WritingSpirit Resources

To visit my current blog, click on the link below...

http://blog.WritingSpirit.com

 

Thank you, Julie

#WriteChat -- A chat for writers on Sundays at Twitter

To help writers make the most of the wonderful ability to make connections with other writers on twitter, I’ve created #WriteChat. 

Every Sunday at 12:00 pm PST / 3:00 pm EST (and lasting approximately 3 hours),  I pose a question to get the conversation started. However, as this is about connecting with other writers, feel free to discuss anything and everything about writing, life, and this creative journey we all share.

To help you connect with other writers, share what kind of writing you do, what genres interest you, where you’re at on the writing/publishing journey, or anything else that’s swirling around your mind and heart about this writing life.

• Join in
• Don’t just follow—connect!
• Have fun

You can follow along on:

http://search.twitter.com 

http://www.TweetDeck.com

http://www.TweetChat.com

As hundreds of writers participate in #writechat every week, the conversation goes quite quickly. So don't worry if you can't read every post when the conversation is jumping. Relax, enjoy, and trust that you'll meet the right people, get the support you're looking for, and have a wonderful time.

Here are some tweets about #writechat:

@llunalila  
Mondays are less cruel now that they begin with a #writechat session the night before.   ;)

@julieawallace 
Wow! Thank you everyone. My first #writechat & I have books to read, people to follow, etc. Fantastic info & lively discussion.

@DebraMarrs 
LUV everything about #writechat, it’s a Sunday must. So glad to have found this community of smart writers.

@marciamarcia 
Lurking on #WriteChat for a few minutes led to a break-through on how to approach an article. Thank you @WritingSpirit + fellow writers.

Julie (@WritingSpirit) 

Book promotion using "extras," like they put on movie DVDs?

After finishing a movie, I watched all the "extras" that came on the DVD along with it. That started me thinking about what a book's extras might be. And I realized we already have book extras. They're the articles, videos and audios we put on the book's website, or on our author's website. I also realized these "extras" serve two main purposes...

Creativity is alive, is fun, is now!

The 15 Minute Writing Miracle!

Writing Tip: Whatever your reason for not wanting to write when you've promised yourself you would--whether you feel too tired, busy, or blocked--write anyway for 15 minutes. There's magic in putting pen to paper (or fingers on keyboard). 

The 15 Minute Writing Rule

When you've promised yourself that you're going to write, then write--no matter what--for 15 minutes. 

• If you're scheduled to write for an hour, it doesn't matter. Write for 15 minutes.

• If you're exhausted and about to collapse, it doesn't matter. Write for 15 minutes.
• If there's not one single thought in your head, it doesn't matter. Write for 15 minutes, even if all you can write about is being stuck.

Sometimes the desire to write sparks some inner resistance. That's why excuses are so easy to come by. The antidote is to grab hold of the idea of writing for ONLY 15 minutes.

That small amount of time isn't intimidating. And because it feels doable, it gets you to start writing, which is the key that unlocks writing's magic power.

You see, the act of writing frequently…

• energizes you when you're tired

• reconnects you with your material, or writing practice, when you're feeling disconnected
• opens pathways for inspiration to flow through when you're blocked
• clarifies your ideas and vision when you're confused

And often, once you start writing, you catch fire and simply write and write and write.

All of these good things happen because the things you think you need before you write, in order to write (inspiration, feeling connected to your project, energy, clarity, enthusiasm), all the things you're not willing to write without--are what you get FROM writing.

Even when writing doesn't give you all, or any, of these benefits, and you actually do end up writing for only 15 minutes, you feel good that you at least wrote something on a day you promised yourself you would, and rest easier knowing that you really were too (tired/busy/blocked/etc.) to write, and weren't just procrastinating. 

The idea of writing for only 15 minutes may be what lessens your resistance, draws you in, and gets you to start writing, but it's the act of writing, itself, that is the miracle.

Try it and see for yourself.  

Anthologies ROCK!

I recently received copies of my latest book, "Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion & Profit." If you look the book up on Amazon.com, you'll see that my name is not on the cover. It is, however, on the table of contents. I wrote chapter 37, "Writing: A Journey of Creativity, Consciousness, and Connection."

I LOVE anthologies! I recommend them wholeheartedly. They offer a variety of benefits:

• They're equally open to new and experienced writers. 

• It's fun to hold a book in your hands that has your poem, story, or article in it.
• Inspirational stories are easy to write, because they're based on your life.
• If you're having trouble writing, an anthology call will give you a specific topic to write about and a very real deadline to write towards.
• Every publication helps build your writing credits and platform.
• You can use your 50-100 word bio to drive traffic to your website.

Here are some links for anthology calls for submissions:

• Chicken Soup for the Soul

This link takes you to Chicken Soup for the Soul's website. Go to: Submit a Story/Possible Book Topics.

• Anthologies Online

Anthologies Online may not be the prettiest website, but it has monthly listings of new anthologies looking for content, including poetry, short stories and stories about your life.

• Poets & Writers Classified: Anthologies

This link takes you to the online classified section of Poets & Writers Magazine.  The current magazine's listings are always online. 

Creating your own anthology can also be fun and profitable. You can write a book proposal, gather some sample stories, and find an agent or publisher (I have an anthology book proposal currently making the rounds that's been seen at HarperSanFrancisco and Inner Ocean Publishing, among others), you can self-publish, or you can turn your content into an ebook.

The biggest benefit of creating your own anthology is that your name goes on the cover. You are considered the author of the book, whether your name follows "edited by," "compiled by," or stands alone. It makes a great first book. If your own author's platform isn't very strong, get some name authors to commit to your anthology and stand on their platforms.  Once you have a book published, you've got your foot in the door and it's a little easier to get your "next book" published. Make no mistake, however, an anthology is still a book and takes time, commitment, and lots of work.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Upcoming Anthologies

Your true stories may be in demand by Chicken Soul For the Soul.

Possible Anthology Titles

Writers Guidelines

Submit Your Stories

UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS BEWARE!

Or better yet, BE AWARE that according to Ken & Dahlynn McKowen, co-authors of four Chicken Soup For the Soul books, including the newly released Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul, “approximately 40% of the stories accepted by Chicken Soup are from unpublished writers.”

So send your stories to "Chicken Soup" on these topics:

* Results Stories
Have you read a particular Chicken Soup story and, after reading it, found that it changed your life? We are looking for stories on how a story made important changes in your life and what specifically happened to you after you read it. Please be sure to let us know the title of the story that touched your life.

* NASCAR
Everyone loves great stories about families working and playing together, grit and perseverance, and fast cars! We are collecting stories for the ultimate NASCAR book, coming out in February 2010, in time for the new season. We are excited to have well-known NASCAR columnist Cathy Elliott editing the book. The deadline for story submissions is August 31, 2009.

* Teacher Tales
We have all had that one teacher who has made a difference in our lives. And teachers, remember that one student who made you know why you decided to be a teacher and who you will never forget? We are looking for stories from both teachers and students that will tell that unforgettable story. The deadline date for story submissions is August 31, 2009.

* Dieting and Fitness
Eat less - exercise more! We have all heard these simple words but, in reality, dieting and staying fit require a lot of work. Tell us about your commitment to health and fitness. What changes did you make in your eating habits? What kind of an exercise program did you follow that made the difference? Were you still able to treat yourself to that occasional delicious piece of chocolate cake and stay in shape? The true stories in this book will inspire you, make you laugh, touch your heart, and let you know that you can do it! The deadline date for story submissions is September 30, 2009.

* Endurance Sports (run,cycle,swim)
Whether you are a triathlete, a duathlete, or you just love to swim, run, or cycle, we want to hear about your sports, your races, and how endurance sports fit into your life, whether you are an amateur, a student athlete, or a pro. The deadline date for story submissions is September 30, 2009.

* Mothers and Daughters
Mothers and daughters… they are, at the same time, very similar and also completely unique. Mothers show daughters who they will become. Daughters live out mothers’ dreams. Through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between, this relationship can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2009.

* Christmas and Holidays
We love holidays! We know you do too. We are collecting stories for our next holiday book. The deadline date for story submissions is January 15, 2010.

* Grandmothers
Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their grandchildren. We are looking for wonderful stories celebrating grandmothers and grandchildren, written by grandmothers about being a grandmother, and by grandchildren about their grandmothers. Stories about stepgrandmothers and honorary grandmothers are welcomed also. We are not looking for stories from children so please save those for a future book. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

* Grieving and Recovery
Grieving is a difficult process that those who have lost a loved one must go through in order to get to the recovery phase. This important collection of stories will be like a support group that will offer comfort and understanding and show you that, no matter how devastating your loss is, you are not alone. You can get through the process and, with time, you will regain your strength and move forward with your life. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

* Grieving and Recovery for Cat Owners
We all know that we will probably outlive our cats, but that doesn't change our grief when we lose them. This book will help cat owners deal with their loss. We would also like stories about aging cats and getting a new cat after losing a previous cat. Please submit stories about the whole cycle of pet loss -- the aging of your cat, the loss, and the recovery (i.e. new kitten). The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

* Grieving and Recovery for Dog Owners
We all know that we will probably outlive our dogs, but that doesn't change our grief when we lose them. This book will help dog owners deal with their loss. We would also like stories about aging dogs and getting a new dog after losing a previous dog. Please submit stories about the whole cycle of pet loss -- the aging of your dog, the loss, and the recovery (i.e. new puppy). The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

Writers Guidelines

Submit Your Stories

Cup of Comfort: Upcoming Anthologies

A Cup of Comfort® is a bestselling anthology series featuring uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These slice-of-life stories are written by people from all walks of life and provide unique personal insights into powerful universal truths.

A Cup of Comfort is currently accepting submissions for the following books:

A Cup of Comfort® for Mothers:
Stories that celebrate the women who gave us everything

While it's true that each of us has "only one mother the wide world over," there are many different ways to be a mother and many different forms and flavors of mother-child relationships. And in this Cup of Comfort anthology we want to capture it all—with personal stories about a wide range of mothering and mother-child experiences, including those that test your mettle as well as those that enrich your life. The book will include stories written both by mothers and about mothers (by their adult children, spouse, own mother). Any topic and tone goes, as long as it’s meaningful to mothers and suitable for Cup of Comfort. Whether a story is endearing or entertaining, inspiring or insightful, humorous or heartwarming, poignant or empowering, or all of the above, it must be uplifting and authentic. And most should be about living mothers/children. Although a story may be about a deceased mother (or a deceased child, if written by the mother), it should focus on her life, not on her death. Narrative essays preferred. Story length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: May 15, 2009      
Finalist Notification:   June 1, 2009

 

A Cup of Comfort® for a Better World:
Stories that celebrate generosity, compassion, and volunteerism

To coin a phrase of President Barack Obama, Yes, we can! make a positive difference in the world. And this Cup of Comfort anthology will feature living examples of good Samaritans whose good deeds inspire others to do their part to make the world a better place or to just make life a little bit easier—for loved ones, neighbors, strangers, future generations, or any of God's creatures, great and small. Potential themes include (but are not limited to) charitable work, random acts of kindness, paying it forward, or lending a helping hand, a port in a storm, or a shoulder to lean on. Stories must be uplifting and personal, preferably narrative essays; we are not interested in journalistic articles or thinly disguised PR pieces for charitable organizations. Story length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: June 15, 2009       
Finalist Notification:   July 1, 2009

 

A Cup of Comfort® for Couples:
Stories that celebrate what it means to be in love

It is said that love works in mysterious ways. And this anthology will reveal the many mysteries as well as the inner workings of true love. Of course, being a "happy couple" involves more than being in love, and making a romantic relationship work takes more than romance. So this book will feature uplifting true stories with a balanced mix of tones—romantic, poignant, humorous—and on a wide range of topics: From falling in love to the secrets of lasting love. From celebrating special moments between you to overcoming bumps in your relationship. From experiences that brought you closer together to experiences that threatened to tear you apart. From endearing rituals to challenging changes. From sparkling new love to glorious golden love. Or any other topic that speaks to the joys, the challenges, and/or the nature of a romantic partnership that works for you. Narrative essays preferred. Story Length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: October 1, 2009     
Finalist Notification:   October 15, 2009

 

A Cup of Comfort® for Golfers:
Stories that celebrate the follies, the triumphs, and the joy of the game

This anthology will feature upbeat, insightful, inspiring, and humorous true stories about learning, playing, and enjoying the uniquely challenging and satisfying game of golf. The book will include stories about golfers of every age and of every persuasion—amateur, pro, casual, recreational, hard-core, newbie. Most of the stories will be written by golfers, but the book will likely include stories written by golf "widows" (or widowers) or other loved ones of "golf nuts." Stories must be about personal experiences. We are not interested in articles on how to play the game, profiles/bios of professional golfers, etc. Narrative essays preferred. Story Length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: December 15, 2009   
Finalist Notification:   December 31, 2009

Cup of Comfort Call for Submissions
Writers Guidelines

100 Day Writing Challenge

September 22^nd is the 266th day of the year (this was a leap year). That leaves 100 days until the end of 2008.

• Have you achieved all the writing goals that you set for yourself on January 1st?

• Are you happy with the progress you've made, so far this year?

• Is there more you'd like to achieve before the year is through?

The next 100 days offer you 100 opportunities to reconnect with goals that have faded into the background, or that have been moving forward more slowly than you'd like.

The next 100 days offer you a chance to end the year strong! Imagine that it's December 31st and you're looking back over this year. What do you want to feel proud about achieving that you haven't finished, or even started, yet? You've still got time.

The next 100 nights offer you 100 chances to go to bed feeling good about the progress you've made on your dreams and goals.

What would you like to accomplish in the next 100 days?

50+ Authors & Publishing Professionals to Follow on Twitter.com

To see how published authors, and other publishing professionals, use Twitter.com to connect with their audience and promote their books and services, I've gathered together a list of 50+ "Tweeters" that I thought you'd be interested in. This list includes authors, literary agents, and book publishers, as well as writing coaches and other tweeters offering writing related information, such as links to video book trailers, poetry resources, and more.

Because the basic question that's being addressed is "how do writers use Twitter.com?" I picked people to follow based on their connection to traditional publishing, and not on the topics they talk about.  So, some may talk about writing a lot, while others may say very little about it. Some may promote, promote, promote, while others may share more of the day-to-day realities of their life and let the promotion simply be their presence at Twitter, and the website link in their bio. Some may post a lot of tweets, while others may post only occasionally. This grab bag of micro-bloggers was chosen purposefully, so that you could see the many ways writers actually use Twitter.

So, here goes...

Daily Writing & Creativity Tips for Writers on Twitter

• WritingSpirit Julie Isaac, author and writing coach
  • WritingSpirit.com

Authors

• MarkDavidGerson Mark David Gerson, novelist & author of one of the best books on writing that I've ever read
  
  • Mark David Gerson
• spiver Susan Piver, non-fiction books
  • SusanPiver.com
• davelakhani Dave Lakhani, non-fiction books
  
  • BoldApproachBlog
• mrfire Joe Vitale, non-fiction books 
  
  • MrFire.com
• coacheva Eva Gregory, Law of Attraction books 
  
  • LawOfAttractionBlog.com
• JeannaGabellini Jeanna Gabellini, Law of Attraction book
  • MasterPeaceCoaching.com
• joycecom Joyce Schwarz, Vision Board book
  • ihaveavision.org
• SorenG Soren Gordhamer, non-fiction books 
  
  • SorenGordhamer.com
• SusanReid Susan Reid, non-fiction book
  
  • DiscoveringYourInnerSamurai.com
• gretchenrubin Gretchen Rubin, non-fiction books 
  
  • Happiness-Project.com
• Revvell Revvell P. Revati, health & wellness books
  
  • Revvellations.com
• phylameana Phylameana lila Desy health & wellness book
  • SpiralVisions.com
• tammypowley Tammy Powley, craft books
  • TammyPowley.com
• DeniseMM Denise Michaels, Marketing book 
  
  • MentoringWithDenise.com
• Mike_Stelzner Mike Stelzner non-fiction book 
  
  • WritingWhitePapers.com
• cjewel Carolyn Jewel, romance novelist
  • CarolynJewel.com
• rowenacherry Rowena Cherry, romance novelist
  
  • RowenaCherry.com
• LaurenBarnholdt Lauren Barnholdt, young adult novelist
  
  • LaurenBarnholdt.com
• MikeGeffner Mike Geffner, sports journalist
  
  • Mike'sWritingWorkshop/Newsletter
• deegospel Dee Stewart, Christian journalist
  
  • ChristianFictionBlog
• MarketingProfs Ann Handley, journalist & head of content at
  
  • MarketingProfs.com

Writing and Creativity Coaches

• jacquilofthouse Jacqui Lofthouse, novelist & writing coach
  
  • TheWritingCoach.co.uk
• SheriMcConnell National Assn. of Women Writers 
  
  • NAWW.org
• joannayoung Joanna Young, writing coach
  
  • ConfidentWriting.com
• loubortone Lou Bortone, book writing coach
  
  • LouBortone.com
• debgallardo Deb Gallardo, fiction writing coach 
  
  • TheStoryIdeasVirtuosoBlog
• robertstevenson Robert Stevenson, journalism professor
  
  • RobertStevensonBlog
• WritingJourney Bob Younce, internet writing coach 
  
  • Writing-Journey.com

Publishing Professionals

• DavidHancock David Hancock, Book Publisher
  
  • Morgan-James-Publishing.com
• PenquinBooks Book publisher
  • Penguin.co.uk
• GrandCentralPub Book publisher (formerly Warner Books)
  • GrandCentralPublishing.com
• bantamdell Book publisher 
  
  • BantamDell.com
• chriswebb Executive editor, John Wiley & Sons, Wrox Press
  
  • CKWebb.com
• eoinpurcell Commissioning editor, Mercier Press in Cork, Ireland
  •  EoinPurcellsBlog
• tedweinstein Literary agent, Ted Weinstein Literary Management
  
  • TWLiterary.com
• laurieabkemeier Literary agent, Defiore and Company
  
  • PublishersMarketplace.com
• Bookgal Penny Sansevieri, author & CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
  • AMarketingExpert.com
• alexmandossian Alex Mandossian, Virtual Book Tour Secrets
  
  • VirtualBookTourSecrets.com
• WarrenWhitlock Warren Whitlock, Book Marketing Strategist
  
  • BestSellerAuthors.com

Poetry

• PoetryNYC The American Academy of Poets
  • Poets.org
• PoetryIreland Ireland's National Poetry Organization
  •  PoetryIreland.ie
• Poetry Writers Write 
  
  • WritersWrite.com

Other Writing Related Twitter Users to Follow

• journalismnews British site for journalists
  • Journalism.co.uk
• CarrieWTM Carrie Runnals, interviews authors at
  
  • WordsToMouth.com
• booktrailers Video book trailers 
  
  • BookTrailersBlog
• barbaravey Barbara Vey, blogger for Publishers Weekly 
  
  • BeyondHerBookBlog
• nyt_books New York Times Book Reviews
  • Sunday Book Reviews
• Writing From Writer's Write
  • WritersWrite.com
• screenwriting From Writers Write 
  
  • WritersWrite.com
• Books From Reader's Read
  
  • ReadersRead.com
• TwitterLit The first line of books
  
  • TwitterLit.com United States
  • TwitterLitCA Canada
  • TwitterLitUK United Kingdom
• KidderLit The first line of kids books
  
  • KidderLit.com