A Writer’s Journey: What to Know Before, During, and After Writing a Book

A WRITER’S JOURNEY:

What to Know Before, During, and After Writing a Book

by Carren Strock

Trade paperback original

Gray Rabbit Publications
ISBN: 978-1-61720-068-7

$14.99,  180 pages

While I had written a few small pieces, and, occasionally, had one published, joining the International Women’s Writing Guild was the turning point in my writing life. It was in that positive environment, that I began to believe that I could actually write a book. And I did. My first book, Married Women Who Love Women, sold at auction to a major publishing house. And last year the second edition was released.

Based on my journey from neophyte writer to successfully published author and marketer, I taught a class called, “The Smart Writer’s Guide: What to Know Before, During and After Writing a Book.” It was during those classes, that I realized, “I have so much information. Why not put it all into a book?” That was how my latest book, A Writer’s Journey, came about.

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When I was a college student and aspiring writer, my English professor told me, “Some people are writers, and some people aren’t. You are not a writer.”

I didn’t pick up a pen for another fifteen years… until Robert Redford came to town. Appearing in Redford’s movie led to writing for national magazines, and then to selling my first nonfiction book at auction to a major New York publisher.

Now in A Writer’s Journey, I lay out my improbable journey from “not a writer” to professional writer.  I share what I’ve learned along the way, and tell you how you can do it, too. And you don’t even need your own movie star experience…

From the nuts and bolts of how to discipline yourself and how to organize your space, to the simple suggestions and exercises that will help you improve your writing, find an agent, get your book published, and market it once you have, it’s all here.

Purchase This Book

A Writer’s Journey may be purchased through any of the on-line bookstores or directly from my website: here

Press Release

A Writer’s Journey (pdf)

Table of Contents

PART I WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE WRITING A BOOK

• My Beginning
• Taking the First Step
• Using Your Passion to Help You to Succeed
• Getting Your Creative Juices Flowing
• Writing with Honesty and Openness
• What Does Being a Writer Mean?
• Support Networks for Writers

PART II WHAT TO KNOW WHILE WRITING A BOOK

• Simple Rules for Good Writing and the Actual Process
• Write So Your Readers Will See
• Things to Do Along the Way
• Building Your Writing Resume
• Making Interviews Work for You
• Manuscript Presentation
• Agent Representation
• Selling Yourself and Your Book
• The Secret to Success
• Dealing With Rejections

PART III WHAT TO KNOW AFTER WRITING A BOOK

• Types of Publishing Houses
• Once You’ve Sold Your Manuscript, What Happens?
• Thinking Outside of the Box
• Mistakes You Can Avoid
• Making Marketing Fun
• Radio and Television Interviews
• Speaking in Front of an Audience and Drawing Your Readers to You
• Leaving a Good Lasting Impression
• Persistence, or Getting Published is a Funny Business

To arrange for me to speak to your group, please contact me.

 

Reviews for A Writer’s Journey

“A Writer’s Journey: What to Know Before, During, and After Writing a Book” is the colorful and engaging story of her unlikely journey to become a published author. But more than a simple personal memoir, “A Writer’s Journey” also offers other aspiring authors a wealth of information on what to consider before starting to write, what to understand while engaged in writing, and what to know after writing a book is completed. Of special note are the tips about the different types of publishers, how to make marketing a book an enjoyable experience, avoiding common mistakes, and the value of persistence! “A Writer’s Journey” should be considered a ‘must read’ for anyone aspiring to become a published author or establish a professional career as a writer. – Midwest Book Review