Change Is Hard

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Change is hard and no one (including me) likes to change. Yet change is how we grow, improve and become better every day. In this article for The Writing Life, I encourage you that each of us have resistance to change, then we have to make a decision and finally get a result.

The Resistance

As an author, for my writing life, I have created and used a variety of habits and systems. My goal is to be consistent and to reach new areas of the market and find readers. For example, every day I post 12 to 15 times on social media. I have been doing this pattern for years on three different “rented” platforms (that I do not control). The engagement or feedback from these actions is often minimal. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading them but I continue doing it. About the time I think about stopping someone responds and shows me that people do read these actions.

Since I started my blog in 2004, I have been writing these weekly articles. Because of my consistency, the blog has over 1800 entries and about 400 people receive my new articles on their email. In addition, each week I send a different piece of writing to my newsletter. Through the years, my newsletter has been sporadic and inconsistent. I changed this pattern over a year ago and send it each week. Use this link to subscribe and get a free 87-page Ebook and my newsletter with my gratitude.

Beyond my work as an author, I have my regular work as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. For the last 13 years I’ve been working with authors, hearing about their new books then championing their book to my colleagues. Through this work, I’m hopefully getting a contract that they will possibly sign and return to get their book into the bookstores. This work has it’s own patterns and systems. As with any work, Morgan James has continued to make shifts and changes. With this ebb and flow, some days my work is more successful than others. The bulk of it is in a familiar pattern.

Without going into unnecessary detail, sometimes my acquisitions work has been more successful with authors than others. Several months ago I continued doing the work but went through weeks with no authors completing their contract with Morgan James. Our founder David Hancock reached out to me with some suggestions for some shifts in my actions. In a completely normal fashion, at first I resisted making these changes, but I understand making these changes is important and can lead to improvements in results.

The Decision

I made a number of shifts in this process and began to use different tools in in the procedure. These changes were not easy. The first time I did these procedures, I made some mistakes (nothing fatal). I was committed to making these changes and improvements. Despite being hard, I continued forward.  Many of the decisions in the publishing process are outside of my control. I’ve learned that I can control my actions and my decisions. In that effort, I continue to try and be the best person that I can be for myself and my authors. It’s not a straight forward decision but a journey and a process. 

 

The Result

While the results of my changes are not complete, I can tell you the improvements have made for increasing results. I’m certain there will be additional changes in the future but I’m committed to continuing to do my part (large or small) in this process. In a number of areas, I’m becoming better every day and continue to learn and grow.

What about your journey as a writer or communicator? What resistance do you have to change and how can you decide to become better every day? Let me know in the comments below and I look forward to your feedback.

Tweetable:

Change is Hard. The prolific author and editor explains his resistance, his decision and his result of making changes. Get the detailed actions here.  (ClickToTweet)

Let’s be honest. Publishing is a complex business and much of the process is outside of anything an author can control—no matter how they publish. I I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors realistic expectations  and practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

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

Get these articles on your email: 

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

Our Days Are Short

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Each of us have a limited number of days on this planet. We may not think about it but sometimes this fact comes roaring our lives. 

In my Bible, I have a series of friends photos that I pray for every day. A number of these people are missionaries that I served with through Wycliffe Bible Translators. A few weeks ago one of these friends that I’ve known since the 70s and appeared in great health. He had a heart-attack and died. While I’ve often read heart attacks are a leading cause of death, the passing of this friend touched me personally--way more than any statistic.

As I’ve grown older and had many different experiences, I’m aware that our days on this planet are not endless but overall short. As writers, we need to be aware of the shortness of time and use this limited resource wisely. In Latin the term carp deim or pluck the day and seize the moment. 

Use Your Time Wisely

The bulk of these articles on The Writing Life give insights and encouragement for your work in publishing. I wanted to mke sure this article also includes this element. For the rest of this article, I’m highlighting a set of principles or maxims which are buried in the final pages of both versions of Book Proposals That Sell. I wrote the original version of this book as a frustrated acquisitions editor trying to receive better submissions. The book has helped many writers and has over 150 Five Star Reviews and exceeded any of my expectations. 

12 Maxims for Any Writer

Throughout my career, I’ve used these operating principles. I hope these maxims will aid you in your overall writing career. 

1. Never forget the impact of your words—positive or negative. Most days, I feel the pressure of motivation to make money as a freelancer. I’ve got bills and obligations which demand payment. Yet if you are so money-driven that you never make any decisions about your writing except ones which are motivated from finances, it will be difficult for you to advance in nonfiction or fiction. Don’t get me wrong. I want to be fairly compensated for my work but I also want to enjoy my work and what I do day in and day out. You need to be conscious of your motivation behind your writing and let that drive your daily efforts.

2. Never forget your writing is a privilege and a business—so seek to maintain balance. Too many writers hesitate to ask for their materials or for a decision about a query or proposal. They send it out once or twice, then it’s rejected and they don’t properly market or even follow-up. 

3. Celebrate your writing successes. Never lose the wonder of the opportunity. At another conference I attended—a secular writing conference in Southern California—I was fascinated by a secular novelist and his message. While waiting to ask him a question after the session, I turned to another person and asked if she had taken this instructor’s writing class. The woman puffed up her face in disgust and replied, “No, I’m a published author.” Just because our material is printed in magazines or books, it should not build us up in pride. Believe me, sometimes it’s difficult but as writers we need to keep things in balance, especially when it comes to books. 

4. Believe in the quality of your work and the value of your message. Surprises always happen. I work hard at my craft and perseverance is a key factor. Don’t get me wrong but I love to receive my material in print. It’s a surprise and a special blessing. It’s the new box of books hot off the press or the magazine article in a missionary publication. I marvel at the grace in my life. I’d encourage you to absorb the same attitude no matter how many books you publish. 

5. Expect to serve an apprenticeship. It’s a false expectation to go from nothing to book contracts. Everyone is expected to move through the ranks of this business. It takes diligence and perseverance to succeed. 

6. Learn all you can from every possible source. If you approach life in this fashion, you will find that you can learn from a multitude of sources. 

7. Act wisely and thoughtfully. Haste usually makes waste. 

8. Never resist rewriting. Your words are not etched in stone. 

9. Never resist editing. Again, your words are not etched in stone. 

10. When you receive advice about your writing, learn to evaluate it critically. Sometimes you will get advice from a fellow writer or a family member and it doesn’t “feel” like something you should take. Follow that instinct. 

11. Treat editors as the coach on your team. They know their audience, so respect their counsel and only reject it with good reason. 

12. Never rest on your laurels. Be looking for your next opportunity. I’ve discovered that writing opportunities abound—particularly when I’m actively looking for them.

 

As I read through each of these principles, I know the stories and experiences which are baked into each one. My hope is they will encourage you to seize the day and continue moving forward with your writing life. You are the only person who can stop the writing journey through your quiting (which I hope you don’t do). 

In the comments, let me know which principle spoke to you and your writing life. Or tell me about another principle which is missing from my list. I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

It’s easy to believe our days are endless. This prolific author and editor encourages us to understand our days are short. Also this article highlights 12 maxims.  (ClickToTweet)

My Writing In Other Places:

With these articles, I encourage you to publish your work beyond your blog in other places. Below are three articles which were published in other online locations than this blog.

At Almost An Author, I guest blog each month about an aspect of book proposal creation. This month I asked and answered a common question: Why Do Editors Take So Long with my Submission? at:  https://bit.ly/3Xk7Urg

This time of year, many writers feel like they have missed their goals. At Writers on the Move, I guest blogged about how writers can meet their goals and how to create a strategy for their writing at: https://bit.ly/48lT4Xe 

Each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the majority of publishing is silent. At the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Blog, I encourage writers to thrive during the silent days at: https://bit.ly/3JTpbo6

New Podcasts:

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

Jan Johnson and I spoke about Revolutionary Jesus: Shifting Paradigms on Just Talkin' About Jesus Podcast. Watch at: https://bit.ly/4pwPqzM or listen at: https://bit.ly/4p6SVgi 

Ken Primus (@ThreadsofEnlig1) and I spoke about the art of storytelling: how powerful stories shape identity and purpose on The Threads of Enlightenment Podcast. Watch at: https://bit.ly/43X2hTB or listen at: https://bit.ly/48qShU4 

Even if you self-publish your book, you need to be cautious about your decisions and who you choose to work with for your book production. I’ve met authors who have spent thousands of dollars in the self-publishing process and unknowingly worked with someone in the Philippines and produced a terrible looking book which is only sold online. I’ve heard the unrealistic expectations of writers. 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

Forgotten Follow-up

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In some ways, my continual pitching podcast hosts is like putting together a puzzle. You have to turn the different pieces around so they fit into the right picture. If you’ve done puzzles, sometimes toward the end you discover you are missing a key piece.

I’ve had this sort of experience with PodMatch which has a database of over 90,000 podcasts. I reached out for help from support and for a couple of days, I had more matches of podcast hosts to pitch. In fact, I booked a couple more podcasts, then the matches again stopped. I asked support what else could I do and received a short list of suggestions.

The first suggestion almost leaped off the page:

1. Go through your messages and send some follow-ups. 

During the months I’ve been with PodMatch, I have not gone  back to any of the podcast hosts who did not respond and follow-up with a second pitch. I had forgotten to follow-up.

 

I’m aware there are many reasons why I didn’t get a response. Some of those podcast hosts didn’t see my pitch as a fit for their show. But there are many other reasons why they didn’t respond and a second pitch may generate interest. Here’s a few of the other reasons (speculation on my part) why they didn’t respond: 

--Maybe they never received my pitch

--Possibly the pitch went into their spam

--Or my pitch arrived at the wrong time when their schedule was stacked.

--Or maybe they were distracted and rushed when they read my first pitch and didn’t give it careful consideration.

Through PodMatch, I do not have their email address to follow-up. I do have the ability to send a follow-up message. My plan is to return to the first matches (even six months ago) and craft a second follow-up pitch. In my pitch, I’m going to highlight my own connections and how I promote each podcast. The suggestion from the PodMatch help support was brilliant and worth some of my effort.

Sometimes in these articles, I confess to being behind as an acquisitions editor processing the flurry of Morgan James Publishing submissions. In some cases, I’m many weeks behind in reaching out to an author and processing their work. Last week I got a creative follow-up email from an author. He reached out and said it had been weeks since we communicated and he believed my silence told him that we were not interested in his submission. Then he said he was leaning toward self-publishing. 

His unusual and pointed follow-up caught my attention. For the first-time I looked at his submission and scheduled a time to explore publishing this book. He used a brilliant and attention getting strategy.

As editors we have mounds of material to process and a simple gentle follow-up is a good way to catch the editor’s or literary agent’s attention. Everyone needs to follow up no matter what you are pitching--books, magazine, speaking gigs or anything else. 

Each of us have limited time to pitch our books or our writing. There are also crazy things that happen which prevent others getting our pitches. Timing is a huge element with pitches--which is another reason a gentle follow-up is important. 

What are you neglecting to follow-up? Do you have other ideas about follow-up? I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

Follow-up is one of the most important skills for every writer according to this prolific editor and author. Read the stories and learn the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

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

Get these articles on your email: 

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

Important Old School Practices

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

While I’ve been involved in publishing for a long time, there are some simple but important practices that writers need to be using. Some people would call these actions “old school.” In this article I want to give some examples and encouragement.

Build Relationships

As writers, we need relationships with others in the publishing world. How are you build these relationships and adding to them? For example, this week I received an email from an author that I had not heard from in seven years. I exchanged emails with her then I checked my phone and her number was still in my address book. I called the number and had a short conversation with her. I encouraged her to come to another writer’s conference, listened to her book pitch and affirmed the value of this concept. It didn’t take much time but I believe I passed on some value to this writer and hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.

Throughout my day, I will get an idea to contact someone, pick up the phone and call or leave them a message. It is an old school practice that I do often. Sometimes it leads to something and sometimes not. At least I’m knocking on the door, and trying to get it to open--not just thinking about it. As writers we have to be proactive in our actions and maybe you can do so through making more phone calls.

Monitor and Respond to Your Email

As editors and writers, we are in the communication business--which unfortunately often doesn’t communicate. Everyone has email. Are you reading and responding to your email? 

