I talk to a lot of strategic entrepreneurs. They already produce written content--mainly blog posts or newsletters--and they're wondering if they should be focused on writing posts with the sole…
During the early 90s, the Iranians would broadcast an English-language news program each weekday at 7 p.m. It was anchored by a hijab-wearing, dour American living in Tehran. Israel, which…
I was doom scrolling on Instagram when I came across a Ryan Holiday post about his 2022 book, Discipline Is Destiny. In it he writes, “To procrastinate is to be…
Here's a strategic six-week pre-writing roadmap that aligns with your goals for business growth and impact: Week 1: Vision Clarity & Market Research - Define your unique "book fingerprint" (what…
One Saturday several years ago, Walt and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the…
When I first started writing, and we’re talking twenty plus years ago, I wasn’t the least bit interested in establishing myself as any kind of expert or to attract ideal…
Years ago, Walt and I hosted a three-day event in Ireland. We got a bunch of folks interested in building a solid coaching practice to cross the pond and listen…
Maybe you’ve heard it said that most readers never get beyond the first twelve pages of a book, particularly if it’s non-fiction. This supposed tendency is what drives the billion-dollar…
It's math. Simple math. Everybody knows that the more effort you put into something, the better the results you should see. Up to a point, this assumption holds true. Yet,…
Maybe I’ve told this story before, maybe not. During grad school, I wrote a series of personal essays and short stories about my experience living in Iran and the…
Given my job, I pay attention to trends in the book industry. Currently, there’s a lot of talk about book banning and Trad wives, not to mention a bunch of…
I broke my ankle a number of years ago. I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home, which is precisely what happens when I…
We once had a dog named Edgar whose whole raison d’ etre was to kick cat ass. Unfortunately, we also had two cats: Peanut Butter and Mozart. Peanut Butter was a cat-hater’s…
I write about the Imposter Syndrome all the time because it’s the single biggest issue many of my clients have. It’s what keeps them from starting their book, finishing it,…
If you want to write a book but hesitate because you don't consider yourself a gifted writer, you may be suffering under The Curse Of The Natural. You assume that…
It sounds so easy, right? Take the transcripts from your course–you know, the ones that accompany your video tutorials– organize them into chapters, throw in a few extra case studies,…
In 2016, Steven Pressfield published his book Nobody one Wants to Read Your Sh*t. It scared a lot of would-be authors who want to contribute to the world, not burden…
Given my profession, I'm often asked about my favorite books on writing. Before I answer, I tend to want to know WHY someone wants this information, mostly because I've noticed…
Our job as writers, particularly prescriptive nonfiction writers, is to take our readers on a journey. A very specific, personal journey that takes us from Pain Island to Pleasure Island,…
Remember when I said that your book title has two jobs and two jobs only: 1. To sell your book 2. To help your book get discovered through search engines…
Our titling saga continues... The title is what readers remember well enough to repeat to friends and search for on Amazon; the subtitle, less so. The most memorable titles are…
Yah, I bet that subject line grabbed your attention, made you want to learn more. And yet...you want to be careful of attention ploys when it comes to book titles.…
You've probably read plenty of prescriptive nonfiction books, particularly if you're writing one or just finishing it up. Look at your bookshelves, or head to Amazon and browse around. Pay…
If the title is powerful enough, it doesn’t matter what’s in the book. Maybe you’ve heard this said. Everything Men Know About Women proves this theory because that book has…
Years ago, and I mean yearssssss ago, Walt and I attended a Brendan Bruchard conference. That’s where we recognized that we could create a business out of just about anything…
As much as we'd like them to, our readers don't tend to remember strings of concepts, statistics, or cold, hard facts. Especially page after page of them. The best way…
I run into writers who do not understand the publishing world AT ALL. Take the nice person who commented on this video. If it's taking you two years to get…
Have you written a complete draft of a book, one with tons of bugs still in it? Are you wondering what comes next; what you’re supposed to do, specifically, during…
In this Instagram video, the authors Ryan Holiday and Robert Greene discuss the true sense of fulfillment that comes from sinking your focus into a long-term book project instead of…
I love the excitement surrounding the release of a book. After months, if not years, all the associated work miraculously comes to life. Well, not miraculously, given the blood, sweat,…
There’s something wonderful about writing a non-fiction book—how-to, self-help, or motivational, just to name a few of the business-building genres. You get to use all sorts of formatting tricks a…
I talk to writers about their desire to get a traditional publishing house deal at least once a week. I'm sure I've mentioned this numerous times before. It'll take me…
It is said--by whom, I haven't bothered to track down--that we humans learn from shared stories of success, and from stories of failure. Me? I'm pretty obsessed with stories of…
How do you stand out in a crowded market? Good question. Especially when you are writing an expert-positioning book on a popular subject. If you plug in the keyword “leadership”…
You’ve been talking about writing a book for years, a book that will attract right-fit clients, grow your business, impact lives, establish authority in your field. But you’re afraid to…
Once upon a time--OK, about a month ago--an expert wanted to write a book to buttress her credibility, attract right-fit clients, and help those who couldn’t afford her consulting fee.…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Here’s another way to turn your readers into clients and/or fans: Have a solid structure with a clear transformation path…
Here’s why I think people end up writing Business Card books, you know, the 100-page (or less) skim across a topic that you can hand to potential clients, usually accompanied…
You’ve probably talked for years about writing your book, the one that will inspire people to take massive action AND build your business. The one that will save readers time…
Every new year, I find myself crazy excited about the possibilities. This is the year that I'll climb some big mountain, or create an even bigger and better offer to…
Several years back, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Denise Brown for a column she writes in the North Star Monthly, a New Hampshire publication. I thought I might…
A Business card book is often written by a business owner who wishes to demonstrate their expertise in 100 pages or less. The design is to establish authority and demonstrate…
Oh, this is an excellent excuse for not writing a book for your business in that, sometimes, it's true. Quite possibly, it's not the right time for you given the…
I wanted to share with you a 10-minute Masterclass I ran sometime back for those who registered for one of my book-writing webinars. I got tons of comments about just…
Oh, I'd say I hear this excuse for not writing a book once a day. Mostly from people who actually WANT to have a book to their name at this…
It sounds so easy, right? Take the transcripts from your course--you know, the ones that accompany your video tutorials-- organize them into chapters, throw in a few extra case studies,…
Some time back, Walt and I conducted a mastermind call around yearly planning. One of our members raised her hand and talked about her resistance to setting any kind of…
Like a lot of my clients, my friend has way too many books he'd like to write. In fact, for the last ten years, the sheer volume of choices have…
If you have a bunch of interests, but don't consider yourself a master at any one... If you're afraid to choose one of these interests as a topic for an…
A lot of manuscripts slide across my desk each week, which shouldn't surprise anyone seeing as I run a publishing house. After all these years in the business, I can…
I hate this quote only because I know it's true: The things you want most in life are located just outside of your comfort zone. (I'm paraphrasing, so please don't…
I took an essay writing course in grad school back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and discovered that it’s much harder to wrap up a piece than it is to…
The introduction to your non-fiction book is your chance to make a good impression on potential readers and convince them to keep reading. We’re all busy people, so we need…
Many of us become coaches, speakers, or service professionals, if you will, because we’ve had to solve a particular problem for ourselves. Through trial and error, we figured out the…
This is a guest post by my friend Lucinda Halpern, head of Lucinda Literary. Lucinda is a literary agent. That means she gets writers book deals with traditional publishing houses.…
I have a problem. This problem has gotten big enough that I’ve decided I need a solution. Oh, sure, I’ve been aware of this issue for a good long while,…
August 15, 2023. That's the official publication date of Calm the Chaos by parenting expert Dayna Abraham. Now, that might not mean much, particularly if you're not the target audience for this…
Each Friday, Simon and Schuster sends out a promo email advertising temporarily discounted books. You can snag great Kindle reads for a couple of dollars. If you’re not on their…
I view stories, particularly the personal kind, with three sets of eyes. First, the eyes of a human who is deeply moved by the capacity of the human soul to…
Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to write a book? Seriously, do you even know? What's your purpose for doing so? • To create a beautiful…
I hate asking for help. I really do. And many of my clients have felt that way too. Until they recognized that writing a book on their own was harder…
A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for "manufacturing fear". The world provides enough danger already,…
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides…
When I was in grad school, I took an essay writing course. We were assigned an anthology called The Best American Essays, which still sits, all marked up with black…
Many of my clients want to include personal stories in their book, often because they've had to overcome certain challenges shared by their clients. Their story, their journey, is relevant…
Three years ago, I had a conversation with Dr. Edith Shiro. She wanted to write a book about post traumatic growth and she needed the book out, like, yesterday. The…
Over the weekend, as I was perusing the New York Times, I came across an article about some actress I've never heard of who was willing to share six random…
I've been thinking a lot about the word legacy lately. The idea of leaving something of ourselves behind to future generations. Sure, you may have kids, but that's not what…
In 2018, Vicki Suiter published The Profit Bleed: How Managing Margin Can Save Your Contracting Business. Since then, she's consistently earned hundreds of dollars each quarter with her book, not…
Catherine Rolt, author of The Pain Paradox, has a huge mission, which was the driving force behind writing her book. She believes that pain is our friend and is trying…
I don't know about you but I think I'm pretty strategic. Like, I've got a clear-ish vision of where I want to go, a fairly good idea of what I…
🌟What happens when the agent with whom you have a relationship turns down your first proposal AND tells you your credibility is in question? If you're Dayna Abraham, you keep…
My friend and I were seated together at a conference. I could practically feel the sparks coming off her, so consumed was she by the desire to be plucked from…
I sell book-writing and publishing services. That means I have to market said services: highlight the potential benefits of sinking time, energy, and money into a book project as well…
I think author Jon Corteen and his two books, The Profit Culture Formula and The Catfish Interview, offer a terrific lesson to those looking to write a book, particularly if…
I'm at a stage in life and in business that requires me to kill some old habits. Oh, being frugal and learning to do it all on my own has…
“Jealousy,” according to writer Anne Lamott, “ is such a direct attack on whatever measure of confidence you’ve been able to muster. But if you continue to write, you are…
Prince's Harry's memoir sold 1.43M copies on release day. That M stands for million, in case you're unfamiliar. Which is next to unheard of. Even before the shiny-covered tell-all hit…
For lots of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much content. But…
That's the question all of us writers ask, not just my clients. In fact, I brought this post back because I've fielded this question twice this week, and it's only…
My mother loved to paint. I’m not talking art, I’m talking rooms. She’d head on over to the local Benjamin Moore store and buy three gallons of whatever shade of…
Barry, our caretaker, stopped by one day last summer. He’s a really lovely dude who cuts our grass and looks after our place in Ireland whenever we’re gone. Anyway, Barry…
I think about my arch nemesis--efficiency--a lot when I'm on a mountain. Day in and day out, carrying one load up to a higher camp, going back down for another.…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful yearly tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to…
In my line of work, I talk to a lot of fascinating people who consider their stories worthy of Big House publishing. They've done the whole rags-to-riches thing, or overcome…
I grew up with ZERO understanding of process. I chalk this up to the alcoholic dynamic that played out in our household. One minute–OK, this would go on for hours, but who’s…
Deb Feder is a business development coach and strategist who helps lawyers and professionals bring in consistent clients through curious, confident conversations and changing the way we view productivity for…
I have this really wise friend who also happens to be a clinical psychologist specializing in the science of change. Sometime last year, she started sending out these short videos…
I spent my whole life afraid to make a mistake, to take a wrong turn. I latched on to a man early on because I was convinced he had the map, that…
Lately, I’ve had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that’s so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
Do you remember when you were in grade school and you had to line up in the gym and wait to get picked for a team? There you'd stand for…
Dr. Serena Sterling wasn’t sure she’d ever finish her book project. There were times, as her content developer, I wasn’t sure she would either. Because Serena wasn’t just writing about…
Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to write a book? Seriously, do you even know? What's your purpose for doing so? • To create a beautiful…
I write about the Imposter Syndrome all the time because it's the single biggest issue many of my clients have. It's what keeps them from starting their book, finishing it,…
Years ago, I pitched my memoir to an agent at a famous writers' retreat. Big time agents basically trawled the place looking for up and coming talent, which was one…
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides…
I got this note from one of my clients recently: I was reading some reviews on Amazon associated with books on my topic and some of the reviews were awful.…
Any time you switch up your routine or form new habits–which is pretty much what needs to happen before starting a book project–you’ve got to overcome all sorts of obstacles…
If you've ever received editorial feedback before, then you know it can be "challenging". I mean, it's not easy to accept that what you've got down on the page isn't…
I'm going to keep things short and sweet today. So I give you twenty things that I believe, particularly about business and writing: Burning bridges and boats is for…
I speak at seminars about getting non-fiction books published. I'm often asked about the average advances authors get from major publishing houses and the average time it takes to write…
I've been having the same conversation a lot lately. It goes something like this: A nice professional has gone to the trouble of crafting a book proposal, honing a query…
You know how, at the start of a big endeavor, you worry that you’ll never drive it to completion? That you're about to bite off more than you can chew…
Walt got it into his head that he wanted to paint our deck. He figured, with a little scraping and a gallon of outdoor, weather-resistant paint, he could have the…
You stand out when you have a published book. This is something authors want....and don't want at the same time. This conflict plays out in a whole bunch of ways,…
Walt and I were talking about the performance artist, Marina Abramovic, this morning. I don't know if you've ever caught sight of this video clip of her sitting across the…
I broke my ankle a number of years ago. I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home, which is precisely what happens when I…
This is a guest post by my friend Lucinda Halpern, head of Lucinda Literary. Lucinda is a literary agent. That means she gets writers book deals with traditional publishing houses.…
Each time I work on a book project, I not only learn about the topic, but also about myself. Catherine Rolt's, The Pain Paradox, which is about to be released…
Once upon a time (actually, in 2014), Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave the University of Texas Austin commencement address. It was a twenty-minute speech that outlined ten principles he’d…
For a lot of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much…
As much as we'd like them to, our readers don't tend to remember strings of concepts, statistics, or cold, hard facts. Especially page after page of them. The best way…
Being a pretty decent writer, you may think you should go it alone when tackling a book project. Or that a big publishing house should supply you with all sorts…
I was listening to a Ted Talk with Sheryl Sandberg some time back (see below). In it she discussed three things she believes hold women back in the work world.…
It's math. Simple math. Everybody knows that the more effort you put into something, the better the results you should see. Up to a point, this assumption holds true. Yet,…
Years ago, and I mean yearssssss ago, Walt and I attended a Brendan Bruchard conference. That's where we recognized that we could create a business out of just about anything…
I'm going to share with you some important concepts I walk my clients through before they start in on a project. In fact, just the other day, I had this…
I have a problem. This problem has gotten big enough that I’ve decided I need a solution. Oh, sure, I’ve been aware of this issue for a good long while,…
Each week, I have conversations with people who claim to want to write a book. I listen carefully, not just to establish if I like an individual, which is necessary…
I break this post out every once in a while, not just when I'm in adventure mode, which I am, what with me being off in the Himalayas eating de-hi.…
The adventure series continues. Let's call this Part III. One Saturday several years ago, Walt and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail…
Every once in a while, Walt gets it in his head that we need to climb another mountain. So, one week not so many years ago, that’s exactly what we…
Over the upcoming holiday season, Walt and I will be trekking in Nepal. Oh, sure, some people choose the Bahamas when they want to unwind, us, not so much. We're…
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a lovely woman about her book, the one that sold all of three copies in as many years. Now, this woman is…
I've got lots of unpopular opinions, many of them formed the hard way. As a writer, then a writing workshop leader, then a book coach, then a book doctor, then…
I received this beautiful note a while back in response to one of my newsletters. I'd like to share it and my response with you. It's relevant to you writers…
A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for "manufacturing fear". The world provides enough danger already,…
There’s something wonderful about writing a non-fiction book—how-to, self-help, or motivational, just to name a few of the business-building genres. You get to use all sorts of formatting tricks a…
I wanted to share with you a 10-minute Masterclass I ran a month or two back for those who registered for one of my book-writing webinars. I got tons of…
OK. It's time to dispel with a myth, one that's going to cause you a number of problems if you persist in buying into it. Book promotion, as much as…
The other day, I was talking to a student enrolled in the Influential Author Formula. She asked, “Can I charge more money if I have a book?” God, I love…
I thought I'd bring this post back because it's even more relevant than ever, thanks to pandemic fatigue. You know what I'm talking about, that sense that doing ANYTHING seems…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to the…
I love it when my clients, after months of writing and revising and doubting themselves and the whole value of their projects, break through to the other side and begin…
I've been doctoring a terrific book on Integrated Chinese Medicine, which addresses health issues caused by an overabundance or deficit of certain "elements", including wood, fire, water, and air. It…
I want to write a book so good, so meaningful, that it lands me on Oprah. I want to sit beneath her shade tree in that lovely wicker chair and…
I’m always fascinated by people who have a love/hate relationship with attention. Maybe because I do, too. Turn a video camera on me when I haven’t spent hours primping and…
I grew up with ZERO understanding of process. I chalk this up to the alcoholic dynamic that played out in our household. One minute--OK, this would go on for hours,…
You’ve finished your manuscript, now what? You’ve done all that hard work, all that revision, and now it’s time to publish your book. What comes next? Where do you go?…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Here’s another way to turn your readers into clients and/or fans: Have a solid structure with a clear transformation path…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Want to know what to include in a book? Want to turn your readers into clients and/or fans? Well then,…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Here’s the the best way to turn your readers into clients and/or fans: Give them stories, lots of stories As…
When I came out of Harvard, I had visions of becoming the next literary superstar. That's what we all talked about in grad school. I wanted to sit along the…
Writers worry a lot. Worry is what feeds our procrastination; why we’d rather clean that disgusting barbecue grill than sit in front of our nice, clean computers. We worry that…
Writing a book to attract ideal clients and expand your reach? Well, you're going to want to consider the big promise you make to your reader, the first indication of…
Twin Lakes, Colorado, that’s where we were. A small frontier town surrounded by mountains and lakes. An old West feel with a tight-knit community serving tourists in order to keep…
Walt and I have a bunch of decorative pots sitting on either side of our front door. After over 8 years here in Ireland, we've decided it's high time we…
I get the occasional irate email from those who don't appreciate the way I greet them in my newsletters. I mean, some folks get incensed. Case in point: Ann, I…
Over the weekend, while I calculated author royalties for Summit Press, the publishing house I run, I came across an anomaly. A.J. Wasserstein’s book, written and published 4 years ago,…
Like a lot of overachievers, I hold myself to impossible standards. It’s bought me a lot in life: it’s also created gratuitous stress. If you've landed in my world, chances are good that…
I have to admit it. I questioned whether or not I should bring this post back. I got some "rather unfriendly" comments the last time I presented it here. So…
This week, I've had my nose in a couple of manuscripts that have landed on my desk for doctoring. There are gems within each of these manuscripts, but the overall…
That's the question all of us writers ask, not just my clients. In fact, I brought this post back because I've fielded this question twice this week, and it's only…
Many of my clients want to include personal stories in their book, often because they've had to overcome certain challenges shared by their clients. Their story, their journey is relevant…
The trail was 45-minutes long. One of those long, windy black diamond numbers over steep moguls, through unconsolidated snow. My bindings were acting up. One turn, two, and my ski…
As incredibly scary as it looks I climb high mountains. I’d like to offer you three lessons I’ve learned in the mountains; climbing lessons if you will. I’ve discovered over…
Each Friday, Simon and Schuster sends out a promo email advertising temporarily discounted books. You can snag great Kindle reads for a couple of dollars. If you’re not on their…
Our gardener, Barry, warned us. We hadn’t paid much attention. After all, he was the one who’d encouraged us to kill the ivy that blanketed the house, spray weedkiller on…
Writing a book involves the creation of one small chunk of material at a time, because to contemplate the project in its entirety is a set up for insanity and…
Every day, I talk to people who are looking to up their game by writing a book. They've done amazing things in their life and in their business and they…
I wrote this piece nearly 8 years ago. I thought about it the other day while I was talking to a potential client about writing a book. This client was…
Dr. Serena Sterling wasn't sure she'd ever finish her book project. There were times, as her content developer, I wasn't sure she would either. Because Serena wasn't just writing about…
I wouldn’t last a minute in battle if I had to depend on my powers of observation, mostly because I walk the planet with my head up my ass. I…
https://youtu.be/kxhvrWe4jeY https://youtu.be/4CK1fxiknxw Michelle Cully-- I’ve always felt the need to tell my story, but fear, insecurity and the daunting process held me back for years. Then…
Several years back, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Denise Brown for a column she writes in the North Star Monthly, a New Hampshire publication. I thought I might…
Here are twenty things that I believe, particularly about business and writing: Burning bridges and boats is for fools Good things take time The shiny object syndrome will keep…
I have this really wise friend who also happens to be a clinical psychologist specializing in the science of change. Sometime last year, she started sending out these short videos…
I don't care what my mother said. You CAN tell a book by its cover, particularly if it's been designed well. Years ago, I tripped over this video (below) about…
I was listening to a Ted Talk with Sheryl Sandberg some time back (see below). In it she discussed three things she believes hold women back in the work world.…
Over the weekend, I watched as Walt attempted to cut down an overhanging branch along the driveway. It wasn't going well for a number of reasons. First, it was hard…
This video--complete with uplifting message, particularly if you're the sort who generally likes to get shit done--was created by Cathy Hay, who teaches people how to make corsets and other…
A good memoir: Has a razor-sharp focus on one element of life. Does not have filler. Every detail has to connect to the focus/theme. Is not a record, a report,…
Years ago, I used to run multi-day memoir-writing workshops. I'm telling you, I totally miss those experiences. I often find myself sharing bits of those lessons with my private clients…
The first time I voted for an American president, I was 45-years old. It was 2008-- McCain vs. Obama-- and I can’t remember whom I chose. I’d registered and cast…
I finished off a big Masterclass promotion at the beginning of the month. ( I probably don't have to tell you this because you no doubt received 250 emails from…
The other day I decided that I was totally sick of myself. I was tired of constantly working and holing myself off from the world and reading nothing but business…
One of the biggest fears my clients have is that by telling their personal stories they will appear grandiose, self-absorbed, or narcissistic. “Who am I to tell this story,” they…
In my line of work, I talk to a lot of fascinating people who consider their stories worthy of Big House publishing. They've done the whole rags-to-riches thing, or overcome…
I received a great question the other day that I’d like to address here: Should someone blog without professional edits to begin engagement about a potential book? (They’re concerned about…
In the last few years, I've had a number of clients who chose to write a parable instead of the usual business-in-a-box tome. (For instance, check out Josh Patrick's Sustainable--his…
One Saturday a few years back, Walt and I hiked the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the Colorado…
This is a guest post by my friend Lucinda Halpern, head of Lucinda Literary. Lucinda is a literary agent. That means she gets writers book deals with traditional publishing houses.…
If you write sales copy, you're particularly susceptible to this crime. If you're a sixteen-year-old female or highly emotive male, you're probably guilty as well. If you were raised in…
I got this note from one of my clients recently: I was reading some reviews on Amazon associated with books on my topic and I would have to look at…
I received this email in response to last week's newsletter. I thought I'd share it with you because, if you put stuff out there on a regular basis, you're going…
Whenever we create content—be it a book, or a sales page, a blog post, or a speech—we need to consider the outcome we’re after. For coaches, speakers, and other service…
Turtle Bunbury was fixated on 1847. In fact, he wrote over 40 stories about people and events that made the news in that fascinating year. But when it came time…
I'm going to share with you some important concepts I walk my clients through before they start in on a project. In fact, just the other day, I had this…
Barry, our caretaker, stopped by one day last summer. He’s a really lovely dude who cuts our grass and looks after the place whenever we’re gone. Anyway, Barry was giving…
Years ago, Walt and I attended a Brendan Bruchard conference. It didn’t take us long to recognize that we could create a business out of just about anything we pulled…
When I was young, I fancied myself a global citizen. A Margaret Mead type, who gravitated towards exotic cultures. Impressed with my “intimate” knowledge of obscure peoples, of my ability…
You may be really excited about the prospect of writing a book for your business, but let's take some time to strategize before you go sinking all that time and…
As a content developer; I’ve got my nose in a dozen projects at any given time, not just my own. I can’t afford to be precious. I’ve had to come…
Some time back, Walt and I conducted a mastermind call around yearly planning. One of our members raised her hand and talked about her resistance to setting any kind of…
There we were, trapped in deepest, darkest Papua New Guinea. For nearly two weeks, Walt and I waited for a helicopter ride to base camp with our team members. Each…
It’s helpful to know that obstacles are part of the writing process, but how are you supposed to deal with them when they raise their ugly heads? What can you…
One Saturday several years ago, Walt and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the…
There are benefits to owning a rabid Rottweiler. There’s a reason a recovering people pleaser like me chooses a mate who couldn’t give a tinker's damn about displeasing others, who…
A young Frenchman wants to switch places with me so he can sit next to one of the five cohorts who accompanied him on our transatlantic flight. He’s asked me…
“I’d like two six-minute hard-boiled eggs,” I said, enunciating each word carefully. The young man who had assisted me with the very same order the day before nodded, then darted…
Right now, a lot of my clients and colleagues are confused about the current business environment. Times are hard, what with the quarantine situation, what with lots of people losing…
I got to thinking about this bike rack I refused to buy because it looked like way too much bother. Anything that requires me to read a user's manual, well,…
Lately, I’ve had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that’s so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
While I was in the States a few years back, I had dinner with my buddy Tim Vandehey, another ghostwriter who lives in Kansas City. Tim knows the publishing industry…
Not long ago, I overheard a group of young women discussing Gal Gadot of Wonder Woman fame. One of the women read aloud from an article on her I-phone, a…
Writing a book involves the creation of one small chunk of material at a time, because to contemplate the project in its entirety is a set up for insanity and…
This is a guest post from time-management expert, Walt Hampton. Who also happens to be my husband, which is a problem because he's highly judgmental of how I spend my…
1. I love Jack Russell Terriers. I mean; I love them so bad that it’s almost creepy. Walt points them out to me whenever he spots one in a car…
I caught sight of myself on video last week during a group coaching session. There were about 10 other entrepreneurs on the call as well, their faces appearing whenever they…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful yearly tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to…
