All Discussions Tagged 'reviews' - The Book Marketing Network2024-03-28T09:21:39Zhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=reviews&feed=yes&xn_auth=no5 Tips to self-market your self-published book from FastPenciltag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2013-10-02:523145:Topic:5989642013-10-02T18:11:33.986ZFastPencilhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/FastPencil
<div class="spPostContentSection"><div class="spPostContent" id="spPostIndexContent4827"><p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I'm here from <a href="http://www.fastpencil.com" target="_blank">FastPencil</a>, the fastest, easiest way to write and publish your book. We've joined the forum to share information that we hope is helpful for marketing your books, starting with the tips below. For additional tips and resources, please visit our blog at…</p>
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</div>
<div class="spPostContentSection"><div id="spPostIndexContent4827" class="spPostContent"><p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I'm here from <a href="http://www.fastpencil.com" target="_blank">FastPencil</a>, the fastest, easiest way to write and publish your book. We've joined the forum to share information that we hope is helpful for marketing your books, starting with the tips below. For additional tips and resources, please visit our blog at <a href="http://fastpencil.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fastpencil.wordpress.com</a>.</p>
<p>Thanks,<br/> FastPencil</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>5 Tips to self-market your self-published book</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Build a readership before publishing. Before completing your book, set up a Facebook page, blog or newsletter and send it to those close to you like family, friends and even your writing group and any other organization you’re part of. Now, when you’re completing your book, bring your followers along for the ride by giving them sneak peeks of your work, soliciting feedback and showing potential cover designs. Even better, get them involved by asking them what they think your characters should do next!</li>
<li>Get social. While having your own social media accounts, blog, and/or website for your books is important, don't forget to get out there and interact with your new online community. Commenting on, replying to and engaging with other authors and bloggers or on relevant websites will help put your name out there and drive traffic back to your site.</li>
<li>Word of mouth. Don’t be shy- talk about your book! Tell people that you’ve written something that you’re passionate about and ask if you can share it with them. Be careful not to be pushy, but if the moment seems right, mention your book! You never know who your biggest fan will be- it could be your hair stylist, doctor, someone you've met at a cocktail party…anyone!</li>
<li>Get your book reviewed. You don’t have to be a bestselling author to get your book reviewed. Start small and ask your friends to chat about it in book clubs, online or via their social media pages. Next, send your book to your local newspaper for a review; then aim for book bloggers and online retailers such as Amazon.</li>
<li>Take advantage of free tools. You’d be surprised with how many free online tools there are to help readers quickly find and purchase your book. Many self-publishing companies have these tools readily available on their platform. For instance, <a href="http://www.fastpencil.com" target="_blank">FastPencil</a> has a <a href="http://fastpencil.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/3-free-promotional-tools-from-fastpencil/" target="_blank">BookBuy Page</a>, which offers authors a unique URL web page to hosts their published book, book preview and purchase information, making it a one-stop-shop for potential buyers.</li>
</ol>
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</div> In case you need book reviewstag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2013-02-11:523145:Topic:5632022013-02-11T23:43:02.417ZFast Book Reviewshttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/FastBookReviews
<p><span>We are a new site offering speedy and quality book reviews: </span><a href="http://www.fastbookreviews.com/">http://www.fastbookreviews.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p><span>We are a new site offering speedy and quality book reviews: </span><a href="http://www.fastbookreviews.com/">http://www.fastbookreviews.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks</p> Book reviews exchange offertag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2012-06-22:523145:Topic:5330552012-06-22T20:35:37.641ZKerry Watsonhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/KerryWatson
