 
### Untraditional Publishing

### By Ron Knight

Published by UP Authors at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Ron Knight

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Untraditional Publishing

Traditional publishing and self-publishing can be useful to some authors. However, you are playing by their rules. The focus should not be on them, but on the author. Without authors, publishing does not exist.

If you understand that publishing is simply different options to manufacture books, then the power will be shifted to you. The more you control, the more influence you have on your own career.

_Untraditional Publishing_ : Alternative literary principles for authors based on confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, experience, and relationship marketing, placing the author in a position to succeed while generating the opportunity to sell books.

Let's break that definition into pieces to better understand its meaning.

~ _Alternative literary principles for authors_ is simply stating that for the moment, you are not going to send submissions to literary agents or traditional publishers. Also, you will not pay for a self-publisher to print your book. Instead, you will create opportunities with _all_ the resources that are available, rather than limiting yourself.

~ You need _confidence_ to last through the humbling moments of being an author, so that you are always inspired to continue with your writing. (Traditional publishing and self-publishing does nothing to provide you with confidence.)

~ _Knowledge_ is the awareness and understanding of how to excel as an author. The bulk of this knowledge focuses on excelling in storytelling, writing mechanics, and key factors to transform you into a successful author.

~ _Self-Discovery_ is what really separates _Untraditional Publishing_ from what millions of authors are doing. You must learn to use every gift, talent, and resource that you possess. Then, you need to stretch farther and improve those gifts, talents, and resources. Self-Discovery generates ideas, which creates opportunities.

~ _Experience_ occurs when you apply both guidance and knowledge to the craft of writing. Experience gives you credibility in the genre that you are writing. You are an expert that benefits your readers.

~ An author that is _placed in a position to succeed_ will have advantages over authors that are counting solely on traditional publishing or self-publishing for success.

~ _Relationship marketing_ is building a fan base by connecting with your target audience, along with publishing and business prospects. The key to relationship marketing is benefiting others to bring you success.

~ All of this leads to the _opportunity_ _to sell books_.

Keep in mind that _Untraditional Publishing_ will build your author career productively. You cannot read this book and become a millionaire a week later. (Ignore any book that promises, "You will become rich overnight!")

However, if _Untraditional Publishing_ is done correctly, you will be in a position for long-term success and create more options. Traditional publishing takes away time and self-publishing takes away money. _Untraditional Publishing_ creates INDEPENDENT authors, rather than authors that are dependant.

Six Principles of _Untraditional Publishing_ : (In this order)

~ Author Confidence

~ Author Knowledge

~ Author Self-Discovery

~ Author Experience

~ Relationship Marketing

~ Selling Books

Together, we are going to build your confidence, give you the knowledge of how successful authors write books, expand and improve your talent using self-discovery, give you the experience needed as an author, create a loyal fan base, and SELL YOUR BOOKS!

There are two ways to fail at _Untraditional Publishing_.

~ You skip over to the section that discusses how to _sell books_. The ideas in that section are based on the previous five principles. If you want a short cut, then stick with self-publishing.

~ Lack of motivation to change. The longer you have been trying to become an author, the harder it will be for you to change your thinking. However, I promise to give my best effort if you promise right now to give your best effort.

_IMPORTANT_ : Everything that you read in this book, apply it to _your_ life. Do not compare what has been done in the past with traditional publishing and self-publishing, or with other authors. None of that matters. The purpose of this book is to generate _personalized ideas_. Therefore, you should take plenty of notes and _take control_ of your dreams.

Remember that your life can change with one hit novel. One great idea. One terrific plan. One influential contact. One group of readers. One persuasive marketing campaign.

One opportunity.

You need to discover what it takes to _achieve_ that hit novel. _Discover_ that great idea, terrific plan, influential contact, and group of readers. _Learn_ how to create that persuasive marketing campaign. _Generate_ that perfect opportunity.

Each day an author has to make one of two choices...stay down or _Rise UP!_

Welcome to _Untraditional Publishing_ ...

First Principle of Untraditional Publishing: Author Confidence

THE PERFECT AUTHOR

Here is an _Untraditional Publishing_ version of the _Perfect Author_ :

~ The author understands that the dream is difficult. Some say it is impossible. The author is willing to take on the challenge.

~ The author is willing to surround themselves with the right people and the most productive ideas.

~ The author understands that roadblocks and dead ends are part of the process. There will be humbling moments and times when the author will question if they can make it in this business. No matter what, they keep moving forward.

~ The author understands that all their talents and gifts have to be improved. Authors cannot make it on talent alone.

~ The author has a purpose to bring joy to others with their writing.

~ The author networks with those in the publishing business.

~ The author builds relationships with marketing agencies, editors, and even the local T-shirt business.

~ The author does not tire after the first book is written. Another manuscript is finished...then another. The author is in the business of writing and that is exactly what they will do.

~ The author reads everyday.

~ Let me say that again. The author reads everyday.

~ The author does something everyday to fulfill their dreams.

~ The author understands storytelling, which includes the author's voice and writing style, along with the mechanics of writing a terrific book.

~ The author is willing to break tradition and become _Untraditional_.

~ The author's favorite hangout is the library or bookstore.

~ The author studies everything about other books: title, book cover design, description on the back, how the book started, the flow from chapter to chapter, and the overall appeal.

~ The author does not make excuses.

~ The author has patience. It takes time to write a book and connect with others who will help market/publish that book. It takes time to build an audience. The author knows that fighting against time will end their career before it even got started. Instead, the author places value on each minute of the day.

~ The author looks at other authors as friends, not their competition.

~ Other than their manuscript, the author has written something that people enjoy. That could be an article, a short story, blog, daily devotional, or an uplifting post on Facebook.

~ The author can describe their book in twenty words or less.

~ The author treats their career like a small business they want to grow.

~ The author takes accountability for their work.

~ The author is knowledgeable about the changes in the publishing world.

~ The author knows exactly who will read their book and can describe their audience in detail.

~ Readers come first. Characters come second. The author is a distant third.

~ All content that the author posts on the Internet and social media has a message to reach their audience.

~ The author understands that everyone in the publishing industry is busy and respects their time.

~ The author listens to the advice of others, but makes reasonable judgments based on that information.

~ The author is the best seller of their book. They never tell anyone, "I'm going to be on the bestsellers list." The author knows that is impossible to predict.

~ The author is aware that most books do not sell, no matter what. Therefore, the author does everything possible to swing the odds in their favor so they are not like most authors.

~ The author is disappointed when receiving a rejection letter, a bad review, or a setback. Moments later, the author is back to work and fueled with determination.

~ The author knows what it takes to have a marketable and enjoyable manuscript. The author has studied their target audience, the market, and listens to the advice of experienced authors.

~ The author is patient, but not timid.

~ The author has the perfect mix of knowledge, talent, and work ethic.

~ The author leads others by example.

~ The author admits to others with the utmost confidence..."I am an author."

I think that you could be the _Perfect Author_. I suppose it just comes down to how badly you want that title.

OVERCOMING THE ODDS: PART I

Every author has a story. I'm not just talking about the words that are printed in their novels, but also the background of the author. Most bestsellers are written by authors who went through humbling experiences.

Read these examples and think about them whenever you have doubts.

~ Her husband "dared" her to start writing books. Sandra Brown took that dare and now has over 50 New York Times bestsellers.

~ After college, he worked in the travel industry for a company owned by his grandfather. Harlen Coben has since won the Edgar Award, Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award. He is the only author to win all three.

~ His parents would not allow him to watch TV or movies, but instead, he had to read books. Ken Follett has sold 100 million of his own titles.

~ He felt alienated around people, because of his 6'9 height and amazing intelligence. Even at Harvard, the professor gave him bad marks on purpose. To overcome his struggles, he practiced meditation and became a workaholic. He has sold over 150 million books. John Michael Crichton passed away on November 4th, 2008, but his stories lives on.

~ While her husband was at work, she did ceramic crafts and sewed her children's clothes. During a winter storm in 1979, to fight off boredom, she started writing her first book. Nora Roberts has spent 660 weeks on the bestsellers list.

~ His childhood memories consisted of poverty, along with a father who was drunk, violently abusive, and cheated on his mother. During his writing career, it took 35 novels before he broke through. Dean Koontz never gave up and has sold more than 200 million books.

~ He wrote short stories and screenplays without much success. He then decided to try becoming a novelist. It took three years for him to write his first novel and another two years for the book to be published. _Absolute Power_ was an instant success for a book and a movie that stared Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman. David Baldacci was awarded People _Magazine's, 50 Most Beautiful People in the World_. These days, he is a good author as well.

~ After being expelled from school, she tossed her uniform in the Thames River. Only fifteen-years-old, she had an affair with Marlon Brando who was twenty-nine. Early in her author career, her work was called, "Nasty, filthy, and disgusting." Jackie Collins has sold more than 400 million books.

~ After her husband claimed he loved another woman, then left to be with his mistress, this author became devastated to the point where depression caused amnesia. She went to a hotel as the entire world searched for her. Agatha Christie has sold more than 2 billion books.

~ She was on welfare, depressed, and had suicidal thoughts. Thank goodness for Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling never gave up and sold over 350 million books. Universal Studios, Orlando, now has Harry Potter attractions.

~ One marriage ended after nine years, the other marriage ended after her husband was convicted of several rape charges, and her third husband was a heroin addict. Danielle Steel has used her experiences to sell more than 500 million books.

What odds will you have to overcome? How will you handle the humbling moments in your life? Will you write books that are so amazing, not even death can stop them from selling?

I could have written an entire book on each of these authors, explaining what they went through to live their dream. In the next chapter, I will list more examples of authors who used their experiences, good and bad, to create fiction that will stand the test of time.

As you think about the **privilege** of being an author, understand why it would be a slap in the face to these authors if you attempted to shortcut the process.

When you overcome the odds, publishing that book will lead to greatness.

~ He was addicted to beer, cigarettes, cocaine, Xanax, Valiums, NyQuil, and marijuana. Stephen King vowed to quit his addictions and went on to sell over 350 million books.

OVERCOMING THE ODDS: PART II

Success follows a humble author.

~ After his first novel was rejected by many publishers, he was finally signed by Wynwood Press that only ran 5,000 copies of his book. He sold the book from the trunk of his car with little success and wondered if he could make it as an author. John Grisham's, _A Time to Kill_ , became a bestseller and a major motion picture. Grisham has since sold over 250 million books.

~ After his death in 1972, his son Christopher published a series of manuscripts that had been written by his father. This included _The Hobbit_ and _Lord of the Rings_. Even death could not stop J.R.R. Tolkien from selling over 200 million books.

~ After battling an illness, he died on the same day as author Aldous Huxley ( _Brave New World_ ) and the same day as President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He had been good friends with J.R.R. Tolkien. Like Tolkien, death could not stop C.J. Lewis from selling over 100 million books.

~ He was imprisoned for "spending over his means." To pay for his board and help his family, he worked ten-hour days pasting labels on shoe polish. These cruel work conditions had an impression on Charles Dickens, which inspired his classic novels.

~ He was criticized by Stephen King, "dopey thrillers, terrible writer." Another critic said he had, "Absurd plotting, facile trickery, and prose that is simply dreadful." James Patterson has sold over 100 million books.

~ After her daughter died of leukemia, she became an atheist. Then many years later, she returned to the Catholic Church, announcing that she will use her life and talent of writing to glorify her belief in God. Anne Rice has sold over 75 million books.

~ She was a secretary and copy editor, then a flight attendant for Pan-American Airlines, before leaving her job to start a family. She supplemented the family's income by writing short stories. After her husband died, she took a job writing four-minute clips for radio stations. Her agent convinced her to start writing novels. Mary Higgins Clark has sold over 100 million books.

~ After he was discharged from the military, he worked in the advertising industry, first as a copywriter and later as a creative director. At night, when he put the kids to bed, he felt alone and wanted to talk to someone. So he started writing. Clive Cussler has sold over 40 million books.

~ He was quoted, "I have always smoked and drunk too much. In fact, I have lived not to long, but too much. One day the Iron Crab will get me. Then I shall have died of living too much." While being in the Navel Intelligence Unit, he came up with an idea to create a character named, James Bond. Ian Flemming has sold over 100 million books.

~ His wife did much of his book promotion, writing press releases, and scheduling him on talk shows, along with press interviews. His first three published books sold under 10,000 copies each. However, his fourth title, _The Da Vinci Code_ , became a bestseller and a major motion picture. Dan Brown has sold more than 120 million books.

I am anxious to tell your story. But first, you have to live it...

ENCOURAGEMENT

Read this chapter weekly, or even daily to keep you encouraged.

~ I am not going to waste my gift.

~ The world needs my book.

~ Everyday, I will do something to fulfill my dream.

~ My experiences, good and bad, will be useful in my books.

~ The only person that can stop me from becoming a successful, published author is me.

~ I will adjust my writing as I learn ways to improve.

~ Looking back over the last five years, I have accomplished so much.

~ Looking ahead to the next five years, I will accomplish even more.

~ My big break could be one month away. I should act accordingly.

~ What I learned, I can share with other authors.

~ Ten million people want to read my book. I need to find ways to reach them.

~ I am glad that my career will not take off in a week, a month, or even a year, because I need experience as an author.

~ My life can change in a day.

~ How much money I make, will be determined if my books serve others.

~ I was born to be an author.

~ The success of my career as an author will be directly linked to how many books I read.

~ The only sure thing about my writing is that I will not give up.

~ My perseverance will overcome my obstacles.

~ My destiny is not dependant on the world, but rather it is dependant on me.

~ I have the number one quality of any great author...patience.

~ When publishing experts tell me what I did wrong, that is a good, because I will never make that mistake again.

~ No one can be tougher on me, than me.

~ I will not let anyone steal the joy I have of being an author.

~ I can build my publishing contacts by showing interest in others, rather than begging people to show interest in me.

~ I do not have all the tools for greatness...at least, not yet. But I will.

~ I am not going to wait around for someone to notice me. I will make myself known.

~ I cannot start that new book until I write the first sentence.

~ I cannot finish my new book until I write the last sentence.

~ The biggest mistake I can make is not to be an author.

~ Every word I write, every time I talk about my books, I will do it with boldness, sincerity, and enthusiasm.

~ I am not going to let one idea for a book travel with me to the grave. I will write every book that I can imagine.

~ I place value on every second of the day.

~ One conversation with someone in the publishing industry is equal to reading ten books on the subject.

~ Publishers are not giving me greatness. I am giving _them_ greatness.

~ My success will not be measured by how many books I have written, but rather how many days I spent as an author.

~ The needs of my readers are more important than my needs.

~ My characters tell the story and I write the book.

~ Authors do not think of money while writing.

~ It's not good enough to write the book. The book has to be good.

~ The more I brag about my perfect writing skills, the more people will find imperfections in my writing.

~ If I'm in a hurry, it means I am not patient. If I am not patient, I should not be an author.

~ It would be insulting to others who believe in me, if I give up.

~ There are millions of people who cannot do what I can.

~ What a shame it would be if the world did not see my book. I will not let that happen.

~ I would rather be correct, than fast.

~ I am not worried about someone else having a similar idea, because they cannot write like I can.

~ I will read everyday, even if it's just for a minute.

~ I am not traditional...I am _Untraditional_.

~ I am going to have a career as an author. I can be sure of this, because it is the only thing I want to do.

**Personal Note** **:** You have the gift of becoming a great author. Your determination and passion is what brought you to this point. If I knew nothing else about you...that would be enough.

TOMORROW

Writing is a craft that has to be learned, developed, and polished. Authors have to work their way up the ladder, as any other profession.

You may have been trying for many years, but do not see results. I disagree. Look back at what you have done. It's not easy to write a book. It's not easy to show others your work. It's not easy to market, network, and commit to so much time on a leap of faith.

There is a difference between a writer and an author. A writer creates words. An author turns those words into a magnificent story. If you were an author yesterday and an author today, then I'm certain that you will be an author tomorrow.

So it's not a leap of faith, but rather a God given talent that you must use.

What have you done today in order to make sure your dreams will come true tomorrow? Have you worked on the mechanics of your manuscript? Did you read today? Network with others in the publishing industry? Market the best you can? Learn how to polish your book and apply that to your writing?

Authors are for the most part alone. No one will write that book for you. No one will decide that you need to read today. No one can force you to polish your manuscript. No one can learn the publishing industry for you. No one will execute a marketing plan like you. No one will believe more in your work, than you.

Sometimes it will feel like no one understands what you are doing. Then tomorrow, you realize that family and friends are noticing your efforts. The next day, more support comes from an unlikely source. You discover that there are other authors going through the same things that you are going through.

Maybe you are alone in writing, but you are not alone as an author.

You want to _thrive_ , rather than survive. Conversely, you discover the publishing industry is hard on authors. Literary agents and publishers want perfection in manuscripts. You just want to write an entertaining story, but that does not seem to be good enough.

Take a deep breath, narrow your eyes, and smile at the difficult road. You _want_ the publishing industry to be hard on authors, so only those that make daily sacrifices will achieve success. It was not easy writing that book and it will be even more difficult to sell it. "Good," you say. "If this were easy, then I would not love it so much."

As you continue to excel in reading and writing, you will notice many changes. You will build towards a career that is filled with rewards. At that point, you will not settle, but continue building.

The first book you write is not the one that will launch you to a remarkable level. Neither is the second or third. The only way to discover which manuscript is the one that will change your life, is to keep writing another.

Nevertheless, during that journey, your life _has_ been changed. There have been small victories that you may not have noticed. Please take this moment to look back at where you are today as an author and where you were ten years ago.

Then I want you to look at tomorrow and ten years from now. Your accomplishments will increase. You are not dreaming big enough, because success has no boundaries or limits.

So dream bigger. Read, write, and market. Do this knowing that you have a purpose in this world.

Doing ten redrafts on your manuscript will improve it, only if you know _how_ to improve your work. Learn from the best, because the process of writing a great book has not changed in a hundred years.

Not only do you need faith in yourself, but also you need to speak faithful words. You need to proclaim to all who will listen that you are an author. Then, you need to _show_ that faith by what you do each day. Do not just talk about your dreams, live them.

There are thousands and thousands of writers, but no one can write like you can. Not one author on this planet can tell a story like you.

Bouncing back and shaking off the disappointments are tough, but as you have proclaimed, it has to be hard, or you would not love it so much. All things will work together for your good. Someone will cross your path that will change your life.

You will not be able to find that person, unless you are looking.

What if you did not write today? Then tomorrow, there is no possible way that anyone can read your words. Therefore, you will read today. You will write today. You will connect with others today.

Because tomorrow will arrive.

There are so many "rules" to writing, but you will learn them all. There are so many "rules" to marketing, but you will learn each one. There are so many "rules" to submitting your work, but you will learn how. Meanwhile, you will write, because that is what you do best.

Make the decision to enjoy being an author today, so the decision to be happy tomorrow will be much easier.

Work on being an author, about as hard as you have worked on anything in your life. Listen to the advice of those who have been there before you. Be obsessed in improving your writing, both in storytelling and mechanics. Learn ways to promote yourself. Help others do the same. Encourage other authors who are thinking about giving up. Connect with readers by discovering their biggest needs.

Today is one of the greatest days of your life.

Tomorrow, it is only going to get better....

GUIDANCE

"Whereas in a flow state, you were supposed to experience absolute mastery of your gifts." _Dean Koontz_ , _The Darkest Evening of the Year_

~ Remember that the purity of your book comes first. The business side is a distant second. Please be responsible with your gift.

~ Your book is a service to others.

~ 10% of your royalty/profits should benefit a charity or an organization that helps others. Think about it this way: Every person you benefit will become a loyal fan.

~ Define success with no ending, but rather a continuation of more wisdom and service.

~ The average person does not understand the amount of courage it takes to become an author. Then again, you are not the average person.

~ The productive path is the patient path.

~ Authors do not have short-term pressures. They have long-term dreams.

~ Authors lead others through their examples and show those in the publishing world a demonstration of faith in their own work.

~ You cannot control the publishing industry and the decisions they make. However, you can control the decisions that you make.

~ If you are not making tough decisions everyday as an author, then you are not really living the life of an author.

~ You can attract help by offering help.

~ Communicate results through your actions.

~ Everyday, do what is most important.

~ The _today_ author needs an entrepreneurial spirit. Authors have a product and must achieve success in the most productive ways to stay in business.

~ Your name will be branded. How that is done, is up to you.

~ You can think big, just as long as you work in small, productive steps.

~ Your book is personal. However, do not take it personally what others say about your work.

~ Not one single author on this planet is your competition. They are paving the road for you.

~ Learn the expression, "Network." Then do this as much as possible.

~ Take accountability for your work. If it is less than brilliant, make it better.

~ Read everyday.

~ Others will assist in your career, but you need to show the proper daily motivation.

My favorite definition of an author is, "An originator of ideas." Let me expand on that. Authors are "An originator of ideas, which will benefit others."

WRITE ANOTHER BOOK

This is a story of an author that had to learn _Untraditional Publishing_ on her own. She developed confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, experience, relationship marketing, and eventually sold her books. That created more opportunities for her and she was able to live her dream as a financially secure author. Use this as an example of how _Untraditional_ _Publishing_ works. And most of all, notice the transformation that she goes through, because of self-discovery.

On Trina's thirty-second birthday, she finished her first book. It was a romance novel about the red-hair gene disappearing. There were only two pure redheads left on the planet; one male, one female. The last two redheads began to search for each other around the world.

Trina was so proud of her novel. It took her three years to write, while she worked full-time as a cashier in a grocery store. But she was confident that her eight hour days of standing on her feet would soon come to an end. She perfected her book with a great mixture of romance, thrills, mystery, action, comedy, and wonderful characters.

Trina's father, Mier Wade, owned his own publishing house. It was considered a mid-size publisher, but growing fast. Trina envisioned her first book signing, her table adorned with a _Wade Publishing_ banner on one side and a huge poster with an illustration of her book cover on the other side. Standing close to the table would be her father, grinning with pride.

Trina scheduled a lunch with Mier. (Yes, her father was so busy that she had to make an appointment to have lunch with him.) Just after they ordered their food, Trina reached down into her handbag and pulled out the printed manuscript.

Mier raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Trina could not contain her excitement. "Dad...I finished my first book! Can you believe it?"

Mier nodded. "That's great, honey. I'm proud of you."

She placed the manuscript in front of him. "I know you'll read it later, but can you read the first chapter now and tell me what you think?"

He slid the manuscript back toward her. "I'm not going to read any of it."

"Excuse me?"

"Write another book," he said with a stern tone.

