Transform

, by

Bob Hostetler here, offering another prayer for writers: Lord Jesus, you turned a meager lunch into a banquet for thousands, a common lake trout into an ATM, a brash fisherman into a water-walker, a skeptical Thomas into a staunch devotee, and a grisly death into death’s defeat. Please turn my faulty thoughts and flailing words into something worth reading. Amen.

Read More

Stories, Parables & Movie Scripts Basic screenplay writing excerpted from HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD (WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL) Part V The Premise

, by

A great story goes somewhere. It tells us something. That something is a premise. A poor story wanders about, gets lost and bores an audience. In a baseball game, the team with the most runs wins. You watch the game to see if the team that you like can get the most runs and win the game. Imagine how boring baseball would be if there was nothing to win: if “games” were like practice sessions where players just hit and fielded balls without a clear purpose. No one would want to pay to watch. A premise says, “To win, I…

Read More

Getting Heard Above the Noise

, by

Take it from me. When researching the topic of marketing for fiction, it seems there are about as many “experts” out in cyberspace and our local bookstore as there are writers of fiction. Each one believes they have the formula for success. Yet, when you check their sales numbers on Amazon or CBD (if they are Christian-based), their sales are often not very good. What does that say to you and me? What it tells me is that selling books is a lot like creating a product. Some become household names, like Kleenex and Ford. Some were mistakes that found…

Read More

Four obstacles we must remove to reach success

, by

Hola from Janet Perez Eckles…Igniting Your Passion to Overcome This past Friday, I figured out what to do to reach success. “Okay, guys,” I announced to my 7- and 5- year old grandkids, “here is the game. Take this straw and blow on the cotton ball gently enough so it will stay between the two lines marked with masking tape on the floor.” They both grabbed their straws, took turns, giggled and did their best.

Read More

Tips From the Pros: R.J. Larson/Kacy Barnett-Gramckow

, by

Davalynn Spencer here, writing from Colorado where evening thunderstorms send hot temperatures sailing. I am happy to welcome our Encore author, R. J. Larson/Kacy Barnett-Gramckow. Kacy, how many books do you have published? As Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, I have four published works: The Genesis Trilogy (Moody Publishers) and Dawnlight (Elk Lake Publishing.)

Read More

Five Tips to Rescue Your Brilliant Idea

, by

Georgia Shaffer from Pennsylvania Did you ever have a brilliant idea that later seemed to turn bad? Three years ago I had a great idea for a book. Once I decided to take action and make it a reality, however, I felt at times like it was the worst idea I ever had. We have all had similar moments. Since my bright idea became a published book (Coaching the Coach: Life Coaching Stories for Transforming Lives), I’ll share five things to remember when a brilliant thought flashes through your mind, and what to do afterwards as you try to bring…

Read More

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK MARKETING

, by

  Back-to-school is a great time to market books. If you write for adults, you may think this is not true. After all, many families are spending their money on school supplies and new clothes for the kids – right? Here are some ways to market your books during this transition period. Consider Your Audience Children are making a transition into new routines for the school year. Now is a great time for them to start with a new devotional. I posted about that here. Many kids will also be reading books of their choosing for school assignments and free reading…

Read More

NEW RELEASE: MAY 2015 – ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS BY ANNE GREENE

, by

  ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS is a World War II romance where Steel Magnolias meets Band of Brothers. While test flying repaired planes as a Woman Air Service Pilot, WASP, Mandy McCabe escapes her dead-end life in Hangman’s Hollow, Tennessee. Major Harvey Applegate lost his wife to the WASP program, and he’s convinced Yankee Doodle Gals have no place flying in the war effort. He determines to protect the ladies by sending them back home. Both Mandy and Harvey experience immediate attraction. Will their new love survive the test? One love. Two goals. Someone has to give.

Read More