How will your story make a difference to others?

I hope to inspire some of you to realize the gift hidden within you and give you the tools you need to spread that message and give new ideas and knowledge to make this world a little better for everyone. If you have a unique gift or ability, a book is the easiest way to spread that message to as many people as possible.

I would like to share with you the stories of some of the authors who I have helped to recognize their gift and spread the “word” with their published book.

One of those authors, Annie Hopper, has discovered a cure for Fibromalgia, MSC and Chronic pain syndrome and she is sharing her story to help other sufferers so that they can learn how she cured herself.  She hopes that if one sufferer can find a cure by reading her book, she has been successful in reaching out to other people who are going through the pain of the illness that once made her homeless.  Annie also offers workshops and since writing her book she has been able to spread her message to a much wider audience by giving radio interviews and being featured in the press.

Dr Daniel Scott is helping people to self-defend themselves in the workplace from verbal abuse with his book “Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace.” He demonstrates how Neuro Linguistic Programming can be used against the workplace bully. His book will guide the reader through a detailed process of learning and practicing all the skills necessary to verbally defend themselves effectively in a professional manner. The exercises will include learning how to properly consider other people’s perceptions while still respecting and adhering to their own personal morals and principles, all within the structure and expectations of the company. Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace is written primarily for general office workers and service industry staff; anyone who deals with individuals that become angry or confrontational with an organization’s employees and volunteers. He is providing a service to other people by helping them to overcome workplace bullying, something many of us have been the victim of. More information on this book at www.VerbalSelfDefenseBook.com

Another example of a book that was written to help other people is “Care of the Caregiver” It is an easy-to-follow and practical working guide to help families and friends navigate the vital details of everyday life while caring for a loved one at home during a chronic or debilitating illness. When Lynn Longmuir’s husband Niall was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1996, Lynn gradually found herself in a full time care-giving role with limited resources and no way of knowing how to deal with her own grief and pain. Taking care of someone you love is difficult and taking care of yourself in the process, without help, is practically impossible. After discovering how difficult to access and few resources existed for caregivers, she dedicated herself to ensuring that others in her situation have both the practical and emotional tools to be strong for themselves and their loved ones. Lynn is able to bring a voice of experience and compassion to this important topic. She can be found at www.CareForTheCaregiver.ca

Many entrepreneurs I know are inspiring and helping other entrepreneurs by offering insightful business leadership tools, sharing their knowledge to help. So ask yourself now…

• How will your story help others?  How can you be of service to others with your book?
• How can you help other people with the knowledge and experience you have?
• How can you best get that knowledge across so it is easy for the reader to understand?

How will your story make a difference to others?

I hope to inspire some of you to realize the gift hidden within you and give you the tools you need to spread that message and give new ideas and knowledge to make this world a little better for everyone. If you have a unique gift or ability, a book is the easiest way to spread that message to as many people as possible.

I would like to share with you the stories of some of the authors who I have helped to recognize their gift and spread the “word” with their published book.

One of those authors, Annie Hopper, has discovered a cure for Fibromalgia, MSC and Chronic pain syndrome and she is sharing her story to help other sufferers so that they can learn how she cured herself.  She hopes that if one sufferer can find a cure by reading her book, she has been successful in reaching out to other people who are going through the pain of the illness that once made her homeless.  Annie also offers workshops and since writing her book she has been able to spread her message to a much wider audience by giving radio interviews and being featured in the press.

Dr Daniel Scott is helping people to self-defend themselves in the workplace from verbal abuse with his book “Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace.” He demonstrates how Neuro Linguistic Programming can be used against the workplace bully. His book will guide the reader through a detailed process of learning and practicing all the skills necessary to verbally defend themselves effectively in a professional manner. The exercises will include learning how to properly consider other people’s perceptions while still respecting and adhering to their own personal morals and principles, all within the structure and expectations of the company. Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace is written primarily for general office workers and service industry staff; anyone who deals with individuals that become angry or confrontational with an organization’s employees and volunteers. He is providing a service to other people by helping them to overcome workplace bullying, something many of us have been the victim of. More information on this book at www.VerbalSelfDefenseBook.com

Another example of a book that was written to help other people is “Care of the Caregiver” It is an easy-to-follow and practical working guide to help families and friends navigate the vital details of everyday life while caring for a loved one at home during a chronic or debilitating illness. When Lynn Longmuir’s husband Niall was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1996, Lynn gradually found herself in a full time care-giving role with limited resources and no way of knowing how to deal with her own grief and pain. Taking care of someone you love is difficult and taking care of yourself in the process, without help, is practically impossible. After discovering how difficult to access and few resources existed for caregivers, she dedicated herself to ensuring that others in her situation have both the practical and emotional tools to be strong for themselves and their loved ones. Lynn is able to bring a voice of experience and compassion to this important topic. She can be found at www.CareForTheCaregiver.ca

Many entrepreneurs I know are inspiring and helping other entrepreneurs by offering insightful business leadership tools, sharing their knowledge to help. So ask yourself now…

• How will your story help others?  How can you be of service to others with your book?
• How can you help other people with the knowledge and experience you have?
• How can you best get that knowledge across so it is easy for the reader to understand?

What is stopping you from sharing your knowledge and experience? Don’t let Fear and Ego get in the way of writing and publishing your book.

The biggest obstacle for writing your book always comes down to fear and ego, these are the top 3 objections:

• Is my story interesting enough?
• Will people be interested in reading it?
• Is my writing good enough?

When in reality you should be asking yourself:

• How can I be of service to others with my book?
• How can I help other people with the knowledge and experience I have?
• How can I best get that knowledge across so it is easy for the reader to understand?

Asking these tough questions up front will help you organize your book with the benefits to the reader always at the forefront of your outline.  The most challenging questions I always ask are at the beginning of my InspireABook™ workshops are:

1. Who is your reader? (i.e. age, sex, demographics, customers, friends, family or specific group i.e. cancer patients, entrepreneurs, parents etc,)
2. What will they learn by reading your book? (i.e. educational, inspirational, motivational etc)

Once you can answer these questions we have learnt the focus of your book and from here we organize your content to always reflect the lessons you want your reader to learn in a way it is easy for them to learn.

I’ll give you some specific examples from my clients in the next post – so stay tuned!

What is stopping you from sharing your knowledge and experience? Don’t let Fear and Ego get in the way of writing and publishing your book.

The biggest obstacle for writing your book always comes down to fear and ego, these are the top 3 objections:

• Is my story interesting enough?
• Will people be interested in reading it?
• Is my writing good enough?

When in reality you should be asking yourself:

• How can I be of service to others with my book?
• How can I help other people with the knowledge and experience I have?
• How can I best get that knowledge across so it is easy for the reader to understand?

Asking these tough questions up front will help you organize your book with the benefits to the reader always at the forefront of your outline.  The most challenging questions I always ask are at the beginning of my InspireABook™ workshops are:

1. Who is your reader? (i.e. age, sex, demographics, customers, friends, family or specific group i.e. cancer patients, entrepreneurs, parents etc,)
2. What will they learn by reading your book? (i.e. educational, inspirational, motivational etc)

Once you can answer these questions we have learnt the focus of your book and from here we organize your content to always reflect the lessons you want your reader to learn in a way it is easy for them to learn.

I’ll give you some specific examples from my clients in the next post – so stay tuned!

NEW! JUST ADDED! THURSDAY PRECONFERENCE INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS

Thursday February 11th Classes!

Feel like coming in a day early? Want an intimate, small group half-day or full-day workshop led by some of the best in the business?

Can’t come to the main conference but still want to juice up your writing? Then consider the Thursday, February 11th PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS!

For $149 for a half-day workshop or $300 for Donald Maass’ incredible Writing the Breakthrough Novel seminar, you can’t afford NOT to learn from these top notch instructors. And if you’re already registered for the MAIN SFWC CONFERENCE, you can deduct $50 from your total preconference workshop fee as our thank you gift!

For more information on the other presenters click here

Subscribe to the newsletter to hear the latest and get your free bonuses!

The Seventh Annual San Francisco Writers Conference
‘Building Bridges to Better Tomorrows’

February 12 – 14, 2010

If you only go to one writers conference a year, attend the one that truly helps you get published. The 2010 Conference will feature nearly 100 agents, authors, editors and book industry professionals in a stellar set of opportunities for writing advancement.

Attendees have access to more than fifty “how to” sessions, panels, and workshops taught by authors you know and love. Speed Dating for Agents and Ask a Pro are unique one-on-one opportunities to pitch your work directly to these publishing professionals. Celebrity book signings and social gatherings with other writers add to the excitement of the event. In fact no other writing conference offers so much one-on-one time with professionals for no extra cost.

From start to finish, the San Francisco Writers Conference is designed to help you Build Bridges To Better Tomorrows. We’ve sold out six years in a row. Remember to register early.

Go to http://www.sfwriters.org/index.cfm for more info!

Description: Inspire A Book Founder Julie Salisbury on How to Make Your Book Unique Do you understand who your reader is and why they would want to read your book? Whether you are at the early stages of writing or think you have completed your manuscript, this workshop will give you a clearer focus. The language you choose and the content of your book will change depending upon who your reader is. Get it right and bring more clarity and depth to your manuscript. You will learn to identify the purpose of your book, who is going to benefit by reading it, and what they will learn by reading your book.

When: Thursday, February 11th, 2010 from 9am-Noon

Where: Mark Hopkins InterContinental Hotel, One Nob Hill, San Francisco

Cost: $149

Julie Salisbury of InspireABook will be a featured speaker and will sit on the “Ask a Pro” sessions. Julie is also our book bag sponsor!

Is writing a book one of your life goals?

Setting reasonable life goals is usually a two-step process. First you discover what your dreams are, then you have to figure out a realistic way to make these things happen.

Step 1: Dreaming. This is fun and easy to do. Get a notepad and block out some time. Turn your cell phone and other wireless devices off.Commit this time to yourself. Now dream. Write down whatever it is you really want. If you want to go to Hawaii and dance the hula, write it down. If you want to climb Mount Everest, write it down. Free your mind and open yourself to possibilities that you might not necessarily recognize otherwise. You shouldn’t expect these things to happen all at once, but the things that have meaning for you will resonate, and then you will have the confidence to start taking the steps to realize your dream.

Step 2: Goal setting. Setting good goals is about plotting the incremental, but necessary steps to start the journey. So if your dream is to dance the hula in Hawaii and you can’t afford to go there right now, you’ll know that you have to set a budget and start saving money for the trip. Look for cheap airfare and sign up for a hula dancing class, small first steps. The trip, instead of a remote dream that will never be realized, suddenly has the real possibility of becoming part of your life experience.

Deciding what you want is an important first step toward success — personal or professional. But it’s not enough to simply know your goal. You’ve got to know how you’re going to achieve it. Frame your goals in terms of tasks and performance, not just outcomes:

What actions do you need to take, today and tomorrow and in the future, to get closer to your objective? Assigning specific tasks to yourself, knowing how you’ll measure the outcome of each activity, gives you a sense of control over what happens to you. You’re not just wishing for success, but working steadily toward it. Regular accomplishments will keep you motivated and moving forward.

Evangelist Robert H. Schuller describes four kinds of people.

First are the cop-outs. These people set no goals and make no decisions. Second are the hold-outs. They have a beautiful dream, but they’re afraid to respond to its challenge because they aren’t sure they can make it.Third are the drop-outs. They start to make their dream come true. They know their role. They set their goals, but when the going gets tough, they quit. Finally, there are the all-outs. They are the people who know their role. They want and need and are going to be stars — star students, star parents, star waitresses. They want to shine out as an inspiration to others. They set their goals. The all-outs never quit. They’re committed. Mackay’s Moral: Winners make goals; losers make excuses.

more at http://www.harveymackay.com This excerpt is from the Rick Frishman newsletter sent out twice a weekhttp://www.author101university.com

Fourteen all-outs have booked for the upcoming InspireABook Intensive weekend workshop 16th and 17th January at the Victoria Event Centre, Victoria, B.C, if you are a hold-out who keeps saying “I’m not quite ready yet”, or a “drop out” because you feel overwhelmed by the idea of writing a book.  Now is your chance!  Only 4 places left! Go to www.inspireabook.com/classes/ for more info

1. We take the financial risk to produce, edit, typeset, design and publish your book. That means we only get paid by making your book a commercial success and not by selling services or overpriced copies of books to our authors.
2. We play by new publishing rules and reward our authors fairly for their talent. This means you get paid 20% to 40% royalties from day one.
3. As an Influence Publishing author you get access to Lean Marketing’s Publishing Academy as well as exclusive book promotion training courses, materials, templates and hands-on support as well as InspireABook™ one-on-one coaching.
4. Your book will benefit from full international distribution via all the major wholesalers including availability to USA, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia simultaneously.
5. Your book will be distributed in all the popular eBook reader formats via the major wholesaler for this channel meaning increased income potential and reach.
6. We will actively seek out foreign language rights deals for your book and share 50% of any resulting profit.
7. You get the kudos of a mainstream publishing contract (we only publish books with potential) plus the income of self publishing with none of the risk.

