Nancy Hastings's Blog

With all the advice that comes into my inbox daily, I gravitate toward those emails that make the most sense to me – ones that offer practical ways to market books.

In a recent newsletter from a trusted confidant who doesn’t mince words, it was stated that there are plenty of techniques to make people crave your book. But one in particular stands out.

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It’s a marketing technique seen in grocery stores. Everyone has probably tried a snack food seen at those small tasting tables set up occasionally where they shop for food. It’s hard to pass up a free sample, after all.

When someone gets a bite-sized appetizer, they may instantly feel “I’ve got to have more!”

This is why, as an author, one of the most effective pieces of content to share is a sample from your book.

The advice was to use your email, social media, blog, videos, and other platforms to give people a taste of your work.

Once you whet their appetite, the selling often takes care of itself.

So in the spirit of this advice, I’m going to offer some bite-sized pieces of adventure found in the pages of my book “Mission Possible.”

Some of these tidbits show how the main character, George, may have more than nine lives. Adventure comes in ways that show faith can overcome all obstacles.

Example 1: Found in Chapter 5 – Prospering Mission Takes Flight

After checking the plane for a pre-flight, Landam motioned his passengers inside the already-running plane. With only one set of headphones given to the professor sitting in front with the pilot, I didn’t give the advantage a second thought. I figured it’s better for the professor to be able to talk back and forth with the pilot while flying over the region.

From the back seat, I soon felt a vibration start to develop as we began a descent to take a closer look at something down low. I thought perhaps Landam was showing the professor a point of interest.

At first, no one seemed to be alarmed. However, I noticed that the pilot was pulling on a control labeled carburetor heat. It seemed to be jammed in the off position. As the airplane descended lower and lower, it lost more and more power. Then, it began to cough for a moment before totally shutting down.

Example 2: Found in Chapter 6 – Beginners’ Mistakes

Later, we learned that a Brazilian evangelist named Hiroito visited that town, choosing to unwisely conduct a service on the square. As a result, an irate listener rushed up during his sermon and attempted to stab him! Thankfully the evangelist protected himself with his large Bible, taking the thrust of the knife blade in the book itself.

Example 3: Found in Chapter 9 – Exploration Escapades

After the service, I was invited by a neighbor to visit his home as Alice and the others packed up. He took me out in the walled backyard to show me the new well he was digging. It was about thirty feet deep and still dry.

As I peered into the pit, the man clasped his arm around my shoulder, almost pushing me over the brink of the well. The air was close and the silence was deafening.

“Are you ready to die?” he finally asked me, as I suddenly got some inspiration and quickly clasped my own arm around the man’s waist.

“Are you ready to die with me?” I responded.

After teetering a moment on the brink, the man slowly took his arm down. He had tested me and found that I would and could react.

Example 4: Found in Chapter 14 – Friends and Foes

As the pair reaches the top of the hill, they begin to position the telescope when George felt a strange sensation, knowing instantly that he was bitten while positioning some rocks. A large scorpion had struck his thumb. George quickly shook him off and stepped on the creature. With it being August, it was the time when the scorpion was most dangerous and sometimes fatal.

Almost immediately, George’s left arm and side were paralyzed and he felt the poison reaching his heart. Soon, his left leg refused to take him further and he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Example 5: Found in Chapter 18 – Plunging in the Depths

Finally we reached the ferry some miles up the river and were loaded on board along with several trucks. George sheepishly noted the crew looked like a band of pirates, and his surmise soon proved to be correct. They were looking us over and had already marked us as easy victims. Quickly George hid his money under the arch supports of his shoes, leaving only one bill worth about five dollars in his wallet.

These are just a few samples of the adventures that Mission Possible provides its readers. There are many more stories inside that draw attention to the endless physical, language and cultural differences encountered throughout.

A full menu of 28 chapters of adventure is available for consumption. During this season of giving, make Mission Possible a true pleasure for the palate for all your friends and family. Learn more at https://nlhastingsauthor.com.

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Researching book awards isn’t something I’ve delved into — until now.

It’s somewhat of a controversial topic for me because I was always of the mindset that if you deserved an award, it would magically come to you. But like everything else, it takes research. And, you have to pay to play.

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I’ve learned that book awards generally require proactive effort from authors as they typically involve a submission process. And it’s your own, to be exact. It’s hard to toot your own horn.

To obtain book awards, you generally need to:

· Identify suitable awards: Research and target awards that align with your book’s genre, theme, publication date, and target audience.

· Meet eligibility criteria: Ensure your book and you, the author, meet all the specific requirements, such as publication date, residency, word count, or previous award history. (Although the latter shouldn’t be allowed in my view. It just creates bias).

· Prepare your submission: This often includes writing compelling entry essays, providing physical or digital copies of the book, and gathering supplementary materials like reviews or promotional copy. (More horn tooting!)

· Adhere to deadlines and fees: Most awards have strict submission deadlines and require an entry fee. (Again, it’s hard to pay for what you think you deserve after putting your life savings into it already).

· Submit your entry: Follow the specific instructions for sending your materials through the official channels.

While some highly prestigious awards (like the Nobel Prize in Literature or Pulitzer Prize) rely on nominations by appointed committees, most book awards are application-based.

