Erika Liodice

Take a Moment to Enjoy the View

December 22, 2018 By Erika Liodice 5 Comments

In July, my husband and I had the opportunity to hike Mount Rainier in Washington state. At 14,411 feet, Mount Rainier makes our local Pocono Mountains look like anthills. Though our goal was not to reach the summit (because you need extensive training, special gear, permits, and serious survival skills), we challenged ourselves to hike the Skyline Trail up to Panorama Point, a scenic vista halfway up the mountain.

The morning of our hike, we woke to fog so dense we couldn’t see past our fingertips. We considered postponing, but the spirit of our fellow hikers motivated us to continue. We set out, tackling the 1,700-foot ascent one step at a time. An hour passed, yet the fog didn’t relent. The wildflowers at our feet hinted at beautiful meadows beyond the thick wall of white. Two more hours passed, and suddenly our boots were crunching through snow, the only proof we were making any progress.

By the time we reached Panorama Point, the thick white veil was beginning to lift, revealing a staggering view of the peaks of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, and other neighboring giants. As my eyes followed the trail back down the mountain, I was amazed to see how far we’d traveled and proud of what we’d achieved.

My own writing and publishing journey has been a lot like that hike up Mount Rainier. I tend to get so focused on my goals and the tasks at hand that it clouds my vision, and I forget to look up and appreciate all the progress I’ve made. The problem with this mentality is that it can trick you into believing you’re not getting anywhere because there’s always another item on the list. More challenges to overcome. A new mountain to climb. Ultimately it can cause you to burn out.

So, before you start planning your goals for 2019, I encourage you to take a moment, here at the end of 2018, to look back over the past twelve months and acknowledge how far you’ve come.

Begin at the beginning.

Do you remember where you were in your writing and publishing journey at this time last year? What project(s) were you working on last December? What dreams were alive in your heart? It’s easy to forget the little accomplishments that move us towards our big goals. But as my dad once said, “It’s important to celebrate life’s little achievements because the big ones are few and far between.”

If last year is a distant memory, take a quick stroll through your computer files and sort them by date to zero in on the documents you were modifying at the end of last year. Open them and reread your work. Take some time to appreciate the brainstorming and development that went into your creation. If you keep a writing journal or idea notebook, flip back in time to see what ideas had captured your imagination. Revisit the last twelve months in your calendar to recall the activities that led you here today.

I recently did this exercise, and I realized that at this time last year I was venturing into an unknown world. By writing High Flyers: Rookie of the Year, I was stepping away from women’s fiction and entering a new (to me) genre, children’s literature. This decision came with new challenges, like learning how to work with an illustrator, produce an illustrated chapter book series, and reach young readers. At this time last year, I was nervous and full of self-doubt. Today, a year later, I’m on sturdier footing. My illustrator and I have found our flow. I have a better understanding of the production challenges involved in publishing books with illustrations. I’ve experimented with different marketing tactics and have a clearer sense of where my time and money are best spent. This month, I published the second book in the High Flyers series, Pigeon Poacher Strikes Again, and the nervous self-doubt has been replaced by excitement and joy.

What project(s) were you working on at the end of last year? Where do they stand today? What obstacles did you have to overcome to get here?

Acknowledge your growth.

It’s been said that if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Having experienced several periods of stagnation throughout my life, I can attest that I feel more alive and engaged when I’m learning new things and expanding my skills and abilities. But growth can be a tricky business. As desirable as growing may be, it still requires us to do the hard work of leaving our comfort zones. Of trying and failing, and trying again. Of opening our minds to different perspectives and new ideas. Of facing rejection. Growth takes intestinal fortitude. At the very least, it deserves a moment of recognition and respect. So, I ask you to think back over the past year and take stock of all the ways in which you’ve grown. What did you try in 2018? What did you learn? [Read more…]

Should My Novel Become a Series?

October 27, 2018 By Erika Liodice 14 Comments

Have you ever read a series that would have worked better as a single book? Or a standalone novel with untapped potential? When a story’s natural ending is ignored or overlooked, it can create an unsettling experience for readers. As indie authors, we don’t have agents to guide us on this matter, nor do we have publishing contracts that commit us to a particular direction. The decision is ours and ours alone. But how are we supposed to know if we’re making the right one?

Having written both a standalone novel and a series, this is something I’ve considered at length. From a business perspective, there are many advantages to writing a series. It can be easier to grow your fan base because loyal readers are more likely to buy additional titles, especially if you keep delivering the goods. Plus, many of the production and promotional activities that went into the first book can be leveraged for others that follow, so you’re not starting from square one.

While these benefits may sound appealing, not every story is destined to become a series. Forcing yours into the wrong container can have disastrous results. So, how do you know which path is the right one? Before you decide, consider these three questions:

1. What does your story want?

A non-writer might point out that a story is an inanimate object that has no wants or needs. But we writers know better. We know our stories and the characters that inhabit them have the power to communicate with us. We rely on it. So, find out what your story wants to be.

This topic started an interesting discussion over at the Writer Unboxed Facebook group, when fellow writer Bjørn Larssen shared that he’s “accidentally” writing a series. He explained that he set out to write one book but the plot kept revealing itself, forcing him to adapt his plans. In other words, his story told him, “Bjørn, buddy, we’re not done here.” And Bjørn respectfully obliged. Now he’s revising his timelines and reworking his manuscript to accommodate his story’s desire to become a series.

Conversely, Laura Seeber, another community member, told us that she decided not to turn her graphic novel into a series. Laura explained that she uses a “wait and see” approach to allow her work to reveal its needs, and this particular project made it clear that her story was complete after one book and that serializing it wouldn’t add any value.

Bjørn and Laura are great examples of writers who are listening to their stories’ needs. If your story isn’t quite as forthcoming, you can help clear the communication channel by setting aside judgment, bias, and any preconceived notions you may have. With an open mind, ask your story what it wants to be. And when it finally speaks to you, listen.

What is your story telling you? Are your characters yanking your arm, pulling you past “The End”? Or are they standing in the window waving goodbye?

2. What do your readers want?

Just as stories can tell you what they want, so can readers—and usually in less uncertain terms. When readers want a story to continue, they’ll often ask for it, whether in a book review, in person at an event, by fan mail. By smoke signal. One young reader sent me a video message to tell me how much he’s looking forward to the next book in my children’s series. In other words, if they’re truly invested in your story, they’ll find a way to let you know.

While we can’t base our decisions entirely upon readers’ needs, a temperature check can be a useful way to ensure you’re not wasting your time or missing an opportunity. Tackling a twenty-book series might be a futile effort if readers had trouble connecting with book one. On the flip side, if readers are clamoring to know what happens next, it might be worthwhile to consider expanding.

If you’re not sure what your readers want, ask them. There’s no shortage of ways to give readers a say in the matter—you can set up a Facebook poll, send an email survey, ask them in person—and most are happy to share their opinion. With that said, be sure to consider the source of your feedback to make sure you’re getting unbiased results. While encouragement from friends and family may fuel our persistence and buoy us through the dark times, it can also be misleading. Be sure the input you’re collecting is from an impartial audience who’s not afraid to give it to you straight.

Also, be aware that external factors, like genre, can influence readers’ expectations. For example, fantasy, sci-fi, and romance readers may be more accustomed to reading series. If your readers are expressing interest in a series, dig deeper to find out why. Are they truly invested in your characters or is a series simply their default preference?

What are your readers telling you? Did your novel whet their appetite for more? Or are they satisfied with what you delivered and ready to move on?

[Read more…]

How to Create an Unforgettable Author Visit

August 25, 2018 By Erika Liodice 10 Comments

I don’t remember much about elementary school, but I’ll never forget the time my favorite author, Ann M. Martin, of Baby-Sitter’s Club fame, came to visit. As she stood before my second-grade class talking about her books and writing process, I hung on every word. I still remember the answer she gave when a classmate asked where her story ideas come from: eavesdropping.

Martin’s visit has stuck with me for over 30 years. Now that I’m writing High Flyers, an illustrated chapter book series about a team of racing pigeons, and doing author visits of my own, I draw inspiration from that memory to create a rich learning experience that children will remember long after I leave. My approach was recently validated by a five-year-old boy who came up to me at a community event to tell me that I had given a presentation at his elementary school and that he enjoyed learning how to candle a racing pigeon egg to see if it’s fertilized. For a moment, I just stared at him with my mouth hanging open, stunned that my author visit had made such an impression on this young reader.

It’s not about you; it’s about them.

Creating an unforgettable author visit begins with mindset. Even though you, the author, may be the main attraction, the experience isn’t really about you; it’s about them—the students, their parents, and the school’s faculty, staff, and event coordinators. Each of these “stakeholders” wants something different from you and your presentation. Generally speaking, students want to be entertained, the parents and educators want the children to learn something, and the event coordinators want both delivered as smoothly as possible. As you develop your program, think about the different “customers” you’re serving and how you want them to feel after your presentation is over. Beginning with this end goal in mind will go a long way in helping you decide how to structure your program’s content and logistics.

Since High Flyers is recommended for readers ages 7–10, my pet racing pigeons and I mainly visit elementary schools, home school groups, libraries, and youth organizations to teach children about the 200-year-old sport of pigeon racing and the special skills that make racing pigeons such incredible athletes. My goal for every presentation is to engage and entertain the children and support what they’re learning in the classroom, all while making the event coordinator’s job as easy as possible.

Be the resource.

Much of your event’s success rests on the event coordinator’s shoulders. When it comes to hosting an author visit, the event coordinator has a lot of details to manage before, during, and after the program. She’s responsible for finding an author who can speak on topics related to the curriculum, negotiating the contract, securing funding, promoting the event, reserving presentation space, testing the audio/visual equipment, and ensuring that everything flows smoothly the day of the event. Don’t be a diva by adding more to her plate. Instead, make it your mission to make her job as easy as possible. Anticipate her needs every step of the way and be proactive in meeting them.

One way to do this is by providing a folder that neatly organizes all of the resources needed to support your event. This should include a copy of your contract that details the logistics of your visit, including the date, time, and location of your presentation, the corresponding agenda, and a list of items you’ll need. My contract spells out who’s responsible for providing the projector, screen, power strip, extension cord, microphone, etc. To accommodate my racing pigeons, I also need a small table on which to set their cage and some open outdoor space, like a playground or field, if we’re planning to hold a pigeon race.

Your folder should also include your speaker one-sheet, a book order form, a copy of your handouts, and other helpful resources that the event coordinator may need to ensure a successful event. For any file that needs to be copied and distributed, it’s helpful to provide them digitally as well—via email, USB drive, or disk.

By taking some of the responsibility off the event coordinator’s shoulders, you’ll not only help ensure that your program runs smoothly, you’ll also be remembered as someone who’s easy to work with, increasing the odds of being invited back.

[Read more…]

7 Tips for Avoiding Publisher’s Remorse

June 23, 2018 By Erika Liodice 12 Comments

Every now and then, we all have those unfortunate “What was I thinking?” moments. Mine usually come when looking at photographs of myself from the ’80s when I rocked a hairstyle called “the flower.”

Unlike a bad hairstyle that eventually grows out, a poorly produced book can haunt you for the rest of your author life. Today we’re going to talk about common mistakes indie publishers make, so you never have a “What was I thinking?” moment again … well, at least in terms of your books.

To-Don’t List:

1. Serve a half-baked story.

As an indie, you don’t have an agent who tells it like it is or an editorial team poring over your manuscript hunting for problems and mistakes. These responsibilities lie with you. Don’t let the excitement of publication blind you to potential quality issues. Being independent doesn’t mean you to have to go it alone. Create your own editorial team to provide feedback throughout the writing and editing process. This group might include a writing partner, critique group, beta readers, and/or a developmental editor who can help you identify and fix story problems long before your book reaches readers.

2. Skip proofing.

There’s no better way to irritate readers and embarrass yourself than to publish a book full of typos. This is often the result when we try to edit our own work. Our brains are wired to know what we meant to say, so they automatically correct typos and fix errors, allowing us to gloss right over them. Hiring a professional proofreader should be a standard best practice before going to press. Proofreaders not only offer a fresh set of eyes for catching errors but also are masterful at tightening clunky sentences and putting the final polish on your prose. Skipping this step might save you money, but it can end up costing you far more in reputation.

[Read more…]

Find Your Way Back to Writing

April 28, 2018 By Erika Liodice

“If you do not change your direction,
you may end up where you are heading.”
– Lao Tzu

I doubt Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu had a twenty-something pharmaceutical sales rep in mind when he dispensed this wisdom, but nonetheless, his words changed my life.

For me, writing has been a lifelong calling. I crayoned my first novella, The Boy and Girl Got Married, when I was six years old, and my passion for the craft has grown ever since. My lightning bolt moment followed in fifth grade while reading Judy Blume. I felt so profoundly understood by her words that it dawned on me: this is what I want to do when I grow up!

By the time I encountered Lao Tzu, I was in my early twenties—a freshly minted pharmaceutical sales rep with a business degree, contemplating my company’s generous offer to pay for my MBA, my Judy Blume moment long forgotten. While getting my MBA would’ve undoubtedly help me climb the corporate ladder, Lao Tzu’s words begged me to consider whether the top of that ladder was where I wanted to end up. The answer—though incredibly inconvenient to admit—was no. Though my career may have appeared to be “on track” to the casual observer, I felt a million miles away from where I wanted to be. And I realized that if I didn’t change my direction, I would end up exactly where I was heading.

Where are you heading?
~
Is that where you want to end up?

I believe these are two of the most important questions we writers can ask ourselves. If you’re happy with the answer, great! Let that affirmation boost your confidence and propel you forward. If not, that’s great too. Now you’re aware of the detour you’ve taken and can change course. While discovering you’ve ended up in the latter category can be disconcerting, there are three simple changes you can make today that will put you back on the path towards your writing dream:

Change #1: Align your actions with your writing dream.

Until my Lao Tzu awakening, I had been living under the assumption that my actions and decisions didn’t really matter. It felt like there would always be later. That somehow things would magically work out. What I began to understand was that I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing and expect to end up somewhere different. Getting my MBA would have made me more qualified for a job I didn’t want. Once I realized this, I couldn’t ignore the possibility of what might happen if I devoted that time and energy to a career I did want.

Your direction is determined by the decisions you make and the actions you take every single day. Your choices will either move you closer to your writing dream or farther from it. Once you look at your life through this filter, it’s easy to spot the misalignments. The good news is, being aware of those misalignments is half the battle. And fixing them doesn’t have to be hard. It can be as simple as deciding to stop waiting for someday to write your book, and begin right now. It can be shifting your schedule around to make time to write every day. It can be finding ways to cut costs so you can afford to take a writing class or deciding to stop treating writing like a hobby, and start treating it like a career, giving it the respect and attention it deserves.

Recently, I asked members of the Writer Unboxed Facebook group to tell me about changes they’ve made to align their actions with their writing dreams. Joelle Wilson and Deb Peterson shared that they set their alarm clocks extra early to take advantage of the quiet morning hours before work. Lana Billman transformed her grown child’s room into a dedicated space for writing. Claire Greer got her whole family aligned with her writing goals by creating a schedule that allows her to write every Saturday morning while her husband spends time with their kids. For Stephen Whq, it’s a matter of setting priorities, and writing, along with his family and day job, is at the top of his list.

Identify the misalignments in your own life. What actions and decisions are currently moving you away from your writing dream? Brainstorm ways to change them so they are aligned with your vision. Start implementing those changes right away, and watch how your entire trajectory begins to shift.

[Read more…]

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