Years ago, having read Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, Walt and I sat in Ireland and composed our list of goals. We were on our honeymoon and, well, this is just the sort…
When I lived in Iran, the Evil Eye was a force to be reckoned with. To deflect the covetous attention of others, Esfand seeds were burned on a special metal grate after guests left…
When I was a kid, we’d sit as a family at the dining room table for Thanksgiving and my heart would sink at the sight of the kitchen I’d be…
Imagonna throw out a list of questions beginning writers ask all the time, particularly if they’re writing a book that involves stories about their own life. See if you have…
The problem with us co-dependent types--and I'm speaking from experience--is that we need to hook into someone or something else because we're not sure who we are. We lack an…
Any time you switch up your routine or form new habits–which is pretty much what you’ve got to do if you want to have something you don’t have now–you’ve got…
Walt and I were talking about the performance artist, Marina Abramovic, this morning. I don't know if you've ever caught sight of this video clip of her sitting across the…
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides…
I've got this message hanging over my desk. I’m not sure who wrote it. I keep it there because there are days that I really need the reminder. The more…
Years ago, I ran into a surgical nurse at a party in Ireland. We were chatting about life, as one is prone to do at gatherings. And when I told…
A long time ago, when I was selling photo copiers for a living, I met an older woman who gave me a piece of advice I'll never forget. “Darling,” she…
Humans crave story, with faces they can attach to, and sensory details. According to scientific studies, our brains light up like the fourth of July when we read about smells,…
Walt and I were chatting over dinner at a fancy restaurant in VT. This was shortly after he’d published his first book, Journeys on the Edge: Living a Life That…
If you’ve ever read a book on the craft of writing, or taken a writing class or workshop, you’ve likely heard the expression, "Show, don’t tell." Well, what, precisely, does…
That's the question all of us writers ask, not just my clients. And there's a short and sweet answer--when you've done everything you can do, everything you can think of…
After one too many conversations about the fear of being labeled a narcissist if one dares to write and publish a book, I thought I'd wheel this post back out.…
Ask me, there’s a reason God invented currency: place a dollar amount on the table and both parties in a transaction can understand and agree upon the value of the…
How did your view on marriage get so skewed, a friend I’d known since college asked me one day. Over the course of her marriage, she’d gained twenty pounds. She’d…
Often, it’s your story that someone really hears, that someone actually connects with for the very first time. Sometimes the scales fall from your reader's eyes immediately, sometimes a tidbit…
On Saturday, I caught sight of a book about cooking with food scraps at my friends’ vegan café in town. Surrounded by The China Study, How Not To Die, and…
Several years back, I had the huge privilege of being interviewed by Denise Brown for a column she writes in the North Star Monthly, a northern New Hampshire publication. I…
Over the weekend, I attended a copywriting workshop in Florence, Italy. If you don’t know Laura Belgray, the woman who conducted the workshop, you really should. Her emails and sales…
Walt and I were climbing in the Rockies when we decided to stop and shoot this video. We'd just spent a few hours battling despair because we'd come across yet…
My friend, L, is the most “normal” woman I've ever met. She doesn’t cart around emotional baggage, not even a change purse-full. Her decisions have always seemed so… sensible. I’m…
Once upon a time (actually, in 2014), Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave the University of Texas Austin commencement address. It was a twenty-minute speech that outlined ten principles he’d…
Years ago, I had the privilege of working with the author Anne Batterson at East Hill Writers' Workshop. She and I were part of a trio of writers (no one's…
A blast from the past. Someone I was talking to this past week reminded me of this story, so I thought I'd bring it back. We have a dog named…
I'm guilty of binary thinking: you can either have this or that, but you can't have both. Except when it comes to writing a book for your business. Do the…
For a lot of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful yearly tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to…
Everybody fears that they're not enough. Everybody. My father used to say that intimacy breeds contempt. This was his favorite motto, something he repeated every day So, I grew up…
While I sat on a patio overlooking Phoenix surrounded by a swarm of buzzing people, I spotted a fellow introvert. In case you didn't know, we're the folks lining the…
I think about my arch nemesis--efficiency--a lot when I'm on a mountain. Day in and day out, carrying one load up to a higher camp, going back down for another.…
I got to thinking about this bike rack I refused to buy because it looked like way too much bother. Anything that requires me to read a user's manual, well,…
Last we met, I was telling you about the client manuscripts I was reading, all of which deal with anxiety. I thought these three different authors and their three different…
If you remember, I had my nose in a number of client manuscripts, all of which deal with anxiety. I thought these three different authors and their three different approaches…
I've had my nose in a number of client manuscripts lately, all of which deal with anxiety. One is the work of a doctor who specializes in the treatment of…
Here’s a question I got in response to a short survey I issued in preparation for my free masterclass. (You want to know what your audience wants? Ask them.) Now,…
I'm smack dab in the middle of a big Masterclass promotion. ( I probably don't have to tell you this because, at this writing, you've no doubt received 250 emails…
Walt and I flew to the highlands of Scotland for a long weekend. (Not a big deal if you live in Ireland, by the way, so don’t be too impressed.)…
My mother loved to paint. I’m not talking art, I’m talking rooms. She’d head on over to the local Benjamin Moore store and buy three gallons of whatever shade of…
Not long ago, I overheard a group of young women discussing Gal Gadot of Wonder Woman fame. One of the women read aloud from an article on her I-phone, a…
I bring this post back every few years, usually after a worry-filled conversation I've had with a friend or client. Sometimes one of these nice people need the reminder that worry is an utter waste of time, sometimes it's me. I…
I received this beautiful note a while back in response to one of my newsletters. I'd like to share it and my response with you. It's relevant to you writers…
Here's the the thing about elite warriors like Jeff Orr, one of my most favoritest clients: They know how to handle stress, manage lots of vital data coming at them…
A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for "manufacturing fear". The world provides enough danger already,…
I had a number of conversations this past week about fear. Write about people you know and love, and, no matter how stalwart you are, fear is bound to come…
Walt and I have been looking into climbing Mt. Everest. Don’t ask me why, it’s just a thing. Studying the itinerary of the guiding company Walt favors, I found myself…
Because it's like this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj3yAVhilBE
As a content developer; I’ve got my nose in a dozen projects at any given time, not just my own. I can’t afford to be precious. I’ve had to come…
Walt and I were conducting a mastermind call this past week around yearly planning. One of our members raised her hand and talked about her resistance to setting any kind…
The trail was 45-minutes long. One of those long, windy black diamond numbers over steep moguls, through unconsolidated snow. My bindings were acting up. One turn, two, and my ski…
This is a guest post from my friend, Patrick Combs. Patrick Combs. He was one of those chance encounters that changed the course of our lives. Walt had crossed paths…
When I was a kid, we’d sit as a family at the dining room table for Thanksgiving and my heart would sink at the sight of the kitchen I’d be…
Here’s the question I get all the time, the minute I identify myself as a book coach. (Not that there aren't, like, 1,634 definitions of that job title alone. Me,…
Writing a client-attracting book? Well, you're going to want to consider the big promise you're making to your reader, the first indication of which is your title. Eben Pagan and…
Lately, I've been having the same conversation with my coaching clients, which makes me think I should share this lesson with you nice people, too. (If you're not a writer,…
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about our choice to move to Ireland. Here’s an example: I am researching where to live and what we can afford for…
It was Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River who admonished us fledgling writers to knock off all the research when working on our books. He'd just gotten a huge movie…
This is precisely what will happen to you once you have a polished book out in the world. I'm telling you, it'll blow your mind. I received an email from…
Lately, I've had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that's so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
It's been one of those weeks. And by one of those weeks, I mean, the kind of week that makes you want to dance like a fool, throw back a…
I get to work with some pretty amazing people, not just on their books, but also on their speeches and blogs. What I find is that no matter what pond…
Let’s just say I had an awful lot of time on my hands while on vacation. That’s what happens when you deliberately leave your computer at home; AND you’ve got…
There we were, trapped in deepest, darkest Papua New Guinea. For nearly two weeks, Walt and I waited for a helicopter ride to base camp with our team members. Each…
Several months ago, I was presented with the opportunity to doctor a book manuscript. Michelle Cully, the author, is this high-powered chick who owns a courier company in the metro-Boston…
Not long ago I ran a post in which I listed the wonderful things my husband does for me, and what I had needed to change in my life to…
You may be really excited about the prospect of writing a book for your business, but let's take some time to strategize before you go sinking all that time and…
Resistance. Getting yourself to do the shit you claim you want to do. We all struggle with it. Which is why I asked Kyrsten Barrett if I could share this…
I found this question amongst the various birthday greetings on my Facebook page. ( I adore how you get to feel like a superstar on your birthday.) Totally throwing it…
I got this note from one of my clients this week: I was reading some reviews on Amazon associated with books on my topic and I would have to look…
Note: Much of this has been taken from a Writer Unboxed post written by Lisa Cron. Though the article is addressed to novelists, the information she shares is relevant to…
Bet that got your attention. And why wouldn't it? We all want what we want now, now, now, sans effort. We're a culture of instant gratification. The media plays off…
I’ve been thinking about what I might add to this piece that I share with you below. I think it speaks so powerfully for itself that I hesitate to insert…
I broke my ankle a number of years ago. I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home, which is precisely what happens when I…
The crazy Border Collies laying in wait to chase our car just beyond the barn. The farmer on the hill who tells us jokes we can barely understand, what with…
So, here’s the thing. Most of us become coaches, speakers, or service professionals if you will, because we’ve had to solve a particular problem for ourselves. Through trial and error,…
Whenever I tell someone I used to live in Iran, he or she asks me a few standard questions, the most common one being, "Did you have to wear a…
As incredibly scary as it looks I climb high mountains. I’d like to offer you three lessons I’ve learned in the mountains; climbing lessons if you will. I’ve discovered over…
On Saturday, Walt and I hiked the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the Colorado River, then headed back…
Before I take on a new project with someone who wants to write a client-attracting book, I ask him or her a series of clarifying questions. Often, I’ll ask the…
There are benefits to owning a rabid Rottweiler. There’s a reason a recovering people pleaser like me chooses a mate who couldn’t give two fucks about displeasing others, who fears…
My girlfriend is planning her first trip to Ireland. She’s bringing her teenaged kids along with her. She’s purchased the plane tickets, reserved the rental car, now it’s dawning on…
This is New York City, in case you're wondering I've got two points I'd like to make. Think of this as the CliffsNotes version of this post. 1. Read The…
Turtle Bunbury was fixated on 1847. In fact, he wrote over 40 stories about people and events that made the news in that fascinating year. But when it came time…
I caught sight of myself on video last week during a group coaching session. There were about 10 other entrepreneurs on the call as well, their faces appearing whenever they…
Walt was invited to speak at a Toastmasters meeting last week. I was up to my eyeballs in manuscripts, so I wasn't interested in going along, particularly when it was…
Bear with me for a moment. I'm going to begin with a sidebar simply because I must. As I was browsing for pictures of beavers on Google, something you probably…
If you’d like to outline your message and be seen as an expert in your field, you’d be silly to write a novel. If you’re not keen to write a…
David Treece, who wrote the following piece, is a financial advisor down in Miami, the kind that has a fiduciary responsibility to clients, who doesn't get paid on commission, which…
There's nothing that excites me more than seeing a client project come to fruition. It takes a major investment of time and focus to write a good book, the sort…
I was 26 the first time I realized that what people thought about me had more to do with them, then with who I was/am as a person. Such an…
I received a great question the other day that I’d like to address here: Should someone blog without professional edits to begin engagement about a potential book? (They’re concerned about…
Like a junkie with a 14-gauge needle, my mother used books to blot out reality. Curled up in her chair, immersed in a novel, she ceased to be aware of…
I need to write about this book, and I need to write about it now. For a couple of reasons. First, if I don’t get to it PDQ, Walt is…
All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.--Blaise Pascal I was sitting in a mindfulness breakout session in Dublin last week when the…
It's December, which means the holidays are upon us. It's time to head to the mall to buy a million perfect gifts. I've got to confess that this whole gift…
Have you written a complete draft of a book, one with tons of bugs still in it? Are you wondering what comes next; what you’re supposed to do, specifically, during…
I was driving along the highway in Connecticut when I fell behind a mini Cooper with one of those vanity plates that made me want to hit the brakes. It…
A few weeks back I sat at a conference in Dallas and listened to a young man speak on stage. He was raising money for a charity. I was blown…
Look, writing a book requires a big investment from you, not just in money, but also in time and focus. If you're flirting with the idea of writing a book…
I’m sitting in Dallas as I type this. I’m at a conference for online marketers. I’ve got to say, I love conferences like this, even though I’m an introvert, even…
I was twelve when I recognized my power to attract grown men. That's when Mr. M, a science teacher in my junior high school, smelled the vulnerability on me, and…
I’m going to break out my Book Yourself Solid coaching hat and introduce you to some associated philosophy: There are people we are meant to serve, and others not so…
Thought I'd dust this post off and bring it back. I needed the reminder, perhaps you do, too. One 15-minute conversation with my mother, and I know how I got…
Do you think people are chosen for awards and recognition because they shine so brightly the world can’t possibly ignore them? That they get plucked, in all of their magnificence,…
I was listening to a Ted Talk some time back with Sheryl Sandberg. (see below) In it she discussed three things she believes hold women back in the work world.…
Every once in a while, Walt gets it in his head that we need to climb another mountain. So, last week, that’s exactly what we did. Off to the Alps…
