I am hiding in the Cotswolds. I have run away from home. After two years of trying, I’ve discovered that it is next to impossible for me to write my own book in my own house, surrounded by client work, family, a dishwasher that needs unloading, and a million other potential distractions. So far I’ve […]
Continue readingOne of the things I learned to do last year was to ask for endorsements. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? In fact, it IS very simple. But it’s also very hard if you’re terribly, terribly British. My instinct when someone says something nice about me is to laugh nervously, flap a hand as though fanning […]
Continue readingThe 10-day business book proposal challenge is nearly over – today is Day 9 and we’re talking about features and benefits and back cover copy. Writing your own book’s back cover copy has got to be one of the highlights of this challenge – while most of the proposal document is aimed at convincing the […]
Continue readingToday’s blog is a guest post over at BookMachine, on building the platform before writing the book, with observations from both author (Kelly Pietrangeli) and publisher (Adrian Zackheim). While you’re there, why not take a moment to cast your vote in their blogging award?
Continue readingI did. And I stumbled on this sumptuous Pinterest board from Non Fiction Books – a gallery of gorgeous covers, new and old. Most of the design accolades out there for book covers seem to be focused on fiction, so this is a refreshing and inspiring treat for a NoFi girl like me. https://uk.pinterest.com/martaborrell/non-fiction-books/ Here’s […]
Continue readingToday is Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, allegedly. Not on this site. Today we’re celebrating two brilliant new books officially published by Practical Inspiration Publishing. The first is by Maria Hocking, a transformational coach with an incredible personal story. Here’s what readers are saying about Strip Naked and Re-Dress with Happiness: How […]
Continue readingToday’s post is over at Birds on the Blog – a fairy tale for entrepreneurs. Ole Kirk Christiansen had a remarkable blend of talent, integrity, resourcefulness, tenacity and vision. He took every boulder that fate threw at him and used it to build his life’s work. http://birdsontheblog.co.uk/four-disasters-and-a-crazy-risk/
Continue readingThad McIlroy, the brains behind TheFutureOfPublishing.com, has released a fascinating report into publishing start-ups in the US. It makes sobering reading. I remember being the contact at the big publishing house, being approached by start-ups keen to use our content and partner to reach our markets, trying to assess if these passionate young men (they were […]
Continue readingApropos of absolutely nothing, I thought I’d share with you a bit of my son’s unique philosophy. He turned 9 this week. He: Being 9 feels very different to being 8. Me: How is it different? He, loftily: I feel wiser. Me: Really? What do you know now you’re 9 that you didn’t know when […]
Continue readingWe’re talking about titles and subtitles today in the 10-day Business Book Proposal Challenge: it’s a hair-standing-up-on-the-back-of-the-neck moment for some challengers who have absolutely nailed it, others know they’re getting close but it’s not quite there yet. They have a working title, and at this stage, that’s good enough. Titles are funny things. I had […]
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