The Secret of the Sacred Scarab Blog Tour Adventure!

WOW! Women On Writing announces Fiona Ingram's Blog Tour Adventure!

Blog Tour dates:

November 2, 2009 - December 4, 2009
 
Come and join the fun! Meet Fiona and visit her fabulous blog hostesses.

Dear ,

Are you ready for an Egyptian adventure? Writers and readers you're in for a treat! We're thrilled to announce the launch of Fiona Ingram's Blog Tour with WOW! Women On Writing. Stop by The Muffin today and comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Fiona's book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. She will be checking in to answer your questions, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. Fiona's interview is a must-read for anyone interested in writing a children's book or creating a series. Also, if you're interested in the path to publishing, Fiona candidly shares her "long and winding" journey!

Illustration from Fiona's bookIllustration (right): Illustration from The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. Justin and Adam make a startling discovery in the basement of the Egyptian Museum.

Fiona's world is filled with adventure, ancient relics, and imaginative mysteries. Her interview today proves she loves writing and living in this fantastical world. Who wouldn't? Many of the characters in her book come from the people and animals in her life, and the places, such as Egypt, have been part of her travels. She's filled with story and shares some of them with you today.

One of the stories I found particularly interesting was Fiona's road to publication. She started writing what eventually became The Secret of the Sacred Scarab as a short story ("cute story" as she describes it) for her nephews who traveled with her to Egypt. But as the story unfolded, she knew she needed to write a full-length children's novel. After she finished, she thought fame and fortune were just around the corner. It's what we all think, right? But of course, it wasn't so easy. She queried thirty-three agents without very much luck, except for some positive comments on her writing. I'm not surprised about the nice comments. She's an excellent writer. But as you know, it's not only excellent writing that wins an agent's heart. There are other things to consider, such as platform. So what did she do next? She "self-published" her book through a subsidy publisher. Now, an agent has requested to represent her after reading her first book and all the reviews and book nominations it has received! It's a dream come true, and an adventure series is born.

I'm really excited about this tour. Fiona is a fantastic interviewee and an inspiration to writers everywhere. We had so many requests from blog owners who wanted to participate in this tour and, unfortunately, we couldn't accept them all (a girl's got to write too!), so take advantage of the stops we do have to get to know Fiona. She's passionate about writing and it shines through in her conversation today.

Let's meet the author, shall we?

~ Angela & Jodi ~ (Your Hostesses)

** Feel free to copy any part of this email and share it on your own blog or in your newsletter.

Meet Fiona Ingram
Fiona Ingram

About Fiona:


Born in Durban, South Africa into a family of five, reading and adventure were always a big part of Fiona's life. Fiona's book has been in the works since she developed a passion for Egypt at the age of eight after her mother gave her the encyclopedia Time-Life Ancient Egypt. That passion led to a trip to Egypt with her two nephews, a short story about Egyptian adventures, and ultimately her first book for children, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab--the first in a series called Chronicles of the Stone.

But it's been a long and winding road to the release of Fiona's book. Along the way, she spent several years in France earning her Master's degree in French-African literature, teaching drama, working in community theater, and working as a journalist. She now lives in Johannesburg where she's working on the next book in her series, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, and planning her next trip, as research for her books.

Fiona's nephews aren't the only family members who made it into her first book. Her pet mallard duck Charlemagne appears in the first chapters of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. Charlemagne has embraced his newfound celebrity and even has his own Facebook page.

Find out more about Fiona by visiting her websites:
www.SecretoftheSacredScarab.com
www.FionaIngram.com
Twitter: FionaRobyn
Facebook: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab Fan Page

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
Title
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

by Fiona Ingram


A 5,000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab do the boys realize they are in terrible danger.

Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them.

The boys survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), and are pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out.

They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive...only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!


Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN# 0595457169

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab was nominated as a Finalist in the Children's Fiction section of 2009 USA Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as well as the USA National Best Books 2009 Awards.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is available through Amazon.com, B&N, and independent or chain bookstores.

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Do you want to participate in our blog partnership program?

Email Angela & Jodi, your tour guides.


Please note: Fiona's tour is full, but if you want to host one of our upcoming authors, Email Angela & Jodi with your request.

If you're an author interested in promoting your latest book with WOW! Women On Writing Blog Tours please email us for more info.

