Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators. Olin Miller

Writing for publication is hard, but it is possible. So, here’s some hope, humor and help as you wrestle those alligators:

• Agents
• Books on writing
• Cartoons on writing
• Conferences for writers
• Craft of writing
• Editorial services
• Encouragement for writers
• Publishing
• Self-publishing
• The writing life

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Agents

• Seven questions to ask a prospective agent

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Books on writing

Communicate to Change Lives: Biblical and Behaviorial Principles for Persuasive Communication

“I laughed, I gulped, and I learned as I read Jim’s book. As a writer, speaker, and teacher of writing, Jim knows what he is talking about. Best of all, he knows how to put the teaching at a level that we can easily
grasp and apply. Here’s the book that will help you to change lives.”
Roger Palms, Writer, teacher, speaker, former editor of Decision Magazine

Browse
• Book outline
• Read an excerpt: Using Psychological Appeals

Sponsor a Communicate to Change Lives seminar
Click for details on using it as training and/or fund-raiser for your organization.

Buy
• Order from amazon.com
• Order from Wesleyan Publishing House

Writers on Writing: Top Christian Authors Share Their Secrets for Getting Published

I was privileged to serve as editor of this “who’s who” of Christian authors such as Jerry Left Behind Jenkins, Liz Curtis Higgs and twenty more. A very practical “how to” book on writing.
“Here’s a terrific smorgasbord about different aspects of the writing business. Whether you want to write magazine
articles, devotionals, fiction or nonfiction, humor or screenplays, you will gain a taste of what it takes from
someone who practices this particular discipline.” Terry Whalin, best-selling author

Browse
• Seven habits of purpose-driven writers

Buy
• Order from amazon.com
• Order from Wesleyan Publishing House

Writing with Banana Peels: Principles, Practices and Pratfalls of Writing Humor

“A milk-out-the-nose funny book for both writers and readers,” Rhonda Rhea,
author of Amusing Grace and The Purse-uit of Holiness.

Jim had so much fun teaching “Writing Humor” at Taylor University, that he compiled all his notes (and some of his funniest columns) into a book:
Writing with Banana Peels: Principles, Practices, and Pratfalls of Writing Humor.

Browse
• Table of contents, endorsements

Buy
• Paper back $14.95

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Conferences

Some of the very practical reasons to attend a conference are to . . .

• meet editors face to face (I’ve never sold a book simply on the basis of a proposal alone. All fourteen of royalty books were pitched at conferences or the result of a conference).
• get feedback from editors and professional writers (Citique groups are good—to a limit, but most are amateurs critiquing amateurs. Sorry if that sounds snobbish, but this is a business and profession.)
• get the tools you need to succeed in your craft (lectures, books, networking). Imagine if a repairperson pulled up to your house and his/her truck was completely empty of tools? Call the police!
• network. That is so important. I can follow each book and each conference keynote back to meeting key people.

I tell writers, the three secrets to getting published are 1. network, 2. network, and 3. network. So, there’s a word for writers who don’t attend conferences: unpublished. Here are a few where I’ve spoken and can highly recommend:

• American Christian Writers (Throughout U.S.)
• Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference (Estes Park)
• Florida Christian Writers’ Conference (Leesburg)
• Greater Philadelphia Writers’ Conference
• Maranatha Christian Writers (Muskegan, Michigan)
• Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference (Near Santa Cruz, California)
• St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference (Grove City, Pennsylvania)
• Taylor University’s Professional Writers’ Conference (Upland, Indiana) I taught in the professional writers program for 15 years, so I’m a bit biased in my praise for the conference as well!
• Write to Publish Conference (Wheaton, Illinois)

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Craft

• Atomic-powered titles
• Communicate to Change Lives: Using Psychological Appeals
• ‘Crossing over’ with the cross
• Don’t become a digital dinosaur
• From stage to page: turning messages into manuscripts
• Top ten greatest things since . . . (A salute to word processors)
• “Hard” news facing hard times
• The power of humor in writing/speaking (Interview with The Wittenburg Door)
• Three “must haves” for today’s writers
• Top ten greatest things since . . . (A salute to word processors)
• Writing effective book proposals

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Editorial services

I have worked in the traditional and independent publishing world as an editor helping first-time and New York Times best-selling authors get their book manuscripts into print. I’d love to help you bring your manuscript to life with CPR: Consultation, Publishing assistance, and Rewriting. (Click for complete details.)

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Encouragement for writers

• Confessions of an author/speaker
• David and the giant editors (Audio)
• Keeping your dream alive (Print and audio)
• Quips and quotes of encouragement
• Soaring with eagles, walking with emus (Print and audio)
• Your “write” role (Print; audio coming soon)

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Publishing

• Inside look at publishing industry
• Million to one chance for million-seller
• Police officer grills author on how to “break in” (to publishing house)
• So you want to write a book?
• Twenty-five rejection-proof markets
• What’s “brand” and “platform”?
• Writing effective book proposals
• Writing online

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Self-publishing

• Self-publishers and piranhas
• Marketing myths and distribution deceptions

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The writing life

• A not-so-glamorous day in life of an author and speaker
• Are authors in their “write” minds?
• Freelancing offers freedom “real job” can’t
• Hope for a balanced life
• Managing your time . . . and sanity
• Seven habits of purpose-driven writers