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This Month
-MISSION: TEXAS IN AUGUST!
-BEST of BLAST
-ATTENTION BLOGGERS
-Tech Tips From Skyla
-Questions & Answers
-Refresher Moment
-Hidden Treasures
-Mark Your Calendars
-Special Prayer Requests
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Spring Greetings From
Shannon Ethridge Ministries!
MISSION: TEXAS IN AUGUST!
Why in the world would anyone want to book a trip to Texas in August, the HOTTEST month of the year?
Here's 3 HOT reasons why:
- We're hosting a LIVE BLAST class, starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, August 9th through 3 p.m. Friday, August 12th.
- We're hosting a BLAST Reunion starting at 6 p.m. Friday, August 12th through 9 p.m. Saturday, August 13th.
- You'll enjoy face-to-face interaction with Shannon, other BLAST class members (past & present), and hear best-selling author Fred Stoeker (Every Man's Battle) share his heart about hearing the voice of God as you write & speak!
 We've booked one of the newest & nicest hotels in Tyler for both the LIVE class and the Reunion. The Hilton Garden Inn amenities include:
* an onsite restaurant * indoor heated pool and spa * complimentary covered parking
* an adjacent jogging trail * state-of-the-art fitness center * complimentary 24-hour business center
Individual rooms include:
* refrigerator * microwave * coffee maker * complimentary wireless internet * Garden Sleep System beds
Located at 220 East Grande Blvd, Tyler, TX 75703, the Hilton Garden Inn has reserved a block of discounted rooms for us, offering a special rate of $89 per room (vs. their standard $139 per room, a savings of $50 per night). Click here to view more information about the Hilton Garden Inn.
Reservations can be made directly by calling 903-509-1166 and must be received by the hotel no later than JULY 21. Be sure to mention that you are with Shannon Ethridge's BLAST event to receive this special rate!
To make your visit as pleasant and affordable as possible, current BLAST participants Sharon Cox and Jennifer Hilton will serve as your event hostesses. They can help you with things like:
- Arranging a ride to/from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport if you prefer not to rent a car
(if you choose to fly into Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, you will need to rent a car for the 2-hour commute to Tyler)
- Stopping by a local grocery store on the way to the hotel to pick up food items which can be kept in your room to cut down on eating expenses for those who prefer not to eat out every meal.
- Connecting you with another same-sex BLAST participant to share a hotel room and cut down on lodging expenses.
- Addressing any other questions/concerns you may have!
 Although travel, lodging, and dining expenses are your responsibility, there is NO additional cost to attend the LIVE class above and beyond what you've already paid to participate in BLAST. In addition, spouses participate in the LIVE class for FREE! (No children please, as each of the sessions are being video recorded.)
The cost to attend the BLAST Reunion will be $89 per person, but will include dinner on both Friday & Saturday nights.
Please RSVP for either the LIVE class, the Reunion event, or BOTH as soon as possible by emailing Sharon Cox at coxfam2@juno.com or Jennifer Hilton at jh3231@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing many of you in Texas! And we promise to try to keep you as cool and comfortable as possible! :o) |
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ATTENTION BLOGGERS
 Shannon is rolling out the red carpet in the month of May, inviting you to submit your own blog posts about anything relating to her main topics: Sexual Integrity and Sexual Intimacy in Marriage. Other topics may include healing/recovery from sexual issues, relationship-building tips, etc.
Submit your blog post to blast@shannonethridge.com by May 10th, and please include a brief bio about yourself as well as a link to your website or blog so we can roll out the red carpet for readers to connect with you from Shannon's site!
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Internet Security
Internet security can be a ambiguious topic. The Internet represents an insecure channel for exchanging information leading to a high risk of intrusion or fraud, such as phishing.When a computer connects to a network and begins communicating with other computers, it is essentially taking a risk. Internet security involves the protection of a computer's Internet account and files from intrusion of an unknown user.
