Ever time I think I have met the nicest people in the book industry someone else comes and surprises me. I did a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Northville, MI on 6-06-09 and the manager was just so nice to me. She did everything in her power to make sure I received the maximum exposure possible. We sold a lot of books that day thanks to Betsy.

The release of Allison Investigates was held up until 9-19-09. Sometimes the publisher will hold a release up to get everything prepared in time. Barnes and Noble in Northville, MI will be doing the national release and throwing a party to celebrate the event. Then it is off on tour again in the fall.

Love,

Taylor Joseph

On 4-04-09 I attended an author workshop at the Westland Library in Westland, MI. There were four authors there talking about being focused and becoming published. Luckily I was one of them. They asked me questions like how I stay focused when writing. I answered that you just have to block things out and thing about your main goal, to finish your book.

The other authors there were Charles Avison, who wrote a book about the 1935 champions in Detroit. Cheryl Vatcher-Martin who has written three books one on poetry. And a special new friend I met Tara Michener who is a children’s author. Tara was very nice to me and did a book swap with me. That is when two authors trade books and read them and let them know what they think about them. I was glad to meet  Tara and I can’t wait to get together with her.

YAY, MY SECOND BOOK ALLISON INVESTIGATES IS AT THE PRINTER AND SHOULD BE OUT IN AUGUST.

Taylor Joseph

My second novel has been completed and has went through the long, tedious process of being edited and reviewed. Remember, when you write you must be patient.

My second novel is a mystery which is much more difficult to write. A mystery is very structured and must follow a set pattern. It has to flow and keep the reader in suspense. I learned a great deal through this process. As I read the final before it went to print, I realized, Wow! Was that ever a lot of work!

Taylor Joseph

So you have written a manuscript, had it professionally edited, and you want it published. Before you send it in to a publisher, you have to come up with a reason why they should publish your manuscript. They want to know what sets your manuscript apart from others. You should include a page as to what makes your manuscript better than the rest.

Is it going to appeal to certain groups that would show interest? Is it going to appeal to certain people that are in need of something? In other words, what is going to make your book sell better then the next person’s book? Why should the publisher spend money on you when they have so many other manuscripts? I know this seems difficult, but you have to tell them specifically why your book will sell. If you come up with a niche, you will be far ahead of everyone else trying to become published.

Taylor

Before you submit your manuscript to a publisher, do a little research on the publisher first. Find out exactly what they are looking for. Many publishers will tell you they are not accepting certain books. For example, certain publishers just publish textbooks or children’s books. Ask them for suggestion on who they feel would be interest in your manuscript. Be persistent. Most authors have to submit their work many times before it is accepted.

Taylor

Someone asked me a question last week about how to get started writing. First of all, you have to decide if you want to write fiction, non-fiction, self-help, or whatever else you choose. Remember, research is an important key to writing. If you research, you will get a lot of ideas from your data even if it is a novel. When you begin to write, find a comfortable place and use it as your place to create. The place you pick will actually become helpful to you thriving as an author. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY YOUR IDEAS WILL COME TOGETHER!

Taylor

I received an encouraging message on 10-24-08. My second book was submitted for publication about 6 weeks ago. I received an E-Mail from the editor telling me that she thought the novel was very good and that they were going to proceed with the editing process. Very rarely will a publisher ever tell you that your manuscript is fabulous. You could have the best novel ever written and it will be judged on one thing and one thing only: how much it sells. 

This made me very happy. I had to bring myself back down knowing that this is only a small step and that it still needs final approval. It is a very long process in which I have to be patient with. I guess in the meantime I will start writing again and shoot for a third novel. The editor told me we will hear from her in the next couple of weeks about the adventure mystery novel I subtimitted. Until then, I guess I will be on pins and needles.

Taylor Joseph

I was fortunate enough to meet Brad Kadrich, the editor of The Plymouth Observer last week. He told me that they were going to do a story about my speech on children’s illiteracy in the paper. Sure enough, it appeared on the second page of the main news section of The Plymouth Observer and The Northville Record on 10-19-08. I am so thankful that I have met so many nice people on my quest to be an author. I feel lucky that I am able to help children realize their potential and help them understand how important it is to read.