My News
Hope to See You Soon
Good Morning,
Followers, I’ve been busy with speaking engagements, mini-conferences, my duties as Florida Writers Foundation President, attempting to brand myself, polishing one book, researching for my next book, planning a book tour, and writing speeches. Yes, I’m overwhelmed, but I’m enjoying it. However, I’ve neglected this page. I apologize.
The clock is ticking on getting the lesson plans for my books on my website before school starts. Sorry, teachers. Not much would make me happier than making your lives easier. I will get lesson plans on the website by the end of September. I’d love to come to your school to talk about writing poetry.
One thing that would make me happier is if I could answer questions from young adult readers. Readers, please feel free to ask me questions or make comments by clicking Contact Melody on my site. Would you like me to come to your school or church? Ask your teacher to contact me for a visit.
My book tour begins in August. Hope you’ll visit me at one of the following venues:
Friday, August 10, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, Vermont, 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, August 12, The Corner Stone, Plattsburgh, New York, 2-4 p.m.
Monday, August 13, Altona Town Hall, Altona, New York, 10-12 a.m.
I’ll read a few of my short poems, sell, and sign my books. More importantly, I’d like to connect with friends, family, and former students to learn what you’ve been doing since I last saw you.
Please Join me Wednesday Night, July 11
At the University Club in Winter Park at 6:30 p.m.
Corner of Webster and Park Avenue
I’ll be speaking for Rik Feeney’s FWA Orlando Chapter.
My topic: The Novel in Verse & Importance of White Space.
Big News!
Orlando FWA – Speaker’s Itinerary Form
Name: Melody Dimick
I’ve agreed to speak at the Orlando FWA meeting at the University Club in Winter Park. I hope you’ll join me.
Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Title: Heart to Heart: Writing the Verse Novel
6:30 – 6:45 Informal chat / welcome attendees.
6:45 – 7:00 Announcements / 10-second elevator speech.
7:00 – 8:00 Melody Dimick presents.
8:00 – 8:15 Questions and Answers.
8:15 – 8:30 Crowd descends on speaker for book sales.
Directions to Orlando FWA Meeting
The University Club of Winter Park
841 N. Park Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
From I-4 East or West, take the Lee Road exit and head East toward the Atlantic Ocean. After going over 17-92 (Orlando Ave.) Lee Road will dead end at Webster Ave., where you will make a left turn, Follow Webster through a light at Denning, then another light at the railroad tracks, then you will come to a stop sign, actually stop, then before the next stop sign (which is Park Ave) you will turn left into the University Club. Go up the ramp to the side door, then keep going to your left inside to the library where we hold the meeting.
DIY Conference
Out of my league! I attended a wonderful conference at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs on Saturday. It was the final FWA mini-conference before our Thursday, October 18, 2018 full-day workshop featuring Celebrity Workshop Host & Conference Guest of Honor, Chuck Sambuchino and our subsequent full conference weekend beginning the next day, Friday, October 19. Please don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and share experiences with fellow writers, agents, and publishers.
The DIY Marketing Conference this past Saturday ran smoothly and on time all day. It will take me a month to digest all the marketing information provided by presenters Robbie Cox, Darlyn Finch Kuhn, Bridgette O’Hare, and Jennifer Wedmore. My goals for this week include mastering Instagram, getting a logo, and providing Darlyn Finch Kuhn with the information to announce my next speaking engagement in her newsletter, Scribbles.
I’ve been considering this, My News, as my newsletter. It certainly falls short of Darlyn’s Scribbles. Expect changes soon.
Robbie Cox kicked off the marketing conference with suggestions for Cross Promotion. I hope to benefit from his session when I partner with Darlyn on a poetry day in the fall. Do you have a writer you could pair with on a project? It might boost both your sales and your partner’s sales and exposure.
Jennifer Wedmore uses Social Media to help her clients. I’m planning to go to some of the sites she recommended. I’ll share her information in an upcoming blast, but one quick tip for authors is to have an author page on Facebook.
