Editing clients Cecile and Cindy asked me to add some "pizzazz" to their book announcement. They wanted it to appeal to both the media and potential contributors to their book. I used a traditional press release format, but kept both audiences in mind. They've given me permission to share the results with you.

When I talked to Cecile and Cindy about what it was like to have me involved in the project,  I heard, "Where have you been all my life?" and "Talking to you instilled so much more creativity into what we're doing – I felt more pumped about it."

Thanks, ladies, and good luck with the book!

As you read this press release, I hope you'll also consider whether you or someone you know might be a potential contributor to this important book-in-the-making.

GRANDMOTHERS USE THE POWER OF STORIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH: Grandmothers representing many of Canada's different cultures will come together to create a handbook of life lessons for today's children and youth.

It's no secret that Canadian children and youth face a number of serious issues, ranging from violence in schools to obesity and other health issues. Coaches and authors Cecile Peterkin and Cindy Stradling know that grandmothers have the answers! Their upcoming book, "Grandma's Wisdom, A Time Capsule of Treasures" will pool together the real-life experiences and wisdom of women who've weathered a lifetime of challenges.

The book project will benefit all involved – from the grandmothers who can make a meaningful contribution to the next generation, to the children and youth who will discover "secrets" and other gems about their own culture and history in these fascinating and true stories. Plus, 25% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to the Children's Wish Foundation.

Submissions from the public are welcome, and each story should be no more than 500 words. Multiple submissions are allowed, and the best 25 stories will be published in the book. Grandmothers who want to participate can email for detailed instructions.

Children and young people who want to interview their grandmothers as a school or family project can also email to request a free interview questionnaire. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, intergenerational activities such as this one strengthen communities, encourage acceptance and cultural exchange, enhance socialization for both groups, decreases drug use in youth and improve the health of seniors.

Cecile Peterkin and Cindy Stradling are coaches and authors who are both committed to youth development and personal growth.

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For more information about this project, please contact Cecile Peterkin at http://www.cosmiccoachingcentre.com.

A month or two ago, a woman approached me with her idea for a book. She had been through a pretty hard time.The man she fell in love with and married was married before. Her new husband’s ex-wife had some issues with the way things turned out, and made no secret of it.

Some of the stories my client has told me are pretty shocking. And she could be mad, she could even be vengeful. But she’s not. In fact, she’s one of the most accepting and loving people I’ve ever met. She’s truly used the experience to draw on her resources and inner strength, and to forge a strong partnership and relationship with her husband.

Now, she wants to turn her experiences into something that can help other women who are going through the same thing.

The purpose of her upcoming book, “Surviving the Ex-Wife,” is to be a supportive, empowering, fun (wait until you read about the “sexfest”!) and helpful resource for the woman who is having a challenging relationship with her partner’s ex.

To increase the value of this resource, we’re now looking for outside contributions because we know there are many lessons to be learned and shared. So we’re looking to interview both other “second wives,” as well as relationship experts.

And that’s where YOU come in!

Do you have real life experience being a “second wife”? You don’t have to be married, but you do need to have faced some challenges with your partner’s former wife.

Or are you a relationship expert, such as a coach, therapist, mediator or counsellor, with specific experience healing these types of relationships?

Thank you! We will greatly value your contribution! Second wives, your name won’t be used and you don’t even have to give it to us. Experts, if your ideas are selected for the book, we will also print your bio and contact information.

Please don’t delay – this book needs to get out into the world to do it’s work. The survey will close on December 21, 2007.

And if you have a life experience that deserves to be a book, let’s do it!

Awhile back, I finished my first round of edits of a book by Kamin Bell. She’s a coach, and has written an inspirational personal story, chock FULL of wonderful details.

Aside from general editing for readability, clarity, commonly misused words and grammar issues, I also pared down some of the details.

Did I take out too much?

I admit I was a bit nervous removing so much content, but as Kamin reported in our next telephone meeting,

“I loved what you did. Every time I came across a section you deleted I said, “Interesting!” and I could immediately see that those details didn’t add anything to the story. Other changes just made me say, “Wow!” Your editing and the engaging words you chose have made the story flow so much better.”

This book is my baby

Further, Kamin told me,

“From the first day we spoke, I felt I could trust you. There is a gentleness in which you communicate, even as you’re being honest and straight to the point. This book is my baby, and I knew that in your hands it would be cared for.”

Learn more about Kamin’s book, Journey to Abundance, at http://www.journey2abundance.com.

Putting together these All the Right Moves.

Because Gail and I met at a local Women in a Home Office networking event, we were actually able to meet in person for our writing session – what a treat!

Beta Testing

So, what was in it for Gail?

• A free 500-word Success Story with her name attached to it, all about the wonderful work she did for one of her clients
• The chance to try out my services for free
• Unlimited possibilities for the article, such as publication online or in print, as a handout at networking events and/or for her website

So, what was in for me?

• I got to test out my case study questionnaire
• Invaluable feedback from Gail about the experience
• Permission to use the story as a sample on my website
• A written testimonial from Gail:

“Linda, working with you on this success story has given me complete faith in your ability. I am especially grateful for the quick turn-around because having started the process I was really anxious to get the finished product “out there”.

Linda managed to convey the elements of the work I do, with a clear sense of the joy and pride I feel, in just one concise article. They are my words but without hours and hours of effort on my part. The process was almost too good to be true. I think having this success story will enhance my website and also provide an opportunity for increased media exposure. I know too much about my own business and can’t say it in a few words. Having someone to edit it down is extremely valuable.”

If you’d like to have your own Success Story for your newsletter, website or blog, please contact me for more details.

One of the best ways to encourage new website visitors to join your mailing list is to offer them a valuable free gift in exchange. But some coaches, speakers and organizers don’t think they have anything to offer.

That wasn’t the case for Cristina Favreau of The Savvy Entrepreneur. When she set out to put together a free gift for her website, she knew she had some untapped “gold” (content) to mine.

The Gold

Cristina had recently led some very successful workshops about Designing a Compelling 30-second Intro. And she’d prepared a script, which contained all of the valuable content from the workshop.

The Challenge

She had great information, but it was written as a script, not as a learning guide. She knew that it needed to be re-formatted, cleaned up and re-written in order to be the valuable gift she wanted to offer.

A fellow member of the New Coach Connection, Cristina saw a promotion that I sent, visited my website and contacted me to find out more.

The result? Well, in Cristina’s own words, “[Linda] did an amazing job of taking what I had written (which was in my informal speech format) and turned it into something I’m extremely proud of. I’m biased, but I think my guidebook, Designing a Compelling 30-second Intro, is kick-ass.”

In response, I shared my own thoughts about learning styles and adding value to audio in a recent blog post.