Authors Are Ageless! Never Give Up Your Dream of Being One

Guest post by Joyce Mason

I am honored to have Joyce Mason posting on my blog this week.  It's a long one but worth the time to read it if you have any interest at all in becoming an author.

 

 

It took me twenty-four years to publish my first novel. I had written a lot of non-fiction, but I just couldn’t get it together to put myself out there as a novelist until I was 66 years old. For more details, read Why It Took Me Till Social Security to Publish My First Novel … and Why It’s OK. You’ll find a lot there about the psychological factors involved in my long incubation toward what I think is my true life’s work. I suspect I’m not alone in taking a long time. It turned out I had good reasons and good intuition to take it slowly.
 
 

We’re All Writers. Nowadays, almost everyone is writing at least “part-time” in some way or another. We have never been more literate, writing emails and social networking and conducting much of life from our keyboards. Some people might not consider that “really” literary, but I think all communications by written word are just that. The tools are now available and affordable for anyone with a strong desire to realize his or her dream of becoming an author. Writing is often part of whatever work we do, creating publications to complement our jobs, even if our job isn’t writing per se.

 

That Blessed Blogging. Today’s path to paperback and eBook publications often starts with blogging. I am an absolutist about blogging’s role in a writer’s success. When I first started blogging in 2006, I barely knew what it was. I had to ask around, look it up, and figure out what that funny word meant. (Web log—blog—huh?) During the next eight years, I created four of them. (One good one is actually plenty!) Nothing I have ever done has sharpened my writing skills as well and as quickly as blogging. When I say blessed blogging, I mean it’s a blessing—literally. It’s also a free and easy way to find your audience, and if you write on niche topics like I do (astrology and spirituality), you’ll begin gaining readers through your blogs. They are your built-in audience or platform once you have tangible products, like paperbacks and eBooks, to sell.

 

Baby Boomer Plus, Age Appropriate. It has long been a trend for people in the 55+, even far 55+ age category, to start writing during this phase of life. That’s when people tend to write their memoirs or retire from their long-time careers to do what they really want to do. Since many of us like to write, it’s ideal. The job doesn’t require youth or physical peak. An older person’s premiere asset, life experience, is a huge benefit to your writing. As long as your mind is still sharp and you can type and learn, you’ve got what it takes to become an author. The last push I needed to get over any idea that the opportunity had passed me by because of my age came from a fellow writer I know. She published her first book at 84. It turned out to be an award-winning memoir, and she’s now in her 90s, still writing.

 

There is no ageism in writing—and sageism really helps.

 

Drastic Changes in the Publishing Industry. There has never been a better time for you to take charge of your publishing life and just do it. While “self-publishing” once had the stigma of being considered unprofessional and vain, now it’s seen as “independent publishing,” a real option and the sign of a person willing to invest in him- or herself. If you’re not willing to invest in your first book, why should a publisher who does it as big business? One of the reasons some authors with multi-deal book contracts have taken back their rights and are now doing it themselves is because the tools to do it economically are available for the first time ever, allowing them to retain a much larger profit.

 

If you’re like I was, fear of cost may be holding you back. My direct investment in bringing my book to Amazon and all the usual purchasing outlets was $710. I could have gotten away with less. More on that in a minute. First, a very capsule perspective on publishing history.

 

The traditional publishing model involved a big gamble on the part of the publisher, especially on someone untried. The publisher paid for the print run—and made educated guess on how many would sell. Further, the publishing house would have to take back any unsold books ordered by bookstores, because these returns have always been a part of the deal between book producers and sellers.

 

Another limitation of the publication model that’s now shifting was the physical space in brick and mortar bookstores. There is only so much shelf space in stores; therefore, what didn’t sell within a few weeks was returned for other books that would. This meant that if your book didn’t make it in the first month, it didn’t make it at all.

 

It’s easy to understand why it was so difficult for people to break into the business, given the risks from the publisher’s perspective, which also applied to agents. (Most publishers do not accept manuscripts except through an agent. They screen manuscripts and pitch likely winners to publishers.) Publishers want you to have a great idea with wide appeal, excellent writing skills with the potential for producing follow-up books. They expect you to have a substantial, pre-existing audience, ready to buy your book. They also expect you to be vigorously involved in marketing your book. It was shocking for me to learn how little publishers market for their authors. It’s mostly up to you.

 

With the new services offering print-on-demand (books printed as they’re ordered) through places like Amazon’s CreateSpace, the initial investment of bringing the book to publication is the author’s. If you hire help to do it, after that, the profit is all yours. There are significantly fewer brick and mortar bookstores. With no competition for shelf space, your book—especially your eBooks—live forever online. They can be purchased anytime, anywhere. It’s a whole new world.

 

How to Play.  In one article, I’m limited on how much detail I can offer, so I’m going to share some tips on how to get started. You’ll learn more from taking these steps:

1.   Find the best local writers’ groups you can. Join one or more. Be sure they include a variety of authors, both traditionally and self-published. You’ll learn much from both.

2.   Start a blog, if you haven’t already. Write in the same genre

    or on the same topics as your future books.

3.   Find or start a critique group to get feedback on your book

    manuscript. Make a commitment to your group members on

    a book schedule, and ask them to keep you on task to get

    your first draft done.

4.   Once you’ve done Draft 1, send it to your most well-read and

    well-grammared friends for preliminary editing and feedback.

    Repeat this step until you think it’s as perfect as you can get

    it. I strongly recommend professional editing. (More on that

    under Costs.)

5. Go to your other writer friends for referrals on the interior

    design of your book and the cover, as well as people who

    will convert your book to eReader versions for Kindle, Nook,

    etc.  You can do any of these things yourself, but they require

    a lot of time and learning curve. There is a YouTube video and

    other instructions online for anything discussed in this article.

    CreateSpace, for example, has lots of how-to documents and

    you can hire help from them, as well. A professional cover is

    essential. The thumbnail of the cover sells your book

    everywhere. Unless you’re a graphic designer, hire one.

    I’ve heard of beautiful covers costing as little as $50.

6. Get a professional looking website. You’ll need it as your

    “meeting place” for information on all your books, blog(s),

    book signing appearances, etc. You can do it yourself to

    minimize costs or hire help. I did my own and later

    upgraded with professional help. Get quotes and advice

    from friends. Find sites you like and ask about the designer.

 

More on Costs. To give you an example of the investment you’d be looking at to publish independently, I’ll share what it cost me to bring my 216-page mystery to paperback and eBook formats. The size of the project, book dimensions and paper chosen will all have an effect on costs. CreateSpace has some great calculators for estimating them with no subsequent surprises.

 

I was willing to spend more on what was essential to me, especially for my first novel. I wanted to work with people I could communicate with well, who had an excellent reputation (no issues of delivery and on time) and who offered a high-quality product. I was also “interviewing” via this project for long-term relationships. I have other books to come. I figured the sooner I could assemble a permanent production team, the better. After waiting 24 years to publish my first novel, I wanted it to look spectacular and no different from a book by a major publisher. I created my own imprint, New Inkarnation Media, and there was an additional $233 for my business license, fictitious name filing and the required advertising for “doing business as.”

 

My cover cost $150 and exceeded my expectations. My working relationship with my cover artist is a dream. She made my vision a reality and added her own ideas that, together, formed a synergy that wowed me. I hope we work together for years to come.

 

The interior design was $370, done by a professional whose work and knowledge in the field I much admire. Without my even asking, he carried aspects of the cover design inside the book. It looks beautiful and seamlessly coordinated. Comparing notes with others, I could have possibly paid less, but for what this individual gave me in moral support, expertise, patience and unwavering reliability, I got a bargain. I’d work with him again in a heartbeat.

 

My eBook conversion was $150. For our area (Sacramento, CA), this was a bit high, but my designer was excellent, and there was no question that she’d turn out a timely and perfect product. I’ve heard of conversions costing as little as $25 and also in the $85-100 range locally.  It’s important to get bids from several professionals and consult with other writers for referrals.

 

Two proofs from CreateSpace for the paperback with speedy delivery cost approximately $40. Seeing a real-book proof is essential to be sure everything is aligned right, and we needed some changes on the cover. There is a virtual tool to review everything online, but it doesn’t completely replace seeing how the physical product looks and feels.

 

About copy editing. It’s expensive. I’ve heard it’s typically $1000-1500 for the kind of mystery novel I write. (This may vary by where you live and what you write.) If there’s any way I can afford it, I’ll do it next time. In the end, it saves time and money, because editing the endless changes almost made me tear my hair out, even though I have a good eye for editing and even like it, up to a point. You’d be surprised how many things your “friend editors” and you miss, even after reading it the 10^th time. I was sure gremlins came in at night and entered new mistakes into my manuscript. If you’re working on them concurrently for a coordinated launch, every mistake has to be fixed on both versions, paperback and eBook, till you finally say “uncle” to editing. (Editing is endless. Only you can declare The End.)

 

In summary, my book cost me $710 to produce, not counting business license and fictitious name statement fees. (Creating your own imprint is optional.) There are no fees at CreateSpace to upload and make your book available for print-on-demand or in their Kindle Store or at and other similar outlets like Barnes and Noble. CreateSpace will distribute your book worldwide. They used to charge a fee for this extended distribution, which they recently discontinued. (I got a refund.) I invite you to read how it works on their site.

 

There’s Never Been a Better Time.  Publishing is now truly democratic and open to everyone. If you’ve got more time than money, you can learn to do your own interior design for both paperback and eBooks. Anyone can publish all the way to the finish line of their lives. As you make money on the first book you publish, can reinvest the revenue into your next project. Publishing The Crystal Ball was #1 on my Bucket List. Making our dreams come true keeps us young.

 

About My Book. “Cool sages,” one of my favorite terms for baby boomers and beyond, are likely to enjoy my novel, because The Crystal Ball is about living a long, healthy and productive life. Astrologer Micki Michaels and her ex-FBI-agent boyfriend put their hot chemistry to good use as a crime-busting Odd Couple at a longevity association’s futuristic costume ball.  Someone is threatening to steal the “secret” of longevity. Will he succeed? The costumes are outrageous, the read fast-paced. The costume theme is “come as you’ll be in the future.” One of my favorite things about Micki and the members of the “right to long lifers” is that she’s 50 but looks 30. Now there’s a secret I might want to steal myself.

 

For more information on where to purchase my book, to view the video trailer or to download the first two chapters, visit The Crystal Ball link on my website.

 

Marketing: Publication Is Just the Beginning. Before I sign off, I have to share a reality check. There are nearly 500,000 books published each year just in the major English-speaking countries alone (over 470K in the US, UK, Canada and Australia). This explosion, no doubt, has much to do with print-on-demand, the new publication democracy and the easily accessible tools that allow anyone to become an author. That means getting your book noticed is going to be a big job. Learn everything you can about marketing. Social network. Be realistic about why you write and what you can expect to get out of it. I may not get rich, but I’m already happier for fulfilling a lifelong commitment to myself. The positive feedback on my book has been priceless.

 

I comment on many of these topics ongoing in my newest blog on writing and creativity, Joyce Mason’s NewInkarnations. One of the reasons I write is to share what I learn. There’s more to learn on New Ink. Come on by! I’d love to continue the conversation.

 

 

 

JOYCE MASON is an astrologer, prolific non-fiction writer and a new novelist. Her trademark of delivering deep insights with humor crosses genres. Mystery is the connecting thread of her writing, including the mysteries of life. Learn more at www.joycemason.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Trip Down Memory Lane and a Glimpse into the Future!

I'm not going to lie.  2013 was a challenging year for me and my family.  Personally.  Professionally.  Spiritually, emotionally, physically.  And any other "ly" you can come up with!  But here it is the 2nd day of January, 2014.  Another new year.  Another chance to start over.  And that is just what I am doing.

Even though there were some - shall we say interesting - times in 2013, there were also some great times.  And even the less than spectacular moments had some positive turnout.  A lesson learned.  One door closed but another opened.  I know you are thinking I am some sort of Pollyanna that sees good in everything.  And you'd be right.  I truly believe that God works all things for good in the end.  But I do have plenty of evidence of that this year.  Although there were some spectacular fails, there were plenty of awesome successes.

