The business of book writing and publishing.

I just came across some notes from students when I taught my Publishing 101 Class back in the Spring of 2014. I asked my students what they hoped to gain from taking the class. The answers were not surprising, they were astonishing.

One individual D. Yee said, "I want to initiate the process of writing my memoir of my life experiences growing up as an Asian-American in Arkansas." Another individual by the initials of TM Gardea said, "I believe it would be fun to change people's lives for the better through the written word." Another student said, "to acquire better knowledge of publishing and marketing a book. To learn more or something new." "To learn the difference between self-publishing verses an agent, which is a better option if given a choice."

The process of writing is quite different than the process of publishing and though both of those "dreams" were written in my journal by the time I was nineteen years of age, and both of those dreams have manifested themselves in my life--neither came with a clear career road map to success.

What I mean is technology has changed, and neither of my dream jobs actually fit in a corporate ideology of an actual paying gig. I've made both of those pipe dreams into a reality and have been paid pretty decently as a result. Though neither have been my full-time job and people still look at me funny when I say I am an author and a publisher.

Truth be told, while technology may have changed and I have had to adapt to the new and emerging technologies to stay on top of my game, stories and people and sharing their experiences and communicating hasn't.

People are still people and want to share their stories. I am still a person that has the ability to connect individuals with their audience/their readers.

Just like in school, we learn the material differently, take the tests on our own and either graduate or retake the class, the information that we learn is the information that we gain.

So whereas the stories need to be told, the way they are shared and communicated has changed. As a publisher, marketer, an author I wear many different hats. Each person who writes a book realizes that it is their book to share, their baby. Some people trust their baby with me, others shy away and think they can do it by themselves. My late grandmother used to use an expression, "not their cup of tea."
We can't be everyone's cup of tea and we can't be everyone's first choice either. Options are endless, but we still need to trust that others may be able to help us achieve our goals.

I recently received a great compliment from a client who initially had his book published by a traditional publisher 40 years ago. The compliment wasn't about the new technology or how quickly the book was turned around, it was about the spirit of which I give to my clients babies. The sincere care and concern in sharing the information in a timely way to the right audience.

He will have great success because he knows his audience and knows what he is good at and what he isn't great at.

Getting back to the business of writing. I am sure everyone that is reading this blog thought there would be free information in this blog, I wanted to share my publishing tips which I will be doing at the upcoming Christian Writer's Conference. In a way there is information if you read between the lines. You need to believe in your project, but not to the point where you tune everyone out. Recently, I had an unpleasant experience with a referral, this individual after I spent two or so hours of my time assisting him in formulating a plan/providing information via an Authors Survival Guide and creation of a very specific contract of which he said we needed, I got the run around. Why would you charge me $40 per hour? You don't know anything! You aren't an attorney. I'm going to make my book a great success, I already have a marketing consultant, why the heck would I need you? You get the picture, I wished this individual the best of luck.

It isn't for me to judge how people go about the business of writing, publishing, or living. I merely have been given a gift for communicating. I'm not the only individual in the universe who has this gift and it isn't about me anyhow.

Get back to the business of writing and everything will be just fine.

The Psychology Report with Dr. Allan G. Hedberg

The Psychology Report, Trauma


Dr. Allan G. Hedberg's latest book on Depression:

Depression, Positive Strategies

Make a Difference Mondays, Words of Wisdom From Richard Parenti

In honor of remembering Author Richard Parenti, I will be providing his words of wisdom and tips on living joyfully every Monday at part of the make a difference Mondays Series.

"The strongest thought you go to bed with governs the essence of your next day."




 I met Richard in October of 2014. He was seated next to me at The Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, California. I was there to promote my book(s), do a cooking demonstration, and pass out samples of my homemade banana bread, biscottis, and "popcorn hands". He was there to promote and to sell his book, Emotional Sobriety: feel Good Secrets for Everyone, Balboa Press, 2013. Richard's Book He kindly gave me a copy and I read his life story as well as his great "feel good secrets". His charismatic personality led him to invite me to Modesto for his small but mighty, "Master Mind Group". And my brave personality allowed me to accept the invitation.   The Master Mind Group was comprised of a  small group of individuals dedicated to learning. Richard compiled a workbook called, My New Story: Tune in, Tap in, Turn on. Let the good times roll, Get in the vortex. Based upon the teachings of Abraham-Hicks Videos and on the higher teachings of Yoga.  I only made the trip a handful of times, but each time I benefited from the information presented and purchased a workbook to glimpse through when interested. To be honest, side note, words like "the vortex" scared me and so it took some time and understand that "the vortex" is just another word for "joy".

Resources: Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook, by, Gina Meyers & friends: Buy on Amazon

Make a Difference Mondays, Words of Wisdom From Richard Parenti

In honor of remembering Author Richard Parenti, I will be providing his words of wisdom and tips on living joyfully every Monday at part of the make a difference Mondays Series.

