Publishing Decisions Ramifications

  

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As an acquisitions editor, I’m often talking with authors about their publishing plans. Sometimes they will tell me, “I’m going to publish with _____ (a publisher that I've never heard of).” It’s a red flag of concern that they named a publisher I’ve not heard about since I’ve been in this industry for decades.

Or they will object to publishing with Morgan James Publishing because of our model which requires an initial investment. There are good reasons for author investment requirement. In over 20 years of working with authors and literary agents, we’ve learned if there is no initial investment from the author, then that author has little incentive to market and promote their book to the bookstores. As a publisher, our money is made not making books but selling books. If the author does not participate, then their book does not sell (and the bookstore will return it). When a book is returned to the publisher, often it is returned in poor shape for reselling and has to be destroyed. The publisher loses money and opportunity when that happens. I hope you are seeing some of the publishing challenges. These authors have made a simple decision with big ramifications. 

If they are objecting to Morgan James because of the initial investment, I encourage them to use a free tool like Publishizer to do pre-sales and raise the funds. One of my authors raised over $10,000 using Publishizer. That author invested time and energy into this process and it paid off.

Every author has a story about their book and why they are publishing it. When I speak with them, I often ask for the story behind the story. I want to learn why they have invested their time and energy into a particular book. The author will tell me about their vision for why their book needs to get into the world. They have their connection to the market or are finding their connection to the market. Frequently these authors don't have experience in writing or storytelling or publishing. 

These authors have people relationships and ideas for who could write the foreword and endorsements (blurbs) for their book. In one recent case, the author had a foreword from someone and company I’d not heard about but when I did some online searching, I learned the name recognition of this person and his company. I applauded this author’s initiative for going ahead and getting the foreword then putting it into his proposal or pitch. This added foreword was only one unusual and different way this author distinguished his submission from others. It’s something every author needs to do for their submission--figure out a way to standout for that agent or editor.

Another author submitted a 5,000 word manuscript. With a glance at this word count, I could see the challenge for this author. Their manuscript is too short for a book and too long for a magazine article. I encouraged this author to craft something that is at least 23,000 words and preferrably 50,000 words. Inside a bookstore, you only see the spine of the book. Your word count needs to be large enough to show up on the shelf. It’s a simple reason but the author hasn’t considered this detail.

Other authors respond they don’t want an independent or hybrid publisher like Morgan James Publishing. They are shopping for a traditional publisher. I understand and have published over 60 traditional books. To get a traditional deal, you have to first sign with a literary agent to represent your book. For years, publishers have been sorting through inappropriate and poor submissions. Rather than waste that staff time, these traditional publishers announce every submission must come from an agent.The agents have become the gatekeepers for traditional publishing. For the agent to sell the book, they have to craft or teach the author how to craft the right pitch or book proposal. Why does an agent do this work? Because the publishers have an ever increasing standard of the author they want to publish. 

Agents receive many rejections and traditional agents do not make any money from those submissions until they sell the book to a publisher.  With some projects, agents are getting repeatedly rejection and their author wants to get their book produced and into the marketplace. In recent days, I’ve been receiving more Morgan James submissions from literary agents. The market is shifting.

As a writer, what can you do in these situation?

1. Explore the various publishing paths: traditional, self-publishing and independent / hybrid publishing. Get The Babylon Blueprint for Authors (follow this link). It includes over 40 pages comparing these options. Also this book includes many no-cost and low-cost book marketing ideas for every author.

2. Produce an excellent and complete book proposal and/or manuscript. It takes effort to learn then produce an excellent book proposal or pitch. Download the free copy of my Book Proposals That Sell whch has over 150 Five Star reviews and has helped many other writers. Then read and study this book then apply it to your writing. On my book shelf, I have books with valuable insights for my writing. Unless I read the contents then apply the information, it has no application to my everyday work.  

Here’s an example of how a reader marked up my Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams book.

3. Get feedback from others before you submit. You can join a critique group or hire an outside editor or a writing coach. My point is to receive and process these insights from someone in the writing community before you submit to an editor or literary agent.

4. Ask better questions then listen for the answers. Where are they selling books? Is it only online or in brick and mortar bookstores? How and how long do they market the book? Do they charge you for marketing training? Have their books been on bestseller lists and can they show you these listings? Can you speak with some of their authors? Where can you see some of their books? Also use a search engine to look for that particular publisher. Every publisher has complaints but if you find pages and pages of complaints then take that as a warning about this company.

5. Gather all of the publishing information which is free before you make a decision about your path. Each one has different pros and cons.

6. Keep working on reaching readers and expanding your connections and network. If you need the help, ask for it and follow-up.

Throughout my decades in publishing, I’ve learned that many decisions are outside of my control. In fact, there is only one person where I have any control: me. If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to get my 10 Publishing Myths which is focused on unrealistic publisihing expectations and practical information for every author. Pick up a copy for only $10 including the shipping with over $200 of free bonsuses. You must take action and become aware of the results of your decisions.

For this topic of publishing decisions and the ramifications, I’ve only scratched the surface and must be missing some elements? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Small publishing decisions can have big ramifications according to this bestselling author and editor. Learn the stories and details here.  (ClickToTweet)

During my decades 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 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

When Writers Don't Respond

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

It happens quite often with writers: I reach out to them--even with a publishing contract--and they do not respond. I could be calling or emailing them and encouraging their submission or any number of other publishing details. Instead of a response, I get nothing.  In case you don’t know, I’m an acquisitions editor at a New York publishing house, Morgan James Publishing. We have a 21-year track record with over 6,000 published books, 29 New York Times bestsellers and over 200 times on the Well Street Journal or USA Today bestseller list. This bestselling detail is important because it shows that MJP is not just making books but selling books. 

From my many years in publishing, when an author gets a book publishing contract from Morgan James, that event is a huge cause for celebration--even if they don’t sign it. Silence or no response from the author is not what I expect.

Morgan James is not a self-publisher but one of the top independent publishers (10 times on a list from Publishers Weekly). In fact, we receive over 5,000 submissions every year and only publish about 150 books a year. Behind the scenes, there is a detailed team approach procedure that I have to use to reach the opportunity to offer an author a publishing contract. I’ve worked for this company doing this work for the last 14 years. Despite emailing and calling these authors about their contract, they do not respond.

In this article I want to give some of my speculation reasons then a consistent pattern that I've seen from my years in publishing. First some possible reasons why the author didn’t respond via email, phone or text:

--the author was traveling or on vacation and away from their computer

--this author is working on other publishing paths such as finding a literary agent or crafting a book proposal or pitch for a traditional publisher. Each of these paths take time and could be a reason for a delayed response.

--the author doesn’t have the financial resources to work with Morgan James. While I understand this concern, I also know there are many possible creative ways for the author to get these resources like Publishizer (follow this link to learn more and explore).

If I have sent the author a publishing contract, I will follow-up multiple times and still I receive silence for a response. Through the years, I’ve learned the longer the author does not respond (even a short email or call), the less likely they will publish with Morgan James Publishing. Over the years, it has happened a few times but overall I know the silence is heading in the direction of “no thank you” (even if all I receive is silence).

Because of my years in publishing, I understand the different options and paths. If you want to increase your understanding, I encourage you to get this free Ebook, The Babylon Blueprint for Authors (follow the link). This book has many marketing ideas and strategies along with 40+ pages comparing traditional, self-publishing and independent or hybrid publishing. 

If you are in one of these situations where you have not responded. I encourage you to communicate with the editor or agent--even if you send a short email. The development and continuation of your relationship is important. You may need this relationship in the days ahead--even if you can’t see it now. For my part as the editor, I will continue to follow-up and reach out to these silent authors. I can’t control their response but I can do my part in the process. I encourage you to do your part.

What reasons am I missing that writers do not respond to an offer to publish their book? Let me know in the comments. I look forward to reading them and learning some new perspectives.

Tweetable:

Sometimes when writers receive a New York publishing contract, they do not respond. This editor gives some ideas and encourages maintaining your relationship. Get the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

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

Ali Alhajji and I spoke on the Reading the World Podcast about Publishing Myths: Why Being Published Is Not the Same as Being Read. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3Sv0QIZ

Imma and I spoke on the Beyond the Draft Podcast about The Truth About Publishing Nobody Else Will Tell You. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4xGergJ 

Noah May (@noahspodcasts)and I spoke on the Southern Reads Podcast about Publishing Myths. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4oFfsRZ

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.

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

Listen, then Make Adjustments

 

 By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Throughout my day as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, I receive a wide variety of email. As an author, I also get another set of emails. Also I’m speaking with authors on the phone and listening to their responses. 

Sometimes in this process, I learn some elements of my online presence which need adjustment. Recently one author introduced me to another author. In her email response, the new author mentioned she followed the link to my bio from my email and signed up for my newsletter. When I read this line, I asked myself, “Which newsletter?” 

During the last year, my newsletter has gone through many changes and adjustments. For over 20 years, I used a shopping cart for my newsletter which closed and involved a detailed behind-the-scene change to my online presence. 

Because of her comment, I took another look at this bio and in particular where this person could sign up for my newsletter. I saw she was using the wrong form and the wrong newsletter. Through many emails to new authors, I often refer to this link but it had been years since I made adjustments to that page. With this new insight, I made the effort and eliminated the wrong form and replaced it with the right one. My change came because of one person’s short feedback. If you haven’t subscribed to my weekly A Publishing Insight newsletter, I encourage you to follow this link and subscribe or forward it on to other writers. 

Throughout your day, are you listening to the feedback and making adjustments? It’s part of how we grow and improve as writers and communicators.

Here’s another recent example, I looked at this author’s blog post and encouraged him to use this article as the start of a personal experience story for a print magazine. Many authors don’t consider how to get more exposure and mileage from their writing. One of the easy ways for every writer is creating a personal experience article which many different publications are using. This author liked my idea and mentioned he was going to submit to two different publications. 

Because of my magazine writing experience, I knew these two publications each had large circulations. If a publication has a large circulation, they receive many submissions and overall it is more difficult for a new writer to grab attention and get published in them. You are entering a large competition for the editor’s attention and go ahead. 

I reached to my bookshelf and pulled out the 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide. It is important to have the latest edition of this guide because much of the information changes from year to year. When you pitch a magazine editor, you want to make sure you are following their current guidelines and use the current editor’s name. The guide has a topical index for magazines. The personal experience section listed 46 publications looking for these types of articles. The magazines with large circulation are in this section. I suggested the author select a couple of other publications with strong circulations (over 100,000 readers) yet lesser submissions and competition. 

Here’s several other actions before you submit to these publications:

--read their writer’s guidelines (which can normally be found online and will tell you the specific needs of the publication. If you pitch toward one of these needs, you will have a greater chance ot attention and possible success.

--read some of the publication’s articles online. Who are their readers and notice their audience. If you want target this audience with your pitch and article, you once again have a higher chance of publication.

--look for a theme list. In some cases, the editor has created a theme list for different issues in a year. From my magazine editor experience, I know how rare it is to receive a pitch tied to the theme list. In fact, I’ve had to call and email authors to gather enough submissions for a particular theme issue.

--tell the editor that you are submitting simultaneously. Some publications take a long time to respond. Other times the editor will say he doesn’t need a 1,200 word article but would love to have one which is 750 words. Then I submit the 750 word article.

With each pitch to a publication, you are building your relationship and credential with that editor. If you are a book author, I encourage you to use your personal experience stories in your book (or that you have in your life) then turn those into magazine articles. You will likely reach more readers through your print articles than any book will reach (thousands). At the end of your article, you can include a once sentence statement like: Terry Whalin is the author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed In general these magazine bios are short and may or may not include a website link to your book. Every author needs the repeated exposure to readers about their book. We’ve learned readers need to hear about your book as many as two dozen times before they buy your book. Every author has to create many different ways to tell readers about your books. 

