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The Call of the Writer's Craft: Writing and Selling the Book Within
Getting a book successfully published is as much about talent and creative drive as it is a matter of determination and business practice. Luckily for would-be authors, this book delivers the how-to on both the creativity and the business. Lecturer and writing retreat leader Tom Bird introduces authors to their Divine Author Within, and guides them through the process of listening to this inner muse. They will learn how to tap into their "creative connected mind" and relax their "logical critical mind" so they will be able to write the book they've always wanted to--in just two drafts! Once the book is complete, writers learn how to sell their book. Bird instructs his readers how to successfully navigate the publishing world so that they can make the right choices for their work.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Tom Bird
11 books1 followerWhile serving as a publicist for major league baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, Tom Bird had a life-changing, perspective-altering, spiritual awakening. This spiritual awakening would set the compass for the remainder of his life, produce the sale of his first book and reset, forever, how he would see writing, publishing, and life.
Tom’s awakening and eventual success as a best-selling author and the innovative, spiritually-led approach he took to get there, directly disputed all he had learned, been taught, or read about writing and the authoring of books up to that point.
True to a promise he made to share what had been revealed to him, Tom has spent the last thirty-five years sharing the unique, inside-out approach with authors and writers of all types worldwide.
During that time, besides writing more than thirty books himself, Tom has appeared before hundreds of thousands of aspiring authors through webinars, retreats, seminars, radio talk-show appearances and through over 4,000 lecture appearances at hundreds of different colleges and universities.
The fundamental pillars of Tom’s Method:
* The book that’s calling out to you to be written is already created and written on the so-called other side of life. So it does not need to be created by you. Instead, it just needs to be released.
* The cornerstone of effectively and functionally connecting with one’s book lies in communing with what Tom refers to as the Divine Author Within (DAW) state.
* Once connected with one’s book through the DAW state, amazing results can transpire, including writing one’s book in a few days.
* The writing of one’s book through the DAW state comprises a major leap into one’s dharma, or life purpose, and thus comprises a major, positive, life-changing event and/or shift as well.
* Amen.
His unique method has led to the completion of tens of thousands of books, more than one hundred of which have ended up as Amazon best-sellers.
What Tom’s method has done for so many, it can do for you as well.
After learning the ropes from some of the best, most innovative minds in the publishing industry, and at the request of his devoted authors, Tom started Sojourn Publishing, LLC, which includes his own book publishing and fulfillment firm and The Publish Now (PN) Program.
Tom takes great pride in the publishing design of Sojourn Publishing, which is structured to return all artistic, editorial, and publishing control to his authors, who receive 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of their book. Whereas a conventional publisher can take an average of two years to take a book to the shelves, Sojourn Publishing provides the same services and opportunities for distribution but accomplishes the same result in two or three months.
Possibly the aspect of Sojourn Publishing that Tom is most proud of is his development and design of the Author Development Program (ADP) that offers authors the opportunity to be walked through the full revision, completion, and publication of their books by way of a virtual classroom setting led personally by Tom himself.
Tom lives and works in Sedona, AZ, although his workshops and writing seminars are offered in many locations across the U.S.
Tom’s awakening and eventual success as a best-selling author and the innovative, spiritually-led approach he took to get there, directly disputed all he had learned, been taught, or read about writing and the authoring of books up to that point.
True to a promise he made to share what had been revealed to him, Tom has spent the last thirty-five years sharing the unique, inside-out approach with authors and writers of all types worldwide.
During that time, besides writing more than thirty books himself, Tom has appeared before hundreds of thousands of aspiring authors through webinars, retreats, seminars, radio talk-show appearances and through over 4,000 lecture appearances at hundreds of different colleges and universities.
The fundamental pillars of Tom’s Method:
* The book that’s calling out to you to be written is already created and written on the so-called other side of life. So it does not need to be created by you. Instead, it just needs to be released.
* The cornerstone of effectively and functionally connecting with one’s book lies in communing with what Tom refers to as the Divine Author Within (DAW) state.
* Once connected with one’s book through the DAW state, amazing results can transpire, including writing one’s book in a few days.
* The writing of one’s book through the DAW state comprises a major leap into one’s dharma, or life purpose, and thus comprises a major, positive, life-changing event and/or shift as well.
* Amen.
His unique method has led to the completion of tens of thousands of books, more than one hundred of which have ended up as Amazon best-sellers.
What Tom’s method has done for so many, it can do for you as well.
After learning the ropes from some of the best, most innovative minds in the publishing industry, and at the request of his devoted authors, Tom started Sojourn Publishing, LLC, which includes his own book publishing and fulfillment firm and The Publish Now (PN) Program.
Tom takes great pride in the publishing design of Sojourn Publishing, which is structured to return all artistic, editorial, and publishing control to his authors, who receive 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of their book. Whereas a conventional publisher can take an average of two years to take a book to the shelves, Sojourn Publishing provides the same services and opportunities for distribution but accomplishes the same result in two or three months.
Possibly the aspect of Sojourn Publishing that Tom is most proud of is his development and design of the Author Development Program (ADP) that offers authors the opportunity to be walked through the full revision, completion, and publication of their books by way of a virtual classroom setting led personally by Tom himself.
Tom lives and works in Sedona, AZ, although his workshops and writing seminars are offered in many locations across the U.S.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 24, 2019
I got this as part of a humble bundle that ultimately cost me less than a single dollar per book... this one wasn’t worth the couple of cents it cost me. If you’re interested in being condescended to by a man drowning in overly flowery prose, by all means read this book. Perhaps his strategy works for some, but the idea that his way is the only way to success and anything else you’ve ever tried is wrong is ultimately so offensive that it’s hard to take anything he says seriously. Somehow Tom Bird manages to thread the line between being too concrete in how to write but not saying very much at all leading to the idea that you’re reading a book on writing from a man who only knows how to write in theory and has never actually written any of these so called divinely inspired novels he talks about.
This will be the one and only review I have ever written on here or, in fact, anywhere else but this book offended me on so many levels that even my friends and family could not contain the rants within me. If you can get this book for free or as part of a bundle of superior works, then... I’d still reccomend you give it a pass. This man does not have all the answers. If his method works for you, more power to you, but if you’re looking for your own voice, I’d search for it elsewhere.
My only hope is that my indignance and offense will drive me to continue my novel in the best ways that I know how.... If only to spite him.
This will be the one and only review I have ever written on here or, in fact, anywhere else but this book offended me on so many levels that even my friends and family could not contain the rants within me. If you can get this book for free or as part of a bundle of superior works, then... I’d still reccomend you give it a pass. This man does not have all the answers. If his method works for you, more power to you, but if you’re looking for your own voice, I’d search for it elsewhere.
My only hope is that my indignance and offense will drive me to continue my novel in the best ways that I know how.... If only to spite him.
September 20, 2017
THE VERY IMPORTANT POINT
I read this book really to broaden my horizon on book marketing. However, as I traveled through the pages (or screens since I read the ebook) I was reintroduced to a love for creativity. I was reawakened to the love and enjoyment of filling blank space with a story that is authentic and passionate. A story only I can tell. How to write that story in the right way. How to ensure it is an exciting and powerful tale. How to get out of my own way when I write and let the divinely inspired story flow from within. Because only when you've created an honest and passionate tale, will it resonate with others. And then, perhaps, go so far as to sell itself.
The book talks about what hinders free flowing prose. The Logical Critical Brain (LCB), and its haughty pragmatism. It knows what's best. It checks all the checklists. Dots all the I’s crosses all the T’s. It constrains the freedom of expression. Tells us, “No, we must think about the consequences of revealing such a truth. It serves a purpose as a gatekeeper, I guess, but it stifles the true message that is begging to be released. Think about it, writer. How many times during your writing have you paused mid-type to think about ramifications, to ponder if that is what truly should be said, to argue with yourself about the character's intentions when the character is actually screaming to you, NO. THIS IS WHAT TRULY HAPPENS!!! And what happens, is you go through several drafts struggling to find a voice that through the course of your LCB driven writing, you've overlooked and ignored. This shouldn't be the case when creatively writing. Passion is the first draft. Pragmatism is the second. Write with your heart on the first draft. Your head on subsequent drafts. (But if you believe Tom Bird, you only need two drafts if you write this way).
Do I recommend you read this book? Yes, I believe that you should because it will stoke a fire in you for writing. But does the book deal much with marketing? As an indie author, I've learned that marketing is a big part of the package. If no one knows you wrote it, then no one will read it. Because how can you read something when you don't know that it exists. So you need to market. You even need to market if you're signed to a publisher. But how do you do that? Does this book tell you how? While it doesn't go into great detail, I believe that it drives home a very important point about marketing fiction. I laugh at this pun now, about a very important point. Because without giving out a spoiler, the very important point actually deals with THE VERY IMPORTANT POINT.
Yes, I think you should read this book. For the fire for writing it will stoke and for the tip about marketing (there goes that pun again), this book will bless you immensely!
For more information on this book and others by Tom Bird, please visit his website:
https://tombird.com/
I read this book really to broaden my horizon on book marketing. However, as I traveled through the pages (or screens since I read the ebook) I was reintroduced to a love for creativity. I was reawakened to the love and enjoyment of filling blank space with a story that is authentic and passionate. A story only I can tell. How to write that story in the right way. How to ensure it is an exciting and powerful tale. How to get out of my own way when I write and let the divinely inspired story flow from within. Because only when you've created an honest and passionate tale, will it resonate with others. And then, perhaps, go so far as to sell itself.
The book talks about what hinders free flowing prose. The Logical Critical Brain (LCB), and its haughty pragmatism. It knows what's best. It checks all the checklists. Dots all the I’s crosses all the T’s. It constrains the freedom of expression. Tells us, “No, we must think about the consequences of revealing such a truth. It serves a purpose as a gatekeeper, I guess, but it stifles the true message that is begging to be released. Think about it, writer. How many times during your writing have you paused mid-type to think about ramifications, to ponder if that is what truly should be said, to argue with yourself about the character's intentions when the character is actually screaming to you, NO. THIS IS WHAT TRULY HAPPENS!!! And what happens, is you go through several drafts struggling to find a voice that through the course of your LCB driven writing, you've overlooked and ignored. This shouldn't be the case when creatively writing. Passion is the first draft. Pragmatism is the second. Write with your heart on the first draft. Your head on subsequent drafts. (But if you believe Tom Bird, you only need two drafts if you write this way).
Do I recommend you read this book? Yes, I believe that you should because it will stoke a fire in you for writing. But does the book deal much with marketing? As an indie author, I've learned that marketing is a big part of the package. If no one knows you wrote it, then no one will read it. Because how can you read something when you don't know that it exists. So you need to market. You even need to market if you're signed to a publisher. But how do you do that? Does this book tell you how? While it doesn't go into great detail, I believe that it drives home a very important point about marketing fiction. I laugh at this pun now, about a very important point. Because without giving out a spoiler, the very important point actually deals with THE VERY IMPORTANT POINT.
Yes, I think you should read this book. For the fire for writing it will stoke and for the tip about marketing (there goes that pun again), this book will bless you immensely!
For more information on this book and others by Tom Bird, please visit his website:
https://tombird.com/
October 10, 2022
Author acts like the only way to write is to be a pantser, and the book was utterly useless to a planner. He even goes so far as to say planning is wrong. He also claims research is wrong, and the less you know about your topic the better! Please do not read this book, it is full of terrible advice that will make you a worse writer!
August 18, 2015
I am NOT this books target audience. If I were I'd rate it lower, however, given it's intended purpose and it's intended audience it is exactly on target.
Personally I don't need any help disconnecting from the logical side of my mind. I don't need any help finding time to write. I don't need any help building writing speed. The writing by hand would slow my writing down more than it would help me. This book is clearly tailored for people who want to write and feel like they can't write while I've been writing every day since I learned to write. I've learned to write in a way that actually closely follows this method without the focus on publishing or spirituality. So for someone who hasn't learned it by trail and error the way I did this book would be perfect.
