I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon among hopeful authors—maybe this describes you. He (or she) writes a book or is, perhaps, thinking about writing a book—desperately wants to. Occasionally, he attends a program where he hears authors speak and he picks up information about publishing. He buys books and joins groups and organizations related to writing and publishing. He contacts authors for consultations, attends writing classes at the local college and subscribes to newsletters for authors.
But years later, he is still unpublished. He hasn’t even written (or finished) his book.
I’ve met some of these authors. I have editing clients with wonderful stories that, after two, three—even ten years, have yet to see the light of day or be enjoyed by any readers except myself—the editor. I know potential authors who go through decades only talking about their desire to write or complete a book and publish it.
Sure, life sometimes gets in the way of our dreams. Our perceived passion must, on occasion, go on the backburner while we concentrate on survival. Some people purposely hold off pursuing publishing until their children are raised, they retire, etc. Some of them actually follow-through. But many others just continue dreaming.
They read publishing newsletters and maybe even review some of the relevant books they’ve purchased over the years. They show up at free author events. They attend book festivals and draw several published authors into long conversations about publishing. They read a lot of books like the one they want to produce. They visit authors’ blogs. They do all of the right things, but still aren’t motivated to jump in and participate.
To those of you who are experiencing what I call the hopeful author syndrome for more than a matter of months, consider taking an online course. Why? By participating in a book proposal course, where you are required to go through the motions of writing a book proposal for your dream book, you are apt to get off dead center and actually move forward with your project. By working on your author’s platform or working through the process of self-editing your manuscript, walking through the steps of writing your memoir, you are actually advancing toward your goal. Maybe you would like to self-publish your book, but don’t know how to proceed. A course on self-publishing could be the key to help you become published.
With this in mind, I invite you to check out my array of online courses for authors at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm
Working with me through one of my courses is like having a personal consultant at your side. Only it’s less expensive because you aren’t paying by the hour.
Let me know if you have questions: PLFry620@yahoo.com
In the meantime, I have two brand new courses. I would like to offer one of them for a select group for free. If you were to choose one of my free courses, would it be my Memoir-Writing Course or my Establish Your Author’s Platform Course. View these two course descriptions here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_platform.htm>
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_memoirwriting.htm
Either leave your choice here as a comment or email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.
I see myself in that line about concentrating on survival.