I’m working with a client who is writing an extraordinary book about one of the momentous environmental victories of the last century. In the middle of working on this book, Louisa Willcox told me, “I have to take a break and write this 40-60 page article for my subscribers. Grizzly Bears are in grave danger...  Read more The post Surprising Lessons on the Book Writing Path appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

Do you constantly find yourself adding ideas to your nonfiction book concept? Do you feel confused about what tools, skills, and information to offer your readers? Sometimes, authors feel a great deal of pressure to give their readers everything needed and to squeeze it all into one book. You may think this is a generous...  Read more The post Too Many Ideas to Cram into One Nonfiction Book? appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

As a writer, two things that are important to me—and actually inspire my writing—are beautiful journals and quality pens. A few weeks ago Mike Navitsky reached out from Bastion asking if I would consider a guest post. While I don’t generally do guest posting, I was intrigued by the idea of a high quality pen...  Read more The post In Search of the Perfect Pen for Writers appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

Possibly, no one in the book world is more successful at hosting author events than my friend Robin Kall. Since launching her radio show, Reading with Robin, in 2002 Robin has asked authors the juiciest questions, introduced readers to our new favorite books and authors, and given readers insights into our favorite authors’ minds and...  Read more The post Hosting Successful Author Events: Interview with Robin Kall appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

During a recent Get Your Writing Done session, a writer apologetically shared that she was “just journaling”—not working on her specific writing project, such as an article or book. I reminded her—and all of us—that journaling is a superpower. Never apologize or feel less than for journaling instead of producing writing for the masses. Journaling...  Read more The post It’s Not “Just Journaling”: Benefits for Writers appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

A writer recently said to me, “I feel like an imposter. How can I write as an expert when I’m working through these same problems again that I am supposed to be teaching in my book?” This author was writing about relationships and suddenly found himself struggling with a specific relationship topic in his partnership—an...  Read more The post Can You Write When You Feel Like an Imposter? appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

This excellent question came up in Get Your Writing Done last week: “Should I share expert stories in my book’s introduction?” The author was considering sharing compelling stories from Wayne Dyer and Anita Moorjani. What Is Your Reader Looking for in the Book Introduction? When you write the introduction to a nonfiction book, think about...  Read more The post Should I Quote Experts in my Book’s Introduction? appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

My 2024 is starting off slow. And I’m realizing that’s a good thing in many ways. Just before Christmas, I got rear-ended while patiently waiting to turn when the driver behind me was distracted (looking behind her at her passenger!) and didn’t see me in time. As I heal, I’m needing to limit screen time...  Read more The post The Benefits of a Slow Start appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

In my most recent post, I answered a soon-to-be-published author’s questions about distribution for a traditionally published book; today, I answer their second question: “How should I publish my short stories?” So, short stories are not in my purview, but I know enough to provide some guidance to this writer. My goal was to ascertain...  Read more The post “How Should I Publish My Short Stories?” appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more

Today’s publishing questions come from a writer in South Africa who just received an offer from a traditional publisher. They have questions about the offer and contract and about publishing a book of short stories. Let’s address the book offer first, and in my next post, I will address the short stories. “I need help....  Read more The post “Is My Traditional Publisher Book Contract a Good Deal?” + More Publishing Questions appeared first on Lisa Tener ..read more