Several weeks ago, I received an email from an author who last fall considered our Morgan James Publishing contract offer and turned it down. In the new email from this author, he asked if the contract was still available. I checked with my colleagues and learned the contract could still be available. I revised the date on the contract and returned it to this author. It took some time but he signed this contract and is moving forward to publish his book.

Is there an offer that you have turned down which you could return to that publisher and make a different decision? The possibilities are there if you take an old school action and follow-up.

Design and Carry Business Cards

Do you have a current business card? If not, I encourage you to create one and carry it with you. I’ve used my business cards in many different places such as on an airplane or in a restaurant or even in my local post office. Whenever I give a card, I will often ask for their information or business card. Sometimes I get it and sometimes not.

Keep track of The Data on Those Cards

When you receive a card or address information, do you keep track of this data or actively put it into your computer address book? It's an old school practice. You never know when you will need to reach out to this person and you can’t if you don’t have the data. Take consistent action to preserve and add to your data collection. If someone doesn’t have a card, I will often gather the information with a pad and paper which is an old school practice.

Use The Gentle Follow-up Method

If you don’t hear from someone, do you follow-up and see if they need something additional? Last week, I remembered a proactive author who was enthused about his second book contract with Morgan James Publishing. Because I never received this author's signed contract, I called him to see if he had any update or questions?

I learned that he had signed and returned his contract over a week earlier. As we were on the phone, he resent his signed contract so I could get it moving forward. Without my follow-up, the contract would still be stuck in limbo. Technology is not perfect and as people we make mistakes and don’t get something done that needs to be done. Are you using the old school method of email or phone to follow-up?

It is not a perfect process. Each of us have more to be done than any of us can do. When something important to you does not get done, it’s important to follow-up and take action.

Within the publishing world, we understand that it is a process. There is no right or wrong way to do these old school practices. The key is to use them on a regular and consistent basis. It will yield results for your publishing. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

My Articles in Other Places:

In these articles, I encourage you to guest blog and write for other places. Here’s a couple of my recent published articles:

Once a month, I guest blog for Writers on the Move. When you record a radio interview, how do you use it for on-going promotion? Get specific action steps how to repurpose your radio interviews in this article: https://bit.ly/426ATlf

Each month I guest blog about some aspect of book proposal creation for Almost An Author. This month I wrote about how ppPublishing is a Relational Business at: https://bit.ly/4lnZwBV

Each month I guest blog at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference blog. This molnth I asked Can You Avoid Publishing Pitfalls? at: https://bit.ly/4iKoVUa

New Podcasts:

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

Timothy Brien and I spoke about publishing myths debunked on the Create Art Podcast. Listen to it at: https://bit.ly/41MHRMr 

Brett Ingram and I had a great conversation: Write Your Book and Change Lives on the optYOUmize Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4iTuWOU

Tweetable:

There are important old school practices. Are you using them in your writing life? This article gives the details from this prolific author and editor.  (ClickToTweet)

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

Opportunity Is Everywhere

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

When you look at our world, you can go two different directions. You can buy into the negativity and rejection or you can see abundance and opportunity. I’m intentionally going toward the opportunities. In fact, we are surrounded with incredible opportunities. Thousands of podcasts, print publications, people to write their books, important stories to tell, and the list goes on.

As I look at my own writing life, there are several keys in this process and here’s a few of them:

--We each have limited time and resources. Each of us have the same 24 hours and seven days of the week to accomplish what we will do. It is important to be conscious of this limited time and use it carefully.

--We have to make wise choices with our time. Each of us waste time (including me) doing things like watching mindless television or scrolling through social media. Awareness and choosing wisely is important.

--When opportunity comes we have to seize them. For example, I have new books from authors and publishers which continue to pour into my office. I write book reviews about some of them and some I do not. It’s just one of a multitude of choices and opportunity for each of us.

--We have to be organized and choose wisely. For example, each of us as writers have to maintain and keep our connections. This past week I saw my youngest son and his wife. They looked at a tech issue on my phone and were amazed at the number of addresses in my gmail account. I was not surprised because gathering this information is something I am working constantly to increase and expand--and I encourage you to gather as well.

