Category Archives: -John McCarthy

Editor’s Note: Writing isn’t the Difficult Step

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So far this year, Deadwood Writers members have been actively publishing books and articles for a wider audience. Here are the books:

This list simply adds to the ongoing list of work produced by those who call themselves Deadwood Writers. Publishing work is a great accomplishment. Anyone who has done so can attest to that. But the work has only begun.

Writing isn’t the difficult step. Yes, it’s challenging, sometimes it feels impossible. Also, there are many who start and never finish. I have several incomplete manuscripts along my journey. But in relative terms, once the book is written and published, now there are the logistics of getting others to notice and read the book.

To put this in context, once someone is published, they have to sell their books. Get others to see the value of taking the time to buy the book and read it. Hopefully enough people like what they read and post a positive review.

There’s just the minor detail of getting one’s book noticed.

Creating and executing a marking plan is crucial. Rarely, and I do mean RARELY, does the publisher provide a marking budget that supports the author’s travels and their direct communications to the public. They do promote the book on their website and send it out to various media agencies, but the book is likely bundled with other’s books.

The best marketing is done by the author. No one is, or shouldn’t be, as passionate about the book as the author. Otherwise, the book is D.O.A.

Marketing requires a plan to get the message out to others. Using social media. Getting early reviews that are positive. And many more needs. One of the best steps I took for preparing my book, So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation is hired Sylvia Hubbard for a one hour coaching session to address any needs that I might not have considered. Sylvia provided me with an abundance of strategies and ideas from her own extensive experiences (https://sylviahubbard.com).

The website is up for So All Can Learn (www.soallcanlearn.org). I am currently lining up presentations and talks on the topic of my book, so that people who attend will get a sneak peak of the treasures they’ll find within.

Once you have a plan, implement and commit to it. The marketing work never ends.

2017 Writer’s New Year and Resolutions

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2016 was another good year for the Deadwood Writers. More members are publishing on this site as well as, and perhaps more importantly, are publishing commercially. Diana Hirsch, Jon Reed, and Wendi Knape have published works that show range and depth of quality. Wendi’s book, Hot Blacktop becomes available on January 10. Check out their books, you will not be disappointed.

I also have a book coming out on February 28: So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation. Writing the book was a pleasure and lots of hard work. Going through the book production process with the editor was a growth experience that I will use for future books. That does not even get into the marketing process. Essentially, writing a book is only the first step in publishing the book.

Many members have expanded their audience and deepened their craft through writing for this blog. I am forever grateful to their tireless efforts and amazing stories that they share. Please check out the Category Section to read some great narratives.

Resolutions for 2017

The start of each year, we share our writing resolutions. You are invited to share yours. Perhaps post in the comments section one or more of the following:

  • How many books will you read?
    Reading authors in your genres of interest is important for studying the craft and learning from others.
  • How many articles will you read and post a comment?
    Reading articles expands one’s understanding of content from a field of study. Posting comments on the article is a way to engage with the author and others for deeper dialog about the topic. This is a great way to get more of the author’s perspective and the views of other readers.
  • How many articles will you post or submit for publication?
    Starting out, be reasonable on the number. Ofcourse if you will be posting to your blog, that number may be higher. There is rich value in posting on your own blog. It’s a way to find and cultivate your writing voice.
  • Other possible resolutions:
    • Will you complete that book or story you’ve thought of?
    • Are you journaling on a daily basis?
    • How many reviews might you write?

 

For myself, my resolutions are:

Market and sell out the first print run of my book: So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation.

Write and post 12 to 20 articles/stories (not including this post :).

Read 10+ books and post a related review.

 

What are your resolutions? Please post in the comment section.

Happy Writers’ New Year!

Editor’s Log: Challenges mean Opportunities

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The Deadwood Writers is about to celebrate 14 years of existence. The group was founded as part of one person’s college course assignment in 2002. At the time that the facilitator role was passed on to me there were approximately five members. We met in the Barnes and Noble (BN) in Northville, near the back of the store in a small space near the music section and the bathrooms. It was a good space for the group’s size.

The members, some of whom remain active today, were dedicated in both attendance and sharing of their writing. Yet one challenge was growth. The group’s vision has always been to provide a welcoming space to all writers and authors. Without growth, there would be the risk of atrophy from lack of perspectives.

This is where Patti gave tremendous help. Patti was Barnes and Noble’s CRM or Community Relations Manager. She handled the community outreach for the store. At that time BN stores sought to be a hub for the community. They invited schools, churches, and other organizations to do book fundraisers. Book groups were established through the volunteering of a community member. Sometimes the CRM might facilitate that effort. And there was the Writer’s Group.

From my travels around the country, writer’s groups are more difficult to establish than the book groups. It requires a structure and a facilitator willing to engage and welcome people to participate and lay bare their vulnerability through sharing of their writing. Having participated and facilitated several writer’s groups, I can honestly say that maintaining one is both an expense in energy and time, and one of the most rewarding experiences. It’s why I love being a part of the Deadwood Writers for 14 years.

Patti helped us grow the group with putting us into the calendar and in the store newsletter. She partnered with us to bring in authors and publishers. In the process, she taught me the ropes for relationships with authors, publishers, and the store, which has been invaluable. The group grew to over 30 members. We moved to the Cookbook section, which has been our home ever since.

When Patti retired, Betsy took over as the CRM. The rich relationship continued to grow. The Deadwood Writers group sponsored workshops on writing. One important focus was the 6+1 Writing Traits. We brought in a publisher who conducted several sessions on how to publish and market one’s book. We also continued to bring in authors to speak about their writing journey. A study group was established that meets one hour before the main meeting. The group continued to grow.

When Betsy left, Gail continued supporting the relationship. Deadwood writers continues to flourish. We established this blog where members regularly post a variety of stories and articles. Others actively edit the work so that there is shared feedback happening outside of the scheduled meetings. There has been talk of self-publishing work by the members who write for the blog. Stay tuned 🙂

Today, as we celebrate our 14 years as a group and as a partner with BN, we face new challenges. As most people know, bookstores like BN must reinvent themselves to stay relevant and profitable. It’s amazing the creativity and innovations that these smart staff come up with, such as a toy section, electronics, and high quality journals. As consumer demand increases for these merchandise, BN can continue to sell books, its core love. The challenge that each store faces is how much store space is used for merchandise and where do the groups meet when their space is taken over.

BN’s answer has been the cafe. But the cafe is loud from the machines used for coffees and blended drinks. Sit in the cafe and try to carry on a conversation, and count the interruptions. The space is just not conducive to a group that is having a serious conversation around topics that everyone participating wants to “hear” and share ideas.

I wonder what other groups have done to manage this environment? I wonder how other BN stores have balanced community relationships with merchandise placement?

We are attempting to work with our beloved home base to find a solution that maintains the relationship. We hope to find an equitable solution so that the group might maintain another 14 years at BN. Stay tuned.

Do you think that in today’s market a bookstore benefits from community relationships through book groups and writer’s groups? Or is there more benefit to pushing out community groups by product placement for the “promise” of more profits?

Editor Log: Improve Yourself Iimprove the World

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Travel outside of one’s country irrevocably changes one’s perspective about the world, one’s own country, and–if you’re really lucky–oneself.

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While in Astana, Kazakhstan, I saw the meaning of true mutual respect among teachers and students, “the” best hospitality I’ve ever known, and the kind of manic driving that makes any urban setting in the United States a passive joy ride. Note: I’m told by my hosts in Kazakhstan that driving in Turkey is even more manic.

In London, England, I attended a museum exhibit about the space race from the point of view of the Soviet Union. Much of what was shared is either glossed over or not present in US or World History curriculum.

Seoul, Korea is the most clean place anywhere, and there are not garbage cans to be found. People are just expected to clean after themselves. No one flicks cigarette buts out the window or set on the ground empty bottles and cans. There is much higher regard for the local environment displayed than seen in the United States…in general terms.

Writing is the same way. To improve and grow as a writer, we need to look at ourselves as someone from another country or planet. Reflect deeply on the strengths and challenges one has. Be honest with yourself, but do not look at areas of growth as spaces of weakness and validation that the skills are not there. Reflect, practice, and learn from others. Assume that “Any One” can be a teacher for just “the” right moment that you need.

Improve yourself, improve the world.

Dublin, Ireland streets are clean, at least from one day trip. Day two to follow. The people have a sense of humor that was noticeable among even the people I did not talk to. As I tour Ireland, I look forward to what shift in my prospect that will occur by the time I return to the US.

#This! A writer’s Social Media Friend

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Check out John McCarthy’s posts & other publications and follow @JMcCarthyEdS or Subscribe for news about his new instructional book coming in early 2017.

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I like to write at my favorite watering hole: Starbucks. The place might vary but the “feel” is the same. So much so, that every Starbucks I spend time in is like a reflective copy of “the one” I visit in the multidimensional worlds. It just so happened that I ran into one of my writer friends and fellow Deadwood Writer, Diana Hirsch @dianahirsch (See her publications at http://dwhirsch.com). She also seems to live and travel among Starbucks, but usually in different dimensional paths than me. Her travels are well recorded. What makes mentioning her in this particular post serendipitous is that Diana does great work with social media marketing regarding her publications and life as an author.

An author is metaphorically and in reality an independent business. Self promotion is integral to their making a living. One author once recruited me to be her publicist for a novel. She said, “I need you to promote my book so that I can focus on writing my next book. I only want to write, not do the promotional work.” I gently turned her down. There is no better promoter than the author. Yet, I understand her feelings as the process for marketing is daunting. Where to start? How do you get the word out? Hashtags is one answer.

In social media, hashtags (or the # pound sign) represents categories for conversation. People follow the ones that represents their interests. For example, I follow:

#2Write

#AmWriting

#Dwriters

Here is a sample from Caitlin Muir “44 essential twitter hashtags every author should know”

#AmEditing

#WordCount

#WriterWednesday

#WritersLife

#YALitChat

#LitChat

#MemoirChat

#BookMarket

#ScriptChat

#PoetTues

#ZineChat

#WritingParty

#IndieAuthors

#WriteChat

#NaNoWriMo

#PBLitChat

Hashtags work with many social media tools such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Search for them and follow the conversations. When you are ready, reply back or share the posts in your social media of choice.

For authors looking to promote their published work, add hashtags to a social media post. That way, those who follow the hashtag will see your post. Share the post 3 times in a week for 3 weeks. Use different social media tools to get out the word.

Not using hashtags is like shouting in a dark auditorium. You have no idea who heard you, nor if anyone is around. A hashtag lights of the room and ensures that all who are listening (to the hashtag) gets the message.

Upcoming Posts This Month

  • June 2: Erica Stensrud – Do We Remember?
    Here is a special post to honor the men and women who enlist. They are all important and should be remembered. Read the first from Erica, a new voice, who we hope to see more posts in the future.
  • June 5: Jeanette A – Fallout 3: WTF Moments
    Ever played the games Fallout 3 or Fallout Vegas? Here’s a unique look at the game by a writer who plays the games in an unorthodox and successful way.
  • June 6: Barbara Pattee – The Trip of a Lifetime: Australia and New Zealand – Part 2
    The adventures continue as Barbara regales us on her amazing travel halfway across the globe from home.
  • June 8: Karen Kittrell – Give it to me straight: Fates and furies, Part 1 of 3
    Sequential plots, fractured plots, and story arc – Karen has it all in this deconstruction of a novel that gives insights into author craft. Read alongside her with a critical author’s eye.
  • June 15: Jon Reed – Bones
    Jon has the gift to make a true story about a fractured bone compelling and humorous. Become drawn into his latest personal adventure.
  • June 18: Diana Hirsch – @dianahirsch – Coffeeshop Chronicles
    Follow the monthly caffeinated escapades and explore life, opinions and values through coffeeshops, even if you’re a tea drinker.  You never know.
  • June 21: Claire Murray – Chautauqua
    It begins by asking what do you think when you hear the name Chautauqua, Chautauqua, New York? It talks about The Chautauqua being an adult educational experience in the 18th and 19th centuries and how Road Scholar has continued that tradition. It ends by agreeing with Theodore Roosevelt that it is “the most American thing in America”.
  • June 24: Sue Remisiewicz – @SueRemi – Lunch With a Stranger
    Will a casual encounter during lunch become something more for Alice? Find out in this new piece of flash fiction.