Lisa Betz is a writer, blogger, and occasional director who lives in an empty nest perched on a wooded Pennsylvania hillside. She loves to bring characters to life, both on stage and on the page.
Writers Chat,
hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we
talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Ten Steps to Integrative Marketing with Bethany Jett
Bethany shares ten integrative marketing strategies
for writers. These strategies include marketing ideas for letter campaigns,
social media and much more. As writers we should be thinking of marketing from
the beginning of our projects. This episode is full of great information to
help. Bethany is the co-owner of Serious Writer, Inc. and has recently
co-authored two books that have won awards for marketing. Check out this week’s
episode and get started on marketing strategies for you WIP.
Watch the January 14th replay.
Contest Savvy: Enter and Win! With Rhonda Dragomir
In this informative episode, Rhonda, the winner of
the Serious Writer’s 2019 Writer of the Year contest, shares her secrets for
entering and winning contests. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction there
are basic things you can do to increase your chances to win contests. Rhonda
shares tips like following the contest guidelines, properly formatting your
manuscript entry and so much more. With conference and contest season upon us,
this episode is a great way to prepare.
Watch the January 21streplay.
Dancing on the Head of a Pen
Writers Chat turned into book chat today as Johnnie
Alexander, Bethany Jett, Melissa Stroh, and Jean Wise read their favorite
sections of Robert Benson’s book, Dancing
on the Head of a Pen. Benson gives great writing advice, uses amazing
imagery and light humor to encourage writers at every level. Some of the
favorite sections included; his bookshelf with a lamp top that is always lit;
his three hats (the artist, the craftsman, and the businessman); and his jury
of twelve. This episode is a must see regardless of where you are on your
writing journey.
Watch the January 28th replay.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
No matter what you do for a living, there is a big chance that you are running a website dedicated to your business. After all, the number of websites keeps growing steadily as there are now more than 1.7 billion sites on the Internet.
Now, every website runs on a content management system (CMS) and WordPress is by far the most popular choice among webmasters of all levels of knowledge and skills. A report reveals that WordPress powers 34% of all websites on the Internet, but the platform’s market share goes as high as 60%.
Users love WordPress because it’s simple and easy to figure out, but they still need to know a few basics in order to keep their sites running smoothly and efficiently. In this post, we will show you nine WordPress performance tips that are suitable for everyday users. Let’s take a look!
Find a Reliable Hosting Provider
Many webmasters make a simple mistake of choosing cheap but unreliable hosting providers. A typical user does it because he/she is not expecting a huge amount of traffic and therefore is not willing to invest in WordPress hosting.
Jake Gardner, an essay writer in charge of IT topics, claims this is a big mistake: “As soon as you create an army of loyal fans, you will notice that your site is slowing down. This is why I recommend you to pick a well-known provider such as Page.ly, WP Engine, or Bluehost.”
Pick a Good Theme
A theme is a collection of templates and style sheets used to define the appearance and display of a WordPress powered website. As such, it has an overwhelming impact on website performance because people love to see a beautiful online presentation.
Now, you can find a lot of WordPress themes with “one size fits all” solutions. While it may seem tempting, we encourage you to opt for a specific niche-focused theme. How come? Generic themes are covering all sorts of features – even the ones you don’t really need.
For this reason, you should pick a narrow theme that suits your business needs. If you visit a website such as Best Essays, EssayTyper.com or EssayEdge, you will realize they use the same sort of theme because it gives them only those features academic writing agencies might need.
Choose the Right Plugins
WordPress themes determine the appearance of your site, while plugins help you to make the website better and more efficient. Just like a theme, you should also be smart enough to choose the right tools for your business demands. Generally speaking, almost every website needs plugins to enable search engine optimization, online security, contact forms, email marketing, content creation, and similar.
Remove the Plugins You Don’t Need Anymore
Everyday WordPress users are known for their “set it and forget it” philosophy. This often turns out to be a disastrous habit because hackers take advantage of outdated plugins to attack WordPress websites. If you know that over 50% of WordPress vulnerabilities come from plugins, then you understand how important it is to uninstall the tools you’re not using anymore.
Take Advantage of Excerpts on Homepage and Archives
Another thing you can do to make the website more functional is to take advantage of excerpts on the homepage and archives. Namely, WordPress will automatically load and display the entire content on a given page, which is a surefire way to degrade website performance.
If you really think that visitors should read the whole thing, then you can leave the function as is. But if you think excerpts are enough, then follow this pattern:
Settings → Reading → For each article in a feed, show Summary
Minimize the Size of Images
Visual content is always burdening WordPress websites, so you should consider minimizing the size of your images. Photos that are too big will make the site slower, which is a big deal in the world where almost 60% of visitors leave a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load.
The easiest solution is to use lighter images and avoid gigantic files. Another option is to install a plugin such as Smush Image Compression and Optimization to make visual content go easy on your site.
Split Comments into Pages
When your website becomes very popular, you can expect people to start writing lots of comments all over the place. While this is a sign of professional success, it can also jeopardize performance because comment loading increases the overall speed of your website. If you want to prevent this problem, go to Settings once again:
Settings → Discussion → Break comments into pages
Optimize a WordPress Database
As you keep creating new posts and adding fresh content to the website, you can expect WordPress to get slower gradually. In such circumstances, you should not hesitate to optimize a WordPress database because that’s where all the information is stored.
You can do it manually through settings, but a much simpler solution is to install a WP Sweep plugin. This tool will help you to get rid of many redundant features in these (and many other) segments of the site:
Auto drafts
Deleted comments
Revisions
Orphaned user meta
Transient options
Unapproved comments
Unused terms
Keep Your System Up To Date
Do you know that almost 40% of hacked WordPress websites were using an outdated version of the platform? This means that webmasters who neglect updates are likely to suffer from malicious attacks.
The only logical response to the threat is to keep your WordPress system up to date. Every time you see there’s a new version available, take your time to upgrade and solidify both the performance and security of your website.
Conclusion
WordPress is responsible for the functioning of more than a third of all websites currently available online. Users appreciate the platform because it’s super-easy to figure out, but some of them are still not able to identify the most important functions of the CMS.
In this article, we analyzed nine WordPress performance tips suitable for everyday users. Remember our tips and make sure to leave a comment if you need additional explanations – we would be glad to help you out!
Tari
Faris’s debut
novel, You Belong With Me, is a multi-layered
contemporary romance that brought tears to my eyes and kept me up past my
bedtime. In our interview, Tari shares the inspiration behind one of the
story’s charming “characters,” a brass hippo named Otis who mysteriously moves
around the town square.
Amanda Barratt, Lauralee Bliss,and
Rita Gerlich join me to share a Behind the Scenes look at our latest
release, Homefront Heroines. Relive life on the American
homefront as four women of the WWII era join the workforce and discover romance
in surprising ways in this new novella collection from Barbour.
The
next Novelists Unwind Giveaway will
be announced on Saturday, February
1, 2020 at http://www.johnnie-alexander.com/. Be sure to
enter for your chance to win a print edition of an amazing inspirational novel.
Whether your novel closes on a cyclone-worthy twist, or a conclusion as warm and satisfying as homemade pie, you’ll need a solid plot to guide you as you write your way to that ending. Of course, coming up with one is easier said than done.