I share this because I know that plenty of others are struggling too.  Many of my family, friends, and clients are facing challenges of their own.  Health issues.  Family concerns.  Financial worries.  I want to encourage each of you not to give up.  No matter what - get up, get moving, have faith, and know that you are surrounded by an amazing group of people that are willing to help and support you.

I always like my first blog post of the year to be a sort of look back.  Lessons learned.  People met.  Successes and failures applauded.  Hopefully, someone will find something of value in what I have experienced.  So here we go!

Lessons learned in 2013!

1.  Training and speaking are two different things.  Being good at one does not mean you are ready for the other.  I know there are those who will not understand this but trust me - it is true!

2.  Be careful who you engage with on social media.  Enough said on that.

3.  When MapQuest says it's an 11 hour trip, plan on 15.

4.  Voice recognition software is awesome!  My mind moves faster than my mouth which moves way faster than my arthritic fingers.  At last, something that can ALMOST keep up!

5.  Family is a gift from God.  Cherish it!

6.  Disney World is magical.  Key Largo is beautiful.  Daytona is Bike Week and that's always an experience!  Denver was a blast.  Vegas is - well Vegas!  But in the end, there really is no place like home.

7.  Losing a pet you've had for 16 years leaves a hole in your heart.  Still miss you rubbing around my ankles in the morning, Iris Kitty.

8.  No matter what the doctors say, there are still miracles.  All you can do is live each day to the fullest and trust that God knows best.

9.  No matter how bad the situation, a good friend, a glass of wine, and lots of chocolate will make it better.

10.  19 degrees in NW Arkansas is colder than 19 degrees in NE Pennsylvania.  Really!

Thanks to some fabulous friends!

To my dear friend PopArtDiva, aka The Martini Diva, aka The Diva of Tiny Foods, aka Terri - for all the time spent on the phone listening to me bemoan the latest crisis, fiasco, and various other moments of negativity.  Thanks for being there to listen, to cheer me on when I succeeded, and to slap me upside the head when I needed it.

To Ken McArthur for giving a little (alright not so little) gal from Arkansas a chance to speak at your event.  And even though I suddenly came down with the worst - and only - case of stage fright I have ever had (something about looking up and seeing you and David Hancock in the back of the room suddenly made me feel like I was playing dress-up in my Mommy's clothes), the encouragement and positive feedback I received from everyone was amazing.  I definitely learned much from that experience and am proud to say I am a much more accomplished speaker because of it. (Of course, a little coaching from Felicia Slattery didn't hurt either)

To Joel Comm who took time during a one-on-one call to stop doing business and pray with me while I was going through some difficult times.  You may never know what that meant to me.

To Heshie Segal, who believes we can do something amazing together.  The book is just pages away from being finished, and then I will be able to devote my full attention to you.  Can't wait!  And for teaching me that I don't have to type anymore!  You can blame her - or thank her - for my new found productivity!

To Charlie Thacker for his continuing inspiration.  I can be in the most horrible mood, and then you will post something on Facebook and remind me what it's really all about.  Love you for that!

To my husband Dearl, for surprising me with an iMac for Christmas!  I love it!  How did you know?  (Oh wait - was the drooling over the Apple display every time we went to Best Buy a dead giveaway?  Thanks for noticing!)

To my family for believing that I really could write a book.  It's almost finished!  And although it took a bit longer than I had originally planned, I can finally say I wrote a book.  Couldn't have done it without your support!

To Linda Gracy for always being ready for an adventure.  Who else can I call on a moment's notice and say "Do you want to go to Denver?  Ken is hosting his latest event."  And she says "Sure!  You drive!"

To Janna, aka The Lemon Cat.  You made Christmas wonderful for me - and the recipients of your gift baskets.  From making baskets to fit my specifications, enclosing my cards, shipping them, tracking them, letting me know when they had been delivered - you took something I hate (shopping and mailing) and did it to perfection.  Everyone loved the baskets.  I loved that I did not have to make them, or wrap them or mail them.  You rock!  See you next Christmas!

And here's to some new friends!