Trina squeezed her fork like a stress ball. "It took me three years to write this one!" She noticed a few people sitting near them listening to the conversation. Trina leaned forward, keeping her voice low. "Why won't you read this? It's great, I promise you."

To her shock, Mier stood and kissed Trina on the head. He held her gaze for a moment and repeated, "Write another book."

He left the restaurant without eating.

It took Trina another couple of months to forgive her father. No matter what, he would not read her manuscript. Finally, she started her second romance novel. This time, she read every book on _How to Write Fiction_. She felt more confident and noticed many mistakes that she made with her first book.

When finished, she met her father in his office and placed the finished manuscript on his desk. "I took your advice and wrote another book. I also understand why you made me do that. The first novel was horrible. I'm actually relieved that you did not want to read it."

Mier stared at the manuscript, then shoved it back across his desk. "Write another book."

"What?"

"Write another book," he repeated.

Trina's veins pumped with fury. "Is this how you run your business? By rejecting new authors before reading one word of what they have written? Or is it because I'm your daughter? Either way, this is a perfect example on why traditional publishing has such a bad reputation!"

Mier shook his head. "You have no idea how I run my business, so don't lecture me. And I am treating you the same as any other author." He leaned forward, eyes locked on her. "Write another book."

Trina scooped up her manuscript and left the office. She decided to research literary agents and other publishers. When she is on the bestseller's list, her father will realize what a mistake he made.

After submitting to twenty-four agencies and publishers, Trina received either a rejection letter from them or no response at all.

Fed-up, she decided that being an author was not in her future. She would find something else to do with her life.

Over the next three months, she could not push aside her dream of becoming an author. She began reading fiction novels and became fascinated with the way each author wrote. She noticed different styles and tricks the authors used to engage the reader. The basic principles of writing seemed clearer now.

Excited and reenergized, Trina wrote her third romance novel. When finished, Trina showed her father. Once again, he handed the manuscript back to her without looking at one word and said, "Write another book."

Trina continued reading and writing. She studied the craft like a college student going through Med School. She also networked with other authors on Facebook and Twitter. She read blogs on writing. Trina wanted to know everything about the publishing business. She finished her fourth romance novel.

"Write another book," her father said.

Trina did not complain. It was frustrating that her father would not even glance at her manuscript, but she continued working on her craft.

While at a business networking event, Trina met Joseph Parker who owned a small marketing and branding agency. He was looking for someone to write content for websites that he created for customers. Trina took the part-time job and changed her hours to part-time at the grocery store. Meanwhile, she learned the importance of using content to engage customers and increase sales. The trick was to write content that would help or interest the customer.

Trina asked Joseph about doing an inexpensive website for her. She started a romance blog that was themed around her books, but written for her potential readers. Trina also began writing Facebook posts and Tweets that were linked to her romance theme.

When Trina completed her fifth novel, she posted a free digital copy of her book on her website for others to read. Of course, her father said, "Write another book." The good news was that her fan base increased by thousands.

While writing her sixth romance novel, Trina discovered that she could self-publish an eBook. It would not be that hard and she could finally tell everyone that she was a published author. On the other hand, it would go against her father's traditional publishing methods.

Trina decided that this was her dream, not her father's dream. She worked with Joseph and published the eBook and sold it for .99 cents. Meanwhile, she continued with a daily blog of 250 words and made at least five posts on Facebook and Twitter each day. Also, she joined Facebook groups that had anything to do with romance. She involved herself in as many discussions as possible and even gave romantic advice for both men and women.

When she mentioned the eBook to her father, his response was predictable, "Write another book."

By contributing in the romance groups, Trina realized that her target audience was single, middle-class men and women, between the ages of thirty-five and forty-five that had failed relationships in the past. She wrote her seventh novel based on that audience.

"Write another book," her father said. (Although, he did give her an encouraging pat on the back.)

Trina had just turned forty-years-old. Did she even have a chance at being an author for a living? Or was this a silly pipe dream?

She fought through that self-doubt and continued reading, writing, and building relationships. Trina changed the price of her .99-cent eBook and made it free. This increased her fan base by another five thousand.

Trina stayed active with her blogs, posts, Tweets, and social group discussions. She decided to search locally for middle-aged singles. Trina spoke at a church group of two hundred single men and women from all over the city. Her entire speech was on connecting with others. She handed out her business card, shook every hand, and was asked to come back and speak in a few months.

Trina finished her eighth novel. "Write another book," her father said.

Trina quit her job at the grocery store and did extra work for Joseph's growing marketing business. Her duties included more content writing, research for his clients, and networking with public relations people. Joseph gave her a small raise, increased her hours, and updated her website. Trina mastered her skills in researching, which not only helped with her writing, but also with locating her target audience.

Networking with public relations agents also built her promotional skills. One of the public relations agents moonlighted as a Yankee Candle distributor to earn extra money. Trina teamed up with her and they went to candle parties together. The distributor advertised Trina's eBooks to go along with the Sun and Sand candle.

This worked so well that Trina joined forces with a Cheese Tasting rep and a Wine Tasting rep in the area. Trina also came up with silly romantic games to play at the events and parties.

She completed her ninth romance novel. "Write another book," her father said.

Trina asked Joseph to design her new book and have it printed. She decided not to put an ISBN on the book and sell it on Amazon. Trina had researched this concept and learned that her book would be lost with millions of others on Amazon, which would be a waste of time and money. Instead, she sold her printed books at local parties and events that she attended with the candle, cheese, and wine reps. Trina promoted the reps on her website and Facebook Fan Page and continued coming up with fun promotional ideas to sell their products and her books together.

Trina also teamed up with another romance author that was in the area. To save money, they drove to events all over the state, splitting the cost of gas and the register fees that were needed to have a table at each event. They also did content editing on each other's books.

Trina met a nice guy named Shawn, who was divorced with two children in high school. She was able to juggle her time with Shawn, while working with Joseph and keeping up on her author career.

Trina's speed in reading was now amazing. She wrote faster than ever before. She understood that her earlier manuscripts were not publishable. She increased fan relationships and publishing contacts throughout the state and in social media.

She wrote her tenth novel. "Write another book," her father said.

Just for kicks, Trina researched fifteen romance literary agents and sent a query and chapter sample to each of them. She had been rejected by all fifteen. However, that did not keep her from reading, writing, studying the latest trends in the romance genre, and building relations.

Trina finished her eleventh novel. "Write another book," her father said.

Trina began working on an upgraded marketing and branding campaign with Joseph. She decided to post five books for free on her website, while selling the eleventh novel in both printed and eBook form.

At a hotel in Vegas, Trina attended a romance convention with Shawn. Trina met plenty of new potential readers. Meanwhile, Shawn handed out several thousand bookmarks. Trina sold only a 153 printed books at the convention, but later that week, she sold over five thousand eBooks.

Over the next month, her sales began to skyrocket. She continued with her marketing campaign and did a tour around the state with Shawn. They even brought Shawn's two high school children along during a weekend trip. Joseph paid for half the cost, because Trina was handing out information for his marketing agency at the events, which was bringing him more business.

Trina had to stick with a daily schedule: Six hours working on assignments from Joseph, two hours of reading, three hours of writing, two hours with relationship marketing, one-hour research or networking, and two hours relaxing next to Shawn on the couch, watching TV.

Trina wrote her twelfth romance novel.

She felt like it was pure greatness. Her best yet. Something everyone will enjoy. The characters are real to her. The plot was a risk, but with her experience in writing and understanding her readers, she was able to pull it off.

Conversely, for the first time, she did not care about being published. She just wanted the opportunity to write books for a living. If she could accomplish that, she would be satisfied.

Joseph made a deal with Trina to upload all her future books, create the covers, and all the marketing materials she needed, along with building worldwide recognition for her. They would also sell new ancillary products, with updated T-shirts, posters, and even Tervis Tumbler cups. In exchange, Trina agreed to give Joseph 50% of her earnings.

On Trina's forty-second birthday, Mier took her out for a special lunch. "Do you remember coming here ten years ago?" he asked.

She grinned. "I sure do."

"I'm proud of you for sticking with the writing."

"Thanks. I'm proud of myself."

"Are you happy?"

Trina did not answer right away. She thought about the last ten years. "Actually, yes, I've been happy doing what I love."

He gazed at her for a moment, then narrowed his eyes. "Did you finish your latest book?"

"Yep. Finished it about a month ago. In fact, I'm already working on my next novel."

"How come you didn't show me your manuscript?"

Trina drew in a deep breath and thought about the answer. "You know what, I'm not sure. I had some ideas flowing for my next book. I decided to get going on it."

"Makes sense." He stood. "I need to get back to the office."

Trina looked up at him. "We haven't even ordered yet. Aren't you staying for lunch? It's my birthday!"

He reached down and gently tugged on her arm. "You're coming with me."

Trina stood. "What's wrong?"

"I want you signed at Wade Publishing before someone else scoops you up."

In her father's office, Wade printed a general contract and placed it front of Trina. "Here you go. Your dreams are about to come true."

Trina picked up a pen, held it for a few seconds, then placed it back down on the desk. "Dad, I'm already living my dream. I've been living it for the last ten years."

He eased into his chair. "How many books have you actually sold this month?"

Trina paused, then met her father's gaze. "I've sold over a hundred thousand." She pulled in a deep breath. "And three weeks ago, I signed with a literary agent. She is pitching my books to several publishers."

He glanced at the contract. "Well, I suppose I'll have to increase my offer to you."

Trina stood while pushing the contract toward her father. She walked around the desk and kissed him on cheek. She smiled, held his hand and said, "Yeah dad...write another."

Second Principle of Untraditional Publishing: Author Knowledge

IMPROVE YOUR NOVEL

There are two parts to a novel: Great story and great mechanics. (Story also includes and author's voice and style.) You need both to be successful. This is not my opinion, but rather a fact. Every author has ideas for an entertaining book. The hard part is getting the novel to "read like a book."

At first, making these corrections will be overwhelming and time consuming. Nevertheless, this chapter will assist an author to greatness if they are willing to put in the work.

DO NOT try to fix these mistakes all at once. You will not learn anything that way. Besides, you cannot catch all your mistakes the first time. The more you recognize these mistakes, the easier it will be to fix them. After applying this knowledge, you will be launched to another level.

~ Go over your manuscript and look for anywhere you switched point of views. This is the biggest mistake new authors make and it confuses the reader. Anywhere you have a character point of view switch, do a page break or chapter ending.

~ Make sure your manuscript is written in first, second, or third person the entire book. (Experienced authors sometimes use both first and third person, but if you have written less than five novels, do not try this.)

~ Anywhere in your manuscript where you "told" the story, rather than "showed" the story needs to be fixed. For example, if you said, "Jane was angry at Tom." Fix it to, "Jane lifted the card table and dumped the vodka tonics on his lap." _Show_ that Jane was angry, rather than saying it.

~ Go through your manuscript and get rid of every adverb that follows dialogue. Examples: "I hate you!" Jane said **angrily**. "But I care about our relationship," Tom replied **calmly**. "LY" words are for the lazy author. _Describe_ a character's emotions or actions. "I hate you!" Jane said. She flipped the chair and eyed the exit. Tom stood and reached his hand out. "But I care about our relationship." A tear escaped from his eye. (Notice the difference?)

~ Go through your manuscript and look for overuse of adjectives. Example of an author pushing description down a reader's throat: "Jeff was wise not to battle the bright, hot, sunny, day, because it was so dusty, yet smoggy."

~ Look for places that you can use the five senses: sight, hear, taste, touch, or smell. This will manifest a stronger image for the reader. Try to use at least one of the five senses in every scene.

~ Get rid of 90% of your exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!

~ Now go back and get rid of 5% more of your exclamation marks!!!!

~ Go through your manuscript and delete every time you said, "very." While you are at it, look for all the times you said, "and then."

~ Look for things in your book that have nothing to do with your book. If Jane and Tom decided to go on a cruise, that better have something to do with the story. This goes for every sentence and every word. Do not put _fluff_ in your book to increase the word count.

~ "Luck" should not have anything to do with why your characters achieved something. The plot should not come together because of "chance." Reach deep and develop reasons for everything, no matter how much "fiction" you feel is necessary.

~ Take out all cliché' phrases. "I'm in the twilight zone." Or, "He was wondering if this was just a nightmare and he would wake up soon." **Describe** how the character feels.

~ Find all the places you said in dialogue, "God, Lord, Jesus, and Christ." (Example: "Jesus Christ you are getting on my nerves!" Do not overuse. This has nothing to do with offending others, but rather the author attempting to create forced drama through a reaction by the character. Do not force or tell... _describe_ and _show_.

~ Flashbacks tend to slow a book down and become confusing. If flashbacks are necessary to the story, then make sure the reader knows what is going on right away. If the reader does not realize it is a flashback in the first line, then fix it.

~ Research what you do not know. For example, if your character is a pilot, research everything a pilot does, goes through, feels, and experiences. If you have a main setting in Tampa, but you've never been to Tampa, do your research. Get the correct street names, restaurants, bars, and even the local gas stations if needed. This includes housing and neighborhoods. If your character has a basement in Florida, then you did not do enough research.

~ Look for places where you wrote that your character's eyes were blue in chapter one, but wrote their eyes were green in chapter six. (By the way, "flashing green eyes" is being overused by authors...fyi.) Keep detailed notes throughout your book. I do not write outlines, but when I'm done with a novel, I have pages and pages of notes on the side so I can keep track of everything that happened, along with the description of characters and places.

~ Delete any sentences you spoke in another language and re-write in English. We are all impressed that you know German, but the reader will be irritated.

~ Read your manuscript aloud. If you stutter in a place, so will the reader.

~ Go over your manuscript and look for "repeats." There are three forms of repeats: Words, ideas, and phrases.

**Words:** Get out your thesaurus and change things up. For example, there are at least eleven different meanings behind the word, "pull." You could be saying things like, "Tom pulled a muscle," and "Jane pulled apart the table," and "Eddy pulled in a deep breath," and "Joe pulled the bank job," and "The truck was pulling the trailer," and "She pulled a gun out." Take the time to mix in different words. (Tug, drag, haul, lug...)

Also, beginner authors discover a really cool word and use it throughout the book. Actually, the word is cool when used once. If it is used again, then it is un-cool.

**Ideas:** This can also be called, "plot ideas." Usually when the author is trying to setup a great finish or a big twist in the story, an idea is repeated to make sure the reader understands the great finish or big twist. If your descriptions are accurate, then do not worry about shoving the same idea at the reader and reminding them repeatedly what is happening.

**Phrases:** Telling the reader fifty times how upsetting the breakup between Jane and Tom was can be annoying. Another common mistake is the author reminds the reader that the character is shocked and confused, when it was obvious that the character was shocked and confused.

Just remember that repeats happen when the author feels deep in their heart that the reader will not understand what is going on. Repeats also happen to the lazy author who will not take the time to change a sentence or word. If you are aware of this, then it should not happen.

~ When someone reads your book, they should not be able to tell what is fiction and what is real. Yes, that includes vampires, space ships, serial killers, and yellow dragons. If the author writes a great fiction novel, the reader will actually start to believe in the story. Everything you wrote should seem possible; it could happen to _anyone_. This is called, "Blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction."

Please do not say, "That's what an editor is for. To fix these mistakes." It's not the editor's job to make you a better author.

Take the time to learn how to write at great story...and **improve** a great story.

TEN MANUSCRIPT SPEED TIPS

If the reader has a sense that your book is moving along with a fast pace, that will intensify the story. It will also be harder for your readers to put the book down.

Here are ten ways to increase the speed of your manuscript. Keep in mind that the words will be pretty much the same in your story. The only thing that you are changing is how those words are _presented_.

What would your readers enjoy better: A book that is entertaining yet a slow read, or a book that is entertaining and a fast read?"

I think the answer is obvious. Here are your speed tips.

**Short Chapters**

This is the easiest fix. Instead of your chapters being ten pages long, make them five. Or even better, make them three pages. The reader will have a sense of accomplishment, as they whip through chapter after chapter. For children and tween books, this is especially important.

James Patterson books are an example of short chapters.

**Short Paragraphs**

Short paragraphs bring out the intensity of your story. Imagine your reader's eyes, wide open, moving from one line to the next. Short paragraphs speeds up the overall tempo of the chapter. And since your chapter is short, it feels like the action never stops.

Stuart Woods books are an example of short paragraphs.

**Dialogue**

Characters having a conversation will result in the reader to finish a page in less than ten seconds. (Except if one character is doing all the talking.) A quick exchange using dialogue to illustrate a scene or plot twist can be more powerful than description. The reader will follow the characters discussion with great interest.

Try writing some of the conversations without, _John said_ or _she said_. Whenever possible, move from one person talking to the next. If the reader knows who is speaking, then there is no reason to add, _Jane said_.

This will also help get rid of "LY" words. ( _Jane said, softly_.)

Of course, do not get crazy with dialogue. Just the right amount can speed certain parts of your book.

Robert B. Parker books are an example of using dialogue to increase speed.

**Description**

The description of a scene can be slow and drawn out unless the author is only writing the important essentials. Do not over describe. If the pictures on the walls have nothing to do with the story, then do not write about them. If the size of the room does not matter, do not bring it up. This goes for all characters and scenes.

Sue Grafton books are an example of using description to increase speed.

**Page Break**

Page breaks are common for scene endings, point of view changes, or to intensify the plot. Another great use for page breaks is speed. It works like this:

When the reader starts your book, they begin with "A" and finish at "Z." In the reader's mind, "Z" can be a long way to the ending. When page breaks are added, then the reader goes from "A" to "B" to "C" to "D" and so on. In your audiences mind, more is being accomplished.

John Sandford books are an example of using page breaks to increase speed.

**Power Sentence**

A well-written power sentence will make the reader gasp. (In their mind of course. If the reader gasps aloud, then you REALLY wrote a terrific line.) Power Sentences are used just like the first and last line in your manuscript. It is a way to hook a reader and increase the speed.

Use power sentences at the beginning of the chapter, in key areas throughout the chapter, just before a page break, and at the end of the chapter.

The more power sentences you have, the more suspense, mystery, romance, or thrills you will have in your story. It will also keep the reader wanting more and anxious to turn the page, which of course, is how fast you want your audience reading the book.

Dan Brown books are an example of using power sentences to add speed and intensity to the story.

**Section Break**

This is when the author divides the book up into sections. The purpose is to end one main plot and begin another. And just like page breaks, it gives the reader a sense of accomplishment and a feeling that the book is "moving along."

Three section breaks in a 375-page novel is common, which will be every 125 pages. As for me, I like section breaks every 75 pages.

In your section break, you can do a variety of things. Some authors name each section or say something like, "Part II," and "Part III." Some authors will write a powerful bible verse, quote, or poem. It all depends on your genre and what type of mood you want the reader to be in before they begin the next section.

Dean Koontz, Shane Stevens, Michael Crichton, and of course, Stephen King, are examples of authors who use section breaks.

**Character Takeover**

Nothing moves the story along faster than when the characters take over the writing. (You only need to type the words.) When characters become alive, then story increases in speed.

It would be impossible for me to explain ways to let your characters take over the story. This wisdom is gained through experience. I suppose the best way to know the difference is this: If you are trying to think of what to write next, then _you are_ telling the story, not your _characters_.

David Baldacci and Joseph Finder are a couple of authors you might want to check out for examples.

**Out Loud**

This technique is used often to help you discover places where you stutter. If you stutter, so will the reader. That will slow a book down. Fix the sentence.

Janet Evanovich books are an example of stories that sound great when read aloud.

**Short-Burst Writing**

Full-time authors treat their day like any other job. They write four to eight hours. Just remember, by the time you are writing for a living, you will have more techniques and the speed in which you write will be incredible.

My suggestion is to work in short-bursts. I think it is perfectly acceptable to write one chapter a day. This gives your characters time to swirl in your head and ideas will flow.

If you push yourself writing too much in a day, the story will feel "pushed." If you write in short-bursts, the story will have the sense of a rocket taking off in every chapter.)

Imagine that you have a great story, with terrific mechanics, and a flow that is speed...speed...speed.

READ

"People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading." _Logan Pearsall Smith_

Here's a quote you should repeat to yourself everyday: "If I do not have time to read, I do not have time to be an author."

Who said that? Every author who is making a living with their published books.

As an author, _reading_ books is just as important as _writing_ books. Reading provides you with the knowledge to write terrific stories. There are so many books on "How to write your novel." Those are great, especially if you are just starting to be an author. However, nothing can replace sitting in your favorite chair with a novel and reading the wisdom of others.

Reading is crucial if you want to have a career as an author. Here is why:

~ Ideas come from reading. In fact, you will get your _best_ ideas from books.

~ How do you expect someone else to buy and read your book, if you do not buy and read someone else's book?

~ Learning what other authors had done before you, is the best way to fast track your development process.

~ All great writers have read other great writers.

~ All great writers have read bad writers. The only way to know the difference is by reading books.

~ The top selling authors read 50-80 books a year.

~ Books on CD _do_ count. That is what you should be listening to in the car.

~ Reading other books inspires us. You say things like, "I can do that!"

~ Google is a great way to do research on your novel, but nothing will replace books as the number one research tool.

~ The more you read, the faster you will become at writing.

~ Reading helps improve authors when doing their re-drafts, especially for novels.

~ Knowing what kinds of books are being sold is important industry research.

~ By reading several types of authors, you can develop some of the styles from each author, creating your own style.

~ Reading helps with your grammar, which means you will not have to hear as much grief from the editor.

~ Reading shows you how a manuscript should "Read like a book."

~ Reading promotes discussion with other authors, literary agents, publishers, and most importantly, READERS!

~ Reading is giving you experience as an author. As we all know, experience is the only way to develop our personal character. (And the characters in your books!)

~ Read newspapers, magazines, and journals, which are full of stories that might just become part of your fiction story.

~ Reading = Ideas.

~ Reading trains your mind to think like an author.

~ Reading tells you what people are reading these days. (Did you understand that? If not, read that sentence again.)

~ The more books you read, the more interest you will have in a variety of subjects. The more subjects you are interested in, the more you can write about.

~ If you do not like reading, you must really hate writing.

~ In order to find a market for your book, you must find an audience. That audience is in the bookstore, somewhere near the section that is the same as your genre.

~ Reading helps you become smarter. (Why do you think it is required in school?)

~ Books will distract you from the tough moments in your life.

How much should you read everyday? The answer is simple: It depends on how good of an author you want be.

READING TIPS

If you read ten to twenty books in a certain genre or subject, then you will know more than most people about that genre. If you read two hundred to three hundred, then you will be an expert. ( _Scott Young_ )

~ _Have a book with you at all times_. If you are waiting for something, then you have the opportunity to read.

~ Choose books with _short chapters_. Anywhere from one to four pages is ideal. This will build your reading confidence.

~ Look for books with _short paragraphs_. One to seven lines on average. Again, this will build your confidence with reading.

~ _Set a goal_ to read three or four chapters a day. As you build confidence, read five or six chapters a day.

~ Read the same book as your _best friend_. Discuss the chapters to increase your interest.

~ If you are on page fifty and the book seems to be going nowhere, then put it down. I believe _time is valuable_. Do not waste it on a book that is a real snoozer.

~ You will spend time watching TV, so have a book with you and _read during commercials_.

Finally, all readers should _send feedback to the author_. If you did not enjoy the book, tell the author why. Was it the story? Characters? Flow? If you did enjoy the book, tell the author about your favorite parts. That way, you know the author will write more books using your feedback.

AUTHOR TRAINING

"Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye..." _1_ st _Corinthians 15:51_

As I mentioned in this book several times, reading is important to an author's success. However, to help improve and market your book, there are some other important training tips that will benefit you as an author.

Just like a boxer, dancer, jazz singer, and gymnast use different techniques to train, writers need to incorporate several daily routines in their author workout.

The more you spend on each of these, the better an author you will become.

**Training** : There are books at Target, the grocery store, library, and bookstore. Never, ever, walk into any of these places without looking at the books in your genre.

**Workout** : When entering these places, scan over all the "New Releases" and at least ten other books in your genre. Detailed workouts are listed below.

**Training** : Scan over book covers of all genres. What stands out as a great cover?

**Workout** : Look at twenty book covers a week. (Examine DVD and CD covers for an extra workout.)

**Training** : In the stores or library, read the titles. Build up a sense of why each book was titled a certain way.

**Workout** : Dedicate ten minutes and read twenty to fifty titles.

**Training** : In stores or libraries, read the first line of books. Appreciate the powerful impact those first lines make.

**Workout** : Read twenty to fifty _first_ lines a week. As your speed of reading improves, add more to your workout.

**Training** : Read the first paragraphs of books. Understand the importance of getting off to a fast start.

**Workout** : Read ten paragraphs a week.

**Training** : Read the description of books. This is important, because you will need to describe your book in one line, one paragraph, and one page. This will build up your confidence when asked, "What is your book about?"

**Workout** : Read ten to twenty descriptions a week.

**Training** : Read the testimonies of books. Understand what makes a great testimony and the source of most testimonies. Do not worry about the book saying, "Bestsellers list," or "Number one on the bestsellers list." That has become cliché.

**Workout** : Read five testimonies a day.

**Training** : Practice describing people, places, and things. For example, if it starts to rain, describe the rain hitting the pavement, both sound and visual. Another example is the sky. It changes every second. Look up and describe it in your mind. When you see people in the grocery store, (Or anywhere) do a quick description in your head. Buildings, cars, houses, bodies of water, restaurants; anything and everything will work with this training exercise. When it is time to write, your quickness with description will be superb.

**Workout** : Do this at your own pace.

**WARNING**! Authors that describe everything and everyone in their mind have been known to go insane.

**Training** : Watch movies with the subtitles on. Understand why lines were written a certain way. Figure out why each word is important to that scene. It will be the same with your book; every word has a significant meaning.

**Workout** : Watch two movies a week with subtitles.

**Training** : Concentrate on what people wear in movies and TV shows, the scene setup, the actor's emotions, and the cars they drive.

**Workout** : Never watch more than two hours of TV a day. Overuse will weaken your author muscles.

**Training** : In the "Special Features" of DVD's, discover how writers and producers come up with the ideas for the movie and how they created crucial scenes.

**Workout** : Do this for all the DVD's you own and rent. Workout at your own pace.

**Training** : Go to a business-networking meeting and tell everyone you are an author. Usually, these meetings let you stand up and give a thirty-second _commercial_. This will help you with public speaking and give you the confidence to describe your book in quick fashion.

**Workout** : One meeting a month.

**Training** : Do a quick warm up before writing. Read a few pages of a book with the same genre to get you in the right frame of mind. Make a few notes about what you are going to write about today. (Even if those notes are in your head, review them.) Read over the first few lines of the book you are writing. Skim through a few other random sentences. Finally, read the last page you wrote. Now, you are warmed up. Start writing.

**Workout** : Writing is a pleasure. No sweat.

**Training** : Read the bible. There are great stories and it is guaranteed to lift your spirit.

Spiritual Workout: At least fifteen minutes a day.

**Daily Routine** :

~ Read at least one hour of a book in your genre.

~ In addition, read at least fifteen minutes of a non-fiction, uplifting or spiritual book.

~ Keep a notepad or voice recorder with you at all times.

~ Exercise your body at least twenty minutes. (Walk, run, lift weights, swim, bike, play with the kids.)

~ When you have long writing sessions, drink water. (As apposed to soda, coffee, or energy drinks.) Munch on peanuts. (Almonds are the best.)

~ Do not force your daily routine, but enjoy what you are enthusiastically doing.

FLUFF

"Fluff" is when an author inserts storylines or scenes that have nothing to do with the overall plot. Authors do this so they can page-fill their manuscript.

New authors are probably not aware of the fluff in their manuscript. However, some seasoned authors use fluff to get their page count over the 350-page mark. In that case, you can find the fluff around page 280, when the story could have ended.

Authors need to make a decision before writing their book. Is _word count_ more important, or is the _story_ more important?

If your word count is 35,000 words and you have a fantastic story, along with solid writing mechanics, your book will sell. Do not feel ashamed that your book is only 100 pages or less.

In most cases, traditional publishers look for books that are 75,000-120,000. So what? If your book ends on page 123, then just end it. If you add fluff to increase the size of your book, then you will ruin your magnificent story.

Here are examples of fluff.

**Dreams**

The author writes a terrific scene, with dramatic interaction between characters, but it ends up being a dream. The author is fluffing the story with a nightmare. Dreams are cliché and for the most part, have nothing to do with the plot. There is only one exception: The dream is directly related to _every_ decision the character makes.

Ask yourself this question: "If the dream were deleted from my book, would it change the plot?"

**Meals**

Authors sometimes use a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late night snack to page fill. The scene will have details of what the characters eat and how they interact with each other. There are authors that will challenge me and say that a meal is a good time to find out more about the characters and the story.

I disagree.

Ask yourself this question: "If I did not have the meal scene, would the story be ruined?" Nine times out of ten, the answer to that question is, "no." The meal does not bring realism to your story. If there is no other way to move the story forward, unless the characters were having some sort of meal, then that is the time to add it to your book.

If you deleted the two-page scene where your character makes coffee, feeds the cat, feeds the kids, and gets dressed for work, would it change the plot?

**Facts**

Authors will give some real-world facts in their book that have something to do with the story. However, the author can overdo the non-fiction, which steals interest from the book.

In his book _Angels & Demons_, Dan Brown twisted the facts with plenty of fiction. The result was that the reader had no idea what was true and what was made up.

On the other hand, a famous writer that I will not mention, had a great scene where his character was a father hanging on a car, being dragged, while his child was in the passengers seat during an abduction. The scene was powerful, until the father suddenly thinks that it is against the law for a child that small to be in the front seat. The child should be in the back, sitting in a car seat. Also, the child was not wearing a seatbelt.

Although there are strict child safety laws in vehicles, I'm sure a father would have other concerns for their child as the car sped away. It was _factual fluff_ that the reader did not need, which ruined the entire book.

Use facts as part of your fiction...not so you can page fill.

Ask yourself this question: "If certain facts were deleted in my book, would it change the plot?"

**Trips**

Authors will send their character on a trip or vacation. However, nothing really happens and it could have been deleted faster than you can say, "Split-Infinitive." Trips are an easy way to add a page count, but the reader will be disappointed when the characters come back without a story.

Ask yourself this question: "If the trip or vacation were deleted from my book, would it change the plot?"

**Dialogue**

Stewart Woods, Robert B. Parker, and James Patterson are the master's of telling a story with steady conversations between characters. Additionally, they use dialogue to speed the pace of the book.

On the other hand, amateur authors use dialogue to fill gaps in the story. It sounds something like this:

"Hey John."

"Oh, hello Jane. How are things going?"

"Okay I guess."

"What's going on?" John asked.

"Well..."

"Oh come on. You can tell me."

Jane considered her answer. "Maybe I shouldn't have called."

"Don't be silly. What is the matter? You can tell me anything."

And so on...and so on....

Ask yourself this question: "If certain dialogue were omitted from my book, would it change the plot?"

**Sex**

Authors who have written several novels, will use sex scenes sparingly. Even in a romance novel, sex must have something to do with the overall plot. New authors throw in a sex scene, thinking that it brings passion or interest to the story.

Ask yourself this question: "If a particular sex scene were deleted from my book, would it change the plot?"

_TIP_ : 99% of the time, dialogue is not needed in sex scenes. Stick with description.

Is it wrong to have meals, trips, dreams, dialogue, or sex in your book? Certainly not. Unless, there was no point to it.

DESCRIPTION (PEOPLE)

Think about how much you describe something in a book. Here are a few examples: Shapes, patterns, edges, surfaces, textures, size, position, relation, proportion, light, colors, structures, architectural styles, materials, terrain, landscape, climate, clouds, sky, animals, animal traits, and animal terminology.

Most importantly, you have to describe different types of people. Let me blow your mind with some more examples: Attractiveness, _perceived_ attractiveness, body types, frame, stature, face, head, hair, coiffure, mustache, beard, colors of hair, eye color, eye shape, eye expression, eyebrows, nose, ears, mouth, lips, teeth, skin shape, skin color, skin complexion, hands, fingers, legs, knees, feet, jaw, neck, how people walk, their voice, mannerisms, dress and general appearances.

That does not include all the "props" that the characters use. For example, a car, shower, cell phone, their apartment, etc...

If you want to tell a great story with polished mechanics, you had better know how to describe just about anything. For this chapter, I will focus on "people." Here are some examples of brilliant description of human characters.

"His eyes were blue and set in a field of pink that suggested a history of torments and conflicts past ordinary understanding. His weight and size seemed to amplify the act of breathing, which took place through his mouth." E.L. Doctorow, _Loon Lake_.

The author did not once tell you anything about the character. Instead, it was given through _description_. This is a classic, s _how_ , rather than _tell_." Do not _tell_ your audience that the character had a "history of torments." Instead, describe that in your character's appearance, look, mannerisms, etc...

Describing how eyebrows look can be a useful way to make it easier for your readers to understand your character. Here is an example by Christopher Isherwood, _Goodbye to Berlin_. "He had shiny brown boot-button eyes and low-comedian eyebrows-so thick and black that they looked as if they had been touched up with burnt cork."

Brilliant!

Here are some more lines from the same book. "Otto has a face like a very ripe peach. His hair is fair and thick, growing low on his forehead."

This is great description; however, the mechanics could be improved. There are two things I would change. First, take out the word "very." The line should read, "Otto has a face like a ripe peach." That has more of an impact. Second, "hair" and "fair" rhyme, making it sound a little childish.

Next example is from Robert Stone, _Dog Soldiers_. Here, the writer uses teeth, hair, and body frame to describe the character adequately. "There was a fourth girl too, a skinny redhead with prominent teeth and a corpse-like complexion who was playing with a dark wig."

The author could have stopped at "skinny" when describing the girl's body type, but Robert Stone went on to say, "corpse-like complexion" to give the reader a nice visual. "Prominent teeth" and "dark wig" go on to show the stature of the girl.

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote in _My Kinsman, Major Molineux_ , "His face was pale as death, and far more ghastly; the broad forehead was contracted in his agony so that his eyebrows formed one grizzled line; his eyes were red and wild, and the foam hung white upon his quivering lip."

That is quite a visual.

_HINT_ : You have been given the secret to writing a celebrated book. In fact, a clue was given in each example. The answer is... _Comparison_. As much as possible, use visual comparisons to tell the reader everything they need to know about the character. Look at these examples:

"expression made up of the _trustfulness of a child_ "

"gentleness of a _fawn_ "

"a beautiful head crowned with its own _prodigal gold_ "

"a _lithe_ and round figure"

" _corpse-like_ complexion"

"low- _comedian_ eyebrows"

"face like a very ripe _peach_ "

"(eyes) suggested a history of _torments_ and _conflicts_ "

"His weight and size seemed to _amplify_ "

"face was pale as _death_ "

Master your talents in description. Practice describing everything you see. Continue to read and notice how character descriptions take on a _show_ rather than _tell_ approach.

As Charles Dickens said in _Oliver Twist_ , "He was a snub-nosed, flat-browed, common-faced boy, and as dirty a juvenile as one would wish to see, but he had about him all the airs and manners of a man. He was short of his age, with rather bow-legs, and little, sharp, ugly, eyes."

AUTHOR TAXES

If you are pursuing a career as an author and it is not a hobby, then you can write certain expenses off your taxes.

**Basic Office Supplies:** Pencils, pens, printer paper, ink, notebooks, paper clips, staples, etc... Do not write off your kid's schools supplies.

**Office Equipment:** Laptop, computer, printer, fax machine, flash-drive.

**Postage:** Stamps, shipping, shipping supplies.

**Research:** Magazines, books, dictionaries, thesaurus, trade subscriptions.

**Production:** Software, music, (book trailers) graphics, illustrations.

**Subscription:** This should be a biggie! All those books you are buying from other authors, Amazon, and bookstores are write-offs. Reading books is directly related to whether or not you will be successful. (And profitable.)

**Phone Line:** Whatever phone is your "Author Line." For most authors, it is their cell phone. (Not your spouse's cell phone.)

**Internet:** Includes anything you spend on websites, web marketing, online advertising and promotions, web hosting, blogs, monthly fees.

**Mileage:** Keep a round-trip log of when you drive to meetings that are directly related to your career. This includes when you see your publisher, agent, manager, speaking engagements, book signings, and all promotional events.

**Utilities:** You will need the square footage of the house or apartment you live in and the amount of space dedicated to your work. Save all heating/electric bills. A percentage will be written off.

**Rent/Mortgage:** Same as utilities, you will need the square footage of where you live and office space. A percentage will be written off.

**Upkeep:** Lawn service if you work at home, paint your office, new shelves, light fixtures.

**Health Insurance:** If you are a full-time writer, then probably you are paying for your own health insurance. Keep a record of all doctor visits. Your pharmacist will print out what you paid in prescriptions for the year, which makes it easy. Keep a round trip mileage record to the doctor's office, separate from your author's log.

**Advertising:** Ad in the paper, billboard, Internet promotions, or signs that you stick on your front lawn.

**Meal Expense:** Be careful with this one. Only use if the meal was necessary, in conjunction with your traveling to an event or meeting. If you were going to eat anyway, then it does not count.

**Gifts to Charities:** Monetary donations, books that you donated to libraries, schools, events, charitable organizations. Good example is a gift basket.

**Education:** Any classes you take on writing, PR, marketing, bookkeeping, etc...

**Publishing Charges:** Anything you pay a publisher, agent, marketing agency, or book manufacturer.

**Business Attire:** The outfit you purchased for your award ceremony, new clothes for events, interviews, or photo shoots.

Always check with your accountant or tax advisor for more advice.

Here is something else to think about. You have three years to make a profit as an author. After that, the IRS will look at your career as a hobby. That should motivate you to sell those books.

LITERARY AGENT VS MARKETING

As the saying goes, "You need an agent to be published, but you need to be published to get an agent."

In _Untraditional Publishing_ , the author needs to expand his/her _knowledge_ and thought process. A literary agent has value, but so does marketing. In fact, marketing will reach more readers and sell more books, in less time than a literary agent.

Let's compare the results.

Opportunities Generated by a Literary Agent

~ Seek publication for your manuscript.

~ Send your work to editors.

~ Attempts to get you signed with a publisher.

~ Negotiate terms of your contract.

~ Represent film, foreign, and subsidiary rights.

~ Stays in contact with publisher.

~ Helps prepare your next submission.

~ Assist with all financial and legal aspects of your book after publication.

~ Networks with those in the publishing industry.

There is value in having a literary agent, but you are dependent on that agent for success. In _Untraditional Publishing_ , you want the control.

Opportunities Generated by Marketing.

~ A polished manuscript.

~ Marketing plan every 120 days.

~ Website.

~ SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to drive traffic to the website.

~ Social media profiles and fan pages.

~ Blog.

~ Press releases when needed. (Actually, the new term for this is "News Release." The idea is that a news release can be sent daily, while promoting the product or service in different ways.)

~ Power descriptions. (One line, one paragraph, one page.)

~ Understanding the needs of your readers.

~ Building relationships with audience.

~ Updates on traffic to website and fan pages, along with gender and age of audience.

~ Create a printable version for an author's novel. (Not a self-published book, just a printable version to build an audience. No ISBN number.) This includes book cover design and the interior of the book.

~ Networking with those in the publishing industry. (Agents, publishers, authors, readers.)

~ Updates on the latest publishing trends.

~ eBlast's.

~ Paypal setup.

~ Ad design.

~ Event promotional materials.

~ Professional headshots.

~ Paper marketing: bookmarks, postcards, flyers.

~ Ancillary products: Posters, T-Shirts.

~ Book Trailers.

~ Reviews contracts.

Actually, I could keep going. The point is, you need to think beyond the standard publishing routes and expand your thinking. How you invest your time and money is crucial to the speed of your success.

The _Knowledge Principle_ can be adopted by any author in the world. It is time to be unique...

Third Principle of Untraditional Publishing: Author Self-Discovery

Now that you have the perfect mixture of confidence and knowledge, you need to reach deep inside and apply talents that you have not used. This is important, because _self-discovery_ is what makes you different from everyone else in the publishing industry.

The best way to use this next section is to open your mind and heart. Take a lot of notes. Expand your thinking. Discover ideas that have been hiding for years. Learn how to apply your distinctive values.

**Self-Discovery** :

~ "Why am I _different_ than every other author?"

~ "What are _my_ dreams?"

~ " _How_ will I get there?"

### QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Here are questions that you should ask yourself. Most of these will help spark ideas for your career as an author and open up your mind to never-ending possibilities.

After reading each question, along with the explanation, take a deep breath and think about your answer. These questions are defining who you are and where you are going.

This is a crucial moment in your life. Answer each question with great care.

**Why do I have a gift?**

Sometimes you may wonder if you can make it as an author. Reach farther down in your heart and discover why you have that gift in the first place.

Why is my gift important?

Keep asking, "Why is that important?" Peel the onion and get to the root of why you want to be an author.

What would it take for me to feel successful as an author?

Traditional publishing and self-publishing warns that you should keep your expectations limited. _Untraditional_ _Publishing_ thrives on your highest expectations. Never limit your dreams.

**What have I done today to achieve my goal as an author?**

Remember, today is not over yet. Authors can always do something. There are several areas to concentrate on: Reading, writing, relationship marketing, networking, research.

**If I could not fail, what would I do as an author?**

Think carefully about this question, because it will become your ultimate vision. If you had the resources, money, and connections, how would you handle your author career? The answer to this question is also the direction you should be heading, no matter the time or cost. Fight through the humbling moments. When more troubles arrive, fight through those. Keep fighting. Keep trying. Do not fail today.

**What obstacles are in my way?**

Lack of money? Not enough time? Monthly rejections? Lack of support? No confidence? Find new directions. Keep searching. Understand what is in your way and how you will overcome those obstacles. Solutions are available. Reach deep inside and find the answers. Most authors complain and give up at this point. Remember that you are irreplaceable.

**What can I do over the next four months?**

Three times a year you should make short-term goals, for long-term results. Maybe over the next four months you will apply everything that you have learned in _Untraditional Publishing_. The following four months, you are going to charge forward as an author.

**In what areas can I improve as an author?**

There is always something an author can work on. Examples are public speaking, networking, relationship marketing, industry knowledge, writing mechanics, storytelling, and speed in both reading and writing. Maybe, you just need to improve your confidence today.

**How am I perceived by the public?**

As an author, you have to care what other people think about you. If you write horror novels, but you are perceived as a romantic, that may not work. If people feel you have a dark personality and you write children's book, it will slow down your goals. If others feel you complain a lot, but you write inspirational books, that will hinder your performance. If people think your conversations drag a bit, they may feel your books do the same. Authors are in the public eye and perception is everything.

**How do I WANT to be perceived by the public?**

Authors who are honest with their writing and their personality can improve everyday. If you want to sell 50,000 books a month, you will have to be perceived by the public as an expert in your profession. Your books, emotions, and attitude must reflect your passion as an author and your willingness to entertain your readers.

**How can I help another author today?**

Inspiration is the kindest gift any author could receive. "Hey, just wanted to send you a quick message and tell you to keep up the good work." That can go a long way for another author's confidence. When you need the same, they will be there for you.

You can write testimonials for authors. You can put their link on your website. You can promote them in a blog. You can read their work and give constructive feedback. The reward will be returned to you a thousand times over.

**Who is my target audience?**

Describe your reader in detail. Narrow the specifics of your reader as much as possible. _Untraditional Publishing_ does not include authors who can write for everyone. Each author has a specific reader.

What is the biggest need of my readers?

This question will be the difference between selling five books and selling five hundred thousand books. Another way to ask this question is, "How can I benefit my readers?" Your entire marketing plan will be based on this answer.

Where is my target audience locally?

In school? At work? In a nightclub? At church? In the mall? At McDonalds?

Where is my target audience on the Internet?

The great thing about social media is that there is now a group for every person. You've already described your target audience and understand their biggest need. Now, join groups with your target audience.

How will I reach my target audience?

You know where your target audience is locally and on the Internet. Now figure out how you will become part of their world.

What will I say to my target audience?

The first step is _building a relationship_ with your audience. The best way is to participate in groups on the Internet. As for locally, you should find ways to connect with your audience. A presentation to help your audience works the best. _Relationship Marketing_ will give you loyal fans for life. _Keep their best interests in mind._ If you have to help one reader at time, then do it. Later, you will attract larger groups of readers when they notice how much of a benefit you are.

**Why does my big break seem impossible?**

The most important thing is to remember that you have a gift that no one else has. That is a "big break" in itself. The other thing to remember is that today you are receiving answers to questions that you never knew existed. You are creating your own big break.

**What kind of realistic chance do I have of being paid as an author?**

**Every single day, you have to see it. Close your eyes. Make that dream real.**

**There are so many authors. How will anyone notice my book?**

700,000 self-published authors are doing the same thing. You are not on their path.

**What if I am not ready to be an author?**

Too bad, because you _are_ an author.

