Everyone can learn from the success of others. In this spirit, I am looking for authors (both traditionally and self published) who are willing to share insights into the publishing world and tips for aspiring authors.

I’ll read all submissions and publish the most helpful and insightful “Author Success Stories” a few times a month. So, if you’d like to have your moment on The Writer’s Sherpa Blog, please submit your success story here: Author Success Story Questionnaire.

For aspiring nonfiction authors who want to help others by sharing their story and experience, a book is more than just a book. It’s a vehicle for fulfilling their mission to make positive change in other people’s lives. On Monday, October 25 at 1:00 p.m. ET, I will share how authors can leverage their book to reach more people, grow their business, attract new opportunities, and establish expertise.

The call, entitled, “Share Your Passion, Purpose, and Expertise — Write Your Book!” will cover:

• Why, if you have a big message to share, you must get your book written;
• The secret to overcoming the biggest obstacles holding aspiring authors back from ever completing their book;
• How to design your book to be powerful, unique, and interesting to all the right people;
• And how to make your book fit into your business or vision for your career as an author.

Many aspiring nonfiction authors envision their book as part of a larger movement. I often tell my clients they can do anything they want with their book. But they have to write it first.

Anyone interested in writing a business, self-help, or nonfiction book can sign up for this free call at http://www.writerssherpaprograms.com/freecall.html. The teleseminar will be recorded, so those who miss the call at the scheduled time will receive a free downloadable recording.

I‘ll also be opening the line for Q&A–something I haven’t done in a long time. This is your chance to ask me your questions about writing and publishing your book!

To sign up now, click here: Free Write Your Book Call.

Many writers have heard of the National Novel Writing Month challenge, or NaNoWriMo, as it’s known. Every November fiction writers hit the keyboard and try to bang out 50,000 words in thirty days.

Well, this morning I came across a nonfiction answer to this annual fiction-writing event called Write Nonfiction in November, or WNFIN. The challenge is to start and finish a piece of nonfiction in thirty days, which I think is a fabulous idea.

Although I’m not a big proponent of writing a book in a rush, it’s certainly possible if you have the time every day to write 1,500 or so words. With two little ones at home, I think I’ll stick to an essay. But if you want to try it, the event creator, Nina Amir, offers some preparation tips on her blog, which you can read here.

And I’ll be hosting a FREE teleseminar next Monday, October 25, called “Share Your Passion, Purpose, and Expertise–Write Your Book!” I’ll be sharing:

• Tips for overcoming the biggest obstacles holding aspiring authors back from writing their book;
• How to design your book to be powerful, unique, and interesting to all the right people;
• Why, if you have a big message to share, you must get your book written;
• And how to make your book fit into your business or vision for your career as an author.

This call will be a great way to get inspired and get moving on your book–and it’s just in time for Write Nonfiction in November!

You can reserve your space for this free teleseminar by clicking here.

Do you feel like you have an important story to share in your book, but for some reason, you can’t get it out?

Do you have lots of ideas about what you want to put in your book, but can’t figure out how to arrange and connect them all so other people will understand?

Are you worried that your book “concept” isn’t strong and clear?

Are you sure you have a book inside you–somewhere–you’re just not sure what it is?

If you’re jumping up and down inside, thinking, “YES, that’s why I’m struggling with my book!” then I want to tell you about my highly interactive six-week program starting NEXT Tuesday, September 21.

“Book Plan Boot Camp”

When you’re writing your book to share your personal story and experiences, the project means more to you than just growing your business and establishing expertise.

(Almost all books do that.)

You want your book to be more than a brochure for your business with a cardstock cover; you want it to share your story with your readers in a powerful and meaningful way, which makes putting all those ideas together more challenging if you don’t know how books “work.”

Let me be upfront with you about something…

There’s a hard way and an easy way to do everything. Trying to figure it all out on your own only delays your success and your bigger, more important goals.

Figuring out how to make your book work is not your brilliance work! And it’s not your fastest path to success.

But you don’t have to figure it all out because I have a proven process for coaching great books out of people. This is exactly what we’ll be doing in my “Book Plan Book Camp.”

• You’ll create a solid foundation and strong concept for your book, so you can write it with confidence and clarity.
• We’ll work closely to arrange all your ideas in the most powerful way, so you don’t have to worry about what goes where and whether or not something fits.
• You’ll create an effective and detailed working outline that will ensure your readers stay hooked and get from point A to point B, and they truly understand the power and meaning of what you have to share.
• You’ll create a step-by-step plan for getting your book written as quickly and easily as possible, so you don’t have to struggle anymore.
• You’ll be a part of a small, hand-selected group of success-minded aspiring authors, who are all working through this same process with you.
• And you’ll get more individual attention from me than I’ve ever offered in any other group program–my clients always say their one-on-one time with me is invaluable.

Just imagine…you could have a clear plan for getting your book done. You could be writing with confidence and ease. And your book could be well on its way to being done.

Creating this outline and plan are half the battle!

If you want to be a part of this group, you can find out all the details and apply for one of the spots here: http://www.writerssherpaprograms.com/bootcamp.html. Don’t delay…we start next Tuesday!

I am excited to share some details with you about an upcoming FREE telesummit sponsored by the National Association of Entrepreneur Moms.

The second annual Back to School = Back to Business Telesummit began on Tuesday, September 7^th and runs through Wednesday, September 15^th.  There are twelve speakers scheduled over the two-week period, covering a variety of topics essential to growing your business.

I will be the featured guest speaker on TOMORROW at noon ET (9:00 a.m. PT), talking about–you guessed it–writing a book, and would love it if you would join us!

There are two calls every day–one at 9:00 a.m. PT and the other at 11:00 a.m. PT.  Even if you can’t make it live, by registering you will receive the mp3 download to listen at your convenience!

To register for this telesummit, go to http://bit.ly/8gyWjw. “See” you on the call!

When you think about writing a book, do you ever feel like…

* You never have time to write?
* You have lots of ideas, but you don’t know where to start writing?
* You aren’t sure how to make all your ideas fit into a compelling book concept?
* Your writing isn’t strong enough?
* You don’t know how to make your book compelling and interesting to read?
* You’ve got an okay draft, but you’re not sure how to improve it and clean it up?
* You aren’t sure how to write your book in a way that effectively draws clients and opportunities to you?

There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing you have a book inside you and not being able to get it out–whether it’s time, not knowing where to start, or being unsure about how to put together the content.

Plus, a book is an extension of yourself, in a way, that’s sent out into the world to represent you and your ideas. And that can be kind of scary, like you’re on the verge of something big, and although you know it will be good for you, you’re a little scared to jump. And you want your book to be really good. You want it to be well written; you want it to represent you in a positive way.

My first job in publishing was working at a self-publishing company that served speakers, coaches, consultants, and other experts who wanted a book to establish expertise and grow their business. For the past seven years, I’ve worked with aspiring authors as a ghostwriter, editor, and teacher. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and I have a master’s in creative writing.

So I’ve spent a lot of time working on books and figuring out what makes them successful–how they are constructed, how the material should organized, how the author uses stories and example, and how the author leads the reader through their information.

Books have an underlying structure, a formula, with certain pieces that make them work as a whole. Nonfiction books, particularly self-help and business and essay, have core elements that are arranged and compiled in ways that engage their readers, communicate the author’s expertise in the absolute best way, and ultimately compels their readers to take action.

Once you figure out all these pieces for your book, everything will fall into place. Writing will be much easier and more productive. You’ll feel confident in your book and your writing. And your book can be finished much faster and with much less guess work.

Now, imagine having a step-by-step process that would show you exactly what to do to ensure your book is well planned, effectively organized, and as easy as possible to write and edit. My BRAND NEW Summit Book Writing Home Study System is like a blueprint for writing your best book.

And until midnight on August 31, 2010, it’s on sale. Order by then, and you’ll get $100 off the Summit Book Writing Home Study System, or $200 off the Home Study System PLUS One-on-One Coaching. Prices will be reflected at check-out. Click here to view the information page and start writing your book today.

I’ve had quite a few requests for the recording of this teleseminar I did on July 29 with Meggin McIntosh, the Ph.D. of Productivity.

We talked about how aspiring authors can overcome the biggest obstacles to getting their book done; where to start writing a book; and a whole host of other writing and publishing topics.

So if you didn’t get a chance to listen live, or missed it altogether, you can download it here: How to Quickly and Easily Write a Book that Accomplishes Everything You Want and MORE!

Enjoy!

Imagine having an experienced writer and book editor guiding you step-by-step through planning, writing, and polishing–not just any book–but a GREAT book that your readers will love to read and will make you and your message stand out…

INTRODUCING: The Summit Book Writing Home Study System! This program is an easy-to-follow blueprint for your best book!

If you ever feel like…

* You never have time to write?

* You have lots of ideas, but you don’t know where to start writing?

* You aren’t sure how to make all your ideas fit into a compelling book concept?

* Your writing isn’t strong enough?

* You don’t know how to make your book compelling and interesting to read?

* You’ve got an okay draft, but you’re not sure how to improve it and clean it up?

* You aren’t sure how to write your book in a way that effectively draws clients and opportunities to you?

Almost every aspiring author faces these challenges, and my BRAND NEW Summit Book Writing Home Study System will show you exactly how to overcome them all!

And because I’m so excited about finally launching this program (this has been a long-time goal of mine), I’m offering it at a very special price…

Until midnight, August 31, you can get $100 off the Summit Book Writing Home Study System.

Or, $200 off the Home Study System PLUS One-on-One Coaching Package. (Sales prices are reflected at checkout.)

I’m not going to offer it at this low price again anytime soon!

Click here to find out more: http://www.summitbookwritingsystem.com

I can’t wait to share this with you!

Have you been struggling to get your book done for FAR too long?

Are you confused about where to start and how to write a compelling book?

Do you want to know how to strategically design your book to accomplish your goals?

Then don’t miss, “How to Quickly and Easily Write a Book that Accomplishes Everything You Want–And MORE!”

On July 29 at 1:00 p.m. ET, Meggin McIntosh, “The Ph.D. of Productivity,” will interview me on this FREE teleseminar. I’ll be sharing why 90 percent of aspiring authors never accomplish their goal, why taking the good-is-good-enough approach to writing your book is often a recipe for failure, and a simple formula for creating your best book.

Space on this one-time event is limited. Click here to sign up now!

If you’ve been struggling to get your book done, this video will help get to the heart of what’s holding you back. (Hint: Your biggest challenge may not be what first comes to mind.)

Please share your comments, experiences, and questions about this video below. I want to know what you’re struggling with–otherwise I can’t help!

Also check out other videos in this series:

My Big Confession and Three Questions that will Give You Clarity

The Step-by-Step Process for Telling Your Story (Coming Soon!)

(To be notified as soon as these videos are released, make sure you’re subscribed to my list. If you’re not a subscriber, you can do so now by filling out the form in the orange box at the top of this page.)

Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter!