As a writer, you understand the effort needed to transform raw ideas into polished words. Feedback from beta readers, book coaches, or developmental editors can show that a seemingly complete work requires significant revisions. In today's episode, Lisa Tener, an acclaimed book writing and publishing expert, shares her experiences and insights on navigating feedback to bring your manuscript to fruition.

Great Moments in the Episode

2:29 – 6:30 Introduction to Lisa’s new book, Breathe Write Breathe, and how to focus your energy when you start writing.

6:31 - 10:21 How to integrate videos into your book using QR codes.

10:22 – 12:09 Tips for producing videos for your book.

12:10 – 15:48 How to deal with feedback that demands deleting entire passages and rewriting.

15:50 – 17:15 Why you need a book editor who champions for you early on in the book process.

17:19 – 18:09 What an editor looks like who is a “champion” of your work.

18:10 – 19:35 Tips for beta readers and the four questions you should ask them to help them provide valuable feedback.

19:39 – 20:47 How to find trustworthy beta readers.

20:48 – 25:10 Why you also need a ruthless developmental editor, and what that type of editor looks like.

25:27 – 27:41 Why you also need a line editor who helps you finesse your work, including looking at word choice, jargon, and connections between ideas.

27:48 – 32:08 Signals that an editor isn’t a good fit.

32:10 – 34:36 How to use discernment when evaluating feedback from readers and editors.

34:37 – 36:51 How to put yourself in the shoes of your reader when revising your work.

36:52 – 41:21 How to determine if you should self-publish or pursue traditional publishing.

41:22 – 42:50 Examples of when you should traditionally publish, even though there are many benefits to self-publishing.

42:52 – 45:45 How to know when your manuscript is ready to pitch a publisher and/or literary agent.

Words of the Episode

fecund (adj): producing or capable of producing an abundance of new growth; fertile.

apotheosis (noun): the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.

Connect with Lisa

Join Lisa's launch party on June 12 at noon for prizes, a fun writing exercise, and special guests! You can check out her launch party and book here: https://www.lisatener.com/breathe/

Lisa's website: https://www.lisatener.com/

What to Do with a Messy Manuscript: https://www.lisatener.com/2024/03/what-to-do-with-a-messy-manuscript-revision/

Tips for Recording Video and Audio: https://www.lisatener.com/2024/04/tips-for-recording-video-and-audio/

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub

In this episode, Amy Davies, a LinkedIn powerhouse, author of A Spark in the Dark, and CEO of First 30, shares actionable tips for turning your LinkedIn activity into new opportunities. Discover the best times to post, what content resonates with audiences, and how to boost engagement. If you're looking to elevate your LinkedIn strategy, this is your must-listen guide to success.

Great Moments in the Episode

3:10 – 6:30 How to get into a speaking bureau and the benefits of a speaking bureau.

6:45 – 9:02 How to harness inspiration and planning to create engaging LinkedIn content.

9:03 – 10:55 How to identify the optimal time to post on LinkedIn.

10:56 – 15:03 How to shape your tone and content to influence people on LinkedIn.

15:04 – 20:30 Tips for evaluating how much of your personal story to bring to a professional platform.

20:31 – 23:35 How much time to devote to LinkedIn and other social media platforms to make it work for you.

23:36 – 25:25 How to spend your time on LinkedIn.

25:26 – 26:28 The value of LinkedIn compared to a conference booth.

26:29 – 31:28 How to use LinkedIn to increase attendance of your webinars and move people from your email list through the sales cycle.

31:30 – 35:48 Biggest mistakes users make on LinkedIn.

35:50 – 40:04 What content LinkedIn prefers and rewards, and how to encourage engagement.

40:05 – 43:45 How to increase and measure engagement on LinkedIn—and which metrics really matter.

44:07 – 45:32 Why it’s important to take breaks and how to take breaks from LinkedIn.

45:40 – 46:33 Final remarks: Always be generous on LinkedIn.

Words of the Episode

peregrination (n): a journey, especially a long or meandering one.

torsional (adj): twisting or wrenching body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction.

Connect with Amy

First30: https://first30ready.com/

A Spark in the Dark: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Dark-Illuminating-brilliant-career/dp/1999085205

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub

Writing a memoir likely will dredge up some difficult memories. For some writers, the pain of these memories might slow down the process of writing, like it did for Cheryl Landes, author of The Best I Can Do. It took Cheryl nearly two decades to complete her memoir. In this episode, Cheryl offers advice for structuring a memoir after years of being stuck. She also shares strategies for relieving tension and writing complex characters that the reader will cheer for.

Great Moments in the Episode

4:57 – 9:37 How painful memories lead to procrastination, and how to push through.

10:05 – 13:30 Creating a scene list to develop a structure for a memoir.

12:40 – 14:44 Identifying scenes that capture a reader’s imagination.

14:45 – 16:18 How to write a memoir in which readers will root for the protagonist (you).

16:47 – 18:22 Creating an invisible character in a memoir to create tension.

18:25 – 19:58 How simple scenes can become pivotal, profound scenes.

21:05 – 23:58 How to provide relief in an emotionally heavy memoir.

23:59 – 25:33 How to weave in flashbacks in a memoir.

25:34 – 28:18 How to honestly portray characters in your memoir without villainizing them.

28:19 – 30:33 How writing a book can change you and your perspective on the world.

30:34 – 34:09 Advice for writers who are stuck in the memoir writing process.

Words of the Episode

dolce far niente: (n) The 'sweetness of doing nothing'; pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness

inure: (v) to become accustom to something, especially something unpleasant.

Connect with Cheryl

Website: https://tabbycatco.com/about-cheryl-technical-writer/

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub