Writer tools

“I laughed, I gulped, and I learned as I read Jim’s book. As a writer, speaker, and teacher of writing, Jim knows what he is talking about. Best of all, he knows how to put the teaching at a level that we can easily
grasp and apply. Here’s the book that will help you to change lives.”
Roger Palms, Writer, teacher, speaker, former editor of Decision Magazine

Browse
• Book outline
• Read an excerpt: Using Psychological Appeals

Sponsor a Communicate to Change Lives seminar
Click for details on using it as training and/or fund-raiser for your organization.

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• Order from amazon.com

Writers on Writing: Top Christian Authors Share Their Secrets for Getting Published

I was privileged to serve as editor of this “who’s who” of Christian authors such as Jerry Left Behind Jenkins, Liz Curtis Higgs and twenty more. A very practical “how to” book on writing.
“Here’s a terrific smorgasbord about different aspects of the writing business. Whether you want to write magazine
articles, devotionals, fiction or nonfiction, humor or screenplays, you will gain a taste of what it takes from
someone who practices this particular discipline.” Terry Whalin, best-selling author

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• Seven habits of purpose-driven writers

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• Order from amazon.com

Writing with Banana Peels: Principles, Practices and Pratfalls of Writing Humor

“A milk-out-the-nose funny book for both writers and readers,” Rhonda Rhea,
author of Amusing Grace and The Purse-uit of Holiness.

Jim had so much fun teaching “Writing Humor” at Taylor University, that he compiled all his notes (and some of his funniest columns) into a book:
Writing with Banana Peels: Principles, Practices, and Pratfalls of Writing Humor.

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• Table of contents, endorsements

Buy
• Paper back $14.95

Conferences

Some of the very practical reasons to attend a conference are to . . .

• meet editors face to face (I’ve never sold a book simply on the basis of a proposal alone. All fourteen of royalty books were pitched at conferences or the result of a conference).

#8226; get feedback from editors and professional writers (Citique groups are good—to a limit, but most are amateurs critiquing amateurs. Sorry if that sounds snobbish, but this is a business and profession.)

• get the tools you need to succeed in your craft (lectures, books, networking). Imagine if a repairperson pulled up to your house and his/her truck was completely empty of tools? Call the police!

• network. That is so important. I can follow each book and each conference keynote back to meeting key people. I tell writers, the three secrets to getting published are 1. network, 2. network, and 3. network. So, there’s a word for writers who don’t attend conferences: unpublished.

Here are a few where I’ve spoken and can recommend. Look at the faculty carefully. Go to those with the editors and agents you want to meet! If you’re just starting out, you may want to attend a smaller conference so not to be overwhelmed.

• Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (Ashville, NC)
• Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference (Estes Park)
• Florida Christian Writers’ Conference (Leesburg)
• Greater Philadelphia Writers’ Conference
• Maranatha Christian Writers (Muskegan, Michigan)
• St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference (Grove City, Pennsylvania)
• Taylor University’s Professional Writers’ Conference (Upland, Indiana) I taught in the professional writers program for 15 years, so I’m a bit biased in my praise for the conference as well!
• Write to Publish Conference (Wheaton, Illinois)

Craft

• Atomic-powered titles
• Authors: adapt of die [Video from Taylor University’s Professional Writing Conference]
• Communicate to Change Lives: Using Psychological Appeals
• ‘Crossing over’ with the cross
• Don’t become a digital dinosaur
• From stage to page: turning messages into manuscripts
• How to become a million-selling authorThree “must haves” for today’s writers
• Writing effective book proposals
• Writing with love, truth and grace

Editorial services

I have worked in the traditional and independent publishing world as an editor helping first-time and New York Times best-selling authors get their book manuscripts into print. I’d love to help you bring your manuscript to life with CPR: Consultation, Publishing assistance, and Rewriting. (Click for complete details.)

Encouragement for writers

• Confessions of an author/speaker
• David and the giant editors (Audio)
• Keeping your dream alive (Print and audio)
• Soaring with eagles, walking with emus (Print and audio)
• Your “write” role (Print; audio coming soon)

Publishing

• Family&Friends Micro-Publishing
• How to hook today’s Internet users (Writing online)
• Inside look at publishing industry
• How to become a million-selling author
• So you want to write a book?
• Twenty-five rejection-proof markets
• What’s “brand” and “platform”?
• Writing effective book proposals

Self-publishing

After seeing authors pay $5,000 to a self-publisher (often called “independent” or “hybrid” publisher) and then only sell 100 copies—that’s $50 per book—I decided to provide an economical way for those who have no “platform” and thus an audience of only family and friends. We don’t cut corners on covers, but do in other ways that most wouldn’t notice. It’s all transparent at Family&Friends Book Publishing.

• Self-publishers and piranhas Sort out the good, the bad, the ugly!

Check out publisher’s reviews at Better Business Bureau or Google reviews for the self-publishers. Obviously, avoid those sites sponsored by a self-publisher! (When I tapped in “self-publishers to avoid,” the first two page were nothing but self-publishers sites!)

The writing life

• Are authors in their “write” minds?
• Freelancing offers freedom “real job” can’t
• Hope for a balanced life
• Managing your time . . . and sanity
• Seven habits of purpose-driven writers

Writer tools

Agents

Books on writing