Friday, December 02, 2016

Why You Have to Market Your Own Book




I was at a book festival a few weeks ago when I was approached by a woman wanting to sell her book to a publishing house.

"I just don't have the time to market." She explained. "I just want to hand you the book and forget about it until the royalty checks come."

I had the good grace not to let my jaw actually fall to the floor, but I took note of her name and made myself a mental note to reject the manuscript if it came across my desk.

Even if it's amazing?

Even if it's amazing.


The publishing world has changed a bit (and by "a bit", I mean a LOT), especially when it comes to marketing. In the days before social media, books were advertised via the regular media: in newspapers, magazines, and morning talk shows. This still happens, of course, especially if you are represented by one of the larger houses. The advent of social media, however, has changed the advertising game. Authors have unprecedented access to their potential audience via Facebook and Twitter, and have reach that no marketing department can replicate.

Believe me, I understand that authors are an artistic bunch. The business side of publishing is tedious, and marketing gets in the way of writing time. I understand. I truly do. However, Readers want to interact with authors on a more personal level than in the past. They expect to be engaged, to know the name on the cover and attach it to a face and a voice. When readers feel like they "know" the author, they are more likely to recommend the book to friends. Social media engagement = better word of mouth sales.

What are the three best ways to do this?

1. Facebook - Facebook is a great place to really interact with your fanbase. This is where you can hold online parties to create buzz, promote other authors, and place ads.

2. Twitter - This is where you can find those fans and funnel them to Facebook. Using hashtags and mentions strategically helps you grow an audience with which to engage

3. Email - According to a 2014 study bMcKinsey Consulting, you are 40% more likely to sell a book via email than by social media alone. Surprised? We were. So grow that email list. 

For more on these methods, check out our post here.

The point is, publishing is more about author/reader interaction than ever before, and authors must be willing to put in the time and effort to publicize their own work, even if they are with a publishing house. 
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Friday, November 04, 2016

3 Reasons your Manuscript was Rejected


There is a myth that permeates the writing community. It's an unfortunate myth, and I truly wish it would die, because it is the cause of many a shattered dream in the publishing industry. The myth is this:

If I write a good book, it is sure to get published

If only, if only, dear writer. I have rejected many manuscripts, some quite good. I once nearly cried while writing a rejection letter because the work was SO GOOD. 

The truth is, in as much as writing is an art, publication is a business. A book can't be contracted that won't sell, and "what won't sell?" is a complicated question. If all it took was good writing, it would be a much easier business. 

Manuscripts get rejected for many reasons. Occasionally, the writing is just bad, or poorly edited. Sometimes, the publishing house already has too much of a certain type of work, or your work doesn't fit with their brand. These are the kinds of rejections for which I will take the time to write a rejection email, informing them of why I am not contracting their work. Usually however, rejections come from one of three places, all three of which will gain a swift delete when they arrive in my inbox. 


1. No social media presence

This is the most common offender. You must have a social media presence. YOU MUST HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE. When I receive a manuscript, before I read the synopsis, before I read a single line of the work itself, I google the author. If I don't see a website and at least an active Twitter account, the manuscript is rejected immediately. 
Even with a big publishing house, authors are expected to do at least some of their own marketing (more on that next week), and if it isn't evident that you have put in the work to build a platform prior to publication, it reads as though you are the kind of author who wants to hand their work off to a publisher, forget about it, and wait until the royalties start rolling in. Unfortunately for writers, the publishing world doesn't work that way anymore. At minimum, you need a website (not even a blog. Just a website) and a Twitter account that you are actively using. 

2. No attention to industry guidelines

Several weeks ago, I received a children's chapter book that was 80K words. For reference, the first Harry Potter book clocked in 76K, and I would be willing to wager that the reason she kept getting rejected in the beginning is because her book was too dang long. The children's book industry, especially, has strict guidelines about book length. There is a good reference here, but no category comes in at over 40K words. 
Adult books have a little more wiggle room, but it is still a good idea to google what industry guidelines are and try not to stray too far from them. If I receive a children's chapter book that is only 5K over industry standards, I can work with that. We can trim it in editing. But I can't turn an 80K book into a 10K book, and I can't sell an 80K children's book. 

3. Didn't follow submission guidelines

Every publishing house has its own set of submission guidelines. Some want the manuscript in the body of the email, some want it in an attachment. Some want partials, some want fulls. Sometimes different editors within a company will have different submission guidelines. Don't make the mistake of assuming that one size fits all. Read submission guidelines and follow them to the letter. If a company doesn't accept erotica, don't send them erotica. If they only want the first fifty pages, don't send the full. Taking the time to read guidelines and follow them shows attention to detail and that you are willing to do whatever you need to do to get your work published. 

I beg of you, dear writer, don't make these mistakes. Many an exemplary work has been sent to the Trash folder because of these blunders. Don't let yours be one of them.
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Friday, October 28, 2016

5 Ways to Rock a Conference...and 2 Ways to Not.



I just got back from the Florida Writers Conference, and I am stoked. I am ready to throw Facebook Parties promoting my awesome authors, ready to contract ALL the illustrators, acquire ALL the speculative fiction!
Conferences and other networking events are wonderful tools for the author, but they can be overwhelming, and the rules get confusing. Bring business cards? Bring promotional swag? How much can you promote yourself before it becomes too much? I've gone to several conferences over the years, and learned a few things about how to make it more than just a getaway weekend.

1. Practice your Pitch 

You are going to hear "What is your book about?" A LOT. So many authors don't ever see a need to practice this, because you've been writing the book for a year, of course you know what it's about. But you have to be able to sell it in under three minutes, which is a lot harder than just telling what it's about. Before you ever set foot in a conference center, know exactly how to describe your book in five sentences or less. Distill it down, get rid of extraneous detail, and polish that hook. Say it over and over until you can rattle it off more naturally than you say your phone number. You will run into fellow authors, who are often great to bounce your pitch off of, but you will also find yourself seated with acquisitions editors and agents from time to time who might be in the market for something like your book. Don't  be the poor author "Umm"-ing their way through when an industry professional expresses interest in your work.

2. Find your Tribe

Every time I go to a conference, I find a group of people I naturally fall in with. They are a stasis point in the midst of the constantly shifting conference current. They are the people with whom you compare notes, and they offer a friendly face during conference meals, so you avoid standing in the full dining room with your loaded plate, looking for an empty seat. These folks become your cheerleading section, and you theirs, and often provide useful contacts and opportunities after conference ends. Don't allow yourself to be a loner. These people are not your competition, they are your peers. Learn to love them.

3. Push your Limits

Guys, this year I went to a poetry class. I don't particularly like poetry, I usually don't get poetry, and it doesn't invoke in me the emotion that is supposed to make poetry what it is. But I went to a poetry class this year, and it offered me new insights and new appreciation for the form. Am I a changed woman? Probably not. I still don't really understand why you need to write an Ode to an Onion. But I am better informed.
Whatever your genre, give yourself a block or two to step out of that bubble and into something that might not normally pique your interest. This not only provides networking opportunities, but it grows your writer's toolkit, and gives you a deeper well of experience to draw from, providing your work with richness it might not have otherwise possessed.

4. Make yourself Useful

One of the biggest mistakes you can make at any networking event, like a conference, is to be the person who hands out their business cards immediately upon meeting someone. This year, I stopped to compliment a fellow writers hair (which was a truly stunning shade of turquoise), and she handed me her promotional cards in lieu of a thank you. I cannot stress this enough, but DON'T DO THIS. Have your cards, and have them ready to hand out, but don't make it the primary point of your interaction.
Networking is not just about advancing your career. There is a give and take, a "what can I do for you?" that is so vital to the process. Be constantly asking yourself what you can offer to the person you are talking to. What do you bring to the table? How can you help them? This fosters a community and gives you a web of people who are more willing and likely to want to work with you in the future.
A good rule of thumb for cards is to have them available and to give them when they are requested or when it is natural to do so, and don't predicate the success of an interaction on whether or not you got your card in their pocket. In other words, don't pass them out immediately upon sitting down for lunch.

