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It just dawned on me: next week will mark my 28-year anniversary in publishing.

Yes, on October 2, 1978, I began my first “real” job out of college–an English major who actually got her dream job in publishing

The real miracle was–I got the job even before I graduated!

(You have to understand, in those days, people with Ph.D.’s in English were driving taxicabs. To get a publishing job right out of college was unheard of. But, I had faith, I also had been a Phi Beta Kappa and University Scholar, and I had connections with the publisher through the college campus ministry I had been involved in. InterVarsity Press, as it was called back then, was part of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.)

That was quite a year for me. Not only did I get a job before I graduated, not only did I graduate summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut, but I spent the summer between graduation and New Job in Argentina. I worked for a publisher there, too, if you can believe it!

In fact, I worked for Ediciones Certeza, which was the South American arm of InterVarsity Press, where I was slated to work come October, when I returned.

That year was also my Year of Winter. We had a very bad winter in Connecticut (at least one major blizzard, and snow in May–snow on the leaves of the trees!). Then I went down to Argentina–my summer, their winter.

My only taste of summer was a brief stint in Machupichu, Peru, where I basked on the top of a mountain in 70-degree sunshine. (I almost didn’t make it home, but for that miraculous story, you have to read Abundant Gifts.)

But I did make it back north, to Chicago and my new job, just in time for one of the worst winters in Illinois history. I still remember the huge piles of snow in the far reaches of parking lots in Chicago, where it was hauled because there was no room elsewhere. It was May before those piles completely melted!

Once that winter, my little blue Pacer was completely buried in a snowstorm, save for the antenna. (Anybody remember those “bubble cars”?)

Working at IVP was wonderful. I met my husband-to-be there, for one thing….

Also, the job itself was a dream. I was an assistant producer for a radio program called InterAction. It was a 5-minute program airing 5 days a week, same subject and author all week. At the end of the show, they offered a freebie to anyone who wrote in.

It was a precursor to the kind of direct marketing that works so well now. Back then, though, few people were doing this.

My job, executed from my little cubicle, was to interview the authors, turn the transcript into 5-minute radio programs, create scripts for the announcer, supervise the technician who actually spliced the tape together (they did it with actual tape in those days), and basically, produce the program. I got to meet all these authors whose books I’d loved, such as Calvin Miller, Ron Sider, Becky Pippert–even Billy Graham.

I even got in a little plane once to fly to Rochester, Minnesota to interview Francis Schaeffer, who was undergoing cancer treatment. What I remember best about that trip was how kindly he treated every person, engaging the hospital elevator operator in conversation as if that man were the most important person in the world. Schaeffer truly acted as if there were “no little people,” just as he’d written in his books.

Another fun part of my first job was managing the direct marketing side of it, with what we would now call autoresponder mailings. In those days, we sent actual letters. (Imagine–no Internet then!)

I did this for two years, until the publisher decided that the program was too expensive to produce. Just when I’d perfected my techniques, they reluctantly pulled the plug.

Oh well. IVP was just ahead of its time. Current technology makes such an endeavor very inexpensive. Everything is done digitally these days. Now we call it podcasting.

Anyway, to celebrate this anniversary of mine, I will be offering a special on “Jump Start Your Book: 12 Questions You Must Answer Before You Write Your First Word.” I thought I’d give you the heads-up so that if you were considering this, you will be sure to look for the email early next week. The special will only be good for next week, so you won’t want to miss it. Make sure you sign up for my newsletter so you won’t miss this special offer, and another goody, I’ll be giving away to those on my newsletter list.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reminiscing with me. If anyone remembers the winter of ‘78, or has been to Argentina and/or Machupichu, let me know!

If you actually want to make a good living from your knowledge, perhaps the last thing you need to do is write a book.

Yes, you read that right.

To understand why I say this, go get a copy of Janet Switzer’s free 26-page Publishing Protocol. She spells it out very clearly. Says what I say to anybody who tells me they want to make a good living from their books.

Listen, you can make a whole career out of writing and then promoting your book or books. However, you will not reap nearly the financial reward you can if you began to think of yourself as a communicator of vauable information that can be packaged in a variety of ways, most of them more lucrative than a book.

Not everyone wants or needs to make a career out of his or her book. But if you do want to and/or need to, download Janet’s report. Read it and mull over it.

It may call for a substantial paradigm shift for you. But it may also be a turning point in your life and career.

For the record, this is what I coach my clients to do who want to and are ready to commit to creating a career out of their expertise.

Janet is also making available an interview she did with Mark Victor Hansen (co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books). I haven’t listened to that yet, but you might well want to download your free copy as well as the Publishing Protocol.

Of course, Janet is gearing up for some big launch of a new product, but she gives away plenty of great information free.

Once you read the Publishing Protocol, I’d be very interested in knowing what you think. Please do post your comments.

My friend Jill Koenig, the Goal Guru, was just contacted by Fox News as a result of an article she wrote in tribute to Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, who recently passed away as a result of a stingray barb to the heart while fiilming a documentary.

Jill wrote an article on her blog about Steve Irwin simply because she had been so inspired by his life. She researched some interesting facts about him and his life and sent the article out, to her list, on her blog, and to ezine article directories.

Who knows how the producer from Fox News found Jill, but today that producer called and said Jill would be perfect for John Kasich’s “Heartland” show. More than a national news program, “Heartland” delves into the deeper issues and meanings behind the stories that touch people and affect our lives.

Folks, do you think that this won’t help Jill’s business? Do you think it won’t help her build her platform?

Note, though, that she didn’t deliberately set out to get this exposure. She wrote that article purelyto pay tribute and encourage others to follow their bliss–which is the passion that drives her. “He was an example many could relate to,” Jill says, “and I was just writing because I was truly inspired by him and how he lived his life.”

Intended or not, Jill’s blog post and article landed her a spot on a key Fox News program. Tune in to Fox News tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 6th at 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern.For details and channels, please consult your local listings or visit http://www.FoxNews.com.On the red navigation bar at the top of the page, click on “TV.” Then click on Saturday, then Heartland.

The program will pay a special tribute to Steve Irwin and talk about why it is so important to follow your bliss and liive your dreams every day. Jill and John will be talking about how Steve Irwin invested his time during his 44 years on Earth. Tune in; even watch it with your kids, if you have children.
I’ll follow what happens as a result of Jill’s media opportunity and write it up an another case study.

If you don’t have a blog of your own, what are you waiting for? Contact me and I’ll show you how easy it is to get started. It’s a great way to build that all-important “platform” that lays the ground work for your book or other information product.

The latest issue of the Your Book Publishing Coach newsletter is ready.

Here’s what’s inside the September issue:

* QUOTES OF THE MONTH: On Perseverance
* ARTICLE: Should You Talk about Your Book Idea?
* Jump Start Your Book: Testimonial
* INSIDER’S TIP: Research Your Market-—from Your Computer
* Get your questions answered! (Especially on Book Proposals)
* RESOURCES: Book Proposals that Sell
* CASE STUDY: Update on Maria Veloso

… and more.

To view the newsletter online, click here or go to the Words to Profit Web site and click on “Read current issue” on the left. Don’t forget to subscribe, if you haven’t already!

I’d love to hear what you think, so after you read the newsletter please come back and post to this blog.

I’d especially appreciate your feedback on the main article, about whether or not you should talk about your book as you’re writing it (or even before). I’ve weighed in on my opinion; I’d like to hear yours!

Also, I mentioned a couple of different kinds of writers in that article (four types, actually). I’m very interested in what kind of a writer you are, and what your experience has been concerning talking about your ideas. Has it been a good thing? Why or why not?

If you’re interested at all in getting published and paid for it (as in getting paid for a magazine article or your book published by a “traditional” publisher), doing next Tuesday night, Sept.12, at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Note that this is not a free teleseminar I’m doing myself; I’ve been invited to be the special guest for Suzanne Lieurance’s “Freelance Writing: How to Jumpstart Your Career” class with the University of Masters.

The topic for the evening will be “Tips for Winning Queries and Book Proposals.” Suzanne is a coach who helps writers make the transition to making a living freelance; I specialize in helping people write and publish their books or other information products in the way that best fits their goals. Together we’ll give some great “insider tips” on how to make editors and publishers take notice of your work.

The class is only available for University of Masters members. The cost is only $19.95 per month and members have access to ALL UM classes, not just this one. Plus, all the classes are recorded and downloadable so members can listen to the classes at their own convenience.

If you want to listen to this call, go to www.universityofmasters.com and click on the course catalog and you can find Suzanne Lieurance’s class (as well as all the others). If you want to become a member of UM, please list Suzanne as your referral.