As a book coach working with nonfiction authors, I find that many of my clients know their subject so well that they forget to “set the stage” for their readers, leaving their readers feeling lost or disconnected from the content. What do your readers need to know so that they will feel welcomed, included, engaged, and valued as they read …

Over a year ago I met branding expert and photographer Melissa Demple, and was totally excited about what a difference her approach could mean for authors. So many of my authors (myself included) have the typical headshot for their book cover, and while often quite lovely, don’t really say anything about their brand or their message. After talking with Melissa, …

When my friend Jeff recommends a book, I usually run right out and buy it. So when he mentioned Gift-ology, I placed my Amazon order. Gift-ology, by John Ruhlin is about the art and science of using gifts to cut through the noise, increase referrals, and strengthen retention. It made me think about what we as authors need to do …

You’ve got lots of ideas to include in your book. So how do you not lose good ideas while sorting through all the juicy tidbits you’d like to share? In one of my group coaching calls, this was the question asked by a client. And, while each author on the call shared our own ideas, one of the best was …

This isn’t a rhetorical question, but rather, one posed to me by Karen P. Fredette, the author of several works of fiction covering the topic of solitude and life as a hermit. I suggested that she consider current events, and connect her book’s topic to what is happening in the world today. I recommended that blog posts and social media …

This post is taken from Lois Creamer’s and Cathy’s book, The Speaker Author. What’s a one-sheet? It’s generally an 8 ½ x 11 page that details who the Speaker Author is, what topics they speak about, testimonials from consulting and coaching clients, readers, and audiences, and contact information. You may be thinking, “Aren’t they passé?” Our reply is, “You only …

You’re speaking at a conference or seminar. You’d like to sell your books. But you also know that the event planner has strict rules about not selling from the platform. How can you sell books without selling books? Include the title of your book in your introduction that you bring to the engagement. Be sure to let your introducer know …

Maria has a great collection of stories that she knows she wants to put in a book. But she also wants her book to serve as a tool to grow her new training and consulting business. She has no idea how she might integrate these great (and truly hilarious) stories into a book that will serve her. Joan is a …

It’s summertime. Vacations. Picnics. Days at the lake. Thoughts tend to drift toward leisure activities, knowing that “back to school” season is just around the corner. So, is summertime a good time to write? Or is it the time to replenish and restore one’s soul? It depends. It depends on your needs, and it depends upon your goals and aspirations. …

I love this picture of Art Linkletter and me, taken many years ago (1994 maybe?) at a NSA Influence banquet. It represents what can happen when you “think big” when considering testimonials for your book. I’m not sure who it was who gave me this sage advice (I feel certain it was a NSA colleague): to think of the biggest …