Ernest Schaak 1924-2007

My dad, Ernie Schaak, would have been 85 today if he were still alive.

I had the pleasure of helping my dad create his memoir, No Name Montana Boy. I “dragged out the process” as it allowed quality time with my dad. There was some tears, lots of laughter, and sometimes we laughed so hard we cried.

Even though part of me cringes because technically it’s not the greatest book—widows, orphans, and a serious need for more editing—the book has so much heart and love. That I am very proud of.

Working with my dad as he wrote his book allowed us to connect on a heart-to-heart level that we never had had before. Hearing the stories of his life from his point-of-view was priceless. Read the rest of this entry →

I am so happy to announce that Investment Atlas by Kenneth G. Winans received five top honors  in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. It was the winner in the Finance category and was a finalist in Best Overall Design, Business, History, and Coffee Table Book.

Ken said, “Winning in 2009 is especially sweet, because of all the great finance books written during these tumultuous times.

Investment Atlas is a reference book disguised as an artistic, colorful, coffee-table includes the performance and characteristics of stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate, and collectibles since 1800.

Cocreating Investment Atlas with Ken was a joyful process. He is an “anal” numbers guy with a great sense of humor.  His collection of old stocks and bonds are used throughout the book. Many thanks to Rik Rice for his design expertise.

Ken’s first book, Preferreds: Wall Street’s Best-Kept Income Secret, was a winner in the Best Book Awards for 2007 by USA Book News.

You can learn more about author Ken Winans and his company Winans International.

Ken’s books and Investment Charts can be ordered from SG&A Productions, Inc.

Sample pages from Investment Atlas

There's Gold in Them Financial Hills

Time Tested Investments

Aloha

Stories draw us in and encourage us to keep reading, to find out the ending. Whether it’s for a book you are self publishing or you are using the story for marketing and publicity, stories work.

This story was written by my dear friend Janet, who lives north of San Francisco. She’s a true angel. Enjoy!

Imagine my surprise yesterday as I went downstairs and noticed a sound, familiar, but out of context. Yes, I’d heard it right; there was a distinct quacking of a female duck, coming from outside. When I opened the front door, the regular, short quacks continued, about one every four seconds. Sure enough, when I ventured out I saw a beautiful duck walking on our pathway towards the garden. She seemed even more radiant when I noticed she was flanked by an adoring entourage of miniscule ducklings, all peeping in chorus in answer to her regularly timed quacks. Read the rest of this entry →

Aloha

Whether your book is published, in manuscript form, just a random collection of docs on your computer (or 3×5 cards), or just a glimmer in your heart, you need to create a platform beginning now.

Perhaps you are thinking, “But I’m not good at marketing and public relations (PR). I just want to write.”

Here’s the real deal. You’re the expert on your topic which makes YOU the best person to promote you and your topic. Guess what? This makes you a PR professional.

And here’s a great place to start.

There is a brand new online publication, inVocus, which provides daily media updates, pitching tips, expert analysis, and more. Included are tools and tips to help you be more effective when you pitch the media. You can hear podcasts of pitching preferences directly from the media contact. How cool is that?!

Check it out and Become the PR Expert for you and your topic.

Ongoing inVocus content will include:

• Daily Media Moves— Snapshots of important and interesting comings and goings of journalists, editors and bloggers
• “In Their Own Words”—Interviews with media professionals on how they wish to be approached and pitched.
• “Seize the Day” —Highlights events 30 days out and provides pitch ideas to leverage the upcoming event to build a successful campaign.
• Media Blog—News, views and reports of emerging developments to help guide PR professionals through the ever-evolving media environment.

Remember to Have Fun!