Jevon Bolden, Editor

30+ Ways to Show Your Favorite Author Some Love

2012-02-14T18:30:00.000-05:00

I came across a wonderful list a couple years ago: "If You Love a Book Author and Want to Help Her: 36 Ways to Help a Book Author You Love." The tips are still relevant, especially today--Valentine's Day. Some of you may have valentines, some may not, but either way today is all about love. Love is really an action word more than it is a state of being.

Being "in love" is for the birds and maybe some bees. Time-tested, eternal love is about a deliberate choice to take a course of action consistently in someone else's favor.

So do you really love the writing in that book you're reading? Are you so engrossed in the story that you forget you are actually reading? Has this book challenged you to live a better life? Give more? Work harder? Go the distance when you first thought you should quit? Take that leap of faith? Yes? Well, you need to get off your duff and show some love! Actions speak louder than words, and that author needs to know that they are impacting people.

On his blog Book Marketing and Book Promotion, John Kremer shares 36 ways you can help a book author you love. They are so easy and practical that if you do them you won't break a sweat or the stride in your regular routine. Here are a several of the tips that stood out to me, sort of in my own words and not in order:

Recommend the book that means so much to you to a friend.
Gift the book to friends and family on holidays and birthdays.
Recommend the author's website, blog, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter feed, and other online networks on your own social networks.
Pray for the author. Yes, pray. Prayer works.
Recommend the author's book to your reading group or book club.
Interview the author on your blog.
Write a review on Amazon.

That's easy, right? Even that little bit can help. Show the authors you love them today. Choose one and go!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Black History Moment: Ben Carson--Reading Can Change Your Life

2012-02-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

“Hereis the treasure chest of the world―the public library, or abookstore.”

―BenCarson, ThinkBig: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence

“Ifwe commit ourselves to reading thus increasing our knowledge, onlyGod limits how far we can go in this world.”

―BenCarson, ThinkBig: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence

“Thedoors of the world are opened to people who can read.”

―BenCarson

“Readingactivates and exercises the mind. Readingforces the mind to discriminate. From the beginning, readers have torecognize letters printed on the page, make them into words, thewords into sentences, and the sentences into concepts. Readingpushes us to use our imagination and makes us more creativelyinclined.”

―BenCarson, ThinkBig: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence

I must have been about fourteen or fifteen years old when I readGifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson. Dr. Carson, if you don't know,is a gifted neurosurgeon―a black man. In 1987, Carson made medical history by being the first surgeon in the world to successfully separate siamese twins (the Binder twins) conjoined at the back of the head (craniopagus twins). Just phenomenal.

I don't remember which came first: my knowledge of this miraculousfeat or my reading his book. But when I came in contact with Dr.Carson's story I was mesmerized. So mesmerized in fact that I becameobsessed with the steadiness of my hands and regularly tested myselfto see how good my eye-hand coordination was. Dr. Carson said in oneof his books (by this time, I may have already read Think Big)that eye-hand coordination was a stand-out physical feature that exceptional surgeonsmust have.

Now let me tell you, my hands are steady as a rock―no nervousshaking or twitches. I played the piano as well and effortlesslymastered the ability to simultaneously pat my head and rub mystomach. So no one could tell me I wasn't a shoe-in for Johns HopkinsUniversity. Oh, yes, after devouring every written piece on Dr.Carson at the time, I was determined that neurosurgery was mydestiny.

As you can tell, that destiny has changed drastically―as destiniesdo as you grow up, many times over in some cases. But it wasn'tbecause I wasn't good at the sciences. I started college as a pre-medbiology major and did quite well in both math and science, but then Ihad a very clear revelation my sophomore year. It wasn't Dr. Carson'soccupation that captivated me; it was his full awareness of the valueof knowledge, reading, education, and capturing our own unique set ofgifts and potential for greatness. What has stuck with me over the years was that hismother made him read a book a week, write a book report on each one,and cut his TV watching. He said these seemingly minor things openedup a completely new world for him. He was no longer failing everyclass. He was no longer just a kid in the ghetto with no hope.Through reading and writing, his dreams came alive and caused him tobelieve the impossible for himself―and others.

My sophomore self began to evaluate this, and I took a mentalinventory of the gifts that flowed out of me naturally and what wasmost exciting for me about school. I remembered that the only class Ididn't skip― EVER―was English, and I was always writing or reading something. That was my love and passion. It wasexciting and effortless. That was when I said, "Screw that! I'mchanging my major to English!" (I'm pretty sure those were myexact words.) Why would I not do what I love? People have said to meover the years that I must not have a love for money. I would say, "Ilove living life to the fullest with as few regrets as possible morethan I love money."

Dr. Ben Carson set the stage for me and other black young people(and, really, just people in general) to find value in reading and readinga lot―anything that excites them and causes them to dream, imagine,and THINK BIG about their future and the limitless possibilities inlife. He―an exceptional black man and world famous surgeon―is aninspiration and living proof that the simple act of reading canchange your life.

Who Are You Writing For? -- Discovering Your Target Audience

2012-02-06T17:31:00.000-05:00

Successful authors understand that the focus must be puton the reader and satisfying the reader's needs. Even in the mostpersonal writing, a memoir or autobiography, the writer shares herstruggles and triumphs in an effort to help the reader make bettersense of his own.
—Todd Sattersten, Every Book Is a Startup (O'Reilly,2012)

Discovering your target audience is like the jelly part of aPB&J sandwich; the topic itself is totally the peanut butter.Those two elements need to be clearly defined before you put pen topaper.

Many times when we discuss our writing projects, weverbally articulate who we are writing for, but when wetake a closer look, sometimes it's hard to match whom we said we werewriting for with the writing itself. I've seen this many times duringthe editing process and when I review manuscripts for publication.The query or the proposal will say one thing, because the author mayunderstand what I am looking for, but when I actually read the piece,the focus is a bit scattered. A similar thing happens when the authoris not able to pointedly tell me who their audience is when I ask.

If you can't answer the question, Who are you writing this bookfor?, you will have a hard time putting together a well-formed piecethat connects with readers. But no worries. Let's see if we can putour heads together and figure this thing out.

One of the things I do, even in editing, is google the topic I amworking on and see who is saying what about it. Then I check out whoseems to be reading and sharing what is written--retweeting it,facebooking it, whatever. I look at blog comments. I visitorganization websites that provide similar resources or solves theproblem I am writing about and see who attends their workshops orconferences. I look to see who they say they are providing theirservices for. Then I make a list of those people. I categorize them.I cross out the ones that don't exactly fit my core audience--ormaybe I leave them as my secondary audience.

One of my mentors told me that once I discover the simplestcomposite of my audience, I need to narrow it down to one singleperson, find a suitable visual image, print it out, and tape it to mycomputer or somewhere in my eye's view while I write or edit. Ithought this idea was genius. Do you do this?

You should know the basics of who you are writing for:

Gender

Ethnicity

Age

Education level

Faith or religious preference

Economic status

Relationship status

Occupation

Common life situations; be specific (working moms, men with young children whose wives died young, over forty and unmarried, etc.)
You don't have to answer all of these for every project. I am justgiving examples of very important things to know about whom you areaiming your piece at. Knowing this information will build yoursensitivity and will help as you choose words, pull together examplesand illustrations, and form your arguments. (Side note: jargonand stilted language can actually work if the audience isright.) Being able to show that you were, at some point, wherethe reader is right now helps them to feel like they can relate toyou--and in turn helps you sell books, builds your readers'confidence in you as a writer and authority on that particular topic,and sets a successful foundation for your next project.

So tell me, how do you determine whom you are writing for? Is italways the same person in every piece?

6 Things Writers Should Not Say to Editors or Agents at Writers Conferences

2012-01-31T18:54:00.000-05:00

In light of my going to a coupleconferences this month, I figured I would put into writing a fewthings I hope writers will not say to the editors and agents (ormaybe just to me) they schedule one-on-ones with. This may beselfish. It may not be. It may actually help someone more than itsaves me from having to smile and say my favorite noncommittal word,"Interesting!" Yes, I am being way more tongue-and-cheekhere than I would ever be in person, so don't be scared to come talkto me. :) But this space, this blogspot, is kind of like my home,where you have entered in on me being myself and where you get tobe... well, whoever you want to be, I guess.

But here are some things I've heardfrom writers in the past that I hope to not hear at this year's roundof conferences. Although, some of them make for great stories.

1. "This is my first draft, but Ijust wanted to see what you thought."

Huh? No. Do not bring your first draftto a conference. This could be your one shot. Have you seen the movie8 Mile, or maybe you've just heard the song by Eminem. If not,go listen to it now and then think again about bringing your roughdraft to a conference. Now, if your main reason is to attend aconference for a learning experience, that's a whole other story. Butstill do not show your first draft to an editor. You can considercounseling with an editor, asking questions about the industry, maybeshare your idea, but please do not ask us to read your first draft.We are not attending the conference to review manuscripts or to doany conceptualization or development. We are looking for ideas topublish. Well, at least that's why I want to do one-on-ones.

2. "Before I tell you about mymanuscript, I just want you to read the first few pages. No, no, justread..."

Umm... Excuse me? Yes, this hashappened to me. The writer practically put their one index finger tomy lips as I began to talk and said, "Shhh... Just read this. Iknow it's going to blow you away." Do I really need to saywhat's wrong with this? Let's just say this writer is not publishingwith me.

3. "I know this isn't the kind ofbook you are looking for, but I just wanted to talk to you anyway."

Yeah, about that. No. I really need touse the little bit of time I have away from the office (on officetime by the way) maximizing on meetings that may have some kind ofROI for me and the company. What happens in these meetings is that,fifteen minutes after the author's spiel, I still end up telling themthat this is not the kind of project I am looking for, but perhapsXYZ publisher or agent will be better suited for you.

4. "I have never heard or known ofa book like mine. It is so unique."

Really. This seems like a good thing,but it's not. If there are no other books in the market like yours,there may be a reason for that--the market (i.e., readers) does notwant a book like yours. So saying this is not a selling point.Perhaps you could show how your book is similar to other books alongthe same lines (same genre or category) and then you could show howyour book is different. Saying that you know of no other book likeyours in the market says several things: 1) you don't read much, 2)you don't understand the book market, 3) you don't know the jobeditors have to do to sell book ideas to their sales and marketingteam who sell books to distributors based on comparison, 4) you didnot do your research.

5. "I don't have a proposal, but Ijust wanted to see what you thought about this idea."

Great, but not during the one-on-one.Meet me at a meal. I could be off here, but during one-on-ones I expect to meet withauthors who are ready to be published. If you arestill just learning and seeing if the author's life is right for you,let's talk over a meal.

6. "You guys publish the weirdstuff, right?"

Cute. But no. Try not to say anything about the publisher you are meeting with that could be taken negatively. In this case my thoughts were on my defense, not the author's pitch: We publish verifiablegenres and recognized BISAC categories--at least in our minds. Sothat is a little off-putting to say our stuff is weird, but thenagain maybe you're also saying your stuff is weird and that we shouldall get along because we're all weird. I guess that's OK. But come tome showing me that you understand what we are publishing and perhapswhat we publish sets us apart from what other publishers are doing inour same market. That would be nicer to hear. I don't want to be working for weirdos (although sometimes I question if I am or not,but only I get to say that).

While I may have been taken aback bymany more surprising statements during these wonderful editor-writerencounters, these are the ones that come to mind right now. Maybemore will come later. While I am probably the nicest editor you'llmeet at a conference (I will still enjoy our meeting as if you havedone nothing wrong even if you come to me with any of the introslisted above), I do think it shows an author's thoughtfulness andseriousness about their career when they take these one-on-onemeetings and use them for what they are for--to get a publishingdeal. If you are not ready to be published or you've found an editoror agent you'd like to just network with but don't have a manuscriptready, you should plan to share a meal with them--sit at their table.Please sit at my table. I love to have a full table. I am there to beexploited and to have indigestion for those three or four days. Ilove this business, the readers, the authors, and the whole bit thatmuch. And then if I do request your manuscript, please, please sendit to me. If you have problems hitting "send," read this.

That is all. Thank you.

What are some interesting things you've heardpeople say at writers' conferences?

An Editor's Inspiration

2011-12-21T12:14:00.000-05:00

Today I am working on an extensive edit, where I am having to fill in large portions of text. And I have actually been battling what I call editor's block. Being a developmental editor, it is my job--and really it's a gift--to be able to see how a theme or topic can germinate into a full-fledged trade book. Basically this is called conceptualization. That part came pretty easily to me for this particular project. But somewhere between the conception and the development, I lost my train of thought a bit.

Now I am knee-deep into my edit and the deadline is encroaching upon, creeping into, or threatening to cramp my creative space.

However, what inspiration I thought I lost has returned full force. Want know how? I began listening to the author speak on a similar topic. Having CDs or DVDs of my authors speaking or doing media interviews is really a point of inspiration for me when I begin to conceptualize or edit their work. I get fired up about their project just by hearing or seeing their passion about whatever it is they are talking about. I get a better sense of their voice, their mannerisms, their coined words or phrases, and other things that connect them so well with their audience. It helps me to be able to take those unique and identifiable traits and add them to the work I am conceptualizing or developing for them. I think adding those elements strengthens the impact of their book as well.

You may be reading this and thinking that writers have to come up with all their own ideas. That is definitely and hugely helpful and most generally preferred. Then there are times when someone who has adoring fans and incredible insights who needs that extra hand putting an actual book together that strings all of their appeal together into one place and on a solid, salable concept. That is where I come in.

So just a little tip: inspire your editor by sending them a CD or DVD of you communicating your heart to a large audience. It doesn't necessarily have to be about the subject at hand, although it really helps if it is.

If you are editing or writing for someone else, what are some tangible things that inspire you?

What I Don't Like About Being an Editor

2011-12-12T09:43:00.000-05:00

Just the other day someone asked me what don't I like about my job as a book editor. I must have been going on and on about what I do like and they must have been like, "C'mon, there's got to something you don't like. It can't be all that." I promise you, I tried very hard to think of what I don't like. I was actually at a loss for words. I just kept thinking, "What don't I like about my job? My day-to-day duties? The authors? My coworkers? Freelancers? Agents? Books? Deadlines? Hmm..." I ran and reran the list.

I still don't know. The core of this job is dreamy. I get to utilize every corner, extreme, middle, and far left of my personality traits and natural skills in this job. I can be creative. I can be logical. I can be an introvert. I can be an extrovert. I can be strategic. I can be spontaneous. I can be OCD. I can be willy-nilly--authors can make you willy-nilly. Trust me. If they push hard enough, you'll catch your hard-and-fast wall of preferences come crumbling down, and from some place far away, outside your gut and core intentions, you'll hear your mouth say, "Aw... what the heck?" Ha! After a while, some things really don't matter.

I can be restrained, and I can be flexible. I have to be flexible.

What's not to like about being an editor?

Bad manuscripts? No. You just fix 'em or reject 'em. Done.
Difficult authors? No. You read the book How to Win Friends and Influence People and follow the steps in part 3. Done.
Impossible deadlines? Not here. Speak your mind and say, "That's not going to get done in that kind of time." OR... Adjust your thinking. There's always a way to get it done, yes? Plus, it's good to get the blood flowing every now and then. Done.
Small cubie? Salary? Really? YOU'RE DOING WHAT YOU LOVE and you are influencing culture. I mean, honestly, you can't fake it. You're either really here or not. Another truth: you are always in a meeting, traveling, on the phone, or glaring so deeply into your computer screen that you can't see anything else anyway. Done.

Help me. What else could there be to dislike? 'Cause honestly, if there is much to dislike about this job, you really can't do it well or for too long. The desire to do this kind of work really does come from a deep passion for words, books, creativity, and people--in a nerdy, introverted kind of way. If there were things about this job that bothered me enough to call out, I don't think I could have lasted in it for eight years and others for twenty-five and thirty years. It's my niche, my right fit.

WAIT! It just hit me! I do not like THE SLUSH PILE. I don't. I really don't. For real, what is the stuff that lands in there? It's horrible. It takes up a lot of time that I don't have and I have yet to publish anything out of it. I used to enjoy going through it back in year one or two. It used to be fun or funny. Whatever. Since I began calculating the ROI (after year four or five), I realize it SUCKS! Busy, I can handle, but wasting time? Not so much.

Ahhhhh... (sigh of relief). There. I said it. And now I feel free.

So what are some other things editors don't like about their jobs? Share.

Happy Anniversary to Me: 8 Years in Book Publishing and Counting!

2011-12-01T09:33:00.001-05:00

A Personal Treatise

Not sure exactly why this year is so significant to me. I've had seven others and truthfully none have felt so exciting. All year I've been waiting for today so that I could somehow, somewhere mark this auspicious occasion [stilted language--for no apparent reason]. I do realize that the number eight is not so significant when it comes to celebrating any life event or milestone. Most people look forward to the fives--five years, ten years, fifteen years, and so on.

Eight is significant because for me it confirms a new beginning of sorts. The interesting thing about reaching eight is that you don't start all the way over. You tend to begin again with a fresh and new perspective of all you've learned, struggle through, and experienced in the previous years.

One reason I say this with such confidence is because I saw this happen in my marriage. It was like my husband and I recycled into markedly new people after eight years but still had the awareness and consciousness of our life together during the previous years. It was lovely rediscovering who we were at that time. Arguments that used to be so intense suddenly became complete hilarity. Things we thought we knew so well about the other became times of reexploration. We had a new flow, and it just felt right.

The other thing is my instinct: I just sense something new is in the air--a shift. Out with the old; in with the new. Everything fresh.

Now obviously I am not a numerologist, and I would not put myself in a class with the prophets. Still, I know for certain the best is yet to come. I believe that today begins the fulfillment of all the expectations I have held for the last seven anniversaries. I have a stronger sense than when I started in this business, right out of college, that this is where I am supposed to be. I feel at home. I feel like I am growing into my best self. I have a surer sense of what I want, yet I expect to receive it with every bit of childlike wonder and surprise I can express.

If you asked me how I felt about things two-and-a-half years in, you may have caught me looking for the escape hatch. Everything was so quiet, then, you could hear a neuron drop. "Shh, editors at work." I was really questioning how I would fit. But, man, I really had no clue! Real publishing, when you're really in it, is like totally not quiet AT ALL! I'm so glad I stayed. You've got to give high-quality things time to age and settle. Like fine wine or great cheese or my grandma (she's still a hot mama at seventy-six and just getting hotter)...

I am so humbled God has been gracious and patient with me over these years. I wanted things He held back. I resisted things He gently nudged me into. Then I was overwhelmed when what good things I didn't ask for, He showered on me with lavish love and amazing favor. I am so grateful for all of it. Where would I be if it had not been for His grace? Most times, I am thankful that He really does know best and has the wisdom to ignore some of my prayers. Again, where would I be had He granted all of my early, not-too-bright, I'm-still-wet-behind-the-ears-but-think-I-know-something requests?

I suppose I could reflect on all the books I've edited, the authors I've acquired, the company I work for, or the respect I've garnered, but this isn't one of the fives. Eight causes me to step back and have a moment of self-reflection and God appreciation for what was and what is on the way. I absolutely adore my authors and am beyond moved by my coworkers' support and commitment, but what good could I really do them without my own confidence and awareness of who I am, where I am, where I want to go, how I plan to get there, and then a clear view--from my current vantage point--of how all of that works with the bigger picture of publishing? I'm not one to just put my head down and work. I like to look up from time to time to take in my surroundings--see where I'm at and who I'm there with. It is important for me to assess what I know and what I don't know--and learn it--before, I attempt lead, coach, or partner and build relationships with authors, other publishing professionals, and my coworkers.

I think these eight years have just helped me to not only recognize what I don't know, but I've also learned how to ask the right questions to learn what I need to learn. Wait a minute. Isn't that what I learned in college? Dang it! I thought I was on to something. Ah, well...

Here's to the eight gone by and the eight still to come!

Just Say Thanks! Book Giveaway

2011-11-23T10:23:00.001-05:00

Since there won't be a #FREEBOOKFRIDAY from me 'cause I'll be out shopping. I thought I'd do something like a #FREEBOOKWEDNESDAY, and in honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow, what better book to offer but R. T. Kendall's Just Say Thanks! published by Charisma House. This is one of my favorite books by RT. It is guaranteed to get you in the right frame of mind during this holiday season.

Holidays are not always the best time for everyone. Many of us are going through grief, financial troubles, and unemployment. But still there are things to be thankful for. This book will help you get that positive but realistic perspective that will get you through the holidays. Even if this is not your story at this time, this could be a great gift for someone else who is going through a tough season.

FROM THE BACK COVER...

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you..."

This book's life-changing message will enable you to discover:

Why gratitude must be taught
The power of offering a "sacrifice of praise" during times of adversity
Why God's Word instructs us to have a grateful heart
How you have God's undivided attention when you say "thank you"
A greater anointing that comes from giving thanks to God
What you should be most thankful for
Why sanctification is called the "doctrine of gratitude"

Get ready to learn why and how to thank God--causing you to receive the blessing that comes from the right attitude.

R. T. KENDALL was the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, England, for 25 years. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, he was educated at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Oxford University. He is well known internationally as a speaker and teacher. Dr. Kendall is the author of more than 45 books including Total Forgiveness, The Sensitivity of the Spirit, The Thorn in the Flesh, Grace, Pure Joy, Imitating Christ, and The Anointing: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. Click here to visit his website.

If you would like to win this book today, leave a comment for me telling me what you are most thankful for. Winners will be chosen today at 5:00 p.m. and will be announced on my Facebook page and on Twitter.

The Best EVER Sweet Potato Casserole

2011-11-22T10:49:00.001-05:00

I know this is a blog about being successful in the publishing industry, but how can you be successful without good eats? And what a way to relieve stress and break writer's block than chopping it up in the kitchen. The recipes that I'll post from time to time can also be used as bargaining (bribing) tools as you wheel and deal. Did I say that out loud? Yes. (Here's a great chocolate cake recipe. Editors and agents love chocolate.)

And now, here's another weapon, I mean, delicious recipe that will garner much praise from your discerning table at Thanksgiving time--and quick answers from your editor, agent, marketing/PR person, graphic designer, and whomever else you need to cajole.

Start with beautiful, large sweet potatoes. About 2 or 3 should be enough. I wash them really well, then plop them in a large pot and boil them till the skin slides off and they are nice and mushy. From there, I skin them and measure out 3 cups of mashed sweet potatoes and complete the following steps:

3cups mashed sweet potatoes
1stick butter
1cup sugar
1tsp vanilla
2eggs
1/2cup milk

Topping:
1cup light brown sugar
1/2stick butter
1/3cup flour
1cup chopped nuts

Mixingredients and pour unto well-greased casserole dish (11 3/4 x 7 1/2x 1 3/4)
Topping:Mix and sprinkle on top of casserole.
Bakeat 350 for 35 minutes or until done.

For kicks, I sometimes use a smaller CorningWare 2 1/2-qt oval casserole dish, so that my topping creates this thick, crusty, buttery layer that completely covers the sweet and soft deliciousness underneath. Then you have to like break through the crust to scoop it out on to your plate. Oh. My. God. So, so good.

Try it out and let me know what you think. Also, if you have any of your BEST EVER recipes for Thanksgiving, please share them here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

An Epoch Moment

2011-11-01T16:45:00.000-04:00

Today, Christian publishing veteran--my boss and mentor--Barbara Dycus retired from her role as executive director of Charisma House Book Group's product development team. There was a wonderful luncheon put on by our company and many friends and her husband, Jim, came alongside us to celebrate her new season in life. There were words of tribute and congratulations read from best-selling authors whose whole destiny was changed because of her encouragement, championship, and gentle guidance. Barb had been with Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group for almost twenty years, and for eight of those years I had the pleasure of bearing witness to and benefiting from a very fine legacy. Nobody does this business like Barb Dycus.

She will be incredibly missed. But she will be in her element working as a freelance editor if she's not too busy cruising around the Caribbean or walking the beaches of Belize. So if you've got a book that needs an angel's touch, you must connect with Barb.

Barb will be succeeded by Debbie Marrie, who has definitely got what it takes to blaze her own trail. We don't even need to think of how she will fill Barb's shoes; she's got her own pair of rockin' stilettos to trot in.

So we'll have our epoch moment, and simultaneously catapult off of its energy into amazing new heights. The best is yet to come for her and for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

10 Things You Can Learn from a Writer

2011-10-25T11:34:00.003-04:00

Open up the heart of a writer, and you will discover some pretty amazing things. They are a rare breed. These are the kind of people who go toward the struggle instead of running away from it. Why? Because they see past it into their dreams. This one characteristic in itself is one to glean many life lessons from, but for the moment ('cause I live in those), I thought I would briefly list what I thought writers could teach us all.

1. Don't be so afraid to put yourself outthere that you don't--if anything, do it scared.

2. Welcome constructive critique andmake the changes.

3. Let yourself dream and yourimagination soar.

4. Surround yourself with a supportivenetwork of people or animals or both.

5. Get a mentor or coach.

6. Keep in touch with your deepemotions.

7. Take a break and recharge, whenyou've hit a wall.

8. Know your strengths and be ready totell your story.

9. Read a lot of good books.

10. Never give up on your dreams.

What are some other things we can learnfrom writers?

Inspirational Book Giveaway

2011-10-04T12:26:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm giving away four great books newly released (or re-released) today by Charisma House Book Group. Leave a comment and let me know which book you want and why. Next Tuesday, October 11, 2011, I'll name four winners--one for each book. They will be announced here, on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn, so you may want to connect with me there too. Here's the gist of each book:

1. Answered Prayer Gauranteed: The Power of Praying with Faith by Frederick K. C. Price, pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center, a 22,000-member church in Inglewood, CA.

FROM THE BACK COVER: Begin praying today and start thanking God for what He has already done.

There is a way to pray so that you know God hears you and will answer your prayer. There is a way to pray in faith--all the time--a way to get answers.

God responds to faith and faith alone. In Answered Prayer Guaranteed!, Pastor Fred Price explains how it is critical to pray in faith and answers common questions about prayer, such as:

How did Jesus pray?
What are the basics of effective prayer?
What do you do in the time between asking and receiving?
Why is "God bless you" a misguided comment?
Is there a faith problem if there is no healing?
What is the biggest roadblock to answered prayer?

It is time to start using power-packed prayers that get the answers you are seeking!

___________________________

2. A Softer Strength: Six Characteristics of a Powerful Woman of God by Dondi Scumaci, international speaker, author, and expert in leadership development, communication, high performance teams, talent management, and mentoring.

FROM THE BACK COVER: God made you uniquely who you are on purpose!

In A Softer Strength, Dondi Scumaci shows you how to live a life that is motivating, inspiring, and that brings you into a full realization of God's purpose and plan for you. She highlights six approaches that will increase your inherent talents and develop the spiritual strength that leads to victory:

Softening your inner dialogue
Empowering and equipping yourself for success
Increasing your emotional intelligence
Asking for what you want
Being clear in thought and deed
Letting love reignite your world

You were designed for success in all of your roles. Your work as a mother, mentor, professional, leader, or volunteer should be challenging and inspiring. Start now; your opportunities are waiting.

____________________________

3. Daddy Loves His Girls: Discover a Love Your Heavenly Father Offers that an Earthly Father Can't by T. D. Jakes, CEO of TDJ Enterprises, LLP; founder and senior pastor of The Potter's House of Dallas, TX; and a New York Times best-selling author of Making Great Decisions and Reposition Yourself.

FROM THE BACK COVER: Your Father loves you very much!

God wants to fill every void and heal every scar left by earthly fathers. Bishop T. D. Jakes offers hope and healing that will change the way you look at your world.

Filled with powerful, encouraging teaching for women of any age, Daddy Loves His Girls provides the building blocks for healthier, happier relationships. Be encouraged as you learn how to:

Understand the losses you may experience in a a fatherless home
Build a relationship with a Father who never sleeps
Cut the approval cord and let fears of rejection go
Accept the fact that everyone has a right to be blessed

Your heavenly Daddy wants to protect you, love you, and comfort you. What are you waiting for? His arms are open, and His heart is big.

_____________________________

4. Help! I'm Raising My Children Alone: A Practical Guide to Bringing Up Happy, Healthy Kids on Your Own by T. D. Jakes

FROM THE BACK COVER: No matter what your current situation, God has something special for your family.

Raising children is hard work--especially if you are trying to do it alone. In this timely book, Bishop T. D. Jakes offers help, healing, and hope, providing a practical guide to rebuilding your own life so you ca build up the lives of your children.

Using discussion questions, interactive parent/child activities, and prayers at the end of each chapter, Jakes helps you learn how to embrace your family's future and let go of your painful past as you:

Learn how to accept unexpected changes.
Know that past failure does not prevent future success.
Learn how to take time for yourself.
Know that it is OK to ask for help.

"No mistake you have made in your past can stop God from blessing your children." --T. D. Jakes

So now that you know what the books are about, which one would you like to have for free?

A Moment of Silence for a Dear Friend--RIP

2011-09-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

"A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity." -- Proverbs 17:17

One of my dearest friends and her dearest love are both being laid to rest this week, and I want to be present during their transition from this life into eternity.

So I am taking a few days away--a moment of silence in my blogosphere and Twitterverse, if you will--to just be present here. I feel that my activity in social networking is such that I need to say something so that it doesn't appear that I am abandoning my post. Only taking a break.

Those of you who are aware of the circumstances, please do not feel that I am making a statement by doing this. Everyone grieves in different ways. If I continued my social media interaction in the same way I always have, for me, would feel contrived and a bit forced during this time. I plan to just concentrate my energies on each moment and the families who are hurting, if they need me.

Thank you so much for your understanding, kind thoughts, and prayers.

To eternal love...

Book Proposal Checklist

2011-09-23T16:53:00.000-04:00

Before you hit "send" on that query or proposal to that agent, editor, or publisher, you'll want to make sure you've dotted all your Is and crossed all your Ts. Here's a list that could help you get one step closer to your publishing dreams.

My mentor and boss for many years developed this list and made many authors who they are by empowering them to work through and perfect each of these elements:

1. A well-articulated book idea

2. A 300-500 word editorial summary of the topic

3. Chapter titles with a 2-3 sentence description of each chapter

4. Your current author bio

5. Helpful information including your current itinerary, information about past media/publicity appearances, significant social media numbers (Twitter followers, Facebook fans, blog subscribers)

6. Comparative book titles that are currently on the market and why yours is different

7. A list of all published books (including self-published) with name of publisher, date released, and total units sold to date

8. Who is your audience? Describe the kind of reader you believe your book will best reach

9. If you have special expectations of a publisher, state them with your proposal, including any contract terms you want to see or a critical date for release of your book (e.g. if you are having a large event based on the topic of your book and want the book available then). Just be sure you understand it will not be possible to release the book earlier that 9-12 months after you plan to submit the manuscript. If you need it earlier, discuss your needs with your agent/editor who will then be able to help you determine if there is a way to get books for that event.

Hopefully you can see ahead and realize that this information is not just for the agent or publishing house. As you begin to grow your platform, you will be asked time and time again, "So tell us: what is your book about?" You want to be able to do this with ease. This is great prep for media interviews, online profiles, and any other place you or your book may show up. The first three steps are also a big help in the writing process. Get those three well honed and it's all down hill from there.

What are some other elements that would help make an awesome book proposal?

Ask Me Anything--About Editing, Writing, or Getting Published

2011-09-19T17:29:00.001-04:00

Most of the time I write new posts based on what I think is important for writers to know. I don't want to do that this time. I want to give you a chance to share your perspective with me and get your specific questions answered about publishing, editing, or the writing process.

I may turn it into a full blog post (crediting you for my inspiration), or I may just answer you right in the comments.

With so many different sources of information out there, sometimes it's hard to discover what will work for your specific situation. Well, I want to help you with that.

However, here are some parameters:

Be positive and solution seeking. This is not a chance to vent or ooze any negative vibes about your past editorial/publishing experiences. I won't be able to answer for another editor anyway, but general questions about something like what to look for in a freelance editor are welcome.
Check the comments before asking your question to make sure yours hasn't already been addressed.
Be reasonable with your questions: I obviously can't edit your piece on my blog, but I am happy to answer questions about portions of your text regarding general flow, syntax, sourcing ideas, etc. And the other more obvious thing: I don't know everything. :)
Share this post with your writer friends who may be struggling with motivation, fear, writer's block, or have specific questions about writing, editing, or getting published.

Just so you know, this is a learning experience for me too. With your help and candor, I will be better informed of what makes writers tick, what writers struggle with, and how to communicate better with the writers I work with every day. So thank you in advance for being in community with me as we help make each other better.

Now what would you like to know?

Media Law 101: What Writers Need to Know About Libel and Defamation

2011-08-09T12:56:00.008-04:00

A few days ago, I wrote a post that provided a checklist of all the items an author needed to include in his or her completed manuscript. There was one item on the list that generated a few questions:

"15. Signed releases from subjects mentioned by name or likeness in your book (changing a subject's name is not enough)"

And then there's the news of Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, being sued by Ablene Cooper, who claims the book's character "Aibileen Clark" is actually her. Ms. Cooper feels embarrassed by the image and says that Ms. Stockett promised her that she would not be included in the book. Get the full story here.

I don't know any of the stipulations in this case, but it seems like a challenging ordeal that most authors can avoid, and I want to help you do that. I'll start by defining libel, defamation law, and right of privacy. Then I'll talk about ways you can protect yourself and respect the rights of those whose name or image you would like to include in your fiction or nonfiction piece.

THE BASICS

Libel involves the publication of written defamatory material, or a defamatory statement recorded in some other permanent form (such as videotape or film). It can occur through the use of an inaccurate quotation, a miscaptioned photograph, or the omission of pertinent facts. Both fiction and nonfiction works can be defamatory.

A defamatory statement is a false statement of fact that injures or harms the reputation of a living person or an existing business. You cannot libel someone who is dead. The statement must have been published, and read or heard by someone other than the person who was defamed. Because of the First Amendment and the fact that defamation law is a state law, the tests for liability depends on whether the person suing is a public official or a celebrity or just a private person, or whether the defamatory statement concerns a matter of public or private interest.

The injured person must establish all of the following to be true:

The statement made about them was false. This is not so cut and dry and can be all about interpretation.
The statement had a defamatory meaning—injuring reputation; impeaching honesty, integrity, and sanity; or affecting a person's political office, profession, business, or ownership or interest in land or real estate
The statement clearly pointed to their person or identity by name or likeness.
The statement was published.
The statement caused damage to the person's reputation.
The person who wrote the statement is indeed at fault.

In certain circumstances the injured person must also prove economic harm—loss of wages or opportunity.

The right of privacy protects a person's peace of mind, sensibilities, and feelings. So it goes beyond what even defamation law protects, which is truth and reputation. People have a legal right to be free from unwarranted and unauthorized exposure of his or her person, or those personal affairs in which the public has no legitimate interest. In others words, we all have a right to be left alone.

A person's privacy can be violated in four ways:

Physical intrusion
Disclosure of private facts
Publicizing them in a false light
Misappropriating the use of his or her name or likeness for commercial purposes

MINIMIZING YOUR LIABILITY

Here are some ways to minimize libel claims:

Double check the accuracy of all statements about any living person, business entity, or product.
Keep detailed logs of calls and contacts made during the fact-checking process, and take outstanding notes documenting what you have done (including your failed attempts to reach people).
Obtain written releases whenever possible. (I give a lesson on how to draw one up here.)
Recognize the people who are most likely to sue: doctors, lawyers, chiropractors, accountants, public figures, religious figures, educators, business executives, even figures who are not central to the main story but are shown in an unflattering light
Watch out for red-flag statements that imply that a person committed a crime, acted irrationally or unethically, was incompetent, is financially irresponsible, acted in a heretical manner, or is involved with a disreputable organization.
Use criminal law terminology accurately.
If your story is partially or wholly fictional, but based on real people, change the names, places, and identifying information sufficiently so that no live person can be identified. And don't use the names of other real people.
Review the entire manuscript—including preface, forward, captions, and illustrations—prior to publication.
Organize your research and be certain that all factual statements can be verified by adequate evidence.

A person (author, journalist, publisher, etc.) can defend against invasion of privacy accusations by proving

They had the subject's consent.
The shared information was public information.
The shared information was newsworthy and of public interest. (Note that this defense may weaken over time, because information that was once of public concern can become private with the passage of time.)
The shared information was from court records.
The shared information was about a deceased person (which does not hold up in some states like Florida).
The shared information was not offensive, which could be arguable.

I know this was a long post, and I definitely didn't cover every detail, but I really hope it gets you headed in the right direction. Realize that all of these things have to be proven and defended and then interpreted and decided by a judge. Also know that while you think something isn't a big deal, you can be sued. It doesn't mean you will be proven guilty, but who wants to even go there? Study up on this topic if you are writing a memoir, autobiography, or nonfiction book with personal accounts in them. It will be worth your time.

I am not a lawyer, but I do recommend that you work closely with one to help you sort out your individual concerns or issues. Your editor should also have an excellent working knowledge of media law and may be able to provide you with great advice and counsel.

The definitions and terms in this post are adapted from handouts from a Media Law Seminar conducted at Charisma Media on January 19, 1999 by Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist,PA.

The New Author Platform Is About Building Community

2011-08-04T12:49:00.002-04:00

Like everything else in the book business these days, things have changed and all bets are off.

—Alan Rinzler

Every so often on my blog, I capture a bit of data about the publishing industry from secondary sources for my archives. I do this to mark things about publishing that feed my passion for the work I do, give me rare perspective or insight, highlight a significant paradigm shift, help me view the industry through someone else's eyes, or allow me to further support the authors I work with every day.

So today, I share (and archive) the following:

Last week veteran editor Alan Rinzler blogged about how publishing's view of author platform has changed—past tense. So if you're still operating and thinking in terms of the old model, it's time to upgrade.

The main difference between the old model platform and the new model, Alan says, is that the new author platform now focuses on "developing an unobstructed back and forth between authors and their readers, with the authors—not the publishers—controlling the flow....It's the author, not a publicist, who inspires readers to buy the book."

The new author platform is about the author personally building a community or a tribe around their books—loyal followers, raving fans, engaged evangelists. The middle man (publishers) can't create this kind of synergy on it's own on behalf of the author anymore. Technology and social media have ruined that concept—and I love that they have.

Alan says that an author who masters the following four traits can expect to be successful:

1. Personality

2. Authenticity

3. Expertise

4. Subtlety

He goes into much more detail about all four of these and even provides examples of books and authors who have effectively used them. I urge you to read and bookmark his post for your personal and professional benefit.

Studying these attributes and implementing them in your publishing strategy will keep you ahead of the game. Seeing something behaving in a way you aspire to behave, causes you to take on a portion of that behavior.

"By beholding, you become changed."

