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Guest Post by Paul Strickland — National Storytelling Festival Featured Teller, full-time storytelling artist & coach “My belt loop got snagged on the office doorknob. And for six full seconds, I just hung there like a confused tetherball: phone in one hand, coffee in the other, held captive by my own khakis.” That’s where the story should’ve started. Not with what I …
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, and yes, it can be an incredible tool for writers. From generating ideas to polishing grammar, AI has a place in the author’s toolbox. But if you think AI can replace the role of a book coach, think again. Here’s why. Authenticity matters. Your readers want your story, not a mash-up of borrowed …
Maybe you’ve had the idea for years. Maybe people keep saying, “You should write a book!” Or perhaps you’ve already started writing but need some encouragement to keep going. Wherever you are in the process, my new free ebook, Word by Word, was created with you in mind. After helping more than 250 professionals write and publish their books, I’ve witnessed …
Whether you’ve just started writing, you’re racing toward the finish line, or your book’s been out for a while, there’s one truth that always holds: it’s never too early—or too late—to start promoting your book. Here are 10 simple, strategic things you can do right now to build buzz and boost visibility: Design a Cover-in-Progress. Even if it’s a draft, …
I’m celebrating a milestone, and it’s one that fills my heart with pride and gratitude. I have now had the incredible honor of helping 250 professionals become published authors. It’s a number that feels almost magical, but what’s even more magical is what it represents. Each of those 250 authors is more than a name on a list. They are …
Let’s be honest: your readers are swamped. They’re juggling deadlines, meetings, errands, and a never-ending stream of notifications. So even if your content could change their life, the big question is—will they read it? Probably not. At least, not in the way you hope. These days, readers don’t curl up with nonfiction; they scan it. They skim, scroll, and search …
Let’s Find Out! At THRIVE, the winter conference for the National Speakers Association, the buzz was all about discovering your next BIG idea (shoutout to Traci Brown and Mark Levy for sparking that conversation!). That got me thinking—how should authors and thought leaders assess whether their next big idea is gold or garbage? Not every idea is worth chasing, so before you dive in, run it through …
One of the most common questions I get is: 👉 “What percent of your clients DON’T finish writing their books?” I’d love to say 100% of my clients cross the finish line, book in hand, but… I’m not a magician (though I wish I were!). That said, my clients certainly beat the odds! Here’s a shocking stat: Only 3% of people who want to write …
Last week I was reviewing a client’s manuscript, and I added several comments. “This could use a story,” “Can you illustrate this point with a story?” and “Story here!” peppered the manuscript. My client didn’t disagree, because he understood the power of stories to convey truths without sounding “preachy”. “You should do this. . .” or “Don’t do that . . …
Do you need to love to write in order to write? I have a love-hate relationship with writing. I’m sure that might seem odd coming from someone who has written twelve books and works as a book coach. But it’s true. I hate to write. Yet, I love what writing does for me and my readers. I hate the agonizing …
