Monday, October 26, 2015
Just published - 'From Saigon to San Diego'
Did you know that 2015 marks the fortieth anniversary of the fall of Saigon? My latest novel, 'From Saigon to San Diego' explores what happens when the paths of a Vietnam veteran and a first generation Vietnamese-American family first cross in the aftermath of the withdrawal of US troops from Saigon in 1975, and then cross again thirty years later in San Diego. The story is lightly sprinkled with magic dust in the form of the mysterious figure of the Coffee Angel and through the Vietnamese fairy tales spun by Mrs Huynh, who longs for home. Please note that this book contains some adult content, equivalent to an R-rated movie.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Origins of Daughters' Dilemma
Click here to read the story of how I came to write my first novel, Daughters' Dilemma
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Voting time - Battle of the Book Reviews
Just 16 hours left to submit your review of "Daughters' Dilemma" at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk
Voting is now underway - please click on "Was this review helpful to you" at http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B009QU3E94/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Daughters%27%20Dilemma&showViewpoints=1 and http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B009QU3E94/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Daughters%27%20Dilemma&showViewpoints=1 to vote for the best reviews.
Voting is now underway - please click on "Was this review helpful to you" at http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B009QU3E94/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Daughters%27%20Dilemma&showViewpoints=1 and http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B009QU3E94/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Daughters%27%20Dilemma&showViewpoints=1 to vote for the best reviews.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Battle of the Book Reviews!
Write a book review for a chance to win prizes! Post your review of "Daughters Dilemma" on either amazon.com or amazon.co.uk - deadline extended to Sunday Nov 18. Vote for your favorite(s) by clicking on "Yes" if you found this review helpful; the best US review wins a $20 amazon gift certificate and the best UK review wins £15.
In the case of a tie, the final decision will be made by accomplished writer/pianist/surfer Glenn Vanstrum based on wisdom and wit of the best reviews.
In the case of a tie, the final decision will be made by accomplished writer/pianist/surfer Glenn Vanstrum based on wisdom and wit of the best reviews.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Lessons in Leadership
Over the past six weeks I've been attending the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Leadership in Practice program. Freda Lewis-Hall, Pfizer's Chief Medical Officer set the theme of Equanimity under Duress - or how to keep your head while all around you are losing theirs.
Freda outlined in a blog posting a three step approach to career planning that I found very insightful:
1. Build your Base
2. Build your Brand
3. Make your Breakthrough
Step 1 is all about acquiring the knowledge and experience in your field.
Step 2 is about establishing your personal brand - or what leadership qualities others associate with you.
This is the stage I'm currently at. I'm realizing that others already recognize me as a leader, and come to me for strategic advice, for career device and mentorship. In the last few months others have sought my input as a mentor, a cello teacher and as a published author. I struggled for a while to figure out and promote my personal brand but I'm coming to the realization that my brand is already out there and it's more for me to recognize, embrace and reflect.
Step 3 is about being open to opportunities and seizing them with both hands when they come along. I'm ready!
Freda outlined in a blog posting a three step approach to career planning that I found very insightful:
1. Build your Base
2. Build your Brand
3. Make your Breakthrough
Step 1 is all about acquiring the knowledge and experience in your field.
Step 2 is about establishing your personal brand - or what leadership qualities others associate with you.
This is the stage I'm currently at. I'm realizing that others already recognize me as a leader, and come to me for strategic advice, for career device and mentorship. In the last few months others have sought my input as a mentor, a cello teacher and as a published author. I struggled for a while to figure out and promote my personal brand but I'm coming to the realization that my brand is already out there and it's more for me to recognize, embrace and reflect.
Step 3 is about being open to opportunities and seizing them with both hands when they come along. I'm ready!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Self-Publishing Tips
I've just published my first novel "Daughters' Dilemma" about the choices women make between career and family through amazon.com. I've been so impressed by the process and by the tools provided by amazon that I wanted to share some general tips for others who have been considering self-publishing.
1. Perfect your manuscript
I'd originally planned to use a literary agent and established publishing house to publish Daughters' Dilemma, so after I'd completed the book I spent a further year working with an editor, seeking feedback at the La Jolla Writers' Conference, asking friends to review the draft, and proofreading before I was satisfied with the final manuscript. Self publishing options do not include editing services so it's up to the author to ensure that the book is publication-ready.
2. Create an eye-catching cover
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but in reality that is exactly what people do. I found a very useful list of cover designers and ebook formatters compiled by Mark Coker at Smashwords, and used Cal Sharp of Caligraphics to design my cover. I can't speak highly enough of Cal's work and excellent customer service.
3. Follow submission style guides
Kindle Direct Publishing provides a useful guide to its eBook formatting requirements and you can review how the book will look on different platforms - Kindle, iPad and in a browser. Smashwords has a more detailed style guide written by Mark Coker that was even more useful and helped me troubleshoot some initial problems with unrecognized symbols. For print copies of your book, Createspace, which is now a subsidiary of amazon.com also provides a step-by step guide to submission, and you can review a digital proof onlione as well as order a printed proof to ensure your book looks the way you want.
4. Consider your marketing strategy
Think about your objectives from publishing the book. Do you want to gain a wide readership and build a reputation as a writer or is financial gain from your book more important? These factors will impact your decisions on how to price your book, and on which distribution channels you would like to use. I opted to go for maximum volume since I'm establishing my name as an author, so I have taken advantage of Createspace's expanded distribution option, which includes bookstores and libraries as well as e-tailers, and have also priced my book towards the minimum of the allowed range. Kindle Select allows you to offer free eBook promotions for five days every three months and this can be a great way to get your book out there.
Social media are a critical part of any marketing strategy and you can link your blog, website, tweets and facebook postings with your amazon.com author page. Amazon.com also allows you to track your sales and royalties so you can monitor the impact of your marketing activities.
If you've always wanted to publish a book, it's never been easier!
1. Perfect your manuscript
I'd originally planned to use a literary agent and established publishing house to publish Daughters' Dilemma, so after I'd completed the book I spent a further year working with an editor, seeking feedback at the La Jolla Writers' Conference, asking friends to review the draft, and proofreading before I was satisfied with the final manuscript. Self publishing options do not include editing services so it's up to the author to ensure that the book is publication-ready.
2. Create an eye-catching cover
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but in reality that is exactly what people do. I found a very useful list of cover designers and ebook formatters compiled by Mark Coker at Smashwords, and used Cal Sharp of Caligraphics to design my cover. I can't speak highly enough of Cal's work and excellent customer service.
3. Follow submission style guides
Kindle Direct Publishing provides a useful guide to its eBook formatting requirements and you can review how the book will look on different platforms - Kindle, iPad and in a browser. Smashwords has a more detailed style guide written by Mark Coker that was even more useful and helped me troubleshoot some initial problems with unrecognized symbols. For print copies of your book, Createspace, which is now a subsidiary of amazon.com also provides a step-by step guide to submission, and you can review a digital proof onlione as well as order a printed proof to ensure your book looks the way you want.
4. Consider your marketing strategy
Think about your objectives from publishing the book. Do you want to gain a wide readership and build a reputation as a writer or is financial gain from your book more important? These factors will impact your decisions on how to price your book, and on which distribution channels you would like to use. I opted to go for maximum volume since I'm establishing my name as an author, so I have taken advantage of Createspace's expanded distribution option, which includes bookstores and libraries as well as e-tailers, and have also priced my book towards the minimum of the allowed range. Kindle Select allows you to offer free eBook promotions for five days every three months and this can be a great way to get your book out there.
Social media are a critical part of any marketing strategy and you can link your blog, website, tweets and facebook postings with your amazon.com author page. Amazon.com also allows you to track your sales and royalties so you can monitor the impact of your marketing activities.
If you've always wanted to publish a book, it's never been easier!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Understanding Generation Y
Did you watch the Kony2012 video that went viral on YouTube last month? The video has amassed over 89 million hits and speaks to the success of social media in galvanizing global action, resulting in the assignment of 100 US military consultants to central Africa to assist in the capture and bringing to justice of war criminal Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA and kidnapper of tens of thousands of children.
Millions of young people clicked online to pledge their support for Kony2012 and the video shows crowds in peaceful demonstrations on the issue, with a call to action to Cover the Night on April 20 by plastering major cities aroud the world with signs to publicize Kony and the campaign.
Do you remember seeing posters everywhere on April 21? I was curious, living in San Diego, in which the headquarters of "Invisible Children" is located, since I didn't recall waking up to see Kony's image everywhere. It turns out that for the millions of Gen Y's out there who clicked "Like", or Tweeted the link to the video in the virtual world, a tiny minority actually responded by taking action in the real world.
What does this tell us about Generation Y? So easily moved by words and images but insufficiently moved to deeds and actions? The world's problems cannot be fixed merely with a click.
Millions of young people clicked online to pledge their support for Kony2012 and the video shows crowds in peaceful demonstrations on the issue, with a call to action to Cover the Night on April 20 by plastering major cities aroud the world with signs to publicize Kony and the campaign.
Do you remember seeing posters everywhere on April 21? I was curious, living in San Diego, in which the headquarters of "Invisible Children" is located, since I didn't recall waking up to see Kony's image everywhere. It turns out that for the millions of Gen Y's out there who clicked "Like", or Tweeted the link to the video in the virtual world, a tiny minority actually responded by taking action in the real world.
What does this tell us about Generation Y? So easily moved by words and images but insufficiently moved to deeds and actions? The world's problems cannot be fixed merely with a click.
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