Lisa Tener

Book Writing Coach

How to Get Published

The Future of Print Books: New Data on Ebooks vs. Print

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Book writing coach Lisa Tener
Your Book Coach

This morning, book designer, Mark Gelotte,  sent me a link to a recent Wall Street Journal article reporting that the trend toward ebooks is leveling out and that non-fiction book readers tend to favor print. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 90% of e-book readers continue to read physical volumes.

What does this mean for you as a nonfiction author? If you’re planning to self publish, you may want to offer both print and ebook versions. On a panel at the Harvard Medical School CME publishing course last week, Literary Agent and author of You Should Really Write a Book, Regina Brooks shared that quite a

author and literary agent regina brooks
Author and Literary Agent Regina Brooks

few readers asked her to sign a print copy but told her they were reading it by ebook. Another reader mentioned that he tended to flip back and forth between print and ebooks and often bought both.

So, e-book/print is not an either/or decision. Publishers know this and do both. You should, too, and you may just get two sales in one.

What do you read and buy? What are your publishing plans? Any questions for us? Weigh in!

Publishing Beyond Your Wildest Dreams: An Interview with Carrie Barron

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carrie barron writing coach lisa tener
Carrie Barron and me at the fabulous book launch party for The Creativity Cure.

As we near the date of Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course (March 14 – 16), I’m excited about seeing colleagues again and even meeting some of my current clients whom I have not yet met in person. I recommend the course to almost anyone writing a book about health or well being—it’s a fabulous place to meet agents and publishers—and to learn so much about the publishing industry in a short period of time.

Authors get feedback about their book ideas—and often end up with a much better sense of both what their  book is (what I call the book concept) and what they need to do to become successfully published.

creativity cure cover
Author Carrie Barron and I met at the Harvard Medical School Publishing Course when this book was the germ of an idea.

Today, I’ve interviewed Dr. Carrie Barron—co-author with her husband Alton of The Creativity Cure, which was published by Scribner and came out in hardcover last Spring. I met Carrie at the Harvard course a couple years ago and began working with her on her book concept and book proposal. Her story may sound like a bit of a fairy tale—so put on your glass slippers…

Lisa: Why did you want to write a book?

Carrie: I spent many years scribbling thoughts and ideas on pads and blank documents and wanted to organize them into something. I was fascinated by creativity all my life–read about it, researched it, lived it as a former singer. In my private practice as a psychiatrist I was struck by how people’s moods and feeling about living could dramatically improve if they were involved in a creative process.

Lisa: Were there specific goals that motivated you? Opportunities you hoped the book would open up?

Carrie: I wanted the opportunity to write because I enjoy it so much.   Writing is a way to explore, to understand, to gain perspective and even to heal. Also, I felt that this information could be helpful to people who were trying to find ways to feel better–less depressed, less anxious–and not having any luck. Creativity has been called “the original anti-depressant.”

Lisa: When we met at Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course you’d mentioned that you’d been playing with the ideas for a book you were calling, “I’m Creative But I Can’t Create.” Can you say more about where you were with the book when we met?

Carrie: Before Harvard Medical School’s publishing course I had many, many pages but no organization.  I had titles, essays, ideas, inspiration but not a coherent package. I didn’t know how to write a proposal. I didn’t have an outline.

Lisa: What did you want to accomplish by attending the Harvard course?

Carrie: I wanted to turn an idea into a product, to have an effective method of writing- meaning a free, letting go part and a structured, crafting part and to learn how to balance them.  I wanted to have a writing life and to be able to maintain it. I also wanted to learn about the whole world of writing and publishing because while writing it self is joyful, getting it out there is a completely different thing.

Lisa: What did you get out of the course at Harvard?

al carrie jeanne, harvard
Authors Alton and Carrie Barron with their agent Jeanne Fredericks. You can meet Jeanne at the course this March.

Carrie: I learned an enormous amount about writing from the editors and writers themselves.  I realized the importance of promotion and social media and how to integrate this into the process in a way that feels organic. I met editors and agents with a wealth of useful information. I met many people with interesting ideas. The most surprising things I learned were that I could handle “pitching,” that the idea does not have to be perfect and that collaboration with the right person can make all the difference. I met you, Lisa, and Jeanne Fredericks, who became my literary agent. You helped me clarify my book concept and craft my book proposal and Jeanne became our agent—and negotiated a six figure book contract with Scribner. It has been thrilling to work with the Scribner team.

Lisa: Any exciting opportunities that have come out of being a published author?

Carrie: So many things!  We signed with Scribner.  We have had about thirty- five appearances including talk radio, panels, lectures and presentations. We’ve have contributed to articles published in The Atlantic Monthly, Parade Magazine and others, have a regular blog on Psychology Today, spoke at The Maker Faire, the Zoomer Conference in Toronto, on the Dr. Alvin Jones radio show and recently participated on a panel on Creativity and Mental Health at the Cactus Café at UT Austin. The talks are exciting—people ask  fascinating questions that really make us think.  Other writing opportunities have arisen.

Lisa: Like?

Carrie: We’ll be collaborating on some interesting projects that will focus on using Your Own Two Hands and the value of True Connections to other people. The paperback is coming out in the summer. Frankly, I realized all my goals and beyond.

Carrie and Alton
The authors of The Creativity Cure taking their own advice and spending time outdoors.

Lisa: Anything you’d like to say to someone who’s considering attending Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing course March 14-16 in Cambridge, MA?

Carrie: This course changed the entire course of my career. It was fun, informative and stimulating from start to finish. If any doctor has dreamed of writing, the HMS course is the place to go.  And don’t forget to sign up for the pitch fest because it is the best preparation for what’s to come!

Creating Your Feel Good Writing Space: Virtual Book Tour Interview and Video

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Sherry Burton used my Inspiration to Author 8 week program to write her fabulous new book: Feel Good Spaces A Guide To Decorating Your Home For Body, Mind, & Spirit.  When her publicist, Carol Lawrence, asked if I’d host a stop on Sherry’s blog tour, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to introduce my readers to virtual book tours AND interview Sherry for some advice on creating a feel good writing space. From February 1st – February 12th Sherry is visiting 12 blogs on her virtual book tour. You are invited to follow the tour, visit a new blog each day, meet some wonderful new friends and get a sense of how a professional blog tour is done–with different information on every stop. As part of Sherry’s virtual book tour, I am very excited to share with you an interview and a bonus video: For Inspired Authors: Your Feel Good Writing Space both designed to help you on your book writing and publishing journey. feel good spaces bookLisa: First of all, thank you Sherry for inviting me to host you today. Let’s get started. What are the first questions you’d ask before creating a “Feel Good Space” for Writing? Sherry: I’d ask:

  • Where do you feel most comfortable writing? Is it in your home? At the coffee shop? Your office?
  • Is the space selected quiet and peaceful with minimal distractions?
  • Is it a space where you feel transformed, energized and productive?

Then I would want to set up an action plan for setting up your interior environment so that your writing needs and goals are supported and fully realized. This includes having an organized space and a system of writing as outlined in Lisa Tener’s Inspiration to Author in 8 Weeks. Lisa: Wow, thanks for including that! I’m glad it worked for you, Sherry. What are the most important considerations for creating a feel good space for writing? Sherry: Ensure that the space is clutter free. You want to rid all those things that serve no purpose or do not enhance your writing experience. By doing this, you open up the Chi—the invisible life force or good energy that is in and around your writing environment. Too much clutter stops the flow of Chi and can make us feel stuck and stressed and thus uninspired to write effectively. Lisa: Okay, that’s a reminder to clean up my desk–and probably why I’ve been writing in my bedroom instead lately. What else? Sherry: Find out what your personal development colors are and how to integrate them in your feel good writing space. There’s nothing like having the right customized colors in your environment to help you thrive at your highest level. Lisa: How would someone find that out?  Sherry: Through a special birthdate reading using the Chiero Color System I can determine one’s personal development color.  This can be done directly by me by appointment. Lisa: Anything else? Sherry: Personalize your feel good space for writing with art, photographs and objects that are meaningful and inspire creativity. The space should have a function, flow and a feel to it. Lisa: Oh, I agree. I have an inspiring giclee print on my office wall–a woman rowing down a river with an eagle overhead–it frees me up to look at it. Where did you do your writing of Feel Good Spaces and what did you do to help make it a creative space? Sherry: I did my writing primarily in my home office where I could find the most peace and fewer distractions. I personalized my space and kept it clutter free to make it a space that was functional for my writing of Feel Good Spaces. Lisa: What are the biggest mistakes people make in their writing (or creative) spaces? How can they avoid those? Sherry: Your printer, fax machine and copier can create enormous energy that can be draining. We call this EMFs or electromagnetic fields. To minimize this, I suggest that plants be used in your writing space to buffer the effects of EMFs to your body. Keep any distractions at a minimum. That includes outside noise. Make sure your space is located in a part of your home where you will not be distracted by outside influences. Lisa: Great to know. What are some of the best colors for a writing space? Sherry: I would recommend the following colors for a feel good writing space:

  1. Yellow– for personal power, knowledge and mental clarity
  2. Blue– for peace, faith, trust and communication
  3. Indigo– for insight, intuition and higher level thinking
  4. Red– for power, enthusiasm, life force energy, courage and passion

Consider a vase full of flowers in these colors near your writing space or some other accessory or accent with one or more of these colors for your feel good writing space. Lisa: Is there a feel good space you helped someone design specifically for writing or creativity? Sherry: I’ve designed feel good spaces for so many different purposes–particularly for those who need efficient home offices. I have not designed a space specifically for authors. Lisa: Anything you want to share about the office spaces? feel good writing space Sherry:I designed this space with custom woven window shades, a pale yellow wall color and a writing desk that is clutter free with some personal objects including a plant. What worked for this space was that it was adjacent to a roof deck which provided the client an opportunity to use the desk to rest and find inspiration. The simplicity and zen quality of the space kept distractions at a minimum. This next project was a home office space which could also serve as a great reading space. Note the desk is in the Feng Shui command position to the door and the combination of colors gold (yellow) and red is used. Minimum décor with inspiring artwork and a zen quality in the decoration. Lisa: In using my Inspiration to Author to help you get your book written, what other tips do you have for people writing a book? Sherry: I would say that the Inspiration to Author Program helped me really think through the writing of my book in such a way that it presented a clear template for organizing the book, specifically the chapters and how to flow from one subject to the next. When I first started writing the book, I lacked the confidence, expertise and experience. I did not get the guidance I would have liked from other sources. Working through the 8 week program I got the assistance I needed in planning, organizing and strategically completing the book. For those  contemplating writing a book I highly recommend Lisa’s program because it helps you meet your goals and make your book a reality through the support it provides. Lisa: Thanks, Sherry. Okay, let’s share your video: For Inspired Authors: Your Feel Good Writing Space If you’re having trouble viewing this video, watch it on youtube here. Yesterday, the tour was hosted by Tonya Parker. Tonya shared a special recorded interview where Sherry Burton Ways provides helpful hints on how to turn any room into a space to nourish your mind, body and soul, visit her website Mind Body and Spiritworks to hear the replay. Tomorrow find out, How Art Can Contribute To A Feel Good Space with an interview with Sherry, hosted by The Artinista. A special excerpt will give you a glimpse inside Sherry’s new book. Visit Sherry’s website today to sign upto win a prize! * Grand prize: A copy of Feel Good Spaces along with her grand prize of a 30-minute H.O.M.E. Interior Environment Intro Coaching Session via Skype or in person depending on location. * A copy of Feel Good Spaces along with a 20-minute Color Therapy Consultation via Skype. Color Therapy Consults for interior color is one of the first elements you notice when you walk into a room, and color resonates with you when you leave. Color sets a mood: The right color combination can transform a home or office and bring all who reside there new levels of energy. Custom color palettes for interior walls can bring happiness, harmony and well-being. * A copy of Feel Good Spaces: A Guide for Decorating Your Home for the Body, Mind, & Spirit To see the complete virtual book tour line up, follow each host on Twitter and connect with them on Facebook click here!

“Take out the Affirmations,” said the Editor…

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I recently read an article by my colleague Chellie Campbell on the Wealthy Spirit Blog.   IChellie just loved her story and had to share it, so here’s my interview of Chellie about that defining moment when a publisher told her she liked her book but, “Take out the affirmations.”

Lisa: So, Chellie, can you give us a little background?

Chellie:  Lisa Hagen, my agent, and I had been working together to find a publisher for my book, The Wealthy Spirit, for over a year, through endless rounds of interest, rejections, almost-deals, and deals that fell through. So when an editor wanted to speak more, I was thrilled.

Lisa: How did the call go?

Chellie: We introduced ourselves and chatted for a few minutes.  Then I asked the fateful question, “What about the book do you feel needs to be changed?”

Lisa: That’s always tough to hear. What did she say?

Chellie: Deb, the editor, told me that we had to take all the affirmations out of the book. My heart sank like a stone.  No way could I take the affirmations out —they’re critical in helping people think more positively about money.

Lisa: Affirmations can be trite though…

Chellie: The average person has 60,000 thoughts every day, and most of what they’re thinking about money is depressing:  “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer,”  “You can’t make money in this economy.”  You have to actively change the way you think about money to have abundance flow into your life, and that means repeating positive statements about money every day. You need to replace the old, negative thoughts.

Lisa: So in your case, the affirmations were really integral to the method. How did the editor respond when you told her that?

Chellie: She said affirmations are old news. It had already been done. So, I asked her if she was doing affirmations and there was silence. She finally admitted she didn’t do affirmations.

The Wealthy SpiritLisa: Wow, that’s a gutsy question. Did she try them?

Chellie: Yes. I gave her my list of favorite affirmations. I told her to say them out loud while looking at herself in the mirror every day for the next 21 days.  Then we’d talk again. Three weeks later she said, “Chellie, this is amazing!  I’m getting unexpected money in the mail, people are paying me back loans I had forgotten they owed me, and I’m getting bigger and better book deals!”

Lisa: So she let you keep the affirmations!

Chellie: Yes. And that’s why the book was published with the subtitle, “Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction.”

Lisa: I love it. So what affirmations did you give your editor? Clearly they work!

Chellie: Here they are:

  1. People love to give me money!
  2. I am rich and wonderful.
  3. I am now earning a great big income doing what satisfies me.
  4. Something wonderful is happening to me today—I can feel it!
  5. All my bills are paid up in full and I still have all this money.
  6. My affirmations work for me, whether I believe they will or not.  (This is for the skeptics among you.)
  7. A lot more money is coming into my life.  I deserve it and will use it for my good and others.
  8. All my clients praise me and pay me!
  9. I am a money magnet!
  10. Money comes to me easily and effortlessly, waking and sleeping.
  11. I am now highly pleasing to myself in other people’s presence.
  12. I walk, talk, look, act, think and am rich!
  13. I am a winner–I win often, and I win big!
  14. I now receive large sums of money  just for being me!

Lisa: So, a few take-aways here:

1. The editor is not always right, nor is conventional wisdom. Do  listen, editors usually know what they are talking about and understand the market, but also trust your inner guidance when it’s telling you something different.

2. Try affirmations–they work. (especially Chellie’s!).

Have any questions for Chellie (or your own affirmations stories)? Share them here.

Chellie Campbell is the creator of the Financial Stress Reduction® Workshops, and author of Zero to Zillionaire. She has been prominently quoted as a financial expert in the Los Angeles Times, Good Housekeeping, Lifetime, Essence, Woman’s World and more than 50 popular books.

Chellie invites to you sign up for her free daily e-mails from The Wealthy Spirit–a page-a-day book with stories and tools for creating a rich life inside and out. You can also join Chellie for The Financial Stress Reduction® Telecourse: starting February 11 on Monday or Wednesday nights or Tuesday or Friday afternoons.

She Trusted Her Gut and Got Book Deal With Hay House

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future hay house author elizabeth hamilton guarino
Elizabeth Hamilton Guarino’s Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through will be published by Hay House in August 2013

When radio host  and founder of the Best Ever You Network,  Elizabeth Hamilton Guarino,  asked for help with her book I suggested we do a “meet your muse” visualization to get clarity. I had some ideas about her book, but her muse had other ideas.

She closed her eyes and I led her on an inner journey to her muse, where we asked her muse about the tone, structure and features of her book.

Her muse–who appeared as Nadia Comaneci–was clear–“Do your own thing.Trust yourself. You march to the beat of your own drummer.” Her muse reminded her of her days competing as a gymnast, where she followed her own instincts and created unique routines.

