When the pages of a book flutter open, a new world beckons. Our latest episode captures just that, with the delightful Ms. Queenie Clem guiding us through the world of literature. She's not just a professional reader and educator; she's a literary ambassador whose footprint on the reading community is as vast as her love for books. Queenie opens up about her evolution from a child in library aisles to a beacon for authors, offering her earnest insights on my own work, and delineating the meticulous art of crafting book reviews that resonate with readers and writers alike.
The conversation takes a turn into the often unexplored crevices of the publishing industry, highlighting the essential yet understated roles of ARC and beta readers. These unsung heroes are the vigilant guardians of literary consistency, the ones who know characters intimately and help shape the final narrative that reaches your shelves. Together, we applaud their dedication and emphasize the sheer joy of contributing to a book's journey from draft to debut. We also delve into the transformative power of mentorship, sharing personal stories of growth from the nursing field to nurturing young minds in the world of academia.
As our session nears its end, we don't just close the book; we open our hearts in a collective moment of reflection and prayer. It's a reminder that beyond the pages, there's a community bound by stories, support, and spirit. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Queenie Clem for her inspiring presence and the wisdom she gives to so many people. With every tale told and every life touched, we reaffirm the magic that lies in the simple act of reading and the shared journey of storytelling.
When the pages of a book flutter open, a new world beckons. Our latest episode captures just that, with the delightful Ms. Queenie Clem guiding us through the world of literature. She's not just a professional reader and educator; she's a literary ambassador whose footprint on the reading community is as vast as her love for books. Queenie opens up about her evolution from a child in library aisles to a beacon for authors, offering her earnest insights on my own work, and delineating the meticulous art of crafting book reviews that resonate with readers and writers alike.
The conversation takes a turn into the often unexplored crevices of the publishing industry, highlighting the essential yet understated roles of ARC and beta readers. These unsung heroes are the vigilant guardians of literary consistency, the ones who know characters intimately and help shape the final narrative that reaches your shelves. Together, we applaud their dedication and emphasize the sheer joy of contributing to a book's journey from draft to debut. We also delve into the transformative power of mentorship, sharing personal stories of growth from the nursing field to nurturing young minds in the world of academia.
As our session nears its end, we don't just close the book; we open our hearts in a collective moment of reflection and prayer. It's a reminder that beyond the pages, there's a community bound by stories, support, and spirit. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Queenie Clem for her inspiring presence and the wisdom she gives to so many people. With every tale told and every life touched, we reaffirm the magic that lies in the simple act of reading and the shared journey of storytelling.
Welcome to this episode of Gentry's Journey. I honor guest is Ms Queenie Clan. We're going to start with the inspirational, just an inspirational statement and faith as God for healing, for Clan, his power and goodness For leaving and trusting him to take care of you, for those who are in need, and praying to be healed. And I'm not going to do my Sunday school this and okay, I'm not going to do that, but I won't be out there because we all need to be healed on some level. It's a various time. It doesn't have to be a physical illness, you know, but we do need that. So just want to give the viewers that point of view as well. Now we have as our honor guest Ms Queenie Clan, and you are known as the literary ambassador. Did I get that right? Yes, ma'am, okay, because you have so many titles, but that one sticks to me the most. I like that. I like them all, don't get me wrong, but I like that one the most. And so you are the queen of reads, basically. And we're not talking getting somebody to see it, we just talking about you, talking about the queen of reads. Okay, you are a professional reader. Now will you just introduce yourself and talk to the audience about you and then we'll get into some more questions. All right, I'm the common miss Queenie Clan, the literary ambassador, and I got that title from an author. We enjoyed it. I helped her with a conference and she was like no, no, no, You're not miss Queenie Clan, you're the literary ambassador. So that's why I got the name from E Enjoy.