You might have your major plot points all lined up, but maneuvering your cast from one scene to the next doesn’t always mean smooth sailing. You need the plot to advance, but there’s so much more to think about. Is your protagonist’s growth coming through? Are your themes subtle and multilayered, or just clear as mud?
When you’re stuck on questions like these, it’s helpful to step beyond the world of your own manuscript and do a little outside reading for inspiration. Of course, you can look at how the greats in your genre have plotted their masterworks. But there’s another kind of book that just might give you the Eureka moment you’re seeking: poetry collections.
Poetry collections are plotless. But they’re also highly curated and intentionally ordered, without a verse out of place. Taking inspiration from their structure can help you plot a story that satisfies. Here are three crucial lessons to take away from them.
1. Think about the reader’s experience.
Poetry collections are often organized with the reader’s experience in mind, attending to their emotional and intellectual needs. That could entail interspersing two devastating pieces on grief with something more hopeful in tone. Or it might mean mixing in some lighter works with dense, allusive poems that require substantial thought to appreciate.
Let this reader-focused approach guide you as you assemble your chain of events. If you’ve placed a lot of tearjerker scenes early on, for instance, you’ll risk having your audience all cried out before the climax. Alternatively, you might be subjecting them to information overload — forcing them to juggle too many names and too much backstory before the action kicks off.
2. You might have to cut beautifully written scenes.
What makes a poetry collection difference from a bunch of poems bound together? Cohesion. A seasoned poet is wise enough to leave out any piece that doesn’t fit with the rest — even if it won them their latest Pushcart.
This sort of strictness will serve you well too. As writers, we’re often told to kill our darlings, setting sentiment aside and subjecting the lines we’re proudest of to revision’s red pen. That generally means excising an elegant but distracting metaphor. But it can also apply to entire scenes.
A scene might be gorgeously written, showcasing the most stylish prose in your entire book. But what if it feels out of place, or doesn’t serve a purpose beyond mere beauty? File it away and save it for a companion short story (or perhaps a sequel).
3. Give each chapter a shadow title.
Speaking of every section serving a purpose, here’s a poetry-inspired trick to make sure each chapter you write pulls its narrative weight. Each poem within a collection tends to have a title. That’s generally not the case for novel chapters (unless you’re writing for a middle-grade audience). But try to give each of your chapters a title anyway — for your eyes only.
Formulating these “shadow titles” help you distill each chapter down to its essentials: its key takeaway, its place in the overall structure of the book. It can also help you spot any outliers that should perhaps be reworked — or even removed. Say, for instance, you’ve come up with Friends-style titles for most of your chapters — “The One Where Iris Finds the Amulet”, “The One Where Jeff Dies”— but you have one that you can only call “The Sunset”. That might be a sign that it’s out of sync with the rest of the book.
By examining how every chapter works within the structure of your book, you’ll be able to deliver a satisfying story — and keep your readers hanging onto your every word. After all the work you’ve put into shaping your plot, that’s exactly what you deserve.
Lucia Tang is a writer for Reedsy, a marketplace that connects self-publishing authors with the book industry’s best editors, designers, and marketers. To work on the site’s free historical character name generators, she draws on her knowledge of Chinese, Latin, and Old Irish — learned as a PhD candidate in history at UC Berkeley. You can read more of her work on the Reedsy Discovery blog, or follow her on Twitter at @lqtang.
We are closing out 2019 with this episode on foster care and adoption and how the stories we share impact our communities. Suzanne Woods Fisher is an author and Kelly Lewis and her husband Andrew are foster parents.
Special thanks to all of you who have subscribed and been part of the conversation around the table. We have over 3000 downloads and are grateful for the opportunity to learn and connect with amazing guests and listeners this year!
Listen to Part One
Listen to Part Two
Holland and Amy look forward to 2020 and another exciting season at The Afterword Podcast (TAP) as we connect trends with the future of words.
Holland Webb is a full-time freelance writer and editor. He spends his
days writing about higher education, B2B technology, and nonprofit
organizations. His clients have let him write for U.S. News & World Report, The
Learning House, The Red Lantern, and Sweet Fish Media. Holland’s favorite
writers are Malcolm Gladwell, Olive Ann Burns, and Flannery O’Connor. In his
spare time … are you kidding, what spare time? You can reach him
through www.theafterwordpodcast.com or on Twitter at @WebbHollandLyle.
Amy Bowlin is a veteran teacher. She works with 6-year-olds in literacy
intervention and shares with college seniors the art of teaching literacy.
Balancing both worlds involves commuting which allows her to listen to her
favorite podcasts, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me,” “This American Life” and
“Revisionist History.” When she is not traveling to Greece to work with
refugees, she likes to write, hike, kayak and spend time with family and
friends. You can reach her through www.theafterwordpodcast.com or
on Twitter at @albowlin1.
Does the word critique fill you with dread? It shouldn’t.
I have learned most of what I know about writing by
receiving critiques. It started in school, when teachers graded my first early
efforts. It continues today every time I seek the input and feedback of others.
All artists need feedback in order to improve their craft. Consider a piano student. Each week she goes to her instructor and receive a lesson, which consists primarily of a critique on whatever skill she is trying to master. The same goes for an athlete and her coach.
Critiques should be welcomed as a writer’s best tool for
improvement. Here are some suggestions for making the most of critique
sessions.
Tips for facing a critique
Attitude is key. Start with a teachable spirit.
If you are not open to feedback and willing to learn then there is no point in
asking for a critique.
Remember a critique is not an attack on you or
your worth. It may feel painful, but a good critique will always help you grow
rather than tear you down.
Think of the person giving the critique as a
teammate or coach, not an adversary.
Remember, a critique is not a contest. There are
no winners or losers. You are not at war and you don’t need to defend yourself.
Listen to everything politely and without interrupting.
Listening silently does not mean you are being passive, or that you agree with
what is said.
Expect to learn something. Approach every critique
session with the attitude: What can I
learn from this discussion?
Even if you disagree with a critiquer’s
opinions, you can still learn something. For example, you might learn that some
readers will not understand a paragraph the way you meant it to be understood.
That is valuable feedback.
A good critique will cite specific examples of
what is being criticized. If examples are not cited, ask for some. Example: “You say my writing is choppy. Can you show
me what you mean by that?”
When it’s practical, ask the critiquer for
suggestions on how to improve. You can learn much from someone who points out a
writing weakness and then shows you how to make it better.
There are two main kind of information you gain
from a critique. A) How well am I mastering my craft? and B) How well am I
communicating what I am trying to say? You need feedback in both areas.
You do not need to follow all advice you receive
in a critique session. Use your best judgment. (If you receive similar feedback
from several sources, you should take a good hard look at the issue. If you
don’t agree, begin to ask why they think what they do and see if you can get to
the root of the problem.)
When you consider how much weight to put behind
a critique, consider the critiquer’s experience, skill, and familiarity with
the genre and today’s publishing realities.
Unfortunately, we have all experienced critiques that did
more damage than good. It happens. Here are some suggestions to avoid non-constructive
critiques and mitigate the problems they create.
Tips for protecting yourself against malicious or unhelpful critiques.
Be suspect of any critique that is 100% praise.
Do not expect expert advice from beginning
writers.
Do not expect good writing advice from those who
don’t write and rarely read.
Realize that someone who does not enjoy your
genre will probably not enjoy your manuscript. This does not mean their
critique is unhelpful, but you might need to guide them to look past the genre
to specific things. For example, ask them: “Can
you picture my setting?” or “Can you
follow my main character’s logic?”
Don’t expect a helpful critique from someone with
an axe to grind against you or the topic of your manuscript.
Learn who
not to ask! When someone rips your writing to shreds, choose not to open
yourself up to that pain by asking them again. Like anything in life, we need
to keep wise boundaries.
Critiques are important and powerful tools for improving our craft and honing our manuscripts. May you face them with confidence and utilize them wisely.
Award-winning writer Lisa
E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She
loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their
craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through
speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging
about living intentionally.
Christmas on a Mission is my latest book and I’m a bit partial to it. It’s got all the Christmas feels for sure. Heartwarming!
I kept playing with this idea of a couple meeting through a care package. I knew my heroine was going to work in the school system, and I knew my hero was going to be a deployed soldier–and I knew they’d meet because of a care package he received from her, BUT the way the story unfolded was even better than I imagined.
When I finished this book, I was seriously sad! I miss these characters and can’t wait to meet up with them again in the future!
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
Loaded questions!
A theme…hmm. I’d say there seems to be a theme of redemption in my books…and freedom. Redemption and freedom. And that’s definitely why I write. I want my readers to experience redemption and freedom through the stories I write…whether it’s through the character’s journey or on a deeper personal level.
How long have you been writing?
Ha! Since the 1st grade! However, I didn’t begin writing novels until around 2008. It’s been a long, winding, wonderful journey.
And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?
It took four years to get my first book contract–six years if you count the learning curve years.
I’d always wanted to write, but felt like either I had nothing to write about or I didn’t have the time. After years of being a military wife, and walking with my husband through his experiences with PTSD & TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), God showed me that those experiences could help others. So, my first book “The Wounded Warrior’s Wife” was born from those experiences.
I began writing that book, or what would become that book, in 2008. Finished it. Started reviewing books for authors, inviting them to do interviews on my blog, got some great advice from them–and began attending writing conferences.
In 2012 I met my publishers–Olivia Kimbrell Press. With SEVERAL rounds of edits they decided to pick up my first book and it was published in 2014! The rest is history.
Which of your books is your favorite?
Oh goodness, that’s a hard one. The first has this special place in my heart, but I’d say my favorite is “Christmas on a Mission.”
It’s so cozy, but deep, filled with goodness, a hope for love, and redemption–sigh. This book is rich and captures my heart. If I could open my heart and show readers what’s inside–it would be the content and message of this book.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
You ask hard questions! So…I really love Audria and Quinton from Christmas on a Mission–for so many reasons! There’s this scene in Gatlinburg with twinkling Christmas lights, a snowy bridge, and a kiss! But this kiss is more than a kiss. It’s a choice Audria has to make between letting go of her past and embracing a future. I love how the scene transpires, her response, Quinton’s response…all of it! I seriously cried writing this scene!
How long does it take you to write a book?
That really depends. For me, it takes about six to nine months to write the book, and then edits. I have a family, and work part time so sometimes it can take me a bit longer to get a book done.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
Right now it’s pretty set, which is wonderful! I write on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Saturday mornings (before the kids get up). My weekly goal is 3600 words, which is typically one chapter.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I don’t know if it’s interesting, but I listen to white noise “music” on YouTube while writing. It helps me focus and it’s like my brain says “Okay, it’s time to write.”
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
The readers! I love hearing from them. Some of them have actually become friends!
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
Several come to mind…but two stand out the most…
Walking with my husband through his experiences with PTSD and TBI were very dark–however, they shaped us. God provided friends to walk with us and we are better people, and have a stronger marriage because of those moments.
Recently, though, my darkest moment has been the loss of a sweet friend. Kenna was killed in a car crash…I miss her every day. Grief doesn’t go away. I’ve realized I won’t ever “get over it” but through it–one step at a time.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
I’ve lost count! BUT, rejection is a great teacher. I’ve found, especially in the writing world, rejection often comes with constructive criticism which is valuable. That feedback has helped me become a better writer, and has encouraged me to continue.
Where do you get your ideas?
That’s hard too…and truthfully, I have no clue. It’s not one place. It’s all over, all the time. Maybe a dream. A story I heard. A conversation I overheard. Something my mind put together while I was driving.
I believe the ideas are a gift from God–stories he wants me to tell.
Who is your favorite author to read?
So many! I read across genres, so my taste is a bit eclectic. I adore Tosca Lee, Joanne Bischof, Elizabeth Byler Younts, Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan…just to name a few.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?
Hands down, the BEST advice I received and heeded was to attend writer conferences. It’s a great way to meet agents, editors, and experienced writers…pick their brains and get that constructive criticism.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Probably not investing in learning the craft of writing, and cold querying agents without going to conferences.
Most agents and editors give priority to the writers they’ve met at conferences.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
I know it may sound a little redundant, but go to a writers conference. Start there. And don’t give up! Keep writing. Keep going to conferences and learning the craft of writing.
Hannah R. Conway is a military wife, mother of two, former middle school teacher, women’s ministry director, best-selling author, and popular speaker. Her novels are a deployment experience of their own, threaded with faith, and filled with twists and turns. Hannah is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and My book Therapy. She and her family live in Tennessee.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie
Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things
writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Writers’ Favorite
Christmas Memories & Gifts
In
this open mic episode of Writers Chat, we share writerly Christmas memories,
gifts received, and great gift ideas for writers. Some received beautiful
and/or thoughtful pens, a spinning wheel, selfie stick/tripod. Fun memories
were shared, like a cat bringing a live mouse into a women’s Christmas dinner,
where a friend calmed the ladies by saying, “This was a drop in dinner”. This
episode is full of great gift ideas, wonderful memories, and a lot of laughter,
and even a discussion on transitive and intransitive verbs. This episode was a wonderful
way to end Writers Chat for 2019.
Watch the December 17th replay.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
Brenda
S. Anderson writes
gritty, authentic, life-affirming fiction that will touch your heart and your
spirit. This is the second time that Brenda has appeared on Novelists Unwind,
and I’m so glad to welcome her back again to talk about her role in the
creation of the Mosaic Collection and her latest novel, A Beautiful Mess.
Amanda
Barratt’s latest
novel, My Dearest Dietrich, was on my “must read” list
from the moment I first heard about it. Anyone who admires and respects
Dietrich Bonhoeffer–the pastor, theologian, spy, and martyr who was executed
near the end of WWII–will appreciate this fictional glimpse into his heart. Amanda
brings to life the captivating romance between Bonhoeffer and Maria von
Wedemeyer, a vivacious woman who was his equal in many ways though she was much
younger than him.
Regina
Scott has
written over 45 stories of warm and witty historical romance. She was awarded
the prestigious Romance Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award for best
Historical Christian Romance for two of those novels. Her latest novel, A Distance Too Grand, celebrates the Grand Canyon National Park’s
Centennial Anniversary. It is the first in Regina’s American Wonders
Collection.
