Second Annual On Assignment Think Pink for Breast Cancer Event

October has been set aside as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; it is also the birth month of my eldest son.

Last year I wanted to do something that would honor Debra Beed (his mother) and Gretha Dean Lewis (my aunt) who lost their battle with breast cancer. To that end I proposed to dodant $1.00 to breast cancer research for each person who left a comment on my review blog during the month of October. This year On Assignment Publishing is increasing its donation to $2.00 per comment left here and on the reveiw site.

Please help us help others by stopping by, leaving a comment and encouraging others to do the same. Comments are not limited to discussion of breast cancer for there will other discussions during the month. The goal is to amass numbers for donating to this necessary research.

Linda!

Breast Cancer

Women get breast cancer when cells in the breast don't grow right and a tumor forms. Getting a mammogram (x-ray of the breast) can help find the cancer early. This gives a woman more treatment options and makes it more likely she will survive the cancer.

African American women are more likely than all other women to die from breast cancer. Tumors are found at a later, more advanced, stage so there are fewer treatment options. Some reasons for this may include not being able to get health care or not following-up after getting abnormal test results. Other reasons may include distrust of the health care system, the belief that mammograms are not needed, or not having insurance.

We do not know how to prevent breast cancer. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk, such as keeping a healthy weight and limiting how much alcohol you drink.

There are things you can do to find breast cancer early:

Get a mammogram. It is the best way to find out if you have breast cancer. A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast. It can find breast cancer that is too small for you or your doctor to feel. All women starting at age 40 should get a mammogram every one to two years. Talk to your doctor about how often you need a mammogram. If your mother or sister had breast cancer, you may need to start getting mammograms earlier.

A breast self-exam and a clinical breast exam are not substitutes for mammograms.

Get a clinical breast exam. This is a breast exam done by your doctor or nurse. She or he will check your breasts and underarms for any lumps, nipple discharge, or other changes. The breast exam should be part of a routine check up.

Get to know your breasts. You may do monthly breast self-exams to check for any changes in your breasts. If you find a change, see your doctor right away.

Thank You Abrah-Cove Publishing

I want to begin this post by saying thank you to three fabulous ladies, Dionne Hill, Donna Patton and Martha Kimbrough. Their vision to be a platform of support for self and independent authors is the brainchild behind Abrah-Cove Publishing.

Last night I had the opportunity to be co-host of their inspiring radio program, Out-The-Box. The subject matter was ‘The Difference Between Self-publishing and Independent Publishing’. There were many great questions from callers. Unfortunately there was not enough time to adequately cover everything. To that end I promised to post a check list on this blog.

Below is a checklist of considerations for those considering independent publishing. The list is brief because the depth of what is needed cannot be confined to a one-time post. I therefore ask that any questions you have be directed to me at: onassignmentinc@yahoo.com

Those interested in attending the 2009 independent publishing telecourse (info forthcoming) may signup by leaving their name and contact email in the comments box or by email at the address above.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING

1. Create a business plan
a. Includes a marketing plan
b. Include cost accounting
1) How you will finance enterprise
2) How you can afford to remain in business

2. Consider costs and necessity of obtaining:
Copyright
ISBN
LCCN
Barcode (may be optional depending upon printer)
Editor
Graphic Artist or professional photographer for front and back copy
Typesetter
State and federal licenses
Logo for your company
Distributor contract
3. Cost of creating and promoting book
Book set up fees
Cost for proofs
Printing fees
Postage
Promotional items
Advertisement
Online Presence
Book Launch Party (optional)
Travel

This list of considerations may seem overwhelming. At times it can truly be, but as you take sure steps you will find that the reward is well worth the effort.

Be blessed – Linda!

WHAT'S IN YOUR HAND?

“Times are hard all over.”

As a child these were words I often overheard in conversations between my father and his friends. It would be years before I would fully comprehend the meaning of words that were sure to come up in during their weekly gathering at our home.

Born four years before the Depression, my father was well on his way to adulthood before the downward spiraling of the nation’s economy would begin to show signs of stabilizing.

The harsh realities of the time left few untouched. Yet, there were those who, rather than lament over what they didn’t have – made the best of what they did possess.

The seemingly endless stories shared by my father and his friends, at times were heart-wrenching for a little girl who knew not a lack of food, clothing and adequate shelter. Blessedly I can now say that their remembered stories were the seeds of survival that I grew into crops I would often harvest in my quest for maintaining my literary career.

Their resourcefulness reminded me of the following scripture: And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

Moses had excuse after excuse for why he could not return to Egypt to free the Hebrews as he was commanded. His responses were, “Who am I to go? The King of Egypt will not permit it. What if they don’t believe me? But I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue.”

As with Moses, we too have been called for such a time as this. You know God has spoken to you about your literary career, but economics has you questioning what to do.

Currently we are experiencing a national economic crisis synonymous with that of 1929. Gasoline is at an all-time high, homes are being foreclosed upon at an alarming rate, down-sizing and outsourcing has sent U.S. unemployment rates skyrocketing. With all that is dismal around us, we are compelled to continue to write. Our passion for the written word will not allow us to set aside the muse. Despite the passion that drives us to the keyboard, as writers we are not unscathed by the economics of this world.

Regardless of economics, we must still promote our works. But how do we do this in a time when traveling about the country literally requires the selling of your first-born?

Restrictive travel has crippled many an enterprise of late. Not many are not at apt to hop a flight as they once were. With ticket increases, fuel surcharges and baggage fees, most fares have literally doubled. Add that to the cost of a hotel, rental car and conference/expo fees and you get the picture.

To some, meager or lack of finances has you believing you will always reside in Egypt serving the whim of Pharaoh. But I ask you – what is in your hand? What is readily at your disposal if you only believe that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ?

Although the cost of moving about the country is almost prohibitive, there are ways to promote your works from the comfort of your home.

Today I want to talk about the option of Blog Talk Radio.

What is blog talk radio? The concept is the brainchild of Alan Levy who created an Internet social network that functions as a radio station. The growing phenomenon was launched in 2006 and has continued to grow. Statistics show that the enterprise has approximately 2 million monthly listeners.

Daily, entrepreneurs are launching their own programs in order to create an audio platform for their passion(s). The literary industry is just one of many capitalizing on the cost-effective way of reaching the masses with their message. For example, Harper Collins created Authors on Air for the purpose of featuring on-air interviews with their authors.

There are hosts out there who need you. Most programs are supported by listeners wanting to hear from and interact with personalities from a variety of walks. It is no longer just about the ‘Big’ name. Readers are hungry for new authors as well as those they have supported over the years.

If you haven’t considered Blog Talk Radio, now may be the time for you to weigh the option adding this cost-effective promotional tool to your repertoire.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE BLOG SHOWS:

The Rapturous Reader

The Abundant Solution HourBlack Author’s Network

Out the Box Radio

Heart to Heart Relationship Talk