First Word

Whenever I hear other writers (who still have day jobs) complain they don't have enough time to write their novel or non-fiction book, I will eagerly try to explain how they can get it done. Most of the time, though, if they already have mental barriers to what I'm saying, they don't listen. Instead, they'll give me a worthwhile list of all the reasons why they don't have time. So, I'm going to debunk your excuses here really fast. First, you should never attempt to give me your litany of reasons why you can't get something done -- ever! Why? Wait till you hear what I manage to get done and how. So to make your jaws collectively drop, here is what I'm working on: three books (each are in the writing stage too, which is the one that I'm most actively involved in), one children's book that is almost ready for production, blogs (two for me and one for my client), newsletters (one for me that is weekly and two for clients), another book that is almos...

3L Publishing didn't start as a publishing company. We began as a marketing, PR and custom publication provider. What many people don't know about 3L is that we provide a number of services way beyond just publishing. Even some of our own clients don't often realize that they can actually get all of their marketing and PR needs served under one umbrella. Here are three things we do that the average prospective or current customers often doesn't realize. Website Development -- yes, we provide all of the affiliate author sites you go to when you want more information about the book you just purchased or to know more about the author. We've been building websites since the Web was born. We still do stand-alone websites outside of just author sites too. We recently built our travel agent client's website for a World Less Traveled . We will be building a Nu You by Julie, an alternative health and wellness site, in the coming months. If you need a website, check ou...

A book rolling down hill does gather fans ... now you're thinking, "What the heck is she rambling about this time?" Well, the idea of marketing momentum. Momentum when you're selling products is when that product by word of mouth and enthusiasm from adoring fans pushes sales beyond a PR campaign. Once, for example, a book has gained momentum it takes on a life of its own outside of all of its rave reviews. Once that happens, your PR campaign has definitely paid off and the sale of the product continues on without a tremendous push to move sales forward. It's really what all marketing and PR people want to see happen. Momentum in a sense is the big payoff -- and we like our payola. Now momentum is not something that happens with every product. Some books, while reviewed in many media outlets, never achieve that magical moment where they take on a life of their own. With a hope, a prayer and a lot of PR -- and a really great book -- some do and we enjoy watching the...

I get asked all of the time two things, and one is really a silly question that I'm surprised I'm asked at all except, I swear there is always someone who does. The first is, "What is your favorite book?" The second (and drum roll please and wait for it), "Do you read a lot?" For any of you wanting to know the latter, the answer is "yes." If that shocked you, please, you have my permission to take the po-po paddle and head out to the woodshed. I'm just saying. So, anyway, "What is my favorite book?" is a far more interesting question and not a quick answer. I don't have an all-time favorite book. I can tell you my favorite genres or subject matter are always in the memoir or autobiography category. I am a sucker for a true story. When it comes to 3L Publishing's catalog, I confess my intimate and personal favorites are A Feast at the Beach and Daughter of the Caribbean . The most impressive -- and the only book that ever made...