A Christmas gift for yourself

“Thank you, Megan. I found a less expensive editor.”

Well, ho, ho, ho.

Receiving messages like this never feels good, and even after going on 20 years in the business, it does still feel like a kick in the pants from time to time.

The sad thing about choosing your rates is that no matter what number you choose, there will be people who come along and tell you that you are too expensive. Basically, they want you to do the work for free, out of the kindness of your heart (though more likely it would be out of their ego).

Are there situations in which people have legitimate financial concerns that prevent them from spending money on non-emergency services? Absolutely.

Would I want to have someone give me their last dime and be evicted from their apartment. Of course not.

But what I see a lot, and what truly breaks my heart, is that authors will talk about their writing dreams…and then do nothing about them.

If you’ve followed me on social media at all you’ll have seen the countless mantras that I have posted that encourage authors to see themselves as necessary, creative beings, and worthy contenders in the world of publishing. There is no better time to write that first word, or that last word.

But what happens after a book has been written? Or what if major writing blocks keep an author from moving forward on their journey? What happens then?

Two things happen – authors either a) struggle indefinitely or b) invest in themselves.

By “invest” I do not mean purchase business cards or purchase another writing course they won’t have time to complete. I do not mean search for the perfect pen or pencil or notebook.

I mean they invest their time in their writing, and then when they need help they invest their money in the best possible guidance they can receive.

My purpose on this planet is to help authors make their writing great and their publishing dreams come true. That is my very deepest passion.

It is also my job, and unfortunately I can’t buy groceries with hugs and good wishes.

How do I choose my rates? I want to fall into industry standards, of course, but I also base my rates on my aforementioned nearly 20 years of experience, as well as the level of detail I put into my work.

Any editor can look at a manuscript and say, “your main character is under-developed.” But when I say that, I also go on to ask the author questions (“what is your main character’s goal?” “what are they looking for in life?”) and then give suggestions on how to improve (“if Brody is willing to sacrifice everything in order to bring Susan home, we need to establish the stakes in the first third of the book”).

So, this holiday season, I am sure that you have already spent a ton of cash on things for other people – toys aren’t getting any cheaper! But what did you get for yourself?

Just imagine what 2023 could look like if you knew that your book could finally become a real, tangible thing.

Just imagine how could it would feel to stop getting lost in the questions and the what-ifs, and have someone actually guide you through the process, kicking the roadblocks out of your way.

I’d love to talk to you about your book project, and how I can help you get that book into the readers, hungry for your words.

Hop on over to the Services page on the website, or simply respond to this email and we can see how to find a way for me to give you the assistance you need.

Give yourself (and your book) a gift this holiday season.

As we begin to close out 2022, I wish you the very best!

To you and your book!

Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.

First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.

After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).

Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.

It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.

I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.

​Are you ready to play big?

(Writing) Trivial Pursuit

I thought we’d have a little fun today and explore some writing trivia. I found some wonderful sites with some great facts, and wanted to share some of those with you:

1.     John Steinbeck used 300 pencils to write East of Eden and was known to use up to 60 pencils in a day.

2.     The word “colygraphia” means “writer’s block.”

3.     Gertrude Stein claimed the water-drinking patterns of her dog, Basket, taught her the difference between sentences and paragraphs in writing.

4.     Graham Greene would write 500 words a day and then stop – even in the middle of a sentence.

5.     Agatha Christie suffered from dysgraphia, which meant she could not write legibly; as a result, she dictated all of her novels.

6.     When Dr. Seuss was stuck writing his books, he would go to a secret closet filled with hundreds of hats and wear them till the words came.

7.     In the 1891 UK census, 6,000 respondents identified themselves as writers, editors, or journalists; by 1901, the figure had risen to 11,000.

8.    Introverts make the best writers. There is a stereotype that writers are lonely, maladjusted introverts who don’t enjoy interacting with other people. While this stereotype isn’t completely true, studies have found that introverts are more creative and thus better creative writers. One of the reasons for this is likely that introversion gives someone more time to think alone, and thinking alone helps to spark creativity. 

9.    Creative writing is similar to professional athletics. A German researcher, Martin Lotze, studied the brains of both professional athletes and professional writers and found that their brain activity was very similar during athletic competition and the writing process. Interestingly, Lotze found that professional writers and amateur writers had a key difference: Professional writers used their speech-processing center of the brain to develop their stories, while amateur writers relied on their vision centers to imagine the story first.

10.   Our language is constantly changing. The English language changes at an astonishing rate. By one estimate, a new word is added to the dictionary every two hours. The conventions for how to use words also change at regular intervals. For example, some of the leading style guides, such as Chicago, APA, MLA, and AP change their rules for how to use punctuation, pronouns, and specific words and phrases at regular intervals. Writers need to keep up with the latest style changes to ensure their writing meets the mark.

