celebrity Buzz

When celebrities appear in a company's product advertisements, it can create a very loud buzz. Art Siegel, publisher of Florida-based SalesDoctors magazine, says this happens for two reasons: "We are unconsciously drawn to the familiar. So, right off the bat, the presence of a celebrity gives many customers an extra reason to stop and pay attention to the ad. Second is the widespread belief that a celebrity appearance in an ad represents a true endorsement - that the celebrity uses the product and believes it to be better than its competitors." Siegel adds that celebrity endorsements can carry the same weight for customers as a recommendation from a friend.

Giveaways

There's another commonsense principle at work here. If you give stuff away as fast as you can, you whip up interest, which is the down payment buzz requires. It always surprises me how businesspeople devote so much time to building barriers to entry when they'd be so much smarter to let it rip! When a Pittsburgh woman was crowned Miss Pennsylvania this year, Little Earth a small recycling company sent her a fleet of their "Cyclone" purses, shoulder bags made from old license plates. Miss Pennsylvania kept the one made from Pennsylvania plates, and she gave those made from other states' plates to her sister contestants in the Miss USA pageant. Little Earth was betting on those Cyclones to see plenty of shutter action in the media frenzy that preceded the March pageant.

Creating Demand

Ty (makers of the infamous Beanie Baby toys) has an ingenious custom of "retiring" a number of its plushy critters every year. As any collector will tell you, the rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes. Super-hard-to-find retirees can fetch more than $1,000 each; few things can get Beanie devotees off their butts faster than, say, the breaking news that Bumble the Bee is about to buzz off (and it did, in 1996). The company keeps such a snug lid on which special Beanie is about to be yanked that grown-up fanciers have built their own complexly structured networks aimed at tapping into early Beanie Baby buzz. Ty's own Web site averages more than 20,000 hits every day. That's smart marketing--is it ever!-- but it's also basic psychology. People go nutso for what they cannot have: Brownies. Butter. Beanie Babies

Controversy

Certain controversial situations are a kiln for buzz: agitated debates (abortion, flag burning, medical marijuana); touchy subjects (adultery, ethics). The collision of strongly held points of view is talk radio's stock in trade.

The main thing to understand is that buzz is always going somewhere. If you try to stop it, buzz grows stronger. You can launch it from nothing, by giving stuff away and by using a spokesperson to seed conversational clouds. If your ear is good enough, you can pick up on the prevailing buzz and build on it. When it moves on--and it will--something new takes its place: a hot movie, a favorite food, a new buzzword. Sometimes big-time buzz even comes roaring back again, after a couple of dormant decades: miniskirts, fondue, that hideous lime-green color that just screams '70s, Saturday Night Live (when it was funny), minimalism.

One thing I can say with total confidence is that buzz is way, way more fun than any other act of communication. It's rebellious and contagious. AND you're in for a heck of a ride.

They want products that they are fairly familiar with or products that don't carry an element of surprise upon receiving them. In other words, they have a pretty good idea of what it is they are getting.

For example: Amazon.com does very well because there's no more mystery to buying a book online than if they were in the bookstore purchasing the book. You can't feel or touch a book online but the Internet might even be better because it offers reviews and ratings that you may not get in a bookstore. Also, shipping is generally fast and easy. This concept also holds true for music, videos and CD's. They all sell very well online.

Whatever your website offers, it's a given that it needs not only to attract visitors but also to convert those visitors to customers. In most cases, the more professional your website looks, the better it will perform for you. (Use the theme of your book to dress up the web!)

Anyone can experience healthy sales for any product sold online by following some of the guidelines that make sales a success.

Ease of shopping.

• You have to make it easy for the online shopper.
• Your site has to be set up so that the shopping experience and checkout aren't frustrating.
• If you've ever bought anything over the Internet think about what it is you liked or didn't like about the experience.

Certainly don't offer what you didn't like and make what you did like even better.

Clear information and quality pictures or photos.

• Always provide as much information about your products as possible and always post a clear picture or photo.
• If the photo isn't of good quality then your viewer won't consider you a quality site.
• Offer excerpts

The object is to get them as close to touching, feeling or even smelling the product as much as possible.

Fast or Free delivery.

• Provide shipping information to your viewers somewhere on your site.
• Don't force them to place the order to find out how much shipping is.
• Be upfront about the costs.
• If you offer free shipping, post that as an advantage on your front page.

Recent reports show that free delivery is the third most important factor in attracting repeat customers. The first two were online security and price.

Always include an 'About' page.

• Your about page should have your business name, address and a phone number.
• What sometimes tips the scales in your favor is the ability for people to find out who you are and where you are.
• They need to feel they are dealing with someone honest and genuine.
• They want to know that they can contact you if necessary.

Provide security shopping.

• Use secure servers for ordering and post your security measures plainly.

If possible... Offer competitive pricing.

• Do your research and offer pricing that will appeal to your buyers.
• If your price is higher than your competitors, explain why and what features or quality measures justify your price.

Attracting buyers

Sometimes books sold at a cheaper price are used as a bait to attract buyers who might also buy more expensive books. Personally, I have no problem with this, as long as it makes the book affordable to more people. Although I would post this information on my own site... listing the links as: buy new, or discounted price.

What it boils down to is total honesty! Give your potential and future followers the options if available... hey a sale is a sale is a sale!!!

Marika Flatt spent seven years with Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists as the lead publicist. She has launched her own firm called PR by the Book. PR by the Book offers: full scale media campaign, ala carte publicity services such as media training, specific city promotion, press material development, and other training/ consultant services. Of most value to new writers, Flatt develops a complete marketing plan which writers can use in their promotion to agents and publishers.

** PR by the Book is offering "Betsie's Literary Page" readers a 15% discount until 11/18/04.

Contact:
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, Inc
2525 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 540
Austin, Texas 78757
512.478.2028
512.478.2117

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