Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published
Do you cringe at the mention of marketing? Many writers do.
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the verb market as “to expose for sale in a market.”
As a beginning writer (to whom I chiefly speak), my question to you is “What have you got to sell?” [Read more…] about Should marketing be your focus right now?
I’ve been reading a wonderful book written by Lynn Austin titled Hidden Places.
More than once as I’ve read the gentle, lilting prose of this story I’ve said to myself “I wish I could write like this.”
I bet you’ve found yourself saying the same thing as you’ve read books that gripped you with the power of those well written words.
But this morning the very moment after I thought those words, God answered back. [Read more…] about Put an End to “I’ll Never Write Like That”
Save yourself time and heartache over rejection. Analyze a magazine first, then submit to those that will be interested in your idea.
Front Page: design and headlines will help you determine the target audience.
The ads: Who are their advertisers? Read enough of the ads to get a feel for the target audience.
General topics: are the articles about [Read more…] about How to Analyze a Magazine
It feels like old home week here at the blog with another debut author interviewee returning to guest post. Today we hear from Kathy Nickerson about developing a marketing plan.
When a potential publisher told me, “We’d like to offer you a contract for your novel, Thirty Days to Glory,” I did the Happy Dance all around my kitchen. Then I read the second sentence: “But first we need to see your marketing plan.”
Right. Let’s see. Where did I put that file? [Read more…] about How to Brainstorm a Marketing Plan
Recently I had more than one person comment about their struggle with waiting. I’m talking about the wait between when you submit (or pitch) your work and when you hear back from the editor (or publisher).
We all have a different tolerance level for waiting, and the instant society we live in compounds the problem. But we can stay encouraged and productive while we wait.
I think Kathy Carlton Willis offers the best advice with this quote from her upcoming book Your Life on Hold: Don’t Hate the Wait! “Sometimes between the ‘wait’ and the ‘yes’ we need to fall at Jesus’ feet and be caught up in total adoration of the Savior.”
We may not get a “yes” when the answer comes, but keeping our focus on the Savior provides us the peace and strength for every moment of the day, no matter what we face.
How about it readers? Add to the list the things that work for you. Leave your answer in the comments.
Debra L. Butterfield © 2013
It’s the third Friday of the month, time for our Friday Feature author interview.
This month’s debut author landed a publisher via a contest. Today I visit with Marie Wells Coutu, author of For Such a Moment, released earlier this year from Write Integrity Press.
Welcome, Marie. Thank you for joining us today. How exciting to win a contest that includes publication of your book. How long did it take to write your book?
Marie: I worked on this book for five or six years, off and on. Once I felt it was as polished as I could make it, and I still had not had any interest from publishers, I put it aside and began to work on a historical novel. But after I heard about the Books of Hope Contest, sponsored by Write Integrity Publishers, I dusted off the manuscript and polished it some more before submitting to the contest.
Debra: Obviously your hard work paid off. You won the contest and now book one of your Mended Vessels series, For Such a Moment, has been published. Congratulations.
Initially, at what point in writing your book did you begin to look for publishers?
Marie: Too soon, probably! [Read more…] about Friday Feature: Interview with Author Marie Wells Coutu
One of my favorite parts of being a blogger is interviewing authors. Today Sharon Garlock Spiegel joins us to discuss her new book Generations.
Debra: Welcome to the blog, Sharon. Thank you for joining us. First of all, tell us a little about how you became interested in writing.
Sharon: The writing just seems to have happened without much forethought. First putting together little plays and dramas for fun—then for special holidays at church. Poetry has been part of my life for almost as far back as when I learned to read and write. I believe I inherited this from my grandmother. I attempted a novel when I was in the sixth grade. I don’t know what ever happened to all those handwritten pages.
Debra: What led you to write Generations?
Sharon: I wanted to give to my children and grandchildren the story of their heritage. I had no grand illusions it would ever be published. I printed paper copies and gave to family members. Somehow one of these copies got into the hands of a woman I don’t know. She contacted CrossRiver Media, a Christian publisher, and stated: “This book needs to be published, it changed my life.” Thus the journey began.
Debra: I know many writers want to make a difference in the lives of their readers, so that is high praise—the kind of word of mouth advertising that helps make a book a best seller. What is Generations about?
Sharon: It is a true story of redemption, my grandparents’ story. Generations chronicles my grandfather’s life of addiction and horrific abuse. It shows the miraculous changes that take place through his life-changing experience that brings about far-reaching results in the lives of thousands. It’s about Divine Intervention in the life of a reprobate.
Debra: What was your initial reaction when you heard from CrossRiver?
Sharon: I was humbled when contacted by CrossRiver. After thinking about it, I felt it was an answer to a psalm I had prayed: Psalm 71:18. “Even when I am old and gray , forsake me not, O God, until I have shown your strength and power to this generation.”
Debra: You said thousands have been impacted by the redemption of your grandfather. How so?
Sharon: My grandparents had 12 children and 27 grandchildren. Seven of their children attended Bible College, becoming missionaries, evangelists, pastors, and active in children’s ministry. Likewise a large percentage of their grandchildren entered full-time ministry. Today over 100 of their progeny are in full time ministry. I’m amazed how one life can have such a far-reaching effect.
Debra: How do you feel the book will show God’s power?
Sharon: When my grandfather was delivered from his hellish existence he was dying. His liver was destroyed, his kidneys were failing, he had to take strychnine to keep his heart beating. He was suffering from spinal meningitis resulting from an attack by two men that crushed his skull. Because of that he was taking morphine. The doctor told him he’d be dead in less than a year. When God delivered him, saved him, and healed him in one fell swoop, the result was a faith in which my grandfather believed God for anything. The miracles that followed border on the unbelievable but are documented and undeniable. I want this generation to be aware of the power of our God.
Debra: What was the hardest thing about writing this book?
Sharon: Recording the tortuous abuse suffered by my grandfather’s family because of his alcoholism and fierce temper. Keeping true to the facts was important, and I was fortunate to have eye-witness accounts from those who observed and suffered at his hand.
I wasn’t able to glean a lot of the horror from my grandparents even though they lived in our home when I was a teenager. My grandmother never spoke of those days, nor did my grandfather. He had laid it all at the foot of the cross. I hated dredging up his past sins, but felt it necessary to show the power of the cross.
Debra: Now that Generations is done, do you have other projects you’re working on?
Sharon: I have three books in the works. One is another biography showing the power of God. I’m also working to put together a book I’ve called “The Right of Redemption.” It’s a walk through the Bible, pulling out those Scriptures that deal with promises regarding our family. I hope to finish it soon. I also began a mystery novel a few years ago. I’ve re-written it a couple of times and want to re-do it again.
Debra: Anything you would like to add?
Sharon: My grandfather gave his own testimony that he lived for “self, flesh, and the devil” for 44 years. Then God in His great mercy gave him another 44 years to serve Him and preach the Gospel. I just found papers the other day with an account of his last days on earth. At age 88 he told my father “God may raise me up to live awhile longer.” Then he quoted the exact Scripture I have clung to, Psalm 71:18, “And even when I am old and greyheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I have shown your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come.” God’s timing is always right. He’s honoring his Word in this generation and I’m believing, with all glory going to Christ, that Generations will show His power to this generation and to those who are even yet to come.
Debra: Thank you again for joining us today, Sharon. I have no doubt God will reach many thousands through Generations. It is the most powerful story of redemption I’ve ever read.
Readers, you can find Generations at www.crossrivermedia.com. The book releases October 19. For those in the St. Joseph, MO area, Sharon is having a launch event at the East Hills Public Library this Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1-5. Come join her.
ABOUT SHARON: Born in East Providence, Rhode Island, Sharon grew up on the East Coast. The daughter of a pastor, the family moved several times. Her formative years were spent in New York and New Jersey. Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling. She and her husband, Roger, now married 46 years, have three children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She is an Assemblies of God pastor and school administrator of South Park Christian Academy in St. Joseph, Mo.
She marks the path of her life, with its twists and turns by the prayers and guidance of her godly parents and grandparents, with an emphasis on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
You can find Sharon at these locations: Sharonoragarlockspiegel.com; Facebook Sharon Ora Garlock Spiegel. You can email her at revsos@stjoelive.com
Platform, audience, tribe, fans, followers. Call it what you will, today’s writers must market themselves much more than in years past. In fact, there are many aspects of the writing world we must learn—unless you have a budget that allows you to hire someone to handle it.
In no special order, here are 11 blogs I follow that offer a tremendous amount of valuable free advice. (Like all businesses, several of these sites also offer their products for sale.)
Do you have blogs you follow that have been particularly helpful? Tell us about them in the comments.