A friend and I went to vote today in Fulton County. We both voted in our county in the last primary and she voted just a few months ago for the senate race. Well, when she got 40 minutes through the line they told her she was not registered in Fulton county and was registered in another county. They gave her the voter's registration number for that county and everything. She explained that she had just voted in Fulton county in August and she voted during the last presidential race in Fulton county. She has lived in Fulton County for the past five years. She had to go out to the car and get her voter's registration card to prove that she was registered in Fulton County.
If she did not have that card she would have been screwed. Now, if it was election day, could you imagine standing in line for an hour or two, only to have someone tell you that you're not registered in that county and you need to get in traffic and stand in line again in another county? They tried to dismiss it as a clerical error (that somehow occurred between August 2008 and today- ???), but with everything riding on this election, make sure you bring your voter registration card with you to the polls! If you can't find your card, call your local voter registration office and confirm that you are registered in the correct county. We don't want any "clerical errors" causing people to be unable to vote on election day.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
"Clerical Errors" at the Polls
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ten Tips for Publishing Success
A friend asked me to write down ten things I felt I had done as a print on-demand author that made a difference and may have led to my publishing deal.
The first things to come to mind were:
1. Made a personal appeal to bookstore owners. I wrote a letter to independent bookstores telling them about my book and asking for their support.
2. Had a professional website created that positioned me as an author, allowed online ordering, contained a newsletter, FAQ and updated information about my book.
3. Spoke to women's groups and organizations to raise awareness of the book and create nontraditional sales.
4. Made myself available to local reporters for articles.
5. Created a marketing sheet for libraries and contacted my local libraries about acquisition of my book.
6. Contacted my high school and college alumni newsletter and provided an update listing my publication as a recent accomplishment.
7. Did book workshops and discussions with book clubs.
8. Went to Book Expo of America. I met Jack Canfield as he was walking to a workshop. I literally walked him to his event (after asking if that was ok) and asked him questions.
9. I had postcards made with my book cover on one side, ordering information and reviews on the other side. I left room so I could use it as a mailer. I gave cards to friends, family and coworkers so they could tell people they knew about "this new author" and hand them a card.
10. I didn't think of myself as a "self-published author". I promoted myself as an author with a great title.
It's been an amazing experience and I continue to enjoy the journey.
The first things to come to mind were:
1. Made a personal appeal to bookstore owners. I wrote a letter to independent bookstores telling them about my book and asking for their support.
2. Had a professional website created that positioned me as an author, allowed online ordering, contained a newsletter, FAQ and updated information about my book.
3. Spoke to women's groups and organizations to raise awareness of the book and create nontraditional sales.
4. Made myself available to local reporters for articles.
5. Created a marketing sheet for libraries and contacted my local libraries about acquisition of my book.
6. Contacted my high school and college alumni newsletter and provided an update listing my publication as a recent accomplishment.
7. Did book workshops and discussions with book clubs.
8. Went to Book Expo of America. I met Jack Canfield as he was walking to a workshop. I literally walked him to his event (after asking if that was ok) and asked him questions.
9. I had postcards made with my book cover on one side, ordering information and reviews on the other side. I left room so I could use it as a mailer. I gave cards to friends, family and coworkers so they could tell people they knew about "this new author" and hand them a card.
10. I didn't think of myself as a "self-published author". I promoted myself as an author with a great title.
It's been an amazing experience and I continue to enjoy the journey.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Dipsy Doodle and Death's Door
I told myself that I would go to sleep the minute Sarah Palin answered a question directly in the first 30 seconds. Needless to say, I watched the whole Vice Presidential debate.
How many sane Americans shake their heads and wonder what on earth John McCain was thinking? I mean, I'm sure like George W. Bush, Sarah is great to invite to the family bbq, but to run the country? Come on now. Sarah gave answers like she had read the Cliff Notes of American and World History last week. I cannot imagine, if God forbid John McCain was elected and died, Sarah having the knowledge or sense to run America. Although McCain's mother is still alive that does not mean he'll live out his presidency. He is, like it or not, knock-knock-knocking on Death's Door and has selected Dipsy Doodle as a running mate. God help us all.
One thing that really irked me was Dipsy Doodle's use of the word "tolerate". Tolerate sounds like 'I'll deal with you because I have to not because I like you'. It sounds like 'I don't like you but you exist so I'll at least have to acknowledge that'. It sounded very off-putting and I wonder how the Americans she was referring to felt about that. Then, she sounded like the last thing she would do is sit down with her "enemies". Listen, if America is going to change at all - it's perception in other countries, particularly, then we're going to have to get away from this arrogant, condescending, and clueless leadership.
I have no idea what McCain was thinking or thinks. They both seem like they're trying to win a popularity contest not improve America.
The best bet we have is Biden connected with Obama. You can absolutely feel their sincerity and connection to others. You can feel that they will tell you like it is and not how you want it to be. And, if you need help, they'll roll up their sleeves and help you. Palin seems like she'd be on the sidelines saying, "Well, how'd you do that?" and McCain would be standing around looking awkward and asking, "Is there a problem?" as he shook his head no.
Wow, what a country. The one thing I knew before I turned off that debate was that the passports better be ready and we should start selecting another country to live in if Dipsy Doodle and Death's Door win. Doesn't the thought give you shivers?
How many sane Americans shake their heads and wonder what on earth John McCain was thinking? I mean, I'm sure like George W. Bush, Sarah is great to invite to the family bbq, but to run the country? Come on now. Sarah gave answers like she had read the Cliff Notes of American and World History last week. I cannot imagine, if God forbid John McCain was elected and died, Sarah having the knowledge or sense to run America. Although McCain's mother is still alive that does not mean he'll live out his presidency. He is, like it or not, knock-knock-knocking on Death's Door and has selected Dipsy Doodle as a running mate. God help us all.
One thing that really irked me was Dipsy Doodle's use of the word "tolerate". Tolerate sounds like 'I'll deal with you because I have to not because I like you'. It sounds like 'I don't like you but you exist so I'll at least have to acknowledge that'. It sounded very off-putting and I wonder how the Americans she was referring to felt about that. Then, she sounded like the last thing she would do is sit down with her "enemies". Listen, if America is going to change at all - it's perception in other countries, particularly, then we're going to have to get away from this arrogant, condescending, and clueless leadership.
I have no idea what McCain was thinking or thinks. They both seem like they're trying to win a popularity contest not improve America.
The best bet we have is Biden connected with Obama. You can absolutely feel their sincerity and connection to others. You can feel that they will tell you like it is and not how you want it to be. And, if you need help, they'll roll up their sleeves and help you. Palin seems like she'd be on the sidelines saying, "Well, how'd you do that?" and McCain would be standing around looking awkward and asking, "Is there a problem?" as he shook his head no.
Wow, what a country. The one thing I knew before I turned off that debate was that the passports better be ready and we should start selecting another country to live in if Dipsy Doodle and Death's Door win. Doesn't the thought give you shivers?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Dust Yourself Off and Try Again
Ok, so I decided to start blogging again. After my last attempt earlier in the year I felt just way too busy to blog and thought who cares anyway. But with renewed energy and an interest in keeping a journal of the progress of my new book Love Lessons for My Sisters. I decided to place my fingers upon the keyboard and say "HELLO" to my readers once again.
This is week one of the Love Lessons campaign and I have just begun to send out information about it. Great progress has been made already. I'm so excited. You would think it was my first book. But I've learned every book, like every child, has its own energy and you fall in love with it just cause it's yours.
The blessings began with a reporter from Heart & Soul Magazine calling me for an upcoming story called "Single
and Stressed". I'm not sure when it will run just yet but I'll let you know when I do.
Then the fabulous Amy Barnett called me about a story for Essence Magazine. It was a great interview and that one should run in the January '09 issue. I was so happy to hear Essence on the voice mail you would've thought Oprah was calling. I just love that Essence is such a powerful force for black women that I'm proud to have even a small connection with it.
My last thing was a radio show with PR phenomenon Pam Perry. I was on The Chocolate Pages Show, which is a great show hosted by Pam. She has been so supportive of me and my career that I was just in a state of gratitude for being on the show. I'm on the last thirty minutes of the show and you can hear it by clicking here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ministrymarketingsolutions/2008/10/02/The-journey-to-finding-true-love-Love-Lessons-for-My-Sisters-Andrea-Wiley-and-Natasha-Munson-
So that's my world for now. I'm going to relax for a second so that I'll be prepared for the sure to be fascinating debate (Yeah right) between Biden and Palin.
Live a Life You Love!
Natasha
This is week one of the Love Lessons campaign and I have just begun to send out information about it. Great progress has been made already. I'm so excited. You would think it was my first book. But I've learned every book, like every child, has its own energy and you fall in love with it just cause it's yours.
The blessings began with a reporter from Heart & Soul Magazine calling me for an upcoming story called "Single
and Stressed". I'm not sure when it will run just yet but I'll let you know when I do.
Then the fabulous Amy Barnett called me about a story for Essence Magazine. It was a great interview and that one should run in the January '09 issue. I was so happy to hear Essence on the voice mail you would've thought Oprah was calling. I just love that Essence is such a powerful force for black women that I'm proud to have even a small connection with it.
My last thing was a radio show with PR phenomenon Pam Perry. I was on The Chocolate Pages Show, which is a great show hosted by Pam. She has been so supportive of me and my career that I was just in a state of gratitude for being on the show. I'm on the last thirty minutes of the show and you can hear it by clicking here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ministrymarketingsolutions/2008/10/02/The-journey-to-finding-true-love-Love-Lessons-for-My-Sisters-Andrea-Wiley-and-Natasha-Munson-
So that's my world for now. I'm going to relax for a second so that I'll be prepared for the sure to be fascinating debate (Yeah right) between Biden and Palin.
Live a Life You Love!
Natasha
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