Speaker 1:I hail from South Carolina. I have two boys, six grand. I am an educator, I'm an avid reader, as you see it, and I also dabble in book promotion and virtual assistant for authors. Okay, so just being an educator in and of itself, your hands are full, but to add the professional reading piece and the virtual assistant and all of that, it's just mind blowing to me. I love it, don't get me wrong, I love it. How do you juggle all those hats, ma'am? Okay, Everybody tell me, quit saying this. I don't have a life. I have a life, yes, you do, and I have a young person. You do have a life and I can. You know, I took a different position in the education field, which gave me a little leeway to read. I read a lot, so that's why I get most of my reading in is drawing lunch at work and then in the afternoons, when I come home, cook and all that stuff, I'm laying in bed. I read until it's time for me to go to bed, so I get a lot of reading in. And then I'm only working Monday from Friday, so I have time to read and that's great.
Speaker 1:Now, how did you become a professional reader? Well, when I was younger elementary age my mom was a single mom and she used to walk us to the county library every other Saturday and me and my siblings would pick out books and I pick out the most books. I was I, literally and when we get home, she would make us do a book report on every book that we read. So that's how I love to do book reviews for authors. I started off when I was young, with my mom taking us back and forth to the library. Okay, now I know what a book review is. So people call on you, give you a book to read and ask you to review it for them. Yes, okay. Now how does that work with Miss Queen?
Speaker 1:Well, I get a lot of authors in my email. They see that I do book reviews mainly I do them on IG and they see that I did a little book review and they would email me and ask me well, I got this book. I want to go and get it out there to your audience. You know, go to your platform and get it out to my audience. I look at the synopsis, see if that's something I want to read and then set up music. My turnaround is two to three weeks and then I it's paid reviews. So they pay me to review their book and I do give others reviews.
Speaker 1:Okay, I'm very detailed in my reviews. I just don't say, oh, I like the book because I don't like the book. Because I don't do that. I break down everything from the cover of the book to the plot, the themes, what things I got from the book. I'm literally letting the readers know this is a book you should read because of ABCDE, and then I give you explanations for ABCDE. That's wonderful. That's wonderful. If you don't mind, you did a review that I thought was exquisite on my book the Step that's Focused for More Than Listening and the way you did. It was like a lunch luncheon. Yeah, it put me. I loved the way it went. I kid you not, I was like she giving me a whole new take on this, thank you. So you did it. You gave me a whole new take on that and I loved it. I absolutely loved it. You see, the artistry and I have to use that word because for authors, you know, for the artistry everyone sees things different and a piece of art, right, everybody does not see it the same. So you gave me a whole new perspective on the Step that's Focused, and I really did appreciate it. Thank you so much for doing that. You're welcome. I just thought I was going to start it.
Speaker 1:This year I work at a school and so that's where my room well, not really a room was a concession stand that I work in, and around the corner is the food service, family life, consumer science teacher and I go in there and I listen to her break down how a cup of this and a cup of that, and that's where I got it from. That is great, and I have been in this room on several different levels, but you know, mainly mine is medicine, it's nursing okay, so I get. They put you where they can't fit you. No, I may not be in a real classroom, I might be in a carved out closet, but it's extended as long as the students and I can fit comfortably in there, the teaching will go up down. I don't really have a oh, I can't work in this element. You know I don't have that type of attitude because the main focus is you want the students to get what they need, the adult learners to get what they need. So that's wonderful. So, yeah, I can totally relate to that space they made out for you.
Speaker 1:Okay, now, is there a particular criteria you use to evaluate or assess the quality of the book? I know you mentioned when you do your reviews, you give them. You know the ups, the downs, the good, the bad, the bitter, the sweet Is there. Do you have like an evaluation or two views for that? No, I just I have like a lot of outline I talk about, like I said, I talk about the cover, I have cover, the plot, the things I always try to get inside the artist's mind with the title of the book. Do the title match the cover? And I analyze that also. So I really agree. Now I'm not sure if the book is ABC, abc 123. Okay, why did the author name this? Okay, I see why she named this, because this in this chapter right here, it correlates with ABC 123. And then I kind of read. Okay, now you told us that you did book reviews from having to do the book reports for your mom. But what kind of page? No pun intended for you to become a professional reader and a reviewer.
Speaker 1:I say the love of words I love. I should have been an English teacher Because I love words, I'm into it, and when I see kids around the school and they got a book in the hand I'm like yay, they got a book in the hand. And they look at me like are you crazy? Leave me alone. Woman, I love books and I have. My favorite genre is Christian fiction, but I won't read everything, but that's my number one thing is Christian fiction, just now getting into romance. But it's just. I love words, I love reading.
Speaker 1:I got my son boys the same way and I'm my youngest grandson. My son go out and get books like I deal with them. I'm a mama, deal with me, took me to the library. My son say, oh, we go to the library once a week. I get the books and come home I read it to him. I Like, yes, yes, my baby, my baby book, my baby grandson is now in the books and he just started one. Oh, that is good. You know, my kids are several years apart, so my daughter likes to read.
Speaker 1:She loves to read, okay, and I think it's basically the same thing with her. We would do them, especially during the summertime, the summer reading program at the local library, and and we, just we did, and she enjoyed it. She was walk through there like she was no, just I'm, you know, just just like she was thoroughly getting into this and and I would let her go for story time. It's my time allowed because I work 3d11, so you know we had to get it done that morning, the early afternoon, and when we would Go to the mall. Can we go in the bookstore? I'm like, who I can't was to go in the bookstore, but I would take her, and she still has some of those books, because if she talked me into, really convinced me that she needed the hardcover as opposed to the softback and it had to be some convincing because you know that was a different budget when you're buying those but I did not, I would say no, if we get this softback, then we can stop and get some much okay, so, but that still never deterred her. She's like I said, she still has some of those books.
Speaker 1:She is truly an adult now. She's in her 40. She still loves reading to this day. She enjoys journaling. My son the same way, um, and my grandson. They're going to read. They're going to read, um. They don't read as much as she does, but they have the books to prove it. Okay. So I guess one day they will finish some of this stuff, but you do have to start them off that way you do as a place. This week, in this day and time when it's just video games they can play with. She took books if we went out to eat. She took books if we went on a trip, and I know this. Kids have their tablets and laptops and all that stuff and all that's still wonderful and good, but she still enjoys reading. So I say that to say that early you start them, the better it works out for you.
Speaker 1:Now, is there a particular genre that does not align with you that you will not Basically deal them? Um, erotica, mystery, horror, will not? I have a friend that is the author of erotica. I bought the book to support her, but the book is still sitting up. I'm sure I'm not going to read it. I try to support her that those are three Sure Top genre that I will not promote or read.
Speaker 1:Okay, and I get that. We, you know everybody has their limits, everybody has their lights and their dish lights and we just need to. If it's a friend, I get supporting a person. Honestly I do. I don't mind supporting people, you know it is what it is. So, yes, so just because you're a professional reader does not mean you have to read everything, every genre that's out there. And so you're getting now into romance. But does it have to be light romance? You know, yes, romantic, okay, okay, okay. So it has. Okay, that topic, because I'm still learning, I'm still learning Indie author, all these terms are out here that you guys don't think about.
Speaker 1:Urban, urban fiction, you know it took this. Truly, the definition is different than the definition I had in my head. So I do understand that we all have our limits and we should stay within those confounds. That is definitely true, because you read it better, because if you can't read it, you can't give a good review. I can't read it. So you know there's no review. I know you don't want to just Wait someone's time with that. Okay, are there any particular challenges you face as a professional reader and how do you deal with those? Yes, I have friends that you were.
Speaker 1:I surround myself with authors or readers, but some of my author friends I will promote them. But some books are Like the urban fiction. I'll have an author that writes urban fiction but the urban fiction is about the area where I live in, so I can kind of like overlook that because I'm like I know what she's like. She's going down just the road she's down there. I know it because that's what she writes.
