Working on Book Proposal this Summer 2019
I’m excited to be working on a book this summer (and my book proposal for it) and can’t wait to share my inspiration with you when the time comes. So, am I disappearing? No, but if you are interested in working on a book or proposal with me this fall, now is the time to let me know. I’ll be offering my Fast Track Your Book Proposal program in October and now is a great time to start working on your book concept, book structure and platform building (growing your reach) in preparation for developing a standout, compelling proposal. If… Read more
Working with a Literary Agent
“What’s it like working with a literary agent?” ‘What’s the role of a literary agent?’ “What can I expect from a literary agent?’ ‘What’s expected of me?’ “Are there any mistakes I should avoid?” If you wonder about the answers to these questions, today’s post is for you! One of my clients recently signed with one of my favorite New York literary agents. My client’s questions reminded me how daunting the process can seem, and how helpful it is to know what to expect. The whole process of submitting your book proposal and waiting to hear back can feel stressful,… Read more
Do You Really Know Your Audience?
While speaking with a client about her audience, I had a sense that the audience for her book was different from the audience for the high-end program she was developing. So, we went to the source, her muse, and asked her muse (during a guided visualization) to show her the audience for the program. The author had thought of her audience as a cross between herself and the people in another program—people who were overweight. In contrast, her muse showed her people who looked more fit, a woman and a man. The man held a briefcase. Both looked professional and… Read more
Here’s How to Finish Writing a Book
How to Finish Writing a Book: My Breakthrough A few weeks ago, I attended a “deep writing” retreat with creativity coach Eric Maisel at Kripalu yoga center in the Berkshires, in order to finish writing a book. I came to class with less than a third of my first draft. In 5 days I completed: Most of the first draft, with just a few details to add (which require research) A chunk of the bare bones of my book proposal Ideas for book promotion A rough query letter What gets in the way? How can you overcome that in order… Read more
Writer’s Block? Maybe You’re Not Stuck at All
“I was really stuck last week, but now I’m not as much.” I probed Strategic Planning Consultant Karen Barth a bit about the word “stuck” because I had a hunch she’d find herself in a similar state again, and maybe it wasn’t exactly stuck but in need of something. As Karen put it, “If I don’t know what I’m writing. I can’t write it.” Karen needed to do some research, get clear on the points she wanted to make and add more stories. Then she could develop a detailed outline. And, then, she could write the next chapter in her… Read more
After a First Draft: Developmental Editing, Digging Deeper and Interviewing
After Your Finish Your First Draft, Consider Developmental Editing What comes next after writing a first draft? One thing you probably need is developmental editing: Read through the first draft. Consider whether the overall structure works or whether it may need to be structured differently (Note: here’s where an experienced, objective editor can help) Move around sections or chapters to create a better flow Cut material that feels extraneous, breaks the flow or belongs in a different book Identify where you need to develop more (adding details or new information) Identify any additional research that needs to be done and… Read more
Writer Derailed! Curing Writer’s Block
Got writer’s block? Were you on a roll only to crash and burn? How do you get back on track when you’ve stopped writing? Writer Derailed! When Board Advisory and Executive Coach Marina Cvetkovic joined my Bring Your Book to Life® Program to write her book, she dove into the Quick Start exercises and sent me a writing sample almost immediately. She continued to write in the flow. And then… A 10 day vacation derailed her. The dreaded “Writer’s Block” set in. “I just haven’t opened that word document since.” I asked Marina to open the document while we were… Read more
Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course: Making Writers and Authors of Healthcare Professionals
As Harvard Medical School’s CME writing and publishing course, Writing, Publishing, and Social Media for Healthcare Professionals, draws closer (it’s in June this year), I look forward to seeing my colleagues, the other faculty members, many of whom I have known for over a decade—literary agents, acquisitions editors at publishing houses, publicists, editors and others. Especially exciting, is the time spent reconnecting with writers I have worked with and hearing about their latest accomplishments. Some sign a copy for me of their now-published book. Others share their latest platform building wins—from speaking at international conferences to becoming a podcaster or… Read more
Your Book is a Business Booster: 7 Steps to Use Your Book to Attract Major Business Contracts
Months ago I wrote to Huibert Evekink, co-author of the Stevie Award winning book Feedback First to catch up after our editing work together and to find out how his book was doing. In particular, I asked him how the book served as a business booster to impact the start up he had launched with his book. He was excited to report that the book he wrote with his business partner, Steven Becker, helped bring in clients from 5 major multinational corporations plus the Dutch Security Forces. His new company, FutureTeaming, now had a staff of four—two founders and two… Read more
Its National Grammar Day: Spot the Error(s) Contest
Happy National Grammar Day Why should grammar be important to you and I as writers? Let me count the ways. But really. My dad, Martin J Tener was a english teacher. He emphasized the importance of it while we grew up. He might of easily made a list like this: Good grammar help make your writing clear, so that you’re readers do not misunderstand your meaning. Good grammar makes it easier to read your writing so that the words flow and it’s more enjoyable to read and less hard on your readers so that they don’t have to spend lots… Read more
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