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.

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Create A Better Submission

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

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

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Finding the Right Fit

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

At any given time in the publishing world, I’ve heard there are at least a million book proposals and manuscripts in circulation. They are piled in editor’s and literary agent’s email and sometimes physically on their desks.  There are many reasons for this volume of submissions. Some authors have no idea where to send their manuscript. These authors send a “dear editor” email and use a blindcopy so it could be going to thousands of addresses. These types of submissions do not get processed and are instantly deleted.

The publishing community is constantly changing. Recently I was going to reach out to an editorial director at a large publisher. Before I sent my email, I went to their LinkedIn account where we are connected. I learned this editor is now a freelance consultant and left her long-term relationship with that publishing house last April. 

The image for this article shows a woman building a jigsaw puzzle. In many ways, writers looking for the right publishing connection is almost like working on a puzzle. Like the trial and error process you use when assembling a puzzle, publishing also has this same process. From my years in this business, to discover the right fit takes effort and work. I’m going to give you some ideas, examples and resources in this article.

Before you send your submission, you need to consider the publisher and the fit. For example, you don’t pitch a full color cookbook or a full color coffee table book to an agent or publisher who has no interest. Or a novel to a publisher which handles serious nonfiction.  Look at their website first. Who are their authors or clients? Use this research to make sure you are pitching the right publishing companies. 

The next question is do you have a relationship with them? Have you met them at a writer’s conference or book event? Do you have a connection with them in LinkedIN or in some other way? Are they still at that publishing company or have they moved or retired or changed to another position? It’s always a good idea to check their LinkedIN profile--even if you aren’t connected to this particular publishing professional.

Have you included all the right details in your pitch? Have you createde an excellent book proposal? If you don’t understand what I’m talking about, get the free version of Book Proposals That Sell and use my book proposal checklist. 

Before I overwhelm you with this process, I want to give you some good news. Every editor and literary agent that I know is actively looking for the next bestseller. They are reading their emails and their physical mail looking for the right fit. 

For example, at Morgan James Publishing, I connected with an author who had written a middle grade novel. She was in the United Kingdom and after several email exchanges, I learned this author was 15 and soon turning 16. When I spoke with this author and her father, I was impressed with the organization and storytelling skills of this young author. Morgan James distributes and prints in the UK but all of the other details did not fit for this author. During my years with MJP, I have contracted and published several young authors who have written novels. The details have to fit for this process to happen.

As editors, we are looking for the right author and their right book. For example, I want to find authors who understand they need to reach readers with their message and actively sell books using the thousand different ways. Last week I spoke with an author who had written a story. As we spoke, he told me that he had no interest in promoting his writing. Instead he wanted to take a smaller royalty and have someone else do that marketing effort. Instead this author just wanted to spend their days writing stories--not promoting their books. From the conversation, I could see this author was not going to be a good fit. Also this author wasn’t taking responsibility for his own success and looking for others to do it. Instead of leading this author to Morgan James, I encouraged this author to write for magazines because you can reach many people with publications yet do not have to do the marketing work like you do with books.

When it comes to publishing books, there are basically three paths: traditional, self-publishing and hybrid or independent publishing. David Hancock, the founder of Morgan James, has written The Babylon Blueprint for Authors. This book has great low-cost and no-cost marketing suggestions. It also includes 40 pages comparing these three options. Follow this link to get a free copy of this resource.

In last week’s mail, I got the best resource for any writer who wants to publish in the Christian market: The Christian Writers Market Guide 2026. It releases in the bookstores on December 16th. 

If you have an older guide, recycle it and get this one because each year the information changes, editors move, publications open and others close. The key is not to just get the book and put it on your bookshelf. You have to use the information inside it. I’m encouraging you to use this book over and over to open new opportunities and relationships.