<p>I write books about open source Ecommerce, which means free website management programs where you can sell your downloadable or other books online, accept credit cards, and have the money appear in your checking account. I have published fourteen books on these programs since 2003, and my books are written for NON-TECHNICAL NEW USERS. This probably means you!</p>
<p>I would LOVE to exchange free copies of my ebook with other authors who could use this knowledge, and who will post a review on…</p>
<p>I write books about open source Ecommerce, which means free website management programs where you can sell your downloadable or other books online, accept credit cards, and have the money appear in your checking account. I have published fourteen books on these programs since 2003, and my books are written for NON-TECHNICAL NEW USERS. This probably means you!</p>
<p>I would LOVE to exchange free copies of my ebook with other authors who could use this knowledge, and who will post a review on Amazon from the view of my target audience, the non-technical new user.</p>
<p>In return I will read and review your books for your target audience on Amazon or wherever you wish. If I have any criticism I will send it to you first to review and I hope you will do the same.</p>
<p><br/> Merry</p>
<p>p.s. You can request the free reviewer copy from my website at <a href="http://www.oscmanuals.com">www.oscmanuals.com</a>.</p> Reviews for The Bully in MEtag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2010-07-07:523145:Topic:3347752010-07-07T05:16:15.502ZMG Villescahttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/MGVillesca
<p>What a wonderful review posted on Amazon. The best part is it's from a stranger. Please leave a review</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a great book. It gives the reader insight into the life of a teen bully. Why do bullies do what they do? What makes them tick? Does a bully even have real friends? Villesca does a great job of answering these questions while developing Daniel's character. The story seems realistic, too - from the crude remarks and domestic violence (not descriptive, but you…</p>
<p>What a wonderful review posted on Amazon. The best part is it's from a stranger. Please leave a review</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a great book. It gives the reader insight into the life of a teen bully. Why do bullies do what they do? What makes them tick? Does a bully even have real friends? Villesca does a great job of answering these questions while developing Daniel's character. The story seems realistic, too - from the crude remarks and domestic violence (not descriptive, but you know it's happening) to bullying techniques and Daniel's coping skills. The climax is pretty traumatic. Lives are changed because of a stupid dare. Eyes are opened and relationships are forged as a result. Once everything is "resolved", there is a sense of relief. But there's no cheesy "happily ever after" ending, just a sense of hope. I'm really looking forward to Villesca's next book!</p> Questions for Authorstag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2009-09-03:523145:Topic:2287162009-09-03T13:48:38.018ZBarbara Howardhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/BarbaraHoward
Hello Everyone,<br />
<br />
I will be conducting interviews with well-known authors during the next 2 months to be broadcast over the internet. I would love to receive your <b>feedback</b> on their books and possibly ask them <b><u>YOUR</u></b> <b>questions</b>.<br />
<br />
This list is growing each week and the dates are being confirmed. So, I will update this post accordingly.<br />
<br />
Please feel free to post a comment and question. If it's a question for the author, make sure you include your name/initials, city &…
Hello Everyone,<br />
<br />
I will be conducting interviews with well-known authors during the next 2 months to be broadcast over the internet. I would love to receive your <b>feedback</b> on their books and possibly ask them <b><u>YOUR</u></b> <b>questions</b>.<br />
<br />
This list is growing each week and the dates are being confirmed. So, I will update this post accordingly.<br />
<br />
Please feel free to post a comment and question. If it's a question for the author, make sure you include your name/initials, city & state so that I can mention you On-Air.<br />
<br />
Architecture<br />
*Brugmann, Jeb: Welcome to the Urban Revolution<br />
<br />
*Gikow, Louise: Sesame Street, A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street<br />
<br />
* Starita, Joel: I Am a Man: Chief Standing Bear's Journey for Justice<br />
<br />
* Turan, Kenneth: Free for All- Joseph Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater<br />
<br />
* Rosenberg, Sharon Harvey: 10,0001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget<br />
