How to Achieve Award-Winning Status and The Christian Indie Award Winners

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

We should all try to become an award-winning author through entering our books in book contests. There is nothing like sitting in the audience of an award ceremony and hearing your name called. The thrill of stepping up on stage and receiving a trophy is exhilarating. But first you have to enter your book into award contests. 

What Stage of Pandemic Grief Are You In?

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

How has the pandemic affected you? We have suffered many losses. The loss of jobs, face-to-face relationships, and much more. When we mourn the death of a loved one or the loss of society as we know it, we go through five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. What stage of loss are you in?

Top 12 Ergonomic Writing Tips

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Do you have a physical condition that is aggravated by writing? I do. I suffer from a right wrist injury from gardening that flares up when I do a lot of cutting and pasting on my computer. Writers perform repetitive movements that can injure muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. A common injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, but repetitive motions can also cause back and neck injuries. However, we can use strategies to prevent injuries and help heal them.

Healthy Writer Habits

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

To be effective as writers we need to take care of our physical and spiritual health. Studies prove physical activity improves one’s well-being. Unfortunately, writing is sedentary. The following seven tips will ensure you maintain balance in these areas.

Connect with Readers through Closed Facebook Groups

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Would you like to develop relationships with your readers? You can through closed Facebook groups. Many writers have created Facebook author pages, but in a closed group, only group members can see the posts. The focus of these groups is about how the author can benefit the reader who chooses to join the group. Think of it as a Bible study in your home. You are the host who offers valuable content. During the study a relationship develops between members as you get to know one another. Facebook groups can be mutually beneficial for the reader and the author.

Book Marketing Through Writing Contests

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Contests are an excellent promotional tactic for authors. When your book is a finalist in a competition, you can use that information to promote it through many outlets. Entering book contests should be a part of every author’s marketing plan. This article will help authors navigate the process.

Author Income Diversification

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Income diversification is prudent in any business. Writing is a business. As an author, there are many facets to obtain multiple streams of income including, book and digital product sales, articles, courses, coaching, and speaking. 

Prevent Post-Writing-Conference Burnout

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

I enjoyed attending the 2019 Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. During the conference many industry relationships were cultivated as discussed in my last article Writing—A Juggling Act.  I saw friends I hadn’t seen since last year and met new ones. Now I have several new podcasts and magazines to query, dozens of social media pages to like, and book proposals to complete. By the time I got home exhaustion ensued. 

Writing—A Juggling Act

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

A writing career is similar to being a juggler. You need to keep many balls in the air such as writing craft, marketing techniques, and developing industry relationships. With practice, a juggler and writer improve their skills.

How to Use Pre-Publication Planning To Sell More Books

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Have you ever sold one thousand books in a few months? I did. I published my tactics in the Southern Writers article, “How to Sell One Thousand Books in Three Months.” Edie Melson suggested I share some tips from this article. I will review my strategies in two blog posts: “Pre-Publication Planning to Obtain High Book Sales” and “Marketing Strategies to Improve Book Sales.” To sell this volume of books an author needs to develop a plan that covers book inception to years after release. Here’s my method:

New Goals & A New Writing You

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

The first few months of a new year fosters a time for reflection and planning. It is a time to look back on last year, evaluate what you did, and plan for the next year. The new year motivates one to meet with the Lord and meditate upon his will for a person’s writing ministry. Have you taken the time to plan for 2019?