The Writing Life: April 2026

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Sunday, April 19, 2026

Learn The Hard Way

Often on my social media feed I will see some news about an author that turned down our Morgan James Publishing contract offer. It happened again today. This author decided to go with another company that I also know very well.

When I saw this news, I “almost” picked up the phone to call the author and tell her what I know about her choice. In the early days of my writing life, I may have completed that call and likely disrupted my relationship with this author. I would have said some things about that other publishing house which I would later regret.

Because I paused before I acted, I went another route. My call wouldn’t change this author’s choice. She had signed a publishing contract and was committed to this direction. Like many of our choices, she was going to have to learn the hard way. Whether they know it or not, this particular publisher has a reputation for charging their authors for every large or small service. Some people would call these actions “nickel and dime.” These authors can spend spend a great deal of money on such services (with little return from my experience). I could not teach this author those publishing lessons. They were going to learn them the hard way.

During my last exchange with this author, I wished her well and hope we can work together in the future. Sometimes years later, these authors do return to me. Why? They return bccause they have learned the hard way.

Here’s a different situation. At a conference, I find a solid author with a growing market presence. Instead of taking the Morgan James Publishing contract offer, they sign with a literary agent and move toward the traditional route. When you make this choice, the author gives up their rights and control. Also they don’t understand agents do not sell all of their submissions. I hear their stories about the higher standards (platform and reader connections) of traditional publishers and the poor marketing efforts from these publishers. To successfully publish a book involves a lot of details which can go off the rails and produce little for the author or that publisher. The risks are there. This author will have to learn the hard way.

It is not my responsibility to fix every publishing situation. Instead I have to let this author and situation go and realize that person will have to learn it through their own hard earned experience. I’ll admit I have to hold back my opinion and let go of the book and the author. Throughout the publishing process, each of us are making dozens of critical choices. Do we self-publish? Do we find an agent and go the traditional route? Will that choice work out for our goals for the book? There are no simple answers.

Often I return to a principle that I’ve learned in my years in pubishing. I am 100% responsible for my own success and others have to take responsibility for their own success. Everyone of us has blindspots. Some people have to try the other flawed system and learn the hard way.

How can you avoid learning the hard way?

1. Understand the various options and explore each of them.

2. Use your network to ask questions and talk with various authors about their experiences.

3. Read how-to books and understand your choices.

4. Go to conferences and ask questions and listen for options and choices.

5. Build and maintain your relationships with publishing professionals.

Before you sign a publishing contract or an agency agreement, ask detailed questions, speak with their authors and ask more questions. Take a hard look, then sign and move forward with that person and company.

As I’ve mentioned in these articles, publishing is not easy and selling books and reaching readers has many different paths. New books are streaming into the marketplace every day. If you take 100% responsibility for your own success, you can find your right path and have to learn the hard way.

In the comments below, let me know how you have made good choices or learned the hard way. If I can help you not learn the hard way, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Tweetable:

Publishing is filled with good and bad choices. In this article, prolific author and editor writes about how sometimes authors have to learn the hard way. (ClickToTweet)

Create A Better Submission

Do you need a better submission? I’m teaching a free Live Webinar on Tuesday, April 21st at 6 pm Eastern. I'm an acquisitions editor at my third publisher and have reviewed thousands of submissions. Register and details at: https://bit.ly/4lIx91y

Throughout my many years in publishing, I’ve co-authored over a dozen books and reviewed thousands of submissions (no exaggeration). As a part of the process of working with these authors, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Labels: actions, authors, choices, conferences, Learn The Hard Way, literary agents, Morgan James Publishing, readers, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life

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Sunday, April 12, 2026

Two Critical Author Actions

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Every day thousands of new books pour into the market. How can you standout and sell books? Are you depending on someone else to sell your books? Maybe you have a traditional publisher or have hired a publicist or marketing person. As the author, you have the greatest passion and investment in your book. I continue to encourage you to take 100% responsibility for your own success and selling your book. If you aren’t taking consistent action, then you aren't reaching new readers and telling them about the benefits of your book. It’s why last week I recorded another podcast about publishing expectations and told listeners about 10 Publishing Myths. Follow the link to get it, read it and take action.

Today, I’m giving you the stories about two critical actions that every author needs to take to sell books: positioning and follow-up.

First, position your book for readers to know about it and easily purchase your book. Several years ago right before the pandemic, I made a large investment in 10 Publishing Myths. With eight other authors I took three days away from home to attend a book funnel book bootcamp. The hours and work at this camp were long and intense. We brainstormed about each other’s work, learned how to use new tools and launched this effort. In the years since, several of my fellow participants have removed their book funnel and given up on these tools. I have continued to promote it and use it which is one of the keys for me. If you give up and quit, the effort stops.

In addition to this website, I have continued promotion and used PodMatch to book or record over 70 podcasts. I do not have a podcast but have been guesting and promoting the podcasts of others. Before each podcast (whether it is live or recorded), I review my talking points or stories that I want to make sure I tell during these sessions. I can only control my part of the process but I can thoughtfully take that control. I purchased a website Publishing Offer.com. On this website, I forward to my book funnel site. The words are clear and easy for every listener to recall and use. People listen to podcasts when exercising or driving in their car or any number of other places away from a computer. I consider my listeners and want to make it easy for them to get to my website.

I’m telling you these specific actions so you can apply them to your own books and your readers. How you position your book and continue to promote it is an important aspect of this work.

Last Saturday, I spent three hours listening to about 15 pitches online from different writers. Over the last several years, as an acquisitions editor, I’ve participated in this conference. I have a track record of results from these pitches because Morgan James Publishing has published several books from these authors.

The leaders of this conference understand that I’m eager to get the email addresses and contact information from these various authors who pitched their books. During a five or ten minute author pitch, I did not gather or exchange any contact information with these authors. It is the second action, I want to write about in this article: followup. Without follow-up the chain of commuication is broken. Unless I communicate, they don't how how to reach me and likely will not submit their manuscript to me. This communication gap is necessary to fill or I will miss an opportunity. I emailed the leaders and requested the information (even though they told me orally that they were going to send it). When I received the information, I carefully entered their names, emails and phone numbers into my address book. Then early last week or a few days after our meeting, I sent each one an email asking for their submission. This follow-up step is critical for every author. These authors may send their submission in months or even next year. The timing is unimportant but the followup is critical.

For a moment, let’s return to book positioning. In my email signature, I include several links and the first one says:

Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 at:

http://publishingoffer.com/

One of those authors who pitched bought my book. When I mailed the printed book, I made a point to personalize the book (sign and date it on the title page) and include my business cards which have additional links and information.

I’m writing about these details because every author (including you) can take these types of actions. It involves thoughtful preparation, continued effort and action. It is through these actions you seize opportunities for your book.

One final idea for you: below this article, each week I create a ClickToTweet. I take this simple action to encourage you to easily pass this information to others. Can you please pass on this information?

What actions are you taking to reach new readers? How are you positioning your book? What followup steps are you taking to knock on doors and open opportunity? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

This prolific author and editor details two critical actions that every author can take. Read the stories here. (ClickToTweet)

For many years, I have spoken with individuals who want to publish a book. I’ve listened to their plans and found many of them have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. To sell books and succeed, these details are important. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of

bonuses.

Every author needs a better submission for editors or literary agents. I’m teaching a free Live Webinar on Tuesday, April 21st at 6 pm Eastern. Register and details at: https://bit.ly/4lIx91y

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Labels: 10 Publishing Myths, action, book funnel bootcamp, email signature, marketing, readers, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life, Two Critical Author Actions

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Sunday, April 05, 2026

Editor, Do Your Work!

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Editors have a critical responsibility in the process of producing excellent books. They are working on the foundation of the book. Every editor is charged to provide storytelling strength to the manuscript, feedback about the meaning and validation of the story and the information in the manuscript. For example, are they choosing the right words? In a novel, does the plot work? Does the author keep the reader turning the pages? Each of these questions have techniques and details the editor helps evaluate and improve the manuscript.

In addition, this editor guides the author about the realities of today's publishing marketplace. They give honest feedback about how this manuscript will fit into the bookstores. Through the years, I’ve worked with many different types of editors. Some editors are more skilled in one area of editing than another. If you are going the self-publishing or independent (hybrid) route with your book, then as the author you will get to select your editor. Even if you go the traditional route, you may hire an editor to help you shape an excellent submission.

I’m going to tell you about a recent editorial situation. I admit this article is a bit of a rant but I’m doing it because of the lessons that I can pass on to you.

As an acquisitions editor, I’m on the front lines of receiving submissions from authors and literary agents. Frequently I’m the first one to receive a submission. We make many different types of books at Morgan James Publishing. If it is a novel, I need the complete manuscript and synopsis in the submission.

This type of request is standard within the publishing community. There are basically two different types of novelists: plotters and panters. The plotters have laid out exactly where their novel is going while the pantsers don’t know their ending and write by the seat of their pants. Publishers have contracted novels which have great beginning chapters then later the novelist will reveal they are a pantser and stuck on how to complete the novel. This situation puts the publisher in a difficult position because they have spent money and effort but do not have a novel to publish.

I received a submision from an author which was 240,000 words. I requested and received the full manuscript. In case you don't see an issue, a 240,000 novel will be 850 pages when poured into pages. This first-time novelist was headed for repeated rejection for this large book. As the acquisitions editor, I told this author and suggested he break the story into four novels. When I made the suggestion, I knew it would involve editorial work to create a new “ending” which leaves the reader looking for the next book. Each of these four reworked novels could be 60,000 words or about 200 pages. This smaller page count allows for a reasonable (and saleable) retail price and repositions this novelist to be shopping a book which could sell in the bookstores--making the author and the publisher money. Many people never think about the commercial or business aspects of the book but they are a critical element in the decision-making process.

Before I championed this long novel to my colleagues and they possibly gave a contract offer, I needed reassurances from this author that he was willing to make these changes and deliver a manuscript with a commercially viable length.

The author was reluctant to divide the story. He said he could send a 120,000 word submission. I asked for a maximum 90,000 word novel and said my collegues would like it better if it was 80,000 words. The author balked and could not agree. Our negotiation broke down. This author had hired a freelance editor who worked through the entire story and been paid $3,000 for such work.

When I learned this information about the editor, I understood this editor got caught up in developing the story and took her eye off her main job: delivering a manuscript which would sell to a publisher. The editor did not do his work on this important detail of advising the author and providing a reality check of the fiction marketplace.

Each of us can easily name bestselling novelists who have written large works like James A. Michener. But a first time novelist? This large manuscript is facing multiple rejections searching for the right fit with a publisher. Novels are getting shorter in the marketplace for multiple reasons.

People are reading shorter novels (50,000 to 80,000 words). Also since 2020, the price of paper has increased 70% to 80% which compels publishers to look for shorter novels with a reasonable and saleable retail price. This editor neglected to teach his author about this important publishing detail.

The editorial process is subjective. One editor wants to overhaul your work for a high pricetag and many changes. A different editor will love your storytelling and make only a few critical modifications at a much lower cost. The selection of your editor is a critical decision.

Last week an author reached out to me. It had been almost two years since we had spoken. Her unedited novel was huge and I recommended an editor. It was another large novel and the author worked with her editor to split the novel. Through the editing process one novel is going to ultimately become a trilogy of novels. Each one is the right length to be published and sell into the bookstore.

Lessons From These Stories

1. Choose your editor carefully. Ask other authors that you respect for their recommendation. Ask the editor for their evaluation and a sample edit. From this sample, you can see the level of editing and it will help you make a decision if it is the right editor for you and your work.

2. Continually learn about the marketplace. As an author, it is your responsibility to understand the length of your book is an important issue. It could be preventing you from finding the right literary agent or the right publisher.

What lessons did you learn from my stories in this article? What am I missing that you can add? I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

Every submission is different. This prolific author and acquisitions editor highlights the importance of an editor’s work. Read the stories here. (ClickToTweet)

As I’ve worked in the publishing world for years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations and dreams for their books. I’ve found many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help and take actions no matter what the publisher does for your book. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Labels: book publishing, bookstores, choices, Do Your Work!, editor, guidance, marketplace, Morgan James Publishing, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life, word count