The 9-to-5 job, clients' projects, and a family matter to attend to made me slip on posting here. Hopefully it'll change in the not-too-distant future and I'll have more time to spend on my blog. I did manage to brainstorm an idea... if it works, I'll share the news here.
Self Publishing Diary Update
Very little was done on my own writing the past few weeks. I did manage to update my Showcase of Self-Published Books page. It's great to see how many people are self publishing their own books.
4. Waiting To Promote Your Book Until After It’s Published
The day it launches is way too late to start marketing your book.
Planting The Sales Tree
In the vast majority of cases, building connections with people who will help and pre-release promotional work needs to start well in advance if you want to see early sales.
Solution: Start today.
But, if you did leave it until after launch, then start today. It’s never too late to plant that tree. It’ll just take a little longer to grow. But if you’re just starting to write your book, that’s the time to start your marketing program. Many authors think that as soon as their book is published it’ll be a fully grown tree.
But publishing is merely the beginning.
SIDEBAR
My son bought me Jonathan's Blogging for Authors mini course. I'm really excited
to start reading it. Jonathan is a bestselling author who knows his stuff.
SIDEBAR
By Colin Dunbar This post is a little different, and the article may seem as if it has nothing to do with self publishing. But when you read it, you'll see it's actually good advice for self published authors (all writers, actually). When I read A Resting Place, it resonated with me... I hope you find value in it as well. Self Publishing Diary Update I made no progress on any of my books. My week was filled with client work, and dealing with a family emergency. A Resting Place by Bob Perks
He was just passing through.
Sadly I'd only have a few minutes to speak with him. Still, like all the people God places in my path, what he had to say was important.
I came home from shopping at the grocery store to find a man sitting on my steps.
As I stopped in front of my home to let on coming traffic by, I kept looking at him. I had no idea who he was or why he was there. I could clearly see that he appeared exhausted as he wiped the sweat off his brow. I would guess he was in his 50's. Dressed in shorts and a Nike t-shirt and running shoes, I assumed he was exercising. But it was one of the hottest days so far this summer and the humidity was thick and heavy.
I slowly pulled into my driveway and as I approached where he was sitting, he looked up at me.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I really needed to sit down."
"That's fine." I replied. "Take your time."
I quickly parked my car and went in to get a bottle of water for him.
I startled him when I opened the front door.
"Here, please have some water," I offered.
"Thanks," he replied as he took a few slow sips.
"You know I admire the runners I see passing my house regularly. But isn't this a really bad day to run?"
"I know that now." he said smiling. "I really just started this running thing. I need to get in shape."
I walked down the steps and sat with him for a few minutes. I asked about how long he runs, if he is also dieting, etc.
Then I asked him the real reason "why" he runs.
"I have come to discover that real runners don't do it just for the exercise. There is a place that running takes them. A "zone" for a lack of better words," I said.
Then he set the bottle of water down and looked at me.
"That's remarkable. I really began this because I needed to stop, get away from all the stress in my life."
"That's funny. You began running because you had to stop. You are in essence running away from the things that are causing you stress. I love it!"
"At the end of a long day when I was sitting in my living room trying to sort things out in my mind I heard, "Stop. Give a portion of your time to just listen, not think."
"So running came to mind?" I asked.
"Yes. I think people can do the same, gain the same results in that area by walking, too. But, for now I am running."
Then he stood up, thanked me for the water and walked away.
Of course, I know this was more than coincidence. You see, I spend too much time thinking. Even while watching a movie, going for a drive, or simply sitting on my porch, my mind keeps running.
I have no idea who that man was. I have never seen him running before and something tells me I will never see him again.
What I did "see" was the message and it will stay with me like an old friend. It is up to me to act upon it.
I believe the answers we seek are inside us. People and events trigger the proper response, but we all too often ignore them.
We all know the answers to our challenges in life. We need to stop giving life to our challenges and begin to bring life to the answers.
What lies dormant inside will astound you.
Permit me to share this quote with you:
"The resting place of the mind is the heart. The only thing the mind hears all day is clanging bells and noise and argument, and all it wants is quietude. The only place the mind will ever find peace is inside the silence of the heart. That's where you need to go." Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love You can't run from your challenges. They will surely be there when you get back.
"Stop. Give a portion of your time to just listen, not think."
"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks is an inspirational author and speaker. You can receive his messages sent 2-3 times each week by visiting his website: www.BobPerks.com
"Kindle Worlds is a new publishing model that allows any writer to publish authorized stories inspired by popular Worlds and make them available for readers to purchase in the Kindle Store, and earn up to a 35% royalty while doing so."