I told these stories to highlight our need as authors to listen to feedback from others and make adjustments. What steps are you taking? These actions are not difficult and can be learned but are skills you can use over and over with your writing life. Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

As a writer, you need to listen to feedback from others then make adjustments. In this article, this prolific author and editor gives the specifics for you. (ClickToTweet)

Through my years in publishing, I’ve written for over 50 publications and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. Several of my books have sold 60,000 to 100,000 copies. I’ve also written different types of books such as biography, children’s books, how to/ self-help, co-authored and devotional books. From speaking with different authors about 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. 

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

Roll With The Punches

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Our lives are filled with changes. These events happen in our lives whether we plan for them or not. From these articles about the writing life, it’s easy to see that I’m someone who loves routine. The publishing world and other parts of our world are in constant motion and change. When you get an unexpected punch (as in the above photo), do you roll with it?

Last week I traveled to Asheville, North Carolina for The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. It’s a large event and throughout the time, I had interesting conversations with people. These days I don’t travel as much as in the past. From my home in Southern California, it was a long haul to attend and involved changing planes in Chicago. On schedule I arrived and got to the conference and settled into my room.

Throughout the event, I met remarkable writers. Each one had a story which was tied to their writing. The event contained many “God moments.” Like each of these events, the final day arrived. I packed my suitcases and headed to the airport. On the way home, I was changing planes at the Dallas airport. My plane from Asheville to Dallas had a mechanical issue which delayed our arrival.  After landing as my airplane was landing and going to our gate, I would see my connecting flight in a different terminal was beginning to board. 

Several passengers on my first flight graciously let me off to hurry toward my connecting flight. I moved as rapidly as I could to reach my gate. When I arrived at my gate, the plane was still there but the airline had closed the door and no one was around to assist me. In the face of this situation, I rolled with the punches. I needed to go to the airline help desk to rebook my flight which was located several gates ahead. 

When I spoke with the help desk airline person, I learned my bags were on the flight that I missed. They booked me into a local hotel then I was on the first Saturday flight to Orange County. I found the hotel airport shuttle, registered for my room and grabbed a few hours sleep before returning to the airport. I could have been upset (a choice) but instead I rolled with it.

Writers have to face changes with flexibility. For example, in these articles, I’ve written about the price of paper for books has increased 70 to 80% since 2020. This small detail is affecting the retail price of books as well as the length of novels. During the conference, I met a number of fiction writers with manuscripts which were 90,000 to 100,000 words. Because of the increased price of paper, our preferred word length is closer to 80,000 words. Are you flexible and willing to do the editorial trimming to get your story in alignment with the expectations of the marketplace? I hope so. Your flexibility and willingness to adapt to curent market conditions is an important skill for every writer.

What actions are you taking to handle a sudden change? Let me know in the comments how you've learned to roll with the punches. 

Tweetable:

Change is a constant part of our lives in publishing. This prolific author and editor gives the details of how he had to roll with the punches and encourages us to do likewise. Get the details here.  (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 podcast recording launched: 

Dalene Bickel (@DaleneBickel) and I had an eye-opening conversation about the traditional publishing world on the Ink & Impact for Christian Writers Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/43aCgPM 

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 into 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

Learn The Hard Way

  

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

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. 

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 Self-Imposted Deadlines

  

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As a writer, you can stand out from other writers with a simple action: meet or exceed your deadlines. From my work as a magazine editor and now a book editor, I’ve watched the results with many types of authors. The majority of them are notorious late. Book authors agree to the deadline when they sign the contract. As an editor, I’ve heard almost every possible excuse from the authors why they can’t meet their deadline. Some editors build fudge room into their schedule planning

editors and others count on that deadline to launch product in the market. 

Recently at Morgan James Publishing, the leadership changed the point in production process when they were setting the launch date for the book. They were setting the date at a point when the author had not delivered the final manuscript. The authors were missing that deadline, then the launch release date had to be changed internally. In the chain of a book release, the sales team, the retailers and many others depend on the accuracy of this release date. When the date gets moved it causes issues with these various groups. The author is oblivious to this chaos from simply delivering a late manuscript. Now the team including the author will set the launch date at a point where the manuscript is finished and in place so this deadline will not need to be moved. 

When I worked at David C. Cook as an acqusitions editor, one day the managing editor came to my desk with an assignment saying, “Get this author to turn in his book manuscript.” I agreed to get in touch with this author, who I knew and several years earlier I had ghostwritten one of his books. 

Before I reached out to the author about the book, I gathered more details about the book. It turned out to be years late. Cook had paid a sizeable advance for this book and nothing would be recovered for that payment until we got the manuscript and sold it into the bookstores. I asked my editor for the author’s phone number but she didn’t have it nor was it in our internal records--and I found this missing detail fascinating. I had a number but it was old and didn't connect with the author.

As a representative of the publisher, I decided to call this author’s office. I spoke with his assistant. She refused to give me the number, saying she had no idea if I worked for the publisher (during the days before caller ID). I persisted and read the number that I had including the area code. She told me I had the right phone number but felt comfortable to tell me that the area code had been changed. Now with the number, I called this author’s home and immediately was in touch with his wife about the very late manuscript. Later I spoke with the author about this manuscript and I made sure my colleagues at Cook had his home phone number in their records.

When you (or your agent) negotiates a book contract, you will have a deadline (which you can change and extend before you sign). Once you agree to this deadline, then you have to figure out how to commit the time and make or exceed your deadline.

As a young journalist, I learned the importance of deadlines. At the newspaper, we would have story meetings at 7 am where we got our writing assignments. Our deadline for delivering that story was 11 am then the story was edited, typeset and in the afternoon paper which came out at 3 pm. In those days we did not have a computer but used a manual typewriter and learned the importance of meeting deadlines.

I’ve worked at newspapers, magazines and book publishers. The quickest deadlines are with newspapers, then magazines have a longer deadline. Books have the longest deadline but are also more words than a magazine article. 

For every deadline, the writer has to figure out how many words they need to write in a certain time period to meet the deadline. Also you need to build in some time to review your writing, make revisions then submit your final version. In the old days, we mailed our computer disk or our manuscript. Now with the speed of internet, you have to meet your deadline.

As a writer, you have to understand how many hours will you have to be at your computer and how many words can you write during that time period so you will achieve your deadline. No one writes a 50,000 or 100,000 word book in a single day. Instead the story is written in chunks of time and persistent work to complete and successfully send the work. This process is the same whether it is your first book or you have written many books. 

Are you committed to hitting your deadlines? Have you understood the chaos you produce for others when you miss a deadline? What self-imposed steps do you take with your writing to meet your deadlines? I look forward to your answers in the comments.

Tweetable:

Every writer has to make self-imposed deadlines according to this prolific author and editor. Also he explains some of the unforeseen events when a writer misses the deadline. Get the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

I’m currently working for my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. Without exaggeration, I’ve spoken with hundreds of authors about their books and plans. Over and over, I find many authors have an unrealistic expectation for what will happen when their book gets published. I know much of the publishing process is outside of anything that an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS, which 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

The Necessity of Continual Experimentation

 

 By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

There is no 1-2-3 formula to become an author--much less a bestselling author. Instead each of us need to continually experiment with different aspects of the process. As we experiment and fail, then try something else, we will find our course of action. The only action which can stop you is if you quit and give up.

To publish a book, there are basically three paths: traditional, self-publishing and hybrid or independent publishing. Each path involves many choices and these choices can lead you forward or into a holding pattern. I’ve spoken with authors who have gotten tired of building their platform, chasing a literary agent and a traditional publishing deal. They have self-published and spent thousands of dollars in this process. These authors have their book on their own website and Amazon--and no where else because of their choices. I encourage you to check out David Hancock, the founder of Morgan James Publishing, and his new book, The Babylon Blueprint for Authors. While it contains some great marketing ideas for your book, it also has 40 pages comparing the three different paths. Use this link to get a free copy.

As writers, we need to continually experiment, research different options, choose some of them and fail. This week I spoke with an author who is weighing his publishing choices. A number of years ago he published a novel with Morgan James Publishing. After my call with him, I looked into the sales of this novel. I learned in the bookstores (our main market), it has sold a little over 200 copies and only four choices over the last year. No wonder he’s talking with me about doing a relaunch on this novel to get it moving forward. 

I gave you these details so you can see (and learn) how within the publishing house we are commuicating with each other. You may have had some situation which prevented you from marketing and promoting your book in the bookstores. Inspite of whatever else is happening in your life, I encourage you to make a little room for continued effort to move readers into the bookstore and get your books. There are thousands of ways so choose one and do it. Also notice the impression these details make on the decision about a subsequent book.

For a number of years, I’ve been speaking with this author about his current nonfiction book. To date, I’ve only received a detailed outline and now he has a draft of his manuscript. I’ve asked for the manuscript and his marketing plan. To get a contract offer from a New York publishing house, takes a great deal of behind-the-scenes work and is a team decision. I can be the champion for the author but the group makes the contract decision. I’m interested to see the book manuscript and marketing plan. The author has to send it to me for the process to continue.

Be Curious

As you continually experiment, I encourage you to be curious and ask questions. Several years ago I listened to the audio book version of Brian Grazer’s A Curious Mind. The book includes fascinating stories like how it took years for the Hollywood community to greenlight and make Splash--which turned into a top grossing film. Grazer encourages his readers to ask good questions and be curious. Over ten years ago, I championed a Morgan James book called The Power of Curosity. I encourage you to locate these books, read them and apply the information into your writing life.  We need to be curious and ask good questions.

Follow Mentors

As writers, we need mentors or people who have found success with their actions. Find these people then follow them, read their books, take their online courses and apply the information into your life. I want to make several suggestions in this area. First, follow my posts on X/Twitter (use the link). Notice I will post articles from some people over and over. These authors are some of my mentors that I follow and learn from them. You will have to experiment to find your mentors and they will likely be different than mine. It's all part of the journey of finding success. 

For example, Armand Morin followed the traces of success to create a 200-million-dollar business, become a bestselling country music artist and an in-demand internationally acclaimed speaker and trainer. You can learn more reading his book, Success Leaves Traces. 

Hire Recommended People

If you need to improve an area of your writing life, ask some of your mentors for a recommendation or do your own research and select someone that you hire. For example, my newsletter needed attention and help. I had several different lists and wanted to merge them together into one list. I didn’t have the time or expertise to learn this skill. Instead I hired an expert and learned from her. The process with my newsletter changes are not finalized or finished. It’s a continual process of learning, experimenting and improving. You will take the same journey with whatever skill you need to gain and adjust.

If You Aren't Making Progress...

Maybe when you read this article, you are stuck and feel like you are not making progress. As I said at the beginning of this piece, it is when you quit that you stop moving forward. Keep pitching in different areas. Continue to learn to write a book proposal and/or a query letter. Also keep making new connections and pitching to other professionals. Like one of my friends told me this week, “To kiss a princess, you have to kiss a lot of frogs.” Your right connection is out there and you will find it if you keep pitching.

Are you continually experimenting? If so, tell me about it in the comments. Or maybe I’m missing something then tell us in the comments.

Tweetable:

According to this prolific author and editor, success in publishing involves the necessity of continual experimentation. Read about the details. (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 podcast recording launched:

Ed Parcaut (@edparcaut) and I spoke about Busting Publishing Myths and Revealed Secrets for Author Success on Inner Edison Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/49eW9JM 

Every type of publishing has its own complexity, and many parts of the process are outside of anything that an author can control. In addition, from speaking with authors, I find many of them have unrealistic expectations about publishing. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. 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

Your Most Effective Communication Tool

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Writers, editors, agents and other professionals are in the communication business. Because of the slow pace or nonexistent pace of communication, often this aspect is forgotten. What is the most effective communication tool? Depending on your age, some people would answer text. Others say the telephone. In this article, I want to contend it is your email.

Through my work at Morgan James Publishing, I’m connected with many authors who have my direct dial phone number. We speak from time to time on the phone. Last week one of my authors called me. From a glance at my phone, I could see who was calling and I sent the call to voicemail. This author didn’t leave a message and is likely hoping I will return the missed call. It is a call I will not be making. Why? My last conversation with this author was a pitch for a type of book that Morgan James does not publish. During the conversation, I recommended this author write a book proposal or a business plan with the book that was pitched. It’s a lot of work to create such a business plan. I know firsthand because I’ve written two book proposals which received six-figure advances from publishers. I encouraged this author to write a proposal not for a six-figure advance but because I know it will help this author crystalize and define the idea. Instead of following the seasoned advice from my last phone conversation, this author wanted to spend more time on a call. It’s a timewaster for me and simply not going to happen. 

When it comes to the telephone, you want to be wise how you use this communication tool and not waste time for the other person. Think about your last call before you dial in their number to dial it again. My advice is that straightforward when you think about calling an editor or agent on the phone.

Boundaries on Your Email

Some of my professional friends have drawn specific boundaries on their email. For example, they don’t answer work emails on the weekend (except rarely). I got an automatic responder from one of my Morgan James colleagues and it included how she handles her email--that she only reads it twice a day in the morning and evening and that is during the week. On the weekend, she reads it on Sunday afternoon. I applaud how she has helped define expectations for anyone who sends her an email.

I do not have such boundaries (but maybe I should learn from this colleague). As my authors and others I work with know firsthand, I’m likely to answer my email almost any time and any day. Those answers can come early in the morning or late at night. I probably need to draw a few email boundaries.

A Process for Submissions

Email is where I receive and process submissions for Morgan James Publishing. Often writers and literary agents through email will send their pitch or proposal (often as an attachment). Also to make sure I get what I need for a submission, I will often email authors asking for their submission. If I need additional information (which happens fairly frequently), I will email for this data. 

As a part of the submission process, I set up a conference call with each author to explore the background on their submission, their connections as a writer and also to explain about the unique ways Morgan James operates in the marketplace. This conference call is recorded and via email, I sent the author a link to the recording. After this call, I fill out some internal paperwork to possibly get the author a contract--and this filled out form comes to me on email. 

When our publication board meets and makes a publishing decision about offering a contract, through email I’m notified their contract package is ready to send. As an editor, I prepare this package and email it to the author (and I also call them to alert them that I’ve sent this material so it does not get stuck in their spam or some other place). Often they ask questions (on email) and receive answers on email. Then when they sign their contract, they will scan it and email it to me. You can see with these details the essential nature of email throughout this process.

Read But Not Answered

Some of my professional friends have large volumes of email in their computer which they have never opened. I read or at least open all of my emails and have none which are unopened. If you email me, you can count on the fact I will open it. I may not read all of it but will open it. Also the fact that I open it does not mean I answer it. I have two primary email addresses (personal and work). In each email, I have a large number of emails which are in my draft folder. These emails are likely ones I will answer but on my timeframe. Many of them do not have a specific deadline or timeframe for an answer. 

Email Newsletters

In my article last week, I told you about my newletter change over after 20 years. It is still in process. I’m learning how to use my new system and committed to continuing the consistent communication pattern that I’ve set up in the past months. Behind the scenes, my newsletter numbers have dramatically dropped. I’m redoubling my efforts to proactively increase those numbers and get more subscribers. Essentially I’m continuing to send my newsletter on a consistent schedule, providing value and reminding them of our connection. 

In case, you missed it last week, here’s where you can quickly subscribe and will receive a FREE 87-page ebook loaded with lots of valuable writing insights.

Other Communication Tools

In the opening for this article, I mentioned the telephone and texting. I use both of these tools but advise you to be limited in your use of the telephone with editors and agents--until you have established your relationship. Some authors want to call me and make their pitch on the phone--which is the least effective way to pitch in my view. You may have a great oral pitch on the phone but what you pitch for the printed page is critical and much more important than what you do on the phone. Some authors love to text and will send me long texts--which I skim but do not reply in kind. Text is a great way to reach someone at the last minute.

Do you agree with me that email is your most effective communicaion tool? Or what do you see that I am missing? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Are you using the most effective communication tool for writers? This prolific author and editor believes it is not texting nor the telephone. 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 two articles which were published in other online locations than this blog. 

The Value of Getting Published is far beyond writing a book. You can read the detailed action points in this article. 

Some people believe Authors Have a “Magical Life.” Authors do have some unusual experiences and I give the details in this article of those few exceptions. The bulk of what authors do is simply persistent and hard work.

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. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 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