Angel's Destiny: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations by April Martin Chartrand

‘ANGEL'S DESTINY: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations’ by April Martin Chartrand

‘ANGEL'S DESTINY: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations’ by writer/artist April Martin Chartrand


Similar to novel style chapters, each advances you from one stage of life’s emotions to another. This collection of poems & illustrations mimics a novel in an unexpected way – similarly, it tells an emotional plot of a character which interweaves the four emotion elements Illusions, Anger, Awareness, Love - progressing forward towards a healing resolve. Each emotional character takes the reader through a progressive journey of a multi-cultural woman’s self-discovery . . . far away from adversity.


Trade paperback, 5.5” x 8.5”, 152 pages/48 illustrations ISBN 978-0-615-30251-5 | $13- USA.
Library of Congress number 2009914167
Copyright Registration #TXu 1-652-473




Monday, September 28, 2009

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: ANGEL'S DESTINY: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations by April Martin Chartrand

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

ANGEL'S DESTINY: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations by April Martin Chartrand

Q: What inspired you to write and illustrate ‘ANGEL'S DESTINY: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations’.

AMC: 'Angel's Destiny’ is not a 100% autobiographical illustrated book of novel style poems. It is divided into 4 poetic chapters and the 5th chapter is digital illustrations that I designed. The book is inspired by and incorporates references to my personal multi-cultural experiences. It is 50% based on the lives of the thousands of women/men that I have encountered during my personal journey as someone who has experienced violence, as a peer counselor, healer, social justice advocate, mental health board member, and lecturer. Case in point: "Minds of Bonita" is based on a woman who died of a brain-aneurysm after having a brain chemistry malfunction and "In Memory of L.G." is about someone who died of HIV/AIDS. Similar to novel style chapters, each advances you from one stage of life’s emotions to another.

This collection of poems & illustrations mimics a novel in an unexpected way – similarly, it tells an emotional plot of a character which interweaves the four emotion elements Illusions, Anger, Awareness, Love - progressing forward towards a healing resolve. Each emotional character takes the reader through a progressive journey of a multi-cultural women’s self-discovery . . . far away from adversity.


Q: What were your strengths and weaknesses as an author?

AMC: Oh gosh, weakness: I am dyslexic and have a very difficult time seeing my mistakes even if spell-check kicks in, which makes proofreading extremely time consuming. Therefore I have to seek out at least 2-3 other professional editors to review my book. Conversely, I am a perfectionist to a fault when I redesign the illustrations (digitally in Adobe Photoshop) for my book. On the plus side, I had a dogged commitment to the project that I started over 20 years ago when I started drawing the illustrations and in 1993 when I started writing the poems. Finally, I had taken some web design classes and learned Microsoft office which helped me learn the other computer applets by using a lot of intuition and playing.


Q: You published your book through Creatspace.com, would you recommend them as a Publishing on Demand (POD) option for others, and why?

AMC: Yes, I would recommend it if one has the skills to make sense of the various web applets. It is not for novices who are not accustomed to using a computer. Also, they are relatively be easy to work with and an organized company, but the most help I got there was from joining the community boards for information. The book is produced very professionally because I followed the basic publishing layout rules and they delivered a trade paperback.

Q: Did you submit your manuscript to any traditional publishers? Did you receive the “Dear John” letter from any? If so, how did that make you feel?

AMC: I am keeping my “Dear John” rejection letters. However, I had decided that I was going to self-publish my book so that I maintain complete artistic control of the final product. In the mean time, I sent out 10 query letters and manuscripts via snail-mail & 20 via email. Poetry is the step-child of the publishing word and does not sell well unless you are a big name like Alice Walker or a newly selected poet laureate. To make matters harder on myself, I chose to include my illustrations which make it harder to categorize. A conventional publisher is not always the best avenue to a poet. There are so many on-line methods to promote one’s book while maintaining more of the money made on the book.

Q: You have recently experienced the challenges & joys of being self-published. How does this make you feel about it?

AMC: Have had my poems published in small newsletters and annuals on the same topic in my new book. However, when I initially received my first proof copy, I just stared at it and keep looking at it back to back: remembering the process of birthing this paper baby. Lots of labor pains for sure – 20 years of them.


Q: Many pre-published authors are not aware that the “real work” begins after their book is released. What additional plans do you have to market your book?

AMC: Wow that is for sure! The work in writing, editing, and drawing is equal to the marketing of the book. The skills that one uses requires one to have really great people skills and as well as develop a thicker skin “rejection and critique”. I am required to be more aggressive and use my administration skills to promote the book where as the writing of it required me to be creative and heartfelt. I have sent out over 50 press releases; therefore my goal is to be a guest on a few shows, obtain good reviews in the local papers, a national review and maybe a national TV show to promote the book. I have designed my promotional reel and uploaded it on my You Tube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgeylQZXQ24. I am using it to “pitch” to various medial outlets. Plus I am doing readings/lectures at the San Francisco Public Library system and some blogspotradio spots. I have a Blog Site: http://angelsdestiny2009.blogspot.com/


Q: What advice do you have for writers wanting to write a book and get published?

AMC: Gosh, I don’t have much advice since I am a newbie to this process. The only thing I would suggest is updating one’s computer skills and understanding how to work the basic platforms and applets. Learn how to upload images, learn how to use the online social networking platforms, get a good computer, back up all your files on an external drive, and learn some design technique so you can have more control over your content/image.

Q: ANGEL'S DESTINY: A Novel Story of Poems & Illustrations’ is April Martin Chatrand’s first release. Give us some links to order this book and your contact information please.


AMC: Go directly to http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Destiny-Novel-Story-Illustrations/dp/0615302513/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266426132&sr=8-1

I also have the book in independent book stores in San Francisco.

Available from:
Alexander Book Co. 50 - 2nd Street,
SF, CA 94105
Book's Inc. 2275 Market Street (@Noe/16th) SF CA 94114

Book's Inc. 3515 California St. SF CA 94118

San Francisco, CA 94114

http://www.youtube.com/user/AprilMartinChartrand




Saturday, September 5, 2009

My First Reading on the Radio 87.9 FM Friday Sept, 11, 2009 circa 4-5 ishm




 April reading at Pirate Cat Cafe


I'll be a guest of "Common Thread Poetry and Politics" hosted by Diamond Dave which is on "Pirate Cat Radio Cafe" 87.9 FM (a low powered, unlicensed community radio).

Date: Friday - Sept. 11, 2009
Air time: Somewhere between 4-5 p.m.
Length of my contribution: 10 minutes
I'll be reading from my upcoming book 'Angel's Destiny: A Novel Story of Poems and Illustrations' by April Martin Chartrand, Author (estimated release date December 2009) .

Tune in and listen or stop by the Cafe and get a bite to eat.

Where: Pirate Cat Radio Cafe 87.9 FM (radio)
2781 21st Street (Between Bryant & Florida Sts.)
San Francisco, CA 94110


About the radio station/cafe: "P irate Cat Radio Cafe offers a community space for open on-air discussion and live entertainment. " They offer coffee, tea, other food goodies, and radio.

http://www.piratecatcafe.com/index.php