Name Ginger Marks
Age 59 (for a month yet *wink*)
Where are you from Born in Lansing, Michigan I now live in Clearwater, Florida and have a publishing business in New York City
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc I owned and operated several businesses throughout my career including MLMs, a restaurant, a surgical clinic, and was a Licensed Financial Advisor for a time. I am wedded to one of the smartest men on the planet, who is also my VP of Editing. We have a neighbourhood cat that adopted us who we dubbed Miss Kitty, then later found out it was a ‘he’.
As a designer, as you would expect, my talents lie in crafts of which I enjoy many. I also love to sing and sometimes even play the piano. Cooking and baking is another enjoyment, however, it is one that I can’t satisfy often or both my husband and I would be big as a house!
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Every year, since 2009, I put together a business marketing calendar of ideas. Being the first of the year, my latest Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide is my latest project. It has again become an Amazon Bestseller, of which I am proud to say.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
This is an interesting question, Fiona. Back in 2003, or so, I felt challenged to write a couple of poems. One is titled Come Play in the Rain with Me and was well received by friends and family. When I then decided to take the plunge and write a book on presentational skills, because of the looming presence of the internet had changed the way we offer our speaking talents, my mother said, “What took you so long?” You see, I come from a long, long, line of writers, authors, and speakers, including preachers.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I really didn’t consider myself an author, even after I wrote my first book, Presentational Skills for the Next Generation. Sometime after finishing that book I decided to start writing articles and it wasn’t until I reached a level of “Expert Author” on EzineArticles that I really accepted the fact that I am indeed a writer.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Hmmm. Well, I saw a need and knew how to fulfill it. As I mentioned I have many years of experience as a business owner of multiple types. So, when webinars and teleseminars were becoming viable options for sharing our knowledge with others I knew it was time to share some insights on how to use these tools properly to get your listeners to take action.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I would love to be able, like my mother, to write novels, or like my aunts who write for newspapers, but my God given talent is for business writing. So, that is what I stick with.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
2015 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide is an annual edition that came about back in 2009 when I was looking for a way to market my own business using unusual holidays. It became such a good tool that I soon realized was too good to keep to myself. So, every year since then I put it together with the hope that someone will put the FUN back into their lives and business marketing.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
Only one book has influenced my life and that is the Good Book. I have not followed any particular author in style or form. What I share is from my vast stores of business knowledge from the school of hard knocks.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Interesting that you would ask that. You must realize that authors and writers are keen on reading. Well, to answer your question, currently I am reading three books. The first is a classic, Far from the Maddening Crowd. Then I am also reading Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus and Yesterday I Lived in Paradise: The story of Caladesi Island. And before you ask, as a publisher I am always reading more than one book, so to have three going at once is not at all confusing or unusual.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
There are two that I hope continue to write, one is Charles R Hall, Another Man’s Treasure and the other is Linda Alexander, having read her book, Weekends in New England.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I write a monthly ezine titled, Words of Wisdom which you can glean from my vast stores of knowledge on life, business ownership, writing, and even design.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
There have been many people who have been the wind beneath my wings, so to speak. One woman, who early on was, and still is, a support for me is Kim Mutch-Emerson. We became friends through Ryze back in the days before Facebook and Twitter. While we live states apart, she has continued to cheer me on and I love her for it.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Writing as a career is almost as hard a life as a career in art, after all they are both art forms. So, while I would love to become well known, I don’t see writing as the end of the road for me.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
The funny thing is that I get to write my book over every year. I guess I would have to say that I would dearly love to find a simpler way to allow my readers to use the templates and tools in my book; to customize them easily; and put them to use in their own marketing plan.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Every month on my website: http://www.HolidayMarketingGuide.com I share one extra way to use a weird & wacky holiday to market your business. In the month of January, for example, I shared this idea:
Jan 8 is National Joygerm Day
Happiness: Contagious as the Flu
LiveScience.com states that, “A joy virus can spread to people three degrees removed from the original mood shifter.”
So, on this weird & wacky holiday spread some cheer. Think of ways that you can ‘infect’ your customers, clients, and those you come in contact with today with the Joygerm. Here’s some I came up with:
- Write an article about keys to happiness and share it.
- Hand out ‘Pill Candy’ with a card that has your message and logo, ‘Be sure to take your happy pill today!’ If you can afford to do so, you might imprint your logo on M&Ms to hand out. Tick-Tacs work well too for these.
- Host a Happiness Workshop
- Think of things that make you happy. Pull together a group of clients or potential customers and invite them to enjoy the event with you.
- If you are a skin care specialist, candle rep, exercise coach, or have a business that offers a product or service that makes others’ lives better or more enjoyable because of it, why not have a party or get together today?
- Have a contest for the best “Joygerm” story and the prize could be a pampering gift or better yet a tool to help them succeed in their business.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No, but if asked to speak about publishing I always take a book or two along with me. This gives me the opportunity to share not only my own writings but those of some of my authors as well.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
I have it very easy here being that I am a designer first and a publisher as well as author. So, most all of my books and my author’s book are designed by me through my design entity at http://www.DocUmeantDesigns.com.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part of this annual publication is coming up with fun and creative ways to use the weird & wacky holidays that are listed in my book. It is also one of the most rewarding.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I am always reminded that marketing doesn’t have to be stuffy or boring. When we add fun to the mix word travels fast.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
If writing is not your passion, put down your pen and go find something you truly enjoy!
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
The next good book you read, take the time to go to Amazon, give them a review and then start a conversation with them, or write the author and let them know not only how much you enjoyed their book, but how it inspired you as well. I, and all authors, will thank you!
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I don’t recall which one it was that was the very first, however, Wuthering Heights and The Secret Garden have to be right up there at the top of my list.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Finally, an easy question; Life!
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why? That’s a tough one. I would love to meet and give a hug to all my online friends and fans. I have had the joy of meeting a few, so I know that would give me great joy to meet them all.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
Ooooh, you do ask the hard ones. Okay, how about this, “She followed her heart.” I say this because my desire is to help others succeed. So, sharing my talents and knowledge with others who want to accomplish great things but don’t have vast resources to do so allows me to see my desire and their goals fulfilled.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
Oh yes, a ton. I like to read, cook, bake, do crafts, draw, and play the piano, but most of all I love to sing! And yes, I have been a ham most of my life. *wink*
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I enjoy a good love story, as well as sci-fi, westerns, and pirate movies, both classics and new offerings. I don’t much have time for TV so the Nova Online or Visions Of series are the tops on my list of shows to see.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Chocolate is my absolute favorite food. I even wrote an article with a slant towards chocolate titled, A Word for Chocolate, which you can find both online and in my book, Complete Library of Entrepreneurial Wisdom. As a designer, I love ALL colors and music . . . Jazz, tenor sax being the tops in my book, followed closely by show tunes. My favorite all time singer has to be Plácido Domingo followed closely by Sarah Brightman.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I have done so very much in my life that I don’t wish for anything in particular except to move to Europe. That would be my dream come true.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
My main website is http://www.Calomarllc.com where you will find links to my writing, design, and publishing businesses. As for my books, since there are so many, you may want to go to Amazon and visit my author central page (http://www.amazon.com/Ginger-Marks/e/B005ECOWD0/). While you are there feel free to leave me a comment, question, or review.
http://www.HolidayMarketingGuide.com
http://www.GingerMarksBooks.com
authorsinterviews 
Thank you for the opportunity to share Fiona. If you or your readers have any questions I would be more than happy to reply.
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