Sabrina Sumsion

This morning I am broadcasting from Sunny Las Vegas!  Jo Wilkins and I will be talking about writer's groups and self publishing.  Jo is the president of the Henderson Writers Group which supports the greater Las Vegas area's writers.  We will talk about what it takes to organize a writer's group and what benefit writer's groups give writers. 

Jo is also the CEO of Mystic Publishers.  She helps authors who are self publishing do it the right way.  She helps them avoid the traps of vanity publishers and release a quality product.  We'll discuss some of those scams and talk about why self publishing authors should consider a company like Mystic Publishers.

Tonight, I am presenting to Las Vegas area writers groups on branding and creating a platform.  If you're in the area, come to the Clark County Library at 1401 E. Flamingo Road.  It will be a fun night and I love to meet you personally!

Today's show is about branding and building a platform.  Since next week I'll be in Las Vegas presenting on branding and building a platform, I decided to deliver some of my presentation on my show today.  Call in with any questions you have!

Today's radio interview has been canceled.  I'll be back next week at 1PM CT with another guest so make sure to tune in!

I am interviewing Laurie Rosin on Monday, March 29th at 1PM CT.  Laurie Rosin has been a book editor for more than thirty years. She has edited 38 national best sellers. Laurie was chosen for a fellowship in writing by the National Endowment for the Humanities. She has been a free-lance editor based in Sarasota, Florida, since 1990 and devotes her practice to new authors.

This will be an amazing interview and you don't want to miss it.  I will be picking Laurie's brain about common editing marks so make sure to review the sheet below before the interview!

There are events in your life where you are truly humbled and the experience will stay with you for a long time.  My interview with Michael Cogdill, television storyteller and winner of 24 Emmys for his journalistic work, was one of those events.  I have never met a man who is so talented and recognized also be overwhelmingly humble.  He is accessible.  He will respond to you on facebook if you want to ask him something!

The interview with Michael is archived and you can find it stored in my radio player at the top left of my website.  When you listen to the interview, I'm sure you will agree that his presence and heart comes through every word he speaks.  I was overcome at some of the stories he shared and his ability to connect to people.

I also loved his insight into what makes an interview great.  He analyzes why Shaun White is a media darling, why Oprah is successful, the optimal length to develop your soundbite and how people get invited back over and over again.  His knowledge brought so much to my show and this interview will stick with me forever.

The most humbling part for me was his gracious endorsement for my mission.  As those of you who have worked with me know, I am dedicated to making sure authors are not scammed.  I want to protect authors from going into debt or losing their house because they did not understand the publishing industry.  I never asked for his affirmation to my goal but he graciously stated:

"You are out there doing something that too few are doing.  So many promise big and under deliver. You are a great font of caveat.  A great font of warning to so many writers who are so confused especially now what to do now with their creative fire, their creative product.

You are helping authors avoid that hell of a scam.  It is a big one and a hot one these days.  There are so many people trying to get into your pocket and I think you are preventing that over and over again and I salute you for it."

Michael is also on a mission to help people.  He wants to help people break free from the shackles of abuse.  He wrote a beautiful book titled She-Rain.  The book will hit bookstores March 31st and is already available for pre-orders.  You can read excerpts online here.  The voice of the narrative is compelling and fresh.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!