Basic security measures involve protection by well selected passwords, change of file permissions and back up of computer's data. Some apparently useful programs also contain features with hidden malicious intent. Such programs are known as Malware, Viruses, Trojans, Worms, Spyware and Bots
- Malware is the most general name for any malicious software designed for example to infiltrate, spy on or damage a computer or other programmable device or system of sufficient complexity, such as a home or office computer system, network, mobile phone, PDA, automated device or robot.
- Viruses are programs which are able to replicate their structure or effect by integrating themselves or references to themselves, etc into existing files or structures on a penetrated computer. They usually also have a malicious or humorous payload designed to threaten or modify the actions or data of the host device or system without consent. For example by deleting, corrupting or otherwise hiding information from its owner.
- Trojans (Trojan Horses) are programs which may pretend to do one thing, but in reality steal information, alter it or cause other problems on a such as a computer or programmable device / system.
- Spyware includes programs that surreptitiously monitor keystrokes, or other activity on a computer system and report that information to others without consent.
- Worms are programs which are able to replicate themselves over a (possibly extensive) computer network, and also perform malicious acts that may ultimately affect a whole society / economy.
- Bots are programs that take over and use the resources of a computer system over a network without consent, and communicate those results to others who may control the Bots.
Antivirus programs and Internet security programs are useful in protecting a computer or programmable device / system from malware.
Such programs are used to detect and usually eliminate viruses. Anti-virus software can be purchased or downloaded via the Internet. Care should be taken in selecting anti-virus software, as some programs are not as effective as others in finding and eliminating viruses or malware.
For more
internet security tips and information click here. |
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Questions & Answers
Spring BLAST Class #4:
 Aubrey Sampson from Chicago, Illinois asks, "I have been given some advice from a writer/friend that I should focus on perfecting my intro, first and second chapters, and outline to submit to agents and publishers. But, based on your video, it sounds like you submitted full manuscripts. What would you recommend doing? Also, I've been granted time with someone who's very involved in the publishing industry. As an aspiring author, what are some questions I should make sure to ask? Should I hurry up and get my proposal and sample chapters ready in case he offers to read it and pass it on?"
Shannon's Response:
My first two books I didn't know any better but to do the entire manuscripts, but no, you'll hear me say soon in the videos that you should ONLY do the marketing summary, chapter-by-chapter outline, and first two sample chapters, not the whole shebang up front. Submit only that much and wait for their direction before galloping ahead with the rest. It will save you a ton of time and grief in the long run, because re-writing takes much more out of you than writing!
As far as meeting with someone in the publishing industry, you might ask:
- What are publisher's looking for these days? What are they NOT looking for?
- What kinds of things do publishers want to see an author doing on their own before they are comfortable partnering with them on a project?
- What advice do you have for first-time authors as far as marketing a book goes?
But most importantly, I'd say do a LOT of listening! Let him pour out all of the information he wants, and then ask "What further questions should I be asking?" Let him lead, and show how eager you are to follow!
As far as trying to "hurry up" and get something together in case he's willing to review it, BAD IDEA!!! Don't throw something together just because you have a set of willing eyeballs to look at it. This could easily turn him off to your writings before you ever have a chance to really turn him on to them, and doing a "rush job" just prior to a meeting will certainly not represent your best work. I'd say have the meeting, then follow up with some of your BEST work – something well thought-out, finely crafted, carefully edited by numerous people, etc.
 Spring BLAST Class #2:
Mary Ann Howitson from Fargo, North Dakota writes, "First, are the videos going to be available after the class is over for us in March so we can refer back to them? Secondly, my dad is a computer person, and from the beginning we had a lot of troubles with Skype when we all tried to get on it at once. So I bought a program by Adobe, for about $20 a month I can have up to 5 people on it. I don't know if some of your current groups are also having problems, but this is something my group has found that we like and has helped us out. We wanted to pass that along! If anyone wants to check it out send them to "www.adobe.com." Thanks again for this class Shannon! The books have been timely in my walk with God and what He's been teaching me, and I really appreciate your wisdom and sharing!"
Shannon's Response:
I'll certainly pass that tidbit along about Adobe & Skype! Thanks for sharing that Adobe tip with us, Mary Ann! And YES, the videos will always be available to you to refer back to. Once you're a BLAST member, you're a BLASTER for life! :)
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Need a BLAST refresher moment?
All your class pages and files are still active. Click the link below to view your class page:
Fall 2009
~ Spring 2010
~ Fall 2010
~ Spring 2011 |
Don’t Keep It To Yourself!
Do you know someone who has an amazing life story? Or a burning passion to speak a message that God has laid on their hearts? Or such a clever way with words that it would be a shame for them NOT to write a book?
Tell them about BLAST! Our Fall 2011 class information packet is now online.
For every registered participant that you send our way, you’ll receive a $50 referral fee. |
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Hidden Treasures
How to Create an E-book in 7 Easy Steps
(from Michael Hyatt, President of Thomas Nelson Publishers)
http://michaelhyatt.com/how-to-create-an-e-book-in-seven-steps.html
25 Pieces of Advice for Christian Authors: Established, New, and Pondering
By Frank Viola (thanks to Rich Wildman to sending this our way!)
http://frankviola.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/advice-for-christian-authors-by-frank-viola/
Working with a Small Publisher
(from the Linda Leon series)
http://www.accurance.com/index.php?go=services&goto=main_podcast&videoID=7cad07092c26ae733b7beb9033b0d955
The Art of Handling Criticism Gracefully
http://zenhabits.net/criticism/
(and be sure to follow the link to the "now infamous comment thread" – what a hard lesson this author learned! Learn from her mistake!)
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Mark Your Calendars - Shannon Is Coming To...
PLEASE NOTE:
If you see a city on our speaking calendar that’s anywhere near you, and you’re
interested in having Shannon speak at your venue while she’s in town, please
contact us at
speaking@shannonethridge.com. We’d also be honored if you’d like to attend the event and help operate the book table - a valuable learning experience!
Abilene, TX - April 30, 2011
Join women of all ages for the "Pink Impact: Permission Granted" Conference at Beltway Park Baptist Church, 4009 Beltway South, Abilene, TX. Contact DeAnna Fields at deannafields@beltway.org for more information.
Saskatoon, SK (Canada) - May 6 - 8, 2011
Join the women of Waldheim Mennonite Bretheren Church & Salem Church for a "Completely His" Conference. Contact Machonregier@yahoo.com for more info.
Laguna Hills, CA - May 13 - 14, 2011
Join Shannon at a Completely His event, hosted by Crossline Community Church. For more info please contact Lori Marshall at lmarshall@crosslinechurch.com or visit www.crosslinechurch.com.
Miami, FL - May 21, 2011
Shannon will be one of the main platform speakers at Expolit 2011, the Hispanic version of the International Christian Retail Show, hosted by Editorial Unilit Publishing House. More info. to come.
Christchurch, New Zealand - June 17 - 18, 2011
Shannon will be speaking at Elim Catherdral’s Women’s Conference, as well as Sunday services on the 19th. More info to come.
Auckland, New Zealand - June 24 - 25, 2011
Join Shannon at Elim Cathedral’s Women’s Conference in Auckland, as well as Sunday services on the 26th. More info to come.
Auckland, New Zealand - July 1 - 2, 2011
Shannon will be speaking at C3 Auckland Everywomans Conference and Sunday services on the 3rd. More info to come.
Winona Lake, IN - October 19 - 20, 2011
Join Shannon Ethridge & Fred Stoeker at Grace College. For more info please contact Valerie Crumbley at chapel@grace.edu.
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Special Prayer Requests
- Our upcoming Women at the Well Video Project for release Fall 2011
(click here to read more about this from our January e-newsletter)
- Incoming BLAST participants for the Fall 2011 Class (BLAST #5)
(remember that you receive a $50 referral fee for every friend you send our way, plus click here to learn about our new scholarships for full-time missionaries)
Let us know how we can pray for you by going to http://www.shannonethridge.com/prayer.shtml
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