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Welcome!

Jennifer Douglas is a literary publicist who believes in the right of equality for all authors. With a vision of a world where positivity is the norm and negativity is long forgotten Jennifer works alongside authors creating a marketing and publicity plan that meets the needs of the individual.

With years of experience in publicity, public relations and the marketing industry, which includes working with Allen and Unwin and Palmer Higgs Publishing, Jennifer has become a well sort after reviewer. To work with Jennifer is to know you are working with someone who will not hold back on being open and honest about your book and its marketing possibilities.

Having undertaken many courses in writing and poetry over the years Jennifer has a vast knowledge in the field of writing and reviewing, being able to provide an efficient, effective and professional service. As a qualified Early Childhood Educator and a home educating mum with over 16 years experience, she has a passion for quality children's books and educational resources.

Having spent 6 years as the founder and managing editor of two magazines, Good Gabble and Rattling Reviews, Jennifer has an eye for marketing and sales, knowing what the consumer is looking for and how to reach them. She works individually with each client meeting their needs and the needs of their product. She has many years experience in critiquing websites, placing herself in the shoes of the consumer who is browsing. Many clients return time and time again knowing they will be receiving an honest, open and non judgmental review or critique. Jennifer prides herself on providing a friendly, non threatening and personal service. Her clients are able to contact her personally throughout the whole review process.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Ding Duck I Want To Fly! by Gary Clark

How does Australian Cartoonist Gary Clark so easily take one duck and give him loads of personality that has you laughing and smiling from page to page?

Ding Duck I Want To Fly! is a book that entertains the young and the old. I definitely had to fight my household during the review process to get access to the book. Every time I placed it on the table and left the room I would return to the sound of snickers from the office chair as someone had ‘jumped in my grave’ to get their part of Ding. Even my 5 year old loved the adventures this cute, yet rather daft Duck provided. Ding Duck definitely stands in a league of his own. After 30 years will he ever fly successfully?

To be honest with you I have never been into cartoons. As a child the cartoon section of the newspaper really never held my interest. I was quiet willing to let my older brothers have them first. In later life I found myself in love with a man who is not only an artist and cartoonist but also an aviation nutter. I was soon put in my place. As time has progressed I have found myself involved in a world of visual characters that charm and entertain and a world where my feet are not always on land. Ding Duck I Want To Fly! was my initiation into the world of a comic books.

In Ding Duck I Want To Fly! Gary Clark gets your imagination and visual cues stimulated with a Ducks eye view of the Swamp on a typical day. Bright, busy and comical the reader is taken into the world of the characters, followed by a brief introduction to the Swamp Support Cast and Aircraft within. For a novice like myself I enjoyed this initial journey. I went into the rest of the book feeling like a Ding Duck pro.

Gary writes “ This book is a snapshot of the wonderful and diverse world of aviation...It is about Commercial Air Transport, Military Jets, Helicopters, Aerobatics, General Aviation, Recreational Flying, and ....Duck. Mostly it’s about Duck aviation...In particular one unique Duck named Ding.

Despite receiving over 5000 flying lessons and many attempts, Ding Duck still can’t fly. But that doesn’t stop him trying and failing and trying again.

The Swamp that Ding calls home features two good runways, an Air Traffic Controller, a Flying School and a host of other assorted wildlife including all the other Ducks who get to do what Ding is hoping to do himself one day...Fly South for the Winter with all the other Ducks.

As you follow Ding’s daily life cycle of flying attempts, failures, flying lessons, theory classes, exams and everything else that goes on in this feathered parallel world to the other less natural , mechanical form of aviation you will discover a wonderful truth: There is little difference between these two worlds and there is much humour to be enjoyed in both."

It seems Gary Clark knows his work well. If there is a word stronger than humour then it would refer to the work of Gary Clark and Ding Duck. From the beginning to the end of laughed and Ismiled. There is no feeling down in the dumps when Ding is around. This duck has stolen my heart. He is cute, determined and doesn’t really need to do or say much to have you wondering about the logic of life. Ding is a Duck that has something to say that will touch a nerve in everyone. Having no aviation knowledge, except for that of the fact that planes take off and land, I still found myself welcome and with friends when visiting the Swamp.

Ding Duck I Want to Fly! is a beautifully presented, high quality A5 publication. Its glossy colourful and humorous cover welcomes all that hold it. The professionalism and understanding of the industry by publishers Martin Leeuwis Publications, who have been publishing books with aviation humour, anecdotes and cartoons since 1982, shines through. My copy has been used and abused over the last few months yet shows no sign of wear and tear. The quality of the book meets the quality of the contents making the overall reading experience enjoyable. At 160 pages and with a recommended retail price of $18.50 it is money well spent.

I couldn’t put Ding Duck I Want To Fly! down, finishing it in one sitting and being left with wanting more. It was nice to have a book that the family could discuss, share and laugh about together. My 5 year old already had her heart set on being an artist like daddy and Ding Duck and Gary Clark have certainly enhanced that dream, whilst introducing her to the world of reading and books.

This book has left me envious of Gary Clark and subscribing for my daily Swamp email. Guess who is getting Gary Clark Ding Duck Aviation products for his birthday and Christmas? Oh and I think I have found just the spot on a wall in my house for the Ding Duck About To Fly framed print or comic strip signed by Gary Clark.

If only I was as clever and creative in both my writing and my art as Gary. All I can do is listen to the sound advice of Ding Duck as he shouts loud and clear ‘If you fail try and try again... you never know one day you may succeed’

Grab your copy of I Want To Fly!, your Gary Clark merchandise and a free subscription to the daily Swamp email at www.swamp.com.au

Testimonials

Not so long ago I was drifting through some internet sites offering to review or market self-published novels. I was wondering if any review would make my book come alive for readers, agents, or the marketing world in general. I chanced upon your site. "Australia!" I breathed. "How about that." Awfully far away, it was not a promising avenue. Until I read your site and what you offered. Here was a much more hands-on, reviewing and marketing approach. The cost was reasonable and though the review did not promise a five-star finish, and the marketing plan didn't tantalize with guaranteed six figure sales, it did promise care and seriousness. So sincere was the pitch, that I counted out my shekels, e-mailed you, and officially asked you to help me. Imagine my surprise when you turned out to be someone who had the best interests for my novel at heart. You spent much time on an in-depth review and suggested a marketing plan which was going to involve a lot more work for you than I expected; nor did I dream that you would take my work to heart and propose a way of presenting it not just to Australia, but to the whole English speaking world. I always thought I was a dreamer, but you are the dreamer that has made me into a believer about the power of marketing and the importance of having an expert in the field present one's book to the public. Already a joy to work with, you have turned out to be a reviewer that can also market a book and make an author believe that the book he wrote, which he thinks is very good, is going to be seen as great by the wider reading public. That's a gift that's priceless. Thanks for believing in me and strengthening my own appreciation of my work. Is this a partnership? Nope, it is better than that. It is an adventure, one which I am glad to be taking with you. You calmed a lot of my worries, and as you folks say down under, "No more worries mate, no more worries at all!

E. R. BarrAuthor of ROAN: The Tales of Conor Archer, vol. 1

Katrina Cavanough wanted to thank you very much for the review of her book Wisdom For Your Life. "It was so thorough and amazing...I'm a bit lost for words really"

Amy Milne, Allen and Unwin

It's two months since I first contacted Jennifer Douglas. In her immediate reply she wrote " I'm sure I can help you'.

Jennifer's help was phenomenal. With a passion for helping to create high quality work and for assisting authors get the word out about their book, she has been a joy to work with.

Closely collaborating, and constantly giving feedback, she has been unfailing, inspirational and supportive.

As promised, two months after my first contact the review of 'Aspects of Creativity' is already on a wide range of important media sites.

I highly recommend Jennifer Douglas to anyone looking for a very special independent reviewer.

Dulcie M. Stone MBE

'I was about to write to you to find out how you were going with yourreading of the pile of books we sent and thought “I’ll just browsethrough the latest addition” ( Good Gabble Newzine). And what did I find? The most fantastic appreciation of Elizabeth and her work that I have seen. I know what she’s like, but lots of others miss all that you have seen in her. I am deeply moved by what you wrote and have just had the pleasure of printing off the page and giving it to her. She hadn’t realised, justas I hadn’t, that there was something in there about her. Thank you from me' Ken Mellor