5. Save your Notes

I cannot tell you how many times I have sat in a workshop and thought "That is an amazing point. I should write it down." and then didn't write it down, or did, but didn't save my notes. As cumbersome as it sounds, spend the time after a conference to go over connections made (email or message them on social media, just to mention how great it was to meet them), and to go back over your notes and save the ones that are really helpful. Save the information of presenters whose workshops were particularly relevant or helpful to you. While this is not universal, many industry experts are happy to answer questions, especially if you mention how much you loved their presentation (feed the narcissism. Always)

The Two Big No-Nos

Firstly, listen more than you talk. While you may sell a book or two, the people at conference are your peers, not your customer base.
Secondly, be nice to the staff. Conferences are often volunteer run, and these are people who give up a ton of their own personal time to make the experience a good one. Give them coffee, or at the very least, don't be rude.

How have your conference experiences been? What advice would you give new conference-goers? Let us know in the comments!


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Friday, July 08, 2016

Writing through the Block


Every writer suffers occasionally from the dreaded writers block. This blog, itself, came from sitting at the keyboard and wondering "What will this weeks blog be about? I have literally no idea." Presto! Instant blog topic.

Staring at an empty screen is frustrating for every writer, from the first-timer just trying to get a story onto paper, to the seasoned veteran working on an impending deadline. Writers block whispers that you are not, will never be, a good enough writer. Clearly, if you were more talented, this wouldn't happen. This is obviously not true, as evidenced by the great Lin-Manuel Miranda:



This man has won a Tony, guys. For his writing. The man is a genius, and if he stares at a blank page trying to figure out what in the heck he is going to write down, there is hope for us all.

Before anything, close the window, or the notebook, or whatever you are using to get your thoughts out. Just close it. I know it seems counterproductive. After all, you're supposed to be writing. But stay with me, here. Window closed? Good. Now, let's beat the block.

1. Read...This is good advice for any writer, but especially one in the grip of mental meltdown. Aspiring writers have the worst tendency to forget that reading is one of the best ways to hone the craft. Reading forces the mind to work, shoves it firmly out of the box and into another life. It gets your brain whirring, and helps burn out all the extra that clogs up the creative process. Besides that, it forces you to relax. How many of us became writers because we were inspired by an amazing book? There is something inherently calming about taking a book from a shelf and just reading for the sake of it, for the pure pleasure of watching a story unfold. Let yourself be lost in it, and you may come back refreshed, with brand new ideas about where your story should go next.

2. Write...about something else. Sometimes the well, as it were, needs priming. We itch to write and occasionally, though the spirit is willing, the brain is spongy and empty of creative thought. So put away your WIP and write something else. Journal, freewrite, or find a writing prompt and just allow your thoughts to flow without the stress of worrying how it will fit into your plot. Need some help with what to write? We've got you covered.

3. Do...literally anything else. Take a shower. Go for a walk. Exercise. Heck, watch an episode or two of that Netflix show you've heard so much about. Just let your mind take a break from the fictional (or non-fictional) world you've been immersing it in. Let yourself come up for air, and breathe in the inspiration of the world around you. One of the best methods is to find a place with natural beauty. A beach, a national park, a regular park. Just find a place where the calm of nature can wash over you, and see if the thoughts don't begin to flow again.

4. Confession: I made the above graphic, completely forgetting that I only had three points in this list. BUT, I did include a few extra places to look for inspiration in squashing writer's block. So, if you need more help, here, here, and also here are a few extra tips from some genius bloggers to get your juices flowing and your brain back to that brilliant WIP.

Writer's block happens to the best of us. The good news is, it doesn't have to get the best of us.



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Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Promoting Your Work Without Being Obnoxious



We all have that friend. Maybe they sell essential oils, or bags, or beauty products. Maybe they are a local craftsman, or, like many of our readers, maybe they are an author.

And do you know how you know they are that thing? Because it is literally ALL they talk about online. Every single post is a reference to the product they are hawking, and lets be honest, we've all unfollowed that person at one point or another.

Does that mean that promoting on social media is a lost cause? Doomed to failure?

Of course not. Social media is probably your best tool in your promotional toolbox. But, as with most things, moderation and balance are key. So here are three tips to help you promote your work without being obnoxious.

Don't be spammy

Have you ever been added to a group or online sales party without your permission? And then you see the updates over and over again? Who added you? This guy? You haven't seen this guy in twenty years, why is he adding you to things? Invite people to like your page, but don't seek out old relationships for the purpose of selling to them. People can sniff out when you're being hollow.

Half of networking is forming relationships. Care about your audience, not just about whether or not they are going to buy your book.

