‘TIS THE SEASON TO READ and IMAGINE

I love to listen to and read with our grandchildren and great-grandchildren! With just a few words on the pages of their favorite books (re-read multiple times), their imaginations take flight—and carry me along with them. So it is that my first book selection for writers to READ this week is the short story titled: A HOLIDAY FROM TIME by John Mero.

Imagine what it would be like in our everyday lives if “time” jumped around. Author John Mero has created delightful characters—Turtle, Frog and Professor Hare—who explore such a scenario. Turtle has been carrying the world’s clock on his back for a long time and he’s tired. He wants a vacation, so Frog offers to carry it for a while. What happens when Frog catches a cold and starts sneezing? OH WHAT ADVENTURES we might conjure, and this beautifully illustrated story will definitely unlock everyone’s imagination to do so—and just might break through any of our own writer’s block.

For those of us who prefer to dive into a more serious exploration of current events, I discovered the book titled, GOD and COUNTRY: United We Stand! Divided We Fall by Joseph Bylinski.

Bylinski has sought answers to many questions about what is happening in the USA today. His research into Politics and Biblical mysteries has given him valuable insights, taking him (and his readers) on a journey of discovery that explores the intersection of the two. “Our country was founded on the Bible,” Bylinski tells us. “Our laws are based on the Bible…[but] our country has wandered away from its founding ideals and strayed too far.”

Many of the best minds in the world would agree with this author, and many would disagree. However, as authors, it is useful for us to read a variety of opinions because our characters must have different (and often opposing) beliefs.

These two books may seem like polar opposites to consider as tools to enhance our imaginations and writing skills. However, as the concept of imagination is defined, it is the ability (that only humans possess) to form ideas, images, sensation IN our minds without any immediate input of our senses. Each of these authors (Mero and Bylinski) have used their imagining abilities to offer interesting solutions to the problems they’ve presented. Quoting from Wikipedia’s site, imagination is fundamental to integrate knowledge, experience and learning. It is “a basic training for imagination to [create] storytelling (narrative) in which the exactness of the chosen words is the fundamental factor to “evoke worlds.”

What if the peoples of the world were devoid of imagination. Would science progress—or even exist? Would music, or poetry, or art, or novels exist? Would teachers be able to connect with their students and find creative ways to teach them? Without imagination, there would be no need to build museums, or libraries or zoos; or investigate archeological digs; or walk through National, State and Local parks; or look out our windows…and wonder.

So, today my writer/author friends, I applaud YOU! I thank you for being uniquely inspired and imaginative as you develop your manuscripts! And I encourage to you READ at least one of the above books—making notes about how you might have written it differently, or what research might provide more information on the topics. This is how we become better—and better—writers. ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.

CONNECT WITH THE MARKETING EXPERTS

Today’s blog must open with a confession from me. I have not followed all the marketing advice that I’ll be sharing in these paragraphs. I am one of those authors who avoids thinking about marketing—not because it is time consuming or challenging—but because it is so foreign to my nature. I’m an author, a writer who has WAY too many storylines racing through my head, and corralling just one at a time takes extreme effort and concentration. So…I make very little effort to “grab the bull by the horns” (very appropriate cliché here) and market my published books. Of course, I am constantly suggesting to my clients that they take every advantage of any and all marketing assistance available to them, and I’m making a commitment to myself that from this day forward I will do the same!

Whether published through a traditional house or self-published the responsibility to introduce book(s) to the world belongs to the author. However, when the big publishers cut their marketing budgets—and staff—those experts partnered with self-publishing companies or started their own PR/marketing firms.

Finding the best assistance is now another hoop authors must jump through and with just a little Internet searching I discovered that the Marketing Firms offered excellent help—with fees that were definitely not in my budget. Once again, I’m so thankful that I made the decision to self-publish with a company that offers a delightful variety of marketing assistance. The following points are just a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy when working with your own Personal Marketing Expert:

• Relationship. Being introduced to a specialist in the field of marketing is the beginning of a friendship that enlightens and expands every author’s horizons. Authors don’t expect such an immediate and positive connection. However, it is one that will open new and continuing sales potential for our books, and build lasting relationships with Readers who will become “fans.”
• Platform. The skill-set of the Personal Marketing Assistant (PMA) allows them to listen to our stories (the book concepts) and immediately begin devising a marketing “platform” for our “product” to stand on. This may include the traditional bookstore book-signings, extending to coffee-house-book-readings. But today’s PMA will also help authors construct and utilize a website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google and other Internet “media” sites to increase visibility and build author reputation. Their expertise in wordsmithing will connect with Readers on multiple levels!
• Branding: The basic definition of “branding” is the creation of a name, term, symbol or design that gives a product a unique identity in the marketplace. As the PMA works with us they begin to visualize an element of our book(s) that will give it a distinctive presence in the book catalogs and platform arenas. Their perspective of our work may be different than ours; however, their suggestions are valuable tools to help us decide on a Brand that will follow us (as authors) and our books for a very long time.

Bottom line, every author needs a plan for the journey we’re taking into the mega-marketing-world. I used to think of it as entering Jurassic Park. Not anymore. I’m ready to learn everything I can from the expert Personal Marketing Assistant who will become my guide and partner in this adventure. I’m prepared to listen to their insights about the audience my book is meant to reach and “could” reach. And I’ll be building a file of everything I’m learning so that I can follow this path again with my new book(s)! I’m hoping you’ll join me in this marketing journey, and discover the excitement your Personal Marketing Assistant can bring into your writing life. ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.

CONNECT WITH EXPERT BOOK COVER DESIGNERS

GET EXCITED! Your manuscript is now in the process of being PUBLISHED! The next step requires the writer to “think visually” in a whole different dimension—the flat surface of your book’s COVER. If you’re contracted with a traditional publishing house, the design for your book will be taken “off your shoulders” as their team decides what image will market your book fastest and best. Sometimes they’re right. Sometimes they miss the target audience completely. However, if you’re an “indie” (independent, self-publishing) author, the following discussion will give you a jumpstart in assisting your Cover Designer create the perfect image.

First, let’s take a look at who these Cover Designers are. Without exception, they’ve been extraordinarily creative people since childhood and they’ve come to the career of Graphic Design through many unique avenues. They are also the legacy of visual communicators starting with the ancients who carved designs in stone and utilized “paints” created from charcoal and plants to preserve their images for future generations. However, today’s Designer knows that the distinction between “fine art,” advertising art and graphic art has blurred to the point of invisibility. So it is that they take their work very seriously and we are the benefactors.

Sample of an excellent design:

At some point during the final stages of completing your manuscript—and discussions with your author representative and publishing consultant—you’ve been asked to create three short information pieces: (1) your bio, (2) a 1-2 sentence theme statement about your book, and (3) a summary of the book. These serve multiple purposes not the least of which is revealing the concepts of your book to the Cover Designer. You may also be asked to fill out a questionnaire for the Designer giving them a clearer idea of what you want to see on the cover. This will include:

• Who is your audience? Important to know because different color combinations appeal to different Readers (buyers) and different age groups.
• If you’re at your favorite bookstore, what section will have your book? What other books of the same genre do you imagine being next to yours? Important to know so that the Designer can visualize a distinctive design and color scheme that will attract readers to your book vs another.
• Have you imagined specific images on the cover of your book? Have you dreamed about the cover of your book? Be as specific as possible.
• What are your expectations from the Cover Designer? This person needs ALL the input you can give. Without it, the process will take longer.

As mentioned above, your Cover Designer is an expert in the art of book cover design. This person is investing in your book to a greater level than you might have initially imagined. He or she has not only studied the “arts” but also the realities of human nature—developing a unique understanding of the visual creatures who instinctively respond to certain colors, shapes and designs.

Some authors have never met the Designer of their book covers, which saddens me a little. I understand the business plan many publishers have established to buffer their Creative Artists from the occasional frustrated author. However, through this blog I hope hundreds of Graphic Artists/Cover Designers will see my BIG THANK YOU and realize that a whole lot of authors would enjoy meeting you and shaking your hand. Your expertise brightens bookshelves, coffee tables, offices and libraries (etc.) around the world! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.

CONNECT WITH EXPERT PUBLISHING CONSULTANTS

Once upon a time there was a lady (me) who—over ten years—developed a non-fiction book. As you might imagine, there were more “stops” than “starts” and many “in-between times” when the manuscript pages simply sat in a box in the closet. Then photography became part of the adventure and I began placing selections in the manuscript. I enjoyed the creation of each and every paragraph and page. Then came the moment with it was completed, and before the last manuscript page fell from the printer, I knew it would be highly unlikely to find a traditional publisher. They had never “heard” of this very nice lady who loved the craft of writing and wanted to encourage other writers. Many of my friends—published authors—encouraged me to check out the field of self-publishing companies. (Of course, you know I selected the company that supports this blog, however, I must share more of the story.)

The publishing world is a BIG place and at one time (not so many years ago) the predictions were given that “real, hold-in-your-hand” books would soon be a thing of the past. In our era of POD (Print on Demand) technology, a manuscript can be published—and viewed online—in an hour or less. We have IPad size Notebooks and Kindles that download thousand-page books before we can repeat the title. Our desktop and laptop computers will turn-the-pages as we read our selection. Was this quiet and somewhat shy lady going to jump into that world?

I’ll leave the storyline now and tell you what I did—because my position is that REAL BOOKS will never disappear because of the true and felt-need that people enjoy holding their books in their hands.

• I started with Google…and ended up with a list of over 100 self-publishing companies and online ebook publishers.
• With a little help from friends—who told me the self-publishers that they would never do business with again—I narrowed that list to the top 10 self-publishing companies.
• Then I called them—no emails (at first)—so that I could speak with a “real person” and learn more about their process.
• I did not actually talk with someone at each of the ten self-publishing companies because a few had complicated messaging systems (“select #1 for marketing, #2 for…etc.”) which did not instantly allow me to speak with a person.
• The people I did converse with were, for the most part, friendly and interested in the concept of my book. However, I could tell that several were checking off scripted replies. I chose not to continue those conversations.

What I discovered is that there are many basic and foundational processes when getting our books published. However, not all companies approach them in the same way. I needed to be clear about the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing. I needed a personal guide who would explain all the publishing options (services) their company offered—someone who would hear what I told them about my book and the audience it could reach—and then help me select the perfect combination of services to achiever my publishing goals.

If you’ve read any of my previous blogs (archived back to 2013), you’ll know that I have published FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, and I could not have fulfilled that dream (to help other writers break through writer’s block) without the help of my Outskirts Press, Publishing Consultant, Jodee Thayer! Her confidence in me and the manuscript gave me the courage to invest in myself and every writer who holds that book in their hands. That is my hope for every Reader of this blog—to collaborate with your own Jodee Thayer—and see your dreams come true! ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.