Make the Right Writing Connection

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

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

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

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

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

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

Some Basics about these emails

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

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

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

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

Some Typical Ways to Connect

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

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

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

Tweetable:

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

New Podcasts:

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

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

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

A key part of the writing life is a word I don’t really like but do: the discipline of consistently writing. A blog is an important part of this process for me. Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

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

Get these articles on your email: 

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

Reset Your Writing Life

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers we are creatures of habit and routine. Everyone is wired this way. Most of these days I write in my home office on my desktop computer. Today I’m writing on my AlphaSmart 3000 in a hotel room near Asheville, North Carolina. Yesterday I traveled across the United States to arrive for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The faculty meets later today. This blog post didn’t get written before my travels but following my regular pattern I wanted to get this written for you to consider for your writing life. Admittedly this article is different from my location but also related to the topic: reset. 

Several years ago, I wrote about working oon my physical weight. The men in my family have been known as big for generations. They use big as another word for being overweight or fat. In The Writing Life, I wrote about making radical choices to change my weight. I dropped over 30 pounds and I’m glad to report I’ve managed to keep that weight off. Every meal and day is a battle and a choice in this area. I’ve eliminated carbs and sugar from the bulk of my diet. It’s not 100% but much of it.

A key part of my weight loss routine is to monitor my weight and keep accountable with my wife and a few close friends on how it is going. I understand it takes consistent action on my choices to stay the course.

In the last few weeks, my weight has been creeping upward. It was less than 10 pounds but something I did not want to ignore. As a key step in my reset, I talked it over with my wife and chose to reset my eating pattern.

For example, I learned tomatoes have sugar content. I love tomato bisque soup but learned it has 20 grams of sugar in it. In my reset I’ve returned to my basic foods of protein and vegetables. This reset has been a hard choice for me but necessary. Right before this trip I got on my scale again and my weight had dropped back to my original goal. The challenge on the road is to continue to choose wisely every day.

I give you these personal details because I want to bridge these choices to our writing life. Take an honest look at your writing life. What steps do you need to take for a writing reset?

For your writing reset, what steps do you need to take for your growth as a writer? Maybe you have been writing books and need to write in a different area such as magazines.

I encourage you to schedule a trip to a writer’s conference (follow this link for some ideas). Make a point to explore a new area of writing. Many years ago, I was surprised to see a bestselling novelist at a conference with her daughter. I learned these two women wanted to write for children. It was an area they knew nothing about but wanted to explore through the faculty at this conference.

Or maybe your writing reset involves meeting some new people and forming new relationships. If you go to a conference, then you have this opportunity. Of course, you need to create and carry your business cards. Then during your conversations exchange them with whoever you meet. 

For example, this morning on the way to breakfast, I met a pastor It was the final day of his conference. We ate together and my limited Spanish got huge workout. We exchanged stories and information. It is what we do at these events, and the Lord uses it in ways we can’t see or understand. With this pastor, I got his mailing address but not his email or phone. As other people were leaving the conference, I found someone who had this person’s phone and email address. I added it to my phone and reached out to him in follow up.

How will your writing be used in the days ahead? Do you have the right connection? What steps can you actively take to act and build that connection? Like my weight, there are many choices but you can choose to have a writing reset and move in a new direction. Let me know what choices you are going to make in the comments.

 What does a writing reset look like for you? None of it is easy or simple but can be done and you can do it--if you don't quit.

Tweetable:

Does your writing life need a reset? This prolific author and editor made a reset in his life and gives the details for you to follow 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.

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

Critical Author Habits

    

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

While it was many years ago, I recall my first sip of coffee and the horrible taste.I wondered how or why people drank it. Many people around me were drinking coffee so I continued trying it and developed the habit of loving the taste of coffee. As a young writer, I leaned into the caffiene from my coffee drinking. In my early days of writing, I was drinking a full pot or two of coffee every day. Now many years later, I only drink a couple of cups of coffee but I still love the taste of it.

If you want to learn more about habit formation, I recommend reading or hearing Atomic Habits by James Clear. In 2019, I listened to the audiobook and wrote in my review, “Clear contends to make a new effective habit means developing a system. This audiobook is loaded with insights for every reader. I listened to this audiobook cover to cover and highly recommend ATOMIC HABITS.”

Often in these entries, I’ve written in detail about the various personal systems that I use in my critical author habits. I have over 1800 articles in The Writing Life and encourage you to search for a particular topic if I don’t include what you need in this article.

Today I want to pull out several of these habits with stories and my encouragement for you to incorporate them into your writing life. 

Consistent Writing

No one sits down and writes a novel or a nonfiction book manuscript. The manuscript is written with a consistent and persistent gameplan. The majority of writers use a word count as their benchmark. For example, they decide to write 500 words (which is about two pages) every day or four times a week or whatever pattern. They select a pattern then do that pattern over and over to get a draft of their manuscript. There are many different types of writing. In the first chapter of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dream, I have an extensive list (follow this link to see it). 

Also professional writers learn how to pitch their work to editors and literary agents. They learn how to write a query letter and a book proposal (no matter what type of book they are writing). Your book proposal is your business plan for your book and will include many important details which is not in your manuscript. The consistent use of these tools is an important habit to develop. If you want to know more about these tools, follow the links that I include. I’ve been using these tools for many years to be published in magazines and publishing houses.

Last month in an email, Mike Salisbury literary agent at Yates & Yates wrote about Beth Adams who I met years ago at a Seattle Writers Conference. Mike introduced Beth saying:

“Beth Adams is the Editorial Director for FaithWords and Worthy Books, imprints of the Hachette Book Group, where she’s worked on numerous bestselling and award-winning books. She also writes books as a side-hustle and has published over eighty books to date. Every day at 5 am, you can find her on the couch with her laptop and a strong cup of coffee, making up stories. An introverted book lover/cat lady at heart, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.”

Also Mike included Beth’s advice to writer saying: “Beth: Do it every day. You need to carve out consistent time in your schedule, even if it’s at 5 am, to work every single day. If you write only when you feel like it, you’ll never do it, and if you go more than a day or two without returning to your story, it becomes too hard to get back into it. You have to spend too much time getting back up to speed. But setting a regular rhythm allows you to stay in your work and also forces you to treat it like work, which it is.”

Expanded Connections

Your connections to the publishing world is an important one and should be a part of your habits. Who you know is as important as what you know. Are you continually expanding and using your connections? For example, are we connected on LinkedIN? If not, follow this link and send me a connection invitation.  Publishing professionals move around a great deal and LinkedIN is a great place to begin if you want to connect or reconnect with someone. Often when they move they will take their LinkedIN account with them and their LinkedIN contact information will have this email address. I say “often” because I’ve had several recent situations where I know someone has left their publishing role and not left a non-publishing email address in LinkedIN. 

Grow Readers 

Every author needs to be growing readers for their writing. One of the critical elements is in a consistent newsletter. Everyone begins with a small list but the key habit is to consistently use and grow these connections. I’ve had a newsletter for many years and my downfall has been the lack of consistency. Over a year ago, I changed this pattern and have een sending my newsletter each week to subscribers. Here’s the link to subscribe and with my gratitude you will receive an 87-page ebook.

I spoke with one of my Morgan James Publishing authors who has done multiple books with us. This author knows about the importance of a newsletter but hasn’t started one. If you fall into this category, I encourage you to start a newsletter then send it consistently and grow your readership. I understand a newsletter takes continued time and effor. It is another critical author habit.

Continual Learning 

For decades I’ve been studying and reading about different aspects of publishing. I continue to learn and experiment with differeent areas. In these articles I’ve mentioned doing guest podcasting. In several articles, I’ve detailed my process. As new podcasts launch, I’ve included the links and the details. During the last year, I’ve recorded or booked over 60 podcasts using PodMatch which is connected to over 90,000 podcasts. I encourage you to continue to experiment and learn new skills. At least once a year, get to a writer’s conference and take a class to open a different type of writing for you. The world is full of opportunity but you have to take continued action for it to happen.

Consistency and Persistence

Reading these words is a good first step but what actions are you going to take for your writing life? How can you develop a system where you consistently move forward? Let me know in the comments.

