Today is the start of Holy Week. I think it’s an important time to talk about sacrificial gifts. Here is a blog I wrote five years ago. I can’t think of a more fitting one for this week. 
Many years …
Success
What Does an In-House Editor Do for You?
Some publishers have chosen to downsize the number of in-house editors but instead to rely on freelancers. That decision raises the question, What does an in-house editor do for you?
Having been such an editor, I have personal insights into …
Publishing Success: Find the Right Idea
Today I want to take a look at the part of the publishing process that kickstarts your publishing success or dooms you not to succeed. This step might seem obvious, yet many a writer makes a misstep from the get-go: …
What Book Category Your Manuscript Fits in and Why You Should Care
Having recently decided not to represent a number of writers for the same reason, I’m reminded how important it is to know what book category or genre a manuscript belongs in. Or as we talk about it in publishing: Where …
What Book Category Your Manuscript Fits in and Why You Should CareRead More
To Rewrite or Not to Rewrite
This week three of my clients are rewriting their entire manuscripts, each at the behest of a publishing house editor who has expressed serious interest in the project. That means three of my clients faced the dilemma: To rewrite or …
Why Book Pre-Orders Matter
Publishers will tell you that one of the best ways to build momentum for your upcoming book is to encourage pre-orders from readers. What’s the big deal about pre-orders?
Pre-orders are stockpiled and then counted officially as sales the first
…
Focus on Velocity Rather Than Sales Numbers
by Janet Kobobel Grant
We all care about how many copies our book sells, right? But who among us is thinking about sales velocity?
Velocity is created when you emphasize garnering significant sales for the day (or week) the book …
You Sold How Many Books?
By Wendy Lawton
Julie and editor, Raela Schoenherr
This week began with a celebration at Bethany House in Minneapolis to mark Julie Klassen’s one millionth book sold. Congratulations, Julie!
A million books! It reminded me what so many writers are …
Publishing Trends and Counter-Trends
by Janet Kobobel Grant
NOTE: The other day I happened across this blog post that I wrote in 2010. It struck me how little has changed since I posted these thoughts on publishing trends and counter-trends. Read on to see …
A Manuscript’s Death Knell
by Janet Kobobel Grant
I’ve previously extolled the benefits for me in reading Publishers Weekly. Each issue I peruse provides me with some insight or confirms I’m correct (or that I’m incorrect) about some aspect of publishing. Because publishing is …