To enter today’s giveaway to WIN a 3 month subscription to the Book of The Month Club, visit this link and subscribe to The Smart Cookie Philes on Youtube to qualify.
Happy reading!
Category: From The Desk of The Smart Cookie
#BirthdayBonanza: Music Monday!
Today’s giveaway is a $25 Amazon Gift Card which you can use however you choose, no exceptions and no rules.
In order to qualify for the giveaway, you must subscribe to email newsletter to win the gift card.
You will need an active email address
Happy 3rd Birthday to The Smart Cookie Philes!
In January 2016, I began this site as a book and music review blog with no idea how big it would grow and GROW it did.
It became a registered domain.
It became a PR firm.
It became a source of inspiration for all creative people to belong to.
It became a hashtag game, a chat, and now it’s own weekly prompt on Twitter.
It became a playlist on Youtube with it’s own videos.
It became a merchandise shop that has given to various causes that people may not be aware of but are inventively helping various sectors within the community such as:
Bess The Book Bus
Adopt A Classroom
And more to be named soon with new product designs.
Most of all, it provides a safe haven for people no matter who to come and feel free to espresso themselves however that may look because life is more fun when you live it on the edge, you color outside the lines, you choose to stand out instead of fit in.
Thanks for keeping this movement going for 3 years.
Come back to the site each day this week for a new giveaway every day. 
The New #ESPRESSOYOURSELF
If you are a reader and a supporter of my Book Blog turned PR firm then you already know the meaning behind #ESPRESSOYOURSELF….
Most people on Twitter know it as a hashtag game that became a chat that is now being condensed (temporarily) to a weekly prompt posted on Monday at midnight, and can be answered throughout the week by any and all within the #bookish, the #writing, or the #reading communities.
The rules are as follows:
- The prompt goes live on Monday at 12 a.m. EST.
- You must reply to the tweet and use the hashtag to answer the prompt.
- You must reply to one -three people in order to keep the conversation going.
I started ESPRESSOYOURSELF as a hashtag game in order to be a sort of reprieve from typical hashtag games I saw on Twitter:
Prompts were posted with fancy graphics and people were answering the question but no one was connecting.
The hosts were even unaware of what was even being tweeted with their hashtag because they didn’t even reply to the tweets.
This prompted the participants to not reply to anyone else, and it was a great reflection of how we as humans use social media:
To disconnect, to brag, to stay in our self-absorbed bubble, to never try to really get to know anyone else.
So stay tuned through March 30 for weekly prompts, and I thank you all for the support of ESPRESSO YOURSELF.
Signed,
The Smart Cookie
#GiftGuide 2018: Gifts For Any Occasion for the Book or Music Lover in your life
One week left to get that special someone in your life the perfect gift. If, like me, they consider themselves a bibliophile or a melophile, they want something of that nature.
I could recommend stationary or bookmarks until I’m blue in the face but book and music lovers want just that. Books or music. Without further ado, let’s dive in to some of my faves I’ve experienced this year that I think would make great gifts.
Time to turn it up with these Smart Cookie approved picks:
YoungBlood by 5SOS
This CD was on repeat for two weeks straight, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone and everyone. It would make a great stocking stuffer for sure this Christmas.
To read my full review, visit here.
Let The Trap Say Amen by Lecrae & Zaytoven
Whether you are new to the faith, curious about the faith, or saved and serious, Lecrae’s newest mixtape will have you turning up the volume and dancing in praise and worship.
I even workout to this mixtape often so the tempo is just the right amount of gospel and gangster.
For the full review, please visit here
Voice Notes by Charlie Puth
Whether you aren’t a fan or you are, this album deserves a Grammy nod.
For the full review, please visit here.
Shawn Mendes by Shawn Mendes
The Canadian cutie started on vine and now his third album reached a whole new level of “fine.” With collabs with Julia Michaels and Ryan Tedder, this album shows a maturity beyond Mendes young years.
For the full review, please visit here.
Moving on to some lit reads I had the pleasure of checking out this year…
If you love romantic storylines mixed with Christian elements, this is a book you should definitely consider. The best part of this book is that it will still give you all the feels without leaving you feeling like you stepped out of line.
For my full review, please visit here.
My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
This book took an in-depth yet fictional look at how social media maximizes things that normally would be minimized, and how the big picture is all that you ought to focus on in the end.
For the full review, please visit here.
“A life of the mind requires denial of all other desires,” or does it? A professor reunites with her college sweetheart in this bookish and swoon-worthy romance.
For full review, please visit here.
Her poetry will have you falling in love. Themes range from heart break, first love, forever love, etc.
For full review, please visit here.
If you know an author or musician who isn’t sure what to do about getting the word out about their book or album, maybe gift them with one of my service packages.
Lastly, some bookish people like to sport their love and appreciation for all things books and music, and you can support a bookish or educational cause with every purchase in my official merch shop Cookies For A Cause.
That about wraps it up! Wishing you a very happy holiday season and may the new year bring new moments where you choose to espresso yourself fully and truly!
#SmartCookiePR: What are the duties of a publicist?
When I graduated college, I knew without a doubt I wanted to be a publicist.
Not for all the perks but because I wanted to use marketing in a fun way.
As someone who made a career since her teens as a fangirl, I have a gift for encouraging others and highlighting the good that others say and do.
Some within the writing and music community, especially indie artists, are unfamiliar with the term “publicist.”
A publicist is a person whose job is to generate and manage publicity for a company, a brand, or public figure or for a work such as a book, film or album. Publicists are public relations specialists who have the role to maintain and represent the images of individuals, rather than representing an entire corporation or business.
Publicists are also hired by public figures who want to maintain or protect their image.
Publicists brand their clients by getting magazine, TV, newspaper, and website coverage. Most top-level publicists work in private practice, handling multiple clients.
- One of the publicist’s main functions is to generate press coverage on behalf of their clients and serve as the bridge between clients, their public and media outlets. A publicist manages campaigns and performs other public relations functions. It usually takes many years to develop the media contacts, experience and relationships necessary to be an effective publicist.
- The main role of publicists is to get good press coverage for their clients. One way that publicists can do this is by sending press releases to journalists. A press release is written like a news story; including a headline, and attention grabbing quotes. However, because of the high traffic of e-mails, today, many press releases sent by publicists are lost within the other e-mails that journalists receive.
- Publicists tend to have good working relationships with journalists, TV news producers, and producers. In order to have these relationships, publicists usually network with these media professionals.
- To protect a client’s image, publicists will often ask journalists what questions will be asked during interviews to prevent any surprises and discussion of any unwanted topics.Publicists determine how to manage a person’s or brand’s image by what is being said about them in the media. This pertains to websites and social media. More recently, publicists have the need to network with bloggers and scope out their websites to make sure the content on their client is appropriate.
A typical day for a publicist consists of being on the phone, networking through e-mails, and can make themselves available at all times of the day for when conflict arises.
- Out of the office, publicists go to gatherings to network with media professionals.
The #1 I became a publicist is because I wanted to use my gift for writing from a marketing standpoint. And as someone who published novels before without an ally, I wanted to be that specifically for authors and musicians.
Publicists always do the work with the best interests of the client being served, and most of the times, it is a very thankless job.
If you’ve stumbled upon this post, and you believe you need a publicist with a heart for writers and artists who the world has tried to silence, let me be your voice. Let me help you shine.
Some people hire a publicist but realize they just want book launch publicity and that’s it.
If you have a book or album about to come out, please check out the other service packages I have available.
Introducing Cookies For A Cause
Started in 2016 to allow a freedom of expression for myself and others, and known by most as a book and music blog, I feel that it is time to launch my next initiative within the community.
The mission statement of The Smart Cookie Philes is ESPRESSO YOURSELF and as seen on these designs is the main logo for the site.
I wanted to raise awareness of causes I believe in that follow the same ethics as The Smart Cookie Philes which is why I designed the logo to be the first COOKIE FOR A CAUSE.
Each shirt with this main logo design will benefit Bess The Book Bus. To learn more about this great cause, please visit here:
Each mug with the logo benefits The Smart Cookie Philes.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to be the change within my community.
Signed,
The Smart Cookie
For influencer opportunities and to be considered as the next cause, please email Chelsea at wittywriterpoet26@gmail.com
If you can’t buy anything at this time, please still share this with all your friends.
#NationalPoetryMonth: An interview with Poet and Author, Mercy Jane Ballesteros
Today, I sit down and ask a few quick questions of poet and author Mercy Jane Ballesteros, she is the author of recently reviewed “Love In Between” which you can check out more about here.
How did you realize your love of writing?
Mercy: I started writing at the age of seven and from then on it has been my passion as well as a part of my life.
I noticed that you are only 21 years young. As someone who published her first two novels myself while still in high school, what motivates you to be so young and ambitious? Did you notice that people criticized you for being young and published?
What inspires the writings in Love In Between?
Mercy: Most of the short stories are about my experiences since I got sick at thirteen and through writing I can pour out my emotions best. I am a homeschooled student since 2010 and I seldom go out so whenever I meet someone I will write poems about them or may it be songs as long as I am inspired it [and] it comes naturally.
I noticed even your short stories read like poetry because they are so eloquent in word choice and syntax. What do you love writing more: poetry or prose?
Mercy: Poetry. I love writing it better than prose.
What inspired “The Last Days of My Life” piece within Love In Between?
I fell into depression and got sick at thirteen. I wrote that as if I was going to die due to the agony I felt but “The Last Days of My Life” also narrates how I accepted my illness and I know that I am loved, and I am satisfied of what was given to me.
You are currently studying Marketing in college. What are your goals with your degree once you complete it?
Mercy: I am on my 4th year and will graduate on 2019. I am a stock market and foreign exchange trader, so I will continue to trade and seek investors for my future company. I will also focus on my writing career and continue improving my writing style.
Would you say being from the Philippines finds its way into the heart of your work?
Mercy: Yes. My country is my pride.
If you could chat with one person living or dead, who would it be and why?
Mercy: My Dear Lord Jesus Christ. He gave me life and loved me unconditionally. He is my guide, my light. He never left my side. I love My Lord.
Do you have any other books out or projects forthcoming? How can readers connect with you best?
I am currently writing another novel and an autobiography. Through the books I’ve written, I wanted to inspire the readers by stories that would captivate their hearts. With every word perceived, the reader and I, somehow, we have and through those pages, met.
Any advice for a young amateur or someone who has an idea but isn’t sure it will survive the cutthroat market?
Every successful person will advise every dreamer to never give up, never give in and never let go. I may not be successful yet, but If I were to ready someone I would utter the same words as I believe that success begins with a fellow’s will.
Calling all supporters of The Smart Cookie Philes…
I am putting together a testimonial video and would love to feature YOU if you’ve been positively affected by this community.
Whether we’ve worked together directly because you are an author or musician, or you are just an avid reader of my posts here, and supporter of this community, please send me:
- A 1 minute video telling everyone how the Smart Cookie Philes provided you with a sense of community
- OR a quote about The Smart Cookie Philes.
Email either option to wittywriterpoet26@gmail.com and you could see yourself in my video or your kind words.
Deadline for this testimonial is March 16, 2018.
#Superbowl Ads That Affected Us All
Prior to crying a bucket of tears watching the post-game Superbowl themed episode of #ThisIsUs finally sharing the story of how Jack died, there were many ads during the game that pulled at our heart strings, spoke a profound truth, or just plain tickled our funny bone so without further ado, here is how they stacked up in my opinion.
My favorite ad featured an Olympic athlete and a classic rock anthem and it was beyond epic. It got me stoked for the Winter Olympics coming this week to NBC.
I am referring to this ad right here:
My second favorite ad of the entire line-up was an ad where the speaker was given credit right in the beginning, the ad showcased the spirit of American people being best known for greatness, and true greatness is found in humbling oneself to the mindset of serving.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s actual audio was used in the ad where he was directly quoting the book of Matthew and the words of Jesus. I’m referring to Dodge Truck’s Built To Serve ad.
The next commercial that had me laughing and intrigued was for my favorite beer brand. It showed people during the Medieval Times immersed in a battle and the Bud Knight appears and invites them to a party by saying, “Hey, if you survive, you should come by.”
Bud Light’s Bud Knight Dilly Dilly
The following ad was so outside of the box it really made me think and laugh all at the same time. It featured David Harbour from Stranger Things and made the viewer re-think all the other ads showed during the game.
Sometimes we forget about the people who answer the call. The nameless faces that are the real heroes. Yes, I’m referring to the first responders of all tragedies and difficulties we as humans face, not to mention the recent terror attacks and mass shootings we’ve faced within our country.
The last but certainly not least ad that had me hooked from the start to finish was the partnership ad of Doritos vs. Mountain Dew playing up their new products with appearances by Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman while having them lip sync to big names in hip-hop music is Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot.
Doritos Blaze vs. Mountain Dew Ice
Of course, we can’t talk about the Superbowl without discussing the half-time show starring Justin Timberlake. Although, I thought it was a great show, it was way too short of a half-time show and I blame NBC for that because they wanted to fit in the post-game episode of This Is Us.
#PepsiHalftime Justin’s set was legendary. He brought sexy back, turned the field into a disco ball, and saluted Prince. There is no one anywhere that can stop this feeling.
— Chelsea DeVries🦋 (@ChelseaDeVries) February 5, 2018
The Smart Cookie Philes 