<br />
*Senor, Dan: Start-up Nation<br />
<br />
* Bliss, Harry: Luke on the Loose<br />
<br />
*Fies, Brian: Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow?<br />
<br />
*Sturm, James: Adventures in Cartooning<br />
<br />
*Jacobson, Sid: Vlad the Impaler: The Man Who Was Dracula<br />
<br />
* Bardach, Ann Louise: Without Fidel<br />
<br />
* Leonin, Mia: Havana and other Missing Fathers<br />
<br />
*Sallenger, Abby: Island in a Storm: A Rising Sea, a Vanishing Coast, and Nineteenth Century Disaster That Warns of a Warmer World<br />
<br />
*Luntz, Frank: What Americans Really Want. . . Really: The Truth About Our Hopes, Dreams, and Fears<br />
<br />
*Maeder, Jo: When I Married My Mother: A Daughter's Search for What Really Matters-and How She Found It Caring for Mama Jo<br />
<br />
*Owen, Janis: The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook in Celebration of Cornbread-Fed, Down Home Family Stories and Cuisine<br />
<br />
*Shepard, Sadie: The Girl from Foreign: A Search for Shipwrecked Ancestors, Forgotten Histories, and a Sense of Home<br />
<br />
* Shepard, Sadie: The Girl from Foreign: A Search for Shipwrecked Ancestors, Forgotten Histories, and a Sense of Home<br />
<br />
*Kent, Kathleen: The Heretic's Daughter<br />
<br />
*Rose, Daniel Asa: Larry's Kidney Being the True Story of How I Found Myself in China with My Black Sheep Cousin and His Mail-Order Bride, Skirting the Law to Get Him a Transplant--and Save His Life<br />
<br />
*Cabot, Meg: Allie Finkel's Rules For Girls Book One: Moving Day<br />
<br />
*Posner, Gerald: Miami Babylon: A Tale of Crime, Wealth, and Power<br />
<br />
*Grimes, William: Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York<br />
<br />
*Leleux, Robert: The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy<br />
<br />
*Freeman, John: The Tyranny of E-mail<br />
<br />
*Wilmore, Larry: I'd Rather We Got Casinos- And Other Black Thoughts<br />
<br />
*Wolman, David: Righting the Mother Tongue: From Olde English to Email, the Tangled Story of English Spelling<br />
<br />
*Worth, Don: Art Deco in Shanghai and Miami Beach<br />
<br />
*Avakian, Alexandra: Windows of the Soul: My Journeys in the Muslim World<br />
<br />
*Harris, Carla: Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success From a Wall Street Vet<br />
<br />
*Niedzviecki, Hal: The Peep Diaries: How We're Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbors<br />
<br />
*Weatherford, Carole: Becoming Billie Holiday<br />
<br />
*Hippolyte, Kendel: Birthright<br />
<br />
*Hippolyte, Kendel: Night Vision<br />
<br />
*Biskupic, Joan: Biography of Justice Scalia<br />
<br />
*Branch, Taylor: The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President<br />
<br />
*Polito, Robert: Hollywood & God<br />
<br />
*Sullivan, Patricia: Lift Every Voice: The NAACP and the Making of the Civil Rights Movement<br />
<br />
*Tye, Larry: Satchel Paige Biography Reviews work well.tag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2009-08-07:523145:Topic:2216992009-08-07T07:35:27.766Zmartha tuckerhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/marthatucker
I'm always asking for reviews. I'm going to share one that I just received, and the best one I've seen in a long time.<br />
Martha Tucker<br />
<br />
The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires By Martha Tucker<br />
<br />
Reviewed by Fran Lewis<br />
<br />
<br />
The nucleus of a cell is fragile and needs to be protected from harm. Like the yoke of an egg before the egg is cracked, the outer shell stays strong and protects the inner yoke from harm. Life has many fragile and delicate moments that need protection as people do. Changes in our lives…
I'm always asking for reviews. I'm going to share one that I just received, and the best one I've seen in a long time.<br />
Martha Tucker<br />
<br />
The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires By Martha Tucker<br />
<br />
Reviewed by Fran Lewis<br />
<br />
<br />
The nucleus of a cell is fragile and needs to be protected from harm. Like the yoke of an egg before the egg is cracked, the outer shell stays strong and protects the inner yoke from harm. Life has many fragile and delicate moments that need protection as people do. Changes in our lives often bring resistance to the fragile outer shell of that egg or stretches that cell and its nucleus, so the shape and form no longer remains the same. But, when the changes that are needed to make that nucleus stronger and that shell harder to protect and create something better, we often need to go to great lengths to make sure it happens.<br />
<br />
Visions are more than what psychic sees when they give you a reading or tell the police or a government agency what they see in their minds in order to help solve a crime. Visions are often the long rage goals that you might have for a city’s growth, your own life to more ahead or for an entire community to flourish. It takes a person who believes in the extraordinary and does not sit back and settle for the usual to have strong visions, strong convictions and carry them out. Mel Tate was such a man. On September 9, 1981, Melvin Tate, the Californian Mayor of Compton was struck down by a bullet not only meant to kill him but his goals, values and ideals for his community. Black communities such as his were riddled with drive by shootings, drug wars, and little or no opportunity for jobs or expansion of their economy and little or no help to educate teens and young adults about life in general. Martha Tucker brings these issues and more to light in her groundbreaking first novel, The Mayor’s Wife Wore Sapphires.<br />
<br />
When you take your visions and you stretch them to make that nucleus of that cell wider and the yoke of that egg stronger, you sometimes find a lot of resistance as did Indigo Tate did in this novel that makes a real statement about changing society and the way people think about each other and how we achieve our goals.<br />
<br />
Although the time period might be the 80’s the message that the author is driving home is still prevalent and even more vital today. Our schools need to be improved, drugs need to be a thing of the past in our cities and states, corruption in government needs to be eliminated and guns need to be off the streets and not readily available. As our new President stated before he was elected, now is the time for change and it will take all of us to make sure that happens.<br />
<br />
Mel Tate was a man with a vision for the people of Compton, California. He believed in change and he was a unique politician and wanted to create a special training program called World Hub for the people of his city. When he found out that millions of dollars that were appropriated for this project was missing, his goal to become his state’s Congressman were shattered. Deciding not to run and see his dream through, he tells his wife, that living their life outside of Compton was no longer an option. Convincing him to change his mind would have probably stopped the horrific chain of events that followed. All Indigo wanted was a better life and to leave Compton and live in Washington and help her husband create a better life for her and her family.<br />
<br />
What did the City Planner, the Chief of Police, the District Attorney, the most powerful Congressman in the city and a Councilman have in common, the belief that Melvin Tate’s way of thinking was not their way and he had to be stopped at any cost. Standing on the podium to unveil his new World Hub Project, Melvin Tate was gunned down in cold blood injuring his wife too. But, what was the real motive for this shooting? Who was the real target? That will require looking deeper into the nucleus of this fragile cell and the now broken shell of this fragile city whose outer shell was shattered when this powerful man was killed.<br />
<br />
Martin Luther King believed in racial equality for everyone and that every person of every race should have the same opportunities in life. Indigo Tate believed in his vision and wanted the same for the people of Compton and she would go to undying lengths to complete what her husband had started and any cost.<br />
<br />
There are many ways to increase the economy of a city. You can create jobs, opportunities for students to be able to attend college, and open doors to people who would ordinarily have nothing by helping to eliminate drugs, corruption, crime, drive by shootings and government conspiracies where you live. But, for those who hate change and feel the only way to increase and inflate the economy is to sell drugs to teens for profit, help a foreign country in its war by making sure they have the guns they need and using a city for South American Drug Lords to bring in their drugs and make a hefty profit, someone needs to stop them and someone tries.<br />
<br />
Indigo Tate loses everything when her husband is killed. Her entire world comes falling down and she needs to rebuild not only her life but protect her children too. But, when you find out that there is no one you can trust except yourself and your own instincts, you really need the courage and fortitude not to break apart even further.<br />
<br />
<br />
Watching her husband shot right in front of her and then getting shot herself, Indigo Tate was not going to let his murder go unsolved or the mystery behind why he was targeted go unpunished. But, how far will she have to go and at what expense. Proud of what her husband wanted to do for Compton by creating World Hub, which would not only bring jobs and businesses to her city, but would help bring technology, manufacturing, marketing, training and more in order to help change the lives of the people there for the better, she would do all she could to make his dream come true.<br />
