Please enjoy my chat, with LaShaunda Hoffman founder of SORMAG, an online magazine for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature. Join me as I get to know the woman behind the business.
Richardson : Hi LaShaunda, I would like to thank you for chatting with me. Could you please share with our viewers who you are?
Hoffman: Vanessa, thank you so much for having me and SORMAG today. My name is LaShaunda C. Hoffman and I’m a lover of books who took that love and created an online magazine called Shades Of Romance Magazine.
It was my way to say thanks to the writers who wrote the books I loved. Nine years ago, I never dreamed we would still be online and still promoting writers and their books.In my real life, I’m happily married with three children. I work for the government and that part of my life keeps me as busy as my fantasy life. In the little spare time I have I write Christian fiction. One day I hope to be a published writer.
Richardson: How did you answer the call to become one of the most influential online Magazine Publisher?
Hoffman: I’ve always wanted to have a magazine unfortunately after doing my research I realized I didn’t have the funds to do it the way I wanted. So I decided to try my hand at online publishing. SORMAG started out as a bi-monthly online magazine on sormag.com
It was a process putting the magazine out every two months, but I loved every minute of it. As the writers of romance started moving on to mainstream fiction, I realized we had to move with the writers and the readers. We started promoting all literature and eventually moved to the blog concept which helped us be more interactive.
Richardson: There is spiritual awakening passage that goes: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? I am a huge fan of Langston Hughes’ poem "A dream deferred" and have often times quoted that familiar passage as an source of inspiration and encouragement. How do you/did you deal with rejection?
Hoffman: Vanessa I’m a witness who can say that the dream doesn’t dry up. It sits in the pit of your stomach and it aches every time you think about it. When I started SORMAG, I pushed my writing dream to the back. I was busy doing the magazine, I thought I didn’t have time to write and I believed the magazine would satisfy the writing need. Unfortunately the characters in my head refuse to listen.
I decided to take up my pen and my dream of publication and that’s when I had to deal with rejection. I will admit I wasn’t very good at it. I let the word FEAR scare me away from submitting for years. I was afraid of rejection and I thought I’d write my books and some day my time would come. However you can’t get published if you don’t experience rejection. You have to put yourself and your work out there. Yes, you might get a few nos, but one day it might be a YES. The only way you can find out is to step out and just do it.
Richardson: What advice do you have for writers and/or aspiring entrepreneurs?
Hoffman: Don’t let FEAR cripple you from seeing your dreams come true. If you have a dream to write or to start your own business, believe in yourself or no one will. When it came to SORMAG I’m all talk but when it came to my writing, I was closed lip. I’m still learning to have confidence in my writing ability. Put the FEAR behind you and you’ll go far.
Richardson: Are there any future projects your working on that you could share with us?
Hoffman: We are currently scheduling for the summer teleseminars we host each month. We’re looking for presenters to teach. If you have a subject you think others would like to learn. Send your idea to me at – http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sormag@yahoo.com
We also have our Bi-Annual online conference this summer, August 23 – 26, 2009. Registration begins May 1st.
SORMAG - Shades Of Romance Magazine - http://sormag.blogspot.com/
An online magazine for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature.
Author/Book Promotion/Book Reviews/Literary News
Online Book Tours/Online Workshops/Online Bookstore
Writing Community
Promoting books and their authors for nine years.
http://sormag.com/advertise.htm
Richardson: LaShaunda, I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me. You are such an inspiration and a helper to many. I am looking forward to hearing greater things from you, until then please continue to let your light shine as it has allowed many people to see the gift within themselves and others, too.
Hoffman: Vanessa, thank you again for having me. I appreciate you letting me introduce SORMAG to your readers. If anyone has a question for me feel free to leave a comment. I will be checking back throughout the day to answer them.
I invite the readers to become a member of our community. I’d also like to offer a special report, FIVE TIPS TO BUILDING AN ONLINE PRESENCE.
Send an email to http://us.mc518.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sormagcontest@yahoo.com with special report in the subject and I’ll send you a copy.
SORMAG BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY
A SORMAG GOODY bag will be sent to one lucky blog winner who leaves a comment on this blog. (10 winners)
If you join SORMAG’s Community this month, you have a chance to win the following:
$25.00 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com (2 winners)
Or
Much Ado About Reading PROMO AD (value 70.00) (2 winners)
Hoffman: I’ve always wanted to have a magazine unfortunately after doing my research I realized I didn’t have the funds to do it the way I wanted. So I decided to try my hand at online publishing. SORMAG started out as a bi-monthly online magazine on sormag.com
It was a process putting the magazine out every two months, but I loved every minute of it. As the writers of romance started moving on to mainstream fiction, I realized we had to move with the writers and the readers. We started promoting all literature and eventually moved to the blog concept which helped us be more interactive.
Richardson: There is spiritual awakening passage that goes: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? I am a huge fan of Langston Hughes’ poem "A dream deferred" and have often times quoted that familiar passage as an source of inspiration and encouragement. How do you/did you deal with rejection?
Hoffman: Vanessa I’m a witness who can say that the dream doesn’t dry up. It sits in the pit of your stomach and it aches every time you think about it. When I started SORMAG, I pushed my writing dream to the back. I was busy doing the magazine, I thought I didn’t have time to write and I believed the magazine would satisfy the writing need. Unfortunately the characters in my head refuse to listen.
I decided to take up my pen and my dream of publication and that’s when I had to deal with rejection. I will admit I wasn’t very good at it. I let the word FEAR scare me away from submitting for years. I was afraid of rejection and I thought I’d write my books and some day my time would come. However you can’t get published if you don’t experience rejection. You have to put yourself and your work out there. Yes, you might get a few nos, but one day it might be a YES. The only way you can find out is to step out and just do it.
Richardson: What advice do you have for writers and/or aspiring entrepreneurs?
Hoffman: Don’t let FEAR cripple you from seeing your dreams come true. If you have a dream to write or to start your own business, believe in yourself or no one will. When it came to SORMAG I’m all talk but when it came to my writing, I was closed lip. I’m still learning to have confidence in my writing ability. Put the FEAR behind you and you’ll go far.
Richardson: Are there any future projects your working on that you could share with us?
Hoffman: We are currently scheduling for the summer teleseminars we host each month. We’re looking for presenters to teach. If you have a subject you think others would like to learn. Send your idea to me at – http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sormag@yahoo.com
We also have our Bi-Annual online conference this summer, August 23 – 26, 2009. Registration begins May 1st.
SORMAG - Shades Of Romance Magazine - http://sormag.blogspot.com/
An online magazine for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature.
Author/Book Promotion/Book Reviews/Literary News
Online Book Tours/Online Workshops/Online Bookstore
Writing Community
Promoting books and their authors for nine years.
http://sormag.com/advertise.htm
Richardson: LaShaunda, I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me. You are such an inspiration and a helper to many. I am looking forward to hearing greater things from you, until then please continue to let your light shine as it has allowed many people to see the gift within themselves and others, too.
Hoffman: Vanessa, thank you again for having me. I appreciate you letting me introduce SORMAG to your readers. If anyone has a question for me feel free to leave a comment. I will be checking back throughout the day to answer them.
I invite the readers to become a member of our community. I’d also like to offer a special report, FIVE TIPS TO BUILDING AN ONLINE PRESENCE.
Send an email to http://us.mc518.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sormagcontest@yahoo.com with special report in the subject and I’ll send you a copy.
SORMAG BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY
A SORMAG GOODY bag will be sent to one lucky blog winner who leaves a comment on this blog. (10 winners)
If you join SORMAG’s Community this month, you have a chance to win the following:
$25.00 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com (2 winners)
Or
Much Ado About Reading PROMO AD (value 70.00) (2 winners)
Visit the following blogs for a chance to win.
Meet SORMAG April 6 - Elaine Cantrell - http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com/
10 Tips For A Perfect Online Interview April 7 - Dara Girard – http://www.daragirard.com/blog/
10 Tips For Promoting On Twitter April 8 - Chelle Hicks - http://chellehicks.blogspot.com/
10 Tips For Promoting On A Blog April 10 - Wanza Leftwich - http://thegospelwriter.blogspot.com/
5 Reasons Why You Should Attend An Online Conference April 13 - APOOO http://www.apooobooks.com/
Meet LaShaunda Hoffman April 14 - Vanessa Richardson - http://thecertainones.blogspot.com/
10 Tips For Promoting Online April 15 - Patricia Woodside - http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/
10 Tips For Promoting With A PodcastApril 16 - Bettye Griffin –http:// http://www.chew-the-fat-with-bettye.blogspot.com/
5 Low Cost Ways To Promote With An Online Magazine April 17- Andrea Jackson - http://www.pbdiva.wordpress.com/
CONNECT WITH US ON THE NET:
LaShaunda:
Twitterwww.twitter.com/lashaundaH
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/lchoffman
Linked In
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lashaundahoffman
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=635539277
SORMAGwww.twitter.com/sormag
Join our community
http://tinyurl.com/dxrw9x
LaShaunda C. Hoffman -SORMAG's Publisher
SORMAG - Shades Of Romance Magazine is new and improved. We invite you to consider promoting your books on our new sites. We have rates for every budget – http://sormag.com/advertise.htm
CONNECT WITH US ON THE NET:
LaShaunda:
Twitterwww.twitter.com/lashaundaH
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/lchoffman
Linked In
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lashaundahoffman
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=635539277
SORMAGwww.twitter.com/sormag
Join our community
http://tinyurl.com/dxrw9x
LaShaunda C. Hoffman -SORMAG's Publisher
SORMAG - Shades Of Romance Magazine is new and improved. We invite you to consider promoting your books on our new sites. We have rates for every budget – http://sormag.com/advertise.htm
2 comments:
Hi LaShaunda-
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing yourself with us.
I am working on my christian fiction, I know I will be availing myself to SORMAG'S resources in the future.
I am inspired to say to viewers, never give up on what your call to do. Destiny calls- answer the call.
Blessings,
Vanessa
Vanessa,
Thank you for featuring SORMAG. I appreciate it.
I look forward to introducing your book to our readers. I second never giving up on your call.
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