When A Time to Kill by John Grisham first surfaced, it was mostly ignored. It wasn’t until The Firm popped that he got the public’s attention. Many books later, A Time to Kill has remained one of my favorites–the opening alone is worth every fiction writer’s worthwhile. Truth be told, I believed that Grisham had lost his touch and had become lazy or resourcing his name to others. Just turning the last pages of Sycamore Row, I’m a believer again–one of my summer ahas. Sycamore Row becomes the bookend for A Time to Kill. Add it to your summer read list.
Here’s a few tips to add to your blogs or promos pitches you do:
#1 Get into the habit of having a Call to Action. What do you want the reader to d0: order, click somewhere, call you, answer a question … what?
2 Promise something … yes, absolutely make a promise … it could be a biggie or anything along the 
scale that has a promise to it. And of course, deliver on your promise. Your headline could be the promise.
3 Pro
ve what you say you are doing in your “promise.”
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious 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 33 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #33 has just been released: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors and Writers.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.