Young at Heart Author Proves You're Never Too Old to Follow Your Dream

I came across this story via Twitter ( a happy little addiction I have at the moment, if you're in business and you're not there, you should be). I loved it because it encourages writers of every age, but more importantly, those who have been saying "someday I'll write..." or "it's too late now because...".

Who says 60 or even 70 is too old to try something new, to be creative, to stretch your brain? If you've ever thought that way or know someone who can't get past that road block, I encourage you to read about Bobby Hinman- the Fairy Story Lady. You may have to come up with a new excuse.

http://cyberhotflash.blogspot.com/2009/02/guest-blogger-bobby-hinman-you-are.html


Good Writing & God Bless,

Cheryl Pickett


P.S. If you like this story, you can read about another late in life author who wrote his first book at 70, in my book Publishing Possibilities. Find out more at www.publishinganswers.com

A Little Help for Writer's Block

Whether you're new to writing or you've been at it for decades, it is likely that at some point or another you'll hit a dry spell. Some call it writer's block, some say there's no such thing, but few people are lucky enough to have their muse at their beck and call 24/7/365.

I happened to find these two tips to help us out when our muses hide (or take an extended vacation as mine seems to do). The first is a video and it comes from Mike's Writing Workshop.
The second is an approach I don't think I've ever seen before from Seth Simonds

How about you? What are your favorite tips to coax the words from your head an onto the page where they're supposed to be?

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Know a Writer Who Also Loves to Cook or Entertain?

Couldn't resist passing along this fun link to dinnerware that fits a writer's life. http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,137.html

If the featured "Memo" pattern isn't quite right, check out Alphabet or for the kid at heart, check out Alice & Wonderland or Nursery.

This link comes courtesy of the Shelftalker Blog over at Publisher's Weekly.com. Keep an eye on Alison's column for bits and pieces about the world of bookstores and children's book selling.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

A Look at the Future of Book Publishing

If you've been looking into publishing a book for even a little while, you are likely aware that the industry is going through a lot of change right now. How books are made, who gets them to readers, and how they're written is shifting, morphing into things unknown only a few years ago. Full novels written on cell phones, readers participating in all or part of the writing process, buying a book chapter by chapter are just a few of the recent developments.

Does this mean the print book is going away? Probably not anytime soon because there are so many of us who grew up with and still appreciate the feel of paper in our hands. But what will books be for our children's children, many of whom have no idea what it was like not to have cell phones and ipods? That remains to be seen. It's a little scary, but also exciting. Who knows what they'll invent? Some are already saying it will involve 3D and holograms, that could be just the beginning.

So where does that leave you the author or author to be? Hopefully, open to the possibilities.

If you'd like to read more on this topic, there was a conference recently where the future of books and publishing was the focus. You can find it here at High Spot


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

How to Create a Great Title and More

One of the toughest parts of writing a book can be coming up with the title and the sales copy (info) on the back. Here's a great strategy that makes that process easier from a world-renowned copywriter. It's simple, anyone can do it and it costs nothing but some time.

http://perrybelchermarketing.com/?p=19

You only have a few seconds to grab a potential reader's attention with a book's title/front cover and a few more if they turn it over to the back. What are you going to do to make it say "buy me or read me?"

Good Writing & God Bless,

Cheryl Pickett

Tips for Getting Your Book Into Bookstores

Depending on how you choose to publish your book, selling through bookstores may or may not be a primary part of your sales strategy. For example, if you go the traditional route you're going to have a slightly easier time getting a slice of shelf space. Independently published will be harder and if you use a self-publishing service company (fee-based publishing) your chances are slim. None will be easy, just varying degrees of difficulty.

However, if in putting together your publishing and marketing plan you feel you have a realistic potential of selling through bookstores, here are some excellent tips from Penny Sansevieri to help you get in the door.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Join Me Next Week? You're Invited

Next Thursday, February 12th, it is my privilege to be interviewed by Shamielle Alston on her program Write Turns Allowed. We will be chatting about various aspects of book publishing and how you can have a more successful publishing journey.

Details:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Write-Turns-Allowed/2009/02/12/Publishing-Possibilities-8-Steps-to-Understanding-Your-Options-Choosing-the-Best-Path-for-Your-Bo

Feb 12th from 1-2 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Blog Talk Radio - Write Turns Allowed

If you can't make it, I hope you'll check back for the replay whenever you can.

Got questions?
Ask them here and I'll pass them along to Shamielle. We want to know what you don't know!


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Another Editor Says the Industry is Changing and Authors Have Options

Depending on which author/writer forums you visit, which blogs you read, you'll still read comments that traditional publishing is the only valid option for authors. They may say anything else is a waste of time because it actually hurts your reputation rather than helps. While that may have been true most of the time years ago, the industry is changing and, as I've mentioned in this blog before, traditional editors are starting to say so. This time it's a children's book acquisitions editor and that's good news because entry into the kid lit world is supposed to be a very hard nut to crack.

Katara Patton discusses this and more at the Ministry Marketing Solutions blog http://ministrymarketingsolutions.blogspot.com/2009/02/want-to-write-and-publish-childrens.html
I think it's this week's must read.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

A Creative Way to Promote a Novel

If you talk to book marketers, publicists, authors, you'll probably find most would agree that it is tougher to promote fiction than non-fiction. A big reason is that non-fiction centers around a particular topic and you can find specific groups of people who want information on that topic. For example, small business owners want to learn how to cut costs, cat owners want to learn how to keep their kitty healthy, and writers want to know how to perfect their craft. Figure out where those folks hang out/shop and you can tell them about your book.

With fiction though, how do you know if someone reads mystery, romance, sci-fi or historical novels with a romantic twist centered around a mystery? It is definitely more challenging to find people to talk to, but it's not impossible.

Today's link is about Mary E. Demuth who I think has done a brilliant job with an idea to promote her new novel. Check it out, then think about your book. Can you do something similar? If so, I hope you'll share.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett