Authors are encouraged to have a blog, and what better subject for an author to write about than books.  Author Laura Marshall has a blog that features Christian fiction, called The Old Stone Wall.  On Higher Ground is featured there this week. http://theoldstonewall.blogspot.com/2014/03/on-higher-ground-press-release.html

If you're an author, this article will give you an idea of what a press release is like, as well as give you an idea for an author's blog.  When authors blog about books, they can trade press releases with other authors who blog about books.  A press release is a story that is already written, and can be republished at no charge.  It makes it easy for everyone.

Here is an article about how to write a press release about your book.

http://www.examiner.com/article/how-to-write-a-press-release-about-your-book#sthash.Vb9lrHNq.dpuf

The last five years of my mother's life, she was too feeble to get to a store.  She spent most of her time in a recliner, reading books, working puzzles and watching TV.  Her home was filled with books on a variety of subjects, and when she had reread all of those, she joined a mail order book club.

She appreciated it when I would bring a book to her and say "here, I enjoyed this one.  I think you'll like it, too."  She agreed with me most of the time, and when she didn't, it just gave us something to talk about besides how bad her knees hurt.

Writing book reviews is a continuation of that.  I enjoy giving self published authors a platform in which they can be seen in my newspaper column.  I like helping their rankings and sales, hoping that somehow, someone else will return the favor, and help my books get some exposure and ranking, too.

But the real reason I do it is my mother.  She's not the only one who can't get to a store.  Some people are too busy with their jobs.  Some people have disabilities.  Some people have small children.  I think of my reviews as a ministry to people who can't shop, helping them find a good book to make their life more enjoyable.

When my husband and I attended a retreat about our spiritual lives, we were told that everyone should have a ministry of some kind.  We don't all have to be preachers or missionaries to serve God.  All we need to do is perform some small act of kindness on a regular basis because it helps someone some how.

Perhaps writing book reviews can be your ministry as well.  Help authors like me.  Help people like my mother.  And then go to sleep with a smile on your face because you did your good deed for the day.

By now, you've figured out that I write two columns for The Examiner, a free online newspaper.  One column is about children's arts and crafts, with a focus on youth groups, after school care, teaching fine art, and beginning crafts.  The other column is about books, with a focus on sweet, mild, and clean romance, mystery and suspense, as well as news about children's picture books and books of interest to parents and teachers.

These articles stay in The Examiner's data base forever.  Finding the older stories can be tedious if you try to flip through their table of contents.  So, I've posted my articles on Pinterest, dividing them up into these categories:

Books Worth Reading--reviews of four and five star books.

After School Care--or any other type of recreational program

Art Lesson Plans--complete with Sunshine State Standards and assessment.

Crafts--all types of beginning projects, many of which use recycled materials.

Crochet

Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts--with suggestions of rank and requirements.

Education--tips for classroom teachers

Events in Pensacola--usually happenings at the Art Museum, or a fund raiser.

Holiday Crafts

Household Projects--stuff to do to your home.

My books--yes, I'm proud of them and I want you to read them (and leave a review)!

Parenting

Sewing

Wedding crafts--stuff I made for my children when they got married a few years ago.  You'll have to wait a few more years for my youngest child to get married.

Writing and Publishing--tips for authors.

I hope this will help you find my older stories.  Please follow my boards at

http://pinterest.com/phrbacek/