Archive for Books

Judith Briles’ Wise Words to Authors & Writers: Snappy, Sassy, Salty!

Judith Briles is an author’s best friend, especially when it comes to book writing. When she speaks, I listen… and you should to, if you get the opportunity. But until her next authors and writers conference, here’s the next best thing: her latest book: Snappy Sassy Salty!

It’s summer. It’s hot.

summer solsticeCould you use a pick-me-up?
A bit of inspiration or silliness?
How about something to chew on or get you unstuck?
How about your clients and followers?

In Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, you will find all that and more. This is a collection of favorite advice from Judith Briles over the years to thousands of authors.

Coffee along with the right words creates the perfect buzz!

As a blogger, I know that the right combination of words engages readers. When a slump hits or your writer juice isn’t flowing, authors need a goose.

SnappySassySaltyAlong with a cup of coffee, this little book of short and snappy reminders will get your fingers tapping, your mind buzzing. and your words onto the screen.

Every little blurb is loaded with motivational juice to get writers writing. I bought it to give as a gift, but now the pages are too worn …

If you haven’t worked with Judith, or attended her seminars, you might not know she actually lives, walks and talks these wise words for writers. She’s one of the most helpful, caring, and authentic book experts around … a true book shepherd.
SheepSnappySassySalty

 

Today, Tuesday, July 22, 2014 is the day … don’t delay, get your copy of Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and claim your FREE GIFTS that are designed for authors, writing and publishing success DURING TUESDAY’S OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH:

Your copy of Snappy Sassy Salty is waiting for you here, click now!

How to Research Content
for Your Expert Ebook

Research-ContentHow should you research content in order to write your expert ebook? This is a huge question for most writers, and a major reason why some ebooks never get written or finished.

The field of online research methods is new and expanding rapidly. Using social media is a new opportunity for gathering information, but it’s complex and time consuming.

In some ways, research has never been easier. The Web is a goldmine. But it’s also a sink hole into which many writers fall, never to be seen again. Some writers die from an overdose of information, others simply disappear and give up, telling themselves there’s simply too much already written. Read More→

Research Before You Write an Expert Ebook

KDSuite-Amazon-Research-ToolsIf you want to write an expert ebook that sells well on Amazon, you need to research first to find out:

  • What’s already been published in your field of expertise?
  • What titles are selling well?
  • Where are the gaps in what’s already been published and what hasn’t yet been covered?
  • What do readers seek out the most?
  • What prices, what lengths, what covers are best?

I’ve been experimenting with ebook research software and I’m pretty impressed with what the developers have come up with. In particular, there’s a group of programs that can help Amazon authors get the information they need from Amazon sales: KDSuite.

KD-Suites-ProgramsThis software has the ability to pull up data from ebooks in categories so you can compare sales info. It provides information on bestsellers, marketing, and keywords. There’s an additional program which creates ebook covers. Read More→

Expert Ebooks: Relax and Write

Suit-and-Tie-WritingIf you want to write well, you’ve got to strip down and get real: write relaxed. Nobody wants to read an expert ebook if your words are wearing a three-piece suit and a tightly buttoned shirt and tie.

Too many executives who want to write an expert ebook are in love with syllables, syntax and sycophants. When you write words to impress, you don’t write well. You don’t impress.

Instead, relax and write. Take off the tie, relax and write as authentically as possible using words any high school student can understand. You’ll impress many more people and get your message heard by those who actually need your wisdom.

Highly educated readers can sniff out academic or business jargon and won’t be impressed but simply annoyed. Even geniuses like things spelled out for them in clear language. Leave them some room to think about big ideas, not wade through your big words.

I’m not suggesting “dumbing down.” It actually takes intelligence to write clearly so that anyone can understand.

Less educated readers like being invited to understand complexities with easily accessible words and sentences. Don’t leave them out by using insider terms, acronyms, and cryptic allusions.

In the work I do with executive coaches and consultants, they often become so entrenched in industry-specific business jargon, they aren’t clear to a global audience of working people. When seasoned professionals want to write their book, what may seem common sense to them isn’t clear to the world at large.

This is where an experienced editor and writing coach can help. Often, the pre-work to writing an ebook hasn’t been done.

What I call the “pre-work” to writing an expert ebook is becoming clear not only about the desired message, but clear about who you’re are writing for:

  • Who are your readers?
  • What problem or pain can you fix?
  • How will you change your readers’ lives for the better?
  • What’s in it for them?
  • What’s your message and what do you want them to do?

If you’d like to learn more, I’ve prepared a 10-question worksheet that will help you get started writing your expert ebook. You can get it (free) by going to www.Ebooks4Experts.com and requesting it.

6 Ebook Writing Tips from Expert TED Speakers

book-planningHow can you craft a great expert ebook using the same tactics of expert speakers with fascinating video presentations on TED.com?

I’ve been reading Jeremy Donovan’s excellent book, How to Deliver a TED Talk, and gathering tips on how the experts do it (see my previous posts here and here.) Here are three more ebook writing tips from good speakers:

1. Build the ebook content and transitions. We more easily remember concepts when they’re delivered as three examples or elements. This progression helps you stay focused writing your ebook, and more importantly primes the readers to remember your message.

This can be as simple as: Read More→

How to Write an Ebook as Good as a TED Talk

Write-a-bookWhat if you could write an expert ebook using the same riveting tactics used by TED.com speakers that earn them millions of views?

I’ve been viewing some fascinating videos on TED.com, scanning them for tips on how to write a good story. And I’ve read How To Deliver a TED Talk, by Jeremy Donovan.

At some point in your professional career, you’ll likely be inspired to write and publish a book, whether for potential customers, colleagues or to spread your message to a global audience. Your ability to persuade others through  written words will contribute greatly to your book publishing success.

What can we learn from TED Talks about writing an expert ebook? Here are a few key elements from Donovan’s book: Read More→

2 Writing Tips for Expert Ebooks from TED Talks

TEDI’m a big fan of the 20-minute video talks from experts on TED.com.

Just think about this: If more people wrote expert ebooks like these riveting presentations, their books would be easier to read and deliver more memorable information. In this post, I suggest a couple of writing tips culled from these great presentations.

In case you’re not familiar with TED.com, here’s the skinny. Originally focusing on technology, entertainment and design—hence, the initials—TED Talks feature remarkable experts in diverse fields with revolutionary ideas.

TED Talks are truly inspiring. As some of the most viewed speakers in the world, they showcase their high-level presentation skills—a seamless blend of intelligence, entertainment and persuasion.  These speakers provide jaw-dropping stories you’ll be talking about for weeks.

TED’s growing global audience is testimony to the success of their mission, “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Since June 2006, the talks have been offered for free viewing online. Read More→

Reasons to Attend the AuthorU Publishing Conference

AuthorU.orgLike you, I’ve had some bad conference experiences. I’ve spent a lot of money to travel and sit in a freezing cold room for days to listen to experts with big egos. What I hate is when I expect to learn something and instead I’m asked to spend more money.

I’ve been pitched to buy a $5,000 weekend in a guru’s mansion, or to invest in a $50,000 mentorship program. Recently I heard of one such speaker who hired people to run to his table at the back of the room in a sign-up frenzy. Unsuspecting audience members were influenced by crowd behaviors.

So I’m picky now. I only attend conferences where I know and trust the organizer and expert speakers.

Recently a successful leadership coach asked me where to go to learn how he should write and publish his book. There are a lot of book publishing conferences to pick from. But only one I know will deliver high quality information from really helpful experts:

The AuthorU 2014 Extravaganza.  It’s May 1 – 3 in Denver and you can get details here. Read More→

The Experts on How to Get a Book Published

Experts-Book-PublishingThe problem with going to a conference is that I always come away with a to-do list a mile long. But I love the rekindled passion and energy. Truly, the Publishing at Sea conference aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean was an explosion of information and ideas.

Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound, captured a few learning gems on How to Get a Book Published on her post here.

Personally, I’m not trying to get a book published, but many of my clients are and I want to as informed as possible about the book publishing industry which is changing so rapidly.

In addition, I felt that getting to know the experts will help me refer my clients to trustworthy people when the time comes to market, publicize, print, distribute and use social media for books beyond the writing process. I can now highly recommend these fabulous book experts:

  • Judith Briles, is The Book Shepherd, and she’s helped hundreds of authors through all stages of the publishing process. She’s an amazing woman and published author. She founded AuthorU, a membership group specifically to answer the needs of writers. If you’d like to learn more, go to her site. Better yet, considering joining the Author U Extravaganza in Denver May 3-5. Read More→

Please Don’t Mistake Blog Writing for Book Writing

ContentPyramid

Blog writing isn’t the same as book writing. Here’s why.

An interesting post from Jane Friedman called “Please Don’t Blog Your Book,” gives four reasons why you shouldn’t use your blog to write a book. She’s right about blog writing being different than book writing.

And I agree with her that blogs make bad books. The informal nature of blog writing isn’t what you expect to read in a book. You read a book for in depth coverage of concepts, not for conversational snippets.

Here’s a similar example: I bought an ebook called “Blog to Book Deal: How They Did It.” It consists of poorly transcribed interviews. A podcast makes for a terrible book because the way people speak is not conducive to good reading.

As for Friedman’s four reasons, I disagree that you shouldn’t use your blog to write a book. Don’t use it thinking you’ll land a big book deal, however.

  • Use it to flesh out ideas and compose content that can be repurposed in chapters.
  • Use it to stimulate conversations with readers and get their input.
  • Use your blog to gather stories and interviews from others.
  • Use it to start building a platform of readers interested in your topic or expertise. Read More→