If you want to write a book and need a push to do it. This method absolutely will help. It will not make you the next Stephen King, or J.K. Rowling. However if you want to write it will give you guidelines to start writing in a way that removes the excuses and procrastination with are the two things that keep people from writing.
Personally I don't need any help disconnecting from the logical side of my mind. I don't need any help finding time to write. I don't need any help building writing speed. The writing by hand would slow my writing down more than it would help me. This book is clearly tailored for people who want to write and feel like they can't write while I've been writing every day since I learned to write. I've learned to write in a way that actually closely follows this method without the focus on publishing or spirituality. So for someone who hasn't learned it by trail and error the way I did this book would be perfect.
If you want to write a book and need a push to do it. This method absolutely will help. It will not make you the next Stephen King, or J.K. Rowling. However if you want to write it will give you guidelines to start writing in a way that removes the excuses and procrastination with are the two things that keep people from writing.
April 13, 2016
Bird gives thorough step by step instructions on how to get your book written and published. Very informative with lists, estimated costs, websites and more. He inspired me to write my first book in just a couple of months - the polishing and publishing took much longer, of course - even during a period when I didn't think I could possibly find the time! I didn't give it 5 stars because some of the subheads in the beginning section about writing a book seemed to slow me down and not flow superbly. But it didn't necessarily take away from its effectiveness. Also, because the publishing world is changing so quickly, some of the info and resources are not valid (like some resources that provided a free book review at his time of publication no longer do, and the process for getting it done seems to have changed). It's no lack of effort on the author at all, but the reader should realize some of the info may not be applicable anymore.
March 29, 2015
Tom Bird is to writing books as Syd Field is to writing screenplays. He doesn't. He can't.
Tom Bird can't write a good book so he teaches others to.
His main techniques are using occultic psychobabble to achieve your inspiration.
The only thing I found to have merit was to write your book as fast as possible so you don't interrupt or slow down the flow of ideas by editing or overthinking.
I found that valuable as one possible way to write. One that I used successfully in writing a script. It's a way I will use again but its not something I will do every time.
Tom Bird is a total charlatan with only a few actual grains of valuable content within the huge steaming pile of crap he offers.
Tom Bird can't write a good book so he teaches others to.
His main techniques are using occultic psychobabble to achieve your inspiration.
The only thing I found to have merit was to write your book as fast as possible so you don't interrupt or slow down the flow of ideas by editing or overthinking.
I found that valuable as one possible way to write. One that I used successfully in writing a script. It's a way I will use again but its not something I will do every time.
Tom Bird is a total charlatan with only a few actual grains of valuable content within the huge steaming pile of crap he offers.
July 7, 2009
Oh my gosh this book is the best motivational book I've ever read. The techniques outlined in it could be applied to any creative craft. I bought it in hopes of getting some tips on the best way to go about writing the story I've had bumbling around in my head for the past few months and I received way more than I paid for with this book. I'm following Tom Bird's advice to the T and I'm already further than I ever thought I would be in the writing of my own little novel. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who has a creativity they want to release into the world. Thanks Tom Bird!
January 25, 2015
I picked this book up at the library the other day, thinking it looked helpful and interesting, but upon reading it now I'd say it's the exact opposite of all the things the many many critic quotes claim on and in this book. This book takes a very New Age-y approach to the craft of writing and is barely, if at all, grounded in reality. I could see this book being good for people who subscribe to this sort of thinking, but I did not find it useful.
August 2, 2009
I found the second half of the book the most helpful, and that was about publishing. It helped me greatly. But I didn't find the first part of it (which was how to write in a limited span of time) helpful. It's a helpful guide when it comes to publishing, but if you're looking for a book that helps you how to write, look elsewhere.
December 31, 2013
Bird discusses factors involved in the writing process and getting a book published. He also addresses the mechanics giving examples and learning exercises on the techniques of writing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews