The Writing Life: August 2026

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Sunday, August 23, 2026

When Overwhelmed or Feeling Behind

As a writer, I often feel overwhelmed with the work. Or I feel like I’m behind with much yet to be done. These feelings are completely normal. If we are honest, each of us live in a big world with many opportunities. For example, there are books that we need to write and books we can write for others as a co-author or ghostwriter. There are many online and print publications where we can publish our stories--provided we read their guidelines and pitch the editor. With the explosion of podcasts, there are many of those opportunities to pitch, book and record. When you consider the possibilties, it’s easy to stare at it all and wonder which one to tackle next?

At Morgan James Publishing, each year we receive over 5,000 submissions and only publish about 150 carefully-selected books. Our system and how we work with authors is different from other publishers and not right for every author. For the last 14 years, I’ve spent many hours talking with authors and exploring the details to see if it is the right fit for a particular author and a particular book. I understand there are many publishing options. For my editorial work, there are always more emails to answer and submissions to process. At any given time, I have a large volume of emails that I’ve not answered.

As I think about my work as a writer, there is always more to be done. There are always more books to read and write about including writing book reviews. As writers, we are surrounded with interesting stories from others and experiences of our own to capture. I’ve discovered I always have more follow-up emails to send and phone calls to make.

How to handle these overwhelming and behind feelings? First, acknowledge the reality of your feelings and that each of us have these concerns. Then break large tasks into smaller ones. Every writer works on their book manuscript in small pieces. We write one sentence and one paragraph and one story at a time.

You may not have much time to pour into your writing project. Can you devote half an hour or fifteen minutes? Whether you find this time early in the day or late at night. Keep moving forward on it. If you write ___ words a day (fill in the blank with a specific number ) then eventually you will complete the manuscript for a book or a magazine article or a blog post or a query letter. Each of us have a different volume or number of words that we will write during a day.

As I emphasized in 10 Publishing Myths, many of the details of publishing are outside of anything that we can control. Also take 100% responsibility for your own success and continue moving ahead on your effort to reach new readers.

Also I encourage you to continually make new connections and renew your efforts the old ones. For example, on my computer and my phone, I keep track of birthdays and anniversaries. Each year, I reach out to them with a personalized message and this event gives me a fresh connection with these friends. In addition, throughout my day when they come to mind, I reach out to some of them at random. I don’t have any agenda other than getting an update and asking a simple question. I encourage you to take these sorts of actions as well.

With my work, I spend a lot of time sitting and not moving. One of the ways I get a change of pace is to exercise or to walk. I fit this activity into my life several times a week. It helps my mindset and physical situation.;

I change up my daily routine and activities. I continue to try new ways of reaching readers and my audience. If you need some ideas in this area, I encourage you to get a copy of marketing authority John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market Your Book. With over 700 pages, you can always find a new area to explore with your book.

The final way I would give you to ease the feelings of being behind or overwhelmed is to consider who is in charge of your life and decisions. Each of us only have one life. Many years ago, I learned this hymn Only One Life. The lyrics:

“Only one life to offer - Jesus, my Lord and King;

Only on tongue to praise Thee And of Thy mercy sing (forever);

Only one heart’s devotion - Savior, O may it be

Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory,

Yielded fully to Thee.

Only this hour is mine, Lord - May it be used for Thee;

May ev’ry passing moment Count for eternity (my Saviour);

Souls all about are dying, Dying in sin and shame;

Help me bring them the message of Calv’ry’s redemption

In Thy glorious name.

Only one life to offer - Take it, dear Lord, I pray;

Nothing from Thee withholding, Thy will I now obey (my Jesus);

Thou who hast freely given Thine all in all for me,

Claim this life for Thine own, to be used, my Saviour,

Ev’ry moment for Thee.”

---

Whenever I am overwhelmed or feeling behind, I recall these words because I only have one life--and you only have one life. Make it count with your writing life.

What actions do you take when you feel behind or overwhelmed? Let me know in the comments and I look forward to reading them.

Tweetable:

As a writer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or behinid. This prolific author and editor admits to these feelings then encourages a number of simple actions in this article. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more new podcast recordings launched:

Book coach and author Natasha Tynes (@NatashaTynes) and I spoke about publishing myths that cost authors money on the Read and Write with Natasha Podcast at:https://bit.ly/469G31c Watch on YouTube at: https://bit.ly/3SoI9a9 or Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3UcaEsf

Fortune and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths: What Every Author Needs to Know on The Honest Mic Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4wJUELN

During my decades in publishing, I’ve heard the unrealistic expectations of writers. The reality is many aspects of the publishing process 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: author, editor, email, Morgan James Publishing, publishing, schedule, submissions, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life, When Overwhelmed or Feeling Behind

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Sunday, August 16, 2026

Seasons in Your Writing Life

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Our lives as writers have different seasons. In the beginning, we are like sponges and soak insight and knowledge, tools and techniques from others through conferences and books and conversations. Experimentation is a huge part of that process and trying to find the right fit for your writing. It doesn’t matter your physical age. You may have had another career and want to enter the publishing world. To get there you have to learn and understand the process and the system Who are the gatekeepers? How can you form a relationship and get their attention?