<br />
Indigo ‘s goal was to create rid her city of drugs, stop the drive by shootings of innocent children, help the homeless and raise the level of education for the children in the city in order to create not only a safer environment for the people, but to erase the barriers between Black and White too. What a great and wonderful objective and goal. But, there were those, close to her and to her late husband who pretended to support his ideals and her goal to follow through with his mission to end poverty and crime in her city through World. Hub.<br />
<br />
Thinking that she would have the support of many of her husband’s backers and constituents she decides the only way to succeed is to become Mayor of Compton and continue his work. Never think the ordinary always go for the extraordinary is what her father told her growing up. Never settle for mediocre when you can be the best and never let them know you are afraid. Do not let anyone see the fear in your eyes and keep strong.<br />
<br />
Indigo belonged to a group called the Diamonds. A group of Black women who were the Who’s Who of Beverly Hills and were powerful not only in the decisions that would be made in her life but in the lives of others too. Dupree Pascal, her husband Congressman Frank Pascal would play an integral part in the events that would shatter her life and those of others too. Congressman Kahn, who wanted to be Mayor and hoped that she, would back him and his ideals for Compton. John Varner, the most sought after campaign manager in the country, wanted his piece of the pie too. Each having their own secrets to hide and each with his or her own agenda, no one wanting her to succeed.<br />
<br />
<br />
World Hub would create a better life for everyone in Compton and would help educate young mothers in childcare. It would create jobs in manufacturing, commerce, technology, marketing and more. Eliminating drugs from the streets, getting rid of guns and lowering the crime rate, this project would change the way people lived for the better. But, her so-called friends had other ideas and the people she thought closest to her and hoped to protect her did not.<br />
<br />
As deadly as the war in Iraq and any World War, Indigo Tate launches one of her own against crime, corruption, hate, conspiracy and deceit at any cost. With no one to trust and everything to lose she works relentlessly to find out who killed her husband and why a young teenage drug seller was framed for his murder.<br />
<br />
What happens sends a message that is so powerful and so strong it keeps the reader transfixed until the very last word of this book that sends a strong message. The ending will send you wanting for me and leave you thinking: Can this really happen? Is the fight for justice and to keep our kids safe ever going to end? What does happen to the project that Indigo fought so hard to make happen and at what cost does she become Mayor of Compton and at whose expense besides her own? You need to read this first time novel by Martha Tucker who definitely has a voice that needs to be heard and a pen that has to write the next chapter for Indigo and the people of Compton. The story does not end on the last page and this reviewer wants more.<br />
<br />
I would definitely give this book FIVE PERFECTLY CUT BLUE SAPPHIRES placed in that circle and nucleus to make it stronger. The sapphire is the Stone of Destiny. The stone provides and holds within its power mental clarity and perception and financial rewards. It symbolizes truth, sincerity and faithfulness and all of the attributes of Indigo Tate. By wearing that stone around her neck it drew protection for her, increased her wisdom and oversaw her destiny. It is truly the stone of prosperity and worthy of our Indigo Tate who brought that to Compton and more. New Article All You Should Read! Stop Badmouthing Industry Professionals!tag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2009-07-05:523145:Topic:2146872009-07-05T17:59:04.230ZStacy-Deannehttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/StacyDeanne
Hi All,<br />
<br />
I've just written a new article called Online Badmouthing Can Cause A Writer Their Career. Don't Do It.<br />
<br />
Check it out below and I welcome comments. I hope everyone takes it seriously. This practice has been running rampant lately and it's been getting under my skin. There is a difference between authors sharing info to protect each other or for the good of someone's well being, but badmouthing people in public because you've got a grudge is not the right thing to do. It has been…
Hi All,<br />
<br />
