How many of you have experienced joy and pride when holding your newly published book in your hands for the first time? If you write articles for magazines, you know the excitement of seeing your byline published with your article. It’s almost like giving birth and then watching your “baby†grow and develop. It never occurred to me before, but maybe this thrill is one of the motivating factors that keeps me submitting my work for publication. I always thought I wrote because I can’t not write and because I need to earn a living. Now I think it is also for the thrill-factor.
And now I’m experiencing a new thrill—a new sense of pride—not in myself, but in my clients. When a book proposal client emailed me with the news that a major publisher had issued her a contract based on her excellent book proposal, I was really excited for her. I also took bragging rights for myself and began telling colleagues about the achievements of MY client.
Later, a client for whom I had done some editing, landed the publisher I suggested. He was overjoyed and so was I. This was another pride-filled moment.
Another client managed to attract an agent’s attention with her great, well-focused manuscript. We both celebrated her success.
This week, a client who has turned into a good friend, announced that she has received her second (or third) publishing contract for one of her articles and she has another magazine editor interested in two more pieces. This is a woman who was hesitant to call herself a writer when I met her two years ago. Of course, no one can accomplish anything without putting in the effort, but I like to think that my nagging, encouragement and guidance had some influence on her success. Now she does consider herself a writer.
When I met her, this woman wanted to write, but wasn’t sure what to write about. Now she is brimming over with ideas for articles and is accomplished at searching out appropriate publications for her articles.
Occasionally hopeful authors will come to me asking for help in managing the publishing maze. When they happily become published authors and I’m among the first to be presented a copy of their book, it’s burst your buttons time for me. I love being a part of my clients’, friends’ and colleague’s achievements. I enjoy standing by in support mode as they experience success.
For some clients, success means simply understanding the publishing process and how their project fits into it. It might mean learning what their options are and making the right choices. It could mean getting validation for their book proposal. Or it could mean learning that they’re on the wrong track with their project and that, in order to achieve the success they desire, they really must change the focus or scope of their book.
Yesterday, I met with two 11-year-olds. One is a writer and the other an illustrator for a book they’re working on targeting middle school kids who need a little help in the friendship department. They wanted to know what steps to take in locating a publisher for their project. What a thrill it will be to help these talented students achieve success.
I once balked at the idea of working with other writers and authors. I had so many of my own ideas and writing projects that I had little left to offer others. And then I agreed to work with an author. It went so well and the author was so pleased and I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to add “Editorial and Publishing Consultant†to my list of titles.
During the last seven years, I’ve worked with dozens of hopeful authors and freelance writers and this is now some of the most satisfying work I do. In fact, my clients were a key motivator in my writing The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I wrote this book for them as well as for the many SPAWN members, visitors to the SPAWN Web site and hopeful and struggling authors I meet at the workshops, book festivals and seminars I attend. It is their questions, their concerns and, unfortunately, their mistakes that prompted the writing of this comprehensive book. And I know I am on target with this book because the feedback is extremely favorable.
Not only do customers rave about the value of this book, but we just received our tenth 5-star review for The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Read excerpts from some of the reviews at http://www.matilijapress.com
Purchase the book at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html Or order it through Barnes and Noble Bookstores. It shouldn’t take too long to get it as the book is in their warehouse system.
If you want to write a book or you have written a book and you don’t know what to do next, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Then contact me with your specific questions.