Avoid This Common Writing Flaw

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As a young writer, I trained as a journalist creating original stories. In the newspaper business during the pre-computer days, I learned how to create the story in my mind, then put my fingers on the typewriter and compose my story.  In my opening sentence, I grabbed the reader and then kept on typing until the final sentence. Then on the center of the last line, I typed -30- (which meant the end). At the newspaper, we had a morning deadline of 11 am to complete our story, then the editor worked over our stories and gave them to typesetting. By 3 pm, my story was printed in the paper for readers.

I’ve been pitching stories for magazines and books for years. In each case, I’ve written original material which was not used beyond the single focus. I applaud each of you who complete an article or a book manuscript because many people start or think about it and don’t complete it. That completion takes focus and determination on your part. The common flaw and focus of this article is the single use and not considering beyond that use.

At a writer’s conference, I met a couple of authors who had self-published a book about an amazing Christian in India. These authors were looking for broader distribution for their book but also had a singular focus on the book and not beyond. I encouraged them to re-examine their book looking for 1,000 to 1,500 word stories. This word count is typical for magazine articles. The material would likely need some reshaping and adjustments to become a magazine article. If the writer did this work then submitted it to magazines and got accepted, then published, their stories (and book) would reach more readers. Also the magazine article would promote their book with the one or two sentences in their bio at the end of the article. 

A typical self-published book sells 100 to 200 copies during the lifetime of the book. If a typical traditional published book sells 5,000 copies, then that number is a good one. In the magazine business, it is common to reach 100,000 to 500,000 readers. It depends on the circulation of the publication but it is a much larger readership. 

Each market is different and the writer needs to study the guidelines and the publication to interest the editor. Follow these links to learn more about the magazine market.

Also This Works for Fiction

Some of you are reading this article and thinking this strategy is only for nonfiction and you write fiction. This is not true. These storytellers can take a scene or shorter piece from their novel and with a little reshaping, sell to magazines as a short story. 

These writers have missed the opportunities to get more exposure from their initial work on a nonfiction book or a novel. For this article, I had a photo of a long highway. In many ways, the road symbolizes the writing journey each of us are on with our work. If you are in your car, to get better mileage, you watch your speed. It's the same with your writing, to get more eyes on your original work, you need to keep in mind the possibilities then use them in those areas.

I have more detail and ideas on this topic in a free 27-page Ebook called Get More Mileage From Your Content. Follow the link to get it. As writers, we are surrounded with incredible stories and opportunity. I encourage you to seize these actions.

Have you use your original material in a different way to get more exposure? Or maybe you've been trapped in this common writing flaw. Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Many writers fall into the trap of original writing for their nonfiction or fiction. This bestselling author and editor contends these writers have fallen into a common writing flaw. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

My Writing In Other Places:

With these articles, I encourage you to publish your work beyond your blog in other places. Below are three articles which were published in other online locations than this blog. I have continued to write each month on each of these websites. Find your opportunities to get your work into some other websites through guest blogging.

In their pitch to editors, many writers will say their book is for everyone. These authors need to refine their target audience. Get the details in this article.

What are the critical book proposal elements? I've reviewed thousands of submissions and provide the details in this article. 

When you see something off or incorrect in someone’s writing do you say something? I encourage you to actively help someone else in this article. 

Publishing is a complex business and much of the process is outside of anything an author can control—no matter how they publish. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors realistic expectations  and 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:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,800 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Why The Boring Barcode

          

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Barcodes are on the back of books as a standard element. Why should you care? In this article, I’m going to tell you about recent changes to this detail and how it’s affecting book publishing.

The barcode used to be one of the telling signs of a self-published book. The publishers who sell in brick and mortar bookstores and online retailers, would have the purchase price of the book coded and visible on the barcode. This detail helped retailers and consumers immediately know the retail price of the book and the section where to put the book inside the bookstore.

This barcode distinction is no longer there because of changes in the book market. In recent days, publishers have removed the price from their barcode. Why are they doing this action?

Why Books Are More Expensive

Like almost every other product, the retail price of books has increased in recent years. Part of the cause is the price of paper and ink which has increased 70 to 80% since 2020. The publishing world has tight margins and these changes make the tight margins even tighter. If you have printed the retail price on the top of the barcode and built it into the barcode itself so when it is scanned, the price shows up in your computer. This fact prevents you from changing the price because of the conditions in the marketplace. Publishers have stopped printing the price on their books and building the information into the barcode. 

I wrote this article for several reasons. First, the details of bookselling matter. The author needs to be aware of them and incorporate them into their own book writing plans. Second, every authors relationship with their local bookseller matters.. Brick and mortar bookstores are expanding. Recently Barnes and Noble opened a 27,000 foot store in the nearby South Coast Plaza. I've read that this year Barnes and Noble is going to open over 60 new bookstores. Authors need to support their local bookstores. Go there and buy books. Also ask for the manager then introduce yourself as a local and give them a review copy of your latest book. 

If you need more ideas for reaching local markets, I encourage you to read marketing expert Penny C. Sansevieri's (@bookgal) new book called Think Local Sell Global: How to Build Author Buzz in your Backyard This book is packed with tested actions for every author. 

I encourage every author to continually study the changes in publishing, then apply them to your writing life. What recent changes have you noticed in publishing? Let me know in the comments.

Tweetable:

The boring barcode on the back of books is changing. This prolific author and editor gives you the details why you should care then actions to take. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

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

Tim Krywulak and I spoke about From Creator to Author: How to Publish a Book That Builds Your Personal Brand on the My TOG Blog Podcast. Watch it at: https://bit.ly/4r6EgUd or listen on Apple at: https://bit.ly/46mtekq 

From my years in publishing, I find many authors have unrealistic expectations about publishing. It doesn’t matter what type of book they are writing—fiction, nonfiction, a children’s book or a coffee table book. Each type of book contains its own challenges and complexity. No matter how you publish, 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:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,800 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Don't Miss Your Opportunities

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

I frequently speak with a publishing professional who has a 35+ year career as a publicist. He has deep relationships to the radio and podcast community for his pitches. Well-known publishers have hired him to book interviews for their authors. Frequently he tells me about bestselling authors who miss or cancel their scheduled interviews. They have multiple excuses but they have missed their opportunity to tell others about their book. For these authors, these cancelled interviews are missed opportunities where they have made other choices about how to spend their time.

When I’ve worked with this publicist, if he contacts me about a possible interview, each time my response has been the same. “Let's do it.” I’m not concerned about the reach of the particular station or the time of day for me. Some of the bookings are early in the morning and others are at off times. For me, each one is an opportunity to seize and use to tell people about my book. 

From working with this publicist, he frequently schedules authors on In the Market with Janet Parshall. Some of my Morgan James Publishing authors have been on this program for an hour talking about their book. Janet’s program is simultaneously broadcast on over 700 radio stations. It’s just one of the many opportunities from this publicist and his significant work. 

Each of us have the same 24 hours and choices about how we spend our time. In this article, I give some details about these opportunities and encourage you to choose wisely. 

Prepare Before Each Interview

Over the last year, I’ve booked or recorded over 80 podcasts using PodMatch and other connections. When I book the interview, I select a time several weeks out. If the host is in the United States, I ask for their mailing address, then print a list of suggested interview questions and a short bio, then mail a signed book or media packet. If the person is outside of the US, then I email an Ebook version of my book and the other media elements. These details help the host prepare for our intervicw.

When the date for our sessions arrives, I take a few minutes to prepare for the interview. Until recently I didn’t have a camera on my desktop. I purchased a webcam, an external microphone and headphones. Normally this equipment is tucked away and each time I position it for use. I think about my background, shut my closet door and prepare my lighting. 

Besides the physical setting, I read about the host and the emphasis of his program. Also I review my talking points and think about the stories I want to tell and the websites I want to mention and where I want the listener to go after our interview. No matter what is discussed, I weave these talking points into our conversation. It is something simple but an active role I can seize. I’ve had interviews where the host never asks about my website or how listeners can connect with me which is a missed opportunity for me. Instead I make a conscious effort to include this information.

Finally outside of the interview, I often ask when the recording will be launched and affirm to the host that I promote these interviews on social media, this blog and elsewhere. I understand many times the person interviewed does not promote the recording and it’s a simple way to standout with the host.

Within publishing, I’m using my media training. For their top authors, publishers will often schedule a day or two of media training which is costly. Imagine being scheduled for a six or seven minute segment on The Today Show. You want to make sure you slipo a reference to your book into your conversation yet not annoy your host. There is detailed training and rehersal for some of these appearances. If you want to know more about this media training with little cost, I recommend Brad Phillips’ excellent book, The Media Training Bible: 101 Things You Absolutely, Positively Need To Know Before Your Next Interview.

From my experience, these details matter in how you handle the opportunities and get the greatest use from them. I’m probably missing something or you have other experiences in this area. Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Authors, are you missing your media opportunities? This prolific author and editor tells some stories, then gives the details of how to use each opportunity for your goals. (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:

Business Evaluation Expert Dave Bookbinder (@dbookbinder) and I talked about Turning Intellectual Property into Enterprise Value: The Business of Publishing on the Behind the Numbers with Dave Bookbinder Podcast. Watch it at: https://bit.ly/4yvUUPR or listen on Apple at: https://bit.ly/4yNppRx

LS Kirkpatrick (@writers2readers) and I spoke about Publishing Myths, Author Strategies, and Modern Book Marketing on Wisdom on the Front Porch Podcast. Listen at:https://bit.ly/4yy9FSh

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.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,800 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Make the Right Writing Connection

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As book authors, the emails blast into our mailbox. Throughout my day I receive many of these email pitches. They write me about books that I wrote years ago and are often out of print. Other emails are for books where I was the co-author. With additional emails, they pitch me to promote a book which I wrote as a work-made-for-hire (no ongoing royalties). The authors of these emails claim to be editors or literary agents or bestselling authors or publicists or ??? How do you sort through it and figure out which ones are real and which ones are simply artificial intelligence bots?

It isn’t easy to know sometimes. Last week, a long-term friend called me about an email he had received from an editor and known publisher. The email appeared legit and talked about the editor’s interest in a book which he had published years ago and was now out of print. I encouraged him to research then use caution in his response. 

Recently I received an email asking for an interview from a Texas radio station regarding my Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. This book is my only self-published book and when it was created I worked hard to have every element in a traditional book through the endorsements, design, publisher logo and even included cartoons in every other chapter. Now the revised edition is a Morgan James Publishing book and available in bookstores everywhere. Follow this link to see a sample.

Because of my greater emotional attachment to this book, when I read the email, it looked legitimate. When I searched, I located the sender on LinkedIn. Her profile raised some questions for me because it had no photo. Normally if the person is real and using LinkedIn, the individual will include an actual photo. On a different website about the radio station, I located a photo of the sender and decided to answer. I exchanged several emails with this person and on the second or third one when we agreed on a time to speak. She explained about a $100 administrative fee (red flag). 

Through the years dozens of radio stations have interviewed me about my books. None of them have charged an administrative fee. It’s the same in the podcast area where I’ve been on over 80 podcasts with no charge. I emailed the Texas radio interview and cancelled our interview. I learned the hard way not to respond to these questionable pitches--and I encourage you not to do so either.

Some Basics about these emails

1. You do not pay for a podcast interview or radio broadcast or media introduction. Nor do you need to pay for an introduction to a community of readers.

2. Use your common sense and ask yourself some questions. Why is this person reaching out to you about this book? Do they include a real website link and even a phone number with their email? Consider their agenda and whether it is a common pitch.

3. Type the person’s name into a search engine and see what you learn before responding.

4. Type the person’s name into LinkedIn. I found the person in Texas without a photo. I requested to connect with this person and did not receive any response (another red flag). I have thousands of LinkedIn connections and have used this site for years. 

Some Typical Ways to Connect

1. Meet the person at a writers conference and exchange business cards. This personal connection will evaporate these fake email pitches. As an editor and former literary agent, I frequently email, call and sometimes text with authors I’ve met at an event. 

2. Ask someone else who knows this editor or agent or media person to introduce you. I’ve hired publicists and marketing experts to help me and introduce me to other professionals. These connections are developed through years of hard work and straightforward connections. 

Each of us need connections with others but it needs to be the right writing connection. What other steps am I missing in this article? What experiences have you had with these email pitches? I look forward to reading your comments.

Tweetable:

In a world with fake emails and bots, writers need to make the right connection for their writing. This prolific author and editor tells his stories and gives simple actions to make true connections.  (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:

Dominic and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths Every Author Needs to Know on Hidden Secrets in Books Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4h4X4Qp

Book coach and author Natasha Tynes (@NatashaTynes) and I spoke about “Nobody is coming to save your book” on the Read and Write with Natasha Podcast at: https://tinyurl.com/yba53yw7 

A key part of the writing life is a word I don’t really like but do: the discipline of consistently writing. A blog is an important part of this process for me. Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 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.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,800 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA