How to write a world-changing manifesto

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When I sit down to work with a new author, I always ask them about their goals for their book, and invariably I get a version of the same answer: They want to make a difference in people’s lives. Very often, they want to change the way people think, elevate a conversation, and bring new understanding to a vexing problem.

That’s a great mission. We all want to have an impact on the world, and most of us would like that impact to be a positive one. But changing the world through a book begins with changing the mind of one reader, and then the next. Most of us are stubbornly attache... keep reading

Writing groups: what they are and how to join one

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You might stumble across them in libraries and coffee shops across the country: a circle of writers surrounding a paper-covered table. Armed with their notebooks and a desire to master the use of language, these writers have committed to their writing groups, and you may want to as well.

At its core, writing groups (or writing circles) are places for you and other writers to come together, share ideas, and get feedback on your work. They might be a peer critique in your living room over a glass of wine, a workshop or class with an instructor, or even a Facebook discussion group with ... keep reading

Footnotes vs. Endnotes: How to Choose and How to Use

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There are four ways to deal with citations, explanations and references: In the text, in footnotes, in numbered endnotes, and in contextual endnotes. Most publishers have a house style and preference for how and when they use each method. It’s useful for you to understand the difference and determine your own preferences, especially if you are self-publishing.

In text: Writing a reference directly into the text itself is the most reader-friendly way to cite your sources. This works best when the reference is simple and easy t... keep reading

8 Writing Habits for the Enlightened Author

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As writers, we consider it our duty to sit at our desks every day and put down ideas that we hope will inspire the masses and make a meaningful contribution to society.

Doesn’t mean we have to enjoy it. In fact, writing is very often painful, boring and difficult.

But it doesn’t have to be. By making some adjustments to the way you write–and the way you think about writing–you can produce more in less time and even enjoy doing it. Here are eight writing habits that will transform your work sessions from bitter and barren to the best and most productive par... keep reading

Action! Engage Your Audience with Book Trailers

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Think back to the last time you bought a movie ticket–I’m willing to bet you chose the movie in part because you’d seen a trailer for it first. Trailers are one of the most effective ways to get someone interested in your content, and they  work for books as well as movies. Book trailers have been steadily growing in popularity, with some getting hundreds of thousands or even millions of views. And while early book trailers were often dismissed due to a lack of quality, that doesn’t have to be case–the book trailer for national bestseller keep reading

Dr. Shefali Tsabary Applauds Generation Stressed

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We are so excited to announce the support of Dr. Shefali Tsabary for Michele Kambolis’ forthcoming book Generation Stressed: Play-Based Tools to Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety.

Dr. Shefali is a clinical psychologist specializing in family dynamics and personal development. She is also a keynote speaker, the founder of Global Inner Disarmament and a multi-award winning author. Her books, The Conscious Parent – Transformation Ourselves, Empowering Our Children and Out of Control – Why Disciplining Yo... keep reading

How to drive your nonfiction book up the bestseller lists

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Every author would love to plop the words “bestselling author” alongside his or her name. But what does this term really mean? The definitions of a “bestseller” are changing in the age of digital publishing.

The New York Times is the gold standard of bestseller lists in North America but recently, more authors are citi... keep reading

Best places to write

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If you’re having difficulty applying your bum to the chair and sitting still long enough to get the words flowing, the problem might lie in the location of that chair.

Some places lend themselves especially well to productive writing sessions (and no, we’re not talking about Cuba or Paris.) Many writers find that they work better in certain settings than in others. Are you a creature of habit? Easily distracted? Whatever your temperament, there’s an ideal writing place for you, and it might not be the one you’re using now.

Go beyond the kitchen table an... keep reading

Planting the seeds for LifeTree

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Page one, chapter one.

Welcome to the LifeTree Media blog’s very first post. How wonderful that you are here to bear witness to this birth!

This brand new bouncing baby blog will grow up to have a life of its own, moving in directions I can only imagine and touching the lives of people I will never meet. As it should.

Of course I have dreams and intentions for it. I hope that this blog will become a source of inspiration, joy and support for those who get to know it. I hope that it will become the meeting place for a community of like-minded people who are interes... keep reading