First, you can self-publish your books, which means you assume all the risks, responsibilities, and rewards. Second, you can work with a hybrid publisher, which usually means you pay for their help with specific services, and they provide some of the functions of a traditional publisher. The third option, and the one most familiar to everyone, is traditional publishing. In this scenario, you sell your book to a publisher in exchange for an advance. They own the book but also take all the risk of producing and distributing the book, in addition to some marketing. Even though self-publishing has come a long way in the last ten or fifteen years, many authors still dream of getting a traditional publishing deal, especially with one of the big five New York publishers. If that’s your goal, you will need help in pitching your book to publishers to secure the best deal. That’s where a literary agent comes in. On today’s episode, I’m honored to talk with Mark Gottlieb, a New York literary agent who is here to give us the inside scoop on how to find and work with an agent. tentaclebimbo facebook Mark is the vice president and literary agent at book publishing’s leading literary agency, Trident Media Group in New York City. He attended Emerson College and was President of its Publishing Club, and established Wilde Press. After graduating with a degree in writing, literature and publishing, he began his career with Penguin’s VP. His first position at Trident Media Group was in foreign rights. He was the EA to Trident Media Group’s Chairman and ran the Audio Department. He is currently working with his own client list, helping to manage and grow author careers with the unique resources available to Trident Media Group. He is ranked highly among literary agents in overall deals and other categories. Some of the topics I talk about with Mark are: how he became a literary agent, what an agent actually does in the publishing ecosystem, the benefits of traditional publishing, what kinds of projects he looks for and how to stand out as an author, what the most successful authors do when pitching and working with an agent, and some common mistakes to avoid when trying to secure an agent. You can connect with Mark at https://literaryagentmarkgottlieb.com and find out more about the Trident Media Group at https://tridentmediagroup.com.

The post Mark Gottlieb on Finding & Working with a Literary Agent appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Click here to register for our free training

In this FREE training, we will cover:

– Why a book is the ultimate tool to grow your platform and influence.

– How to repurpose the podcast content you’ve already created into a book (no matter what your show format).

– A simple process for writing your book quickly (even if you’ve never written a book before).

This webinar is a must if you’re interested in leveraging your podcast and guests to promote your book, or if you want to use your book to promote and grow your podcast.

Even if you don’t yet have a podcast, and you haven’t yet written a book, join us to discover how these two powerful tools can work together to build your impact, influence, and income!

I hope you’ll join us on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 4:00pm EST for Podcast to Published!

* * *

In the world of computers, WYSIWYG stands for “what you see is what you get.” It refers to an editing system or interface where the content you see on-screen shows exactly how it will look when it’s printed or displayed elsewhere.

But WYSIWYG can also refer to the writing life as a whole. What you see is truly what you get.

Do you see opportunities everywhere? Do you see people to connect with, people you can learn from? Do you see a world filled with publishing options and technology that lets you share and sell your work to anybody in the world with an internet connection? Do you see sparks of creativity in your life every day through the books you read, the people you meet, and the places you go?

Or on the flip side …

Do you see negative people who are only out to get you? Do you see everybody else getting opportunities while you have to fight for scraps? Do you feel shut down by other people who don’t like your work?

What you see is what you get. If you see possibilities for success, that’s what you’ll get. If you see a world full of obstacles and frustration, that’s also what you’ll get.

Charles Dickens was right when he began his classic book A Tale of Two Cities with these words: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …”

Everybody around you may feel like it’s the worst of times, but you can choose to see something different. It is truly the best of times if you’re a writer who is willing to put in the work and take advantage of the amazing opportunities we have today.

The post The Best of Times, The Worst of Times appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Here’s today’s excerpt from the chapter, “S is for Secure.”

A few years ago, our family decided to get a dog. We discovered a sweet Australian shepherd named Madison at the local animal shelter. She had been abused by her former owner and was terrified of men. It took several months before she would even let me pet her.

Madison has changed a lot over the last three years but she still needs constant affirmation. We could pet her for hours every day and it would still not fill her emotional tank. There’s a part of Madison that will always be needy and insecure.

The word insecure means “subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured.” You and I can easily fall into this emotional state if we’re not careful. As artists, we crave approval and affirmation. But we can take it too far if we are not emotionally healthy ourselves. As an artist who is constantly putting your work out there, you must be secure in your identity and self-worth.

If you want to be a more secure artist, it helps to recognize the signs of insecurity. This is useful for identifying and correcting our unhealthy emotional patterns. It’s easy to see these patterns in others, yet completely miss them when it comes to our own hearts.

By the way, how do I know these five signs so well? Because I have been guilty of all of them at times. Maybe you have as well.

1. An insecure artist constantly finds fault with others.

When my son Ben was in fourth grade, I had a conversation with him about school bullies. He asked why some kids pick on others. I explained that some people feel so badly about themselves that the only way they can feel better is to drag everyone else down with them. Sadly, some people keep doing this way past the fourth grade.

2. An insecure artist can’t accept constructive criticism.

No one likes to be criticized, but even the most stinging criticism can contain a kernel of truth. An insecure person is not mature enough to see the kernel of truth and learn from it. They can dish it out, but can’t take it.

Early in my teaching career, I received a nasty email from a student. He criticized me pretty harshly about my leadership of our music program. I felt angry that he had the nerve to send me such a critical note. Plus, I wanted to dismiss his comments since he wasn’t a good student.

But in my heart, I knew the truth: there was a bit of accuracy to his statements. There were several areas in which I was coming up short.

3. An insecure artist always wonders what everybody else thinks.

He can’t make his own decisions because he is too concerned about other people’s approval. He is constantly asking what everyone else thinks about this or that.

When others give you advice, treat it like a set of crutches. They can help you move in the right direction, but rely on them too long and you’ll eventually be too weak to stand on your own.

4. An insecure artist relies on external measurements for his sense of self-worth.

There are many ways that insecure people measure their worth: their car, house, clothing, personal appearance, titles, friends and associates, income, size of their business or organization, degrees and awards, and even the success of their children.

None of these things is bad. In fact, they can all be wonderful things when put in the proper perspective. But none of them is a true measurement of your value as a person. I have known a lot of people with money, academic degrees, and all kinds of outward signs of “success,” yet who were unhappy and insecure.

You can’t base your self-worth on the shifting tides of people’s opinions and other external measurements. Instead, base your confidence on these three things:

• Knowing who you are (confidence in your gifts and purpose).
• Knowing who loves you (confidence in the unconditional love of those closest to you).
• Knowing whose child you are (confidence in your eternal standing as a beloved child of God).

5. An insecure artist sees everyone as a competitor.

He doesn’t have the emotional maturity to compliment, encourage, or publicly support others without expecting something in return. He can’t be happy for other people when they succeed; he thinks a win for someone else means a loss for him.

I mentioned this idea in the chapter on generosity, but it’s so important it bears repeating: An insecure person sees success as a limited pie where there’s only so much to go around. If you get a bigger piece, that means there’s less for me, right?

A secure person sees himself and everyone else as having unlimited potential for success. He doesn’t see others as competitors, but as fellow travelers on the creative journey. He knows that your success means his success, and vice-versa. He knows that a rising tide lifts all ships.

Secure people create art from a place of generosity.

Insecure people create art from a place of fear.

Guess which type of person has more fun? More friends? More influence and success?

——

I hope you enjoyed that short excerpt from The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey. You can grab the book by visiting https://kentsanders.net/suitcase.

The post S is for Security – Excerpt from The Artist’s Suitcase appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Here’s today’s excerpt from the chapter, “H is for Humility.”

In July 2011, Adam Bevell experienced something he’ll never forget.

He had traveled from his home in Arizona to see U2 in Nashville during their 360 tour. Many U2 fans travel a long way to see their favorite band, but Bevell is no ordinary fan. He is a blind guitarist, and he had come to Nashville in hopes of getting on stage to play with his hero Bono.

Bevell came prepared with a sign that read, “BLIND GUITAR PLAYER. BRING ME UP.” He held it up all through the concert as he stood in the crowded pit near the stage.

The last song U2 played on the 360 tour was “Moment of Surrender.” As they finished the song and began to walk offstage, Bono noticed the sign and asked Bevell what he wanted to play. He responded, “All I Want Is You” (he and his wife’s favorite U2 song) and Bono had him escorted onstage. A stagehand gave him Bono’s guitar and Bevell began strumming.

Bono began to sing and the rest of band joined in for the spontaneous performance. When the song was done, Bono hugged Bevell and even gave him his guitar!

At the end of a long and exhausting music set, in front of 45,000 adoring fans, one of the world’s most famous musicians shared the spotlight with a blind guitar player.

Whether you have 45,000 fans or just four or five, it’s a challenge to share the spotlight and stay humble. Here are several truths to help keep you grounded:

1. Your talent is on loan from God.

You are a steward of the talent God has given you. It’s not really yours in the first place. You can’t claim any credit for the good things that happen as a result of your talent. All the glory goes to God.

2. Your true friends love you for you who are, not what you do.

Those who matter most in your life don’t love you because of your talent or gifts. They love you unconditionally as a friend or family member.

3. Your self-worth shouldn’t come from your success.

It’s easy to be so emotionally tied to your art that you feel like a winner when things are going well, and a failure when things aren’t. Don’t base your self-worth on temporary success or failure.

These three truths can help you keep a healthy perspective on your creative gifts. They will also put you in the right frame of mind to relate to others.

Saint Augustine pointed out the true path to greatness when he said, “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”

——

I hope you enjoyed that short excerpt from The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey. You can grab the book by visiting https://kentsanders.net/suitcase.

The post H is for Humility – Excerpt from The Artist’s Suitcase appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

You enjoy being alone, which is a big benefit when trying to finish your writing. You’d mostly rather spend your time with books than people, which can help you dive deeply into literature and learning. You’d rather observe than participate, which can help you approach life like a journalist or researcher.

Those same tendencies can sometimes backfire, though.

The same strengths that help you become a great writer can make it hard for you to build an audience—which is something every writer must do.

Here are three quick tips for introverted writers on building an audience.

1. Don’t be afraid to put yourself and your writing out there.

Life is not all about observing others or writing about other people’s experiences. We want to hear what YOU have experienced and what YOU have to say about your topic.

2. Get out and have real conversations with people.

As introverts, we often live in our heads and avoid life in the real world. But this is where the action happens. Don’t think of people as “exhausting.” Instead, think of them as your best teachers and the reason you do what you do.

3. Don’t over-analyze this process.

Just start writing and course-correct as you go. You have to let go of the need to be perfect and have it all figured out. Just relax, get to work, and know you are intelligent and will figure it out as you go along.

Your greatest strength can also be your greatest weakness. Don’t get sucked into the lie that people are the enemy. You’re there to serve them, enjoy them, and learn from them.

Today’s Challenge: Choose one of these three tips and put it into practice today. Don’t wait or over-analyze it.

The post 3 Tips for Introverted Writers appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

One of the most common themes I come across when talking to writers is the frustration of being a creative, sensitive person… but wanting to build a successful business and doing all the things that requires.

In some ways, that’s the eternal question for creative people: how do you balance art and commerce?

That’s a huge question we can’t answer in one episode, but I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with someone who can absolutely point us in the right direction.

Jenn Granneman is the co-author, along with her co-writer Andre Sólo, of the new book Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World. She’s also the author of The Secret Lives of Introverts. Both of these are wonderful books for writers!

Jenn is the founder of the popular website Introvert Dear, and she has dedicated her life to writing about topics like sensitivity and introversion after she realized how difficult it was to navigate a world that favors extroversion and insensitivity. She wrote her blog anonymously for almost two years because, as an introvert, she had no desire to be in the spotlight.

Today, her mission is to empower introverts and sensitive people to embrace their innate strengths, and to start seeing their nature as a good thing. She’s been featured in The New York Times, CNBC, The Guardian, and more. Sensitive was named an Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Nonfiction.

In this conversation, we dive into topics from her new book. Jenn and I talk about the Sensitive Boost Effect, the connection between being an introvert and a sensitive person, advice for people who are worn out by social media and Zoom calls, advice for sensitive people and introverts on building a business, and much more.

You can find out more about Jenn, read her blog, and grab all her social media links at https://IntrovertDear.com. I also recommend you check out Jenn’s free quiz, available at https://sensitiverefuge.com.

The post Author Jenn Granneman on the Hidden Power of Highly Sensitive People appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Your core message is the main theme, the golden thread, that dominates most of your content. Some examples:

Adventure author Jon Krakauer writes about human drama in life-or-death outdoor situations, such as hiking or mountain climbing.

Novelist J. K. Rowling writes about what it means to be a hero in the context of a fantasy world.

Novelist Stephen King writes about the dark side of humanity in the context of horror stories.

Personal development guru John Maxwell writes about leadership.

Historian David McCullough wrote about the humanity behind American historical figures.

For most authors, it’s many books, one core message. You might say, “What about the books that aren’t tied to an author’s core message?” Most of the time, those books are tied into their core message in one way or another.

What about you? What’s your core message?

If you can’t articulate it yet, that’s okay. It takes time and writing a lot of words before you figure it out. Your core message gets more clear and authentic the more you write.

Today’s Challenge: As best as you can articulate it, write down your core message as an author. Then, ask three people who know you well to see if they agree.

The post What is Your Core Message? appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

To be human means to suffer. We suffer on a daily basis as we deal with the disappointments and frustrations of everyday life.

But we also suffer when we go through the occasional major trauma, such as the death of a loved one, losing a job, a major sickness, a divorce, or any other negative life event.

Sometimes, we hesitate to share our pain because we’re afraid to look weak. So we lock up our feelings in a box, set it on a shelf in the back of a dark closet, and try to forget about it.

This is not a healthy way to deal with grief. Instead, one of the best ways of working through your pain is to write about it. The Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho said, “Tears are words that need to be written.”

So, how exactly should you write about your tears? Here are three ideas:

First, you can journal about them. Journaling is a time-tested method for working out your feelings and getting perspective on life’s disappointments.

Second, you can write non-fiction articles, books, or other types of material where you talk about your experiences directly. This is a helpful way to work through your feelings, with the added benefit of helping others, as well.

And third, you can channel your experiences into fiction. This is an indirect way of processing your pain, but it can also be the most powerful way. Why? Because you can say things through fiction you would never say in non-fiction. The way you’re saying them is through events, characters, and dialogue in your stories.

Whatever medium you choose, don’t be afraid of your feelings. Don’t stuff them in a box or lock them away. Writing about your pain can bring healing not only for you, but for your readers as well.

Today’s Challenge: Think about the three ways I described—journaling, non-fiction material, and fiction—and consider how you can write about it to benefit you and others.

The post How to Write About Your Pain appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

We don’t just write to express what we think. We write in order to discover what we think.

For many writers, it goes even deeper than that. It’s an itch they keep on scratching, but it never seems to quite go away. This itch is what we call a “life theme.” It’s a statement or an idea that ties your body of work together.

This isn’t true for all writers. But for most, it is. They write because there is a singular theme that resonates from their soul. It’s a golden thread that ties it all together.

This was true of Maya Angelou. She said, “In all my work what I try to say is that as human beings we are more alike than we are unalike.” That was her golden thread.

Is there a theme or idea that you keep coming back to? Something you’re trying to say, but you never quite feel you get it right?

That feeling of not getting it quite right is not an indication that you’re inadequate. It’s a sign that you still have more to say.

Don’t be afraid of your golden thread. In fact, lean into it. The more you do, the more your writing will resonate with people because it represents the truth of who you are and how you see the world.

And, if you have been true to your golden thread, someday you’ll be able to look back on your body of work and see how that golden thread has been woven into a stunning tapestry.

Today’s Challenge: Write down a few ideas of what your golden thread as a writer might be. Share it with a couple of friends to see if they agree.

The post The Golden Thread Running Through Your Writing appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

When we think of marketing, promotion, media, and public relations, it’s easy to view those as elements that are “out there” building our author brand. To many authors, it feels like those are disconnected from the heart and soul of what led you to write in the first place.

My guest today is here to get us back to the heart of what it means to be an author. In the process, we will reconnect to our true passion which becomes a part of all our marketing efforts.

Isabelle Knight is a former publicist of twenty years, having worked with some of the biggest names in film, TV & publishing, including the BBC and an author you may have heard of: JK Rowling.

Isabelle now offers authors the opportunity to learn the tools and strategies that will help them fulfill their own publicity, promotion, and marketing goals. Isabelle provides mentoring and done-with-you programs and services to grow your readership, increase your impact, and build success.

You can check out Isabelle’s website at www.buildyourbrandwithpr.com. You can also download her free guide, Top 10 Tips for Authors to Build a Brand. In addition, I encourage you to check out her Build Your Author Brand 6-Week Course.

In this conversation, Isabelle walks us through her story of becoming a publicist and how she’s taken that knowledge to now help authors with PR. You’ll also learn why publicity and PR are so important, what an author brand story is, and why it’s absolutely essential to everything you do as a writer.

This was a seriously compelling conversation and it’s given me a lot to chew on as I think about my own author brand. I believe it will have the same impact on you as well.

The post PR Expert Isabelle Knight on Building Your Author Brand Story appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.