If your Dream-Not-Come-True is to get published, you now have several avenues to get there. To a large degree, it is up to you to seek out ways to make your dreams come true. Are you looking for ways or simply accepting that the time has passed? I'm the first one to tell you if you want to see your dreams come to fruition, you must take action, do something.
I'm confident that I've given you the resources (check out the archives for Publsihing Syndicates web site) and numerous ideas to get published, now it's up to you for make it happen!
On Wednesday we will start a new DNCT. If you want me to address yours, send it to me! In the meantime, take the Orange Roads and enjoy the journey...there is no destination!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
What Do You Think?
Has this month inspired you to find ways to get published? I hope so! I don't want to say it's not easy because I really feel that it is easy, but possibly it's not as easy to get to the top as you would like. Let's define the top as the place you see as your ultimate goal.
I say it all the time, if you are enjoying your time on
the Orange Roads, it won't seem like it took as long as you dreaded it would. In fact, you may find these treks off the beaten path more fun that you thought and doors you never knew were there, are now open for you.
Please let me know if you submit something for publication. I would love to post updates on all of your progress through the year. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
I say it all the time, if you are enjoying your time on
the Orange Roads, it won't seem like it took as long as you dreaded it would. In fact, you may find these treks off the beaten path more fun that you thought and doors you never knew were there, are now open for you.Please let me know if you submit something for publication. I would love to post updates on all of your progress through the year. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Articles, Newsletters and More!
One of the fastest ways to get published is to write content for newsletters for businesses and schools. My son's school does a weekly newsletter that provides updates on coming events not only for the school, but sometimes for the community as well. Real estate offices are also great businesses to reach out to; suggest that you provide them with a monthly calendar of events for your city or town. In addition to just providing a list of goings-on, write an introduction to the month, or a little known fact about your community and all it offers it's residents.Something as simple as a list of community events could easily grow into a journalism job doing interviews with the chief of police or the Mayor. Wow! Look at that, we traveled down the newsletter road and wound up working as a journalist! Now that's Orange Road heaven, don't you think?
I personally enjoy writing articles because they are short, to the point, and an easy way to get my name out there. In fact, I started my writing life writing articles for businesses on how to implement and utilize in-house voice mail systems. Those articles turned into pieces for end users and those turned into a monthly advice column for a trade publication. That was back in 1993-1994, do you remember when it was a big deal for a business to have a voice mail system? Today it's a big deal for a business to have a live body answer the phone!
I digress. My point is if you want to write and be published, find ways to do that whether it be newsletters for businesses, articles for industry specific publications or publishing community events. One thing always leads to another and hopefully for you, it's another writing gig!
Monday, February 21, 2011
From Kevin P.
Dear Kathy,
I completely get what you mean about the Orange Roads and maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I think I can write a great book without doing all kinds of other "little" writing projects. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but my book idea is really great. I honestly feel like it's just a matter of getting it in the right hands. You even posted it yourself telling us we have to believe in our work and toot our own horns.
Kevin P.
Kevin might be right, he may have a book that is accepted on the first submission. There are names for things like that; a hole in one, that's the name for it in golf. Winning a lottery jackpot playing just one dollar. I'm sure you can think of plenty one-in-a-million examples as well.
Kevin, I would say that doing what you love and believe in is paramount to success. Write your best selling book and submit the manuscript. In the meantime, I know you are doing all kinds of "little" writing projects because writers write. Whether it's a blog, a story, a book, or a newsletter for your business, writers write.
I stand behind my posts on this subject as some of the ways to get published. I am learning more every day and loving it. I can't stress enough the importance of proper English and grammar and having someone who knows as much as (or more than) you do to edit your work. I wish you the best and hope you will let me know when you get that "Yes!" and your book is available for me to purchase. Happy writing!
I completely get what you mean about the Orange Roads and maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I think I can write a great book without doing all kinds of other "little" writing projects. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but my book idea is really great. I honestly feel like it's just a matter of getting it in the right hands. You even posted it yourself telling us we have to believe in our work and toot our own horns.
Kevin P.
Kevin might be right, he may have a book that is accepted on the first submission. There are names for things like that; a hole in one, that's the name for it in golf. Winning a lottery jackpot playing just one dollar. I'm sure you can think of plenty one-in-a-million examples as well.
Kevin, I would say that doing what you love and believe in is paramount to success. Write your best selling book and submit the manuscript. In the meantime, I know you are doing all kinds of "little" writing projects because writers write. Whether it's a blog, a story, a book, or a newsletter for your business, writers write.
I stand behind my posts on this subject as some of the ways to get published. I am learning more every day and loving it. I can't stress enough the importance of proper English and grammar and having someone who knows as much as (or more than) you do to edit your work. I wish you the best and hope you will let me know when you get that "Yes!" and your book is available for me to purchase. Happy writing!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Subscribe and Submit
If you don't already, subscribe to writers periodicals such as Writer's Digest. There are many to choose from just put your google skills to work or visit your local library. With the major presence the Internet has in our lives, the library seems to fall by the wayside. It's a great place to do research both on line and by browsing rows and rows of the written word.