The
next Novelists Unwind Giveaway will
be announced on Saturday, January
4, 2020 at http://www.novelistsunwind.com. Be sure to
enter for your chance to win a print edition of an amazing inspirational novel.
Meet Johnnie
Johnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget. She is a best-selling and award-winning author who writes in multiple genres, serves on the Serious Writer, Inc. executive board, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.
We’ve written the book,
isn’t that enough? Now they want us to write a query, a pitch, a proposal, a
synopsis! What next?
Every agent and editor
understands that the dreaded synopsis or query or full proposal is anything but
fun. And yet, it gives them a real look into the author’s actual skills. A
quickly thrown together synopsis reveals the inability to follow through. A
poorly addressed pitch tells them that the author isn’t really sure what the
theme of their novel is at the core. And a badly written proposal indicates a
lack of ability to organize or follow directions.
So is the purpose of
writing these a test? Not at all. Everything is needed for the agent to
convince someone else that the author’s work is worthwhile. If you can’t
convince the agent, how will she convince the editor?
So let’s break this
down. First, a great pitch will intrigue the agent or editor enough that they
will want to read more. It’s like a twenty word hook that simply mesmerizes the
individual, lures them to read on. The synopsis is a more detailed look at the
entire novel’s outcome, telling the agent that the writer can write an
introduction, middle, and ending well. And finally, the proposal gives the
agent all of the details that he needs to take this brilliant story to an
editor and hopefully have it be picked up.
Yes, it’s homework in a
sense. It’s the final chapter to the novel that is needed to sell a work. It’s
tedious, but necessary. Torture? Maybe a little bit, but all of us as writers
have been there, and we all made it to the other side.
Blessings to you and
your writing from one who survived.
Linda S. Glaz is an agent with Hartline Literary Agency, and also
the author of eight novels and two novellas, so she “gets” writers. She
represents authors in both the Christian and secular communities. She speaks at
numerous conferences and workshops around the country each year.
Married with three grown children and four grands, she lives in a small town
where everyone is family.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie
Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things
writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Blog Tour Do’s and
Don’ts with Carrie Schmidt
Do you have a book ready to launch? Maybe a blog
tour is what you’re looking for. Check out this week’s Writers Chat as Carrie
Schmidt, co-owner of Just Read Tours, as she shares tips on how to set up blog
tours, socials media takeovers, review tours, and more. She also shares the
importance of having a media page.
Watch the December 3rd replay.
Organizing Your Book
Topic and Files with Shelley Hitz
Shelley is the founder of Christian Book Academy and
mentor to inspirational writers, joins Writers Chat to share how to organize
your book files, topics, ideas, and much more. She also shares how to find an
organization system that works well with you as well as being more interactive
with your book and its marketing. If you want to be more organized in your
writing for 2020, this episode is for you.
Watch the December 10th replay.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
Writer’s conferences are well-planned days of speakers, workshops,
and opportunities. After pitching themselves and their beloved projects, many
writers leave their meetings with agents, editors, and publishers, clutching
close a business card and those much sought after words, “Send that to me. I’d
like to take a look at it.”
Perhaps you submitted a query or proposal and received the coveted
invitation to submit your manuscript.
Editors report that they often never see the projects they invite writers to send.
There are two types of writers. Those that submit for publication and those that don’t. In the writing industry, the difference between players and spectators is frequently determined by who takes the next step.
While the unpublished group may claim writers’ block, professional
writers are adamant that writers block is as mythical as Nessy the Loch Ness
Monster.
“A professional writer doesn’t wait for inspiration anymore than a professional plumber waits for inspiration to lay a pipe.”
John Erickson
After spending his first forty years as a Texas cowboy, John Erickson is the author of 60 some Hank the Cowdog books. “A professional plumber knows some principles like you don’t lay a pipe uphill or in frozen ground but he lays that pipe. Professional writers write. I write four hours a day seven days a week because I’m fanatical about that because that’s what I do.”
Batter Up
Are your projects stuffed in a drawer, or stored on computer files? Submission block is like a batter that refuses to swing. Opportunities wing past.
What are you afraid of? Rejection? Success? Both? Taking action that will change the status quo of your life? Is the dream of one day being a published author greater than your courage to go after it?
Even a rejection proves you are in the game. A participant rather than a spectator. A “no, thank you,” is not calling your baby ugly. It is a step closer to connecting with the agent or publisher that shares your passion for the project. It is valuable feedback. Behind a “no” is generally three plays.
The piece does not fit
with the purpose of the publisher. For instance, a publisher of non-fiction
books is not interested in novels.
There are similar
projects already available or in process.
The writing needs
improvement.
A homerun response is an enthusiastic yes followed by that
favorite call, “Check enclosed.”
Get in the Game
If submission block is keeping you out of the publishing game, here are moves to get you playing:
Accountability. Tell
someone you will submit on or before a specific date.
Submit your best work
knowing it may not be perfect.
Approach an editor as an
eager team player. Be coachable.
Like athletes, writers
improve with practice. Every time you submit, you take a swing at the
ball.
Betcha’ a cold ballpark hot dog and warm soda that your publishing home run average improves when you submit your work.
PeggySue Wells is the bestselling author of 29 books including Slavery in the Land of the Free, The Girl Who Wore Freedom, Chasing Sunrise, and Homeless for the Holidays. Connect with her at PeggySueWells.com
You spent a lot
of time and work writing your book, but now comes the hard part. Picking a
cover. People often do judge books by their covers, unfortunately, so you want
to make sure you have the right one – a face, an object, a landscape, a
representation of your work, the right font, and more. There’s so much to think
about, so to help you out, here are some great suggestions.
1. Brainstorm ideas
Every major
project needs to start with a brainstorm. Think about the first impression you
want your book to make. It’s hard to sum up the concept of your book in just
one page, but this is where you think about whether you want words only,
images, headshots, or more. According to Nancy McKenney, a book blogger at Assignment Service
and Ox Essays, “your choices are
mostly between gripping – something visually interesting that will grab people
– or explanatory, which will tell people what the book is about. If you can
combine both, that’s perfect.”
2. The details
At this point,
you need to think about the steps that will make it look like a book. What
shape, size and font will you use? Where will the title, subtitle, and author’s
name be on the cover? This is also the step where you think about the colors
you want. This will involve a lot of back and forth with editors and
publishers.
3. Refine the draft
If you’re doing
a headshot, you’ll need a photographer and set up the look. You might end up
going back on the details like colors if you see that the image or face you
chose doesn’t work as well with the initial colors as you thought it would. If
you’re taking a self-portrait for the cover of the book, think about the
clothes you’re wearing because the best option is a solid, dark color. It makes
it a lot easier to place the author’s name in legible color.
4. Social proof helps
Once you’ve come
up with the mock-up, you want to get external feedback from people who haven’t
been staring at the same cover for a while. Send it to some trusted people,
friends and colleagues, and ask for honest, frank opinions. Ask if it’s a book
they’d pick out, or if the content makes sense, and strange things you might
not have though of.
5. Don’t be afraid to change it
Don’t be afraid
to change the image based on the feedback you get. That’s the whole point of
getting feedback. It’s also normal that people within the team will disagree
and have their own favorites. At this point, you can do a data check and survey
different options (it helps if the publisher is willing to back this option).
