Goodreads offers some excellent advice for authors

HOW TO START YOUR BOOK

My spouse recently asked me how to start her own book to help people take better photos. I gave her 4 tips on how to start writing a book and they were not what she expected. I have added a post to my website www.RobertJBannon.com and I hope you will click over and take a look. While you are there please sign up for further posts since I am gradually transitioning my thoughts over to it, leave a comment and please share it with others that you think might benefit.

HOW TO BECOME A WRITER

We spend a lot of time as writers trying to decide what to put on the page. We stare at the monitor screen and hope for a revelation, an epiphany or an idea that will lead us to the best writing we have ever done. Staring at the cursor as it hypnotically blinks at us rarely produces a word, let alone a sentence or paragraph. My suggestion is to get out of your chair, put on a pair of shoes and find a park that you can walk in - BY YOURSELF. No distractions but the birds chirping, water gurgling, breezes fluttering, leaves smelling and mind opening, Force a smile on your face, breath deeply and let your senses open to the expansion of creativity. If you have never tried it - what do you have to lose? This is as close to a guarantee as I can get, if you want to know how to become a writer, get outside on a beautiful day and let the world bring inspiration to you.

OPPORTUNITIES

A quote from one of the world's most successful thought leaders:

"If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you're not sure you can do it - say yes, and learn how later."

                  Richard Branson

Something to think about in this new world we inhabit as writers.

LIBRARY BOOKS

Something kind of neat happened this week. My sister lives in the town we grew up in - about 3000 miles to the east of me ( and a few light light years away in time and space). She was in the local library looking for a book on hiking trails in the area and as she browsed the offerings, lo and behold, she spots my first book on the shelf. She had no idea they stocked my book and neither did I.
The book marketing experts will probably use this as an example of being sure to contact everyone you know from your past and let them know you have written a book - like the library system in your home town for instance. That makes sense I guess. I was just thinking of a few high school English teachers that I should contact with the news that I'm in the local library and my mean, cynical self would add - how about you?
How about you? Have you written your book yet?

CREATE A BOOK PITCH

We all know that to be a successful author we need to sell our books. Many times we need to sell them "one copy at a time." Other times, we are presented with opportunities to bring our book to the attention of agents, publishers, retailers and the media. In other words, we need to create the "elevator pitch." A description of our book that can be told in the time it takes an elevator to rise 5 stories.

Before writing your book pitch, take a close look at your book, then answer the following questions:

1. What is most interesting or unusual about your book?
2. What makes your book most memorable?
3. What are the three most important benefits that readers will receive from your book? (yes, "entertained," is a legit answer)
4. What differentiates your book from titles on the same or similar subjects?
5. What are the first responses you receive when you tell people about your book?
6. What causes people to stop, listen, or say, wow?
7. What questions do people ask when you tell them about your book?

Use the answers to these questions to fashion your book pitch and you can expect winning results.

CAN YOU WRITE A BOOK?

I have two children but have never given birth. I have written and released four books and in some ways that might be a little bit like giving birth. What gives me a real kick these days is seeing people that I have had the pleasure of working with in some way releasing their own books. A bit like seeing the kids move out perhaps? Another one moved out today into the brave new world of authoring.

Here's a nice note that author Matthew Bryan sent me today:

"Matthew Bryan has sent you a message.

Date: 5/13/2013

Subject: published my book

I can't believe the things that fell into place in a year. After talking to you things have been dropping in exactly when and where I needed them. I'm completely self-published now and so many things all lead back to the advice you gave me. I contacted Wil Wheaton - that led me to finding my cover artist, editor and copy-editor. Which led me to being self-published and being involved in a short-story project. Also led to meeting over a dozen other authors who have had SO much advice and suggestions for me. It all leads back to our meeting.

So thank you!! I tell SO many people about you and the impact it had because that is one of the questions I get asked. How did it all come about. So.. it's all your fault :D LOL

I still would love to get together with you and Jack Whyte over scotch and listen to the stories!! :D

Seriously though, thank you. You had a tremendous impact on my journey to becoming published.

Matthew"

www.authorsnotes.ca
www.citizensoldier.ca

 

In addition, Andrea Davis will have her book in print in about a week

Survival Was Only The Beginning

     A Costa Concordia Story

 

She should be on the various e-book sites shortly too.

 

You can find Andrea here: http://andreadaviscostaconcordia.com/

 

Joanie Lamond has her book, "Stop, Don't Pop!" at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Dont-Pop-ebook/dp/B008RQQ9RW/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368481980&sr=1-5&keywords=stop%2C+don%27t+pop 

and other places too.

 

And the beat keeps going on. This is just in the last few weeks. I hope you are busy finding an audience and getting your book finished, too. If not, let me know - I'll try and help.