Where you been????

Hey there!

I know that title is HORRIBLE grammar, but I’m sure that’s what some of you have been thinking since you haven’t seen a blog post in about two weeks or so….SO here I am!  Want to know what we’ve been up to? Here you go:

~We’ve been filming guests each week for the past few weeks, at two different locations, and learning as we go…you will see our show do nothing but IMPROVE as time goes on!

~Now, it’s just a matter of editing each show and getting it on the air!  Once we start airing some good stuff, I will put a schedule here on the blog of who you can tune in to see each week!  (Follow me on Twitter too for updates – my Twitter name is “coffeesiren”)

~Want to know who we’ve had on the show?? Below is a list of who you expect to see when we release the shows to the AOC:

• Author John La Fleur – with his cookbook and Louisiana stories…get your cookbook or book a room at his bed-n-breakfast at www.courtableauhouse.com (see the blog post about John in the “Stars of our Show” section)

• Mack Johnson – Pro-wrestler turned country singer…he’s headed to Nashville to become a big star, so find him and follow him on Twitter and Facebook!

• Hester John Louis – Gospel singer with a gorgeous voice and a long history in the business – Google her to find her latest CD!!

• LA Will – Will Stevens – local Louisiana rapper/Hip Hop artist with a remarkable story of transformation from the worst of drug addiction and all the wrong kind of friends to his faith in God giving him the chance to marry, have a beautiful family and go on to be a positive influence to steer young people away from street life.  Find him and his music at myspace.com/lordannointedwill, or on Facebook as “Will A. Stevens.”

• Mitch the Magician with his mentor – check him out and book him for your next fun event – www.mlrmagic.com

• Danny Dardeau of Surge Productions – paving the way to change the next generation through music and family events – check out his magazine and go to an event with your kids – www.surgefest.com

• Carl Comeaux of Drumbeat Ministries – One of our very own LA Heart Beats team members –  wonderful interview including a touching story of cancer survival – quite a man!  Also had the treat of hearing him strum a few of his original tunes on the guitar!  Contact him at (337)207-7114 to get involved with his ministry!

• Donnie Bolden, Jr. – Formerly of Sons of Thunder, this man has been singing his whole life, and can surely belt out a heavenly tune!  Check out his new CD, “It’s in the Praise,” and you can find him on myspace.com/donnieboldenjr or email him directly to book him for your event at annointed_by_god1@yahoo.com !!

Keep an eye out for the write-up on each guest here on the blog, which will appear the week their show is on the air.

Thanks for following us, and remember to let us know if you know anyone with an exceptional talent or a newsworthy business in Acadiana!  We need to keep our culture/business alive and thriving in the Cajun State. 🙂

We’re on the AOC!! Woohooo!!

How could I have forgotten….we have our slot on the Acadiana Open Channel to air our show!!!!  So, the parade of guests begins – we will be bringing you local ministries, authors, artists, musicians, and MORE to bring you the BEST of the BEST of our talented  and giving state!!!  AND, what’s even better is that not only can you see the show on cable TV on the AOC, but for those of you who have satellite TV (like me) we will also air our broadcasts and all the guests online, so you won’t miss out on a thing!!! See you soon! 🙂

Path to Publishing…

     Although we often hear more funny or sad stories about rejection letters in writer’s circles than what happens when the OTHER letter comes, we recently heard a tale of success!  Not only did Paul Records, Writers’ Guild of Acadiana member, just publish his first book, “Creature,” he took a little time out at our last meeting to share the steps it took for his work to go from first draft to the bookstore shelves.  Since I’m hoping to travel down the publishing path with my own children’s books someday, I found this VERY interesting.   With Paul’s permission, I wanted to briefly list what he told us for other aspiring authors to read too. 

Using Google to search for a publisher, he came across Tate Publishing and gave it a try.  After getting in touch with them, they said they would contact him in 7-9 weeks.  After agreeing to publish his book, the timeline went something like this (I’m certain I’m missing a few details, but you’ll get the picture):

1st month:  Publisher took text and did copy editing.

2nd month: After that came conceptual editing – they went through and highlighted parts or words in colors that corresponded to a specific change they wanted Paul to make, and he made the changes and sent it back.

Next, he was given a contract to sign and once he did, the manuscript was frozen – meaning no other changes could be made to the copy.

Choice of the cover design was to follow, and the publisher had 3 different illustrators each provide a sample of how they saw the cover – and Paul got to pick his favorite.  The back cover was then designed to coordinate with the front.

Usually when you open a book or take a look at the back cover, you will find the endorsements of those who have read the book and given a short review blurb with their reaction to the work – so, this was Paul’s next step.  He contacted a number of people he knew, asked them to read the book and give their endorsement.   

The pages of the book were then combed through to review all of the inside layout – which included the choice of paper color, the font of the story as well as the font for each chapter title, page heading, etc.

Since he made references to other things in his book, he had to go thru and site every single one so that he wouldn’t find himself accused of plagiarism.  He said this was probably the most time-consuming, but very necessary part of it all.