I encourage you to get into community with some authors who are doing it right. Follow their blogs, subscribe to their RSS feeds, visit their websites. Take on one new trait or best practice at a time, mastering it before moving to the next. You won't be left behind.

What new methods have you had to adapt to regarding your author platform that have shown positive results?

What Are the Components of a Completed Manuscript?

2011-08-03T15:57:00.006-04:00

I write this assuming you are a writer whose book has sold to a publisher and now you are working with your manuscript—writing, researching, gathering facts, honing your key concepts, and all the other necessary goodies that make for a best-selling book.

This post may not apply to the author who was well-coached and managed by a fantastic agent, where everything on my list below was presented at the time of initial query.

But for everyone else...

This is the stage between contract and submission of your final manuscript. What I find when I am wearing my editorial hat (and not my acquisitions hat) is many times I receive a manuscript from an author that is missing quite a few vital components. These components should be part of the writing phase as the author prepares his or her manuscript for publication. I realize that some authors may not be aware of what is part of their manuscript prep and what the editor does during the editorial phase. So often, the things I mention below are overlooked and, by default, land on the editor's plate. (For a refresher of what an editor does, see a previous post.)

Now if you're an author who values a good editor, this should be very disturbing, because what you want is for your editor to spend as much quality time with your content as the editorial schedule will allow. An editor is an expert at making sure the author is all neat and tucked in, but should they also be responsible for doing things the author should have prepared beforehand?

That's a rhetorical question.

But here's another angle. With the whirlwind of trying to get published in the first place and then negotiating the best contract terms, deciphering publishing agreement jargon, working with marketing and sales on best strategies, and fighting through writer's block while working a nine-to-five job, maybe authors are just ready to get that all-consuming thing off of their desk, collect their advance, and are not going back to see what their publisher needs from them to count their manuscript as complete.

Well I'd like to help authors and editors everywhere by providing a little checklist of items and tasks that need to be completed before an author submits their final manuscript to their publisher. Not all of these elements will apply to all projects.

Here's what you need to turn in with your manuscript:

Endorsements
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface
Prologue
Introduction
Table of contents
List of tables, charts, graphs, or images
Charts/tables
Graphs
Photographs, graphics, or other images
Print licenses for song or poetry lyrics; long quotes from books, websites, and news articles; use of charts, graphs, or photographs; or any other copyrighted material
Full sourcing (or citation) information for all borrowed and quoted material including author, title, publisher's city and state, publisher's name, publishing date, page number, and/or web link
Signed releases from subjects mentioned by name or likeness in your book (changing a subject's name is not enough)
Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendices
Bibliography
Endnotes or footnotes
Index list
About the author page

If I were an author at this stage (between contract and final manuscript), I would print this list and put it up in my writing station.

Just sayin'.

Many times, and maybe other editors can relate, chasing down and completing this information impose on my edit time—especially signed releases, print licenses, and sourcing. While I love the thrill of a chase, my time could be better spent really homing in on the author's message or story and helping them make it shiny and life-changing for their readers. It's for the readers that publishers and authors do any of it, right?

Those are just my thoughts as they occurred to me today. What do you think? Did I miss anything? If so, please add them to the comments. Also if you need clarification on what any of the items on the list mean and how to go about getting them, let me know. I'll blog about it for you.

Best Tips for Author Websites and Blogs

2011-07-29T10:53:00.005-04:00

A blog that isn't updated is like a broken promise. A lonely, broken promise.

—@DanBlank, author platform/social media consultant

That's the statement that drew me in to the final minutes of last night's #bookcountry Twitter chat. It broke my heart, really. It made me think about my own abandoned blog audience—and I'm not even a writer. What were their hopes for being able to come to my blog and get insider secrets into the publishing world from a seemingly open and transparent book editor? I have let them down for over forty-five days now. Of course I have reasons and rationalizations for why I haven't been consistent, but what was the unspoken promise I set with my blog over the course of time?

I don't like to break promises. A broken promise is a lie.

So now that I've come to that realization, I'm going to dust my shoulders off, let go of the past, and move on to a better future.

Writers, don't be like me. Man your blog or website with freshness and consistency. You can start with these fantastic tips @ColleenLindsay, of BookCountry and Penguin USA, provided during the chat.

Practical tip #1: ALWAYS have contact information on your website or blog (and not one of those contact forms).

If I can just interject here: As I review proposals or seek out new voices for acquisitions, it amazes me how many potential author websites I go to that do not make it easy for me to contact them. I end up moving on from many of them without ever being able to connect with them. This, to me, is one of the most important aspects of a great online presence--being able to connect.

Practical tip #2: Create a downloadable press kit for your site, w/ high-res photos, book jackets, bio & press clippings.

Practical tip #3: Don't make it hard for readers to leave comments and engage you in conversation. Allow use of Open ID, etc.

Practical tip #4: Have a separate area on your site for appearance information, and make sure it's up-to-date.

Practical tip #5: HIRE A DESIGNER. Make an effort! It's not super-expensive these days to hire a blog designer.

Practical tip #6: Don't be afraid to take control of your comments & delete the [jerks]. It's YOUR blog.

Practical tip #7: Make sure your agent and publicist's contact info is on your blog/website.

Practical tip #8: Avoid graphic-heavy landing pages; they add nothing and just piss off people with older browsers.

Practical tip #9: Don't put auto-play music on your blog or website!

Practical tip #10: Make sure you add links to all your (public) social media presences on your blog/website.

Nancy Lambert (@Nanbits) added to this tip by tweeting: “Pls DON'T link to accts that are personal (family photos) or are unrelated (ex. cutepuppies.com).”

Practical tip #11: Add your bibliography, in the order that the books were published, so new readers can read in order!

Practical tip #12: List any and all awards you've won, whether you're a NYT, USA Today bestseller, etc.

Practical tip #13: Write about other writers you love to read. Pay it forward, especially if you have a strong platform.

Practical tip #14: If you're going on vacation or need a break, ask a friend to guest-blog for you so content stays fresh!

@DanBlank said, “Guest blogging can be nearly as valuable as owning your own blog.”

This was the best few minutes I've spent in a Twitter chat in a long time. I really hope you'll login to Twitter and follow #bookcountry and @bookcountry. Ask them about the transcript for this chat. Then use the tips. It's in applied knowledge that the power lies.

If there are blogs that you love to frequent, then some of those reasons you like to go to that blog can be things you can implement in to your own blog or website.

What causes you to return again and again to other people's blogs?

How a True Editor Feels About Writing--and Editing

2011-06-18T09:57:00.002-04:00

Thoughts about Salon writer Laura Miller's interview with editor Robert Gottlieb, "From Editor to Writer," April 26, 2011

I've heard the quote that says something about most editors being failed writers. Of course I have no idea how true that superlative is. Did someone take a survey? I don't know. But what seems to be more congruent is that a true editor does not envy a writer or the writing process. A true editor is passionate about editing--providing publishing oversight, literary structure, and encouragement and support to writers as they pour out what has been shut up in them.

Occasionally, I have been placed in the category of writer and frequently have been asked to write various types of pieces. I am a pretty honest person, so when asked about writing, I admit that I really don't like the writing process itself. I enjoy the research and the thrill of the chase, but then to sit down and pull all of that together is so hard! I have said this before on this blog: I admire writers. I'm in awe of them, even. Don't want their job. It's haunting. Or did I mean daunting?

Many of those who have asked me to write for them think it strange that I don't like to do it--unless of course it's stream of consciousness like blogging or journaling. They say (don't know how truthfully), "But you do it so well." Um... Yeah...

At times I have felt misguided or even perhaps lazy because I haven't, won't, or don't further develop this "thing" that I do "well" but am not fond of. Then I stumbled upon a kindred spirit in the words of this interview with legendary editor Robert Gottlieb. You've probably already read it, but it was so well matched with how I feel I thought I would capture it and archive it on my blog. You'll notice I'll do this here from time to time like with the video interview with editor Karen Thomas.

Robert speaks my heart so perfectly when he said, "I don't like writing -- it's so difficult to say what you mean. It's much easier to edit other people's writing and help them say what they mean." He went on to say, "I'm utterly happy when I'm sitting and reading through 12 gigantic volumes of Dickens' correspondence. Making notes, underlining -- it's thrilling! When that's all done, and I've had the satisfaction of taking all this stuff in, then unfortunately comes the moment of horror when I have to digest all of it and figure out a way to start writing." Yes! So very true for me too!

Robert has an enviable resume, yet he still so delicately handles the creative renderings of hard-at-work writers. He advises other editors to do the same: "Your job...is to be in sympathy with what the writer is doing and to try to help her or him make it better of what it is, not to make it into something else." Yes, this is all I want to do.

You should read this whole article and experience the heart of this legendary editor.

What are your thoughts about editors and writing? As a writer, have you experienced Robert's kind of purity displayed in an editor you've worked with?

Do You Pray for Your Editor?

2011-05-18T13:05:00.004-04:00

There is so much that goes into publishing a book, and the first phase involving editing and production carries some of the most challenging circumstances, obstacles, and distractions.

I’ve been editing a project when all of a sudden Microsoft Word shut down and I lost thirty pages of edits—never recovered. I had to redo all of it. I’ve been editing a project when my hard drive just up and died. I have been in the midst of an edit and cannot for the life of me figure out what the author is talking about, where they want to go with an idea or principle, or I’ve lost my train of thought on how to increase the intensity of a passionate appeal to the reader. If you quiz a few more editors, the stories of what happens behind the publisher's closed doors may actually scare you straight into the nearest prayer closet, sanctuary, or temple.

So, of course, I pray for myself that God will allow my mind to be sharp and enable me to imagine beyond the author’s words and into their heart. I also pray for the author as I am editing, because I know they are out there somewhere writing, speaking, traveling, and impacting people with hope, encouragement, and life-changing solutions. They are out there promoting their upcoming book. They are making connections and contacts. I know that they could benefit from divine help, so I pray for them.

There are things that work against our progress, but as a person who believes in the power of God, there will be none of that. The opposition will not win.

So I challenge the authors out there, who have faith, to pray for their editors. We are very much a part of your success and there are all kinds of things that try to get us off track from making your message everything it was meant to be.

Here’s how you can pray:

Pray that your editor is able to focus.
Pray that your editor will have positive interactions with their team members.
Pray that your editor will have peaceful and quality interactions with their family and friends.
Pray that your editor is inspired with the same passion you had as you wrote your piece.
Pray that your editor will have limited distractions—both technological and mental.
Pray that your editor’s financial needs are met.
Pray that your editor will have success in other editorial or acquisition endeavors.
Pray that your editor will have open doors and ears when they go to bat for you on key issues. They are your in-house advocates.

I believe every point listed above plays into how an editor is able to engage in an edit successfully.

What are some other ways to circulate positive synergy in the author-editor relationship?

When an Author Disagrees With My Edit

2011-04-15T11:25:00.005-04:00

6 Steps to a Win-Win

Yes, it happens.

While there are rules for grammar and usage, language is so fluid that many times content editing can be subjective. With subjectivity, comes room for argument or disagreement. Having edited as many books as I have in this short amount of time (approximately 130 in a little over seven years), I have had opportunities to consult with authors about things I edited that they weren't particularly fond of.

My goal is always a win-win, but there are times when I yield to their preference and times when they come to understand my edit choices. In either situation, I follow these steps to ensure that the author and I maintain a relationship of trust, accountability, and open communication.

I listen to their concerns.
I make sure I understand their point of view and the context for their point of view.

Is this just a personal preference?
Do they feel the edit compromises their voice?
Do they feel uncomfortable because the change is outside their field of expertise?
Does the change not jive with their personal convictions?
Do they not understand the audience for whom it is being written or the market it is being sold into?
Do they understand the publisher’s expectations for the manuscript?
Are they overly confident in the communicability of the original text?
Are they unfamiliar with our house style, Chicago Manual of Style, or usage/grammar rules?

Once I understand their point of view and demonstrate my understanding of where they are coming from, I determine if my edit was absolutely necessary based on why I made the change. If it wasn’t and their way of wanting to state something doesn’t compromise anything, I am happy to yield to their preference. If it does compromise something fairly concrete, I move to step 4.
I explain to the author the authority I used to make the edit:

Publisher’s expectations
Author’s audience
Buyer’s market
Clarity and readability
Correcting grammar or usage
Applying house style or CMOS rules
Enhancing their credibility
Adjusting for word count issues
Avoiding libel or copyright infringement

Usually at this stage, the author knows I am in their corner and it is my desire to make them look good and help them communicate in a way that not only reaches their current audience but will also expand their message to a larger audience. Above all, my edits serve that purpose. When they know that and I am not able to back down from my editorial changes, the author is usually happy to accept my edits.
If there is solution that allows for compromise and we both are able to be satisfied, then I search for that during our conversation and offer that for their consideration.

Working with authors is a joy for me, and I rarely reach an impasse with them. If I can find a way to give them what they want, I do it. But I am always thinking of how their words will affect them and their brand today, tomorrow, and on into the future. I believe this allows them to trust me with their most precious asset—their words.

If you are a writer, what are some of the ways you’d like to see an editor address your concerns?

If you’re an editor, what other ways can you suggest that would allow you to positively address author disagreements?

7 Ways to Win at Waiting

2011-04-05T12:00:00.004-04:00

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

—Hebrews 6:15

It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.

—Baltasar Gracian

Waiting is really hard. I won’t tell you how I know that. The thing about waiting is that you know there are things you can quickly do to end the torture: follow up, call one more time, change directions, make a quick decision on the next best thing that’s available right now… But are those the right things to do? Will they bring you the best results? Are they strategic? Or are they things you want to do because you are impatient and you just can’t take waiting?

Then, if you do what you think you could do, will it sabotage the best outcome you hoped to experience after all that waiting? For instance, if you go the easy route with what's presently available, will the one thing you were really hoping to work out suddenly work out but now it's too late because you already chose what was there? Who knows? But you have to always the factor in the good, better, and best of a possible action when you’re in a holding pattern.

Here’s my take: if you have reservations about what will happen if you move, you should wait longer. There is something about life that allows the answers to your heart questions to come around to you naturally—and you know when it’s right, because you'll have peace.

In these situations, I personally continue to pray and ask that my ears and eyes be opened to the right moment to act in just the right way to bring about the best answer or solution. I ask God to quiet my spirit so that I can be more keenly aware of the movements and soft nudges toward the right way I should proceed. If I don’t get to a place of internal quiet, then my mind is racing with questions and possible solutions to what I am facing, rather than letting the right solution be made known to me. There is a reward of peace when you allow the process of waiting to have its full work in you. Not only do you get what was divinely yours, but you also get the satisfaction of seeing yourself mature through the process of life. (And in case you haven’t figured it out yet, life is hardly about how much you can get out of it. It seems to be more about who we become through the process, which then determines if we graduate to the next level of great opportunities.)

Waiting is not a fun game at all, but here are some ways to win while waiting:

Find a place of internal quiet, where your thoughts are not racing with possibilities and solutions but it is open and ready to listen to divine direction.
Pray for the right time and way to proceed to be revealed to you.
Remember similar times in your life when you were faced with this type of waiting and how after waiting things worked out for the best. Focusing on a positive outcome is freeing and causes you to wait with expectation instead of nervous dread.
Busy yourself with something unrelated to what you are waiting for. Continue to be productive in another areas of your life. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re busy doing something else and you’re mind is not on that ONE THING.
Reach out and give encouragement to a friend or colleague who is going through a difficult time (oh and then take your own good advice).
When you feel a release to act with regard to what you are waiting for, even if it is in a small way, do it.
Rinse and repeat as many times as necessary until you see a break in the clouds. That break is guaranteed, because nothing ever stays the same. Seasons change, and even waiting comes to an end. Just be careful not to belabor waiting. Be very sensitive to when it’s time to act, make a move, or just move on.

So what are you waiting for today: a response from a job interview; acceptance from a literary agent or editor; an answer to a request or proposal, bid, or quote; a green light on a financial or business proposition?

The answer, the response, the verdict is there and it’s coming…

Simple Tips for the Christian Writer with Guest Blogger Ann Mulchan

2011-04-01T16:45:00.013-04:00

Developing a post like this had been on my mind for a while, then Ann Mulchan, author liaison and contracts specialist for Charisma House, asked me to read over some tips she had pulled together for another project she was working. I thought she did a wonderful job communicating ways to begin writing a book for the Christian market, so I thought I would post them here. She said I could. :) If you are writing for a Christian audience, please take note and listen to Ann. The woman knows what she's talking about.

Ann says...

A good book is measured by the response it evokes from the reader. It captures the heart of the reader. The goal is to help the reader understand, and stay connected by the consistency of the content (concept) of the book. Always think about the end result, and how is this book going to help the reader to grow, change, or see the Christian life from a different perspective. Ask yourself, “Is the reader being enlightened? What’s the take away value? What’s the WOW factor?” Become part of the audience as you write. Would this book interest you, and, if so, will you learn something new? Will you grow in your walk and relationship with the Lord?

Another very important thing to consider: is what you’re writing about something that has already been said, and, if it is, what makes yours unique and different? What is the unique selling point? Are there other books similar to yours, and how does yours compare in terms of being different? Yet, even though similar content may be out there, the skill is to put a fresh spin or a new twist on the same topic, to make it relevant for today’s reading audience, especially with the demographic of the readership changing.

Find creative and compelling ways to add your or others’ experiences to the content. This is the life of the book. Readers want something to connect with, and anecdotal stories help. These don’t have to be in detail, just enough to keep the reader engaged. Weave these throughout the book. Anecdotal stories, or humor, must be in good taste. A splash of humor adds a bit of spice or flavor. Again, this must be in good taste. Note that anecdotal material and biblical references should support the principle you are teaching about. In other words, the principle you are teaching about should be the main character in the chapter, and anecdotal and biblical references should be the supporting cast. The topic (theme) of your book should run through each chapter. Each chapter should have that theme as a thread that connects each chapter. Consistency is very important. Each paragraph should have one topic as the focal point. And then, the wrap up at the end of the book should drive home the topic (theme) of the book—how it all ties together.

While facts are good and needed, try not to have too much where the reader loses interest. The whole idea is to keep the reader engaged until the end of the book. The average reader has to be able to understand and grasp what’s being written about. When writing, try including yourself as part of the audience. Again, ask yourself, “Does it help the reader tap divine resources? Do they sense the presence of God?”What helps is to envision the reader in front of you as you write. Make the content clear, concise, and interesting. Write the way you talk but better.

Books that encourage the reader, books that help that person discover all God means to them, and books about how to overcome the problems of life are always good topics to deliver. They also allow you to easily develop and meet your author promise, which is what you promise the reader will gain by the time they reach at the end of the book.

The average reader does not understand “christianese,” so avoid using Christian slogans, terminology, or Christian “buzz” words that the average reader would not understand. Every reader is at the different level of spiritual growth or maturity, so gear writing toward the everyday reader. For the most part, they are the ones who make up the readership. In the same way, avoid verbose words, or words that one would have to look up the meaning to—unless it’s a book being written for scholars.

Define the market (the audience) for your book. In other words, whom do you specifically see reading this book (become part of the audience as you write)? Make the material applicable to today’s readers. The culture today is very different from yesteryear, so it is important to know or describe the readership for your material. Keep in mind the reading audience is also very different. The publishing landscape has changed tremendously from what it was even five years ago, so books have to be relevant, fresh, and captivating.

A side note: it’s been said and is good advice to write the book (article, poem, song etc), leave it alone for a few days, then go back and rewrite it. Usually what happens, is that you see things that you did not see before. Go back and rearrange sections, paragraphs, and so on, so that your words and message flow better. It takes a lot of patience to write something that will change lives and impact the world around you.

****************

Do you have any questions about how to come up with the right idea for your audience?

4 Reasons Why You Need to Be at the UCF Book Festival This Year

2011-03-15T05:09:00.007-04:00

In just a few short weeks Central Florida will be graced with the presence of some of our nation's most talented and highly read authors. If you live in Central Florida and are a book lover, you know the feeling that comes when you see all the author tours, appearances, and signings announced in places like New York, Atlanta, and LA. I don't know about you, but I find myself wondering what we have to do to attract more cerebral activity here. I mean, the new Harry Potter ride is cool, but I want BOOKS! The UCF Book Festival is the perfect fix.

I went to the festival for the first time last year. I heard about it via their Twitter feed, and I did not pass go or collect $200 (inside joke for Monopoly lovers). I stuffed my children and all their limbs into the car early that Saturday morning and we were off. Spontaneously planned. We had a wonderful time.

This year's festival, on April 16, 2011, promises the same level of funness (I can say that, right?), but because I'm planning in advance I expect our experience to be even better. Here are the highlights of what we hope to do, see, and read:

1. Culture and diversity. We will be immersed in the richness of the wonderful diversity of the stories that will be read or told at the author readings--and of the diversity of the authors themselves. Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon, authors of Zora and Me, will be there along with Tayari Jones, author of Silver Sparrow and Leaving Atlanta, and New York Times best-selling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez, whose newest title Wench was the subject of a recent Twitter chat I was honored to be in on. Click here to see more. Your favorites may be coming.

2. Activities for the kiddies. Let me just say this: Scholastic showed out last year. And I know they will be there in full force again this year. I had no idea that my kids would get so excited about Star Wars until Scholastic had Darth Vader (or Dark Vader if you're my then four-year-old son), Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and members of the Jedi made special appearances. They pulled out all the stops. There was music and anticipating narrative while we waited for them to make their grand entrance. Kids came running from all corners of the arena, fighting for autographs and pictures with the characters. It was fantastic! And then they'll be back again this year. Other vendors and exhibitors will also have freebies and simple crafts just for the kids who attend. My kids were amped about their very full bag of give-aways. I love that they all work so hard to make reading exciting for young minds.

3. The keynote and author readings. Because of my hasty planning, I missed last year's keynote speaker and didn't get to any of the author readings. But this year, I hope to be front row, center, to hear keynote speaker Maxine Paetro share her thoughts on being a New York Times best-selling coauthor with James Patterson. As an editor, I am always intrigued to hear how a writer's mind works. And as a reader, hearing an author speak helps me appreciate their product when I get it in my hand. Somehow those personal interactions make me a fan of people I may not have read otherwise.

4. And ice cream, duh! Yes, I know ice cream and books don't go together. Who am I kidding? Ice cream goes with everything, even pickles. Anyway, there is this really great little ice cream parlor right outside the arena. It's called Maggie Moo's. So good! We stopped there toward the end of the day and it was the perfect finisher for a perfect day.

Check out the UCF Book Festival website for lots more information and see what may interest you. I hope to see you there!

What Happens to Writers After the Writers' Conference? 7 Things That Should NOT Happen

2011-03-10T15:39:00.003-05:00

So you’re walking along minding your business and stumble across an out-of-the-blue writers' conference and you have a chance one-one-one with an editor or an agent, and guess what? They want your proposal! Obviously, it doesn't happen like that.

It’s more like you’re finally getting to the writers’ conference you’ve been scheming and planning to attend for years. You’ve gone without Starbucks for months trying to save for it. You’ve written and rewritten the piece you hope to present. Your piece has been ripped apart by your critique partners and pieced back together through your tear-drenched eyes and shaking hands. You know all the editors who are coming by name and face. You’ve studied what house they represent and what they are looking for at the conference. If you’re really up on it, you’ve followed them on Twitter, friended them on Facebook, and commented on all of their blog posts. (A little scary, yes, and maybe this is just what I think would be the ideal prep for a conference.)

But you finally meet with the editor or agent, and to your surprise, after thinking their favorite word is no, they say they like your concept and would love to see more of it. “Here’s my card,” they say. “Please email me a full proposal.” The words you had practiced to combat any objections are caught in your throat and all you can say is, “Oh! Oh, that’s great. OK! Yes? Really? OK! Thank you!”

Yes, they want you to send them your manuscript (or proposal). But you know what some writers do (I can only imagine, since I have some sense of what it's like to be human)? OK, wait. This requires a list.

Here are 7 things you should NOT do when you get home after a writers’ conference and an editor or agent wants your proposal.

Get home, get scared, and don’t send it.
Get home, rework the proposal to death, get scared, and don’t send it.
Get home, plan to rework the proposal to death, get busy with other stuff, and don’t send it.
Get home, plan to rework the proposal, get scared, doubt the words you heard come out of the editor’s mouth, second guess your talent, and don’t send it.
Get home; rework the proposal to death; begin to think you’re the junk; query other houses thinking that they will want you just as bad, 'cause after all, you have to keep your options open; and don’t send it.
Get home; rework the proposal to death, decide it’s crap; begin to rework the manuscript, decide it’s crap; start completely from scratch till you have nothing to send; and don’t send it.
Get home, become tormented by the words of all those who said they didn’t like your manuscript, forget that one person liked it, and don’t send it.

I know I could go on, and maybe you can add what goes through your mind after a writers’ conference that helps me understand WHY SOME WRITERS DON’T SEND THEIR STUFF. It doesn’t have to be perfect; we’ll probably tweak it anyway. And if you do end up thinking you’re all that to the point of not sending your material our way, good luck with getting responses from other editors or agents who don’t know you from a can of paint. We made personal contact at the writers’ conference; build off of that (that is, if I asked for your proposal. If not, I may feel stalked just a little bit).

There is always that possibility that as soon as you got home your email was full of other offers, so that's even better actually. Unless you want to still submit to the editor/agent who was interested at the writers' conference and start a bidding war between publishers, which could be fun too.

The thing you should know is that agents and editors don’t tell you to send them your stuff for their health. Some are actually pretty healthy even if you don’t send it. But with their keen eyes and sensitive intuition, they see a glimmer of potential for a successful partnership with your book, and then not just your book, but you. Meeting in person does something special for the query process. It helps us personalize each other on both sides of the table. This is another reason why I would advocate writers attending writers’ conferences. What other opportunity would you have to sit before someone with an opportunity of this caliber? Certainly not at the coffee shop or the grocery store. You wouldn’t recognize us enough to stop us and tell us about your idea. We’re bums on our days off or after a crazy day in the office.