Title
Let's Start the Blog Tour Adventure! 
Ready to go traveling around the web? The following are the tour dates for Fiona Ingram. Make sure you check out each listing--each of them explore a different topic from children's writing to researching Egypt. There are several book giveaway contests on this tour, so make sure you visit those blogs and comment. It's going to be a fun journey!

As you view the listings, make note of these wonderful blogs. Each one of them, a treasure, and a place that many readers call home. In a noisy online world, you will find sanctuary in these true gems.

November 2, 2009 Monday (Today!)
The Muffin
Fiona will be chatting with WOW! Women On Writing at The Muffin. Stop by and share your comments! One lucky commenter will win copy of Fiona's book!
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/blog.html

November 3, 2009 Tuesday
Finders & Keepers
Fiona Ingram who just launched her children's adventure series, Chronicles of the Stone, stops by Cathy C. Hall's blog, Finders & Keepers, to tell us what it's like to commit to writing not just one, but an entire series of books.
http://cathychall.wordpress.com/

November 4, 2009 Wednesday
5 Minutes for Books
Stop by 5 Minutes for Books today to read a great review of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. Fiona will also return to the blog on November 8th to tell us about her journey into rediscovering children's classics.
http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/

November 5, 2009 Thursday
Write for a Reader
Need help transforming a non-reader into a reader? Fiona Ingram, author of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, has some ideas that she shares with Write For a Reader. And don't miss the review of her thrilling new book for young adventure seekers!
http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/

November 6, 2009 Friday
WordHustler
Fiona stops by WordHustler's blog today for a candid interview with Anne Walls! Anne's interviews are always fun and informative, so be sure to stop by.
http://wordhustlerink.wordhustler.com/

November 8, 2009 Sunday
5 Minutes for Reading
Fiona's back at 5 Minutes for Reading to tell us about the joy of rediscovering children's classics with her daughter. What's your favorite children's classic? Stop by and share your thoughts!
http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/

November 9, 2009 Monday
The Motherhood Muse
Stop by The Motherhood Muse today for an interview with Fiona about how nature gets her creative juices flowing. And don't forget to enter to win a copy of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab!
http://themotherhoodmuse.blogspot.com/

November 10, 2009 Tuesday
Write Like Crazy
Fiona stops by Write Like Crazy today to share some advice with young readers.
http://writelikecrazy.wordpress.com/

November 11, 2009 Wednesday
Candid Canine
Need suggestions on getting your child to read more? Stop by fellow children's book author Christine Verstraete's blog, Candid Canine, and read Fiona's post today.
http://candidcanine.blogspot.com/

November 12, 2009 Thursday
Mom-e-Centric
Stop by Mom-e-Centric today for a fun visit to Egypt with Fiona Ingram!
http://www.momecentric.com/

November 13, 2009 Friday
A Book Blogger's Diary
How can you tempt your child away from video games, televisions, and computers and interest them in a great book? Stop by A Book Blogger's Diary and get a few ideas from children's author Fiona Ingram.
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/

November 16, 2009 Monday
Booking Mama
Stop by Booking Mama and read a review of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab today, then come back tomorrow for a guest post by Fiona and a chance to win a copy!
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/

November 17, 2009 Tuesday
Booking Mama
Fiona is back at Booking Mama to give readers a few ideas on transforming their non-readers into readers. Be sure to comment today for your chance to win a copy of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab!
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/

November 18, 2009 Wednesday
Read These Books and Use Them!
Ready for adventure? Stop by Margo Dill's blog, Read These Books and Use Them, for a chance to win a copy of Fiona Ingram's children's book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, and learn some great activities you and your child can do while reading!
http://www.margodill.com/blog/

November 19, 2009 Thursday
The Friendly Book Nook
Stop by the Friendly Book Nook for a review of Fiona's book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab.
http://thefriendlybooknook.com/

November 20, 2009 Friday
Education Uncensored
Fiona stops by Jerri Ann Reason's blog, Education Uncensored, for a surprise guest post!
http://www.educationuncensored.com/

November 23, 2009 Monday
Misadventures With Andi
Stop by Misadventures With Andi today for an interview with Fiona Ingram and a review of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab.
http://www.misadventureswithandi.com/

November 24, 2009 Tuesday
Blogalogues
Can't get enough of the mysteries of Egypt? Author Fiona Ingram tells you where to go to learn anything and everything about this fascinating country.
http://www.featuredposts.blogalogues.com/

November 25, 2009 Wednesday
Readaholic
In today's busy world, how do you find time to read to your child? Fiona Ingram has answers--and a great book your family can read. Stop by Readaholic today and enter to win a copy of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab!
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

December 4, 2009 Friday

Day By Day Writer
Wonder about developing your own children's series? Fiona Ingram stops by Day By Day Writer to tell you how she's doing it.
http://daybydaywriter.wordpress.com


Want to host one of our touring authors?

WOW! Women On Writing Blog Excellence AwardUpcoming Author Tours: If you have a blog or website and would like to host one of our authors below, we are still accepting a few choice blogs to participate in our Partnership Program.

Come and join the fun! Please email Angela & Jodi at [email protected] and put "Blog Tour Partnership" in the subject line. Please tell us the author you are interested in and your available dates. We'll get back to you with the details if you are accepted. We look forward to hearing from you!

Content for your blog: All of our touring authors are available for interviews, or they will provide a guest post on a topic relating to the writing process or their book.

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Thirsty: a novel
Tour Dates: November 9, 2009 - December 9, 2009

Title: Thirsty: a novel


Author:
Kristin Bair O'Keeffe

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis:
It is 1883, and all of Klara Bozic's girlish dreams have come crashing down as she arrives in Thirsty, a gritty steel town carved into the slopes above the Monongahela River just outside of Pittsburgh. She has made a heartbreaking discovery. Her new husband, Drago, is as abusive as the father she left behind in Croatia.

In Kristin Bair O'Keeffe's debut novel, Klara's life unfolds over forty years as she struggles to find her place in a new country where her survival depends on the friends who nurture her: gutsy, funny Katherine Zupanovic, who isn't afraid of Drago's fist; BenJo, the only black man in Thirsty to have his own shop; and strangely enough, Old Man Rupert, the town drunk.

Thirsty follows a chain of unlikely events that keep Klara's spirit aloft: a flock of angelic butterflies descends on Thirsty; Klara gives birth to her first child in Old Man Rupert's pumpkin patch; and BenJo gives her a talking bird. When Klara's daughter marries a man even more brutal than Drago, Klara is forced to act. If she doesn't finally break the cycle of violence in her family, her granddaughters will one day walk the same road, broken and bruised. As the threads that hold her family together fray and come undone, Klara must decide whether she has the courage to carve out a peaceful spot in the world for herself and her girls.

 
Kristin Bair O'KeeffeAbout the Author:

Kristin Bair O'Keeffe's life is a melding of many cultures. A native Pittsburgher (Go Steelers!) raised with the Croatian traditions of her grandparents, Kristin lives in China with a husband who was raised in Ireland and the Vietnamese daughter.

During their four years in China, Kristin has taught writing, written a blog "My Beautiful Far-flung Life, and attempted to learn Mandarin Chinese (unsuccessfully according to her neighbors). Oh, and written the novel Thirsty. Thirsty started as a graduate thesis and ended after countless drafts. Drafts that, to the dismay of her fellow coffee lovers, she felt the need to read aloud as she edited in a local coffee shop.

If she hadn't become a writer, Kristin suspects that she would have become a ventriloquist, roadie for Meat Loaf, or time traveler. (And yes, she has read The Time Traveler's Wife.) Among other things, she would use her time traveling powers to frequently return home and enjoy the magic that is the hoagies at Danny's Pizza.

Kristin's articles and essays have appeared in numerous publications, including Poets & Writers Magazine, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Baltimore Review, San Diego Family Magazine, and The Gettysburg Review. Her column--The Fiction Writing Workshop--appears monthly in Writers on the Rise.


Author's Websites:

Kristin's website: http://www.thirstythenovel.com

Kristin's blog: http://www.kristinbairokeeffeblog.com


Goodies:

You will receive a copy of Kristin's book, Thirsty.


Participate! Please email us with "Blog Tour Partnership" in the subject line and your available dates. We schedule 2-3 stops per week from November 9th - December 9th. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Journaling for Care Givers
Tour Dates: November 16, 2009 - December 16, 2009

Title: You Want Me To Do What? Journaling for Care Givers


Author:
B. Lynn Goodwin

Genre: Self-Help/Journaling Prompts

Synopsis:
You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers offers encouragement, instructions, and over 200 sentence starts to help anyone start putting their thoughts on paper.

