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What Does it Mean to be a 21st Century Author?

May 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Elizabeth Marshall, Host and Founder of Author Teleseminars and Co-Author of The Contrarian Effect along with her colleague Janet, held a teleseminar/webinar on “What does it meant to be an author today?” It seems that many authors get stuck around their book. They have a great idea or concept but can’t seem to move forward or strangle their idea to death because of the tight grip they have on it. It’s time to ‘wake up’ and become a 21st century author who knows and understands that writing is a business.

The teleseminar/webinar included the following people

1. Jenny Blake. She’s a leader and coach at Google and author of Life After College. Jenny said, “It’s a business, and takes more than a love for writing. Authors need to build relationships with people. You need to edit and market your work.”

2. Scott Ford. Is a leading financial advisor and author of Financial Jiu-Jitsu. During his first radio interview in November 2010, he was asked, “How leverage tied into finances and Jiu-Jitsu?” He had to give 200 pages of his book in 5 minutes. It was clear that his message wasn’t clear. He had to finalize his message and make it clear and concise. Scott said, “Sometimes things fall into place. My idea came to me while working at a wealth management firm. I was passionate about Jiu-Jitsu and realized that the correlation between MMA and finances. The challenge was the messaging of it.”

3. Cheryl Dolan. An executive coach and innovative public speaking expert with an exciting book in the works! She had an “Aha” moment around how to start a book. She had to figure how to make an interactive lab into a book. Second, she found herself doing all the work such as writing her book, creating website, writing the copy, etc. Cheryl felt like air was being sucked out of her. She had to shift her environment and had to get out of the house. Cheryl got a team in place and started beta testing (she speaks about this in her book). She realized she couldn’t do it alone. Isolation wasn’t working for her.

Authors must nourish their ideas instead of choking them to death. Understand that writing is a business. You’ll need to develop relationships with people in order to grow your platform. You need to be comfortable with asking for help. Being isolated doesn’t work as many authors have discovered. It’s important to find the right path for you that will lead you to your audience, speaking engagements, and overall success.

Rebecca

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Get Unstuck and Transform Your Book into a Reality Part II

May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Bookstore at TED 2007.

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This is Part II of the information discussed in the webinar from Elizabeth Marshall, Host and Founder of AuthorTeleseminars and co-Author of The Contrarian Effect and Janet Goldstein about “uncovering the tipping points that will transform your message (and book) into a movement.” This webinar was one of the best I’ve listened to. Elizabeth and Janet provided listeners with useful information about “getting unstuck and transforming a book into a reality.” I hope this information helps you turn your book into a reality!

Tipping and strategy points for authors

1. Worshiping the “False book God”. You believe that having a book is a magic thing. You believe it gives you some kind of cache. You think having a book is the “be all, end all.” You assume your book will launch your speaking or writing career and get you where you want to be. You don’t figure out or think about the right book for you. Your concept or idea becomes your Golden Ticket! You can’t see past your concept or idea. You’re highly emotionally attached to your book. You can’t recognize opportunities in front of your face because you’re too rigid. Your form (eBook, etc.) may not be the best form. You can’t see the forest through the trees.

Strategy: Stop being rigid and loosen your grip on your concept, idea, or message! Don’t forget why you started your book in the first place. Remember why you wanted to write your book. The book is a metaphor.

2. Not owning your role as CEO of your book. Whether you like it or not, being an author is a business. Authors are entrepreneurial. You don’t keep up with opportunities or strategies. You don’t know how to prioritize. You focus on hiring people like an editor, copywriter, web designer, marketing or PR firm, etc. You outsource without understanding the bigger picture. You’re the CEO and it’s your job to own that role; otherwise your book may not become a reality.

Strategy: It will behoove you to understand what you’re getting into. Educate yourself how all the elements fit strategically. Educate yourself about business, marketing and PR, social media, publishing, etc. Learn what a CEO does; interview CEOs if you have to. You’re still the spokesperson for your book. It’s imperative to know the “ins and outs” of being an author. You can’t do this alone. Get support and surround yourself with the right community. Visit Book Breakthrough and find out how they can support you today.

Comments and questions

I was lucky enough to have my question answered by Elizabeth and Janet. My question was, “If you don’t find a literary agent within a year, should you self-publish your book?”

If you do this and haven’t changed what you did, look at the “tipping points” to see where you could be stuck. Is your idea drawing people to you? Can you publish something smaller first such as chapter or booklet? Fill in the gaps before you give up looking for a literary agent. The book isn’t the Holy Grail. Try to think it through. What have you that you need to change? Remember, literary agents and publishers want to make money. They want to launch careers. Your book won’t be the “be all, end all.” You need many ideas once your first book is published.

Homework

If you’re stuck, the following homework will help you to get unstuck. Think about the “tipping points” and find the ones that are holding you back. Find one to two gap areas or an intuitive clue that says “Hmmm, there’s something here.” Which ones are most relevant for you? Choose one action to seize momentum.

1. Isolation or You dependent idea. Write an article or blog post and share with a community, friends, or family. Ask for constructive feedback. And make corrections where necessary.

2. Need based connecting/networking or Relationship. Pick one community and join the conversation. Join a forum, group, etc. Merge your idea with larger tribe.

3. Book God or Not truly owning CEO of your book. Follow a publishing blog such as Writer’s Digest, Nathan Bransford, etc. This way, you’ll know what’s going on within the publishing industry.

Rebecca

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Get Unstuck and Transform Your Book into a Reality Part I

May 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
Bookstore at TED 2007.

Image via Wikipedia

Last week, I listened to a webinar from Elizabeth Marshall, Host and Founder of AuthorTeleseminars and co-Author of The Contrarian Effect and Janet Goldstein about “uncovering the tipping points that will transform your message (and book) into a movement.” This webinar was worth tuning into. They provided listeners with useful information that can help turn your book into a reality. This is Part I of finding out how to “get unstuck and transform your book into a reality.” Part II will be posted next week.

Tipping and strategy points for authors

1. Isolation factor. You begin with the concept, big idea, or theme for your book but it may not be clear. Your book becomes brittle because you’re holding on tightly to your idea and target audience. You suffocate your idea or message without realizing it. When you work in isolation, you become rigid as does your book. It won’t be current. You won’t have a platform or audience. Before you know it, fear consumes you. You fear someone will steal your idea and develop your book first. You fear you’ll lose your project. You fear not knowing where you belong. Isolation becomes like a desert where you wander and wander until you drop!

Strategy: Don’t work in isolation! Open up and don’t be afraid to share your concept or message with others. Surround yourself with people you can trust; who have your best interests at heart.

2. “You dependent” idea. This means every time you consult, speak, or teach a class or workshop, you need a book or the next book. You need a book for the back of the room. You develop a strong tribe online through social media, but it’s like “talking to the choir.” Everyone laughs at your jokes because they believe they need to laugh to keep you happy; you’re the boss. Everywhere you go, everyone loves what you’re saying. However, if you’re not there, your message may not connect with the audience. There’s jargon such as “walk the talk.” You can’t enlarge your circles because you haven’t tested “the waters” and don’t know if you’re stuck. It becomes too complicated or confusing.

Strategy: Test out markets! Does your work stand by itself? You want to hear how other people talk about your work. Don’t be afraid of constructive feedback.

3. Relationships: Waiting to get picked. You need clarity around the contribution you’re meant to make. It is human desire and natural tendency to wait to get picked. This is a major stalling point for an author, even if you have a publisher or literary agent. Most people don’t think of themselves as ‘joiners.’ Some people drop out of joining for various reasons, i.e., age, tenure, etc. They don’t believe they have to join groups anymore.

Strategy: Pro actively form connections with established organizations and groups to spread your message. Contribute to the greater conversation that’s going on in the world. Find similarities with others and look for opportunities to contribute. Stop waiting for your audience to come to you. Reconnect with people; it will do you and your work good.

4. Need based connecting/networking. This is where you go from the idea of writing and finishing your book to publishing. You need or want endorsements. You want publishers to give you the “green light” for your book. You want to promote your book with strategic partners, strategic partners, bloggers, groups, associations, organizations, etc. This process has its own neediness and fears that invades your brain and takes over the real you! You need people to help and support you, but you lose the focus on the relationship. You don’t build rapport before you seek a request; you ask too early in the process before you allow the door to open.

Strategy: Focus on building relationships. Ask, “How may I help you? What can I do for you? What area do you need help in?” Align with the right groups, associations, organizations, etc. because that’s when the magic happens. People will pull you along and move you forward. Other authors, speakers, coaches, etc. want fresh voices to add to their business. You can be that fresh voice.

Stay tuned or Part II of “Get Stuck and Transform Your Book into a Reality.” Until then, have a great weekend!

Rebecca

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Freelance Writers Watch Out for Publication Predators

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
New York Times

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Recently, a photographer contacted me on behalf of a designer she worked with. This designer paid for an article to run in a lifestyle magazine I wrote for. The photographer found a comment I left on a blog post that was about the magazine not paying freelance writers. Lo and behold, they’re up to their old tricks again. The designer is having difficulty getting ‘hard copies’ of the magazine and can’t get a hold of the publisher of the magazine. Unfortunately, this is a costly lesson (I know) to learn. Freelance artists and writers, it’s imperative to check out publications before you agree to write for them. Your time and words are valuable. Don’t waste them on unsavory and unethical publications!

The good news is freelance writers can investigate a publication by visiting the websites listed below. It’s important to listen to your ‘gut instinct’ and not give into the temptation of giving people the benefit of the doubt. If you have a strong intuitive feeling that something isn’t right, listen to that inner voice because it’s will save you every time.

Freelance writers investigate publications before writing for them

1. Preditors and Editors. This is an excellent resource for writers. They provide information on publications in addition to links to other websites that shed light on whether or not a publication is ethical or legit.

2. Writers Weekly Whispers and Warnings. There are some ‘big’ named publications listed on this website. I was truly surprised by some of the listings.

3. AbsoluteWrite. A forum that provides “bewares, recommendations and background checks” about literary agents, publications, and other useful information.

4. Copyscape. Have your blog posts and articles been lifted and published on other websites? Conduct a search and find out for yourself.

5. Writer’s Net. The forum is a great place for writers to meet and share information. However, check out “Writer’s Net Home Page” for a listing of topics that could be of interest to you.

Freelance writers; please don’t accept freelance writing assignments because you want a byline in a magazine or newspaper. Make sure the publisher runs an ethical business. Remember, word-of-mouth is still the most viable means of advertising and public relations. If a publication has burned freelance writers, you better believe a writer wrote a blog post or article about it and posted on Preditors and Editors and other websites. Do you homework because it will save you heartache and time in the long run.

Rebecca

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June 2011 Writing Contests

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Writing journal

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If you have never entered a writing contest, you may want to try it. You never know who’ll read your poems, fiction, non-fiction, short stories, or screenplays. The fees are usually under $100 — some are free. Don’t let a fee of $10, $15, $25, or $50 hold you back. Think about it this way. For a nominal fee, you could win a prize of $500 or more along with a $15,000 publishing deal. You won’t know if you’ll win unless you try!

June writing contests

Tony Hillerman Mystery Novel Competition. A mystery novel contest (60,000 words) that costs you $20 for a chance to win a $10,000 Advance and Publication with St. Martin’s Press. The deadline is June 1. By the way, there’s a mystery short story contest. The deadline is August 15.

Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction. Win $2,000 for works of previously unpublished fiction up to 8,000 words. The deadline is June 11.

Deane Wagner Poetry Contest. Is an annual tradition of the St. Louis Writers Guild. The deadline is June 15. The cost is $10 for the first poem and $5 for additional poems. The is $100 or 40% of the monies received from the contest (whichever is greater).

New Millennium Writings. Is accepting submissions for their for our Thirty-second Consecutive Awards for Fiction, Poetry, and Nonfiction. The fee is $17 per submission. Winners are published in NMW and on the website.

Dream Horse Press National Poetry Chapbook Prize. You can send unsolicited manuscripts all year round; there’s a $10 reading fee. However, for $15 you enter the annual ‘National Poetry Chapbook Prize’ for a chance to win $500.00. The deadline is June 30.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. A major award ($15,000.00) for short fiction. The requirements are as follows: you must have published at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals; or published a book-length collection of fiction. The deadline is June 30.

Autumn House Press Poetry and Fiction Contests. “The winners will receive book publication, $1,000 advance against royalties, and a $1,500 travel grant to participate in the 2012 Autumn House Master Authors Series in Pittsburgh.” The fee is $25, deadline is June 30.

Red Hen Press Short Story Award. Win $1000 for your short story! The entry fee is $20 for two short stories; the deadline is June 30.

Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing. Win $1000 for your writing for children; runners up receive $100 each. Send your $20 entry fee by June 30.

Writers of the Future. This contest is out of this world! There’s no entry fee. Prizes are awarded every three months and include $1000, $750, and $500. Annual grand prize of $5000!

Good luck!

Rebecca

Bonuses!

Glimmer Train Press, Inc. — Short Story Award. The deadline  is May 31 so hurry! The fee is $15 per story. First prize is $1200, second place is $500, and third place is $300. They do not accept children’s stories.

Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. Another contest with a deadline of May 31. The entry fee of $25 could score you $1000 cash along with your collection printed by the University of Georgia Press. Not too shabby!

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