Tweetable:

According to this prolific author and editor, there are a series of critical author habits. You can read the details in this article. (ClickToTweet)

Start Your Writing Year with a Bang

I’m speaking at the Publicity Club on Tuesday, January 6th from 5 pm to 6 pm Pacific. I’m teaching on Seven Simple Actions to Boost Your Publishing This Year. The first meeting is free and here’s the Facebook event link with the details. I will be telling some stories but also including an action-packed handout. I hope many of you will attend and get my free resource.

When I’ve worked with different publishers on a variety of  books, I’ve learned the hard way that much of the publishing process is outside of anything an author can control. As an editor, I’ve spoken with different authors about their books, I’ve found many unrealistic expectations. There are actions every author can take with their books. 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

Honest Writing Feedback

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

From my experience in publishing, it’s hard to find honest feedback about your writing. If we ask our family about our writing, they love our words and will be reluctant to give their honest feedback. In general, it’s the same with our friends who don't want to hurt our feelings. In this article, I want to give some ideas and resources so you can get honest feedback to make improvement in your writing before you send it out to an editor or a literary agent.

At a writers’ conference, they will often provide a way to get critiques from professionals. Sometimes these sessions are a part of the event and other times you can pay extra for detailed feedback. Because I’ve often been on the giving side of the critique process, I know to give honest feedback is somewhat tricky. The editor or professional wants to be honest yet also encouraging to the conferee who has paid to be at the event.

Occasionally at a conference, you will find an editor to give you the straight story about your book. Years ago I interviewed a couple who started a successful marriage ministry. I’m always fascinated with storytelling. The husband told me about the duality in his public appearance as a leader and pastor yet behind the scenes having a combative relationship with his wife. One day the tension in this couple grew extreme. Their television antenna on their roof needed adjustment. In the rain, this man climbed on his roof and when lightening struck he was shocked into changing his relationship and behavior. I called the article Shocked Into Service and crafted a magazine article and a query letter.

As I pitched this story, I could not find anyone to publish it. I found the story and the marriage ministry worth telling but I could not understand the rejection. At a conference in a one on one meeting with a top magazine journalist, he looked at me and said, “It’s the conflict and duality in this story. Even if true, no one wants to know their pastor is bickering with their wife on the way to church then showing a completely different side of their personality in public. The shocked story is the reason for your rejection.”

I was open to the honest feedback and suddenly I understood my rejection. I took my article and stopped sending it out and trying to find a place to publish it. 

Another place to get honest insight about your writing is through a writer’s critique group. I've been in groups which function well and I’ve been in some others which do not provide this honest feedback. As with a publisher, the writer has to search for the right group. It is a solid option and use the links to find out more details.

Other writers will hire a developmental editor or a writing coach to give this feedback. Another option is to have another writer as an accountability partner where you exchange writing and commit to giving each other honest insight for improvement of your writing. There are many different choices and options. I’ve only scratched the surface of possibilities.

When You Get Honest Feedback

While it is a challenge to find this feedback, the writer has another choice in this process. They can discount the feedback and not make any changes. Or they can lean into the insight and improve their work. Bestselling novelist James Scott Bell recently wrote an excedllent article about Taking Criticism (follow the link to get his teachng and insights). Notice how he reacted to criticism, putting it away for several days before he mustered the courage to read the information and apply it to his writing. It’s a process that I’ve often done when someone criticized my work.

The process of producing excellent storytelling is not easy but a journey that each of us as writers are on. We need the honest feedback and insights to improve our storytelling. What steps do you take to get honest feedback and improvement in your work? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

As a writer, it’s often hard to find honest feedback about your writing. In this article, this prolific author and editor gives some stories and possible options.  (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

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

Greg Danielson (@simplisatisfied) and I spoke about Unveiling the Myths of Publishing on the Simply Satisfied Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3IvErX6    

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

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

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

Get these articles on your email: 

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

Preparation To Teach

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

From the opening sentences, the workshop looked like a disaster. The speaker began with a story about their computer and how it crashed on the way to the conference. They had a detailed presentation but could not get their laptop and their powerpoint to work. It was disappointing and the content of the workshop went downhill from that moment. As a member of the audience, it was painful to see this workshop leader struggle with their topic. Throughout my years in the publishing community, I’ve been in a number of these types of sessions with technology issues. Sometimes these glitches consume the entire workshop and I’ve walked out regretting the wasted time. I could have chosen to go to a different workshop but didn’t make that choice. Recently on Jane Friedman’s blog, author and book coach Andromeda Romano-Lax cautioned writers about workshops and retreats. 