So to find out more about the topic of book awards, I attended an online masterclass given by Carol Abrahamson, founder of Book Award Mastery. She had some good information to share (which she read), but the best information is always found when you hold out for the questions presented at the end of the class.

She presented to those authors wanting to distinguish themselves as being recognized and appreciated within networks by potential buyers. Authors that want their book to open doors to high-potential collaborations, opportunities, and invitations.

Sure, who doesn’t want that. So note taking filled up another Office Depot pad of important information about book awards.

After outlining the benefits that awards bring, Abrahamson covered the lay of the land of awards (bulleted above). It was when she covered what programs offer, I started to listen intently.

Book awards are not only given to recently published books (older books win them too!) And, book awards typically give a bigger boost to success than does becoming a bestseller.

Of course, she offered her Book Award Mastery’s Award Research, Planning and Application Service as being a reliable system for researching, planning and applying for the right quality book awards for you, your book and your goals. But it can also be done on your own with some of the same planning and foresight.

It was interesting to learn that getting the right programs takes finesse. She noted that out of 5,500 books judged for one program, there are only 46 awards presented. You have to look at the big picture.

Part of the big picture is realizing the transparency pros and cons. The judges’ identities and scoring systems are protected – no one talks about it.

Additionally, a multiple-month process is typically required – at least six months and often a year. After researching which programs to apply to, you need to realize when the window to do so is open. And since application fees are necessary, be prepared to shell it out – between $100 per book per category. And the fees can range from $30 to $350.

Many programs encourage multiple categories between $65 and $75 apiece. And, there may be early-bird pricing which can be a savings.

Then, you need to know what type of book form is accepted for the judges. In the past, the printed book had to be mailed for each judge, but now PDF formats and other digital formats are used. Many programs also accept audiobooks.

Some programs provide seals and stickers, but rarely do they provide in-person award celebrations anymore. Covid can be thanked for that, probably.

Systems vary, so that’s where the research comes in. But it’s fair to note that part of who wins is what the competition is like. And sometimes you have to mark your calendar for when the winners are announced, because there’s always the possibility that your winning email could get lost.

There is no guarantee that you will win through many programs, but you may be able to reapply for free if you don’t win.

With so many ifs and different systems abounding, my outlook is that it depends on if you happen to strike the right chord with the right person. In other words, a shared opinion on what resonates and if the stars align right, then you’re in luck.

And, of course, money talks - especially if you want everything hyper-focused on you. Wouldn’t it be nice, ….

But, this is the season of being grateful for what we have. I’m grateful for a remarkable story that my parents left behind for me to compile in Mission Possible. For more information on why I wrote the book and the ins and outs of doing so, check out my website: https://nlhastingsauthor.com

And, have a blessed season of giving – Mission Possible makes a great gift during the holidays and beyond. Don’t forget to leave a review!

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Marketing isn’t so hard when the connections you make are real.

For awhile now, I’ve been concentrating on marketing my book, Mission Possible, and the advice that stands out to me forms around integrity. When reaching out to authors and readers, I believe in being genuine.

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Building a brand is all about how you interact with your audience. You first must obtain an audience and the surmounting advice is to focus on a target audience; those who read works like your writing style. Then analyze steps to develop a strategy, and execute a plan.

Sure, but I’m also about using everyday opportunities to talk about my book. As an example, I honed in on a group of sorority girls at a recent college homecoming who were interested in what their “sister” had done since graduation.

Upon learning that I had written a book after spending decades as a journalist, their interest piqued. And, when further learning the book was based on my own history, they wanted to know more.

I decided to drop off a copy on my next drive through the college. Soon, I was pleasantly surprised to find a thank-you email in my inbox showing appreciation for my efforts in showing them their interest was genuine and heart-felt.

We all like to feel appreciated and when connection happens, that’s when the iron is hot. But making connections that resonate go further in my experience.

Will I make any sales based on this experience? Maybe not right away. But in the long term, I developed a trusting relationship with the girls, who may mention the interaction to their parents. They may discuss the interaction at a chapter meeting or talk about it in class with their professor. Whatever the happenstance, there’s opportunity for buzz and that’s where the magic happens.

The difference is, it was genuine and didn’t spark from a desire to just get on their radar for the purpose of only marketing my book. In discussing changes within the sorority chapter and noting what practices were in vogue when I was in the sorority house, the interest in each others’ lives organically came about.

That view of positive human interaction has always been used in my writing style, even as a columnist for the daily newspaper I previously wrote for. My audience, and in this case subscribers to the daily, couldn’t wait to read the next Her Voice column because it would revolve around their lives and what was happening in the community. Once that connection is formed, you’ve built a reader base that trusts what you have to say and they want more of what you have to offer. Building trust is so important.

When the opposite occurs, readers can fall off your radar. Recently, I came across a negative example on Facebook that left me at first reeling with disgust, and then I simply admonished that trust was lost. Responding, I esteemed, wasn’t worth my time.

The person proceeded to post that they had made a mistake and the police had notified them of their plan to make an arrest. They had been warned to put their life in order before spending the next 15 years in prison.

They went on to explain their regrets and how they would miss their friends. After the long exposition, they then gut the reader who stayed reading to the end with a claim that they had been fooled by the post and called them “nosy neighbors.”

While the tough-girl persona may have raised a laugh emoji among some in her friend group, it’s my guess that most were left with the same empty empathy lost in the message.

