Support Teen Book Authors; They Really Matter!

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to attend the 7^th Annual Teen Book Festival in Rochester, New York. Though I review teen books for a local publication, like many other adults, I’m sometimes concerned that with so many electronic options available to them teens are reading less these days. But seeing the screaming, waving, ecstatic crowd of diverse young people welcome some of their favorite authors as they disembarked from antique cars and limousines (reminiscent of the Emmys or Grammys!) reassured me that kids continue to love a good book and the person that wrote it as much as they did “back in my day”.

The free event opened with an Author Game Show which was lots of fun. Few would disagree that the highlight was probably James Kennedy’s stirring rendition of “Oklahoma”, but hearing their answers to questions like “What’s your favorite food?” or “What was your favorite book growing up” served to take the authors off the pedestals they’re sometimes placed on and show the kids that they’re real people just like them. Hopefully this realization will segue into a conviction that anyone with imagination or something to say and the willingness to work hard can be a writer.

Then it was really a case of “so many workshops, so little time…” My son and I started off with “Got Sarcasm?” which turned out to be an excellent choice. Adam Selzer and Jack D. Ferraiolo could easily take on even the most jaded teen and they had us laughing for an hour straight. But amongst the levity and the highly amusing chapters they read from their books, there were a few serious moments. Both emphasized that the stereotypes of comic books as not being “real reading” are false because comics are words on the page so that’s where your child wants to start reading-let them! (a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with). Selzer also talked about how some people have been working to ban one of his books from a public library and shared some of his opinions on the negative aspects of censorship.

After lunch two of the teens from my group and I went to hear Charles Benoit, also a fantastic author and speaker. His words of wisdom included not to “dumb down” your writing for young people but rather to tap into your old memories of school, relationships, and family because “the issues, fears, and self-doubts don’t change much”. In response to a student question about why schools still teach mostly classics, rather than new young adult books, Benoit believes there are two reasons, money and a propensity to keep things the way they’ve always been. He also asserts that the academic merit of a novel should rest solely on what the reader takes away from it and that in the hands of a good teacher you can read anything and get something meaningful out of it. All three of us are eager to begin reading his book Fall from Grace.

 For me, one of the best parts of the festival occurred on the way home. As we drove along, I noticed how quiet it was and looked back to see why. I was thrilled to see all six teens totally immersed in their new books, oblivious to anything else.

 If your community has a local teen book festival like this one, please support it. If there isn’t one, consider creating a similar event. I promise you it will be well worth it!

10 Tips to Help you Become a Successful Professional Writer

Though these tips were generated from my experience as a freelance writer, any small business owner or sole entrepreneur will be able to find something they can take away from them. Here goes!

Build your network

• Get yourself on a variety of email lists.
• Hand out business cards everywhere you go and encourage people to send you information about their events or accomplishments.
• Join organizations and groups on and offline related to your area of expertise (i.e. EWA, Travel Editors and Freelance Journalists).

 Practice flexibility

• If what you’re doing isn’t working don’t be afraid to change your game plan. Revision is almost always necessary and often leads to a much better article than your first draft.
• Take advantage of every opportunity.
• Help editors out with last-minute requests for articles whenever possible.

Be organized

• Keep file folders on everything you write. You never know when they might come in handy!
• Create a list of submissions, the day you sent the article in, and the outcome.
• Recycle and resell reprints: Half the money/half the work.

 Persevere

• Don’t be discouraged or take rejection personally. Always try one more time that might be your lucky one. Each story has a home; you just have to find it.

 Provide extras

• Either take photos yourself or have a list of local talented photographers to provide.
• Sidebars are also appreciated.

 Always deliver what you promise

• Never miss a deadline unless you have a very good reason
• Keep your story at the correct word count even if it means eliminating a paragraph you love
• Don’t change the topic, sources, or any other details without getting permission from the editor first.

 Treat your sources well

• Make sure to thank them for their help.
• Send them either an online link or a hard copy of the story when it comes out.

 Publicize yourself/maintain an active online presence

• Actively post your writing accomplishments on your blog, LinkedIn, FaceBook, and your website. Send press releases to local papers if you do something really amazing! This will establish you as an expert at what you do and will be helpful if you ever decide to publish and need a platform.
• Make sure you attach a brief bio statement with your website address or email on it to everything you write.
• Have an email tagline that includes all of your contact information
• Update your resume/ site profiles on a regular basis

Keep a “positives” folder

• Every time you get a positive email, LinkedIn recommendation or testimonial, good publicity, or a personal note from someone, put it in this folder. On your difficult days take the folder out and read it. You will instantly feel better!

Enjoy your journey!

In every article I write, I try my best to enlighten, inform, inspire, and even entertain my readers (and myself!) It’s still a thrill to see my name in print and I love feeling like I’m making a difference in some small way by sharing my experiences and insights.

Anyone else have any good tips to share?

Free Advice from a Reporter

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be cooperative, helpful, and pleasant when a reporter contacts you. I know I’ve blogged about this before but somehow the topic just keeps resurfacing. Here’s the deal. You have one business which, if you’re a business owner that likes to keep on top of things, you need to be constantly promoting. A news story or feature article about you and your business is free publicity and almost no work on your part. Conversely, most reporters have multiple stories that they can choose to write about and very tight deadlines. Given this, there’s no doubt that they will choose the one that will be the easiest to conduct research and interviews for. Making it difficult for them to write their story is like killing the goose who lays the golden egg. It just doesn’t make sense! Yet people do it all the time.

Here’s three things you can do that are guaranteed to lose you that free publicity:

• Have a poorly designed website that has minimal contact information on it (i.e. your name, address, and phone number aren’t listed anywhere on it), forcing the reporter to have to Google you, wasting more precious time.

• Be sure to tell the reporter that you can’t be personally interviewed in time for them to meet their deadline. Refuse to do a phone interview because “I’ve done that before and the story didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.” For good measure, add that they should reschedule the article to run at a time that’s more convenient for you.

• When they ask about taking a photo of you and/or your business, explain to them that you can’t make yourself available for even five minutes because “I’m too busy this week”. Just for fun, add that you don’t want an article without a photo because it won’t be as good. Then tell them that you don’t have any photos of your own to provide because “I’m really not into taking pictures.”

Act surprised when they take a deep, calming breath, say it doesn’t sound like the story is going to work out, and slam down the phone!

You may think I’m exaggerating but it’s surprising how many times I’ve had this exact conversation (or a very similar version of it) with a business owner. My advice? Get your ducks in a row so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when you get an email or phone call about a potential story.

April Showers Bring More than May Flowers to the Finger Lakes

Each month brings its own slew of unique experiences and article ideas and May is no exception. May 1^st means it’s time for me to come up with some good topics for late spring and summer articles! Where to begin…Nationally May is Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and college graduations. Locally May means school budget and school board candidate’s votes, the month our CSA’s and farmers’ markets open, and the State Envirothon competition n Geneva. Regionally, the Finger Lakes wineries kick into high gear with events like “Riesling to Visit” passports and the Annual Wine and Herb Fest. New York State Parks are once again offering the Empire Passport that, for a minimal fee, will get you into almost any state park for free until November, an irresistible bargain for those of us who enjoy the outdoors!

Residents all over the area are cleaning up their grills and coolers, packing their picnic baskets for impromptu get-togethers, uncovering their boats and dusting off canoes, kayaks, bicycles, and fishing poles, while stocking up on ketchup, mustard, pickles, and marshmallows.

Though we didn’t have much of a winter, most of us are still ready for spring and summer fun. Every year at this time I sit down and come up with a list of new things that I want to experience and write about this season. Here’s a sample of what I’m looking forward to this year:

• Meeting the new arrivals at Cabin View Alpacas in Trumansburg
• Going to a Binghamton Mets baseball game (with awesome fireworks!)
• Attending the 21^st Native American Dance & Music Festival at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor
• Taking a ride on the “Mail Boat” on Skaneateles Lake (yes-it still really delivers mail!)
• Having brunch at Americana Vineyards and The Farm and Fork
• Making a few more stops on the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail
• Taking a motorcycle ride to Sodus Bay and visiting the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum
• Biking the Catherine Valley Trail
• Visiting the newly reopened Wings of Eagles Discovery Museum and the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum
• Attending a Girl Scout Alumni Tea at Camp Comstock

 See how much there is to do in the Finger Lakes Region? That’s why I love my job as Finger Lakes Writer!

Feel free to send your ideas for spring/summer fun my way!

Traveling? Mix it Up!

If you want to write about your travel experiences like I do than you may have to step outside your comfort zone on a regular basis. This is especially true if the audience you’re writing for appreciates people, places, activities, and events that are off the beaten path or is on a tight budget. How do I mix it up? Here’s a few ideas from my recent road trip to Texas:

Get off the major highways whenever possible

The big interstates can’t be beat for speed and convenience when you’re in a hurry. But if you have a few minutes to spare, there is so much more to discover meandering along the smaller byways. For example when we drove from Memphis to Nashville on Route 40 we discovered that all of the rest areas highlight different singers and musicians. The one we used was dedicated to Ike and Tina Turner, complete with stories, history, and photos.

 On the road between Dallas and Austen, we found a small Czech settlement, with The Czech Stop, a gas station complete with signs in Czech and delicious kolaches, next to the Czech Inn (get it?!)

Don’t sleep in the same place every night

Though we didn’t stay in the Czech Inn, we did experiment with a variety of accommodations, ranging from a centrally located hotel in Dallas to some low-budget motels in Natchez Mississippi and Nashville. We also camped in a variety of venues, a KOA in San Antonio, an Army Corp of Engineers campground at Canyon Lake, and the Davy Crockett State Campground in Tennessee.  This allows you to meet all kinds of people, both guests and staff, and gather informational tidbits that you might not have run across otherwise.

Find out where the locals eat and drink

In Dallas, this meant my college-age son and his friends. We ate some of the best meals I’ve ever had because students like to eat, keep irregular hours, and have no money! He took us to an awesome city taco place, a trendy club, a Brazilian café, and a fried chicken joint.

 Visiting Austin, I shamelessly eavesdropped on two businesswomen talking about a sweet treat they just had to have from the Airstream trailer parked across the street and thus was able to experience the most delicious cupcake, the “John Lemon” that I have ever had in my life!

In San Antonio, we asked the woman at the Chamber of Commerce where we could find the best low-cost Mexican meal on the River Walk and she did not steer us wrong! We didn’t even have room for dessert!

 Read the local newspapers and “City Life” guides

These contain a wealth of information, including arts and restaurant reviews, profiles of local businessmen and women, community calendars, and advertising for special events as well as regular happenings.

Last but not least, don’t forget to record all of your favorite stops in your travel journal.

 Got any good travel tips to share? Feel free to email me!

Texas in Ten

Did you know that you can drive to Texas and back in less than ten days and still have time to write about your adventures?  I’m here to tell you that, not only is it possible, it’s also a great way to hone your skills as a writer. Many great writers from the early to mid-twentieth century spent a lot of time on the road. John Steinbeck, Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, James Michener, and Hunter S. Thompson all loved to travel and I’d argue that the time they spent exploring the highways and byways of America gave their writing, characters, and dialogue an authenticity and depth that it wouldn’t have had if they’d just stayed home alone pounding away at their typewriters or keyboards. Not only that, but many of our great authors have come from the South so it stands to reason that they must have gotten at least some of their inspiration from there.