Janet Frasier, a
writer at Academized
and Boomessays,
suggests that you “ask readers what kind of books they’re into and what kind of
covers speak to them more, their demographics, and more. The results you get
might surprise you, but they’ll definitely be very helpful, and a cover that
looks great may not be the most appealing.”
6. Go with your gut
You also want to
follow your instincts if you feel like something is wrong with the current
cover or you’re not convinced with the most popular option. That’s why if it
doesn’t resonate with you, you shouldn’t go with it. It’s important that the
cover is important to you as well, even if your brain is telling you to go with
it.
By following
these tips, it should make it a bit easier for you to choose the perfect cover
for your book.
Aimee Laurence, a tutor with UK Writing Services
and StateOfWriting,
gives advice to her readers about different writing, editing, and publishing
tips. She is passionate about helping people self-publish their works. She also
works as a freelance editor for the company NSW
Writing Services.
Creativity flows when we provide safe and open environments for writers. Offering space for progression and permission to fail is key to cultivating the power of young writers in particular.
How do we collaborate with and listen to the voices of the next generation in writing? What does the future of words look like for them? Amy and Holland help answer these questions and gain insight from their guests Adrienne Burris and Andre Sullivan.
Adrienne Burris is the Executive Director of Greenville Wordsmiths and the ARMES Writing Instructor at the Fine Arts Center. She holds degrees from Clemson University (BA English) and Goldsmiths, University of London (MA Writer/Teacher). Adrienne is also a Moth StorySlam winner, two-time TEDx presenter, and Fiction Editor of Emry’s Journal.
Andre Sullivan is a 27-year-old best-selling author, illustrator, and motivational speaker from Greenville, SC. He recently co-founded the nonprofit Young Brothers Academy. Andre hopes to take his message of “connectedness” to a global audience. He has been awarded the Creative Brilliance award by TV, film, and Broadway actress Cee-Cee Michaela Floyd and been featured on 96.3 The Block as a Black History Maker and Upstate Parent Magazine.
Listen to Part 1
Listen to Part 2
Meet the hosts
Holland Webb is a full-time freelance writer and editor. He spends his
days writing about higher education, B2B technology, and nonprofit
organizations. His clients have let him write for U.S. News & World Report, The
Learning House, The Red Lantern, and Sweet Fish Media. Holland’s favorite
writers are Malcolm Gladwell, Olive Ann Burns, and Flannery O’Connor. In his
spare time … are you kidding, what spare time? You can reach him
through www.theafterwordpodcast.com or on Twitter at @WebbHollandLyle.
Amy Bowlin is a veteran teacher. She works with 6-year-olds in literacy
intervention and shares with college seniors the art of teaching literacy.
Balancing both worlds involves commuting which allows her to listen to her
favorite podcasts, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me,” “This American Life” and
“Revisionist History.” When she is not traveling to Greece to work with
refugees, she likes to write, hike, kayak and spend time with family and
friends. You can reach her through www.theafterwordpodcast.com or
on Twitter at @albowlin1.
If you want to do excellent work you need to invest in
quality tools.
A cook needs good knives. An athlete needs high-performance
shoes and clothing. A serious musician needs a professional-quality instrument.
What about a writer?
What tools will help you produce quality work?
What upgrades will help you become a better or
more efficient writer?
How will you honor your calling and God-given
talents by investing in your writing journey?
Are you ready to invest in yourself? Here are some tools, resources, and opportunities to consider:
How-to Books.
We can always learn more about the craft and business of writing. What books
need to be added to your writing shelf?
Books to
inspire you. If you want to write a good book, you should be reading good
books—in your genre and in others.
Reference
books. The internet is a wonderful tool, but sometimes you need a book,
because A) the information isn’t readily available elsewhere, or B) it’s
quicker and easier for you to find a particular fact in a book you know well.
Classes.
Some professions require you to get so many Continuing Education Credits every
year to maintain your license. Writing isn’t like that, but classes are still a
wise investment.
Writing
tools. Computer, keyboard, printer, pens, notebooks. What tools do you use
on a daily basis? Are you making do with the family’s leftovers or do you care
enough about writing to invest in quality?
Software.
Writing, editing, photo editing, social media scheduling, time management, marketing…
Sure, you can get by with the free or basic versions of these programs, but
sooner or later it becomes a good investment to upgrade to the “Pro” level. Is
now the time to become a pro?
Workspace.
Would a dedicated writing space help you work more efficiently? Is your current
workstation ergonomically designed, or do you need a more supportive chair or an
adjustable desk? Maybe a new light or a fresh coat of paint will do wonders for
your frame of mind?
Conferences.
Writing conferences are one of the best ways to network and meet industry
professionals. Now is the time to consider which conferences you will attend in
2020 and begin saving for them.
Expert
help. No writer can do it all. Sometimes we need to hire an editor, website
designer, publicist, or other expert to help do what we can’t do well
ourselves.
The small
stuff. Healthy snacks. Inspiring wall art. Coffee mugs or water bottles
that help you get into your “writer’s mindset.” What small things will help you
get motivated and maintain energy throughout your writing sessions?
Hint: Some of
these suggestions would make a nice Christmas or birthday present, so update
your wish list today. And don’t forget to make room in next year’s budget for bigger
items and a conference or two.
You and your words
are worth the investment!
Award-winning writer Lisa
E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She
loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their
craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through
speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging
about living intentionally.
Recently I received a notification on social media about
this year’s film awards. Traditionally,
November through February is awards season in Hollywood. Not just for the
blockbuster movies released this year, like Romaor The Irishman
or the big awards shows that are aired nationally:
Oscars
Golden globes
People’s Choice Awards
It’s also award season for screenwriting competitions. For
many aspiring screenwriters, the lure and hope of winning a competition is a
ray of hope and gift of breaking into the industry. Everyone wants an easy path
to their writing dreams. The contest business is a booming industry for screenwriters.
Contests?
When I first started writing screenplays over a decade ago,
I thought all I had to do was win a screenwriting contest and agents and the
money would follow me everywhere. Back then, I was ignorant of how the industry
works and what the real benefits of contests are.
First,
I want to be clear about what contests aren’t:
A guarantee of getting a movie sold or produced.
A shortcut to screenwriting success.
Like buying a lottery ticket and hoping you win the jackpot.
These are just a few of the myths I bought when I started
screenwriting. But, over the years I’ve learned the real benefits of entering
the screenwriting contests. They may not pack as much bang for the buck as I’d
hoped, but there’s still a lot to be gained from competitions.
Contests
are a way of making connections in the industry, and networking is the name of
the game in Hollywood.
If
you’re just starting, contests are a great way of getting some feedback about
your writing skills. Just be sure to enter contests that offer entrants
feedback or as we call it, coverage.
If
you are a skilled storyteller, contests are way of marketing your script to the
powers that be in the industry. Be sure to check on who the judges are in the
contest before entering.
All in all, a
contest can still be a starting point for your career by landing you future
writing jobs or they may simply build your reputation within the industry.
Starting Points?
At best, a contest or gets you meetings with managers,
agents, and studio heads. If you play your cards correctly, you may walk away
with an option or two if there’s enough interest in your writing chops.
Eight years ago I won a regional screenwriting competition
in Georgia and I remain in contact with the creatives I met through the contest.
Although I didn’t get a big sale from the contest, I did learn about
screenwriting and walked away with a wealth of knowledge.
In closing, I want to encourage you to do your homework
before entering a contest. Check and see
if it is worth the investment of the entry fee. Not all contests are created
equal. Some may offer a cash prize, but no coverage of your script or credible
contacts into the biz. Below are a couple of the main contests that can help
launch a career.
Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship – This is the most respectable competition and is run by the Academy of motion pictures (Oscars). Past winners include Erin Brockovich.
The Austin Film Festival – past winners include Juno.
Final Draft’s Big Break competition – most winners land management or writing gigs.
Remember if you’re still trying to break into the screenwriting industry, a contest is simply a starting point, not the end of your journey. Ultimately, the truth is about screenwriting contests; it’s a test.
Martin Johnson
survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which
left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an
award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first
Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as
an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to
local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm
and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in
a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual
Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.
Homeless for the
Holidays is the heartwarming story of an upscale executive who
loses it all and finds he and his family truly have everything.
Chasing Sunriseis the fast-paced
suspense about a special forces military man who must use all his training to
protect those he cares about when international killers arrive on St. Croix at
the same time Hurricane Hugo unleashes it fury.
The Girl Who
Wore Freedom is the inspiring true story of the five-year-old
girl who was liberated, along with her French village, by American troops on
D-Day.
Why do you write? Do
you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
I write because it is a bridge of connection and
communication with people, a vital tool to do life better, together. A creative
art form, writing is a means to reveal thoughts, express ideas, and convey
dreams. I write to know, to understand this incredible and zany world and to
appreciate fellow travelers on this challenging journey. I write to be known,
open, transparent, and vulnerable, to give, encourage, and inspire others far
beyond my immediate sphere of influence. Words permit me to possibly be the
wind under the wings of another who is weary, disheartened, and disillusioned.
I enjoy both the challenges and victories of the craft because it satisfies my
spirit. I write because writing is an essential. Through writing I give voice
to others, champion integrity, bring humor, and share stories.
How long have you
been writing?
In college, I blew out my knees as a dancer and shifted to
the other subject that made my eyes light up – journalism. After being the
editor of the college newspaper and magazine, I went to work as a news reporter
and magazine editor. While raising my children, I wrote freelance and my first
book was published in 1995.
How long did it take
you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally?
How did that come about?
Presently I have 29 published titles, and many books I
ghosted. Most of those are traditionally published. My first book, Holding Down the Fort, I sent out as a
proposal to ten top publishers. Bethany House phoned and said they wanted to
contract the book. Bethany House published my first two titles.
Do you have a
favorite character or scene in one of your books?
Michael Northington, sidekick Bryce Lassiter, commander
Corbin MacIntyre in Chasing Sunrise are fun men of
integrity, adventure, and courage. I like Elise, Jerry, Brother Ned, June, and
am writing a novel telling Antonio’s story before he came to St. Croix. The Patent picks up later in Michael’s
career when he commands his own special forces team. Marc Wayne and his sister,
Mallory Wayne, are fun to write into impossible situations and watch them work
their way out. If you like Clive Cussler books, you’ll like The Patent and Chasing Sunrise.
How long does it take
you to write a book?
I just completed a book with Pam Farrel for Baker House
titled Best Decisions A Single Parent Can
Make that I wrote in three months. That book releases in September.
What’s your writing
work schedule like?
I rise early, journal, read Scripture, pray, read for 30
minutes, and write for 90 minutes. Next, I work on business items for 2 hours.
Write and work until dinner. Exercise in the evening and write before going to
sleep.
Do you have an
interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I adore drinking tea while working. My friend and first
co-author, Mary Ann Froehlich, lives across the nation and we still send one
another tea by mail. I’m a fan of dark chocolate and the occasional vitamin Ms
(peanut M&Ms). I can write anywhere and do exactly that. Noise and activity
do not distract me. I take my laptop to busy restaurants, traveling, when I
accompany my daughter who rides rodeo.
What has been your
greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
I’m thankful for the friendships I have with people I
admire. Teaching others to write, bringing someone’s message to the world, and
creating works that will outlive me are great joys. What freedom to be able to
write/work anywhere and that all experiences, observations, and travel are
material for my writing. My heart is full to see two of my children thriving as
professional writers. Though my adult children are in different states, they
started a book club where we read books together and talk about what we read
each week over a soul-nourishing zoom call.
What has been your
darkest moment(s)?
Measuring the gap between where I want to be in my career
and where I am is sobering. There have been broken contracts, and poor business
practices but that is probably the stuff of life. I have a couple literary
novels I’m eager to get out of my head where they have lived for a lot of years
and into published books.
How many times in
your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
Rejection is typically a situation where the project merely
is not a fit. I appreciate the feedback that helps me write better, pitch
better, find better fits for me and my projects, and guides me to be more
creative.
Where do you get your
ideas?
The struggle is in deciding which ideas to pursue! So many
ideas, so little time. Sometimes the challenge is in not knowing how to bring
an idea from theory to concrete. For instance, I have a game that I’d like to
bring to market as well as online classes but will have to learn the process.
Who is your favorite
author to read?
Richard Paul Evans is a kind friend, brilliant writer, and
I’m thankful that he endorsed Homeless for the
Holidays and Chasing Sunrise. Clive Cussler, Vince Flynn, Jan Karon, Ken Gire, and John Erickson.
What advice can you
give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you
would have heeded?
I would like to have learned much earlier to focus on the
facts and not make up stories about those facts. For instance, when a publisher
published two of my books, then passed on my next two ideas, I assumed that
meant they didn’t want to work with me anymore. That was a story I made up in
my head about the facts. However, the facts were merely that they decided to
pass on my next two pitches that were not a fit for them. In this industry,
keep pitching great ideas and networking.
What are common
mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Writers must have a significant audience or following. Being
a good writer is not enough today when marketing is just as important. Books
have to sell so everyone from writer to publisher can support themselves. Money
may not be everything but it is the currency of exchange in our culture for
food, shelter, and clothing.
Where/How do you
recommend writers try to break into the market?
Develop your craft, become an excellent writer, and be
teachable. Find mentors.
History buff and island votary, PeggySue Wells skydives, scuba dives, parasails, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. PeggySue is the bestselling author of 29 books including Homeless for the Holidays, The Girl Who Wore Freedom, and Chasing Sunrise. She is a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Run Hard, Rest Well, advisory committee for the Taylor Writers Conference, and talk show host on Five Kyngdoms Radio. Connect with her at PeggySueWells.com, @PeggySue Wells, linkedin.com/in/peggysuewells, and facebook.com/peggysue.wells.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie
Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things
writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Writers Chat Recap for
November Part 2
Featuring…
Conducting Interviews
with Del Duduit
In
this episode, Del shares strategies for scheduling, preparing, and conducting
interviews. As an author and former sports writer, Del has held interviews with
celebrity and collegiate athletes. Success interviews happen more when you know
what to ask and then sit and listen. If you have interviews lined up in the
future, or are interested in conducting an interview, this is the episode for
you.
In this episode, Jean
Wise shares how we can enrich our writing through the use of metaphors. Jean
offers vivid examples of metaphor from the writing masters, along with tips on
how to correctly incorporate metaphor in your own writing. If you are looking
for ways to enhance your writing, this is show is for you.
Watch the November 19th replay.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
Eleanor
Bertin is the
author of Unbound, a modern twist on a timeless tale of the unique bond
between two widows. That timeless tale is the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi.
As Eleanor’s story unfolds, the reader learns the painful secrets that both
Ruthie and Naomi are hiding and experiences the healing power of God’s merciful
grace.
James
R. Hannibal has
one of the most unique bios I’ve ever read. I share it on the video so I won’t
repeat it here except for this one little hint: James was chased down a
winding German road by an armed terrorist. We talk about this experience, and
James admits that his wife gets all the credit for getting them to safety.
James is the author of the CIA thriller, The Gryphon Heist.
Deb
Elkink received the
prestigious Grace Irwin Award for her debut novel, The Third Grace. During our chat,
we talked about the Deb’s inspiration for her latest novel, The Red Journal,
about the “philosophy of soup,” and how Deb’s ancestor was one of twelve who
came from Russia (now the Ukraine region) to spy out what is now Manitoba for
settling.
The
next Novelists Unwind Giveaway will
be announced on Saturday, December
7, 2019 at http://www.novelistsunwind.com. Be sure to
enter for your chance to win a print edition of an amazing inspirational novel.
Meet your Host
Johnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget. Her award-winning debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, made the CBA bestseller list. She writes contemporaries, historicals, and cozy mysteries, serves on the Serious Writer, Inc. executive board, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.
From my experience in publishing, editors
and agents are often slow to respond to submissions. This time lag grows even
worse during the final months of the year because often these professionals are
focused on outside activities like sending holiday greetings and special events.
Yet time is marching on during the holidays. How can you make the best use of this slow publishing season when you feel like your correspondence goes into a black hole? Take this time to be writing and refining your book proposal. Use my book proposal checklist to make sure you are creating what is expected and needed.
Also use this holiday season to increase your
publishing credits and credibility with the editors and agents. As a New York
acquisitions editor, I’ve read thousands of submissions. One of the key
elements publishing professionals will notice is your publishing experience. But
maybe you’ve never published anything or only self-published and your credits
are limited. If you are in this situation, it is like when you get your first
job. How do you create a job resume when you don’t have any experience? You are
stuck and unsure how to do it—which I call a catch-22 type of situation. It’s the
same in publishing but you can get around this catch-22 if you publish in
magazines. If you have published other books and in magazines, your proposal
gains a more careful reading and consideration.
The best place to gain publishing experience is in print magazines. Magazines are shorter than books and quicker to accomplish than books. Yet in print magazines you learn how to write for a target audience, for a specific deadline and word count—all valuable skills for your book writing. First select some target publications. Use a Writer’s Market Guide (even from your library). Which publications do you read? Study them and see how much freelance material they are using? Craft a query letter or if they allow it, the full article, then submit this material. Then you will be published and your proposals will gain much more attention.
Use the holidays to improve your publishing potential.
Book reviews are critical as a social buy-in for your book and to market your book through higher placement online, for getting ad copy quotes, and for boosting your author brand. It can be daunting starting out as an author and trying to get reviews. These are 8 different ways to market your book and get good reviews.
1. Use a Call to Action (CTA) in your book.
This is a simple, easy, and effective way to get some reviews because you just need to include it once and then move on. On the last page of your book once published, include a short CTA requesting that if they liked the book, readers leave an honest review on their favourite online reading site or store.
2. Have a free ebook online.
The best way to get a lot of reviews is obviously to have more people read it. If you have a free copy of the ebook online, you’re more likely to get downloads and therefore reviews. If you publish it with certain companies, you can make ebooks free for only certain days of the month as a promotion. You can also make it permanently free on Kobo or iBook sites and Amazon will eventually price match it.
3. Email your mailing list.
You should have a mailing list with all of your readers’ email addresses. As Penelope Ludlum, a marketer at Writinity and Last Minute Writingexplains, “once you have it set up, you can email them and ask for honest reviews of your book. You can set this up so they go out automatically, even when a new person joins your mailing list.”
4. Have a street team read in advance.
Once you have a big enough group of readers and followers, you can ask your readers if any want to be a part of your advance reader team. These people would receive the book early, read it, then review once published. For this option, you have to be clear that you want their own opinion without anything offered in exchange or you’ll be violating some online platforms’ terms of service.
To set this up, send out regular emails asking for volunteers, perhaps as one of your automated messages. You can name the team with a special name to create a sense of camaraderie and community. This team is also great at doing a final review of the book for anything that the editors may have missed.
5. Reach out to book bloggers in your genre.
This strategy is free to follow but it can be time consuming. Many book blogs have reviews of books in a specific genre, so you can research to find the right bloggers for your genre and who accept books for review. Once accepted, book bloggers will review your book on their own platform in addition to Goodreads and Amazon. Be sure to review the site’s submission requirements so you’re not wasting your time submitting somewhere that won’t accept your novel.
6. Research Amazon reviewers.
Similar to the previous point, you can research book reviewers on Amazon and reach out to them and ask them to review your book. To do this, find books that are similar to yours and then read through the review section and each reviewer’s profile to see if they’ve provided their contact info or website. Then, send a polite and personalized email asking if they would be interested in reviewing your book and explain how you found out about them.
7. Use social media.
Pick a couple of social media platforms and become familiar with them, without trying to use them all. Then, Robert Woods, a blogger at Draft Beyond and Research Papers UK, says to “engage in conversations with followers, asking them what they’re up to, or asking their opinion on something unrelated. As part of these posts, you can ask for reviews with a link to your book’s page, but you certainly don’t want to be only posting about that.”
8. Join a Goodreads group.
Some Goodreads groups allow for contributions from authors whereas others are for readers only. Look for one that meets your criteria and your genre, and get used to the culture before diving in and asking for reviews.
Ashley Halsey, a professional writer at Lucky Assignments andGumessays.com, is involved in many marketing and professional projects. She enjoys helping entrepreneurs and small businesses develop their customer base and increase customer loyalty. She attends business training classes and travels in her spare time.
Writers Chat,
hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we
talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
The Writer’s Toolbox
with Rhonda Dragomir
Buckle
your seat belts for a high speed episode of Writers Chat. Rhonda Dragomir puts
the pedal to the medal in order to get through her long list of tools writers
should have in their toolbox. Just as racecar drivers need pit crews with the
right tools, writers need the right tools, too. Not only does Rhonda share
resources with us, but she takes us to several websites and shows us how to use
that site. Rhonda has won numerous awards for her writing including Serious
Writers Writer of Year. Don’t let this episode pass you by.
Content Creation:
Become a Publishing Group with Bethany Jett
In this episode, Bethany shares how three big
companies reach people by having a people focused, instead of company focused,
marketing strategy. The companies are Red Bull, with a small target niche;
L’Oreal, has a higher end target with great community outreach; and Wendy’s,
with a fun snarky campaign. While sharing the great marketing strategies of
these companies Bethany also discusses content six. If you need a little help
with content, marketing, or both, this is the episode for you.
Watch the November 5th replay.
For
more information check out this week’s Show Notes and Live
Discussion.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
Since
it’s Veterans Day, this will be a somewhat nontraditional “Writer
Encouragement” column. However, the message is as important as any I’ve likely
written before: Remember our veterans.
Write
about them. Encourage them and their families by acknowledging their sacrifice
for our country. Look for ways to feature their stories and submit them to
periodicals. Never let our country forget that freedom is not free.
I happen
to be a “Blue Star” mom. In other words, I have a son who serves and has, since
9-11 crashed into our world and changed our lives forever.
When he
joined the military, we had just found out that my only daughter had an
inoperable brain tumor. I prayed and prayed and hoped he’d not go in. But the
Lord had other plans. I knew that and gave him my blessing. It was one of the
hardest sacrifices I’ve ever made.
And now
his wife and children make that sacrifice, and do so, time and again, as his
military rank advances and his responsibilities grow. He has saved many lives
and won many medals.
This
photo was taken several years ago when my son’s daughter was just two and he’d
just flown home from a deployment.
Yet it
comes at a cost as his wife and children carry on without him being their time
and again. As his mom, I often am unable to even get a text to him just to see
how he is. That’s where being a prayer warrior for him and other military
members helps keep me sane as I entrust him into the Lord’s hands.
I
encourage you writers to bring their stories to life. There are thousands of
veterans and active military out there. Don’t let their sacrifices be ignored
or forgotten. Be sure to protect their privacy—especially if they currently
serve— because revealing their personal info can put them or their families in
harm’s way.
We can’t all serve our country. But we can tell the sagas of those heroes who have been on the front lines.
Carry
on.
Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books
that released in 2019: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s
Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They
are the first two books in the Dawn of
America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the
award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s
Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters)
was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation
Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and
anthologies including the recent Chicken
Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, Live Happy. Scarred Vessels, a novel
about black soldiers in the American Revolution, will release in 2020. You can
visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com
Cooking is ancient and every culture has its own twist on how food is prepared. Gathering together and “breaking bread” has its roots in civilizations dating back to biblical times. Sitting around the table and sharing stories while eating is a key element in oral history development and building community. What can stories and words do to excite and re-energize cooking? How do words create a culinary appetite? To talk about the power of words and cooking, Amy and Holland invited Chef John Malik and Victoria Duerstock to the table. Join the conversation below.
Chef John Malik is a food & beverage consultant, writer, digital marketer, and cyclist. While chef/owner of 33 Liberty Restaurant in Greenville, SC, he was featured on Food Network, Bon Appetit Magazine, Southern Living, Chile Pepper Magazine, and received a nomination from the James Beard Society for Best Chef in the Southeast. John’s online essays about his many food-based experiences, including competitive barbecue, appearing live with Sara Moulton, and trading shots with Anthony Bourdain, helped to renew his interest in writing. While Food & Beverage Director of Greenville’s Cascades Verdae Retirement Community, he wrote and published his novel Doughnuts for Amy.
Victoria Duerstock is a teacher and speaker who desires to inspire hope and ignite God’s purpose and His glory through stories. Victoria has two new projects Heart & Home: Design Basics for Your Soul and Your Living Space and Heart & Home for Christmas: Celebrating Joy in our Living Space. These short devotionals present scripture, personal application, prayer and design along with seasonal tips in each full-color volume.
Listen to Part One
Listen to Part Two
Meet the hosts
Holland Webb is a full-time freelance writer and editor. He spends his
days writing about higher education, B2B technology, and nonprofit
organizations. His clients have let him write for U.S. News & World Report, The
Learning House, The Red Lantern, and Sweet Fish Media. Holland’s favorite
writers are Malcolm Gladwell, Olive Ann Burns, and Flannery O’Connor. In his
spare time … are you kidding, what spare time? You can reach him
through www.theafterwordpodcast.com or on Twitter at @WebbHollandLyle.
Amy Bowlin is a veteran teacher. She works with 6-year-olds in literacy
intervention and shares with college seniors the art of teaching literacy.
Balancing both worlds involves commuting which allows her to listen to her
favorite podcasts, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me,” “This American Life” and
“Revisionist History.” When she is not traveling to Greece to work with
refugees, she likes to write, hike, kayak and spend time with family and
friends. You can reach her through www.theafterwordpodcast.com or
on Twitter at @albowlin1.
If you are a writer, you have probably heard of NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month.
Maybe you’ve tried NaNoWriMo in the past.
Maybe you’re in the middle of it right now. (If you are,
Bravo! I wish you success.)
If you haven’t participated, you may have decided it’s too
intense, or doesn’t apply to your genre, or it’s just not your style. Maybe so,
but there are good reasons so many writers join the movement, and the rest of
us can apply some of those benefits even if we’re not participating.
Here are some principles from NaNoWriMo that all writers can
apply to their work no matter what they write or what month they write it in.
A good writer benefits from:
Pre-planning:
It is much easier to write when you know the main point you want to communicate
or where you want the story to end. Whether you are trying to complete a
manuscript in one month or a weekly post for your blog, appropriate pre-planning
will help you succeed more confidently and efficiently. How much foundation do
you need to write a good story?
Concrete
goals: Most of us work better when we have well-defined, reasonable goals
to shoot for (such as the typical NaNo goal of 1,667 words per day). What specific
and measureable goals will inspire you to keep going, even on the tough days?
Consistency:
The best way to get better at any skill is to practice consistently. First of
all, if you write consistently it will become a habit, which means you will be
more likely to keep at it even on the days you don’t feel like it. Secondly,
writing consistently strengthens the connection to your subconscious where true
creativity comes from.
Accountability:
Hitting your goals on a consistent basis is easier when you know others are
following your progress. If you struggle to be consistent in your writing, look
for someone to keep you accountable. A regular meeting (face to face or
virtual) with critique partners is one good option.
Support:
Being part of a world-wide community of writers is often cited as a key benefit
of the NaNo movement. Writing is a lonely business. Even the most introverted
of us need support from other humans to keep going.
Motivation:
Some writers are motivated by goals and deadlines. Others thrive on competition.
Yet others work best in a community of like-minded peers who can spur each
other on with daily boosts of encouragement. If you know what style of
motivation works for you, you can find fellow writers to help you keep at it.
Creativity
without judgment: Most of us have a critical voice in our heads that wants
to edit every word we write. That voice is deadly to the creativity
needed in a first draft! If you
find it impossible to allow yourself to write a lousy first draft full of
typos, clichés, and bad grammar, maybe you should try NaNo. Pushing through a
novel in a month leaves no time for that pesky editor to meddle with your
creative output. Writing sprints are another strategy that can help you work
past your inner critic.
Limited
and achievable milestones: Part of the beauty of NaNoWriMo is that the commitment
is only for one month. It’s easier to keep going when we know there is finish line
in sight. And celebrating each small milestone as you reach it helps, too.
I hope these concepts have inspired and encouraged you, no
matter where you are in your writing journey. Which of these principles will be
most helpful to you today? What’s keeping you from giving it a try?
Award-winning writer Lisa
E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She
loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their
craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through
speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging
about living intentionally.