BESTSELLER VS BEST SELLER

There are two types of authors. First, there is the author who says, "I guarantee my book is going to be a _bestseller_." The second type of author says, "I am going to be the _best seller_ of my book." Which type are you?

The fastest way to let someone in the publishing industry know that you are an amateur author is by telling them, "My book is going to be on the bestsellers list." If you said this to a literary agent or written it in query letter, the only thing you have guaranteed yourself is a rejection.

The best thing that could happen to you is that you will have to do everything yourself. Failure or success is totally dependent on your decisions. Motivation, knowledge, experience, relationship marketing, and the sale of the book are _UP_ to you.

You should be in full control of your destiny. You do not want success or failure placed in the hands of someone else. After eighty years, the publishing industry has shifted the power to the authors. That is good news for you.

**Bestseller Author** "I won't buy anyone else's book until they buy mine."

**Best Seller Author** "I will read everyday and support my fellow authors."

**Bestseller Author** "This is my very first novel and my friends love it."

**Best Seller Author** "I need to improve both my storytelling and my mechanics."

**Bestselling Author** "Once people find out what a great writer I am and read my book, it will sell itself."

**Best Selling Author** "I will build a platform of readers, learn from others, connect with my audience, and keep improving my marketing plan. My fans will grow, based on my efforts."

**Bestselling Author** "If the publishing world doesn't want me, I don't want them!"

**Best Selling Author** "There are several directions I can go with my writing. I am not trapped or narrowed down to one solution."

If you have talent and no effort, you will be ordinary. (Same goes for the opposite. If you have effort and no talent, you will be ordinary.) Or as William Shakespeare said, "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

When it comes down to the very minimum, _you_ are responsible for your dreams. The more you **show** your efforts, the more doors that will be open for you.

Bestsellers come and go...

Best Sellers last forever...

AUTHOR BACKGROUND CHECK

If you do not mind, before you spend another day as an author, I would like to do a quick background check on you. This is to make sure you are doing all the right things as an author. Thank you for your cooperation.

~ Do you want to share your charisma, ideas, experiences, passion, and emotions with your readers?

~ Do you want to help and serve others with your gift?

~ Are you interested in earning enough money to live your dream as a full-time author and willing to put in the work to achieve that goal?

~ Do you feel the need to satisfy your eager heart and fulfill your God given talents?

~ Are you willing to mature as an author and help other authors do the same?

~ Do you dream of seeing your book in the stores and libraries?

~ Do you envision yourself in the newspaper, on the radio, and on TV?

~ Do you enjoy placing your audience in a world that you alone have created?

~ Do you enjoy escaping from reality and helping your readers do the same?

~ Would you classify yourself as an entertainer?

~ With each book that you write, will it help you improve as an author?

~ Are your books something to be proud of, especially when you are recognized by others?

~ Do you want to create a legacy?

~ Do you want to give hope to all authors who feel the same way as you do?

~ Is popularity not your primary goal?

~ Is everyone in the publishing industry evil, or are they just misunderstood about your work?

~ Do you want to support your family with your career?

~ Do you have a future bestselling book, or are you the best seller of your book?

~ Do you compete against other authors, or are you supportive of other authors?

~ Do you want to use writing as revenge on someone that hurt you? (If you are a romance author, using writing as revenge on an ex-husband or ex-boyfriend is perfectly acceptable.)

~ Are you better than everyone else that _cannot_ write books, or are you unique?

~ Are you are better than everyone else that _can_ write books, or are you unique?

~ Will your first book make you rich, or will your efforts make you wealthy?

~ Do you understand that there are plenty of _helpful_ and _passionate_ authors, traditional publishers, self-publishers, literary agents, editors, literary managers, public relation firms, and branding agencies?

~ In social media, do you respect others?

~ Do you purchase books from other authors?

~ Do you understand that if you write testimonials for authors, it is a significant marketing tool for you?

~ Like any other business, are you professional at all times?

~ Do you control your emotions?

~ Do you understand that _content_ editing will improve your manuscript?

~ Are you planning more than five re-drafts for each book?

~ What is your reaction when you come across a negative person?

~ If you spend time feeling sorry for yourself, is that less time for you to read and write?

~ Is anyone else going to write, market, and sell that book, better than you?

~ If writing is a craft, does that mean you can learn, mature, and develop as an author?

~ Do authors need to be enduring?

~ If you gave up, how many people that believed in you would be disappointed?

~ Does everyone have to like your book? Because of your uniqueness, is there a specific audience for your book?

~ Is professional feedback necessary to improve as an author?

~ What if I told you that you will become a successful author; would you believe me?

~ Do you understand that family and friends are _supportive_ of your writing and those in the publishing industry are _honest_?

~ Are you limiting your expectations or are you _increasing_ your expectations?

Thank you for participating. I think we both learned a lot about each other.

KNOW THE OBSTACLES

There are four main reasons why authors struggle: lack of _time_ , lack of _money_ , lack of _experience_ , and lack of _recognition_.

If you understand that these four obstacles are holding you back, then you can create a plan that will _overcome_ those obstacles.

Lack of Time

Full-time authors work ten to sixteen hours a day on four elements:

~ Reading: 2 hours

~ Writing: 4-6 hours

~ Marketing: 3-6 hours

~ Publishing: 1-5 hours (Studying trends, working on to-do's, networking, re-drafts, and more re-drafts.)

You may have only two hours a day to spend on your career, or maybe just an hour. Make sure you are making every minute count.

Reading

Read throughout the day, even if its only five minutes at a time. Whenever you are waiting on something, read: Doctors appointment, in carline at school, during commercials when watching the news, or while on lunch break at your "other" job.

Writing

If you follow the advice of _Untraditional Publishing_ and write short, high-energy chapters, then your chapters will be 1-4 pages long. Even if you only wrote one chapter a day, you could finish a book in just over three months.

Relationship Marketing

Use social media to your advantage. Just a few posts, Tweets, or comments a day can build relationships with your readers. I can't tell you how many authors send me Farmville requests. Is that the best use of their limited time?

Publishing

Your _Untraditional Publishing_ to-do list is massive. Decide what is most important each day. Only you can decide what is best for your career at any given moment.

Lack of Money

99.99% of self-published authors spend more money on publishing than any other part of their author career. With _Untraditional Publishing_ , you will evaluate both your time and money.

In order, here is how you should invest money:

~ Books (For reading)

~ Writing Supplies/Equipment

~ Relationship Marketing

~ Books

~ Writing Supplies/Equipment

~ Relationship Marketing

~ Publishing

If you invest on building your audience, branding your name, going to conferences, relationship marketing, creating opportunities, and meeting others in the publishing industry, you will have the _foundation to be successful_.

The problem with most authors is not talent...it is the misplacement of funds.

Lack of Experience

If you published your first novel as an eBook and did not sell 50,000 copies, I can tell you why. Because you do not have the _experience_ or _knowledge_ to sell 50,000 copies.

Can you imagine if the products you bought in stores were developed by companies that have been in business for two months? (Or even two years?)

What if you spent time on writing books, learning the publishing industry, creating productive marketing avenues, building relationships with your readers, developing your craft, and benefiting others? It would be like going to college for four years and then working as an intern for another year to learn the job. During that process, you will have gained _confidence_ , _knowledge_ , and _experience_. You may proceed to your dreams.

Recognition

Authors that succeed have recognition. It means they are already known by readers and those in the publishing industry. Furthermore, they are awarded for that recognition by having a career as an author. Their reward did not come after a year, or two years. In fact, I would say it came after five or seven years of working on their craft. Just like a new business has to develop five to seven years before making a profit.

You must also understand why certain authors have been recognized. Read about Stephen King or Nora Roberts on Wikipedia. They did not write a story and suddenly become famous. In fact, the odds were against them to succeed. Their humbling moments were important to their success.

Time, money, experience, and recognition can all be managed as part of the _process_ , rather than an obstacle.

TAKE IT LIKE AN AUTHOR

In 1995, I showed a publishing lawyer out of New York my first novel. He had a condominium just a stones throw away from Stephen King's Florida home. Also, he helped Stephen King in the early years. This was the kind of person that could have a great influence on my career as an author! However, the publishing lawyer handed my manuscript back and said, "Keep trying."

That was it. His words of wisdom were to, "Keep trying." I just said 'thank you' and went on my way.

Looking back, I know how awful my novel was. My family and friends thought it was okay, but someone in the publishing industry thought it was so bad, it did not merit even a few words of things I could work on.

Have you ever wondered why bestselling authors will not take the time to look over a newer author's work? There are a few reasons:

~ It is hard to tell someone their manuscript is far from being marketable. In fact, an inexperienced author will hate anyone who claims different.

~ Authors who are working ten to fifteen hours a day on their own career do not have the time to look over another author's work. However...

~ An experienced author can tell after one page if the manuscript is ready or if there needs to be a ton of improvement. I always try to read three pages for an author, because then I can make a list of problems that should be worked on. (The same mistakes that are made in the first three pages will be made in the next two hundred pages.)

~ Most authors cannot take constructive feedback. I'm not saying that is you, I'm just saying from my experience, it is common.

When that publishing lawyer could barely look me in the eye after handing my manuscript back, I was not offended. I decided right then to work hard enough so I'll never have to hear the words, "Keep trying" again.

I became fascinated with reading books in my genre, along with "How to Write" and "How to be an Author" books. I kept writing novels and held off on submitting query letters to literary agents and publishers. I was (and still am) extremely hard on myself.

Authors can be nervous, anxious, or even afraid. These are normal emotions. However, _an author cannot be desperate_. A desperate author will try to cut corners. They will hate anyone who does not like their work.

_Desperate_ authors will look for shortcuts. _Dedicated_ authors will succeed.

If you jump from one venture to another, you will waste time and money. Take it like an author and learn to be flexible, yet knowledgeable. Become a student of your target audience and a research fanatic. The more you learn about your readers, the better chance you have at success.

I once had to tell an author that her manuscript was not that good. The story, characters, and plot needed work. It broke my heart to say that to her, but it was the truth. The only advice I could give her was to start reading more books.

Every author asks me to be honest. "I can take it," they say. The author that I gave a bad report to emailed me back and said she appreciated my advice. I thought, "Great, she took it well. Good for her." Then the email went on to say that her family liked the book, so she will submit it to traditional publishers.

Someday she will look back and understand what I meant.

Can you take it like an author? Will you commit to improving your confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, experience, relationship marketing, and eventual sales? Will you take it like an author and excel at reading, storytelling, and improve your writing mechanics? Can you take it like an author and put marketing before publishing? Can you take it like an author and create opportunities for yourself?

If the answer to these questions is a resounding "Yes," then you should know that rewards are coming your way...you have what it takes.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUTHORS

One of the fastest ways to have a successful writing career is being aware of the opportunities that surround you. In fact, you have missed a pathway to your destiny by accident on several occasions. How about we make sure that never happens again.

All authors start out with enthusiasm and confidence. (Or at the very least, they are motivated.) As the long hard road to having a career as an author is revealed, it is possible that your enthusiasm and confidence will be chipped away. The lack of results has crushed even the most talented authors.

If you have the _ability_ to be an author, then why is it so hard to _achieve_ your goals?

Before you wrote that first word in your book, something inside of you said, "I can be an author. I want to write!" In fact, you did not care how you became an author; you just knew it was your dream.

In traditional publishing and self-publishing, it seems you are compared to other authors. In short, you are comparing dreams. That is limiting your opportunities, which is setting yourself up to fail. You are putting your dreams in the hands of someone else. The world explains to authors the meaning of success. The author reacts to this false knowledge, rather than creating new ideas and concepts.

Let me repeat the most important words in this book. "Creating new ideas and concepts." This entire book is dedicated to opening up your imagination and forcing you to come _UP_ with ways for your individual success. Each author will have a different perspective of _Untraditional Publishing_ , which makes the author unique.

One of your many goals should be, "To have the freedom and ability to write everyday." That kind of thinking will set you apart from traditional and self-published authors.

You may also tell yourself, "I'm going to work hard everyday to make sure I can write a novel so terrific, the world would have no choice but to love it!"

If an author sticks with a traditional goal, then the focus is strictly on signing with an agent and a traditional publisher. That certainly has value, but it also limits your opportunities.

Authors that stick with self-publishing will focus on the investment of money and try to sell books to make up for that investment. The author has limited opportunities.

An author that concentrates on selling eBooks will spend time posting messages for everyone to purchase the author's book for $2.99. That kind of focus will limit opportunities.

An _Untraditional_ author will discover values in _every_ kind of publishing resource. Nothing is impossible and opportunities are abundant.

If you focus on saying, "I want to feel good about my writing," then you will have many opportunities. It may seem obvious that authors should feel good about being an author, but Facebook is littered with comments about the failing publishing industry, closing bookstores, and the shortcomings of writers.

As an author, if there were another opportunity for you to become famous, besides traditional publishing, or self-publishing, would you take it? Of course you would!

Your journey is based on every single gift, talent, and resource you possess. Your opportunities are increased by improving your gift, talent, and resources. You have a distinctive ability to open doors that you have yet to walk through. There are plenty of attainable dreams that are directly linked to your author career. But up until now, you have overlooked most of those opportunities.

Here is a quote from Winston Churchill that may clear up your path to brilliant and amazing opportunities. "Sometimes it is not good enough to do your best; you have to do what is required."

This means, no shortcuts. Your opportunities of success must be earned through confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, experience, relationship marketing, and selling books.

~ Excel in reading. I mean, really excel! Get to the point where you can dissect a book into a thousand parts and understand the true art of storytelling.

~ Excel at writing. You have to write a great story and master the technique of telling that story. Never say, "Okay, I have done that." No, you still need to polish those skills.

~ Excel at marketing. This can be learned, just as the craft of writing is learned. Search deep inside yourself and find other talents that can help you with promotion. You are not just a good writer. You are so much more.

~ Excel at _Relationship Marketing_. Showing interest in others will put you way ahead of most authors.

~ Excel at publishing. Find out everything the publishers and literary agents know. You should have enough knowledge that you could work for a publisher in any area. If you understand the core principles of every publishing house, your value as an author is much higher than the thousands of other authors.

You have an opportunity to excel at reading, writing, marketing, relationship marketing, and publishing. Those are key ingredients to having a successful career as an author. More importantly, you will create opportunities for yourself.

I'll leave you with a quote by King Solomon, "For as he thinks within himself...so is he."

Fourth Principle of Untraditional Publishing: Author Experience

You have confidence and the knowledge to write a great novel, and then you added self-discovery, which will bring out a wealth of ideas and improve your gift.

Now, let's add experience.

TWELVE NOVELS

When I think about my first novel, I am terrified that someone may actually read it. However, back then, I really thought my first attempt was a book that everyone would enjoy. Keep in mind, this was writing the old fashion way. (Yes, I mean a typewriter.)

Also, it was much tougher to do research for my books. I spent a lot of time at the library. With a variety of resources on the Internet, just about anything you need is attainable.

That is both good and bad. Authors can improve their craft much quicker than in the 90′s. However, authors feel they are ready to be published after the first attempt, _because_ of that knowledge. But as we discussed, it takes more than _knowing_ how to be an author.

Stick with the principles of _Untraditional Publishing_ and you will have a flourishing career. Meanwhile, let's work on your experience.

**Novel One:** You can tell a story. That is just about it. Your manuscript does not "read like a book." The characters are interesting, just not presented in a way that readers can relate to them. There are scenes in your book that do not matter to the story. The best thing you have going for you right now is that you know for a fact that you want to be an author.

**Novel Two:** You have done a lot of research on writing and discovered several mistakes that you are making. Your story has slightly improved and your character's begin to take some sort of life. However, you are still weak on dialogue, pace, and overall writing mechanics. This is also the point when writers change styles. (Maybe you switch from first person to third person narrative.) You are still pushing the story down the reader's throat, rather than in a more natural pace.

**Novel Three:** Your manuscript is starting to read with more interest and you are able to articulate your thoughts in a way that brings enjoyment to readers. Your dialogue between characters has improved, but still needs work. In addition, you discover a lot more of the basic rules of writing that you are doing wrong.

**Novel Four:** You become a research fanatic in order to bring realism to your story. Your characters and plot are more complicated, but increase the entertainment of the book. You take more notes and have more sub-plots. The story has enough momentum and enjoyment to bring the reader to a great ending. Dialogue has taken shape.

**Novel Five:** You feel natural at the computer writing your novel. Ideas begin to pour out faster than you can write them. You begin to work harder on the mechanics of your book, which gives you a slight setback, because there is a "growing" period that takes a bit away from the story.

**Novel Six:** Your talents deepen. You are now beginning to understand what an entertaining and marketable book should look like. You are somewhat able to transfer that information to your manuscript. You begin to read much more than in the past, which is helping your writing. You develop a style that is all your own. Mechanics are stronger, but still needs work. Characters are amazing and the premise will keep readers glued.

**Novel Seven:** Something changed in this book. You became more _story_ driven. You discover writing talents that you never had before. Your manuscript becomes a statement to the world. The audience can relate to the story and will be shocked at what could happen to the average person. Mechanics of your writing have gone to another level. Suddenly, you are hard on yourself and want to improve even more.

**Novel Eight:** You find yourself reading more than you were writing. You become obsessed to discover a great book. You are receiving positive feedback that you never heard before. Greatness is flowing from your heart, to your mind, to your fingers, and to the manuscript.

**Novel Nine:** For some reason, your book becomes longer. When you first started, the plot topped off at a hundred pages. Now, you are on page three hundred before that happens. You do not know how any of your books will end, because the characters have taken over. You can sit down and write a chapter without much effort. The reader feels like they are flying from one page to the next.

**Novel Ten:** Another transformation takes place. Once again, you write a story with deep hidden meaning. The characters have layers that peel away during the story. Your talent level has come to a point that you can handle several different plot twists at the same time, all coming to a head for a dramatic ending. Dialogue has been perfected and flow of your story has a natural feel.

**Novel Eleven:** Your speed at writing has become like nothing you've ever dreamed. That spills over to the style of your book. Readers cannot put it down. The story and characters keep the audience thrilled as if they were watching a movie. Your mechanics are polished to a point where you feel confident that anyone can read your work.

**Novel Twelve:** This is pure greatness. A masterpiece. Something that everyone will remember you by. The characters are real in your mind. The plot is a risk that only you can pull off. No one else can write like you, because you have developed a style that surpasses even the bestselling authors in the world.

Experience transforms an author to greatness.

LESSONS FOR AUTHORS

Welcome to _Author 101_ , where you will practice several valuable lessons to improve in the craft of writing and becoming a _career_ author. Read over the lessons with an open mind. It is a systematic instruction list, used for advice, encouragement, and experience.

LESSON ONE: Do not use lack of money or lack of resources as an excuse.

~ Reading is free at the library.

~ Options for writing are endless.

~ Relationship Marketing can be done through social media.

~ Do not pay for publishing unless the above three have been mastered.

LESSON TWO: Some of the most gifted authors buried their dream deep inside, but that dream always fights to come out.

~ If you were born to be an author, then you must become an author. Do not try to be something that you are not.

~ Authors are not made in a month.

~ If taking years to be an author sounds discouraging, then I am very sorry. However, you still have to be an author.

LESSON THREE: It takes a great amount of courage and faith to skip the "paycheck" and go for your dreams.

~ You were probably something else before you decided to be an author. You should certainly pay your bills and take care of your family. Just remember to invest time, and eventually money, into your author career.

~ Many people will try to talk you out of being an author, because they do not understand what it is like to be an author.

~ Authors are usually broke at first. Since there is no money to do anything else, the author has more time to read and write.

~ Try to get a part-time job (Or even a fulltime job) to develop your skills. Apply for any jobs that have to do with books, writing, or marketing.

LESSON FOUR: All your experiences and places you have worked can be used to your advantage as an author.

~ The reason for an "Author Bio" is so readers can know more about your qualifications.

~ All your humbling moments are useful in your writing.

~ Everyone can be valuable to your career. Family, friends, co-workers, church members, school, and clubs you joined, can turn into ideas for your writing, or outlets for selling your books.

LESSON FIVE: No one becomes the CEO of a company in their first year.

~ Authors have to work their way up the ladder, just like any other profession.

~ You need to build a career around _ideas_ , rather than rejection letters.

~ Excelling in reading, writing, marketing, and building relationships is a never-ending process.

~ The publishing industry is the only trade in the world that moves at a snails pace. Be _Untraditional_ and go at your own pace.

~ If you do not have patience, you are in big trouble.

LESSON SIX: When the time is right, someone will cross paths with you and change your life as an author.

~ Use your time wisely. Get ready for your big break. Improve your craft daily.

~ The person that will change your life, will not cross paths with you while you are sitting on the couch watching reruns of CSI: Miami.

~ Make sure you are perceived as an author. Do not use Facebook to fume about your tough day. The person that can change your life may be turned off by negative Facebook posts.

LESSON SEVEN: Someday when you look back on your first novel, you will realize that you were still learning.

~ Can you honesty say that your first novel will be just as good as your tenth novel? If not, then you understand that it will take time for you to improve.

~ Writing several books opens a secret porthole of wisdom on how to become a serious author.

LESSON EIGHT: You are fifteen months or fifteen years away from having a career as an author. It is _UP_ to you.

~ What have you done today? What do you plan to do tomorrow? How much time will you spend on your craft? How much reading, writing, and relationship marketing will you accomplish this month?

~ No one is going to hold your hand.

LESSON NINE: In traditional publishing, authors are rejected. In self-publishing, authors have to pay. Those choices are limiting your ability to succeed.

~ Literary agents and traditional publishers are looking for a reason to reject you, not a reason to like you. Put yourself in a position to succeed. Do not give anyone an excuse to discard you or your work.

~ If you are considering paying for publishing, you better have confidence, writing knowledge, ideas used by self-discovery, experience being an author, a loyal fan base, and an outlet to sell books.

~ _Untraditional Publishing_ creates opportunities and results.

LESSON TEN: Authors read.

~ You cannot write a great book until you have read a great book.

~ Understanding what makes an entertaining story and polished writing mechanics are discovered through reading.

~ If you do not have time to read, then you do not have time to be an author.

LESSON ELEVEN: You should put the same effort into marketing your book, as you did writing your book.

~ If you spent $1,500 on self-publishing and $50 making your own website, then something is wrong.

~ How can anyone notice you, unless they _know_ about you?

~ Your audience will not magically appear when you are finished with your book.

~ When writing, you must have imagined someone would eventually read your book. Who is that person? Describe them detail, because that is your target audience.

~ If you do not have a plan to build relationships with fans and publishing contacts, then you are admitting defeat.

