Saturday, August 30, 2014

How To Find An Editor For Your Book

In today's blog post I am going to give you a few pointers on how to find an editor for your book.

There are lots of people out there who have decided to hang out a shingle and call themselves editors.

All editors are not created equal.

So how do you find a good editor who won't take you for a ride and really knows what they are doing?

First, look for someone who has experience in editing the types of books that you write.
A person who edits textbooks may not necessarily be a good fit to edit your fiction book.

Next, look for someone who has edited books before. Your book should not be a guinea pig for anyone.

Do a Google search for an editor in your genre. Most professional editors have a website and contact form. Ask to see samples of their work first and reach out to some of their former clients if possible.

You can reach out to your local colleges to connect with creative writing students who are looking to build their portfolios. Often times you can negotiate a fair rate in exchange for a testimonial.

Another route you can explore to find an editor would be to find a retired English teacher. I say retired because they will more than likely have the extra time to invest in editing your book properly and may be willing to work for a negotiated rate.

You can visit online forums that center around writing and publishing to find editors looking for work.

You can post your job for an editor on sites such as elance.com and peopleperhour.com.

In my next post I will talk about the different types of editors and which ones you need for your book.

Until next time,


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

How Podcasting Can Help You Sell More Books

Podcasting can be a great promotional tool for authorsEasily Create a Podcast. Free to Start.

If you are like many authors, you are probably looking for new and exciting ways to get the word out about your business. Well, there is a way that you can do that without having a huge marketing budget. In fact, you can even start your very own professional podcast for free, using a service called blog talk radio.

Blogtalkradio came onto the scene in 2006, offering a platform for amateur radio show hosts to launch their own radio shows online. Since its inception, the site has allowed regular everyday people to interview some of the biggest names in entertainment, media and other arenas.

What is podcasting?

Podcasting is derived from the words 'broadcasting' and ipod. The most popular format of a podcast is MP3, which is a type of audio file. It is a form of audio broadcasting on the internet.

Podcasting became linked to the ipod because people would download the broadcasts to listen to them on their ipods.

Now, you can listen to a podcast on virtually any device, from your desktop computer to your smartphone, to your tablet.

You can record your talk radio style podcasts from home and share them with people all over the world.

People like to hear from authors, so you could actually use this platform to interview other authors, or to do readings from your book.

If your book is nonfiction, you can use a podcast to share your expertise on a particular subject.

How can podcasting work for me?

Think podcasting wouldn't work for you. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you passionate about a particular subject?
2. Does your book touch on a subject that you could build a show around?
3. Do you feel comfortable talking about a subject?

These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself.

Then, sit down with a pen and paper and write down your show ideas.

Authors On Tour is a great example of podcasting that focuses on interviewing authors. It is a live broadcast of authors being interviewed at Tattered Cover Book Store with three locations in Colorado. 

So, if you have been looking for ways to promote your book, consider starting your own podcast.

Interested in learning about more ways to promote your book? Subscribe to my mailing list where I share tips and strategies to help you build a business around books. You can do that here.

Until next time,








Thursday, August 7, 2014

Three Ways To Boost Confidence And Self Esteem

Building self confidence ultimately leads to a more positive outlook on life.

We all need to know how to boost confidence and self esteem if we intend on being successful in life.

Having a negative outlook on life shows in our actions and in our everyday dealings with people.

It shows in our posture, and comes out in our words.

Confidence is a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of their own abilities or qualities.

It means that you believe in yourself and in the things that you have set out to accomplish.

In this post I am going to share with you three ways that I have found to boost confidence and self esteem. Give them a try and then tell me how they work for you.

1. Sit up straight. According to Oprah.com, a person who sits up straight has more confidence in their thoughts than slouchers. Practice this: imagine that there is a balloon over your head and that holding your head up straight is what keeps the balloon in the air. Every time you sit up straight, the balloon rises, and so does your body. Every time you slouch, this balloon starts to fall and lose air. Practice doing this everyday and watch your posture improve. 


2. Become a blogger. An article on the Huffington Post suggests that blogging your innermost feelings helps to boost confidence because it encourages writing. The key is to pour out your most intimate and agonized entries twice a week for two months and leave your posts open for comments.

3. Look in the mirror and talk to yourself. The third thing you can do to boost confidence and self esteem is to use positive affirmations. Stand in front of the mirror and literally tell yourself what you are. Your affirmations should focus on your future goals. For example, you would look at yourself and say, "I am one smart lady (or man). "I am the best writer in the world." I am an international, best-selling author." Positive affirmations help to build the positive vibes and energy you need in your life to help you stay focused on what it is that you really want in life. Click here here to watch a great video by Louise L. Hay about self esteem affirmations.

If you don't know me personally, I am Dr. Sandra N. Peoples and I help inspire people to do good things in life.

How would you like to get helpful tips, encouraging words and inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for my mailing list. You can do that here. And when you do, I will send you a free copy of my book, 'Break Free: How to Overcome Fear and Live Life on Purpose."

Take care until next time,




Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Five Freelance Writing Jobs For Writers


Are you a freelance writer,or someone who is looking to get started as one?

 How about an author, looking for more writing opportunities, or ways to really boost your income as a writer?
 If you are like me, you are probably tired of looking for real jobs for writers.
With all the scams online, it is hard to fine online writing jobs that actually pay anything.
In my ebook, Writers Wanted: Five Freelance Writing Jobs For Writers, I introduce you to five real writing opportunities that actually pay you enough to make a real living off of.
 I'm not talking about all the content mills out there that pay you pennies on the dollars.
 These are real writing opportunities that pay you hundreds and thousands of dollars per client.
 This book also gives you the details about a writing program that teaches you a sought after skill that will allow you to earn top dollar as a writer.
So, if you have been wondering how to become a writer, then this book will show you how to get started as soon as this week. Start your writing career off on the right foot.
 Download this book. Buy Now