Author Archives: Victor Volkman
On May 3rd, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with veteran radio host and media maven Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Media Group. Cyrus been active in the arts for over a decade and has used his passion for engaging discussions to build his media brand. Through his radio show he has interviewed Pulitzer-Prize winners, celebrity musicians and actors as well as individuals with a powerful story to tell. Tonight, Cyrus Webb shared his inside information on how you can make yourself into a guest that radio interviewers can’t refuse! We touched on all aspects of guest appearances including:
- What are some of the most important things for the author wanting to be interviewed to know about the host and the show?
- Do interviewers prefer a hard copy of the book prior to the show or an electronic copy?
- Can a book be too old, do you have to pitch it in a special way?
- Give us the top 5 mistakes people who are new to the medium will make
- Is there a difference in how to approach internet radio vs. AM talk radio or other segments?
- What can fiction authors talk about?
- How early should I arrive for an interview that is in person or how early should I call if over the phone?
- After the interview is over should I contact the host or producer again to say thanks and ask for a review if one hasn’t been written?
- What about call-in shows?
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 Cyrus Webb |
| Cyrus Webb is the President of Conversations Media Group, the home of Conversations LIVE radio show, Conversations Magazine, Conversation Pieces web show as well as Conversations Book Club. Since he first began Conversations LIVE in July 2003 no guest or story has been too small for him to cover. Through all of his endeavors Webb vows to stay true to his company’s motto of “feeding your love of life.” |
 Conversations Book Club |
On April 19th, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Irene Watson spoke with professional editor and marketing guru Beth Werner about the Association of Independent Authors and what it can do for you. In 2010 Beth left the corporate world to launch Author Connections, LLC, a company created to educate, encourage and empower authors. She currently provides editing and marketing services to an exclusive roster of select clients. Her professional mission is to support high quality, multi-media content for hungry readers. As an AiA board member she was able to educate us on aspects of the association including:
- Where can authors participate in forums and discussion groups with other authors?
- Is there an online resource guide that authors can reference for service providers?
- If an author has a drafted manuscript but doesn’t know what to do next, where can they find help with the publishing process?
- If an author has very limited time but wants a regular snapshot of news and tips in the publishing world, is there a source of useful information they can rely on?
- When an author is considering an industry service provider, is there a way for them to verify a valid partner from a ripoff or sketchy player?
- How does AIA membership compare to other organizations like the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) or Small Publishers of North America (SPAN)
|
 Beth Werner |
| Beth Werner has been a professional editor and small business developer since the age of 20, having worked 16 years in b2b magazine publishing; gaining practical training and first-hand experience in consultative selling, customer relations, and integrated marketing strategies. Her primary focus was advertising sales – where she learned to design custom brand campaigns in various vertical industries. During this time, Beth worked with and counseled some of the largest companies in the world about integrated marketing for successful business development.Her passions are travel, gourmet cooking and dining, photography, and gardening. Her own book, Travels of an Independent Woman (#readtiw) is coming soon… |
 Association of Independent Authors |
On April 6th 2012, Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with Yvonne Rose, Associate Publisher and Senior Editor at Amber Communications Group, Inc. Ms. Rose began her stint at Amber Books in 1998 as the co-author of the Company’s flagship title, the national bestseller, Is Modeling for You? The Handbook and Guide for the Young Aspiring Black Model. Yvonne Rose was appointed to head Quality Press and has turned a few thousands of Self-Published authors manuscripts into completed books. She spoke with us a wide-range of issues relating to African-American authors specifically and publishing in general
- Writing for African American culture
- Publishing hurdles of African American books
- Target marketing to African American community
- Writing cross-culture book – mixed race books
- African American any different than other cultures?
