Writing and Publishing News

I drove for an hour to attend a networking meeting of women artists and writers yesterday as a spur of the moment decision. A former client was going to be talking about her book and I wanted to support her. She was thrilled to have her editor and publishing consultant (me), photographer/illustrator and beau there on her behalf. Sondra Briggs has produced a lovely little book of awarenesses and meditations resulting from her beach walks. It’s poetic, insightful and lovely. It’s called, “Port Hueneme Beach Walks, My Pathway to Peace.” http://www.neshamapress.com

Port Hueneme is the small town in California that witnessed the deadly airline crash. Flight 261 went down off the coast of this community. Sondra reflects on this disaster in her book, as well.

Sondra publicly thanked me and her photographer and we were both asked to speak about Sondra’s book and about our professions. What a great opportunity! There were women there who are on the brink of publishing and who were hungry for information. So I was able to respond to their questions. Some even bought copies of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Of course, I handed out promotional brochures and business cards. It’s a good idea to be prepared with such things any and every time you leave your house.

One thing I do when I’m out and about is to listen. I listen for ideas that I can use in my work. It may be an off-handed remark offering a smidgeon of truth that would help fellow authors. It might be an attitude that gives me perspective for an article I’m writing. It could be a fact, a movie title, an anecdote or a personal story that provides me with impetus for a book or a theme for a workshop, for example.

The moderator for the meeting yesterday, Rose Anne D. Savo (facilitator for several groups focusing on Exchanging Thoughts), gave me an idea for this blog. She took something that I said about how important it is that, if you want to enter into the world of publishing, you are informed and you are committed and she expanded upon it. In her wisdom, Rose Anne said, “You’ve all had successes in your lives. You know what it takes to succeed at something. If you want to succeed as a published author, just use the same strategy.” Contact Rose Anne through her website at: http://www.exchangingthoughts.org.

Rose Anne’s comment is good, isn’t it? Think about it: success is success. The steps to success are universal. What does it take?

First, you must know what you want.

Then you need to understand what it takes to achieve your goal. How do you gain that understanding? By educating yourself—through knowledge. You must know something about the field you are entering.

Once educated, you need to devise a plan that will lead to the success you desire. What steps are necessary?

The next step is based on your level of commitment to your goal and your ability and willingness to take the appropriate steps.

Tomorrow, I will offer two author stories to illustrate this point. You will recognize yourself in one of these scenarios—which one will it be?

In the meantime, if you hope to succeed and you need more information, resources and guidance, please order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Truth is trust in friends who are always there for you and friends who always tell the truth and with a good heart. And friends who always try to do the right things and friends who trust you.

The greatest friends in the world are friends who always tell the truth and with whom you can say anything you want.

This was published in our fairly prestigious county newspaper, The Ventura County Star this morning along with a picture of the author, a good friend of mine, Sasha Peet, playing the piano. Sasha is 20 years old and she has Downs syndrome. Her dream is to be published, “like Patty.” (That’s my non-professional name.) Today, Sasha lives her dream.

Sasha is not just a once-in-a-while writer. She’s serious about her craft. She spends more time writing than doing practically anything else. It takes reams and reams of paper to support her writing passion. And most of what she writes is uplifting. As much as she enjoys the writing process, she, like many writers has wanted to expand her horizons. She wants to share her messages of love, beauty and friendship. And today, she got that chance.

Okay, so what’s your excuse for not being published? Can’t think of one this morning, huh?

I have another mentally handicapped friend who is in her 50s. She just gets by on disability. She writes poetry—even teaches poetry in the mental health division in her community. And she has been publishing her poetry for years. She was a SPAWN member. (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network.) And she participated with SPAWN at book festivals selling 5 poems packaged in manila envelopes for a few bucks per grouping.

Linda asked me to meet with her a couple of times to discuss how to get a real book published. I attempted to give her the steps, but it just became too complicated for her to comprehend. Then I got an idea. Dennis and I had purchased a comb-binding machine. I asked Linda for 20 or 30 of her best poems along with any artwork she had. I typed up the poems. Dennis designed a cover using Linda’s art and we produced 30 books of her poetry for her to give away and/or sell as she wished. She is one who likes to pay her way, so I accepted a token amount from her and delivered her published books.

Linda was thrilled. Like I said, she is one who likes to pay her way and months later, after she had sold all copies of her poetry books, she invited Dennis and me along with a few other people who had supported her writing to lunch at her favorite restaurant.

Are you still dreaming about becoming a published author? Do you want the satisfaction of sharing your writing? Are you eager for the thrill of praise for your work? Thousands of people are published in book form, in print periodicals and on the Internet every year. Why not you?
But you’re going to have to take the necessary steps.

Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book or, if it’s more appropriate, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles. You may even want to take one of my online courses to help you meet your writing/publishing goals. Explore the offerings for authors and writers at:
http://www.matilijapress.com

Now, what’s your excuse for not being published?

Happy New Year! Are you ready to start the first day of the rest of your life? And what dreams will you live beginning this month? Let’s forget about those resolutions that you half-heartedly list each year. When you think about your future, what do you see? A happy, satisfied, contented you? Or the you who is still struggling, still yearning?

Have you been putting off your dream to be healthier or more sociable, to give more back, to learn a new skill, to enter a new trade, to be more involved or to simply gain a deeper understanding of a topic or the world around you? Of course, you can start at anytime, but what time is more perfect for new beginnings, attitude, perspective or action than the first day, week or month of a new year?

Many of you reading this blog want to start or maybe complete a writing project. I’d love to have a show of hands—leave a comment and let us know who is ready to start a writing project or career. How many of you have been trying to finish a book for a few or several years? Is this the year that you will succeed? Will your actions and choices in 2009 lead to your particular dream?
Why? Why not?

The holiday season is typically my slowest of the year. I don’t hear from many potential clients, SPAWN members or customers. This season, however, I’ve already heard from 6 individuals who are either completing books, want to start one or who hope to launch a career as a freelance writer. These 6 seem determined and motivated. Two took my article-writing course and have had articles accepted already. One has shifted into high gear with his novel with his sights set on a 2009 publication and distribution. One has a nonfiction book almost finished and the others are just starting to feel their way through the process of producing a book. Hopefully, they are following my advice to read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, in order to educate themselves about the industry before getting involved.

I’ve sold more copies of this book throughout December that usual. I believe this is due to my articles appearing in The Toastmaster Magazine and others recently. I mention this as another reminder to you that if you are promoting a book, articles in appropriate (related) magazines and ezines and websites are good tools for reaching and attracting your audience. If you aren’t sure how to prepare an article and how to proceed in the article-writing field, consider signing up for my online article-writing course. You can take it when you want to take it, as long as you will accept lectures and assignments during consecutive weeks.
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

In fact, at my website, you will find the tools you need no matter where you are in the publishing, freelance writing or book promotion process. If your book sales are down, order my ebook, The Author’s Toolkit. This book is designed to help you heal a failing or struggling book. If you want a sense of the whole writing scene—a bit of a smorgasbord, if you will, for the dabbling writer, read my book, The Successful Writer’s Handbook. (Or receive this book FREE when you join SPAWN, Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network.) http://www.spawn.org

If you need help promoting your book, read the last portion of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and/or sign up for my newest online course, Book Promotion Workshop. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

If your book sales are lagging; if you aren’t writing as often as you would like; if your book project is stalled and has been for months; if you are not earning the amount of money you would like to be earning through writing/publishing by now, don’t continue doing what you’re doing. If you’re not satisfied with the results, change your approach.