How to Sell Your Book to Publishers
Publishers get thousands of book proposals every year. How in the world does any writer get their proposal to stand out from the rest? It can feel impossible. The reality is, if there isn’t something that makes your proposal stand out, an acquisitions editor will glance at it and chuck it into the trash bin. […]
One Ridiculously Easy Thing You Can Do to Enhance Your Creativity
The other day I was getting ready to go for a run when it occurred to me: I’d be more comfortable in my other pair of shorts. I also knew I would enjoy the run more if I downloaded an episode of one of my favorite podcasts. That way I could listen to it on […]
5 Proven Ways for Writers to Conquer Self-Doubt
My wife and I recently watched the new documentary on Mr. Rogers, Who’s My Neighbor? I highly recommend it for several reasons, but the big takeaway for me was how Fred Rogers pushed through his self-doubt. The movie opens, for example, with Rogers questioning whether a certain metaphor makes sense. He doubts whether his PSAs […]
How to Quadruple Your Chances of Getting Published
If you’re old enough, you might remember when there were just two flavors of coffee—Maxwell House and Folgers. Not so anymore. Not only has the number of large coffee distributors expanded, so have the blends and flavor choices! Hazelnut Creme, anyone? How about a dark Sumatra or Guatemalan blend? Why is this? Why do grocery […]
What Happens to My Book Proposal When It Goes to a Publisher?
Recently I received these questions from reader Traci Rhoades: “What happens when a writer’s agent sends a book proposal to a publisher? What is the process? What do the various titles of editors mean? It seems to take a long time to review a proposal. Is that due to high volume, or do various people/committees […]
How to Get Your Audience to Tell You What to Write
I often hear from writers who have a vague idea of their message and who they want to serve, but they struggle to nail it all down. They don’t have clarity about how to position themselves, what to write about, and who exactly is their audience. “I seem to be good at [fill in the blank],” they say, […]
5 Reasons I’m Beyond Excited to Be a Full-time Writing Coach
I published my first blog post back in August 2012, nearly six years ago. I have warm memories of waking up at 5am to go down to Common Ground Coffee House to do my art. Eventually I wrote a manifesto, Do Your Art, daring and equipping others to do the same. Click here to check it out. […]
5 Reasons I Have Loved Working at Baker Publishing Group
After sixteen and a half wonderful years at Baker Publishing Group, I have decided to make a move. This blog, now six years old, has enabled me to start a small business, and I feel called to dedicate my energies to it full time. I plan to serve writers via BookCamp, Book Proposal Academy, coaching, […]
How Writers Can Crush Absolutely Any Obstacle in Their Path
When my son was in preschool, he came downstairs with a concerned look on his face. “I don’t think I can go to school today,” he told his mom and me. He generally liked school, so this was a little strange. “Why’s that, Sweetie?” we asked. “Something’s wrong with my throat,” he said. Now my […]
A Powerful Insight for Nonfiction Writers That Makes All the Difference
I’ve been re-reading Stephen King’s On Writing, and as I come to the end of it one thing stands out to me above the rest. That’s significant because it’s a very good book, and many things stand out to me as helpful and wise. If you haven’t read it, you should. But this one things […]