Answer one or two of these questions:

1. Wouldn't it be nice if this desire were manifested now?
2. How would I feel if this desire was realized?

"Think on this idea.. using the word desire has more feeling in it than the word goal, but the word goal infers action."




 I met Richard in October of 2014. He was seated next to me at The Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, California. I was there to promote my book(s), do a cooking demonstration, and pass out samples of my homemade banana bread, biscottis, and "popcorn hands". He was there to promote and to sell his book, Emotional Sobriety: feel Good Secrets for Everyone, Balboa Press, 2013. Richard's Book He kindly gave me a copy and I read his life story as well as his great "feel good secrets". His charismatic personality led him to invite me to Modesto for his small but mighty, "Master Mind Group". And my brave personality allowed me to accept the invitation.   The Master Mind Group was comprised of a  small group of individuals dedicated to learning. Richard compiled a workbook called, My New Story: Tune in, Tap in, Turn on. Let the good times roll, Get in the vortex. Based upon the teachings of Abraham-Hicks Videos and on the higher teachings of Yoga.  I only made the trip a handful of times, but each time I benefited from the information presented and purchased a workbook to glimpse through when interested. To be honest, side note, words like "the vortex" scared me and so it took some time and understand that "the vortex" is just another word for "joy".

Resources: Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook, by, Gina Meyers & friends: Buy on Amazon

Make a Difference Mondays, Words From Richard Parenti

In honor of remembering Author Richard Parenti, I will be providing his words of wisdom and tips on living joyfully every Monday at part of the make a difference Mondays Series.

"When is the best time to take action on a goal?"

"Feel it in a positive state of mind before you take action or get it."

Ask yourself, "how do you feel your goal completed before it is manifested?"




 I met Richard in October of 2014. He was seated next to me at The Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, California. I was there to promote my book(s), do a cooking demonstration, and pass out samples of my homemade banana bread, biscottis, and "popcorn hands". He was there to promote and to sell his book, Emotional Sobriety: feel Good Secrets for Everyone, Balboa Press, 2013. Richard's Book He kindly gave me a copy and I read his life story as well as his great "feel good secrets". His charismatic personality led him to invite me to Modesto for his small but mighty, "Master Mind Group". And my brave personality allowed me to accept the invitation.   The Master Mind Group was comprised of a  small group of individuals dedicated to learning. Richard compiled a workbook called, My New Story: Tune in, Tap in, Turn on. Let the good times roll, Get in the vortex. Based upon the teachings of Abraham-Hicks Videos and on the higher teachings of Yoga.  I only made the trip a handful of times, but each time I benefited from the information presented and purchased a workbook to glimpse through when interested. To be honest, side note, words like "the vortex" scared me and so it took some time and understand that "the vortex" is just another word for "joy".

Resources: Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook, by, Gina Meyers & friends: Buy on Amazon

Christian Writers Seminar, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Saturday, February 10th, 2018 from 12:00 pm-5:00pm

Plan to attend an informative and fun Christian Writers Seminar at Good Lutheran Church (5140 N. Fruit Ave. (Fruit and Shaw), on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 12:00pm-5:00pm. Full Registration is $20.00 for the day. Students are $5.00. Listen to a wonderful lineup and learn how to put your book together for sales, present your book to a publisher, writing for magazines, and much more. Listen to Tim Stafford, Editor of Christianity Today and learn how to put a face on your writing!

See you there!

Make a Difference Mondays, Words From Richard Parenti

In honor of remembering Author Richard Parenti, I will be providing his words of wisdom and tips on living joyfully every Monday at part of the make a difference Mondays Series.

"Coincidence is the law of attraction working perfectly in your life. Review your thoughts and feelings and you will prove this every time."



 I met Richard in October of 2014. He was seated next to me at The Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, California. I was there to promote my book(s), do a cooking demonstration, and pass out samples of my homemade banana bread, biscottis, and "popcorn hands". He was there to promote and to sell his book, Emotional Sobriety: feel Good Secrets for Everyone, Balboa Press, 2013. Richard's Book He kindly gave me a copy and I read his life story as well as his great "feel good secrets". His charismatic personality led him to invite me to Modesto for his small but mighty, "Master Mind Group". And my brave personality allowed me to accept the invitation.   The Master Mind Group was comprised of a  small group of individuals dedicated to learning. Richard compiled a workbook called, My New Story: Tune in, Tap in, Turn on. Let the good times roll, Get in the vortex. Based upon the teachings of Abraham-Hicks Videos and on the higher teachings of Yoga.  I only made the trip a handful of times, but each time I benefited from the information presented and purchased a workbook to glimpse through when interested. To be honest, side note, words like "the vortex" scared me and so it took some time and understand that "the vortex" is just another word for "joy".

Resources: Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook, by, Gina Meyers & friends: Buy on Amazon