Book Coaching Archives - Page 2 of 3

How Do I Get A Real Publisher?

We served our authors as editors, guides, teachers, book designers, publishers, and to a small degree, marketers. At the time, we encouraged and taught them to blog. Back in the early 2000s, blogging was a successful way to get noticed. Much as podcasts are today. And we did other things to help them get noticed. The hard work, of course, was always at their end. That’s just how it is. As the author, the work of marketing and selling is up to you – no matter who publishes your book.

By Yvonne DiVita February 21, 2022 Book Coaching, Books, Writing

A birthday cake with lit candles, against a black background. Text over the image reads, "So, exactly how is anyone supposed to find the time to write a book? None of us has the ‘time’ to do the frivolous things we’d like to do. The after-dinner drinks meeting; the nephew’s birthday party; the pizza party with girlfriends. They all go by the wayside because we’re so damned busy!"

Find the Time to Write That Magnificent Manuscript

“I was so excited to hold my book in my hand,” a friend of mine told me. “It’s just marvelous to have it here, done, and ready to be shared with the world. I can’t even believe how heavy it is!” The awe in her voice was shining in her eyes, and I couldn’t help but share in it.

By Yvonne DiVita October 7, 2021 Book Coaching, Books, Writing

An open book with a light-colored aura and tiny stars and streamers emerging. Over the text is a Carl Sagan quote, “Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.”

Once Upon a Time I Wrote a Book

There I was, this frightened and fearful teenage, sitting at my dining room table with pencil and paper, pouring her soul into stories with happy endings, where the heroine always got rescued, knowing there was no rescue for me, in my home. But the very act of writing gave me the courage and determination to get through an other day, and another day, until … I didn’t quite know what the ‘until’ was, but I knew there had to be something. Something else.

By Yvonne DiVita September 22, 2021 Book Coaching, Books

A photo of book marketer and publisher Julie Trelstad next to the words "A smart conversation with Julie Trelstad of 82 Stories."

Julie Trelstad Demystifies Book Publishing

As an acquisition editor in traditional publishing, owner of a publishing company, and as the digital rights director for a large literary agency in New York City, Julie knows firsthand what makes some books soar and others fail to take off. Her goal, she tells us, is to demystify the often obtuse and discouraging world of book publishing and help writers succeed in producing, publishing, and marketing their books.

By Yvonne DiVita August 30, 2021 Big Ideas, Book Coaching, Smart Conversations with Yvonne

An AI-generated photo of Leo Tolstoy next to his quote, "I have found that a story leaves a deeper impression when it is impossible to tell which side the author is on." This is the hero image for a post on how to be the reader and the writer both.

Being the Writer and the Reader – How Do You Do Both?

“Write what you know,” the professor admonishes. Because none of us have imaginations to write what we don’t know or to invent what we would like. That would be…what? Interesting? Creative? Insightful? Oh well. Don’t do that. (she said with tongue in cheek because yes, you should do that, just not right now.)

By Yvonne DiVita August 16, 2021 Big Ideas, Book Coaching, Books

An image of author and book coach Alexandra O'Connell holding her book, "Lean Into Your Yuck."

Alexandra O’Connell and Lean Into Your Yuck You Writers

I asked her how she came up with the title and she told me, “People get emotional about their work. They often get to a point where they think it’s just a bunch of yuck.” Well, she wants you to lean into that yuck – accept the challenge. Move on from whatever mess or disorganization is holding you back. It’s exactly when your book is not matching your idea of a perfect experience, that you need to lean into it and keep working.

By Yvonne DiVita August 2, 2021 Book Coaching, Smart Conversations with Yvonne

A stack of vibrant-colored sticky notes against a turquoise background. Text over the image reads "What's new with Nurturing Big Ideas and Old Dog Learning? LOTS!"

Kintsugi, Videography, Photo Journalism, Writing a Book, and more

I’m working on The HOW TO WRITE A BOOK Book, Part II. To be completed, probably in the Fall, also. This is the second in a series of books planned for our How To Write A Book series of educational books on writing. Our focus is on non-fiction as those are the authors we work with.

By Yvonne DiVita July 7, 2021 Big Ideas, Book Coaching, Indie Publishing, Marketing your book, Writing

Writing and Publishing Advice, Spring 2021

In fact, if you don’t prove you have an established platform, with thousands of possible readers, traditional publishers won’t even talk to you. No matter how great your proposal is. Oh, yeah, I forgot – before you do or prove any of the above to a traditional publisher, you have to prove you can sell the book and earn back your royalty for the advance. At which time, they will are likely to wave bye-bye.

By Yvonne DiVita April 2, 2021 Book Coaching, Writing

12 Ways to Fail As An Author, Final Four

Who is behind the “you” that shows up at networking events. You need to tell a story, not give a report. Too many first authors give a report – they act as outside eyeballs giving a word by word description of what happened here or there, and when.

By Yvonne DiVita December 2, 2020 Book Coaching, Books

A broken pencil sits on a white desk. In the background are pieces of paper that have been balled up for disposal. Over the image is the text "12 Ways to Fail as an Author, Part 2."

12 Ways to Fail As An Author, Continued

I would love it if we could rely on the advice and insight of family and friends, but the truth is so different. These are not the people to trust when it comes to deciding to write a book. Their opinions will be suspect. Yes, share and discuss and take their thoughts to heart. But don’t believe them when they say, “Yes, that’s a great idea! It’s going to be a best-seller!”

By Yvonne DiVita November 30, 2020 Book Coaching, Books, Business Coaching