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

One of the greatest things about writing is that it has given me a chance to meet so many nice people. Amanda from Relate Magazine informed me that she was inspired by the novel The Crossing and said she was going to do a story on me. She said it will be out either in the next issue or the one after that, depending on when she completes the story. She said she was going to put it in as an inspirational story. Thanks Amanda!

NEXT POST I WILL ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOGGED ON ABOUT GETTING THEIR BOOKS PUBLISHED

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.

Things are going well and here are some upcoming events:

11-13-08 Book signing 5-7pm at Barnes and Noble at 3311 Tittabawassee Rd. Saginaw, MI 48604        #989-790-9214 special event-authors night.

11-15-08 Book signing and book fair 3-5pm-I will be speaking to children about the importance of reading 500 South Main St. Royal Oak, MI 48067 #248-336-9490

11-22-08 Book signing and book fair 3-5pm at Barnes and Noble at 3235 Washtenaw Ann Arbor, MI 48104

#734-973-0846   

11-29-08 Stock signings at 9 separate stores

12-05-08 Book signing at Barnes and Noble 3-5pm 3120 Fairlane Dr. Allen Park, MI 48101 #313-271-0688

On 10-11-08 we woke up super early to take my brother to an academic tournament. While we were there we figured we would stop at the Barnes And Noble in Green Oak Township and in Northville, MI and signed a stack of books so they could have autographed copies on the shelves. After that, I went and got ready for our homecoming dance. My friends and I had a great time in which I will remember forever. I am so excited because the first hockey game of the season for us is on 10-12-08. GO TEAM!!!!!!

On 10-7-08, I was asked to be a guest speaker at the Plymouth Rotary Club. They asked me to speak about children’s illiteracy since this is their main topic for the year. They have made it clear that they are going to everything they can to help children learn to read. I gave a ten-minute speech vowing to help whenever I can. I quoted a staggering statistic that nearly 40 million adult Americans can’t read at an eighth grade level The people at the Plymouth Rotary Club are truly wonderful people and are dedicated to this cause. Kudos to them.

10-04-08 My family got up early to drive up north because we had some business to take care of. So two weeks before, we figured we would organize some book signings while we were there. First we stopped in Burton, Michigan, which is just outside of Flint. The entire way I was very excited because I knew it was going to be an adventure that I would remember forever. When we arrived in Burton at the B. Daltons at the Courtland Mall, the manager had books on hand waiting for me to sign. I went in, introduced myself, and signed the entire amount of books she had which was called a stock signing. She was very gracious and friendly and made me feel welcome. She was very happy I came to her store and told me I was welcome back anytime. Later that day we drove to Midland where we were scheduled for a book signing between 1-3 pm. When we arrived, the assistent manger was so gracious and happy to see us. She informed us that the Midland News did a front page story about The Crossing and about the signing. She purchased two copies of the paper and handed them to us which made me feel blessed. When she took us to the table where I would do my signing, I was surprised to see the huge stack of books waiting for me. I met so many wonderful people there including three high school boys who saw the article in the paper and wanted a copy of my book. They were so friendly that they made me feel pleased that I came to Midland, Michigan. During the signing, a reporter came to Midland from The Saginaw News. He wanted to take some photos of the signing to possibly do a story in the Saginaw paper about my upcoming signing at the Barnes and Noble there on 11-13-08.  The store was relatively busy all day and I was pleased that many of the books sold. I felt so fortunate to meet so many nice people and to know that I may have inspired someone to read. One other thing, the people at Barnes and Noble in Midland, Michigan, are some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. They treated me well!

It was quite a weekend. After school on Friday 10-3-08, one of my closest friends came home from school with me with great anticipation about what our night would bring. We had a fundraiser to attend to help raise money for my brother’s hockey team. We arrived at a local bowling ally which was completely packed. Eighty percent of the people that were there came for the same reason: to raise money. The fundraiser started out boring but it rapidly became enjoyable as we started to bowl. During the first two games we cheered and had a great time. We ate and helped the hockey team raise about two thousand dollars. It was all for a good cause. I especially enjoyed watching the several people who won in the raffle. What a great time.

Taylor

Don’t forget you can get 5 free tips on how to get your book published if you click on the proper icon that says get a free report on my home page.

Thanks, Taylor