Jody Cantrell Dyer's Blog: What's your story? Maybe I can help you write it., page 8

Think outside the barn. Retreats are possible, and they work. Join me?

"Think outside the barn." I said that to my students all of the time when they couldn't solve a problem or find an answer. I taught in rural East Tennessee, so they appreciated my twist on the cliche.

What's funny is that you can absolutely think inside a barn, too. While the computer is a great tool, using paper to hash out stories, draft characters, draw scenes, brainstorm, etc., can free you from a number of limiting temptations. When I was young, I liked to hang out in our old tobacco barn. My goat Jill quietly kept me company as she rubbed her knotty head against the wood, crippled Beagle Bell rolled in the cool dirt floor and sniffed under the stalls, and Mama's chickens clucked happy background banter. Underneath the tobacco loft still hangs a wooden swing, where I often daydreamed on, you guessed it, paper. For some reason, being outdoors makes me much more productive. Even now, I sit right beside a HUGE window as I work.

Hmmm, I thought more productively "outside the barn" while inside the barn. Ha!

My colleague Debbie Patrick (Vision Run Publishing) and I are planning a writing retreat. We agreed on the following non-negotiables:

Private bedroomsInterior space so that writers can spread out and concentrate without interruption Outdoor space to explore or to enjoy as inspirationEasy access to restaurantsAt least a one-hour drive to separate us physically from family and work obligationsQuietInternet accessAffordable pricing for authorsInstructional timeTime for one-on-one and/or group feedbackPLENTY of time to just write

What would you add to our list?

If life is too busy right now, you can actually create a DIY retreat at home. I found some logical tips online. Plan ahead. Schedule the time "off" to write. PROTECT that time without apology. Cut off any distractions (phones, internet, TV, radio). Prep with supplies. Set realistic goals. Reward yourself each day with a treat (I highly recommend chocolate in any form) or experience (yin yoga and massages are great for writers).

My old thinking and stomping grounds.

I have tried the DIY, at-home retreat approach a few times, and I have failed every time. My children, husband, mother, and cats were not cool with the idea. I couldn't resist working on client projects first, and by the time I looked up from the screen, most of the day was gone. Once, the internet went out. Another time, my computer crashed. Yet another time, a child had to stay home from school. We are all in different stages of life, so figure out what could work for you. Maybe you can protect a few days at home and crank out a few thousand words. Maybe you can afford a solo weekend getaway. Maybe a formal retreat would be an adventure for you. Maybe Debbie's and my idea is just the right fit.

I know what I need in order to think outside the barn: a different barn!

What do YOU think? What do you think a writing retreat should offer? I'd love to hear your ideas, and I'll share them with Debbie as we plan something special. Maybe you can come think and write with us.

xoxoxo

Jody

If you'd like to stay in the Crippled Beagle Publishing loop and get news on writing retreats, courses, coaching, writing workshops, as well as writing, editing, publishing, and book marketing, click HERE.

Dr. Dyer is here. Fire away!

 Hello there!

Okay, so I'm not a real M.D. or Ph.D., but I do have some letters (B.S., M.Ed.). That M.Ed. represents a masters in curriculum and instruction. Oh, I can write curriculum and instruct, but I have years of practice answering questions. Did you know that high school teachers ask almost 400 questions per day?

I found a variety of stats how many questions children ask each day, but all the numbers made me tired. Ha! Four-year-old children ask about seventy-three questions each day, and I can promise you that teenagers are question-asking machines. Doctors ask and answer fewer questions. Think of the math. Doctors see one patient at a time, while a teacher faces a ROOM full of brains and mouths. When I taught ninth grade, I had thirty-five students per class and four classes per day. My beloved colleague Dr. H literally shaved his head before the first day of school each year and didn't see a barber until summer break because he didn't want to have to answer the question, "Dr. Hebert, did you get a haircut?" multiple times per year. Smart guy.

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This week, I met with a client who was anticipating a medical procedure. She lamented that she had many questions but kept being passed from answering services to office managers to nurses to different medical offices ... you know the drill. Isn't it frustrating when you have a SIMPLE question but can't get the SIMPLE answer?

Crippled Beagle Publishing gets LOTS of questions, too, and I have a plan that will efficiently give you answers.

I explained to a new client yesterday that I typically check voicemail and email only in the afternoons. She asked why. I explained that blocking time to reply to messages is actually all about taking better care of my clients. Below is my full answer in bulleted points. Consider applying these ideas and practices to your career, cooking (ever heard of investment cooking?), housework, home improvement tasks, and especially WRITING.

I "mega batch" my work. Look it up. Mega batching makes total sense. In my world, that means that I focus primarily on one client per day. That client's project gets my total attention—and this next part is crucial—WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. Doing this may mean that I don't touch a project for a couple of weeks, but when I do, the work is profoundly more productive and efficient, which saves me time and YOU money. I work ahead, too. For example, if you've budget four hours per month, I may work an entire day (or two) on your project, but I'll honor you budget and just spread that time over multiple invoices. If your project is on a flat fee plan, bathing means we finish it faster. My inbox is usually a list of updates from subcontractors, administrative tasks (I email myself), referrals, customer service requests, and, yes, lots of client and prospect questions.I don't want to rush through any response. Thus, I answer emails when my client work for the day is complete so that I can give each email my full attention.Emails (questions) also guide my business practices. Just last week, I revised a crucial piece of important communication that I send all new authors. The revision was inspired by one email from one client. When someone expresses a need via a question, I look at how my team and I can better meet that need immediately and for future clients. I may spend hours on research, revisions to practices, and development of new products/services.While you may have to wait for an answer, I want the answer to be solid. My mother always says, "Haste makes waste." If I answer in haste, the client is shortchanged. Not cool. I take my time. By doing so, I protect your time and money.I respect that many clients have many questions that pop up during the week and would appreciate quick answers. This is why I'm creating a frequently asked questions spreadsheet where you can quickly search and find answers. This will be a spreadsheet that starts in February 2022 and grows with your questions. Fire away!

If you are taking my online course Market Your Way to Reader Royalties, you will automatically have access.

Here's my challenge to you:

Send me any and every question that comes to mind, whenever it comes to mind, about writing, editing, publishing, and book marketing. If you are in the marketing phase, what questions do you have about branding, building a book business, reviews, web pages, social media, finding readers, building an email list, _______?

Send those questions to dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com and jody@crippledbeaglepublishing.com.

If you are on the move and have a question, call me or text me at 865-414-4017.

Consider me a physician. You are perched on paper blanket, I'm in a rolling chair right beside you and holding a prescription pad. Fire away. Better yet, visualize yourself in a school desk and see me at the lectern. Raise your hand. Fire away. I'm here to help you.

If you'd like access to the CBP FAQ, CLICK HERE. 

HAPPY ASKING!!!

Jody and the Crippled Beagle Publishing team

Have you ever won tickets or tokens in an arcade and cried? I saw it many times. Avoid decision fatigue. Read, think, and ask for help.

I started working when I was fifteen. My band director was my manager, and we handled tourists at The Track in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He ran the go-carts and oversaw my operations in the arcade (namely, the prize counter). Watching a pot boil is a joy compared to watching hundreds of children per day spend thousands of game tickets on trinkets that cost 1-100 tickets each. Choices. I recently learned about "decision fatigue." Those tourists certainly had decision fatigue, as the youngest ones often broke down in tears over spider rings vs. plastic parachute men. Duh, parachute men are the better choice!

Adults are busy and distracted, so never hesitate to ask me for information again and again. Now, my point is NOT to give you decision fatigue but to give you options. With all phases of the publishing process, my team and I want to help you.

Below, I have specifically outlined our book marketing services. There are ways to make book marketing fit any budget and schedule. Don't get tired. Just read and think. I'll meet you at the bottom of the list:)

OPTION A: Individual coaching.

You set a monthly budget, and we customize a plan. I teach. You learn. My team helps. You can start with only two hours/month and go from there. YOU can invest as much time as you like to keep costs down.

If you want more information, reply to this email and say, "Jody, I may need a coach. Let's talk time and money."

OPTION B: Group coaching through Book Boosters (monthly membership)

I'm building the list for this group now, so jump in if you are interested. Details will follow. The more members who join this first year, the lower I will price the membership (somewhere between my husband's Zips Car Wash and my Yoga6 bill:))).

For now, you can just get on the "I'm interested" list by emailing me and saying, "I want to be on the Book Boosters maybe list." The group will likely kick off in April or May.

