KaPow! I'm a 5 Time Black Weblog Award Nominee

I've been happy dancing for some time. As I mentioned before, I was on hiatus this past summer due to health reasons. But in the midst of my recuperation a lot of positive things happened. I was nominated for an African American Literary Award for my book, If I Had My Way. I won't find out if I've won until the awards ceremony being held in New York on September 27, 2012. Keep your fingers crossed and wish my good luck. I also want to thank ALL of you that took the time to vote for me. I truly appreciate the love and support.

I have also been nominated five times for the Black Weblog Awards. I am nominated in the following categories: Best Book or Author Blog, Best Blog Post Series, Best International Blog, Best Personal Blog and Best Blog for Writing. You can win an award two ways, by judges vote and by public vote. Public voting began on September 15th and you can cast your vote for me on the Voting Ballot.

The BWA was founded in 2005 to give recognition to Black bloggers (and those of the African diaspora) which were largely overlooked by other Internet award events online. What started out as a barely-known event has now grown into an international showcase. With participants from over 90 countries, the Black Weblog Awards stands out as one of the most widespread Internet award events for Black bloggers.

To date, the Black Weblog Awards has recognized nearly 180 blogs in over 30 categories. The Awards has also been featured in several mainstream and online media outlets, including NPR, CNN, and others. Winners of the Black Weblog Awards have also went on to appear in other media outlets, like MSNBC, the Huffington Post, BET, and many others.

A big thank you to those that nominated me, those that voted for me and those that will vote for me. I couldn't have gotten this far without your support. A humongous hug from me to YOU!!!

Feed Your Reader Giveaway Hop

Thank you for participating in the Feed Your Reader Giveaway hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Books: True Story. This giveaway is for Ebooks only. It runs August 23-29, 2012.

What is up for grabs? Several items are up for grabs.

• Everyone can receive a Free copy of a few of my stories from the my collection of short stories titled, If I Had My Way. 

• The stories available for free are Thirst, Substitute and 5 Minutes, all available and Free on Kindle only. All you have to do is download them between now and Sunday, August 26, 2012. Click here to download Thirst. Click here to download Substitute. Click here to download 5 Minutes.

• Also up for grabs is a chance to get up to $15 in ebook purchases from Amazon for Kindle or Barnes and Noble for Nook.

To enter for a chance for $15 in purchases for Kindle or Nook:
Just fill out the Rafflecopter form.

There are other blogs participating in this hop as well, please take time to visit them and enter their giveaways. There are a lot of great Ebooks up for grabs. For a list of the blogs participating, click here.

Happy hopping and good luck!

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Sizzling Summer Reads Giveaway

Welcome to the Sizzling Summer Reads hosted by Literary Addicts. This giveaway takes place August 20 – Sept 2 and is open to U.S. residents and International participants.

The rules of giveaway: ~ Fill out the Rafflecopter form ~ Mandatory: Be a follower of my blog via GFC, RSS, Email

~ Mandatory: Vote for me.  For what you say? Well, I've been nominated for an African American Literary Award for my book, If I Had My Way. 

I need your help though. I need you all to cast a vote for my book, If I Had My Way by Lena Sledge by going here to vote. I'm #11 on the list categories for short stories/anthologies. There are other authors to vote for in other categories and I urge you to vote for them if you have time. Some other authors up for awards in other categories include Walter Mosley, Eric Jerome Dickey, Jay-Z, Common, Francis Ray and Toni Morrison.

~ All other options on the Rafflecopter are optional. If you decide to Tweet about the giveaway, you do not need to copy and paste the tweet URL back into the rafflecopter form. It's a hassle for people to do. And I'll get a notification once you tweet it anyway. 

What's up for grabs? 
~ $30 Gift Card to Amazon.com or up to $30 in purchases from the Book Depository.

There are over 60 blogs participating in this giveaway hop, and each blog participating will have a book related giveaway worth at least $10. Stop by the other blogs and enter their giveaways as well, you could win lots of goodies. For a list of the other blogs participating click here.

Happy Hopping and Good Luck!

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Last Days of Freedom Hop Giveaway

Hey all! I'm so happy to have some time to blog. I have some great news! I've also been nominated for an African American Literary Award for my book, If I Had My Way. *happy dance!*

I need your help though. I need you all to cast a vote for my book, If I Had My Way by Lena Sledge by going here to vote. I'm #11 on the list categories for short stories/anthologies. There are other authors to vote for in other categories and I urge you to vote for them if you have time. Some other authors up for awards in other categories include Walter Mosley, Eric Jerome Dickey, Jay-Z and Toni Morrison.

Now on to my giveaway, since I have so many things to be happy for and a little more time in my schedule finally, I'm participating in the Last Days of Freedom Blog Hop Giveaway, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Elliot Review. The giveaway runs from August 17th to August 22, 2012.

The rules are as follows:
Mandatory: Cast your vote at the African American Literary Awards Show.

• All other options on the Rafflecopter are optional. 
• If you decide to tweet about the giveaway, you do not have to copy and past the Twitter URL, it's time consuming and I will get a notification once you tweet it anyway. :-)
• Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and International participants.

What's up for grabs?
(1) $25 Amazon gift card or up to $25 in purchases from the Book Depository.
AND
(1) Copy of my book, If I Had My Way (ebook for Kindle or Nook)

There are over 150 blogs participating in this hop, so stop on by and enter to win their giveaways as well.    Click here for a list of participating blogs.

Enjoy your week, happy blog hopping and thank you for your vote!!! Please help me spread the word. :-)a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop. This hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and author Rachael Renee Anderson. Over 300 blogs are hosting a giveaway as part of this hop which runs from February 7th to 14th midnight. So that's a lot of prizes at stake.


Rules:

• Must join my newsletter.

All other options on the Rafflecopter are optional

What am I Giving Away?

• I am giving away (1) $20 Amazon gift card.
• And one Kindle or Nook Copy of If I Had My Way by Lena Sledge
• There is only one winner. Winner receives both prizes.

Open to U.S. and International Participants. If the winner is an international resident, participant may choose to receive purchase up to $20 from the Book Depository. If I Had My Way will be sent as a gift by Email from Amazon or BN.

That's it. Have fun and have a truly blessed day. And don't forget to hop by the other 300 blogs and enter their giveaways. Click here for the list of other blogs.

• To sign up for my newsletter. Just enter your email address in the box below. Or you can use the sign up box at the top right hand of my sidebar. 

• Then proceed to fill out the Rafflecopter form. 

• If you decide to Tweet about the giveaway, you don't have to past the url back into the Rafflecopter form. I will get a notification that you did. Pasting the url is such a hassle, so may skip that part if you want.

Sign Up For My Newsletter by Email  

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If I Had My Way by Lena Sledge

Today is the day! It's the day of the official release of my book, If I Had My Way, a collection of short stories. I'm elated and so excited to share it with you all. It is available on Kindle and Nook for $2.99. Or you can purchase each individual story separately for .99 cents. Go to my author's page (Lena Sledge) to find all ten titles. I want to thank everyone for their support and assistance. If you do purchase a copy, please leave a review for me on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. And if you do a review of my book or short story on any site or blog, please let me know so I can thank you personally. I also sent out the newsletter this morning containing the free short story, Tandrin Drive. So please be on the look out for it and check your email.

I hope you enjoy my book, and I pray each and every follower and reader continues to stay with me on my literary journey.

I also have a Youtube Channel with the book trailers for my short stories. Please stop by to subscribe or view any of my videos. You can leave a comment or share my Youtube videos on your Facebook page. The more exposure I can get, the better. So I graciously ask for your help in spreading the word. Please post a review on Goodreads, Shelfari, or any other virtual reading site if you can.

Here is my book trailer for If I Had My Way.

Have a blessed day! And thank you ALL!

