Book formatting is one of the last things authors think about when creating their book. However, it's absolutely vital since that's where readers spend all their time. My guest today is here to help us get a handle on this critical area of success for your book. Jody Skinner is a proofreader, book designer, and avid reader. As founder of both Skinner Self-Publishing Services and Smidgen Press, she is living her best book-nerd life now. Both companies keep her hopping, from coaching first-time authors in the end stages of publishing to bringing old books back to life for the modern reader. A proud military spouse, Jody loves meeting new people, Ubering her three teens, and drinking just one more cup of Earl Grey. Puns are always appreciated. In this conversation, Jody helps us get a better handle on book formatting. She tackles such questions as: How important is attractive and professional-looking formatting to a book's success? What kinds of formatting programs are available to everyday writers? Why should we consider using the Vellum app? Check out the links below to connect with Jody on social media, buy her book, and discover more about Vellum: Try Vellum for 99 Cents Learn More About Jody's Self-Publishing Company, Skinner Self-Publishing Services Find Out More About Smidgen Press Purchase Jody's Book on Amazon Connect with Jody on Instagram Follow Jody on Facebook Check Out Smidgen Press on Facebook Discover Smidgen Press on Instagram *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Smart Business Writing with Kent Sanders

Jody Skinner: Creating Beautiful Formatting for Your Book

In their fantastic little book The Imagineering Way, the Disney Imagineers said, “Every new project at Imagineering starts with the assumption that it will be fun and exciting. We never say we don’t really want to do it this way—we do it the best way we know how. We are our end users because we like the product.” Think about your current writing project. When you sit down to work on it, what do you assume? Do you assume it will be difficult? Unbearable? Something you just need to get through? Or do you assume it will be fun? That you will enjoy the process? That you are adding value to others and will have a grand adventure? On this episode, Kent inspires us that having the right mindset changes everything. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

The Imagineering Mindset

What is the core value of your life? What is the “center”? What sits in the center of the room for you? If it is your writing, then other people’s reactions, your book sales, or other factors will influence whether you feel successful in life or not. If other more important things lie at the center, such as your family or faith or health, then you can live a more balanced life.  On this episode, you’ll discover that it’s vital to prioritize your writing, but not to allow it to become the center of your life. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Writing is Not the Center

When we are in love with our writing, it’s hard to edit. It’s hard to take constructive criticism. It’s hard to be objective because we are in love with our words. When our words emerge on the screen or from the pen, they are not diamonds. Instead, they are more like coal. Coal is dirty and messy but it is made from carbon, the same element diamonds are made of. With enough time and pressure, carbon turns to diamonds. On this episode, you’ll be encouraged that the editing process transforms your words into something far more beautiful than they were before. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Most of Your Words Are Coal, Not Diamonds

Sometimes we make a false distinction between writing for money and writing for pleasure. Both goals can be valid and important. What ties them together is that you are adding value to the world through your writing. It makes you better and it makes others better, too. On this episode, you’ll be reminded of the ways that your writing adds value to the world. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Writing for the Right Reasons

We all know that perfectionism can be debilitating. It can rob you of the joy of writing and cause you to waste endless amounts of time fidgeting with your material. Just like a rainbow, perfection is an illusion. You can chase a rainbow but you will never find the end of it. In the same way, you can chase perfection but you’ll never reach it. On this episode, Kent shares a powerful solution to combat perfectionism. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

The One Year to Live Test

On this episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by one of my best friends in the world, Jared Odle. He's a missionary, copywriter, and an all-around fantastic guy. This will be the first of probably lots of conversations we feature here on the podcast on different topics related to writing. Today we discuss the topic: What does it mean to be an A+ writer? How do we determine what excellence is? What's our standard? This is a fascinating conversation, and I hope this inspires you to keep doing the work and not get hung up on trying to be perfect. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Daily Writer on What It Means to Be an "A+" Writer

As writers, we spend loads of time worrying about the details of writing: getting the words done, editing, publishing, and so many other things. Sometimes it's good to step back, take a look at the big picture, and ask, "What do I really want from this book project?" My guest today is here to help us figure out the answer to that question. Carolyn Roark is a writing coach, editor, and ghostwriter who helps aspiring authors express themselves beautifully and find the right platform for their ideas. Her clients have included everyone from venture capitalists to restaurateurs to cancer survivors. She finished her Ph.D. at 29 (impressive!) and headed straight into the Ivory Tower. In her bio, she says, "Five years later I stole out a window and never looked back. I loved teaching analysis, theory, and composition, but if I never attend another committee meeting it will be too soon." As a former college professor, I can totally relate! In this conversation, Carolyn helps answer some burning questions, such as: What can a book do for you? How can we maximize the benefits of a book for our personal life and business? What are some obstacles or problems that get in the way of success with book launches and marketing? What are the mindset shifts authors need to make around their book launches or marketing? Click on the links below to find out more about Carolyn and connect with her on social media: Check out Carolyn's website Read Carolyn's blog Find Carolyn on Pinterest Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn Follow Carolyn on Twitter *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Carolyn Roark: What Do You Want Your Book to Do for You?

Writers are people who create things. We can literally create books, articles, speeches, podcasts, or stories out of thin air. It’s what we do. Why, then, do so many writers look at the world in “glass half empty” sort of way? A writer can be the most creative person in the world when it comes to words, yet be the biggest pessimist you have ever seen. On this episode, you’ll be reminded that you can create the world you want to see. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

You Can Always Fill the Glass

In your writing life, you will find that it’s easy to let go of some things, and much harder to let go of others. One of the items it’s difficult to let go of is books. After all, you’re a writer… why would you get rid of books? It’s hard to hear, but true: you can't make room for new ideas or new blessings in your life if you keep on hanging onto books that no longer serve your vision. On this episode, you’ll be encouraged to let go of the books that are no longer relevant to your journey. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

It's Time to Let Go of Some Books

Over the past six days, we have been through a key cycle in the creative life of a writer: preparing, planting, watering, pruning, harvesting, and celebrating. This is the cycle of growth we go through again and again as we pursue higher levels of growth. We live in a workaholic culture that says our value is directly tied to our output. If you want to be valuable, you must constantly produce, right? That’s an unhealthy way to look at life, and it’s also a great way to get burned out. The book of Genesis tells us that God Himself, after working so hard on the six days of creation, took time to rest. It’s important to build a day of rest into your weekly schedule. Not only that, but you must rest each day by getting enough sleep, and dare we say, taking a midday nap. On this episode, you’ll be reminded that it’s vital to create space in your life so you can rest. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Resting: Create Space in Your Life

Over the last few days, we have been talking about developing a growth-oriented mindset. After you have prepared by tilling the soil of your mind, planted by keeping track of your ideas, watered your mind by reading, pruned the dead weight from your schedule, and harvested your creativity by getting your writing done, it’s important to celebrate by enjoying your success. For some reason, writers have a hard time being content with any amount of success they have, but it’s vital to recognize that when you write, you have done something worth celebrating. On this episode, you’ll discover why it’s important for your mindset, your growth, and your character to celebrate your success. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Celebrating: Enjoy Your Success

Harvesting as a concept couldn’t be any simpler. You simply go to the field, get the crop, and bring it to the barn for processing. In writing terms, it means you must sit down and produce the words. If there is one universal truth in writing, it is this: the words won’t write themselves. This means you need to set aside time each day to write. It’s that simple, and also that difficult. On this episode, Kent shares the simple truth about what it takes to be a writer who gets things done and harvests their crop. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Harvesting: Producing the Words

Ever since I went full-time in my ghostwriting business this past summer, I've had a lot of conversations about how that happened. People have been very interested in the mechanics of my transition from a college professor to a full-time writer. They've asked me questions like: How do you make a full-time living as a ghostwriter? How long did it take you to build up your business? When did you find time to build your business? Those who have been following me for a while knew this transition had been coming for a while. But to many others, this seemed like it came out of nowhere. Just the other day, someone commented that "It must be awesome to be living your dream... I wish I could do that." Yes, it's awesome to be in charge of my own schedule and income. However, that person's comment seemed to be a way to suggest that I basically got lucky. As a result, I thought I'd take this opportunity to share the journey of how all this actually happened. It has definitely not been an "overnight success." In fact, it's been a long, long time in the making. In this episode, I share my story, as well as a few practical tips if you're on the same journey (WARNING: Long episode ahead!). *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

How to Be a 10-Year "Overnight Success"

Today I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that is often ignored among writers, but it's critical to get it right if you want to be successful … and particularly if you want to sell more books. My guest is Terry Whalin, a former literary agent and Acquisitions Editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books for traditional publishers and several books have sold over 100,000 copies. Terry has also written for more than 50 magazines. He has written two proposals that received six-figure advances. As a frustrated editor in 2004, Terry wrote Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success which has over 130 Five Star reviews and has helped many authors. Now the revised edition has been released. Terry has also authored an innovative training for writers, "Write A Book Proposal." He is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and lives near Denver, Colorado. You can get his FREE Book Proposal Checklist here. In this conversation, Terry answers all your burning questions about book proposals, including: What is a book proposal and why is it important? What does an acquisitions editor do within a publishing company? Why do self-published authors need a book proposal? … and much more! Click on the links below to enjoy Terry’s FREE downloads, buy his book, or connect with him on social media: Check out Terry's website Read Terry’s blog Pick up Terry’s book Download Terry's FREE Book Proposal Checklist Get Terry's FREE Ebook, Straight Talk from the Editor, 18 Keys to A Rejection-Proof Submission Check out Terry's FREE teleseminar Connect with Terry on LinkedIn Follow Terry on Twitter *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

W. Terry Whalin: How to Write Book Proposals That Sell

Every business is a writing business. Whether you’re an owner, employee, entrepreneur, or freelancer, you can harness the power of words to share your message and grow your business. The Smart Business Writing podcast gives you the inspiration, resources, and practical know-how to help you write with excellence and increase your impact. Each week, ghostwriter and entrepreneur Kent Sanders brings you solo episodes as well as interviews with business leaders, authors, and other experts. Check out KentSanders.net for more resources to help you become a better writer and business leader.

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Smart Business Writing with Kent Sanders

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