 

--Whatever you want to get done, you have to build with careful planning. For example, I have a book that I want to write. I have a scratched outline but to get it moving. I have to organize my thoughts into a book proposal (something every author needs to do when they begin whatever type of book you are writing). Then I have to plan my strategy to write this book. I want to have a nearly finished manuscript before I pitch it. I know where I will publish it but also want to take a reasonable deadline for this book. Each of these details is important to build into your creative process. I’ve done this work over and over. I’m aware of my future steps to get it done and into the world.

I agree with Markus Dohle, former CEO at Penguin Random House who said on a webinar I attended, “We live in one of the greatest times in human history since Gutenberg invented the printing press.” Let this statement drive your activity and your seizing of various opportunities. We live in a remarkable time in history.

--For example Morgan James Publishing has recently started a new TV and film division and getting those rights to shop for the authors. Just consider the new opportunties in recent years--streaming and expanded people in film--which were not available as broadly only a few short years ago. 

In this process of exploring your opportunities, I encourage each of you to cover the basics:
--do what you promise to do.

--return your calls and emails.

--develop new relationships.

--keep learning new things and trying them.

--be consistent and keep moving forward no matter what happens.

Each of us must seize the day and use our time and opportunities wisely. I’m definitely a glass half full type of person rather than half empty--yet I try and balance my optimism with a realistic perspective. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

According to this prolific writer and editor, opportunity is everywhere. In this article, get some of the key insights and details for every writer.  (ClickToTweet)

Use this link to watch the video

A great deal of the publishing process is outside of our control as authors, yet there are specific actions every writer can take. Get my decades of insights in 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of

bonuses.

A Different Author Strategy

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Some publishing experts estimate 1,000 new books are published every day. This estimate includes the self-published books and it can be overwhelming when you consider the volume of print material which is entering the world. 

How can an author standout, be different and sell books? In this article, I want to give some strategy ideas and action steps. Upfront, I will tell you each of these methods are not quick and easy. They require effort and work to sell books. 

As you read and study the path of other authors, you need to understand success leaves traces. If you study the details of the success of others, you can discover the path for your own success and sales of your book. First, you have to gather some basics. What type of book are you writing? In general the techniques and path for a children’s book will be different from a novel from a nonfiction self-help book. Each of these types will often follow a different strategy and path to sell their books.

Several years ago I interviewed an author friend who self-published a nonfiction book. In the creation process, he created a book which was well-written with an attractive cover. He crafted the back cover copy and made sure there was a publishing logo on the spine and the barcode on the back was perfect. This friend paid attention to the details as he self-published and produced a book which when placed along side any other book would be accepted. Many people self-publish but they slip on these production details. 

This author targeted book sales to libraries. The American Library Association says there are over 123,000 libraries in the United States. He located a list of these libraries with the phone numbers. For several hours every day, he called the libraries, introduced himself and had a brief pitch for his book. He got the librarian interested in his book, got their name and with their consent, mailed a book with an invoice. It took hours of work and the development of a plan and execution of that plan, but he sold thousands of books in this process.  If you want more of the details, I have this interview in the extra products when you purchase my 10 Publishing Myths book. This strategy to sell books worked for this author and you could learn from his success.

I follow the teaching and stories from book marketing expert John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to MarketYour Book. Recently he made a bold claim encouraging authors to make up to $150,000 before your book is published! The strategy of pre-sales is one every author can learn about and practice.

If you have published or plan to publish a children’s book, then look at the information and actions in this section from John Kremer. As with the other strategies in this article, you can learn and then implement the practices for your books. 

Have you heard of bestselling novelist Terry McMillan who has several movies including Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. As John Kremer said, “Her first novel was published by a large New York publisher, but they didn’t do much with it. This was in 1987. They sent out press releases. They sent out some review copies. But Terry was a first-time novelist, so media didn’t care. Nothing much happened.” How did Terry turn around this experience? John gives the details in the Rule of 3,000. McMillan handwrote personal letters to 3,000 bookstores. It was a huge commitment of time and energy but it got attention and paid off. Few authors would make this sort of effort but it launched a bestselling novelist. Maybe you want to follow this path for your book.

