Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After twenty years as an active educator, I continued to pursue my love of writing, soon becoming co-editor of a popular Long Island web-zine. As I created and authored my column Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives, I solidified my special niche of investigative journalism and put those same talents to work while writing my first full length book, Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery. I followed up with my second book, Tick, Tock, Stop the Clock. – Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour to address many of the less invasive paths to beauty.
Watch this candid interview of Lois on The Writers’ Dream Show to learn more about these books.
“Tales2Inspire™ began a whole new chapter in my life.
Another story for another time.”
After completing my two books on aesthetics, I began writing what I often refer to as my ‘Inner Beauty’ stories – inspiring stories to touch the heart and soul. In 2012, I initiated my Tales2Inspire™ “Authors Helping Authors” project/contest as a means of sharing inspirational messages written by authors from across the globe, never dreaming this project would grow in such strength and numbers as it has. One of my goals has been to help talented writers build solid author platforms while highlighting them in a variety of ways to further their paths to discovery. I include some of my own stories in each of these Tales2Inspire™ books, so this project certainly has lit my discovery path as well!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have just published the fourth book in my Tales2Inspire™ series. It is titled Tales2Inspire ~ The Ruby Collection, and subtitled, “Gifts of Compassion”. What inspired me to create these books? Each morning I read the latest headlines online., followed by the daily paper. Later in the day I often watch the latest news coverage on TV. I feel bombarded by negativity: the latest scams, battles, natural disasters . . . the bigger the calamity, the more we get bombarded with negativity. I’m not an advocate for burying one’s head in the sand, but I think we need more of a balance to all that negativity. There is really a lot of good stuff happening around us every day. I wanted to give my readers an opportunity to pick any one of the ales2Inspire™ books before closing their eyes for the night, and read one uplifting, true story. I can almost guarantee them a peaceful night’s sleep, followed by a bit more positive focus when they awaken the next morning!.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I hear a catchy phrase on my car radio, a few words capture me in a simple conversation, something strikes a resonate cord from a TV show or commercial, I suddenly wake up in the middle of the night with a fresh new idea. . . ,. I guess my subconscious mind keeps working in the background, but I’ve learned that some of these great ideas evaporate if I don’t record them right away. So I keep little note pads in sundry places: by my bedside, in my two favorite Baggalini purses, in my car, so I can jot down these inspirations before they vanish into thin air. At the end of the day, I add them to my computer.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When i was a young girl, I remember reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The young protagonist began fabricating lies to compensate for her dismal home life. A savvy teacher set her straight, explaining that she could create any world she desired through her writing, but that when she spoke, it was important to speak the truth. That message kind of stuck with me – both how writing frees us to create and how that writing can effect others.
What are you working on now?
I have two newsletters that I distribute monthly – one on Beauty & Anit-Aging and the other on Inspiring Stories. They take a lot of time, but bring me respect and credibility as a writer in both arenas, so I think it’s worth the effort. I have two fabulous experts who write columns for my beauty newsletter: a highly respected plastic surgeon who shares cutting edge treatments, and a chemist who develops skin care products for the trade. But I add human interest articles too and post all of them on my beauty blog, write catchy intros for the newsletter, and link back to the longer blog articles. And then I have my monthly inspiring stories new
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My newsletters by far are my most effective method for promoting my books. But to make them work you need two key ingredients. The first is what is sometimes referred to as a “legal bribe”, but what that means is to give each new subscriber a valuable FREE incentive. The second ingredient is to be generous with the content and quality, of information you provide.
I give each signup to my Beauty & Anit-Aging Newsletter a FREE twenty-two page booklet on Makeup for Women of a Certain Age. My new subscribers to my Inspiring Stories Newsletter get a FREE sampler of six full length inspiring stories from my Tales2Inspire ™ books.
Once a new subscriber hits the SUBMIT button on one of the sign-up forms, they receive the promised gift through an automatic transmission. You can see how this works by going to: www.tales2Inspire.com and clicking on the word NEWSLETTER.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing requires both hard work and much skill to make it read effortlessly. It takes time and effort to get a quality book published, so we tend to think once accomplished, our deed is done. Unfortunately, in today’s publishing climate, this is only the beginning. marketing is the real monster that needs to be conquered.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t fall in love with your words.” or as Stephen King put it: “Get rid of your darlings.”
What are you reading now?
A Transplant Guide for Patients by Dan Poynter
This isn’t a book that would normally be on my bucket list to pick up to read by choice, but was surprised to find that I am thoroughly immersed in it. I offered to review this book for Dan simply because he has been so helpful to me in spreading the word about Tales3inspire. I have already learned so much about stem cell transplants. Dan speaks from the heart, with honesty, yet hope for himself and other transplant patients.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To continually strives to find new and innovative ways to strengthen opportunities for discovery for me and my growing circle of talented Tales2Inspire authors.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Tales2Inspire books of course, because they would keep me uplifted and motivated.. But I would also want a practical survival guide to help me function and cope with the elements until my rescue team arrived.
Author Websites and Profiles
Lois W. Stern Website
Lois W. Stern Amazon Profile
Lois W. Stern’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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