Posts Tagged ‘successful author’

How Authors are Paid

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

I just read a very clear  explanation of the economics of publishing by a successful author, here. Make sure you read the comments, too. If you don’t understand what advances and royalties are and how authors are paid, make sure you read Joe’s explanation.

(This applies to traditional publishing.  Some of the newer publishing models are different. With Intermedia, for example, there are no “royalties” per se, you pay for their services, for instance, if they act as your distributor or fulfillment house. And they pay your share of sales every month. For more about publishing and Intermedia, go to www.askaboutpublishing.com. You can even ask a question there.)

It is difficult to make a living as an author, from a book alone. One thing that helps is becoming prolific. I taught a class on this once, and you’re welcome to check out the replay and notes for Writing Secrets Revealed. When writing becomes almost as natural as breathing, you have a better chance of putting out several books a year (and don’t forget spinoff info products that can be more profitable than a book).

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Posted in Writing, publishing, promoting books | 1 Comment »

Musings on What It Means to be a Successful Author

Friday, August 28th, 2009

The recording of the Great Author Promotions interview with Noah St. John is ready.

Those who were on the live call and frustrated by the sound level of my voice on the webcast will be pleased to know that the recording is MUCH better. I had no control over the webcast quality, but because I don’t trust technology, I had a good backup system in place and thankfully, that worked.

(You’ll be introduced to my dog, Millie, barking in the background at one point. She’s usually nice and quiet but missing her walk for two days due to rain made her jumpy, I guess.)

Anyway, Noah had some interesting things to say.

But I did not agree with EVERYTHING he said.

In fact, I want to say a couple of things before you even listen.

(more…)

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“Author Success Plan” Unveiled …

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

I’m so excited about this week’s PCW teleseminar …

I’ve been working secretly on something for some time, and on this week’s Publishing Coach Weekly teleseminar, you’re going to be the first to know about it, before anyone else!

(Don’t worry, this won’t cost you anything, and you ARE going to love it!)

Here’s a hint: It has to do with my goal for you–to become a successful author.

On this teleseminar, I talk about what that means, AND tell you about this exciting Thing that you will be the FIRST to know about. (It’s not even up on my site or anything yet!)

A few weeks ago, I interviewed Charlene Baumbich about being a successful author. (If you haven’t heard that yet, you might want to do so at www.publishingcoachweekly.com/teleseminarreplays.html.) But I myself have a lot to say about this topic, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

If you have any question at all about what it takes to become a successful author, please ask it here.

The call-in details can be found on that page, or if you don’t have any question for now, just go here to get call-in details or listen to the replay.

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How to Get a 6-Figure Book Advance

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

It’s almost unheard of these days in publishing for an author to get a high five-figure book advance, let alone six figures.

It’s difficult even to get any literary agent to take on your book, let alone one of the top literary agents in the country.

Yet one author managed to do both.

On Thursday, I’m going to grill this author, Noah St. John, on how he did this.

And YOU also get a chance to ask Noah your question as well.

I plan to ask how long it took him to find an agent, what his book proposal was like, how he made contact with his agent, what it was like to have his book go on auction, what he’s doing now to promote his book, etc.

The “etc.” means YOUR questions.

So go ahead, ask Noah and sign up for the very first “great author promotions” teleseminar, in which we’ll learn from successful authors what their proven secrets are.

The teleseminar is at the usual Publishing Coach Weekly time: Thursday at 1 pm Eastern, noon Central, 11 am. Mountain and 10 am Pacific. There will be a replay is you miss it, but attending live means you can ask Noah questions that occur to you during the interview.

One more thing: No doubt a big part of Noah’s success is his actually doing what his book is about. Title: The Secret Code of Success. It’s not your typical “success/self-help book”; there’s real meat here beyond the kind of “believe it and it will happen” advice so prevalent today. You can get his great insights for less than $14 at amazon.

Then, you’ll be eligible to attend his free bookinar and really put into action what you learn. We’ll tell you how to access the bookinar on the teleseminar.

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The Only 4 Investments You’ll Ever Need to Succeed as an Author

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

I have been a fan of Simpleology for several years now.

When I use it, it doubles my productivity. If you haven’t investigated it yet, I encourage you to check it out. It’s free, fun, and it works!

But I’m writing now about something new from Mark Joyner, who created Simpleology. (I think Mark Joyner has a real gift for boiling things down to the most valuable essence, and then communicating it clearly. See if you agree.)

It’s about the only four investments you will ever need to make (in good times and bad).

Can you guess what they are?

