iUniverse Blog

iUniverse’s Sandra Donald discusses her book of poems, It’s Your Time, as well as her marketing strategies and activities.

Please briefly describe your book . . .

My book, It’s Your Time, is a journey of life, describing the spiritual challenges we face and presenting musical lyrics to feed your soul. It’s a place to unwind, be intense, be in or out of love, be thoughtful or cry. It seeks to pull at strings and thoughts, unblock the blocked, capture a laugh and reinvent the wheel for all the things you need.

And can you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in Notting Hill Gate, London, United Kingdom with my husband James. In February 2009 I opened my monthly Soroptimist International magazine; it contained an advert asking members to submit a poem based on the theme of hope, imagining women and children survivors of war in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Rwanda. Subsequently my poem “My Life Hope” submitted in response to the advert was chosen to be featured in the Soroptmist’s book Voices in Verse raising money to help empower women and children to regain their lives. I read the poem at the book launch, which coincided with International Literacy Day on September 8, 2009. In April 2007 after my mother’s death a fountain of inspiration switched on unbeknownst to me. It now sits alongside my faith, leading me on a new navigational journey. This inspirational outpouring gave birth to D’Casio singer songwriter and my album ‘How Could You?’ On 30 October 2015 I woke to find my left arm and leg lifeless and unable to move. I was suffering a stroke. Once discharged from hospital and my life had regained some normality, I knew I had to write It’s Your Time.

Do you have any particular literary influences?

When I was writing I had no influences or understanding of genres.

At school my poetry class meant one thing, an empty page and staring out of the window. I never imagined that I had the ability to write let alone complete a book. I grew up in care and was looked after by the local authority. It wasn’t a nurturing environment so no one knew what my dreams were; I didn’t excel at school and wasn’t expected to.

The poems within my book come from an extension of daily writing in my journal and recording my thoughts and feelings. I found lots of words swimming in my head whilst writing and I could hear and feel a way of expanding them into a poem.

What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?

I’ve tried to write about life’s challenges and hope that something will resonate with you to bring you what you need in that moment of time.

Are you working on a sequel to your book?

The sequel to my first book has already started.

A friend has suggested that I write about my musical journey, which I’m thinking about. It’ll require a different style of writing but so watch this space!

Are there any events, marketing ideas, or promotions planned for your book? Please feel free to mention any accolades you have received.

My Marketing Strategies

Word of mouth

Being open to suggestions

Listed number four on amazon.co.uk when searching by book title.

Facebook and Twitter

Book website www.itsyourtimebook.co.uk

Self-promoting: I always have a copy of my book with me.

Tatter cover Book Store, Denver, Colorado feature my book on it’s inventory list www.tatteredcover.com

Contacting Independent Book Stores in person and by phone (53)

Upcoming Events

Saturday 12 May at 94^th Charter Lunch for Soroptimist International Greater at the Lancaster Hall Hotel London, Craven Terrace, London, W2 3EL, United Kingstom. I will be performing and selling books.

Saturday 2 June, Radio interview at HopeFm.org based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Promoting book and music.

August Bank Holiday 25-27 August at Hythe Life Food Festival, Hythe, Kent, United Kingdom. I will be performing and selling books.

Accolades

Poem “Friends” page 34 of my book was featured in the February 2018 edition of Creative Magazine. You can read it in the link below.

http://www.creationsmagazine.com/articles/C178/poetry.html

JC Freedom House, Douglasville, Georgia a shelter for single women use my book as part development program.

My article ‘How a Stroke Changed My Way of Thinking’ featured on the front cover of Stroke Connections April Edition that referred to my book. The link to the article is below.

http://strokeconnection.strokeassociation.org/Spring-2018/How-Having-a-Stroke-Changed-My-Outlook-on-Life/

Podcast broadcast interview with Melissa Wilson, Founder of The Grass Gets Greener invited me to talk about being bullied, the book and album How Could You? The interview can be listened to via the link below and on iTunes.

http://thegrassgetsgreener.com/providing-hope-and-healing-through-writing-and-music/

What was your favorite part of your publishing experience, overall and with iUniverse?

My publishing consultant was a good listener, encouraging and supportive. When I received my copy of the book I was blown away, when I saw how it had all come together. It was a humbling experience and made me feel encouraged and empowered.

My consultant at Lavidge was instrumental in getting my poem “Friends” featured in Creative Magazine. Presented the opportunity with Stroke Connections who published my article. Melissa Wilson at The Grass Gets Greener also become aware of me and invited me to be interviewed.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

We all have different starting blocks in life. If I can do it then anyone can. Dig deep and forget what people think or feel about you because it really doesn’t matter. Surround yourself with positives and ditch any negatives that try and pull you down.

Let the world see the greatness that lives inside. Let it shine through.

Make sure to check out the iUniverse site for more advice and blogs, as well as iUniverse Facebook and iUniverse Twitter. For a FREE Publishing Guide, click here!