How to Grow Your Author Platform and Reach Your Ideal Reader

One of the biggest challenges authors face is getting their books into the right hands. For your book to be successful, you need to be able to reach your ideal reader. This is critical whether you’re publishing with a traditional publisher or going the self-publishing (or indie publishing) route. I cannot stress this enough: your book’s success depends on you being able to reach your people. What is an Author Platform and Why Does it Matter? In the publishing world, your platform as an author is your ability to sell books through who you are or who you can reach. This usually breaks down into the following areas: who you are (i.e.: are you famous? an expert in your field? etc.) your personal and professional connections media outlets (including social media) that you can use to sell books. Ugh, right? This is the […]

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Perspective, Timing and Trust in Memoir

Memoir is a powerful thing. We love reading stories of love, loss and transformation. True stories are powerful. They inspire us on a deeply personal level. As Brene Brown says, we’re hardwired for story. It’s how we learn. Writing a memoir, though, can be challenging. Where do you start? How do you narrow down your story? How do you shape it? How do you navigate the emotional terrain of delving into the heart of who you are? And what do you do when the initial excitement wears off and you find yourself in the mucky middle of writing a book? How do you get back on track? Here’s the truth: writing a memoir is a journey. Trust and perseverance are critical parts of the process. So are craft and technique. Structure, accountability and encouragement are also important. A consistent writing practice is what […]

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15 Ways to Get Unstuck and Reboot Your Writing Project

In our last post, we discussed whether or not to keep going with your current writing project. Now let’s talk about the logistical pieces involved in getting unstuck and rebooting your writing project. Here are about 15 ways to help you move forward—one compassionate step at a time. 15 Ways to Get Unstuck and Reboot Your Writing Project Schedule a set time to restart your project and put it in your planner. If this feels too big, start with 5 or 10 minutes. Treat this as a sacred date with yourself. It is. Start with one easy, small goal. Start with 5 minutes if you’re drowning in overwhelm. Use that first writer’s date to pull out your writing and leaf through it, familiarizing yourself with your project. If you’re ready to start with something bigger, start with 15 or 30 minutes. If the […]

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