101 INSPIRATIONAL STORIES OF THE POWER OF PRAYER

Last year Danielle Bean ran a post on her blog about a writing contest that was being run by a Poor Clare nun.  I took this great opportunity to submit three articles that I wrote on prayer.

The happy news is that one of my articles will be included in the book. My article is one of the "101" inspirational stories. I hope that all of you will want a copy of this book; it is due to come out in May.

Sister Patricia is organizing a lively marketing plan for the book. One of the tools she is using to promote the book; is to give away a free copy to those who will some way help to promote the book. If you live in the United States and would like a free copy here's how:


From Sister Patricia:

"I want to thank everyone so far who has offered to help support my "mini" spread the word campaign about our new book. So far I think I have about 300 people who have taken up the mission! Thank you so much and your free book will be in the mail almost as soon as it is printed because I am having the printer send it to you from their mailing room!

We still have about 700 free books set aside to send... so there is plenty of books if you didn't send in a request yet. Also I don't expect you to "give" away this book... this is your book.. to keep ' I just ask that you find someway(s) to share about it with others. And it is such a gift and blessing to have you do this - I know it will be so much more meaningful and friendlier than if I spent this same amount of money putting an ad in a paper or other advertising medium.

And of course if for any reason you don't like the book or think it is something you would not want to recommend than I certainly don't expect you to feel obligated in any way to do anything! Really. I only want you to spread the word if it really is something you can feel would be helpful to others.

On Tuesday I got an endorsement from Anthony DeStefano (an author who works extensively for Priests for Life) and this is what he said:

I've just finished reading Sr. Patricia Proctor's wonderful book, 101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer, and let me tell you, I was certainly inspired! This is truly a remarkable book, filled with humor, sincerity, and profound spiritual insights. I heartily recommend it for anyone who has ever had trouble trusting in the power of prayer and the reality of God's saving love. The stories here--related in a beautifully clear and simple way--will make a believer out of the most cynical Doubting Thomas.
Anthony DeStefano
Author of Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To
and A Travel Guide to Heaven

I felt so blessed and encouraged by his words! Tomorrow I will share with you the wonderful endorsement I got by Danielle Bean!

My hope is of course - that once you see the book - you will love it! That's my hope. I do know that it has become my favorite book so far. Not that I haven't loved every one we've done - but prayer - is such an essence of living a Christian life and its just awesome to see how prayer is such a part of so many people's lives. Totally uplifting.

If you think prayer is heavy and oh my gosh you should do tons more than you are doing.. I think you will be surprised to see how simple prayers from every day folks does amazing things! Whew. A relief don't you think?

Anyway here is my email address if you want to join in on the Publicity Squad!        1srpat@calledbyjoy.com   and don't forget to include your complete mailing address."
-Blessings and Peace, Sister Patricia

Here are the ideas that Sister Patricia gave to help promote the book- Happy Reading everyone!

1001 Ways to Promote "Our" book

Okay.. so we leeched a little from John Kremer (see first entry below) but hey that's just flattery, don't you think? I've been taking a mentoring course with John Kremer ... and if you are an author or work with books... he is so worth it! [Note this advertisment has been paid by the committee to elect John Kremer]

Okay.. let's get serious. On with the list!

1. Review one more time, John Kremer's book, "1001 Ways to Market Your Book." (See note about paid endorsement above)
2. share stories on the JoyNotes
3. share stories on this blog
4. leave a comment on other blogs
5. have a blog book tour
6. announce on the radio
7. share stories on the radio
8. tell friends
9. call the buyer at hospital gift shops – great book for the sick
10. call up retreat houses that have gift shops – great book for praying!
11. ask if we can leave a free book in doctor's offices
12. ask for the book at a library – maybe they will order one
13. leave a free book in the church
14. send a postcard about the book
15. share at bible study
16. share at women's club
17. share at prayer group
18. share at youth groups
19. contact Marian conferences
20. contact Eucharistic conferences
21. leave a book or flyer at beauty shops
22. give a free teleconference about prayer
23. have a contest – winner gets a free book
24. have a raffle – winner gets a free book
25. donate a book(s) to church auctions
26. put them in yard sales
27. sell on Ebay
28. sell on Amazon
29. share on craig's list
30. talk on message boards
31. leave a flyer on store message boards
32. contact Rosauer's or food stores and see if they will sell the book in their store.
33. contact gift stores
34. contact book stores and ask if they will carry the book
35. offer autographed books
36. offer free gift wrapped & autographed books
37. suggest using as RCIA gift
38. talk to floral shops
39. talk to gift basket places – make a Christian gift basket
40. get kids to use book as a fund raiser
41. hospice – give a donation book
42. jail ministry – donate a book – offer special discount
43. offer special discount for ministry distribution
44. donate a book to a Catholic school library
45. buy a billboard
46. decorate a bus
47. make T-shirts
48. Make a Prayer Mug
49. offer a free CD of audio stories
50. offer a free audio download of stories
51. offer a book to the blind
52. read books to elderly
53. offer book as a bonus promotion to something else
54. become a walking sandwich board
55. poster on a stick – be political with your prayer voice
56. promote on pens
57. make book stickers and attach to every envelope you send out
58. make bookmarks – leave everywhere
59. make a calendar – prayer quotes
60. flyer in every bag at stores
61. add to all stationery-
62. talk about the book from the pulpit
63. add a line in all emails
64. make a prayer button
65. make a prayer cap
66. make a prayer book bag
67. make a prayer clock
68. offer the  book to be used as a gift promotion for new parish book store
69. donate a book to parish book rack
70. give a book to the sick
71. talk about the book at a prayer breakfast or luncheon
72. get a booth at a craft fair
73. write article about prayer post online – make list of places to post online
74. leave a comment on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.
75. airport gift shops
76. bottled water – call Hennessey find out
77. give books while making sick calls from parishes
78. Make a TV ad
79. make a book trailer
80. make a youtube video
81. make a book magnet
82. make a small free prayer booklet
83. make a poster that can be downloaded and put anywhere
84. put sticker on a package of seeds – prayer garden
85. any kind of waiting room you could leave something.. a flyer
86. make prayer book tracts --print online and distribute
87. leave a tract in pew, shopping mall areas, bus stops
88. put a want ad in paper
89. put display ad in papers
90. dial a prayer story
91. start a prayer hot line
92. write a letter about book
93. banner on web page
94. make a prayer business card
95. set of 10 prayer thought cards put in letters
96. make prayer journals
97. talk about book to friends, family members, personal contacts
98. use stories in sermons
99. make up Welcome baskets for new parish members
100. include in the Welcome wagon for your town
101. doughnuts and coffee – make a table favor with a bookmark or prayer story tract.
102. share a chapter
103. interview authors from book and post online
104. make a web site
105. buy google adwords
106. free e-books –
added April 15 (by email friend)
107.    Contact Catholic Library Association
added April 15 (by Anne Marie)
108. Have your email friends post announcement in the parish bulletins.
109Post announcement on the diocesan and parish websites.
110. Contact EWTN to add your book to their religious catalog (shown on TV, catalog and website)
111.  Post announcements in Catholic Magazines.
112. Contact the KofC to advertise the book through their councils nationwide.
113.Send complementary copies to those Catholics with public persona. (ie, Fr Mitch Pacwa, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Scott Hahn, Fr. C. John McCloskey, Fr. John Trigilio, Fr. Thomas Dubay, Mother Assumpta...)
114.  Send complementary copies to Seminaries,
115. Send complementary copies to the Catholic Information Center in DC,
116. Send complementary copies to Retreat Houses,
117. Send complementary copies to Youth Ministers,
118. Send complementary copies to Catholic College Neumann Centers,
119. Send complementary copies to Catholic School Libraries

Comments

[Therese]

congratulations Kathy. It is great that you have a story in this book. I may have to put it on my must read list.

[Ann]

My goodness, Kathy, I've never come across so many ways to promote!
I'll be very happy to purchase a copy of the book and mention it in a future post on my blog.
I'm delighted for you, Kathy, because we all need that little bit of encouragement from time to time as we walk the pilgrim path. And of course I'll look forward to reading the stories that testify to the power of prayer.