Again, trust isn’t something to be tampered with and when writing, whether it’s a Facebook post or any other type of publication, words stick. An impression is made and that impression can either be one that resonates or quells the relationship.

We are always seeing in life how trust matters when it comes to words. It can be in any way, while speaking, while writing, while listening, or while reading.

Authors build trust by being authentic and consistent, both in their writing and in their interactions with readers. This includes using clear, straightforward language, respecting the reader’s intelligence by leaving room for interpretation, and maintaining a consistent message and publishing schedule. Being transparent about their writing process, and consistently providing value also fosters loyalty and connection.

In all the things we aspire to do as authors, we try to make connections. A recent Fiction Author Summit pointed out ways to make the process fun. Moderator Derek Doepker described the ASPIRE Marketing Framework as a method to accomplish this with each letter standing for a topic:

· A – Advertising. Done through promotion sites, Amazon or on social media sites like Facebook. Reedsy book promotion sites and others can also drive up sales.

· S – Social Media. Use sites to bring people into your life and let them know where your writing area exists.

· P – Platform. Leveraging various platforms to speak may include podcasting, reading at book signings, conferences, book clubs and more.

· I – Influencer. Influencers are individuals who will recommend your book to their audience and will give you more exposure.

· R – Referrals. Authors recommend your book when you offer a sincere compliment about their work without expecting anything in return.

· E – Email. The most effective strategy is by writing email newsletters as a way of storytelling. Grow your list by using reader magnets, book funnels and more to make it entertaining.

Overall, while there are plenty of ways to shape a story and share it. Just make sure it’s consistent, reaches a definitive resolution and stays close to a story line that coincides with readers. The connections will resonate with your audience and your work will stand on its own merit.

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Gaining a new perspective brings things into focus when it comes to understanding the throngs of authorship. Building on my last blog about clarity, I’m realizing there’s more to discuss.

Like helping school children understand their eye sight issues by volunteering at a Kiwanis vision screening recently, I soon realized that focusing in on the right lines gives perspective as to where I am in this journey.

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As things come into focus, ideas that were once blurry or unclear are now becoming clear as I attend more and more online summits. Slowly, marketing becomes easier to understand after being in a period of confusion.

That confusion is understandable since, as authors, we are thrown so much information that it’s no wonder there are gremlins lurking in the shadows, promising to give us piece of mind. For a sizeable fee, they promise to do the work for us by vowing to make our lives easier.

The DIY instinct in me tells me to keep trudging through the throngs of information to gain the clarity needed. But after taking pages and pages of notes, I’ve realized I have to actually take some action in order to make any headway.

The thing is, that headway needs to come into focus in order to make any sense and do any good in the marketing realm.

Along with attending summits, a market research and competitor analysis done recently on my book “Mission Possible” brings further clarity. The target audience for the book is important: Christian readers who enjoy faith-based, true-life missionary stories. These readers can be found in Bible study groups and readers of Christian biographies.

The target age range is 35-70 years and the gender is 70 percent female and 30 percent male (though I think more males would be interested in it for the adventure alone). Buyer demographic also pinpoints education being college educated, with ministry backgrounds.

The decision makers are church and ministry leaders, Christian bookstores and book clubs, mission organizations and seminaries, Christian influencers and bloggers and women’s fellowship groups.

Oh, so the half dozen cold emails I get daily asking me to pay to get involved in their smutty book clubs aren’t bringing any focus? Obviously, I told myself. What I need to do is find a book club that would actually enjoy my book and thus leave numerous reviews needed before actual launches can take place.

Where did I find such a club? I simply asked ChatGPT and contacted a group suggested after first researching them online. I asked them to consider my book as a selection, knowing it’s a privilege for them to have a well-written, thought-provoking and action-inspired read they would enjoy, with Q and A sessions with me as the author. No money has to come into play when it’s genuine and collaboration is in focus.

Day 3 of the Best Sellers Secrets Summit is filled with author interviews on the very topic of collaboration. As Derek Doepker interviews Cary Richards, the need to leverage other people’s audiences for author collaboration is emphasized.

Sometimes, a cold outreach, short and to the point is what’s needed, Richards said. He noted that you could say “I love your stuff, I’m putting together a bundle and I’m checking to see if you’re interested.” Mention how it would benefit them and comment on a blog post they did to get on their radar.

While this may seem manipulative, it isn’t if it’s genuine. And the more they see your name pop up in social media and other places like Substack, the more trust can be built.

And speaking of trust, using AI for grunt work isn’t such a bad idea, Richards said. While he doesn’t proport using AI for writing a book, he said in author space, it’s invaluable. If you’re not using it, “you will be left behind” was the message touted.

You simply tell AI who it needs to be, Richards said. “Tell it not to lie to you and cross check everything,” he said.

As a former reporter, cross checking is not new for me. I would spend the time needed to do so if I wanted to remain a trusted news source.

Time is always of essence, whether one is a reporter or an author. Putting together outlines and organizing material are time eaters. So, the idea of using AI as a prompt engine is ingenious. By telling it what you want it to create for you, you save hours. It can provide links to articles and site sources to real stories.

Another expert being interviewed on day 3, Thomas Umstattd Jr., spoke on AI optimization: how to get ChatGPT and other programs to recommend your book. Umstattd said many are searching on various places in addition to Google nowadays. Just as search engine optimization works in Google, AI can be influenced on these other programs as well. AI systems like Grok and Rufus can be search influenced once they are informed.

Having a website to navigate these sites to is important, Umstattd added. The more information on your website, the better, because AI will search the metadata. Making sure your site is allowing bots to search it is a good idea, too. The way to do that is to type in: your website address/robots.txt. I found out mine (nlhastingsauthor.com) allowed optimization and I was able to find all kinds of good data on my book.

So, even though taking summit information shared into account may take some time, the effort spent is not effort wasted.

Like the little first grader who listened on how to read the letters to me during the vision screening at school, I’m learning that with a clear path to follow, coming into focus is a matter of perspective.

Understanding a situation clearly depends on your point of view and how you choose to look at it. Shifting your perspective can change your perception of a situation from negative to positive, or from overwhelming to manageable, by changing what you focus on, whether it’s the big picture or the fine details.

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Clarity. It is something we as authors strive for and something that we need to achieve.

Authors strive for clarity because writing is a form of communication, and clear writing ensures their audience understands the intended message accurately and with minimal effort. This principle applies to nearly every genre, from academic writing to business documents and creative storytelling.

It’s interesting that I’ve chosen this topic to blog on after the long journey from my home to Oregon and back. Gate changes, seating arrangements, airplane malfunctions, and long commutes all lead to lack of clarity on a whole different level. But now that I’m getting back into my normal sleeping and eating patterns, clarity is coming more into focus.

This aligns with the video I just watched, presented by Judith Briles and Jackie Lapin, on how to engage in other people’s audiences to sell more books. It’s one of the many videos on marketing that I’ve watched recently to bring more clarity to being an author and the various tactics associated with the title.

It was pointed out that clarity of purpose is first and foremost to establish as an author. In my case with writing “Mission Possible,” it was about satisfying the need to tell the story of my parents’ missionary journey in Brazil, SA.

Upon establishing that purpose, my intent has been to present creative marketing content and I’ve managed to do much of it on my own. Having the reporter background, along with a desire and knowledge to research, have served me well in this endeavor.

The video pointed out an easy path to sales and beyond. First, it was noted that authors need to inspire and feature themselves. That’s a difficult task because asking for reviews has been like pleading for a drink in a dry desert. It seems people don’t want to commit to writing a few lines about the book they’ve just read because they either don’t have the time or they don’t feel qualified. Referrals are perhaps the most important thing to put on one’s website, but the most difficult to get.

Secondly, the book you’ve written has to align with what the reader wants to absorb, so they can receive the most value. I’ve been told that my target audience would be Christian readers who enjoy faith-based, true-life missionary stories. I believe those who enjoy action, adventure and travel would benefit as well.

Recently, I’ve had two marketing specialists prepare an analysis of “Mission Possible.” They both stated the obvious about the importance in choosing the right key words so readers can be clear about what the book offers.

I was told that Mission, Christian, Brazil, jungle, gospel are powerful thematic keywords. That’s great, but when Amazon and others only let you choose action and adventure, historical fiction and other non-descript words for labeling, it’s hard to achieve this process in my view.

Going back to the video, it was stated that a well-written pitch is needed, for which I agree whole-heartedly. My bio and synopsis are professionally done. This pitch applies also to well-written letters and emails when trying to pitch your book for a podcast interview. By providing useful information about your fascinating story, you also need to provide the novelty and urgency that comes with it.

Other useful tips the video offered included using a speaker one-sheet, a cover letter and a video sample when pitching your book for speaker events. Opportunities exist for local, national, virtual and hybrid events offering on-site sales or sales via the Internet.

It was also noted that great exposure and proximity inspire purchase. Where to find these events and conferences online was shared, but don’t overlook in-person events at churches, colleges, schools and so on.

When dealing with influencers, it was noted that reciprocity is of utmost importance. When asking someone to do something for you, do not forget to offer to do something for them as well.

As a case in point, I emailed Briles about how much I enjoyed her video conference and asked her to mention my book in a column she is writing about authors. I told her I would be blogging about her video and how useful it was to me. Hopefully that will strike a chord.

Joint partnerships, virtual networking, virtual summits, and other forms of collaboration were mentioned as being useful in the journey. Building community awareness is paramount and as an author striving for more visibility, the video was invaluable. Though it moved quickly through the steps covered, the option exists to contact Briles directly for services at www.TheBookShepherd.com. She guarantees 30 interviews and will distribute to key hosts and podcasters.

Clarity, after all, comes by building relationships, so keep plugging along in your author journey!

And, if you get the chance, please leave a review for “Mission Possible” on Amazon, as it seems the algorithms are led by them!

As writers, we explore ways to draw readers into the story, so this blog examines writing through a cinematic lens. Writing cinematically is something modern authors are exploring as a technique that takes readers on a journey towards film.

This realization comes after viewing a recent Reedsy YouTube video hosted by Martin Cavannagh, who’s guest, Noah Charney, related how to facilitate from written to film version. It’s the type of writing that gives readers an image when reading a story.

As readers, we can imagine how the story is unfolding according to the author’s eyes. But as one commentator, who happened to be an English professor, pointed out - this isn’t something that’s really new since classic authors achieved this centuries ago – it’s called imagery.

But in modern times, we have cinematic technology available, likening it to writing from different angles, much like a camera takes shot types. A close-up, for example, provides details and emotional cues.

Chaney noted that authors have one chance to make a first impression with the cinematic hook. He said to do this “clean, with a touch of style and without trying too hard.” It’s about controlling the reader in a “pleasant way.”

In a way, we manipulate what the reader is thinking and feeling. In order to do this, we think proactively with film scenes and storyboarding.

He used the example of describing a sweat-covered man making his way through a thick jungle. Describing the ruins he comes upon as being “black with age” gives a visual. We see a person in a wide-brimmed hat happening upon a “monster mouth gate dating back to 700 A.D.”

We have a person engaged in action, centuries later as he “machetes” his way through lush jungle foliage. Even though “machetes” isn’t really a word, he uses it as a verb to give the reader an idea of what the character is doing.

“As thick tangles of vine fall beneath his blade, he pushes into a clearing, then staggers back. The fanged mouth of a primordial stone beast gazes toward him.”

This sentence brings an Indiana Jones scene to mind and is so much better than saying where the character is “to go” or “to be.” By inventing the verb “machetes,” the writer provides meaning in one single word.

Charney said you can also play with the anticipation of the reader by saying the character came upon the “mysteriously abandoned spot four centuries later,” thus inserting tension.

He explained that storyboarding looks like a comic book of a single image. As an author, you first map out your scenes, draw the reader’s view of your scenes, and consider scenes from different perspectives, or as different shots in a film.

For instance, you could write a story of a break-in from either the victim’s eyes or from the intruder’s eyes, or maybe from someone watching from a window nearby.

Likewise, varying camera shots can give different points of view, Charney explained, and these all lend to how you see the scene, providing immediacy and type of orientation.

Storyboarding a book into scenes is much like how I wrote “Mission Possible.” My father’s adventures in Brazil were similar to the Indiana Jones scenes Charney spoke of in his writing. And since my father was an artist, many of his illustrations were used in the book to give the reader a sense of where it was happening.

One scene in chapter 25 of “Mission Possible,” is perhaps one where I could have taken some time to draw the reader more inside the scene. In this scene, my father comes upon a colony where English settlers had built a mine over a century before.

The settlers had owned slaves who worked in the tunnels of the mines deep in the mountain, digging for gold-bearing ore. A cemetery lost in the jungle marked the graves of those who had died so far from their native lands.

On this adventure, my father’s troupe returns to explore the gold mines. In grass as high as their heads, they discover the hidden mine shafts and explore two of them. The tunnels were only four feet high and ran far back into the mountain.

Here, I note, “the air was close; but I, Oldelon and young Charles pressed on to the heart of the mountain. Far back at the end of the tunnel, we found the shackles of the slaves, along with the human bones, serving as grim reminders of the unfortunates that had been chained there to work their lives out in the darkness.”

I then write that the troupe agreed that, seeing all this, along with the gravestones in the English cemetery, formed an experience that they would carry with them all their days. But, how did young Charles feel when he saw human bones, possibly for the first time? Did George feel fear at his young troupe visualizing this? What were their expressions and speech like upon seeing this scene?

As the writer, I could envision all this, but for the most part, I left it up to the reader to see what they envisioned. In retrospect, I can see where imagination plays an important part. But if the reader hasn’t experienced such a scene, maybe his or her view would be different.

So, as much as I’d like my book to be made into a film someday, perhaps I can take some pleasure in giving my readers some visions of their own to experience. That, after all, is how the written version wins over in my view.

The final paragraph of the book brings this into perspective: “There is, after all, great good in returning to a landscape that has had extraordinary meaning in one’s life. May we always remember the path that leads us back for a sequel waiting to happen, even if that return is only in our mind’s eye.”

Sitting in a crowded bookstore and signing copies of your latest book for a crowd of admiring readers is a dream for many authors.

Book signings are a time-honored tradition in book marketing. They give you visibility, bring customers to the store, and connect you directly with your readers. Last year, I was fortunate to do a signing inside a Barnes and Noble store (after some persistence on my part).

This past weekend I tried something a little different. Since there was an annual festival in my folk’s former stomping grounds, and since the book I wrote is based on my parents’ adventures, what better place to set up shop than in a field where others sell their wares under canopies in 10 by 10 spaces?

I can tell you that it’s not something you decide to do at the last minute. Like any other book signing, it takes planning. I started figuring it out weeks before.

After contacting the festival’s organizer on Facebook and getting on her list, I needed to plan what I would present in my allotted space.

Unlike some vendors who sell a variety of items (much like a Shipshewana yard sale), my space needed to include eye-catching items related to my book “Mission Possible.” Its spectacular cover, created by a well-known artist I once featured in a newspaper article, has the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro on the center front.

The statue of Jesus Christ is famously mounted at the summit of Mount Corcovado and is celebrated in traditional and popular songs in Brazil. It is mentioned in chapter 4 of my book in a scene when George’s mother visits from the United States.

Among items displayed in my booth was a colorful scarf featuring this statue, along with some cityscapes in the background. This over-sized scarf was not only fun to take you to another place visually, it also served to shield me from the bright sunshine when hanging from the canopy’s top.

After contemplating what to display the books in and wishing for a vintage suitcase, I remembered I had an old trunk my parents used to travel to Brazil by ship in the 1950s. For years, it held dress-up clothes the kids used to play with.

Once I emptied the contents, it made the perfect display for the books to sit inside. I posted a map of Brazil, some reviews and the book’s price for people to read inside the lid. Also inside were some knick-knacks I had collected from Brazil, along with sea shells for visual appeal.

On a card table beside my signing table, I displayed a wedding photo of my folks, one of them while in Brazil (which is on the book’s back cover) and a more recent one professionally taken in a studio.

These pictures were placed on a white lace tablecloth from Brazil, along with sketches my father had drawn. Various newspaper articles of when my book was published were also on this table. Serving as a draw to the table was a basket of mints with a sign to take and enjoy. It’s surprising what little tactics like this can draw people into your booth!

Next to this, a black covering was neatly placed on a 4-foot folding signing table, where I displayed bookmarks that I gave away for free to those who purchased a book. Also displayed was a book easel and a board I had previously purchased with my photo and book information. Business cards were in a small trunk box from Brazil.

An important item ordered online was a vinyl sign with the words: Author Nancy Hastings and my website: nlhastingsauthor.com. The company I ordered it from didn’t allow for artwork on the 2 x 1 foot sign, but I was able to take a black permanent marker and draw the feather pen marking that appears on my business cards. The sign was placed front and center on the top of the awning, giving passers-by a clue of what my booth contained.

A few chairs, a cooler of ice-cold water and a welcoming smile were also helpful in what was an enjoyable day. It was delightful to chat with people who either knew of or were friends of my parents (deceased for more than a decade now).

In retrospect, if you’re a first-time writer with a new book, don’t expect to be swamped with sales. If you sell 10, consider yourself lucky. At this event, I sold nearly a dozen and was thrilled!

I’ve discovered that the point of these book signings isn’t to sell books, however, it’s to get publicity for your book and your name as a writer. It’s a way to get your name and your book’s title out to people who might not know about it. Many readers appreciate hearing about local writers and welcome the chance to go see a local author in person.

Here are some additional tips to successful book signings:

Arrive early to set up

Get to the event in plenty of time to set up your table and hang your posters. If possible, set up a display of your books nearby where visitors can check them out.

Mingle and chat

Take any opportunity to chat with people who come to the signing. Before it starts, spend a few minutes mingling with the crowd and starting conversations. They don’t have to be about your book. Make your attendees feel welcome, and show interest in them as individuals. You’ll forge a true connection that leads to more sales and more devoted fans.

Personalize your messages

Before you sign each book, ask, “Is the book for you, or is it a gift?” That way, you can personalize the message to the person they’re buying it for. Also, be sure to ask for an exact spelling of the name, even if it seems obvious. Don’t take chances.

Additionally, instead of just signing your name, add a touch that makes the book signing memorable for the buyer.

Overall, the two-day event was a success in my eyes. Having meaningful conversations with visitors creates a pride felt at being the featured local writer.

One blogger put it succinctly: “As in all aspects of the creative life, it’s best not to gauge success by dollar signs. Creators deal in a mysterious currency. Did our art act as a conduit for connection, depth, and soul? If so, I call this success.”

Patience gives you the will to endure and the strength to push forward.

In this realm of developing plots and structuring our thoughts into working this craft we call writing, why is it that we often feel like we’re spiraling as we constantly strive to be better, look better, sound better?

I guess these questions come after finally getting a podcast interview about my book, completing that interview (despite obvious internet glitches) and feeling good about it. Then it goes live and … crickets. The only “like” is my own. But that’s only after a day, so I do realize patience is key.

Writing and getting noticed takes time, but more importantly it requires some risk — risk of being wrong, risk of offending, and risk of nobody reading it. But as they say … “it’s worth it.” Why? Because, it makes us feel better about ourselves and the world around us. And, it teaches patience.

At the same time, writing can be painful, and the results — if they ever come — don’t come quickly. It’s not reasonable to look yourself in the mirror after your first workout in months and expect to have been transformed into the next Mrs. America. In the same vein, don’t expect your first story to turn you into a best-selling author.

If anyone does happen to read your story after relentless marketing, do you have patience to receive their reaction? Some disappointing reactions I’ve received have been: “I should have been the one to write the story” or “you missed your chance to …”

They won’t care. They won’t recommend it; they won’t comment on it. You’ll wish somebody would even write a comment disagreeing with you. You’ll stare at your stats page, chipping away at your self-esteem with each click of the refresh button.

But as one blogger says, let’s put all those feelings of rejection and despair aside for a moment. It turns out there are benefits of writing, and some of these benefits — perhaps the most valuable benefits — exist even if you feel like no one is watching. So before you delete your last chapter (blog, newsletter, or whatever it is you write), consider these benefits of writing:

Writing organizes our thoughts

Studies have shown that explaining a topic can help improve your level of understanding on that topic. This holds true even if you are explaining it to yourself. It’s even true if you are told to prepare to explain a topic to somebody, but you don’t ever actually explain it. The reason is that as you think over a topic in preparation for explaining it, your mind is working hard to organize your knowledge and identify areas that somebody else might not easily understand.

Writing about a topic involves the same mental process as preparing to explain. As you write about a topic, you’ll be more likely to uncover gaps in your own thinking, or beliefs that aren’t well-supported by evidence. You’ll be left with a better-organized set of thoughts, which will benefit your future endeavors.

Writing helps to focus on others

It might seem that writing is a selfish act. “Why should I expect people to care about what I think?” What you quickly learn is that it’s not about you. Writing for others forces you to consider what others want to read.

Yes, you want to gain readers and followers, and that is self-serving, but just like businesses succeed by serving their customers well, writers succeed by giving readers something of value.

The key is to find out what unique value you bring to the table. The good news is that it’s a big world out there and there’s only one you. You might need to work at it, but eventually you’ll find your niche.

Writing motivates

Whenever you put yourself out there — in a musical performance, a presentation, or publishing an article — you naturally want to do your best. Whether you’re worried you’ll write something that ends up being wrong (like that hasn’t ever happened before) or you’re determined to be the most informed person on the topic, you’ll find that extra drive to dig deeper and put out your best work.

So set a writing schedule and stick to it. You’ll push yourself to find clarity among your ideas, and you’ll eventually find yourself reflecting more on your work, which motivates you to keep going.

Writing is a tool for self-discovery

If fame is your primary reason for writing, you probably won’t stick with it. You’ll most likely fail. While that may sound harsh, if you stop to think about it: The only way to fail at writing is to quit writing.

If they’re honest, many successful writers will admit that their “overnight success” took years and years of hard work without anyone noticing. But they are glad they did it as they learned about themselves along the way.

Again, writing can be compared to exercising. Almost everybody who exercises doesn’t immediately become a fitness model, but everybody who exercises benefits from it. In the same way, you’ll be very lucky if your writing ever brings you money or fame, but even so, you will still be better off for doing it.

I’ve discovered that this blogging thing is also quite like journaling. Journaling is a personal form of writing that allows you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, stress reduction, and emotional regulation.

Trying to deny or bottle up the emotions doesn’t help. Acknowledge and let yourself feel emotion. Then, focus on gratitude, which can rewire your brain to notice positives instead of dwelling on negatives. Using healthy coping mechanisms like walking makes the struggles and setbacks of writing easier to face.

After contemplating these thoughts, I ventured out for a walk along the Ohio River. Seeing two barges carrying sand and coal slowly pass each other took planning and expertise for the navigators. It’s not only weather, but wear and tear, maintenance practices, and the undeniable role of human expertise that all come into play. It made me realize that no matter what vocation we choose, polishing our craft can only make us better – as long as we have the patience to get there.

Have you ever felt like sitting down at your keyboard to let your mind get lost in the story? It’s a great feeling to let the words flow like water. It’s a feeling of joy that washes over you once you’ve completed your blog, newsletter or chapter – whatever writing you wish to accomplish.

This flow is what I have been studying further as it fascinates the investigator in me. When I wrote for a daily newspaper, I experienced this flow in a different way – the satisfaction that comes from completing a task. A column or blog is more than that. It’s about presenting a topic and coming up with answers that resonate with readers.

Training your writing mind requires a commitment to yourself and your craft. Now that I don’t have a deadline to reach with daily required copy, I continue to find writing joyful, and even more so with a blog that I write about my author journey.

This journey has included attending virtual summits, which have been enlightening as I delve further into the topic of writing. There’s more and more to learn every day – even though I’ve been doing it for years.

After meeting deadlines with specific tasks to accomplish, it’s refreshing to not feel obliged to create. When your subconscious is free, the state of flow can help in producing the best works. It’s simple, really – just free yourself from distractions and focus on your work in a relaxed way.

The summit I’ve enjoyed recently spoke of this kind of subconscious writing and getting lost in a story. The host compared this to reading a good book. You are in another state as you delve into the author’s description. Then, you may hear a loud crash and it jerks you out of the story. When you’re reading, you’re in an imaginative state and the crash you heard makes you go to your conscious mind.

Another example she gave is when we forget the drive home. It’s automatic most times and we often get lost in our thoughts. This is something I love to do as long as my husband is doing the driving. Otherwise, there could be some red lights or curves that come up quickly leading to a crash. It’s the relaxed thinking that I enjoy and when writing, it’s the best feeling.

When subconscious writing happens, you receive answers naturally – all without fear and anxiety. It flows easily like a dream. The summit leader noted that details come through your subconscious mind, allowing you to write “soul stories.” Only you can tell these stories through the lens that you see it happening.

People who experience writers block often complain that they feel forced to come up with words. They may follow templates, which tend to force the story. This leads to not feeling satisfied or confident with your story.

It was suggested that the easiest way to tap into your subconscious mind is with journaling. It can be used to craft stories and opens doors to the subconscious mind. While I was trained to outline, I tend to meander around a bit. I guess that’s what the author world terms as being a panster. But I also like to plot.

Plotters feel they have the best method for writing, while pantsers feel judged by everyone else for “winging it,” even though that’s what works best for them.

But what about being both? I looked up the terms plotter and panster and this is how the terms were described:

“Plotters” are those who like to completely plot out, and often outline, their novels before they sit down to write the first sentence. They feel there’s no way you can write a cohesive, complete story without planning out what is going to be written first. The idea of starting to write a novel without any plan whatsoever not only terrifies but mystifies them. It seems completely unorganized and maybe even a little reckless!

