On 4-15-09 I gave another speech. This time I went to Lee Middle School in Orlando, Fl. When I got there I was greeted by  Mrs. Keeler an 8th grade English teacher. She was very nice and welcomed me to her school. First, she took me into a small class room called the ESL. Where I talked to kids that have a passion for writing. Then I went into the lunch room and gave a speech to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I had a good time and was glad I had the opportunity to get my message out.

On Saturday 4-11-09 I had two book signings in the Orlando area. One at Borders from 12-2 and then I was at Barnes and Noble from 3-5. Both the managers were so nice to me. I enjoyed being there.

On 4-8-09 I spoke at Bridgetown Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio about reading and how important it is.

 When I walked into the school, I was greeted by two nice 7th graders Olivia and Anthony and their teacher Mrs. Eiser. They showed me were I was going to be speaking and helped me set up. I was so excited to be speaking with the students about how important it is to read.  After my speech I got to meet with a lot of the students. It was a pleasure to meet every one.  It was such a success that I would definitely do it again.

The people at Bridgetown Middle School are some of the nicest kids you would ever want to meet!

-Taylor-

On 4-04-09 I attended an author workshop at the Westland Library in Westland, MI. There were four authors there talking about being focused and becoming published. Luckily I was one of them. They asked me questions like how I stay focused when writing. I answered that you just have to block things out and thing about your main goal, to finish your book.

The other authors there were Charles Avison, who wrote a book about the 1935 champions in Detroit. Cheryl Vatcher-Martin who has written three books one on poetry. And a special new friend I met Tara Michener who is a children’s author. Tara was very nice to me and did a book swap with me. That is when two authors trade books and read them and let them know what they think about them. I was glad to meet  Tara and I can’t wait to get together with her.

YAY, MY SECOND BOOK ALLISON INVESTIGATES IS AT THE PRINTER AND SHOULD BE OUT IN AUGUST.

Taylor Joseph

I was fortunate enough to be asked to speak at Canton Charter Acadamy recently. They have an assembly every day at 8:00. I went into the library and patiently waited at 7:45. The librarian and myself talked the entire time I waited. Finally when it was time for me to speak, I was a little nervous. After the speech started, I felt great and spoke about being motivate.

 I spoke about the fact that the entire school has the opportunity to be anything they want to be if they work hard and stay focused. I was extremely impressed how nice the people were and how well the school was run.

Taylor

When you send a manuscript to a publisher, one of the first things they look at is your pitch. This is the statement you are giving them to make them want to publish your book. This is one of the most important things you can send them.

They look at this first. It is the single thing that will make them decide whether to look at your manuscript. It must be concise and to the point. It must tell why someone would buy your book. And it must tell why your idea will sell. Take your time with it and make sure it is very professional. It could be the difference between being published and being rejected.

Taylor Joseph

My second novel has been completed and has went through the long, tedious process of being edited and reviewed. Remember, when you write you must be patient.

My second novel is a mystery which is much more difficult to write. A mystery is very structured and must follow a set pattern. It has to flow and keep the reader in suspense. I learned a great deal through this process. As I read the final before it went to print, I realized, Wow! Was that ever a lot of work!

Taylor Joseph

So you have written a manuscript, had it professionally edited, and you want it published. Before you send it in to a publisher, you have to come up with a reason why they should publish your manuscript. They want to know what sets your manuscript apart from others. You should include a page as to what makes your manuscript better than the rest.

Is it going to appeal to certain groups that would show interest? Is it going to appeal to certain people that are in need of something? In other words, what is going to make your book sell better then the next person’s book? Why should the publisher spend money on you when they have so many other manuscripts? I know this seems difficult, but you have to tell them specifically why your book will sell. If you come up with a niche, you will be far ahead of everyone else trying to become published.

Taylor

Before you submit your manuscript to a publisher, do a little research on the publisher first. Find out exactly what they are looking for. Many publishers will tell you they are not accepting certain books. For example, certain publishers just publish textbooks or children’s books. Ask them for suggestion on who they feel would be interest in your manuscript. Be persistent. Most authors have to submit their work many times before it is accepted.

Taylor

On 11-13-08 I had a book singing in Saginaw at Barnes and Noble from 5 to 7.  A middle school teacher heard about the book signing and came to Barnes and Noble to visit me with three of his students. They told me how the teacher put everyone’s name in his class in a hat and that they were the three lucky ones picked. I talked to him and his kids about how I became a writer and the importance of reading.  The teacher bought them each a signed copy. The manager was so nice to me.

   Two days later, on Saturday 11-15-08, I had another book signing in Royal Oak at Barnes and Noble. When I got there, I met the manager and immediately signed some copies for customers. There was another author up there that day, she wrote a children’s book. I gave a speech to the children about the importance of reading and read a couple of pages from my book.  After that some of the children bought my book. Later that day a reporter from The Detroit News was there and she said that she was going to do an article about me in the newspaper.

    Today on 11-16-08, I went to Grosse Pointe Woods for yet another book signing at Barnes and Noble. The manager was really nice to me. An immigration professor bought my book and is going to give it to the student who scores the highest in his class. I had fun and I met a lot of really nice people.

Barnes and Noble book signing 11-16-08.