It is for current, former, and long distance caregivers. These are the people who take care of spouses, parents, children, special needs children and themselves. It is also for professional caregivers including nurses, social workers, teachers, and anyone in the helping professions.

 
B. Lynn GoodwinAbout the Author:

During the six years she spent caring for her mother B. Lynn Goodwin found comfort in the journaling she did. She eventually began teaching journaling workshops and writing a book to guide other caregivers through journaling.

Lynn is also a teacher, editor, and writer. Her work has been published in Hip Mama; the Oakland Tribune; the Contra Costa Times; the Danville Weekly; Staying Sane When You're Dieting; Small Press Review; Dramatics Magazine; Career, Caregiving, and Self-Care NCDA Monograph; 24/7--a caregiving anthology; We Care; Families of Loved Ones Magazine (forthcoming); Kaleidoscope (forthcoming) and numerous e-zines and blogs.


Author's Websites:

B. Lynn Goodwin's website: http://www.writeradvice.com/ywmtdw.html

Writer Advice: http://www.writeradvice.com/


Goodies:

You will receive a copy of B. Lynn Goodwin's book, You Want Me To Do What? Journaling for Care Givers.


Participate! Please email us with "Blog Tour Partnership" in the subject line and your available dates. We schedule 2-3 stops per week from November 16th - December 16th. We look forward to hearing from you!

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5 Steps to a Hollywood A-List SmileTour Dates: December 1, 2009 - January 6, 2010

Title: 5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile


Author:
Dr. Catrise Austin

Genre: Health/Beauty

Synopsis:
Imagine Having A Smile That Is Red Carpet Ready Like Hollywood's A-List Stars!

What if you could learn the secrets to a smile worthy of the red carpet - right in your very own living room? What if you could learn what the stars do to get their Hollywood A-List Smiles - then scout out ways to get it for a fraction of the price? What if you could gain - or perhaps even regain - the confidence, enthusiasm and energy of today's hottest celebs simply by getting the smile of your dreams? You can, you know, and 5 Steps to a Hollywood A-list Smile shows you how.

Dr. Catrise Austin is known as Manhattan's "celebrity dentist to the stars." Her busy 57th Street Midtown office is home to some of the most cutting-edge, [and] high-tech techniques on the planet, but you don't need to spend tons of money or even a lot of time on your smile if you simply learn the basics taught in 5 Steps to a Hollywood A-list Smile.

 
Dr. Catrise Austin with Blair UnderwoodAbout the Author:

Dr. Catrise Austin owes her A-List career to a love of belly laughs. As a new dentist, Dr. Austin enjoyed many nights at the comedy clubs of New York City where she met up and coming comedians such as Chris Rock, Tracey Morgan, Mike Epps, and Dave Chappelle. Before you could say, "Brush after every meal" Dr. Austin was known as the "Dentist to the Stars".

But Dr. Austin, who originally became a dentist because of how she felt as a young girl with a less-than-perfect smile, knew that great smiles weren't just for Hollywood. Many of her patients are not "stars" and it was for these people that she decided to write a book of all the secrets she'd acquired. She wanted the A-List smile to be in everyone's grasp.


Author's Websites:

Hollywood A-List Smile website: http://www.hollywoodalistsmile.com/
VIP Smiles: http://www.vipsmiles.com

Goodies:

You will receive a copy of Dr. Catrise Austin's book, 5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile.


Participate! Please email us with "Blog Tour Partnership" in the subject line and your available dates. We schedule 2-3 stops per week from December 1st - January 6th. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Ready to go touring?

I hope you'll join us on Fiona Ingram's blog tour. It will be an exciting journey! Mark your calendars, and save these dates. Either Jodi or myself will be personally attending each and every blog stop on the tour. And I have to say, I'm truly excited! The participating blogs are phenomenal. All of them offer something unique to the reader, and they all have different flavors. One thing is for certain, they are all a sweet treat.

We'd love for you all to get involved and join us in a virtual vacation. Take a trip across the globe by participating in this tour. Each stop shares a different point of view, a new topic, and has its own unique voice. We'd love to hear yours too, so come along for the ride, and we'll be looking for your comments!

Ready to go traveling on a inspirational adventure? Let's go exploring the Wild Wild Web!

And don't forget to visit The Muffin today and comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Fiona's book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab!

Write on!
 
Warmest,
 
Angela, Jodi, & Team WOW!
WOW! Women On Writing

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