Ever since I read Ego is the Enemy, I've been a huge fan of Ryan Holiday. He's this it boy who made it big early on, only to land on…
When I was young, I had no idea what I thought, felt, or wanted. Pressed for my opinion, I’d make an evasive or sarcastic comment instead of deciding what it…
At last, your book manuscript is done. Or so you think. And hope. Please, God, let it be so, you whisper to no one in particular. Unfortunately, you’ve been looking…
I'm often aghast at some of the thumbnail images that come up in Youtube. I know you can change these things, but I like to think it takes real strength…
On Friday, we sold our home in Connecticut. At least I’m hoping that’s how things pan out. As I write, I’m on a Norwegian Air flight somewhere over the Atlantic…
What if uncertainty and tension and confrontation were good things? How might your life improve if you used them as tools? If you stopped running away from them and recognized…
If you're writing a client-attracting book, you're going to want to consider the big promise you're making to your reader, the first indication of which is your title. According to…
In 2014, Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave the University of Texas Austin commencement address. It was a twenty-minute speech that outlined ten principles he’d learned during Naval SEAL training.…
I had lunch sometime back with an old friend I hadn't seen in years. Both oddballs in high school, we'd dreamed of baking bread together when we graduated, raising sheep, and…
Walt and I were tooling around in New Hampshire this weekend when we came upon a group of millennials expounding upon this three-year-old Cadillac commercial. Basically, they were disgusted by…
Here's a note I sent to several of my book writing clients, past and present. I'm putting together a unique reading list: book recommendations from folks who know what a…
My new BFF. Love the thought process behind this man's book designs. How he sees the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nI65jgHG9o
Writing a book involves the creation of one small chunk of material at a time, because to contemplate the project in its entirety is a set up for insanity and…
I don't care what my mother said. You CAN tell a book by its cover, particularly if it's been designed well. I tripped over this video this morning. Not only…
Like a junkie with a 14-gauge needle, my mother used books to blot out reality. Curled up in her chair, immersed in a novel, she ceased to be aware of…
As my clients finish up their manuscripts, we often have a conversation about what comes next. "Do I self-publish?" they ask. "Do I enter into a contract with a partnership…
A blast from the past. Being an introvert, I need a lot of time to myself. I spend most mornings happily surrounded by a pack of dogs and the quiet.…
I think about my arch nemesis--efficiency--a lot when I'm on a mountain. Day in and day out, carrying one load up to a higher camp, going back down for another.…
I’m learning to drive all over again in Ireland. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, I know, but it feels death defying. Most of the time, I pretty much…
I'm in France right now as I write. Nearly 12 years to the day I took the bike trip described herein. I thought I'd share this with you again, mostly…
I've said this before--so often in fact that I cringe when I hear these words come out of my yap yet again-- but I love my job. I learn so…
When I was conducting writing workshops at East Hill, each year I would share this craft lesson with the students working on not just novels, but memoirs and short stories.…
“I’d like two six-minute hard-boiled eggs,” I said, enunciating each word carefully. The young man who had assisted me with the very same order the day before nodded, then darted…
I was browsing LinkedIn this morning when I came across a Steve Chandler quote. (If you don't know Steve, you really should.) It went something like this: Discipline has nothing…
Lately, I've had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that's so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
ADVICE TO WRITERS by Billy Collins from Sailing Alone Around the Room (Random House) Even if it keeps you up all night, wash down the walls and scrub the floor of…
A post I wrote 7 years ago. When I was eleven, my mother signed me up for a weight loss class. Having battled the bulge for years on end, she…
This is a guest post by Walt Hampton. A beautiful example of how one book can alter the course of a life. It had been a warm summer day in…
I’m a huge fan of re-purposing. The question I always ask, lazy git that I am? How can I turn something I’ve spent eons creating into ten other things with…
It was Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River who admonished us fledgling writers to knock off all the research when working on our books. He'd just gotten a huge movie…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to Janice Dean, who teaches folks how to…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to Josh Patrick, who helps successful businesses become…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to Christine Khetarpal, who helps women contemplating divorce make…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to A.J. Wasserstein. This is an excerpt from…
I'm really proud of the work my clients do. It takes grit to muscle through the shitty first draft, the revisions, and the doubt. These people, they don't quit. As…
I often get questions from folks participating in my Build A Book Bootcamp, a take-it-at-your-own-pace online course I developed quite some time ago. I thought I'd share this question, couched…
I don't know. I'm bringing this back out of mothballs simply because I need the reminder. BTW, for those who have expressed disgust because I choose to write about my…
This is a post from way back when. I read it a couple of times to see if I still felt the same way. I hesitated to re-post this in…
A long time ago, before I had children, my husband took a second wife. We were living in Washington, D.C., not the Islamic Republic of Iran, and I had nothing…
I’m going to say something that scares the crap out of me. Something that could draw the evil eye and smote me like Lot's wife, the chick who turned to…
With the popularity of podcasts and YouTube channels, many tech-savvy entrepreneurs have created a series of interviews to promote their business. Now, if you want a book to further establish…
Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future day in, day out, not just for the week, or the…
Do you give up at the first sign of trouble? Are you thrown by even the tiniest bump in the road? So, I was ice climbing in New Hampshire a…
Wrong, on so very many levels. https://youtu.be/varlFj0W6UA
If, after writing your no-doubt best-selling book, you want to go the traditional publishing route, you’ll need to hire an agent to represent you. Manuscripts sent directly to a publisher…
I'm loving this book right now. (Just between you and me, if I were editing the thing, I'd start off with a much more powerful story--the guy, Chris Voss, has…
When did we decide that everyone else should come first? Who proclaimed it our job to guarantee the pleasure of others and settle for whatever crumbs fell off their plates?…
If you’d like to avoid the embarrassment and shame associated with publishing ca-ca, I can’t recommend the editing process highly enough. Editing professionals get paid to study your manuscript, point…
I received this question, one that both Walt and I get more and more frequently, so I thought I’d put my answer to it out here again. I'm so intrigued…
For lots of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much content. But…
I have problems with eye contact. I don't want to show people my soul, what I'm really thinking, how I really feel. I suppose this is a habit from childhood.…
If you’d like to outline your message and be seen as an expert in your field, you’d be silly to write a novel. If you’re not keen to write a…
This is guest post by Tara Whitney. I'm really honored to have her as a writing client. I think this piece is beautiful, and vulnerable, and allows you, her reader,…
If you’ve ever read a book on the craft of writing, or taken a writing class or workshop, you’ve likely heard the expression, "Show, don’t tell." Well, what, precisely, does…
So, Walt and I caught a flight to Boston on Friday from Cork, Ireland. We were on a quick mission: to witness one of our sons get married. The wedding…
Picking up the pieces after financial and emotional bankruptcy, Ann Peck, host of Straight Talk for a Curvy World, revisits the secrets that shaped her self-concept and self-doubt. Sex, failed…
Have you written a complete draft of a book, one with tons of bugs still in it? Are you wondering what comes next; what you’re supposed to do, specifically, during…
For years I was part of a writers' group that met each Tuesday evening in the author Anne Batterson's living room. Two or three of the members (we were never…
Say what you will about social media, it's a wonderful way to crowd source ideas. I've gotten some of the best book recommendations, tips, and advice after someone has posed…
For some strange reason, whenever I conduct a beginners’ writing workshop, one of my students invariably raises her hand and gushes on about her desire to write novels just like…
When I was younger, I used to look to others, mostly men, to rescue me. I was convinced that, if left to my own devices, I would make some horrible…
Sniff. I'm so proud. One of my gorgeous writing clients, who is working on the final edits of her SOON-TO-BE-PUBLISHED book, is now a contributor to the Huffington Post. Look,…
I can't tell you how proud I am of Alexandra Desbrow, the author of this piece. This is a chapter from her book in progress. It's so terrific, I just…
OMG, OMG, OMG, I so love this book. I mean, I love it so much, I tried to make the image really, really big so you wouldn't forget what it…
I received an email from one of my writing clients the other day. She's one of the people I most adore because her mind is so expansive, so fascinating, so…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMVphtvKCZY&feature=youtu.be
Here's the thing. The more you put yourself out there--on the stage or on the page--the more criticism you will draw. It's just the way the world works. As Dale…
So, Walt and I were out and about last night when we passed by Brown Thomas, an upscale shop, Ireland's answer to Bergdoff Goodman. In the window were some of…
Sometime back, I listened to a Brene Brown interview in which she described herself as a child. An introverted 13-year-old, she saw Grease 25 times, a movie I paid to…
I want to share with you a beauty secret I recently discovered. The single element that will make heads turn, regardless of your weight, age, or ability to pull together…
It’s helpful to know that obstacles are part of the writing process, but how are you supposed to deal with them when they raise their ugly heads? What can you…
Humans crave story, with faces they can attach to, and sensory details. According to scientific studies, our brains light up like the fourth of July when we read about smells,…
I’m going to break out my Book Yourself Solid coaching hat and introduce you to some associated philosophy: There are people we are meant to serve, and others not so…
Are you a thought leader or an expert? Have you decided to write a book to showcase your unique process for fixing a specific problem? Do you want to inspire…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBDpG-7knbw
I've had the same conversation with a number of my coaching clients this week, so I think it's high time I share this lesson with you nice people. (If you're…
My friend Janet, who’s a librarian in Connecticut, told me I had to read this book. She said that it reminded her of me, of the kind of stuff I…
I was digging through my East Hill Writing Workshop materials the other day when I chanced up this little lesson on dialogue. I'm pretty sure that one of my partners…
I was driving along the highway in Connecticut when I fell behind a mini Cooper with one of those vanity plates that made me want to hit the brakes. It…
I just discovered THE BEST Post on why we're hard-wired to be sniveling approval whores, thanks to my girlfriend, Janet. It's written by a fellow named Tim Urban and hosted…
I've been spending a lot of time with my nose in this book. It's something that Walt bought and left on the shelf. ( I know! Nothing better than having…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhMlFyjzFm4 Go to any cocktail party and you’ll overhear someone yammering on about their desire to write a book. From all appearances, writing a book is on more bucket lists…
I bet you thought this post was going to be about Hamlet, or my existential malaise, but it's not. It's a tiny little writing lesson about the use of the…
Self-publishing, also known as indie (short for independent) publishing, is currently the most common way for new authors to bring their books to market. Because this is the “easiest” method…
When I was in grad school, I took an essay writing course. We were assigned an anthology called The Best American Essays, which still sits, all marked up with black…
How much of your life do you consider blind luck, and how much do you attribute to the choices that you’ve made? Muslims are by their very nature fatalists. They…
Pull myself out of the U.S, drop myself in a totally different environment, and I've created for myself a clean slate. A chance to slip into a different routine, and…
I just got back from Los Angeles, LA for those of you in the know. I was attending AWP, a monster of a conference for writers, teachers, editors, and publishers.…
After months and months of working on a book, it’s easy to go blind to what you’ve got in hand. Especially if you've been going it alone without the guidance…
I'm just back from a big writer's conference in LA, where I spoke on a panel. Let me tell you, there's nothing more fun than hanging around 5,000 other people…
A writing prompt is a sentence designed to open the creative floodgates. Sometimes an image, or a picture, can serve to get the juices flowing, too. Get something down on…
Have I mentioned how much I love my job? Seriously, there are days where I feel like I should be paying my clients, not the other way around. So, I'm…
I’m going to walk you through my story writing process, and model it for you. I’ll explain how I come up with an idea for a story, then how I…
The last time I came back to the States for vacation while living in Iran, I got together with some old friends and regaled them with my latest in-law stories.…
The first time his owner spotted him, a gang of young kids was tossing him back and forth like a football. She’d shouted at them to stop abusing the puppy,…
Walt and I have been spent the last week lying around poolside. (BTW, I have to look up laying vs lying every goddamn time. Here's a link that explains the…
Once upon a time, Walt and I were out for a morning run. It so happens that our running route takes us past a river. Because it was springtime, we…
I love my job. I'm sure I've mentioned this fact before. I love the opportunity to get to know people deeply, to know how they think, what they believe, the…
Listen, I dole out constructive criticism all the live long day. It's part of my job as a content developer. I'm SUPPOSED to read what's on the page and point…
Here’s a fear-based obstacle I want to take a whip and a chair to. It’s a nasty critter. In fact, this might be the biggest challenge you’ll face when writing…
I want to tell you a little story about my daughter, Iman, and her One Draft Mentality in order to anchor in a point. I’m going to paint a scene,…
When I first began writing and presenting my short stories about Iran, people in my workshop class looked nervous. No doubt remembering the fatwa placed on Salmon Rushdie's head for…
Here's the thing. If you're a coach or a speaker looking to write a book, your readers (a.k.a. potential clients) want to know that you’ve overcome the same challenges that…
Walt and I are finally cleaning out the basements (yes, that's a plural); and the over-stuffed three-car garage; and the attics (again, the plural); and all of the closets; and…
Do you need to be motivated to take action? Nope. In fact, there are lots of times you’ll absolutely NOT feel like taking action when you promised yourself you would…
I broke my ankle a year or so ago, so I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home. I don’t tend to watch TV…
I came across the perfect statement this morning in an old journal: Stop trying to control everybody and everything. I've spent my life trying to control my surroundings and the…
I get a lot of business through referrals. My current clients are my biggest source of referrals because they know precisely what I do for them, and they recognize immediately…
During the early 90s, the Iranians would broadcast an English-language news program each weekday at 7 p.m. It was anchored by a hijab-wearing, dour American living in Tehran. Israel, which…
I was doom scrolling on Instagram when I came across a Ryan Holiday post about his 2022 book, Discipline Is Destiny. In it he writes, “To procrastinate is to be…
Here's a strategic six-week pre-writing roadmap that aligns with your goals for business growth and impact: Week 1: Vision Clarity & Market Research - Define your unique "book fingerprint" (what…
One Saturday several years ago, Walt and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the…
When I first started writing, and we’re talking twenty plus years ago, I wasn’t the least bit interested in establishing myself as any kind of expert or to attract ideal…
Years ago, Walt and I hosted a three-day event in Ireland. We got a bunch of folks interested in building a solid coaching practice to cross the pond and listen…
Maybe you’ve heard it said that most readers never get beyond the first twelve pages of a book, particularly if it’s non-fiction. This supposed tendency is what drives the billion-dollar…
It's math. Simple math. Everybody knows that the more effort you put into something, the better the results you should see. Up to a point, this assumption holds true. Yet,…
Maybe I’ve told this story before, maybe not. During grad school, I wrote a series of personal essays and short stories about my experience living in Iran and the…
Given my job, I pay attention to trends in the book industry. Currently, there’s a lot of talk about book banning and Trad wives, not to mention a bunch of…
I broke my ankle a number of years ago. I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home, which is precisely what happens when I…
We once had a dog named Edgar whose whole raison d’ etre was to kick cat ass. Unfortunately, we also had two cats: Peanut Butter and Mozart. Peanut Butter was a cat-hater’s…
I write about the Imposter Syndrome all the time because it’s the single biggest issue many of my clients have. It’s what keeps them from starting their book, finishing it,…
If you want to write a book but hesitate because you don't consider yourself a gifted writer, you may be suffering under The Curse Of The Natural. You assume that…
It sounds so easy, right? Take the transcripts from your course–you know, the ones that accompany your video tutorials– organize them into chapters, throw in a few extra case studies,…
In 2016, Steven Pressfield published his book Nobody one Wants to Read Your Sh*t. It scared a lot of would-be authors who want to contribute to the world, not burden…
Given my profession, I'm often asked about my favorite books on writing. Before I answer, I tend to want to know WHY someone wants this information, mostly because I've noticed…
Our job as writers, particularly prescriptive nonfiction writers, is to take our readers on a journey. A very specific, personal journey that takes us from Pain Island to Pleasure Island,…
Remember when I said that your book title has two jobs and two jobs only: 1. To sell your book 2. To help your book get discovered through search engines…
Our titling saga continues... The title is what readers remember well enough to repeat to friends and search for on Amazon; the subtitle, less so. The most memorable titles are…
Yah, I bet that subject line grabbed your attention, made you want to learn more. And yet...you want to be careful of attention ploys when it comes to book titles.…
You've probably read plenty of prescriptive nonfiction books, particularly if you're writing one or just finishing it up. Look at your bookshelves, or head to Amazon and browse around. Pay…
If the title is powerful enough, it doesn’t matter what’s in the book. Maybe you’ve heard this said. Everything Men Know About Women proves this theory because that book has…
Years ago, and I mean yearssssss ago, Walt and I attended a Brendan Bruchard conference. That’s where we recognized that we could create a business out of just about anything…
As much as we'd like them to, our readers don't tend to remember strings of concepts, statistics, or cold, hard facts. Especially page after page of them. The best way…
I run into writers who do not understand the publishing world AT ALL. Take the nice person who commented on this video. If it's taking you two years to get…
Have you written a complete draft of a book, one with tons of bugs still in it? Are you wondering what comes next; what you’re supposed to do, specifically, during…
In this Instagram video, the authors Ryan Holiday and Robert Greene discuss the true sense of fulfillment that comes from sinking your focus into a long-term book project instead of…
I love the excitement surrounding the release of a book. After months, if not years, all the associated work miraculously comes to life. Well, not miraculously, given the blood, sweat,…
There’s something wonderful about writing a non-fiction book—how-to, self-help, or motivational, just to name a few of the business-building genres. You get to use all sorts of formatting tricks a…
I talk to writers about their desire to get a traditional publishing house deal at least once a week. I'm sure I've mentioned this numerous times before. It'll take me…
It is said--by whom, I haven't bothered to track down--that we humans learn from shared stories of success, and from stories of failure. Me? I'm pretty obsessed with stories of…
How do you stand out in a crowded market? Good question. Especially when you are writing an expert-positioning book on a popular subject. If you plug in the keyword “leadership”…
You’ve been talking about writing a book for years, a book that will attract right-fit clients, grow your business, impact lives, establish authority in your field. But you’re afraid to…
Once upon a time--OK, about a month ago--an expert wanted to write a book to buttress her credibility, attract right-fit clients, and help those who couldn’t afford her consulting fee.…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Here’s another way to turn your readers into clients and/or fans: Have a solid structure with a clear transformation path…
Here’s why I think people end up writing Business Card books, you know, the 100-page (or less) skim across a topic that you can hand to potential clients, usually accompanied…
You’ve probably talked for years about writing your book, the one that will inspire people to take massive action AND build your business. The one that will save readers time…
Every new year, I find myself crazy excited about the possibilities. This is the year that I'll climb some big mountain, or create an even bigger and better offer to…
Several years back, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Denise Brown for a column she writes in the North Star Monthly, a New Hampshire publication. I thought I might…
A Business card book is often written by a business owner who wishes to demonstrate their expertise in 100 pages or less. The design is to establish authority and demonstrate…
Oh, this is an excellent excuse for not writing a book for your business in that, sometimes, it's true. Quite possibly, it's not the right time for you given the…
I wanted to share with you a 10-minute Masterclass I ran sometime back for those who registered for one of my book-writing webinars. I got tons of comments about just…
Oh, I'd say I hear this excuse for not writing a book once a day. Mostly from people who actually WANT to have a book to their name at this…
It sounds so easy, right? Take the transcripts from your course--you know, the ones that accompany your video tutorials-- organize them into chapters, throw in a few extra case studies,…
Some time back, Walt and I conducted a mastermind call around yearly planning. One of our members raised her hand and talked about her resistance to setting any kind of…
Like a lot of my clients, my friend has way too many books he'd like to write. In fact, for the last ten years, the sheer volume of choices have…
If you have a bunch of interests, but don't consider yourself a master at any one... If you're afraid to choose one of these interests as a topic for an…
A lot of manuscripts slide across my desk each week, which shouldn't surprise anyone seeing as I run a publishing house. After all these years in the business, I can…
I hate this quote only because I know it's true: The things you want most in life are located just outside of your comfort zone. (I'm paraphrasing, so please don't…
I took an essay writing course in grad school back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and discovered that it’s much harder to wrap up a piece than it is to…
The introduction to your non-fiction book is your chance to make a good impression on potential readers and convince them to keep reading. We’re all busy people, so we need…
Many of us become coaches, speakers, or service professionals, if you will, because we’ve had to solve a particular problem for ourselves. Through trial and error, we figured out the…
This is a guest post by my friend Lucinda Halpern, head of Lucinda Literary. Lucinda is a literary agent. That means she gets writers book deals with traditional publishing houses.…
I have a problem. This problem has gotten big enough that I’ve decided I need a solution. Oh, sure, I’ve been aware of this issue for a good long while,…
August 15, 2023. That's the official publication date of Calm the Chaos by parenting expert Dayna Abraham. Now, that might not mean much, particularly if you're not the target audience for this…
Each Friday, Simon and Schuster sends out a promo email advertising temporarily discounted books. You can snag great Kindle reads for a couple of dollars. If you’re not on their…
I view stories, particularly the personal kind, with three sets of eyes. First, the eyes of a human who is deeply moved by the capacity of the human soul to…
Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to write a book? Seriously, do you even know? What's your purpose for doing so? • To create a beautiful…
I hate asking for help. I really do. And many of my clients have felt that way too. Until they recognized that writing a book on their own was harder…
A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for "manufacturing fear". The world provides enough danger already,…
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides…
When I was in grad school, I took an essay writing course. We were assigned an anthology called The Best American Essays, which still sits, all marked up with black…
Many of my clients want to include personal stories in their book, often because they've had to overcome certain challenges shared by their clients. Their story, their journey, is relevant…
Three years ago, I had a conversation with Dr. Edith Shiro. She wanted to write a book about post traumatic growth and she needed the book out, like, yesterday. The…
Over the weekend, as I was perusing the New York Times, I came across an article about some actress I've never heard of who was willing to share six random…
I've been thinking a lot about the word legacy lately. The idea of leaving something of ourselves behind to future generations. Sure, you may have kids, but that's not what…
In 2018, Vicki Suiter published The Profit Bleed: How Managing Margin Can Save Your Contracting Business. Since then, she's consistently earned hundreds of dollars each quarter with her book, not…
Catherine Rolt, author of The Pain Paradox, has a huge mission, which was the driving force behind writing her book. She believes that pain is our friend and is trying…
I don't know about you but I think I'm pretty strategic. Like, I've got a clear-ish vision of where I want to go, a fairly good idea of what I…
🌟What happens when the agent with whom you have a relationship turns down your first proposal AND tells you your credibility is in question? If you're Dayna Abraham, you keep…
My friend and I were seated together at a conference. I could practically feel the sparks coming off her, so consumed was she by the desire to be plucked from…
I sell book-writing and publishing services. That means I have to market said services: highlight the potential benefits of sinking time, energy, and money into a book project as well…
I think author Jon Corteen and his two books, The Profit Culture Formula and The Catfish Interview, offer a terrific lesson to those looking to write a book, particularly if…
I'm at a stage in life and in business that requires me to kill some old habits. Oh, being frugal and learning to do it all on my own has…
“Jealousy,” according to writer Anne Lamott, “ is such a direct attack on whatever measure of confidence you’ve been able to muster. But if you continue to write, you are…
Prince's Harry's memoir sold 1.43M copies on release day. That M stands for million, in case you're unfamiliar. Which is next to unheard of. Even before the shiny-covered tell-all hit…
For lots of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much content. But…
That's the question all of us writers ask, not just my clients. In fact, I brought this post back because I've fielded this question twice this week, and it's only…
My mother loved to paint. I’m not talking art, I’m talking rooms. She’d head on over to the local Benjamin Moore store and buy three gallons of whatever shade of…
Barry, our caretaker, stopped by one day last summer. He’s a really lovely dude who cuts our grass and looks after our place in Ireland whenever we’re gone. Anyway, Barry…
I think about my arch nemesis--efficiency--a lot when I'm on a mountain. Day in and day out, carrying one load up to a higher camp, going back down for another.…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful yearly tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to…
In my line of work, I talk to a lot of fascinating people who consider their stories worthy of Big House publishing. They've done the whole rags-to-riches thing, or overcome…
I grew up with ZERO understanding of process. I chalk this up to the alcoholic dynamic that played out in our household. One minute–OK, this would go on for hours, but who’s…
Deb Feder is a business development coach and strategist who helps lawyers and professionals bring in consistent clients through curious, confident conversations and changing the way we view productivity for…
I have this really wise friend who also happens to be a clinical psychologist specializing in the science of change. Sometime last year, she started sending out these short videos…
I spent my whole life afraid to make a mistake, to take a wrong turn. I latched on to a man early on because I was convinced he had the map, that…
Lately, I’ve had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that’s so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
Do you remember when you were in grade school and you had to line up in the gym and wait to get picked for a team? There you'd stand for…
Dr. Serena Sterling wasn’t sure she’d ever finish her book project. There were times, as her content developer, I wasn’t sure she would either. Because Serena wasn’t just writing about…
Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to write a book? Seriously, do you even know? What's your purpose for doing so? • To create a beautiful…
I write about the Imposter Syndrome all the time because it's the single biggest issue many of my clients have. It's what keeps them from starting their book, finishing it,…
Years ago, I pitched my memoir to an agent at a famous writers' retreat. Big time agents basically trawled the place looking for up and coming talent, which was one…
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides…
I got this note from one of my clients recently: I was reading some reviews on Amazon associated with books on my topic and some of the reviews were awful.…
Any time you switch up your routine or form new habits–which is pretty much what needs to happen before starting a book project–you’ve got to overcome all sorts of obstacles…
If you've ever received editorial feedback before, then you know it can be "challenging". I mean, it's not easy to accept that what you've got down on the page isn't…
I'm going to keep things short and sweet today. So I give you twenty things that I believe, particularly about business and writing: Burning bridges and boats is for…
I speak at seminars about getting non-fiction books published. I'm often asked about the average advances authors get from major publishing houses and the average time it takes to write…
I've been having the same conversation a lot lately. It goes something like this: A nice professional has gone to the trouble of crafting a book proposal, honing a query…
You know how, at the start of a big endeavor, you worry that you’ll never drive it to completion? That you're about to bite off more than you can chew…
Walt got it into his head that he wanted to paint our deck. He figured, with a little scraping and a gallon of outdoor, weather-resistant paint, he could have the…
You stand out when you have a published book. This is something authors want....and don't want at the same time. This conflict plays out in a whole bunch of ways,…
Walt and I were talking about the performance artist, Marina Abramovic, this morning. I don't know if you've ever caught sight of this video clip of her sitting across the…
I broke my ankle a number of years ago. I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home, which is precisely what happens when I…
This is a guest post by my friend Lucinda Halpern, head of Lucinda Literary. Lucinda is a literary agent. That means she gets writers book deals with traditional publishing houses.…
Each time I work on a book project, I not only learn about the topic, but also about myself. Catherine Rolt's, The Pain Paradox, which is about to be released…
Once upon a time (actually, in 2014), Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave the University of Texas Austin commencement address. It was a twenty-minute speech that outlined ten principles he’d…
For a lot of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much…
As much as we'd like them to, our readers don't tend to remember strings of concepts, statistics, or cold, hard facts. Especially page after page of them. The best way…
Being a pretty decent writer, you may think you should go it alone when tackling a book project. Or that a big publishing house should supply you with all sorts…
I was listening to a Ted Talk with Sheryl Sandberg some time back (see below). In it she discussed three things she believes hold women back in the work world.…
It's math. Simple math. Everybody knows that the more effort you put into something, the better the results you should see. Up to a point, this assumption holds true. Yet,…
Years ago, and I mean yearssssss ago, Walt and I attended a Brendan Bruchard conference. That's where we recognized that we could create a business out of just about anything…
I'm going to share with you some important concepts I walk my clients through before they start in on a project. In fact, just the other day, I had this…
I have a problem. This problem has gotten big enough that I’ve decided I need a solution. Oh, sure, I’ve been aware of this issue for a good long while,…
Each week, I have conversations with people who claim to want to write a book. I listen carefully, not just to establish if I like an individual, which is necessary…
I break this post out every once in a while, not just when I'm in adventure mode, which I am, what with me being off in the Himalayas eating de-hi.…
The adventure series continues. Let's call this Part III. One Saturday several years ago, Walt and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail…
Every once in a while, Walt gets it in his head that we need to climb another mountain. So, one week not so many years ago, that’s exactly what we…
Over the upcoming holiday season, Walt and I will be trekking in Nepal. Oh, sure, some people choose the Bahamas when they want to unwind, us, not so much. We're…
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a lovely woman about her book, the one that sold all of three copies in as many years. Now, this woman is…
I've got lots of unpopular opinions, many of them formed the hard way. As a writer, then a writing workshop leader, then a book coach, then a book doctor, then…
I received this beautiful note a while back in response to one of my newsletters. I'd like to share it and my response with you. It's relevant to you writers…
A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for "manufacturing fear". The world provides enough danger already,…
There’s something wonderful about writing a non-fiction book—how-to, self-help, or motivational, just to name a few of the business-building genres. You get to use all sorts of formatting tricks a…
I wanted to share with you a 10-minute Masterclass I ran a month or two back for those who registered for one of my book-writing webinars. I got tons of…
OK. It's time to dispel with a myth, one that's going to cause you a number of problems if you persist in buying into it. Book promotion, as much as…
The other day, I was talking to a student enrolled in the Influential Author Formula. She asked, “Can I charge more money if I have a book?” God, I love…
I thought I'd bring this post back because it's even more relevant than ever, thanks to pandemic fatigue. You know what I'm talking about, that sense that doing ANYTHING seems…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to the…
I love it when my clients, after months of writing and revising and doubting themselves and the whole value of their projects, break through to the other side and begin…
I've been doctoring a terrific book on Integrated Chinese Medicine, which addresses health issues caused by an overabundance or deficit of certain "elements", including wood, fire, water, and air. It…
I want to write a book so good, so meaningful, that it lands me on Oprah. I want to sit beneath her shade tree in that lovely wicker chair and…
I’m always fascinated by people who have a love/hate relationship with attention. Maybe because I do, too. Turn a video camera on me when I haven’t spent hours primping and…
I grew up with ZERO understanding of process. I chalk this up to the alcoholic dynamic that played out in our household. One minute--OK, this would go on for hours,…
You’ve finished your manuscript, now what? You’ve done all that hard work, all that revision, and now it’s time to publish your book. What comes next? Where do you go?…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Here’s another way to turn your readers into clients and/or fans: Have a solid structure with a clear transformation path…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Want to know what to include in a book? Want to turn your readers into clients and/or fans? Well then,…
Hey, successful entrepreneur writing a non-fiction book for your business. Here’s the the best way to turn your readers into clients and/or fans: Give them stories, lots of stories As…
When I came out of Harvard, I had visions of becoming the next literary superstar. That's what we all talked about in grad school. I wanted to sit along the…
Writers worry a lot. Worry is what feeds our procrastination; why we’d rather clean that disgusting barbecue grill than sit in front of our nice, clean computers. We worry that…
Writing a book to attract ideal clients and expand your reach? Well, you're going to want to consider the big promise you make to your reader, the first indication of…
Twin Lakes, Colorado, that’s where we were. A small frontier town surrounded by mountains and lakes. An old West feel with a tight-knit community serving tourists in order to keep…
Walt and I have a bunch of decorative pots sitting on either side of our front door. After over 8 years here in Ireland, we've decided it's high time we…
I get the occasional irate email from those who don't appreciate the way I greet them in my newsletters. I mean, some folks get incensed. Case in point: Ann, I…
Over the weekend, while I calculated author royalties for Summit Press, the publishing house I run, I came across an anomaly. A.J. Wasserstein’s book, written and published 4 years ago,…
Like a lot of overachievers, I hold myself to impossible standards. It’s bought me a lot in life: it’s also created gratuitous stress. If you've landed in my world, chances are good that…
I have to admit it. I questioned whether or not I should bring this post back. I got some "rather unfriendly" comments the last time I presented it here. So…
This week, I've had my nose in a couple of manuscripts that have landed on my desk for doctoring. There are gems within each of these manuscripts, but the overall…
That's the question all of us writers ask, not just my clients. In fact, I brought this post back because I've fielded this question twice this week, and it's only…
Many of my clients want to include personal stories in their book, often because they've had to overcome certain challenges shared by their clients. Their story, their journey is relevant…
The trail was 45-minutes long. One of those long, windy black diamond numbers over steep moguls, through unconsolidated snow. My bindings were acting up. One turn, two, and my ski…
As incredibly scary as it looks I climb high mountains. I’d like to offer you three lessons I’ve learned in the mountains; climbing lessons if you will. I’ve discovered over…
Each Friday, Simon and Schuster sends out a promo email advertising temporarily discounted books. You can snag great Kindle reads for a couple of dollars. If you’re not on their…
Our gardener, Barry, warned us. We hadn’t paid much attention. After all, he was the one who’d encouraged us to kill the ivy that blanketed the house, spray weedkiller on…
Writing a book involves the creation of one small chunk of material at a time, because to contemplate the project in its entirety is a set up for insanity and…
Every day, I talk to people who are looking to up their game by writing a book. They've done amazing things in their life and in their business and they…
I wrote this piece nearly 8 years ago. I thought about it the other day while I was talking to a potential client about writing a book. This client was…
Dr. Serena Sterling wasn't sure she'd ever finish her book project. There were times, as her content developer, I wasn't sure she would either. Because Serena wasn't just writing about…
I wouldn’t last a minute in battle if I had to depend on my powers of observation, mostly because I walk the planet with my head up my ass. I…
https://youtu.be/kxhvrWe4jeY https://youtu.be/4CK1fxiknxw Michelle Cully-- I’ve always felt the need to tell my story, but fear, insecurity and the daunting process held me back for years. Then…
Several years back, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Denise Brown for a column she writes in the North Star Monthly, a New Hampshire publication. I thought I might…
Here are twenty things that I believe, particularly about business and writing: Burning bridges and boats is for fools Good things take time The shiny object syndrome will keep…
I have this really wise friend who also happens to be a clinical psychologist specializing in the science of change. Sometime last year, she started sending out these short videos…
I don't care what my mother said. You CAN tell a book by its cover, particularly if it's been designed well. Years ago, I tripped over this video (below) about…
I was listening to a Ted Talk with Sheryl Sandberg some time back (see below). In it she discussed three things she believes hold women back in the work world.…
Over the weekend, I watched as Walt attempted to cut down an overhanging branch along the driveway. It wasn't going well for a number of reasons. First, it was hard…
This video--complete with uplifting message, particularly if you're the sort who generally likes to get shit done--was created by Cathy Hay, who teaches people how to make corsets and other…
A good memoir: Has a razor-sharp focus on one element of life. Does not have filler. Every detail has to connect to the focus/theme. Is not a record, a report,…
Years ago, I used to run multi-day memoir-writing workshops. I'm telling you, I totally miss those experiences. I often find myself sharing bits of those lessons with my private clients…
I talk to a lot of strategic entrepreneurs. They already produce written content--mainly blog posts or newsletters--and they're wondering if they should be focused on writing posts with the sole…
The first time I voted for an American president, I was 45-years old. It was 2008-- McCain vs. Obama-- and I can’t remember whom I chose. I’d registered and cast…
I finished off a big Masterclass promotion at the beginning of the month. ( I probably don't have to tell you this because you no doubt received 250 emails from…
The other day I decided that I was totally sick of myself. I was tired of constantly working and holing myself off from the world and reading nothing but business…
One of the biggest fears my clients have is that by telling their personal stories they will appear grandiose, self-absorbed, or narcissistic. “Who am I to tell this story,” they…
In my line of work, I talk to a lot of fascinating people who consider their stories worthy of Big House publishing. They've done the whole rags-to-riches thing, or overcome…
I received a great question the other day that I’d like to address here: Should someone blog without professional edits to begin engagement about a potential book? (They’re concerned about…
In the last few years, I've had a number of clients who chose to write a parable instead of the usual business-in-a-box tome. (For instance, check out Josh Patrick's Sustainable--his…
One Saturday a few years back, Walt and I hiked the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the Colorado…
This is a guest post by my friend Lucinda Halpern, head of Lucinda Literary. Lucinda is a literary agent. That means she gets writers book deals with traditional publishing houses.…
If you write sales copy, you're particularly susceptible to this crime. If you're a sixteen-year-old female or highly emotive male, you're probably guilty as well. If you were raised in…
I got this note from one of my clients recently: I was reading some reviews on Amazon associated with books on my topic and I would have to look at…
I received this email in response to last week's newsletter. I thought I'd share it with you because, if you put stuff out there on a regular basis, you're going…
Whenever we create content—be it a book, or a sales page, a blog post, or a speech—we need to consider the outcome we’re after. For coaches, speakers, and other service…
Turtle Bunbury was fixated on 1847. In fact, he wrote over 40 stories about people and events that made the news in that fascinating year. But when it came time…
I'm going to share with you some important concepts I walk my clients through before they start in on a project. In fact, just the other day, I had this…
Barry, our caretaker, stopped by one day last summer. He’s a really lovely dude who cuts our grass and looks after the place whenever we’re gone. Anyway, Barry was giving…
Years ago, Walt and I attended a Brendan Bruchard conference. It didn’t take us long to recognize that we could create a business out of just about anything we pulled…
When I was young, I fancied myself a global citizen. A Margaret Mead type, who gravitated towards exotic cultures. Impressed with my “intimate” knowledge of obscure peoples, of my ability…
You may be really excited about the prospect of writing a book for your business, but let's take some time to strategize before you go sinking all that time and…
As a content developer; I’ve got my nose in a dozen projects at any given time, not just my own. I can’t afford to be precious. I’ve had to come…
Some time back, Walt and I conducted a mastermind call around yearly planning. One of our members raised her hand and talked about her resistance to setting any kind of…
There we were, trapped in deepest, darkest Papua New Guinea. For nearly two weeks, Walt and I waited for a helicopter ride to base camp with our team members. Each…
It’s helpful to know that obstacles are part of the writing process, but how are you supposed to deal with them when they raise their ugly heads? What can you…
One Saturday several years ago, Walt and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the…
There are benefits to owning a rabid Rottweiler. There’s a reason a recovering people pleaser like me chooses a mate who couldn’t give a tinker's damn about displeasing others, who…
A young Frenchman wants to switch places with me so he can sit next to one of the five cohorts who accompanied him on our transatlantic flight. He’s asked me…
“I’d like two six-minute hard-boiled eggs,” I said, enunciating each word carefully. The young man who had assisted me with the very same order the day before nodded, then darted…
Right now, a lot of my clients and colleagues are confused about the current business environment. Times are hard, what with the quarantine situation, what with lots of people losing…
I got to thinking about this bike rack I refused to buy because it looked like way too much bother. Anything that requires me to read a user's manual, well,…
Lately, I’ve had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that’s so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
While I was in the States a few years back, I had dinner with my buddy Tim Vandehey, another ghostwriter who lives in Kansas City. Tim knows the publishing industry…
Not long ago, I overheard a group of young women discussing Gal Gadot of Wonder Woman fame. One of the women read aloud from an article on her I-phone, a…
Writing a book involves the creation of one small chunk of material at a time, because to contemplate the project in its entirety is a set up for insanity and…
This is a guest post from time-management expert, Walt Hampton. Who also happens to be my husband, which is a problem because he's highly judgmental of how I spend my…
1. I love Jack Russell Terriers. I mean; I love them so bad that it’s almost creepy. Walt points them out to me whenever he spots one in a car…
I caught sight of myself on video last week during a group coaching session. There were about 10 other entrepreneurs on the call as well, their faces appearing whenever they…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful yearly tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to…
Years ago, having read Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, Walt and I sat in Ireland and composed our list of goals. We were on our honeymoon and, well, this is just the sort…
