2021 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

Ditch It. Switch It.

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire

GreenLight: When God Says Go

Do you think ofretirementas a dead-end road to the Departure Lounge of life? Think again!Retirement, A New Adventureis full of ideas how to live an active, fun and enriching life inretirement. There are things to do, skills to learn, new technologies to embrace, people to meet, places to explore. What sets this book apart is the stories it provides from real life experiences of the author and others; stories that range from silly to serious, revealing how satisfying life inretirementcan be.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

Things…

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Light At The Museum…

Book Signing event. What I learnt. What sparked the light. Music, food, culture and fun.

Island Space Museum welcomed Reggae Music Matriarch Miss Pat Chin when she shared the evolution of Reggae Music from Jamaica, the Caribbean to the United States and the world.

Pleased to have been invited to share my own book and Research on Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders in the United States.

This Museum is a must visit when in Florida. Plan your visit to Learn more about this innovative initiative and don’t hesitate to donate unique and historical Caribbean artifacts. The Museum’s hardworking team are happy to shed the light!

Wanna Retire At 35? Why Wait? Reggae Music Matriarch & Retirement Guru Tell All In This Literary Conversation…

Literary Conversation With Reggae Music Matriarch Miss Patricia Chin and Retirement Guru Miss Patricia Reid-Waugh. These Pioneers Encourage Professionals who Fear Retirement that age is just a number. Big things can happen at any age. Here’s how They did it

Grab Your Book Here

My Reggae Music Journey by Patricia Chin
https://www.vandpfoundation.org/

Retirement, A New Adventure by Patricia Reid-Way
https://www.reidwaughbooks.com/

Your Career: Ditch It by Dr. Shelly Cameron
GreenLight: When God Says Go by Dr. Shelly Cameron
http://shellycameron.com/books/

Follow on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drShellyC_S…

Winter Book Signing At The Museum…

Writers write. Readers Read. Together they are one.

Always a pleasure to be invited to participate in Book Signing events. The newly launched Island Space Museum, Florida, boasts artifacts from across the Caribbean.

As winter peeps in 84-year old Reggae music matriarch Patricia Chin kicks off her new found love of writing and sharing her craft. She will be joined by fellow authors David Muir, Hugh Sinclair “0Chef Irie”, Cynthia Verna “Chef Thia” and yours truly – Dr. Shelly C. We will share exciting stories of our author journey, the island way.

Join us.

Cheers!

Poet’s Defining Moment. The Story Of A Mother As Told By A Daughter…

The Story of a Mother as told by a Daughter.
A Literary Conversation with Author & Poet Susan Lycett Davis (Dr Sue)

A Miami Book Fair annual Author Feature

Living a HIP Life is a Great inspirational stocking stuffer available from Dr Sue and on Amazon

Listen in https://bit.ly/3C1cQ76

GreenLight’s Trunk Or Treat Candy Squeals…

Try New Things

Try new things. That’s what I did. I tried something new. Never did a trunk or treat before. I’m not an artist unlike my daughter. I’m a creator of written work–books, poems, short stories, and an encourager through daily Motivational Quotes on instagram. But my desire to participate in the Calvary’s annual Trunk or Treat event caused me weeks of agony. As I prayed I needed help. I searched the net. The ideas gleaned were generic based on movie characters, celebrity look-alikes and such. As I agonized, I shared my concept with a friend who is a creator of art…of things unique. She joined me in the vision and it emerged into something concrete.

How I Did It

My vision was to share from my book GreenLight: When God Says Go. It’s from a series of writings and I wanted to bring it to life. I got boxes and art supplies from Michaels. Bought tap lights from Amazon to portray all green traffic lights. Painted them with green art paint. Cut holes in the boxes and glued the tap lights into the holes.

I learnt that it was important to make sure your trunk matches the trunk host so I duplicated the above and cut additional holes into the box for my arms. I added my name to a piece of art board and glued it onto a head band to wear as the name of a street, green wig in tow. Remember, I am not an artist but I was pleased with my creation and the kids seemed delighted by the tap lights. I got many kiddie ‘asks’ to tap the lights as I wore them while the adults looked on intrigued. Pictures always tell a story, so here are a few.

How did you spend your time trick or treating? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Stuck In A Rut? Books For Career Changers…

Get a life, not a job! What Color is your parachute? are some of the books that speaks to those who want a change. Yes you! You want the change but are afraid to let go. To go try something new.

Recently I have been thinking about some big names of presidents, vice presidents, CEOs and others who saw themselves through the eyes of their titles. Those grave responsibilities that others who see them approaching decide to literally jump! Jump out of respect or fear that they would be fired.

And yet….these same executives have found themselves on the other side of life pondering what next? Most do not plan for their next steps simply because they so identify with their current roles that when something does arise that through no fault of their own, they find themselves like a fish out of water. They ponder…what to do?

Then there are those who are not at that level (yet) but find themselves hating the very thought of getting out of bed each morning. They tell themselves were it not for the kids college funds, the mortgage, bills, or the thought of what will I tell my friends if I am no longer employed? stay stuck in the mouse trap. Churning. But making no cheese.

Tis sad. But then again, life goes on. Before they know it, 5, 10, 15 years have passed in the same position…no fulfilment from their daily toil.

That’s where my book Ditch It, Switch It comes to the rescue. If you are brave enough this book is for you! Ditch It if you want to change career and take the brave step into entrepreneurship. Or Switch It. Go do something entirely different. A dear colleague made the brave decision to step out of media into a completely new field. Though afraid, she did it anyway and now is enjoying the fruits of something she never thought she could do. Quite refreshing she says with a big grin.

Job DemotivationSigns

Job will make you sick . Signs are

  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Tiredness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of confidence
  • Irritability and other warning signs.

The book Mid-Life Career Rescue will help you:

Discover a job you love, and find your passion and purpose

  • Boost confidence, courage and self-esteem
  • Flame the embers of inspiration and enthusiasm
  • Identify and find your skills, talents, strengths, and point of brilliance
  • Reduce stress, insecurity, anxiety, depression and self-doubt
  • Improve health and well-being
  • Break free of a job you hate and be happy
  • Successfully make a career change after 50

So don’t be afraid to ditch it. Plan it. Try it and for sure with time, you’ll have no regrets.

Cheers!

The Great Resignation…

Your Career: Ditch It, Switch It. In January I published the book,Never expected so many to heed it! Our society is experiencing the Great Resignation!

But yes it’s your time to do what you’ve always wanted to do.

Learn How That Fear Ditch It

Sell More Books This Holiday. Here’s How…

Writers write. Readers read. Together they are one.

The holiday season brings many opportunities for authors. Families, co-workers, friends, networkers and even the Grinch shop for the perfect Gifts for book-lovers. From fiction, non fiction, Poetry, Sci-fi and sweet holiday romance for those hallmark enthusiasts who dream not only of movies but to curl up in the warmth of Christmas bliss. Their goal? To get lost in the world of the ideal relationship.

Marketers go crazy to capture the holiday magic for those on the naughty or nice list. So why shouldn’t authors…well author-preneurs participate? It’s become a common trend for non-traditional publishers to want to optimize the sweet fruits of their labor. They want to see their hard work nicely wrapped under the Christmas tree or at minimum, stuffed into Christmas stockings.

So how can authors prepare? I was chatting with a group of self published and traditionally published authors who long to boost their holiday sales. Why have the books gathering dust on Amazon’s platform or even yours? It seems the practice is to write it, publish it, and forget it, with the hopes that writing and publishing the book will attract sales. Not so. It does not work that way. Not for any type of author. The point is, after your book is published… unfortunately that’s when the hard work begins. You have to make the world know that it exists. So here are a few simple tips to help get you started. Don’t be overwhelmed. Choose one, two or a few and prepare for the most wonderful time of the year.

Create That Holiday Plan

  • Create a plan for the holidays. I am a firm believer in the saying if you are not planning you’re just practicing.
  • Evaluate where you are now and where you would like to be at the end of the holiday period. For example, you could include factors like doubling or tripling your year-to-date sales. If you are an experienced author with several books, take a loo at your past holiday sales. Project an increase in sales over past years.
  • Plan to up your Marketing and Promotional strategy. Sometimes just a little effort goes a long way from doing nothing at all.
  • Update your book covers. Make it festive (easier if you’re self-published) but whatever you do, make sure your cover looks professional.

Your Holiday Author Platform

  • Become more visible
  • Get your website holiday ready
  • Update your Amazon Author Central profile
  • Get more amazon reviews
  • Make your book covers more festive
  • Update your book description
  • Update your author bio. It’s a good idea to edit and review often on your amazon page. You would be surprised when you look back you seem to be looking at a stranger who essentially is a person you hardly recognize. Think of this like a resume. Update frequently.
  • Get a professional photo done and spread it across the different media networks

Build That Strategic Audience

  • Set up or expand your mailing list
  • Write blog posts
  • Create a newsletter… if that’s on your agenda
  • Find and connect with your audience. Engage, engage, engage them
  • Offer free holiday shipping

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Get Social

  • Update your Social Media Profile
  • Do a holiday-themed hash tag search
  • Dig a little deep and find out who your followers are
  • Create images of your books in holiday settings on instagram
  • Create your own 12-Days of Christmas

Show. Don’t Tell

  • Increase your book reviews. Aim for 25 which means you have to go after many in order to get this done. You will receive promises but usually only lower percentage will come through
  • Create gift bags and other swags for giveaways
  • Create holiday videos. Already doing that? Do some more
  • Have a series? Make the first book FREE
  • Prep your own 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Holiday Party Connect. Collaborate.

  • Collaborate with other authors in Holiday Book Events
  • Participate in Holiday Book Guide
    • Gifts for the Poetry Lover
    • Gifts for the Sci-fi lover
    • Gifts for the child reader enthusiasts
  • Invite your fans to an “ask the author” virtual Holiday party on social media
  • Get involved in local festivities (holiday markets, local fairs etc.)
  • Contact local independent bookstores

Hope these few tips will help get you underway. There are tons more but these few will get you started. Don’t get overwhelmed. Choose one, two or a few and Sell More Books this Holiday!

Cheers!

What’s Life All About?

Life is what you make it

What’s your life all about? That’s the question i asked 10 year old Xavier. Seriously and Without hesitation he replied Video games, basketball, God, watching TV. Gotta give him credit, he knew exactly what he was about.

At that young age, life can be easy. But what about you and me? As we grow older it’s important for us to ‘get a life’ as the common saying goes. Mine is about and encouraging personal growth of anyone in my sphere of influence.

Today I encourage you to Reflect, start planning and take action.

What’s your life all about? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

What Are The Requirements To Be A Writer? 25 Authors Share…

What does it take to be a writer? That was the question asked in a writers’ forum. Some think it’s rather scary to become a writer. They believe they can’t do it. But isn’t that the case with many new feats that we decide to embark on? The unknown is scary. But I always encourage you to step out afraid, scared, trembling… but do it anyway. Here I share basically verbatim responses as Professional Writers dived in assiduously with their opinions.

Characteristics Of Good Writers

  1. Patience and determination
  2. Perseverance, self-awareness, optimism, logic, self analysis, the ability to listen to expert input, communication skills, your own writing voice, attention to detail
  3. A willingness to learn the skills you don’t have and 50 percent sanity and 50 percent raging eccentricity
  4. “What kind of writer? What do you write? But let’s say FICTION. First of all endurance. You’ll write a lot of ‘crap’. I am not sorry to say. It’s just that the first few years of your writing will. General advice aside, you’ll have to work hard by writing, reading, getting the “feel” for a storyline and characters. And get a touch of the flow. You’ll begin to understand what makes a character, drives a character, what characters fear and desire. And most important what they need. You begin to feel the pulse of the story and where it goes on too thin/long and where things could be expanded on. You begin to understand archetypes too. It is a long path. But at some point you “feel” the story is right. My suggestion is to read a lot and watch good movies. Movies with well done stories and characters. Classic movies. I watched Lord of the Rings many times, it heavily uses archetypes and characters with strengths, desires, and flaws. And yes I read the book many times too! You could read Dracula, watch The Godfather and so on. The classics is where many of the deep archetypes lay”.
  5. Imagination
  6. Words. Words written down. Words woven into a great story.
  7. Write. Simply write
  8. First, ‘butt’ in the chair, pen in hand
  9. Desire, persistence, and the willingness to learn the craft – that’s all.
  10. Passion for writing
  11. Read, read and read. Then you write
  12. Commitment, imagination, and a touch of insanity
  13. Tell a complete story. Beginning, middle and end. It’s shocking how many people can’t do this.
  14. A touch of talent and a ton of hard work.
  15. Keep on learning each day and move forward and up.
  16. Thick skin
  17. Lots of practice.
  18. A good writer just needs something important to say
  19. Faith
  20. Learn to Finishing things.
  21. Keep a journal
  22. Time
  23. Just be yourself. Lots of people grow up feeling like the main character of a crazy adventure novel. At least that’s how writing came easy to me. Know that revision and editing is essential. Don’t see it as too daunting and make sure you save your work. Develop that habit.
  24. Mindset and practicing are the most important basic requirements to become a writer. The other crucial steps are the ability to experiment and research. You need to have the ability to think from different POVs and develop a strong ability of imagination by reading a lot. Building up a proper balance between your fingers and mind is important and that may only be achieved by writing on a regular basis.
  25. To be a good writer, you have to have something to say. Writer’s block is a sign you don’t have a message. I keep a diary of daily observations and what they mean to me. Good writers have an uncanny sense of the motivation of others, and they can capture the human condition in words that repeat their/our thoughts. My diary is often the storeroom for those words. I learned long ago that eloquent words come from eloquent thoughts. You have to write them down in the moment or lose them forever. The rest is ‘craft’ (the tools of the trade, so to speak). There are so many writers, so caught up in craft, they struggle with content continually.

So there you have it, authors giving their feedback to newbies and/or those who aspire to start something new. Just do it!

Cheers!

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