The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now

Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever

I’m sharing:

• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day

• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts

• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published

• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms

• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself

Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!

​I’m Ready to Be a Published Author

Everything I need to know about writing…I learned from Audrey Hepburn?

 Audrey Hepburn is one of the most famous actresses of all time. Her presence on the screen is unforgettable, and she seemed to move through the world as a sort of luminous being.

She had a pretty tragic childhood (thanks, World War II), and plenty of heartbreak throughout her life, but for all intents and purposes seemed to never lose her vivacity, and her passion for absorbing life and leaving a terrific legacy behind.

She is an inspiration just as a human being, but of course as a creative person who had many gifts that touched people all over the world.

When you’re struggling with your writing, or life, perhaps let yourself hear Audrey’s voice, and let her words permeate:

“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”

Believe in yourself – you must do that before asking anyone else to do so, too. You CAN become an author. You CAN write a book. There are no limits.

“Paris is always a good idea.”

If you’re feeling stuck, get out. Is there a place you can go where you can feel relaxed or recharged? Is there a local garden that delights you with its beauty? Do you feel inspired walking about your local bookstore?

“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.”

Even the luckiest of authors still face roadblocks along the way – rejection letters, a lack of confidence, etc. But it’s so important to keep moving forward. There IS light at the end of the tunnel – your day will come.

"Good things aren’t supposed to just fall into your lap. God is very generous, but He expects you to do your part first."

You can’t become a bestselling author without a book. You can’t make readers’ hearts swell if they have nothing to read.

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”

Books have the power to change lives. If you have something to share with the world, it is your goal to share it – whether you’re educating, entertaining, comforting, and/or inspiring.

I believe in you!

The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now

Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever

I’m sharing:

• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day

• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts

• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published

• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms

• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself

Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!

​I’m Ready to Be a Published Author

The truth about agents, rejection, and platforms

A quick note about agents, rejection, and platforms:

Being rejected based on your platform (or lack thereof) does not mean that the literary agent thinks your career path isn’t impressive, that you’re not greatly respected in your field, that you’ve accomplished nothing, or that you do not have anything substantive to say. They likely don’t even think you are lacking in talent, that you should keep your day job, or that there is no hope for you and your book in the wide world of publishing.

The reason that agents care so much about platform is because the editors at publishing companies do. And editors equate platform with potential book sales. This makes sense, of course – if you have X number of fans who are already interacting with your content, then you will likely have X number of fans who will actually purchase your book. And as the publishing house is making an investment in you with the advance they pay, they want to feel comfortable they will make their money back (and more). Agents and editors need to know what IS happening and what HAS happened, not what COULD happen. Even authors choosing to self-publish need to have a platform and to build awareness of their “brand”: fans = money, and if you don’t have the fans, I wouldn’t quit your day job.

It may seem outrageous that someone who has worked in a field for 30 years may not be considered a platform all-star. It may not be “right,” it may not be convenient, but that’s the world we live in and write in. If you’d like to continue to “fight the man,” go ahead. But a change of perspective may be more helpful (and fruitful!). 

The good news is, just because your platform may be in its beginning stages, or it may need a little work, does not mean it will always be that way. Platform is something that people need to constantly be working on – even Oprah is consistently finding new ways to reach out to her fans.

It’s important to remember that not all platforms are the same; it all depends on where your audience is. Some folks build their followings on Twitter or on Instagram, others through speaking engagements or a podcast. Find out where your ideal readers are going and interact with them there. You are aware already that knowing your audience makes you a better writer – after all, it’s all about them, not you – and this thought applies to building a platform, too. Do your research, try, and then try again. And yes, this can be time-consuming (I wish I could say to tweet twenty times a day and publishing success will be yours). 

It’s important to think outside the box when you’re doing this. What are your personal strengths? Look at your competition, or at peers in your field for whom you have great respect. What are they doing that seems to be working? How can you put your own spin on it and make those ideas work for you, too? If you can’t make the process fun, think of it as an inevitable, like doing your taxes, waiting in line at the DMV, or paying off your student loans.

If you’re at the beginning, don’t be discouraged. Writing a whole book seemed pretty impossible at one point, right? Nothing will happen overnight. Platform is about the long term, not the short term, even if you want to just write this one book and then wipe your hands clean of this crazy industry. Slowly but surely, you will start growing your tribe. And the people that are excited for this book will be excited for your next one, and the one after that. 

Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.

First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.

After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).

Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.

It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.

I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.

​Are you ready to play big?