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February 2nd, 2010
 Non-fiction books are usually commissioned by publishers before the whole manuscript is written on the basis of a first-class book proposal plus a few sample chapters.
When you sign the contract you have to commit to a delivery date for your completed manuscript and publishers will schedule the book for publication based on that date.
Finishing a manuscript can be more challenging than some writers expect because it does feel different once you are under contract to a publisher and the pressure of an important deadline can interfere with the creative flow.
Even if you are planning on self-publishing your book, working to a deadline is a good idea. It will ensure that your writing is high enough up your priority list to get done and avoid the trap of it taking so long that you lose energy and enthusiasm for it.
So here are 5 tips to support you to complete your non-fiction manuscript:
- Always give yourself more time than you think you need. The reality is that your writing will take longer than you expect it to, especially if this is your first book.
Time and again I have worked with authors who are confident of their subject and under the impression that it “won’t take long to write it all down”.
Yet however familiar you are with the content, the writing process has a magic all of its own. You will almost certainly discover new ideas as you write and different ways of explaining your message on the page.
Consider this point carefully before you agree to the delivery date which goes into your contract. My recommendation is that for an average non-fiction book, four to six months from signature of the contract is a minimum you should agree to unless there is a really good reason to shorten that time frame.
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Tags: author, creative process, manuscript, publisher, Writing
Posted in Creativity, Publishing, Writing | No Comments »
January 29th, 2010
 This is a great question and, as is often the case with writing a book for publication, there is no single answer which will suit all people and all situations.
Sometimes it works best to map out your ideas first and then write to that overall structure. At other times it is preferable to enjoy the blank page (or screen) and the freedom to explore new ideas as the writing unfolds.
I recommend that you take the following into account when deciding on your approach:
- The inevitable differences between fiction and non-fiction
- Who you are as an individual and how you usually work best
- What the writing requires of you in terms of the most effective way of crafting and communicating your message or telling your story
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these scenarios using examples from the work I do with my clients.
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Tags: creative process, structure, Writing
Posted in Creativity, Writing | No Comments »
January 22nd, 2010
Enjoy a stellar line-up of bestselling authors and guest experts from around the world in the inaugural virtual event which marks the offical launch of the International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers.
Our theme is Discover Your Authentic Voice – on the page and in the world. Listen and learn about tried and tested tools, tips and techniques for success as a published author in today’s fast-changing marketplace.
Be inspired, informed and immerse yourself for a few hours in the creative world of writing and reaching a wide international audience with your message and your stories.
Live calls FREE to all!
For more information and to register, click here …
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WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY
 How to Succeed as an Inspired Author Entrepreneur
with
Nick Williams
entrepreneur, author, international speaker
15:30 GMT/ 10:30 EST
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 How to Write & Publish Authentic Books Successfully
with
Marc Allen
publisher, author, musician
17:00 UK GMT/ 12:00 EST
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 How to Navigate the World of Publishing,
Publicity & Building a Platform
with
Arielle Ford
publicist, author, entrepreneur
18:30 GMT / 1:30 EST
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THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY
 How to Deliver an Authentic Media Message
with
Alan Stevens
media expert , professional speaker, author
14:00 GMT / 9:00 EST
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 How to Be an Authentic New York Times Bestselling Author
with
Mike Dooley
NY Times bestselling author, international speaker
15:30 GMT / 10:30 EST
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 How to Benefit From Being Part of a Membership-Based Association
with
Sheri McConnell
entrepreneur, author, CEO
17:00 GMT / 12:00 EST
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Live calls FREE to all!
For more information and to register, click here …
Tags: authentic, author, conscious, creative, Publishing, writer, writer's voice
Posted in Authenticity, Creativity, Events, Publishing, Writing | No Comments »
January 18th, 2010
 Many publishers are feeling generally optimistic about the future of the industry. Yet according to Gail Rebuck, chairman and c.e.o. of Random House Group, 2010 will be a year of ‘steady’ rather than stellar results leading towards a ‘tectonic’ shift over the next few years.
She is not alone in her view that the book trade will see the recession through but needs to prepare for continued unprecedented change over the coming years with the increase of interest in all things digital. HarperCollins UK chief executive and publisher Victoria Barnsley agrees, ‘The day when we sold only hardbacks and paperbacks will be looked backed at with wonder.’
One of the big questions about the digital future is whether it will gradually erode the popularity of print books – and ultimately replace certain types of books altogether – or encourage a new audience to enjoy the experience of reading great books?
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Tags: authentic, book trade, change, creative, digital, marketing, publisher
Posted in Authenticity, Creativity, Publishing | 2 Comments »
January 12th, 2010
 I hope that 2010 has got off to a great start for you. The full/blue moon on New Year’s Eve seems to have brought in a new wave of energy which I sense is going to make a major impact as we head into the new decade – exciting!
At last I am ready to share the details of my ‘emerging vision’ project. It feels like a perfect moment to do so and I can barely find the words to express how significant this feels and how passionate I am about it.
The project has arisen out of the fact that I find myself to be on a mission which I have chosen to accept fully.
My mission is to open the way for people to discover their authentic voice – on the page and in the world.
There are 3 main reasons why I am so motivated about this …
Tags: authentic, author, conscious, creative, true voice, Writing
Posted in Authenticity, Creativity, Emerging Vision, Personal Reflections, Publishing, Writing | No Comments »
January 8th, 2010
 After many months of engaging ever more deeply with my ‘emerging vision’ project, and taking the action required for this vision to show up in the world, I have reached the penultimate stage of this phase of the journey.
I am at the point where I can see before me the tangible evidence of my efforts over the last few months … and I totally love it!
Before I take the final step and reveal the details in just a few days time, I am pausing to appreciate the experience I have had and the enormous growth this project has demanded of me.
So what can I share from my experience that may be of value to you?
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Tags: balance, creative process, intuition, Publishing, purpose, vision, Writing
Posted in Authenticity, Creativity, Emerging Vision, Personal Reflections | 2 Comments »
January 4th, 2010
 The New Year is a fabulous time to inject a fresh burst of energy into your plans for writing your book for publication.
So here are 7 tips to help you have your best writing year yet:
1. Identify what’s really important to you about your writing. So many people today live in the fast lane. As a result, it is easy to lose sight of what really matters.
With your writing, being consciously connected to what is really important enables you to give yourself permission to prioritise your writing time. This means that you will get your writing done and feel more creatively satisfied as a result.
So start this year by taking time to re-connect to the source of your inspiration to write. Then write about that in your journal to refer back to in the coming months.
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Tags: action, book, publication, vision, Writing
Posted in Publishing, Writing | No Comments »
December 21st, 2009
 The Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) occurs today at 17.47 pm GMT / 12.47 pm EST.
It is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world and honours the return of the sun after the longest night of the year. The sun is the giver of light and so the winter solstice signifies the triumph of light over darkness as well as a time of rebirth and new beginnings.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Winter Solstice and to celebrate the fact that our paths have crossed this year in what I hope has been a mutually rewarding exchange.
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Tags: author, conscious, creative, intention, mentor, new beginnings, vision, Writing
Posted in Emerging Vision, Personal Reflections, Writing | 12 Comments »
December 17th, 2009
 Having lots of different interests and ideas is an issue that many writers have to deal with. In fact one of the first stages of the Writer’s Journey is all about reaching a point of clarity regarding what you really want to write about.
Even if you have just one main area of interest, often there are many different facets of that topic which you could write about.
The truth is that publishers usually do prefer writers to specialise in one subject area. One of the main reasons for this is to do with establishing yourself as an expert in that area.
It may be that you are able to combine one or more related topics such as personal development ideas being applied in a business context. But becoming known and visible in the world as an expert in an identifiable niche is what really counts.
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Tags: authentic, clarity, creative process, credibility, expert, Writing
Posted in Authenticity, Creativity, Writing | No Comments »
December 11th, 2009
 We are simultaneously just a few short weeks, and a whole New Year, away from the moment when I will at last reveal the mystery of what my “emerging vision” project actually is! I am so looking forward to sharing the details with you.
The New Year announcement will mark the end of the initial stages of creation and the beginning of the next phase when communication and connection will become the top priority.
In the meantime, I have recently crossed another major creative threshold which is a reflection of an important stage on the writer’s journey – when you first invite others to view, and potentially contribute to, your work.
This is a significant moment with all creative endeavours which are intended to reach an audience. It is also one of the most challenging steps of bringing a project to fruition.
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Tags: audience, communication, creative process, rejection, vision
Posted in Creativity, Emerging Vision, Personal Reflections, Writing | No Comments »
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Non-fiction books are usually commissioned by publishers before the whole manuscript is written on the basis of a first-class book proposal plus a few sample chapters.
