All About Lisa

Shoes, shoes, shoes

2011-08-01T18:51:00.001-07:00

Wrote this article for The Poughkeepsie Journal. I love shoes (if the link doesn't work after some time, you might need to register to see it.)

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107310341

The Virgin Traveler: Bethel Woods

2011-07-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

And today begins a new segment of my blog called "The Virgin Traveler."

Yes, I've traveled, but not as much as I always dreamed of doing. There are so many things I haven't seen in the Hudson Valley, in the United States and in the world. What's stopped me? Life. As a single mom of three kids, either money or time has been tight. We have taken various trips to Disney (one of my favorite places), Vermont, Atlantic City and more, but I've always wanted to have a bigger scrapbook of places I've been to by now in my life.

So I've decided it's time. No I didn't hit the lotto and am now traveling the world. Instead, I'm taking it one step at a time. Little by little. Town by town. This summer, my kids and I (now teenagers) are taking local trips. Two of them are working summer jobs now and one also has an summer internship, so it was hard to arrange a larger vacation this year. So, instead, we made a list of things we wanted to see or do in the Hudson Valley area.

Our first stop: Bethel Woods, the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. They were hosting a new exhibit with photography, memorabilia and clothes from Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix. Photographs inside the museum are not permitted, but we took a photo outside and at the memorial they have on the grounds. After watching the movies inside, we were almost able to picture exactly how the event went outside.

I also didn't know that Janis Joplin was an amazing artist and I never took such a close look at Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix. My son, who is graduating high school this year and heading off to music school, was enthralled.

The museum is good for any age, of course, but I think the tweens/teen set would enjoy it once they have a basic understanding of what Woodstock was. Then take them over to hear about it in detail.

Visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org.

As a writer, of course I'm always looking for story ideas in my travels too. My goal when the kids get older is to hit the road and do some travel writing. Cheers to a new beginning!

What I've been up to...

2011-07-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Today I finished an article on former QVC host Steve Bryant, booked a few celeb interviews -- Candace Cameron Bure and Olivia Newton John -- and landed a few new PR clients in my hometown. Not a bad day.

Have a lot of assignments for the summer. It's hard to work while the kids are home for the summer though, but I'm trying. I get up early and work late. I'd have to say I work harder now than during the school year.

Bowling for Dummies news!

2011-06-07T06:48:00.000-07:00

Just found out that my Bowling for Dummies book is in the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame's museum library! Whoot!

Article with Buddy Valastro -- The Cake Boss!

2011-02-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to my article with Buddy Valastro -- The Cake Boss! It's a PDF, turn to page 3! http://www.contentthatworks.com/EDITORIAL/pdf/ctw_valentines.pdf

An article on CIG Green Building and Remodeling

2011-02-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

Check it out!

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/green-living-interviews/green-building-remodeling

Why am I so excited?

2010-07-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

Check out why I'm so excited today! Click here!

And today, Bowling for Dummies became the #1 bowling book on Amazon. Please help me to keep it there! Thanks!

Update!

2010-07-01T11:02:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while - what with work and my kids, I just haven't had the time. But with my daughter rehauling the layout (Tuscan style!!!) I promise that try to update more.

2009-06-16T10:26:00.001-07:00

A great review of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Building and Remodeling," by yours truly and John Barrows!

http://blog.managemyhome.com/unlockyourhome/2009/06/an-inspiring-fathers-day-gift.html

We agree that it makes a great Father's Day present, but must add that it makes a great present all YEAR long!

Freelance Writing Course

2009-03-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

Lisa Iannucci, an award-winning author and 20-year veteran of magazine and book publishing, is offering a course on How to Become a Successful Freelance Writer. It will be held on Wednesday,
April 15th, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Bowl Community Center (located inside Holiday Bowl, Route 9 in Wappingers Falls, NY). There is a $10 fee for this course payable in advance.

Lisa has written articles for USA Weekend, Shape, Parenting, Frequent Flyer, Los Angeles Times Travel Section, the Cooperator (www.cooperator.com, a condo and coop monthly), and more. She is a former real estate writer for the Poughkeepsie Journal, a Gannett Newspaper, and is now a contributing writer to BobVila.com, MultiHousingNews.com and more. She is the founder of http://celebrity-do-gooders.blogspot.com where she has interviewed many celebrities. She has also written many books, including "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Building and Remodeling."

In this course you will learn:
* how to pitch an editor
* finding ideas
* the difference b/w writing fiction and non-fiction for magazines
* writing for websites
* blogging for money
* making a living writing
* networking and more...

Lisa has taught freelance writing courses at BOCES, Dutchess Community College, Ulster Community College and various colleges in Westchester County.

If there is enough interest, I will hold one class per month. Write to lisawriter@msn.com for additional information or if you have any questions. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED IN ORDER TO ATTEND. Thanks!!!!!

Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Building and Remodeling

2008-11-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

My book on Green Building and Remodeling is available for pre-order. It will be out January 9th! I'm so psyched. It's a great way to start off the new year. Not many of us can build a new house in this economy, but how about green remodeling the one you have? Whether you have $50 or $50,000 there are things you can do that can start paying off for you now. Reap the rewards of being environmentally conscious -- save money and do good for the environment! Don't know how? We'll teach you step by step!

Click here to place your order!

Thanks!

Lisa

My book on Ellen DeGeneres

2008-11-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

My book on Ellen DeGeneres is available for pre-order!

It's from Greenwood Press and is a biography of Ellen's life from birth to today. I loved writing this book. I have so much admiration for Ellen and respect her as a person and an entertainer.

Click here to preorder!

Thanks!

My daughter's interview

2008-09-17T03:47:00.001-07:00

My daughter Nicki, founder of www.wordforteens.blogspot.com was interviewed in another blog last week. Check it out!

http://innovativeteen.blogspot.com/2008/09/behind-blog-word-for-teens.html

Lisa

Trying to save a life...

2008-09-10T18:44:00.001-07:00

Many of you know I'm the founder of www.youngwidowsandwidowersblog.blogspot.com and I'm often helping young widows and widowers pick up the pieces after their loved one has gone.

Today, my friends I am asking you for help to save a life. Or, at least, a house.

My friend, Lori Hall Steele, who is a professional freelance writer and fellow single mom, is extremely ill. To make life even harder, she is on the verge of losing her home. I can't imagine making her move right in the middle of her illness with her (probably) scared young son.

Her freelance writer friends, editors and reporters are taking to their blogs to help raise money for Lori. This isn't a con -- simply Google her name and you'll see what she's written. She's spent her career providing information to help others, now it's our time to help her. Please visit www.savelorishouse.com to read her story and do what you can to donate -- $5, $25 or, if you're fortunate to be able to do more, please do so. It goes right to Lori's mortgage bill.

Thanks so much for listening.

Lisa

The Renegade Writer

2008-09-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Check out this interview with author Gwen Moran: http://therenegadewriter.com/2008/09/04/qa-with-renegade-writer-gwen-moran/

It's on a great blog, written by the author of "The Renegade Writer," and for those of you who want to become writers, a terrific resource.

Lisa

My Green Building and Remodeling Book

2008-08-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

The last few months have been very busy. I tried to take some downtime this summer and focus on minimal work, something I've never done. It's not easy, but it's been fun relaxing and getting caught up and doing stuff with the kids! Hope everybody's summer has been fun so far!

I'm excited to announce that I'm the co-author to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Building and Remodeling coming out in November! It was a thrill to write and I'm hoping readers really learn a lot about changing their home one step at a time.

My celebrity-do-gooders blog has attracted attention and I've been asked to write for ecorazzi and GreenOptions.com and I'm excited! I just interviewed G.W. Bailey (from Police Academy) and Nigel Barker (from America's Next Top Model) and I loved the interviews. Look for the articles soon!

And I'm in the midst of finally beginning work on a long-awaited scriptwriting project. Wish me luck!

lisa

Can you help out a good cause?

2008-04-09T05:56:00.000-07:00

In this column, I talk about what I'm up to, but as you all know, helping out starts at home. This time, I'm asking for help for a writer friend of mine. Lori Hall Steele is an amazing freelance writer. She's been sick with a 'mysterious' neurological condition. At first the docs thought she had Lyme Disease, and she's also been tested for other conditions too, including Guillian Barre Syndrome. They are still trying to find out what's wrong. Lori can't work anymore. She can't write anymore because she's THAT sick. As a matter of fact, I just took over one of her projects.

You know what the kicker is right? Her insurance company has denied all coverage due to a pre-existing condition (are you listening, presidential candidates?????). Lori is tapped out financially and doctors are still searching for a cause to her condition. Her friends, like me, are trying to help with fundraisers. Whatever you can do, we'd greatly appreciate it. I know you don't know Lori, but just know that this donation is helping Lori directly --- no organizations, no overheads, no committees -- it goes straight to Lori. Can't help financially? Spread the word please.

Read this article in the Grand Traverse newspaper to find out more.
Another friend of mine, Kristen Hains, has posted this on her Facebook page.

This time it's personal. Can you please help?

Lisa

New title: Green Building Correspondent

2008-03-20T04:22:00.001-07:00

I have been named the Green Building Correspondent at Multi-Housing News! I've been writing for them for a few years now and this is an exciting extension of that work. I'm looking forward to adding new stories on what builders and developers are doing to help 'green' our multifamily buildings!

Want to specialize in your writing?

2008-03-04T03:49:00.000-08:00

I started out my career as a general writer who would take any assignment that came my way. After a few health assignments I decided I wanted to be a health writer and focused on that area in my career for a few years. I became known as a health writer and editors would contact me after awhile to write health articles. Then every writer I knew was or wanted to be a health writer and the assignments were tougher and tougher to get.

It was around that time that I started writing more about real estate and property management. I really liked that kind of writing and I decided to focus more on these topics while still taking other assignments as well. Again, today, I am contacted by editors who want me to write on real estate or property management and sometimes interior design. I regularly get assignments from trade and consumer publications and I'm kept quite busy because I now have a niche that isn't so overwhelmed with writers.

Are you looking for that niche in your career? Not sure where to begin. I was interviewed in Kelly James Enger's Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create your own Writing Specialty and Make More Money.Now in its second edition it covers everything you need to know about nailing your first magazine assignments, including 20 query letters from new freelancers that sold, and why. Visit http://www.becomebodywise.com/books.htm for more information about it, or order through amazon.com or your local bookseller.

Good luck!

The Spirit of Being Neighborly

2008-03-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Check out my newest article for The Cooperator.

Click here.

Enjoy!

Lisa

Great article to check out.

2008-02-27T04:25:00.001-08:00

Check out a good article by author Michelle Vranizan Rafter that gives freelancers' strategies for prospering in bad time. Great tips and suggestions!

Click here and let me know how you're doing in these tough economic times. Me? So far work is good and the assignments keep coming. Now if I can only stop the grocery bill, gas bill and gas prices from going up!

Until next time,
Lisa

The American Society of Journalists and Authors

2008-02-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

I'm a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and I've been one for about 20 years. Before I was a member, I would attend their annual conference so I could learn as much as possible about being a writer. This year's conference information is up and if you're serious about being a freelance writer, this is the place to be. Check out this link or click on the ASJA graphic on this page and sign up. It's well worth the investment to meet face-to-face with editors and hear what they are saying. Need a mentor? They got them. Need to have your essays read? Sign up for that. Want to hear a great keynote speaker? Join us at lunch. There's too much to mention here, but it's a great conference that a lot of volunteers and ASJA staff have worked hard to put together for you.

Until next time,
Lisa

My article on New Paltz, New York

2008-02-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

I write community profiles and real estate pieces for the Poughkeepsie Journal, a Gannett newspaper. Yesterday, February 10th, my article on New Paltz was printed -- hope you enjoy!

Click here. (If it's after 10 days you might need to check the archives.)

For more information on other real estate topics that I write about, please visit http://www.cooperator.com/ and search up my name, Lisa Iannucci.

Until next time,

Lisa

Are you ready for vacation?

2008-02-05T04:17:00.001-08:00

I'm ready for warmer weather and a vacation! If you are too, check out my book "Healthy Travel: Don't Travel Without It" that I wrote with my co-author Dr. Michael Zimring from Mercy Medical Center. Here is our website for the book. And, well, of course, you can order it here.

Nothing can ruin a trip like an illness, an accident, or a medical emergency. But many of these situations are preventable - or at least, more manageaable - with knowledge and planning. Heathy Travel is a concise, well - organized handbook for travelers of all stripes. Smart travelers are those who do their "health homework" ahead of time. When you travel, do you take along a comprehensive list of medical, emergency, and contact information? You should - and with Healthy Travel, you will.

Healthy Travel guides readers through all of the necessary preparations, from paperwork and packing to vaccinations and home security. It takes the mystery out of traveler's insurance and transportation regulations, and keeps you on top of the seemingly countless details that can accompany a trip.

We have drawn on our own experience and have distilled the vast amount of travel tips on the market and the internet to bring readers the information they really need, on topics including: how to research a destination; how to protect against injury, infection, deep vein thrombosis, and disease-carrying bugs; how and where to exercise en rooute; how to respond to an in-flight (or international) emergency; how to prevent identity theft; how to deal with motion sickness, jet lag, and even hospitalization; and how to transport medications and medical equipment safely - and legally.

Healthy Travel also emphasizes busting minor and major "stress factors" for stress-free travel in addition to practical instructions on everything from utillizing travel clinics to minimizing discomfort in cars and planes, this book shows readers how to handle challenges such as lifting luggage properly, keeping the kids entertained and safe, and traveling with a disability. Each chapter also features nuggets of useful advice from other seasoned travelers. The back of the book provides a treasure trove of useful checklists to get travelers organized and on their way.
About the Authors: Michael P. Zimring, M.D., is a board-certified internist in private practice with over thirty years of experience. He is the Medical Director for the Center of Wilderness and Travel Medicine at the Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, and also serves as a Regional Medical Advisor to Medex Assistance, a company that coordinate medical care for travelers in foreign countries,a and evacuations.

Publishing How to: Time to Publicize

2008-01-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

In yesterday's Poughkeepsie Journal, I was interviewed and quoted in an article on how to publicize your book. Check it out here!

My good friend, author Rachel Weingarten is also quoted in the article (look at the column on the right) with some great tips too!

If you're a writer looking to get started, you might also want to check out the annual conference of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. It's a great conference where you can hear from editors and writers and talk to a mentor and more!

Until next time,
lisa