John wrote some additional details saying, “The response was so great that she ended up doing a 39-city book tour. Her efforts gained her plenty of rave reviews for her book as well as two reprintings in six weeks. That’s a major success for a first-time novelist. Her publisher got behind her once they saw that the book was selling, and it was worth reprinting again and again. The key point to this story is not who Terry sent letters to, but how many letters she sent. It’s a numbers game, and what happens with most authors, even though I’ve told them this story many times, is that they ignore this crucial advice. Write a lot of emails.”

One of my Morgan James Publishing authors published a personal story with a tie to the pro-life issue. She mailed 1,000 copies of her book to Crisis Pregnancy Centers around the United States. The effort was a financial and time investment in her book. One of the keys for her success will be the strategy behind it. Did she offer bulk sales to these places and how is she following up on the mailing? Each of these strategies have different details which are important for them to succeed. 

My encouragement is for you to learn about these different author strategies for selling and marketing your book. Try some of them and see if they work for you. If they work, then do it some more. If not, then press on to another one. There is not one path to success but many paths and as an author you have to select the one for you. If there was a single path, every book would be a bestseller. Instead we know some books have dismal sales and others succeed. 

My encouragement is to try a different author strategy to sell your book and keep doing it over and over until you find success. Is there another strategy that you have used to successfully sell books? Let me know in the comments.

 

Tweetable:

There are many different strategies to sell books. This prolific writer and editor gives several specific possibilities in this article. Read the details here. (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

The Right Fit Takes Persistence

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Change is the only constant in the publishing world. It’s like playing the childhood game of musical chairs. The players are constantly in motion and change positions and roles. It’s one of the reasons for writers to read the trade publications which report significant personnel changes. Editors become literary agents. Literary agents change and work for a publisher or they become a freelance editor. These examples are just a couple of the continually shifting landscape. 

As a writer, you have a dream and a desire to publish your words. It takes a lot of perserverance and persistence to find the right publisher for your work. The Chicken Soup for the Soul series is one of the bestselling series in the English language. Most people have forgotten their challenging beginning. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen were rejected 140 times before they located a publisher. That is a lot of rejection in the search to find the right fit.

There is only one way your book doesn’t get published or your story doesn’t appear in print or your book stops selling. It’s when you as a writer give up on your dream and stop. 

* You stop meeting new editors at a conference or on LinkedIN or through an online group.

* You stop reading about new publishing houses and new publications. Change can mean opportunity for your book and your writing--if you don’t stop.

* You stop pitching your writing or your book to literary agents and editors

* You stop writing a book proposal and query letter. If you haven’t read my Book Proposals That Sell (The Revised Edition), I encourage you to download the free ebook then read it and take action on the information. 

I don’t encourage anyone reading these words to stop but instead to choose to keep going until you find the right fit for your writing. 

Last week I heard a published author with an agent tell about her devotional going out to numerous publishers (40 is the number I recall) and getting rejected. The agent and author could not find the right place to publish this idea. Then one of the editors moved to a different publishing house. This editor remembered the author’s pitch and asked for the proposal. It was published along with three additional books. Her persistence paid off with four published devotional books. 

Also last week I met a new magazine editor. One of my friends had written an original story for that magazine and never received a response. Her experience was a common one. When I asked this editor about another editor who attended last year. I learned he was no longer with the magazine. I asked if my friend could resend her article to the publication. The editor said this friend should send it directly to her and use my name with the submission. Will it get published? I don’t know if it will happen but now my friend has another opportunity. As with the book author, it takes persistence to find the right fit.

In these articles, I’ve mentioned how books pour into my mailbox for possible review and from other authors. The volume is way more than anyone could possibly read but I’m grateful for each one and the opportunity. I was sorting books which is an ongoing process to keep them organized and limited so it doesn’t overwhelm. In the sorting process, I realized that I had two copies of a book. I reached out to another writer asking if she wanted it and she did. Then I packed up the second copy and put it into the mail. I tell you this little story to ask what is sitting on your bookshelf unused that you can pass along to someone else. No matter where you are in the publishing world--a beginner or a seasoned professional--each of us have opportunity. I encourage you to be aware of it and take action. 