When I lived in Iran, the Evil Eye was a force to be reckoned with. To deflect the covetous attention of others, Esfand seeds were burned on a special metal grate after guests left…
When I was a kid, we’d sit as a family at the dining room table for Thanksgiving and my heart would sink at the sight of the kitchen I’d be…
Imagonna throw out a list of questions beginning writers ask all the time, particularly if they’re writing a book that involves stories about their own life. See if you have…
The problem with us co-dependent types--and I'm speaking from experience--is that we need to hook into someone or something else because we're not sure who we are. We lack an…
Any time you switch up your routine or form new habits–which is pretty much what you’ve got to do if you want to have something you don’t have now–you’ve got…
Walt and I were talking about the performance artist, Marina Abramovic, this morning. I don't know if you've ever caught sight of this video clip of her sitting across the…
Have you ever watched a professional runner run? Looks so easy, doesn’t it? They’ve all got that half smile playing across their face, that healthy sheen, those long, fluid strides…
I've got this message hanging over my desk. I’m not sure who wrote it. I keep it there because there are days that I really need the reminder. The more…
Years ago, I ran into a surgical nurse at a party in Ireland. We were chatting about life, as one is prone to do at gatherings. And when I told…
A long time ago, when I was selling photo copiers for a living, I met an older woman who gave me a piece of advice I'll never forget. “Darling,” she…
Humans crave story, with faces they can attach to, and sensory details. According to scientific studies, our brains light up like the fourth of July when we read about smells,…
Walt and I were chatting over dinner at a fancy restaurant in VT. This was shortly after he’d published his first book, Journeys on the Edge: Living a Life That…
If you’ve ever read a book on the craft of writing, or taken a writing class or workshop, you’ve likely heard the expression, "Show, don’t tell." Well, what, precisely, does…
That's the question all of us writers ask, not just my clients. And there's a short and sweet answer--when you've done everything you can do, everything you can think of…
After one too many conversations about the fear of being labeled a narcissist if one dares to write and publish a book, I thought I'd wheel this post back out.…
Ask me, there’s a reason God invented currency: place a dollar amount on the table and both parties in a transaction can understand and agree upon the value of the…
How did your view on marriage get so skewed, a friend I’d known since college asked me one day. Over the course of her marriage, she’d gained twenty pounds. She’d…
Often, it’s your story that someone really hears, that someone actually connects with for the very first time. Sometimes the scales fall from your reader's eyes immediately, sometimes a tidbit…
On Saturday, I caught sight of a book about cooking with food scraps at my friends’ vegan café in town. Surrounded by The China Study, How Not To Die, and…
Several years back, I had the huge privilege of being interviewed by Denise Brown for a column she writes in the North Star Monthly, a northern New Hampshire publication. I…
Over the weekend, I attended a copywriting workshop in Florence, Italy. If you don’t know Laura Belgray, the woman who conducted the workshop, you really should. Her emails and sales…
Walt and I were climbing in the Rockies when we decided to stop and shoot this video. We'd just spent a few hours battling despair because we'd come across yet…
My friend, L, is the most “normal” woman I've ever met. She doesn’t cart around emotional baggage, not even a change purse-full. Her decisions have always seemed so… sensible. I’m…
Once upon a time (actually, in 2014), Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave the University of Texas Austin commencement address. It was a twenty-minute speech that outlined ten principles he’d…
Years ago, I had the privilege of working with the author Anne Batterson at East Hill Writers' Workshop. She and I were part of a trio of writers (no one's…
A blast from the past. Someone I was talking to this past week reminded me of this story, so I thought I'd bring it back. We have a dog named…
I'm guilty of binary thinking: you can either have this or that, but you can't have both. Except when it comes to writing a book for your business. Do the…
For a lot of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much…
Long ago, the private high school my daughter attended had a wonderful yearly tradition. At the beginning of summer, they'd mail a reading list--a compilation of each teacher's favorite books--to…
Everybody fears that they're not enough. Everybody. My father used to say that intimacy breeds contempt. This was his favorite motto, something he repeated every day So, I grew up…
While I sat on a patio overlooking Phoenix surrounded by a swarm of buzzing people, I spotted a fellow introvert. In case you didn't know, we're the folks lining the…
I think about my arch nemesis--efficiency--a lot when I'm on a mountain. Day in and day out, carrying one load up to a higher camp, going back down for another.…
I got to thinking about this bike rack I refused to buy because it looked like way too much bother. Anything that requires me to read a user's manual, well,…
Last we met, I was telling you about the client manuscripts I was reading, all of which deal with anxiety. I thought these three different authors and their three different…
If you remember, I had my nose in a number of client manuscripts, all of which deal with anxiety. I thought these three different authors and their three different approaches…
I've had my nose in a number of client manuscripts lately, all of which deal with anxiety. One is the work of a doctor who specializes in the treatment of…
Here’s a question I got in response to a short survey I issued in preparation for my free masterclass. (You want to know what your audience wants? Ask them.) Now,…
I'm smack dab in the middle of a big Masterclass promotion. ( I probably don't have to tell you this because, at this writing, you've no doubt received 250 emails…
Walt and I flew to the highlands of Scotland for a long weekend. (Not a big deal if you live in Ireland, by the way, so don’t be too impressed.)…
My mother loved to paint. I’m not talking art, I’m talking rooms. She’d head on over to the local Benjamin Moore store and buy three gallons of whatever shade of…
Not long ago, I overheard a group of young women discussing Gal Gadot of Wonder Woman fame. One of the women read aloud from an article on her I-phone, a…
I bring this post back every few years, usually after a worry-filled conversation I've had with a friend or client. Sometimes one of these nice people need the reminder that worry is an utter waste of time, sometimes it's me. I…
I received this beautiful note a while back in response to one of my newsletters. I'd like to share it and my response with you. It's relevant to you writers…
Here's the the thing about elite warriors like Jeff Orr, one of my most favoritest clients: They know how to handle stress, manage lots of vital data coming at them…
A while back, one of my friends questioned my penchant for voluntarily placing myself in situations where I could get hurt, for "manufacturing fear". The world provides enough danger already,…
I had a number of conversations this past week about fear. Write about people you know and love, and, no matter how stalwart you are, fear is bound to come…
Walt and I have been looking into climbing Mt. Everest. Don’t ask me why, it’s just a thing. Studying the itinerary of the guiding company Walt favors, I found myself…
Because it's like this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj3yAVhilBE
As a content developer; I’ve got my nose in a dozen projects at any given time, not just my own. I can’t afford to be precious. I’ve had to come…
Walt and I were conducting a mastermind call this past week around yearly planning. One of our members raised her hand and talked about her resistance to setting any kind…
The trail was 45-minutes long. One of those long, windy black diamond numbers over steep moguls, through unconsolidated snow. My bindings were acting up. One turn, two, and my ski…
This is a guest post from my friend, Patrick Combs. Patrick Combs. He was one of those chance encounters that changed the course of our lives. Walt had crossed paths…
When I was a kid, we’d sit as a family at the dining room table for Thanksgiving and my heart would sink at the sight of the kitchen I’d be…
Here’s the question I get all the time, the minute I identify myself as a book coach. (Not that there aren't, like, 1,634 definitions of that job title alone. Me,…
Writing a client-attracting book? Well, you're going to want to consider the big promise you're making to your reader, the first indication of which is your title. Eben Pagan and…
Lately, I've been having the same conversation with my coaching clients, which makes me think I should share this lesson with you nice people, too. (If you're not a writer,…
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about our choice to move to Ireland. Here’s an example: I am researching where to live and what we can afford for…
It was Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River who admonished us fledgling writers to knock off all the research when working on our books. He'd just gotten a huge movie…
This is precisely what will happen to you once you have a polished book out in the world. I'm telling you, it'll blow your mind. I received an email from…
Lately, I've had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that's so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
It's been one of those weeks. And by one of those weeks, I mean, the kind of week that makes you want to dance like a fool, throw back a…
I get to work with some pretty amazing people, not just on their books, but also on their speeches and blogs. What I find is that no matter what pond…
Let’s just say I had an awful lot of time on my hands while on vacation. That’s what happens when you deliberately leave your computer at home; AND you’ve got…
There we were, trapped in deepest, darkest Papua New Guinea. For nearly two weeks, Walt and I waited for a helicopter ride to base camp with our team members. Each…
Several months ago, I was presented with the opportunity to doctor a book manuscript. Michelle Cully, the author, is this high-powered chick who owns a courier company in the metro-Boston…
Not long ago I ran a post in which I listed the wonderful things my husband does for me, and what I had needed to change in my life to…
You may be really excited about the prospect of writing a book for your business, but let's take some time to strategize before you go sinking all that time and…
Resistance. Getting yourself to do the shit you claim you want to do. We all struggle with it. Which is why I asked Kyrsten Barrett if I could share this…
I found this question amongst the various birthday greetings on my Facebook page. ( I adore how you get to feel like a superstar on your birthday.) Totally throwing it…
I got this note from one of my clients this week: I was reading some reviews on Amazon associated with books on my topic and I would have to look…
Note: Much of this has been taken from a Writer Unboxed post written by Lisa Cron. Though the article is addressed to novelists, the information she shares is relevant to…
Bet that got your attention. And why wouldn't it? We all want what we want now, now, now, sans effort. We're a culture of instant gratification. The media plays off…
I’ve been thinking about what I might add to this piece that I share with you below. I think it speaks so powerfully for itself that I hesitate to insert…
I broke my ankle a number of years ago. I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home, which is precisely what happens when I…
The crazy Border Collies laying in wait to chase our car just beyond the barn. The farmer on the hill who tells us jokes we can barely understand, what with…
So, here’s the thing. Most of us become coaches, speakers, or service professionals if you will, because we’ve had to solve a particular problem for ourselves. Through trial and error,…
Whenever I tell someone I used to live in Iran, he or she asks me a few standard questions, the most common one being, "Did you have to wear a…
As incredibly scary as it looks I climb high mountains. I’d like to offer you three lessons I’ve learned in the mountains; climbing lessons if you will. I’ve discovered over…
On Saturday, Walt and I hiked the Grand Canyon. We went down the South Kaibab trail to the bottom, meandered along the banks of the Colorado River, then headed back…
Before I take on a new project with someone who wants to write a client-attracting book, I ask him or her a series of clarifying questions. Often, I’ll ask the…
There are benefits to owning a rabid Rottweiler. There’s a reason a recovering people pleaser like me chooses a mate who couldn’t give two fucks about displeasing others, who fears…
My girlfriend is planning her first trip to Ireland. She’s bringing her teenaged kids along with her. She’s purchased the plane tickets, reserved the rental car, now it’s dawning on…
This is New York City, in case you're wondering I've got two points I'd like to make. Think of this as the CliffsNotes version of this post. 1. Read The…
Turtle Bunbury was fixated on 1847. In fact, he wrote over 40 stories about people and events that made the news in that fascinating year. But when it came time…
I caught sight of myself on video last week during a group coaching session. There were about 10 other entrepreneurs on the call as well, their faces appearing whenever they…
Walt was invited to speak at a Toastmasters meeting last week. I was up to my eyeballs in manuscripts, so I wasn't interested in going along, particularly when it was…
Bear with me for a moment. I'm going to begin with a sidebar simply because I must. As I was browsing for pictures of beavers on Google, something you probably…
If you’d like to outline your message and be seen as an expert in your field, you’d be silly to write a novel. If you’re not keen to write a…
David Treece, who wrote the following piece, is a financial advisor down in Miami, the kind that has a fiduciary responsibility to clients, who doesn't get paid on commission, which…
There's nothing that excites me more than seeing a client project come to fruition. It takes a major investment of time and focus to write a good book, the sort…
I was 26 the first time I realized that what people thought about me had more to do with them, then with who I was/am as a person. Such an…
I received a great question the other day that I’d like to address here: Should someone blog without professional edits to begin engagement about a potential book? (They’re concerned about…
Like a junkie with a 14-gauge needle, my mother used books to blot out reality. Curled up in her chair, immersed in a novel, she ceased to be aware of…
I need to write about this book, and I need to write about it now. For a couple of reasons. First, if I don’t get to it PDQ, Walt is…
All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.--Blaise Pascal I was sitting in a mindfulness breakout session in Dublin last week when the…
It's December, which means the holidays are upon us. It's time to head to the mall to buy a million perfect gifts. I've got to confess that this whole gift…
Have you written a complete draft of a book, one with tons of bugs still in it? Are you wondering what comes next; what you’re supposed to do, specifically, during…
I was driving along the highway in Connecticut when I fell behind a mini Cooper with one of those vanity plates that made me want to hit the brakes. It…
A few weeks back I sat at a conference in Dallas and listened to a young man speak on stage. He was raising money for a charity. I was blown…
Look, writing a book requires a big investment from you, not just in money, but also in time and focus. If you're flirting with the idea of writing a book…
I’m sitting in Dallas as I type this. I’m at a conference for online marketers. I’ve got to say, I love conferences like this, even though I’m an introvert, even…
I was twelve when I recognized my power to attract grown men. That's when Mr. M, a science teacher in my junior high school, smelled the vulnerability on me, and…
I’m going to break out my Book Yourself Solid coaching hat and introduce you to some associated philosophy: There are people we are meant to serve, and others not so…
Thought I'd dust this post off and bring it back. I needed the reminder, perhaps you do, too. One 15-minute conversation with my mother, and I know how I got…
Do you think people are chosen for awards and recognition because they shine so brightly the world can’t possibly ignore them? That they get plucked, in all of their magnificence,…
I was listening to a Ted Talk some time back with Sheryl Sandberg. (see below) In it she discussed three things she believes hold women back in the work world.…
Every once in a while, Walt gets it in his head that we need to climb another mountain. So, last week, that’s exactly what we did. Off to the Alps…
