Wisdom is waiting...

Proverbs 8 blessed my soul today!  As I read in verse 23 today, specifically the second half of that, 

"from the bringing, before there was EVER an earth."   Oh my goodness, when I think about the things contained in this earth that have us confused, bogged down, overwhelmed, and worn out?  All we ever need to know Wisdom had down before the first speck of dust was formed on the earth.   And being as though we are made from dust,  I say it's high time we start seeking.  Our path has already been carved out. 

Wisdom: it was here before, and will be here long after..... 

Published Finally!

You've read right!  I am finally a published author. I haven't blogged here in a while! Please forgive me if you were following this journey.  So many things have transpired in the midst of me trying to get this book published, but I finally got it out.  Praise Jesus! 

 I tried numerous times to publish traditionally, and I was constantly rejected. When it came to Christian traditional publishers, they seemed to be more interested in who I knew, and how many social media followers I had. Now I understand why so many new authors self-publish or go through independent publishing companies.  If you don't know someone famous,  influential, or have a huge platform to promote yourself it can feel next to impossible.  

I worked with Executive Business Writing out of California to get my book published. That was the best decision I could have made for this assignment.  They were a perfect match and the Ceo, Dr. Beverly Crockett is a phenomenal partner to have.  You can find out more about what they offer  by visiting beverlycrockett.com the site is very user friendly.

My book, Accountable to God,  released this month!  I've now started the process of marketing, and getting the word out about my book. I'm finding that this is the "real" work! Writing and finishing it was easier, believe it or not.  So far I've been using social media to promote my book, which is one of the most cost effective ways to do this! 

 I will begin to market more locally and plan a book launch and signing, in my current community within the next month. I am not sure how all of this works but I'll figure it out!  If you would like a copy of my book. You can secure your copy of Accountable to God, by purchasing through my blog at https://accountabletogodthebook.blogspot.com.  I will personally ship you a signed copy, or you can purchase on Amazon.com. 

Stay tuned!

I will be sharing my efforts to market and promote this book, as well as my next book assignment! 

Well, Until Next Time... 

-Chan H. 

**You can also follow this book assignment on Facebook @AuthorChandra and AccountabletoGod:The book..we are currently discussing the principles of the book there! 

Do Traditional Publishers have auto reject buttons?!??

Rejected again  

OH my goodness.  Can you say disconcerting!??  I have been declined by another traditional publisher that claims to accept first time authors.   This is very nerve wrecking.    Trying to get your first book published by a traditional publisher is like running into a steal wall over and over again. It seems as though they have an automatic reject button for new authors? 

"What? You're a first time Author?  Sorry." 

 I know this is nothing new. I've heard it before over the years before finishing my manuscript. I also visited a Christian writing conference a few years ago and heard many reasons  why traditional publishers rarely entertain new authors.  I took note of that,  but I really wanted to be one of the exceptions to this rule.  Lol.  Not saying that I won't try again, but man, I'm wondering how many TP submissions it would take to get a book deal?   On the flip side, I can say I am thrilled that they did get back with me fairly soon.

 Neither publisher made me wait for a ridiculous amount of time. So to that I am grateful. The second publishing company offered a co-publshing alternative with them. Those prices were very similar to a independent publishing company's package deals.  They even had a self publishing  package deal.  I was not impressed. It was SO expensive, and over priced. You are basically paying for the name of a widely known publishing company's brand to be on your book, and they share their marketing platform. 

You've got to know famous people? 

My experience with these companies is that they want you to have a large social media following, on multiple SM platforms.  They also want you to have big name connections and an established speaking engagement circuit or outlet to help market your book.   Question: If I am a first time Author, why would I already have this established? There is no book available "for sale"  for me to talk about???   Most of the questions that I received on my first submission was how many influential big name ministries, and Pastors am I associated with.   I know they want to make sure that they can sell my book but I felt like it was THE  determining factor for these traditional  publishing companies.  If I have so many big name connections to help me sell and market my book, why would I need the TP to help me get exposure and to sell my book??  I could self publish and market on Amazon.   Most people go directly to amazon to purchase books.  If I already had thousands of folks  lined up to buy my book why would I need a TP?  I could get my own ISBN#s and retain ALL  my royalties, and publish it my self,  am I missing something with this? 

Self Publishing in progress! 

I've always had this option  in mind during this whole TP submission process, but wanted to try traditional first.  Now I have started  seriously looking into Create space and LULU for self publishing.  They seem to be the most cost effective route for me right now.   Also,  I am dealing with some sellers on Fivver trying to get a book cover concept delivered. I can't tell you how many people I've sent this to.  

FIVVER  Woes 

Dealing with fivver has not been as quick and smooth as I thought it would be.  I don't understand why something so simple as accepting or declining a request for service  is so hard for some of these sellers on Fivver.   And most of these people that I have requested service from came recommended!    

(I am also trying to use  Fivver to help me create a logo for my Natural Hair Care Business and that has not been smooth either.)   One, Artist/Seller quit or got fired by Fivver (I'm not quite sure which,  but it was  right in the middle of our first amendments to their logo concept.  Next thing I know my money had been refunded to my fivver account,  and the seller was no longer available on Fivver.  What?? They offered no explanation and I had to start over with pitching another artist.  SOOOO frustrating?  

Having a published author and  writing industry professional as  a "unofficial" mentor helps! 

I am definitely grateful that I do have someone "mentoring" and helping me.  I didn't ask her to be my mentor, but I am adopting her as one.  LOL.  This woman has been a God-send.  She has her own writing business, Executive Business Writing out of California.   She is the one responsible for  proof reading, and editing  my book. Stellar professional! Customer service was phenomenal she always kept the lines of communication open and she finished the project in a timely manner.    She did a spectacular job,  my manuscript is  beautiful, and its just waiting for a cover and someone to publish or print it.  I  am  definitely blessed to have her hold my hand throughout this process. 

Lesson Learned    

If I knew it was going to be this difficult I would have tried to finish this book sooner! Or I could have continued doing submissions while  I was writing.  The hard work begins after it's written!  I definitely didn't expect my book to still be un published going on  4 months after completion.

#anxious

Trust me I have been praying diligently on this.  Finance has been a factor s well.   

Okay, I just wanted to update.  I'm going to keep writing and keep chipping away with my publishing  efforts of Accountable to God.  GOD wanted me to write it so He will make a way for it to get in the hands of all who need it.   

Praying my next update will be a progressive one.     Until Next Time! 

My Book is on its second submission!

Hello all this journey to having my first book published has gotten real!  I am prayerfully awaiting a proposal from my second submission since the editing of my book was finished.  My first submission was through Destiny Image a Christian publishing company. They turned me down. They gave me a line about they only have a space for so many "new" authors a year etc etc. They asked me SO many questions regarding my current platform, famous influential contacts, and social media followers. That was a turn off. I figured they were going to base their decision on wether I had a ton of twitter followers? And when they  turned me down,  I asked and they said it does carry some weight. Figures! smh.  I know that I can self publish or just pay an independent company. But for this first book I REALLY wanted it to go through a traditional publisher primarily one that is well known because I wanted to carry that familiar name to help me get in certain book stores.  Also I didn't want to have to come up with all of this money for some package deal through a self publishing company that doesn't help with marketing, or an Independent that may take all of my royalty money.    But I don't know we will see how this pans out.   Createspace is going to be  a third choice for me.  I have everything done really with the exception of purchasing my Isbn# and having my cover illustrated. 

My second submission is through Creation house aka Charisma they couldn't offer me traditional publishing but offered a Co-publishing option. That was a first one for me. I had never heard of that.  They explained that basically they would put a proposal together (free of charge) and I could accept or deny. My benefit is to carry their name, receive their marketing, and everything that comes along with being on that team etc.  So we shall see I am waiting on their proposal. 

Time to Submit my Edited Manuscript!!!

