How do you feel when you’re reading an article, listening to a speaker, or in a conversation, and someone makes a reference to something that flies over your head? I still vividly remember a conversation I had with one of my congregation’s matriarchs decades ago when I was a new Christian and had attended [...]
Some common sense tips for protecting yourself from litigation In an online self-publishing support group, a member posted that they had finished their manuscript and needed an attorney to review it to be sure the author wouldn’t get sued. The responses to the post ranged from questioning the need for such a review to [...]
We should charge and pay for value, not time Time is one of our most valuable commodities, and that it’s a non-renewable resource makes it even more precious. But knowledge is also a valuable commodity. If you offer a service, are you balancing time and knowledge when you determine your fees? We’ve all heard [...]
There’s a great new free Chrome plugin that any author who sells books on Amazon should check out: WriterWatch. It’s from the makers of Publisher Rocket (a tool I use and enthusiastically recommend) and Atticus. Here’s what WriterWatch can do: Daily price checks on your books, whether you changed the price or someone else [...]
What’s stopping you from getting that project written? Merriam-Webster defines writer’s block as: A psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece. Dictionary.com’s definition is a little less intimidating: A usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with the writing of a novel, play, or other work. [...]
It doesn’t pay to try to game the system Let’s begin with a full disclosure: I don’t have any special inside knowledge about Amazon. What I’m going to share here is based on what I see in the industry, the stories I hear from other authors and indie publishers, and simple common sense. Amazon [...]
Taylor Swift is about to become the highest-profile self-published author in the world. Recently Swift announced plans to release a commemorative book about her record-breaking Eras Tour on Black Friday (Nov. 29, 2024). The book will be sold exclusively at Target. It’s not only a great deal for Target, but it lets Swift retain [...]
Great gift idea for family, friends, colleagues and customers Christian Business Almanac is an essential resource for Christians in business. It’s also enjoyed and appreciated by Christians who aren’t in business, from teens to retirees. That makes it an invaluable gift for almost everyone on your list. Packed with information that will inspire, entertain [...]
When your listeners pay more attention to your speech patterns than your content, they’re not hearing you. Uptalk. Vocal fries. T-glottalization. Excessive buzzwords and slang. Incorrect pronunciation. Mumbling. Repeated words. Filler sounds. Incoherent sentences. If your speech habits include any of the above, your ability to communicate is likely compromised. And if you can’t [...]
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that Gen Z (those born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s) will make up about 30 percent of the U.S. civilian workforce by 2030, filling nearly 50 million jobs. That 30 percent estimate is likely to apply globally. Every generation uses slang unique to its time and place. [...]