Authors: Submit Your Book Proposal Here…

Four Reasons Why Influence Publishing is Not the Right Publisher for Everyone

1. Compared to the big name publishing houses, we’re small and relatively unheard of. The benefit of this is that your book really makes a difference to our bottom line – it counts! The downside is that we don’t have the gravitas of the big publishing houses. So, if you’re looking for a way to include the name of a big London or New York publishing house on your business profile then you need to fill out our general inquiry form and we’ll direct you to one of our other partners…
2. Although full distribution is in place to serve all the major retail channels we don’t accept the outdated and unfair terms dictated by many bricks-and-mortar bookstores still playing by the old rules. We expect retailers to share a fair amount of the risk for a fair reward. In the past bookstores took none of the risk for most of the reward while authors got paid a pittance – our terms put the author first. This means your book, unless it’s very successful, is unlikely to take pride of place on the retailers’ bookshelves.
3. We use Print on Demand (the printing technology) to reduce risk and take on books that may not have the same wide commercial appeal that mainstream publishers using a print-then-sell model will require. This means we only publish books in a limited number of formats and print/production quality is equivalent to a mass-market paperback rather than a premium new release with matte covers and laminated letters. We truly believe, however, that the content is what people are paying for and the exact format of that content is becoming more and more secondary. Plus, if you love trees you’ll be glad to know that books only get printed when somebody buys them. No waste. No pulping.
4. We give you every opportunity through the InspireABook™ program and one on one coaching to hold your hand through the entire writing, editing, publishing and marketing process.  However, like any educational service, we expect you to be willing to invest in your education to be an informed successful author. We offer 30 minute or one hour coaching sessions by telephone as required.  Once your book has been accepted, we work together on your marketing plan and you no longer pay for coaching to assist in the marketing of your book (since we would have already coached you to the highest standard and we will be an established team working towards your success.) However, any additional marketing or advertising expenses will be your responsibility.

Authors: Learn More About Your Full Range of Publishing Options Here…

Authors: Submit Your Book Proposal Here…

1. 40% of any resulting profit.
2. You get the kudos of a mainstream publishing contract (we only publish books with potential) plus the income of self publishing with none of the risk.

As promised in last night’s teleseminar here is the outline you need to use for a book proposal. This is covered in more detail on page 65 of the workbook, worksheet 7 and class 7 – The Marketing Plan. You will note that all the answers can be found on all the previous worksheets we have worked on.

* Why do you feel compelled to write this book?
* Why will someone want to read it?
* Is there a particularly timely nature of the subject area?
* What are the specific benefits of your book?

ALL THESE ANSWERS ARE IN WORKSHEETS ONE AND TWO

* How do you plan on marketing the book?

YOU MUST MENTION ANY EXISTING WORKSHOPS, TELESEMINARS OR SPEAKING EVENTS WHICH WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL BACK OF ROOM. ALSO ANY NEWSLETTERS, NETWORKING GROUPS OR WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN SELL YOUR BOOK.

* Now describe the contents of your book in plain English. Be as precise as possible, providing both a general overview and a rundown of subjects treated in detail. Indicate how in-depth your coverage will be.

This is the back page sales copy with all the topics you will include in your book which you highlighted in your mind map exercise.

* Who will be the audience for this title?

Try to avoid falling into the “all things for all people” trap. Specify who will need to read this book, identify industries. Also include information on professional associations, potential courses, and any other items that may help us reach your audience.

THIS IS THE INFORMATION YOU WROTE IN WORKSHEETS ONE AND TWO

If you really want to speed up our process, list other books on the same or related subjects that have been written for the same market. Include all pertinent information (author, title, publisher, date published, price, and number of pages). Then provide a sentence or two to explain how your book is different from (and of course, better than) each.

THIS IS COVERED IN CLASS SEVEN – SEE THE EXAMPLE ON PAGE 69/70 OF THE WORKBOOK

Describe your ideas about the physical book:

* How many pages do you estimate it being?
* Approximately how many illustrations will be included?
* Can these be black and white, or is color necessary?

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN CLASS FOUR.

* How long will it take you to complete the entire manuscript?

ESTIMATE THIS BY TAKING EACH TOPIC AREA YOU HIGHLIGHTED ON YOUR MIND MAP AND DECIDING IF YOU CAN USE EXISTING MATERIAL OR IF YOU NEED TO RESEARCH MORE OR WRITE MORE AND HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE.

* How is this tied to your business?
* And are there any potential up sells or complimenting products yet?

You ready for this? We’d like to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. Include a recent resume, if available, as well as a list of professional affiliations. Are you a member of any Associations related to the subject matter of the book?

WORKSHEET 5 – ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ideally, we’d love to see a finished manuscript. So, please include as much material as you have already prepared, including Table of Contents and any Chapters you may have. If pertinent, it’s also a good idea to enclose some illustrations if you can.

TABLE OF CONTENTS AND 3 SAMPLE CHAPTERS IS MINIMUM.

Thank you for your time and effort in compiling this information. We hope that the preparation of this proposal has helped you think about your book, and increased your awareness of publishing requirements. We appreciate the opportunity to partner in your success.

THIS IS THE REQUIREMENT FROM THE NEW YORK PUBLISHER THAT I REFER INSPIREABOOK AUTHORS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO REFER YOUR BOOK WITH MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE ALL 8 CLASSES.