… it’s time to do your Summer Cleaning for Author and Book ideas …
with your old stuff? And old ideas?
When it comes to writing, and publishing, the fabulous concept you had a few years ago may need to be rethought, revamped, or, gulp, tossed out.
Is the idea you have current? Leading Age? Has it been done been done before and have you come up with a whole new twist? Or is it … yawn … old hat?
For non-fiction, would doing a survey spark up some interest? How about conducting interviews with controversial or “in the news” personalities? Or, facilitate a focus group that might reveal new thoughts, trends or twists?
For fiction, just how clever or unique is your story line? Is it more like a “fill in the blank” that are common in the formula books that liter book store shelves or a true page-turner? Have you spent some time with a creative writing coach that can accelerate your learning and imagination curves?
Have you spent some visual time at your local bookstore and devoured the book covers—note the colors used; the presentation of the title; the topies—what else grabs you?
Have you thought about ways to capture your reader’s attention? And, do you know who your reader is? Anyone who thinks, “Everyone,” is clueless about their market and will sabotage their efforts. My clients have heard me say countless times, “The more you niche yourself, the bigger your market becomes.”
Become a big fish in a small lake. The expert. The visionary. The unique voice. By dumping ideas that aren’t working, scenes that don’t click, you will become a new you and an author that demands notice. A new form of Spring Cleaning—ready to bask in the warmth of the Summer Months–my favorite time of the year. It’s Summertime and the author livin’ is easy (sometimes)!
Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd (www.TheBookShepherd.com), an author and book publishing expert and the Chief Visionary Officer and Founder of Author U (www.AuthorU.org), a membership organization created for the author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 30 books. Her latest, Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms has won multiple book awards and hit #1 on Amazon. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Your Guide to Book publishing on the www.RockStarRadioNetwork.com. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her at Judith@Briles.com.