Black History Month Blog Hop Giveaway

The Black History Month Giveaway Hop is hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girls Read.  It starts February 1st and ends February 7, 2012 at midnight.  It's a hop, so there are more than twenty other hops participating as well. So don't forget to hop on over to the other blogs and participate in their giveaways. You could win some great prizes.

What am I giving away? I'm giving away 1(one) ebook copy of my book, If I Had My Way to three (3) different participants. So that's a total of three (3) ebook copies. You will receive the copies through Kindle, Nook or PDF, whichever format you prefer. Also, each participant that wins will also receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card. So that means, each winner will receive a free copy of my book, If I Had My Way and 1(one) $5 Amazon Gift Card. 

How to enter?

You MUST be a follower of this blog. And you must leave a comment with your email or blog address and tell me what book by an African American author is your favorite?

To get a sense of what If I Had My Way is about visit my Youtube Channel and view all the book trailers.  

Here's my Available Now Trailer for your viewing pleasure.

To visit all the other participants in the hop, click Here.

Sweetheart Stroll Giveaway Hop

It's blog hop giveaway once again. This is the Sweetheart Stroll Giveaway, hosted by Freckleberry Finds. I love blog hops, I haven't participated in one in over a month. So I'm looking forward to hopping to all the other blogs participating as well. To enter, just follow the instruction on the Rafflecopter form. This giveaway ends, February 9, 2012 at midnight.

Here are the rules.

1. Sign up for my newsletter.
2. Follow this blog.

That's it.

All other options on the Rafflecopter are optional.

Now on to the best part. What am I giving away? I am giving away (1) one, twenty-five dollar gift card to Amazon.com and (1) Free Kindle or Nook copy of my book, If I Had My Way. Giveaway is open to U.S. and International participants. If the winner is international, the participant can opt to receive up to $25 in purchases from the Book Depository.

To sign up for my newsletter, enter info below. And then proceed to complete the Rafflecopter form.

Sign Up For My Newsletter by Email

Good luck and don't forget to visit the other blogs participating in the hop.

Week in Review and Giveaway

I hadn't had a chance to blog or visit blogs all week :-( I had a jam packed week and eventful weekend. But I enjoyed it. This past Thursday, bestselling authors Victoria Christopher Murray and Reshonda Tate Billingsley came to my area for a book signing. It was nice to see them again and briefly talk. I bought their new book, Sinners and Saints, and I can't wait to read it. The two ladies make a great duo. They are funny, informative and a delight to be around. And I must congratulate Ms. Reshonda on her NAACP Image Award Nomination last week.

Friday, my girls basketball team had a game, and we lost. As the coach, I was devastated. But my team is still number 1 in their league. Woot! Woot! We will have to step it up at the next game. I also saw the film, Red Tails this weekend. It was enjoyable. I highly recommend it. The flight scenes were fantastic. Terrance Howard was sexy as all get out in his pilot uniform.

Then Saturday evening, January 21st, was the She Speaks book signing. I'm a featured poet in the anthology She Speaks, so I was asked to get up and bless the mic. It was my first time reciting any of my poetry. My poem is called, A Song for Queen. Talk about nervous, my knees shook the entire time. I was so elated to finally sit down. I've been in stage plays before, I currently give workshops and I sing in the church choir. So being in front of an audience doesn't bother me at all. I think I was nervous because it was the first time I had recited any of my poetry pieces. But I think I fared well and I can say without a doubt the event was fabulous. Some of the other talented poets rocked the mic as well and I can say that some of them left the mic smoking hot. My hat goes off to Dr. Kim White Glenn and Kimeko Farrar, those ladies always bring it whenever they touch the mic.

She Speaks is by poet Katina Walton and I must say she did a great job putting everything together. Her piece at the end had me snapping and popping my fingers and I got teary-eyed because I knew the emotion coming from her was raw and sincere. Singer, Gina Brown graced us with her voice at the close of the event, she is anointed and talented. She has worked with greats like the late Etta James. Gina Brown's voice is powerful and sultry. I could feel all the love and support in that room for Katina Walton. So I wish her the very best of luck in all her endeavors.