Many writers are following the “Field of Dreams” action plan. I’m referring to the movie where they build a baseball field then players and people come to it--even in an Iowa cornfield. Writers believe if they pitch to the right literary agent, their book will get traditional published. They believe if they build a great website, people will come. Or writers have many other fantasy ideas which are not based in reality. You have to actively be looking for the right connection and the right fit through your email, phone calls and much more. When you locate a possibility, take action and explore it. For example, last week I spent a chunk of time reaching out to the writers I met at a conference. One of those people emailed me back which was great. She pulled my email out of her spam or junk folder. What is sitting in your spam folder that could be an opportunity?

Do you see the opportunity in publishers and publications when the personnel changes? If you seize the moment, change can provide a fresh opportunity. How have you learned that it takes persistence to find the right fit? Let me know in your comments.

 

Tweetable:

There is only one way your work doesn’t get published: you give up. This prolific writer and editor gives the details why it takes persistence to find the right fit.  (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

When You Feel Overwhelmed

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In the publishing world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the responsibility that falls on every author. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to publish your first work or you have written bestselling books. The feelings of overwhelm can spring into your life. As a writer you have a multitide of things that you need to accomplish. Here’s just a few of them:

--Create excellent writing

--Make the right connection

--Write an attention-getting book proposal (follow the link for a free copy of my much-reviewed book)

--building a website

--beginning and maintaining an email list

--blogging on a consistent and regular basis

--connecting through social media

--marketing yourself and your writing

--and much more

Each of these various skills can consume many hours to accomplish. Some of them like excellent writing is never accomplished because as writers we continue to grow, learn and improve. 

From my decades in publishing, I want to give several facts. First, every writer feels overwhelmed from time to time including me. At times the work is daunting and the results are often unpredictable and outside of anything I can control. Also while I accomplish and complete individual tasks, the work is never done and there is always more to be done. 

When you have these feelings (and everyone does), what do you do? Before I give you some active suggestions, let’s talk about what not to do. First, don’t quit. Then don’t procrastinate and do nothing. Each of us spin our wheels from time to time but snap out of it and get going. I’ve seen many people stop working in the writing world.

Here’s my encouragement about what actions to take. First get your fingers on the keyboard and keep going. Continue to write stories. Your consistent writing and making progress counts and will pay off in the long run. No one sits at their keyboard and in a single session completes a full-length work.

Make time to plan and organize how you are moving forward. For example, I’ve learned that I don’t work well in chaos or mess. I understand some people write well at a coffee shop but I don’t. I complete more work and quicker if I have a plan and a relatively neat office. As I’ve written in the past, publishers and authors will send books that they want me to read and write reviews. Last week these books were stacking up in my office and becoming overwhelming. I took a few minutes and narrowed the books and organized them into something manageable. It took a few minutes but lessened my overwhelming feelings. I encourage you to take these sorts of actions in your writing life to plan and organize, then move forward. If I’m not going to read a particular book, it’s better for me to put it out of my sight and donate it or give it to someone else.

Also keep learning, experimenting and growing. For example, a much published author reached out to me last week and asked if I would read and review her book. I agreed and she sent it to me. I’m learning a great deal from reading it. This book was released late last year and has no reviews (at least on two online places that I checked). It takes work and effort to get these reviews. It’s something every writer has to do and if you need ideas, follow this link. 

When you feel the stress and overwhelmed, take some time to exercise and walk around the block or any type of movement. As writers, we spend a lot of time sitting and in our chair. There is value and reduction of stress through taking simple actions to care for yourself. 

I hope these words encourage you because if you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Every writer feels this way but the critical element is what actions are you taking to move ahead in spite of those feelings? Let me know what else you suggest in the comments. 

My Articles in Other Places. 

In these articles, I often encouraged you to publish your book on other blogs and other places. Here’s some of my articles which have been published recently: 

Create a Fascinating Marketing Plan Most of us would like to delegate this responsibility to someone else. In this article I explain why every writer needs to take these steps. 

Take An Underused Author Path Most writers want to publish a book. In this article, I encourage authors to take a different journey to get published which can reach more people and give you visibility in the marketplace for editors and literary agents.  

Get Writing Wisdom and Experienced Insights As writers, we need wisdom and experienced insight. In this article, I give specific suggestions where you can find these elements for your writing life.  

Tweetable:

What actions do you take when you feel overwhelmed? This prolific writer and editor gives insights and active steps. Get the details in this article. (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Moving and The Writing Life

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Last week I missed writing a new article about the Writing Life for the first time in years. After ten years in Colorado, we moved back to the community in Southern California where we lived ten years earlier. Change has been a key word in this process.  In this article, I want to show how my skills as a writer gave me what I needed to make this move.

Moving is Hard

To get published is also hard but possible. We used movers to pack some of our fragile possessions and to carefully lift outside our furniture. With publishing, there is much to organize and learn how to write a book proposal or a query letter or just formatting your magazine article so it looks professional. Each of these steps is part of the process and something every writer has to do if you want to get published. 

Much Is Different

Our new place is radically different from our former location. To enter the writing life, you have to continually make new connections and study different companies. For example, to get published in a magazine, you have to study that publication and see what types of stories they publish and do freelance writers send those stories or are they staff written? For three days to get to our new location, we drove eight or nine hours each day. Ahead of time we had made hotel reservations and planned our path. Yet at times there were delays in the process and it's the same with the writing life, sometimes it takes an unexpected amount of time to reach a particular editor or literary agent. 

There Is A Lot to Learn

Because we lived in this community years ago, the street names and various locations has a feeling of familiarity, yet we are struggling with even simple directions. I’m constantly using the directions feature on my phone to go to anywhere. The world of publishing is similar and is always changing. I’ve been studying the details for years yet I still have a lot to learn. It's an action step I encourage for each of you--always be learning more about the publishing world. 

Your Routines Are Changed

When we moved across country, the location of everything shifts. For several days last week, the bulk of the day was spent unpacking boxes and organizing the things as they came out of those boxes. The process of moving interrupted my writing and I wasn’t able to blog last week. Often my writing routine has been changed or interrupted. Many writers create a certain pattern about when and where they write. Of necessity, I’ve learned not to place restrictions on my writing routines. I’ve written in busy environments such as coffee shops but also in libraries, on airplanes and in hotel rooms. Every writer needs a measure of discipline and persistence to get it done when your routine is interrupted.

You Have to Adapt

To prepare for our move, I used my scheduling program for my social media posts to Twitter and LinkedIN. Because of using this tool, these posts continued whether I was near a computer or not. My posts to Facebook simply didn’t happen during these days. The move has forced many changes and I’ve had to adapt to get things accomplished. For example, during our several days of driving to our new location, I had authors sign their Morgan James contracts. Often late at night, I was working on my laptop to keep these authors moving forward through the production process. Admittedly working on my laptop is different from using my desktop computer. I had to adapt to accomplish some simple publishing tasks. 

The same sort of action happens in the writing world. We need to adapt as writer to give the readers (and our editor) what they expect and want. If your book proposal is incomplete or missing a critical section, because of the volume of submissions, you will often get a simple form rejection letter. It is best in these situations to use a checklist to ensure you have all of the essential and expected items. It's why I created my book proposal checklist to help writers achieve this need and submit a complete proposal.

Each Day Gets Better 

As I explained in the opening, moving is filled with confusion, a feeling of being lost and many changes. Yet as we’ve worked through the details of each day, it has also gotten better. We love our new location. As we’ve unpacked our belongings, the routines of life are slowly falling into place and getting better. 

The same sort of process happens in the writing world. As you tackle something unfamiliar such as writing a magazine article or a book, the more you work at it, the process gets easier. Each day is filled with challenges yet also opportunities. As a writer, I am often a plodder and keep moving forward in the process. It's the same element I’ve used with this move. Persistence and the ability to keep moving forward helps me know that eventually all the confusion will disappear and life will even out. 

Continue Your Routines

As we’ve set up our kitchen, we’ve intentionally kept many of the same patterns of our former kitchen. For example the plates and silverware are located in similar places. This pattern has helped us settle into the new location. I suggest the same is true in the writing life. If you have a place where you write, where you keep your pencils and computer, maintain that place as much as possible. It will help you be able to consistently take action with your writing life.

Overall there are some basic characteristics of every writer which have also been in play with our move:

--persistence

--a commitment to continued learning

--a sense of curiosity and adventure

--knowing as I continue, things get better every day

My writing life feeds into my regular live including my recent move. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Moving is disruptive to The Writing Life. This prolific author and editor explains how his skills as a writer have helped the moving process. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.