It can happen to the best of us. Fame, fortune, and followers bloom, boosting confidence to unimaginable heights. But most people have folks in their corner to help keep egos in check. Family, friends, colleagues, kids, or, yes, a setback or negative comment may gently or harshly rebalance the scales. Authors understand this well; if […]
Archive | The Author’s Journey
The Best Podcasts for Authors and Writers
Authors and writers have historically been lifelong learners. We love reading, attending conferences, actively engaging in writers’ groups, and immersing ourselves in traditional and non-traditional training programs. But if you’re looking for something “newish” in the professional development arena that you can enjoy just about anywhere and anytime, look no further than podcasts. And boy, […]
How To Thoughtfully Manage Social Media Without Letting It Take Over Your Life
Your author’s journey, your personal and professional reputation, can easily be overshadowed by social media. Yes, it’s a necessary part of building your author’s story and brand, but if you let it take time from your career and your life (or it becomes a negative emotional environment), social media can quickly derail your life. Thoughtfully […]
Finding Your Author’s Voice
Finding your voice is an answer to the question “Who is your reader?” Is this person looking for something serious, suspenseful, authoritative, humorous, spiritual, entertaining, dark, deep, light-hearted, or something else, that you may find parallels in a category on the booksellers’ shelves? Regardless of the central thread, your voice is uniquely you. It’s ironic how your […]
Building Your Street Team
The phrase street team was a new one for me when I first embarked on the publishing journey. I had to ask a couple of seasoned authors what it meant, and though I received varying definitions, I got the gist. A “street team” is the group of people who act as ambassadors for your book and […]
Writing When You Don’t Want to Write
I laugh when I think about my history with schoolwork. Though I was a decent student, I was never keen on homework. Instead, I would write all sorts of fictional stories and journal entries (I still have many of them). Literally, I would avoid homework to write. But now I write full time for clients […]
How to Combat Lonely Writer’s Syndrome
Anyone that works remote, especially alone in home office, may experience feelings of isolation. While there’s plenty to do, and maybe you have a pet, kids, and several calls or virtual meetings, you’re still pretty much alone. Isolated. Possibly longing for adult conversation and the vibration and headiness of a bustling team atmosphere. While there […]
The Benefits of Having a Literary Agent
Last year, I was blessed to land a literary agent for my Mistaken Identity book, the first in the SAT Security and Investigation Series. But due to personal challenges, my agent needed to tailor back her workload. But I was blessed again. The head of the literary agency asked if she could represent my work. […]
Fantastic Online Courses for Authors and Writers
The busy life of a writer and author leaves little time for learning. Still, continuous improvement and professional development is critical in any professional endeavor. It’s important that authors interact with their fans, friends, fellows, and industry professionals. But it’s not always easy. Conferences, signings, and other events take a toll. Time away from family, […]
Why Having a Mentor Changes Everything
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a mentor. At least one, but in some cases, more than one. In my previous life, as a career professional then business owner for sixteen years, mentoring was critical for survival and success. But mentoring isn’t just for business. It’s a success strategy for excelling in […]