That stock photo above does the perfect job in expressing how I feel bout FINALLY finishing my book!!!   I haven't been blogging about(not sure why I fell off with the, but such as life!)  But I am cranking back up as the next level of this journey is in full swing.   The final pages  of my writing was completed in October 2014 actually. YES I know!!    My  book was lying patiently by,  waiting, as I decided on how I would move forward with  editing and publishing companies.! (folks this is more difficult than getting up the motivation to write and finish your book, man!) 

   To me this is a very crucial part of the future of this book. Accountable To God.  With all of the self publishing, print on demand, and independent publishers and editing companies out there it was a lot to sort through, as this book is God's baby, and I am the co-parent!  Finding the right editor/publisher for me is like searching for the best daycare provider for a newborn child. I am super protective, over this manuscript!   Of course I always think of going the traditional route, but honestly was a little intimidated about that idea until now.  Will fill you in on that later!  But I met the prefect company to proof read and edit my manuscript.   Executive Business Writing out of  Moreno Valley, CA.    Beverly Crockett is amazing!  She completely understood my purpose, heart, and voice.  She was able to proofread, edit, and format my manuscript and get it ready for print pretty quickly, and kept me connected to what she was doing with it the entire time.  Working with this company was so refreshing, she was very personable, approachable, and encouraging.  

 The final work was very professional looking, and I already felt like I was looking at a published copy of my book, without the  Book Covers.   

 I am at the door of getting this manuscript submitted for publishing and marketing!  (I am doing my grateful dance!!)    I am in the middle of my book proposal and should be submitting it to a traditional publishing company that caters to  Christian writers and readers.  Most of the books they publish are self- help christian,  or Inspirational Christian messages. My book Accountable to God, falls into this category perfectly!         I will be back here soon,  to update on how that is going.  My prayer is that it will be ready for print no later than Spring 2016!

I am Almost Finished!? What?!

WELL I should be embarrassed!   It's been so long since I've blogged here.  I am surprise I knew how to find my blog space!   But, although I have been absent from blogging about my progress to finishing my book and becoming published I have not been idle.   Yes,  I know I've been working on this book for years and should have BEEN finished.  Sigh.  I beat my self up about that ALL the time.


 But I can't help but be excited to tell you that I am on the final chapter of  my  book and I only have about 4 pages of writing left!   I plan  to have those pages done with in the next week.  It really should only take an hour to get those pages done but you KNOW how that is?   Life has definitely been lived on this end. I have been through so many things and my experiences has helped me become a more passionate and experienced writer!  I can't wait to finish this project so that I can get started on the next one!   I tried writing two books at once and that didn't go too well for me, maybe sometime in the future I will perfect it.  

So what have I been doing.. Since my last blog post? Some of everything! But as it pertains to writing, I never really stop writing. I blog all the time.  As well as write for other projects here and there.  I will admit even though I wasn't writing in this book it was ALWAYS on my mind, and that was  a burden to my spirit.  I also got hung up on trying to find a professional/reasonable editor.   I decided to try someone I found on Fivver.com and he was pretty good. I enjoyed his edits and critiques.  However, I didn't get the entire book done because I fell behind trying address the critiques and suggestions of the editor. There were a lot!

With me having a full time job I rarely wanted to spend my free time trying to edit my book. It seem the more time I spent on editing, the less I was  actually writing.  Then, I started researching different publishing companies trying to see which direction I wanted to go.  Self publishing, Traditional or Print on Demand. There was so much out there I was starting to get overwhelmed with it all, and that  induced another break from my book!

Now all of this is staring me in the face, and I have to make a decision soon.  I went to a writers conference early this summer called the Roaring Lamb's Christian Writer's Conference. It was very enlightening. Such accomplished Authors and Editors were there sharing all of their knowledge as well as a couple publishing companies.

There were people who were Pro Traditional publishing because they are a big name company that can back you up and take care of all the upfront cost. They can give you a full package deal and offer great marketing and get you in the doors of popular bookstores, etc., AND they pay you Sounds great! They also said it was really difficult for a first time published Author to get a traditional publishing contract.

 Not that I doubt I could get into a traditional publishing company, but with this first book I really want  to get it out soon. I don't want it to get hung up in a bunch of red tape and the politics of big shot publishing companies.  It's not completely off the table, its just the thing that has me on the fence about the traditional route for my first published book. What to do Lord, what to do? 

 This book was inspired by God, and I KNOW He told me to write this book years ago.  So if it wasn't for the fact that I felt I have dragged my heels on this one, maybe I'd be more patient. The time for this book is right now!  

  Self publishing seems appealing because I love the idea of controlling every aspect of  my book, however there are so many things that I'd have to ala carte with going this route, that I don't want to mess up!  You have to do everything on your own.  Editing, my cover, printing, Isbn number, marketing, website, everything is on you. And some say self-published books are not respected by  popular book stores.  I don't know if that bothers me all that much because there are always exceptions to the rule and with Amazon and Kindle and all of the different way people purchase books now, I don't necessarily feel I HAVE to have a big time book store carry my books right off.  Now , if it happened I would be thrilled! Lets be real?


Independent Publishing- These companies offer you customized publishing deals that vary in cost depending on what you want.  Basically if you have the money they will publish the book for you, and exactly how you want it.  They take care of everything at these companies as well, but you   have to be smart with your contract, royalties etc.  With these publishers being independent they all can offer you something different so a lot of research there trying to find your best match.  The pros and cons could vary between independent publishing companies.   They can also get expensive! The Independent company at the conference was up to $6000.00 to publish one book with some of those packages! And if you had certain things already done they would cut you a break, but still,  that was just crazy to me. I do know that there are some companies that aren't as pricey.


Okay this blog post has gotten long, so I better stop here!  See what happens when I take long breaks?  If you made it this far then it means, you MUST be on the same journey and completely understand lol.  I will try to seek the advice of some successful published Authors that are willing to share what they know with me, one on one!  Do you know of anyone like that?


Well UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Writer's Drought!

These pages aren't going to write themselves? 

Okay, I need help, so please pray! I have not written in my book since May of this year. I don't know why I can't anchor down, focus on this assignment, and finish it.  I in good faith can not call this writer's block. It is a drought! And what's sad is I have a drought every year with this same book? 

 This is a really good book, and I only have two chapters left. Since my last post I added another chapter so that also put me a little behind. I also hired a professional editor and they've  red striped every other line, giving me even more work to do out side of writing.  Now it's not that I've been idle.  I have been writing just not in this book that I have vowed to finish and get published year after year!  I know this book is the work of God because I have been hindered so much that it is ridiculous!? But when I do manage to write something it is spirit revelation. There is no way that I could write some of this content on my own. This is good stuff, I have to finish and get this book out.  

 I've researched self publishing, marketing strategies for my book etc. I've been trying to find ways to earn extra money writing articles so that I can fund my self publishing efforts, as well as turn writing  into my dream career.(That's another post for another day)  All of this stuff is productive work, but  its keeping me from actually writing on the pages of this book which is the priority!   

My prayer:  

"Lord I pray for rain. I am in a serious drought with this work that you have given me.  Please forgive me for not being focused enough to finish. I know that you could have called anyone to write this particular book and you chose me. Lord I plead the blood of Jesus over any hindrance,  or procrastination spirit that will try to keep me from completing your work. I bind slothfulness. I loose diligent obedience to you in this specific matter. Let it overtake me until it is finished!  Please help me to fill the pages of this book with your words only and let them be eternally healing to the reader.  Help me to successfully edit it in a timely manner as well. 

I know Lord that if I focus I could finish this book before the Fall begins.  I know Lord that once it is finished that you will do the rest of the work. You have already gone before me.  I can do all things through Christ that Strengthens me, There is nothing too hard for you. I thank you for your strength and I thank you for victory in Jesus' name Amen."    

Okay that's it, it's done...drought over, I'm finishing!      

Be blessed until next time!