OPTION C: One-Day (In-Person) Session and Off You Go

In one workshop (group/individual), we will create a marketing plan for the next twelve months. Again, the more students = a lower individual price. You will leave the workshop confident and energized with plenty of support materials. The first person who responds can pick the month of the workshop! (Since it's winter, I won't be in the mountains every Saturday, so a Saturdays are an option.)

If the workshop sounds good to you, email me and say, "I like the workshop idea. Put me on the list and keep me in the loop."

OPTION D: Author Brand Marketing Kit

My team and I create a thick file folder filled with press and retailer-ready items to help you build your brand, establish credibility, communicate with retailers, libraries, and bookstores, and grow royalties.

If you'd like to know what's in the kit and how much it costs (discounts are available), reply to this email and ask, "Jody, what's in the Author Brand Marketing Kit?"

OPTION E: Market Your Way to Readers and Royalties (online course taught by yours truly:)

February 1 (TUESDAY!), the cart opens again for Market Your Way to Readers and Royalties. February is the very first launch of this online course, so the 2022 version will of one-on-one components. I'll jazz up and deliver some web pages to cyberspace soon, but for now, read below and let me know (that rhymes!):

Does this describe you?

Your book is LIVE and available to the whole world to purchase. (By the way, congratulations!!!) You are excited to share your achievement with the world, but you may be disappointed in book sales. You are overwhelmed and confused when it comes to the book marketing process. You don’t know what you don’t know, worry you can’t afford the necessary steps and tools, rely too heavily on social media (or completely avoid it), or don't know where to even begin. Maybe you work full time and have a family or multiple obligations. You don’t have hours per day to focus on marketing tasks. You have appropriately invested hard-earned money in editing and book design and now want to at least break even. You value step by step guidance at your pace but don’t know where to find it.

My promise:

Step by step, with guidance and support at your pace, you will learn the foundational elements for book marketing success. Go from confused and overwhelmed to prepared and excited with an affordable and realistic plan in place! I will walk you through crucial foundations that authors should create, and I will explain how to save money at every step. With encouragement, examples, and resources, I will help you begin and plan all of the marketing pieces you will enjoy using. Follow my guidance to build your confidence as a published author and create a strong online presence that can increase your following and your book revenue.

The cart opens TUESDAY and closes February 17. If you want more information or to sign up, just email me and say, "Jody, tell me more about the course." Friend, the "content" is the same, the teacher is the same, the resources are the same, but the delivery is up to you. If you don't know which one makes sense, email me and say, "Help!" We can talk through pricing and scheduling and find a solution to help you.

Finally, OPTION F:

You don't have to anything at all. If book marketing isn't your thing, don't unsubscribe:) Just share this with a writer you know who may be interested in any of the above. Future e-newsletters will contain all kinds of tips that have nothing to do with marketing but everything to do with books:)

As promised, I've met you at the bottom!

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I hope that by describing decision fatigue I didn't actually create it. (Writers do love irony.) No worries. Just call me at (865) 414-4017. Thanks so much for your time and attention. I appreciate YOU!

XOXOXO

Jody

P.S. If you'd like to download a FREE copy of my book marketing planner (super simple and upbeat), click HERE.

DECIDE (like Dolly does).

I LOVE Dolly Parton. I mean, she practically raised me. She practically raises every child from Sevier County, Tennessee. Her confidence, artistic energy, and commercial success permeate the community but in an incredibly cheerful manner. Let's think about who she is: a self-proclaimed hillbilly who DECIDED to be a songwriter, musician, performer, actress, movie producer, employer, international philanthropist, and, according to my fellow Gatlinburg-Pittman High School marching band member, Danielle Parton, a dang good aunt.

Who doesn't love Dolly? Is it me, or do you feel like you actually know her? What I love most about Dolly is that she DECIDED her destiny. She's a Christian who embraces God's gifts while she also respects the need for hard work to realize those gifts. Hmmmm, maybe that would be a good song title: "Heaven and Hard Work"

What do you think? Have you ever DECIDED to be something? Happy? Free from worry? A writer? A published author? A published author who sells lots of copies?

Few of my clients are trained writers. I teach them a variety of skills, including brainstorming. They are amazed at what their brains produce in spite of their doubts. To demonstrate, I just set my timer to 60 seconds. Once I hit the start button, I'll type my clients'' professions until the buzzer sounds. GO!

retired teachersattorneyeducational missionarytech specialistretired stewardesslong-haul truckerentry-level insurance guycollege studenthigh school studenthousewifeartistprivate school fundraiserapartment complex managerretired veterinariandentistob/gynmusicianentrepreneurprofessorfactory workerschool principalscience teacheryoga instructornursehospital administratorlieutenant colonel, Armyretired DOJ professionalteachersrealtorsconsultantecologistclinical social workerpreacherastrophysicistinsurance agentwomen's ministerfireman and engineeroutlaw biker (Yes, you read that correctly. I ghostwrote his memoir A Million Miles with Big Bad Good Bob.)

The timer sounded. Whew! I could list so many more professions.

What I do NOT see on that list is the word WRITER. Who cares? I don't, and you shouldn't either. All of those people are writers now. I love helping "regular folks" decide to be and actually become writers and published authors.

Now that you are a writer, I challenge you to write your definition of success in this industry. Your success could be helping struggling families, sharing your faith, teaching a skill, promoting a business, setting the record straight, leaving a legacy, making money, or something else. You decide. Today, I challenge you to apply the decision-making energy and attitude that made you a writer to drafting a plan that will help you find that success.

If reaching more readers is your goal, I have a simple but incredibly useful .pdf I call The Gift of Time, an annual book marketing planner.

If your goal is to grow a project from wherever it is (idea, rough draft, stack of sticky notes, whatever) and send it into the marketplace, I have the Step-by-Step Trail Guide from Idea, to Published, Profitable Book.

​Click HERE to download the planner. Click HERE to download the guide. 

If you have a different goal and need a tool, tell me. My team and I will create it!

One of Dolly Parton's famous quotes is, “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” Sometimes, I have to replace that word people with the word I. Dolly's mindset is admirable, and writers like you share it. You can apply that spirit to the next steps in your author journey, too. If you need help, the Crippled Beagle Publishing team is here.

XOXOXO

Jody

Look at the confidence in her expression!

Do you daydream? What do you dream?

 Maybe I'm just a hillbilly who has traveled very few times for my age, but I LOVE to daydream about moving somewhere. I'm going to say something you've seen on TV, T-shirts, and signs FOR-EV-ER: I LOVE NEW YORK!

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My cousin Annie has worked in Europe, South America, and Central America. Her husband is Scottish. They now live in New York City (East Village, to be precise), but they are happily moving back to her hometown of Seale, Alabama, population triple digits. Why? In her words: three nieces, farmland, horses, chickens, cheaper haircuts, and a mini mule named Peter Pan. I'm not going to lie. That mini mule is cute. He follows you around like a devoted dog.

Thankfully, I got to visit her in NYC in October before the big move. As my colleague Debbie says, "People there are always thinking." It's true. The energy and creativity are palpable, and I want to go back. But y'all, you have to walk blocks just to find a dog park, and in that dog park, there's hardly any grass left! A mini mule would never "make it there."

When I can't sleep, I love to daydream and plan out book scenes and dialogue. Often, my character relocates to New York City or some other "foreign" land and starts over. Aren't we lucky to be able to live through our characters? Through our books, we travel, learn, laugh, grieve, and go through experiences that one human life on earth can't mathematically accommodate.

If your goal is to publish a book in 2022, you have time. Daydream during housework and commutes. Keep a notepad with you at all times. Use voice recordings to rough draft ideas while you walk or grocery shop. If people stare, just tell them you are a writer. They may become fans! You don't have to wait to daydream until insomnia hits.

I try to teach my children to think beyond their circumstances and maximize every opportunity. I want them to daydream and eventually (asap) act on those creams. In this picture, Scotty (11) poses in front of a "tapestry" of NYC that I ordered on Amazon for $15 for his brother's dorm room. Like any little brother might, he swiped it for his own room. Why not play FortNite and shoot mini-hoops while also viewing the Empire State Building and Hudson River from your East Tennessee bedroom?

I wish you vivid daydreams!

XOXOXO

Jody

To stay in the Crippled Beagle Publishing loop and learn tips on writing, editing, publishing, and book marketing, click HERE:)

To download my Step-By-Step Trail Guide from Idea to Published, Profitable Book, click HERE:)

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The TOP 6 Fundamental Elements of Book Marketing

BIG NEWS!

The cart is open for early enrollment in my online marketing course: Market Your Way to Readers and Royalties. If you are interested and/or have questions, email dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com or call me at 865-414-4017. If you decide not to enroll, that's okay. You may still use the list below to plan your marketing for the year. The modules in my course will cover these top 6 fundamental elements of book marketing.

Here's what the course includes now, but I will be adding more info as we go along:)MODULES in  Market Your Way to Readers and Royalties Secure credibility in the marketplace.

Module 1: Author Brand Kit Packing List - What marketing items you should have on hand, always, and how to create and store them.

Module 2: Rev Up Reviews - How to generate reviews, write them, and use different kinds of reviews.

Help readers find you.

Module 3: Build Your Landing Page Website - This does NOT have to be a website, but you do need a landing page. We'll explore options.

Module 4: Social Media Essentials That Travel - We'll start with basics that make sense for your genre, your goals, and your audience.

Find and personally engage with your readers.

Module 5: Locate Your Readers Across the Physical and Digital Landscape - This will be fun. We will literally find your readers through brainstorming and quick research techniques.

Module 6: Secure Continuous Access to Readers Via Email - You will learn how to turn potential readers into followers, fans, and buyers.

Modules will also contain:printable documents like checklists, cheat sheets, and resource guidesways to save moneyways to delegate and/or automate tasksreal life examples that have worked for other authors

You are welcome to share this information with other writers! Remember, I teach these skills one-on-one, too, so if you see a particular subject you want to explore, let me know. THANKS SO MUCH!

XOXOXOXO

Jody and the Beagle team:)

CLICK HERE to learn even more and download a free annual book marketing planner!

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Relax, Rest, Rev Up for 2022!

Hello friend,

My family has asked that I take some time off. Apparently, the Grinch is REAL. Apparently, the Grinch lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and operates Crippled Beagle Publishing. Ha! As a fellow creative, you KNOW how hard it is to stop thinking/producing/working/writing. How do you completely relax? Please share your ideas. Obviously, I need them. I decided to do a little research in order to convince myself to actually "chill out" these last few days of 2021. I read several articles and have listed highlights below. Enjoy!

Types of rest:

Sleep. Duh.Naps. I can NOT nap. I wake up thinking I've killed someone and must hide the body. What is wrong with me?Yoga. You can't tell from the outside, but I do practice yoga, and it does help with my inside. Ha!Quiet walks. C.S. Lewis preferred no conversation during his frequent walks. I like to walk alone, but mostly because I'm slow.Prayer. I love to chat with God, aloud, on my way home from dropping Scotty off at school. Other drivers probably think I'm nuts, but God knows."Mindless" activities that require little physical effort---like knitting, coloring, folding laundry, weeding flower beds. There's plenty of mindless housework to do in my rancher. Maybe I'll try some.Extra-long showers. Good luck showering, ever, without a child knocking or cat scratching at the door.Bubble baths. I doubt there's a tub in my old house that will "stop up" completely. I'll give it a shot sometime. Please try not to picture me naked. Sorry. Ha!UNPLUGGING from the digital world (particularly social media). This is HARD. I'm good on Sundays, but the rest of the week? Hmmm...something to improve.

Benefits—Don't these sound fantastic?

The opportunity to daydream with a non-cluttered mindEmotional stabilityPhysical recoveryStress reductionImproved immunityImproved energyMORE IDEAS!BETTER productivity

Entrepreneurs are often accused of being workaholics. I think we are just passionate about what we do. Plus, we feel an overwhelming sense of obligation to and gratitude for our clients. THANK YOU, by the way, for trusting me:) That said, no matter our motivation, business owners and creative artists often work too many hours, which is actually counterproductive. In order to improve my business and free up more time to focus on health, family, friends, and fun, I made some major changes at Crippled Beagle Publishing this year. I've streamlined processes and set up standard operating procedures. I batch work, which saves me time and you money. Batching also helps my team complete projects faster. I intentionally say NO to things that will absorb time, money, or energy I don't want to spend. Since I started this on October 1, I've politely said no to THIRTY-SIX tasks/obligations/events/whatever. Wow. This is a big one—I hired more help.

Another idea I ran across is to completely restructure the workday. Last week, I looked back on my Google calendar and noticed that I almost never took a true lunch break. My mind, lower back, and creative spirit really need a mid-day break, but I'm a workhorse. I have literally eaten lunch at my desk when the living room and kitchen are right down the hall. I don't trust myself, so my solution is to leave my office and drive to my yoga studio at noon every workday. I shall force myself to rest! I spotted another trend on my Google calendar. My schedule stretched from 5:00 a.m. to sometimes 7:00 p.m. No wonder I'm the Grinch of Glen Cove Drive. Geez.

Ernest Hemingway advised to, "... always stop when you know what is going to happen next." So, in order to de-Grinch, I will also force myself to walk out of my office and to the front door when my husband Jeff gets home from work. When I hear the door open, I'll know what's next. I will shut down my computer, leave my office, and give Mr. Dyer a big hug.

In order to be the perfect wife and mother, get the rest I need, and work more productively and efficiently for YOU in 2022, I am taking this last week of 2021 completely off. I pray you have a wonderful last week of 2021, and I can't wait to help you meet your goals next year!

xoxoxoxo

Jody

BEFORE:

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AFTER:

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BRING ON 2022!!!

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The Gift of Time - USE IT! Plan your 2022 now and find more readers and better royalties.

Henry Ford said, "Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time."

Gregory Ciotti said, "Marketing is enthusiasm transferred to the customer."

Jody Dyer says (all of the time to clients who are nervous about marketing their work), "Marketing can be easy, inexpensive, and FUN. You aren't selling. You are communicating with people who deserve to know about your book and have the opportunity to buy it!"

Did you know that books live forever? In other words, you have life's greatest luxury—TIME—to write, edit, publish, and successfully market your book. The trick is to PLAN, especially when it comes to marketing your work.

Did you know that you should start marketing your book the MOMENT you decide to write it? The first step is to learn WHAT you need to do. The second step is to learn HOW. Do not fret. There are simple ways to market your book(s) within your budget and on your schedule. There is no rush. You worked hard to write your book (or you are in the process). Your book, your readers, and YOU deserve a solid marketing plan.
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In 2022, Crippled Beagle Publishing will offer the following marketing instruction options (these options are open to ANY author and are not exclusive to CBP clients, so please share this info with your writer friends):

One-on-one: Completely customized marketing coaching at your pace and budgetAuthor Roadmap to Readers and Royalties: A six-week, online course. The price is $387 for "founding members" who sign up Jan 3-7. After that, it jumps to $587. The course begins February 21. I likely will not offer the course again until September 2022 or January 2023.

What you should do:

1. Think about your book royalties thus far. Think about your marketing efforts thus far.

2. Reply to this email if you want to book time on my first-quarter calendar for one-on-one marketing instruction. We'll work out the details together.

3. Reply to this email if you want to be a founding member of the online course for $387.

Mark Twain said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." 

Let's get started, together, in 2022.

TO DOWNLOAD A FREE BOOK MARKETING PLANNER, CLICK HERE:)

xoxoxo and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jody and team

Are you giving readers multiple buying options? It's easier and less expense than you may think. Keep reading ...

 Happy FRIDAY!

Back in the old publishing days, when MOST authors were rejected and those who did get through the big publishing house gauntlet had to twist and change to meet retail demands, hardcovers came out first. Those days are over. Now, based on my research and, well, reality, I believe it's best to publish all versions at once. Why not give readers options? Think about it this way. Some folks buy paperbacks to read, hardcovers as gifts, and eBooks to take on the road. My cousin Annie reads one or two books per week. Right now, she's working in abroad for a few weeks. She started a couple of books at home in New York and likely borrowed those books on her library app connected to her Kindle so she can continue reading them in the air and on a different continent. She may buy all three versions of one book. Who knows? Regardless, why limit your readers' options? Note that some books (namely heavily illustrated books) may not convert well to ePub, but Kindle versions typically work well. Call or email me to talk about your project.

Plus, this is a great marketing tactic. When readers scan your buying pages, they see those options and likely think, Wow! This book must be good if it's available in all of these formats.

Those formats are:

PaperbackHardcoverePub (ePubs work across all types of devices)Kindle (these sell more often than ePubs and work for most books)AUDIO BOOKS - I've created two. Ask me all about this.

You will be surprised at how inexpensive it can be to create a second or third or fourth version. Typically, the cost covers only my team's time, the conversion fee from paperback/hardcover to ePub, a few quick adjustments to the initial cover design, the cost of an ISBN, and uploading fees. When I write my own books or ghostwrite for clients, I do ALL FOUR immediately. Make the small investment so you aren't leaving money on the table or short-changing readers.

If you have one version and want to explore adding others, email or call me. Let's get that priced and on the calendar!

Happy book marketing and Merry Christmas.

xoxoxo

Jody

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I dare you to read this and do it! Actually, I triple Crippled Beagle dog dare you. Ha!

Hello friend,

As you know, I'm doing a DEEP study on marketing as I create my online course and membership program (launching in January and April, respectively) and refine my one-on-one coaching processes. This week, I attended a live conference (online, of course, but still LIVE---a strange but fun experience) for entrepreneurs. What I learned cannot be quantified, but I know it will earn my business and, more importantly, my clients, more money as I work even faster and more efficiently with my team to serve you. There were speakers and exercises on mindset, technical skills, social media, press kits, presenting, writing, and so much more. My favorite speaker was a woman named Tarzan. YES! That is her real name. She is delightful and direct. She taught us all about how to send emails. You'd think that's a simple process, but, whew, it is NOT. Within ten minutes, I identified mistakes I've made and how I intuitively got some things right. She also challenged us to write ourselves an email and then (this is crazy) send it to OUR clients. Yikes! Well, I promise myself I'd be "all in" to the process, so here you go. What's even MORE ironic is that Crippled Beagle Publishing client Doris Valentine can now share her beautiful book Why I Pray with the world. CONGRATULATIONS, DORIS! What an honor it is to represent you and share your gifts with the world.

All right, friends. To keep my commitment to Tarzan, I've copied my "email to myself" below.

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EMAIL from Jody to Jody (and my new friend Tarzan) on 12.2.21

Jody, Your friends are right about you. You are a tiny bit crazy, absolutely funny, usually energetic, always creating something, and, well, bossy. What’s interesting, too, is that you do everything in life OUT LOUD. Your poor sons. Ha! You are bold. Why not be? As Jeff says when he detours from his diet during Christmas, "YOLO!" (You Only Live Once.) Thank goodness, right?

The end of the year is the time to reflect, but you should look back on the last several years, especially since you are making huge changes in your business. Whoa. Wow. Also, what the heck? Why would you ever doubt yourself? You are good at making BIG changes. Doubt comes with changes, and women, especially, say a lot of terrible things to themselves. Well, look at this list from just the last 10 years and, as Mama would say, "Change your tune, young lady."
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Let’s see what you have endured lately:

Infertility heartache for several years followed by the gut-wrenching adoption processSignificant disappointment in someone you loveTragic, ongoing illnesses in familyDeaths of seven people in your life in just a matter of monthsLosing a corporate jobMultiple, expensive automobile and house problemsA freaking pandemicMajor financial strain from all the aboveA child going to college 9 hours away

In spite of all of that, you:

Remained faithful to your Christian valuesAdopted a childStarted a business from the ground up with no seed moneyWrote and published several booksLearned yogaLearned countless lessons, tools, techniques, technology, skills, processes, ....Succeeded and celebratedEarned a solid reputation in the publishing industryHelped hundreds of clients reach their writing and publishing goalsGenerally speaking, you rallied, recovered, and refined your approaches to everything.

You have taken incredible risks and have gained more confidence and freedom from every failure and success. You can do absolutely anything. So, here are your TOP  BUSINESS  GOALS FOR 2022.

Stop worrying. Trust that God loves you and will help you, even when YOU are the problem.Continue to help writers of all ability levels tell their amazing stories with pride and excitement.Hire more help.Launch the online course so authors have an affordable and realistic way to learn all the tools they need to market their books.Launch the membership program so authors can learn how to market their books at a slow and steady pace.

Love, You

Okay, friend, there you have my letter from Jody to Jody. Look back on the last ten years. What have you overcome? I DARE you to make a list and then sit back, amazed, at how wonderful you are! Do it! Meanwhile, know that I treasure you.

My #1 goal is to stop worrying. I am a dreamer, and worry gets in the way of dreams. The best balm for me has been prayer. I just think it's awesome that Doris's book came when it did. The covers and description:

Thank you for trusting me with your precious time, friend. I look forward to what we do together in 2022! Now, go write that letter to you:) xoxoxo

Jody