Speaker 1:I Do like somebody else writing a urban fiction. I'm like I don't want to do it. I want to do it. That's one thing. No fiction Orders books. I love my fiction, love children's books, but it needs to be aligned. Look at other people when you write, because I do. I do promote indie authors. So I've got a lot of indie authors and I. They see me, they pull, they look, they want me to be a beta reader. I'm like I'm the same, the same, hidden the mark. I hate to give them negative for bad comments or Ratings because they're not off the screen or free at first. Yeah, so I try to take the friend out and be professional on the professional side. That is a struggle for me. It would be a struggle for me as well. That would be. I can see where that would be a challenge. That would definitely be a challenge.
Speaker 1:Okay now, what do you find most rewarding Regarding being a professional reader? I get to. I get to be in the world of Something I can't be in at this moment, like it is a city in Jamaica. I can't get to Jamaica right now, so I can get to my imagination and think on a clear blue water in the Bahamas drinking a drink, or whatever Imagination. It makes my imagination where I can't be there in reality but I can show be it in my imagination. That makes it. It does to me because when I write, I write about what I really enjoy and that is beach scene. That is I. So I truly get that. You know I will be Saying as we board the plane get settled in. Going down the runway, wheels up, alan, here I come. You know you just put yourself there on this scenery, me particularly. I think you know Details matter. So, yes, you know, if you really want to put the reader where you are, yeah, details matter. So I can definitely get with that.
Speaker 1:Now Do you have a host? Any seminars, or 10, any seminars regarding professional readers. Do you guys get together and have conferences and brainstorm regarding this particular profession? No, I never did that before. Mm-hmm, I have. Like, this morning I was in a writer's class nearby, probably like wise Queenie in a writer's class, but no, I have to step up to me and ask questions about writing, that side of the profession. As far as authors are probably drawing off the events and stuff to see what's going on, what's the trends, everything.
Speaker 1:So when authors call me and say, well, what about ABCD? Well, I don't know about that, I'm, but now I'm getting over to the Arthur side of knowing things, how the journey works. So I yeah my clients better, you know, and a friend of mine, I was talking about this last night as soon as we get to one part of New technology, here come two more pieces. Hey, where's it gonna ever stop? When we're gonna ever be comfortable with this? But that is how you stay on top of it. You have to stay in the game. Mm-hmm, you have to stay in the game. You have to follow the breadcrumbs, so to speak, of that next level and you'll have to. So that's awesome. So, in that vein, how do you stay updated on current trends and development in the literary world. Like I said, I Subscribe to different Arthur events.
Speaker 1:I have Client that I works with. Every time she Goes to a conference or a class she invites me, which is faithful, good. Because I have other clients that I say ask me questions, call me up and like I need to know how to do this and how do I need how many? I need to Know how to put my book on KDP. Can you help me do that? I'm like, don't forget, I'm a reader first. I've been going to the classes already on the seminar for writers not for either, but I just have my clients walk them through certain things. When they try to write a book, publish a book, end of the book I have I can call to edit the book for you. That's been over 20 years. I have some. I have like a team of people that I can go to for this, arthur, because I I network through that industry. That is wonderful. That is wonderful because someone Like me who wrote I've always wanted to write.
Speaker 1:You know, as a teenager I would do a lot of reading. I did a lot of reading and my friends, we would exchange books or magazines or whatever. Whoever had something that they thought was great. We exchanged those and, um, if anything, those reading. I'm like I'm right here, I can do this. But you know that magical thinking as a, as a child or preteen, I have always wanted to write. I just never had the time to do it.
Speaker 1:So I started my writing journey to de-stress, because I ran for a local political office and I wanted to de-stress in a healthy way. So One of my co-workers Yay, you know I'm a really happy for she was. I was like I've always wanted to write. And she said go for Miss Carolyn. And I was like she's right, I just started. Oh, go to Katy Perry. I'm like what's that? I mean when you have questions and you have no knowledge base, the simplest of questions to some people are not the toughest questions to you. Okay, so I Started writing. I started writing and I was like, okay, and she did not start out to be a series and but it did relax me. It had me to put my feelings on papers.
Speaker 1:And then, when it came time to publish and someone purchased it other than myself, I'm like, okay, I'm a public on. That's not good. But one thing for sure is out there. Okay, so you have to network with people. Selling things locally and to family and friends is wonderful, but you have to network with a broader audience.
Speaker 1:I Didn't know professional reading was a thing until I met you and I was like, wow, that sounds interesting. I need to know more about that right there. I didn't know anything about indie authors, indie publishers of the urban. You know it's just so much out here and it's so many off. It's so many authors is so many people and trying to get their Work out. You know whether it's a personal reason or a professional reason or Just something to do if there are a ton of Out here, but a lot of times we don't know which direction to go in. So that's where the work comes in. The writing I'm trying to say counter can be easy. I'm not saying that you're writing, my writing is perfect, but that's the easy part. It's getting out here.
Speaker 1:Now, miss Queenie, besides your personal, your professional readership, what else do you do? You blog, oh yeah, so I have a blog channel, my blog, where my promotions come in. People get my pack, my packages, and they could be on my blog. They can also be on my YouTube channel where I interview authors. I do book recommendations, book reviews, spotlights, things of that sort on YouTube, and then I have my blog. Okay. So have you won any awards or anything Well read? I want a Festival book festival. That happens every year. I went a couple of read awards being the best reader, but that year a reading the most books. By that the, the book festival has a bunch of authors and I was the reader that read the most of those authors in that year. So I want a couple of that. That is wonderful.
Speaker 1:You know you had that question on Girl. You had me running all over my house and then I Was determined I was gonna win some. I was determined I was going to be a part of that scavenger hunt, because that's reason being online scavenger hunt I Can never find whatever I want whenever I want it. Okay. So you know that deterred me, but I meant I was gonna participate in this scavenger hunt and get it done. So I appreciate that. That was. That was for me in more ways than what. Okay, and you put out a question. I Hope I'm right. If I'm wrong, please correct me.
Speaker 1:How many who meets the reason most books in a year or something of that nature? And I'm a queen Read the most books. It's got to be you. So how many books do you read or what's the highest number of books that you have read in your? My students asked me this because I have a sign up in my classroom I read, cuz I started January. We go to December 31st, so I'm surprised. I've had last year and what I'm currently on now, and so in my classroom it's been on 86 since I'll just come out, but I have read. I think it, as of today, one of my good read. Today I've read 122. My goal is 125 this year. Every year I go up, so what? It was 117. I had a master 117 last year so I moved up To 125 this year, to be 135 coming for 2024, but I'm three books short Right now, getting my goal by December 31st.
Speaker 1:Okay, I'm not gonna try to help you cheat, but you know, do you read children's books? Oh, yeah, oh yeah, I'm also an arc reader for a couple of publishing companies and I don't know, I don't know, people know, but Disney has a publishing company. They repack me early this year and they send me about two or three books a week. Oh, have to be so. Yes, um, I do read children's books. Yes, okay, that's wonderful. I mean, guys, you know, for the audience listening, because this will be replayed and it will go out on my arm. My podcast, okay, journey is now on my podcast as well, so that's going to happen as well. So you are a wealth of information. And for those out there, I put down she did about. She reads at least 100 books a year, but, as you can see, I was not the winner of that one either. Oh, oh, you know um, I, you know um. I am truly where we're gonna lead a judge. I'm truly old enough to be Jackie's mommy, okay, but I love being around younger women who are professional women, who have that energy and that drive Okay, yes, one by Just sheer.
Speaker 1:My profession as a nurse, we're constantly. I have been a mentor. I am still a mentor. I'm an adjunct instructor, um, like I tell you, I have talked, uh, lpn students, I have taught rn student, I have lectured, I have taught ma's, I have taught medical, so I have taught across. You know that part of nursing, uh, so, lectures, making exams, the whole bit, um, so, but when I see someone with a little bit of fire on them and a little bit of determination and that little competitive edge that pleases me.
Speaker 1:Okay, you know, as an instructor, you'd be like, yeah, he's gonna be it, he's gonna be the one, he will be the one or she will be the one, and it's not that you tell them that. You keep that in your head. Okay, yes, because you don't want to hurt anyone else, because there's someone in there working really, really hard that Will be that person as well. But it's, it's that grit, it's that, um, tenacity that people possess. And when you see a willingness and an hunger to learn, sure you know, uh, if you need me, I am here.
Speaker 1:Uh, people have called on me to assist them with their papers for college and they're, you know they're. I was like Okay, how can I assist you? I don't know what to write, I can't write. I've never written a paper in life. Okay, but you finished nursing school. I said I thought everybody, when you go to college, you bank on one. You're gonna write a paper for every class that you're in.
Speaker 1:And she told me she had never had to do that. And I'm like man. So you know, that opens my mind again. You know not to be stereotypical. And so she said I am feeling and I don't want to fail. And I and see, I love writing those research papers. I know that sounds corny, but, um, you know, I started in High school with that, so I, I like it. So I told her I won't write it for you, but Give me what you got, I'll put you on the right track. I'm too ashamed. I said, babe, I don't know where to start. If I can't Know where to start, I need the topic, I need the title, I need this, I need that. And um, I think she needed five or six hundred words. And I ended up doing three hundred, the first three hundred words for her. I said now, if you have questions, please call. And she did so. She went from failing to passing. And that's what I wanted, that's what we wanted and I had to.
Speaker 1:And sometimes I feel as though some programs failed the students and I'm not saying failed by giving them an L, but failed by not giving them the knowledge. Because she didn't understand why we should use peer review over Wikipedia, and I was like that that. So she had to be failed at some time. Her school failed her. You got what I'm saying Because I'm like what we're competing with, never be a don't. Don't even use that for a personal reference. So don't, never, never, because anybody can get an L after they've been stuck in Wikipedia. Yeah, and that's what I was, and you can type in that I know him and I'll like him and it will stay.
Speaker 1:And she was like are you kidding me? You know? I was like nope, you know. So we have to open ourselves up, be willing to teach, be willing to, to walk someone through a process. And I truly did not mind. And she came back to me a time or two more and it was just some slight adjustment she needed. And so I saw her grow as a writer and she was like how do you pull this out your head? That's the way you know. I've been in the field for a minute, been in a lot of positions for a while, so some of it is mine, but I know you need to go to a peer review article to back what you are saying. And she did well. So I saw her out about a month ago and on her bag she still had her nursing uniform. On her bag she had MSN Masters of Nursing and I couldn't have done it without you. And I'm like, and I thank you for that? Just the pants, just the pants, and to have it. I can see no one can take that Masters of Nursing science from you. No one can take that from you. You earned that. So we need to be willing to do those things for one another, and so we each one teach one.
Speaker 1:Okay, now your blog. I know I'm going back and forth, but your blog, what does it consist of? The books that you write or how you're feeling that day. Something you saw is strictly your book. It's the books that I promote. Okay, it might be a week, it might be a recommendation, it might be an author spotlight, but I have just this year started writing articles from a reader perspective about what we see, what I see rather, authors do. I tried my hand in it and I got a couple of comments back saying you need to keep doing this. You can do articles about readers. Tell the authors this, this, this. Authors need to know this. I think I did a video of it telling, I think in the Valver's group last week, what we expect readers. Readers expect from authors 15 tips that authors can take from readers. I compiled that list and that's something I do on my blog.
Speaker 1:I started this year I don't know how my format going to run for 2024, but someone said I needed a website up. So I got my brother he's my graphic designer, he is doing a website for me to get that up and running, so that can help also. Yeah, I mean I started out with one book and I made a lesson hanging so I wrote a second one. I'm used to the computer because that's how I got my master's working on my laptop. I didn't want the desktop, I didn't want to be around my family, because when I'm concentrated I don't need any interruptions. Then I became okay, you need a website, I need a. What? Why do I need a website? It's just one.
Speaker 1:Like I said, one thing leads to the next and there's so much. So when you make the start of time, I said I'm for real and see, this was over a year ago when that happened. This is to start your own show and I was like okay, but I'm just. I say that that was a year ago. I'm just starting my pocket. I think I started it in August because you have to be ready for some of this stuff. You have to be ready. You have to be ready. You know, even though people have great ideas and visions for you, you have to be able to see it yourself. Yes, we walk by face, by by side, but I'm still walking by face because I'm like, okay more, because I'm going to tell you this and I know this is your interview, but it should be all about this queen.
Speaker 1:But when I ran for office, I ran two cycles and I lost both cycles and I said, my Lord, you had me out here. You told me that was on my mind and I lost both time. Now I would. So he said I have a bigger platform for you. And I went all right. So I said my bigger platform is my author, being an author and podcasting. And look at the platforms. I've been on your platform because I fell in love with your 15 minute book thing. I do that, I do that, I do that. Yes, hey, look, toast it up. We made it. I need a break from kids, but anyway, I decided to do something to give back to my classes that I work with. So I do a 15 minute Tuesday and Thursdays.
Speaker 1:During the summer I think it's June, july and August I do every Tuesday, thursday and get each art and art a 15 minutes to talk about their book, read their book, whatever. And then I had a platform on Clubhouse early this year where I was giving four authors every Friday a platform to tell their stuff and that was free. Yeah, I joined you on a couple of those to be in your audience, I did, and I thought that was great as well because you know, you're more than welcome. One thing authors need is a platform. One thing to make me is a platform. So, yes, you have provided that, you and others.
Speaker 1:But that 15 minute, I was like okay, who can't do 15 minutes? You know? And how successful was that for you? Oh, I had authors come, a couple of authors come back and say they really enjoyed it. I'm not going to do it next, when I'm doing this again, I say I'm going to try to do it every summer that I'm out of. They said maybe you need to do it, you know, during the year, and I was like no, that'd be my little thing for the summer. So if anybody got any books out, this coming out this summer, that'd be a great 15 minutes. You can sell your books to readers. It's well worth it, people, it's well worth it. So that's when she, when I read from the stethoscope. She did this menu for me from the stethoscope, you know, and so it's well worth it. You know it's well worth it, so you come on. So, I excuse me, you can come on as many times as you want to any one time thing. You want to come on every Tuesday and every Thursday? You get your paragraph. Just show up and let me know and I'll put you on. Yes, she will, she will, because that's how we met.
Speaker 1:I saw that run across on Instagram, like where, when you don't know, you don't know, and so, like I can give her 15 minutes, that's it, she can give me a spot. And it went well. It went well. People saw me just saying there's a lot of ideas out here for authors, for people who want to promote what they have put their, their, their heart in, and it's a, it's just a great tool, it's a great outlet, it's an excellent platform.
Speaker 1:Well, miss Quainey, what is? What would you say? Is your superpower or your? We know your passion is reading, your superpower. I think I have one word for you as superpower, but you may have many. So what's your superpower? For the literary ambassador Um, my word is honesty. My word is honesty, oh, okay. Okay, because you have to be honest when you give a good review, right, when you give a, when you give your professional reviews Uh, and I heard you say that you're open, so you're open to what? Open to um accept first time readers I mean first time authors um helping them to see options. That's great. That's great Because that's what people, that's what we need direction, and not just, not just authors, but anyone who is um acquiring or trying to strive for anything I don't care if it's a job as an engineer or whatever. You need direction and you need someone who's going to be able to kind of push you or guide you in that direction. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, sounds good, it sounds really good. Now, do you have any clothes and bags for us, madam? Just read what Just read.
Speaker 1:Now, one thing I am tell the audience what's a beta reader, and is there a difference between an ARC reader or a beta reader, or are they the same? An ARC reader is the book is about to be published, um, in so many months. It's completed. Basically, it's completed and you're reading it before everybody else does. So when the book comes out, that day, you can the ARC reader can leave that review. So it helps the um, the algorithm on your platform or whatever platform you're going to use to get it to number one.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm, that's an ARC reader, a beta reader. Basically, you're looking at their manuscript before it goes. Well, it's in between the editing phase and finishing. You're looking at the see well, I think it's before, before the editing. Um, where you're making sure it's transition, it's got the. It makes sense. Um, the authors are being I mean the characters are being consistent.
