What is Your Claim to Fame?

I never aspired to be a famous author.

Although my goal as an educator was much more lofty. It was to become principal of a school, inspire teachers and students and change the world through the educational system for the better. In reality I taught in the "system" for two years, found my renegade teaching practices landed me in hot water and several trips to the Principal and Assistant Principals office (I kid you not.) where I was told a file was being kept on me. I quickly quipped, I too was keeping a file on them.

My not so illustrious career ended after two years and with the wonderful news that I was expecting a child. My husband's career was skyrocketing so it was a good time to stay-at-home, hang up my teaching shingles and turn my interests to my passion, reading. Life's twists and turns always land us on our feet if we remain positive, focused and take a while to kick back and refocus, when there is a need. This is a time as a Christian to seek the Lord, but I was too young, brash and "knew it all" back then. While I prayed I figured that was "bothering" God.

I found I enjoyed writing, took several mail-order courses (this was pre-Internet days) and enjoyed the time with my baby and my writing imagination. Once the rejection letters rolled in I decided it was time to once again regroup and study to learn more about writing.
Currently I find myself in the instructor mode. While I have seventeen books to my credit I enjoy finding ways to improve my skills. In my quest to learn from experts I've networked locally, online and read my share of blogs. After seeking, I decided I wanted to talk to those "in the know" and those with a "claim to fame" and even those who are aspiring and those related in some capacity to the writing and publishing world.

I began my RADIO SHOW FOR AUTHORS as a way to inspire and educate. I have not been disappointed other than a few interviews that did not turn out very well. In order to be invited as a guest for an interview, I ask the author to teach the audience something of value. Either from their experiences of finding a publisher or agent, self-publishing, or perhaps about their writing experiences in general. And as an added bonus, some authors happen to be wonderful teachers of the elements of style, characterization, setting or plot. One author shared how she researched to find deep-secret information that even the CIA questioned her about, for her novel. These interviews and more are archived on the Writing and Publishing Site.

Everyone's claim to fame is different. Not that anyone consciously thinks this through, but I've had some wonderful guests that I believe are on the "Hall of Fame" list. One was Turner Publisher the top Independent Publisher featured in Publishers Weekly Magazine or perhaps an author with over 100+ books... Some books are best sellers, some have sold 10,000+ copies. Many authors are humble, and then there are "THE AUTHORS" those with one book wonders or the "attitude". . . "I've written a book."

I'm not that kind of author and if I ever become one, please let me know. Please. While humility is a virtue I don't have to work on it for the most part. I'm a klutz, even my "tennis pro" teacher, and aging lady who had long ago played at Wimbledon, once asked me to NOT tell anyone she was my instructor. Maybe it was because I told her I played because I liked the clothes. When it comes to writing I think I know my stuff. It has taken years to hone my craft. Some are naturals and perhaps you are one and your learning curve will be shorter. Whatever your passion, keep at it and keep learning. Then you can email me and share your claim to fame with me, and perhaps we can plan an interview.

Branding: Importance for Authors

I attempted to unlock my car after a grocery trip, only to find the lock would not budge. I kept pushing the unlock button. Nothing. I pushed the lock button. Nothing. Okay, a bit strange but maybe the battery died. So I went to insert my key into the driver's side and nothing happened. I then called my daughter for her help. She quickly found the same thing, no button clicking or key insertion into the door lock would unlock the stubborn car door!

I pulled out my cell phone ready to call my husband. Why didn't my key work? As I rounded the back door of the car and looked at the bumper, I quickly realized my mistake. Have you guessed the problem? If you guessed this was not my car, then you are correct. I couldn't believe it! I sheepishly looked around to see if anyone was looking and thankfully my error went unnoticed. I quickly scanned the parking lot and found my car in a parallel space, one aisle over.

The car was identical to mine except for a bumper sticker. I don't have bumper stickers on my car. That brand or logo is what saved me further embarrassment from calling my husband and having him drive the ten minutes or so away. Of course I told him the entire story upon arriving home and we all had a good laugh. Branding helps to identify a personal object or a person.

As a child whenever we traveled by plane, my mother tied a red ribbon to the handle of our suitcase. It was easy to spot as it circled the baggage carousel.  Our suitcase stood out from the crowd.  And, come to think of it, she tied a red ribbon to the rear view mirror of our car as well. You never know when this might be important! These little identifying marks allowed us to quickly find our suitcase and our car! Funny how I had forgotten this until today.

When an author begins the process of writing a book a seasoned author will remember his or her brand. If the book is too far off track, she may reconsider writing the book. I often pass off book ideas that won't fit with my brand. With a name like "Media Angels" the emphasis is the Christian market. Brand...Logo...Identification. The three go together.

The ideal is to develop brand loyalty and an understanding that your brand contains quality, reliability and even dependability. So, how do you develop a brand or mark? With planning and focus. There are those who specialize in creating a "brand" such as a publicist or media specialist. These people focus on the strengths you possess, your literary gifts as well as your target market or focus. In this way your brand will appeal to the market demographics you are attempting to reach.


Of course you can do this yourself. Making your brand original, eye catching and one that conveys what you do is essential and a trademark of a good brand. You can test the market, ask your existing customers for input or if you are a brand new author, think about what you want your brand to mean.

Here are a few questions to ask:

1. Will my brand pass the test of time?

2. Will my brand be for a single product or a product line?

3. Can I sell my brand or is it "me"?

4. What is my target group and will my brand reflect their needs?

5. How will I implement this brand in my work? Will it become a book imprint or perhaps the brand of the entire company?


There are many more questions to ponder, but these will get you started on the right path. Remember that your goals and emphasis may change over the years and there is nothing wrong with changing your logo or brand purpose to encompass a larger segment of the population. Keeping true to the original purpose of my company, supply quality books and curriculum to the Christian market is still my goal, yet I've expanded my market to developing a line of Information books as well as those that would focus on Parenting. Whatever your goals there is no time like the present to begin.

Meeting Dan Poynter

As seminars go, this one topped my expectations. I was invited as a guest by the President of A&A Printing, Billy Ashby. A&A Printing  The seminar was filled with some aspiring authors, some new authors, and some veteran authors. The latter was filled by the very tall shoes of Dan Poynter. I know Dan very well, yet I just met Dan in person on Saturday.

The reason I know him is that I've studied his book, Self-Publishing Manual many years ago. It was one of my favorite resources when I began writing in earnest, and one I still reference. I wrote for a niche market and had an audience and buyers. I wanted to expand my readership and his book helped me to think outside of the box. He has suggestions for approaching the book market in an innovative way. My book is very dog-eared. I have purchased, used it, and highly recommend it. In fact it is cited and reference in my book, Information in a Nutshell: Writing and Publishing.

Dan lived up to my expectations and gave a very good presentation where he explained his life mission, aiding authors to get their manuscripts into print. That is now one of my goals, the reason for this blog, the podcast radio show every Monday, and the reason I wrote my book. In a busy world being an author takes time. It is difficult to make the time for something that is uncertain. After all there are so many unknowns for a new author approaching the book market. Dan's book is a detailed blue-print for an author wanting to take charge of the publishing experience.

One of the best things about the workshop is Dan's confidence that anyone with a decent book can make sales and that self-publishing is a very viable option. Many times you will read that self-publishers don't sell many books, that they give up too soon, and the entire experience, in general is dismal. Dan painted another picture. He shared his success in writing for a niche market and how he used his ideas to sell outside of the brick-and-mortar bookstore.

He has been traditionally published, a publisher himself, and self-publishes. He knows all sides of the publishing world, and still he encouraged those in the room that self-publishing, successfully is an option in today's rough economy. I have found that he is correct on many levels. For those of you considering self-publishing, take heart! Now may be one of the best times to do so. Are you ready to take the plunge?