Well, that was my week in review.

I will be giving away THREE (3) FREE copies of the book She Speaks by Katina Walton.  Each book is valued at $15.99. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below and on Sunday, January 29th midnight, 2012, I'll choose 3 winners randomly using random.org. Winners will be announced Monday, January 30, 2012. Open to International and U.S. participants.

Don't forget my short story collection, If I Had My Way, will be available on February 1, 2012. The date is fast approaching. If you want a free copy of my short story, Tandrin Drive, please sign up for my newsletter located in the upper right hand corner of my sidebar. Everyone that has signed up for my newsletter should receive their free copy before the end of the week.

If you want a FREE copy of If I Had My Way to do a book review for your blog or to do a review for Amazon, Goodreads or Barnes and Nobles, please send me your email address along with your request at lena@lenasledge.com and where you will likely post your review and I will get it to you. I'm also available for book club discussions via Skype. 

Thank You and Have a Fantabulous Week!

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Happy New Year! It's 2012!

Hello everyone. I took a slight holiday break. I really needed it. But it's the New Year and I wanted to take time wish everyone a prosperous, safe and healthy year ahead. With that in mind, I thought I'd tell you what I have in store this year. I will start narrowing my focus on my blog. I won't be doing as many book reviews, simply because I just don't have the time with upcoming book releases, conferences, book signing, etc. Not to mention I need to write, and go over edits for my other books due in the summer and the fall. But I will have guest posts from other bloggers and readers who will do some of the book reviews instead. I will focus more on resources for writers and bloggers, and I will have more author interviews and Q&A's. The reason I will focus on more writing and blogging resources is due partly to my own book, If I Had My Way, a collection of short stories being released on the 1st of February. I discovered many resources that writers, aspiring writers or bloggers may find valuable on my literary journey and I would like to share them with everyone else so they can be more productive and more aware on their own blogging or writing journey.

I hope everyone continues to stay with me on this journey. I have some great interviews from some fabulous authors in store in the next few weeks. Also, for those who signed up for my newsletter, be on the lookout this week for an email from me with a Free copy of my short story, Tandrin Drive. I hope you enjoy it. And for anyone that wants an opportunity to guest post for a book review on my blog, just send me an email (blog@lenasledge.com). If you have a book already in mind, that's great too. However, keep in mind, my blog does not write book reviews for children's literature or non-fiction.

Have a happy New Year everyone! Thanks for making it with me to 2012!

P.S. If you would like to receive a free copy of Tandrin Drive, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter.

I have yet to name my newsletter so I thought you all might be able to help me. What do you suggest I call my newsletter?

Sign Up For My Newsletter by Email

5 Reasons Why Authors Should Blog

The other day I attended a power chat where like-minded individuals come together to discuss ideas and help each other stay focused and motivated as they work towards their goals. We discussed several topics including branding, blogging, building platforms, networking and the process of publishing and writing to name a few. Well most of you know I have several books slated for release soon. The first book releasing is If I Had My Way and the second book that will be released is Waiting on Heaven. Now with the release of my books I know it is vital to have a platform. What may you ask is a platform? Well, Writer's Digest describes a platform as all the ways you are visible and appealing to your future, potential or actual readership. So what does building a platform have to do with blogging? Well, since having a platform is dependent on your presence in the community, on the web, in your environment and in your surroundings, your platform speaks for you. It says who you are, without you having to be physically there. So what better way to build a platform than to blog?

I know as a writer myself, blogging seems like another gig to add the mountainous list of things to do on top of writing, reading, book revision, proposals and book signings; not to mention daily tasks that are not associated with writing. So why should authors make the time to blog?

Here are five reasons why author may want to consider blogging

1. It's a simple, easy and a free way to build a platform. You could use hosted blogging platforms like Blogger for example which is free and easy to setup, especially for beginners. There are other hosted blogging platforms like Wordpress, Typepad, and Tumblr (although Tumblr is more like re-blogging) just to name a few of the more common hosted blogging formats. Or you could invest in a stand alone blog if you want more flexibility or control over your blog, but this usually incurs some cost.


2. It also provides a way to keep your readers or potential readers informed about events, book signings and  book releases. It allows authors ways to interact with readers as well as granting them access to authors on a more personal and intimate level if preferred.


3. If you are self-published, it can open up new opportunities for traditional publishers and/or agents to find your work and get a sense of your writing style and voice. It could very well lead to a publishing deal, freelance jobs or speaking engagements. 


4. Social networks are always changing. Do you remember Myspace? Authors should have a common community where they can interact within their own social community and maintain consistency even throughout all the constant changes of social media. 


5. It's free promotion for your book and a way to build your brand. (I will discuss what a brand is in a later post) So stay tuned. :-)

There are no rules when it comes to blogging or choosing a blogging platform. Do what best suits you and your writing career. Blogging may not be an viable option for you right now, but it is definitely something to think about. 

For blogging resources check out the following:

• Mashable
• Blogging Tips
• Problogger

Do you think blogs are great tools for authors? Do you blog?

Donna Hill and Connie Briscoe Interviews Coming Soon

This week has been hectic. I'm trying to get my blog mojo back. What have I been up to? I've been putting the finishing touches on my book with my editor. It's like going to school. I'm thrilled when she sends my work back to me and I notice there is not alot of red. Then there have been a couple of times when I see so much red, I am appalled at myself. But that's the great part of editing, getting it polished so the readers don't see red, right?

Well, my book is coming out this fall, it's called Waiting on Heaven. So stay tuned for that. Plus, I have an anthology called If I Had My Way, which is a collection of short stories due to release in September. Each short story will be sold separately or you can buy all ten short stories as a collection sold as an anthology. I will be giving away the anthology (all ten short stories) to the readers of my blog as an eBook for those that want to do a review, interview or just want it to read in exchange for an honest review on Amazon. My way of saying thank you for the support.

Also, next week I will be posting the book trailer for Waiting to Heaven and hopefully soon thereafter I will post the book trailer for If I Had My Way.

What else...hmmm. Oh I can't forget this. My interviews with Donna Hill and Connie Briscoe will be posted next week. I'm so elated. These two women are phenomenal. If you don't know who they are, I will give you a crash course. Ready?

~Donna Hill ~

She has more than fifty published titles to her credit since her first novel was released in 1990, and is considered one of the early pioneers of the African American romance genre. Three of her novels have been adapted for television. She has been featured in Essence, the New York Daily News, USA Today, Today’s Black Woman, and Black Enterprise among many others.

~ Connie Briscoe ~

She  has had seven novels, one novella, and one nonfiction book published. Her first novel, Sisters and Lovers, sold more than 100,000 hardcover copies and about 500,000 copies in paperback. It's one of my favorites, I have it on my shelf now. So I suppose I was one of the 500,000.

Did that jog your memory? Hope so. If not, that's okay. I will bring you up to speed next week with each of their interviews. So stay tuned and check back because I always love your feedback.

Another giveaway, The Hill and Briscoe Book Giveaway, will run during the interviews with Donna Hill and Connie Briscoe. Winners will be chosen from followers who comment on the Donna Hill or Connie Briscoe interview. One winner will receive a book written by Donna Hill and the other winner will receive a book written by Connie Briscoe. Winners will be chosen by Random.org. I will announce which book is up for the giveaway at the time I post the interview.


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Also don't forget to enter the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop. I am giving away two lovely book baskets filled with lots of bookish treats and relaxation for U.S. residents. And $25 towards purchases at the Book Depository for international participants. So anyone can enter and win. Click Back to Books Giveaway Hop for more details.

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That's all I got today. Stay tuned for the start of the blog hop and have a happy Wednesday.