In writing my next book for the introvert in business, a publisher emailed me before I really thought it through. Here is a quick flash back, which might be the start of a blog post series of changing the process from writing your book to get published, to getting published, and then writing the book.
Having solo authored four books, collaborated on two others, and being a blogger, you likely might deduce I like writing and you would be correct. This post, whether one or a series, is inspired by on of my LinkedIn blogging friends, Arleen Harry, Owner of Garrett Specialities and bloggers at their blog. https://www.garrettspecialties.com/blog/
View Arleen’s profile
First a look back:
There was a time a few years ago a business colleague and I teamed up to write a book, How Not to Get Nailed: Building the House of Your Dreams Headache Free. Yes, I bet we took the path like many aspiring authors.
We pounded out an outline, I wrote two or three chapters, he edited them, we created a publisher’s pitch and then we started both a mail and email campaign to publishers. Together we identified 75 of them. Toward the end of emailing and mailing we got more hopeful. Why? Because if you have spent anytime in selling you know there is a belief in the numbers game, that “yes” in on the way. But it was not to be for us.
This time around:
Being sought by a publisher, the process and resulting feeling was different. Being focused on balancing my online and in community work I am currently playing with some online affiliate marketing, a bit more local networking for low-hanging speaking engagements (paid and pro-bono) and then any networking any where for workshop training.
This new plan is humming along as I write this post. Revenue is growing.
Maybe this is anecdotal evidence that often when you take your eye off the specific end result you think you want you are free to attract it. In my case more revenue (yes for you hard core goal setters which I am no longer, I do have a revenue amount in mind) is my goal, but my intention seemingly allowing lift off, is when more and more opportunities started to head my way.
First it was a speaking gig, then a 2-day workshop, then a course proposal at one of our local colleges, then … well, you get the idea.
I am happily in the flow stream and when I get an email from a publisher.
Once we went through exchanging emails for about 4 weeks, I decided to ask them, how did you find me? I’ve been blogging about almost everything introvert since about 2007. Guest blog post requests are frequent. Invitations to speak on telesummits and radio shows regularly come my way. Other interesting bloggers land on my blog to comment. And there are always guest bloggers who want to offer their slant on something useful.
But I really asked myself is, do I want this opportunity now? I mean look at all the energy already saved by virtue they sought out me. What about putting energy into the writing?
Then, curious, how did they find me?
That was interesting and as I look at this post already going over my own word limit, please come back to find out more.
I could not be more happy for you. Congratulations! I am now working with someone to help me take my next book to a traditional publisher. Fingers crossed….
Thanks so much Cheryl. And best wishes for your success to find that traditional publisher. Remember there might be, as in the case of Chicken Soup for the Soul, more than 100 requests you will have to make. Persist and be patient.
That is just too cool how your publisher found you. It just goes to show books come into this world through all sorts of different avenues. First I need to finish my book, and then time will tell which path to publication it ends up taking. For now though, I’ll remind myself of how you just pointed out that it can be better to take one’s sights off the end result. Just look what can come of doing so….
It is pretty cool isn’t it Jeri. It is not exactly that I traveled forward blindly. It is more as you say, things come through to us through all different ways. Sometimes ways we don’t even know are there. Thanks.
Patricia- I am happy that you decided to write a blog on journey to get a book published. I have always wondered how people do it. You did leave me hanging, how did they find me? So I will be back to find out all this went down. I must say you have paid your dues so that is wonderful the publisher found you. OK so how did they find you? I guess I will have to wait for Part 2. I envy people that write. I am assuming a publisher would not take you on unless they saw potential. I really don’t know how the process works, except play the numbers game until it works. Boy is that time consuming. Do they give you a time frame for completion, a subject to write about or something you have already written?
Arleen thank YOU for making the suggestion to blog about some of this. You questions – will be answered. I’ll be back with for sure the next part. And as it turns out, there seems to always be the next part.
Wow. How did I not make your website url clickable? A duh moment. I am off to make it right! And over to YOUR blog post.
Pat — congratulations! It’s great that a publisher found you, which is rate. What a nice position to be in. Sometimes you have to go with the flow and let the opportunities come to you — as you have. Workshops, writing, public speaking. But you built the foundation by building a body of work about introverts. So it wasn’t by accident that all these good things are happening for you.
Thanks Jeannette! Yep; I am stoked for sure. I thought it was rare, so you have confirmed that. It may not have been an accident but just everything lining up for me! I love it. And who knows where this will lead to.
Fantastic Pat!! Am really happy for you and, since you are in the flow, there’s more to come.
Thank YOU Catarina. For me as long as I can maintain the flow, there is more on the way. Hey! Maybe it is just staying in the flow of writing the book?!!
I could not be happier for you. You have worked hard on your subject and authority on your blog and that has resulted in doors opening in unexpected ways. I see this as the only beginning for you my friend.
Thank you so much Susan. You are an inspiration for me. More than you might know. Bring on those unexpected open doors! I’m ready.
To echo everyone else, congratulations!
I appreciate that Lorraine. I’ll head over to check out your new blog post.
I am positively thrilled for you! What a gigantic slap on the g=back, atta boy…all those wonderful feel good things. Once in blue moon that can happen for a writer of fiction like me, but it is much more rare. And as to where it will lead to? Everything good!! I suspect you deserve that
It is all good feelings for sure Jacquie – it’s okay to call you that since you put it in your comment, right? Yup; it’s going to last a while too. I’m squeezing it all out! Thanks.
Congratulations Pat, that’s fantastic news. The introvert in business is such a great topic and really doesn’t get the proper level of attention. I can’t wait to read it. On a similar vein, so NOT fair how you left me hanging. I can’t wait to read the next post!
Debra thanks for the encouragement. As I talk about it with people in my local community there is fabulous interest in getting the book! Now how good would it be if this were a 20 page post?!! No one would read it. I know you are waiting so check in on every Friday. That’s the plan
Congrats Patricia – great news and I am certainly looking forward to your next post on this! Isn’t funny though how you try to manifest your butt off – hustle your way to your ‘blue in the face’ and nothing happens. Then bam! it happens when you least expect it or you have moved on – it happens. Look forward to your next post :o)
I have long thought that writing a book would be something I would love to do, but never had the time with a hectic day job. Now that I am retired and have taken up blogging in earnest, I have the time. So I may just be coming back for more advice
This is such useful information, Patricia. Too many of us believe that simply following our bliss can make it happen, but don’t realize there’s hard work and strategizing involved. I have a friend who got her book published much in the same way as you describe – she did a number of speaking engagements, wrote articles and columns (often for free), until a publisher’s publicist caught her lecture. Then there were two years of writing, where she had next to no social life, and now, her book is out, winning awards, being translated and possibly being optioned for a movie!
Congratulations! There were some steps that I see you’ve taken that I’ve been considering myself so whether you thought to or not, thanks for the inspiration!
How amazing to be approached by a publisher. I will be back to find out how you proceed from here.
Thanks Becc. Plenty to communicate about the experience. Particularly with a line up of questions!