Involve them in the process

Your social media presence should begin long before you publish. Posting that you have written a book and it is AVAILABLE NOW may get you a few purchases, but if you have been posting for months that you are writing a book, and updating your platform on your progress, you will already have a built-in audience dying to see what you've been doing all this time.

As you write, take your platform on the journey with you. They will feel invested and less like you are simply trying to get their money.

Remember the rule of 80/20

This is so important, and something many people forget. Before you are a writer (or Direct Salesperson, or candlemaker or whatever), you are a person, with a life. Post about that life. 80% of your posts should be unrelated (or only sort of related) to your book. People relate to other people, and the whole reason behind social media is that we love getting peeks into other peoples lives. Give your audience something to peak at (Sorry, phrasing). By following the 80/20 rule, you will be able to promote without your audience feeling like they are inundated with sales pitches.
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Wednesday, June 01, 2016

ETP Summer Book Challenge: Find those books!


The challenge starts today! I'm so excited to have a legitimate excuse to read! (As a side note, isn't it funny how, as adults, we feel like we need an excuse to do anything leisurely or relaxing?) There are only fifteen books on our challenge list this summer, and with so many awesome books out there (I know my TBR list far exceeds fifteen), how to choose? To help you out, here are a few resources to help you with your book selections.

Books about America - Goodreads has this list of 49 books about America, and the Library of Congress has this one. Some are classics like The Great Gatsby, while others are more contemporary. Either way, the books on this list might help you get into the Fourth of July spirit. 

A Book from the 1001 list - If you've never seen this list, you are missing out on a gem. Spanning multiple genres, age groups, and styles, the books on these lists are the universal "must-reads" of the literary world. Find it here.         

Books not originally published in English - There are so many of these, and finding a list that had both classics and lesser-known titles was tough, but this list from Nighthawk News has twenty-five awesome titles for you to choose from.    

A bestseller the year you were born - If you were born before 1942, you're out of luck on this one (although, if you were born before 1942 and you are doing this challenge, drop me a line. I would love to chat!), but Wikipedia has the lists from 1942 through the modern day.

A book set in the outdoors - You could always reread Hatchet, but Outside Online has this great list of outdoorsy adventure books for you to explore in honor of National Camping Month.

Books about Fathers - Fathers Day is June 19th, so honor your own dad and read a book off this list from Amazon or this one, from ShortList.

An anthology - Here are all of eTreasures anthologies! There are lots to choose from!

ETP Book Club picks - Stay tuned!

I hope this gives you some good ideas for summer reading, and we can't wait to see your reviews!

Remember to grab the graphic below, and to use the hashtag #etpsummerreads




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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Monday, May 23, 2016

ETP Summer Book Challenge



I am so excited to finally be launching the first of our summertime challenges! These have been in the works for awhile, and it's finally time to let you in!

This summer, eTreasures will be hosting its very first book challenge! The challenge is to read fifteen books this summer, within the categories below. Some are summer-specific, some are not. Some are specifically ETP books, some are not. All have the potential to provide you with a summer full of good books!

Here is how the challenge will work: Each week as you read books for the challenge, we want to know! Tweet, Instagram, blog, however you want to get the word out, using the hashtag #etpsummerreads. Once you finish a book for the challenge, blog about it (and be sure to add a review to Amazon and Goodreads, especially if it's an ETP book or written by a self-published author)! We will do a post each week rounding up challenge posts from around the blogsphere.

We will be providing ideas and links leading up to the challenge launch so that you can be ready with your challenge titles. Make sure you are subscribed to the blog and following us on Twitter to stay updated. We will provide more info as the summer draws closer.

The ETP Summer Book Challenge runs from June 1st to August 31st. Happy Reading!





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Friday, April 29, 2016

Meet the Staff: Rhyannon Yates



We have some great staffers over here at ETP, and for the next few months, we'll be introducing them to you.

Rhyannon Yates is our Promotions and Marketing Coordinator, which is a fancy phrase for "Social Media, Blogging, and getting books out to reviewers". And before you ask, yes, that means she is the one writing this, and she is writing about herself in the third person. Creative types are odd people, and you just have to accept it. 

Rhyannon also does a very small amount on the editing and acquisitions side, mainly with our picture and children's books.

When she isn't being a social media guru or sloshing through the pile of submissions sitting in her inbox, Rhyannon is a work at home mom. She has two little girls, with another due to be born literally any second. It is not uncommon for her to be scheduling posts on Twitter, emailing review sites, and telling at least one person in her house to please go put on some pants, because the repairman should be here any minute. It's definitely a busy life, but she is enjoying her new foray into the publishing world, and has no plans to slow down any time soon (I mean, fine, she'll probably take a week or two when the baby gets here, but Twitter posts don't schedule themselves)

Rhyannon is a writer in her own right, having been published on City Moms Blogs Network and in the anthology The Milk of Female Kindness

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Why that Rejection Letter Should be the Focal Point of your Home

Today we have a guest post from Readers Legacy! They are using the month of April to celebrate J.K. Rowling, one of the literary worlds greatest success stories, and also the quintessential rags-to-riches tale that every author aspires to. Today they are sharing with us the importance of rejection, and also a special sales event in support of literacy programs around the world!


I pinned my 1st rejection letter to my kitchen wall because it gave me something in common with all my fave writers!” – J.K. Rowling via Twitter (March 25, 2016).
What do literary geniuses, J.K. Rowling, Dr. Seuss, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Orwell, and Agatha Christie all have in common? Surprisingly enough, each of them have written books that were rejected by multiple publishers. As hard to believe as that may be, it’s entirely true!
Contrary to popular belief, rejection more than anything is a learning opportunity. Of course, no one welcomes rejection. In fact, they avoid it at all costs. But everyone gets rejected at one point in their life, or another, and instead of dwelling on the pain of being told “no”, they can use that rejection as a motivator – the greatest motivator in their life!
On March 25, 2016, J.K. Rowling took to twitter to share two rejection letters she received on her crime novel, “The Cuckoo’s Calling”, written under the alias of Robert Galbraith. While Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series has sold more than 400 million copies to date, Rowling admits to having self-doubt. “I wasn’t going to give up until every single publisher turned me down, but I often feared that would happen” she explains. Despite these fears, “The Cuckoo’s Calling” was eventually published by Sphere Books, an imprint of Little, Brown & Company, and the rest is history.
Rowling didn’t allow the fear of going unpublished stop her from trying time and time again, which is an example many dreamers can learn from. Yes, rejection bruises a person’s ego and, more often than not, forces them to go back to the drawing board, but sometimes that’s the best thing a person can do. Going back to the drawing board means making improvements both personally, and in one’s work, and making those improvements brings the motivation to pursue that passion even further.
Remember, rejection isn’t a death sentence, but merely a stepping stone which brings you closer to finally hearing that “yes” you’ve been waiting for. Though it might sound crazy to hang a negative note about your life’s work up on a wall, it can serve as a reminder to persevere…and when you achieve your success, it will be a reminder of all that you’ve overcome.

As an added perk of Reader’s Legacy’s Rowling celebration, we will be holding a special 20% off sale for each of her novels from April 25th to April 30th – ReadersLegacy.com/JKRowling. 
The sale not only celebrates J.K. Rowling, but was also brings attention for a special grant program we have created in order to give away 1 million physical books in support of literacy programs! Spreading a love of books, and ending illiteracy around the world is 100% possible, and with the help of reader’s on the site, we believe will be one step closer to achieving that goal! Get in on this sale HERE.
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Monday, March 28, 2016

Writing Challenges Round-up!



Sometimes, as writers, we find ourselves between projects, or between paragraphs, or between words, really, lacking in inspiration, ready to go crazy, because the words are THERE, dangit, even if we can’t get them out onto paper. Sometimes it isn’t even writers block, it’s just being between projects, nothing pressing, but still with the desire to hone our craft and not allow our writing muscles to atrophy.


So what is a writer to do? How can we practice our writing when there is simply no inspiration or work in progress?


ENTER THE INTERNET!


All over this beautiful web of interconnectivity are writing challenges, chock-full of prompts to help inspire and stretch your writing skills. Some even offer opportunities for promotion through their blogs. We’ve compiled a few here.


Formal Writing Challenges


YeahWrite offers four weekly writing challenges, based on an “Ultimate Question” to help get your creativity flowing. Categories are Non-fiction, Fiction/Poetry, Microfiction, and the very compelling Moonshine challenge, which accepts all lengths and genres.


