(12/3 Update - Please check the links in the following post, I believe the give-away and launch has been extended at least through this week.)

I received the following from a friend, Kathie Thomas, please read the details about the launch and prizes being offered below, and mark your calendar! It’s fun for both author and readers to participate in a book launch and watch the rating rise on Amazon, especially for an author as special as Kathie.  Kathie lives in Australia, so offers info for those living there as well.

Here’s the info I received by email:

On Monday 1st December my new book “It Happened By Design” will be launching at Amazon.com. (24 hours only): From 12.00 am 1st December 2008 US EDT (4pm 1st December -3.59pm 2nd December AEST)

During that time period there will be over $700 worth of giveaways to anyone who purchases a copy of the book from Amazon and then visits http://ithappenedbydesign.com/amazon-campaign-entry.htm to fill in the format the bottom of that page (not active till 1st December) to receive their free giveaways.

This book would make a great Christmas gift for those who love to read stories of real-life happenings where something special has taken place. http://ithappenedbydesign.com will give you an outline of what the book is about and you can read the reviews at http://ithappenedbydesign.com/reviews/.

Remember, the launch takes place this coming Monday 1st December (24 hours only): From 12.00am 1st December 2008 USEDT (4pm 1st December - 3.59pm 2nd December AEST)

Regards,

Kathie

P.S. The book is available for order in Australia at the book website also.

Kathie M. Thomas, AFAIOP, MVA, ASO, Author, Speaker, VA Coach
Award-winning “A Clayton’s Secretary”R, est. Mar 1994
Ph: 613 9585 5780, Fax: 613 9585 3785
Web: www.vadirectory.net or www.kathiethomas.com
Blog: http://www.vadirectory.net/blog/
Join me on Facebook: http://www.kathiemthomas.com

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Next week we have a book launch, another book tour, and a review or two to look forward to, but today is a popular shopping day, so I have the opportunity to share with you a big black friday and beyond special for this very special holiday season.

This special is offered by Charter, and though the image here states that you receive a $250 gift card when you purchase the “Ultimate Bundle” (see more details below), you can also opt to get the services separately, which include High Speed Internet, Digital Home™, and the Charter telephone service, OR you can purchase as follows, and receive the gift certificate amounts indicated:

• Buy 1 Charter service $25
• Buy 2 Charter services $75
• Buy 3 Charter Services $150
• Buy Charter’s Ultimate Bundle and get the $250 gift card

And as if that isn’t enough, after you make your purchase, along with your gift card you are also automatically entered into a drawing to win 1 of 45 X-Box 360 Game consoles that are being offered this holiday season.

This is the best offer for purchase of internet, etc., services currently available.

Here’s what you receive with The Charter Communications Ultimate Bundle:

• High Speed Internet: 10 Mbps High Speed

• TV: Digital Home, Charter HD, Sports View, Digital View, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Encore, Showtime, and The Movie Channel

• Phone: Unlimited Calling

• $250 Gift card with purchase
• A chance to win an X-Box 360 game console.

If you would like more details X-Box on the Sweepstakes Rules, click here.

I would click here and look at all the features that are offered, and take into consideration the special holiday gift cards, and see for yourself what a great offer this is.

Over the weekend, a historic date slipped by, but not unnoticed, the anniversary of the first published issue of Life Magazine, at least the Life Magazine that most of us Baby Boomers, and pre-Boomers are familiar with.  I love coming across old Life Magazines when I attend historic book and paper auctions, and can imagine how many early photographers also loved the publication, because it was all about presenting news and entertainment in a photographic context.

Take a moment to imagine what it must have been like…we’re talking November of 1936, there were no televisions, and if you wanted to see news, you may have been able to view a brief newsreel before a feature presentation at the movies, but there was nothing like Life Magazine to bring visual images from around the world, and in the USA, into the living room.  Life was immensely popular, at it’s height, had a readership of 8+million readers.  At that time, the magazine gave you a visual of what you were hearing about on the radio.  So different than our present time, when we are on “information overload” if that is possible.

Google has recently started an archive of popular Life Magazine photographs categorized by year, a wonderful resource.

Here’s to LIFE!

In one of the discussion groups that I belong to the question was posed, “What book are you reading right now”, and though I do love books, and have a couple in process, I can honestly say that since the internet came into our home, I don’t devour books like I used to. There is so much that can be read online, including news of all kinds, eBooks and more, and I am being challenged to find a balance between internet/computer time and book time…because I have some books just waiting for me to dig into.

In the midst of this challenge, along comes another delightful distraction, Clearwire.  I was encouraged to stop by for a visit, and got distracted by the many features at the site…everything from the latest National and International news, and the Latest Celebrity News to current Live Sports News. I noticed in the upper right of the site that there was a radio that plays some of the latest music, and put that on, to catch up on what people that are younger than I are listening too. Okay, so maybe I’m not a big one for reading the latest celebrity gossip, and my husband may be more interested in the Sports news, but there was more. There was a photo section, video section, and games you could play at the site. So basically, you can read your news while you’re listening to music, then when you need a break from reading, play some games or look at some pictures or videos all at one site.

The site is attractive and a lot of fun, I’ll be back, but I really do have to balance my fun time on the web with my fun, and learning, time in a good book…the kind that you hold in your hand and page through

I was reading one of my favorite daily devotional readings that I receive by email today, and clicked on a link that lead to a site for Christian authors, and spent some time listening to the video presentation they offered.  I am not being compensated to post this, by the way, just sharing something that looks helpful and worth sharing.  The site is Xulon Press, they help you from start to finish with publication of your book.  If you prefer to skim down the list of their offerings on their site map, then you will want to visit this link.

I was visiting a website that provides a LOT of information about CEH Training and noticed that they are offering a free IT Certification Guide, and I love to share any free or reasonably priced books and ebooks that I find with you.

If you go to the site link, then click on the book image in the upper right of the page, you’ll be taken to a web page where you can fill out a form to receive your free guide.  The description above the sign-up form says “Sign up below to receive our IT Career Guide and Certification Roadmap free. Review your current skill level and evaluate your next steps…….. Review job titles and the corresponding certifications…go where you want to go with QuickCert!”

While you’re there, if you have an interest in IT training, they offer a good self-study program, I admit that my knowledge about IT is limited, but there is an abundance of information at the site for those of you that are interested.

It’s time for another blog tour, and what more appropriate theme for a “tour” than “Travel”. Today I’d like to introduce you to an eBook for those who have dreamed of publishing articles for magazines, or writing books, about travel.

In my typically over-active imagination, I’ve always thought, wow, travel writers are as lucky as can be because they can eat at the best places, stay at the best hotels, and visit all those historic or fun destinations that most of us just dream of visiting.  Then after a long day of having all kinds of fun, they can sit back in their lounge chair on the beach or beside a pool, or in their luxurious hotel room, pull out their laptop and whip up an article about their experiences.  Then when they are finished, put everything away, and go out for an evening of more fun-fun-fun!

My bubble was burst, well maybe not entirely burst….let’s just say it was a “reality check”… to read and review “Travel Writing as a Freelancer”, a 64 page eBook for those who are interested in writing about travel as a profession.  It still sounds like it would be great fun, and very interesting, but like most things, it does require some expertise and work.

The Author, Wendy VanHatten, provides point-by-point information on the does and and don’ts of writing about travel.  Along with MANY helpful points in her book, you will be guided through the step-by-step process of writing your first article, how to find places that might publish it, how to communicate with publishers, and so very much more.  You will want to have the publication close at hand as you work through the steps necessary. It’s actually written in the form of a course on writing, with assignments.

Here are the chapter titles for the book to give you just a tiny taste:

• What You Need
• Course Overview
• Class Outline and Assignments
•  Topic #1 - Specializing & Specifics
• Topic #2 - Bright Ideas
• Topic #2 - Selling Your Article
• Topic #4 - Building Blocks
• Topic #5 - Story Structure & Headlines
• Topic#6 - Writing Finesse
• Topic #7 - Travel Photography
• Topic #8 - Toning Up
• Topic #9 - Ethics & Etiquette to Nuts & Bolts
• Habits
• FAQ
• Back to the Beginning

Have those headings, and the idea of writing about travel and how to do it, got you curious?  Then please head over to Travels and Escapes for more information about this instructional eBook and how to purchase it…I believe you receive 3 free reports with the eBook.

To read other impressions and thoughts about this book, follow the tour…the next stop will be at “Blogging Roads” by Julie Roads either later today, or tomorrow, November 18th.

Here is something that may interest those of you who are authors, or have a book “inside” of you that is waiting to be written.  I received this information from an author friend who is listed in my Blogroll, Kathie Thomas. It sounds like a lot of fun for those of you who can afford it and fit it into your February schedule.

Next February, the Captains of Independent Publishing are rolling out   a Publishing at Sea Cruise. Judith Briles (The Book Shepherd), Brian Jud (Beyond the Bookstore), Eric Kampmann (Midpoint Trade), Dan Janal (PR Leads) and Katherine Carol (Coach) will help you create the book, the marketing strategy, the PR savvy and much, much more on this fabulous week at sea. The dates are February 15-21. The cruise line is Royal Caribbean.

Publishing Panache, Marketing Moxie, PR Power, Distribution Do-ability and Speaking Savvy will be your guaranteed take-aways and how-tos from this glorious week at Sea. All woven with visits and play in Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel plus two relaxing days cruising at sea. Bring your spouse, significant other or kids—make it a holiday for all.

After a strenuous day of tanning, swimming, touring and a workshop or two you can return to your room, kick off your sandals, pour a refreshing drink and put your feet up on your balcony railing as you watch the Caribbean float by you. Paradise? You bet. You can cruise the Caribbean, visit and play in top Mexican resorts and learn how to publish and market your books—for about $275 a day including meals, the seminar fee, your cabin, all the food you could possibly eat, all taxes and tips. Only Balcony and Oceanview cabins available on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas.

Only 50 cabins area available. The dates are February 15-21, 2009.

For information and details of the workshops, go to www.PublishingAtSea.com.  You can call Judith directly at 303-885-2207.  Reserve your spot NOW!