Favorite Writers’ Resources

As book coaches, editors, and ghostwriters, we’ve spent years developing our sources. We’re delighted to share these favorite writers’ resources with you. We hope these contacts and services help you get your book to the marketplace soon!

Get your sample copy of “The Catalyst” here.  (Then sign up for your own subscription in the box on the right of this page)  In this issue, you’ll learn about the importance of breaks and how a distraction-free writing environment can actually be detrimental to  your success!  Who knew?

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The Book Catalysts are often invited to speak on radio shows.
Listen here for great book-writing tips on Entrepreneur Podcast Network.

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Writing tips & tools

1. Need to convert a PDF into a JPEG? Convert all kinds of documents free at www.zamzar.com.
2. Create not only shortened URLs but easy-to-remember custom URLs. bitly.com.
3. Find stock photos at fabulous prices. www.123rf.com.
4. Send bulk e-mails and invitations at a reasonable price. www.icontact.com.
5. Look up niggling grammar questions and find colorful, helpful answer from Grammar Girl: grammar.quickanddirtytips.com
6. Learn how to get the most out of your time–and your technology. www.people-onthego.com.
7. Discover the right word in a flash: www.visualthesaurus.com.
8. Want to turn a cliché into a cool cliché? (Words at Work, page 105): www.westegg.com/cliche.
9. Need to find words that rhyme? www.rhymezone.com.
10. Read the best book ever written on nonfiction writing: On Writing Well, William Zinsser.
11. Purdue Online Writing Lab: http://owl.english.purdue.edu

Book publishing

1. BookBaby—Get your books and e-books ready for Kindle, Nook, iPad and many more. Great prices and information. www.bookbaby.com
2. CreateSpace—A reputable source for hard-copy books. www.createspace.com (Amazon’s publishing division)

Book design/Web site design

1. Christine Buck
Christine Buck offers an affordable, template-based website solution for authors and small businesses. Features include images, blogs, online payments, videos, links to social media, and more. Call 510-521-9892 for a 20-minute consultation with no obligation or e-mail cb@christinebuckcommunications.com.

2. Contemporary Publications, Tiffany DeEtte Shafto
Looking for someone to make your book pop and put together a web site that reflects the look and feel of your work? I can help. I bring a unique perspective to projects through my diverse background—from a BA in Interior Design to book production and web site customization. Listening to clients and creating a book or site that reflect their personal style are my strengths. Having co-authored, produced and published the award-winning coffee table book, Contemporary Hawai‘i Woodworkers; the Wood, the Art, the Aloha, I understand the joys and challenges authors face in seeing their visions come to life. I also produced Words at Work by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel and understand the nuances of making a page so visually pleasing that your focus stays on the written word. Interested in learning more? Visit my web site at www.ContemporaryPublications.com.

3. Graphic Technique, Chris Frishe
Designing Outside the Box – www.graphictechnique.com
Tel: 678-877-1535, Fax: 678-623-5334
Email: chris@graphictechnique.com

4. Studio 571, Stacy Lehrer
Stacy Lehrer, principal of Studio571 Creative Services, has 15+ years in the design industry. Her passion is design. Stacy has played a key role in the success of many graphic initiatives which include book covers and layouts for a wide spectrum of industries. www.studio571.com, stacy@studio571.com

Other resources

1. Alicia Rasley is a well-known novelist. Her website features a writer’s corner, with articles and tips for writers, including information on storytelling techniques. www.AliciaRasley.com

2. Stephanie Bond is a novelist who posts advice for beginning writers and has a list of free articles on her site, many of which are valuable for those who write nonfiction. She knows all about the writer’s life. www.stephaniebond.com

3. Archetype Writing is a fiction writer’s guide to archetypal psychology—good information for storytelling. www.archetypewriting.com

4. Pierre Khawand, founder and president of People-OnTheGo in San Francisco. Get a free copy of his “Accomplishing More with Less” e-book. www.people-onthego.com

5. Kathy Goughenour is a great source for virtual assistants for authors, kathy@expertvatraining.com

6. The National Speakers Association (NSA) is the major trade association for professional speakers and through local chapters they provide training on platform skills, marketing, and so forth. If you want to your book to help launch or enhance a speaking career, check out this organization. www.nsaspeakers.org

7. Karen Fox provides an updated list literary agents and the types of books they look for and information about submitting to them. It also indicates which agents are not looking for new clients at this time. www.karenafox.com/agentlist

8. The Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR). It’s known to maintain very high ethical standards and is known for the professionalism and integrity of its members. It’s a good place to begin a search for an agent. www.aaronline.org

9. Mindful Time Management. You’re independent, creative, curious, smart. You have ideas that excite you, dozens of projects to juggle and others you’d love to get to. But no matter how good your intentions, or how hard you work, you feel like you just can’t get a handle on the whole time thing. Janet Bailey can help you make time for your book and other creative projects. www.mindfultimemanagement.com