An Agent You Should Know

Although she would never admit it, literary royalty, Regina Brooks is leaving a lasting mark on the publishing industry.  As a best-selling author, literary agent, business woman, and mentor everything Regina touches blossoms into triumph. 

Boldly leaving behind the corporate publishing world at John Wiley & Sons Inc. and McGraw-Hill Co., Regina found the courage to branch out and start her own full service literary agency, Serendipity, which is based in Brooklyn NY.

Through her agency, Regina has broken barriers and molded writers into successful authors.  "I like to develop writers. When I first started my agency, I was into that a lot: helping writers find their voice. I really got my hands dirty with manuscripts. But now, I’m finding I’m less able to do that. But I like to keep a balanced portfolio—of writers who are ready to go and seasoned writers, as well as people who need some development. I just love taking the seed of an idea and helping bring it to fruition." 

The authors that she represents include, but are not limited to: three-time National Book Award finalist, Newberry and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Marilyn Nelson, and Coretta Scott King Award winner, Sundee Frazier, author of Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in it, an Oprah Book Pick and an Al Roker Book Club selection.

With all her accomplishments and continued success, Regina continues to be humble.  She is one of the nicest and most inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Her advice to writers, “there are a lot of good manuscripts out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lawyer or a National Book Award winner, the competition is fierce. Know the rules, expect some rejection, and put your best face forward.” Watch as she gives away some insider publishing secrets on how to write, sell and market your memoir. 

Regina Brooks is a successful, well-respected agent with many years dedicated to the publishing industry.  She is a member of the AAR and has an established list of clients and sales.  She is a popular conference goer and has a particular interest in YA at the moment.  Follow her on Twitter and Facebook for news and happenings and an inside look at Serendipity Lit.

To Like or Unlike, Facebook's Hardest Question

Facebook is a great way to market any business and writing is no exception.  Many writers do not take full advantage of Facebook and the huge potential for audience/fan interaction.  Often times, when authors do decide to get a FB page the page lacks personality and basic information like release dates, book signings, or simple head shots.  Upon browsing Facebook I came across three of my favorite authors: Eric Jerome Dickey, Nikki Turner, and Terry McMillan.  

Eric Jerome Dickey has absolutely no Facebook presence  

Eric Jerome Dickey how could you?

and gets a fail for his social media interaction.  In his defense, I did come across a fan created page, which is missing personality and most importantly author/fan/ consumer interaction, which is whole the reason for Facebook in the first place.  I assume Dickey feels like he is too big for Facebook.  He has already built a name for himself and branded himself as an author. 

Nikki Turner has a business Facebook page, however, she has minimal postings, most of which filled with bad grammar and tired of excuses for why she has not responded. “To my fans: I'm very sorry and I apologize for the commonts and the questions I've never got the chance I'm sorry and I apologize to all my fansto answer yet. I will try to answer as many as I can on next friday.”  Really Nikki, who is editing your work?!  “The love and respect I have for my fan is unconditional” Her author/ fan relationship is just pathetic! She is tearing her fans down and bringing us up again will false hops.  Her page was too much of an emotion rollercoaster and I don’t think the author/fan relationship was working.  

Nikki you get a UNLIKE Break up Notification!

Terry McMillian’s page was like sex on the beach, not literally, but like taking a sip of the drink sex on the beach on a warm day after a hard day at work….ahhhh refreshing!  Get your mind out of the gutter.  She provided a head shot, contact information, and personal posts.  Most importantly, she followed the 80/20 rule.  “Eighty percent of your posts should be about things other than yourself and your books. It should be about engaging your community. Ask questions (e.g. What’s your favorite book? Team Nook, Kindle, or iPad? What’s the most surprising title in your book collection?). Conduct polls. Share interesting book trailers (not just your own). Share movie trailers that are based on books. I recently posted the trailer for Water for Elephants and asked my fans who was going to see it. This sparked some interesting comments about whether any movie existed that really did a book justice.Of course, it is okay to talk about yourself and your books occasionally. Did you just receive a glowing review? Share it. Do you have a firm date in place for a new title? Do a status update. The key is to make sure you don’t use your Facebook page as one big pimp-a-rama.” As a fan of Terry’s page I get the latest news, “Hope to be finished with a draft of new novel before 2012 ends or I'm going to start rapping,” as well as getting to know some of her views, “If President Obama were white and did the exact same things during his Presidency, would some folks still hate him? Dumb question.” Insight onwhat she believes in, “It amazes me how many people will believe a lie if they hear it enough. Make that plural.” and how she is feeling.  “It never feels like you could ever possibly love again after the one you lost. Until a new one comes along and loves you even better.”  

Terry McMillan you get a LIKE.  Thumbs up from my Facebook to yours.   

NJ Mother Feeling the Heat After Allegedly Taking Her 5-year old Tanning

Say it ain’t so…

A New Jersey mother is being charged with child endangerment after allegedly taking her five year old daughter into a tanning booth. 

The state of New Jersey bans anyone under the age of fourteen from using a tanning salon.  Patricia Krencil told the Associated Press that her daughter was sunburned from being outside on a warm day. "It's all made up,” she says.   According to the press a school official overheard the child complaining of itching and burning after a recent trip to the tanning salon with her mother.  Krencil maintains her innocents and refers to herself as a “good mother.” 

After viewing the video, I noticed how fair skinned the child is. Call me crazy but I believe Ms. Krecil when she says she didn’t put her daughter in the tanning booth.  Also, I can’t see the tanning salon allowing this to go on, even if the mother was all for it. 

However, I do think it is a crime for her to continue to tan herself to a golden flaming crisp.  Patricia Krencil has taken the saying, life is too short to blend in, way to literal.

What do you think?  Is Patricia Krencil innocent or guilty?  Please leave your comments.  

Shanny Say Who?

The primary voice of ShannySayWhat is founder Shandrease Cushionberry.  Shandrease knows everything there is to know about the publishing world and would love to share her insight with you-OK, so maybe that's not true.  OK, OK it's not true at all, however, Cushionberry is a work in progress, a Creative Writing Major with a minor in Professional Writing at Southern New Hampshire University, and the assistant to literary royalty, Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency.  

Best known for her dynamic voice and contemporary characters, Shandrease has received the Cushionberry Award of Excellence, presented by herself in January of 2012.

She loves to write fiction, laugh and live her passion everyday.  ShannySayWhat was created with the hopes that the crazy news will leave you saying, Shanny say what?  Say it ain't so!

Shandrease currently resides in New Jersey with her two daughters and her husband.