I've just written a new article called Online Badmouthing Can Cause A Writer Their Career. Don't Do It.<br />
<br />
Check it out below and I welcome comments. I hope everyone takes it seriously. This practice has been running rampant lately and it's been getting under my skin. There is a difference between authors sharing info to protect each other or for the good of someone's well being, but badmouthing people in public because you've got a grudge is not the right thing to do. It has been bothering me so much that I had to write an article on it. I hope you enjoy and learn from it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/online-badmouthing-can-cause-a-writer-their-career-dont-do-it-1012088.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/online-badmouthing-can-cause-a-writer-their-career-dont-do-it-1012088.html</a><br />
<br />
Best Wishes!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stacy-deanne.net">http://www.stacy-deanne.net</a> New Movie Review By James Myers, The Entertainment Critic-The Soloisttag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2009-05-06:523145:Topic:1989592009-05-06T22:04:07.938ZJames Myershttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/JamesMyers
<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" height="582" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2865902079?profile=original" width="398"></img></p>
<br />
<br />
I wanted to see an adult film this weekend. Not an x-rated adult sex film, but a thoughtful adult oriented film, for you know---- grown ups. So I skipped the premiere of the X-man film and I decided to take in The Soloist with Robert Downey, Jr and Jaime Foxx. (I know, I know, I usually go see the obvious blockbuster and report on that; usually that is more interesting). I have been taking classes towards my MBA, and I missed the premiere during…
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2865902079?profile=original" alt="" width="398" height="582"/></p>
<br />
<br />
I wanted to see an adult film this weekend. Not an x-rated adult sex film, but a thoughtful adult oriented film, for you know---- grown ups. So I skipped the premiere of the X-man film and I decided to take in The Soloist with Robert Downey, Jr and Jaime Foxx. (I know, I know, I usually go see the obvious blockbuster and report on that; usually that is more interesting). I have been taking classes towards my MBA, and I missed the premiere during finals the last two weeks. (Financial Accounting final, a real nightmare that we’ll talk about another time; god, I hate math or concepts that have to do with anything mathematical). One other thing. As a reviewer, even as a blogger, I don’t usually read other reviews before I see a film. I want my mind to be “tabla rosé”, or totally blank; not in the sense that it usually is, but in the sense that I don’t want to form a pre-opinion about the film before I see it. I broke that rule before seeing this film as well. Some of the other reviews were well….. half way, half hearted and slightly disappointing. I am happy to report to you that I liked this film, despite the efforts to poison my mind against it; I wanted a grown up film, written, directed and played out for grown ups. What I mean by this is that the film did not have the predictable happy ending; Nathaniel Ayers, (the Foxx character) did not end up playing his cello at Carnegie Hall in New York, triumphing over his mental impairments; Steve Lopez (the Downey character) helping the handicapped man, and writing the Pulitzer Prize winning book. If you are expecting the typical Hollywood ending, go see the film and be amazed.<br />
<br />
No, this film is not the classic Hollywood cures mental illness stick; this film probes the modern relationship between reporter and prodigy with more of a realistic, gritty, (for lack of a better word) messy result.<br />
<br />
Steve Lopez is a divorced reporter who writes feature, human interest stories for the Los Angeles Times. The movie turns on a scene in the Times offices where it is disclosed that the newspaper is not being read as much by young people as the online version and hard news stories are not carrying the circulation at this time. The newspaper sells papers not on the day late news story that you get online or on your cable, but on the human interest stories that Lopez writes. Lopez was in a bicycle accident and afterwards meets Nathaniel Ayers, a street person who plays a 2 stringed violin. Lopez becomes interested in his story when he verifies that Nathaniel was indeed a child prodigy from Cleveland who attended Julliard for a time, and has an usual attachment to all music Beethoven. Homeless and on the streets of LA, Nathaniel seems to be at peace with playing his beautiful classical music with his 2 stringed violin to the open air, the traffic under his part of the freeway bridge, and the pigeons. Shopping cart in hand, Nathaniel roams the city streets, cleaning and playing.<br />
<br />
Lopez, the great writer that he is smells a story and pursues it. His columns about Nathaniel leads one his readers to send a cello that she can no longer use. Ayres accepts the cello with some difficulty because there are strings attached; he must report to a homeless shelter to keep the cello and play for the residents. This takes as Ayres does report to the shelter, plays for the other residents and eventually, reluctantly accepts an apartment there. Nathaniel and Steve form a friendship in this process. Steve very strongly feels that if he can push Nathaniel in the right direction, get him medical/psychiatric help and medication, perhaps Nathaniel can resume a promising career as a professional cello player. Not that Steve is without need for some help himself; his life patterns follow a non-commitment trial where he was not able to commit to his ex-wife and child. (Ironically, in the film, Catherine Keener plays Lopez's ex-wife and also his editor at the Los Angeles Times). Steve nonetheless continues to push Nathaniel, taking him to a philharmonic rehearsal as the Walt Disney Center in Los Angeles, arranging for cello lessons from an expert, and coaxing Nathaniel into an aborted concert attempt. Lopez even manages to locate Nathaniel’s sister in an attempt to have someone manage his affairs. The pain and frustration in this film of trying to improve Nathaniel’s situation is well represented in the film.<br />
<br />
But the big ticket item, psychiatric and medical treatment, perhaps a cure for the schizophrenic delusions and voices Nathaniel hears in his head eludes Lopez. As the counselor at the centers tries to explain to Lopez, maybe Nathaniel is not ready for help; maybe he does not want to be helped; maybe help has failed him before. Maybe Nathaniel is content with his situation. Maybe Lopez will just have to wait until Nathaniel indicates he wants to analyzed and medicated of his own free will.<br />
Despite clearing the way for the mayor to help that area of center with a multi-million dollar commitment and winning both an award for his writing about Nathaniel and a book deal, Lopez is determined to get Nathaniel treatment and medicated. When he presents Nathaniel with commitment papers, it backfires and Nathaniel throws him out of the apartment, threatening his life.<br />
<br />
This is where the true lesson of the story becomes apparent; Lopez has learned as much from the plight of Nathaniel about what it means to commit to another person as a true friend as Nathaniel has benefitted from his generosity. Following through on his friendship, he does bring the sister to LA to reunite with Nathaniel, this time with no strings attached. That is the real message of this film; friendship can overshadow all ills. True friendship is more important than manipulating our friends, it means listening to them and sometimes allowing them to exercise their freedom of choice, even if it seems to you not to be the best thing for them at the time.<br />
<br />
This is a very good picture. It is poignant and touching, urban and gritty, and at times scary and eye opening into the plight of the more than 90,000 homeless people in Los Angeles. Robert Downey Jr gives a steely-eyed performance of the excellent writer who has his own issues in life outside of his work (the raccoon storyline of this piece is a reoccurring theme for human fatality we all suffer from). Jamie Foxx totally sells the homeless musician-prodigy suffering from delusions. I think the best performance in the picture was given by Catherine Keener. Her scenes are perfect, and she has the ex-wife, still in love with her man, but unable to live with him down to a science. If the film has a weakness it is in the direction. Nonetheless, I got what I paid for. This is an adult film about grown up people, with grown up themes. The plot did not settle for the flashy Hollywood ending. Some of the scenes taken in the LA ghetto are frightening and the plight of the homeless comes through screen in an earthshaking way. Disturbing and edgy, the film does a very, very good job of bringing home the plight of the poor and the difficulty in treatment when medical science either has failed them before or the patient does not trust them. The plight of the homeless is portrayed emphatically, without being patronizing or overly moralistic.<br />
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This film moved me. I enjoyed the picture. I was pleasantly surprised that the ending was not sappy. This is a grown ups film. Because of it’s portrayal of the homeless and it’s true to life exposition, this film deserves to be supported. It is a compelling, interesting film; a breath of fresh air and a disturbing revelation.<br />
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<br />
Movie Trailer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HmzpEOEX6o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HmzpEOEX6o</a> UPDATE: AMAZON REVIEWS REINSTATEDtag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2009-04-07:523145:Topic:1915082009-04-07T00:04:33.693ZCheryl Kaye Tardifhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/cherylktardif
So much has happened in the past 24 hours. I have been contacted by authors, author organization reps, reporters, book marketers, bloggers and finally, someone from Amazon. Amazon has been bombarded by emails from authors, orgs, marketers etc, and last night I noticed that Amazon in Seattle had checked out my blog posts. ;-)<br />
<br />
Today I received an email from a senior member of the Amazon Communities team. He apologized and stated that my reviews had been reinstated.<br />
<br />
I began my reply with a thank…
So much has happened in the past 24 hours. I have been contacted by authors, author organization reps, reporters, book marketers, bloggers and finally, someone from Amazon. Amazon has been bombarded by emails from authors, orgs, marketers etc, and last night I noticed that Amazon in Seattle had checked out my blog posts. ;-)<br />
<br />
Today I received an email from a senior member of the Amazon Communities team. He apologized and stated that my reviews had been reinstated.<br />
<br />
I began my reply with a thank you and how I knew they'd been reinstated 2 days ago. It wasn't until I got to the end of writing my reply that I had a strange thought. I immediately went to check my reviews on Amazon. Guess what I found??<br />
<br />
All my reviews have "author of Divine Intervention" added to them! It's not how I signed them exactly, but it's a start.<br />
<br />
I am now gong to notify the dozens of sources who are following this story.<br />
<br />
To those who edited their review signatures, I'm sorry but I gave you the info that Amazon reps told me, that we had to remove our book titles and any product links to our own books. At this time, by reinstating my reviews to include my book title (not linked), I think it's safe to say that they are not going to reinforce this policy, so we can relax and add this info without worry.<br />
<br />
I am trying to get an official statement from someone in Amazon on this.<br />
<br />
Anyways...lots of people to contact...I'll be blogging about this later when I have time to breathe.<br />
<br />
Cheryl Kaye Tardif<br />
<a href="http://www.cherylktardif.com">http://www.cherylktardif.com</a> Amazon is deleting reviews written by authors who include their book titletag:thebookmarketingnetwork.com,2009-04-05:523145:Topic:1913662009-04-05T23:58:35.719ZCheryl Kaye Tardifhttp://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profile/cherylktardif
(I'm posting this both on my blog and in the Forums because this is important information that every author needs to know.)<br />
<br />
Since breaking the news yesterday about my battle with Amazon over reviews (ones I wrote on books I'd read) that they deleted (85 reviews) because I included <i>author of Whale Song</i> in my signature line, I've received emails and phone calls from concerned authors, many who tracked me down via the Internet after reading about me on Twitter, The Write Type or John…
(I'm posting this both on my blog and in the Forums because this is important information that every author needs to know.)<br />
<br />
Since breaking the news yesterday about my battle with Amazon over reviews (ones I wrote on books I'd read) that they deleted (85 reviews) because I included <i>author of Whale Song</i> in my signature line, I've received emails and phone calls from concerned authors, many who tracked me down via the Internet after reading about me on Twitter, The Write Type or John Kremer's Marketing Tips email. Some authors have already discovered missing reviews; some have gone through the same hassle I did.<br />
<br />
The fact that Amazon is now going through reviews written by authors and deleting them if they reference the author reviewer's book title has created a huge stir. People are talking about it, blogging about it, and there could be authors out there wondering why their reviews are all deleted, since Amazon gives no warning before the axe comes down.<br />
<br />
<b>To read the entire story, please go to:<br />
<a href="http://writetype.blogspot.com/2009/04/update-on-my-battle-with-amazon-over.html">An update on my battle with Amazon over deleted reviews</a></b><br />
<br />
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif<br />
<a href="http://www.cherylktardif.com">Author</a> & <a href="http://www.shamelessbookpromoter.com">Book Marketing Coach</a>