Are We Having Fun...Still?

When is the last time you really enjoyed writing-your writing? Do you finish a section, an article or a few lines and get joy out of it occasionally, sometimes, often? Rarely? If the answer is toward the rarely scale, that's not good and it's probably time to step back and figure out why.

Even if you must write to make a living, hopefully, more often than not, you like what you're doing. Few of us are lucky enough to love every bit of work we do, and there is a reason it's called work, but with at least some frequency, when we use our gift, it should bring us happiness, joy, maybe a laugh, or at least a job well done, accomplished feeling.

Author Dee Stewart posted about this whole idea the other day on The Master's Artist blog and it made me stop and think about which of my writing I like best (my newest book) and why I stopped writing a newsletter (I really didn't enjoy it, could do something else instead). Take a peak at what she has to say then I hope you'll come back and share what makes writing fun for you.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Authors and Illustrators

I recently had a mini coaching call with a new author and thought I'd share the information here as well. One of her questions was in regard to illustrations. She loves the illustrations a relative did for the children's book she's written and pretty much assumed that they could be used when she got the book published.

These are just a couple of the tips I gave her:

1. Most traditional publishers have their own team of illustrators and generally match an author with one of them. It is the exception rather than the rule for an author and illustrator to be accepted for publication together.

2. (If going pay to publish/POD or Independent) If the artwork was drawn/painted on paper not using a computer design program, a graphic designer would have to make them print ready by scanning them in and adjusting as needed. Cost would depend on how well the initial scans processed the artwork.

3. Soft cover is the only affordable way to print color at this point for small publishers who can't do thousands of copies at a time. Cost per copy is still fairly high though so that must be a consideration when setting cover price and projecting profit.

Could you use personalized coaching to move your book project along? We can do a "preview" session of about 15 min at no cost by phone or a brief email chat to and then you can decide if a full hour session or more would be beneficial. Contact me via my contact form at publishinganswers.com or find me at Facebook.com/cherylpickett.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

What Does a Traditional Publisher Do for New Authors?

The world of publishing is changing almost on a minute by minute basis. Marketing strategies that used to work even a few years ago, probably don't now so publishers are shifting their risks and strategies as well.

Newbie author Kevin Daum is currently sharing his experience with a major publisher. I think it's worth following along to get a view of what's happening in the real world. True, it's only one person's experience, but it is still more helpful than looking at the careers of author's who've been at it a long time.

You can find the link here. Anything surprise you? Is it what you expected? More, less? Interested in your thoughts as always.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Which Would You Choose and Why?

Here's an interesting question (at least I think so):
As a shopper, if you had to choose, which kind of place would you rather visit and shop for books and why?

This one, (Choice A) that is totally unique and a potential destination all by itself even though it carries fewer books, or (Choice B) a B&N/Borders type store with its familiar layout and wider selection?

Now as an author, consider the same thing for where you'd want your books to be sold. Which would you choose and why?

Lastly, if you'd like to take a stab at predicting the future-which do you think there will be more of in 5 or 10 years?

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Lots of Effort Goes into a Book

Most of you who read this blog are writers or authors so your first reaction to the title of this post might have been "well duh..." And you're right, writing a book, any book is usually not an easy, carefree process. There's a lot of work and effort that goes into every piece (if you are a serious writer).
Again, no argument there. However, have you ever thought about the fact that a book can take a lot of effort on the part of a reader too?

This point was brought up on an agent's blog last week one day and it made me stop and think for a minute. He was absolutely right. Even if someone loves to read, and the actual reading comes easy, it still most likely involves a fair amount of effort to make it through an entire book.

First, consider that most people (at least adults) have to carve out time to read for any period of time beyond a couple of minutes. Few have the luxury of just picking up a good book whenever the mood strikes. Getting to read at all may involve putting kids to bed quicker, picking up the house faster or scarfing down lunch to steal a few moments of reading time. Just getting the book in the first place for some right now may mean squeezing a little extra life out of a tight budget. Definite effort involved.

Second, there are those who either like to read, or who maybe need to read something (how-to etc.) but they aren't the best readers in the world. They need to take things slow and getting through a book takes them a bit longer than other people. Lots of effort involved here too.

So what does that mean for us writers and authors? Simply put, what we offer our readers must be worth the effort.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Is Anyone Buying Books? Anyone? Anyone...?

I read about this survey in Dan Poynter's newsletter this week. What's great about it is it casts aside the notion that no one is buying books anymore. Most of us are buying less these days so to see a decline would be natural, but the chicken little approach to publishing (no one's buying, no one's buying) is likely an overboard reaction.

This kind of information is vital whether you're publishing independently or pitching traditional houses. As you read it, think about the audience you're trying to reach. The survey breaks things down nicely by gender and age. Consider their spending habits and how you think you can reach them best. And just as a reminder, your audience is not everyone. No such book (other than the Bible). If you haven't narrowed down your audience yet, the survey will be a useful tool. Start with a broad category and dissect from there. As a quick example, maybe you'll start with women ages 35-50 and from there go to Christian women of that age with children who also work outside the home.

Who are you trying to reach? Let us know, let's see how our results match with who's buying.

*Note you may have to scroll through the slides yourself with the numbers under the screen, not sure why it's not running in presentation mode.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Outside the Zone

For many things in life we have comfort zones. We have tasks we're comfortable doing, or a group of dinner time recipes that get repeated, or a certain group of people we tend to talk to at work gatherings. I'm sure you can think of others. And though you might not be aware of it at first, most of us have comfort zones when it comes to marketing too if we've been at it for a little while.

Sometimes that zone is created by what we like to do. Maybe speaking is our thing or social networking or school visits or selling via a particular kind of store. Whatever "it" is we do a lot of it because it becomes familiar and we feel like we're "in the zone" when we are engaged in it.

While this strategy is often logical and practical, there are times when life simply forces us out of "the zone". Sometimes things run their course as there are only so many schools or rotary clubs to speak to within a reasonable travel distance. Stores close or change buying habits. Sometimes our familiar pattern gets upset by illness or a move we weren't planning on.

Then what? As nerve-wracking, semi-scary as it might be, it's time to find or build new comfort zones. After all, your old ones started somewhere and they likely weren't instantly comfortable either, right?

How do you do that? Here are just a few ideas:

1. Consider the kind of marketing you've been doing all along. Can it be adapted with just a few minor adjustments to your new situation rather than a complete overhaul?

2. If you've been marketing based on one particular angle, take a fresh look at all topics or themes within your book and brainstorm who might be interested. You could open up an entirely new audience.

3. Inform your current contacts as to your new situation and see what ideas they might have to enable you to continue your relationship whether you now need to communicate less frequently or long distance.

4. Stay connected. Who knows who you'll find through your new circumstances that you would not have met otherwise.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett