Monday, July 1, 2013

Meet Author Mark Miller

Welcome fans and followers! We're so glad you stopped by this week to check out our featured guest.

There is TONS going on this weekend - so be sure to check out all of the information available here on the post.

First up, an online event: This weekend be sure to join us for The Virtual Ebook Fair online July 5 - 7 to interact with authors, enter our contest, and discover new books!

You may join the event early, but authors will not be posting until the weekend gets here.
Join early and begin inviting your friends!

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As you probably already know, JLB Creatives is on full tilt preparing and tying up all of the loose ends for our upcoming Authors in the Park Picnic with an Author Event taking place July 6 in Mount Dora, Florida. Visit the link and invite your friends.

Our featured guest this week is JLB Creatives Team member and author, Mark Miller. You will catch the enthusiasm of how Authors in the Park came to be, and catch a glimpse of how JLB Creatives is making a difference in the literary world.

Gilbert Park, Mount Dora Florida ~ 11:00A - 1:00P

Take it away, Mark!

JLB Creatives Executive Team
Member, author Mark Miller
Sometimes, unexpected things turn out to be surprising, life changing events full of joy and opportunity.

For me, Authors in the Park was one of those unexpected things. Independent authors struggle. Without a workplace to go to, they struggle to find time to write. Without a major international publisher and marketing firm, they struggle to promote. In some cases, they are true starving artists. As an independent author, I was constantly seeking new outlets to present my work. Normally, this is a solitary profession, so, like many authors, I enjoy the opportunity to do a book signing. It is a chance to get out and meet the public, talk to readers and fans and, of course, sell books. Without the support of a huge corporate engine behind me, I had to make those opportunities on my own.

That’s where JLB Creatives comes into this story. JLB Creatives, an energetic company that was already making inroads on Facebook and other social media, was in a similar situation. Owner/founder, author Janet Beasley, was working to promote herself. We met at a local library event and emailed a few times after that. Then we met for a writer’s meeting at One Flight Up CafĂ© in downtown Mount Dora. Two things of note: 1) One Flight Up has since become one of our biggest sponsors and has an excellent menu. 2) a writer’s meeting is a fancy way of saying food and talk. At that meeting, a third party entered the story. Jean E. Lane had met with Janet once or twice before for writer’s meetings. One of us said, “We should do our own author event.” Someone else said, “Let’s hold it at one of Mount Dora’s beautiful parks. We could call it Authors in the Park.”

From humble beginnings, now onto our third event, Authors in the Park seems to have been guided by a higher power. Here, I will pause to give my thanks, both to the higher power and to Janet and Jean E. The three of us now make up the JLBC Executive Team and we have developed Authors in the Park into an annual series of four themed events. We feel that these events, one for each season, are quite unique and give readers a new way to meet and interact with authors.
 
Our goal with these events is to continuously present new authors to the public. (Pictured left: the authors from Spring Into Art - The Gallery Walk 2013. Authors pictured are C. Kevin Thompson, Gary Larson, Mark Miller, Jeanne Selander Miller, Elise Van Cise ( and her aspiring author son), Janet Beasley, Theresa Oliver, Jean E. Lane, De Miller) Many of the authors we work with have never done a book signing before. Others are seasoned pros, but they have never done a book signing like an Authors in the Park event. The JLBC Executive Team has been blessed to work with so many gracious, talented authors and enjoy the support of an artistic community. The business owners and government agencies are some of the most supportive people. The best part is that the list of names keeps growing and the events keep getting bigger.

Because we are Authors in the Park, our July 6th event, Picnic with an Author, seemed like a natural progression. We will be taking over Gilbert Park in Mount Dora, near the lakefront lighthouse from 11 AM to 1 PM on that Saturday. One of our local churches, Round Lake Christian Church, will be cooking hot dogs for a small donation. However, we have a deal with them that anybody who buys a book from any of the authors will receive a free hot dog. In addition to the food, there will also be face painting, live music and a playground nearby.

Look for our flyers posted in numerous, supportive, downtown Mount Dora businesses.



What will the authors be doing? Eating, of course. Authors seem to be especially good at that. They will also be waiting for readers to join them at the picnic tables, sit down and talk about their books or writing in general. This group of authors has been specially selected and represent a positive, inspiring segment of independents. And yes, they will have books for sale, ready to autograph.

I, for one, hope that you will join us for our picnic! Even if you can’t make it in person, have a look at our Facebook page. There are always links about past and future Authors in the Park participants.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Please follow Authors in the Park on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorsInThePark

July 6th Picnic with an Author event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/173765459456494/

Learn more about Mark Miller at www.FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor

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Also - be sure to check out Mark's wide scope of talent when it comes to writing. He is the author of The Empyrical Tales. He also excels at Amish stories, and more! 


Thanks so much for visiting JLB Creatives - we hope to see you at the picnic!

Until next week...stay casual~live life to the fullest~and have a piece of chocolate for me!
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Author Janet Beasley

JLB Creatives

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JLB Creatives Blog Hosts
JLB Creatives Editor Dar Bagby (L) and JLB Creatives CEO Janet Beasley (R)