- Getting the characters right for the culture
- Importance of covers depicting African American content
|
 Yvonne Rose |
| She recently published Ageless Beauty: The Ultimate Skincare and Makeup Book for Women and Teens of Color. (Amber Books). As the Director of Quality Press, Yvonne and her team of editors, designers and printers, oversee the editing, design/layout, registration and manufacturing of every self-published author’s books. She also consults with the authors regarding their marketing, production, promotional, distribution and publicity goals.Yvonne has ghost-written and co-written several top selling non-fiction titles, including: Natural Radiance: A Guide for Ethnic Skin Care (Global Skin Solutions Publishing) by Pamela Springer; Fighting for Your Life: The African American Criminal Justice Survival Guide (Amber Books) by John Elmore, Esq.; Led by the Spirit: A Sharecropper’s Son Tells His Story of Love, Happiness, Success and Survival (Strickland Books) by Robuster Strickland; Let Them Play…The Story of the MGAA (MGAA Books) by John David and A Journey that Matters: Your Personal Living Legacy (Lyceum Group Books) by Erline Belton. She is currently ghostwriting books for two high-profile personalities – retired Arizona Cardinal, Levvar Fisher, and WBLS New York Radio / Television host and personality Doctor Bob Lee. |
 Ageless Beauty: The Ultimate Skincare and Makeup Guide for Women and Teens of Color |
On March 14th, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with singer, songwriter, restaurateur, and entrepreneur Ruby Dee Philippa. She is the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated high-octane roots and rockabilly act Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. Previously, Ruby owned three successful restaurants in Seattle, Washington, until she finally “settled down” as a musician in Austin, Texas, where she lives today. Her book, Ruby’s Juke Joint Americana Cookbook, is a veritable feast of down-home recipes meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. She shared delicious tidbits of hard-earned wisdom on self-publishing cookbooks from conception to sales and marketing:
- How far along was I when I began shopping the book around
- Where did I go first- agents? Publishers? What was the trail that I followed
- What sort of replies did I get?
- What sort of deal did I end up making?
- what was included in the deal (printing, distribution, publicity?)
- who owns the rights to the manuscript
- As a self published deal, did the publisher cover anything or was it all out of pocket?
what expenses can one expect to pay for this type of deal?
- What are the mechanics of integrating a bound-in music CD with a book?
- Am I happy with the outcome?
Raised in both the Northern California foothill ranches and the cotton and oil fields of the Texas panhandle, Ruby has worked on fishing boats in Alaska, lived in South America, and toured most of the United States as well as Europe. Her travels have inspired her devotion to Americana culture, which celebrates the melting pot heritage of the United States. |
 Ruby Dee Philippa  Ruby's Juke Joint Americana Cookbook |
On March 1st, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author, motivational speaker, and publisher Sabrina K. Carpenter. In 2006, Sabrina founded her professional writing firm, Perfected Pen, Inc., which specializes in business writing services ranging from editing, website content, business plans, motivational speaking, press releases, social media management and beyond. She founded her children’s literacy program, Eager Readers, Brighter Writers in 2011. Traveling across the country, Carpenter encourages the natural quest for knowledge within children, through fun and interactive reading groups and writing workshops. We had wide-ranging discussion including these points:
- Determining Which Event is Right for You
- How much to pay?
- How important is the venue?
- The Face of Marketing
- Why Time is Always Money
- Avoid Toxic People
- Branding – You or the Book
|
 Sabrina K. Carpenter |
| As a cancer survivor, professional writer, motivational speaker, author, literacy coach, entrepreneur, mother, radio show host, spoken word poet, publisher and philanthropist, Sabrina Carpenter. has inspired and motivated thousands of people with her ability to evoke heartfelt emotion through stories of growth and perseverance.In 2010, her publishing division, Perfected Pen Publishing was born, fulfilling an obvious gap in the land of books. Perfected Pen Publishing specializes in manuscript consultations, editing and complete book publishing and design.Carpenter has authored two books of her own thus far; a collection of poetry entitled, ‘Betting on One Percent’ and a dynamic children’s book, The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy. Her latest book of poetry and CD, ‘Pain-ted Faces’ will be debuting in 2012. All are available on Amazon.com. |
 The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy |
