I’ve emptied my first box of Catscapades books. Don’t you love experiencing the milestones in your writing career? I’ve been enjoying them for over 35 years and I still get a thrill when a new book comes out or I find a new outlet for my books, I’m invited to do a book signing, I get a positive review and so forth. I guess the thrill never wears off.
And that’s a good thing. I remember when A.S. Barnes (a publisher with offices in New York and London) published my first book in paperback and hardcover. I was really excited to be a published author. And it took a bookstore owner to bring me back to the reality of my profession. It was during a book signing at his open-air bookstore that he asked me, “What are you going to write next?”
I was taken aback for a few minutes. I was so busy basking in the glory of my accomplishment that I forgot to look to the future. Of course, there is life after a book. And I had to admit that I had no idea what I would do for an encore. The bookseller said, “We need a good book on the local history. People ask for one all the time.”
And that set me on a five-year path toward self-publishing (establishing my own publishing company). I did the research and wrote the 300-page The Ojai Valley, An Illustrated History. And then I established Matilija Press in order to produce it. I sold that book locally, as well as to individuals and libraries throughout the world, for over twenty-five years.
Today, I have 31 published books to my credit and I’ve had many hundreds of my articles published in a variety of publications. And still, there is a thrill with each achievement, triumph and highlight along the way.
But what pleases me the most is that I please my audiences. I love it when a reader says,
“I couldn’t put your memoir, Quest for Truth, down.”
“I learned so much from The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.”
“Catscapades is absolutely charming and heartwarming.”
“I hosted a most successful luau, thanks to your book, The Mainland Luau.”
“I wish I’d read your book before I made so many publishing mistakes.”
“Thank you for writing this book.”
Do you frequently receive comments like these? Have you been successful with your book or your article submissions? If not, maybe you are not writing for your audience.
One of the main mistakes I see writers make is that they write what they want to say without regard for their audiences’ needs and desires. I advise clients and students to keep their audiences in mind every step of the way while writing their novel, memoir or nonfiction book or article.
To learn more about me, my work, my book and course offerings, visit my website. You can order books here, too:
http://www.matilijapress.com or at amazon.com.