Because I’ve been attending and teaching at workshops for years, I've heard some remarkable speakers, stories and information about the publishing world. I celebrate each opportunity to learn and listen to these leaders in our industry. For my own speaking and teaching, I’ve made a number of decisions.

1. Don’t Depend On Technology. I do not use a computer or powerpoint or any other technology which could crash and not perform for the workshop.

2. Use Old School Handouts with a Twist. Instead, I use paper and online handouts with the information. Also I make a point to include website links to information which is not in my presentation yet will be valuable to the various members of the audience. My goal with each handout is to make it the most valuable piece of information they take home from the event.

As I write this article about preparation to teach, I’m preparing for a couple of workshops. One workshop is online and I will be traveling to another one for a live event over several days. Because I often teach on a particular topic, it would be simple to pull out my folder with my handouts and teaching notes. I could cut down the preparation time and use my previous materials--but that is not what I do. I’m writing this article to show that I do much more than this minimun preparation. To show you the creative energy I pour into my handouts, here’s a recent example.

For each workshop, I think through what I will be teaching. Have I had a recent experience that I can add a story to the workshop? Your personal stories add interest to your audience and keep them engaged in the workshop. Is there a new resource you’ve learned about which you can highlight as you teach? 

Finally I review my handout. Is the information what I want to teach? Do my links to additional information work? Is the additional information updated and current? I keep this online information on my own website instead of pointing to one which someone else controls and could instantly change. This decision reassures me that the information will be available and accessible to the workshop participant. 

While each conference is different, I will send my updated handout to the conference coordinator. Often they have a place on their website for workshop handouts. Sometimes this place is password protected and other times anyone can access it. What they do in this area isn’t a concern to me. I’m eager to get my information to as many people as possible. Some conferences print copies for their workshops. Other conferences will estimate your audience and ask you to bring these handouts.  I print a number of these handouts, put them in my teaching folder and bring them to the event. For each handout, I include my email and other contact information so I can be easily reached. It is always interesting to get handouts from other instructors who barely have their name on the handout--much less their contact information. It’s all a part of the process of pouring creativity and thought into your handout.

I encourage you to have high expectations and goals for your own teaching. My personal goal each time is that my workshop will be one of the most significant experiences for that participant during the event. I understand that it costs time and money to attend a workshop. I want them to feel like their entire investment in the conference was earned through my single workshop. 

Often these sessions are recorded and through the years, writers will email and tell me they have listened to my recordings and taken action from my teaching. Whether you are aware of it or not, there is a long-term ripple effect from your teaching. As others have taught into my life, I’m passing along my experiences and insights to others. It’s our way of serving and helping others which will last beyond anything you will ever know about--which is remarkable to me. 

Do you teach other writers at workshops or conferences? What is your preparation process and what insights can you add to this article? I look forward to your comments.

 

Tweetable:

Do you teach workshops to other writers? How can you improve the effectiveness of your teaching? Get here some ideas from prolific writer and editor.  (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 Value of Mentoring

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Whether we like it or not, the publishing world is constantly in motion and changing. As an example, recently I had lunch with a long-time friend who years ago led a communication team but now is retired. I told him about a few hours earlier when I recorded a podcast interview. He asked, “What is a podcast?” 

I explained a podcast is like radio yet online. With the massive numbers of people podcasting and guest podcasting or listening to podcasts, his question surprised me. Podcasting began twenty years ago. I include this story to remind us the tools of book promotion and getting out our message, continue to evolve. As someone in publishing, we need to be constantly learning and experimenting. I’m not encouraging you to chase the newest aspects but we need to be aware of them and use them if appropriate. 

In these articles, I’ve often encouraged you to be learning new aspects of the writing life and publishing. It’s important for each of us to have a healthy dose of curosity and eagerness to improve our writing. 

Let’s move beyond learning for your own sake and ask what you do with this information. When you learn a new aspect of the writing life, how to you pass along this information to others? Some people don’t and that is certainly your choice.  Teaching others is a firm part of my DNA. As I’ve studied my ancestors, I discovered a long line of teachers. My great grandfather was a teacher. A number of his children including his oldest son (my grandfather) worked in education. In fact, my grandfather was a principal and superintendent at a Kentucky school.

While I didn’t study education in college, for many years, I have been teaching others.  Since 2008, the articles in this blog have been one of the places to write the stories and give insight to others. Many of my editor colleagues work with authors on their books yet do not teach at conferences or blog or write how-to books about their craft or any number of other ways to mentor others. Each of these actions take time, energy and on-going commitment.

Some people have become editors and others have started a coaching business. During the editing or coaching process, they mentor others. Others have started or joined a critique group as a way to give valuable insight to others and help their writing craft. Other writers have started a local conference or taught at writer’s conferences. Mentoring and training happen throughout a conference. Later this month I will be at the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference (use the link to learn more) which is a smaller event with great opportunity. Others have become university or community college instructors about writing. I’m suggesting there are many different ways for writers to pass along what they are learning to others.

Online groups is another way to mentor and teach others about the writing world. In particular, I want to tell you about a Christian group called The Writer’s View which Suzie Eller started in 2001. She created a unique format for this group. A series of professionals in different areas of the market became leaders or panelists (editors, publicity people, authors, literary agents, etc.). Each week this group will focus on a partiocular topic and discuss it for several days. Then a new topic starts the next week. In over 20 years, a wide range of writing and publishing topics have been explored. The process has created a rich database of information for anyone interested in publishing--whether a beginner or a professional. The panelists / leaders and the participants have varied through the years. I’ve been a panelist with this group since the beginning and stayed with it. The size of the group has varied but currently there are about 500 people participating.

Behind the scenes, some of my colleagues have been critical of my involvement in The Writer’s View. They have viewed my participation as a “waste of time.” Instead I’ve seen this online forum as a way to invest in others and pass along some of the lessons and insights I’ve learned from my many years in publishing. My continual participation is part of the consistent writer that I’ve encouraged in these articles. 

The Wild Card of Mentoring

There is a giant unknown for each of us who mentor or teach others. What is the impact and who have you touched in this process? From my experience after teaching and traveling for decades, it can’t be measured or known this side of heaven. Even this past week a much-published author and professional peer thanked me for helping her years earlier during a meeting at a writer’s conference.  I haven’t been to the event she mentioned in years so this meeting was decades ago--yet she recalled our conversation. It’s part of the joy and value if you teach and mentor others. I encourage each of you to find some method of helping others in their writing journey. 

A common saying is “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Actions speak louder than words. What actions are you taking to begin passing along what you have learned about the publishing world to others? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

When you learn a new aspect in publishing, are you passing this information to others? This prolific writer and editor encourages the value of mentoring. He includes action-oriented ideas 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.

The Dark Side of Christian Publishing

   

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Within Christian publishing there is a dark side to this business. In over 1600 entries, I’ve never written about it--until now. Recently I traveled to a small Christian writers conference in Alabama. There were about 100 people at this event and I knew a number of the faculty. Besides meeting with a number of writers one on one, I taught two workshops and gave a keynote address during the event. 

At the first meal, I sat beside an older gray-haired man who was clean shaven and well-dressed. Almost immediately we engaged in an interesting conversation. He was a former missionary in South America and a retired pastor writing a book. We exchanged business cards. It was a brief and common exchange which I’ve had with many writers at numerous conferences over the years.

For my flight home, I traveled with several other faculty members who were also headed to Colorado. We were changing planes in Dallas and waiting around in the boarding area for our flight. One of them mentioned possibly doing some writing coaching for the retired pastor I met the first night. To prepare for the possible coaching, he did a simple google search of the writer’s name. He was shocked to find a website dedicated to the sexual abuse victims and tied to the writer's name. He watched a couple of the YouTube videos and saw the image of the same conferee we met at this event. In the boarding area of the airport for our flight home, I learned about this conferee. A writers conference is a public event and anyone can attend. 

