You Can Write and Publish a Best-Selling eBook in Just 3 Days... Really!

Some people use Facebook ads.
Others use membership sites. 
You've probably heard it all:
Mastermind groups are the way to go. 
Google ad words rock. SEO is where it's at. 
And this is all true....
for some people.

But, there is one thing ALL the successful business owners and thought leaders I know have in common:
They all use eBooks to create credibility and profits.

And in this free webinar, digital publishing and online business expert Ellen Violette will show you how you can too!

Join us now at: https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/j2014/jls1422

Ellen is the most experienced eBook mentor I know. She has helped top-shelf internet marketers, authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, independent professionals, mompreneurs, and newbies create profitable eBooks.

Most importantly, she's helped people build multiple revenue streams around their eBooks. Even entire businesses. It’s really that powerful.

Reserve your place now: https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/j2014/jls1422

Whether you're trying to write an eBook for the first time, you've started but can't finish, or you've already written an ebook, but it just isn't selling, Ellen is the person to listen to.

The truth is that Ereaders have completely changed the game and now ebooks are outselling traditional books!
Luckily, it's not too late to get started!

I know you're busy, but if you haven't written an ebook yet, or you're not happy with the results you're getting from the ones you have written, then you won't want to miss this important training!

When you join Ellen for this free webinar training you will discover:

    -Why writing an ebook in 72 hours or less is no longer a luxury but a NECESSITY.

    -How to get started (including the common mistakes that keep people from getting started).

    -How writing an ebook can help you build a subscriber list and be in business in 48 hours or less.

    -How to take the guesswork out of the process, so that you are guaranteed to actually write an ebook every time you want to.

    -How to avoid the twin dragons that stop so many people from becoming successful authors.

    -Why you are your worst critic and how to stop it.

    -Why people start eBooks and don't finish them and how you can.

    -What it takes to write a best-seller and how to do it.

https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/j2014/jls1422

You'll also receive a FREE gift: 9 Tips To Find Out What Your Customers Want So You Can Give It To Them PDF to help you get started just for registering!
https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/j2014/jls1422

So, I hope you can make it!

To your eBook Success,

Joyce Shafer

P.S. If you can't attend, remember to sign-up anyway to receive the exclusive recording. But, it is a limited-time replay, so listen at your earliest convenience! https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/j2014/jls1422

P.S.S. Feel free to pass this email on to your friends who might like it.
https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/j2014/jls1422

Can You Make Money with e-Books?

Free Webinar, The Big FAT LIE of self publishing revealed! How most successful authors really make money!  https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/lie/jls1422

I have something really exciting to share with you....it's a brand new training from my friend and colleague Ellen Violette a.k.a. The Original eBook Coach! and she's going to be sharing it this Thursday,  July 10th. 5:30 p.m. PDT/ 8:30  p.m. EDT

It's called: The BIG Lie About Self Publishing & How Most Successful Author's REALLY Make Money Fast!

She's doing it because she was watching a video by an"expert" and it got her hot under the collar because he was telling that BIG FAT LIE, and she's heard it one too many times and had had enough!

All it does is give authors false hope and when it doesn't pan out, they get frustrated and many even give up. And it's all because too many of them have bought into the lie!

On this call, Ellen will reveal the TRUTH about self publishing and how you really CAN make money fast! 
(She did it, her clients are doing it, and you can too!)

Come to the call to find out what the BIG (FAT) LIE is and how you can REALLY make money as an author and stop wasting your time on tactics and strategies that simply don't work for 99% of authors!

Here's what she'll be covering:

-The BIG LIE about self-publishing
(this can be really depressing if you bought into it and now you aren't getting the results you expected!)

-3 ways authors can profit from their ebooks

-2 PROVEN strategies for making money with ebooks NOW!

- Why most authors don't succeed and how you can!

-How to make ebook writing easy!
and more!

To register for the call, go to:https://createasplash.isrefer.com/go/lie/jls1422

Enjoy!

Joyce Shafer

Services for Writers

Proper Use of Abbreviations in Fiction and Nonfiction

In this day and age of texting, people are becoming adept at using abbreviations. However, this is not appropriate, for the most part, when writing fiction or nonfiction, unless your characters have dialogues that involve texting.

You have to spell out the words. For example, if you want your character to drive a vehicle or motorcycle fast, you might be tempted to write… Jake put the pedal to the metal. His bike lurched forward. Soon he was cruising at 95 MPH. But, that wouldn’t be correct. You need to say he was cruising at ninety-five, believing your readers know you mean at what speed; or write that the numbers on the speedometer hit ninety-five; or write that he was cruising at ninety-five miles per hour. [Notice that 95 became spelled out, as well. Numbers under 100 are to be spelled out, unless other numbers in the same paragraph are 100 or higher.] It’s the same for other words people tend to abbreviate, like pounds (lbs.), number (#), and so on.

Technical writing and nonfiction still have rules, but you can use common abbreviations. You must spell the words out the first time and show the abbreviation in parentheses next to it. Example: RAdio Detection And Ranging (Radar) or Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Once you do this, don’t go back and forth between use of the full term and the abbreviation—use the abbreviation, unless it is used at the start of a sentence.

What about Addresses?

When an address is part of text, spell it out: Avenue, Boulevard, Building, Circle, Court, Drive, Lane, Parkway, Place, Road, Square, Street, Terrace. Also spell out directions that are part of an address, like North, South, East, and West (e.g., South Parkway). You don’t spell directions out when the address includes NW, NE, SE, SW (e.g. Aerie Parkway NE).

What about States?

Anytime you write a state name by itself, it should be spelled out (New York, not NY). When you write a state name after a city, it’s still preferred to be spelled out (Rome, Georgia)—except for the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.). However, some cities are so well known that the state or country does not need to be mentioned: New York City (you need to add “City” to clarify between the city and the state—or if you mean a particular borough of the city (there are five), use the specific one: Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens); Atlanta; New Orleans; San Francisco; Paris; London; etc.

I wish you the best with your writing, process, and progress.

Joyce Shafer

Services for Writers:

I specialize in helping first-time writers become indie authors or get their manuscript agent-ready (though, I’m pleased to say clients continue to rely on my services each time they publish).

4 steps to get your fiction, nonfiction, or memoir self-published or agent-ready that I can help you with:

1) Get your manuscript right,

2) Get it formatted,

3) Get your free ISBN, free marketing package, and free book cover*, and

4) Get your book published and onto your retail page, Amazon, etc.

*Some publishing sites offer free book cover services, or maybe you know how to create one, or I have a reliable designer I can recommend.

http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/

What's Your Burning Question about Becoming a Writer?

If you’re a first-time book writer or thinking about writing a book, what’s your biggest question or concern that would help you move forward to get it written? 

Contact me at http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/ and let me know.

Joyce Shafer

Services for Writers

I help first-time or wannabe writers gain confidence and complete their fiction, nonfiction, or memoir manuscript.

When a Sentence Begins with an Abbreviated Word Using an Apostrophe

Sometimes your characters speak in slanguage. This means one or more of them may not say something like Because at the start of a sentence—that’s too formal for them. So, you want to write it right.

If you read British novels, you see that they capitalize the first letter that comes after the apostrophe. Example: “’Cause I said so! That’s why.”

However, the American tradition now prefers that “c” to be lower case:  “’cause I said so! That’s why.”

It’s important to make sure you aim the apostrophe in the correct direction, which is toward the missing letter or letters.

To get this right, type

“Be’cause…”

Then delete the B and e: “’cause…”

I wish you the best with your writing and process.

Joyce Shafer

SOME OF MY SERVICES FOR WRITERS:

~Need a nudge or guidance to get your book written? The Chapter-by-Chapter Get-Your-Book-Written Writer’s Incentive Coaching Program can help!

http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/incentive-program.html

~Find more helpful tips for new writers and writers who wish to self-publish in WRITE, GET PUBLISHED, AND PROMOTE (covers the basics for beginning writers—Also available on Nook) http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jls1422

~What Kind of Editing Will You Need?

Eventually, every manuscript needs an editor’s eyes. Learn more about which services will assist you and your manuscript best at

http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/ 

~Are you a self-published author (or publishing-house author) who needs or wants your book reviewed and reviews published? Self-Published Authors Book Review Service

http://Self-PublishedAuthorsBookReviews.weebly.com

Do You Need an Incentive to Write Your Book?

We’ve all been there… You’re excited about your decision to write a book and you start talking to people about it. And then—

The conversation you, as a writer (especially a first-time book writer), don’t want to have:

Interested Party: “What are you doing lately that’s interesting?”

You: “I’m writing a book.” [Now you briefly tell what it’s about.]

IP: “That’s awesome! How’s it going?”

You: “It’s going.”

IP: “When will it be available?”

You: “Umm…”

IP: “How much have you written so far?”

You: “Umm…” [Maybe your “Umm” is a result of having a challenge with motivation to work on your book. Maybe it’s a result of not feeling sure about how what you’ve written so far reads. Maybe it’s because so far all you’ve actually done is talk about it and the only thing you’ve typed is the working title.]

The conversation you, as a writer (especially a first-time book writer), can have instead:

Interested Party: “What are you doing lately that’s interesting?”

You: “I’m writing a book.” [Now you briefly tell what it’s about.]

IP: “That’s awesome! How’s it going?”

You: “Really well! I’m working with a writing coach. I write a chapter, or up to three chapters, a month and then e-mail it to my coach so she can critique how it’s going. She tells me what’s working and what isn’t and offers suggestions for improvements. She also gives me notes about technical and creative aspects so I’m not only writing but improving my skills as I go. Because of this feedback and because I invest in myself through the reasonable fee she charges to do this each time I send her a chapter, I stay motivated and I’m making progress that I used to only wish I was making.

Work with a writing coach! Details about The Chapter-by-Chapter Get-Your-Book-Written Writer’s Incentive Coaching at http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/writing-coach.html.

Make Your Indie Novel the Best It Can Be

Guest Blogger: indie author Kia Heavey

Do you have a completed draft of your novel? Congratulations! Writing a full manuscript is certainly something to be proud of. Take a breather and pat yourself on the back, but then it’s time to hone and refine your project into a truly praise-worthy literary work for your readers.

I recently completed this process for the second time. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned since the first time around and using this perspective, I put together this list of best practices to help indie authors get their projects into tip-top shape for publishing and marketing. Of course, what works for me may not work for everyone, but hopefully you’ll find something useful in this post. Here’s what I’ve learned so far…

Your book isn’t finished.

Just accept this. You may think you’ve written a complete novel and maybe you have, but it’s probably not a very good one – yet.  Remember the old adage about success being 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration, and read on…

You need feedback readers.

You may think your book is complete, but that is often because in your head, you know what you meant to say. Unfortunately, your readers aren’t in your head. It’s not apparent to you, but there are places in your manuscript where something doesn’t work. Trust me, there just are. You’ve been so engrossed in this project for so long, you don’t have the perspective to see the issues.

But feedback readers do! And their input is the difference between a quirky, promising, but not-quite-there manuscript and a compelling, polished page-turner.

Choose appropriate feedback readers.

I belong to a local writers’ group, but I do not rely on them for critiques of my work. This is because they are not representative of my target audience. For example, the last novel I wrote was for teen girls and their mothers who enjoy YA fiction. The average age in my writers’ group is north of 60.  So when I needed feedback, I sought out readers among personal acquaintances as well as Goodreads connections. I pre-screened them according to their reading habits and sought input only from people with a track record of reading YA who also possessed the psycho-demographics I wanted to serve.

Choose what feedback to use.

You’re an Indie author. Maybe you don’t have an agent or a six-figure contract, but you do have something wonderful: autonomy. You aren’t bound to make every change some egghead editor tells you to make. This is your project, and you make the calls.

In fact, it’s not uncommon to get conflicting comments from different feedback readers. It’s literally impossible to implement all the advice you’ll get. Once you have read through all the comments, you ultimately decide what fits the story you’re telling and the philosophy you’re conveying. Accept that you will never please all the people all the time, but you can learn to balance your own creative integrity with marketability and audience appeal.

You need an editor.

No, I’m not just saying this because I’m guest-posting on Joyce’s site and she’s my friend. You really do need one. Even if you got straight A’s in English class. Even if you yourself are a professional editor.

There are two main points at which you might invite an editor into your project. The first is when you are ready to show your manuscript to beta readers. At this point, consider getting a comprehensive critique from a professional. (If this is your first book and you can afford it, a comprehensive critique is almost a must. It is worth every penny because of all the things you’ll learn.) The second point is when you have a final, tight manuscript that you think is ready to publish. This is a great time to run it past an editor to clean up grammatical errors, typos, etc.

If you publish a book rife with editing errors, it will not be taken seriously. Please don’t do that to yourself after you’ve worked so hard.

Find friendly reviewers.

Got your book published? Now it’s time to send out review copies and start building up Internet buzz. Many prolific readers have book review blogs, and many more post reviews on important sites like Amazon and Goodreads. Make a list of potential reviewers, order up some review copies of the paperback, get the ebook file ready to email, and start sending out review requests. As with feedback readers, look for reviewers who represent the correct psycho-demographic to appreciate your work. Do this part well and not only will reviews pile up, there will be plenty of four– and five–star reviews among them.

Don’t quit your day job.

The good thing about being an Indie author – no agents or publishers telling you what to do – is also the bad thing – no agents or publishers sending you royalty checks. The odds against you becoming wealthy from a single indie title are astronomically high. They get a little lower with each additional book you publish and with competent marketing, but no one knows for sure how to make the lightning strike. In fact, the only indie authors I know of who make a living off their writing treat it like, well, a job. They put in many hours and re-invest royalties in their business.

Decide what purpose your writing will serve for you – creative outlet or moneymaking business – and treat it accordingly. May you find it as rewarding a pastime as I do!

Kia Heavey is the author of Night Machines (2011) and Underlake (2014). You can read about her books on her website: kiaheavey.com.