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From Inspiration to Publication by DEBORAH LEVINE HERMAN with CYNTHIA BLACK Beyond Words Publishing $16.95 (softcover) author and inspirational speaker
Let’s face it, many of us who’ve had the great idea of writing a book about something we want to share with the world don’t have the foggiest notion of what it takes to do so. Terms like "outline," "editing," and "genre" are given whole new meanings when one is actually in the process of developing a book. That’s where the handholding comes in. Ms. Herman grounds these terms and concepts into everyday reality through suggested exercises, journaling, and even affirmations. I found that several of the sticking points I had while writing my current book unstuck themselves through practicing some of the exercises. The co-author, Cynthia Black, also offers her sage advice from the publisher’s viewpoint. Now that you have a hot manuscript in your hands, what do you do? Self-publish? Ship it out to whoever God tells you to? Call your mother and ask her advice? And then there’s: Do you need an agent? Who is the most appropriate publishing house for your work? How can you avoid rejection? (Answer: "Stay under the covers! Rejection is a part of life.") Ms. Black sounds like she has seen it all, and knows what will more than likely work. One example: She offers a list of taboos to avoid when writing a query letter to publishers, she offers a list of taboos. My favorite is, " ‘God told me to write you.’ This sort of statement is a red flag, even if it is true. To the uninitiated, it can cause you to appear strange. To those on the path, it will indicate spiritual immaturity." I’m a champion of dreamers who make their dreams come true. If writing a spiritual or religious book is your ultimate dream, or just a good idea for now, find this book and keep it next to your word processor along with your style manual and thesaurus. |
Finally, for all
us budding spiritual authors and authors-to-be, a book that offers
a hand to hold as we walk on the path to becoming published.
The true challenge for the inspired writer is to take that inspiration
and give it a form that people will understand. Ms. Herman brings
warmth and encouragement to that journey, offering practical
advice as well as spiritual tools addressing everything from
writer’s block to finding your voice. For the spiritual
writer, developing credibility is key, because so much of the
material comes from an inspired place that often makes a person
come across as "woo-woo" and un-publishable. This book
offers ways of establishing that credibility with the people
we want to reach.