I tell this story to point out the dark side of Christian publishing. Most of us presume a Christian writers conference (and the church in general) is a safe place to meet new people, form relationships and grow in your personal life. I read the news and know about people (even leaders) with wrong motives who do terrible acts to the people who cross their path--even in the church. 

The majority of the time among Christians, we believe people have good motives and reasons for their actions. Yet the reality is each of us have a sinful nature and that is my reason to point out this dark side of Christian publishing. 

Several years ago, my journalist friends Ann Byle wrote about this element in a magazine article in Publishers Weekly. When the article came out, I was shocked because I know each of the conference faculty named in her article. I had no hint from my relationships with these people that they were bent this direction. Ann’s original article had a follow-up piece which had 3,000 comments in response. 

As a result of these articles, some conferences have started including a signed “Code of Conduct” statement from the faculty and attendees. Here’s an example:

“By participating in ______, we expect you to live out 1 Peter 1:15 and act according to these guidelines:

Behave in a biblical manner, treating all individuals with respect and consideration at all times.

Refrain from any behavior that is threatening, violent, aggressive, or sexually or morally improper. Examples of such behavior include but are not limited to:

• verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual advances, propositions, requests, or comments (or anything that could be reasonably construed as such)

• visual conduct of a sexual nature, such as leering; making sexual gestures; or displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or cartoons

• suggestive contact, such as inappropriate touching or impeding or blocking movement

• inviting a member of the opposite gender to meet you in or accompany you to a private place, such as your conference dorm room, an off-site hotel, an unoccupied room, an empty hallway, or a basement corner

• use of coarse, vulgar, or profane language.

Avoid being alone with a member of the opposite gender in any private location.

Reporting Inappropriate Conduct

Report to _______ right away any behavior you witness that does not meet these standards or if you feel threatened or are made to feel uncomfortable by a conferee or another faculty member. Don’t wait until after the conference when we can’t deal with the situation.

All complaints of inappropriate behavior will be investigated as promptly as possible, and corrective action will be taken where warranted. All complaints will be treated with as much confidentiality as possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation. 

I agree to abide by this code of conduct.”

It’s a sad day that such a code of conduct is explicitly needed for a conference but it’s a reality of our world.

Let’s wrap this article with several explicit lessons:

Be aware of the potential danger--it’s really everywhere. You would think a Christian writer’s conference would be free from such a situation, but it isn't. Our reality is we live in a fallen world and have to take responsibility for our own actions. I encourage each of us to guard your own heart and life

How do you handle the dark side of Christian publishing? Let me know in the comments below. 

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Information Is Power

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Many years ago, I did my first stint as an acquisitions editor working inside a publisher. It was an eye-opening experience for someone like me who had written numerous books on the outside but never witnessed the various dynamics inside a publishing house. Because of working inside a publisher, I wrote Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. 

 

The publisher announced my new position in the trade magazines and other places. Yet to my surprise months after this announcement and with fairly often consistency, I received submissions addressed to the previous acquisitions editor. I was actively looking for new writers but the submissions addressed to someone else on my desk made the wrong first impression.

 

Now years later, I understand why it happens. The publishing world is constantly shifting. Editors move to a different publishing house. Other editors join a literary agency. Some book publishers close their doors while others open new business. In the magazine area, publications cease publishing while others begin new magazines. These shifts in the publishing world often open new opportunities for writers—at least those who keep up with these changes.

 

How do you keep up with the various shifts and changes? If you have the right information and use it appropriately, information is power. The answer is an annual book which is essential for every Christian writer: The Christian Writers Market Guide 2023 which released last week.  Don’t be fooled into using an old book and the wrong information,

 

Sally E. Stuart was the original creator of this guide, then she passed the responsibility on to New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins who published it for a few years. Several years ago, literary agent Steve Laube took over the annual guide. Through the years I’ve interviewed each of these leaders. In this article, I include links to those interviews which are filled with insights for every Christian writer. You will gain instant access to the replay interview and each of these leaders have included a unique free ebook that you can download and study.