So, when we decided to spend Easter with my oldest son in Dallas, rather than bemoaning the fact that we’d be driving there instead of flying, I looked at the long trip as an opportunity to experience more of our country firsthand. Naturally, the first thing I packed was my travel journal so I could record all of my impressions and facts about the towns and cities we visited. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, jotting down notes after each thing you do or see is essential because it keeps you from forgetting details you might be able to use for a story or article at a later date.  

Once you’ve done that, remember to be alert for opportunities associated with your journey! For example, I suddenly realized that I could use the trip as a way to meet one of my long-standing goals, to travel to all fifty states by the time I was fifty. The last three states that I needed to visit to reach this pinnacle were Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama which just happen to be three of the states that you can alter your route to drive through when returning to Trumansburg from West Texas! Even better, we discovered that the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444 mile scenic and historical old wagon trail, winds through Mississippi and Alabama so, not only could I add the final states to my tally, I could learn more about our country and enjoy a beautiful drive while doing it. Talk about serendipity!

My next few posts will be tips on how to get the most out of a cross-country drive in terms of both your fiction and nonfiction writing. Feel free to share some of your experiences on the road with me as well!

Where Should Your Brand Be Reinforcing Itself?

Where should your brand be reinforcing itself? Everywhere!

Your email signature

Along with your name, address, and phone number, this should include the name of your business, your website address, and a link to your blog.

Your business card

Same as above only accompanied by a logo that complements your business or service.

Your resume

Update this regularly with any new achievements or skills (voluntary or paid) that strengthen your image as the “go to” person in your field. This includes awards you receive, presentations or workshops you give, and any pertinent articles you’ve written.

Your biography statement

Make sure you have one available to use for any boards you’re on, any professional groups you belong to, or when you’re asked to be a guest speaker, a panelist, or to be interviewed by the media.

Your social media profiles

Your connections, testimonials, groups you belong to, and regular updates should all reflect your skills and expertise.

Your website

Have one site with simple, informative content. Stay focused on what you do and how it can help others.

Your blog 

Posts should be businesslike and share tips and information in your field. Readers should leave your blog feeling like they learned something new and that they’d like to return again soon. If you use pictures, make sure they reinforce the content of the post or your image as a writer.

This may seem like a lot of writing and it is, but it’s a worthwhile investment of your time. Committing to a consistent brand is one of the most important business decisions you will make so be sure to take it seriously. If it seems like too much for you to do, hire a professional. I just might know a good one!

Branding Matters!

Branding matters because everyone has a brand. It’s that simple. As I said to the audience in a recent panel discussion on branding that I was part of, “It’s up to you whether your brand is a black hole, a puzzle with missing pieces, or a positive professional identity that consistently reinforces the message that you want others to hear.” Your brand should make you three-dimensional and compel others to learn more about you, differentiate you from your competition, and clearly show how you can be helpful to potential clients or customers. Your brand should also be a living entity, always growing and never static.

Not sure if your current brand is working for you? Here’s an easy test. Google yourself, both your name and your business, and see what comes up. First of all you should appear on the first page. If you don’t, that’s a pretty good indication that you need to be working harder on getting your brand into the public eye. Next look at how you’re showing up. For example when I Google “Sue Henninger, writer” this is what I see:

• My professional website
• My LinkedIn profile
• My Blog
• Women Ties Business luncheon I was a panelist for
• An article I wrote for Metro Parent Magazine in Southeast Michigan
• A business newsletter I write for the Trumansburg Chamber of Commerce

This is ideal because it clearly illustrates all of the different types of writing I do and links people who want to know more about me and Finger Lakes Writer directly to places they can get more information.

If you aren’t happy with your brand test don’t despair! Here are a few ideas to get more visibility:

• Have some activity on your LinkedIn account every day. This can be as simple as making a connection, responding to someone else’s comments, or doing an update. For example “Attending a press conference this morning”.
• Post at least once a week on your blog about a topic that is both timely and relevant.
• Add a “What’s New” section on the home page of your website and update it weekly.

One word of caution, plan before you act! Make sure whatever written material you put out there is designed to build your brand from its original foundation. For example everything I publicize has some connection to me as either a business or creative writer. I don’t comment about my son’s track meet but I might comment on an article I wrote about conversations you should have with your teen before starting the college application process.

The more exposure you get the better! So take fifteen minutes every day to make sure that you’re promoting your brand in a variety of ways so prospective clients can feel like they know and trust your expertise before they even contact you.

Anyone else have any good ideas for effective branding?

Don’t Let your Finances Get the Best of You!

For many of us creative types, nothing is harder than keeping the financial side of our business organized. I use QuickBooks which helps somewhat (as long as I remember to do it!) but I’ve discovered that installing a program on my computer just isn’t enough. You actually have to learn how to use it. One day, at the end of my rope, I called a good friend who happens to be an accountant and begged her to come over and share her knowledge with me. Much to my surprise she agreed! It turned out that I wasn’t really doing as bad of a job as I had thought I was. Most of my problems seemed to stem directly from two areas, not having a good organizational system for all my financial documents and, even worse, a lack of confidence in myself and my ability to handle anything involving numbers. This was really quite amazing to me, considering how well I cope with the constant rejection associated with being a full-time writer.

Here are some organizational strategies that have worked for me:

• Buy a large binder with tabs. Label them neatly in categories like phone bill, Visa bill, bank statements, checks received-you get the picture. File documents there as soon as you receive them. Do not let them build up on your desk or “temporarily” put them somewhere or you’ll end up wasting a lot of time trying to locate them. Nothing is more frustrating than sitting down at your desk to attend to your finances and having to spend half the time you set aside trying to figure out where you left your bills or receipts.

 

• Do your bookkeeping in one fell swoop! Don’t let yourself get distracted from your task unless it is a real emergency (i.e. involving blood!) The satisfaction you feel when you hit the “reconcile” button and it works will be well worth it. Schedule a certain time to do QuickBooks, for example the beginning or the end of the month, and try to stick with it. Like blogging, once you let yourself get out of a financial routine, it’s hard to get back into it.

 

• If you need help, ask for it! You can always return the favor by doing some free writing services for the other person. It’s usually best to find a “coach” that isn’t related to you and that can explain things in language a fifth grader could understand.

Remember if I can do this, so can you! If you have any good QuickBooks tips to share, please pass them on!

Trouble with Titles?

I love to write. I’m equally comfortable creating business or marketing materials, writing well-researched nonfiction articles or news stories, or crafting poems or some type of fiction. Words flow from my fingers with equal ease, no matter what genre I’m writing in. But if you see me screech to a stop and sit silently staring at a blank page, it’s a safe bet that I’ve come to the point where I need to find a title or headline for my piece. For some reason, the thought of giving my writing a name seems to result in a gigantic brain freeze and, no matter how many times I have to do it, each one is equally torturous. Luckily, I recently came across an article in a “Poets & Writers” magazine that suggested that you go to a home improvements store like Lowes or Home Dept or your local hardware shop when you get stuck and browse through their paint sample names. What a novel and totally delightful suggestion! Not only that, but it gave me some other ideas for fun places to look for ideas. Here are just  a few:

• Wines: How about “Mommy’s Night Out”, “Razor’s Edge”, or “Revolutionary Red”? Don’t those provide great imagery?

 

• Nail Polish Shades (particularly OPI) can have particularly delightfully names! How about “My Address is Hollywood”? Or from the Holland collection, “A Roll in the Hague” or “I Have a Herring Problem”? There are all sorts of interesting possibilities here!

 

• Coffee Flavors: My Gimme! favorites include “Leftist Espresso”, “Deep Disco”, and “Platinum Blonde”.

Even if none of these jump right out at you as a good match for your piece of writing, they’re guaranteed to open up your creative brain in new directions. Instead of sweating over things that you find challenging try to find a new door to open. As usual, it’s all in your attitude!