book, writing

My Most Unfavorite Time of Year

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

It’s tax season, again.

I’ve got to tell you that it is my most unfavorite time of year. Even though I keep receipts all year long, they still must be categorized, totaled up, and so on.

While the process of doing my own personal taxes is more involved than my business taxes, the jolt I experience when I see in black and white how much more I spent than I earned always causes me to stop and reflect on whether I should keep up this writing “gig.”

I ask myself the same questions each spring, “What is my goal with my writing? Do I still enjoy it? Do I continue to see value in writing? Does it benefit others?”

If I can answer “yes” to those questions, I pledge to “give it a go” until tax season rolls around again the following year. I’ll give it my best effort, always keeping pleasing my reading audience in the forefront. 

I guess I’ll end here and head for the post office (to mail in my official documents) and then to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard (my reward to myself for seeing the process of tax filing through for yet another year.)

Book Fairs—Is Participating Worth It?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I participated in a book fair at our local library this weekend. You may have had opportunities to do so in the past, also. As I talk to fellow authors, I find a wide range of answers to the age-old question: Was it worth it?

First of all, depending on the location, season of the year, and advertising used, it may be a good way to sell some of your books. 

Secondly, It gets your name out there. You have a unique opportunity to meet your potential reading audience and “sell yourself.”

Thirdly, being able to network with other authors, editors, and publishers is always beneficial. 

Fourthly, if the event is marketed well, you may gain coverage from local news outlets.

Finally, if there are speakers and mini-classes available, you will have a chance to learn and grow as a writer. 

On the flip side, most authors report few sales at these events, which may make the time and money (cost of books, shipping, and table fees–which can be anywhere from $0 to hundreds) involved prohibitive.

Live a Thousand Lives

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons.

I came across this quote, yesterday, and was so moved!

If you are an avid reader, I think you would agree. Each time you read a new book, you are thrust into a plot and setting with unique characters.

To me, that is the lure of reading.

I could have never traveled to so many countries, met so many people, or experienced so much—except for the power of the written word.

Now, with so much unrest in our world, I am even more grateful to authors for their stories. Places I have planned to travel may no longer be safe—or affordable. The ability to hear, see, and move about easily may cause some of us to rethink vacation plans.

However, a short trip to the library, a book store, or one’s computer should yield a plethora of reading material on almost any subject/genre. I am grateful for stories that teach and entertain; books that encourage and stretch my imagination.

Feel like taking a trip? There’s a whole world out there to explore—and it’s as close as your own bookshelf.

What Motivates You?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

To piggy-back onto last week’s blog, let’s discuss our motivation for writing and how it affects our bank accounts.

Most writers will say that writing itself is intrinsically rewarding. They write what “speaks to them”… inspires them… It is those authors who write first for their own experience and enjoyment. They hope readers will like it, too, and become followers. While making money would be nice, it is not their main motivation.

But there are also those writers who pay attention to trends in reading. Their goal is to write what is popular and are motivated by the money they can make by doing so.

One reason for writing is not better or more “worthy” than another. Both have valid points. 

It is each author’s choice to write what they enjoy, what draws the reading audience, or whatever is lucrative.

And, readers, it is up to you to choose what you read. It is even okay to stop reading after a chapter or two, if the book is not what you envisioned it to be or if you feel it isn’t delivering a satisfying experience.

As in all of life’s decisions, the choice is yours.

 What Do Readers Want in 2024???

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

If you are an author that writes according to the trends of the reading audience, I suggest looking back at what the most popular trends were in 2023 and take your writing in one of those directions.

Remember, however, popularity of genres change from year to year—even season to season.

So you may want to stick with your current genre or try your hand at one of these rising stars:

Romance was #1, again! (No surprise). However, a new kind of romance has taken readers by storm in the last year or so. It is called Romantasy (Adult Romance Fantasy). Other new twists were Sports Romance and Dark Romance.

Also, rising to popularity are stories about robots and other AI-related.

Crime fiction always gets lots of readers, but a new twist are those whose targets are authors. Yikes! (An upcoming movie soon to be on the big screen—if you are interested— is on this very subject).

I don’t want to forget to mention memoirs, satires, and short story collections.

Finally, this one might surprise you. There seems to be a resurgence of re-reading favorite books.

What I Didn’t Learn in 2023

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

If you are like me, you made a list at the beginning of the year. For a month or so, you revisited the list, checking to see how you were doing toward reaching your goals.

Somewhere during the second or third month of the year, you realized you were falling short.

Then, around month four, you rewrote your goals, using more realistic expectations.

After you gave yourself this swift kick in the seat of the pants, you seemed to improve. You even got a couple of items checked off.

Feeling better about yourself than you had in a long time, you made the big push—until

October.

That is when you started getting requests for book fairs and podcasts. And other writer-friends asked you to read the books they had been working on and write endorsements for them.

Then came Halloween and Thanksgiving, followed closely by two or three rounds of shopping for Christmas.

And, you were faced with the hard reality in the few days leading up to the new year: you hadn’t achieved many of your goals.

A few days later, the cycle would repeat itself once again. And some of those same things on the list for 2023 would be on your 2024 list.

Here are my leftovers—things I swore I’d learn to do in 2023, but didn’t: How to use Instagram and Twitter more effectively; How to run more successful ad campaigns on Amazon; How to write poetry.

What about you? 

Most Important: Authenticity

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I just finished reading a book of short stories—the first book by a new author. With no formal training in writing, this man broke most of the writing rules us more “seasoned” authors take so seriously.

It was almost 90% “telling”, which we all view as the biggest “no-no” on the planet. It contained “head hopping” (going back and forth from different points of view on the same scene), changes in tense, and so on.

The only rules he did not “break” were spelling, punctuation, and (mostly) grammar. No matter what the genre, breaking these make books intolerable to read. Readers deserve to read effortlessly without tripping over these blunders.

So, I asked myself, “why did I like this pleasant little book? I really don’t have an answer for you, except to say that this author wrote with “heart”, conviction, and confidence. He showed unique “voice.”

In my opinion, he has learned the most important “rule” of all—being authentic. Composing with a voice that is uniquely one’s own, growing organically from the writer’s sense of purpose and intellectual honesty.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

What one person likes, another may not.

That’s why it’s important to offer your book in a variety of formats.

For a long time, hardback and paperback were the only options for readers.

Later, e-books and audiobooks were added.

You can widen the market further still by offering your book in other languages.

My newest book was just published on Audible. Within a couple of weeks I will announce an interview on Facebook with the producer, Brian Callahan. You’ll want to be sure to watch it. He’s an accomplished guy that can make his voice sound both feminine and masculine; likable, angry, menacing. 

He’s likable, easy to work with, and very amenable to changes/suggestions. 

Justice for Jessie in audio format is now available on Amazon.

Book Gifting for Christmas

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

My weekly post usually focuses on some aspect of writing. I share ideas, opinions, and information for authors.

However, readers are the reason we write, so this blog’s for you!

I just perused the books on The Kindle Book Review and on Book Bub. 

For the most part, the books I saw have Christmas and/or Holiday themes. Writers purposely focus on these, hoping to publish at least by October and thus, being ready to capture the “gifting” crowd.

While this may make sense to authors, is this really what readers want to read? Or would readers in colder regions of the country rather read stories with beach/tropical settings? 

Or, does it even matter? 

Perhaps you choose your books for gifting differently than those for reading. Maybe you select gifts based on ones you’ve read (and liked yourself) or ones that have been recommended to you by friends or those having lots of five-star reviews.

There are many reasons readers choose the books they do. If you are a reader (or a writer who is also a voracious reader), please write back and share your reasons for gifting books for Christmas.

Finding a Capable and Affordable Illustrator

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Find an illustrator who can bring great visuals to your children’s book may end up costing you between $2,000 and $10,000 depending on how many illustrations you need and how well-known your illustrator may be.

This is a big investment in time and money, so you’ll want to find someone who is a perfect “fit” for your project. REEDSY, Upwork, and Fiverr are good places to look for your illustrator. Or, browse through children’s books on Amazon “LOOK INSIDE” feature, or visit your local bookstore, looking for ones which fulfill your vision. Their work will be credited somewhere inside each book.

Contact a few illustrators, making time to discuss your vision for your book and get their ideas, too. Send them examples of illustrations you have seen that are similar to what you’d like. Ask to see examples of their work.

Ask how soon they will be free to work on your project and how long it will take to finish the work. (It can often take up to three months). Share your timeline. 

Draw up a contract between the two of you, stating beginning and ending dates, how you will communicate, and how the fee will be paid. Some will want payment in intervals, some at the end. Be sure to discuss this upfront. 

You are doing the hiring, so choose someone you feel you will be able to work with easily. 

You are in control. You set the pace. You assess the quality of the work. And it is you who will pay the bill.

However, don’t base your decision on money alone or you will be unhappy with your final product. Remember, you get what you pay for.