Have you ever been “double dog dared?” Plantation Swim Club in Louisville, KY, has a 32-foot diving board that has been legendary for more than 50 years. As kids we would talk about the high-dive, and we would “double dog dare” our friends to commit to making that dive. As a kid, I had promised myself that if I ever …

Passion is to an author as relaxation is to a beach; determination is to a marathoner; and curiosity is to a young kiddo. They are synonymous. They are one-in-the-same. If you have kids, you know they are filled with more “why” questions than you thought possible. All it takes is the sound of the ocean to cause most people’s inner …

First of all, thanks so much for writing content for my publication. Whether you know it or not, you are a lifesaver. My publication needs to be fed content on a regular basis, and you have been great about continuously feeding the beast with meaty content written in interesting and compelling ways. Secondly, you drive me crazy. I’m a volunteer, …

You’re an author and you’re a speaker. How do you sell more books when you are asked to speak? When you book the engagement, ask the meeting planner if it doesn’t make sense to extend the value of the program by pre-ordering a book for every attendee. It often does make sense, and allows you not only generate more revenue, …

You’re an author! Congratulations! You are now a part of an elite club, and there are some rules that you need to know now that you’re a member. Not that you have to follow all these rules; but some of these rules will allow you to boost sales and help you fully enjoy the benefits of membership. When someone buys …

Maybe you’ve been working as a practitioner inside an organization and you’ve been dreaming about the day you might hang out your shingle and become a consultant or speaker. Or maybe you’ve been working in one lane (as an HR consultant, for example) and are itching to change lanes and try something new (say, as a book coach). How do …

Sometimes I feel like a petulant child when I sit down to write. “I don’t want to write,” the child complains. “I want to play games and have fun.” I’ve tried to discipline the child and tell her that this is for her own good, that she needs to buckle down and get her work done, but she protests even …

White space is negative space. The part left blank. The space between the elements. In the graphic arts, white space is an integral component of the design. In music, the rests between the notes creates space and clarity. In speaking, the use of the pause allows the listener to grasp the punchline or the moral of the story. And so …

Last week I was meeting with a new client, and he asked me a powerful question. “Cathy, I basically know what concepts I want to share in my nonfiction book. But, how do I get my target reader to first buy it, then read it, then use it?” What a great question! Aren’t those the issues we’re all trying to …

What are the benefits of writing a chapter in an anthology? Plenty! The 80+ authors who have participated in Silver Tree Publishing anthologies, and especially the more than 15 authors who have participated in more than one anthology, have found great benefit in writing a chapter and having their name on the cover of a professional book. Here are some …