Royalties were part of the contract discussion of course, and differ based on whether is a distribution sale vs. a retail sale…but I won’t get into the specific numbers.  (You can ask Paul that at a book signing or something!)

Finally, Paul was assigned a marketing rep and the book is now available online at the publisher’s website up until the release date.  He does his own “social media” marketing through outlets like Facebook and Twitter, and the book is also available in the e-book version…very cool. 

One of Paul’s final tips so you don’t run out of ways to sell your work, is to keep folders/records of all the people you know so you have people to contact to help set-up book signings, etc.  I’m thinking it would also be a good idea to have the fans that come to your signings sign a book too with their contact info so that the next time you release a book or have an event, you can personally invite them.  Would be pretty neat-o to get an invite from my favorite author! 

To get your own copy of Paul’s book, go to www.tatepublishing.com and order your copy!  Thanks Paul!

Get Cookin’! Come to this workshop…

Author Chere Coen, of Cooking in Cajun Country, and Karl Breaux will be hosting a workshop called “Recipe for the Perfect Cookbook,”  from 6:30-8:30 P.M. this Wednesday, June 16th at the Acadiana Open Channel.  If you have ever wanted to write a cookbook professionally or just compile all your family recipes into a great gift to hand down to future generations – come check it out!!  Cost is $8 for Writers’ Guild members, and $10 for nonmembers; address is 704 Lee Ave. in Lafayette.

Art Walk – TONIGHT, June 12th!

Just a quick reminder – If you’ve got nothing to do this steamy evening, then take to the streets of downtown Lafayette and follow the sidewalk and signs to enjoy the monthly Art Walk.  Don’t forget – it’s the second Saturday of every month, and involves lots of artist, musicians, downtown businesses and restaurants!

LOOK – Author signing this week!!

As a reminder and update to an earlier post (see “Around Town” category and look for mommy book), Jodie Dardeau, author of “insert funny title here”, will be at Barnes and Noble on Johnston in Lafayette on June 10th (in 3 days!) from 6 PM – 8 PM  to sign copies of her book!  Even though Mother’s Day has already passed – don’t miss it to give all the stressed out mommies in your life a good laugh. 🙂

Euro Breads and the “Happy Haiti” Project

Publicist Linda Doucet, also of our own Louisiana Heart Beats team, told us that local provider of delicious dough-based yummies, Euro Breads & Pastries in Lafayette, is helping to promote the Happy Haiti Project on their website www.euro-breads.com.  If you click on the link, www.happyhaiti.org, you will see their mission:

 ““To teach the poor, low income, and unprivileged Haitians trades which they can teach others, then the others teach more; thus empowering Haitians to save Haiti!”  The Foundation is building a trade school campus, and providing free job training in high demand trades. Graduates will vow to teach others in their community the skills they have learned, and have their students vow to do the same; thus spreading the skills throughout the land and enabling Haitians to save Haiti.”

This is a cheerful, optimisitic site that even lets you take a peek at the blue print plans for the buildings and a map at of the land where they will be built.  Log on to see how YOU can help to put their plans fully into motion, and help a devastated country rebuild itself.

Need a gift for a mommy in your life? Great book…

Turns out that often times, funny and creative people marry other funny and creative people and the result is just a TON of good stuff.  In another post I mentioned Danny Dardeau of Surge Spotlight Magazine doing his part to make the community a better place – well now, his wife, Jodie Dardeau, (whom I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting) is doing her part to help mommies everywhere laugh and relax a little through her book “[insert funny title here] – Memoires of a Sassy, Frazzled, Over-stimulated Mommy.”  Since I just got married a few months ago and became an instant step-mommy to two wonderful-and-wild boys, I plan to put it on my summer reading list too! 🙂     

Not only can you purchase her book online through her website www.insertfunnytitlehere.com, but you can meet her in person and get your own signed copy to keep or share as a gift at Barnes & Noble on Johnston in Lafayette on June 10th!!!  (call the store for book signing times and to confirm at (337)989-4142)

Feel the Surge

If you haven’t already picked up a copy of the Surge Spotlight Magazine in your church or flipped through it online – then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 🙂  Check it out!  Danny Dardeau’s mission with producing the magazine is to reach all ages in a positive way by connecting the amazing things going on in local churches, ministries, and other organizations here in the Acadiana area. 

If you would like to share what’s going on at your church with the rest of Acadiana for FREE, contact Danny at (337)658-2713 or via his website, www.surgefest.com.  Pull it up regularly to find out what events are planned for the rest of the year – right now there are 3 concerts coming up – all supporting some really incredible people doing world-changing things! 🙂  Hope to see you there.

Give a bright and talented kid a chance…

Quick note – I saw an ad in the Times of Acadiana that I thought was definitely worth mentioning.  Glenn Armentor has started the Glenn Armentor $10,000 Pay It Forward Scholarship Program of Excellence, in order to give to those bright kids stuck in unfortunate situations the chance to go to college.  If you know a high school student with great potential, call the Scholarship Department at (337) 233-1471.  He plans to give 2 scholarships next year, 4 the year after that and then hopes to offer 8 each year!!  Wonderful way to do good.