The Writing Life

Piggyback on the Media

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 12:45:00 -0700

One of the best ways for any author to get attention for their book is through the news media. These journalists are connected to large audiences and through their writing and word choices, they have influence on their readers or listeners.

Last week, basketball season began with much hyped game between the champion New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Mixed into that conflict was the first game with LeBron James joining the 76ers team.

While I don’t often write about sports, I’m writing about this event to highlight a valuable publicity technique called a media piggyback or newsjacking. It’s where you connect your book or product to a breaking news story to earn exposure for a new book or product.

My personal connection to the 76ers team began during a breakfast meeting at the 2025 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I met Doug Peterson, the prolific author who has published a variety of books in different genres including the bestselling Veggie Tales. Doug asked if Morgan James Publishing would consider a middle grade novel with a time travel element. I was intrigued and encouraged his submission.

Doug pitched The Sabotage of ‘76, a middle grade novel tied to the Philadelphia 76ers basketball with the additional plot element of time travel back to the American Revolution. This second element tied this book to the 250th anniversary of America that we’re celebrating in 2026. This book marked the 100th book that Doug has written and his first co-authored with his son, Jason, who is a middle grade teacher.

In May of 2025, most publishers would have passed on Doug’s pitch because these publishers are scheduled with releases for 18 to 24 months and could not effectively launch or promote a book releasing in 2026. As you can see from the newspaper image at the top of this article, their local newspaper interviewed Doug and Jason about their book. The article was tied to the launch date of their book.

For news releases and email pitches to journalists in different media, Doug and Jason can piggyback the buzz about the Philadelphia ’76ers basketball team, LeBron James and any other relevant news connection and connect it to the release of The Sabotage of ‘76.

While publicist and PR experts know and use newsjacking in their pitches to media, authors can also use this technique. As book promotion expert Brian Jud wrote in a recent newsletter, “Newsjacking is a proven technique for generating sales leads, adding new customers, getting media attention, and growing your business. Its premise is simple: When there is news, editors and reporters are looking for experts to comment. Let them know in advance that you are the expert in your field, that you’re a Newsjacking “first responder,” and you can gain a tremendous competitive advantage.”

To learn more of these publicity techniques, I encourage you to download my free teleseminar with publicity expert Sandra Beckwith. The first step in this process is to learn about these techniques, then craft the news release and send it to various journalists in print, broadcast and online media.

Have you used newsjacking or piggybacking with the media? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

The launch of a middle grade novel with time travel connects to a current news item called “newsjacking.” This prolific bestselling author and editor gives the details here. (ClickToTweet)

My Writing In Other Places:

With these articles, I encourage you to publish your work beyond your blog in other places. Below are three articles which were published in other online locations than this blog. I have continued to write each month on each of these websites. Find your opportunities to get your work into some other websites through guest blogging.

Each month I write about a different aspect of book proposal creation for Almost An Author. This motth I encourage authors to make their proposal different. Follow the link to see the article.

A common publishing myth is that beginning writers do not get published. In this article on Writers on the Move, I show that every publishing professional is actively looking for the right author.

On the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference blog, I wrote about how writers can See The World of W

riting Opportunities.

A Special Book for Every Author

As I’ve worked in the publishing world for years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations and dreams for their books. I’ve found many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help and take actions no matter what the publisher does for your book. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,800 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Little By Little Actions

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

The simple short message on LinkedIn startled me. It asked, “Are you still doing podcasts?”

“Yes.” I answered at first. With a little more thought I expanded my answer. “I’ve booked or recorded over 90 podcasts and the best place to learn about the new recordings is on my blog (and I sent the link).”

My exchange was a short one and I have no idea if something will come from it or not. I have over 19,800 connections on LinkedIn and their email is not my normal way of communication. It’s an example of a little action with unknown and possibly big potential. Maybe this person has a podcast and wants to invite me as a guest or maybe they will just listen to some of my podcast recodings. I don’t have my own podcast but I’ve been guesting on others podcasts then promoting that recording.

In the above image of a woodcarver, he has an idea or concept for that piece of wood. With little by little cuts in the wood, he works on that carving to create something beautiful. It’s how a great deal of the publishing world works--through little by little actions. It’s not glamorous or flashy but here’s the truth about the writing life: the majority of things happen with little by little actions.

Last week one of my long-time publishing friends who is now a literary agent received a letter of acknowledgement for the Morgan James Publishing submission that he sent for his author. The physical letter came via the US Mail. This agent acknowledged the rarity of receiving such a publishing letter. Publishers used to send these letters but most have stopped this practice. David Hancock, the Morgan James Publishing founder told me, it’s one of the reasons we do it--to stand out and be distinct. We receive over 5,000 submissions each year and only publish about 150 books. A little action of mailing a letter is a means to stand out from other publishers.

To write a 50,000 word or 80,000 word manuscript takes a lot of thoughtful writing. It's not done in a single session but little by little. The same discipline is involved in writing a book proposal or a magazine article or pitching a podcast.

As a reader of these articles on The Writing Life, I understand your interest in writing and publishing your work. It’s a task that you do little by little. Early on in my writing I learned that I have to do more than writing. If you want people to read your work, you have to be pitching your writing. Your pitch can be through an email or a proposal or in person at a writer’s conference. If you speak with a magazine editor and she encourages you to submit, then you have to take action and send the submission for consideration. If you don’t hear from that editor, then you have to follow up and make sure they received it and put it into consideration. Even in these last two sentences, the writer has to take little actions and do the necessary connection work.

One of the keys for every writer is the need to do consistent work in the marketing area. If you aren’t knocking on new doors and telling people about your book, then people don’t know about it to buy it. We've learned that someone has to hear about your book a dozen times before they purchase it. As the author build different tools and methods of telling people into your consistent actions. For some people it will be on YouTube and others it will be on podcasts and the radio. There are multiple methods and part of the author journey is to experiment and find the best activity for you and your book. It will take persistent action often done little by little.

I don’t pretend the work of publishing is simple but with little by little action, you can reach readers and get your work into the marketplace. When you have an idea to pitch, do you execute that idea or lose it? I encourage you to take little but consistent actions to learn then reach your readers. As the author, you are the best person to represent your work and reach readers. Each of us want someone else to do this work like a publisher or a publicist.

I encourage each of you to take little by little actions and 100% responsibility for your own success. What little actions are you going to take today and tomorrow and the next day? Let me know in the comments below and join the conversation.

Tweetable:

Through little by little actions, this prolific author and editor contends much can be accomplished. You can read the stories and apply the details to your writing with this article. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week one more new podcast recording launched:

Troy Stuart and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths Every Author Should Know on The Wisdom Trade Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3VGG4rH

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Author Talk Is Cheap

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As an author, you have to learn a great deal about publishing to make a good pitch. The reality is you have seconds to capture that person’s attention. If you are meeting in person at a writer’s conference, your first few minutes are important.

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to learn to catch attention, craft a book proposal, write a query letter, and generally make the right connection to secure a positive reaction from that publishing professional. No doubt that achievement is valuable and terrific.

In this article, I want to encourage you to take an additional step: do the work to successfully execute your plans to reach readers. It’s the work which gets no attention and no one pushes you to do but if you do it, then you will become the exception and sell books. As my title for this article says, author talk is cheap.

I understand the work and thought that goes into an author pitch to a literary agent or editor. From my experience, the more detailed about your connections to the reader, the better the plan.

Here’s what I have learned: authors can make detailed marketing plans, then not execute those plans when the book is published. You may tell your editor about your terrific connection to a large circulation print publication, then when the book comes out, the editor looks at the book sales and sees that little happened. Talk is cheap. The real action from authors comes day to day in the trenches when they do the work.

For example, it’s no accident that since 2004, I’ve written and published hundreds of how-to articles on this blog for people interested in publishing. I’ve taken my variety of experiences and poured them into these stories and the articles. No one required me to do it but I have consistently written these articles and done the work. It’s the same sort of detailed work that you must do as an author with your topic.

I encourage you to keep learning about new aspects of publishing, then engaging in the process and do the work to apply that information to your work. Admittedly the work can feel routine and boring but your consistency is a critical element in your success. Even if you don’t get any (or much) feedback. Keep learning, going to workshops and reading books and online to discover new aspects of publishing.

If you notice that something isn’t happening, then increase your work on that aspect. For example, using PodMatch I’ve booked or been on over 90 podcasts during the last year or so. Recently I don’t have as much activity in this area. When I think about the reason, it’s because I haven’t been pitching new podcasts. I’ve put more effort into this pitching and believe soon I will be adding more podcasts to my schedule.

You want to keep knocking on new doors and trying new tools and ways to get your message into the marketplace. One of the critical and unglamorous aspects is to continually do the promoting and marketing work.

What new aspects of publishing are you learning and reading about? How are you apply these plans to your topic and passion? Talk is cheap but the real work takes steady and continued effort. If I can help you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Let me know your actions in the comments.

Tweetable:

Are you making plans to reach readers and tell others about your book? These plans are terrific but are you doing this work? As this prolific author and editor says, author talk is cheap. Read the details here. (ClickToTweet)

After speaking with authors for years, I know many authors have a unrealistic ideas about the details of publishing—and these details are important for your book to succeed. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of

bonuses.

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Why Follow Up Is Critical

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 4 Oct 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

No matter how you publish your book, it is a mulltiple step process where you work with others to accomplish your goals. At Morgan James Publishing, I’m working with a number of authors at different stages with their books. For example, last week I sent book contract offers to several authors. Then a few days later, I made a brief phone call to check in with these authors. For each call, I got their voicemail then left messages to see if they had additional questions. If they don’t have any questions, I encouraged them to take the next step: to print their contract, sign it, date it then scan and email it back to me.

After those calls, I turned and made calls to a couple of new authors that I spoke this past week. I followed up with these authors because I'm missing some details from them which I mentioned during our conversation and in my follow up email. If I don’t get these details from the author, I can’t move forward wtih their submission to my colleagues and possibly get them a book contract offer. These follow up calls are an important part of getting the information that I need from them. With my phone calls or voicemail messages, I reminded them of the information I needed and encouraged them to send it.

I’ve learned without my follow up, the publishing process gets stalled and does not move forward. For every writer in many different areas, followup is a critical skill. You need to learn to do it--and use the right words in your followup. If you push an editor to make a decision about your submission, this type of follow up will likely give you an answer you don't want: no (rejection). Instead when you followup on a submission (which is important to do), you want to ask if the editor received the submission or possibly needs you to resend it. This type of question shows empathy for the massive amount of submissions that pours into the email and mail for every editor and literary agent. We each get way more material to consider than can be easily processed.

While day in and day out, I do a great deal of follow up work, there are times that I fail in this area. Several weeks ago I told you about my secret plan to promote a new Morgan James Publishing book that I brought into the company. I poured a lot of work and effort into this behind-the-scenes effort. I emailed and/or called almost 20 people, told them about the book, sent them details and asked if they wanted a print advanced copy of the book. I kept a list of these people and the dates when I contacted them. When they agreed to read and review the book, I mailed each one a copy of the print book to their home address. Here’s what I missed in this process, I did not follow up with each one to confirm the arrival of the book and that they read it and were writing a review.

