Jeff Goins is a writing guru, a fellow navigator of all things publishing, and a great guy. He recently wrote two ebooks, Every Writers Dream and Before Your First Book. Both books (together!) are $4.99. But if you use the special coupon code “StopStalling” you’ll get $2 off. This is good until tomorrow evening. BUT! If you’d like to WIN these books, Jeff has agreed to generously give away 10 copies to the readers of Write Uncaged. To be entered, simply answer the question at the bottom of the post, WITH your email written out like this (mary @ marydemuth.com). Now, onto our interview!
What prompted you to write these books?
I wanted to write Every Writer’s Dream ever since I landed my first publishing contract (which wasn’t too long ago). For years, I beat my head against a wall, trying to figure out how to grow in my writing career. And then in less than eight months, I had done more to get noticed as a writer than I had in six years.
I wanted to share how this happened to me and how others can be intentional in making their writing dreams come true, too.
How have you lived these books?
A funny thing happened to me this past year: I went from knocking on doors of publishers, pleading to get my writing noticed, to having book publishers and magazine editors coming to me to ask permission to publish my stuff. Talk about a paradigm shift.
What’s your number one encouragement to a brand new writer?
You’ve probably heard this by now, but it’s true: Build a platform. And once it’s built, keep building. Keep reaching out, making relationships, taking as many gigs as you can get (even if they don’t pay well, or at all). Relish every opportunity to practice and get better, and don’t do it at home where no one notices. Do it in public for the world to see, so that you take it seriously.
But above all else, do this: Stop waiting for permission. Believe you are a writer. And just start.
Is publishing a possibility? Or an elusive dream? What makes a writer move from possibility to reality?
Well, it’s certainly a dream, but a possible one at that.
In the eBooks, I share the three tools every writer needs to become a serious writer. They are:
1. A platform. This can be a blog, a podcast, a speaking career — anything that attracts an audience and gives you authority and attention.
2. A brand. This is often overlooked, because it sounds like marketing speak. It’s not. (Well, okay, maybe it is, but you still can’t overlook it.) Whether you realize it or not, you have a brand.
It’s how people see you as a writer, how they consume your content and come to know what they can expect from you. As much as you can, you should help shape that impression. People will form opinions either way; why not have a say in the matter?
3. Channels of connection. This means a network of writer friends, a list of advocates who will endorse your work, and your everyday readers and fans. Make sure you have an email (or snail mail, if you’re old school) newsletter, a way for people to find and connect with you (I recommend Facebook and Twitter online), and that you’re going out of your way to meet new people who can help you (and whom you can help).
Where do you want to see yourself as a writer in five years?
I have no idea. The fun part in all of this is that it wasn’t planned, Sure, I was intentional. Getting a book contract wasn’t an accident, but it wasn’t expected, either.
I don’t really believe in goals — not at this season in my life, anyway. I believe in creating habits, which is exactly what I’ve done. So I’m excited where those habits will take me (and about creating some new ones). But beyond that, there is no plan. (I hope that is encouragement to some writers out there who are waiting to start writing until they have the perfect plan or list of goals. It won’t happen; just start.)
That said, I hope in five years to be writing more books, speaking at more conferences and events, and helping more writers. (And yes, it’d be nice to be able to support my family doing that.)
To be entered to win both of Jeff’s publishing books, answer this question:
What holds you back from your publishing dream right now? Don’t forget to share your email so we can contact you.
If you’d like to be entered more than once, tweet about it (then comment with your email addy) or holler about it on Facebook (again, write a comment that said you did and include your addy). These are very helpful, get-off-yer-behind books!