Once you peruse the magazines, digests, and trade magazines (the ones specific to your areas of expertise), see where to contact them and submit your work. In my experience, the trade magazines are easier to break into when you have credentials. I started writing for a telecommunications publication when I was selling and scripting in-house voice mail systems for businesses. I wrote a monthly column, sort of the Dear Abby of phone systems!
Once you find out where to submit, get to work. Submit your writing and don't take no for an answer. I've found that I don't get told no, I just don't hear anything at all. I still submit work to the national magazines and though I've not landed that prime real estate yet, I will keep trying.
Once you peruse the magazines, digests, and trade magazines (the ones specific to your areas of expertise), see where to contact them and submit your work. In my experience, the trade magazines are easier to break into when you have credentials. I started writing for a telecommunications publication when I was selling and scripting in-house voice mail systems for businesses. I wrote a monthly column, sort of the Dear Abby of phone systems!
Once you find out where to submit, get to work. Submit your writing and don't take no for an answer. I've found that I don't get told no, I just don't hear anything at all. I still submit work to the national magazines and though I've not landed that prime real estate yet, I will keep trying.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
To Promote or Not Promote...That is the Question
This is one of many amazing examples of what you will find by subscribing to Publishing Syndicates Wow Principles Newsletter. I can't stress enough how much great information these two make available to us writers every month. Dahlynn encouraged me to scroll through the archives to look for some of the information about getting published that may not be obvious. It wasn't long before hours had passed and I was reminded what a wealth of knowledge their archives are. Here is just one article from March of 2007. I couldn't bear to paraphrase so I am publishing this piece in its entirety (with permission, of course!). Visit Publishing Syndicate and get a whole lot more where this came from!
To Promote or Not Promote...That is the Question
Dahlynn McKowen, March 2007
During fall 2005, I was given just a few months to rewrite Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul. During that time, I approached sixty of the nation’s top CEOs and entrepreneurs, convincing nearly all of them to submit their start-up stories for this title. Many amazing entrepreneurs joined me, from Jim McCann of 1-800-flowers to Cookie Lee of Cookie Lee Designs to Tom Chappell of Tom’s of Maine.
Due to my requirement of a six-week or less turnaround on new copy,one person who couldn’t join me was Donald Trump. I asked for a story from him on “branding” oneself, which, regardless if you care for him or not (and I happen to like him), “The Donald” is the master of branding a name. In his book Trump: How to Get Rich (Random House, 2004), Trump talks about modesty and the importance of “tooting your own horn.” From Trump’s book: “…you better learn to speak up and announce your significant accomplishments to the world—nobody else will.”
This phrase has stuck with me since. Between Ken and myself, I’m the extrovert of the duo and marketing and media savvy is my forte. Though few people promote themselves in the grandiose way Trump mentions in his book, it’s important that you toot your own horn, and TOOT IT AS LOUD AND AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN!
How many times do you promote your accomplishments related to your writing? Selfpromotion is one of the primary keys to becoming a successful writer, and take it from us, you’re on your own when it comes to promotion; if you’re working with a publisher, your book will be the “flavor of the month” for the marketing department until their next book comes along. And if you’re self-published, marketing is a must.
It’s interesting to me that so many writers are afraid to promote their work. About a year ago, I was at a local children’s book writing event. As the open discussion ensued about myriad writing-related topics one woman sitting in the back row sheepishly asked, “I’m too scared to talk to the media about my children’s book. Isn’t that a publisher’s job?” What surprised me was that the majority of the audience shook their heads in agreement. I offered several ideas and resources to her on self-promotion, but she still felt that it was a publisher’s responsibility. My jaded, but polite, response was that if she and her nodding audience allies were not interested in promoting themselves and their accomplishments, they should plan on only producing enough copies of their books to give away as “legacy” gifts to family and friends, as sales were likely not a part of their futures.
I realize my response was a bit crass, but it was sheer reality. If you’re not willing to promote your work—in essence, yourself—then why should the media, a publisher or any other marketing entity tied to your book want to promote it? And think about this; non-promotion is the kiss of death for those who self-publish their titles, as they don’t have publishers to help. For those of us tied to publishers, non-promotion equals no royalties, and thus, no earned income.
Here’s a great example of tooting one’s horn; our book Best of California’s Missions, Mansions and Museums is a finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s 2007 “Book of the Year” Award, travel category. Being a finalist is a huge deal, let alone winning the category, so we instantly started promoting this accomplishment. This week alone, we had five public appearances, including a regional National Public Radio (NPR) interview, all based off this one nomination. And we’re booking future speaking engagements/sales opportunities based on our NPR interview.
Again, book promotion is a huge part of becoming a successful writer. This topic is so vast that we’re creating a Wow Principle’s e-booklet on the subject. Watch for it, but in the meantime, get out there and promote yourself…and your work!
To Promote or Not Promote...That is the Question
Dahlynn McKowen, March 2007
During fall 2005, I was given just a few months to rewrite Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul. During that time, I approached sixty of the nation’s top CEOs and entrepreneurs, convincing nearly all of them to submit their start-up stories for this title. Many amazing entrepreneurs joined me, from Jim McCann of 1-800-flowers to Cookie Lee of Cookie Lee Designs to Tom Chappell of Tom’s of Maine.
Due to my requirement of a six-week or less turnaround on new copy,one person who couldn’t join me was Donald Trump. I asked for a story from him on “branding” oneself, which, regardless if you care for him or not (and I happen to like him), “The Donald” is the master of branding a name. In his book Trump: How to Get Rich (Random House, 2004), Trump talks about modesty and the importance of “tooting your own horn.” From Trump’s book: “…you better learn to speak up and announce your significant accomplishments to the world—nobody else will.”
This phrase has stuck with me since. Between Ken and myself, I’m the extrovert of the duo and marketing and media savvy is my forte. Though few people promote themselves in the grandiose way Trump mentions in his book, it’s important that you toot your own horn, and TOOT IT AS LOUD AND AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN!
How many times do you promote your accomplishments related to your writing? Selfpromotion is one of the primary keys to becoming a successful writer, and take it from us, you’re on your own when it comes to promotion; if you’re working with a publisher, your book will be the “flavor of the month” for the marketing department until their next book comes along. And if you’re self-published, marketing is a must.
It’s interesting to me that so many writers are afraid to promote their work. About a year ago, I was at a local children’s book writing event. As the open discussion ensued about myriad writing-related topics one woman sitting in the back row sheepishly asked, “I’m too scared to talk to the media about my children’s book. Isn’t that a publisher’s job?” What surprised me was that the majority of the audience shook their heads in agreement. I offered several ideas and resources to her on self-promotion, but she still felt that it was a publisher’s responsibility. My jaded, but polite, response was that if she and her nodding audience allies were not interested in promoting themselves and their accomplishments, they should plan on only producing enough copies of their books to give away as “legacy” gifts to family and friends, as sales were likely not a part of their futures.
I realize my response was a bit crass, but it was sheer reality. If you’re not willing to promote your work—in essence, yourself—then why should the media, a publisher or any other marketing entity tied to your book want to promote it? And think about this; non-promotion is the kiss of death for those who self-publish their titles, as they don’t have publishers to help. For those of us tied to publishers, non-promotion equals no royalties, and thus, no earned income.
Here’s a great example of tooting one’s horn; our book Best of California’s Missions, Mansions and Museums is a finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s 2007 “Book of the Year” Award, travel category. Being a finalist is a huge deal, let alone winning the category, so we instantly started promoting this accomplishment. This week alone, we had five public appearances, including a regional National Public Radio (NPR) interview, all based off this one nomination. And we’re booking future speaking engagements/sales opportunities based on our NPR interview.
Again, book promotion is a huge part of becoming a successful writer. This topic is so vast that we’re creating a Wow Principle’s e-booklet on the subject. Watch for it, but in the meantime, get out there and promote yourself…and your work!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Blogging - Let's Talk About It - Part II
Blogging is certainly one way to be published immediately, but there's other reasons to blog. Let's talk about the dream of being a New York best selling author. For a publisher to buy your book, they need to know they can promote it and you. This means you have to be able to hold your own and do interviews on television and radio, book signings in every kind of environment and more. When I say hold your own, I mean be articulate, be able to answer questions in a conversational way, and be good with people from all walks of life. All of this is true if you self publish your book in which case, this kind of promotion is much more difficult. Most writers believe their work will sell itself, that may be true, but you have to get enough influential people to read it first before it has an opportunity to sell itself. Truth be told, you have to have a great book and be a dynamic individual.
You can use your blog to build your author platform. If you are reading blogs and blogging, it's highly likely you are using social media sites such as facebook and twitter. Utilizing these free resources to connect with thousands of people and drive traffic to your blog will hopefully create a following of people who will be anxiously waiting to buy your book as soon as it's published. A publisher will look at this as a proactive approach on your part and it will also give them a real sense of your ability to write, your style, how you organize content and how many people think you have something worthwhile to say.
This is just one of the reasons to blog. There are bloggers out there who understand the power of blogging and make money by selling ads on their blogs. Can you imagine it, making a steady monthly income by doing what you love, writing? It's happening and to the tune of five figures monthly for some. Just like any business, you must understand all avenues to generating income, what would be expected of you personally, and how equipped are you to meet those requirements. If you didn't think blogging was a worthwhile use of your time, I would ask you to reconsider.
You can use your blog to build your author platform. If you are reading blogs and blogging, it's highly likely you are using social media sites such as facebook and twitter. Utilizing these free resources to connect with thousands of people and drive traffic to your blog will hopefully create a following of people who will be anxiously waiting to buy your book as soon as it's published. A publisher will look at this as a proactive approach on your part and it will also give them a real sense of your ability to write, your style, how you organize content and how many people think you have something worthwhile to say.
This is just one of the reasons to blog. There are bloggers out there who understand the power of blogging and make money by selling ads on their blogs. Can you imagine it, making a steady monthly income by doing what you love, writing? It's happening and to the tune of five figures monthly for some. Just like any business, you must understand all avenues to generating income, what would be expected of you personally, and how equipped are you to meet those requirements. If you didn't think blogging was a worthwhile use of your time, I would ask you to reconsider.
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