Wednesday, February 4, 2009

"The Soul of Humanity"--February 4th, 2009


I am pleased to announce my first guest for my new Internet Radio Show, The Soul of Humanity--Ms. Melissa M. Williams, author of Iggy The Iguana.



Melissa is a native Texan living in Austin and author of the children's chapter book: Iggy The Iguana. Tonight we will discuss every aspect of her literary career--from her early development, to the specifics of how she came to write her first novel, to the steps she has taken to creating success as an independent book publisher. If you have aspirations of seeing your self-publishing endeavors become a reality, this is definitely a show you will not want to miss.



Melissa will be giving away one free autographed copy of her book to a lucky listener tonight. To qualify, simply listen tonight @ 7PM and during the course of the interview (or after) post a comment and offer some feedback here on this blog posting. Melissa will be responding to every listener comment and at the end of the night, she will draw a name and offer one autographed copy!!!




You can order your copy of Iggy The Iguana by clicking on the Amazon widget in my right-hand side-bar (-->>>). The image will take you directly to the Amazon storefront for Melissa's book. Be sure to post a reader review when you are done!!!

If you are local to the Austin, Texas area, please stop by the Barnes and Noble at the Arboretum and ask for Heather or Mairead to pick up your copy today.

Address
Barnes & Noble at the Arboretum
10000 Research Blvd #158
Austin, TX 78759
512-418-8985


Show Date & Time: Wednesday, February 4th @ 7PM Central
Show Location: The Soul of Humanity (Simply click the ON AIR button)


~Bobby Ozuna
Ozuna Publications
"Drawing Stories...With Words"
817-812-2009

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55 comments:

August said...

Hi! I am a huge Melissa - Iggy the Iguana fan.. I am one of her best friends! ha! I was wondering if it will be possible to get a copy of the live interview? Or will you have the interview on your blog for friends to listen to again? I won't be able to listen to the broadcast, so I would truly appreciate it if you could post it on your blog or etc.

Thanks!!
August

August said...

I am one of Melissa's best friends, and I am so excited to hear that she will be on a live broadcast! Will you have a copy of it on your blog for people to listen to, if they missed the live version? Or can I ask that you put a copy on your blog to play? I would truly appreciate it!

Thanks,
August

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hello August!!!
We are very excited to feature her on my show, The Soul of Humanity! I have no doubt she is going to rock!!!

Be sure to return after (or during) the show and post some feedback for her...

Steph V said...

Hi, another huge Iggy fan here!!! I'd love to know how many books Melissa forsees in the Iggy series?! What other plans does she have in writing?!

Unknown said...

We love Iggy the Iguana - is there any chance that an animated film is in the works?? The story and characters are definitely engaging enough to provide a movie worth of entertainment!

Unknown said...

On behalf of me and my 3rd grade class in Georgetown, I would just like to say that we love Iggy the Iguana! My students loved your visit Melissa and still talk about the characters and ask about you. We are all looking forward to reading Iggy's next adventure!!

Unknown said...

My seven year old niece LOVES this book. She is having a tough time reading, but when we pull out this book, she gets so excited. THANK YOU MELISSA!!! Can't wait for the next one!

Anonymous said...

Melissa sounds so cool! My sister would LOVE Iggy the Iguana! I can't wait to buy the book!...and I'm really curious about the stuffed animal. How cool that she made a stuffed animal for her character! Melissa, would you ever consider making Iggy into a cartoon?

Michele

Kubiaks said...

We love Iggy the Iguana and the rest of his friends. We have been fortunate enough to hear Melissa present live and it was amazing! She is a wonderful speaker and her book is fabulous! My 4th grade students really relate and can't wait for the sequel. They also really enjoyed the writing tips she shared. Does she plan on offering any seminars for kids inerested in learning more from her about writing a story and the process it takes?

Nancy said...

Hi Melissa! I've really enjoyed listening to you talk about your passion with Iggy and his world. My question is with all your touring schools, actually writing and creating your stories and working with your creative team, how much time do you spend with the marketing part of "Iggy" and do you have another job outside of your writing career? I wish you all the best!! Can't wait to read the book...
Nancy

Anonymous said...

My little cousin has this book! She told me that she read it in 2 nights and slept with the book under her pillow because she liked it so much!

Good luck Melissa!
Lori

Anonymous said...

I saw Melissa when she did a reading at the Austin Barnes and Noble, and think she has an inspiring story on how she got started, as well as a great story with Iggy the Iguana. When will she be making her next appearance at a Texas Barnes and Noble??? ~Iggy's Biggest Fan!

Anonymous said...

I just bought this book for my younger sister! It hasn't come in the mail yet, but she is really excited to get it!!

Angie

Kim Gannon said...

I just had to let Melissa know...

I purchased the Iggy book for a my nephew and he LOVED it!!! Since then...he has asked to get all of his friends this book for their birthdays!!! LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

Iggy the Iguana was so well written and very intertaining. I am really interested in a writing camp! When will you have more information about this? Also, who will be the next stuffed animal character? My son really loves Snap.

Nancy said...

Bobby,
I know this hour was about Melissa and she did an amazing job, but my friend, "he's a natural" says my husband. You have done such a great job. This was an amazing debut show and I look forward to listening every week. This is it!!! you are going to make it...glad I've been a small part of the ride!
Your friend always, Nancy

Anonymous said...

Melissa, I read your book and I loved it...it's not only for 7-11 year olds, cause I am 13 and read and thought it was wonderful. I can't wait to read your next book.

Elizabeth

Nancy said...

Bobby,
I know this hour was about Melissa and she did an amazing job, but my friend, "he's a natural" says my husband. You have done such a great job. This was an amazing debut show and I look forward to listening every week. This is it!!! you are going to make it...glad I've been a small part of the ride!
Your friend always, Nancy

Nancy said...

Bobby,
I know this hour was about Melissa and she did an amazing job, but my friend, "he's a natural" says my husband. You have done such a great job. This was an amazing debut show and I look forward to listening every week. This is it!!! you are going to make it...glad I've been a small part of the ride!
Your friend always, Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hi, Melissa!

I read your book and it's not just for 7-11 year olds, I am 13 and I loved your book. I can't wait to read your next one!

Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Great job Melissa! Sharon

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hey everyone... Thanks for listening to my first show!!! I know Melissa rocked and I am sooo terribly sorry I wasn't paying attention to the time!!! I was so excited about this interview I forgot to "wrap up" the show and we had to move on...

Next time I have Melissa on the show--hint, hint Melissa--I will be sure to flow a bit smoother...

Melissa M. Williams said...

Hi August! A copy of the interview will be ready by Saturday, so I will email it to you! I will also post the link on my blog as well.

Melissa M. Williams said...

Hello Van Fam!
Thanks for your comments and listening! Oh, there will be much more to come with this lizard! At least 3 books in the chapter book series and a picture book series to follow! We are going to start work on the coloring book too very soon.

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hey August!!!!

This interview will be posted on my archive page (The Soul of Humanity) by Saturday the 7th. I will re-post the interview on my site and I am sure Melissa will post it on her blog for later listening.

Thanks for tuning in...sorry I got us cut out at the end.

Melissa M. Williams said...

Thanks for your comments, Taylor! I would love for Iggy to be animated! I saw him as a cartoon the entire time I was writing the story! I'm going to keep writing and see what happens in the future of Ig!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Shell,
Comments like yours make may day! That is what keeps me going, because I love hearing that children are wanting to READ when they hear about Iggy and his friends. Thank you so much!!!! I can't wait for the next one to come out in the summer!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Michele,
I'm so glad to hear that you love Iggy! Making the stuffed animal was so much fun for me. I worked with a brilliant designer from the Mascot Factory until we got him just right!

Bobby Ozuna said...

Nancy:
Thanks for the kudos... I am glad I am a natural behind the microphone...too bad I don't know when to shut up huh??? It's all a learning process...next time when the clock strikes ten til... I will close out properly.

We are going to have Melissa back in the Fall...when she is on her way to the top...that is, if she considers doing my small time show after she has gone on to become the JK Rowlings of children's literature...???

Melissa M. Williams said...

The Kubiaks,
Thank you so much for your comments. I loved visiting your school in Dallas last year! I am now looking into offering lectures for older students as well. It is something that I am very interested in as a public speaker. I would also like to put together an internship program for college students in the future!

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hey everyone, be sure to connect with Melissa on her blog: Melissa Williams Blog

Be sure to subscribe to her blog so you can stay current and find out when she is touring a school near you!!!

And you Austin, TX residents, stop by the Barnes & Noble at the Arboretum and ask for Heather...and she will show you to the shelf where you can get your copy of Iggy The Iguana!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Nancy,
Thank you so much for listening! I have to admit this past year has been a busy busy year for me, but I LOVE it! A majority of my time is spent on the marketing side so to speak. There are so many ways to get out there, so in addition to actually connecting with my audience through school visits and signings, I do online, direct, ads, and the list goes on and on. I now have help with this though, because there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all. It is hard work, but I love being able to where 3 hats. (Creative, Business, Promo)
I look forward to hearing what you think about the book!
Thanks again!
Melissa

Melissa M. Williams said...

Lori,
Oh, that is so sweat to her that she slept with it under her pillow. That is too cute! Thank you so much for listening to the show!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Robyn,
I hope to have another author signing set up very soon! Maybe a Houston Barnes and Noble in the near future. Thanks so much for listening. Your comments were so nice to hear.

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hey Melissa!!!

I guess I forgot to say thank-you huh???

I saw the pics from your visit with the kids today (Melissa Williams Signs books for the kiddos). You are truly doing some amazing things and I hope you are pleased (and your family of course) with my interview tonight.... For a man that doesn't get nervous...I sure was!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Angie,
Thanks so much for being an Iggy fan! I can't wait to hear what your sis thinks!!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Kim!
It looks like I have an Iggy promoter on my hands! That's awesome! Thank you so much for listening to the show. I really do appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Melissa! I was so proud to hear you on the Bobby Ozuna Show! I have been a fan of yours since you were born because your Mom has been one of my best friends from way before then, so I have had the privilege of knowing the original Iggy personally! I remember him dressed up in his party clothes and his Sunday best, and I was thrilled to read the great book about him and his fascinating friends! I can hardly wait to read his next two books! Keep inspiring us, Melissa, to follow our dreams, wherever they may take us...

Your friend Donna Cameron

Melissa M. Williams said...

Thank you for those great compliments! Once the summer camps are in place I will have info about them on the website and in the Iggy newsletter. If you haven't signed up for the Iggy Newsletter, there is a link on the site. www.iggytheiguana.com I will also be sending information to all of the schools that I have visited on my book tour. And if your son likes Snap Shell, then he is in luck. Snap is the next character in the Iggy collection!!!! He should be out by the summertime.

Melissa M. Williams said...

Elizabeth!
I totally agree with you. I really think Iggy is for everyone. I know A LOT of adults who read the story all the time too. Thank you so much for listening and being an Iggy fan! Who is your favorite character?

Melissa M. Williams said...

Nancy,
I have to agree with you on your comment about Bobby. I feel very blessed to have met him, and I think he is an awesome speaker and interviewer. Totally a natural!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Thank you, Sharon!
I'm so glad you were listening!!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Donna,
I loved your comment!!!! Yes, you got to hang out with the real Iggy back in the day! It has to be neat to watch this project from so many years back. Isn't it interesting how those memories influenced my passion? Thank you for such kind words, and I truly appreciate how much support you have shown through the years. You definitely appreciate the power of creative gifts, as I will always know you for you incredible movement of the bubble bee song on the piano. I have never seen a person play so fast! Thank you and I can't wait for you to read the next one!

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hey Melissa... I know of one person at least here in the Fort Worth area that ordered the book after the show!!!! Remember, when you make it big and move on up with George and Weezy... don't forget me!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Bobby,
I want to personally thank you for everything you have done to inspire, encourage, promote, collaborate, and do for/with me. Hey, the show was easy for me because you were so awesome. Thank you for making it such a great experience. You rocked! I am really looking forward to seeing you very soon, and being on the show again. Thank you a million times over! Our work together is not done by any means. Its only begun. I am looking forward to everything God has in store for us and our creative journeys.

Melissa M. Williams said...

Bobby!
That's awesome. And like I said, you will be right there too, bro! Oh, I need to start working on visiting Ft. Worth schools soon, ya know.

Bobby Ozuna said...

I am going to take the one extra autographed copy of Iggy you gave me to Ms. Amanda Edwards, Second Grade teacher at Alliene Mullendore Elementary in the Birdville Independent School District in the mid-cities area.... She will surely love the book!!!

Anything you need to get some tours set up over this way... just let me know...

Anonymous said...

I have a four year old son,that loves books... When is the 4-6 year old version of "Iggy" going to be avaliable?



Tina

Anonymous said...

Amazing show!!! Anyone who didn't know would never imagine it was the first! Good job...can't wait til next week!!!

Melissa M. Williams said...

Hi Tina,
Thank you for listening to the show. The picture book project should start in about a year or so. I will start Iggy and Friends as the third book in the chapter book series is in the completion stage. I do want the picture books to be out as soon as I can!

Bobby Ozuna said...

Thanks Peanut!!!
So far many people have told me that and it feels good to know I flowed pretty natural on the air. I did screw up on the end of the show, where I wasn't watching the clock!!!

Melissa was great...she and I had such a rapport going into the show, I guess it just came out in the interview.

I hope you stay tuned for my show next week!!!

Bobby Ozuna said...

Hello everyone:
For those who missed the show or wish to share a copy of this interview with Melissa Williams on their blog/website, etc., it will be available for playback (anytime) by Saturday the 7th on my site: The Soul of Humanity.

Be sure to share the interview with your guests or post a link back to the shows Archive list (right hand side bar).

~Bobby

Theresa Lehr said...

Bobby and Melissa- as an aspiring author myself, I found The Soul of Humanity's not just informative, but inspiring, also. The hard work you have both put out to realize your dreams demonstrates it CAN be done. Melissa, great interview and all the best with your career and Bobby- you've got a talent for interviewing- run with it!

Bobby Ozuna said...

Thank you so much for the compliment Theresa!!! The greatest compliment I have received so far with regards to this show has been just that--people saying a have a natural knack for it. You have to know...I'm a talker and I had a post-it note in front of me that said, "Bobby, DON'T cut her off!!! haha....

Thanks for the kudos. I am sure Melissa (and all my future guests) appreciates you listening too!!!

Jessie O. said...

Wow, Bobby, wow!

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