Passionate Blog

Divorce and Separation: The Essential Guide: Press release from Forward Press

Divorce and Separation: The Essential Guide

SEPARATED parents are reported to have a lot to answer for – from ‘yob culture’ and binge drinking to dire predictions about a child’s future inability to hold down a relationship.

Although the UK divorce rate is falling, so-called “broken homes” are said to be at fault for many of the pressing concerns of today’s society. No wonder loving parents who face a split with their partner feel bewildered and scared about what is to become of their children – not to mention the trauma that split will bring.

Due out in July, Linda Jones’ positive and supportive book, Divorce and Separation - The Essential Guide, shows that it is not divorce that wreaks long term havoc on a family’s life, but the way it is handled. It helps tackle problems head on, showing parents, carers and those concerned about children’s wellbeing how to find solutions.

Latest five star Amazon review for The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World

HERE's the latest review for The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

Just a snippet follows:

An excellent book about starting out in the world of freelance writing for newspapers, magazines and the internet as well as lots of great tips for commercial writing - catalogues, press releases etc....It will either increase your enthusiasm or convince you that this type of work is not for you.

So a big thank you to the reviewer for going to the trouble of posting that. I'm really chuffed.

New book out now: Divorce and separation: The Essential Guide

WHERE can you turn when you have to explain to your children that their parents are separating?

What can you say to them to help them to understand what’s happening and that they aren’t to blame ?

How can they still feel loved when Mummy and Daddy are no longer speaking? Linda Jones’ sympathetic and straight-talking guide answers the questions that children ask when their parents go their separate ways.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, carer or teacher, Linda’s accessible and warm approach will help you reduce and manage the pain and stress for children when a relationship ends.

Latest reviews for The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World

CHECK out what Keris Stainton has to say about Linda's book, in a "five out of five" review here. Trashionista is also running a competition to win a copy.

There's also a bostin' new review by Louise Bolotin for the Society for Editors and Proofreaders.

It's great to see the positive reviews continuing.

Heartfelt thanks to those who have bought my book

A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has spent their hard earned cash on my book, or been so kind about it in reviews.

It's on the 'bestselling' list (number three behind Andrew Crofts and another one) on Amazon for freelance writing and second only to gardening (in front of sex) in The Greatest Tips series, on Amazon at least.

Praise for The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World

OVER at Freelancewritingtips.com Linda is busy compiling reviews so far of her book, The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

It has been fascinating to see the feedback so far. It is very early days but we hope this positive start bodes well for the future success of the book.

Here's a selection of quotes from recent articles and reviews:

"The only book a writer will ever need." Diary of a Wordsmith.

It's not called The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World for nothing. Excellent. I highly recommend it." Flaming Nora.

"Stuffed full of no-nonsense practical tips on how to earn a living in the challenging world of newspapers and magazines." Janet Lee, The Chase Post.

BBC Radio 5 Live - turn on and tune in

Yesterday I secured a one hour live interview for my client Gabriella Goddard on the Anita Anand show which will air tonight at 11pm on BBC Radio 5 Live. 

During the hour, listeners will be invited to phone in and chat to Gabriella about their fears and how to overcome them, and Gabriella will encourage people to pledge their Gulp!

She will also be talking about her virtual book tour that's taking place over the next week as well as the Gulp! Together Campaign.[Katie]

So what's a virtual book tour, then?

Graham Holliday makes some interesting points about bloggers being asked to review stuff in a piece for Comment is Free.

(And here's me thinking it was just print journalists who got stuff through the post and did nothing with it, save moan about how rubbish it all was or give it to their mates as birthday presents rush to file an objective review for their chosen publication.)

Now Passionate Media client Gabriella Goddard is embarking on a 'virtual book tour' - which she says is a genuine first in the UK. The 'virtual book tour' is apparently a well-worn marketing tool in other parts of the world but new to these shores.

When I first heard the words 'virtual book tour' I imagined this was something akin to bloggers being sent a copy of Gabriella's book and being asked to write about it - something that Graham illustrates may be as useful as a chocolate teapot. In fact it's something much more ambitious and sophisticated than that.

In her press release, Katie writes that Gabriella will use the "combined innovations" of online messaging, podcasts, blogs and forums to ‘tour’ the country, which she says will mark a new era in book tours and book signings.

The virtual tour, set to start tomorrow, will involve Gabriella engaging in Q&A sessions at pre-arranged times on blogs and forums as well as video blogs on Youtube.com and conducting live web chats on Skype, Typepad, MSN Messenger and Myspace.

Gabriella said: "With more people "social networking" online and buying books over the web, it seemed a logical step to create an online book tour where I can spend more time interacting and engaging with my potential readers, which can be difficult to do at book signings.

"You are also opening yourself up to a much bigger audience at every stop on the tour, one that is international, versus the more traditional methods of book signings and talks which are limited only to those that can make the journey to see you."

Through her virtual book tour, Gabriella, will offer advice and support to anyone facing a challenging situation, whether in their career, relationship or life in general.

Gabriella has various blogs and forums already booked into her schedule, including publisher, Penguin’s own podcast site.

Katy Szita, publicity director at Healthy Penguin said: "Publishers are always looking for innovative ways to promote their books and we know that there is huge scope for reaching a much wider readership online than through print media. When Gabriella Goddard suggested undertaking a ground-breaking virtual book tour we jumped at the chance to get involved."

Take the “Gulp! Together” Challenge

You may have seen in our business news that we are working with a fantastic lady at the moment.  Gabriella Goddard is a confidence coach and author of  "Gulp! : The Seven Day Crash Course to Master Fear and Break Through Any Challenge” (Penguin, April 2006).

During the week of September 4th - 10th, she is urging you to face your fear, step through that scary "gulp" moment and make an important change in your life or do something that you keep putting off. 

As an added incentive you can publically pledge your Gulp! online, and get friends and family to sponsor you and raise some money for a charity of your choice. 

We think this is a great idea and here in the Passionate Media office we are experts at putting things off until we are slimmer, richer, or older. 

So our Katie, seen here going to extreme lengths to raise money for Compton Hospice last year has been the first in the office to decide to pledge her Gulp! in September.  Good on ya Katie.

You'll have to wait and see what she's decided to do.  I'm still thinking about my pledge and I know Linda will take some pursuading but I'm working on her.  Watch this space....

Carol