A few weeks after this book launched, I checked the Amazon page and Goodreads page for my requested reviews. There were only a few reviews. It showed me again the importance of following up. While my followup failure happened weeks ago, I know I can still follow up and it is not too late. I can send those follow up reminder emails, asking for their honest review and encouraging them to do it. Followup is critical.

Throughout publishing, without follow up almost nothing happens. People are busy. People forget and have other things crowd into their lives.

It’s the same with submissions. Authors need to follow up.

It’s the same with book contracts. Editors need to follow up.

It’s the same with any sort of pitch to a podcast, a magazine, newspaper, a speaking event, etc. You have to follow up.

Don’t forget to use care in your follow up. Don’t accuse or make the person receiving your follow up to feel terrible. Your follow up is to remind them about your interaction and ask if they got it. I call these actions the gentle follow up. With each exchange in the publishing community, you are building a lasting relationship with this author or editor or professional.

Where do you use follow up? I encourage you to tell me about those experiences. I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

An important skill for every writer to learn is followup. This prolific author and editor gives the details why followup is critical. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week one more new podcast recording launched:

Sheila Slick and I spoke about publishing myths no one talks about on the Milestone Moments in Business and Leadership Podcast. Listen on Apple at: https://bit.ly/4dPgxCC or YouTube Music at: https://bit.ly/4AJsDqV

Every type of publishing has its own complexity, and many parts of the process are outside of anything that an author can control. In addition, from speaking with authors, I find many of them have unrealistic expectations about publishing. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Avoid This Common Writing Flaw

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As a young writer, I trained as a journalist creating original stories. In the newspaper business during the pre-computer days, I learned how to create the story in my mind, then put my fingers on the typewriter and compose my story. In my opening sentence, I grabbed the reader and then kept on typing until the final sentence. Then on the center of the last line, I typed -30- (which meant the end). At the newspaper, we had a morning deadline of 11 am to complete our story, then the editor worked over our stories and gave them to typesetting. By 3 pm, my story was printed in the paper for readers.

I’ve been pitching stories for magazines and books for years. In each case, I’ve written original material which was not used beyond the single focus. I applaud each of you who complete an article or a book manuscript because many people start or think about it and don’t complete it. That completion takes focus and determination on your part. The common flaw and focus of this article is the single use and not considering beyond that use.

At a writer’s conference, I met a couple of authors who had self-published a book about an amazing Christian in India. These authors were looking for broader distribution for their book but also had a singular focus on the book and not beyond. I encouraged them to re-examine their book looking for 1,000 to 1,500 word stories. This word count is typical for magazine articles. The material would likely need some reshaping and adjustments to become a magazine article. If the writer did this work then submitted it to magazines and got accepted, then published, their stories (and book) would reach more readers. Also the magazine article would promote their book with the one or two sentences in their bio at the end of the article.

A typical self-published book sells 100 to 200 copies during the lifetime of the book. If a typical traditional published book sells 5,000 copies, then that number is a good one. In the magazine business, it is common to reach 100,000 to 500,000 readers. It depends on the circulation of the publication but it is a much larger readership.

Each market is different and the writer needs to study the guidelines and the publication to interest the editor. Follow these links to learn more about the magazine market.

Also This Works for Fiction

Some of you are reading this article and thinking this strategy is only for nonfiction and you write fiction. This is not true. These storytellers can take a scene or shorter piece from their novel and with a little reshaping, sell to magazines as a short story.

These writers have missed the opportunities to get more exposure from their initial work on a nonfiction book or a novel. For this article, I had a photo of a long highway. In many ways, the road symbolizes the writing journey each of us are on with our work. If you are in your car, to get better mileage, you watch your speed. It's the same with your writing, to get more eyes on your original work, you need to keep in mind the possibilities then use them in those areas.

I have more detail and ideas on this topic in a free 27-page Ebook called Get More Mileage From Your Content. Follow the link to get it. As writers, we are surrounded with incredible stories and opportunity. I encourage you to seize these actions.

Have you use your original material in a different way to get more exposure? Or maybe you've been trapped in this common writing flaw. Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Many writers fall into the trap of original writing for their nonfiction or fiction. This bestselling author and editor contends these writers have fallen into a common writing flaw. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

My Writing In Other Places:

In their pitch to editors, many writers will say their book is for everyone. These authors need to refine their target audience. Get the details in this article.

What are the critical book proposal elements? I've reviewed thousands of submissions and provide the details in this article.

When you see something off or incorrect in someone’s writing do you say something? I encourage you to actively help someone else in this article.

Publishing is a complex business and much of the process is outside of anything an author can control—no matter how they publish. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors realistic expectations and practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Why The Boring Barcode

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Barcodes are on the back of books as a standard element. Why should you care? In this article, I’m going to tell you about recent changes to this detail and how it’s affecting book publishing.

The barcode used to be one of the telling signs of a self-published book. The publishers who sell in brick and mortar bookstores and online retailers, would have the purchase price of the book coded and visible on the barcode. This detail helped retailers and consumers immediately know the retail price of the book and the section where to put the book inside the bookstore.

This barcode distinction is no longer there because of changes in the book market. In recent days, publishers have removed the price from their barcode. Why are they doing this action?

Why Books Are More Expensive

Like almost every other product, the retail price of books has increased in recent years. Part of the cause is the price of paper and ink which has increased 70 to 80% since 2020. The publishing world has tight margins and these changes make the tight margins even tighter. If you have printed the retail price on the top of the barcode and built it into the barcode itself so when it is scanned, the price shows up in your computer. This fact prevents you from changing the price because of the conditions in the marketplace. Publishers have stopped printing the price on their books and building the information into the barcode.

I wrote this article for several reasons. First, the details of bookselling matter. The author needs to be aware of them and incorporate them into their own book writing plans. Second, every authors relationship with their local bookseller matters.. Brick and mortar bookstores are expanding. Recently Barnes and Noble opened a 27,000 foot store in the nearby South Coast Plaza. I've read that this year Barnes and Noble is going to open over 60 new bookstores. Authors need to support their local bookstores. Go there and buy books. Also ask for the manager then introduce yourself as a local and give them a review copy of your latest book.

If you need more ideas for reaching local markets, I encourage you to read marketing expert Penny C. Sansevieri's (@bookgal) new book called Think Local Sell Global: How to Build Author Buzz in your Backyard This book is packed with tested actions for every author.

I encourage every author to continually study the changes in publishing, then apply them to your writing life. What recent changes have you noticed in publishing? Let me know in the comments.

Tweetable:

The boring barcode on the back of books is changing. This prolific author and editor gives you the details why you should care then actions to take. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week one more new podcast recording launched:

Tim Krywulak and I spoke about From Creator to Author: How to Publish a Book That Builds Your Personal Brand on the My TOG Blog Podcast. Watch it at: https://bit.ly/4r6EgUd or listen on Apple at: https://bit.ly/46mtekq

From my years in publishing, I find many authors have unrealistic expectations about publishing. It doesn’t matter what type of book they are writing—fiction, nonfiction, a children’s book or a coffee table book. Each type of book contains its own challenges and complexity. No matter how you publish, many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Don't Miss Your Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

I frequently speak with a publishing professional who has a 35+ year career as a publicist. He has deep relationships to the radio and podcast community for his pitches. Well-known publishers have hired him to book interviews for their authors. Frequently he tells me about bestselling authors who miss or cancel their scheduled interviews. They have multiple excuses but they have missed their opportunity to tell others about their book. For these authors, these cancelled interviews are missed opportunities where they have made other choices about how to spend their time.

When I’ve worked with this publicist, if he contacts me about a possible interview, each time my response has been the same. “Let's do it.” I’m not concerned about the reach of the particular station or the time of day for me. Some of the bookings are early in the morning and others are at off times. For me, each one is an opportunity to seize and use to tell people about my book.

From working with this publicist, he frequently schedules authors on In the Market with Janet Parshall. Some of my Morgan James Publishing authors have been on this program for an hour talking about their book. Janet’s program is simultaneously broadcast on over 700 radio stations. It’s just one of the many opportunities from this publicist and his significant work.

Each of us have the same 24 hours and choices about how we spend our time. In this article, I give some details about these opportunities and encourage you to choose wisely.

Prepare Before Each Interview

Over the last year, I’ve booked or recorded over 80 podcasts using PodMatch and other connections. When I book the interview, I select a time several weeks out. If the host is in the United States, I ask for their mailing address, then print a list of suggested interview questions and a short bio, then mail a signed book or media packet. If the person is outside of the US, then I email an Ebook version of my book and the other media elements. These details help the host prepare for our intervicw.

When the date for our sessions arrives, I take a few minutes to prepare for the interview. Until recently I didn’t have a camera on my desktop. I purchased a webcam, an external microphone and headphones. Normally this equipment is tucked away and each time I position it for use. I think about my background, shut my closet door and prepare my lighting.

Besides the physical setting, I read about the host and the emphasis of his program. Also I review my talking points and think about the stories I want to tell and the websites I want to mention and where I want the listener to go after our interview. No matter what is discussed, I weave these talking points into our conversation. It is something simple but an active role I can seize. I’ve had interviews where the host never asks about my website or how listeners can connect with me which is a missed opportunity for me. Instead I make a conscious effort to include this information.

Finally outside of the interview, I often ask when the recording will be launched and affirm to the host that I promote these interviews on social media, this blog and elsewhere. I understand many times the person interviewed does not promote the recording and it’s a simple way to standout with the host.

Within publishing, I’m using my media training. For their top authors, publishers will often schedule a day or two of media training which is costly. Imagine being scheduled for a six or seven minute segment on The Today Show. You want to make sure you slipo a reference to your book into your conversation yet not annoy your host. There is detailed training and rehersal for some of these appearances. If you want to know more about this media training with little cost, I recommend Brad Phillips’ excellent book, The Media Training Bible: 101 Things You Absolutely, Positively Need To Know Before Your Next Interview.

From my experience, these details matter in how you handle the opportunities and get the greatest use from them. I’m probably missing something or you have other experiences in this area. Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Authors, are you missing your media opportunities? This prolific author and editor tells some stories, then gives the details of how to use each opportunity for your goals. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more new podcast recordings launched:

Business Evaluation Expert Dave Bookbinder (@dbookbinder) and I talked about Turning Intellectual Property into Enterprise Value: The Business of Publishing on the Behind the Numbers with Dave Bookbinder Podcast. Watch it at: https://bit.ly/4yvUUPR or listen on Apple at: https://bit.ly/4yNppRx

LS Kirkpatrick (@writers2readers) and I spoke about Publishing Myths, Author Strategies, and Modern Book Marketing on Wisdom on the Front Porch Podcast. Listen at:https://bit.ly/4yy9FSh

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Make the Right Writing Connection

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 6 Sep 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As book authors, the emails blast into our mailbox. Throughout my day I receive many of these email pitches. They write me about books that I wrote years ago and are often out of print. Other emails are for books where I was the co-author. With additional emails, they pitch me to promote a book which I wrote as a work-made-for-hire (no ongoing royalties). The authors of these emails claim to be editors or literary agents or bestselling authors or publicists or ??? How do you sort through it and figure out which ones are real and which ones are simply artificial intelligence bots?

It isn’t easy to know sometimes. Last week, a long-term friend called me about an email he had received from an editor and known publisher. The email appeared legit and talked about the editor’s interest in a book which he had published years ago and was now out of print. I encouraged him to research then use caution in his response.

Recently I received an email asking for an interview from a Texas radio station regarding my Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. This book is my only self-published book and when it was created I worked hard to have every element in a traditional book through the endorsements, design, publisher logo and even included cartoons in every other chapter. Now the revised edition is a Morgan James Publishing book and available in bookstores everywhere. Follow this link to see a sample.

Because of my greater emotional attachment to this book, when I read the email, it looked legitimate. When I searched, I located the sender on LinkedIn. Her profile raised some questions for me because it had no photo. Normally if the person is real and using LinkedIn, the individual will include an actual photo. On a different website about the radio station, I located a photo of the sender and decided to answer. I exchanged several emails with this person and on the second or third one when we agreed on a time to speak. She explained about a $100 administrative fee (red flag).

Through the years dozens of radio stations have interviewed me about my books. None of them have charged an administrative fee. It’s the same in the podcast area where I’ve been on over 80 podcasts with no charge. I emailed the Texas radio interview and cancelled our interview. I learned the hard way not to respond to these questionable pitches--and I encourage you not to do so either.

Some Basics about these emails

1. You do not pay for a podcast interview or radio broadcast or media introduction. Nor do you need to pay for an introduction to a community of readers.

2. Use your common sense and ask yourself some questions. Why is this person reaching out to you about this book? Do they include a real website link and even a phone number with their email? Consider their agenda and whether it is a common pitch.

3. Type the person’s name into a search engine and see what you learn before responding.

4. Type the person’s name into LinkedIn. I found the person in Texas without a photo. I requested to connect with this person and did not receive any response (another red flag). I have thousands of LinkedIn connections and have used this site for years.

Some Typical Ways to Connect

1. Meet the person at a writers conference and exchange business cards. This personal connection will evaporate these fake email pitches. As an editor and former literary agent, I frequently email, call and sometimes text with authors I’ve met at an event.

2. Ask someone else who knows this editor or agent or media person to introduce you. I’ve hired publicists and marketing experts to help me and introduce me to other professionals. These connections are developed through years of hard work and straightforward connections.

Each of us need connections with others but it needs to be the right writing connection. What other steps am I missing in this article? What experiences have you had with these email pitches? I look forward to reading your comments.

Tweetable:

In a world with fake emails and bots, writers need to make the right connection for their writing. This prolific author and editor tells his stories and gives simple actions to make true connections. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more new podcast recordings launched:

Dominic and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths Every Author Needs to Know on Hidden Secrets in Books Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4h4X4Qp

Book coach and author Natasha Tynes (@NatashaTynes) and I spoke about “Nobody is coming to save your book” on the Read and Write with Natasha Podcast at: https://tinyurl.com/yba53yw7

A key part of the writing life is a word I don’t really like but do: the discipline of consistently writing. A blog is an important part of this process for me. Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Why Every Author Needs a Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

I can “hear” the reader’s objections to the title for this article saying things like I’m an author and I don’t have or need a newsletter. Yesterday I spoke with an author and she said that she didn’t need a newsletter or know what she would say in one. From working with authors, I often hear these objections. One of my authors who was publishing his third book with Morgan James Publishing, told me outright he hadn’t created an author newsletter.

Other authors decide they can’t devote the time to write and send a newsletter. Others object they have nothing to say to their readers. I understand these objections and like any aspect of the work, there are challenges for authors. In this article, I’m going to help you to see the importance of having this direct connection to your readers.

Let’s think about how you use email. I read my email on my desktop computer but I also read it on my phone. I look at the subject line and decide if I’m going to open and read the email. I would assume my email practices are similar to others.

Email is a direct connection to your readers--provided they open and read it. That’s why your newsletter program will typically measure and display the open rates. I understand not everyone reads their email. This week one author was telling me about another friend who had declared to a class that he had over 700 unopened emails. I add this story to show the importance of creating an enticing subject line for your newsletter. While I don’t answer every email and I get a lot of it. I do open or process my email all the time--early and late in the day.

For over 17 years, I have been writing and sending newsletters. I knew my target reader but here’s been my personal issue: consistency. I was sending about once a month which is infrequent and readers forget they subscribed to your newsletter. About a year ago, my newsletter program and my shopping cart went out of business. With a large personal effort, I moved my newsletter to convertkit.com which has changed to kit.com.

For over a year (in fact currently for over 100 weeks), I have been sending a short email with publishing insights each week to my subscribers. If you aren’t on this list, use this link to subscribe. When you do, you will receive a free 87-page Ebook. Each author has to determine the frequency of their newsletter such as daily, five days a week, once a week, twice a month or once a month. After you determine your newsletter schedule, it is important to deliver consistently on your schedule.

Every author has to select a newsletter program to use. Some people use MailChimp while others use constant contact or AWeber or something else. Each one has different functions and costs involved. On Right-Writing.com, I have a series of additional articles about newsletters.

Everyone begins their newsletter with a small list of subscribers. Then you grow email list using lead magnets. In 2019, I wrote a detailed article about lead magnets with specific examples. Follow this link to see this information.

Unlike social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc, email is your direct connection to your readers. To follow the rules of email, each newsletter gives the reader a simple way to unsubscribe. Each week, I have people who unsubscribe and that’s fine with me. I want people to receive my publishing insights who want to receive them. It’s that simple.

An email newsletter is your direct connection to your audience. Through my acquisitions work at Morgan James Publishing, authors will raise objections to building a newsletter. From my perspective, this newsletter is one of the best and most important tools for every author.

Do you have a newsletter? Are you using it consistently? What steps are you taking to build your subscribers? I look forward to reading your comments. Don’t forget to join the conversation.

Tweetable:

For every author, one of the most important tools is their newsletter. Get the detailed reasons and actions from this prolific author and editor. (ClickToTweet)

My Writing In Other Places:

With these articles, I encourage you to publish your work beyond your blog in other places. Below are three articles which were published in other online locations than this blog. While it's been a couple of months since I highlighted this section, I have continued to write each month on each of these websites. Find your opportunities to get your work into some other websites through guest blogging.

What’s Behind A Successful Book? In this article, I give some detailed examples about what it takes to create a successful book. It is not writing another book. Read it at: https://bit.ly/4wPDCf5

Each month at Almost An Author, I write about some aspect of book proposal creation (an important skill for every writer). In this article I detail How To Catch Attention. Read it at: https://bit.ly/4h06JaO

Each month, I guest blog on Writers on the Move. This month I wrote about how the gatekeepers (editors and literary agents) are looking for authors who will market their books. In Beef Up Your Proposal Marketing Section, I detail how to add this information into your pitch and also explain why it is important. https://bit.ly/4wvbJJ3

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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When Overwhelmed or Feeling Behind

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As a writer, I often feel overwhelmed with the work. Or I feel like I’m behind with much yet to be done. These feelings are completely normal. If we are honest, each of us live in a big world with many opportunities. For example, there are books that we need to write and books we can write for others as a co-author or ghostwriter. There are many online and print publications where we can publish our stories--provided we read their guidelines and pitch the editor. With the explosion of podcasts, there are many of those opportunities to pitch, book and record. When you consider the possibilties, it’s easy to stare at it all and wonder which one to tackle next?

At Morgan James Publishing, each year we receive over 5,000 submissions and only publish about 150 carefully-selected books. Our system and how we work with authors is different from other publishers and not right for every author. For the last 14 years, I’ve spent many hours talking with authors and exploring the details to see if it is the right fit for a particular author and a particular book. I understand there are many publishing options. For my editorial work, there are always more emails to answer and submissions to process. At any given time, I have a large volume of emails that I’ve not answered.

As I think about my work as a writer, there is always more to be done. There are always more books to read and write about including writing book reviews. As writers, we are surrounded with interesting stories from others and experiences of our own to capture. I’ve discovered I always have more follow-up emails to send and phone calls to make.

How to handle these overwhelming and behind feelings? First, acknowledge the reality of your feelings and that each of us have these concerns. Then break large tasks into smaller ones. Every writer works on their book manuscript in small pieces. We write one sentence and one paragraph and one story at a time.

You may not have much time to pour into your writing project. Can you devote half an hour or fifteen minutes? Whether you find this time early in the day or late at night. Keep moving forward on it. If you write ___ words a day (fill in the blank with a specific number ) then eventually you will complete the manuscript for a book or a magazine article or a blog post or a query letter. Each of us have a different volume or number of words that we will write during a day.

As I emphasized in 10 Publishing Myths, many of the details of publishing are outside of anything that we can control. Also take 100% responsibility for your own success and continue moving ahead on your effort to reach new readers.

Also I encourage you to continually make new connections and renew your efforts the old ones. For example, on my computer and my phone, I keep track of birthdays and anniversaries. Each year, I reach out to them with a personalized message and this event gives me a fresh connection with these friends. In addition, throughout my day when they come to mind, I reach out to some of them at random. I don’t have any agenda other than getting an update and asking a simple question. I encourage you to take these sorts of actions as well.

With my work, I spend a lot of time sitting and not moving. One of the ways I get a change of pace is to exercise or to walk. I fit this activity into my life several times a week. It helps my mindset and physical situation.;

I change up my daily routine and activities. I continue to try new ways of reaching readers and my audience. If you need some ideas in this area, I encourage you to get a copy of marketing authority John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market Your Book. With over 700 pages, you can always find a new area to explore with your book.

The final way I would give you to ease the feelings of being behind or overwhelmed is to consider who is in charge of your life and decisions. Each of us only have one life. Many years ago, I learned this hymn Only One Life. The lyrics:

“Only one life to offer - Jesus, my Lord and King;

Only on tongue to praise Thee And of Thy mercy sing (forever);

Only one heart’s devotion - Savior, O may it be

Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory,

Yielded fully to Thee.

Only this hour is mine, Lord - May it be used for Thee;

May ev’ry passing moment Count for eternity (my Saviour);

Souls all about are dying, Dying in sin and shame;

Help me bring them the message of Calv’ry’s redemption

In Thy glorious name.

Only one life to offer - Take it, dear Lord, I pray;

Nothing from Thee withholding, Thy will I now obey (my Jesus);

Thou who hast freely given Thine all in all for me,

Claim this life for Thine own, to be used, my Saviour,

Ev’ry moment for Thee.”

---

Whenever I am overwhelmed or feeling behind, I recall these words because I only have one life--and you only have one life. Make it count with your writing life.

What actions do you take when you feel behind or overwhelmed? Let me know in the comments and I look forward to reading them.

Tweetable:

As a writer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or behind. This prolific author and editor admits to these feelings then encourages a number of simple actions in this article. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more new podcast recordings launched:

Book coach and author Natasha Tynes (@NatashaTynes) and I spoke about publishing myths that cost authors money on the Read and Write with Natasha Podcast at:https://bit.ly/469G31c Watch on YouTube at: https://bit.ly/3SoI9a9 or Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3UcaEsf

Fortune and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths: What Every Author Needs to Know on The Honest Mic Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4wJUELN

During my decades in publishing, I’ve heard the unrealistic expectations of writers. The reality is many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Seasons in Your Writing Life

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Our lives as writers have different seasons. In the beginning, we are like sponges and soak insight and knowledge, tools and techniques from others through conferences and books and conversations. Experimentation is a huge part of that process and trying to find the right fit for your writing. It doesn’t matter your physical age. You may have had another career and want to enter the publishing world. To get there you have to learn and understand the process and the system Who are the gatekeepers? How can you form a relationship and get their attention?

As a writer, I’ve been a beginner at a number of different periods in my life. I studied journalism at Indiana Unversity, a top school. I worked on the student newspaper and did a summer internship at an Indiana daily newspaper. In each case I was a beginner with volumes of learning. Then I left my writing for about ten years and went into linguistics. When I returned to my writing, I relearned tools like query letter, book proposal creation and which publications took which types of articles. I joined a critique group. I attended writers conferences to meet editors and agents as well as learn from them. The conversations at meals and late at night were an important element in this process.

During my intermediate session, I began to serve on the staff of a magazine and write articles for other publications. Then in 1992, my first book was published called When I Grow Up, I Can Go Anywhere for Jesus. Beyond my writing for publication, for my day job, I became a magazine editor with additional learning and skill development.

As I bcame an advanced writer, I began teaching at conferences across the US and Canada. It was another season of relationship building and learning while writing books and articles for publications. In addition, my online presence was growing during this season of my writing life.

Finally at some unspecified point, I became a professional writer. Finally we move into the later years which is where I am now. I’m unsure how many more books I will write. I don’t travel to many conferences to speak. My daily schedule is full working with Morgan James Publishing authors around the world on their books. I’m grateful for many other opportunities.

Throughout the different seasons of a writing life, it is rarely mentioned my regular life continues with events like sickness, challenges at home with relationships, financial struggles and a host of other interruptions. In the middle of these unexpected interruptions, the writing life continues. Sometimes I wrote early in the morning. Other times I wrote on the seat of an airplane or used a hotel desk or in a library. The consistency of meeting deadlines is the hallmark of a professional writer (no matter which season).

During the various seasons of your writing life, here’s some of the elements which continue:

--make and maintain connections with other professionals. It’s why I have over 19,700 LinkedIn connections. If we are not connected on LinkedIn, send me an invitation and let’s do it.

--continue learning and trying new skills

--remain curious to read how-to books and apply them to your writing life

--continue writing and trying new marketing avenues for your work. This steady drumbeat and part of your life is significant and influential.

--despite the lack of response to my pitches, and rejection, failures (yes, it happens to me all the time), be committed to continue and not quit the journey.

Where are you in the seasons of your writing life? What elements continue no matter which season? Let me know in the comments below and I look forward to reading them.

Tweetable:

The life of a writer has different seasons according to this prolific author and editor. In this article, he explores the different stages and highlights the constant elements. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another new podcast recording launched:

Andy (@BehindTheCamPod) and I spoke about 10 Publishing Myths - Growing Your Audience As An Author on the Behind the Camera Podcast. Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4qc5Hf1 Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/45eqHrV or Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/45icJ8o

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Are You Looking for Magic?

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

From my experience in book publishing and working with authors, most of them are looking for magic. They may or may not call it magic but they are searching for an instant way to sell books--without doing anything for that sales process to happen. If that were possible, it would be magic.

Authors want to write and it’s important to learn the storytelling skills then craft a book for the marketplace. This foundation is important. Join a critique group and get feedback on your book. Hire an outside editor to help you shape the book. Gather endorsements and work with the right publisher to launch your book into the world. Each of these steps take effort and are important to the foundation of your book.

Then boom, your book enters the world. How is it selling for you? Are you happy with those results? Most authors are not. Instead of complaining or moaning about how much you dislike marketing, I want to give you a different course of action in this article. I hope you will keep reading and take it to heart.

First, you need a little reality check. Publishing experts say between 6,000 and 11,000 new books are published every day. That’s a lot of competition for your book. With a different mindset and action plan, you can sell your book. Someone has to hear about the benefits of your book a dozen or two dozen times before they purchase your book. You can touch your reader in many different ways but here’s the critical part: as the author you have to do it. Sure you can hire others but at the end of the day you have to take your 100% responsibility for your actions.

I’ve spoken and worked with hundreds of authors. Here’s a couple of recent examples. Last spring, an author came with a new book manuscript and wanted it published in June. In his contract he asked for bonus clauses if it reached the bestseller list and had an intriguing marketing plan. I applaud the pitches but how did the author take action? When this book released to the bookstores, it had zero pre-sales (which tells me the author didn’t work at presales). On release day, this book sold less than 100 copies and mostly through a large online retailer. This situation can be changed but the author has to take steady and continued action.

Also last week I spoke with a second author about his lackluster sales. He told me he was marketing his book once a quarter. How can you reach readers and remind them of your book with limited actions? It simply does not move the sales needle with good reason.

I’m convinced authors with successful book sales leave traces about how they achieved these sales. Other authors can follow these traces for their book but they have to take persistent and consistent action. Also they have to experiment and try different options.

In April 2016, I wrote about the success of Chicken Soup for the Soul and how the authors achieved it. Follow this link to read the entire article. Here’s a key paragraph with a valuable link:

“Often I read about someone who is an “overnight” success. They have suddenly skyrocketed on to the national front through a book or a YouTube video or a media outlet. Yet if you carefully examine the life of that “overnight” success you will learn (as I have) the person has been faithfully in the trenches and taking action. Many people tout the best-selling success of Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Throughout the first year of this series, each author followed the “Rule of Five.” It is a stellar example for each of us.”

If you want to be the exception and sell more books, it can begin at any time--even with an older book which isn’t selling. As the author you take consistent and persistent action. If you need ideas and action steps, get John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market and Sell Your Book which is over 700 pages. Try different methods and ideas--which means taking consistent action.

The process isn’t magic but involves something author resist: hard work. I may want to be a professional athlete but I’ve never invested the hours and days into learning that craft. Any of us can learn the craft of writing and marketing. What actions are you going to take from reading this article? Let me know in the comments below and then keep moving forward.

Tweetable:

While authors might not label it, many are looking for magic to sell their books. This bestselling author gives the simple truth for success: consistent hard work. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

Throughout my many years in publishing, I’ve co-authored over a dozen books and reviewed thousands of submissions (no exaggeration). As a part of the process of working with these authors, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Become a Bestselling Author

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 2 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

What does it take to become a bestselling author? There is no simple formula to follow. If a step-by-step process existed, every book would become a bestseller--which does not happen. Instead there are simple practices and experiments each author has to make in this process of learning how to tell others about your book.

Let me begin with a bit of a reality check about book publishing. Some publishing experts estimate there are over 11,000 new books published every day. This number includes the self-publishing titles but that amounts to a lot of print material pouring into our world. Depending on how you publish, your publisher may or may not do much to market and sell your book.

As the author, you have the greatest passion and interest in selling books. You may not like marketing. Some authors say they hate it. Those feelings are valid. I encourage you to push beyond those concerns and actively work to tell others about your book. Someone has to hear about your book at least a dozen times before they decide to purchase the book. There are many ways to tell others about your book. Pick one or two, then use that method to stress the benefits or reasons readers should get and read your book.

The repeated process of telling readers about your book can become boring. Don't let it and instead change it up and use different methods, tools and systems for this process. On a regular basis I read that social media does not sell books. You want to become active on social media for the exposure to the benefits of your book to readers in a steady stream of information. It’s the reason publishers and literary agents are interested in your social media numbers. They use this information to evaluate your actions and exposure in the marketplace.

The foundation of every good book is the storytelling and the writing. As writers, we have to find the right topic then produce an excellent manuscript. Work with freelance editors and others to shape your story into the right foundation. Then select a way to publish your book which will make it easily available to your readers. Broad distribution is another critical element in this process. When your book is going to release, gather a team of friends to read the book and write a series of honest reviews to be published in multiple online places. This season when your book is new is also an opportunity to book radio and podcast interviews about you and your book.

How do you break through the noise of the marketplace and get attention for your book and message? From my experience, it comes from consistent and persistent author action.

Recently a prospective Morgan James Publishing author asked me about the sales of my book, Billy Graham, A Biography of America's Greatest Evangelist. I’ll admit I do not watch my sales numbers on Amazon or Nielsen BookScan or the publisher author portal. My book on Mr. Graham released November 4, 2014 and I went to Amazon Author Central which lets every author look at the sales numbers for the last two years. I discovered my book has sold over 10,000 copies during this period. Here’s the evidence:

In 2014, the original version of my biography was out of print. I’m one of the few living biographers of Mr. Graham and he was in poor health. Through Morgan James Publishing, I updated and revised my old book with new stories from interviews. Also I gathered a foreword and endorsements then checked every word of the final content with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association--even though I worked outside of the organization. When the book launched, I hired an outside publicist who scheduled over 50 radio interviews. After these interviews, I collected the recordings and stored them on my own website where they are continually available. You can learn more about my biography in the online press room I built for this book.

How did my book become a bestselling book and continues to sell long after the release? Every day since the book released, I’ve been telling others about the benefits of my book in various words and images. Also I worked with my colleagues at Morgan James to create the audiobook version. Follow this link to hear a sample of the audiobook. My persistence and consistency continue to get readers interested and learn about the life of Billy Graham.

If you have a book that isn’t selling in the marketplace, it is not too late. The reader doesn’t care about your publisher or the release date. Instead if you tell them about it, they will be attracted to your story and the benefits for them from your book. I encourage you to take persistent and consistent action. It doesn’t happen overnight but can happen if you work at telling others.

What insights are you seeing for your book in this article? Which actions are you going to take for your writing and your book? Let me know in the comments. I’m eager to learn from you.

Tweetable:

How can you become a bestselling author? While there is no formula, this prolific author and editor gives authors the actions and specifics. (ClickToTweet)

During my decades in publishing, I’ve spoken with hundreds of writers about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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My Treasured Bookshelf

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:04:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In my office above my desk, I have two shelves of autographed books. The majority of my days are spent working at my desktop with my fingers on the keyboard. My treasured bookshelf is a simple glance upward. With only one or two exceptions, I’ve personally met each of these authors. At my request, they have signed these books. During my decades in publishing, I’ve had the opportunity to interview and meet some remarkable authors. Many of these authors I interviewed them for a magazine article. Through the years I’ve interviewed over 150 bestselling authors about their books and how they practice their writing craft. During many of these interviews, I asked the author to sign their book and brought them home to my bookcase. Each one of these signed books stir my memories of those circumstances and provide inspiration to my continued work.

For this article, I’ve selected three of these authors to tell about their books. Then I will give you some ideas of how you can create your own treasured bookshelf.

The first is a colorful hardcover My First Bible by Ken Taylor. I interviewed Dr. Taylor who at that time was the chairman of Tyndale House Publishers. He had a much celebrated career including being the translator of the Living Bible. My First Bible was a new release and we were surrounded with new books on the floor of the Christian Bookseller Convention. I asked him, “Dr. Taylor, don’t you feel the competition for your book with all these other books targeted to the exact same audience?”

With a knowing smile, he said, “No, Terry, I’m not concerned about the competition. If it’s a book based on the Bible and parents are reading it to their child, that’s all that matters.” Dr. Taylor gave me a wise perspective about bookselling.

Another treasured book on my shelf is The Professor and the Madman. It’s an unusual story about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary which is the largest dictionary in the English language. I met the author Simon Winchester during a meeting of the American Society of Journalists and Authors in New York City. I’m always fascinated about how Winchester found this story in a footnote of a book he was reading. The Professor and The Madman became a New York Times bestseller. I encourage you to follow this link to see the details I wrote about this book a couple of years ago. Winchester’s story gives me hope that any of us could hear such a story and write a bestseller.

I want to highlight The Success Principles from Jack Canfield as my third book from my treasured bookshelf. During several different conferences, I’ve had the opportunity to hear Jack speak. In 2007, Mark Victor Hansen invited me to come to Mega Book Marketing University. I was a literary agent and took pitches throughout the event. At that point in my life, I had written about 50 books for traditional publishers but they were not selling. In fact, I was getting negative royalty statements which means the books received an advance but were not earning beyond that advance. It was during that workhop I understood how little I was doing to tell people about my books. I heard the first success principle which I continue to follow to this day: I will take 100% responsibility for my own success. It changed my actions and turned around my bookselling results. In fact, several years ago I blogged about that effort in this article.

These stories are only a few examples of the treasured books on my shelf. Here's a current photo:

Each book on these shelves holds importance and memories for me. Do you have a collection of signed books? Because these signed books are special to me, I understand when I sign a book for someone else, I’m creating a keepsake for that person. Each time, I make a point to write the date, the person’s name and a few words just for them along with my signature. It makes that book personal for that person.

From time to time, when I meet a new doctor or someone, I will bring a copy of my Billy Graham, A Biography of America's Greatest Evangelist. I will offer it to the person and if they want it, I will quickly sign it to them. A couple of weeks ago, I gave one to a new doctor and he told me, “This is my first signed book.” It was fun for me to hear that information about the special nature of a signed book.

Do you have a special place on your bookshelves for signed books? How do you sign books as an author? I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

When an author signs a book, it can become a treasured possession. This prolific author and editor tells about his treasured bookshelf. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over

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Publishing Decisions Ramifications

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As an acquisitions editor, I’m often talking with authors about their publishing plans. Sometimes they will tell me, “I’m going to publish with _____ (a publisher that I've never heard of).” It’s a red flag of concern that they named a publisher I’ve not heard about since I’ve been in this industry for decades.

Or they will object to publishing with Morgan James Publishing because of our model which requires an initial investment. There are good reasons for author investment requirement. In over 20 years of working with authors and literary agents, we’ve learned if there is no initial investment from the author, then that author has little incentive to market and promote their book to the bookstores. As a publisher, our money is made not making books but selling books. If the author does not participate, then their book does not sell (and the bookstore will return it). When a book is returned to the publisher, often it is returned in poor shape for reselling and has to be destroyed. The publisher loses money and opportunity when that happens. I hope you are seeing some of the publishing challenges. These authors have made a simple decision with big ramifications.

If they are objecting to Morgan James because of the initial investment, I encourage them to use a free tool like Publishizer to do pre-sales and raise the funds. One of my authors raised over $10,000 using Publishizer. That author invested time and energy into this process and it paid off.

Every author has a story about their book and why they are publishing it. When I speak with them, I often ask for the story behind the story. I want to learn why they have invested their time and energy into a particular book. The author will tell me about their vision for why their book needs to get into the world. They have their connection to the market or are finding their connection to the market. Frequently these authors don't have experience in writing or storytelling or publishing.

These authors have people relationships and ideas for who could write the foreword and endorsements (blurbs) for their book. In one recent case, the author had a foreword from someone and company I’d not heard about but when I did some online searching, I learned the name recognition of this person and his company. I applauded this author’s initiative for going ahead and getting the foreword then putting it into his proposal or pitch. This added foreword was only one unusual and different way this author distinguished his submission from others. It’s something every author needs to do for their submission--figure out a way to standout for that agent or editor.

Another author submitted a 5,000 word manuscript. With a glance at this word count, I could see the challenge for this author. Their manuscript is too short for a book and too long for a magazine article. I encouraged this author to craft something that is at least 23,000 words and preferrably 50,000 words. Inside a bookstore, you only see the spine of the book. Your word count needs to be large enough to show up on the shelf. It’s a simple reason but the author hasn’t considered this detail.

Other authors respond they don’t want an independent or hybrid publisher like Morgan James Publishing. They are shopping for a traditional publisher. I understand and have published over 60 traditional books. To get a traditional deal, you have to first sign with a literary agent to represent your book. For years, publishers have been sorting through inappropriate and poor submissions. Rather than waste that staff time, these traditional publishers announce every submission must come from an agent.The agents have become the gatekeepers for traditional publishing. For the agent to sell the book, they have to craft or teach the author how to craft the right pitch or book proposal. Why does an agent do this work? Because the publishers have an ever increasing standard of the author they want to publish.

Agents receive many rejections and traditional agents do not make any money from those submissions until they sell the book to a publisher. With some projects, agents are getting repeatedly rejection and their author wants to get their book produced and into the marketplace. In recent days, I’ve been receiving more Morgan James submissions from literary agents. The market is shifting.

As a writer, what can you do in these situation?

1. Explore the various publishing paths: traditional, self-publishing and independent / hybrid publishing. Get The Babylon Blueprint for Authors (follow this link). It includes over 40 pages comparing these options. Also this book includes many no-cost and low-cost book marketing ideas for every author.

2. Produce an excellent and complete book proposal and/or manuscript. It takes effort to learn then produce an excellent book proposal or pitch. Download the free copy of my Book Proposals That Sell whch has over 150 Five Star reviews and has helped many other writers. Then read and study this book then apply it to your writing. On my book shelf, I have books with valuable insights for my writing. Unless I read the contents then apply the information, it has no application to my everyday work.

Here’s an example of how a reader marked up my Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams book.

3. Get feedback from others before you submit. You can join a critique group or hire an outside editor or a writing coach. My point is to receive and process these insights from someone in the writing community before you submit to an editor or literary agent.

4. Ask better questions then listen for the answers. Where are they selling books? Is it only online or in brick and mortar bookstores? How and how long do they market the book? Do they charge you for marketing training? Have their books been on bestseller lists and can they show you these listings? Can you speak with some of their authors? Where can you see some of their books? Also use a search engine to look for that particular publisher. Every publisher has complaints but if you find pages and pages of complaints then take that as a warning about this company.

5. Gather all of the publishing information which is free before you make a decision about your path. Each one has different pros and cons.

6. Keep working on reaching readers and expanding your connections and network. If you need the help, ask for it and follow-up.

Throughout my decades in publishing, I’ve learned that many decisions are outside of my control. In fact, there is only one person where I have any control: me. If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to get my 10 Publishing Myths which is focused on unrealistic publisihing expectations and practical information for every author. Pick up a copy for only $10 including the shipping with over $200 of free bonsuses. You must take action and become aware of the results of your decisions.

For this topic of publishing decisions and the ramifications, I’ve only scratched the surface and must be missing some elements? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Small publishing decisions can have big ramifications according to this bestselling author and editor. Learn the stories and details here. (ClickToTweet)

During my decades in publishing, I’ve co-authored over a dozen books and reviewed thousands of submissions (no exaggeration). As a part of the process of working with these authors, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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My Recent Tech Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

“What is SOS on my iPhone instead of where the connection bars are normally showing?” From my work as an amateur radio operator, I knew about SOS but why was it on my phone?

On my desktop I searched and learned it meant my iPhone was not connecting to my email or the internet. It was a holiday but my local Apple store was open and I drove there trying to connect with the genius bar or tech help. All of those appointments were filled for the day. I spoke with an Apple person who told me normally this issue was a carrier problem. He gave me directions to the nearest Verizon store. I noted where it was located on his iPad and drove to the store. I couldn’t use my phone for direction help to locate it.

At the store, the tech explained it was likely a failed SIM card. I had an older iPhone Pro Max 13 (and now they are selling 17). Removing my SIM card, after some manipulations (and time), he managed to reactivate my phone and return it to me.

I continued to monitor my phone and several more times I noticed the message SIM failure. Last week, my wife and I updated our phones the 17 release. In my writing life, my phone is much more than a phone. Throughout my day, it has many different functions and the continued failure of the old phone wasn’t an option.

With the new iPhone, I’ve been mired in additional tech challenges to make sure my various applications work on the new phone. It took some work but to my relief it looks like everything is functioning.

For over 40 years, I’ve been facing these tech challenges. When I was writing my Master’s thesis at the University of Texas at Arlington, I had an Osborne computer, which was one of the first portable computers. It was called a “lugable” because it was the size of a portable sewing machine.

As writers, we continue to use new tools and learn new aspects of our work to become more effective and reach new readers. Whether we like it or not isn’t the issue, it’s part of our world.

One of the resources I use to keep up on some of the tech matters is The Current from Kim Komando. I’ve learned a great deal from reading these newsletters. Follow this link to learn more and subscribe.

I watched an interview with director Christopher Nolan about his lack of email and not having a smartphone. He is finding it harder and harder to avoid using these tools.

As a writer, how to you continue to upgrade your skills and tools? Where do you turn when you face a tech challenge? Or are you resisting using these tools like Christopher Nolan? I encourage each of you to keep learning, keep experimenting with new tools and growing in your abilities and skills. Let me know the actions you are taking in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Like the world of publishing, technology is constantly changing. In this article, this bestselling author recounts a recent tech challenge and how he overcame it. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

Throughout my many years in publishing, I’ve co-authored over a dozen books and reviewed thousands of submissions (no exaggeration). As a part of the process of working with these authors, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 in free bonuses.

