Be Aware of Your Choices

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Throughout your day, you are making choices, whether you are aware of it or not. What actions you take? Write this page or watch a movie or television program or read more on a book. What you eat? When you get some exercise? When do you organize your desk or your computer or learn something new? We are surrounded with good choices. 

Each of us have the same 24 hours of the day to take action and do something. Some of my days are filled with high energy and scheduled meetings with authors. On other days my calendar is empty and every hour I make choices how to fill my time. For example, with my role as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. For 13 years, I’ve been actively doing this work with authors--and even longer since I was doing this work with other publishers. The process of getting a book contract for an author has multiple steps which I have to accomplish for my colleagues to send me a contract. Working for a New York publisher is different from the two other publishers where I have worked in acquisitions. Also the process is different from self-publishing (where everything falls to the author’s responsibility). For my part, I have a series of steps that need to be completed in this process. I’m aware my choices and even how quickly I get the various steps completed will affect whether an author receives a contract or not. If I don’t complete some of the process, then that author will never receive the offer to publish their book. 

During my years working in this process, I have also learned there is much of the process which is outside of anything that I can control. For example, I can’t determine if an author will sign and return their contract or if they will send me a simple note they have decided to go in a different direction (happens) or they don’t respond at all to my contract offer (yes, editors do get ghosted in response as well as writers). While I can’t control the response and action of others, I can control my own actions and choices. Some days I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work and the details that have to be pulled together for a book to move forward. Other days I keep chipping away at the work and some of the details come together and move forward with my colleagues. I’m saying it is not a black and white process but a fluid one which is filled with choices.

Another illustration about choices would be the management of my calendar. As a part of the submission process at Morgan James Publishing, I speak with the author, record the conversation and send that author a copy of our recording. My authors are scattered all over the world--not just in different parts of the United States and Canada. In the last few weeks, I’ve spoken with a couple of different authors in Switzerland about their submissions. I will send an email with a proposed time. I use a world clock tool so my proposed time will likely work for that author. With the authors in Europe, it is often early morning in California but late afternoon in Switzerland for that author. 

It is a continual process to propose a meeting time, see if that time will work, then set up a conference call with that author (another online tool I use in this process). During the call, I make sure I ask the author for the various details I need for my colleagues (such as the links to their online presence on LinkedIN, Instagram, Facebook, etc.). If I don’t have these details, then I can’t fill out their paperwork for my colleagues and see if I can get them a book contract. Throughout this internal process, I am making many choices about how I will spend my time and which authors to move forward in the process. Hopefully from these few specifics, you can see even as an editor, I have an endless stream of choices whether to go this way or that way.

For this article on The Writing Life, I want to give you several steps to help you move forward with whatever you face.

1. Be aware of your choices. Monitor how you spend your time throughout a day. Are you aimlessly scrolling on social media or sitting at your desk with your fingers on your keyboard and moving forward on your writing? If you can’t find a block of time to write, can you write in short bursts to keep it moving forward? Break up the patterns of what you have done in the past and try something different to move ahead. 

2. Use wisdom of experience and prayer with your choices. As a Christian, I understand that prayer is one of our greatest assets in deciding which direction to move forward. I encourage you to pray throughout this process as you make your choices.

3. Handle the interruptions. No one is promised smooth sailing in the publishing process. From my years in this business, I can almost guarantee that something will spring into your life to interrupt your goals or plans. The key is your determination to keep moving forward and meet your writing deadline inspite of the interruption. 

4. Be committed to growing and improving throughout your publishing journey. As I’ve written in these articles, the publishing process is much more of a marathon than a sprint. Each of us are on the journey with an endless supply of opportunities. Which opportunities will you choose to move ahead and which opportunities will you delay or refuse?

I’m excited about the various authors and books that I work with day in and day out. The process is not simple nor straightforward but complex with many variables and choices. I hope this article helps you become more aware of your choices and possibilities in the journey. What am I missing or would you add to this process? Let me know in the comments below.

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.

Mark Graban and I spoke about Selling Books Isn’t the Publisher’s Job: What Authors Must Learn Early On the My Favorite Mistake Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3GByvel 

Get to a Conference:

One of the best ways to boost your writing life is to attend a writer’s conference. Here’s two upcoming possibilities for us to meet.