LESSON TWELVE: Depend on yourself for success.

~ Take hold of your career. Act like no one else will do anything to help you.

~ Never depend on chance or luck for your success.

~ No one cares more about your dream than you.

LESSON THIRTEEN: Be in front of your book, not behind it.

~ Network with others in the publishing industry.

~ Attend events and introduce yourself.

~ Concentrate on benefiting your audience.

~ Brand your name with a professional marketing agency.

~ Come _UP_ with an idea every day.

LESSON FOURTEEN: Ancillary products are a terrific way to promote your book and earn extra money.

~ Sell different types of T-shirts using either your name, your book title, book cover, or a symbol from your book.

~ Sell posters, using the same ideas as T-shirts.

~ Work out a deal with a local band to create a theme song for your book.

~ Use the song in a book trailer. (Like a music video.)

~ Give away small promotional items with your name, book title, and website.

LESSON FIFTEEN: Selling 5,000 books in your local area is more impressive than selling 5,000 books around the world.

~ Build your audience in your hometown.

~ Do not try to reach the planet. Achieve one victory at a time.

~ If you cannot sell books in your hometown, then you cannot sell your books anywhere.

LESSON SIXTEEN: Join forces with other authors.

~ Every author has at least 100 fans. If you join forces with 10 authors, then your potential fan base will increase to 1,000. If you connected with 100 authors, then your potential fan base will increase to at least 10,000.

~ Help other authors and they will help you. Promote each other on Facebook, purchase their books, give constructive feedback, and put their web link on your website.

LESSON SEVENTEEN: Do not limit your writing.

~ Try writing in different genres. You will open up a new world of hidden talent.

~ Write a story for a local magazine. This is a marketing goldmine.

~ Break down barriers and setbacks by writing both fiction and non-fiction. Write poems. Write songs. Write blogs. Write a newsletter. Just keep writing!

LESSON EIGHTEEN: Ease the pressure.

~ There will always be authors. Help yourself by not trying to beat the bestselling authors in the world.

~ Every author on the planet is your friend. Act accordingly.

~ Know that you will sometimes fail. Also know that you will succeed.

LESSON NINETEEN: To increase your audience, give them what they want.

~ Most authors write for themselves, which limits their potential.

~ What do people like to read these days?

~ What are the reader's biggest needs?

~ What entertainment to readers crave?

~ How do readers want to feel?

~ Are you providing the answer to these questions? If so, you are creating a loyal fan base.

LESSON TWENTY: Keep your chapters short.

~ Chapters that are 2-5 pages long will give the reader a feeling of "speed."

~ Readers like to decide on when to take a break. Short chapters will provide that service.

LESSON TWENTY-ONE: Avoid scene setting, back-stories, and character description whenever possible.

~ This goes against everything you were taught. New authors concentrate more on what surrounds the story, than the actual story.

~ Readers want to be tossed into a book and gripped to the very end. Do not test the reader's patience by describing your characters looks, their past, and the scene. Less is more.

LESSON TWENTY-TWO: Do not fail today.

~ Do you understand that advice? Today is not the kind of day to fail.

"If you want to write for yourself, get a diary. If you want to write for your friends, get a blog. If you want to write for others...become an author." ~ _James Patterson_

YOUR BEST

Unfortunately, authors can never say, "Well, I did my best." Readers, reviewers, literary agents, traditional publishers, bookstores, marketing agencies, and all that are connected to the publishing industry do not care about your best. They want an entertaining book.

What if in the beginning of your novel, you added an Authors Note: "I really hope you enjoy my novel. I just wanted to let you know that I did the best that I can."

Two things are wrong with that statement. First, it sounds like the author is giving an excuse on why the book is sub-par. Second, nobody really cares about an author's _personal_ life. In short, they do not care if you did your best.

Let me tell you the hard truth. You can always do better.

Here is an example. If you self-published a book and re-read it, would you find areas on where you could have done better? Of course. Any author that re-reads their finished manuscript should always find ways to improve.

Here is another example. If you sold only six books this year, then you are clearly not doing your best.

Maybe you could just write as a hobby. But I know you. Writing as a hobby will not be good enough. In four weeks, you will be at it again, so don't bother wasting the time.

There are two areas that you need to do better.

~ Your next book needs to be improved.

~ You need to sell more books.

Let's break that down.

Improve your book in two areas.

~ Storytelling

~Writing Mechanics

The quickest way to improve is to read more and write more. If you are writing more than you are reading, then it will be hard for you to do your best. _You need to read more than you write_. Most authors disagree. "Authors need to write books!" No, authors need to write _entertaining_ and _marketable_ books. The only way to learn how to do that is to _read_ entertaining and marketable books.

In the long term, you need to go through growing pains by reading/writing, and have someone critique your work so you can improve.

This process will build confidence, knowledge, and experience...and that will lead to _book sales_.

The fastest way to grow your sales.

~ Research

~ Relationship Marketing.

If you are spending time/money on marketing without doing enough research, then you are not doing your best.

There are three kinds of research:

~ Target Audience

~ Story Ideas

~ Business Contacts

If you are coming up with plots, characters, and stories, before knowing your target audience, then you are not doing your best. The most successful authors know their audience and write their stories accordingly.

In the past, authors had spent massive amount of time on the road, meeting their audience like a politician running for office. You should still do some form of that, but now, you can use social media to study and reach your desired audience as well.

Remember that the more business contacts you develop, the less money you will have to invest into your author career.

Once you know what your audience wants to read and you know how to reach your audience, you can spend your time/money on marketing.

_Read_ to improve your writing.

_Research_ to improve your marketing.

Then...do your best.

30 WAYS TO GET OUT OF TRADITIONAL RUTS

I think the "Author Rut" can be just as stressful as writers block. It seems like you do not know where you are going or what to do next. Then you start to wonder _how_ your dreams will come true, while the confidence is drained from your once unshakeable author spirit.

Suddenly, you are in a rut.

Well, let's get you out of that rut and back to work.

1. Break tradition.

Tradition turns into routine and routine turns into a regular chore, which slams you into a wall and holds off your dreams. Remember that traditional publishing has not changed in eighty years. Self-publishing has been around so long, it is starting to be a tradition.

Authors frequently fall into a rut when they focus 90% of their attention on publishing. I'm not really sure when, or how this happens, but these days, authors think that publishing is a reinforcement to prove to the world that you are actually an author. This is why it can easily consume your life.

Publishing was never meant to be an author's job. That is what publishers are for. Whether your novel is a hardback, soft back, or an e-Book, those are simply ways to _package the book_.

I am going to tell you something very important. "Your success is _not_ based on how many books you publish, but _how many days you spend as an author_."

2. Stop depending on others.

If you are placing your hopes and dreams on someone else to launch you into a successful career, then you will fall into a rut. You should embrace the reality that your success is totally dependant on your actions. If no one else in the world were going to help you, then how would you reach your goal as an author? What steps will you take? What resources do you have? Use whatever is available to you.

Keep this in mind every single day:

I am an author. Being an author is the only career I really want.

Everyday I will do something to make my dream come true.

All famous authors kept those three beliefs in mind. The third belief is different for everyone.

3. Work on one area to improve today.

If you are always searching for ways to improve, then it is impossible to be in a rut. The moment you stop searching, is when you stop moving forward.

The amount of your success will be determined by the amount of your dedication. If one author spends three hours a week on reading, writing, marketing, and publishing research, while another author spends fifteen hours doing the same thing, which will have more success?

If you want to feel secure as an author and get out of a rut, excel at reading. Excel at writing. Excel in relationship marketing. And excel in research. You can improve in any of these areas each day.

4. Create a short-term goal.

The second you create a goal will be the exact moment you climb out of that rut. By developing a goal, you are generating momentum to move forward. Here are four examples that will propel you forward and build your confidence:

Read an entire book in one week. No excuses.

Tell your family and friends that you will not be available for the weekend. Have a writing marathon. Keep writing until your mind and body is drained, your fingers are sore, and your imagination has been stretched beyond its limits.

Have a relationship marketing week. Spend the next seven days looking for your target audience in social media groups. Try to find the location of 100,000 possible new fans. How does your book solve a problem for those 100,000 fans? Since you know where those fans are, decide on how to reach them.

(This is my favorite to get out of a rut.) Spend an entire weekend at the library or bookstore. Look at every book in the same genre as you write. Read the first lines. Study how the descriptions of each book were written. Look at the illustration on the covers. The title. Flip through the pages. Look at five hundred books. You will learn more in that weekend than you have your entire life as an author. You will also be motivated like never before.

5. Remember that people are counting on you.

Your family and friends believe in you. And since you are reading this book, I understand what kind of person you are and _I believe in you as well_. In fact, I wrote this entire book because I care for you. My author friends have to succeed in order to keep our craft alive. It would be a shame if your books do not reach others. Your words can actually change the lives of readers.

What if J.K. Rowling decided to stay in a rut? How would that influence the lives of millions of people? How many jobs were created because she would not give up? Millions of students became motivated readers because of Rowling. The world was counting on an author to succeed on the highest level.

Today, that author is you.

Repeat this quote to yourself each day, "Things do not change; _we_ change." ~ _Henry David Thoreau_

6. Point of View.

If you believe that you are in a rut, then something happened recently to influence your mind. Your confidence had somehow been shaken. Every author goes through this from time-to-time.

What feelings do you have right now? Are you depressed with how your career is developing as an author? That is a good thing, because your brain and emotions are telling you what is right and what is wrong. But why are you feeling that _now_ , rather than a week ago, or a month ago? Deep down, you are telling yourself that drastic changes in your life must be made.

What has to happen in order for you to believe you are an author? For example, you may only feel like an author if you sold 50,000 books. Or maybe your books have to be on the bestsellers list. Then, and only then, will you feel like an author. Or perhaps you could make a statement that will open more opportunities for you, "If I am able to write and sell books, I would feel like an author."

Experienced authors handle setbacks and keep their emotions on an even level. They have spent their lives fighting through tough times and know how to handle future hardships. They understand that the publishing industry is cutthroat, but nothing will get in their way.

7. Have Fun.

Authors in a rut cannot enjoy what they are doing. In fact, it is impossible to do much of anything.

Give yourself some credit. You work hard everyday. Have a little fun to get out of that rut. Do something spontaneous. Get a massage. Play Wii all day without feeling guilty. Walk around the mall and let your mind wander. Do something that you have enjoyed in the past.

If you have fun in your life, then you can get back to having fun as an author.

8. Do not compare your career to other authors.

Do you want the type of success and dream that Stephen King has? Okay, then you should know that he had been run over by a van and almost died while flown to the hospital. Maybe you want the type of success and dream that Nora Roberts has? To help her family, she had to sew her children's clothes. Maybe you want to be the next Charles Dickens. He was imprisoned for spending, "Over his means."

The belief you have in yourself is what makes you unique. It is certainly permissible to be motivated by what other authors had to endure. Just remember that your dream has a distinctive path. If you ever become jealous of someone else's success, then you can plan on being in a rut.

And remember that your fans are interested in _you_ ...not someone else.

9. Do things better than others.

Every author in the world thinks they can write better than most published authors can. I think that brings out a healthy competition and motivates authors to succeed. If you are angry that the shelves are filled with average books, that anger has put you into a rut.

Then suddenly, without knowing it, your subconscious is taking pride at being less, because that is all you can think about. If you continue down this path, your rut can turn into the destruction of your career.

The good news is that your observation of weak books on the store shelves is your mind saying that you have the ability to do something about it. Motivation is more powerful than anger.

If you can really write better than most published authors, show the world what you have, instead of complaining what you do not have.

10. Help someone else.

Helping others is overlooked as the most significant way to succeed. For example, if you find a way to solve your reader's problems, then you will have fans for life. If you find a way to make a true difference in the lives of your fans, then you will have success beyond your dreams. Pledge to be helpful and you will succeed.

The first step to getting out of a rut is to envision where you are going in the future. The next step is to believe it...

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." ~ _Arthur C. Clark_

11. Clean UP!

Take a day to clean and organize every inch of your workspace and surrounding area. If you write at home, then clean your entire house, do the laundry, and dust. This will have several wonderful outcomes to pull you from that rut.

First, you will distract your mind while cleaning and come up with terrific ideas for writing and marketing.

Second, you will feel more in control when writing or working on your career.

Third, you will build confidence. People that do chores still have hope.

12. Cheer UP!

Decide right now the kind of person you want to be. Remember that cheerful, confident authors sell books. Grouchy authors spend time complaining. Get excited about the person you are and will become. Smile at the thought of having a wonderful future as an author.

I'm not sure of one good reason you should be worried.

13. Dress UP!

I have a pair of shoes that my family calls, "Daddy's game day shoes." I only wear them to speaking engagements, book signings, and my author events. When I put those shoes on, I have unshakable confidence as an author.

There should be at least one outfit that you can put on, which transforms your mind and emotions into "Author Mode." Be sure to respect that outfit. And remember that if you dress like an author, talk like an author, and believe that you are an author, then you _are_ an author.

14. Change it UP!

You are not the same person you were ten years ago. You took specific actions to build your author career. If you are in a rut, then you just decided that new actions are needed. Changes need to be made for you to be successful.

Thomas Edison had this to say on the subject, "If we all did things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." Notice that Edison already assumes that you are capable of doing what you are already good at doing. If you feel stuck, then you are not using all your abilities to change into the person you want to be. In other words, you need to expand who you are.

If you are feeling inadequate about being an author, then commit to improving.

If you are overwhelmed, then only do the most important things each day.

If you are feeling alone, then reach out to one of the million authors on Facebook and talk about writing.

If you are disappointed, then set a new goal.

If you are frustrated, then challenge yourself to learn more.

If you are sad, then realize that you have not lost anything, but only have more to gain.

If you are afraid, then you need to be more prepared.

If you are uncomfortable about doing something, then do it in a slightly different way where you feel more comfortable.

Discard your personal obstacles and do things differently.

15. UP-Grade yourself.

How can you sell a thousand more books in the next four months? Or, how can you sell fifty thousand books in the next year? The answer to those questions is the same answer that every person looking to increase their earnings has to figure out. It is the ability to become more valuable. The amount of value you provide to your readers will be directly related to your earnings.

Actually, the answer to, "How can I become more valuable?" is another question, "How can I _add_ value to others?" If you find a way to add value to your readers, they will stick with you forever. The more value you can add, the more fans will come your way.

Joseph Wood Krutch had this to say, "Every time a value is born, existence takes on new meaning; every time one dies, some part of that meaning passes away."

16. Look UP!

You are in a rut if you are thinking this, "I've reached a dead end." Or, "I'm never going to make it." The first thing to understand is that you are not going to give up. You were born to be an author. The sooner you stop feeding negative emotions into your head, the sooner you can get back to work.

Actually, those negative emotions are just a reminder to appreciate every single day you spend as an author.

If you made a choice to say something like, "I am stuck," then you can also make a choice to say, "I am going to find a way to get through this and move forward with my dream." Look _UP_ , not down.

17. Look back!

Sometimes your failures and disappointments were guiding you in the right direction. Many of the things you did wrong, pushed you toward a better life.

Also by looking back, you are able to envision the first day that you decided to write a book. How far have you come since then? I bet you are more comfortable today than you were five years ago as an author. I can also guarantee that you are closer to your dreams than five years ago.

18. Look forward!

The direction you are heading is much more important than where you are today.

Stop saying, "Someday." Decide to dress the part of an author right now and you will forever be out of a rut.

Five years from today, readers will be looking for something different than is in bookstores right now. The author that understands this will be successful. The author that writes books today that readers want five years from now, will be wealthy.

19. Get rid of your fear.

The world has a knack for testing authors to see how committed they are. It seems that 90% of our efforts fail or are rejected. This causes fear. You feel that you should be farther along and begin to dread each day and then you begin to panic. Maybe you are short on money and cannot hire a marketing agency. Okay, what _will_ _you_ do?

Maybe you cannot get your book into every store around the country. What _will_ _you_ do?

Maybe you are afraid of approaching an editor, or agent. What _will you_ do?

Maybe you are afraid that you will have to get a job, other than being an author. What _will_ _you_ do about that?

Look, research, pray, and do everything possible to find the answers to difficult questions. Dispel your fear and get out of your rut by asking, "What will I do?"

"He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers." ~ _Cameroon Proverb_

"Some men see things as they are, and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were, and say, 'Why not?'" ~ _George Bernard Shaw_

"Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question." ~ _E. E. Cummings_

"The important thing is not to stop questioning." ~ _Albert Einstein_

Anytime you are in a rut, you are saying that you want to make a change. You want to raise your standards. You know how to be an author, but if you are in a rut, then you are simply not doing what you already know.

20. Exercise.

When you are a fulltime author, you are spending eight hours a day on your butt. Right now, decide that you want to be around in the future to collect your large royalty checks. Start a healthy eating style and exercise plan.

Simply walking around the block at a fast pace is a great way to jolt you out of that rut. It will also clear the cobwebs so you can think about your writing and marketing ideas. Exercising twenty minutes a day will change your life for the better and build your confidence.

I think every author should invest in a _Wii Fit Plus_ and a _Just Dance_ game.

Another great thing is to stretch throughout the day. Just a couple of minutes stretching each hour will keep those ruts away from you.

21. Read.

Ideas come from reading. If you are in a rut, then read your way out of that rut. All great writers have read other great writers. For that matter, all great writers have read other bad writers.

Reading will train your mind to think like an author. It will motivate you to keep going. The more books you read, the more you will learn. The more you learn, the better writer you will become.

More importantly, reading will distract your mind, so you do not stay in that rut.

22. Write.

It may seem obvious, but you can _write_ your way out of a rut. I wrote one of my best novels while in a rut. I just sat down and started writing, with no idea about characters, setting, or even the plot. You are a professional author. Write another book.

And when you are finished with that one, write another.

23. Find your purpose.

You are in a rut because your success as an author is limited. Ask yourself this question, "What is my purpose in this world?" If you were born to be an author, then only _you_ ...can stop you. (Did you get that? Read again as needed.)

24. Research.

I always felt the secret to writing a great novel was based on the amount of research an author did. The more the author can reference, the more ideas they have to use. While researching, the author will discover ideas that they were not thinking of at the time.

The one thing you have absolutely one hundred percent control over is how you feel and what you will decide to do next. Do not allow the world to influence your decisions.

A rut will disturb your peace of mind. It can also eat away at your dreams, which will eventually tear apart your health. You need to fight your way out of the rut. Doing research for your next book is an underrated success tool.

25. Get rid of bad habits.

The ingredient for any rut is to have daily bad habits. A rut enjoys when you consistently do things wrong. You end up being satisfied with mediocrity, rather than propelling yourself to a successful future.

I'm sure you understand the difference between right and wrong. Decide to stop doing the wrong. Inject something productive in its place. For example, if you are watching television six hours a night, decide to read for three hours and watch TV for three hours.

Also, you need to improve something about yourself each day. It doesn't matter what, just keep improving. Expect more out of yourself. Decide that you will not be average and take steps to move forward effectively.

26. Get rid of the garbage.

The garbage in your head will keep you in a rut. Each day you need throw away the garbage so you can focus on your goals as an author. For example, if you wake up in the morning and think, "This is going to be a tough day." What choice have you given yourself to have a _great_ day? You've already decided it is going to be tough.

Throw away those negative thoughts. They are slowing you down and preventing your dreams from coming true.

What if I told you that you are going to have the best year of your life? Would you believe me? If not, then what the heck are you focusing on?

27. Blame yourself.

Everything you did caused you to be where you are right now. That includes every choice and every decision. The good news is that everything that you _will do_ , dictates your future. There is nothing wrong with you becoming a career author. Just remember that the decisions you make are directly related to _how_ you will be a career author. Make sure your commitment to being an author is as potent as your imagination.

28. This rut will pass.

It may not seem like it, but the world will keep moving. The bad rut that you are in will fade to just a memory that you should discard as quickly as possible.

If you made a mistake or a wrong decision, it's like accidentally shooting yourself in the foot. It will be painful, but the foot will heal and the pain will go away. Conversely, if you dwell on your mistakes, it's like shooting yourself in the head. (Metaphorically of course.) If you are thinking about your mistakes, then your creativity ceases to exist.

You cannot function, or improve by dwelling on what you did wrong. And even if you do, the world is still going to move forward, so you might as well move forward yourself.

You were not given a gift so that you can spend your days suffering.

29. Put yourself in the position to succeed.

Instead of hoping to succeed, decide that _you are going to succeed_. Everything that you read in this book will put you in the position to be a successful author. Nevertheless, I am not going to hold your hand and guide you, so you better get used to doing things on your own. Use the encouragement and tips in this book so that you can limit your mistakes and move forward productively.

I don't want you moving a hundred miles an hour while stuck in the mud. Instead, I want you moving down a clear path of wisdom and success. I want you to write novels so entertaining that not one single person on this planet will have a basis to reject you.

30. Remember who you are.

You made a decision to have a career as an author. In your mind, there should be no other possible outcome.

BEHIND THE SCENES

In order to gain experience, I think it is important for you to understand the true feelings of a large traditional publisher, a mid-size traditional publisher, a self-publisher, literary agent, bookstore manager, and the eBook craze.

Let me invite you to the Fictitious Writing Conference. Our panel today includes Mr. Big Six, who represents most of the power in publishing. We also have Miss Traditional Publisher, Mr. Self-Publisher, Mrs. Literary Agent, Mr. Chain Bookstore, and Mrs. Author. Thank you all for coming. Let's open it up for some say-whatever-is-really-on-your-mind-Q&A.

Knight: "Mr. Big Six, why can't you consider authors that have talent, marketing, and a true gift for writing, but have yet to make a name for themselves?"

Mr. Big Six: "It breaks our heart that we no longer instruct our staff to look for the next Stephen King, John Grisham, or Nora Roberts. In fact, we are losing authors to Miss Traditional Publisher, because of our lack of personal touch. Be that as it may, our business model is to sign authors that have an audience of 500,000 or more."

Knight: (I look at Miss Traditional Publisher.) "Do you follow the same business model as Mr. Big Six?"

Miss Traditional Publisher: "Not really. The only thing I agree with him is that finding the next great author is just about impossible. We spend $50,000 per year on marketing and publicity for each author. If that author fails, it could set us back several years. Our business model focuses on plucking authors from Mr. Big Six. That way, we are signing authors that are established and have a solid fan base."

Knight: "So how does an un-established author break through?"

Crickets.

Knight: "Moving on. It seems that Mr. Self-Publisher has a large market of 700,000 authors that are looking for help."

Mr. Self-Publisher: "Honestly, most of the books we publish are not good. In our business, the author takes reasonability for everything, including writing a marketable novel. If they do not sell, it is their own fault. On the other hand, where else can authors go? Mr. Big Six will not consider these authors and Miss Traditional Publisher limits their risk of new authors. We provide a service and at least give the author a chance."

Knight: "Let me ask the panel a simple question. If you signed an author, would you actually read their book?"

Mr. Big Six: "Yes."

Miss Traditional Publisher: "Yes."

Mr. Self-Publisher: "No."

Mrs. Literary Agent: "Yes."

Mr. Chain Bookstore: "Only if I personally bought the book. Otherwise, no."

Mrs. Author: "Yes, I read other authors."

Knight: "Mrs. Literary Agent. If breaking into the traditional publishing world is close to impossible, what is your advice to authors that are not signed by an agent?"

Mrs. Literary Agent: "First of all, I have to be excited about the author's book. The author and his/her work needs to have a unique voice and the author needs at least some sort of following. Their storytelling and writing mechanics should be polished and the author should have a marketing plan. If that kind of author sends me a query, I'll find a way to assist them to greatness. And if all fails, we will create an eBook for the author and I'll take a small piece of each book sold. After a year of consistent sales, I'll pitch the author again to publishers."

Knight: "That sounds great, Mrs. Literary Agent. But what are the chances an author can sign with you?"

Mrs. Literary Agent: "2%"

Knight: "How about the rest of you? What are the chances of you signing a new author?"

Miss Traditional Publisher: ".001%"

Mr. Big Six: "0%."

Mr. Self-Publisher: "100%. That is, if they have the money."

(Mr. Chain Bookstore stands up, his cheeks flushed with anger. At first, we did not know what was going on, until Ms. E-Book walked in the door and marched towards the panel.)

Mr. Chain Bookstore: "What is she doing here?" (He sits back down. Even his neck and arms glowed with resentment.)

Ms. E-Book: "Hey, I have been heading your way for a long time. Are you really shocked that I have showed up like this?" (She takes a seat and joins us.)

Knight: "Ms. E-Book, you are gaining popularity by the day. In your opinion, why does everyone think you will make a huge impact on the publishing industry?"

Ms. E-Book: "I'm cheap."

Knight: "Excuse me?"

Ms. E-Book: "Let me explain. I cost less than printing, which saves authors money, and I am attracting new readers."

Mrs. Author: "I still do not understand something. If Mr. Big Six will not sign new authors and Miss Traditional Publisher only takes authors from Mr. Big Six, eventually, you both will run out of new books."

Miss Traditional Publisher: "You are talking about two different issues. First, you want us to sign new authors because it is the right thing to do. I agree. In fact, I miss going through thousands of submissions to find that one great gem. Nevertheless, authors do not understand the basics of our business. It's not safe for us to sign an unproven author, no matter how good they look."

Mrs. Author: "What happens in two years when you cannot pluck anymore established authors from Mr. Big Six?"

Miss Traditional Publisher: "We will adjust the way we sign authors."

Mrs. Author: "But I will have found different ways to publish by then. Authors like me won't be there for you."

Miss Traditional Publisher: "There will always be authors."

Ms. E-Book: "Mr. Big Six and Miss Traditional Publisher are changing their business model to make room for me, but that is taking time. Meanwhile, Mr. Self-Publisher and Mrs. Author are growing strong because they are taking advantage of my ability to sell books."

Mr. Chain Bookstore: "Let's not forget that Ms. E-Book is driving me out of business!"

Ms. E-Book: "Oh, please. Everyone saw me coming ten years ago. I wasn't the reason you were late to the party."

Miss Traditional Publisher: "I have to say something that is bugging me. Mr. Self-Publisher and Ms. E-Book may provide a service to authors, but you should follow the same rules as we do. Not everyone deserves to be published."

Mr. Chain Bookstore: "I agree. You cannot trust Mr. Self-Publisher or Ms. E-Book. In fact, I wouldn't even let Mrs. Author in my store!"

Mrs. Author: "Listen you moron. There are authors that belong in your stores and some that don't. But until Mr. Big Six and Miss Traditional Publisher start looking in my direction and stop avoiding eye contact, I have no choice but to hang out with Mr. Self-Publisher and Ms. E-Book."

Ms. E-Book: "You tell him, girl!"

Knight: "Okay, let's clam down. Mr. Big Six. What is your opinion of Ms. E-Book and Mrs. Author?"

Crickets.

Knight: "Well, we need to wrap this up. I just want to ask one simple question for all of you to answer. Here it is. Can you survive without authors? Yes or no?"

Mr. Big Six: "No."

Miss Traditional Publisher: "No."

Mr. Self-Publisher: "No."

Mr. Chain Bookstore: "No."

Ms. E-Book: "No."

Mrs. Literary Agent: "No."

Mrs. Author: "No."

Knight: "I suggest all of you remember that..."

The Fifth Principle of Untraditional Publishing: Relationship Marketing

Building relationships with your readers will increase your book sales. Building relationships with others in the publishing and marketing industry will increase your opportunities to publish and sell your book.

With confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, and experience, your relationship marketing is the final piece before selling books.

GREAT CONTENT INCREASES FANS

You are going to hear this phrase quite a bit, "Content is king." Marketing agencies are now hiring content writers, because this has become the most important marketing tool for businesses.

In fact, just about every business is adding content employees to write for their website, newsletter, blogs, social media posts, and product description. If you are looking to earn some extra money writing content, here is a list of job titles that you can search for:

Content Marketing Writer

Custom Publishing Writer

Custom Media Writer

Corporate Content Writer

Custom Content Writer

Branded Editorial Content Writer

Advertising Content Writer

Info-Content Writer

For an author, increasing fans is now done using content. **Think about all the places you write something:**

Your book

Description of your book (In several places)

Website

Blogs

Social Media

Emails

Queries

eNewsletters

If your content is done correctly, you will gain fans. If done wrong, your readership will dwindle to nothing.

Decide if you are going to use your content as a personal outlet, or to connect with your readers using _relationship marketing_. You cannot have it both ways. Never. Never. Never.

If you want to use content to increase fans, then ask yourself these three questions, every single time you write a Facebook post, a Tweet, a blog, or mention something on your website:

"Does this content _relate_ to my target audience?"

"Will this content _interest_ or _help_ my target audience?"

"Does this content have a chance to be _forwarded_ to others?"

Every single time you write a sentence for the world to see, it should relate, interest, and help your target audience, along with having the chance to be forwarded to others. No exceptions.

Nothing Personal

For example, let's say you are a romance author and posted this on Facebook: "I'm heading to Starbucks and then to my other job. Hopefully I'll be home this afternoon to get some writing done."

Did this content _relate_ to your target audience? Did this content _interest_ or _help_ your target audience? Does this content have a chance to be _forwarded_ to others?

No. No. And...no.

If you are a romance author, maybe you could write a blog titled, "Ten Inexpensive Romantic Evenings." Then, you can write posts on Facebook and Tweet each suggestion individually. This goes for any author in any genre.

Put that kind of thinking to the test. _Did this content relate to your target audience?_ Yes. _Did this content interest or help your target audience?_ Yes. _Does this content have a chance to be forwarded to others?_ Yes. After all, you are an expert in your genre. That is why your books are so great!

Keep Opinions to Yourself

Let's say you write fantasy children's books and you wrote this on Facebook, "I think bibles should be read in public schools."

If you have a reader that was offended by that statement, then you just lost a reader. The only way your opinion counts, is if the content _directly relates to your target audience_. If you are a children's Christian author and said, "I think bibles should be read in public schools," your fans would appreciate that.

Link Your Name with the Best

In this next example, let's say you are a horror writer. A great post would be, "I just read _Bag of Bones_ by Stephen King. If you haven't read it, I suggest you do!"

There is nothing wrong with promoting another author. It shows that you are knowledgeable in your genre. Most importantly, your name is _linked_ to a great author. There is no way that anyone can read that post without seeing your name next to Stephen King.

But let's put that post to the test. _Did this content relate to your target audience?_ Yes. Your target audience are fans of horror books. _Did this content interest or help your target audience?_ Your horror fans are certainly aware of Stephen King. Your suggestion for the book is either agreeable to the target audience, or you gave them a great suggestion to read in the future. _Does this content have a chance to be forwarded to others?_ Fans of horror may or may not forward, but it certainly will have a good chance.

Are You Having a Bad Day? So What?

Facebook is a great place for people to vent. Is not a great place for authors to vent.

Let's say you write young adult books and posted this message: "I am sick of guys sending me messages on Facebook and hitting on me! I am married! Can't they read!"

Ugg...

_Did this content relate to your target audience?_ Maybe some of your female readers might agree, but you just lost all male readers, along with the women that like messages being sent from guys. _Did this content interest or help your target audience?_ Not one thing you said was helpful to anyone. _Does this content have a chance to be forwarded to others?_ Sure it does. But once again, you will lose all future male readers, along with the women that like flirty messages from guys. You just became a _niche_ author with one post.

If you are a young adult author, maybe you could address how to take safety measures on Facebook while mentioning that both young women and young men can be harmed by a Facebook stalker. That _relates_ to your target audience, it _helps_ your target audience, and it has a terrific chance to be _forwarded_ to others.

Don't Remind Us

You should never say. "Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't made a post or done a blog in about a month. But I'm back! Here is what's going on..."

85% of your fans probably did not notice you were gone, but you just told them. The other 15% of your fans that did notice you have been gone assumed that you are a busy author. That is a good thing!

Did mentioning you were gone for about a month _relate to your target audience?_ No. _Did this content interest or help your target audience?_ No. _Does this content have a chance to be forwarded to others?_ No.

Blogging About Your Week Does Not Matter

Authors enjoy blogging about what they are doing. "I'm going to catch a plane this afternoon and head to New Jersey. This is the dreaded yearly tradition of getting all the family members together. The good news is that I'll get a chance to eat at all the restaurants that I miss ever so dearly. I'll be back in a week and give you an update. Until then, TTFN."

Did this content relate to your target audience? Did this content interest or help your target audience? Does this content have a chance to be forwarded to others?

No x 3 = 0 increased fans.

Updates Good, Advertising Bad

In theory, if you are writing great content for your target audience, you should not have to remind them that your book is on sale for $2.99 on Amazon. However, I suppose by following the _three content rules_ , you could give everyone a friendly reminder.

Here are two examples. One is an update and the other is an advertisement.

Let's say you write vampire books. Your posts and blogs over the last month have been about mission groups that are attempting to rid the world of vampires. Your book was released a month ago, but your sales are a little low. You decide to make a post.

"My terrific vampire thriller, _Kill Them First_ , is being sold on Amazon for $2.99! Click on the link and get your copy today!"

This is pretty close to an advertisement, which is the old way of doing things. Over the last month, you have been writing great content about your book, without actually telling your audience what your book is about. My advice is to stick with that plan.

"Alexandra leads another mission group to rid the world of vampires. Read her story in my latest book, _Kill Them First_ , at Amazon for $2.99."

Notice we took out the exclamation marks. That shows you are not desperate. Also, you promoted your book by using the content that has been successfully leading up to the release of your book, rather than just telling everyone you have a book at Amazon.

With content, you are building a relationship with your target audience. The more your audience feels comfortable with you, the more books you will sell. Starting today, ask yourself three questions before writing a post, Tweet, or blog:

"Does this content relate to my target audience?"

"Will this content interest or help my target audience?"

"Does this content have a chance to be forwarded to others?"

Remember the most important advantage you have over all businesses, corporations, and marketing agencies in the world is that you are an author. Content is your life.

GETTING ATTENTION

What if you do not have the money to travel around the world and attend writing conferences and book festivals? There are other ways to get yourself noticed and make connections with those in the publishing industry.

Here are some things you can start today.

Decide on One Connection Goal

What is the outcome you hope to achieve by connecting with a certain person in the publishing industry? By connecting to an established author, will you hope to gain access to all their ideas and use them for a reference? Or are you trying to gain representation from a literary agent? Perhaps you are attempting to make a connection with an editor at a mid-size publishing house to consider you for publication? Maybe you want to make a connection with a marketing agency?

Choose a goal and keep that in the back of your mind. Now, proceed with unselfish motives.

Follow Blogs and Make Comments

Pick one person in the publishing industry that you want to connect with and start following their blog. It could be an author, literary agent, editor, marketing agency, or an owner of a mid-size publisher. Choose only one for now and make comments after each blog.

I have a rule not to say anything negative on a comment. If I do not agree with the writer of the blog, I click off and move on with my life. I understand that bloggers need both positive and negative feedback. However, the first time you post a negative comment, even if you are giving constructive feedback, it will be tough to make a future connection with that person.

To solve this problem, follow industry bloggers that you agree with most of the time. When you write a constructive, upbeat comment, you are building a relationship with that person.

When commenting, stay away from simplistic thoughts like, "Hey...great blog!" That won't win you any points. Also, do not drag a comment on for eight lines. Instead, write one or two sentences that show you _read_ the blog, you _learned_ from the blog, and you _understand_ the blog.

Example of a professional comment: "Terrific points on how eBooks can actually save the industry. The high percentage of new readers converting over from print is astonishing and encouraging at the same time."

Forward Their Blog

By forwarding a great blog to others, you are doing a service to the blogger and yourself. You can make a quick comment of their blog on your website and add a link. The blogger will appreciate it, your fans will appreciate it, and you will increase traffic on your website.

Write About Their Blog

This is like taking a "comment" to another level. By writing a blog about someone else's blog, (Did you get that?) you are paying them the highest compliment. Make sure your thoughts remain constructive and upbeat. Also, do not forget to give them credit during and after the blog, and provide their link.

Follow Them on Twitter

You will certainly gain attention by Tweeting and re-Tweeting. Doing this regularly, will build your relationships and keep you in the publishing industry loop. Don't be surprised if others in the publishing industry start following you as well. And since you have been commenting and writing blogs, your connections will grow quickly each week.

Also, post their blog on Twitter along with your own blog. If you are making a connection with a literary agent, follow their company as well and re-Tweet their posts.

Become a Fan on Facebook

"Like" author fan pages. If you are trying to connect with an agent, follow their company fan page, but also find out if the agent has an individual fan page. If you are trying to connect with an editor, follow the publisher that they work for, but also see if the editor has an individual page.

Write simple, educated comments on their posts.

Make an Unselfish Connection

After at least one month of doing the above, make contact. (Tread carefully.) All your hard work can be destroyed by one bad email. Here is my suggestion, "I just wanted to drop you a quick note and say that I've really enjoyed your blogs and looking forward to more."

Then end your email.

Those in the publishing industry are busy. However, I cannot imagine anyone not pleased by reading an unselfish email that compliments his or her blog.

Add Another Connection

Now that you have a productive flow going, build another connection and form a relationship with that person. When the time is right and you need to use that connection for your ultimate goal, your chances of success will have increased a thousand percent.

An author, literary agent, editor, marketing agency, or publisher that recognizes your name, will at least give you some consideration, which is much better than sending them an email because you found their name on Google and you need their help.

YOU ARE A BRAND

Your brand is not just your name, or the title of your book. It is everything about you. Authors must be experts in their craft and industry, along with understanding their genre and the target audience. Like any other company, YOU are the brand!

During a writing conference, I met the owner of a marketing and branding agency. I can say with the utmost confidence that meeting her was the best thing for my writing career.

Many years ago, I used to think that meeting an editor at publishing house, or meeting a literary agent, or famous author would lead to my big break. That could not have been farther from the truth. My big break came by meeting someone that understands how to build my name.

If you are struggling with book sales, or reaching your ideal audience, start thinking in terms of becoming a _brand_. I invested just a little money each month into my branding and marketing campaign. At first, there were slight changes. After about six months, I had a nice jolt upward. After a year, another sizeable jolt and I was on my way.

If you become a brand name, doors will open and opportunities will be abundant.

Create Your Brand

~ Understand everything about the publishing industry and your target audience. Take a good look at your genre. Why do certain books sell? (And do not say because they have money to market all over the world and place their books in the stores.) Books in your genre sell for a reason. Look at this objectively and you will have the secret to selling millions of books yourself.

~ As an author, what do you want? Why is that goal important to you? Do not answer these questions lightly. Disappointments and setbacks will destroy your motivation and dissolve your brand. If you know where you are going and refuse to let setbacks get in your way, then your brand will formulate in front of your eyes.

~ What makes you different from any other author in your genre? If you and ten other authors have a table full of books, why will the customer choose you over the other nine? Your first reaction might be, "I'm a better writer and have great stories." That will not work. You need to dig deep inside and discover what makes you different. Remember that self-discovery turns into the successful path of _Untraditional Publishing_.

Convey your Brand

~ What is your message to the readers? Remember that you have created a brand, based on the research of the publishing industry, your target audience, your goals, and the one thing that makes you different. Your message should reflect those key points.

~ Stay on your path. It is true that adjustments will have to be made during your journey, but your message should be firm and your confidence unshakeable. Conveying your enthusiasm will attract readers.

~ Your _relationship marketing campaign_ should be developed based on your research.

~ There are two main areas that you will need to use when building a brand: Print Marketing and Internet Marketing. The content in both those areas is crucial.

~ Your author campaign message will be conveyed using in-person events, handouts, (Bookmarks, flyers, business cards) social media, website, and blogs.

Connect with your Brand

Now that you have _created_ and _conveyed_ your brand, it is time to _connect_ with readers and sell those books.

After doing the above, think about what you have in your corner:

~ Publishing industry knowledge.

~ Target audience knowledge.

~ Understanding why certain books sell.

~ You know exactly where you want to be in the next year, five years, and beyond.

~ Your goals are important and your confidence is unshakeable.

~ You are different from any other author in your genre and you can prove it.

~ You have a message that interests your readers.

~ Adjustments are needed, but your message remains firm.

~ You are attending events, shaking hands, networking, handing out bookmarks, flyers, and business cards. People are starting to take notice.

~ You are posting comments on several social media sights based on your readers needs and your message is being conveyed on your website and blogs.

I'm sure you are doing some of these things already, but if you are not selling books, then something is missing from your branding campaign. Here is a list of the most common mistakes by authors:

~ Lack of industry research. 100% of authors fail when they do not understand their target audience. The best example is young adult authors trying to sell their books to high school and middle school students. (The young adult author should be selling to _young adults_ , ages eighteen to twenty-five.)

~ The author is not writing books, based on their knowledge of the reader. If you want to make money as an author, you have to write for others. I'm sorry, but that is the hard truth.

~ The message is more about the author than the reader. To become a brand name, the reader must be the message, not the personal life of the author. You may want to sell millions of books, but what does that have to do with the reader? (Other than the fact you need their money.)

~ There is a bump in the road and the author does not know how to deal with it. This is why confidence and self-discovery are so important.

~ The author's message is not reaching enough people. Paper marketing and Internet marketing are not producing results. The biggest reason for that is because you have the wrong _message_. (Or your content is weak.) The second biggest reason is that you have the wrong _campaign_. This happens when "Creating your brand" is not done properly.

~ Time/Money is invested in publishing, rather than marketing/branding. If you have spent more money on publishing than your marketing campaign, your sales will be low.

The marketing/branding agency that I hired is my author lifeline. I do not have to guess when it comes to branding my name. They are the experts and I let them do their job. I listen and trust their ideas.

Find a marketing/branding agency that can help your career. **Ask the agency these questions:**

~ How much do you cost for each of your services and is it possible for me to make payments?

~ Do you have clients that are authors or publishers?

~ Do you design logos?

~ Can I see the websites that you have designed?

~ Can you give me an example of an Internet Marketing Campaign that is designed for an author?

~ Do you have an illustrator in your agency?

~ Can you publish my book to use as a selling/marketing tool?

~ List all the paper marketing you provide and how that will relate to my campaign.

~ How will you enhance my social media presence?

~ Describe SEO and tell me how it works? (Search Engine Optimization)

~ Will you assist with my content writing, especially for my website?

~ What are you looking for in a client?

_Bonus Branding Tip_ : When introducing yourself to anyone, use your full name. That conveys to the other person that you are a leader in your profession. Also, it conveys your brand, which is your name.

These days, finding the right branding agency is more important than finding a publisher. For example, authors that sell thousands of eBooks are successful because they created a brand name.

BUILD IN TWO DAYS

I hate discussing what I do during the day. (This book is not about me, it is about you.) However, I think it is important for this example to _understand relationship marketing_. Here is what I did over the last two days.

Tuesday

~ My new book, _Middle Room_ , was released. The target audience is tweens. (Fifth through eighth graders. Fourth graders are a possibility as well, because it is late in the school year.)

~ I had a speaking engagement at an elementary school. In attendance were over a hundred and twenty students and five teachers.

~ I spoke on the importance of reading, writing, and even touched on marketing and publishing. (Sound familiar?) I also promoted my new book, _Middle Room_ , by using a terrific slide show and a story that discussed the craziness of middle school. (The story was related to my book; however, I personalized it for the students.)

~ At the end of my speech, flyers and bookmarks were handed out. On the flyer, the student could order a book for $10.00 and receive a free poster.

~ Afterwards, I was invited to a class to have some extra time with the students. During that class, the teacher mentioned that his girlfriend worked at a middle school and could get me in for an event. He also invited me back next year to the elementary school to do another speaking engagement.

~ Then, I emailed other teachers at the school, using the teachers that I had just met as a reference to schedule a speaking engagement. I also gave each teacher a pack of flyers and bookmarks.

~ I will be in their school newspaper, which will give me a nice bonus for promotion.

**Recap**.

On the day my book was released, I had an event planned. Usually, an author can sell to 5% of the attendance. However, since I did a speaking engagement that typically increases the sales percentage to 25%. Also, I added a free poster for each purchase of a book. That will put me in the 30%-35% range in sales.

I was invited back next year and made another contacts at both the elementary school and a middle school where I can continue to have events, promote myself, and sell books.

Wednesday

~ I attended a Public Relations Conference, where I could strengthen my PR skills, network, and build my contact list.

~ Three workshops at the conference discussed valuable marketing and promotion information, which of course, I can pass on to my fellow authors. However, it was difficult to meet others in the group and network with them, because the classes were focused on the topic and stringed together one after another.

~ At the end to of the three classes, there was a twenty-minute break before lunch. I had a chance to speak with one of the organizers. For fun, he challenged me to exchange business cards with five people in twenty minutes.

~ This is tougher than you think, because everyone was spread out in the large room, deep in a discussion. I would have to make my way into the conversation, introduce myself, pick someone in the small group to speak with, exchange business cards, excuse myself, and move on to another person, while averaging only four minutes per group.

~ I quickly approached two people that had been in the same workshop that I was in. It was a good way to spark up the conversation. "So, did you get anything useful out of the classes?" I gave my thirty second-elevator pitch, (I am an author of fiction novels, thrillers, tween books, elementary books, etc...) listened as they quickly pitched their business, and exchanged business cards. Both of them were public relations reps. One of them worked with a bookstore and gave me a referral. (Mental note to contact bookstore after the event.)

~ Someone just walked into the room late. She missed the classes, but certainly would not miss lunch. I went to her and quickly introduced myself, giving her my thirty-second elevator speech. I found out she sold insurance. (Ugg...Figures.) We exchanged business cards, and I excused myself.

~ I saw someone sitting by herself at a table, while a group of people spoke near her. I politely introduced myself to her, gave my thirty-second commercial, listened to her commercial, (She is a director at a Tampa museum.) and we exchanged business cards. I politely excused myself and moved on.

One minute left.

~ The guest speaker, author Joe Navarro, had been monopolized by another person for the last fifteen minutes. I think he would be relieved if someone interrupted their conversation. So I walked up to Joe and introduced myself. "Hey Joe, I'm Ron Knight. I was wondering if you had a second to exchange business cards." The other person walked away and I had a few moments alone with Joe before he went on stage. We exchanged business cards, discussed his speaking topic, and I left him to get ready.

Okay, not bad. My five contacts were a bestselling author, two public relations reps, a museum director, and an insurance sales person. Three out of five will benefit me. Also, I used one of the contacts to email a bookstore manager and set up a meeting.

~ After the conference, I followed up with the three contacts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

~ It was time to pick my oldest daughter up at the bus stop. I took a handful of bookmarks with me and passed them out to the kids as they walked off the bus.

~ My daughter said that one of the teachers would like me to visit the school. I quickly emailed the teacher and set up a meeting.

~ Next, I spent the rest of my late afternoon with emails, social media, and returning phone calls.

~ That evening, I read _Hunger Games_ , by Suzanne Collins.

You may have noticed that I did not get any writing done over the last two days. That is okay, because not everyday is so hectic. I'll have plenty of time to write during the rest of the week.

Look back on your last five years. Can you imagine if you were spending two days a week solely on building your contacts, relationship marketing, and meeting others to schedule future events. Maybe you only have time to do this one day a week, or even once every two weeks. Who cares, just as long as you are doing it!

Part of relationship marketing is you need to master your thirty-second pitch. Those thirty-seconds can land you a powerful contact.

Well, enough about my last two days. What do you have planned?

THE PITCH

Part of relationship marketing is mastering what you say in a limited amount of time. Opportunities are abundant for those with a terrific pitch.

You should be polite and efficient.

Keep your pitch under thirty-five words or less. Introduce yourself and explain why you approached the individual. Include their name while doing so.

Example: "Hello Mr. Jones. I am Ron Knight, author of several thriller novels. I understand that you are a literary agent for Weisman Associates."

You should be memorable.

~ Ask a question that will spark conversation in the other person. (Rather than a comment that is all about you.)

~ Listen to what that person has to say.

Your thirty-seconds are up. However, if the conversation is interesting, you will gain another thirty-seconds.

Build the relationship.

~ Discover why they are at the event. What are they looking for? How can you help? Say things that show you had been listening.

~ Give a quick explanation how you can benefit that person.

~ End the conversation by saying their name again.

Another Example: How You Should Sell Books at an Event

(A woman approaches table. I shake hands with her and make eye contact.) "Hi there. I'm Ron Knight."

"Hello. I'm Sherrie."

"What kind of books are you looking for today?"

"My son is in seventh grade, but does not like to read. I'm looking for anything that will interest him."

(Sherrie's biggest need right now is locating a book for her son. I noticed that Sherrie did not purchase a book from another table as of yet, which means, she is going to look over the entire room first, or she has not found anything of value. I need to show sincere interest.)

"I had a lot of problems reading myself in seventh grade." (Now, I have built the relationship because I share the same problem that Sherrie has with her son.) "I made sure to write books in a way that struggling readers will gain confidence." (That statement shows that I am knowledgeable, experienced, and used self-discovery as a way to benefit others. Also, I have not mentioned one thing about the story in my book. I'm sure the other authors that Sherrie had spoken with, _led_ with an explanation of their story.)

"What is your book about?" Sherrie asked.

(It is tempting to jump right into the explanation, but I know Sherrie is more concerned about her son than what my book is about.) "I write psychological thrillers for middle schoolers, which is something different to catch their interest. Also, I write short chapters and short paragraphs to build their confidence. In-between each chapter, I add some entertaining mystery for the reader to think about."

(Sherrie picks up the book and begins to leaf through it.) "So your book is called, _Middle_ _Room_?"

(Now, Sherrie has shifted her interest to the story of the book. I can move forward with the description.) "Every middle school has a Middle Room with great powers. If the student enters that Middle Room, strange things begin to occur, although, it is just their imagination." (I kept my explanation short. No need to blab on about the story. But then I add...) "I know that middle schoolers enjoy mysterious book series with lots of action. And with the easy to read chapters, I'm sure your son will learn to love reading."

"I'll take it," Sherrie says, giving me her ten dollars.

I autograph the book and give her a bookmark as well. "Thanks. If your son continues to have trouble reading, send me an email and I'll refer some more books that may help."

**Recap of my face-to-face** _Relationship Marketing_

~ Introduced myself and gave my full name.

~ I asked a question that will reveal the customer's greatest need.

~ I showed interest and made a connection using my similar need as a middle school student.

~ I showed how I can benefit the customer and help with her need.

~ Even when describing my book, I focused on how to benefit that customer.

~ I continued to show interest, even after the sale. She has my website and contact information. I even offered to suggest other books, which showed confidence in my ability and a sincere gesture to benefit the reader.

The sale of that book was done by using _Untraditional Publishing_. Think about how naturally each principle was used:

~ Confidence

~ Knowledge

~ Self-Discovery

~ Experience

~ Relationship Marketing

~ Selling Books

You should be ready with more than one pitch. Customize each pitch, depending on whom you are speaking with. (Reader, friend or parent of the reader, literary agent, friend of the literary agent, etc...)

Your pitch should be the perfect example of _relationship marketing_ and _Untraditional_ _Publishing_.

The Sixth Principle of Untraditional Publishing: Selling Books

The purpose of _Untraditional Publishing_ is for you to generate ideas and opportunities, using every gift, talent, and resource. I know plenty of children authors that dress up like their characters during events. I know an author that failed at traditional publishing, then had a funeral for her book. (She sold hundreds of copies at that funeral.)

I'm sure there are plenty of unique ideas that you can personalize for your own career.

REDRAFTS

The quality of your redrafts will determine how many books you will sell.

This is so important that I want you to hear this line again. "The quality of your redrafts will determine how many books you will sell."

If you take away marketing plans, promotions, networking, social media, book signing events, virtual Internet tours, flashy book covers, and get down to the nuts and bolts, your novel is what will ultimately create sales.

First Draft: Write an entertaining book.

While writing your book, if you put in the effort to build your confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, and experience, along with knowing the desires of your readers, then it will show in your story. Done correctly, you will already be ahead of 700,000 authors that shortcut the process.

The following drafts will put you in the elite group of authors.

Second Draft: Detailing.

Go over your manuscript using the _knowledge_ that you learned in _Untraditional_ _Publishing_. Review the chapter of _Improving Your Novel_ as needed. Clean up the mistakes that unpolished authors make. Reconstruct sentences and use your thesaurus to find the perfect word. Look for fluff and delete anything that will not contribute to your story. Point of view problems is the most common mistake.

_HINT_ : After finishing the second draft, if five pages or more were left unchanged, then you need to go back over the manuscript and be much harder on yourself. Just about every page should need at least one change.

Third Draft: Speed it UP

Make sure your chapters are one to four pages. Anything over four pages, consider revising. Also, make sure you do not have any paragraphs longer than seven to ten sentences. Look for great spots to position a _power sentence_. Every chapter beginning and end needs to explode off the page.

That is exactly how your novel should be described by readers, "Fast paced, powerful, and the words seem to explode off the page."

Fourth Draft: Read Out Loud

Read your entire manuscript aloud, as if you are reading it to an audience. Listen to how your voice changes in certain parts. Feel the acceleration of your heart during a tense or surprising scene. Your reader will feel these same emotions. If you stutter on any sentence, then revise.

Fifth Draft: Family and Friends

Traditional publishing experts and even most self-publishing "experts" will say that family and friends opinions do not count. In _Untraditional Publishing_ , you need as much support and guidance from your family and friends as possible.

Have at least one person that you trust read your book. (It's best to have at least three people if possible.) Your trusted reader is looking for any basic grammar mistakes. Most importantly, you want their opinion on any sections that are awkward or confusing. Make sure they mark each mistake clearly with a red pen and write a quick note about the mistake. If they read your book in less than a two weeks, that is a good sign. If it takes four weeks, you may want to go back and look for more places to speed _UP_ your manuscript. If they take over six weeks, then you need to revisit the _Self-Discovery_ _Principle_.

Sixth Draft: Fix It

Using your trusted reader's notes, go back over your manuscript and make changes. If there are tons of "Awkward" or "Confusing" mistakes, then you need to start over at the _Second Draft: Detailing_ , then go from there. If you are not putting in the effort of _Untraditional Publishing_ , mistakes and setbacks will be common. The more you work on _Author Confidence_ , _Author Knowledge_ , _Author Self-Discovery_ , _Author Experience_ , and _Relationship Marketing_ , the less you will have to work on redrafts.

Seventh Draft: Content Editing

Content editing is the reason why self-publishing is for the most part, a failed system. In _Untraditional_ _Publishing_ , content editing will propel an author to the highest level. It is how the author can learn the most about storytelling and writing mechanics.

The hard part is finding someone that _knows_ how to write a great novel and is _willing_ to look over your book, and is a person that you _trust_. Finding someone like that is impossible for self-publishing, but not for _Untraditional Publishing_. While building your _relationship marketing_ , you will certainly come across someone qualified to do content editing on your manuscript. Most likely, it will be another author.

In order to avoid paying $1,000 for content editing, here are some ideas:

~ Manuscript exchange: You agree to do content editing on their book and they will do content editing yours.

~ Promotion exchange: For the content editing service, you will promote them on your website and all social media outlets for the next six months. Also, you will mention their name and website in an "Acknowledgments" section of your book.

~ Two bucks a page, for thirty pages: Decide on a budget and offer to pay $2.00 a page for content editing on thirty pages. Then, use the notes to correct the rest of your book. The idea is that you will probably make the same mistakes in the beginning of your book as you did throughout the book.

~ Revisit _Relationship Marketing_ : Put out a message to all your contacts, asking for assistance with content editing. Offer something in return and see how many responses you receive back. Be selective and patient, because this draft is important to your success.

Eighth Draft: Fix It

Go back and make changes based on the content editing notes. The idea is to learn from your mistakes so these drafts become easier with each new book.

Ninth Draft: Grammar Editing

The good news is that by the time your manuscript reaches this point, most of the grammar mistakes should be fixed. Unfortunately, your choices for this may be limited. Again, this is why _Relationship Marketing_ is so crucial. How can you benefit someone that will edit your work?

Tenth Draft: Fix It

Make changes based on the grammar editing notes.

Eleventh Draft: Final Reading

Before your book is uploaded, you need to read it over one last time. If you find ten or more changes, then read it over again. When you are under five changes for the entire manuscript, then you are ready for the book to be uploaded.

Twelfth Draft: Galley Reading

After your book has been designed and uploaded to a digital copy or PDF, read over it one last time. You may find one or two mistakes. This is not the time for any major changes.

Did you notice a recurring them when doing redrafts? _Confidence_ in writing, _Knowledge_ in storytelling and writing mechanics, _Self-Discovery_ in creating an entertaining book, _Experience_ on how a book should be written, _Relationship Marketing_ is used for your novel to benefit readers and for you to network with those that can assist with editing.

_Untraditional Publishing_ applies to every aspect of your career.

TITLING YOUR BOOK

The title of your book is the name of your product. Serious thought should be put into how and why you gave the book a certain title. Here are some key points to make sure your title is remembered and eye-catching to increase book sales.

Unique

~ Do a Google search with your potential title. Then, do another Google search with the title and the word "Novel." If any other author is a match, no matter how far in the past their book was released, consider changing.

~ Do not use a generic title. You may think that your title is unique, but while doing your Google search, it could be mixed with all kinds of brands, products, and company names, which will bury you in the search engines.

Attention Grabber

~ The title should make readers curious about your book. Curiosity will lead to sales.

~ The title will be linked to you forever. The perfect situation is that twenty years from now, readers will continue to associate your titles with your name. If I said the word "Cujo," what comes to mind?

Impossible to Copy

~ If your title is unique, then other authors will not use it, even by mistake. Not every author will do a Google search before settling on a title. If your title is the same as amateur authors, it will hurt your sales.

~ Another way to avoid someone copying you is by reserving all major web domain names.

Easy to Say

~ Your title should be easy to pronounce. Do not get so crazy with the "Impossible to Copy" idea that you call your book, "Irreproachable Peccadillo." ("Blameless Sin.")

Be Risky

~ Do not try to make everyone happy with the title of your book. Think only of your target audience. For example, there is a book called, "Poop Picnic," made for younger elementary children. I hate the title, but it was risky enough that I did not forget it. (And yes, I looked inside to see more.)

~ Risky Title = Uniqueness = Attention Grabber = Impossible to Copy = Book Sales.

Here is one last tip to consider. Take out the word, "The" in your title. By omitting "The," you are increasing the power of your title and staying away from thousands and thousands of book titles that use "The."

You tell me what sounds better:

"The Justice" or "Justice"

"The Retribution" or "Retribution"

"The Monster" or "Monster"

"The 1st to Die" or "1st to Die"

Just like publishing your book, you will only have one shot at making a connection and eventual sale with a reader. Use a unique and compelling title as your introduction to the world.

MARKETING = SALES

"An original writer is not one who imitates nobody, but one whom nobody can imitate."

Francois-Rene, Vicomte de Chateaubriand

What is the purpose of book marketing and author marketing?

~ _Know_ your readers.

~ _Find_ your readers.

~ _Reach_ your readers.

~ _Tell_ your readers about your book.

~ _Convince_ your readers to purchase your book.

General ways for authors to market and sell: (Use variations of these ideas to create your own.)

~ Team _UP_ with local authors and travel to events together. _Events = Sales._

~ At events, have customers sign up for a free drawing. They can simply put their name and email information. While the customer is at your table, that is the chance to have a quick conversation. _Free Drawing +_ _Relationship Marketing = Sales._

~ At events, give away anything that is the same color as your book cover. For example: pencils, key chains, stickers, etc... _Free Stuff + Relationship Marketing = Sales_.

~ Write blogs that are specific to your audience. _Benefiting Your Audience = Sales_.

~Write an article and submit to a magazine or newspaper. _Media Outlets = Sales_.

~ Schedule speaking engagements with your appropriate audience. Make sure your topic is benefiting the audience. _Speaking Engagements = Sales_.

~ Attend business-networking meetings. _Relationship Marketing + Contacts = Sales_.

~ Attend writing conferences. Get to know the literary agents and traditional publishers, along with other authors. _Relationship Marketing + Contacts = Sales_.

~ At libraries, donate your books and do workshops to benefit others. You cannot sell anything at the library, but you will be connecting with readers, who will certainly purchase your books online. _Libraries = Sales_.

~ Sell T-shirts with your book. This is also a walking advertisement and a way to earn extra money. (I once sold more T-shirts at an event than books.) _T-Shirts = Sales_.

~ Sell posters that go along with your book. Again, this is an extra advertisement and extra money. _TIP_ : Let's say you are selling your printed book for $8.00. Your poster will cost you about a dollar each to print, so you can sell it for $2.00. To make sure you receive a sale on both, sell your book for $10.00 and give the poster away free with each purchase. _Book + Free Poster = Sales_.

~ Sell anything that is the same color or theme of your book: Candles, shirts, hats, gift baskets, water bottles, Frisbees, calendars, book bags. _Ancillary Products = Sales_.

~ Write testimonials for other authors. Include your name and the book title you want to promote. Everywhere that authors book is sold you will be seen. _Testimonials = Sales_.

~ Weekly news releases are short updates that you can use on your blog to promote your book. A news release looks similar to a press release. _TIP_ : Write fictitious news releases, based on characters of your book. _News Releases = Sales_.

~ Have a dinner party with fun games and prizes. _Dinner Parties = Sales_.

~ Create a "Book Trailer" that is simplistic and powerful, then post on YouTube. _TIP_ : Every author is doing a slideshow with words, pictures, and music. Instead, create a fictitious scene that relates to your book and it appears that someone caught it on video. _Live Book Trailers = Sales_.

~ When you receive junk mail with a return envelope that has "No postage required," send it back with one of your bookmarks inside. Also, anytime you mail in a bill, stick a bookmark inside. If they do not like it, then tell them to stop sending you bills. _Amusing Yourself = Priceless_

~ When you send out your Christmas cards or any holiday cards, stick a bookmark inside. This isn't so much about relationship marketing. It's more about reminding your family and friends to buy a dang book from you. _Making Family & Friends Feel Guilty = Sales_

~ On your email, setup the "signature" so it automatically shows the title of your book and where to purchase it. Also on your email signature, you should have your Facebook and Twitter links. _Email Signatures = Sales_

~ Put other authors on your website and you are theirs. _Sharing Fans = Sales_.

~ Ask one of the local students who are aspiring to be a journalist to interview you. Post that interview on your website and send it to local newspapers and magazines. At the very least, have the student submit it into their school paper. _Student Journalism = Sales_.

~ If a solicitor comes to your door, hand them a bookmark and give them your best pitch. _Soliciting Solicitors = Amusement_.

~ Work out a deal with your kids that you will split the royalty for every book they sell in school. Or, make a deal that you will give your kids twenty bucks if they convince their teacher to bring you in for a speaking engagement. _Deals With Your Children = Sales_

~ Contact any business in your area that sells to your target audience. Work out a promotional deal with them to advertise their business and sell products/services together. _Promotional Deals With Local Businesses = Sales_.

Remember that you cannot force anyone to purchase your book. Your goal is to be excited, help others, talk about your book, build relationships, and network.

Even better, use confidence, knowledge, self-discovery, experience, and relationship marketing to come _UP_ with your own great ideas!

_Your Ideas = Sales_.

THE LIBRARY

At your local library, donate your book and attach a letter that sounds something like this:

"My name Jane Smith and I'm a local author. I would be pleased if you would consider my book for your catalog."

Having the conversation face-to-face is better. If the library accepts your book, you will create several opportunities.

~ Your book will be displayed on the shelf with bestselling authors.

~ Every four months, you can ask the librarian to print out a report that will tell you how many times your book has been checked out.

~ By using the above process, you will have a free focus group. If the library cannot seem to keep your book in stock, then your book is a hit. If your book has collected dust, then you need to make some changes.

~ If at the end of the year your book has been checked out every other week, then you have a powerful statement to put in any query letter.

~ Building a relationship with a library will produce sales. For example, if you do a free workshop for teens, the library will promote the workshop using all of their media resources. This means, you will be promoted as well. If the teens are your target audience, they will certainly go to your website after the workshop and purchase your book.

~ If you write a book series, then you will have extra sales from those that checked out your book and want the next one in the series.

Continue with this process with other libraries. Build relationships by filling a need for the library. Any ideas that you have, the library will advertise in the newspaper and their website. Your name will be seen by thousands, even millions of people.

Remember that libraries want to create awareness to the public. From that awareness, the libraries hope to gain traffic. You can do something like this:

~ "For every student that signs up for a library card, the student will be entered in a drawing to win free books from author Jane Smith."

By helping libraries, the possibilities are endless.

EVENT RELATIONSHIP MARKETING

Robby Sands and Jon Truss are both authors. They were invited to an event with other vendors ranging from computer software experts to financial advisors. Robby and Jon each set up their table with books, bookmarks, flyers, business cards, and a poster size picture of their front cover.

The event would last three hours and a hundred people were expected to attend. The vendor tables were setup on the outside in a large square. In the middle, were refreshments and several areas were people could mingle.

Robby stayed at his table and gave each guest his thirty-second pitch on his book. If the guest did not walk away, Robby then discussed with that guest his experience as an author.

Jon shut down his table for the first hour. He went into the middle of the room and mingled with the guests. The conversations were short, but pleasant. Jon let the guests do most of the talking. He discovered their occupation and the reason that they attended the event. Some guests discussed their hobbies and family.

After an hour, Robby had not sold a book yet. And of course, Jon had not sold any either.

Quickly, Jon took a lap around the room, introduced himself to each vendor, and traded business cards.

With ninety minutes remaining in the event, Jon opened his table, but stood in front of it, rather than behind it. Most of the guests that came by, Jon had already met. He shook their hand again and mentioned them by name.

During the entire three hours, Robby did not sell a single book. He packed up his table while mumbling, "This was a waste of time." Robby gave a few of the guests a dirty look on the way out the door.

Jon stayed behind and talked to some of the lingering guests and vendors. In fact, Jon made sure that he was the last person to leave the room. When a cleanup crew arrived, Jon finally packed up his table. (Although, he did introduce himself to the cleanup crew before leaving.)

During the event, Jon sold eighty-four books using methods of _Untraditional Publishing_.

BUILD AN AUDIENCE, BUILD SALES

This entire book has been preparing you to build an audience. More importantly, this book should have sparked your own ideas, personalized to your own readers. The goal of _Untraditional Publishing_ is to put you in the position to succeed.

Using the Six Principles of _Untraditional Publishing_ , let's reevaluate your resources and increase your book sales.

~ **Website** : Do not worry about all the "bells and whistles." Have a couple of pages that describes you and your books. Keep it simple. Mix in content that solves a problem for your readers. Show people that you really care about their needs.

~ **Blog** : Try to write blogs that are 250 words or less, five times per week. Everyone writes a blog on Monday, so skip that day. Very few people write blogs on the weekends, so make sure you post blogs on Saturday and Sunday. That leaves Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Pick three of those four days. And do not forget to write content that benefits your readers. Stay clear of writing about yourself, even in just a sentence. Focus the blog on your target audience.

~ **Forums** : Participate in publishing, writing, and author forums. There are plenty to choose from. Post comments on publishing blogs. This will build relationships in the publishing industry. Also, you should participate in forums that is directly related to your books. Those forums are where your fans are hanging out. Make sure to post things that benefit others.

~ **Surveys** : On your website or Facebook, conduct a survey that is themed around your books. (Not yourself, but rather your story.) A carefully crafted question can build your sales. Example of romance question: "Do women like the bad boy or the good guy more?" Example of young adult question: "Are young men and women really interested in dark fiction stories?"

~ **Newsletter** : If your newsletter benefits your audience, people will sign up. If they sign up for your newsletter and are entertained, they will purchase your book. Of course, the content in the newsletter has to benefit your readers. (Has that point been made enough? Just remember that it is the key to your success.)

~ **Magazine Articles** : There are plenty of magazines that accept article and story submissions. Even the simple act of writing the article or story and submitting it will give you experience. If the article is published, that is a nice bonus. Remember, this was how Stephen King built his empire.

~ **Social Networking** : Pretend you are at party with over a thousand people. Some of the guests you want to socialize with and some you could do without. As you mingle through the crowd, you are asking many questions and getting people to talk about themselves. You are showing great interest and even giving a suggestion or two. Everything that you say is upbeat and positive. The guests that you spoke with love your easygoing personality and really felt a connection with you.

Now apply that same logic to Facebook.

~ **News Release** : A weekly news release that is themed around your books and your audience will create attention and build traffic on your website. (The news release will look exactly like a press release.) Limit the news release to three small paragraphs. You can also use a news release to inform readers of any book signings or new books you have coming out. Just be careful. Do not make it all about you.

~ **Events** : Like a politician, shake everybody's hand. Smile. Show interest. And build relationships. The event should be more about meeting others, rather than selling something. You will receive their vote later.

~ **Public Speaking** : Do not charge for public speaking, because the rewards are high. Get in front of people and cater your speaking engagement to the audience. Use slideshows for a powerful visual. If you are having trouble getting up in front of people, fix that problem using the principles in this book. Public speaking prepares you for interviews that can launch you to the next level. Also, speaking events lead to book sales.

~ **Volunteer** : Volunteering your time will give you rewards that I cannot explain. Just trust me that it works.

~ **Co-Author** : This is a tricky move, but if you connect with another author and write a book together, your audience will double. James Patterson has made a living off this system.

~ **Book Trailers** : I love book trailers on YouTube. However, the ones that _want_ to look professional often look horrible. If you are on a low budget, use that to your advantage. Make it look like someone caught an event on video, which is themed around your book. If you need music, talk to a local band.

**~** **Rolodex** : Keep track of everyone you spoke with and make lists of those in the publishing industry. Do favors for others, instead of always asking for favors. Stay in touch, even if you just say, "I've been reading your blogs. Well done."

Building an audience and networking with others in the publishing industry is a never-ending process. The more value you bring to others, the more value they will bring to you.

SMALL VICTORIES

Most authors have goals that reach past the moon and stars, into the next galaxy. I believe that is exactly what goals and dreams should look like. On the way to those dreams, authors need _small victories_.

Everything you are about to read could be your career as an author. Together, we will look at the ultimate dream and then work backwards.

~"My last ten books have become bestsellers and are hit movies. I've just signed a five-book contract for $150 million."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"I have six bestsellers to my name and one movie deal. My agent is working on a long-term contract with my publisher with more guaranteed money. The marketing agency is putting together a ten thousand dollar website, which is a dedication to my fans. Recently, I earned my first million."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"I had my first bestseller and I'm starting to make the kind of money that most authors only dream of. At this point, I may level off, but I'm hoping my books will continue to grow in popularity. I am earning around $300,000 a year from my eBooks, printed books, and ancillary products. Every four months, I am working with the marketing agency on new ideas to build relationships with readers."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"The marketing agency that I'm working with has published six of my new books. Three are printed and all six are in eBook format. I'm also introducing new T-shirts, posters, and even teddy bears to go along with my books. I do have one book with a traditional publisher. In total, I am earning about $80,000 a year."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"My agent finally got me signed with a traditional publisher. They are working on one of my four books. I am active in social media, blogging, and attending events in my area. The marketing agency helped with more products to sell, like T-shirts and posters. My eBook is doing well. In all, I'm making about $16,000 a year."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"My books are starting to take shape. My first couple of novels did not really do much, but my third novel is in eBook format and selling about 200 copies a month. I've been active in online forums, blogging, networking, and social media. In fact, my relationship marketing is starting to take shape. After submitting to seventeenth literary agents, I finally signed with one. While the agent is pitching my book, I'm continuing to write, improve, and build relations."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"After writing two novels, I'm really getting a sense of how to write like a true author. I self-published my second novel and sold four copies. I've dedicated myself to excelling at reading and writing. All my content is now focused on my target audience. After researching several marketing agencies, I may have found one that can improve my website and give me advice on social media. Regardless, I have to keep improving."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"I'm working on my second novel. Things are going a little smoother than my first book. I still need help with my writing mechanics, along with pacing and character development. However, I'm not sure what to do? I've submitted to five literary agents and have been rejected by all of them. Maybe I'll give self-publishing a try? There has to be a better way of doing things. I'm just not sure how?"

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"I'm still writing my first novel. It's going pretty well so far, but taking me a long time to write. I have started to read more books and watch less TV. Also, I'm researching ways to market myself and improve. Not sure how long it will take for me to have a career as an author, but I do not plan on giving up anytime soon."

Before that can happen, a small victory is needed.

"I'm thinking about writing a book and becoming an author. Maybe someday, I will look back on that decision and be thankful. As for now, I need to write that first sentence."

Read this chapter in reverse order. Then, start achieving those small victories.

UNTRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

Here is an overview of everything you've learned about _Untraditional Publishing_ :

Step One: Author Confidence

~ Envision your dreams each day. Be open to changes and stay motivated.

~ Finding ways to benefit your readers will give you the confidence to know exactly what you need to do.

~ By networking with authors, you will have a support group. Keep everything positive and _UP_ -beat.

~ Humbling times will come. If your confidence is unshakeable, you will keep moving forward.

~ You must have the confidence to create new opportunities. Never believe that you are out of options.

~ It is one thing to tell others you are an author. It is entirely different to have the courage to _be_ an author. Nothing should stand in your way of success and your dreams.

Step Two: Author Knowledge

You must excel in many areas as an author. Knowing _how to excel_ will bring you success. Remember that most authors will not put in the time to improve every aspect of being an author. But you are _Untraditional_!

Improve, then improve some more:

~ Reading (Most important.)

~ Storytelling (Includes your _voice_ and _style_.)

~ Writing Mechanics

~ Research Target Audience

~ Research Publishing Industry

~ Research New Ideas

~ Verbal Communication

~ Written Communication (Content)

~ Relationship Marketing: Your Potential Readers

~ Relationship Marketing: Those in the Publishing Industry

~ Relationship Marketing: Business Contacts (Marketing Agencies)

~ Sales

Step Three: Self-Discovery

~ You have hidden talents and ideas. Keep searching and create opportunities.

~ Use your talents and resources in creative ways.

~ Keep asking questions like, "Why is this important?" and "How can I be unique?" These questions apply to every aspect of being an author.

~ _Unique_ authors become millionaires.

Step Four: Experience

~ Experience gives you credibility in the genre that you are writing. You are an expert that will benefit your readers.

~ Each time you work on any aspect of being an author, you will gain experience. The more experience you have, the easier it will be.

~ Experience will open the doors of opportunity.

Step Five: Relationship Marketing

~ Use all content to benefit others.

~ Write your books, based on the ideas of how to benefit your readers.

~ Benefit others in the publishing industry, including all business contacts. This will produce opportunities.

~ Join groups and contribute to their conversations. People will remember you.

~ All content should be _UP_ -beat and helpful.

~ Everything you do from this point on should benefit your current readers and your future readers, along with all publishing contacts and business contacts.

Step Six: Selling Books

~ Books come in different packages. (Printed hardback, printed soft-back, several types of digital eBooks, traditionally published books, self-published books, books created my marketing agencies, and so on.) How that book is packaged will come from your generated ideas and opportunities. Also, your books should be packaged in _several_ formats. Just remember that publishing is a way to create and distribute your book. Nothing more.

~ An author that is _confident_ will sell books.

~ An author that is _knowledgeable_ will sell books.

~ An author that uses _self-discovery_ to be _unique_ will sell books.

~ An author that is _experienced_ will sell books.

~ An author that uses _relationship marketing_ in all its forms will sell books.

~ _You_ will sell books.

After you go through the process of _Untraditional Publishing_ at least once, then the _Six_ _Principles_ will become interchangeable as you continue to excel.

Once again, here is the definition of _Untraditional Publishing_ :

" _Alternative_ literary principles for authors based on _confidence_ , _knowledge_ , _self-discovery_ **,** _experience_ , and _relationship_ _marketing_ , placing the author in a _position to succeed_ while generating the _opportunity to sell books_."

Your time has come to _Rise UP!_

Ron Knight

GREAT QUOTES FOR AUTHORS

In the dictionary, it is stated that quotes "appeal to an author." Here are some of my favorite quotes. Use these for motivation, knowledge, and enjoyment.

Most of all, use these quotes as a reminder of what you learned in _Untraditional_ _Publishing_.

"Most people don't realize that writing is a craft. You have to take your apprenticeship in it like anything else." ~ Katherine Ann Porter

"We are what we repeatedly do." ~ Aristotle

"(Traditional) Publishers don't nurse you. They buy and sell you." ~ PD James

"People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading." ~ Logan Pearsall Smith

"There is no way of writing well and also writing easily." ~ Anthony Trollope

"Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye..." ~ 1st Corinthians 15:51

"Good novels are not written, they are rewritten. Great novels are diamonds minded from layers of rewrites." ~ Andre Jute

"An original writer is not one who imitates nobody, but one whom nobody can imitate." ~ Francois-Rene, Vicomte de Chateaubriand

"Whereas in a flow state, you were supposed to experience absolute mastery of your gifts." ~ Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year.

"A writer's duty is to register what it is like for him or her to be in the world." ~ Zadie Smith

"If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there is little point in writing." ~ Kingsley Amis

"Without words, without writing and without books, there would be no history; there would be no concept of humanity." ~ Hermann Hesse

"Happiness is a decision you make, not an emotion you feel." ~ Joel Osteen

"There are three rules to writing. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." ~ Somerset Maugham

"Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it." ~ Ernest Hemingway

"When an author promotes their book, hit the "Like" button and show your support." ~ Ron Knight

"There are two phases before selling books. Building your brand, then building your audience. How and where you sell books comes much later." ~ Ron Knight

"I think this is a perfect time for self-motivated authors to be unique." ~ Ron Knight

"What kind of car does your average reader drive? You should know everything about your readers." ~ Ron Knight

"As large publishing houses pump money into marketing plans, you can spend free time forming relationships with readers." ~ Ron Knight

"Authors should write blogs and post comments that benefit their readers." ~ Ron Knight

"Satisfy existing readers before trying to obtain new readers." ~ Ron Knight

"Successful authors find ways to build trust with their readers." ~ Ron Knight

"Could you spot your fans in a crowd?" ~ Ron Knight

"Non-fiction books solve problems. Your fiction book should do the same." ~ Ron Knight

"Shhh...Listen to your readers." ~ Ron Knight

"I read your posts on Facebook...FYI" ~ Ron Knight

"I read your Tweets...FYI" ~ Ron Knight

"Get to know your potential readers, so they can get to know you." ~ Ron Knight

"Readers do not care what you want. Readers care about who you are." ~ Ron Knight

"What are the most powerful and recognizable words? Answer: Your Name." ~ Ron Knight

"Your reader's needs are more important than your own." ~ Ron Knight

"A slow part in a movie is tolerable. A slow part in a book is inexcusable." ~ Ron Knight

"Everyday, I go to the Upper Room." ~ Ron Knight

"It takes a great amount of courage and faith to skip the 'paycheck' and go for your dreams." ~ Ron Knight

"Authors have to work their way up the ladder, just like any other profession." ~ Ron Knight

"Publishing is the only industry that moves at a snails pace." ~ Ron Knight

"Every book you write opens another secret to being an author." ~ Ron Knight

"You should put the same effort into marketing your book, as you did writing your book." ~ Ron Knight

"Focus on how many days you have spent as an author, not how many books you've sold." ~ Ron Knight

"Nobody fails today." ~ Ron Knight

"Tweens, Teens, and Young Adults need to be better defined in the mass market." ~ Ron Knight

"Books are the most quietest and most constant of friends." Unknown

"Why we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is about." Unknown

"If a literary agent or publisher hears about me for the first time in a query letter, then I'm obviously not doing enough marketing." ~ Ron Knight

"A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others." ~ Abraham Lincoln

"The things I want to know are in books." ~ Abraham Lincoln

"My favorite gifts are to receive and give books." ~ Ron Knight

"Give me a man or woman who has read thousands of books and you give me an interesting companion." ~ Anne Rice

"The habit of reading lasts when all other pleasures fade." ~ Anthony Trollope

"Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought." ~ Arthur Helps

"Wear the old coat and buy a new book." ~ Austin Phelps

"The ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive." ~ Malcom X

"Life-Transforming ideas has always come to me through books." ~ Bell Hooks

"We read to know we are not alone." ~ C.J. Lewis

"I used to walk to school with my nose buried in a book." ~ Coolio

"It is better to read a little and ponder a lot than read a lot and ponder a little." ~ Denis Parsons Burkitt

"The more you read the more things you will know." ~ Dr. Seuss

"The more you learn the more places you will go." ~ Dr. Seuss

"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting." ~ Edmund Burke

"This will never be a more civilized country until we expend more money for books than we do for chewing gum." ~ Elbert Hubbard

"Ken Follett's, 'World Without End' is 1014 pages of reading. But it only took 5 pages to make be a better writer." ~ Ron Knight

"Some people will lie, cheat, and steal to get ahead. Just think, all they had to do was read." ~ Fortune Magazine

"I find television very educating. Every time someone turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." ~ Groucho Marx

"Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." ~ Harry S. Truman

"The faster people read, the better they understand." ~ Harry Shefter

"There is an art of reading, as well as an art of thinking, and an art of writing." ~ Issac D'Israeli

"There are many ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." ~ Jacqueline Kennedy

"Never read a book through merely because you have begun it." Unknown

"Of all diversions in life, there is none so proper as the reading of useful and entertaining authors." ` Joseph Addison

"There are worst crimes than burning books...not reading them." ~ Joseph Brodsky

"It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading." ~ Katherine Patterson

"No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting." ~ Lady Montagu

"A book is the most effective weapon against intolerance and ignorance." Unknown

"Listening to good models of fluent reading, students can learn how a reader's voice can help text make sense." ~ M.R. Kuhn

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." ~ Mark van Doren

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader." ~ Margaret Fuller

"The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good student superior." ~ Marva Collins

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read." ~ Mark Twain

"I think a secure profession for young people is history teacher, because in the future, there will be so much more of it to teach." ~ Bill Muse

"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere." ~ Mary Schmich

"Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are." ~ Mason Cooley

"I was born with a reading list I will never finish." ~ Maud Casey

"Fluency is a bigger problem for many American middle graders than accuracy." ~ National Reading Panel 2000

"There is ample evidence that one of the major differences between poor and good readers is the difference in the quantity of total time they spend reading." ~ National Reading Panel 2000

"Always read something that makes you look good if you die in the middle of it." ~ P.J. O'Rourke

"A man is known by the books he reads." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In the highest civilization, the book is still the highest delight." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Effective readers, even at their earliest levels, read in five to seven word phrases rather than word-by-word." ~ Richard L. Allington

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." ~ Richard Steele

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall." ~ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

"If we can read, we can live as many lives and as many kind of lives as we wish." ~ S.I. Hayakawa

"A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it." ~ Samuel Johnnson

"Choose an author and you choose a friend." ~ Sir Christopher Wren

"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life." ~ Somerset Maugham

"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"Let us read and let us dance – two amusements that will never do any harm to the world." ~ Voltaire

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." ~ Walt Disney

"What is reading but silent conversation?" ~ Walter Savage Landor

"I divide readers into two classes: Those who read to remember and those who read to forget." ~ William Phelps

"Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain." ~ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"The best of us must sometimes eat our words." ~ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"If you're holding out for universal popularity, I'm afraid you will be in this cabin for a very long time." ~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it." ~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." ~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Movie)

"People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right." ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth." ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more." ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love." ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"You sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve." ~ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels." Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and must therefore be treated with great caution." ~ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

"The consequences of our actions are so complicated that predicting the future is very difficult." ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

"There is no good or evil: only power and those too weak to seek it." ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"Ah music. A magic beyond all we do here." ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"There are some things you can't share without ending up like each other." ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"It's the job never started that takes the longest to finish." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

"Little by little, one travels far." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

"It's dangerous business going out your front door." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

"Things do not change; _we_ change." ~ Henry David Thoreau

"Experienced authors handle rejection and keep their emotions on an even level." ~ Ron Knight

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." ~ Arthur C. Clark

"If you are feeling inadequate about being an author, then commit to improving." ~ Ron Knight

"If you are overwhelmed as an author, then only do the most important things each day." ~ Ron Knight

"If you are feeling alone as an author, then reach out to one of the million authors on Facebook and talk about writing." ~ Ron Knight

"If you are frustrated as an author, then challenge yourself to learn more." ~ Ron Knight

"There should be at least one outfit that you can put on, which transforms your mind and emotions into Author Mode." ~ Ron Knight

"I hated reading and writing while in school. Little did I know, I had a special gift for reading and writing. I thank God for the ability to change." ~ Ron Knight

"Sometimes your failures and disappointments as an author were guiding you in the right direction." ~ Ron Knight

"A person is a person, no matter how small." ~ Dr. Suess

"The only thing I was fit for was to be a writer, and this notion rested solely on my suspicion that I would never be fit for real work, and that writing didn't require any." ~ Russell Baker

"If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor." ~ Edgar Rice Burroughs

"I don't need easy. I need possible." ~ Soul Surfer

"Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen." ~ Willa Cather

"Most writers write faster than publishers can write checks." ~ Richard Curtis

"Make everyone fall out of the plane first, THEN explain who they were and why they were on the plane to begin with." ~ Nancy Ann Dibble

"Writing is turning one's worst moments into money." ~ J.P. Donleavy

"The greatest rules of dramatic writing are conflict, conflict, conflict." ~ James Frey

"It's better to write about things you feel than things you know about." ~ L.P. Hartley

"Don't use metaphors in fantasy; your readers will take them literally." ~ Teresa Nielsen Hayden

"Easy writing makes hard reading." ~ Ernest Hemingway

"MANUSCRIPT: Something submitted in haste and returned at leisure." ~ Oliver Herford

"Only a person with a best seller mind can write bestsellers." ~ Aldous Huxley

"Never use two words when one will do." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"There is nothing so dangerous to an author as silence." ~ Samuel Johnson

"I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose." ~ Stephen King

"Fiction is about stuff that is screwed up." ~ Nancy Kress

"Writing is a fairly lonely business, unless you invite people in to watch you do it, which is often distracting and then you have to ask them to leave." ~ Marc Lawrence

"Having been unpopular in high school is not just cause for book publication." ~ Fran Lebowitz

"You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer." ~ Stephen Leigh

"All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary; it's just a matter of arranging them in the right sentences." ~ Somerset Maugham

"When you take stuff from one writer, it is plagiarism. When you take stuff from many writers, its research." ~ William Mizner

"I'm the kind of writer that people think other people are reading." ~ V.S. Naipaul

"The money is in novels, but writing short stories keeps your writing lean and pointed." ~ Larry Niven

"The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas." ~ Linus Pauling

"There's no such thing as writers block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write." ~ Terry Pratchett

"Face the icy challenge of the paper – write." ~ J.B. Priestly

"Most beginning writers are like chefs trying to cook great dishes that they've never tried themselves." ~ Daniel Quinn

"If I have been working on one paragraph and I have written it three times, it is wrong, it is awkward, it does not fit." ~ Robert Rankin

"The only reason for being a professional writer is that you just can't help it." ~ Leo Rosten

"Resist the temptation to try to use dazzling style to conceal weakness in substance." ~ Stanley Schmidt

"If you don't know it, don't write it." ~ Darrell Schweitzer

"Children read books, not reviews. They don't give a hoot about critics." ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer

"The first chapter sells the book. The last chapter sells the next book." ~ Mickey Spillane

"Every writer must acknowledge that he has given himself a life sentence in solitary confinement." ~ Peter Straub

"I never start from ideas but always from character." ~ Ivan Turgenev

"As for the adjective, when in doubt, leave it out." ~ Mark Twain

"Inside every fat book is a thin book trying to get out." Unknown

"The books of tomorrow are concealed somewhere amongst unpublished manuscripts." ~ Philip Unwin

"The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair." ~ Mary Heaton Vorse

"A story isn't about a moment in time. A story is about THE moment in time." ~ W.D. Wetherell

"A poet can survive everything but a misprint." ~ Oscar Wilde

"I never want to see anyone, and I never want to go anywhere or do anything. I just want to write." ~ P.G. Wodehouse

"Pay attention to the sound of words." ~ Dave Wolverton

"If you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than gold or jewels." ~ Proverbs 20:15

"Humble authors have the most success." ~ Ron Knight

"Some of the best authors had to survive tragedy before success." ~ Ron Knight

"If you wrote today, then no matter what, it was a good day." ~ Ron Knight

"An author's mind will not shut off. Is that the definition of insanity?" ~ Ron Knight

"We need to build independent authors, not authors that are dependent." ~ Ron Knight

"I will be judged on what my books did for others, not what my books did for me." ~ Ron Knight

"It is impossible to be an author and feel comfortable at the same time." ~ Ron Knight

"If I miss one day of reading, it breaks my heart." ~ Ron Knight

"Television is the destroyer of authors." ~ Ron Knight

"Giving up is not only insulting to yourself, but insulting to those who believe in you." ~ Ron Knight

"I am human, just like every other author. That puts us all on the same playing field." ~ Ron Knight

"I've never written a single word for money. My only thought has been the reader." ~ Ron Knight

"I am thankful for all the mistakes I've made, because I won't make them again." ~ Ron Knight

"Someday, I am going to count all the characters I pretended to be for the last thirty years." ~ Ron Knight

"I do not understand why authors want to be on Oprah? One mistake or slipup and your career is over." ~ Ron Knight

"Any reaction to my book, including disgust and hatred, is a good reaction, because it means the reader believed my story." ~ Ron Knight

"No one is harder on me, than me." ~ Ron Knight

"If I die with one thought that hasn't been written, then I have failed." ~ Ron Knight

"Writing is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to those who have none." ~ Jules Renard

"God gave me a gift. I do not want to let Him down." ~ Ron Knight

# # #

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