Gabriella Goddard's Blog (author of "Gulp!: The 7 day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge"

Write That Book: How to build a powerful author's platform

If your Gulp! challenge is to write a book, or you've already written one and want to sell more books, then come and join us on this teleclass as part of Julia McCutchen's "Ask the Author" series.

Check out:  http://www.juliamccutchen.com/events/ask_the_author.php

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The Four Cornerstones of a Powerful Platform with Gabriella Goddard, author of Gulp! (Penguin)

Do you want to sell loads of books or would you rather be the best kept secret on the bookshelf? If you chose the latter then I’m afraid to say you’re in the wrong business!   Your success as an author depends to a large extent on how many books you sell. That’s why one of the first questions a publisher will ask is 'what sort of platform do you have?' … So what would your answer be?

Whether you’re just starting out, or whether you’re already published, developing a powerful platform is the secret to selling more books.  In this session we’ll explore the four cornerstones of building a powerful platform; your database, your profile, your relationships and your 'engine room'.

We’ll take a close look at each cornerstone and discuss why it’s important, what impact it has on your chances of success and practical ways that you can create it.

You’ll learn how to; quickly build a quality 'fan' base, raise your visibility in the local and national press, nurture long lasting relationships with your potential readers, journalists and key influencers, establish an 'engine room' that is efficient, effective and easy to manage, leverage your platform to expand your income potential.

Plus we’ll show you how to approach all this from a place of curiosity, fun and adventure! So obviously a session NOT to be missed!

Check out:  http://www.juliamccutchen.com/events/ask_the_author.php

More Raw : Try it...I am!

As summer draws closer the vision of swimsuits and beaches does wonders for my interest in exercise and healthy eating. 

In March I went "downunder" for a holiday and also to work on a creative project which I'll be telling you more about soon.  I stayed with my super fit friend Sharon in St Heliers (the best place in the world!).  As always going to New Zealand where one is surrounded by sea, sand, sun and fresh air, it got me thinking about my health and fitness.  As a member of the gym at the Hilton in Rotherhithe I'd veered towards the treadmill and weights machines.  But coming back from NZ I decided to try out the classes.  WOW - is all I can say.  There are some seriously fit people out there.  I'm proud to say that after being the unfittest, fattest and most discoordinatist in the class, after two months of regular attendance I'm walking taller, my arms and legs are moving in time to the music and in synch with everyone else - and on Saturday when the teacher got it wrong....guess who go it right and guess who everyone else followed (oh yes I'm a girlie swat).

All I can say, is if you're tired of exercising - try out a class.  Something magical can happen.

And then there's the food.  If you haven't heard of Karen Knowler, the raw food coach extraordinaire, then you must check out http://www.karenknowler.typepad.com/   Summer is a great time to be pigging out on salads and vegetables and Karen has this incredible knack of making that sound exciting.  I've been watching her video clips as well and the one on making almond milk sounded so easy, I almost went out and bought the almonds!

So I've made it my Gulp! mission to try out Karen's recipes over the summer and see if I can dramatically increase the amount of raw and natural fruit and vege I'm eating on a daily basis.

And then my biggest challenge will be what to do with all that extra energy coming from more exercise and raw food!

Any suggestions?

Bring Madeline Home

Our hearts go out to the family of little Madeline, snatched from her bed while on holiday in Portugal with her family.  We pray for her safe return home.  In the meantime let's keep her memory alive.

Ask Gaby...my new career column in In London magazine

I'm very proud to announce that I am now the career/work columnist for In London magazine.  My first "Ask Gaby" came out this month and I had so much fun doing it.

In London is a magazine aimed at New Zealanders, South Africans, Australians and all other folk living and working in London.

It's a great magazine and I'm really delighted to be associated with it.  Check out the online version at http://www.inlondon.com/emag/ilm40/index.cfm .  "Ask Gaby" is on page 62.

Radical Haircuts

Never thought I'd find myself writing about Britney Spears in the Gulp! blog, but given that I need to make a hair appointment this week it has got me thinking.

When was the last time I had a really radical haircut???

No, I'm not about to shave it all off...but I do think I'll get something quite different done to it.  Funny how a new hairstyle can make you feel different about yourself.

Call of Adventure: Trekking Machu Pichu

One of my dreams is to one day walk the Inca trail and trek up to Machu Pichu.  I think it would be one of the most amazing experiences.

So I've done a bit of research and discovered that SCOPE are doing a charity trek this May.  Unfortunately I can't make it, but maybe you can.

The five-day hike begins in the heart of the Urubamba Valley and takes you past snowcapped peaks and glacial lagoons. They finish at the lost city of Machu Picchu, the spectacular orchid-draped ruin which laid abandoned for 500 years until re-discovered at the beginning of the 20th century.

If this has sparked your adventurous spirit then check out

http://www.scope.org.uk/adventures/peru.shtml

In the face of a challenge...

In the face of a challenge, who do you choose to be?

The one who stalls and stagnates, or the one who flies free?

If not now...when????

LBC London Live : On the Jim Davies Show

If you're interested in health and wellbeing, then check out Jim Davies's new show on LBC London 97.3FM from 1.00pm-2.00pm.  It's fantastic.  I spent about half an hour on his show on Monday fielding calls from people wanting advice on their OBGs (One Big Gulp!).  He is such a fun guy and we had quite a few giggles in the studio.  Well worth a listen to as you munch on your houmous and beansprout low-fat gluten-free bap.

http://www.lbc.co.uk/

Gabriella

January Gulp!: Write That Book!

If you've always wanted to write a book but never got around to doing it, then THIS is the month to get started.  All this month we will be featuring tips from top book coaches, inspirational stories from people who've taken the plunge and vital resources to start you on your journey.

So check in regularly...and make January 2007 the month where you kick start your writer's journey.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Hope you had a restful and relaxing break and are all geared up for an amazing and adventurous year ahead.  I love the start of a new year - you can let go of old stuff and feel the excitement of the new stuff looming on the horizon.

This year I didnt' make New Year Resolutions...instead, I've set myself an OBG (One Big Gulp!).  For over four years I've harboured a dream of launching a branded website where people can go to chill out, soothe their soul and lift their spirit. And this is the year I've decided to make it happen (gulp!).  Making this decision has really simplified my life - all the other stuff like "eating healthily", "going to the gym" and "drinking less" have all started to happen quite organically.  I've even bought a trampette for my living room and spend part of each evening bouncing away while I listen to loud music (sorry neighbour!). 

So what about you?  What's your OBG?  If you want to pledge it then just click here: http://goddard.typepad.com/gulp/pledge_your_gulp/index.html

I want to wish you an absolutely amazing year, one where you step outside your comfort zone, stretch yourself and really reach for the stars.  If you've got a dream, something you've been yearning to do for a while...then BE BOLD, BE BRAVE, AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!