As a writer, I’ve been a beginner at a number of different periods in my life. I studied journalism at Indiana Unversity, a top school. I worked on the student newspaper and did a summer internship at an Indiana daily newspaper. In each case I was a beginner with volumes of learning. Then I left my writing for about ten years and went into linguistics. When I returned to my writing, I relearned tools like query letter, book proposal creation and which publications took which types of articles. I joined a critique group. I attended writers conferences to meet editors and agents as well as learn from them. The conversations at meals and late at night were an important element in this process.

During my intermediate session, I began to serve on the staff of a magazine and write articles for other publications. Then in 1992, my first book was published called When I Grow Up, I Can Go Anywhere for Jesus. Beyond my writing for publication, for my day job, I became a magazine editor with additional learning and skill development.

As I bcame an advanced writer, I began teaching at conferences across the US and Canada. It was another season of relationship building and learning while writing books and articles for publications. In addition, my online presence was growing during this season of my writing life.

Finally at some unspecified point, I became a professional writer. Finally we move into the later years which is where I am now. I’m unsure how many more books I will write. I don’t travel to many conferences to speak. My daily schedule is full working with Morgan James Publishing authors around the world on their books. I’m grateful for many other opportunities.

Throughout the different seasons of a writing life, it is rarely mentioned my regular life continues with events like sickness, challenges at home with relationships, financial struggles and a host of other interruptions. In the middle of these unexpected interruptions, the writing life continues. Sometimes I wrote early in the morning. Other times I wrote on the seat of an airplane or used a hotel desk or in a library. The consistency of meeting deadlines is the hallmark of a professional writer (no matter which season).

During the various seasons of your writing life, here’s some of the elements which continue:

--make and maintain connections with other professionals. It’s why I have over 19,700 LinkedIn connections. If we are not connected on LinkedIn, send me an invitation and let’s do it.

--continue learning and trying new skills

--remain curious to read how-to books and apply them to your writing life

--continue writing and trying new marketing avenues for your work. This steady drumbeat and part of your life is significant and influential.

--despite the lack of response to my pitches, and rejection, failures (yes, it happens to me all the time), be committed to continue and not quit the journey.

Where are you in the seasons of your writing life? What elements continue no matter which season? Let me know in the comments below and I look forward to reading them.

Tweetable:

The life of a writer has different seasons according to this prolific author and editor. In this article, he explores the different stages and highlights the constant elements. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another new podcast recording launched:

Andy (@BehindTheCamPod) and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths - Growing Your Audience As An Author on the Behind the Camera Podcast. Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4qc5Hf1 Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/45eqHrV or Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/45icJ8o

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process 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: publishing, Seasons in Your Writing Life, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life

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Sunday, August 09, 2026

Are You Looking for Magic?

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

From my experience in book publishing and working with authors, most of them are looking for magic. They may or may not call it magic but they are searching for an instant way to sell books--without doing anything for that sales process to happen. If that were possible, it would be magic.

Authors want to write and it’s important to learn the storytelling skills then craft a book for the marketplace. This foundation is important. Join a critique group and get feedback on your book. Hire an outside editor to help you shape the book. Gather endorsements and work with the right publisher to launch your book into the world. Each of these steps take effort and are important to the foundation of your book.

Then boom, your book enters the world. How is it selling for you? Are you happy with those results? Most authors are not. Instead of complaining or moaning about how much you dislike marketing, I want to give you a different course of action in this article. I hope you will keep reading and take it to heart.

First, you need a little reality check. Publishing experts say between 6,000 and 11,000 new books are published every day. That’s a lot of competition for your book. With a different mindset and action plan, you can sell your book. Someone has to hear about the benefits of your book a dozen or two dozen times before they purchase your book. You can touch your reader in many different ways but here’s the critical part: as the author you have to do it. Sure you can hire others but at the end of the day you have to take your 100% responsibility for your actions.

I’ve spoken and worked with hundreds of authors. Here’s a couple of recent examples. Last spring, an author came with a new book manuscript and wanted it published in June. In his contract he asked for bonus clauses if it reached the bestseller list and had an intriguing marketing plan. I applaud the pitches but how did the author take action? When this book released to the bookstores, it had zero pre-sales (which tells me the author didn’t work at presales). On release day, this book sold less than 100 copies and mostly through a large online retailer. This situation can be changed but the author has to take steady and continued action.

Also last week I spoke with a second author about his lackluster sales. He told me he was marketing his book once a quarter. How can you reach readers and remind them of your book with limited actions? It simply does not move the sales needle with good reason.

I’m convinced authors with successful book sales leave traces about how they achieved these sales. Other authors can follow these traces for their book but they have to take persistent and consistent action. Also they have to experiment and try different options.

In April 2016, I wrote about the success of Chicken Soup for the Soul and how the authors achieved it. Follow this link to read the entire article. Here’s a key paragraph with a valuable link:

“Often I read about someone who is an “overnight” success. They have suddenly skyrocketed on to the national front through a book or a YouTube video or a media outlet. Yet if you carefully examine the life of that “overnight” success you will learn (as I have) the person has been faithfully in the trenches and taking action. Many people tout the best-selling success of Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Throughout the first year of this series, each author followed the “Rule of Five.” It is a stellar example for each of us.”

If you want to be the exception and sell more books, it can begin at any time--even with an older book which isn’t selling. As the author you take consistent and persistent action. If you need ideas and action steps, get John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market and Sell Your Book which is over 700 pages. Try different methods and ideas--which means taking consistent action.

The process isn’t magic but involves something author resist: hard work. I may want to be a professional athlete but I’ve never invested the hours and days into learning that craft. Any of us can learn the craft of writing and marketing. What actions are you going to take from reading this article? Let me know in the comments below and then keep moving forward.

Tweetable:

While authors might not label it, many are looking for magic to sell their books. This bestselling author gives the simple truth for success: consistent hard work. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

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: 1001 ways to market your book, action, Are You Looking for Magic?, book publishing, consistency, experimentation, John Kremer, marketing, persistence, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life

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Sunday, August 02, 2026

Become a Bestselling Author

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

What does it take to become a bestselling author? There is no simple formula to follow. If a step-by-step process existed, every book would become a bestseller--which does not happen. Instead there are simple practices and experiments each author has to make in this process of learning how to tell others about your book.

Let me begin with a bit of a reality check about book publishing. Some publishing experts estimate there are over 11,000 new books published every day. This number includes the self-publishing titles but that amounts to a lot of print material pouring into our world. Depending on how you publish, your publisher may or may not do much to market and sell your book.

As the author, you have the greatest passion and interest in selling books. You may not like marketing. Some authors say they hate it. Those feelings are valid. I encourage you to push beyond those concerns and actively work to tell others about your book. Someone has to hear about your book at least a dozen times before they decide to purchase the book. There are many ways to tell others about your book. Pick one or two, then use that method to stress the benefits or reasons readers should get and read your book.

The repeated process of telling readers about your book can become boring. Don't let it and instead change it up and use different methods, tools and systems for this process. On a regular basis I read that social media does not sell books. You want to become active on social media for the exposure to the benefits of your book to readers in a steady stream of information. It’s the reason publishers and literary agents are interested in your social media numbers. They use this information to evaluate your actions and exposure in the marketplace.

The foundation of every good book is the storytelling and the writing. As writers, we have to find the right topic then produce an excellent manuscript. Work with freelance editors and others to shape your story into the right foundation. Then select a way to publish your book which will make it easily available to your readers. Broad distribution is another critical element in this process. When your book is going to release, gather a team of friends to read the book and write a series of honest reviews to be published in multiple online places. This season when your book is new is also an opportunity to book radio and podcast interviews about you and your book.

How do you break through the noise of the marketplace and get attention for your book and message? From my experience, it comes from consistent and persistent author action.

Recently a prospective Morgan James Publishing author asked me about the sales of my book, Billy Graham, A Biography of America's Greatest Evangelist. I’ll admit I do not watch my sales numbers on Amazon or Nielsen BookScan or the publisher author portal. My book on Mr. Graham released November 4, 2014 and I went to Amazon Author Central which lets every author look at the sales numbers for the last two years. I discovered my book has sold over 10,000 copies during this period. Here’s the evidence:

In 2014, the original version of my biography was out of print. I’m one of the few living biographers of Mr. Graham and he was in poor health. Through Morgan James Publishing, I updated and revised my old book with new stories from interviews. Also I gathered a foreword and endorsements then checked every word of the final content with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association--even though I worked outside of the organization. When the book launched, I hired an outside publicist who scheduled over 50 radio interviews. After these interviews, I collected the recordings and stored them on my own website where they are continually available. You can learn more about my biography in the online press room I built for this book.

How did my book become a bestselling book and continues to sell long after the release? Every day since the book released, I’ve been telling others about the benefits of my book in various words and images. Also I worked with my colleagues at Morgan James to create the audiobook version. Follow this link to hear a sample of the audiobook. My persistence and consistency continue to get readers interested and learn about the life of Billy Graham.

If you have a book that isn’t selling in the marketplace, it is not too late. The reader doesn’t care about your publisher or the release date. Instead if you tell them about it, they will be attracted to your story and the benefits for them from your book. I encourage you to take persistent and consistent action. It doesn’t happen overnight but can happen if you work at telling others.

What insights are you seeing for your book in this article? Which actions are you going to take for your writing and your book? Let me know in the comments. I’m eager to learn from you.

Tweetable:

How can you become a bestselling author? While there is no formula, this prolific author and editor gives authors the actions and specifics. (ClickToTweet)

During my decades in publishing, I’ve spoken with hundreds of writers about their dreams and plans. 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. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

Get these articles on your email:

Labels: Become a Bestselling Author, books, consistency, marketing, persistence, publishing, Terry Whalin, The Writing Life