Ever since I read Ego is the Enemy, I've been a huge fan of Ryan Holiday. He's this it boy who made it big early on, only to land on…
When I was young, I had no idea what I thought, felt, or wanted. Pressed for my opinion, I’d make an evasive or sarcastic comment instead of deciding what it…
At last, your book manuscript is done. Or so you think. And hope. Please, God, let it be so, you whisper to no one in particular. Unfortunately, you’ve been looking…
I'm often aghast at some of the thumbnail images that come up in Youtube. I know you can change these things, but I like to think it takes real strength…
On Friday, we sold our home in Connecticut. At least I’m hoping that’s how things pan out. As I write, I’m on a Norwegian Air flight somewhere over the Atlantic…
What if uncertainty and tension and confrontation were good things? How might your life improve if you used them as tools? If you stopped running away from them and recognized…
If you're writing a client-attracting book, you're going to want to consider the big promise you're making to your reader, the first indication of which is your title. According to…
In 2014, Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave the University of Texas Austin commencement address. It was a twenty-minute speech that outlined ten principles he’d learned during Naval SEAL training.…
I had lunch sometime back with an old friend I hadn't seen in years. Both oddballs in high school, we'd dreamed of baking bread together when we graduated, raising sheep, and…
Walt and I were tooling around in New Hampshire this weekend when we came upon a group of millennials expounding upon this three-year-old Cadillac commercial. Basically, they were disgusted by…
Here's a note I sent to several of my book writing clients, past and present. I'm putting together a unique reading list: book recommendations from folks who know what a…
My new BFF. Love the thought process behind this man's book designs. How he sees the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nI65jgHG9o
Writing a book involves the creation of one small chunk of material at a time, because to contemplate the project in its entirety is a set up for insanity and…
I don't care what my mother said. You CAN tell a book by its cover, particularly if it's been designed well. I tripped over this video this morning. Not only…
Like a junkie with a 14-gauge needle, my mother used books to blot out reality. Curled up in her chair, immersed in a novel, she ceased to be aware of…
As my clients finish up their manuscripts, we often have a conversation about what comes next. "Do I self-publish?" they ask. "Do I enter into a contract with a partnership…
A blast from the past. Being an introvert, I need a lot of time to myself. I spend most mornings happily surrounded by a pack of dogs and the quiet.…
I think about my arch nemesis--efficiency--a lot when I'm on a mountain. Day in and day out, carrying one load up to a higher camp, going back down for another.…
I’m learning to drive all over again in Ireland. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, I know, but it feels death defying. Most of the time, I pretty much…
I'm in France right now as I write. Nearly 12 years to the day I took the bike trip described herein. I thought I'd share this with you again, mostly…
I've said this before--so often in fact that I cringe when I hear these words come out of my yap yet again-- but I love my job. I learn so…
When I was conducting writing workshops at East Hill, each year I would share this craft lesson with the students working on not just novels, but memoirs and short stories.…
“I’d like two six-minute hard-boiled eggs,” I said, enunciating each word carefully. The young man who had assisted me with the very same order the day before nodded, then darted…
I was browsing LinkedIn this morning when I came across a Steve Chandler quote. (If you don't know Steve, you really should.) It went something like this: Discipline has nothing…
Lately, I've had my head in manuscripts just rife with purple prose. Purple prose, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is writing that's so extravagant, ornate, or flowery,…
ADVICE TO WRITERS by Billy Collins from Sailing Alone Around the Room (Random House) Even if it keeps you up all night, wash down the walls and scrub the floor of…
A post I wrote 7 years ago. When I was eleven, my mother signed me up for a weight loss class. Having battled the bulge for years on end, she…
This is a guest post by Walt Hampton. A beautiful example of how one book can alter the course of a life. It had been a warm summer day in…
I’m a huge fan of re-purposing. The question I always ask, lazy git that I am? How can I turn something I’ve spent eons creating into ten other things with…
It was Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River who admonished us fledgling writers to knock off all the research when working on our books. He'd just gotten a huge movie…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to Janice Dean, who teaches folks how to…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to Josh Patrick, who helps successful businesses become…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to Christine Khetarpal, who helps women contemplating divorce make…
As part of a series of posts showcasing the different subjects, styles, and voices of my clients, I'd like to introduce you to A.J. Wasserstein. This is an excerpt from…
I'm really proud of the work my clients do. It takes grit to muscle through the shitty first draft, the revisions, and the doubt. These people, they don't quit. As…
I often get questions from folks participating in my Build A Book Bootcamp, a take-it-at-your-own-pace online course I developed quite some time ago. I thought I'd share this question, couched…
I don't know. I'm bringing this back out of mothballs simply because I need the reminder. BTW, for those who have expressed disgust because I choose to write about my…
This is a post from way back when. I read it a couple of times to see if I still felt the same way. I hesitated to re-post this in…
A long time ago, before I had children, my husband took a second wife. We were living in Washington, D.C., not the Islamic Republic of Iran, and I had nothing…
I’m going to say something that scares the crap out of me. Something that could draw the evil eye and smote me like Lot's wife, the chick who turned to…
With the popularity of podcasts and YouTube channels, many tech-savvy entrepreneurs have created a series of interviews to promote their business. Now, if you want a book to further establish…
Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future day in, day out, not just for the week, or the…
Do you give up at the first sign of trouble? Are you thrown by even the tiniest bump in the road? So, I was ice climbing in New Hampshire a…
Wrong, on so very many levels. https://youtu.be/varlFj0W6UA
If, after writing your no-doubt best-selling book, you want to go the traditional publishing route, you’ll need to hire an agent to represent you. Manuscripts sent directly to a publisher…
I'm loving this book right now. (Just between you and me, if I were editing the thing, I'd start off with a much more powerful story--the guy, Chris Voss, has…
When did we decide that everyone else should come first? Who proclaimed it our job to guarantee the pleasure of others and settle for whatever crumbs fell off their plates?…
If you’d like to avoid the embarrassment and shame associated with publishing ca-ca, I can’t recommend the editing process highly enough. Editing professionals get paid to study your manuscript, point…
I received this question, one that both Walt and I get more and more frequently, so I thought I’d put my answer to it out here again. I'm so intrigued…
For lots of entrepreneurs, sitting down to write an entire book on their own seems ridiculously daunting. They have no idea how they’d ever come up with that much content. But…
I have problems with eye contact. I don't want to show people my soul, what I'm really thinking, how I really feel. I suppose this is a habit from childhood.…
If you’d like to outline your message and be seen as an expert in your field, you’d be silly to write a novel. If you’re not keen to write a…
This is guest post by Tara Whitney. I'm really honored to have her as a writing client. I think this piece is beautiful, and vulnerable, and allows you, her reader,…
If you’ve ever read a book on the craft of writing, or taken a writing class or workshop, you’ve likely heard the expression, "Show, don’t tell." Well, what, precisely, does…
So, Walt and I caught a flight to Boston on Friday from Cork, Ireland. We were on a quick mission: to witness one of our sons get married. The wedding…
Picking up the pieces after financial and emotional bankruptcy, Ann Peck, host of Straight Talk for a Curvy World, revisits the secrets that shaped her self-concept and self-doubt. Sex, failed…
Have you written a complete draft of a book, one with tons of bugs still in it? Are you wondering what comes next; what you’re supposed to do, specifically, during…
For years I was part of a writers' group that met each Tuesday evening in the author Anne Batterson's living room. Two or three of the members (we were never…
Say what you will about social media, it's a wonderful way to crowd source ideas. I've gotten some of the best book recommendations, tips, and advice after someone has posed…
For some strange reason, whenever I conduct a beginners’ writing workshop, one of my students invariably raises her hand and gushes on about her desire to write novels just like…
When I was younger, I used to look to others, mostly men, to rescue me. I was convinced that, if left to my own devices, I would make some horrible…
Sniff. I'm so proud. One of my gorgeous writing clients, who is working on the final edits of her SOON-TO-BE-PUBLISHED book, is now a contributor to the Huffington Post. Look,…
I can't tell you how proud I am of Alexandra Desbrow, the author of this piece. This is a chapter from her book in progress. It's so terrific, I just…
OMG, OMG, OMG, I so love this book. I mean, I love it so much, I tried to make the image really, really big so you wouldn't forget what it…
I received an email from one of my writing clients the other day. She's one of the people I most adore because her mind is so expansive, so fascinating, so…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMVphtvKCZY&feature=youtu.be
Here's the thing. The more you put yourself out there--on the stage or on the page--the more criticism you will draw. It's just the way the world works. As Dale…
So, Walt and I were out and about last night when we passed by Brown Thomas, an upscale shop, Ireland's answer to Bergdoff Goodman. In the window were some of…
Sometime back, I listened to a Brene Brown interview in which she described herself as a child. An introverted 13-year-old, she saw Grease 25 times, a movie I paid to…
I want to share with you a beauty secret I recently discovered. The single element that will make heads turn, regardless of your weight, age, or ability to pull together…
It’s helpful to know that obstacles are part of the writing process, but how are you supposed to deal with them when they raise their ugly heads? What can you…
Humans crave story, with faces they can attach to, and sensory details. According to scientific studies, our brains light up like the fourth of July when we read about smells,…
I’m going to break out my Book Yourself Solid coaching hat and introduce you to some associated philosophy: There are people we are meant to serve, and others not so…
Are you a thought leader or an expert? Have you decided to write a book to showcase your unique process for fixing a specific problem? Do you want to inspire…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBDpG-7knbw
I've had the same conversation with a number of my coaching clients this week, so I think it's high time I share this lesson with you nice people. (If you're…
My friend Janet, who’s a librarian in Connecticut, told me I had to read this book. She said that it reminded her of me, of the kind of stuff I…
I was digging through my East Hill Writing Workshop materials the other day when I chanced up this little lesson on dialogue. I'm pretty sure that one of my partners…
I was driving along the highway in Connecticut when I fell behind a mini Cooper with one of those vanity plates that made me want to hit the brakes. It…
I just discovered THE BEST Post on why we're hard-wired to be sniveling approval whores, thanks to my girlfriend, Janet. It's written by a fellow named Tim Urban and hosted…
I've been spending a lot of time with my nose in this book. It's something that Walt bought and left on the shelf. ( I know! Nothing better than having…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhMlFyjzFm4 Go to any cocktail party and you’ll overhear someone yammering on about their desire to write a book. From all appearances, writing a book is on more bucket lists…
I bet you thought this post was going to be about Hamlet, or my existential malaise, but it's not. It's a tiny little writing lesson about the use of the…
Self-publishing, also known as indie (short for independent) publishing, is currently the most common way for new authors to bring their books to market. Because this is the “easiest” method…
When I was in grad school, I took an essay writing course. We were assigned an anthology called The Best American Essays, which still sits, all marked up with black…
How much of your life do you consider blind luck, and how much do you attribute to the choices that you’ve made? Muslims are by their very nature fatalists. They…
Pull myself out of the U.S, drop myself in a totally different environment, and I've created for myself a clean slate. A chance to slip into a different routine, and…
I just got back from Los Angeles, LA for those of you in the know. I was attending AWP, a monster of a conference for writers, teachers, editors, and publishers.…
After months and months of working on a book, it’s easy to go blind to what you’ve got in hand. Especially if you've been going it alone without the guidance…
I'm just back from a big writer's conference in LA, where I spoke on a panel. Let me tell you, there's nothing more fun than hanging around 5,000 other people…
A writing prompt is a sentence designed to open the creative floodgates. Sometimes an image, or a picture, can serve to get the juices flowing, too. Get something down on…
Have I mentioned how much I love my job? Seriously, there are days where I feel like I should be paying my clients, not the other way around. So, I'm…
I’m going to walk you through my story writing process, and model it for you. I’ll explain how I come up with an idea for a story, then how I…
The last time I came back to the States for vacation while living in Iran, I got together with some old friends and regaled them with my latest in-law stories.…
The first time his owner spotted him, a gang of young kids was tossing him back and forth like a football. She’d shouted at them to stop abusing the puppy,…
Walt and I have been spent the last week lying around poolside. (BTW, I have to look up laying vs lying every goddamn time. Here's a link that explains the…
Once upon a time, Walt and I were out for a morning run. It so happens that our running route takes us past a river. Because it was springtime, we…
I love my job. I'm sure I've mentioned this fact before. I love the opportunity to get to know people deeply, to know how they think, what they believe, the…
Listen, I dole out constructive criticism all the live long day. It's part of my job as a content developer. I'm SUPPOSED to read what's on the page and point…
Here’s a fear-based obstacle I want to take a whip and a chair to. It’s a nasty critter. In fact, this might be the biggest challenge you’ll face when writing…
I want to tell you a little story about my daughter, Iman, and her One Draft Mentality in order to anchor in a point. I’m going to paint a scene,…
When I first began writing and presenting my short stories about Iran, people in my workshop class looked nervous. No doubt remembering the fatwa placed on Salmon Rushdie's head for…
Here's the thing. If you're a coach or a speaker looking to write a book, your readers (a.k.a. potential clients) want to know that you’ve overcome the same challenges that…
Walt and I are finally cleaning out the basements (yes, that's a plural); and the over-stuffed three-car garage; and the attics (again, the plural); and all of the closets; and…
Do you need to be motivated to take action? Nope. In fact, there are lots of times you’ll absolutely NOT feel like taking action when you promised yourself you would…
I broke my ankle a year or so ago, so I ended up in the gym after six weeks of going crazy at home. I don’t tend to watch TV…
I came across the perfect statement this morning in an old journal: Stop trying to control everybody and everything. I've spent my life trying to control my surroundings and the…
I get a lot of business through referrals. My current clients are my biggest source of referrals because they know precisely what I do for them, and they recognize immediately…