I just got done sending an email to Scott Wakefield, a friend I discovered on Twitter, who is interested in learning how to become an indie publisher. It’s been my pleasure to answer his questions and get him on the rocky road to self publishing, both paper books and ebooks. It’s been just about a … More Every Good Idea I Ever Had I Stole From Someone Else
I started trying to get published as a writer in the 70s while I was in college. I was enamored by a new Christian youth magazine called “Insight,” and I tried and tried to get published in their magazine, to no avail. Finally, after receiving half a dozen blank rejection slips in a row, I … More A Spoonful of Sugar
It’s the day after the end of the NFL’s regular season. Twelve teams still have high hopes to end up with a Super Bowl ring in 2013. Twelve groups of fans still have something to cheer for. But for players and staff of 20 out of the 32 teams, the year is over with. My … More The Next Day…Revisited
Back in the 90s when I was a book editor at Pacific Press, we had a summit meeting to talk about the state of publishing. I remember raising my hand and offering the opinion that the editor of tomorrow–which of course means today now–would need to be a jack of all trades. He or she … More An Indie Author’s Best Investment
From a marketing standpoint, success in any endeavor where you’re selling a commodity is primarily a matter of linking the right audience or customer with the right product. There are two ways to do this. One way is to develop a product and then find someone to buy it. The plus of this is that … More Finding Your Audience
I’m what I would classify as a binge writer. All my life I have heard that you have to write everyday. That advice has depressed me, because my lifestyle doesn’t allow that to happen. Further, I have to immerse myself into a project before I can do what I consider a good job. So I … More Ducks on a Pond
I will be the first to admit that I am a novice in the field of self-publishing. But I have learned a great deal since I jumped into the business at the beginning of 2012. Probably the most significant thing I have learned was how critical two things are as far as book sales are … More What a Difference a Cover Makes!
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” –Mark 8:36 I was never any good at public relations. Mind you, I was never one of those who believed that all public relations people had to be liars. No, I know that public relations is … More Selling Your Soul
“I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad Buy all of the things I never had…” Bruno Mars’ song Billionaire is a reflection of the way most people in the Western world think these days. If only I had enough money, I would be happy. There are so many statements that talk about money, because … More God’s Billionaire
My daughter, Melissa, and I just came back from a weekend in Conroe, TX, where she was interviewed for a possible job yesterday. She is working presently, and for the most part enjoying where she is. But the new position is in a better region, pays better with better benefits. We got there Friday afternoon … More Serendipity or Divine Plan?
The Great Adventure 