A shout out to some new friends (or old friends reconnected).  Don't know what we will do together but I believe that people are brought together for a reason.  Can't wait to find out what that reason is:  Brian Basilico, Andy Shepherd, Rob Canyon, Loretta Hendricks, Joe Frus, Elaine Tayrien, Larry Hochman, Brian Johnson, Lora Jones, Onno van den Bovenkamp, Gwen Weiler (wait - I know why you came into my life.  The book will soon need an editor!)

Looking forward!

2014 is going to be an awesome year.  Yes I know I tend to overuse that word but it is one of my favorites!  AWESOME!!!!  Finishing my book will mean I have achieved a major goal of mine.  And I already have plans for a second.

I have struggled with my weight for several years now but I have finally discovered the only thing that has ever worked for me.  15 pounds so far and counting!  I will be sharing that discovery with everyone very soon.  Meanwhile, I am looking forward to a much healthier and trimmer me in the future.

I like to take something from the lessons of the past year and make it my focus for the new year.  And the one thing that has seen me through all this past year was family and friends.  They are truly priceless gifts.  And so my focus for the 2014 is going to be family and community.  I will be trying to work that concept into much of my business.  I already have some ideas!  Exciting, spectacular, and dare I say it - AWESOME ideas!!!

Boomer Business Ideas will continue to grow.  There is such a need right now for support and encouragement as more and more "boomerpreneurs" step up to take the challenge of starting their own businesses.  And that fits right in with my Family and Community focus.  So watch for upcoming events and announcements.

During a call with Joel Comm and other members of his inner circle (by the way, if you are not part of this, you need to be!), I mentioned "The Adventures of Traveling Bob" blog.  It has been sort of sidelined for a while since, to be honest, I really didn't know where to take it.  But after our conversation, I have a whole new concept.  It Should be a Dog's World and the Bad to the Bone Motorcycle Club have been rejuvenated.  Expect to see launches before April.  Why April?  Because I want Joel and company to see what they inspired.  And what better place to show them then at jvAlert Denver in April!

I will be in Denver in April for the last jvAlert event ever!  And of course, I will be calling my sidekick, Linda, to see if she is ready to go with me.  If you have never attended, now is the time!  It may be the last event, but it will not be the last time you will interact with the people you meet there.  Ken likes to say that once you join the jvAlert family, you can never leave.  He's not kidding.  I will be sharing dates and info in the near future.  If you are already part of "the family," I hope you are planning to attend the reunion.

Your turn!

What lessons did you learn from 2013 that you would like to share?  What are your goals and plans for the coming year?  How can we help?

The Rule of 90/10

I read about the Rule of 90/10 in Robert Kiyosaki's book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."  Simply put, it says that in any profession 90% of the money is controlled by 10% of the people.

Is this important?  It certainly is!  It can help you determine where to focus your time and energy to maximize your success.
 
You have heard me say I that I have often dreamed of being an artist.  I go to museums and look at the magnificent paintings and wish I could create something as beautiful.  Why don't I?  Because I haven't got the talent.  I know I could never be in the top 10%.  So rather than devote my time to something I know I will never be very successful at, I focus my need for creativity in other directions.  But as a trainer and coach, I am certain that I can do very well.  I want to teach other baby boomers and other women how to start and run successful businesses.  And I am very good at what I do!

If you want to boost your earning potential to new heights, you need to do the same thing.  Focus your time and energy on the things that can maximize your business.  Leave those other pursuits to other people.

If you want to be at the top of your field, you cannot be average.  Do you have what it takes to be in the top 10%?  Do you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone and try something different?  Do you have the patience to build your business step by step?  Do you have the determination to devote your time to achieving your goals when all your friends are doing something else?  Can you be a positive role model when everyone around you is complaining about their circumstances?

If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then go for it!  Be one of the 10%!  How?  Learn from those who are already there.  Read their books.  Attend their seminars.  Ask them questions and LISTEN to their answers.  Find the things you can be good at and focus your time and effort there.  Do something - at least one thing - every day to get you closer to your goal.  And never give up!

What do you think of the Rule of 90/10?  Does it apply to your business?

The Best Boomer Blogs

Blogging is one of the easiest, most cost effective ways to build an online presence.  They are a great way to showcase your expertise, build web traffic, and gain potential clients or customers.  Many of my friends, colleagues, and clients have incorporated a blog into their overall business strategy.  You should too! 

Do you need some inspiration?  Great!  Today I am going to share with you some of the best blogs written by, for, and about my target market - the baby boomer!

1.  Two of my favorites boomer blogs are written by the same person - Heidi Caswell.  The first, WordPress 101 for Boomers, has information on everything from keeping spammers out of your contact form to uncluttering your sidebars. With the information available here, I am often able to help my clients solve their WordPress problems.

2.  I have recently discovered Heidi writes another blog - Home Grown Lifestyle.  I found it when she posted a recipe for Pork Cabbage Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce on Pinterest.  So far I have learned how to make my own laundry soap, that you can plant cabbage in February, and that it's never too early to start gardening.  I'm still discovering all this blog has to offer, but I think I'm going to become a regular here as well.

3.   Written by the Redhead herself, Heidi Richards Mooney, Redhead Marketing is one of my favorite business blogs. Heidi is a one-stop shop for information on everything you need to know about your home business.

4.  Looking for a blog with a little sass and a lot of class?  The Feisty Side of Fifty celebrates that distinctly unique individual - the baby boomer woman.  Written by Mary Eileen Williams, this where to go for topics as diverse as the post-50 job search to the power of hope, and interviews with fellow boomers such as Karen Colligan and Janet Neal. 

5.  Aging But Dangerous - their mission statement says it all:  "Aging But Dangerous inspires, empowers and challenges women over 50 to self-fulfill, self-actualize and live their lives to the absolute fullest."  What more could you want from a boomer blog?

6.  Sometimes God shows up in the most unusual places.  And the one of the few women I know that would blog about that experience is Bev Mahone.  Check out her latest post on this subject as well as all the other great insight she shares on her blog, Baby Boomer Talk and Other Stuff.

7.  As she describes it, Jo's blog is "just my little journal as I live my life in my tree house."  In fact, it is so much more.  A Majority of Two is a wonderful look at the intricacies of life through the eyes of a remarkable woman.

8.  I am a foodie.  I can spend hours happily puttering in my kitchen trying some new kitchen gadget or experimenting with a new recipe.  Which is why I love the Diva of Tiny Foods.  Where else can you get the recipe for Italian Meatball Bruschetta AND Peanut Butter Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?

9.  A Gathering of Thoughts by Rebecca Nelson is the blog I read during quiet times.  Rebecca loves to share the fabulous old finds she has discovered during the course of her life.  You will love reading her stories.

10.  If you need articles on health, beauty, family, money, finances and relationships with a baby boomer perspective, then you need to read Rita Morgan's blog Not Just The Kitchen.

These are 10 of my favorite boomer blogs.  I'm sure they will provide plenty of inspiration for other bloggers. 

Do you have a boomer blog the rest of us need to know about?  Don't be shy!  Now is the time to share!

How Much Will I Make?

I get asked this question a lot.  Someone approaching me to help start a business often wants to know if it's worth it.  Potential network marketers want to know how successful they will be.  I'll be honest...I don't have a clue! How hard are you willing to work? How much time are you willing to devote to building your business? Are you going to follow the advice of your trainers and coaches? Are you going to stick with it when it seems like no one is interested in your products, services or business opportunity?

I love it when prospective clients and business partners ask me this question. I want to pull out my magic crystal ball and give them an answer. But honesty is really best in this situation - for two reasons. First, they don't expect it and so it gives me an opportunity to show them that I really am legit and I am not going to make promises that neither of us may be able to keep. Second, it shows them that the income they earn is largely dependent on what they do...or don't do!

I have clients and team members who are millionaires. I have clients and team members who are making $60K or more a year. I have clients and team members who are only making an extra $1000 or so a month. And I have clients and team members who haven't made a dime.

I now have helped over 400 people either start their own business or get involved in network marketing. Most of them are at least moderately successful. Some of them are not. And I'll admit - some of the successful ones took me by surprise. And a couple that I really expected would do well are getting ready to quit. What made the difference? Effort. Listening to me and other business leaders. Persistence. Faith.

How much will you make? I don't know. You could change your life. Or you could continue as you have all these years. All I do know is if you don't do it now, when will you?