Get Discovered!! Writing opportunity and Writing Contest

With vacation time in full swing this week we’re going to share a few lighter things. There will only be two postings as July 4th is a holiday here in the US. For my international readers you may email me with pressing questions or participate in this week’s webinar [sign up for Writing Career Coach Playbook and select ‘webinars’ to receive the special announcement that is coming.]

Today I want to remind you that we are approaching the final day where you can sign up to be a writer for Examiner.com and give the person who referred you a bonus. [See the full benefits by reading the original article here] The deadline is June 30th so if you’ve been thinking about it, and haven’t, do it today and let them know I sent you. I’ve been on examiner about a month and have had over 1,000 page views there alone. Not bad for building a new market!

A few people have taken advantage of it. Check out their articles! Jennifer AlLee. Read her article about the Vegas book festival’s search for authors.

And Ronald Thibeault, the Atlanta Protestant Examiner. His series of articles includes a book review. Check it out here.

Check out this announcement of a contest. Last year two people who entered SOLD their MS!!

The countdown for the 2009 Launching A Star contest has begun! You won't want to miss your chance to enter this terrific contest where last year's acquiring editors and agents requested an amazing 10 manuscripts, resulting in at least two sales.

This year, we've added new categories – Romantic Suspense, Inspirational and Novellas – in our efforts to bring you the most value for your contest dollars.

To enter, submit the first chapter (25 page max) of your romance in any of our nine categories. All first round judges (2 per entry, one trained, one published in romance) will provide constructive comments on every entry. Two industry professionals (one agent and one editor) will judge each category in the final round.

Complete details and entry forms are available on the STAR Chapter website: http://www.authorsofromance.com/

But hurry! You must send your entry in no later than September 5th. Launching a Star 2009

Sponsor: SpacecoasT Authors of Romance Chapter (STAR)

Fee: $25-$30, SASE

Please Note: The deadlines listed in RWR are incorrect. The correct deadlines are: Deadline: Post-marked by September 5th, Received by September 12th
E-deadline (for non-US residents only): Emailed by September 5th, received by September 6th.
Eligibility: Unpublished or not PAN Eligible
Enter: The first 25 pages. No synopsis.
First round judges: One trained; one published.
Final round judges: One editor and one agent for each category
Single Title – Editor Selina McLenmore, Grand Central;
Agent Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency
Romantic Suspense – Editor Sara Goodman, St. Martin's;
Agent Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media
Inspirational – Editor Natalie Hanemann, Thomas Nelson;
Agent Rachelle Gardner, WordServe Agency
Historical – Editor Talia Platz, NAL; Agent Elizabeth
Pomada, Larsen-Pomada Agency
General Paranormal: Editor Heather Osborne, TOR; Agent
Laurie McLean, Larsen-Pomada Agency
Fantasy/Futuristic: Editor Meredith Giordan, Berkley/Jove;
Agent Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency
Series Contemp: Editor Susan Litman, Harlequin Special
Edition; Agent Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Agency
Young Adult: Editor Kristen Daly, HarperCollins; Agent
Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency
Novellas: Editor Angela James, Samhain; Agent Roberta
Brown, Brown Literary Agency

Prizes: Star named in honor of overall contest winner; Engraved paperweights for all First Place in category; Certificates for all finalists
FMI: http://www.authorsofromance.com/

So, enjoy your leisurely summer but don’t pass up on these great opportunities.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at http://www.writingcareercoach.com/
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

Preparing for Change: part 2

Tuesday, I talked about the June 21, 2009 posting on Chip MacGregor’s blog where he talked about some of the changes he foresees in publishing in 5 years. In part 1, I talked about the ideas of Convergence and the growing popularity with electronic readers. Today we’re going to look at the 8th change Chip expects: Our culture's fascination with short messages on Facebook and Twitter will mean a renewed interest in short stories.

Chip says that this is something he really hopes will happen. When I consider his rationale I think it is a logical assumption. With our increasingly literate society [I call it microliterate because of the fascination with short bursts of information] I think short stories will become very popular. Furthermore, the rise of music videos that have become more “mini-movies” than simply videos of the singers performing, will make short stories even more appealing to younger readers [this coming from a GenXer].

I also wonder if along with a growth of short stories if we’ll begin to see novels composed of a series of short stories rather than chapters. It is an interesting idea.

Consider again the implications of these changes to your marketing strategy and take the time to go read Chip’s full blog posting.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at http://writingcareercoach.com/contact.htmlTiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

Preparing for change: part 1

Last weekend Chip MacGregor posted a fascinating blog about where he thinks publishing will be in 5 years. Rather than the usual list of non-information you can find on some blogs, this posting is very thought provoking. Over the next couple of posts I want to comment on three of Chip’s points. I urge you to go back and read the entire blog to get a full understanding of all the changes he sees ahead.

Chip’s 1st point: “You will own an electronic reader.”

The reason I found this idea so striking is the multiple marketing channels that are available when you consider instant gratification in book reading. While it offers authors the opportunity to sell their books online through their own website [and have the reader see them instantly] it calls in to question current marketing practices like book signings, influencer copies [that are then passed along to other readers who become fans] and sales based on scanning the shelves.
On the positive side, it can also mean an increase in impulse buying.

Chip’s 4th point: “The concept of convergence will jump from newspapers and magazines to books.”

This is a really neat concept that I hope comes soon. This is having links, video, audio and bonus footage in the electronic books. I love the bonus features available on DVDs and many smart authors have recognized the benefit of bonus chapters or other special gifts on their website, but to have an ‘interactive book’ is awesome. When I consider the kinds of things that are possible with this technology my creative and marketing centers of my brain start doing flip flops. In fact, I can hardly wait 5 years to see some books using this. I can’t wait to use my creativity to maximize this technology with my own book.

Friday we will look at his 8th point. Make sure you go over and read his post, comment on my blog and then come back Friday to talk more.
So, if either of these are the future of book publishing, how do you need to start adjusting your marketing strategy and your platform development so you’re prepared to maximize your book sales?

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at http://writingcareercoach.com/contact.htmlTiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

Under promise, over deliver

This weekend I took some time to listen to the teachings of a man [Dan Stratton] who formerly held a seat on the New York Mercantile exchange and grew from humble Midwest roots to going to Yale and earning a seven figure income. While that may be impressive, what impresses me most about him is his ability to not allow the cut-throat nature of the pits on Wall Street to make him cut corners or cheat.

In the discussion I was listening to he was focusing on integrity in our business dealings. He said at one point, and I’m paraphrasing, under promise and over deliver.

This struck me because a writer’s group I’m a part of had recently spent some time commenting on the lackluster performance of some books. This led to a rousing conversation on the strengths and weaknesses of certain books. It makes you cringe as an author. You wonder, “Is that what someone will say about my writing?”

I think these disappointments are even more prominent when expectations are raised beyond an author’s ability to deliver. There is a tendency to try to make our writing stand out, but it is done using compelling language that whets the appetite [good] and raises the expectations of a work artificially high [not good].

While I always encourage you to write the best possible hook, [see def. below] I don’t want you to become so obsessed that your hook over promises your craft. The hook should be the same flavor of the book and set the tone for the story.

Likewise, in your business, make sure that you can do what it is that you promise. Don’t get in over your head. All of us have unforeseen circumstances [the fact that my 6 year old daughter was up at 5:15am today with a very high temperature is the one in my life], but we should always plan them in to our work schedule. I set every Thursday as a “catch-up” day. I schedule little or nothing on that day in terms of work. If I am behind in projects, I can catch up. If I am caught up I can do Friday’s work [and get a 3 day weekend…unlikely] or spend time on my own projects [more likely].

By only promising what you can reasonably accomplish you will build a reputation of integrity and a happy clientele/ readership.

Hook=a short sentence or couple of sentences meant to grab the attention of a reader, editor or agent. You will also sometimes see this in reference to the opening of a book to. Ex. “The book opened with a strong hook.”

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

A popular series returns!

After a six week break I have begun to post the final chapters of my Daphne du Maurier Award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow". The entire book has been archived and two chapters will be posted each week [on Tuesdays and Fridays] with the next chapter going up on Friday.

A note to writers who want to be published. I have posted this manuscript in its entirety because I decided not to publish it. Many writers have sought to get their start in publishing by putting completed works [poems, articles, chapters of books or even full books] online. With the changing publishing rules most publishers will view a book as PUBLISHED once it has posted online. Therefore, do not duplicate my idea unless you never intend to resell or publish the work.

I decided to put this book up in its entirety because it was something I wrote more than 3 years ago and I was ready to move on to new projects.

Many people have read this book since I began posting it late last year. I encourage you to read and enjoy it but also to use it as a lesson. Feel free to think of how you might have written a scene better. What plot twists might you have added or taken out? [Just don't send them to me. ;-) ]

So, take some time to do some free reading and have fun with it.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

How do I get there from here?

Napoleon Hill wrote his classic book "Think and Grow Rich" not knowing that it would continue to be read and studied decades later. For him it was simply a matter of recording the wisdom of others.

He not only took the time to listen to people who knew something, but he also took the effort to apply what he'd learned.

We have a large amount of information available to us now. Even 10 years ago the internet wasn't what it is today. However, you must discern the information that will help you at each juncture. That means you need to know where you're headed.

Many of my new coaching students begin with a question like "How do I get published?" or "Is my book publishable?"

It begins with learning from other people. That is why I spend so much time reading and sharing recommended books with you. The next step is always application.

"BUT WHERE DO I START?"

I will have to defer to the Wizard of Oz on this one. Dorothy was given a yellow brick road to follow. It clearly led her through scary lonely times and it led her though wonderful happy times. The key to why it led her was that she knew where she needed to go. She knew her ultimate goal was the Emerald City. She listened to the advice of someone who knew more than her [the Good Witch of the North] and started excited [The Munchkins--your other writer friends].

Once Dorothy knew where she was headed she kept going. That is what we must do. We must keep pushing forward...

To a clear goal.

So, on this Monday think about your goals and set some clear ones. What is it you're working towards? What is your Emerald City?

If you don't know that you're simply wandering around paths and running back to Munchkin land every time you start to question yourself.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

How to apply the great ideas you learn

Yesterday I talked about the stickiness factor in marketing. If you didn't read that blog go back now and do it. You can click the link here.

So, what does the stickiness factor tell us. How can we apply it to marketing our own writing. This will require some thought because each person will be different [if not, what is there to attract someone to you rather than to me?]

Think about this a minute. What did I do in the blog yesterday to increase your likelihood of reading the article I suggested. I included a link.

What did I do to increase the sales at my garage sale? Had a bag sitting in each box of clothes.

One thing I didn't include yesterday was that EVERY person thought it was a great deal. Two or three people called others on their cell phone to let them know about my great deal. Countless people decided to purchase when they hadn't planned on it ["For 25 cents I can give them away if they don't fit."] and two people actually gave me double the amount due "because it was a such a huge bargain".

I want you to seriously consider what lessons for your own marketing efforts you can glean from these examples. There is a wealth of information you can learn from this. What small change to your blog, website or marketing would draw more readers to you? It isn't an easy question. I had to experiment a few times on Saturday with the placement of the bags until I found that actually putting them in the boxes full of clothes made them sell. You will have to experiment a bit with your own marketing efforts until you find what works.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog. [http://tiffanycolter.blogspot.com]
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]