Monday, May 13, 2013

What “SomeOnes” Are In Your Author Circle?


Authors need feedback, reality checks and plain old-fashion butt-kicking. And they need a little kindness. Few think about putting together an “official” type of board to serve in the feedback/reality check/butt-kicking honors. An Author Inner Circle … a type of Advisory Board.
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Who Belongs in Your Inner Circle?
It’s time to create yours. The Author Inner Circle … trusted colleagues, pals, and always someone who has “been there, done that.” Most likely, it’s not going to be your sibling, mom or dad. Not unless they’ve authored or work with authors, publishing, books. You want someone who has got an inkling of what is going on in the publishing business; someone who is connected with others; someone who has a sense of humor; someone who has a kaleidoscope of business experience; someone who will say it as it is and not side-step the elephant in the room (which could be you); someone who loves to brainstorming and bounce off-the-wall ideas around; someone who will move you to action; someone who gets what social media marketing is about; someone who gets your Vision for your book and where you want to go with it.
Here are nine someones that can make the difference between success and failure:
1. You want someone who will say it as it is and not side-step any elephant in the room, including you. Let’s face it; we all get stubborn at times; quite myopic in the author paths we get into our head. You need a reality checker. Who is out there and has the guts to tell you you are off your authoring/book rocker?
2. You want someone who is connected with others and opens doors. Yes you do—someone with a phone call or email can get you to a source—someone who knows someone else that can smooth your way.
3. You want someone who has a sense of humor. Not only can authoring and publishing be lonely it times as you tunnel yourself into the completing of your book—there are booby traps along the way. Having a sense of humor helps; having someone within your Circle can lighten the load and ease the pain.
4. You want someone who has a kaleidoscope of business experience. Absolutely—one of the key failure factors in the authoring/publishing business is that most authors don’t recognize. This person gets a P & L, understands contracts and negotiating. If they know publishing, it’s a bonus. And a kaleidoscope has a few fractures within it. Let’s face it, who has a perfect, perfect–an authoring, publishing, business journey that has been so stellar that there has been no hiccups along the way. Hiccups are often priceless post recovery. Yes, they don’t feel good going through them, but the education takes you to a new level.
5. You want someone who has got an inkling of what is going on in the publishing business. We all know publishing is in a combo evolution and revolution. Who is out there in the midst of it?
6 . You want someone who loves brainstorming and off-the-wall ideas. Eccentric, a tad wacky—you name it, this person walks to a different tune … most of them you don’t get, but once in a while, your unique and odd-ball someone hits it out of the park.
7. You want a “Go-Go-Go” person who gets you into action. No butt-sitting allowed or procrastination allowed.
8. You want some who gets social media marketing. But there’s a catch, this person has to be able to articulate in your mother tongue what he or she is saying and you understand it. It doesn’t mean that you are going to be the full time implementer of
9. You want someone who gets your Vision for your book and where you want to go with it. They get it; they get you; and they are your cheerleader. They get the Passion you have and totally get the amount of time, energy and money you invest in your Commitment to the Book.
There you have it. Who’s in your Author Inner Circle? Who do you need … and who should you delete?
Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd (www.TheBookShepherd.com) and the Founder of Author U (niversity (www.AuthorU.org), a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. She’s the author of 28 books includingShow Me About Book Publishing, co-written with John Kremer and Rick Frishman and a speaker at publishing conferences. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” AuthorU and TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her at Judith@Briles.com.

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