 

Are you looking for a nearby writers group or planning to attend a writers conference next year? Like other elements in the guide, these elements shift and change from year to year. Or maybe you are looking for a freelance editor to go through your material and polish it before you send it to an agent or an editor? This information is also in this volume.

 

In his foreword, Jerry B. Jenkins says, “Here’s a dirty little secret of the writing life: Veteran editors can tell within two minutes whether they are going to reject your manuscript.” From his experience as an editor and publisher, Jerry gives three common reasons for fiction rejections. I’ll include one of them here: “Too many characters introduced too quickly.” If you get these insights and apply them to your writing, the foreword alone has immense value to you.

 

The Christian Writers Market Guide 2023 contains nearly 1,000 listings including more than 200 book publishers, 130 magazine publishers, 45 speciality markets, 215 writers conferences and writers groups, 45 literary agencies, and 240 freelance editors and designers. Also this volume includes information about legal, accounting, speaking services, podcasts, courses and contests. The information can be powerful and priceless to your writing life—if you use it properly.

 

Whether you want to write for magazines or publish a book or speak at a writer’s conference, you will have to learn to write an eye-catching pitch. From my years in the publishing world, you will always have to pitch to the right person at the right time. A key part of that process of finding the right person is contained in The Christian Writers Market Guide 2023 .

 

How do you use this essential reference guide? Let me know in the comments below.

 

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Boost Your Writing To A New Level

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

I'm heading to another conference this week and I'm looking forward to it for a number of reasons. Our work in publishing as writers and editors is isolated. Yes I work with my Morgan James Publishing colleagues to get contracts, negotiate with agents and authors and do book deals. I work for a New York publisher yet I live in Colorado. The bulk of my work is done on the phone and email rather than face to face. It's the same with my writing work. The work is often done on my computer or phone rather than face to face. Yes there are some of these physical meetings but not often. During each day, I set my own schedule for phone calls, meetings, and many other tasks. Conferences are a chance to break the routine and do something different.

A conference is an opportunity for me to reconnect with old friends. I've been traveling to some of these events for years and met remarkable editors, writers and people in other roles in this business. Follow this link to a list of various conferences that I know firsthand and recommend. 

Conferences are a chance to catch up on what they are doing—even if it is only for a few minutes. Also at these events, I meet new writers and editors, exchange business cards with them. From my experience, a lot of the people who attend these conferences are coming for their first event. I know some of these new relationships will grow to be significant in my own future work. Why? Because I've seen this type of connection over and over in my past trips.

While I read trade magazines and online newsletters and other tools to keep up on publishing, conferences give me the chance to learn about other changes in the business (maybe something that hasn't been in a publication) or listen to others about what they need for their publication or are looking for. These conversations move the information beyond something from print to something practical that I could possibly do. There is a lot of this type of give and take during a conference whether at a meal or late at night in a hotel lobby or any number of other locations.

Also these conferences give me a chance to give back to others and to teach. I'm teaching a couple of workshops at the conference this coming week. I've prepared my handouts and resources for this class and believe it will help the writing life of those in my workshop—provided they show up and take action on the different resources I will be giving them.

Another reason I love these conferences is I meet people who are looking for a publisher. I'm going to be having a number of one-on-one meetings throughout the conference with writers. I will be able to listen to their pitches and look at their work plus give them some of the distinctions about Morgan James Publishing. I've met a number of people at these events that I've been able to help them get their work into print—from our exchanges are the conferences.

I understand there are challenges for every writer to get to one of these events—whether they are large events or small events. They have challenges in terms of:

* cost. Each of these events have a financial cost for the conference fee, the hotel, transportation, the meals, etc.

* time. These conferences take you away from your current work and things pile up while on the road. Some of these events are long and others are short but they still consume time.

* effort. Some people have to arrange childcare or petcare or other details to be able to get free and go to these events.

From my experience of going to events and conferences for years, I know they are worth any effort to overcome the challenges. It is important to show up, learn then apply the information you gain into your writing life.  I know these events will boost your writing to a new level.

What do you get from going to a conference? How has it boosted your writing? Let me know in the comments below.

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