If your mind starts racing with answers, you’re not alone. Recently over 668 people placed a guess at what they were and the answer will be revealed on the 6th.

Check to see if you agree with the folks by clicking here.

Now here’s another question …

If you know the four areas to invest in, how do you do it?

(The answer to this holds the key to just about anything you want.)

The good news is, anyone can do it.

… young, old …

… wealthy or poor…

It doesn’t matter. It applies to everyone, including YOU.

Curious?

Learn more about what’s brewing here. I think you’ll be fascinated.

(Special note: This blog is a goldmine for authors. You must at least read the November 1 post AND ESPECIALLY the comments. I will be revealing why and how it’s a goldmine, soon.)

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Authors are Leaders–Unleash Your Leadership Potential

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

If you’re an author or aspiring author, have you ever considered that you are a leader? As I mentioned in my recent Publishing Coach Weekly article, the real job of a successful author is to lead. Lead people toward your vision, lead people to interact with your ideas and do something about them.

Since you’re already a leader (author means authority), I believe you will be interested in attending the Virtual Book Tour with Nancy Ortberg next Tuesday evening. I’ll be asking Nancy Ortberg YOUR questions on leadership and how to unleash leadership potential in yourself or others.  We have dozens of questions already from all over the world!

I believe Nancy Ortberg’s “lessons in non-linear leadership” will inspire you. Nancy is a great storyteller as well, and I’ll be asking her to share some of her great stories during our interview. Storytelling is also something all authors need to do well–another benefit you will glean from listening to this VBT.

Nancy’s book is called Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands and you’ll get a free sample chapter when you sign up for the Virtual Book Tour at http://www.asknancyortberg.com. Even if you don’t have a question, or can’t make the live call next Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern, you’ll get the link to the replay afterward to listen to at your convenience.

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New Publishing Coach Weekly Article: “The Real Job of an Author”

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

I have a new Publishing Coach Weekly article for you!

It’s called “The Real Job of an Author” and I think it may surprise you.

Whether you have a book yet or not, this article will get you thinking about the real focus you need if you want to be a successful (read: influential) author.

It’s not what it used to be.

As usual, I have suggested Action Steps and recommended resources.

(Because … “successful authors T— A—–,” right?)

And please, ask your questions! I’ll be answering questions here on the blog, so ask away!

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What It Takes to Succeed as An Author

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Seth Godin has a great blog post called, “Is Effort a Myth?” Read it and ponder this: “Am I willing to do what it takes to succeed as an author, or am I hoping for luck?”

There’s a reason some people get published and others don’t, and usually it has to do with the fact that published authors have put in the effort to gain expertise, build an audience, and actually write the book or get a good ghost writer to write it. They go through the work of putting together a good proposal, they don’t quit when they get rejected, or they self-publish intelligently.

My goal with this blog and my other resources is to give you the tools that can lead to your becoming a successful author. However, a hammer does no good in itself. Only in the hand of the carpenter does it hit the nail on the head.

Read Seth’s blog. To suggestion #2, I would amend, if you want to become a successful author, spend your 120 minutes:

  • writing an article and posting it to article directories
  • coming up with some free “Special Report” on your topic that you can give away to start relationships with people (ask them for their email addresses to get the report)
  • setting up a blog and writing 2-3 times per week
  • finding other people who are already talking about your topic (Ning groups, Yahoo groups, blogs) and enter the conversation by posting. Put your Special Report offer in your email signature line when you do post.

Everything else, listen to Seth!

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Posted in Productivity tips | 2 Comments »

Getting Published–What You Need Most to Attract a Publisher

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

I was talking to an acquisitions editor the other day.

“What do you look for most in a publishable author?” I asked.

“Platform,” was his quick answer. “It’s all about platform.”

Platform is industry speak for an audience. People who are already in your “tribe.” People who are already following you.

That’s what publishers look for, first and foremost.

“Do you look for authors who have self-published and are already successful?” I asked.

“Usually those authors don’t need us,” he answered. “But if they are successful and they want us to publish them, we’d certainly consider it.”

So there you go. If you’re an aspiring author seeking a publisher, (more…)

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What “Your Book Publishing Coach” Wants to Do For You

Saturday, July 1st, 2006

If you’re a writer, author, or someone who aspires to publishing in any form, you’ve come to the right place! (Or should I say, the write place? Sorry….)

My name is Diane Eble, and my goal with this blog is to give people who want to write and publish the information and resources they need to get started and, if you so choose, actually make money at it.

I want you to “be well heard and well paid for what you know and love to do.”

What do I bring to the table here? (more…)

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