Good thing she listened to her muse. Elizabeth recently signed a book deal with Hay House Publishing for Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through. One thing they especially liked about Percolate was her unique voice–not a typical voice in the self-help arena–but down to earth, simple and not  sugar coated.

While it’s often useful to get expert advice from someone who’s been in an industry for years and understands the markets, there are times when the conventional wisdom is not what you need. How do you know the difference?

Elizabeth Hamilton Guarino got out of her head and into her heart to connect with her muse. As a former gymnast, handstands work for her.

It takes going within. And how do you do that? Here are a few ideas:

– Listen to my “Meet Your Muse” visualization for writers (which you can download free) or schedule a “meet your muse” consultation with me.

– Go for a walk in nature.

– Meditate, do yoga or pray–whatever works for you.

– Ask questions in a journal and write your answers with your non-dominant hand (or just write without thinking, censoring or judging–let ideas flow.

Have you ever gotten advice but known in your gut it was wrong? What did you do? How do you tap into your answers? Are you bucking “conventional wisdom” with your book? How so?

How to Meet Literary Agents and Pitch a Book

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lisa tener book writing coach
Your Book Writing and Publishing Coach

I often recommend my clients attend the International Women’s Writing Guild’s Big Apple Conference, specifically for the “Meet the Agents” portion of the program. It offers a terrific opportunity to hear a variety of literary agents share the types of books they are interested in and then pitch your book in 3 minutes or less.

A client recently sent some great questions and I thought they’d be valuable to anyone who wants to learn how to get published by a traditional publisher and get a book deal. Here, then, are her questions and my answers:

1.  What should I bring with me?  I was thinking of bringing a short pitch  and possibly printing out some cards with my contact info and the book info.
Bring business cards. You’ll want to give them to agents and also to other people you meet on line or in the audience. Don’t bring your proposal. An agent does not want to lug any of your stuff home with them. Send that to their office the next day by e-mail or mail (ask them which they prefer).
2.  How can I prepare for this?  I know that I can do research on each of the agents to see who is a match, but do you suggest I do other prep work?
Research is always helpful and may be necessary for some conferences, but at the IWWG conference the agents will each speak about the types of books they are looking for and their particular interest. The only prep work is to practice your 3 minute pitch.
3.  What can I expect as far as layout?  Do each of the agents give a talk in a classroom setting and then there is a meet and greet?  Or, is it more like a trade show where everyone is at a booth/table and you just walk up and approach them?  Or, do they approach you?  Or, is it a total free-for-all?
At the IWWG in particular, agents will speak from the stage. In the past, attendees would then form lines behind the agents they most wanted to speak to.  Sometimes the agents remained on the stage and other years they were scattered throughout the venue at that point.
4.  Are there a known list of do’s and don’ts when talking with agents?  Specifically are there things that I definitely should avoid saying and/or things that I definitely need to emphasize?  Do I hand people my pitch and then talk or vice versa?  Do I only give people my pitch if they seem interested?  Are there appropriate ways to follow up after (i.e. a quick e-mail note, etc.)?
You’ll speak your pitch, not give it to them.
*  Do line up behind your first choice agent at the IWWG. You may not have a chance to speak to more than one or 2, so prioritize.
*  Do make eye contact.
*  Do say your name and include the book title, hook and market, as well as mentioning the high points of your platform.
*  Do pause so they can ask you questions.
*  Do breathe!
*  Do smile.
*  Don’t talk too fast–slow down.
*  If they are not interested, feel free to ask if they have advice for how you can make your book more marketable. Their feedback can help you perfect your pitch and proposal and improve your chances.
5.  Are there appropriate ways to follow up after (i.e. a quick e-mail note, etc.)?
Ideally, your book proposal will be ready to go when you return from the event. Send it with a short cover letter in whatever way the agent indicated (e-mail or US mail).
If your proposal won’t be ready to send right away, let the agent know that when you are pitching.
 
6. Anything else?
Enjoy yourself and let your passion for your subject and your book shine through.
It’s a great way to meet and pitch agents and you don’t have to be a woman to attend.
Feel free to ask your questions about meeting and pitching literary agents here as a comment to the post.  Good luck!
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