Savvy Market Masters

In need of book marketing? How about branding yourself?

Savvy Market Masters, a new business endeavor by Lacresha Hayes, helps authors improve book visibility across the net and offline.

Lacresha, one of my long time friends and an all-around great businesswoman, began this business out of necessity when authors kept asking her for marketing assistance. In fact, at one point, she reports she was doing more to market the books of others than she was to market her own.

The aspects that set this company apart from others in the business is the genuine creativity used, new programs that no one else is doing right now, including the upgraded blog tours that boast higher ratings in Google searches. The fact that Lacresha is an author herself helps tremendously. The people at SMM are wonderful to work with and don't mind explaining their programs in detail and helping authors make informed decisions about their marketing dollars.

Becoming: My Personal Memoirs - Not Just Poetry

I like poetry from time to time, but it isn't something I purchase often. Sometimes, the poetic mind is hard for me to understand. I am confused by all the wordiness. But, after promising Lacresha Hayes I'd really read all of her poetry book over and over again, I had to make good on my word.

I was so impressed with how true-to-life these poems were. Each one told a story and painted a portrait of her more clearly than any mere writing could have done. Somehow in rhyme, she showed her strengths and vulnerabilities, her power and fears, her triumphs and her failures. Somehow, this book showed me a woman I'd been knowing but never fully knew. That is the beauty of poetry. It captures the soul.

I highly recommend you get a copy of Becoming: My Personal Memoirs because it isn't poetry. It's life. It's a true memoir. It is also a mirror that can more clearly reflect your soul. Please use the links in this post, or visit Amazon.

Lacresha Hayes on My Blog ~ Truth and Intimacy Tour

Today, I interview Lacresha Hayes about this great marriage book she and her husband wrote together. We will be giving away a $100 gift basket to one commenter who purchases the book. Without further ado...

Lacresha, tell us more about yourself.

- Hi Erica. I'm not sure what to say. I'm a wife and mother. I love being with my family. I'm also a business woman and an author. I love writing because it gives me the opportunity to share what I've learned.

What was your inspiration behind this newest book, Truth and Intimacy?

- We've ministered to so many couples concerning their marriages. We've ministered to pastors and other ministers to stay and make their marriage work. The advice we've given has worked for them all. We felt that a book would get that advice out to more of the world. The divorce rate shows that marriages need more consistent building. Couples need more tools to get through the difficult spots of marriage.

Give us one piece of marital advice from the perspective of a wife.

- The best piece of advice I have is that you must learn to be prayerful, slow to speak and quick to forgive. It's important that we don't make mountains into molehills because marriage is a permanent thing. If we make a fight out of everything we don't like, all we'll have one day is a relationship filled with pain and frustration. We must be quick to forgive. It's no different than how a mother must adapt to her crying baby. You can't keep a baby from crying. You have to give them time. Same with your spouse. You can't stop disagreements from happening, but you can have patience with the things you disagree about. It works out with time, prayer and understanding.

Why should readers purchase this book above all the others on the subject?

- Well, I'm partial. I haven't read a lot of books that deal with the harder issues on marriage with grace and understanding. We dealt with real issues and gave real, applicable advice.

Lacresha, give us some contact and purchasing information.

- You can contact me at preacha1975@yahoo.com and visit my websites:
http://lacreshatheauthor.weebly.com
http://truthandintimacy.blogspot.com
If you'd like to purchase the book, go to http://store.livingwaterspc.com

Thanks for interviewing me, Erica. You're the best!

A Chance to Win More Than 27 Books

After the recent storms in Arkansas, and the loss suffered by Lacresha Hayes and her church family, Joyce Anthony decided to collect books from various authors and sell chances to win it at $1 each, with all the funds going to Lacresha Hayes and her church family. Please see the list of books below and the link to send your money to for the opportunity to win these books:


1. It Had to Be Us by Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence http://www.bettyjotucker.com/

2. Susan Sarandon: A True Maverick by Betty Jo Tucker http://www.bettyjotucker.com/

3. Confessions of a Movie Addict by Betty Jo Tucker http://www.bettyjotucker.com/

4. Death By Candlelight by Billie A. Williams http://www.billiewilliams.com/

5. Knapsack Secrets by Billie A. Williams http://www.billiewilliams.com/

6. Storm by Joyce A. Anthony http://joyceanthony.tripod.com

7. Conduct Unbecoming by Nina M.Osier http://www.geocities.com/nina_osier/

8. Redemption by Judith Rochelle http://www.judithrochelle.com/

9. Shepherd’s Pie by J. D. Webb http://www.jdwebb.com/

10. Heal and Forgive: Forgiveness in the Face of Abuse by Nancy Richards www.healandforgive.net

11. Cherry Blossoms in Twilight: Memories of a Japanese Girl by Yaeko Sugama Weldon and Linda E. Austin http://www.moonbridgebooks.com/

12. I Romanced the Stone by Marvin D. Wilson http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/

13. Different Roads by Joyce Sterling Scarbrough http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1

14. True Blue Forever by Joyce Sterling Scarbrough http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1

15. Gentle Journey by Elaine Lyons Bach http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=39176

16. Angel’s Dance by Lynn C. Johnston http://www.lynncjohnston.com/

17. Bank Roll: A Max Stryker Mystery by Janet Elaine Smith http://www.janetelainesmith.com/

18. Dakota Printer by Janet Elaine Smith http://www.janetelainesmith.com/

19. The Rape of Innocence by Lacresha Hayes www.authorsden.com/visit/viewwork.asp?id=22774&AuthorID=73926, http://learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com

20. Becoming by Lacresha Hayes www.authorsden.com/visit/viewwork.asp?id=22774&AuthorID=73926, http://lacreshahayesfanclub.weebly.com

21. The Feeling Soul: A Roadmap to Healing and Living by Mark Linden O’Meara http://www.healingresources.org/

22. Crazy Thoughts of an Online Romance by Epstein LaRue http://www.epsteinlarue.com/

23. Arpetta Honor by Annette Snyder http://annettesnyder.atspace.com/

24. The Kahills of Willow Walk by S. K. Hamilton http://www.skhamilton.com/

25. Beyond Dancing by Anita Bloom Ornoff http://beyonddancing.tripod.com/

26. One Frog Sang by Shirley Parenteau http://www.shirleyparenteau.com/

27. Curley and Q and Me, Too Baby Album by Marcia Trimble illustrated by Kim Spanaugle http://www.clearblogs.com/kimsponaugle

One lucky winner will get a box that includes all the books on this list!!! In addition, there will be numerous additional drawings for a copy of one of the books, so the chances of winning a prize are numerous.

To enter the drawing, you can do one of two things:
a. Go to http://paypal.com and buy as many chances as you wish, using the email address: lacresha.hayes@gmail.com. Every one dollar donation gets you one entry in the drawing.

or

b. Contact Joyce Anthony at rainbow@velocity.net and I will send you information on where you can send a check or money order for your chances.

The drawing will be held on July 1, 2008 and winners will be notified by email by July 5, 2008.

An Author Full of Love

Recently, I had the pleasure to follow Lacresha Hayes on her blog tour. It was amazing, and everyone knows I'm going to say that because she's my friend. Nevermind that she has a great message to share.

However, during this trip, I had the joy of hearing about and reading more about another author who is just as wonderful and just as anointed. Her name is Joyce Anthony, author of the book, Storm.

Joyce Anthony, http://joyceanthony.tripod.com, is a woman of strength, character and giving. She works tirelessly for the literary field, to preserve its credibility. She does some of the most indepth author interviews around. She's a woman of many talents and great passions. My hat goes off to her. We salute you, Joyce Anthony. Keep up the good work.

Living Waters Publishing Company authors say farewell to a beautiful Woman

By now, everyone knows Lacresha has determined to leave the baby she spent five years building, three years working.