So be brave. Cut the delay. And just. Hit. Send. We’re waiting…

Black History Month Tribute: 10 African American Publishing Firsts

2011-02-19T12:59:00.001-05:00

The first African American to publish a book

Phillis Wheatley, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, 1773. Publishers refused to believe that she was a poet. A group of eighteen Bostonians questioned her then wrote a two-paragraph introduction confirming her talent. The book was finally published in England.

The first African American to publish a novel

William Wells Brown, Clotel, or the President’s Daughter: a Narrative of Slave Life in the United States, 1853. It was the story of a girl fathered by President Thomas Jefferson and born to his African American housekeeper.

The first African American woman to publish a novel

Harriet Wilson, Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black, 1859. It was also the first novel by a black writer to be published in the United States. It told the story of a free African American woman’s experiences as a servant for a white Massachusetts family.

The first novel by an African American to become a book-of-the-month selection

Richard Wright, Native Son, 1940. Native Son, the story of a young black man who commits murder in a moment of panic, was a best seller and the first novel by an African American writer to enter the mainstream of American literature.

The first novel by an African American woman to sell over one million copies

Ann Petry, The Street, 1946. It is the story of a young woman struggling to raise her son in New York City’s Harlem.

The first African American novel to be bought by Hollywood

Frank Yerby, The Foxes of Harrow, 1946. An historical melodrama, set in the South just before the Civil War, The Foxes of Harrow was purchased by Hollywood and made into a film in 1947 starring Rex Harrison and Maureen O’Hara.

The first African American woman to publish science fiction

Octavia Butler, Clarion, Kindred, Dawn, Adulthood Rites, Imago, and more. Her leading characters are usually independent African American women, and her themes deal with genetic engineering, alien beings, and the use of power.

The first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize

Gwendolyn Brooks, Annie Allen, 1949. Brooks was a poet, mentor, activist, and author of fiction and nonfiction.

The first African American writer to win the National Book Award

Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, 1952. The novel was an account of a young African American’s confrontation with discrimination and his inability to be seen apart from his race.

The first African American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature

Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Beloved (a Pulitzer Prize winner), Jazz, Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination, Paradise, Love, and A Mercy. Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1993. “My world did not shrink because I was a black female writer. It just got bigger,” she says.

You can find more African American firsts in publishing and other areas in Joan Potter’s African American Firsts: Famous, Little-Known and Unsung Triumphs of Blacks in America (New York: Dafina Books, 2002, 2009).

Black. Love. Literature.

2011-02-14T09:41:00.008-05:00

I am a hopeful romantic. And those around me may not even know this.

I chose this poem to share this Valentine's Day during this month of black history, because it brings two things--well three things--together that I just love--literature, black culture, and...love. Black love literature. All literature is a work of love. All good literature, that is. Only those who've experienced the pain and addiction of love can write poetry that speaks to every human heart the way this special piece speaks to mine. I could hear my William saying this to me. I feel this way in my heart toward him. I am Lucinda, and I am the poet. How long did it take Langston Hughes to form these few words that weigh so heavily in my chest? How many arguments and make-ups with "Lucinda" helped him define his heart? Do these words say it all? What was his first draft? And when did he feel that it was just right? That it was good enough to give to us to help us articulate this complex emotion beating in our hearts? Maybe a lump formed in his throat or tears seeped into his eyes and down his cheek when the right words appeared on the paper. I can hear him saying, "Ah, yes, this is it."

How do you know when your words are just right enough to sing into someone else's heart?

Love Song for Lucinda

By Langston Hughes

Love

Is a ripe plum

Growing on a purple tree.

Taste it once

And the spell of its enchantment

Will never let you be.

Love

Is a bright star

Glowing in far Southern skies.

Look too hard

And its burning flame

Will always hurt your eyes.

Love

Is a high mountain

Stark in a windy sky.

If you

Would never lose your breath

Do not climb too high.

____________________________________

Langston Hughes* (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American novelist, playwright, short story writer, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best-known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, alongside those of his contemporaries, Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurman, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Richard Bruce Nugent, and Aaron Douglas.

He stressed the theme of "black is beautiful" as he explored the black human condition in a variety of depths.^[33] His main concern was the uplift of his people, whose strengths, resiliency, courage, and humor he wanted to record as part of the general American experience.^[13]^[34] His poetry and fiction portrayed the lives of the working class blacks in America, lives he portrayed as full of struggle, joy, laughter, and music.

*Brief bio of Langston Hughes from "Langston Hughes," Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Hughes (accessed February, 14, 2011).

Black History Month Tribute: Blacks in Publishing Series (Introduction)

2011-02-01T22:53:00.004-05:00

Black History Month always excites me. And why wouldn't it? It provides an opportunity for me and many others like me to be exclusively proud of our heritage--the struggles, the triumphs, the mishaps, the scars, the resilience, and the beauty. It also provides a learning experience for those who are unaware of the huge part black people have played in making America the nation that it is.

Someone asked me the other day, "Is it OK for black people to have black this and black that?" In other words, is it OK for black people to uniquely identify their successes, achievement, status, or lack thereof as "a black thing"? I have to say yes, and I would say the same for any other minority group. If we don't have an opportunity to highlight our presence in history and contemporary times and our hopes for the future, we run the risk of being overlooked. Yes, we really do.

Here is where I digress into my sociological background. A majority does not have reason--and sometimes the ability, because of its position of power--to recognize the plight of the minority unless the minority brings its issues or concerns to the forefront. Think about it. If you are seated on the peak of a mountain, your view of what's happening in the valley is limited. But if a loud noise starts to rise up and maybe your mountain begins to tremble a bit, causing you unrest, you may find yourself climbing off your perch to see what in the world is going on. And even further, if you think of a marriage relationship with one person as a dominate personality and one with a more understated personality, you can see how the one with the dominate personality would overshadow the other--at times, unintentionally, and other times with well-thought-out intention.

I do not say this to create an argument but to make a point. It is important to recognize the innate desire of the minority to create balance--or the necessity to fight for balance. Sometimes the minority needs to make lots of noise to be heard, so that the majority is "encouraged" to have a conversation that welcomes an equal place at the table. This is an eternal struggle. Even if the balance shifts and the once minority becomes the majority (perceived power and all), the new minority will have to make itself known to keep things in balance.

This is why I love Women's History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and any other time where the minority has a chance to tip the scales and celebrate itself in a big way. My hope is that a residue is left after the celebration that affords the minority increased visibility and voice.

I began plotting out how I would contribute to Black History Month 2011 some time last year. I wanted to discuss our history in the context of my current life focus, which is publishing. I have had an opportunity to explore and discuss with other publishing professionals how people of color are positioned in publishing as decision makers and as the talent--and while things have come a long way since the Jim Crow South, we still have a long way to go.

People of color (not just blacks) make up only 2 percent of publishing professionals, according to Elizabeth Bluemle's Publishers Weekly article "The Elephant in the Room." I can't singlehandedly change that--obviously. But what I can do is talk about the impact of black publishing, and in turn add to the noise that is seeking for ethnically reflective representation in the industry. Because, as Bluemle says, "This discrepancy between the real world and the publishing world limits the range of books published, the intellectual scope of discussion, and—for the bottom-liners among us—greatly stunts the potential market." And we just ain't gon' have none of that!

I invite you to join me for the next several weeks as I explore Black America's contribution to the world of publishing.

Please feel free to leave comments in any of the posts adding what you know or appreciate about people of color in publishing--as professionals, authors, and readers. I want to get your feedback especially your thoughts about the history, where diversity in publishing is today, and what the future of publishing looks like for people of color. No wrong answers. One rule: be constructive, uplifting, and solution oriented. The rest is for the birds!

Best Black Book Tweets (Week ending January 30, 2011)

2011-01-30T17:35:00.003-05:00

Click on the links. Read. Learn. Follow. Support.

BOOK RELEASES/REVIEW

BLACK LIT 365: Day 28 || Behind Those Books Movie: A Documentary coming April 2011 by Kaven Brown & Mills Miller... http://fb.me/BaowJqZK by @rawsistaz

BLACK LIT 365: Day 27 || Did you read Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez? It's now out in paperback. http://fb.me/zPXDRAab by @rawsistaz

Marked as to-read: Oil on Water by Helon Habila http://bit.ly/gbfdGI by @tayari

Good news to start the weekend: SEEDS OF CHANGE has been named a Green Earth Book Award Honor Book! http://bit.ly/as5kyx by @LEEandLOW

Good review for LOVE, HONOR AND BETRAY: http://ow.ly/3Mfyb by @GCPAfAmList

PUT YOUR DREAMS 1ST IS HOT! Make sure u get your copy! Available now. http://ow.ly/3LXvS http://ow.ly/i/7Cor by @GCPAfAmList

Fern Michaels is back on the NYT #bestseller list with her newest Sisterhood DEJA VU http://bit.ly/gLGfOH by @KensingtonBooks

"One Family's Raw, Haunting Life Laid Bare." http://conta.cc/g3Pv9J by @KensingtonBooks

Wicked--With A Little Kink... http://conta.cc/dXwKyC via #constantcontact by @KensingtonBooks

Preaching Isn't Always Enough... http://conta.cc/ehbYTQ by @KensingtonBooks

A Legacy of Madness & Murder... http://conta.cc/ejxnMk by @KensingtonBooks

The Yummy Bestseller...Now In Paperback! http://conta.cc/f0v9iT by @KensingtonBooks

Book Preview: Steppin Into the Good Live http://goo.gl/fb/kg5qE by @deegospel

Russell Simmons new book 'Super Rich' is out...get it 24x7 online at www.huemanbookstore.com by @HUEMANBOOKS

Love...It's Risky. http://conta.cc/hH0tF9 by @KensingtonBooks

‘High on the Hog’ by Jessica B. Harris - Review - http://nyti.ms/gGDR6L by @mosaicbooks

Question Everything. Deceive Everyone. http://conta.cc/gE4NA2 by @KensingtonBooks

Lunch Reading: a great @WASHINGTONPOST feature on @Dolen here http://ow.ly/3JhBx by @blacklitchat

Nothin' Goes Better With The Word Than A Song... http://conta.cc/f5qB1l via #constantcontact by @KensingtonBooks

"One Family's Raw, Haunting Life Laid Bare." http://conta.cc/g3Pv9J via #constantcontact by @KensingtonBooks

Excellent WaPo profile of @Dolen Perkins Valdez and her excellent debut, WENCH. http://twurl.nl/ysrpws by @tayari

…AND THE AWARD GOES TO

OK ladies & gents, announcing our 2010 New Voices Award winners: http://bit.ly/hpZD2d #kidlit by @LEEandLOW

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE INDUSTRY

#Amazon has its first $10 billion quarter news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-2… via @cnet #ebooks outsell paperbacks and hardcovers by @mosaicbooks

RT @bdcwb How Publishers Weekly is Ripping Off Self-Pubbed Writers (Open Letter) http://bit.ly/efHALu #Weekly #scam #wtf by @carleenbrice

I think excising the n-word from Huck Finn is a mistake but I always suggest that it be taught in conjunction with books by black writers during the same period such as Harriet Jacobs or Harriet Wilson. By @jabariasim

MARKETING AND PROMO

I'm now an IndieBound affiliate. When I revamp my site, I can send traffic to the independents. It's a cool program. http://twurl.nl/izgiy1 by @tayari

Anytime there is a Cinderella story in publishing, the indies are involved. They are interesting in quality over hype. By @tayari

A big box store in AZ that told me that they didn't order my book b/c I'm black and AZ is not. The indies in AZ had it front and center. By @tayari

Why I am more committed than ever to independent bookstores. http://twurl.nl/rsa5u3 by @tayari

BOOK TRENDS AND GENRE NEWS

REAL TALK (Books) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42LUEdeaozA by @queenazsa

Do you think "ebook publishers" will become extinct in a year or so? Personally, I wouldn't publish with a ebook... http://fb.me/Q5LtvLza by @EDC1Creations

We will be the bookseller for an Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) event in NYC on Feb 24. Details & Registration at http://bit.ly/fUnTC5 by @HUEMANBOOKS

RT @WorldsOfWords: "We grew up with Little Black Sambo, Uncle Remus... & all the resulting baggage." http://ow.ly/3JqHr Q&A with Just Us by @LEEandLOW

Best Christian Fiction of the Decade http://bit.ly/dXjDhc by @deegospel

DEALS, STEALS, AND FREEBIES

Remember to enter our January giveaway to win a signed copy of BRINGING ASHA HOME - perfect for adoptive families! http://bit.ly/3CmXJM by @LEEandLOW

Win a copy of The Ultimate Divorce Organizer: Complete Guide to Achieving the Best Financial & Personal Divorce http://bit.ly/ffhcOz by @DeeshaPhilyaw

SOCIAL/DIGITAL MEDIA

Posted #blacklitchat w/ @jabariasim transcript. It was a wonderful disc - & he shared some of his process & influences. http://ow.ly/3JKcN by @BernadetteDavis

Social Media Conversation with Two Successful Webmasters http://nblo.gs/dpmzL by @aalbc

RT @raelt: #FF The author of the next #RLTReads @TinaMcElroyAnsa And she will sit in on the discussion POW!! March 22... by @BernadetteDavis

I'm guest-hosting #Litchat next week, M-W-F at 4pm ET. Please join us for African American authors week! Pls RT by @carleenbrice

Aminatta Forna, Brit Lit author of Memory of Love will host a special #blacklitchat Feb. 6 at 7pm EST. So Save the Date. By @deegospel

BOOK CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS

Harlem Book Fair Debuts "One Book, One Harlem" Award | Splash Magazines | New York lasplash.com/publish/cat_in… via @AddThis by @queenazsa

HUE-MAN FEBRUARY EVENTS http://conta.cc/enFQbz via #constantcontact by @HUEMANBOOKS

Join us for the 4th Annual Black History Month Internet Book Fair. Hosted by the Sankofa Literary Society for... http://fb.me/QhaQzeHS by @EDC1Creations

WRITERS! @FLWritersConf March 3-6 has a partial scholarship available. DM me your email address and I will send you the form. Pls RT. By @jevonbolden

2011 EDC Creations Literary Directory of Networking and Literary Events, Coferences and Festivals. One of the... http://fb.me/D0KIivTm by @EDC1Creations

Mon 01/31/2011 2:00 pm Hue-man Bookclub reads Disintegration by Eugene Robinson From Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and commentator by @HUEMANBOOKS

INSIDE THE BLACK WRITER’S LIFE

Novel Spaces: Guest author Donna Hill: Beyond the Book http://nblo.gs/doZpa by @donnahill

Thank you @MissManhattanNY for your blog post on HueMan & authors Sean Roker & Cathleen Williams Hue-manity: http://www.miss-manhattan.com by @HUEMANBOOKS

A post from @Tayari who is all abuzz abt her experience at ABA Winter Institute. http://bit.ly/eSSXJ3 by @AtticusBooks

Me, Oprah, and the protags in my novel CHILDREN OF THE WATERS http://ning.it/fb6F0V by @carleenbrice

An Interview with author Timothy Michael Carson http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21018.asp by @AALit_Editor

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL WRITING AND PUBLISHING

8 Rituals to Get You Focused http://bit.ly/hyPff9 #amwriting #inspiration #creatives #productivity #writing by @jevonbolden

Interesting advice for debut authors on soliciting blurbs, from Kiersten White: http://bit.ly/dTdDhR (via @bethrevis) by @LEEandLOW

Want to improve your website? Check out these useful tips aalbc.com/blog/?p=349 by @aalbc

Turn your business into a book? Write Your Damned Book Proposal Already! http://bit.ly/hHG2cJ by @DeeshaPhilyaw

Turn your blog into a book? Write Your Damned Book Proposal Already! http://bit.ly/hHG2cJ by @DeeshaPhilyaw

SUPPORTING BLACKS AUTHORS

How to Start an African-American Book Club - http://aalbc.com/tc/index.php?/topic/580-how-to-start-an-african-american-book-club/ by @aalbc

Can't get into the store..support your African American authors: buy online 24x7 @ huemanbookstore.com (hit search button) by @HUEMANBOOKS

BLACK PEARLS MAGAZINE TOP 20 BOOKCLUBS via Black Pearls Magazine eSpot - We Appreciate the Book Lovers of ... http://tinyurl.com/6zlwuw5 by @EDC1Creations

8 Rituals to Get You Focused*

2011-01-27T11:40:00.004-05:00

“My only ritual is to just sit down and write, write every day.”

—Augusten Burroughs

I chose eight, ’cause I like eight. Eight is the number of new beginnings. Retaining focus on a project, task, or goal for me requires that I regularly reinvent a new way to see my actions toward or completing any of the things I am responsible for. I stay focused when I am able to see into the various angles and rhythms of what is set before me to accomplish. That keeps it fresh and regenerative for me, so that I don’t lose interest and wander from it completely. I do believe that if you have carefully considered how something plays into your life plan and purpose and you set out to begin it, you should finish it. It sets you up to trust yourself. Another thing that Americans regularly avoid that directly affects focus and concentration is good sleep. Don’t neglect the basics and think you will have peak performance. When you are rested, you are better able to handle temptations and stressors that take you off task and out of your game.

As you consider the things I’ve compiled below, think on the why of your task. Purpose breeds focused, intentional, and deliberate action over a long period of time or until the purpose is achieved. Then, consider getting a good night's sleep before you enact your plans to take over the world.

A Few Focus Rituals

Please note that this isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list, nor am I suggesting you do all of these. It’s a list of ideas—you should try ones that seem best suited for your situation, and test them out to see what works best. Oh, and the thing about rituals, they aren’t easily dismissed. When you set yourself in a pattern that has significance and produces positive results, you are more likely to include it in your regular daily practices. Rituals have a way of empowering you even when you are feeling less than inspired.

1. Morning quiet. You start your day in quiet, before the busyness of the world intrudes on your peace of mind. If you live with others, you might want to wake before they do. The key to enjoying this focus ritual is not going online. You can turn on the computer if you just want to write. You can have coffee or tea and read. You can meditate, do yoga or some other workout, go for a run, take a walk, or sit quietly and do nothing. I like to listen to the Daily Audio Bible Podcast with its smooth, ambient music playing under the inspirational reading of God’s Word. The key is to take advantage of this peaceful time to rest your mind and focus, however you like.

2. Start of day. Begin your workday by not checking email or any other distractions, but start a simple to-do list on paper or with a text file. On this blank to-do list, just list your three most important tasks. Or if you like, just list the one thing you really want to accomplish today. This helps you to focus on what’s important. Even better: continue this focus ritual by starting immediately on the top task on this short list of most important tasks. Set your focus singly on this important task as long as you can—ideally until it’s done. Now you’ve started your day with focus, and you’ve already accomplished something great.

3. Refocus ritual. While the start-of-day ritual is great, there are lots of things that get in the way to distract you, to mess up your focus. So every hour or two, do a refocus ritual. This only takes a minute or two. You might start it by closing down your browser and maybe other open applications, then you may take a walk for a couple of minutes to clear your head and get your blood circulating. Then return to your list of most important tasks and figure out what you need to accomplish next. Before you check email again or go back online, work on that important task for as long as you can. Repeat this refocus ritual throughout the day to bring yourself back. It’s also nice to take some nice deep breaths to focus yourself back on the present.

4. Alternate focus and rest. This is almost like intervals in exercise—alternating between periods of hard exercise and rest works well because it allows you to do some pretty intense exercise, as long as you allow yourself some rest. Focus works much the same way: if you give yourself built-in periods of rest, you can get some great periods of focus. There are many variations on this, but some ideas might include: ten minutes of focus followed by two minutes of rest; twenty-five minutes of focus then five minutes of rest; forty-five minutes of focus then fifteen minutes of rest. You get the idea. You’ll need to experiment to find the length and mixture that works best for you. Some prefer short bursts and others like longer periods of undisturbed creativity.

5. Alternate two focuses. Instead of alternating between focus and rest, you could alternate between two different focuses. For example, you could work on two different projects at once, or study for two different classes at once. I’d suggest not switching too rapidly, because there’s a short period of adjustment each time you switch. But you could work for ten minutes on one thing and then ten on another, or stay focused on one as long as you are interested in it then switch when your interest lags. The great thing about this method is that switching to a new project can help give your brain a rest from the other project, and it can keep you creating for much longer before getting distracted.

6. Communicate first then blocks of focus. Set a timer and give yourself forty-five minutes to do email, Twitter, Facebook, IM, and any reading you would normally do. Then use an Internet blocker to block these distractions for a couple of hours (up to three to four hours if you like) while you focus on creating. Then another forty-five minutes of communicating and reading, followed by another block of distraction-free focus.

7. End of day. At the end of each day, you might review what you did, think of what can be improved, remind yourself to disconnect for the rest of the evening, and think about what you’ll focus on tomorrow. It’s a good time to reflect on your day and your life in general.

8. Weekly focus rituals. While it’s not necessary to do a complete weekly review of everything you’re doing, have done, and plan to do, it can be useful to schedule ten minutes every week to quickly bring your work and life back into the right focus. I suggest you review your projects to make sure you’re not letting them get out of hand; simplify your to-do list as much as possible; review the focus rituals you’ve been doing to see what’s working and what isn’t; and basically reflect on what you’re doing with work and life and whether anything needs to change.

The rituals above are just ideas—you should find the ritual that works best for you. There are an almost infinite number of possibilities.

__________________________

*This blog post was adapted from Leo Babauta, Focus: A Simplicity Manifesto in the Age of Distraction (n.p.: n.d.), public domain (http://focusmanifesto.com/) (accessed January 19, 2011).

What helps you stay focused and creative?

Simple, No-Cost Social Media Marketing Plan for the Indie Author

2011-01-19T11:09:00.007-05:00

This is extremely simplified, but who doesn’t like simple, right? If you are completely new to social media, the suggestions below will probably not be simple to you at all. I suggest that you reference the following links to get familiar with social media terms and how writers can engage Twitter, Facebook, and blogging initially:

Writer’s Guide to Twitter by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Three posts from Writers Digest’s Robert Lee Brewer’s blog:

“SEO Tips for Writers (How to Optimize Your Site/Blog Without Getting Technical)”

“Facebook Tips for Writers”

“Platform Building 101 for Writers: Planning”

I am not a marketing or public relations specialist hence the simplicity of my plan, but this will generate some movement and get you thinking in the right direction. It is not so much about you selling yourself as it is about you finding the best ways to engage your readers. I mean, you wouldn’t be publishing your stuff if you didn’t care about readers, right?

So get some paper and pen or copy and paste the bullets below. This is going to one list-making, researching, time-consuming frenzy, but it is so worth it! Just remember: on the road to doing what you love, you’ve got to do some things you hate.

Are you with me? Let’s go!

· Twitter/Facebook campaign

Make key connections by following and tweeting other like-minded leaders, experts, and consumers in your field.
Prepare sample e-chapters for download (easily break up a PDF of the book—CutePDF Writer is a free add-on for Word and is super easy to use)
Offer free giveaways to tweeps who retweet your post (include links to your website) and follow you. The giveaway can also include those who comment on your blog, or answer correctly to special trivia you post via Twitter
Tweet relevant information with key words that relate to your area of expertise. Use hastags (e.g. #weightloss, #selfhelp, #focus, #leadership, #motivation) to make your tweets searchable.
Develop a consistent schedule for hosting chats on Twitter (first gather raving fans to attend and RT its presence—people you may have mentored is a great place to start.) Register chat schedule with @chatschedule. Even consider partnering with other organizations who have a built-in audience who need to hear from experts like you. Also consider offering yourself to Twitter book chats as a featured guest.
Reward landmark followers with free product (e.g. “Free [[NAME OF BOOK]] gift pack to my 1000^th follower.”)

Blog/website

Posting YouTube videos or photos of yourself at events (book signings, speaking engagements, on the street meeting people and handing out free books), giving specific advice, or sharing an accomplishment/testimonial of how your book impacted one person or a group of people.
Host a Q&A to answer on-the-spot questions from your readers.
Bring in guest bloggers who offer complementary goods or services to your specialty.
Guest blog on other sites.

Send copies of your book to online book reviewers

You can search them out and follow them on Twitter, become a follower on their blogs, and get to know how they engage readers and how they receive requests to review books.

Offer yourself to be a featured guest expert for articles on your specialty’s leading websites.

Another option: “Like” that company or service provider on Facebook and comment on their Facebook status updates when they ask questions or make relevant comments or observations. Be discrete with your efforts to promote yourself here. This is about their goods and services but if you can contribute effectively to what they are discussing you can seem helpful and interested rather than pushy.

Side note for indie authors who one day want to publish traditionally
As an editor, I do look for this kind of activity when I am researching an author for possible acquisition. When you are excited enough about your message or story that you invest time and creativity into getting it into people's hands, it makes me think that you will be a good publishing partner. When I go to an author Facebook page or blog and see nothing about their book, I think that they do not know what part they need to play in publishing and perhaps would not be ready to work with a publisher. Publishing (yes, traditional publishing) is a partnership where both parties pool together their resources to build the largest, most supportive and impacted group of readers possible for that one author. Just something to think about.

What other tips can be added to this list?

Best Black Book Tweets (Week ending January 16, 2011)

2011-01-16T22:01:00.002-05:00

Click on the links. Read. Learn. Follow. Support.

BOOK RELEASES/REVIEWS

BOOK REVIEW: The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers gave 3 stars to: What Mama Never Told Me! http://ow.ly/1aTmSA by @rawsistaz

BOOK REVIEW: The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers gave 3 stars to: The Punany Experience http://ow.ly/1aTmSE by @rawsistaz

BOOK REVIEW: The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers gave 4 stars to: Woman to Woman http://ow.ly/1aTmSC by @rawsistaz

BOOK REVIEW: The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers gave 4 stars to: Destined http://ow.ly/1aTmSI by @rawsistaz

BOOK REVIEW: The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers gave 4 stars to: Still Guilty (Urban Christian) http://ow.ly/1aTmSG by @rawsistaz

BLACK LIT 365: Day 15 || Debut Author Jazz Singleton - http://www.jazzsingleton.com http://fb.me/P793aYuc by @rawsistaz

BLACK LIT 365: Day 14 || Just a little literary history for today. Do you know when RAWSISTAZ started our review... http://fb.me/yUP9BeTm by @rawsistaz

"Hope on a Tightrope" by @cornelwest has been released in paperback ..buy it online 24x7 at www.huemanbookstore.com by @HUEMANBOOKS

Good News: Akashic Books will reissue The Warmest December in 2012! By @

queenazsa

Black Faces in White Places ~ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21025.asp

By @AALit_Editor

Delilah When Love Deceives Tour Featuring Author Shelia M. Goss: Shelia Goss is from Louisiana – home of good fo... http://bit.ly/hMD3bn by @ycoleman

ARC of IF SONS, THEN HEIRS by Lorene Carey and it's soooooo good! #fridayreads Pubs in May. Don't worry I'll remind! By @carleenbrice

BLACK LIT 365: Day 13 || Any Octavia Butler fans out there or those who have wanted to check out Kindred? Well you...http://fb.me/sB5ObTMf by @rawsistaz

Year of Our Lord ~ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69958.asp by @AALit_Editor

Beloved: the Manifestation of Guilt ~http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68942.asp by @AALit_Editor

Spend My Life with You by Donna Hillamazon.com/gp/product/037… early release on amazon. In stores Jan 24. Plz get ur copy. Thx! Plz RT by @donnahill

An Inconvenient Friend ~http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69573.asp by @AALit_Editor

New Book on MosaicBooks.com http://ow.ly/3DpIc Prescriptions of a Poet: Remedies of the Heart by Leticia Arrington by @mosaicbooks

Shaken and Stirred ~http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69791.asp by @AALit_Editor

Flaws and All ~ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69670.asp by @AALit_Editor

BLACK LIT 365: Day 12 || Classic Black Literature -- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston. A lot of...http://fb.me/PMlZ8Jsz by @rawsistaz

When the Truth Lies ~http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69123.asp by @AALit_Editor

When Love Steps In ~http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69207.asp by @AALit_Editor

Dark Province ~ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68425.asp by @AALit_Editor

Did u c Spike Lee/Tonya Lewis Lee on Today Show this am? Their new kids' book is avail now http://bit.ly/eWmW3B@TodaysBooks by @BNBuzz

Chasing the Avatar ~http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68852.asp by @AALit_Editor

BLACK LIT 365: Day 11 || The Only Way is Up: The Journey of an Immigrant by Folake Taylor http://fb.me/SUdDDv25 by @rawsistaz

For Colored Girls ~ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69468.asp by @AALit_Editor

BLACK LIT 365: Day 10 || Book-Remarks.comhttp://fb.me/I3WbSaaf by @rawsistaz

Review: The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry - http://bit.ly/fJfhBV by @mosaicbooks

Just watched @msterrymcmillan on @Oprah. I wrote about Getting to Happy last year. http://exm.nr/hMUcat #books by @nordette_verite

BLACK LIT 365: Day 9 || Peace in the Storm Publishing -- Check out their 2011 Titles (VIDEO) at... http://fb.me/NrsCIMJq by @rawsistaz

BLACK LIT 365: Day 8 || - King Maker: The Knights of Breton Court by Maurice Broaddus -- The King Arthur myth gets...http://fb.me/PtS3xsOC by @rawsistaz

…AND THE AWARD GOES TO

ALA award winners broken down by publisher (kind of surprising!): http://bit.ly/g1DuDz by @LEEandLOW

RT @Dolen: WENCH has been awarded 2011 First Novelist Award by BCALA. LOVE librarians. Love em. By @tayari

The 42nd NAACP Image Awards - Literaturehttp://www.naacpimageawards.net/42/nominees-and-honorees/literature/ by @mosaicbooks

A really fascinating look at Coretta Scott King award statistics:http://bit.ly/fc1x3K by @LEEandLOW

Nominated for an NAACP IMAGE AWARD Glorious' by Bernice L. McFadden (Paperb... http://amzn.to/gCEeHG #awards #literature by @queenazsa

42nd NAACP Image Awards Nominees in Fiction & Gospel Announced http://goo.gl/fb/PmvyE #bookmarketing by @deegospel

Congrats to @jabariasim @dolen @queenazsa & @MsTerryMcMillan for 42nd NAACP Image Awards in Lit Short List http://ow.ly/3CKZT #blacklitchat by @blacklitchat

SINS OF THE MOTHER was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Best TV Movie category! http://bit.ly/h5iMmQ#orangemintandhoney by @carleenbrice

...and congratulations to Bernice McFadden, whose novel GLORIOUS was nominated for the 42nd annual NAACP Image Award! http://fb.me/SAMVt9bz by @AkashicBooks

Congratulations @dolen! RT @librariantaliah: #alamw 2011 BCALA Literary Award First Novelist Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez by @carleenbrice

Woot! All right now! RT @librariantaliah: #alamw11 2011 BCALA Literary Award Fiction - Glorious Bernice L. McFadden (Akashic Books) by @carleenbrice

G. Neri wins a Coretta Scott King author honor for YUMMY: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty! #alayma by @LEEandLOW

OUT AND ABOUT THE INDUSTRY

My Friend and Publishing Leader Manie Barron Passed away Saturday: http://aalbc.it/maniebarron by @aalbc

Acclaimed Literary Agent Manie Barron February Memorial Announced http://goo.gl/fb/lmM8a #bookmarketing by @deegospel

MARKETING AND PROMO

Vote for the Best Book Trailer of 2010! aalbc.com/blog/?p=343 via @aalbc.com by @aalbc

Book Trailer for Love, Honor and Betrayal by Kimberla Lawson Roby: Roby always seems to find a twist to this cra...http://bit.ly/fMCNy8 by @ycoleman

Read the beginning of Coretta Scott King honor book YUMMY online here: http://scr.bi/cyN06K by @LEEandLOW

BOOK TRENDS AND GENRE NEWS

LEEandLOW Lee & Low Books

One of my favorite ALA lists: Amelia Bloomer Recommended Titles 2011: http://bit.ly/eBlRXK (incl. SEEDS OF CHANGE!)

RT @MitaliPerkins: A list of tweeps who keep an eye on race in Kid/YA books: http://twitter.com/#!/MitaliPerkins/multiculturalkidyalit by @LEEandLOW

SOCIAL/DIGITAL MEDIA

Guardian Books podcast: Wole Soyinka, Kishwar Desai and Jason Wallace gu.com/p/2mcp9/tw via @guardian by @mosaicbooks

For anyone else who missed this week's #kidlitchat on diversity in kidlit, the transcript's here: http://bit.ly/f24KGN (thanks @gregpincus) by @LEEandLOW

For minorities, new 'digital divide' seen | Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project pewinternet.org/Media-Mentions…via @AddThis by @mosaicbooks

You're invited to @JabariAsim Taste of Honey Twitter PJ Party http://ow.ly/3EIvR Save the date, get book & PJs. #blacklitchat by @blacklitchat

NAACPs Crisis Editor-in-Chief Hosts #BlackLitChat http://goo.gl/fb/Bs8KZ #bookmarketing by @deegospel

BOOK CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS

Dolen Perkins-Valez/Wench 01/17/2011 6:00 pm debut novel caused waves...totally outstanding, spellbinding, brave & well crafted. By @HUEMANBOOKS

EARLY SNEAK PREVIEW OF FEBRUARY EVENTS http://conta.cc/gDv3l6 by @HUEMANBOOKS

Inviting you to register for the Oxford American Summit for Ambitious Writers http://summit.oxfordamerican.org/ by @deegospel

Just saw @Dolen Perkins-Valdez is coming to the @UCFBookFestival!! Oh my. This is going to be a big yr for seeing great authors in C.FL. by @BernadetteDavis

We're reading A Taste of Honey by @jabariasim for #blacklitchat1/23, 9p ET. Here's the Chicago Trib review: http://ow.ly/3B2gp by @BernadetteDavis

INSIDE THE BLACK WRITER’S LIFE

Chinua Achebe -Nigeria’s Promise, Africa’s Hope - http://nyti.ms/hJn93b by @mosaicbooks

News from Bernice L. McFadden http://conta.cc/flkf83 PLS RT!! #readingnow #literature #awards by @queenazsa

Zora Neale Hurston: Born to Soon ~ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68643.asp by @AALit_Editor

Twisted Obsession by Purity Dotson: I came up with the premise for "Twisted Obsession" because of past experienc... http://bit.ly/foVytm by @ycoleman

Interview with the author: Jazz in Love!http://networkedblogs.com/cRnLe by @carleenbrice

Check out this guest blog from Kimberla Lawson Roby. LOVE, HONOR, AND BETRAY on sale now! http://ow.ly/3C8vu by @GCPAfAmList

RT @CynLeitichSmith: CSK Honor Author @g_neri on Beginning the Journey to a Finished Novel: http://bit.ly/fBEafk #alayma #kidlit by @tubooks

The Root:Harriet Wilson author of the first novel published by a black woman in the U.S. was also a Spiritual Leader http://wapo.st/fE1Mat by @HUEMANBOOKS

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL WRITING AND PUBLISHING

...hmmm, "hmmm" is a word, but the exact number of "mmm"s varies. Hmmmm http://ow.ly/3EEsl http://ow.ly/3EEtX by @mosaicbooks

So true! Comic: The Four Stages Of Writing http://bit.ly/h36sXu by @carleenbrice

Can Self-Publishing Lead to a Traditional Publishing Contract? -http://bit.ly/eQLpek by @mosaicbooks

Thursday Writing Tip: Write http://goo.gl/fb/VBVWs #bookmarketing by @deegospel

For writers: new project, new fears essay by @tayari jones on SheWrites. http://ow.ly/3CoM5 by @BernadetteDavis

LIT NEWS: How do you Represent the Deceased in Fiction? - Q: In a work of fiction, what restrictions exist on using ...http://ow.ly/1aOSQA by @rawsistaz

Understanding Book Printing Estimates for #Self-Publishers, Part 1 -http://bit.ly/fQuY3q by @mosaicbooks

SUPPORTING BLACK AUTHORS

Can't get into the store..support your African American authors: buy online 24x7 @ huemanbookstore.com (hit search button) by @HUEMANBOOKS

Nice post by @jevonbolden on what #readers can do to encourage diversity in the book market http://bit.ly/e8MUxx by @DuttonBooks

Such a great idea! Diversity in YA announces author line-up for 2011 tour! eepurl.com/caJb9 by @carleenbrice

Yesterday, I gave my waitress a copy of Leaving Atlanta. Today she reserved my booth w flowers! Said "I emailed Oprah 4 you!" #READERSmatter by @tayari

11 Things You Can Do Now to Encourage More Diversity in the Book Market

2011-01-11T23:52:00.003-05:00

FOR THE BEGINNER
1. Venture in to any section of the bookstore that shelves books by authors who are not of your ethnic background.

2. Buy a book from that section on something that interests you--fiction or nonfiction.

3. Read the book.

4. Write a brief review of the book and post it on Amazon.com, your blog if you have one, a friend's blog, the author's website, and the like.

5. Recommend the book to your friends who share your same ethnicity.

6. Rinse and repeat.

FOR THE ADVANCED
7. Research and find blogs by people who regularly promote or feature books by people of color. Follow their recommendations on good books--and read them. Many maybe indie or self-published books, but limit discrimination here as well. This is sometimes the best way for a person of color to get their message out.

8. Participate in reader groups or book clubs that discuss books by a diverse collection of authors. There are many online, if you live in a homogenous geographic location.

9. Peruse multicultural or urban bookstores (this can also be done online), buy a book, read it, write a review, and post your review--I think I may have said this already. :) You may be so bold as to send your review directly to the publisher asking for more books like the one you read and liked.

10. Be ready to explore your biases against other ethnicities. Overcome them by allowing childlike wonder to draw you in to reading books by them and about them. Consider the story over the ethnic background of the characters in the book and the artwork on the book cover. You'll be glad you did.

BONUS FOR PARENTS AND CHILD EDUCATORS
11. Buy books for your children/classroom that have stories with diverse characters. Be brave enough to actually talk through the issues presented in the books. ANSWER YOUR CHILDREN'S QUESTIONS about ethnic, social, and cultural issues honestly and with compassion. If you can't, go back to the first two sentences of #10. Also, involve other people who are committed to educating children and adults on diversity issues. Consider that it really does take a village...

These are deliberate actions that will help you step out of your normal reading habits and inclinations. Consider this a challenge for the year. As you become more aware of good books by people of color and find that they are not available in your bookstore, request that the bookstore order more diverse books. Tell your friends to do the same thing. I've done this a few times with hair/beauty supply stores and grocery stores and still find my requested products stocked on their shelves to this day. Stores will stock and promote what sells and it takes a smart and active consumer to help make a difference in what's readily available for purchase.

This is a battle worth fighting with all the bullying and other crimes going on these days. Our active engagement and genuine interest in the lives of people who are different from us helps us to break down the walls that separate us and eliminate the ignorance that makes us fear the unknown.

Will you take the challenge? What other things can you personally do to encourage more diversity in the book market?