May 26th to 30th, I’m teaching a continuing class on a rarely discussed (yet critical) topic for authors: Unlock the Mystery: How Do Authors Sell Books? Let’s meet in person, learn the details and get registered at: https://bit.ly/4j2HVxd 

Let’s meet in Oregon next month. I will be teaching about how to Jumpstart Your Publishing at the Cascade Christian Writers Conference June 22nd to 25th plus meeting with authors about their publishing plans. Get registered at: https://bit.ly/3Z5dSNF

Tweetable:

Whether you are aware of it or not, our lives and work in publishing has many choices. This prolific author and editor gives some examples, then action steps to help you to make better choices. (ClickToTweet)

There are many other aspects of the publishing process that authors need to have realistic expectations and plans. From speaking with hundreds of authors through my years in this business, I find many of their plans are unrealistic. A great deal of the publishing process is unpredictable and outside of the author’s control. It’s why 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.

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

Why Take a Crazy Deadline?

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Have you ever taken a “crazy” deadline? Why do it? In this article, I will give a number of reasons why I have done it through the years--and why I continue to do it--and encourage you to do it too.

Almost ten years ago, I learned a publisher had their team selling a book into the bookstores but did not have a manuscript they wanted to publish. Yes, it sounds backwards but happens. The book is called Running On Ice by Vonetta Flowers, the first African-American to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics (2002 two-person bobsled). The manuscript needed to be written in six weeks and was a 50,000 to 60,000 word book. I love to tell a good story, was fascinated with Vonetta’s story and signed up to write this book with a nearly-impossible deadline. 

The publisher had a manuscript but it wasn’t the right story for this author. They hired me to write a bobsled story. It is a remarkable story about how a much-decorated track and field athlete became one of the top bobsledders in the world. Vonetta comes from Birmingham, Alabama where they barely have any snow. I flew to her home to spend time with her, get the story content for this book. In addition, I flew to Salt Lake City and drove to Park City, Utah to ride the sled and feel those experiences. It scared the daylights out of me but the course is a public ride in the summer. 

The story was fascinating and I met the deadline even writing a foreword by Jackie Joyner Kersey as well as delivering an endorsement from broadcast journalist Bob Costas. Why would I take such a deadline? If you haven’t read Running On Ice, I encourage you to track down the book (even at your local library) and read it then write a review for it. At the time of this writing, this book is out of print (happens to many books) but it was a valuable writing experience for me and I love the stories in this book--even if it didn't perform in terms of sales as expected. I was working for the publisher for this project and did pitch an article about the book to one of the top 20 circulation-magazines. Because of my pitch to the editor, there was an article about Vonetta in the magazine and a mention and link to Running On Ice. 

The experience of writing this book stretched me as a writer. I had to break the task down into bite-size pieces then execute those pieces to meet the deadline and give the publisher what they needed. It’s a process which I have completed a number of times in my writing life. 

I’m writing about this book today because this month I met another crazy book deadline. It was another fast-moving book which will be released in early 2025. The topic was interesting to me and a challenge to fit into my publishing life and complete it on schedule. But it happened and is happening.

In this article, I want to encourage you to take these opportunities if they come across your path. It will stretch you as a writer into new areas. I’ve read some experts advise you to do something every day that scares you and then you will continue to grow as a writer and communicator. I compare the process to a popular guest on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was an artist who would spin a number of plates on a stick. He had to keep each plate spinnng or it would fall and break. It’s the same in the publishing world. You have to continue to move forward with the different tasks and keep from breaking something.

Also if you take such a steep deadline, it will keep your mind and heart dependent on the Lord to give you the energy and the words for the task. 

In addition, you will learn or re-learn the power of consistency, breaking a task into small pieces then executing those pieces with excellence. 

Each of us have the same 24 hour, seven day a week time-constraints. How are you going to spend your time? Have you taken a crazy writing deadline? Would you be willing to take another one? Let us know in the comments below.

