Lisa Tener’s Writing Blog

Book Proposal Rejection: How Do You Get Unblocked Afterwards?

Here’s question number 2 in this week’s “Burning Questions” series: a question about book proposal rejection.
Ellen asked: “How do you get unblocked after rejection?  I sent a proposal and sample  for my book to an agent or two. After getting rejected, I have not been  able to start again.”
I’d like to answer Ellen’s [...]

Tags: author rejection, book proposal, book proposal rejection, how to get published

What Do Publishers Expect in Your Promotion Plan?

I just read a linked-in discussion where someone asked for a clearer definition of “platform” and what should go in your promotion plan. I responded to the discussion and then thought it would make a useful blog post.
Your book promotion plan should:
1. Demonstrate that you know your audience and you know where they hang out [...]

Tags: author platform, book promotion plan, book proposal, how to find a publisher, how to get published, promotion plan

How To Make Sure Your Book Proposal Gets Read…And Fast.

This weekend an agent told me she wants to represent an author of mine and she hasn’t been this excited about a book since she represented two authors whose books became top sellers.
In our conversation, I happened to ask about another proposal a different client had sent in and she hadn’t seen it. Whoops. Turns [...]

Tags: book proposal, how to get published, literary agents, slush pile

They’re Getting Book Deals: Find Out How

I’m going to out and out brag here. July is shaping up to be an exciting month for my clients and we’re celebrating. Want to hear their secrets of success?
First, here’s the good news. In July alone:
- Three of my clients signed contracts and/or received offers from publishers for their books.
- Two other clients are [...]

Tags: bestseller, book proposal coach, help a reporter out, how to get a publisher, how to get an agent, how to get published, platform, PR Leads, publishing, Publishing Contract, publishing your book, successful book proposal, successfully published authors, Terri Major-Kincade, wordpress blog, writing coach

Self-Publish or Traditionally Publish?

Beware: if you don’t answer this question when you begin writing your book, you may end up doing a good deal of extra work.
That’s because authors who intend to self-publish can just write their book, but those who intend to traditionally publish need to write a book proposal first, particularly for a nonfiction book.
A book [...]

Tags: how to get published, how to start writing a book, how to write a book, pros and cons publisher, pros and cons self publishing, publishing decision, self-publish, traditionally publish, where to start writing a book

Bulk Book Sales: Can it Strengthen Your Book Proposal?

It was great to see several blog readers at the Harvard Medical School Publishing Course, including Connor Moore, Jeannette Samanen and Dan Peterson. For those of you who couldn’t make the course, and I know a few of you expressed regret that it didn’t work for you, I’ll be sharing a few pearls of wisdom [...]

Tags: albert lafarge, author platform, book proposal, book proposals, bulk book sales, bulk sales, Connor Moore, Dan Peterson, harvard medical school publishing course, how to get published, Jeannette Samanen, Literary Agent, nonfiction book proposal

Good Morning: My Take on Your Chances to Publish

It’s raining and cloudy this morning. I woke up a tad tired. I remember a time I would not have called it a good morning, especially since I planned to take a walk today.
Oh, yeah, I can walk in the rain. I own boots, a rain jacket with a hood, even rain pants. What do [...]

Tags: author platform, book promotion plan, chances of getting published, getting an agent, getting published, good morning, how to get an agent, how to get published, MIT, publishing industry, Sloan School of Management, traditional publisher, writer's conference

Listen to Your Writing Coach on Positive Living Radio

I just got off the phone with Patricia Raskin. We were planning my monthly spotlight appearances on her show Positive Living which you can hear  Sundays from 12-2 on WPRO Providence (99.7 FM, 630 AM or live streamed).  We have six fun and informative 7-minute interviews planned:

March 8: Join the internet revolution and [...]

Tags: Aspire Magazine, be a better writer, beat writer's block, become a published author, editing tips, how to get published, Inspiring Women Speaker Series, Patricia Raskin, Positive Living, Positive Living Radio, Writer's Block, Writing in the Zone, writing online, writing radio

Uncredentialed: Not for Long

When I first got the idea of writing a book that would help people transform their old habits around anger, and find creative ways to understand and deal with their anger effectively, I had absolutely no credentials in the field nor any writing credentials to speak of.
How, then, did my first book get published by [...]

Tags: author credentials, Chicken Soup for the Soul, credentials, expert, expertise, good video, Health Communications, how to get published, Jane Middelton-Moz, Peaco Todd, sticky, sticky video, Transforming Anger, viral video

Grow Your Platform: 3 Easy Things You Can Do Today

Just about everyone who sends me a book proposal needs to grow their platform. If they’re in a hurry to find an agent and publisher, this can seem a daunting step. Here are 3 easy things you can do today to grow your platform:
1.  Join the International Association of Writers where you can list yourself [...]

Tags: american medical association, american psychological association, association of image consultants international, author platform, book proposal, bulk book sales, Fern Reiss, how to get published, international association of writers, Linda Gradstein, writer association, writers association