Tag Archives: authors

Book Review: Published. The Proven Path From Blank Page To 10,000 Copies Sold

Published.

Do you want to be published? Chandler Bolt gives you the tools in his book, Published. The Proven Path From Blank Page To 10,000 Copies Sold. Actually, rather than feeling like you’re reading a long tome, it’s more like sitting down with your own manuscript coach. Chandler’s writing style comes across as a conversation loaded with practical tips. Chandler’s approach is “Let’s move away from getting your book done someday and have a discussion about making it happen now!”

“Chandler Bolt is the CEO of Self Publishing School and Selfpublishing.com, the author of six books, and the host of the Self Publishing School podcast. He believes that ‘Books Change Lives’ and has helped 6,000+ aspiring authors publish a book.”

Published promises:

  • How to write a quality book and save time in the process
  • How to produce a quality book on a budget
  • Proven launch strategies and marketing methods
  • How to sell books and get booked for speaking opportunities
  • Three ways to grow your business with a book

Published came through on fulfilling those promises by showing how to have a clear vision for your writing, providing a strategy for organizing words, and tackling limiting beliefs. Chandler says when you have an outline, you create your own GPS that will help you navigate the writing process. He not only shows you how to map out an outline, but to also use it to create your rough draft.

I like the down-to-earth way Chandler works through the nuts and bolts of putting together a book. Checklists and Next Steps provide clarity and ingenuity. From mind mapping your outline to marketing your finished product, Published gives you a sound vehicle to arrive at your destination. Chandler’s contagious enthusiasm makes you believe you can do it and want to tackle the work to make it happen.

Sally

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Review: Book Proposals That $ell

Book Proposals That $ell

Book Proposals That $ell brings a whole new understanding of the publishing world. From a look in the board room to a peek at an editor’s calendar, Terry Whalin shows why a book proposal is crucial to an author’s success. Terry says, “Nine out of ten nonfiction books are sold from a nonfiction book proposal.”

W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor with Morgan James Publishing. His articles have appeared in more than 50 publications and he has authored more than 60 books. Terry has a website for writers of all genres called Right-Writing.com.

Terry wants authors to know the book proposal is a tool to sell a publisher on your manuscript. It also gives an editor ammunition to take to the Pub Board, lending passion to the pitch. Even if an author self-publishes, the book proposal serves as a “business plan and a roadmap for your book.”

I found the chain reaction account of a tardy book interesting. When an author is late turning in the manuscript, it backlogs editors, reviewers, sales forecasters and print runs.

Another eye-opening lesson is found in the spine of a book. When an author requests a spiral-bound book, they’re asking the publisher to give up prime real estate for marketing that book.

Book Proposals That $ell is a valuable resource for every writer, providing tips to catch an editor’s attention, secrets critical to success in marketing your book proposal, checklists for pitching the essence of your idea, and twelve maxims for any writer.

Terry admonishes us to “never lose the wonder of the opportunity,” and encourages authors to persist in the industry. “Every publisher is looking for new talent, and they need and want your book proposals.”

Do you want to be published? Then, first master the book proposal, and then partner with your publisher to launch your masterpiece into the world!

Sally

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author with no expectation in return.

Bible Study Expo

2016 Poster

Marnie Swedberg annually hosts an event that has become a go-to resource for me. She invites authors to share the stories behind their Bible studies, and in the process, makes the writer more real. It brings a smile to follow the conversation threads during this event; the fast paced comments on the Facebook party happen at the same time as The Bible Study Expo, and the enthusiasm is contagious. It’s fun, because these gals have become friends. As we dialogue over author quotes, we encourage, inspire and enjoy one another!
Maybe you’ve wanted to lead a Bible study, but never had the courage to step out? I’ve blogged about that at “Why lead a Bible Study?” Here, I want to tell you how I’ve benefitted by connecting with authors. Listening to their voices online, you can hear the passion for the subject they researched. Marnie interviews them, they share behind-the-scenes discoveries, and we all come away enriched by the treasures in God’s Word.

A few years back, Sue Edwards was involved in the Expo, with her book, Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ. I connected with Sue’s work, even though she was not able to attend at the last minute, and used it with my Women’s Bible Study group. I had the opportunity to participate in launching an online study of Ephesians on Sue’s Facebook Page. We also went on to use another in the series, Luke: Discovering Healing in Jesus’ Words to Women.
This year, Kathy Carlton Willis is on the docket with her book, Grin With Grace. Our Women’s Class just wrapped up this study, and I’m looking forward to hearing more stories from Kathy’s quirky take on life.
How can you benefit from attending the Expo? You develop friendships, find studies to share, and more fully appreciate the author’s work. Besides, you may be one of the winners of the door prizes from Sarah Young, Logan Wolfram, Raechel Myers, Barbara Roose, Sherry Poundstone, Kathy Carlton Willis, Jeanne Brooks, Sherri Burgess, or Gwen Smith!
Come join us at The Bible Study Expo, Thursday, March 17, 2016!

Noon – 2 Pacific

1-3 Mountain

2-4 Central

3-5 Eastern
Sally


You Want to be Published?

publish

Scores of books and articles have been written on how to get published. So maybe, you don’t need me to tell you how, but to encourage you, that you can do it!
1. Set goals. If you write one page every day for a year, you’ll have 365 pages! I have kept a desk calendar at different times, just for word count and submission goals.
2. Be disciplined. You have to put your seat in the chair and stay there! Use a timer and then reward yourself with a stretch break. Find what helps to keep you on task.
3. Outline. Edna Ellison and Linda Gilden say “an effective outline can help you stay on track and focus on your topic.” Break your subject down into three or five major areas. Then begin filling in the gaps with stories and essential points. Edit until it sings.
I used this method for the article in Women of Worth: Sugar & Spice, and it helped me meet my deadline!
4. You can find ways to get published when you email the editor. What are their editorial needs? How do you get on their author rotation? I did this with Light From The Word, and was able to land an assignment for seven devotionals when I sent samples of my work.
5. Visualize your audience and write to that person. If you’re writing for young moms, then you’ll use examples from when your kids were toddlers. Edit out big words when writing for children. Watch for slang that won’t relate to senior citizens.

Oddly, when you look at writers on writing, they focus more on developing your craft, than on finding a publisher.
Point taken, you’ll get published when you know how to write.
Ellison and Gilden ask, “Do you see your writing as a ministry? Then, who can you serve? How can you help? Where can you enlighten? What can you teach? When can you encourage? Why have you been given the gift of words? Is it to keep them to yourself, or for the benefit of others?”
If for the benefit of others, then do so with excellence!
Helpful Resources:
For The Write Reason:   Marybeth Whalen
WriterSpeaker.com:  Carmen Leal
Write His Answer:  Marlene Bagnull
The Complete Guide to Christian Writing and Speaking:  Susan Titus Osborn
Called to Write:  Edna Ellison & Linda Gilden
The Art of War for Writers:  James Scott Bell
Funds for Writers:  C. Hope Clark
Sally


Welcome to my New Site!

Hi! Welcome to my workroom! Here, you’ll find out what I’ve been up to and what’s coming next.

I began writing in high school. I became editor for our youth group’s newspaper and found out I loved connecting with people through words. I wrote features about our activities as well as made assignments to my peers for their input. Who knew it would lead to something more?

I began submitting articles in 1996, when Nathanael was 5 and Anna was 2. My hubby is a pastor and we chose for me to stay-at-home while the kids were growing up. Now, both kids are in their twenties and I am caring for my father. The writing is an outlet that enables me to be available to my family.

So, what brings you here? Are you looking for speaker tips?  Are you a writer? Possibly you’re looking for encouragement on a rough day? Maybe you’re a mom looking for resources for your family?

Isn’t it awesome that we can bridge the miles through the click of a keyboard? I will be posting twice a week, and transferring files over from my previous blog, http://sallyswords.braveblog.com. I’m looking forward to a format that is more readily available to connect with readers. Thank you for joining me on the adventure!

Sally Ferguson

Retreat Solutions for Planners

My ebook is now available for Kindle! Click to check out How to Plan a Women’s Retreat!