Some of my recent Podcast Recordings:

I’ve mentioned in these articles that I’ve been using PodMatch to book podcasts. Even with my steep book writing deadline I’ve continued to do this work. Here’s some of these podcasts: 

Writing a Bestseller: Myths and Realities Revealed with Terry Whalin on the Give A Heck Podcast with bestselling author and podcaster Dwight Heck (@give_a_heck) at: https://bit.ly/3Bl0eh2 

I enjoyed talking about publishing with author and coach Tommy Thompson (@TommyPThompson) on the Space for Life Podcast at: https://bit.ly/4g4b5uO  

Anthony Franco and Chris Franks interviewed me about Overcoming Idea Infatuation and Publishing on The Founder Podcast at: https://bit.ly/49O4B

Andy Charles and I spoke about Author Actions to Succeed in Publishing on Andy’s Personal Development Podcast at: https://bit.ly/41HZv44 

 

Shemaiah Reed (@shemaiahreed) and I talked about Author Actions to Succeed in Publishing on the I Am Real Podcast at: https://bit.ly/3VRR7LJ

Tweetable:

Have you ever taken a crazy writing deadline? This prolific author and editor gives you some insights about why he did it and continues to do it. Get the details here.  (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. 

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

Is Self-Promotion Bad?

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers, we are the people with the greatest passion about our area of expertise and our book. Yes, our publisher has an investment in the book and gets the book out into the marketplace. But over and over, I’ve learned it is the author's activity or promotion which moves that book out of the bookstore and into the hands of readers. This process happens in many different ways and methods. In the process of telling people about our book, we are involved in self-promotion. In this article, I ask and answer the question in my title, Is Self-Promotion Bad?

As Christians, we are taught to lift up (promote) others instead of ourselves. Even the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:3, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought." (NIV)

From my decades in publishing, the key in this process is a balancing act along with a focus on helping and serving your reader with your various messages. For example, once a day in my social media feed, I promote my Billy Graham biography. I achieve this promotion with different words, different images and pointing out different places where others have interviewed me about Mr. Graham. Follow this link for an example.

Recently I’ve read and reviewed a resource which can help you in this area of self-promotion. Paula K. Parker, Mike Parker and Torry Martin have combined their experiences into Shameless Self Promotion and Networking for Christian Creatives. Each of these authors have vast experience in interviewing--and being interviewed with other creatives. Because they have worked as journalists as well as authors, they bring a different perspective and view to their readers. 

In the early pages of the book, they write, “creative people are often right-brain dominant; but while the right-brain opens the door, it’s usually the left-brain that does the business. That’s why we wrote this book, Shameless Self-Promotion, and Networking for Christian Creatives is designed to help equip you, whether you re an individual or organization, with the tools you need to successful self-promotion, using tried and proven methods and with out the need to sell your soul in the process.” (Page 4)

As Christian writers, they have a different perspective for example in the chapter about The Interview, they write, “We pray before every interview because we believe our meeting whoever we are interviewing can be a ministry moment. We believe that the stories we write about people and their art can impact the reader, in much the same way great music impacts the reader, and a great stage performance can impact the theater-goer. our responsibility is to help the person we are interviewing to tell their story in such a way that it might minister to the people who read it.” (Page 93-94) I hope you see the truth and insight in this quotation and how their perspective is different from the typical marketing book.  

In these articles, I’ve repeatedly encouraged you to build relationships in the publishing community. In this chapter they write, “Torry Martin is a master at networking from a different perspective. His unique approach to networking eschews the common idea of ’what can you do for me,’ and turns it around with a ’how can I help you?’ attitude that is both godly and powerful. It’s what we call shameless self promotion, because there is nothing shameful about it.” (Page 148)

Some books you read once and are done with them. That will not happen with Shameless Self Promotion and Networking for Christian Creatives.  This book contains a plethora of ideas and insights for every author from these three much published authors. I encourage you to read this book with a yellow highlighter and turn to these insights over and over for your writing life. 

The process of self-promotion is not easy for any of us. What methods are you using in your writing? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Is self-promotion bad for the Christian writer? This prolific writer and editor details a resource with insight and wisdom to help every author. (Click-To-Tweet) 

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take their own actions--no matter who publishes the book. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Tap the Power of Hope

    

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In the world of publishing, it’s easy to get discouraged. Let’s think about the volume of books which are published every day: over 4,500 titles. Recently, a colleague emailed me the link for this article: The 10 Awful Truths about Book Publishing. I encourage you to follow the link and study it, it’s pretty easy to feel small, discouraged and overwhelmed. Yes, I’ve felt all of those emotions in my daily work. In this article, I want to emphasize how you keep going in spite of these truths. What is your method to tap into the power of hope?

Look at the elements at the bottom of this article.

Strategies For Responding to “The 10 Awful Truths”:

1. The game is now pass-along sales and pre-orders.

2. Events/immersion experiences replace traditional publicity in moving the needle.

3. Leverage the authors’ and publishers’ communities.

4. In a crowded market, brands stand out. 

5. Master new digital channels for sales, marketing, and community building.

6. Build books around a compelling, simple message.

7. Front-load the main ideas in books and keep books short.

If you read these articles about The Writing Life, you know I see the glass as half full rather than half empty. When you have something discouraging happen, then you have to say the word “next” and look for the next opportunity.

We live in a world full of opportunities which are everywhere. Recently I recorded a podcast about Faith in Publishing. If you follow the link you can hear the 18 minute interview.

Another way to tap into the power of hope with your writing is to make sure you know why you are writing. Yes, some of your writing is to make money--but here’s an important truth: not all of it. For example, I’ve written over 1,000 book reviews on Amazon and over 800 reviews on Goodreads. I write these reviews to support other writers. Other times I write devotions and not for the pay which is often minimal. I write these words to encourage others. I encourage you to mix some of this type of writing into your writing life along with the writing which helps you pay your bills.

As Christian writers we have a super power in prayer and God’s promise to lead us with our writing and to open new doors. The right opportunity for your writing is out there. But this opportunity doesn’t just fall from the sky or into your email box or on your phone. Every writer has to be actively looking for the opportunity and open to it. As you have magazine ideas, you need to write query letters and pitches. I encourage you to attend writer’s conferences to meet editors and agents. At these events you can speak with them face to face about ideas and possibilities. Also as you have book ideas, I encourage you to write a book proposal or a business plan--even if you self-publish. Then pitch this book proposal. 

As you pitch your ideas, no matter what happens whether it is accepted or rejected, keep going. I keep going because the journey is all about finding the right opportunity and fit. What practical actions do you take to tap into the power of hope? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

What action steps do you take to tap into the power of hope?  This prolific writer and editor gives some insights here. 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.

Several Ideas to Face the Daily Challenge

I've been in a reflective mood and maybe it comes from passing another birthday this coming week. As I grow older, I begin to understand why the Bible calls that our days are fleeting. Each of us have the same 24 hours in each day. The key detail is how we use this time. 

As I think about the challenges of each day, I understand several facts:

1. Everyone has interruptions. Yesterday I spent several hours at the Apple Store because my wife's iPhone 5C was having screen problems.  At the store, we upgraded her phone to an iPhone 7 Plus and it took several hours that I was not planning on spending. These types of unexpected situations are part of our life. Yet do you wisely use the time which you do have available to you?

2. Not everything gets done. Yes on the surface I may look like I get a lot done. I do tweet almost 14 times a day with great content. Also I have over 100 new followers a day on Twitter. Yet the bulk of my day is spent as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, talking with authors, emailing authors and others about their books.  Despite the things I accomplish in a day, I know and understand that not every email is answered. Not every phone call gets made or returned.  As an editor, I work hard at customer service, answering key concerns and returning calls—but there is still more to do.

I have magazine articles to write and books to finish and websites to update. If I paused to make a list, it would be endless and to be honest I'm assuming that you have a lengthy list of things to do as well which and while you chip away at it, everything does not get done.We have to live with this fact.

3. Use the right tools to have the best results. Through trial and error, I've learned to use different tools on my phone, different computer programs and other ways to cut down on time and get things done. For example, when I travel, I continue to write on my AlphaSmart 3000 which I purchased years ago on Ebay for about $30. The AlphaSmart is not connected to the Internet, runs on batteries and holds large volumes of information with a full size keyboard. This tool is not right for every writer but it is one that I've used repeatedly to get my writing done.

Are you experimenting with different tools and programs to see if they help you get more done in a shorter amount of time?

4. Balance is important. Every one of us need to have a certain level of balance in our daily lives. Have you listed your key goals and priorities? Just the act of writing these goals can be a great first step. Then have you broken those goals into small steps that you can accomplish? 

As I think about the big picture of my own life, I have a number of things which are a key part of my day. I need Time for Faith (reading the Bible and prayer each day). I need Time for Family (the connection to my wife and children—even if they are grown children). I need Time for Work. I also need Time for Health ( and I build exercise into almost every day). I need Time for Relaxation (yes some of you may find it hard to believe but I go to movies, I read for fun and I watch television). Finally I make Time for Friends. Admittedly some of my days are out of balance but it's part of the way I'm wired and working to attempt to have some level of balance in my life and work.

These are my ideas to help you face the daily challenges of life. Are they helpful? I hope so. Do you have other ideas? Tell me in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

Get Some Ideas to Face the Daily Challenges called Life. (ClickToTweet)
 

Four Keys to Your Conference Experience

Next month, I’m traveling to the Florida Christian Writers Conference and I look forward to it. I’ve been revising and updating my workshop on book proposal creation, Editors Read Proposals Not Manuscripts. I’ve been sorting through my 20+ years in publishing and preparing which stories to tell during my class.

I love writers’ conferences. In fact, I'm going to teach at a number of conferences this year (follow the link to see the places).

Each conference is a grand idea haven to talk shop and learn from other writers. If you want to succeed in the writing business, I’ve got four keys to enhance your conference experience:

1.      Take daily time to pray about the various people you will meet and the ideas you will discuss. Ask the Lord to guide you through each detail of the conference such as who you will sit with at the opening meeting or where you will sit at each meal and what will be discussed. Ask for God to give you divine appointments. These encounters will be far beyond anything that you could have orchestrated or planned. Be looking for the Lord’s handiwork at the conference.

Some people call those divine appointments or “a pack your bags experience.” That means if you had to leave the conference early for some reason, then you would have had such a great experience with the greatest personal benefit. 

Through prayer you will come to the conference full of expectation and a spiritual sensitivity that God will work while you are on the conference grounds.

2.      The second way is to come prepared to meet others and start new relationships. As a part of your preparation, create some business cards and be prepared to give them out to everyone you meet—but don’t make it a one way exchange. When you give a business card, make sure you receive a business card. 

 
Double check your business card to see if it contains your complete information: name, mailing address, phone number and email address.  It’s surprising how many participants do not create a simple business card—even if you buy blank cards at an office supply place and print your own.

Bring plenty of copies of your business card. It is frustrating to the other person when someone says they only brought a few cards and have given them out. Writing is a solitary occupation and we need each other. You will form new and lasting friendships at the conference if you come prepared for it.

3.      The third key for your conference experience is to study the background for the various faculty members and get familiar with their different roles. Publishing is constantly changing. You want to know who you are meeting and their role. For example, I changed roles last year and became an acquisitions editor at a New York based publisher. Your familiarity with the different faculty will help you form deeper relationships during the conference. I believe your time in preparation will be rewarded.

4.      The final key for your conference experience is to come with the right heart attitude. Many writers come to their first conference expecting to sell their book manuscript or magazine article. Yes, there will be some selling during the conference. A much more central part of every writer’s conference is where individuals learn new aspects of publishing and take great strides of personal growth. Come with expectations and a willingness to learn and grow. With the right heart attitude, I’m convinced that you will not be disappointed but your expectations will actually be exceeded.

How can I say that expectations will be exceeded? Because I know each member of the faculty is a Christian and a person who is filled with the Spirit of the Living God. I love the verse in Ephesians 3:20 which says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Today God is preparing for you the people and lives that will be touched during the time we are together. I will be coming with high expectations and anticipations. I’ve not ever been disappointed in the past. 

See you soon at the conference!