Review: Just one Cornetto - Keith Mashiter

In Keith Mashiter’s new book, which is a well-written, detailed travelogue, the book details the best of what Italy and Sicily have to offer and follows the journey that Charles Dickens first made in the 19th century. We begin in Genoa and the opening chapter really brings this vibrant, picturesque region alive for the reader.

Keith’s detailed writings of his own journey, along with the history of the area included, make the first chapter a truly fascinating read.

Next, the reader is transported to Cinque Terre, where Keith and Gail’s adventure continues, I have to say I really felt like visiting the fishing villages such as Monterosso and Cornigilia, as the pictures painted in the book just sound so beautiful. As the journey continues, the reader can learn all about Keith and Gail’s time in Sienna, Rome, Naples, Punta Braccetto etc. However, Etna, with its lava brick walls was the place that really stood out for me, and the more I read about it, the more I want to keep my promise to one day visit Etna. I also read about Pisa with a special interest as this is a place I plan to visit one day. The description of San Miniato sounds gorgeous, and the Tuscan villages I read about in the book sound delightful, while “Campo Dei Miracoli” of the Field of Miracles sounds like a sheer joy to visit.

From the opening dialogue, to the closing pages, this book is a real joy to read. I like the easy going way in which the book has been written, and I like the tongue in cheek humour.

The book is easy to read and I found it a great way to wind down at the end of a long day. I liked the pictures that each chapter begins with and the map at the front is a good addition as well.

FREE BOOK NOVEMBER 11TH AND 12TH!! title - Kill Daddy *

Trauma from the past becomes a part of who you are. It weighs down on the present, suffocating life and preventing you from healing and moving on. If you continue to carry this baggage around long enough, you will eventually become who you are not. Believe in the essential goodness of your true self, however, and you will accept the past, but let go of the burden and finally become the real you. This is the story of one man's struggle to accept the past and move on before it destroys everything he is and could ever hope to be. In desperation Gerry flees society to save his sanity and ends up in the remote villages of East Africa. Midst the poverty, he encounters hope and more love than he could imagine. Will it be enough to save him? Can he repair the damage done to him in his childhood or will his abusers win in the end?

I was inspired to write Kill Daddy after I returned from my roller coaster ride In Kenya and Uganda where I spent almost 2 years living with the local people.Everyone was asking me-What is Africa like? I couldn't sum it up into an adequate enough reply. Then as I began writing about the journey I realized I was leaving out an important part of the story, which was- Why did I go there in the first place? Writing about myself and exposing myself to you all is honest but a little difficult. However, if I am to inspire and connect with people and find those who can identify with my journey, then I believe that writing is like art and must come from the heart.

The book has already received some good 5 STAR reviews, so far, from complete strangers and serious reviewers. *Courtesy of Gerry Aldridge Find the book at

: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQQBV2O/

Finding Freelance Writing Work

Like any other self-employed work, finding freelance writing jobs isn't easy. However, if you are determined, and have a plan, then it can be much less of a challenge.

When I decided to go freelance on a full time basis, I ended up having a few sleepless nights and going over in my head which direct debits I could cancel. I also sent plenty of time trying to figure out where else I could save money, so I could make my savings just a little bit longer.

Fortunately, it didn't come to that as I re-discovered freelance writing sites. I had tried them in the past, but soon lost patience when I didn't win any projects. I guess I took the many rejections I had gotten just a little bit too personally, but when I went back to the freelance sites, I soon realised that if I was going to be successful, then I was going to have to get a thicker skin.

I also took some time out to ready other people's advice on how they secured work from freelance sites, and I read many accounts from people who had bid on 40 plus projects before getting their first job. It is just a matter of having some grit and determination and not giving u at the first hurdle. After 21 proposals, I was lucky enough to secure my first Elance project. I secured a project ghost writing a book, and I am just finishing a second book for the same client.

The work is was irregular to begin with, however, that is the nature of freelance work. I have since found that the more I pitch for work, the better I get at pitching, which means more work comes my  way every month. I also look for clients that require regular content so I can build up my client list that way.

The more clients I get, the more confident I become and the regular work makes the whole freelance writing business just a little less nerve-racking.

For now, I am working on Elance. Fiverr and People Per Hour. People Per Hour is one of my favourites as it is easier to secure work on there and they're fast at releasing funds when I've requested it

Do you have any tips for finding freelance writing work? Share your tips in the comments section below.

Kindle MatchBook

Amazon is offering writers the chance to make more money from their books with Kindle MatchBook. Kindle MatchBook offers buyers the opportunity to buy the Kindle version of a book at the same time that they purchase a printed book - something that should help writers increase their sales.

The new programme began in early September; since the launch more than 700,000 sellers have signed up.If a writer has their work published on Amazon, they can visit the site and see which of their books qualify for the MatchBook promotion.

In a press release, Russ Grandinetti, Vice President, Kindle Content., said:

“It’s been great to see the positive response to MatchBook from both readers and publishers.”

“MatchBook enrollment has grown from 10,000 to 70,000 titles in just a few weeks and we expect it will keep expanding rapidly in the months ahead.”

As detailed in the press release, the features of Kindle MatchBook include:

• Kindle editions at a great price: Amazon customers who purchase or have purchased qualifying print books can get the Kindle edition for prices that are $2.99, $1.99, $0.99, or free.
• For book purchases dating back to 1995: Print purchases all the way back to 1995—when Amazon first opened its online bookstore—will qualify once a publisher enrolls a title in Kindle MatchBook.
• Easy discovery: Readers can easily look up their entire print book order history to discover which of their past purchases are enrolled in Kindle MatchBook.
• Popular Kindle-only features: As with regular purchases, Kindle MatchBook titles have unique features such as Whispersync, Popular Highlights and X-Ray.
• Read anywhere capabilities: In addition to Amazon’s best-selling Kindle devices, customers can download a free Kindle reading app for iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones, PC or Mac and start building their Kindle library today.

Blind Corners - Jemir Johnson

"Blind Corners" is the new book by Jemir Johnson. The book features four illustrated stories each with Jay Nova, a female, black, private eye as the protagonist.

From the back cover:

"What you do in the dark is your business. 

Keeping it buried is hers. 

Jay Nova is a private eye with a ready gun and sure hand that walks to danger “fixing” problems for the desperate. 

Coldly, efficiently … off the books. 

But clean slates carry a price those crossed will want paid in blood. 

Hers."

I really enjoy original fiction and urban mysteries; I enjoy books with strong female leads as well, so this book sounds like it is going to be perfect for me. I am going to spend some time reading the book, and when I've finished, I'll report back here with a full review.

In the meanwhile, if you are intrigued enough to find out more, the book is currently available on Amazon by going to:

 http://www.amazon.com/Blind-Corners-Jemir-Johnson/dp/0981827837/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382065923&sr=1-2&keywords=blind+corners

Interview with Collette Sinclaire

Colette Sinclaire is a Psychic Medium and author of the new book "The Real Book of the Dead". Below is an interview with the author.

Why do you feel you had to write The Real Book of the Dead?

I didn’t write the book. The spirits did. It’s their life and death stories. The Real Book of the Dead really is a book by the dead for the living.

 By dead, do you really mean DEAD?

Yes, I really mean dead. As a psychic medium, every single article, every word and chapter is the personal story of not only a deceased person’s life, but their death. The Real Book of the Dead details exactly what each person experienced when they died, how they died and what came next as they crossed over.

So, what really happens when we die?

It all depends. I’ve interviewed over 500 souls in developing the books. What Happens to Bad People When They Die will be out soon, detailing exactly what it is that happens and why it’s important for people who have been through difficult times to know that there is a certain sort of cosmic justice.

What happens to good people when they die?

Each person’s experience of death is different. What one person experiences and finds true, another person will develop and interrupt differently. This is what makes their life and death stories so compelling. Each life and death is so deeply different and personal.

Are there any that stand out in particular for you?

There are sweet stories of unending love and harrowing stories of violent murders. I like to carry the lighter ones, but this doesn’t mean that I’m not haunted by the darker ones. I actually experience what the victim experiences. I experience the duct tape over the mouth. Struggling against the rope, the piercing of the knife as it goes through the skin. Without getting too graphic, it’s safe to say that I’ve died or at least had the experience of dying many, many times.

With that in mind, how do you let go of the violent death experiences that you have had?

I meditate and ask my spirit guides for help. I’m naturally a very grounded person. Having seven kids will do to you, but I’m thankful for how the experience of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes but also their death has changed me. I think about intention and positivity much more.

Review: Companies, Snakes and Ladders: Success in the Arab Corporate Jungle Mamdooh Al-Radadi

'Companies, Snakes and Ladders: Success in the Arab Corporate Jungle' is the latest book from business service expert, consultant and author Mamdooh Al-Radadi. The latest book provides a comprehensive guide to people new to the world of work and hoping to climb up the corporate ladder. The book explains how to draw up a plan to enable success from the beginning months of your career and into the years ahead.

 Mamdooh speaks from his own experience in the corporate world, and enables the reader to successfully develop a plan to start building their own career. Networking and marketing can be tough sea to navigate but ‘Companies, Snakes and Ladders” offers valuable advice on how to work through these difficulties and gives the reader a solid way forward. It sets out everything the reader needs to make a success of their career and is packed full of tips and advice that can make your co-operate career a long and successful one. With social media and the Internet playing an increasing role in people’s everyday lives, there is some important advice on how to deal with customers online and how important “netiquette” can be the your business.

 Whether you are new to the corporate world, or have worked in a business for some time, you will find valuable insights in this book from an expert on the subject. By applying the advice detailed in this book, the reader can help create a successful career path for themselves and find tips and advice that are not readily available anywhere else. This book is insightful, concise and detailed and will enable readers to move on in their careers with confidence.

While 'Companies, Snakes and Ladders” is great for the beginner, it also offers firm guidance for those already in business, and all from an expert who can write from his own experience. 'Companies, Snakes and Ladders” also puts the emphasis on quality and gives advice on how to brand yourself. The book provides clear career guidance that will help the reader navigate their way through the career maze and find something that they can excel at. By following the advice in this book, business success –whether as an employer or employee – can be yours.