“Pantsers,” on the other hand, prefer to take that little nugget of a story idea, come up with a great opening scene, then sit down and just start writing as the story comes to them. They let the characters drive the novel and tell the author what will happen next. The thought of planning out what they want to write seems counter-intuitive to the creative process, and they find the idea limiting and constricting. They feel that having it all planned out completely stifles their creativity.

I don’t see why you have to be one or the other. Perhaps there is a middle ground between the two extreme stances.

Knowing in advance the direction your protagonist is headed and how they’re going to get there can eliminate uncertainty, providing direction. But you can still “pants it” and decide what happens as you go, letting your protagonist tell you how he or she wants to get from one step to the next on their journey. But at least, you’ll have a “road map” for your story—something to guide you and keep you on track and to help you avoid getting lost along the way.

Having specific questions to answer provides structure, while journaling on those questions can give your subconscious mind a chance to explore answers that would make sense. It was suggested to relax and let the ideas flow.

If the ideas don’t flow, don’t panic. Go for a walk and the answers will come. That makes sense to me and though I already knew that, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded.

So as the summit continues with more topics to delve into, I’m reminded that this craft called writing is something I enjoy more and more each day.

For me, writing is much more on the level of what some would call drive, though the desire is still there. It’s like scratching an itch, decluttering my mind by rendering formless thoughts as things with form so that they are out there in the world. To write in this sense is profoundly energizing. It leaves me feeling more in touch with myself and the world. It’s the best way I know to sift through my thoughts - both conscious and subconscious.

Finding time to write is an essential part of growing an audience. It’s about showing up and doing what you promised yourself and others you would do each week.

I’m new to this blogging thing, but I formerly wrote a weekly column for a small-town newspaper, so keeping up the pace shouldn’t be that hard, right? Well, with some planning, it can still happen.

Finding myself in another state so I can get my grandkids off to school in time is my main prerogative for a few days. Their parents are in Las Vegas to participate in and watch the Mrs. American prelims and finals. My daughter-in-law is a top contender, so her parents and sister are also there to cheer her on.

Meanwhile, I’m holding down the fort at their house, making sure lunches are packed, water bottles are full and special first-day t-shirts are ready and accessible for teachers to facilitate the chaotic maneuverings of first-week school rituals.

Lucky for me, I’ve carved out some time between meal planning, laundry and vacuuming to go through emails and jot down some thoughts on keeping the flow going with marketing my book “Mission Possible.”

Keeping the momentum going is something I hope to continue. I’ve attended numerous virtual summits lately that emphasize the need to just show up and be on time.

It’s much like getting the grandkids to the school bus stop on time so Mr. Dave can deliver the little munchkins to their respective school before the bell rings. While the first week can be a learning process, I’ve emphasized to the munchkins that getting into a timely routine is key to having a successful day. In my case, timeliness will lead to more awareness of my book and hopefully, more sales.

Some steps to develop a habit of writing from Author Gretchen Rubin are helpful to consider:

· Select time and frequency. Decide what time of day you will write, and how often. As you think about when to schedule your writing, pay close attention to your energy level. If you’re a morning person, schedule your writing time early; if you’re a night person, use a later time. For many people, putting an activity on the calendar means that it happens.

· Consider your space. Figure out where you do your best work, and make that space as convenient and comfortable as possible. Corner of the sofa? Kitchen table? Public library? Bed? Do what you can to put yourself in an environment that suits you.

· Adjust your sound environment. To do deep work, some people prefer silence. Others prefer music with words, music with no words, one song on a loop, white noise, or the busy clatter of a coffee shop. Create the sound surroundings that suit you.

· Upgrade your tools. Beautiful tools make work a joy, and bad tools make work unnecessarily tiresome. If you’re putting up with poor tools—inadequate light, an ancient laptop—make the effort to upgrade.

· Start a focus ritual. Maybe you light a candle, or walk around the block, or make your favorite coffee drink, or sit next to the same window when it’s time to begin. By repeating that action, you’re signaling to your brain that it’s time to enter a creative, associative state.

· Articulate your why. Why do you want to establish a writing routine? To make progress on your book manuscript? Carve out space for self-reflection? When you understand why you’re pursuing a habit, it’s easier to keep it up.

· If you need accountability, get it. Join a writers’ group or class where you’re expected to hand in work; work with a writing coach; post a schedule where your family members will see it; recruit a friend to read your drafts.

· Choose a metric. How do you know when you’ve completed your writing time? Is your metric a word count, minutes spent in the chair, or a completed draft? Pick a marker that’s concrete, measurable, and realistic.

· Don’t forget to read. The best writing routine includes reading. As Randall Jarrell wrote, “Read at whim!”

· Set up safeguards against loopholes. Put guardrails in place for the days you’re tempted to abandon your writing practice, and anticipate challenges. What will you do when you go on vacation? If you’re traveling? If you have house guests? If you don’t have any ideas? Make a plan.

Rubin emphasizes what is most important: Never forget that to write, we must write. These things are not writing: research, interviews, formatting, outlining, daydreaming, talking about writing. These things may be necessary for writing, but they aren’t writing.

Like all habits, we gain the benefit of that habit day by day. With writing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, but day by day, we make progress.

As novelist E. L. Doctorow observed about writing: “It’s like driving at night: you never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

UPDATE: Achieving top six in the Mrs. American finals just shows how persistence leads to the benefit of developing good habits! Congratulations Shelby Hastings!