writing talent

Writer’s Expectations? Lower Them!

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Have you listened to a concert, watched a ballet, or admired world-class art recently?  Guess how long these professionals trained and rehearsed?  At least 10,000 Hours!

Remember the 10,000-hour Rule:  “That’s roughly how much work and practice it takes to become accomplished in any field, whether it be sporting, creative or professional.  10,000 hours is 5 years of full-time hard work.  To become a virtuoso, triple that” recommends Ian Irvine, an Australian bestselling author.
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He continues: “Feel free to write the most beautiful, thought-provoking words in the English language.  The public will feel equally free to ignore them.  Rarely, someone will write a book and get it published straight away.  I was once in a roomful of writers when that question was asked, and only three writers raised their hands.  Most writers work for five to ten years before getting their first book published.”

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Bestseller Authors Need Years
Building up their audience takes lots of time, so it is surprising, that authors dream of their first book as a potential bestseller, and don’t realize that it takes a long time and hard work to get an audience, one reader at a time.  Especially if they did not do the groundwork to build a huge following at social media, in reader forums or in real-life before they start publishing.

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Author-Publishing is Like a New Profession
And professions need to be trained!  It takes years to become an excellent writer and it also takes years to become an excellent publisher.  It involves lots of skills and knowledge business-wise, marketing skills, not to mention, learning constantly new internet techniques and get to know the latest changes in publishing.
Many authors have unrealistic expectations when it comes to the time required for effective book promotion – and to make meaningful connections with readers.  They expect wonders from a single sales campaign and don’t understand that under-pricing or “selling” for free is NOT a marketing strategy.
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Take Advantage of their Knowledge
A book marketing professional has to learn years and years.  Why, as an author, not take advantage of their knowledge to keep your head free for writing and interacting with readers?  No one would start for example a
catering business without learning to cook, and knowing how to present food or how to find customers.   Writing one single book does not make for a recognized author.   Take the time to build your author platform and establish a brand, it will eventually give you an advantage in the market, no matter if self-publishing or going with a trade publisher.
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Did You Learn About Your Readers?
It is staggering how few authors think about their future readers – and about their competition.  Authors often do very little research – if any at all – to really understand their audience.  Asking: “Who is your audience and who is your competition?” one might receive only vague answers … Topics, that are not only very important for self- publishers, but also for authors who want to go with a traditional publisher.  They need to prove to the agent or publisher that they have done their homework.
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How Can You Research Your Competition?
First of all, make a long list of possible keywords that readers might use to find a similar book.  Check out the complete categories/genres at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Apple, Google Books, Waterstones etc. and study all the books, that could be similar to your future work.  Visit several public libraries and bookstores to find similar books as the one you want to write, learn about your competition.  Borrow the most interesting ones, not only to read them but also to study the book layout and design.  Read the online reviews of their books carefully!
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Can You Answer These Questions?

  • How many books of this topic/keywords have been published already?
  • Where are these books sold and for which price?
  • In which format are they offered: e-book, print, audio-book?
  • Who are the customers of these competing books?
  • How are these books received and which ones are bestselling?
  • Which categories did they choose, and which keywords?
  • In which categories/genres are these competitive books listed?
  • What type of cover designs has been chosen for these books?
  • Which author represents him/herself and their book the best?
  • Did you study their Amazon and Goodreads author page, their website or blog?

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It’s a Marathon – Not a Sprint:
Becoming an author-publisher is a long-term commitment and requires hundreds of small steps on the path to success!  Before you start writing, create yourself a roadmap.  Take your time, see your writing & publishing as a long-term project and don’t have unrealistic expectations.  First, create a professional looking book, do the groundwork to build up your author platform, and then have fun, winning one reader at a time.

Becoming an author-publisher is a marathon, not a sprint, and it will require hundreds of small steps on the path to success! Before you start writing, create yourself a roadmap.  The most successful self-publishers don’t view themselves as writers only but as business owners.  They invest in their businesses, hiring experts to fill skill gaps and to gain more time for their writing.”

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Read More:
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/writing-is-an-art-publishing-is-a-business/
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/what-publishers-wont-tell-you/
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/success-for-your-book-in-non-traditional-markets/

 

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5 Tips to Become a Happier Writer

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Joy-of-Writing

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At workshops, seminars or writers conferences I often meet unhappy authors, no matter if they are beginners or established ones. I sometimes feel like having to cheer them up. And when I look back in (writing) history there are many examples of unhappy writers. Edgar Allen Poe wrote in 1842 to his publisher, apologizing for drinking so much and begging for money. Is it the struggle to find a publisher, low self-esteem that prevents from self-publishing, too many things to be learned before becoming author-published, time pressure from day-job, family and writing demands that make writers depressed?

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Writers: Embrace What You Have Got!
Be thankful for the wonderful talent that sets you apart from the crowd, for the opportunity to express yourself, for the world you are able to create in your mind – and don’t focus too much on getting a publisher or rushing to find your writing on Amazon or other online retail spaces. See your writing as an evolving process, as a marathon and not as a sprint to riches. Yes, there are writer-millionaires, such as James Patterson, J.K. Rowling or Stephen King, but they are not even 1% of all writers and it took them dozens of years or even longer to come to this fame and wealth, not to speak about the portion of good luck or to be at the right spot at the right time. Some tips to get out of the negative mind-set:

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1. Take Your Time!
Enjoy what you have got. Enjoy every minute you can write, and concentrate on the writing process. Enjoy every step in the writing – and book marketing process. Enjoy the company of other writers, the many new things you will learn, a complete new world that opens to you, be thankful for the interesting life of a writer.

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2. Don’t Compare Yourself With Others
Staring at famous writers and being jelious doesn’t make you more successful or happier. Ask yourself: Would you write for your own joy, without getting recognition from others or a publishing contract? Is it a fountain of happiness for you to write – or are you seeking praise from readers and the public? Enjoy time with family, friends and collegues

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3. Concentrate on Writing
If you really like writing so much, why don’t you write more? Why not write short stories, blog articles or magazine / newspaper columns beside your books? Even if it is only a short article you write for a weekly community paper. It gives you instant rewards, such as having finished a piece of writing, getting your name out and often being even paid for your writing. It is so much fun to promote your books with even more writing!

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4. Meet Fellow Writers
Their company will help and comfort you and give you many new ideas. Only they know how hard you are working on your manuscript. Band together and build a writing critique group, support each other on Social Media or at book signings, and exchange your book marketing tips. Writing groups or beta readers are everywhere and even if you live in the jungle or on top of a mountain, you can join a writers group, community or forum online. It is so much easier with the help of supporters – and it gives you joy to help others.

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5. Keep Your Balance
Set yourself a schedule: Time to write, time to promote, time for family, time for your other hobbies or interests. Cut out useless time-waisters, such as TV news or reality television. Writing is not an excuse to neglect your friends and family. And don’t let yourself overwhelm with all the new tasks to promote your book. Get help and a mentor who knows the industry and can introduce you professionally and much faster to all the possibilities of getting your name out into the world of books. It takes years to study the publishing / book marketing industry. Profit from their knowledge and concentrate more on your writing.

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Be Thankful
There are many things that are outside of your control. Take control of what you have: Your writing talent, your joy of writing and the time you have to do what you like best. Appreciate it and keep writing. Before you haven’t written a couple of books and even more articles, you cannot consider yourself as a writer, nor can others. Keep writing!

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,060 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
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Tagged: embrace writing, joy of writing, time-waisters, writing forums, writing groups, Writing Success, writing talent

So You Want to Self-Publish?

6 Questions to Ask Yourself First
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Julie Israel asks writers: You want total control? You want freedom? You want to be 100% in charge of your own destiny? Then go for it. You might end up finding that it’s the most fulfilling thing you have ever done – or you might end up with fifty one-star reviews and a permanent hangover.  Despite the fact that every person and their dog thinks that they can write a book, living the life of a writer is not for the faint of heart.  And whether you choose to publish through a traditional route or independently, the road to success is not an easy one.  Like I said, not for the faint of heart.”

Read Julie Israel’s blog  ”6 Questions You Should Ask Yourself First“, such as:  Are you chasing someone else’s dream?  What are your intentions?  Do you have the stamina?  The money?  The talent and the drive to write book after book and publish them? 

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo  to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 980 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: Julie Israel, myths about self-publishing, self-publishing, writing talent