Speaker 1:In chapter one he was short and stubby. By chapter four he was tall. I thought you said he was short and stubby, or a name thing. A name was sand, sanded with a Y, but then by the end of the book it's with an I, that type of thing. That's for a beta reader. Oh man, you guys have a critical. Yeah, you guys have to have a critical I for that. Yes, I can see how, as an author, you can't confuse your characters, especially, you know, point out how many characters you have. Uh, I met one author who said he had to start writing his characters name down. He was getting confused about himself and what they were uh, to do. So it can be easily done, even though it's your word.
Speaker 1:Okay, so the baby reader does the manuscript part the arc reader does basically the book that is in transition to coming out. Yes, hmm, Okay, that's good to know, that's good to know. Okay, so how often do you? Are you a beta reader and or an arc reader? I'm an arc reader.
Speaker 1:Like I said, I work with a couple of publishing companies. One is um, king of Random House. I work on the one thing in France and then I work with um, like I say, with buzzwords. That's another publishing company. Um, I work about five publishing companies with the arc. And then a baby reader is when I come in with authors call and say, okay, I finished this manuscript and be my eyes and look over it and you find four or five beta readers to put it together, make sure it makes it Like I said, and then they pass it off to the editor so they can, um, uh, make it perfect for you. So that's great. I've been. I've been a beta reader for a lot of authors.
Speaker 1:Like I said, I love both. Um, I do not charge for that, which someone said I started charges. I get the same, the same authors I get there I better read for on a routine basis. Okay, I love doing both. Um, I'm just like and I have Nick Gall Nick Gall is where I do most of my arts from other than the five publishing companies.
Speaker 1:Okay, and then like when you read a book and the public company did that, email you and said, well, we got another book out here. If you'd like to read that, I get those. I got one yesterday from a. I read a certain book and they want me to go and read it. So when this book is similar to the book you read for us, like six months ago, can you read this book for us? And I gave me synopsis and gave me the code to get to the book and I got the book. But the publishing companies they send me the actual book. Hmm, oh, that's great. I know somebody who's doing something. That is great. That is great. Oh, that's wonderful. Oh, that is wonderful. Oh, I'm by down.
Speaker 1:You do have a life. Baby, you talk about drink and I'm live. I don't know what people say. You have a life. It's books, it's helping. You know you are assisting people to be the best that they can be in the profession that they have chosen. You know, whether it is part time or whatever, I mean you're there for them. What else. What else is life about? I mean, I get and I understand what they're probably saying, but you got a lifeboat.
Speaker 1:People want to take your books away from you. What would you do? Oh, color. I was doing that for a while and I tried to be stressed that's my way to be stressed is color. And I tried to do that last weekend and it did not work at all. So I just pulled my little handle out and just started reading because I thought I'm tired of reading. But I'm fine. I have like seven books I got to read. I got to read this book, I read that book and then I got my clients that are, because I'm also a book launch manager, so for a couple of artists. So I'm having to read their book, get their stuff together before their book comes out. I love to read, I love to read. That's great, that is absolutely great.
Speaker 1:I have truly enjoyed this interview with you. I do thank you for your time. We're kind of close with a quick prayer. Do you have anything else you want to say before we close? No, thank you for having me. I really appreciate it. No, thank you for accepting the invitation. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1:And having the Father of the Lord, god. We had several people calling asking for prayer. We just asked you to meet them at the point of their need. Lord, god, cover them Well. We know that in due season you will give them beauty for their ashes and for their heaven and she will put them on a garment of praise for God. But we thank you for Miss Queen. We thank you for continuing to bless her and keep her and keep us encouraged and keep her encouraged. Lord, God, lord, these are other things we ask in your son, jesus name. Amen, amen. Thank you so much, miss Queen. You have a great rest of your day and I'm sure we will be either talking or texting very soon. Okay, all right, thank you. All right, have a great day. Bye, bye, thank you.