Last week, a writer that I met during the summer at a conference called and left a voicemail. He wanted my input about an “opportunity” had found from a PR firm to attend the Los Angeles Book Festival. It would cost him over $1,500 to the PR firm along with his travel expenses from the midwest. To me this opportunity had several red flags. First, I had never heard of the PR firm (red flag because I’ve been in this business for many years). The second red flag was the hefty fee from the PR firm. The third red flag is that I’ve been to book festivals and know that I “could” make a good connection or they could be a waste of time and money. I encouraged this author that this opportunity was not the right fit.  

I applaud this author for getting input before he made a decision. I would not suggest calling any professional publishing person. Instead use other methods like email. As writers, we have many opportunities and ways to publishing, promote, and reach new readers with our writing. The key is to continue to explore these various ways and work to find the right fit. The only way you can stop this process is to quit--which I encourage you not to do. 

What actions are you taking to find the right fit for your writing? How can you open some new doors for your work and reach new readers? What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

A crucial part of the writing journey is finding the right fit for your work. This prolific author and editor provides the details and resources 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 one more podcast recording launched:

Mike Wagner and I spoke about 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS on The Mike Wagner Show. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4pkXCDn

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. 

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

Do The Hard Work of Publishing

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Our work as writers doesn’t involve physical labor but it can be equally as challenging. If you are in a hard situation with your writing, I want to offer some some ideas and encouragement in this article.

Let’s be honest. Not every part of the publishing journey is fun or interesting. Some of the details of publishing involve a great deal of detailed work and repetiton--which in many ways is boring and hard to accomplish. Yet these steps are a necessary part of the process whether the repetition is boring or not.

For example, consider the marketing of a book proposal. It’s hard to write a complete proposal in the first place (check out my book on proposals for guidance in this area). Then you need to search for the right places to send it. You often need to access a database, then cut and paste the information, and craft the query letter and proposal (creative) but then the boring part of sending out a professional submission. You or your literary agent (also it is hard to find an agent and then you have to monitor their work) sends out your proposal over and over. 

The submission process involves boring repetition and hard work but it is a necessary part of the process. It involves lots of cutting and pasting from one file to another in order to gather the information then use it in a personal way to reach the editor and capture their interest. You don’t send a mass mailing to many editors or agents (which is obvious and ghosted or little response. Instead you send a individual submission--which is clearly marked as simultaneous (important to tell them). I’m only searching for one yes or acceptance but I have to receive many nos in this searching process.

Or with my work at Morgan James Publishing, I will exchange multiple emails and phone calls with an author to understand and capture his vision for the book and put together the different pieces my colleagues need to make a decision. When my colleagues look at it, they turn it down or pass on it. In a sense, my efforts fail and don't produce a book.

Or in another situation, I work hard with an author on his book and vision, secure a contract from my colleagues then he decides to self-publish his novel. A few weeks later, this same author returns to me with a nonfiction book which is more of his passion with a solid proposal and gameplan. Once again I work hard to get him a book contract from my colleagues and this author decides to pass on signing his contract and moving forward. 

Or I work with another author who spends years searching for a publisher for her excellent middle grade novel. She finds a publisher and struggles to communicate with this publisher since they don’t talk on the phone and only via email (happens in the publishing world). Now this publisher decides to close their doors and return their rights to this author. She wonders what next and I give her some ideas but it will take work and effort on her part for those ideas to happen. 

Repeatedly within the publishing world, I find I can’t control the reactions or responses of others (even if I would like to do so). I can only be responsible for my own actions and I need to keep pushing forward. 

I write this article as a reality check for each of us along with some action steps for your own writing life:

1. Do something every day that scares you and stretches the boundaries of your writing life. Maybe it is an email or phone call or something you want to write or whatever. I’m often scared but I do it anyway.

2. Continue to knock on doors of opportunity to see if they will open for you. To succeed, you need to be in the right place at the right time with the right stuff. It doesn’t happen if you are not pitching and knocking on these doors.

3. Continue to write your stories and get them into the world in various ways--in print and online and in magazines and in books.

4. Continue learning and growing and looking for the right avenue for you. It will be different from my way but it will be work to find right one for you.

Years ago I interviewed Ann Kiemel Anderson who published a little bestselling book, I Love The Word Impossible. Ann’s book was funky and started every sentence with a lowercase letter throughout the book but her story and encouragement was moving. If she heard the word impossible then it led her to the Lord of the Universe and stretched her faith to see if that impossible event would happen. It’s the journey each of us are on as writers. Don’t lose heart but keep marching forward is the only answer in the face of the hard work. As Ann writes in the book’s preface:

“I love the word impossible because my God believes in adventure and extraordinary mountains, and He dares to be alive in a world crawling with terrible situations. He promises to be bigger than any impossibility because He is love…and love always finds a way through, in time.”

No matter what you write or publish, I encourage you to do the hard work of publishing. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

It’s not easy to do the hard work of publishing. There is little we can control. This prolific writer and editor gives the details and action steps for every writer. (ClickToTweet)

Throughout my years in publishing, I’ve reviewed thousands of submissions. As a part of the process, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Often 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. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Reach the Unreachable

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

One of the consistent challenges in the publishing world is to reach the right person at the right time with the right stuff. I understand a number of “rights” have to line up for this connection to be made.  The publishing world marketplace is full of half-baked ideas and poor submissions. Editors, literary agents and others have seen these submissions and it stirs them to use their delete key and not even respond to it. I’ve seen these poor submissions but I’ve chosen to take a different path.

 

A number of people have told me that I’m one of the most accessible people (reachable) in publishing. A number of people make their email address difficult to find. Instead my personal email is in my Twitter profile. It is also in my LinkedIN contact information. My public LinkedIN profile says I have 500+ connections but I really have over 19,400 connections. I want people to be able to reach me because I understand these connections can lead to other opportunities.

 

Many people are surrounded with gatekeepers or executive assistants or others who screen the email and phone calls before they grant access. These gatekeepers form an important function but how do you break through and get past the gatekeeper? I’m going to give you some ideas in this article. It's like a lock, your task as a writer is to locate the right key which will open the lock.

 

As you reach out to this individual, the first step is to get into their perspective and determine how you can entice them to respond. For example, I’ve interviewed more than 150 bestselling authors and I’ve written magazine articles about these authors for different publications. Often their publisher would connect me to the author for my interview. These publishers wanted the publicity for their book and author. If a magazine has “assigned” you to write an article, then you have greater leverage to connect than if you are writing it on speculation. If you are using this magazine article angle, you need to be prepared for the publicity person to ask you whether you are writing on assignment or speculation.

 

Other times you are reaching out to an editor or a literary agent because you want to pitch them a particular project. Have you met them at some writers conference or another type of event? Even if this meeting was years ago, you can still use this fact as you reach out to this editor or agent.

 

Whether you are trying to reach an editor, an agent or a bestselling author, one of the critical steps is your preparation. It was a lesson I learned as a young journalist. Research the background of these people, what they have written and read their books. If they had a press kit and it was sent to me, I read the press kit. Sometimes a nugget of information in these kits has led to wonderful stories when I asked about it.

 

There are other ways to reach these people such as their website, LinkedIN or another social media website. Also consider if you know someone else in your circle of relationships who has an established relationship with this person. Would your friend introduce you to this person? Often you will not know the answer to this question until you ask it. How do you reach the unreachable? From my decades in publishing, the answer is rooted in several key words: persistence, perserverance and consistency. If one door slams as you try, then use a different door and knock on that one until it opens. Does it always work? No, but I’ve learned often you can reach the unreachable if you continue trying.

 

Do you use other methods to reach the unreachable? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Tweetable:

Many people in the publishing world are difficult to reach such as bestselling authors, editors and literary agents. This prolific author and editor gives details about how to reach the unreachable. (ClickToTweet)

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The Biggest Obstacle

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers, we face numerous obstacles. We write something that gets the attention ot the editor or agent (the gatekeepers) then gets into print. Then when in print, we must reach readers with our message (often numerous times) before they purchase the writing and read it. No one has said the journey will be easy—and it is not. In this article, I want to give you some ideas and encouragement to get over the walls in your writing life.

 

I understand firsthand that every part of the process has some unique challenges. Yes it is hard with a variety of obstacles. The people who succeed, face these obstacles and continue forward inspite of them. Its what I am doing every day and I encourage you to do the same. A great deal of publishing is outside of your control but you can always be looking for the right opportunity and connection at the right time. From my experience is doesn't just “happen.” It takes continued effort on your part.

 

One of my writer friends bemoaned she didn't have any current deadlines or book contracts. If you don't have a deadline or writing assignment, then you create one.  Where is writing on your schedule? The world is full of opportunity but you have to take the initiative. Magazine editors are looking for articles to publish. Radio talk show hosts are looking for guests for their show. Podcasters are looking for guests for their show. Agents are looking for authors to represent and editors are looking for books to publish. Whether you are aware of it or not, each of these are open doors and opportunities—but you have to take the initative for that door to open. It doesn't come to you but you have to knock or pitch and see if it will open.

 

Here are several things to help you in your writing life:

 

1. Don't blame anyone else. It's easy to blame others. The harder and more productive road is something I have written about often in these articles. Take 100% responsibility for your own success. It is the first success principle in Jack Canfield's bestselling book, The Success Principles. It is not easy but a necessary step for your attitude in my view.

 

2. Work on your mindset and craft.  Our culture is filled with negative voices but you can have a positive mindset filled with gratitude. Keep working at your craft as you read how-to books—then apply the information to your writing life.

 

3. Keep going even when facing obstacles. Each of us have challenges within our lives. It may be a child or a car or your health or any number of things. Keep moving forward through and around these challenges. It's the difference between those who get it done and those who do not. The biggest obstacle in this process might be something you don't want to consider: you.

 

I believe our world is filled with opportunity. You simply have to find the right one for you and your message. If I can help you in this process, don't hesitate to reach out to me. What are you doing today to move forward with your writing? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Tweetable:

As a writer, what is your biggest obstacle? Get ideas and insights from this prolific editor and author. (ClickToTweet)

Are You Missing A Key Element to Publish Your Book? Get the details here. 

The Dangers of Being Pushy

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

From working with many different authors over the years, I know some authors can be pushy. They may or may not be aware of the way they come across (to give them the benefit of my doubts). Yet they still come across as pushy and demanding. In this article, I want to caution you about such an attitude and hopefully you will take a few minutes to look inside and see if this is how you come across—and make steps to change.

 

There are several aspects of the publishing world that may seem common sense at first—but I need to make explicit in this article. While you may think there are many people in this community, in some ways it is a small community—and we talk with each other (at events, through email and on the phone). Also within a publishing company like Morgan James Publishing, we are speaking with each other about our authors. Most of the time those exchanges are positive but not always.

 

As you work with your editor or assigned person within the publishing house, I encourage you to be aware that you are making an impression—positive and negative. When I worked inside another publisher, I always remember the complaints the “editorial assistant” who answered the phone took from prospective authors. This editorial assistant worked in the next cubical and sometimes I could overhear her side of the conversation. These pushy authors were making an impression—and not a good one.

 

If you are an author with multiple book projects that you want to publish, that is normally a good thing. Publishers and literary agents are looking for authors with multiple projects. Here's the exception to this general rule: pushy authors, difficult authors, demanding authors—do not get another opportunity. Hopefully you see the danger. In the heat of the moment, you were pushing on some aspect (timing of your book, the cover design, the title, or whatever) and this conversation made an impression—and not the one you wanted.

 

Now fast-forward in time to when you pitch your next book to this agent or publishing house, you get an unexpected “no thank you.” The response is surprising because you wanted to continue the relationship—yet it has suddenly gone into a pause. You've forgotten the easiest answer for any editor or agent is no thank you. Yes takes time and is built (at least partially) on your relationship with this person. If you are pushy, that action plays into future books. 

 

Here's some basics in this area:

 

1. Never burn a bridge to a relationship. None of us can see our future and that person may be important to you or your work at a later time. Always keep extending not limiting your relationships.

 

2. Every interaction is important so have respect. Whether a person is brand new or been in the industry for decades. Your interaction is important so treat others with respect.

 

3. Kindness and respect is always valued and remembered. Your actions may not have an immediate return but will pay off in the long-run. Always express appreciation and gratitude—verbally, through notes and many other ways.

 

I've rarely seen this aspect of publishing discussed but it is important. Maybe I'm missing a basic concept or something you have learned. I look forward to your comments and feedback.

 

Tweetable:

There are dangers for pushy authors. This prolific editor and author gives the details and cautions. (ClickToTweet)

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Awareness of A Fine Line

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Within publishing as you approach or pitch editors and agents, there is a fine line between being creative and interesting in your pitch—and being strange (asking for rejection). Editors and literary agents are actively looking for creative and interesting submissions. Even if you are getting rejected with your pitches, I know they are actively reading their emails and looking at their mail submissions for excellent submissions.

 

Recently a novelist approached me to possibly edit their book. As I reviewed the book, it was a clean, well-written novel but had several issues. First, it was substantially longer than a novel I could publish at Morgan James Publishing. We have a limit of 100,0o00 words which is typical for many publishers and based on our experience (sales) and the price point for the novel and other elements. This particular novelist had written a 145,000 word novel (way over our limitation). I pointed out this challenge to the novelist but I also told him about another “different” feature in his novel. Throughout the book for emphasis, he created words from his characters with extra letters. For example, he took the word “buzz” and would add letters so it became “buzzzzzz.” While such action was creative, it also bordered on strange and gave the gatekeeper (agent or editor) a reason to reject the novel. In the rejection process, we don't give such reasons to the author (not our role or responsibility). The author will likely never learn the reason for the rejection. This author was asking me for a critique or edit. As I examined the work, I didn't find anything worthy charging or critiquing so instead I sent a brief email with a few observations and suggestions.

 

The experience reminded me of several important principles that as writers we need to be aware:

 

1. We need to pour creativity into our submission but not cross into strange. Don't give that editor or agent a reason (even if unspoken) to reject your work. Instead give them reason to keep turning the pages and reading. This process is a careful balancing act.

 

2. Follow the guidelines from the agent or editor and even take a few minutes to review them before sending off your submission. Does your submission fit what they are looking for? If not, don't send it and find another place.

 

3. Your pitch or proposal is important and needs to be complete and excellent. Every publisher is looking for authors who are connected to their readers or what some people call their “tribe.” If you are beginning or don't have this group of readers, then start immediately to gather it. As I've written in the past, every author should have their own email list. You also need to have a social media presence (not every social media place but select a couple where you will work at building your presence). For example, I have invested a great deal of energy into Twitter and LinkedIn. Admittedly these sites are “rented” and not anything that I control or own. Any editor or agent with a few key strokes can check out your presence or lack of it on these places.  The look and numbers are important to these editors and agents as they make their decision about working with you (or not).

 

Publishing is a complex business that looks easy and simple on the surface but isn't. As a writer, you are lookng for the right connection. Finding this connection will take effort, education and insight but can pay off to advance your publishing career and also garner sales of your book. From my decades in publishing, it much better to work with others and produce excellence, than to do it on your own (self-publish). This simple principle explains why there are so many strange self-published book. There are plenty of companies that will take your money, publish your book and not give you honest help in the process. My advice is to choose carefully, ask many questions and avoid the missteps.

 

Are you aware of the fine line between creative and strange? What steps are you taking to get help from an editor or agent? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Tweetable:

As writers, we need an awareness of the fine line between creativity and strange. This prolific editor and author discusses the distinction in this article. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

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Improve Your Book Images With This Tool

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

I'm a writer and (if I'm honest) not the best person when it comes to visual presentation and graphic design. When I need a graphic, I get help from others. In recent days, I discovered a tool called MockupShots which is easy to use and has great diversity. The templates and designs are varied for many different types of authors and books. I've been using it and wanted to pass this experience along to you in this article.

 

MockupShots is simple to use because it is basically point and click. In seconds, any author can load their book into the template and the program generates hundreds of images (no exaggeration). The creators include short videos which illustrate how their program works.  Right now, there is a special on this tool and I gained lifetime access for only $80. For someone like me with multiple books, it made perfect sense.

 

You add your book to the program, select a design to download, then use it on your website, social media locations, your email list and anywhere else you need an image. Some of the designs are specific to a holiday or season while others are generic which you can use on other occasions. Beyond the stationary images, MockupShots also generates GIF images (which move when displayed). Also this tool generates short videos with your book. There are many different options to easily select, download then use.

 

Because I am writing this article just before Christmas, I'm going to include holiday illustrations for several different books. From my view, this tool is perfect for:

• authors
• publicists
• book reviewers
• editors
• literary agents
• anyone who writes about books and uses book covers

MockupShots includes a 30 day money back guarantee. In a few days of use, I've also written their customer support several times. I've been impressed with their responsiveness and quickness to correct anything wrong with their program.

 

I've only been using MockupShots for a few days and still have much to learn about this tool. Hopefully you can see the diversity and importance of this tool for the Writing Life.

 

I'm enthused about the multiple uses for this MockupShots tool. If I've missed some aspect, let me know in the comments below.

 

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We live in a visual world and as authors need diverse images for our books. Learn about a book graphic tool from this prolific editor and author. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet) 

Writers Need Each Other

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

 

Alone with our keyboard, every writer creates stories, articles and other types of communication. Yet without readers of those words, the stories have little impact on others. I understand it is hard to get an editor's or literary agent's attention to get your material on the road to publication. Part of this frustration is why self-publishing has exploded with 1.6 million self-published books a year. Yet many of these books are poorly produced and only sell 100 to 200 copies in the lifetime of the book (not a good path in my view and filled with companies who will gladly take your money with poor results).

 

Early on in my writing life, I learned that other people's input into my writing improved the results. Each of us have blindspots with our writing (no matter if we are beginners or have been writing for decades). Every writer needs an editor to go through their work in detail before it is published. I understand the business is subjective and you have to find the right editor for your work but it is an important part of the process. The best kind of publishing from my experience is using a team of people.

 

The writing community is an important part of the process. I learned early on to connect with others via email or phone or in person—and to maintain these relationships. I started writing for publishing decades ago in high school on my newspaper then worked for the local newspaper. While I have a college degree in journalism, I put my writing on hold for ten years while I was living overseas and working in linguistics. 

Years ago a friend showed me how to write a query letter and pitch magazines so I could get assignments. Then I went to my first writer's conference and met editors and literary agents. It opened the door for my first book which was published in 1992 (and long out of print). One of my writer friends recently showed me a current outrageous price on my first book from a retailer.

 

When I joined a critique group, my published writing took a leap forward. It was a regular forum to gain insight from readers and also a consistent deadline for my writing. If you have never joined a group, I recommend you follow this link and read the details of how to join or create a group.

 

There are many ways to support other writers in the publishing process. It might be as simple as being in a critique group with them. Or you could read their book, then write a review. People are making buying decisions every day after reading reviews. It's one of the reasons I've written over 1,000 Amazon reviews because it is a way I can support other writers. You can also subscribe to their newsletter (then when it comes pass it on to others). You can reach out to others with a phone call or email to check in with them—and see how they are doing with their writing. Admittedly 202o with a world-wide pandemic has been a strange year but you can do this sort of networking effort any time and any year.

 

Look for ways to volunteer and give back to others. As you give to others in these ways, you join the community of authors—and yes giving will come back to you multiplied is my view. I've given you a few ideas in this article. The bottom-line is we need each other. What steps will you take today to encourage and reach out to other writers? Let me know in the comments below.

 

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While writing is a solitary action, writers need each other. Get some ideas from this prolific writer and editor in this article. (ClickToTweet)

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