Congratulations to Julie Fast, one of the worlds leading experts in mood disorders. Julie is one of my long standing clients and she has earned some national publicity in SELF magazine’s January 2009 issue. Julie has authored three best selling traditionally published books and 3 self published books that she offers from the internet.

Although it would be nice to take all of the credit for this coverage due to my fantastic pitch, there is another piece that was instrumental in gaining the reporters trust and respect, Julie’s website and her web presence. Julie clearly showcases her expert status and has developed materials in language that let reporters “check her out” before they decide they want to spend time interviewing her. Her ongoing work and development on her websites really helped to get her the ink she deserves.

To be the next expert that gets ink, you must have the essential elements that the media is looking for equipped with a well developed website and online presence that tells them who you are, why and how you are the expert and gives them a feel for you and your “voice” should they decide to follow up on a publicist’s pitch or even Google an area of expertise.

Truth is- I love to promote authors, books, and experts so this is an opportunity to let you know about a book event that I am really excited about attending tonight in the Portland area. I also wanted to give Jeff and his new book some web ink.

Author Jeff Kaliss, got my dream interview’s with music icon and genius, Sly Stone (yep, this is on my dream list!). His book, I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly and the Family Stone (Backbeat Books 2008) has just been released and he is on tour to promote it.  

I haven’t personally met the author or read any of his work but from taking a read around his website combined with my personal admiration of this particular interview- I can’t wait to meet him, ask a ton of questions, and get a copy of the book tonight.

My hope isthat you will support authors and your local bookstore events in whatever genre appeals most to you. Not only are events inspiring, educational and a really good time, we want to keep our authors, their publishers, and our bookstores in the business of educating and entertaining us.

As for my dream of interviewing and publishing information about Sly Stone, there’s still opportunity. I think I will add a video interview with him to my dream board and in the mean time enjoy picking the brain of one who went before me! 

Here is the event information at Powell’s Books: www.powells.com/calendar.html Not in Portland? Looks like Jeff is touring so be sure and check out his book tour information. Here is Jeff’s website: www.jeffkaliss.com/index.html with more information.