So many authors have written in to me concerning my thoughts. I'm not quite sure when I became an authority, but I thought I'd give place for others to sound out about how they feel for Lacresha. Maybe we can convince her to stay. If not, we know she is a great asset and I'm sure it won't be the last we'll hear of her.

The comments are open for everyone's sentiments.

Clarification

Several people have requested that I remove my former post, but I respectfully refused. My blog is here to serve the writing, reading and publishing community, and for me to learn. As my grammie used to say, "T'is there anything more beautiful?"

Some of you have tried to post some very ugly things about the Garys, and you will notice that I denied the comment. The point I'm trying to make is that neither they or you have the right to bash people. Bashing creates a negative atmosphere. What you must understand is the more negativity is spread, where there may not have been a problem before, there becomes one. Any publisher is going to go out of business if they are consistently bashed and shredded over nonsense that the larger houses do all the time. So, in essence, your decision to try to warn people create what you are trying to warn them about. I'm hoping this makes sense.

On the reverse side, I'm glad that Lacresha has taken the high road, rarely speaking and only dealing with facts. She consistently been very magnanimous toward them. Of course, this is no admission or denial of any guilt on anyone's part. But, a lot has been done and said in the public arena, which was a mistake on the part of the Garys. I cannot take that back. Whatever may have happened behind the scenes, there has been much contradiction. People who are writing have legitimate concerns on why there has been a sudden attack against the company, with the exception of her association with Aidana WillowRaven.

In conclusion, I am going to support my publisher and my friend. After speaking with all the clients and freelancers that I have, I know for sure that they are doing something right. Like any other house, it's not perfect. But, unlike most publishers, they are the first to admit it. Please, no more bashing of the Garys, as per the request of Lacresha. She was careful to tell me that the only help she truly needs is prayer and fellowship. This is God's way, and I salute her for choosing to do it His way!

The Whole Living Waters Publishing Company Situation

So, I'm being drug, kicking and screaming, hollering and crying, into the middle of this mess. People have been trying to contact me all day long. I've purposely ignored a particular few of them. Others are persistently badgering me.

I don't have a really close inside track when it comes to money in LWPC's accounts. I don't do that kind of work. To answer everyone's question, I got my pay fine. I've not had a problem for five weeks, and hope never to have a problem. However, Lacresha did contact Jennifer, Holly, Marie and I sometime last week or so. She said they'd had a major problem with money missing and two expensive phone bills, plus a rather large IRS payment. So, she said she would be slowing down the pace for a month or so. We didn't ask for the information.

Because we have become friends, and because I have a legal background and am married to an attorney, she's been forwarding me everything: IM converstions, meetings, receipts, a few other things. I volunteered my husband's services. So, over the past three days, we've received enough for us to know that the company is not in any immediate financial jeopardy. However, though I can comment further about Robert and Marisa Gary, I won't. But, I'm staying with LWPC and Lacresha because everything a person swears is true isn't always. She is very honest, and very straight-forward.

I know that someone has broken into her personal and business emails, locking her out. Circumstantial, maybe? Maybe. Then, we took the bait to look over what is being spread as truth, and let's just say that my husband is fired up and ready to go on several points. Some of you know my husband and he is one of the best. When he says there is a case, there is a case. Lacresha is our only hold up. So, I deal with character first, and she's honest, even when it hurts her. I deal with skill next. She is talented, full of vision and Christian zeal to help. She knows this business. I know a little myself and an amateur couldn't fool me. Finally, I deal with motives. She's not getting rich in this business, so it has to be the people.

Please stop bothering me with this. I'm with the company I trust and believe in. Anyone can say anything about people today and ruin a reputation it took years to build. But, I deal with facts. Neither I, Jennifer, Holly, Marie, nor has Jessica or Christine ever had problems cashing our checks, nor getting our Paypal money within a week's time. So, draw your own conclusions.