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For over a year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter list, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

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Organize and Save Data

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

“Don’t forget your business cards.” It’s common advice for writers going to conferences. For many years I’ve been going to different conferences, meeting new people and exchanging business cards with them. I’ve learned to ask some editors early during the event bccause often they have brought a limited number of cards and I’m able to snag one of those few cards. Other editors and faculty have forgotten to bring any cards. For these professionals, often I pull out my notebook and write down their name, email and phone number plus other information such as their company. I’ve given the other person my information but I’ve also received their information and it is a real exchange rather than one way from me.

There is great value in exchanging cards with others during the event. Creating your business cards and carrying them with you is a good first step. In this article, I want to give you some additional information to make those cards valuable and useful to you. If you only collect the cards and do nothing else, then the information piles into your desk and you can’t use it.

From attending different events through the years, I’ve got piles of these business cards. I show a couple of those stacks in the image with this article. Recently I returned home from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. During the event, I exchanged business cards with authors and also collected their one-sheets about their books. For a number of authors who gave me parts of their books, I entered their email and other data from their material into my computer. Then I reached out to them and requested their submission. From a number of them I received responses. For several of them, I’ve already processed their submission and even sent a contract offer from my publication board.

It’s been several weeks since the conference and I had a stack of business cards that I had not processed. Last week I added the information to the address book in my computer and I reached out to each of them via email. My email reminded them of our connection at the conference and gave several free writing resources such as subscribing to this blog. Also I gave them some detailed information about Morgan James Publishing and encouraged their submission. Finally some of these people had profiles on LinkedIn. I found their profiles and sent them a request to connect on LinkedIn.

Because this data is in my address book and LinkedIn, I can easily follow-up and reconnect with them. Some of my opportunity to reconnect is based on what information they included on their business card. Some authors only had their email while others included their phone number, mailing address and even the homepage of their website. As I created their entry in my address book, I added as much of this information as I could gather. Through the years, I’ve tried card scanners and other tools but often I return to the old fashion one: type it into my computer.

The organization and capture of this author data is important. Your need for this information might be years in the future. You want to organize it in a way which you can easily access. If you have the information in your address book, you can search using the location or other details. It’s impossible to do such a search if it is still tucked into your desk in a stack of cards.

Because you have captured the business card data, you never know when you might need it. Here’s a couple of specific examples from my work. When I’m writing a new book, I will create a list of possible people to write endorsements or blurbs for the book. A number of the people on my list, I have not contacted in many years. LinkedIn is the first place I turn. Many people in the publishing community change jobs and locations but take their LinkedIn account with them. The email or other contact information will still work even if they have changed companies.

When I was writing my biography of Billy Graham, I thought Luis Palau would be a well-known person to write the foreword for my book. I’d written a biography about Luis Palau but that book was published years ago and I had not reconnected in some time. I looked in my address book for Luis and in the notes found the cell phone number for his son, Kevin Palau, who I had never met or spoken with. Most people do not change their cell phone numbers. I called it and immediately was connected and worked out the foreword for my book. These connections are important but only valuable if you save the information or data in a way you can easily access it.

Also my address book came in handy for my work on the Billy Graham audiobook. From listening to audiobooks, I know sometimes the audiobook will have something different from a simple reading of the text. The most iconic song that I know related to Billy Graham is the hymn Just As I Am played at the end of a crusade when people walk forward. With a simple Google search, I found a version of The Gaithers singing this hymn. I clipped out a few seconds of the recording but I needed permission to use it. Years earlier I worked for Howard Books and met Gloria Gaither. We exchanged business cards. I sent a simple email, telling her about my biography, sending my audio clip and asked for royalty-free permission. Within 24 hours, I received the permission.

If you listen to this audio sample, you will hear each chapter begins with a few seconds of the hymn and it is scattered throughout the audiobook. It would not have happened if I had not exchanged busines cards, then saved the data in a format I could easily use.

If you don’t have the data in a way to access it, you can’t reconnect. How are you organizing and using the connection data from your business cards? Let me know in the comments below and I look forward to learning from you.

Tweetable:

After attending a conference, this prolific author and editor organizes then uses the business card data. Read the stories and details here. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another new podcast recording launched:

Precious and I spoke on the Becoming Precious Podcast about Shattering Publishing Illusions: The Grit to Take 100 Percent Responsibility. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4v0cKIB

During my years in publishing, I’ve reviewed thousands of submissions and spoken with many authors about their plans and dreams for their book. I’ve found many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. From my experience, many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Deadline Driven

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Early on in my writing life, I learned the importance of meeting a deadline. Through my writing for newspapers, I learned how to compose my stories at the typewriter and give my writing to an editor in a timely fashion. More than almost any other type of writing, newspapers have strict deadlines. At 7 am, we would have story meetings, get our assignments then deliver our writing to the city editor on or before 11 am. The editor worked on my story, handed it to typesetting and my story rolled off the printing press at 3 pm. This simple pattern was repeated each day including the weekends. If you missed a deadline, your story did not get published.

When I moved into the magazine world as an editor, I discovered a different deadline pattern. The deadline depended on the publication schedule but in general it was monthly deadlines. In general, book publishing has longer deadlines but they still exist. At one publisher, we had weekly schedule meetings with our spreadsheets. During these sessions, we gave updates about the authors and if they were meeting their production deadlines. If authors were late, then we had to delay or change their release date and other production details. While the author didn't realize it, his manuscript is needed within the publishing house to write the back cover copy, the words for the catalog, press release and other media materials. If the manuscript wasn’t available or comes in late, sometimes these elements are skipped or inaccurate. The author wonders how this happened but they missed their internal deadline and actually caused these errors.

During my years working with book authors, I noticed many of them (even some bestselling authors) turn in their manuscripts late. They have little or no understanding of how that late submissions affects the chain of production events for the release of their book (and could affect their sales).

Here’s a simple way for writers to standout to their editor or literary agent: always meet or beat your deadline. As an editor, I’ve heard almost every possible author excuse why they need an extension or could not meet their deadline. I understand life happens. Also I understand as a writer, you have to choose to meet the deadline. Years ago, I accepted a tight book deadline even though I had a full-time day job. To meet that deadline, I worked at my computer all night and skipped going to bed. I met that deadline, prepared for work and went into the office. It’s an example of the type of choices you might have to make to meet a deadline.

If you meet the deadlines (even the unreasonable ones), you will become someone dependable for that publishing professional. If your manuscript is projected to be 60,000 words, then break that deadline into something manageable like 1,500 words, then add it to your writing schedule. If you are consistent writing these words then you will meet and exceed your deadline. You will become a deadline driven writer.

Today I have a number of deadlines. I will spell them out and put different benchmarks in my phone reminders. You can use another method but this works for me. It's how I write these articles each week about The Writing Life. It’s how I contribute to other blogs and podcasts. We live in a world abundant with opportunity. Each of us have to determine which opportunities to seize and which ones to ignore.

What techniques to you use to meet your deadlines? Are you deadline driven? If not, how can you change and move in this direction? Let me know in the comments below. I look forward to learning from you.

Tweetable:

Becoming deadline driven is a simple way for every writer to standout. This prolific author and editor gives some examples and ideas in this article. (ClickToTweet)

My Writing In Other Places:

With these articles, I encourage you to publish your work beyond your blog in other places. Below are three articles which were published in other online locations than this blog. I haven’t added this feature for a couple of months yet I have continued to write each month on each of these websites. Find your opportunities to get your work into some other websites through guest blogging.

I wrote about the importance of follow-up for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference blog called Follow up After A Writing Conference.

Every writer needs persistence and I wrote about this quality for Writers on the Move in an article called Persist For The Right Fit.

Book proposal creation is one of my areas of speciality. Each month I write about proposals for Almost An Author. My latest story is Write a Standout Proposal.

As I’ve worked in the publishing world for years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations and dreams for their books. I’ve found many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help and take actions no matter what the publisher does for your book. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. Click the link to learn more details.

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When Writers Don't Respond

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

It happens quite often with writers: I reach out to them--even with a publishing contract--and they do not respond. I could be calling or emailing them and encouraging their submission or any number of other publishing details. Instead of a response, I get nothing. In case you don’t know, I’m an acquisitions editor at a New York publishing house, Morgan James Publishing. We have a 21-year track record with over 6,000 published books, 29 New York Times bestsellers and over 200 times on the Well Street Journal or USA Today bestseller list. This bestselling detail is important because it shows that MJP is not just making books but selling books.

From my many years in publishing, when an author gets a book publishing contract from Morgan James, that event is a huge cause for celebration--even if they don’t sign it. Silence or no response from the author is not what I expect.

Morgan James is not a self-publisher but one of the top independent publishers (10 times on a list from Publishers Weekly). In fact, we receive over 5,000 submissions every year and only publish about 150 books a year. Behind the scenes, there is a detailed team approach procedure that I have to use to reach the opportunity to offer an author a publishing contract. I’ve worked for this company doing this work for the last 14 years. Despite emailing and calling these authors about their contract, they do not respond.

In this article I want to give some of my speculation reasons then a consistent pattern that I've seen from my years in publishing. First some possible reasons why the author didn’t respond via email, phone or text:

--the author was traveling or on vacation and away from their computer

--this author is working on other publishing paths such as finding a literary agent or crafting a book proposal or pitch for a traditional publisher. Each of these paths take time and could be a reason for a delayed response.

--the author doesn’t have the financial resources to work with Morgan James. While I understand this concern, I also know there are many possible creative ways for the author to get these resources like Publishizer (follow this link to learn more and explore).

If I have sent the author a publishing contract, I will follow-up multiple times and still I receive silence for a response. Through the years, I’ve learned the longer the author does not respond (even a short email or call), the less likely they will publish with Morgan James Publishing. Over the years, it has happened a few times but overall I know the silence is heading in the direction of “no thank you” (even if all I receive is silence).

Because of my years in publishing, I understand the different options and paths. If you want to increase your understanding, I encourage you to get this free Ebook, The Babylon Blueprint for Authors (follow the link). This book has many marketing ideas and strategies along with 40+ pages comparing traditional, self-publishing and independent or hybrid publishing.

If you are in one of these situations where you have not responded. I encourage you to communicate with the editor or agent--even if you send a short email. The development and continuation of your relationship is important. You may need this relationship in the days ahead--even if you can’t see it now. For my part as the editor, I will continue to follow-up and reach out to these silent authors. I can’t control their response but I can do my part in the process. I encourage you to do your part.

What reasons am I missing that writers do not respond to an offer to publish their book? Let me know in the comments. I look forward to reading them and learning some new perspectives.

Tweetable:

Sometimes when writers receive a New York publishing contract, they do not respond. This editor gives some ideas and encourages maintaining your relationship. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week three new podcast recordings launched:

Ali Alhajji and I spoke on the Reading the World Podcast about Publishing Myths: Why Being Published Is Not the Same as Being Read. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3Sv0QIZ

Imma and I spoke on the Beyond the Draft Podcast about The Truth About Publishing Nobody Else Will Tell You. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4xGergJ

Noah May (@noahspodcasts)and I spoke on the Southern Reads Podcast about Publishing Myths. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4oFfsRZ

Throughout my many years in publishing, I’ve co-authored over a dozen books and reviewed thousands of submissions (no exaggeration). As a part of the process of working with these authors, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

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Listen, then Make Adjustments

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Throughout my day as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, I receive a wide variety of email. As an author, I also get another set of emails. Also I’m speaking with authors on the phone and listening to their responses.

Sometimes in this process, I learn some elements of my online presence which need adjustment. Recently one author introduced me to another author. In her email response, the new author mentioned she followed the link to my bio from my email and signed up for my newsletter. When I read this line, I asked myself, “Which newsletter?”

During the last year, my newsletter has gone through many changes and adjustments. For over 20 years, I used a shopping cart for my newsletter which closed and involved a detailed behind-the-scene change to my online presence.

Because of her comment, I took another look at this bio and in particular where this person could sign up for my newsletter. I saw she was using the wrong form and the wrong newsletter. Through many emails to new authors, I often refer to this link but it had been years since I made adjustments to that page. With this new insight, I made the effort and eliminated the wrong form and replaced it with the right one. My change came because of one person’s short feedback. If you haven’t subscribed to my weekly A Publishing Insight newsletter, I encourage you to follow this link and subscribe or forward it on to other writers.

Throughout your day, are you listening to the feedback and making adjustments? It’s part of how we grow and improve as writers and communicators.

Here’s another recent example, I looked at this author’s blog post and encouraged him to use this article as the start of a personal experience story for a print magazine. Many authors don’t consider how to get more exposure and mileage from their writing. One of the easy ways for every writer is creating a personal experience article which many different publications are using. This author liked my idea and mentioned he was going to submit to two different publications.

Because of my magazine writing experience, I knew these two publications each had large circulations. If a publication has a large circulation, they receive many submissions and overall it is more difficult for a new writer to grab attention and get published in them. You are entering a large competition for the editor’s attention and go ahead.

I reached to my bookshelf and pulled out the 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide. It is important to have the latest edition of this guide because much of the information changes from year to year. When you pitch a magazine editor, you want to make sure you are following their current guidelines and use the current editor’s name. The guide has a topical index for magazines. The personal experience section listed 46 publications looking for these types of articles. The magazines with large circulation are in this section. I suggested the author select a couple of other publications with strong circulations (over 100,000 readers) yet lesser submissions and competition.

Here’s several other actions before you submit to these publications:

--read their writer’s guidelines (which can normally be found online and will tell you the specific needs of the publication. If you pitch toward one of these needs, you will have a greater chance ot attention and possible success.

--read some of the publication’s articles online. Who are their readers and notice their audience. If you want target this audience with your pitch and article, you once again have a higher chance of publication.

--look for a theme list. In some cases, the editor has created a theme list for different issues in a year. From my magazine editor experience, I know how rare it is to receive a pitch tied to the theme list. In fact, I’ve had to call and email authors to gather enough submissions for a particular theme issue.

--tell the editor that you are submitting simultaneously. Some publications take a long time to respond. Other times the editor will say he doesn’t need a 1,200 word article but would love to have one which is 750 words. Then I submit the 750 word article.

With each pitch to a publication, you are building your relationship and credential with that editor. If you are a book author, I encourage you to use your personal experience stories in your book (or that you have in your life) then turn those into magazine articles. You will likely reach more readers through your print articles than any book will reach (thousands). At the end of your article, you can include a once sentence statement like: Terry Whalin is the author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed In general these magazine bios are short and may or may not include a website link to your book. Every author needs the repeated exposure to readers about their book. We’ve learned readers need to hear about your book as many as two dozen times before they buy your book. Every author has to create many different ways to tell readers about your books.

I told these stories to highlight our need as authors to listen to feedback from others and make adjustments. What steps are you taking? These actions are not difficult and can be learned but are skills you can use over and over with your writing life. Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

As a writer, you need to listen to feedback from others then make adjustments. In this article, this prolific author and editor gives the specifics for you. (ClickToTweet)

Through my years in publishing, I’ve written for over 50 publications and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. Several of my books have sold 60,000 to 100,000 copies. I’ve also written different types of books such as biography, children’s books, how to/ self-help, co-authored and devotional books. From speaking with different authors about their books, I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Social Media Is Not For Everyone

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As an editor working for a New York publishing company and an author, I understand the importance of social media and why those numbers are important to the process. It’s why I’ve invested lots of personal time and energy into building, maintaining and working my social media.

Publishers ask authors about their social media numbers. Often I hear writers say that social media doesn’t sell books. That selling might not be visible to you but I understand why publishers are asking for the numbers. These book professionals know that someone has to hear or see your book at least a dozen times before they purchase the book. Your social media activity is part of this exposure process. You aren’t posting “Buy my book.” Instead you are highlighting the benefits for the reader who buys your book. Those benefits will be different for each author and their type of book.

Some authors have written a riveting story which could be something you read on the beach or another vacation place. Others have crafted a personal story about their lives with insights and lessons for other. Another author has written an adventure for middle grade readers while others craft their words into a 32 page picture book. While there are many different types of books, the author needs to focus on the specific benefits of their book. What aspects will readers gain from reading your book? Keep a running list of these benefits because they will be the aspects you will highlight on social media and in your blog posts and your newsletter articles.

As an example of the important stories or benefits, I point you to my Billy Graham, A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist. Through reading about the life of Billy Graham, the reader gains insights and examples for their own life. When this book released several years ago, I recorded over 50 radio interviews. For a sample, I listed several of them here but I continue to use these interviews on social media to highlight the benefits and life of Mr. Graham.

No matter what type of promotion you do for your book (including social media), it is important to understand and talk about the reader benefits for your book.

As an editor, I speak with authors about their social media presence. For my colleagues on the publication board at Morgan James Publishing, I gather the author’s online presence and social media links. If the author has large numbers then terrific but we are looking to see if the author has started this process. If they have a start, then we can help them build their online presence. We can not teach an author how to fill out their LinkedIN or X/Twitter profile.

During these author conversations, I hear words of protest about social media.

--It’s time consuming.

--It takes away time from their writing.

--It’s ineffective.

--etc.

One of my authors researched the social media presence of several bestselling authors in their category. They mentioned that several of these authors had limited or no social media presence. I understand the time and energy it takes to build such a presence. As an author, I’ve been active on social media and building my numbers for years. Part of the reason I do it is to be an example for my authors for their own actions. Also I do it because I know my actions are selling books.

While I didn’t look into these specific bestselling authors with no social media presence. I suspect someone on their team is using something else to market and promote these authors and their books. The publisher could be running online ads or an active booking podcasts and radio programs. Or the publisher could have hired a publicist to gather book reviews. There are many ways beyond social media to promote your book. If you need more ideas, I recommend JohnKremer's 1001 Ways to Market Your Books.

I understand the dangers and time suck nature of social media. I’ve read others suggest authors have to be everywhere. You don’t. Instead I recommend you consider the social media platforms your readers use then become active on those particular platforms. About a year ago, I noticed one of my author friends was no longer on X or Twitter. When I asked about it, she said, “My readers are not on X so I cancelled my account and stopped posting there.” The response made perfect sense.

A large social media presence is not for everyone but a choice. I encourage you to understand where your readers are active and build on those sites. Limit your time and monitor it. Also there are social media experts who for a regular fee will do your social media for you. Each of us are on different paths to reach our readers. The key for every author is to be aware, choose a path, then develop your own system and method to repeatedly reach these readers.

Whether you use social media or not, you have to show the literary agent and publisher that you have connections to readers. These connections can be your regular newsletter, your personal speaking events or any number of other ways. Many years ago I learned that publishers make beautiful books and get them into bookstores. But what moves those books out of the bookstore and into the hands of readers (sells) is the author’s activity. Without your involvement as an author, those books in the bookstores are returned to the publisher then often destroyed which is a shame.

I want to end this article on a positive note about social media. It's an important tool to keep up with my friends and their activities. As I post articles from others on social, I read them and grow in my own insights and knowledge of the world of bookselling. Often I don’t get a lot of feedback for the years I’ve been active on social media. Just when I consider pulling back on my activity, someone will comment on something. These comments show me that while people may or may not comment, they are reading it. Your consistency and persistence is important. The rent for success comes due every single day. How can you standout from others?

Are you limiting your social media presence? How are you touching readers and highlighting the benefits from your books? Let me know in the comments.

Tweetable:

While social media is not for everyone, this prolific author and editor encourages authors to build something somewhere to reach readers. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

I’m currently working for my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. Without exaggeration, I’ve spoken with hundreds of authors about their books and plans. Over and over, I find many authors have an unrealistic expectation for what will happen when their book gets published. I know much of the publishing process is outside of anything that an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS, which is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Roll With The Punches

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 31 May 2026 13:47:58 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Our lives are filled with changes. These events happen in our lives whether we plan for them or not. From these articles about the writing life, it’s easy to see that I’m someone who loves routine. The publishing world and other parts of our world are in constant motion and change. When you get an unexpected punch (as in the above photo), do you roll with it?

Last week I traveled to Asheville, North Carolina for The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. It’s a large event and throughout the time, I had interesting conversations with people. These days I don’t travel as much as in the past. From my home in Southern California, it was a long haul to attend and involved changing planes in Chicago. On schedule I arrived and got to the conference and settled into my room.

Throughout the event, I met remarkable writers. Each one had a story which was tied to their writing. The event contained many “God moments.” Like each of these events, the final day arrived. I packed my suitcases and headed to the airport. On the way home, I was changing planes at the Dallas airport. My plane from Asheville to Dallas had a mechanical issue which delayed our arrival. After landing as my airplane was landing and going to our gate, I would see my connecting flight in a different terminal was beginning to board.

Several passengers on my first flight graciously let me off to hurry toward my connecting flight. I moved as rapidly as I could to reach my gate. When I arrived at my gate, the plane was still there but the airline had closed the door and no one was around to assist me. In the face of this situation, I rolled with the punches. I needed to go to the airline help desk to rebook my flight which was located several gates ahead.

When I spoke with the help desk airline person, I learned my bags were on the flight that I missed. They booked me into a local hotel then I was on the first Saturday flight to Orange County. I found the hotel airport shuttle, registered for my room and grabbed a few hours sleep before returning to the airport. I could have been upset (a choice) but instead I rolled with it.

Writers have to face changes with flexibility. For example, in these articles, I’ve written about the price of paper for books has increased 70 to 80% since 2020. This small detail is affecting the retail price of books as well as the length of novels. During the conference, I met a number of fiction writers with manuscripts which were 90,000 to 100,000 words. Because of the increased price of paper, our preferred word length is closer to 80,000 words. Are you flexible and willing to do the editorial trimming to get your story in alignment with the expectations of the marketplace? I hope so. Your flexibility and willingness to adapt to curent market conditions is an important skill for every writer.

What actions are you taking to handle a sudden change? Let me know in the comments how you've learned to roll with the punches.

Tweetable:

Change is a constant part of our lives in publishing. This prolific author and editor gives the details of how he had to roll with the punches and encourages us to do likewise. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another podcast recording launched:

Dalene Bickel (@DaleneBickel) and I had an eye-opening conversation about the traditional publishing world on the Ink & Impact for Christian Writers Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/43aCgPM

As I’ve worked in the publishing world for years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations and dreams for their books. I’ve found many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help and take actions no matter what the publisher does for your book. You can get decades of insights into 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

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Reset Your Writing Life

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 24 May 2026 12:47:02 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers we are creatures of habit and routine. Everyone is wired this way. Most of these days I write in my home office on my desktop computer. Today I’m writing on my AlphaSmart 3000 in a hotel room near Asheville, North Carolina. Yesterday I traveled across the United States to arrive for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The faculty meets later today. This blog post didn’t get written before my travels but following my regular pattern I wanted to get this written for you to consider for your writing life. Admittedly this article is different from my location but also related to the topic: reset.

Several years ago, I wrote about working oon my physical weight. The men in my family have been known as big for generations. They use big as another word for being overweight or fat. In The Writing Life, I wrote about making radical choices to change my weight. I dropped over 30 pounds and I’m glad to report I’ve managed to keep that weight off. Every meal and day is a battle and a choice in this area. I’ve eliminated carbs and sugar from the bulk of my diet. It’s not 100% but much of it.

A key part of my weight loss routine is to monitor my weight and keep accountable with my wife and a few close friends on how it is going. I understand it takes consistent action on my choices to stay the course.

In the last few weeks, my weight has been creeping upward. It was less than 10 pounds but something I did not want to ignore. As a key step in my reset, I talked it over with my wife and chose to reset my eating pattern.

For example, I learned tomatoes have sugar content. I love tomato bisque soup but learned it has 20 grams of sugar in it. In my reset I’ve returned to my basic foods of protein and vegetables. This reset has been a hard choice for me but necessary. Right before this trip I got on my scale again and my weight had dropped back to my original goal. The challenge on the road is to continue to choose wisely every day.

I give you these personal details because I want to bridge these choices to our writing life. Take an honest look at your writing life. What steps do you need to take for a writing reset?

For your writing reset, what steps do you need to take for your growth as a writer? Maybe you have been writing books and need to write in a different area such as magazines.

I encourage you to schedule a trip to a writer’s conference (follow this link for some ideas). Make a point to explore a new area of writing. Many years ago, I was surprised to see a bestselling novelist at a conference with her daughter. I learned these two women wanted to write for children. It was an area they knew nothing about but wanted to explore through the faculty at this conference.

Or maybe your writing reset involves meeting some new people and forming new relationships. If you go to a conference, then you have this opportunity. Of course, you need to create and carry your business cards. Then during your conversations exchange them with whoever you meet.

For example, this morning on the way to breakfast, I met a pastor It was the final day of his conference. We ate together and my limited Spanish got huge workout. We exchanged stories and information. It is what we do at these events, and the Lord uses it in ways we can’t see or understand. With this pastor, I got his mailing address but not his email or phone. As other people were leaving the conference, I found someone who had this person’s phone and email address. I added it to my phone and reached out to him in follow up.

How will your writing be used in the days ahead? Do you have the right connection? What steps can you actively take to act and build that connection? Like my weight, there are many choices but you can choose to have a writing reset and move in a new direction. Let me know what choices you are going to make in the comments.

What does a writing reset look like for you? None of it is easy or simple but can be done and you can do it--if you don't quit.

Tweetable:

Does your writing life need a reset? This prolific author and editor made a reset in his life and gives the details for you to follow here. (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

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Fuel for Author Disappointment

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 17 May 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Running on empty? Not selling as many books as you want to sell? Just like a car needs gas for fuel, authors need to take action to reach readers. Which actions are effective? I’m going to give you some answers below.

First, some background about some situations where I asked these questions. As an acquisitions editor at a New York publisher, Morgan James Publishing, often I speak with authors about their books. One our novelists with a trilogy of books, published his first novel with us about six months ago. Now he's speaking with me about getting a contract for books two and three in his series. Doing my due dilligence, I asked about the sales of his first novel. I learned this book has sold 40 copies in the bookstores. What disappointing news and shows this author did little (if anything) to promote those bookstore sales. The primary way our company makes money is selling books in the bookstores.

I’m speaking with another author who years ago published his first book with Morgan James. Now he is approaching me about publishing his second book. As a part of my preparation, I asked about his book sales for the first book. During the years his book has been in print, he has sold several hundred books inside the bookstore. Also this author has purchased a couple of hundred additional books. From a publisher viewpoint, these numbers are dismal. Often I tell my authors about the thousands of dollars Morgan James invests in the creation of their books and that to become profitable we need to sell about 4,000 copies.

Here’s the good news: despite those past sales numbers, we are working with these authors and all our other authors over the long haul. We don’t charge for our marketing training and are still helping authors who we published over 20 years ago. From my work in publishing, I know how different these actions are compared to other publishers. We do it because we understand that if the author takes steady and persistent effort, then the sales of their book can change. As a publisher, Morgan James is focused on the long haul and not a short period.

What to do with Author Disappointment

1. I encouraged both of these authors to get active and tell readers about the benefits of their book. It’s been proven that readers have to hear about the value of your book over and over before they take action (buy it). There are many different ways to show that activity such as blog posts, podcasts, radio, newspaper, live events, etc. Get a copy of John Kremer’s over 700 page book 1001 Ways to Market Your Book. Then read this book and try to execute as many of those ideas as you can.

2. As an acquisitions editor speaking with authors about their book, I’m searching for active authors who understand they have to take consistent action to reach readers and sell books. It is a constant area of my discussion with authors.

3. Another way I handle my author disappointment is to take action to get more of my work into the market. If you have heard any of my podcasts, I often talk about my own season of author disappointment when my books were not selling and how I turned that situation around through taking 100% responsibility for my own success. The process takes consistent and persistent work but is possible and every author can do it.

Finally I encourage you to watch this 55 second Facebook reel from “Starside” author Alex Aster on the impact that social media has had on her career. She tells Drew Barrymore about how she could not find a literary agent or a publisher for her novel. Alex believed in her story and created hundreds of videos on TikTok. Her readers watched and agreed. Now she is publishing her ninth novel. It’s a remarkable story about her determination, persistence and going directly to the readers with her books.

What fuel are you using for author disappointment? Let me know in the comments. Whatever you do, don’t quit and keep looking for the right place. I believe your persistence will pay off.

Tweetable:

When you experience author disappointment, what action do you take? This prolific author and editor suggests actions to fuel author disappointment. (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another podcast recording launched:

Morgan McCarver (@GodTheArtistBk) and I spoke about publishing myths on God the Artist Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4ddVwQT

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

Get these articles on your email:

When You Hear Crickets

noreply@blogger.com (Terry Whalin) — Sun, 10 May 2026 04:30:00 -0700

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

It happens to every writer. We pitch oaur books to editors and agents. We work for hours on creating a thorough and complete book proposal. We craft a query for a book publisher or a magazine editor. Select any of these active steps you are taking as a writer.

After this action, what happens? No response or crickets. What do you do next? First, my encouragement for one action not to take: quit. Here’s a second one not to take: stall and work on your piece and not submit or do anything.

From my years in publishing, I understand the challenges in the work but also I understand the opportunities. There are abundant opportunities for your work to be published and your words to enter the marketplace. In this article I want to present some ideas and encourage you to move forward.

While your desire to write and tell stories is a good one, publishing is a business and each of us (including me) need the help of others to find the right fit. Are you connected to other writers? Do you belong to a local writer’s group? If so, when does it meet and are you making the time to attend these sessions? Every writer needs these connections. Read this article for more reasons.

Another important writer activity is to join a critique group. Whether you do it face to face (ideal) or online (also possible), these groups are a free method to get insight and help for your storytelling. Whether it is a writer's group or a writer’s critique group, it will take some effort on your part to find the right connection. Don’t be surprised if you have to try several groups before you make the right connection. This trial and error is part of the journey that each of us have to make as writers.

For example, I’ve been in some incredible critique groups which helped me month after month for years. I've also been in some critique groups that I attended a couple of times, then dropped out of them. The critical element is to find the right one for you and your writing journey. It is different for each of us.

If you are not getting responses to your writing, I encourage you to try a different type of writing. Read the first free chapter of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams (follow this link). Maybe you want to write a book which is a good goal in my view as a book editor. But your first step should be to write some magazine articles. The 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide includes over 150 magazines where your writing could be published. The information changes from year to year so make sure you are using the latest guide. Articles are shorter than a 50,000 to 80,000 word book. As a writer, when you craft these articles you are learning some important skills about headlines, beginning paragraphs, writing to a single takeaway point and many other details. Use these links to learn more about magazine writing.

Another wise action when you are not getting any response is to attend a writer’s conference. There are large and small writers conferences with a variety of emphasis, cost and connections. The majority of us as writers are introverts but during these events,we have to push ourselves to interact with others, ask good questions and make new connections. At these events, I’ve made life-long friends who I can call or email when I'm stuck or need help. You can attend these events and take in the information yet not make new friends or connections. Bring plenty of business cards during these conferences and exchange with everyone you meet.

Recently I called a local writer friend. We had not spoken in years but during our conversation, she recalled the details of a conversation from over 20 years ago. The event where we met no longer exists but the details from our conversation has stood the test of time for this writer. You can have the same sort of impact with your writing and your conversations. More than reading about writing or listening to teaching about writing or thinking about it, getting your writing into the world takes consistent action. Every writer needs to spend time sitting at their keyboard and writing. You can make it happen through your continued actions.

When you hear crickets for your writing, what actions do you take? I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

Sometimes when we submit our writing, the response is silence or crickets. This prolific author and editor encourages a series of actions in this article. (ClickToTweet)

Editor’s note. For some reason, I could not get ClickToTweet to work. I’m including it below so you can easily cut and paste it on to others with my gratitude:

Sometimes when we submit our writing, the response is silence or crickets. This prolific author and editor Terry Whalin (@terrywhalin) encourages a series of actions in this article: https://bit.ly/3QYoXze #writinglife #pubtip

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Not every podcast host tells me about the launch of our recording. I found a couple more podcasts last week and here are those recordings:

Cameron Cowan (@cameroncowan) and I spoke about the publishing industry and much more on the Cameron Journal Podcast at: https://bit.ly/4uFDdLH

Christian Brim (@christian_brim) and I spoke about navigating the myths and realities of the publishing world on The Profitable Creative Podcast at: https://bit.ly/42VXW1R

As I’ve worked in the publishing world for years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations and dreams for their books. I’ve found many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help and take actions no matter what the publisher does for your book. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

Get these articles on your email: