Winning Writers Celebrates Its 2024 #NorthStreetBookPrize Winners

As you my visitors and subscribers might know, I love to pass along resources that benefit  authors in ways beyond what the usual services and opportunities offer. As a writer with a retail background (writing books entails retailing/selling, too!), I tend to call these “extras” value-added benefits and given the scams out there that plague authors,  I can only hope that they come to rely on these #TheFrugalBookPromoterTips. 

WinningWriters.com’s #NorthStreetBookPrize is one of those.  That might seem unnecessary, but early on I followed the newsletter Jendi Reiter put out for this organization. It was (and is) primarily a list ov vetted contests and by that I mean contests judge on the prizes they offer, their prestige, the reasonable price they “charge”--even some free ones--and more! Winning Writers has built such a reliable network and they are likely to come cross anything that doesn’t fit their standards for “ethical” early in the game. 

As a poet myself, I am featuring their winning poetry book for 2024 in this post announcing the winners for 2024, a veritable launch full of books for your 2025 reading list.  Something to suit everyone in genres across the spectrum. Find the celebration on WinningWriters.com today, Feb 15.  and start your plans to enter the 2025 competition right now with your Work-in-Progress. You’ll be amazed at those “value-added benefit” the contest authors as well as a friendly, knowledgeable support system that comes to you when you subscribe to their newsletter and will also keep you informed so you don’t miss the deadlines.  Oh! and Jendi’s newsletter, too. You’ll find enough places to let your work be seen without having to worry about scams.  Read on for information on a lovely poetry book from Stephen Pollock to start the year with!  

MORE ABOUT STEPHEN POLLOCK AND HIS “EXITS"

Stephen C. Pollock is a poet, essayist, physician, academician, business executive, and inventor.  He is the author of the poetry collection Exits, which was awarded First Prize for poetry in the 2024 #NorthStreetBookPrize.  The twenty poems in Exits were written and edited over a period of twenty years.  The poems in Stephen C. Pollock’s poetry collection Exits explore the beauty and frailty of life, the cycles of nature, and the promise of renewal and formatting the book required an additional two years.

In addition the the North Street Book Prize, Exits has been honored with the Gold Medal for poetry in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards, the Silver Medal for poetry in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards, and the Bronze Medal for poetry in the 2024 EVVY Book Awards, all to accolades like this:

                 “Exits has profoundly impacted the literary world.”

                  ---Midwest Book Review

"Pollock's poetry is brilliant"
— Kristiana Reed, editor-in-chief, Free Verse Revolution

"Exits exemplifies the musicality of language"
— Camille-Yvette Welsch, Foreword-Clarion Reviews

"Full of wit, insight and provocative imagery, Exits is a masterful collection.  The formal poems are the best.  Some are sonnets as artful as any by Shakespeare or Ben Jonson."

                — Anthony Aycock, IndieReader,  

Steve’s professional career was a play in two acts.

 

Trained as a physician, eye surgeon, and neuro-ophthalmologist, he was recruited to Duke University as Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology in 1987.  He ultimately achieved a rank of Associate Professor with tenure.  He has published 30 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters in medical literature.

 

After seventeen years in academic medicine, Steve left Duke to become chief executive of CEC, a nationwide company that provides vision benefits to individuals and their family members.  He retired from the company in 2019.

 

Though not an engineer, Steve has always had a penchant for designing novel devices.  As a medical student, he collaborated with another student in the development of a unique variable-focus lens.  Steve drafted the patent and the associated illustrations.  In 1984, the Patent Office granted U.S. Patent 4,477,158, Lens System for Variable Refraction.  

Learn more about the poet and his other act at:

 

Website:  exitspoetry.net

 

Universal Book Link:  https://books2read.com/u/b5qK6O

 

Buy His Book on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Exits-Stephen-Pollock/dp/1957638680/ref=sr_1_1?crid=59QO7F4Q1KWQ&keywords=exits+stephen+pollock&qid=1688221554&s=books&sprefix=exits+step%2Cstripbooks%2C75&sr=1-1

 

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. 

 Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). 

In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

How to Make Your Characters Memorable

 

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

From the simplest clues, a character can take shape.

Maybe you first reference the character as the boy or the tall girl. Even with those simple words, you've given that character life.

Before that, there wasn't a boy or a tall girl.

But there are a number of things you should avoid when writing your characters.

1. Don't over-dump physical details.

An example of this might be: Raul was tall and thin with green eyes and dark brown hair, and a swimmer's body.

While you won't be able to get that all in within one scene, to convey his height, you might write:

-Raul got the paper airplane down when the other boys couldn't reach the shelf. "Good thing you're tall," said Shawn.

To convey his hair color:

-From the back, Mrs. Stenzer couldn't tell which boy was Raul. They all had dark brown hair and were medium height.  

To convey his body type:

-Raul was the only new kid on the swim team to already have a swimmer's body.

If you need or want to let the reader know the character's physical characteristics in your story, simply work that information in without dumping it.

2. Avoid being too vague.

While you don't need to convey every detail of a character, you can give enough to give the reader an idea of the character's physical attributes. The reader can then fill in the details.

Two examples of this might be:

-His neat cut in the back and sides contrasted with the long hair in front that fell below his brows.

-He stretched his swimmer's body and then raced into the ocean.

3. Include the character's environment.

A character may live in a low-income building, possibly a Section 8 apartment. Another may live in the back woods of the Appalachian Mountains. All this will give insight into the character.

Or the character lives in a penthouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Or, possibly, a character lives in Saipan.

The character's environment can include his past environment also.

A book I'm ghostwriting now has one of the characters going from a rich lifestyle to a poor one. This could tell a lot about why the character may behave in a certain way or why she's depressed.

Another scenario may be that the protagonist has been on a swimming team since he was seven. This will tell a lot about this teen's character. It takes discipline and drive to be a competitive swimmer. It will also have a large factor in his physical appearance.

4. Include the character's close relationships or past relationships.

How your character engages with the different people in his family, friends, and new people will show different facets of his character.

The friends he hangs around with will also show his tendencies and character. The expression 'birds of a feather flock together' can play a factor in the character's personality.

5. Include appearance, clothes, and even sundry items.

How you describe your character's appearance can tell a lot about that character.

-Are his clothes neat and ironed, with his shirt tucked inside his pants?
-Is he unkempt? Are his clothes wrinkled, with his shirt partially tucked in or not tucked in?
-What about her hair. Is it a mess? Does it look dirty? Or is it well-groomed?
-What about his hair? Is it short? Is it long? Is it well-kept?
-What does she keep in her backpack?
-Does she always chew gum?
-Does he always use breath mints?
-Does she always have a candy bar on her?
-What about a comb?

The list can go on and on. And each little item gives another clue as to the character's character.

These are just five tips on how to use description to enhance your readers' view of your characters. There are others, but this should give you a good foundation for creating engaging characters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, ghostwriter, rewriter, and children’s writing coach with clients worldwide. If you need help with your children’s story, please visit Karen Cioffi Writing for Children.

Karen also offers HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK.
A 250+ book that will help you start or finish your children’s book

And for those children’s authors who are self-publishing, Karen provides WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE.

-----

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

It’s Never Too Early or Late for E-book Gifts--But YOU choose!

The frugal ticket for writing, editing, and marketing your books   "Carolyn is a long-time partner for our North Street Book Prize. Her books in the HowToDoItFrugally series are essential reading for authors, whether self-published or traditional." - Adam Cohen     FEATURED TITLES   LEARN MORE LEARN MORE   LEARN MORE TESTIMONIALS "Nothing demonstrates professionalism like a well-edited submission. Follow Carolyn Howard-Johnson's clear, step-by-step editing approach for putting your best book forward and you'll submit like a pro." — Gregory A. Kompes, conference coordinator, Las Vegas Writer's Conference "The Frugal Book Promoter. I love it. Most authors don't have deep pockets for publicity, promotion, and marketing; this is the kind of information we need! The chapter on the perks available on Amazon is a perfect example of the kind of practical advice offered—the kind that took me months to discover." — Rolf Gompertz, author, veteran publicist for NBC, and 30-year UCLA Extension instructor in marketing   ABOUT THE AUTHOR   Carolyn Howard-Johnson has been an instructor for UCLA's world-renowned Writers' Program for nearly a decade, a columnist and staff writer for the Salt Lake Tribune and the Pasadena Star News, and has appeared on hundreds of TV and radio stations nationally and locally. As a publicist for the Eleanor Lambert Agency in New York, she took part in the creation of the first "10 Best Dressed List" with Christian Dior.   Carolyn was honored as the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment, received her community's Character and Ethics award for promoting tolerance with her writing, and was named to Pasadena Weekly's list of "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen". She presents at writers' conferences nationwide. Her own writing as a novelist and poet has informed the advice she gives to authors regarding sales and genre. Carolyn has worked with Winning Writers for years as a co-sponsor of the North Street Book Prize, helping winners promote their books. View her many offerings for writers on her website.

Sponsored messages help Winning Writers provide its services to you at no charge. We never share your email address with third parties. If your organization would like to send a sponsored message, please contact adam@winningwriters.com. © 2001-2024 Winning Writers. All rights reserved except for fair use. Winning Writers 351 Pleasant Street Suite B PMB 222 Northampton, MA 01060 Unsubscribe | Change My Email Address | Help | Contact

Thank you to Adam Cohen of Winning Writers for his artful ads like 

the one above and the yearlong benefits his WinningWriters.com

offers authors years around. Subscribe for great opportunities like the ones in this ad, for his highly recommended #NorthStreetBookPrize and Jendi Reiter’s thoroughly vetted contest

ideas, too.  Happy holidays to all! Carolyn

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. 

Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

A Gift from WinningWriters--One for Me, LOTS FOR YOU

      I can’t resist. I just received the most lovely gift from WinningWriters.com, a clip on some blurbs for my series of books for writing and I just have to share one with you!  Regular visitors and subscribers to my blog have probably noticed that I encourage #AuthorsHelpingAuthors by reviewing our fellow authors’ book. It’s really about giving a gift--for a thank you or for no good reason at all--that is sure to be appreciated big time.  Well, the owner of WinningWriters has a talent for online graphics that we authors can learn from by just hanging out in his vicinity! So, the example’s below, but might I suggest that you go to Winning Writers  and sign up for the newsletters he and @JendiReiter produce for a dose of them every now and then. While you’re there, poke around a bit for other free opportunities they offer including frequent lists from Jendi of vetted contests (meaning you can trust them for a broad assortment of what they look for in a contest before sharing them with you!) including the #NorthStreetBookPrize that I recommend for its value-added benefits and credibility. 

      Oh! And notice the use of blurbs! Not enough artists use their reviews (and e-mail from readers) to extract praise for their books or their writing in general! And then put them to good use!  He used them to let North Street Book Prize winners know more about my the marketing consultations he offers as part of winners’ packages. 

  

     And that reminds me. Set a goal to have your next book ready to submit for this contest in 2025  Pick up the link and put it on you calendar for submission dates (Feb 15-July 1, 2025!)  so you don’t forget--in fact, make it a yearly reminder because the contest’s list of categories seems to grow every year!

  https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/north-street-book-prize

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of the multi award-winning series of HowToDoItFrugally books for writers including the flagship book of that series, USA Book News’ winner, The Frugal Book Promoter  now in its third edition. It was originally written for UCLA Extension's renowned Writers Program where she used it as a text for nearly a decade . She believes using the time before a book’s release is the most productive time for assuring its future so her WIP is a second edition of her How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically to be issued in early 2025. 

Two of her favorite awards are Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment given by members of the California Legislature and “Women Who Make Life Happen,” given by the Pasadena Weekly newspaper. She is also an award-winning poet and novelist and she loves passing along the tricks of the trade she learned from marketing those so-called hard-to-promote genres. Learn more on her website at https://HowToDoItFrugally.com. Let Amazon notify you when she publishes new books (or new editions!) by following her Amazon profile page: https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile. Her The Frugal Editor is now in its third edition from Modern History Press. Let it help you edit your work-in-process. The third book in the series, How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically will be released this fall.