This is the kind of argument you want
A lot of manuscripts slide across my desk each week, which shouldn't surprise anyone seeing as I run a publishing house. After all these years in the business, I can identify why a particular book draws me in and where another immediately goes off the rails. I mean, I...
Mean literary agents
I've been having the same conversation a lot lately. It goes something like this: A nice professional has gone to the trouble of crafting a book proposal, honing a query letter, even landing a call with an agent or two, only to be told one thing. "Your book will never...
It’s not about the advance
I speak at seminars about getting non-fiction books published. I'm often asked about the average advances authors get from major publishing houses and the average time it takes to write a polished book....the kind that interests said houses. And invariably, folks...
Discrimination?
I got an email the other day in response to my post on author platforms. Anything out there on how to build a platform? email lists, followings? I have no idea of how to get them or how to measure them. We have to be doing something for these to happen. So what...
A CRUEL SOCIOPATH OUT TO DESTROY YOUR SOUL
If you've ever received editorial feedback before, then you know it can be "challenging". I mean, it's not easy to accept that what you've got down on the page isn't letter perfect, especially when you're pretty good at what you do. All that red ink on your document...
How to go about writing a business parable
How to go about writing a business parable.
Why we need your story more than ever
One of the biggest fears my clients have is that by telling their personal stories they will appear grandiose, self-absorbed, or narcissistic. “Who am I to tell this story,” they ask. “Really, who cares?” Or, “It’s all been written about before, so why bother?” “There...
Which comes first: the blog content or the book?
I talk to a lot of strategic entrepreneurs. They already produce written content--mainly blog posts or newsletters--and they're wondering if they should be focused on writing posts with the sole intention of creating book content. I love people who are into...
How to know if you’ve written a memoir or something else…
A good memoir: Has a razor-sharp focus on one element of life.Does not have filler. Every detail has to connect to the focus/theme.Is not a record, a report, or a list. It is a combination of active scenes.Has a vivid concrete setting. A Where. Every scene must have a...
Why, you CAN tell a book by its cover
Why, you CAN tell a book by its cover