Bridgette O’Hare is all about branding, starting with her own colorful hair. Bridgette offered attendees a special price for her branding packages. I plan to have her design my logo. Suggestion for you: Make branding part of your platform. I’ll share my logo and more of Bridgette’s suggestions on a post soon. One takeaway from the presentation: Seven times. What about seven times? People/potential clients and readers need to see your name or logo seven times to remember you.
I’m ending today’s rambling blog with a thank you to Chrissy Jackson, Alison Nissen, and Laura Perez. Without their contributions the focus day would not have been possible.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Wine, Women, and Chocolate
Wednesday night in DeLand, Florida from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Free wine and chocolate. I’ll be reading from my newest book, Backpack Blues Inspire the Fire Within at the Muse Bookshop in downtown DeLand.
Beta Reader Day
I meet with my teen beta reader today. Hope to learn if my manuscript will appeal to my target audience.
Does This Press Release Work?
LOCAL
AUTHOR MELODY DEAN DIMICK AT THE MUSE
The Muse Bookshop, located at 112 South Woodland Boulevard
in Deland hosts Melody Dean Dimick, author of the newly released Backpack Blues Inspire the Fire Within,
on Wednesday, June 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as part of a Wine, Women, and
Chocolate event. Melody will be signing books that are available for purchase
at the Muse.
Released in early May by Taylor and Seale Publishing, award-winning
Backpack Blues is the Lake Helen
resident’s fourth book. Set in a rural Adirondack Mountain Valley in extreme
Northeastern New York State, Backpack
Blues Inspire the Fire Within is first and foremost the edgy story in verse
of a fragile group of teens facing contemporary problems at home, at school,
and in their romantic relationships. Part II of the book provides helpful
information for wannabe poets. It also provides guidelines for performance
poetry and slams. Learn more about the book from the author Wednesday night at
the Muse. There will be refreshments and a special door prize for a teen attending
the signing.
Award-winning author Melody Dean Dimick taught at Northern
Adirondack Central School, DeLand High School, and at the State University of
New York at Plattsburgh. She tutored at Lighthouse Christian, Blue Lake, and
First Presbyterian schools. Melody draws from her experiences in classrooms for
her inspiration. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators, the Florida Writers Association, and the Florida Authors and
Publishers Association. She is the president of the Florida Writers Foundation.
When she isn’t writing, Melody travels and plays pickleball with her husband,
Barry.
Go to www.MelodyDeanDimick.com
to learn more about Melody.
Florida Librarians at Caribe Royale
Good Morning,
It has been a busy and exciting month for me. Great news. My short story “Skyward” will be in this year’s FWA Collection. The top 60 entries were selected. Woohoo! Three members of my Villa Writers group will have entries included. Sandy Hall, Barry Dimick, and I all made the cut.
My entry into the Royal Palm Literary Awards contest is a semi-finalist.
I’m the new Florida Writers Foundation president.
Other great news: Backpack Blues Ignite the Fire Within is available on Amazon. Would you like a signed copy? I shall be in Orlando selling and signing my new poetry anthology at the Caribe Royal tomorrow as part of the Florida Library Conference. I’ll be signing from 11:30-1:30.
If you cannot get to the Caribe Royale, you can find me at the Muse Bookstore in downtown DeLand, Florida, on Wednesday, June 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. I’ll be part of the Wine, Women, and Chocolate celebration.
Please put Wednesday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. on your calendar. I shall be doing a short talk titled “Heart to Heart” about the novel in verse. Following my presentation, I’ll sell and sign books.
Would you like me to come to a bookstore or school near you? Let me know when and where. Maybe, we can make it happen.
If you have read any of my books, I’d be honored if you would write a review on Amazon or Good Reads. It would really be helpful. Thank you.
Remember This
Good Morning,
After I won the Royal Palm Literary Award, Bria Burton, published a great review on the Florida Writers Association website. I’ve changed a few of the poems and the name of the high school, but the book is essentially the same. Please follow the link to read the interview. Thank you.
https://floridawriters.net/rpla-showcase-melody-dean-dimick/
This is it. The front cover of my soon-to-be released book. I expect the galley this week. Do you like it?