The Daily Post Writing Challenge is technically no longer “running” in that they are no longer posting new prompts every Tuesday. However, there are still tons of prompts on their blog just waiting to be tackled.


Thirty Day Challenges


The 30 Day Challenge Archive has a pretty awesome Thirty Day Writing Challenge. Pretty self-explanatory, with one challenge each day for thirty days. Take longer or shorter if you like. I won’t tell.


My Creative Writing Challenge has TONS of time-based prompts. The site hasn’t been updated since Christmas, but there are several 25 and 30 day lists ready to get your fingers tapping on the keyboard


Apps


Because we live in a fast paced world and don’t always have the time to seek out challenges, what if your prompts could come to you?


Literautas has a frankly amazing app to help inspire your stories. The prompts are incremental and help you build a story, rather than simply giving you a prompt and letting you run with it. The app is $1.89 on both Google Play and The App Store. Even if you don’t want to buy the app, the site has lots of resources to help you with your writing.


Appcrawlr has a few writing prompt apps available as well, though none look quite as promising as the Literautas app.


So, it’s not technically an app, but Pinterest can be an unexpected wealth of writing prompts to get your started. If you use Pinterest, just follow the Writing Challenges category to make sure they show up in your feed.

Every writer knows that the best way to get better at writing is to write. And write. And write. And these are some really great places to get started, whether you are a veteran, multiple-times-published author or just starting out on your writing journey. If you end up using any of these resources, we would love to see what you come up with! Leave a comment below linking us to some of your creations!
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Friday, March 18, 2016

Guest Post: Managing Time with Barri Bryan


Writers are artists, and one thing that plagues artists of all kinds is the management of time. I know that it is something I struggle with constantly (hence why my own work-in-progress is still only a third finished! Such is the life of the author.) Barri Bryan is with us on the blog today. Barri is one of our beloved ETP authors, and besides her two books of poetry, What Will Suffice and Chapter and Verse, both available in the ETP store, she also has a NEW release, her debut novel with ETP, Starting Over.




Barri shares with us today how to defeat the dreaded monster of time management.



It is unfortunate that most of the rules of time management are contradictory to human nature, and a writer’s temperament in particular. How can creativity be tied to a routine? Contrary to what you may believe, creativity can be enhanced by learning to manage time wisely.
One complaint of those who contemplate working from a schedule for the first time is “I wouldn’t know where to start.” It is to your advantage to take the time to find out where to start.
Another objection is that setting time limits puts one under stress. The opposite is true. Learning to manage time wisely can reduce stress.
A third criticism is that being on a schedule takes all the fun out of life. Welcome to the real writer's world. That world is not all dancing on the bar and shooting out the lights. Sustained writing requires dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
Each individual relates to time in a different way. No matter how we regard that old tyrant, all of us are allotted the same 1,440 minutes that come with each twenty-four-hour day.
Improving time management starts with evaluating your present use of time. I started on a Monday morning, and for that day I kept a record of how I spend my time by hourly logging in my activities. At the end of the day, I sat down and studied the results. I made notes of time-wasting activities, and then designated tasks and projects for which I would like to allot more time.
I designed a daily schedule sheet that fit my specific needs. This helped me plan my days more carefully. I reserved my most productive time for my writing. This flexible-within-limits-schedule helped me strike a happy medium, and gave me better control of my time.
I wrote a long term goal for my work-in-progress. It was reachable, and explicit, and able to be gaged. I stated in it that I was to complete my historical novel within a year of my starting date.
I linked my long term goal to short-term objectives. Objectives are targets designed to reach a specific goal. They are set in short time frames. My objectives for completing the goal of writing the first draft of my historical novel were to make an outline, do the necessary research, and then write at least 2000 words four days of each week until the first draft of my project was completed. Projected time for completing the first draft was six months. This gave me six months for second and third drafts, and provided for time for unforeseen interruptions.
After objectives were put in some order, I broke them down into smaller, more manageable objectives. I would work on my outline two-and-one-half to three hours each morning, four mornings of each week. Projected time for completion was one to two weeks. Then I would work two to three hours each afternoon until my basic research was completed. Projected time for completion was four weeks. After these projects were done, I could move to short term objectives for writing my novel. To be effective both goals and objectives require a flexible time frame and predetermined end results. I scheduled so that I spent short increments of time writing. Spending long hours on a project adds strain to my physical and mental well-being, and usually results in a product that is less than my best.
More hints for managing time:
I have learned to deal with time wasters in an effective, yet inoffensive way. I have a voice mail system. From seven AM until eleven AM, four days a week, I don’t answer my phone. I have made it known that a certain part of those days are devoted to writing.
I once felt I needed an excuse when I didn't say yes to requests that took too much time away from my writing. I have learned that I don't. My stock answer now is, "I have to say no this time."
When I succeed in accomplishing a long term goal, I reward yourself by going out to lunch with a friend, catching up on my reading, or visiting with my family.
I make allowances for crises and emergencies. When the best laid plans go astray, or important tasks fail to get done, I know I have allotted time to meet and deal with each interruption as it arises.
I do my best creative writing early in the morning. I reserve that part of my day for my creative writing. I can attend to research, editing, answering mail, and writing factual articles another time during the day.
The creative process requires time for proper development. It's important that I make time in my schedule for relaxing and breaking away from my writing routine. I have three-day weekends to do that.
I try, as much as possible, to live in the present, to be open to new ideas and information, and to appreciate and acknowledge those around me. Mastering these few rules and skills have helped me to face the future with confidence, and handle crises and interruptions with grace and ease. It has also helped me to have more time to devote to writing.
 
To stay up-to-date on Barri Bryan and her work, visit her website here, and be sure to check out her newest work, Starting Over, available on Amazon and the ETP store.


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Monday, March 14, 2016

The Monthly Treasure is Relaunching!

ETP has news, and I am so excited to share it with you!

We are so thankful for all our authors, readers, and followers, and we want to make sure you are up-to-date on all the news coming out of ETP each month. A great way to do this is obviously to follow our blog (have you followed us yet? You should!). But where do you find all the info about our new and upcoming releases, our amazing staff, and our phenomenal authors? By subscribing to the ETP newsletter!

In April, the Monthly Treasure will relaunch. In case you aren’t one of our awesome subscribers, The Monthly Treasure is the ETP monthly newsletter; your source for all our monthly updates, new releases, staff profiles, and author spotlights. We will also be highlighting events of interest to our fellow bookworms around the country, like book festivals, signings, and conferences.

You do not want to miss out on this awesome source of news from your favorite publishing house, so make sure to subscribe, using the subscription form in the sidebar.



Wait, I’m already subscribed to the blog. Why should I bother with the newsletter?

The Monthly Treasure is going to be full of content, some of which you will find complimented on the blog, but some of which you will ONLY get in the newsletter.

1. Advance notice of ALL new releases. Every new release gets a blog write-up, but teasers and advance notice are exclusive to the newsletter.

2. Author spotlights. Follow up with your favorite authors in guest articles and exclusive content, keeping you up-to-date on what is happening in the world of ETP writers.

3. Event calendar. We know our readers and authors are just as passionate about books as we are. The newsletter will feature upcoming events in the book world from all over the US.

Plus tons more as we add to, tweak, and rework the newsletter over the next few months; but you’ll miss it all if you don’t subscribe! Hit the subscribe button in the sidebar to make sure get the first new issue on April 1st!


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Thursday, March 10, 2016

New Release: Loving, Living, and Legends by Jack Horne



EPT readers, it’s a new release! Jack Horne is back, exploring the complexities of life, love, and the supernatural in his new poetry collection, Loving, Living, and Legends. This collection comes as a follow-up to the collection Shades of Darkness and Light, also available through the ETP store.


This collection of poetry touches on a plethora of subjects, from humorous vignettes, to pieces delving into the grief of death. While the familiar themes of loneliness and loss can find resonance within all of us, Jack handles them with a sense of hope, rather than one of despair. Jack loves to write humor, and his hope with this work is that, though many of the poems deal with serious matters, readers will find laughter as well as empathy. After all, the failure of a relationship or death of a loved one are experiences fraught with grief, but also sometimes with humor that perhaps we would leave untouched if not for someone else saying “No, I’ve felt this way, too!”.


We hope that through the pages of this collection, you find a bit of yourself, and that Jack’s words tap into a bit of the human experience in all of us.

For more on Jack Horne’s work, visit his website at www.jackhorne.blogspot.co.uk.

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