Megan Sharma's Blog, page 2

New Reader Quiz on BuzzFeed: How Often Do You Read Books, Really?

We all love a good quiz, right? This week, I've created one just for readers on BuzzFeed: How Often Do You Read Books, Really? 

Take the quiz to find out exactly what kind of reader you are based on when, where and how often you read.

Don't forget to share your results on social media!  You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Book Release Date for "Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife" by Megan Sharma: July 17, 2018
Writing Quiz: What Percent Writing Genius Are You?
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover
It's Here! Get My Free E-Book: 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and more
Try this new, no-brainer social media tool to support an author: Thunderclap
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: A word to mothers who aspire to have a surgeon-in-law
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: No, I don’t want no scrubs
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: The other shoe
On The Write Life: 12 Traits Bad Writers and Toddlers Have in Common
On The Write Life: 18 Ways to Support an Author (Besides Buying Their Book)
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me

Book Release Date for "Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife" by Megan Sharma: July 17, 2018

My 'book birthday' is coming this summer, and I can't wait to make a splash!

Mark your calendar for July 18, 2018, the book release date for Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife: I'm Throwing Your Damn Pager into the Ocean.  

​The digital edition will be available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Blio and Smashwords. 

The paperback edition will be available exclusively on Amazon.

Watch this blog for updates and to get in on the fun as we approach the release date. 

Here's what Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife is all about: 

Megan Sharma is a surgeon's wife. During her husband's seven years of post-medical school training, while he tackled the dirty work of putting broken faces back together and painstakingly peeling cancer from his patients' jugular veins, she became his sugar mama and helped pave his path to glory.
 
Using humor, reflection, keen observation and journalistic research, “Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife: I'm Throwing Your Damn Pager into the Ocean” peels back the surgical mask to reveal the human being underneath.
 
From the 10 commandments for pleasing superiors to the conundrum of the 80-hour workweek to wearing two different shoes to work, Sharma delves into the world of modern medicine as experienced by physician trainees and loved ones. 
 
When medicine meets holy matrimony, anything can happen…

Count down with me to July 17, 2018!
​ #element-09ace4f1-b1ea-4edf-81c2-3d6a4d64bb19 .wgtc-widget-frame { width: 100%;}#element-09ace4f1-b1ea-4edf-81c2-3d6a4d64bb19 .wgtc-widget-frame iframe { width: 100%; height: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0 none;}You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Writing Quiz: What Percent Writing Genius Are You?
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover
It's Here! Get My Free E-Book: 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and more
Try this new, no-brainer social media tool to support an author: Thunderclap
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: A word to mothers who aspire to have a surgeon-in-law
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: No, I don’t want no scrubs
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: For the love of Danskos
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: The other shoe
On The Write Life: 12 Traits Bad Writers and Toddlers Have in Common
On The Write Life: 18 Ways to Support an Author (Besides Buying Their Book)
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me

Writing Quiz: What Percent Writing Genius Are You?

Today's blog post is an entertaining little quiz to test your writing and grammar skilllzzzz. 

In only 10 short questions, you'll know exactly what percent writing genius you are. 

Share it with your friends, compare stats, and earn bragging rights. 

Good luck, and have fun!

PS - Feel free to share your quiz results (without the answers) in the comments!Take the quiz:Create your own user feedback surveyYou may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Try this new, no-brainer social media tool to support an author: Thunderclap
Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
On The Write Life: 12 Traits Bad Writers and Toddlers Have in Common
On The Write Life: 18 Ways to Support an Author (Besides Buying Their Book)
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
On The Write Life: Get Inspired! 20 Writers to Follow on Twitter
Article on The Write Life: Think Like a Journalist to Improve Your Writing (Trench Coat Optional!)
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference)
Writing tips: Cutting down on word fat and other newsletter best practices 
All about writing: writing 'til it hurts

Try this new, no-brainer social media tool to support an author: Thunderclap

I stumbled upon this resource for author support by accident, as fate would have it.
 
I was researching book marketing plans and came across a suggestion to promote an independently published book via Thunderclap.
 
When I checked it out, I was elated: what a super cool place to do good for authors, causes, and more! And it’s 100% free, even for campaigners. Authors helping authors. Or hipsters around a campfire. Same diff.Of course, I immediately created my own campaign to promote my debut nonfiction book, “100 of Your Toughest Business Email: Solved” (digital version free, paperback now also available on Amazon). After I poked around the site and thought about it more, I realized that Thunderclap is yet another way to provide nearly effortless author support.
 
I recently outlined 18 ways to support an author, aside from buying their book, in an article for The Write Life.  
 
In the article, I drew attention to the importance of social media to an author’s career. Readers, fans and fellow authors can support authors by following and engaging with them on social media.
 
The unique thing about Thunderclap is you can accomplish exactly that – with a few clicks of the mouse and zero time spent thinking about what to say. The campaign messages are auto-populated for you. You can personalize the message if you wish.  Support an author by lending your voice on social mediaThunderclap works like crowdsourcing, except without the financial component. Instead, campaigns garner social currency by collecting champions who pledge their support via social media, on the platform(s) of their choice: Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumbler.
 
If/when the campaign organizer meets their goal for number of supporters, the social media pledges become reality on a specified date and time, and are automatically posted across social media, helping the message to stand out. 
I want you...to help spread the word!This is my new favorite thing, seriously.
 
Every day I log into Thunderclap to see which Books and Causes I can support. It takes less than 5 minutes, and I feel like I am giving back. I usually post to Twitter, because that’s my widest audience.
 
Isn’t it cool that we live in an age during which word of mouth can be this simple? Give it a try!
 
*Author’s note: These opinions are my own based on my personal experiences. I have not been paid to endorse Thunderclap. If this were my home library I would die a happy woman. Just saying.You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
On The Write Life: 12 Traits Bad Writers and Toddlers Have in Common
On The Write Life: 18 Ways to Support an Author (Besides Buying Their Book)
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
On The Write Life: Get Inspired! 20 Writers to Follow on Twitter
Article on The Write Life: Think Like a Journalist to Improve Your Writing (Trench Coat Optional!)
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference) Survey: Do you have good author karma?Just for fun * Indicates required fieldAre you a big reader? *Yes, absolutely! For sure, but I don't have time to read as much as I'd like to I read primarily for school or work If Other please specify: *When you read an excellent book, do you leave a review? *Yes, always! Most of the time When I can If Other please specify: *Would you consider using a tool like Thunderclap to support authors? *I already use Thunderclap I prefer to simply follow authors on social media I prefer to simply buy books I use social media for personal reasons only I use tools other than Thunderclap for this purpose If Other please specify: * Submit

On The Write Life: 12 Traits Bad Writers and Toddlers Have in Common

This month on The Write Life, a trusted blog on the business and craft of writing, I'm drawing inspiration from real life. 
​
Specifically, on life with a toddler and as a writer, and where the two paths intersect.

So, what do toddlers and bad writers have in common? 

You'll have to read the article to find out. If you're a parent, writer, or both -- this one is not to be missed.

Find all of my articles on The Write Life here.  

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
On The Write Life: 18 Ways to Support an Author (Besides Buying Their Book)
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
On The Write Life: Get Inspired! 20 Writers to Follow on Twitter
Article on The Write Life: Think Like a Journalist to Improve Your Writing (Trench Coat Optional!)
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
Writing tips: What I want to blog about vs. what I actually blog about
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference) 
The write stuff: An author’s favorite books and authors 
Writing tips: Cutting down on word fat and other newsletter best practices 
All about writing: writing 'til it hurts 

Congratulations to the Book Release Date Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of my Book Release Date Giveaway, and many thanks to everyone who participated!

Winners will be notified via email. 
​
Exciting news on two release dates coming soon:Paperback edition of "100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved"Digital edition of "Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife: I'm Throwing Your Damn Pager into the Ocean"
​Stay tuned to this blog for more info!Book Release Date Giveaway from Author Megan Sharma You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
It's Here! Get My Free E-Book: 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and more
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: A word to mothers who aspire to have a surgeon-in-law
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: No, I don’t want no scrubs
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: For the love of Danskos
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: The other shoe
Writing tips: What I want to blog about vs. what I actually blog about
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference)

Enter Megan Sharma's Book Release Date Giveaway to Win a Free Paperback Copy of Business Email Book

Book Release Date Giveaway from Author Megan Sharma You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
It's Here! Get My Free E-Book: 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and more
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: A word to mothers who aspire to have a surgeon-in-law
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: No, I don’t want no scrubs
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: For the love of Danskos
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: The other shoe
Writing tips: What I want to blog about vs. what I actually blog about
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference)

Book cover design: How I developed a concept for my indie author book cover

2018 is going to be an exciting year for this indie (independent) author. Think: acting a fool level of excitement.
I recently decided to self-publish my debut nonfiction book on love and modern medicine: Memoirs of a Surgeon’s Wife: I’m Throwing Your Damn Pager into the Ocean. And it’s going to happen in the next couple of months! Happy dance!
 
Although I have written and published a business writing e-book, available free on Amazon, this will be my first self-published full-length nonfiction book.
 
One of the coolest things about being an indie author is that you maintain creative control over the whole shebang, including the book title and the cover art.
 
I’m no professional artist or graphic designer, but I have taken art and photography classes and have a decent artistic eye [pats self on back].  Since this book is kinda my baby, aside from my actual baby (who is no longer a baby, as she frequently reminds me), it’s important for me to get it right.
 
I’ll be working with a friend who is a graphic designer on the book cover design, but I wanted to come to her with several ideas and concepts to get the ball rolling.
 
So, for any other indie authors, self-publishers or the curious among ye, I’m sharing my process for developing a book cover design concept. You can judge the final result when we have…ahem…the final result: the big book cover reveal!
Book cover design: How to develop a concept for your indie author book cover

Step 1: Shop around
 
To know what you like and what you are drawn to, you need to shop around. You can accomplish this this by browsing bookstores or browsing online.
 
If you choose to browse a bookstore, check out the bestsellers for all genres first. Make note of or discreetly photograph (for your own personal use only, of course) the covers you covet. Then make your way to your book genre’s section and see what grabs you.
 
I personally started my search online with good old Google. I googled “Best book covers of 2017” and found several curated lists. For me, this was a good starting point.
Step 2: Create your vision board
 
Since I chose to go the online route for my initial research, I created a Pinterest board called Book Cover Inspiration, and linked the book covers that had me swooning. I also made short notes on what elements of the book cover I liked (illustration style, colors, typography, etc.).
 
The board confirmed what types of book covers I’m drawn to and helped me narrow down my favorite styles. Step 3: Consider the heart of your book
 
Now is the time to ask yourself some questions about your book.
 
What is the overall tone of the book? What is the message of the book? Why did you write the book? Who is the book’s primary audience? What category does the book belong in?
 
Since I initially pursued traditional publishing for my book, all these questions were answered in great detail in my nonfiction book proposal.
 
But I still took the time to think through them and write down succinct answers. This information will also come in handy during the final step. 
Photo credit: Theo Crazzolara on Visualhunt / CC BYStep 4: Pretend you’re an artist
 
Once you’ve captured the key tone and message of your book, brainstorm some ideas, then grab a pen and some paper and get to drawing!
 
I hand-illustrated 12 concepts, hated most of them, and came up with one that I absolutely love.
 
The process is fun and helps you tap into your creative side.
 
You can also try a digital mock-up, if you’re so inclined, in Canva. Just pick a template for an e-book cover and get to work.  Step 5: Hand it over to a professional
 
The importance of a professional-quality, striking book cover cannot be overstated. This is not a job to take on yourself, unless you are a graphic designer or a book cover designer.
 
Think about it: we all judge books by their covers. It’s not a vanity thing – it helps us determine which books are worth our time and money.
 
Thankfully in this digital age there are plentiful and affordable options for book cover designers – both for e-books and for print books.
 
Here are recommended designer resources from authors I trust:
Joanna Penn’s recommendations
Mark Coker’s Smashwords recommendations
 
I haven’t experienced it yet, but I also intend to give Fiverr’s freelance book designers a try.  Take these extra steps to conceptualize your book before the professionals jump in. It will help you narrow your vision and improve the ultimate quality of your book.
 
What book design tips can you share with us? What are your favorite book covers? Leave a comment!
You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
BIG NEWS! I’m self-publishing my memoir in 2018. Here’s why…
It's Here! Get My Free E-Book: 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and more
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: A word to mothers who aspire to have a surgeon-in-law
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: No, I don’t want no scrubs
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: For the love of Danskos
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: The other shoe
Writing tips: What I want to blog about vs. what I actually blog about
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference)