Writing and Publishing News

What do you do with your spent blog posts? After you post them, do you forget about them or do you recycle them?

Often, I will expand a good blog entry into an article and submit it to an appropriate magazine or ezine. Sometimes I will locate an article I wrote months or even years ago, revamp and update it and post it at my blogsite.

If you decide to do this, remember that blog posts are not always articles and articles are not always appropriate as blog posts. Most can be groomed, altered, adapted or transformed to fit the secondary purpose, however. How?

To create an article from a blog post:
• Choose a blog post that has a useful subject and/or unique flavor and that is conducive to expansion and readability.

• Remove any blatant self-promotion. You’ll notice that I often encourage you to purchase my book or sign up for one of my courses in my blog posts. This is not appropriate for an article. Of course, you can add your 2 or 3-line bio at the end of the article for promotional purposes.

• Add to your blog post in order to meet the word-count requirements for the publication. Avoid simply padding the post for the sake of expanding it. Take each point, category or bullet and develop it appropriately.

• Enhance your original blog post through additional research. Add new resources, for example, expert quotes or important facts.

• Edit carefully to make sure you’ve maintained a good flow for your piece.

To create a blog post from an article:
• Choose articles that relate to your specific blog audience.

• Shear away any excess material—tighten and condense.

• Rewrite so that your article still makes sense. It might include more bullets and headings, but it should still flow nicely.

• Insert some personal comments, if you wish, and go ahead and promote yourself or your work. The blog is your perpetual, revolving business card. You can present yourself and your products or services any way that you want. No one is going to reject your blog entry. You are the editor in charge. You decide what to post.

Now that you’ve walked through the article-to-blog and blog-to-article experience, consider recycling some of your topics. This is easy and fun for some freelance writers and authors and painfully difficult for others.

Stay tuned to this weekend’s blog post. I’ll give my tips for recycling some of your best topics and ideas.

Here’s the Commercial
In the meantime, if you like what I continually offer for FREE through this blog, the hundreds (maybe thousands) of articles posted all over the web and beyond, the FREE articles and tons of resources available at my website, you’ll love the value that I offer for sale. I have books—several on writing/publishing-related topics. I provide editing/consulting services for authors as well as freelance writers. I teach on-demand, online courses for authors and freelance writers. And I’m available to speak at your club or conference.

Spend some time at my website:
http://www.matilijapress.com

I guess I’ve lived long enough to learn a few lessons. One of them has come to light this week—that when one thing changes many things change.

As you know, we are in the midst of a big transition here at SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). We are getting a new website and new officers all at the same time. And you might be surprised at the things that are changing as a result. Nothing seems to fit where it was before. Practically every detail of policy and process is changing before our eyes.

If you’ve recently started pursuing a writing career or you have decided to write a book, you are probably experiencing something quite similar. You’re making lifestyle changes. You may be hanging out with different people (your former friends don’t understand a writer’s passion and challenges). Your paycheck may have diminished—hopefully temporarily.

You’re on a different plane. You find yourself living inside your characters part of the time or you see the whole world through a researcher’s eyes. Some might consider you to be obsessed with the subject or time-period of your book, or simply the process of writing.

Your schedule has changed, your thought processes have changed and so have your sleeping and eating habits. You’re losing your tan and developing repetitive stress syndrome. You’re discovering that writing can be all encompassing. And, if you’re like most writers, you are loving it!

I’m off to conduct a workshop on publishing today. So that’s where my head is. I’ll report my experience in tomorrow’s blog post.

I just sent the first lecture and assignment for my Article-Writing Course to the students who have signed up for this session. It’s not too late for you. There’s still time to join in. Sign up at http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Make the $125 investment in your career and this time next year you could be writing for a variety of magazines and earning in the thousands of dollars. Of course, it won’t happen if you don’t put in the time and effort. Success as a freelance article writer won’t come to you just because you sign up and read the lectures. As with anything that’s important, you must show up and participate.

Have you ever won or succeeded without trying? I don’t think so. Those of you who are enjoying any measure of success with your freelance writing or your book sales, have paid your dues. And you continue to pay for as long as you want to sell articles or books. Anyone who is no longer experiencing a measure of success is not making sacrifices, is not participating and has stopped showing up. Am I right about your situation?

If you’ve been slacking, maybe this is a good time to jumpstart your career by making a new commitment to it. If you want to start earning money through article-writing:

• Sign up for my article-writing course.
• Join SPAWN and read the SPAWN Market Update faithfully each month.
• Purchase the 2010 edition of the Writer’s Market (available now).
• Schedule time every day to study the markets and send queries.

If you want to sell more books:
• Set up a few speaking engagements to promote your book.
• Get some book reviews in appropriate publications.
• Reserve a booth at a few book fairs.
• Take my Book Promotion Workshop
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm

I’d like to hear about the steps you decided to take on behalf of your writing project or career.
PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Me? I just this minute ordered the 2010 Writer’s Market. I’ll be selling books and speaking tomorrow (Saturday, July 25, 2009) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura, CA. I agreed to speak at a meeting of the California Writers Club in Canoga Park August 15. I have had several articles accepted by writing/publishing-related magazines this month. And I am writing a new book for authors. (More about that later.)

Most of us set limits for ourselves related to the things we will and won’t do. You may want to make some money writing and selling articles to magazines, but you can’t imagine setting yourself up for all of that rejection. You might want to have your book published, but you can’t stand the idea of pitching it over and over again to publishers. You may dream of earning a living through your writing, but you don’t have the discipline and you don’t want to change.

Anyone I’ve ever met who didn’t achieve his or her writing dream, failed because of one thing: they refused to step outside their comfort zone.

I’ve certainly had my share of losses and disappointments in life for the same reason. There are things that I HATE to do. And here’s a peek into my warped belief system. “The older I get, the more entitled I am to avoid doing the things I dislike.” And I proudly adhere to this self-proclaimed (self-defeating) policy at times. But this week, I was forced out of my comfy, safe box and I aptly handled something I would typically avoid, if I could.

One of the things I HATE to do is make phone calls—I love email! AND I dislike having to discuss business issues that I don’t really understand well—like insurance, investments and so forth. As the new Executive Director of SPAWN, I’ve been attempting to arrange for a credit card for the organization to use for web hosting fees and other online expenses. I believe it is time that we keep the organization business separate from our personal business in all manner. And what better time to make those arrangements than during our transition and before the new website is ready to go up.

As it turns out—long story short—I was required to track down some information and, in order to do so, I needed to talk to someone at the IRS and at the Secretary of State’s office. I really didn’t want to do it. I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t understand their responses to my questions—I wasn’t even sure what questions to ask. But guess what? I spoke with some very helpful people on the phone and they made the instructions quite clear. It wasn’t a scary experience at all. It turned out to be easy and successful. Yay!!!

I feel good to have hopped a hurdle. I find myself more comfortable a step or two outside of my original comfort zone. Now that I’ve broken the ice, I think I can even talk to the bankers with more confidence.

What have you been yearning for, but you’ve lacked the courage to go for it? Are you afraid to send a query letter to Entrepreneur Magazine or Cat Fancy? Are you intimidated even by the task of writing the query letter? Maybe you haven’t been working on your book because you suddenly feel it’s not good enough. Or you have no confidence when it comes to approaching publishers with your manuscript. Why don’t you follow my lead and do a little stretching this week.

If you need help, consider signing up for one of my on-demand, online courses where you will receive one-on-one attention for 6 or 8 weeks and ultimately learn how to establish a career as a freelance article writer, how to write a successful book proposal, how to promote your book or how to establish your own publishing company.
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

Yes, I know that the economy is poor. But there is quite a bit of value in my online courses that could compute into one or all of the following:

• Greater earnings for you.
• A better chance at finding a good publisher.
• More book sales.
• A lucrative business experience.

What I’m offering through my online courses amounts to anywhere from a $500 to $1,200 value when you consider the time and expertise you’ll receive during the 6 or 8 week course of your choice. This concept makes the $125 (for the article-writing course) and $200 (for the book promotion and book proposal workshops) seem like a real bargain. And it is—I did some research this morning and found similar courses for $395 and up.

I still have a few spaces left in the article-writing course that’s starting tomorrow.
Questions? PLFry620@yahoo.com

You may have discovered that a book idea and a book are two different things. In fact, for many people there is a huge gap between the two. Some hopeful authors never expand their ideas into actual books. They just can’t figure out how to develop the idea and put it on paper.

The thing is, an idea doesn’t become a book until the research is done and the writing is completed and contains all of the elements of a viable book. What are some of these elements? For a nonfiction how-to or informative/educational book it is:

• A purpose—what is the book’s primary purpose?
• Substance—significant and generous measures of pertinent information, tips, instructions, resources and so forth.
• Credibility—material and results based on careful and thorough research.
• Usefulness—the material is presented in an easy-to-follow style.
• Entertainment value—the book is attractive and enjoyable to read.

How to tell when you don’t have a book:

• You lack clarity about your audience and your purpose.
• Your table of contents has fewer than 8 items or chapters.
• You hate doing research and want to use just one or two sources in writing your book.
• You can’t figure out how to put your material together.
• Your editor quits.

You may have tons of knowhow and experience on a certain subject or in a specific profession, but this doesn’t mean that you have a book inside. In order to create a book from your knowledge bank, you must be able to bring that information out, conduct adequate research, appropriately organize the material and present it with clarity.

Several people this month have taken my advice and ordered my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, in order to read more extensive information on the subjects posted here at my blog. You might consider following suit. If you are a hopeful or struggling author who is serious about becoming a successful author, you won’t be disappointed in this book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

My next article-writing course starts this FRIDAY! Sign up today and learn how to establish a career as a freelance article writer or discover techniques for promoting your book through magazine articles. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

I was working on my book number 30 when I was interrupted by a client.

Actually, I am thrilled to have a paying client. I thrive on helping those who have a publishing dream. So book number 30 will go on hold—until I have another smidgeon of time between clients.

The new book will be a compilation of my more recent articles on writing, editing, publishing and promoting a book. Some of you may be familiar with my 2003 book, “The Successful Writer’s Handbook.” This features a collection of my articles written throughout the 90s and early 00s. It has been a popular book with SPAWN members, who request it as their free book from SPAWN when they join or renew. It is of interest to visitors to my booths at book fairs. And folks order it through my website and Amazon.com fairly frequently. I think that those same people as well as others will benefit from the new book with fresh articles on new concepts and perspectives related to writing and publishing.

What is my target publishing date for the new 100-page (or so) ebook? Hmm, that depends on my client activity. But I’d say that I will probably have it available by January 1, 2010.

Do you get kind of bored and down when you are not working on something? And does your demeanor change abruptly when you begin a promising writing project? Don’t you love having a writing or publishing goal? Are you kind of addicted to the process of writing and publishing? Do you find comfort in your current writing work?

Sometimes this sense of comfort can delay completion of a writing project. Those of you who have had trouble finishing an article, story or book know exactly what I mean. You get addicted to the process of writing and you can’t seem to give it up, despite the fact that there is a deadline looming or a publisher waiting to look at your manuscript.

How does one overcome this tendency to hold on? I have a couple of remedies.

1. I focus on the end result—seeing my article of book published for all of the world to enjoy.
2. I make sure that I have another project waiting for my attention—something I am eager to start.

Now back to my client work. The quicker I finish this job, the sooner I can get back to my new book.

When is the last time you visited my website? Have you seen all of the new, updated resources I provide free to visitors? Have you checked out my array of articles? And don’t forget to look at the books I offer on a variety of topics. http://www.matilijapress.com

My next online Article-Writing Course starts this Friday, July 24, 2009. Read the course description and sign up here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

It takes an incredibly astute writer to maintain the credibility of characters and plots throughout a fiction story. I mean, you’ve probably read stories that suddenly stopped making sense or in which a character has fallen out of character. And what did that do for you? It’s a disappointment, isn’t it? As far as you are concerned, it spoils the integrity of the story. And you may even stop reading and decide not to recommend the book to friends. Yes, folks, lack of attention to the details that hold your story together can be the death of your book.

Even a nonfiction writer must stay true to his book or article theme—preserve a continuity and consistency throughout—in order for it to be effective. If you say in one chapter of your book that it is okay to feed cats table food and in another that it can kill them, what reader is going to take you seriously?

When I am editing a book, I am constantly on the lookout for inconsistencies. Here are some of the blatant contradictions I find in fiction manuscripts:

• The author decides mid-story to change a character’s name from Maggie to Ruth, but I still find instances of Maggie buried in the manuscript. (Use the search and find to make sure that you have made all changes.)

• The author can’t decide which spelling of an uncommon word, term or name to use, so he is constantly changing the way it is spelled. (Decide and be consistent.)

• The author beds the characters down in the wilderness in the dark of night and then he has them awakened a few hours later and they seem to be able to see clearly—in the dark? (If you need them to see the bear approaching, for example, keep the campfire glowing or have the moon shining brightly.)

• A rider might be walking his horse when he approaches something in the trail and then he is suddenly on his horse. (Follow your own story with a meticulous eye. Visualize the scene as if you are seeing it for the first time and make certain that you do not leave the reader stranded or with questions. If the man needs to be on the horse for this scene, make sure that you show him climbing back into the saddle before the encounter.)

I think that inconsistencies in fiction manuscripts show up generally when the author changes something in the story. If you have made a change or are contemplating one, spend tons of time making sure that you have caught each and every single dependent detail.

It does no good to expertly craft a scene, when you don’t stay true to it. When you deviate—when you attempt to force an action or offhandedly insert a point of view that doesn’t fit—your reader loses respect for your story.

Some professionals recommend that you do not have friends read your manuscript. But here is one reason why it is a good idea. Your friends may not be editors. But they have a set of fresh eyes and they may spot areas of inconsistencies. You definitely want these corrected before self-publishing your book, before approaching agents or publishers and definitely before your book reaches your reading public.

Here’s your assignment: Carefully go through your manuscript and see if you notice any inconsistencies. I’d love to receive a report. Leave a comment here or contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com

My article-writing course starts Friday July 24, 2009. Sign up today at http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

To refresh your memory, I started my writing career by writing articles for magazines. My articles have appeared in hundreds of magazines such as Entrepreneur, Your Health, Writer’s Digest, Cat Fancy, Quarter Horse Journal, Los Angeles Times, Catholic Digest, The Artist’s Magazine, Woman’s World, Country Woman and many, many others. I supported myself by writing magazine articles for about 20 years. Read more about me and my work at http://www.matilijapress.com (About us–consulting)