More than fifty years ago President John F. Kennedy gave an inaugural address which has remained memorable for just one part of one sentence – “... ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Authors, whether not yet published, struggling, or successful, would do well to reflect on these words.
(if you want to see the full address here is the video link KENNEDY SPEECH )
These words apply not just to service to country, but to EVERY part of our writing, business and personal life. Gaining recognition and success as an author today is like fighting a war. The ill prepared, the lazy, the selfish will all fall by the wayside and be drowned in the deluge of new books hitting the virtual bookstores every day.
To fight this war you will need ammunition (your book should be the best, professional, work you can prepare – with an amazing cover) and you will need allies. If you have the ammunition, it is your allies who will make or break you as an author. The Author community is supportive and understanding, but you need to GIVE before you will RECEIVE.
This is not the advice of a successful author. I am not very far along my writing journey, but I am helped along the way by my writing ‘family’. I urge all aspiring writers to join an author network. I only have experience of one, ASMSG (which is amazing), so I cannot comment on others, but I am aware that there are many. Most are free to join at a basic level, so try them out. Within my new ‘family’ I have found brilliant editors, honest reviewers, cover designers and marketing professionals – and I cannot thank them all enough for the modest success I have achieved so far.
I do what I can for them, retweeting them at every opportunity, reviewing their books when I can. There is still much more I could do – I need to understand Goodreads and use it to assist others more (sorry, guys), and I need to understand and take part in ‘blog tours’, book launches, joint promotions and many other things – I will get there eventually – there are only so many hours...............
Anyway, a BIG thank you to all who have helped me (please keep it up! ) – and I will look out for ways I can assist you – you only have to ask.
If you are in a generous mood I could do with some more ‘likes on my face book page to get me through the 1,000 barrier – www.facebook.com/arthurcrandonauthor - I will certainly like and friend you in return.
I hope your writing journey is enjoyable and rewarding. See you next week, Arthur. Usual cat pics once again adorn this monumental piece of prose for your delectation and enjoyment!
Authors, whether not yet published, struggling, or successful, would do well to reflect on these words.
(if you want to see the full address here is the video link KENNEDY SPEECH )
These words apply not just to service to country, but to EVERY part of our writing, business and personal life. Gaining recognition and success as an author today is like fighting a war. The ill prepared, the lazy, the selfish will all fall by the wayside and be drowned in the deluge of new books hitting the virtual bookstores every day.
To fight this war you will need ammunition (your book should be the best, professional, work you can prepare – with an amazing cover) and you will need allies. If you have the ammunition, it is your allies who will make or break you as an author. The Author community is supportive and understanding, but you need to GIVE before you will RECEIVE.
This is not the advice of a successful author. I am not very far along my writing journey, but I am helped along the way by my writing ‘family’. I urge all aspiring writers to join an author network. I only have experience of one, ASMSG (which is amazing), so I cannot comment on others, but I am aware that there are many. Most are free to join at a basic level, so try them out. Within my new ‘family’ I have found brilliant editors, honest reviewers, cover designers and marketing professionals – and I cannot thank them all enough for the modest success I have achieved so far.
I do what I can for them, retweeting them at every opportunity, reviewing their books when I can. There is still much more I could do – I need to understand Goodreads and use it to assist others more (sorry, guys), and I need to understand and take part in ‘blog tours’, book launches, joint promotions and many other things – I will get there eventually – there are only so many hours...............
Anyway, a BIG thank you to all who have helped me (please keep it up! ) – and I will look out for ways I can assist you – you only have to ask.
If you are in a generous mood I could do with some more ‘likes on my face book page to get me through the 1,000 barrier – www.facebook.com/arthurcrandonauthor - I will certainly like and friend you in return.
I hope your writing journey is enjoyable and rewarding. See you next week, Arthur. Usual cat pics once again adorn this monumental piece of prose for your delectation and enjoyment!
 FROMTHE SUBLIME...... |  TO THE RIDICULOUS!!! |
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