Something BIG Is Coming! (and a favor to ask…)
Posted by John Harricharan · 30 Comments
Hello there! I hope that this message finds you well.
Personally, I could not be doing better.
You see, I am more excited than I’ve been in a good, long while about a project that I’ve been working on over the past few months – a project that is FINALLY almost completed.
I’ll get to that in a minute, but first I need to back up a step or two to explain WHY this project has me so worked up.
You may have heard me say before that I believe that…
“Becoming a successful author is one of the most transformative, life-changing things a person can do.”
Well, you might not know this, but for nearly the past decade, I have been offering a course to aspiring authors, showing them how to get their books written, published, and effectively promoted.
Teaching this course has truly been one of the highlights of my career, as I’ve had the privilege of taking HUNDREDS of students through my course.
I’ve been able to help guide them through the confusing options and contradictory advice of the publishing industry, and have seen MANY of them attain wonderful success.
Seeing many of my students complete their books and achieve this kind of success in their lives has been HUMBLING, to say the least.
But in spite of the wonderful successes that I’ve seen my students have, there IS a part of me that has been troubled about my course these past years…
You see, my book writing and publishing course was offered at various times for anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 US Dollars.
(Frankly, because of how the course was structured and the amount of personal time and involvement it required from me, I couldn’t offer it for less than that.)
While the information in the course was WELL worth what my past students have invested, I have been troubled that I could not offer the course to a wider audience, and at a price that more people could afford.
I KNEW that if I could get the information in my course out to a larger number of people, then I could help not just hundreds, but THOUSANDS of people farther along the path to becoming successful authors.
And that brings me back to my project…
You might have already figured out that something VERY significant is coming to this very website – Authors University.
I’ve been working for months now on a unique way to share my expertise and knowledge of book writing, publishing, and promotion with you.
I don’t have time right now to go into detail on everything that Authors University is going to include, but I CAN tell you this:
Authors University is going to take you by the hand and guide you step-by-step from wherever you are right now to becoming extremely successful as a published author.
Can I Ask A Quick Favor Of You?
As I put the finishing touches on the course, I have a favor to ask of you.
I want this course to be as valuable as possible to YOU, and to make sure that it answers your most important questions.
To be sure that it does, I would like for you to give me a brief answer to the following two questions:
- In which one of the following areas do you have the most questions about becoming a successful published author: Writing, Publishing, or Book Promotion?
- What are your two biggest questions about that part of becoming an author?
Please post your answers to these two questions below, and I will be sure to take every question into consideration as I complete all of the plans for the new course.
I know that many of you have also been posting comments and questions on other parts of the site. Rest assured that I am reading every question and even though I may not be able to individually respond to each one, I will be addressing all questions as Authors University officially kicks off.
Thank you in advance for your comments and questions, as I’m confident that they will help Authors University to become the #1 most useful course on becoming a successful, published author.
Keep your eyes open for more information on the opening of Authors University in the next two weeks!
Best Wishes,
John Harricharan
which publishers do you recommend for a book about number theory, as I discoveredesome amazing new insights in this field.
Thanks
Dear John,
First I want to thank you for being so sweet when I accidentially called you directly a few months ago. I didn’t recognize the charge for “Power Pause” on my card statement. You were very patient and kind & gave me some wonderful advise – “When there are shadows in front of you, turn around and face the light.” That has meant alot to me and I’ll never forget it .
I am very interested in writing a book about my recovery from addiction to alcohol & drugs, primarily focusing on my spiritual journey and finding joy in everyday life. I’ve written alot but it’s mostly journals and step work. How does one develop an outline, get a central theme & organize random writings? In other words, how do you write a book? How much should one count on intuitive inspiration?
Thanks, Katie
Greetings, John!
Wonderful questions to get us started:
1) In which one of the following areas do you have the most questions about becoming a successful published author: Writing, Publishing, or Book Promotion?
I would think Publishing and Book Promotion.
2) What are your two biggest questions about that part of becoming an author?
i) Finding the right topic.
ii) Getting recognised when you do not have a track record of having written anything before.
Congratulations on your project, John! I look forward to reading your future announcements.
Kind regards,
Jerry
Dear John,
I thank you so much for appreciating you. It’s my privilege to know you………..I realize I can’t make a ‘big thing’ in a ‘minute’……………….yet to write a book is still ‘far’ from me. For me to make a book is to make just ‘one word’ longer and longer, to make just ‘a page’ be more and more.
I highly appreciate for your kindness, John…………much blessings.
Love and Peace,
Des
Hi John,
Wow, I never really even thought of writing a book, let alone being published… I am a problem solver, make it work kinda guy, – being very strong with PC’s. I have much I could share on that, -though i feel that in the next few months paths will have opened and I will find myself working to master another skill?? (perhaps writing a book?) ether way what ever helps folks the most. is where I will be. .
I really have no questions at this point, It does sounds interesting the more I think about it, so I will keep that in mind >\<
Thanks John!!
talk soon…
-scott
Hi John
How to write a book, having a mentor to assist, making a story interesting enough to be published, and make a profit at the end of the exercise, would be the areas I would need to know about before I started.
Regards,
Garth Grogan
Hi John,
Thanks for all your guidance.
I have always wanted to write but have never got around to it.
My challenges:
1. writing and publishing
2. Keen urge to write a book but dont know what to write about.
Staying focused and guidance.
Thank you and blessings
JOHN. Have left prior comments. For those of us who feel assured the only questions are
How can i get an agent and how can i find a publisher who is still open to receive new authors?
Best Victor
Hi John
My areas of interest are more around publishing and promotion, however, I do think it would be useful to have work subjected to a review group to benefit from valuable input from others in terms of readability and saleability……
My questions are around ebook publications, will the university cater to authors of ebook publications?
Thanks Tracy
Hello John and Thank you and congratulations !
1.In which one of the following areas do you have the most questions about becoming a successful published author.
answer::publishing
2.what are your two biggest questions about that part of becoming an author.
answer: How to keep costs at a minimum and how to find a publishing company to publish my book.
My questions are invariable tied up with the practical… the publishing and the promotion.
I have published before (see ‘Julia and the Hunt for Magical, Mysterious Buttlefly’… previews on Amazon) and whilst the writing process is extremely rewarding, the ‘legwork’ that followed was very challenging and frustrating.
Many thanks
Fd.
Dear John,
do you really see the need and the demand for new books?
I have not been able to read one in ages while I am eager, more and more to know and feel what really moves me. What moves within! What moves everything. Writing that comes from word crafting does not move me, but good stories like the one of professor Petersen are so touching. They come through the words and spirit of the speaker. Writing, sitting alone at a desk for days….either it comes or it doesn´t. Please, forgive me if I am wrong but as today I would really need to have something big to write about. Full of life and love. Can this be thaught, even someone like you, whom I highly respect, what can you teach in this domain? Can you kindle the fire with me? is this what the university is about? Love without borders.
Writing and it’s skills are the largest concern that this author has right now.
Where would a new writer look to increase personal writing skills in writing content if school is financially unattainable?
Does higher learning stem from experience or actual training by an established author?
Hi John,
Thank you so much for providing a forum for aspiring authors to share ideas, learn from the experts, and truly find focus. I look forward to success.
1) My questions at this time revolve around the writing process.
2) Most of my questions and blockages revolve around time and flow:
How do you reconnect to your theme/muse when a successful writing session is interrupted by the inevitable familial squabble?
How do you keep “on plot” on spiritual fiction when bombarded incessantly by mainstream media/cultural negativity?
Thank you John,
Duncan
John
I love what you are doing andso admire your willingness to help others.
I have several manuscripts I have published as e books, offered on blog or web sites.
Is iuniverse one of the best bublishing sites.
I am most interested in promotion, marketing and distribution as I have 1500 books in storage!
Lana
1. Writing abook is easy, getting it out there is the problem. by the time the guys finish with you for marketing your book , you are left with nothing.
2. The the other book stores, publishers and folks in the business, don’t touch your book if itsSelf Published, is like you are tabooed,cursed. why?
Dear John,
First of all thanks a lot for all the things you are doing to get our best self out on the paper. I have written 2-3 small e-books, but they didn’t give me much satisfaction. So, I have already started with a big project. So, writing is fine for me.
I want to emphasize on questions regarding publishing and promotion.
1) What does the publisher want to get in a manuscript of a not so famous person?
2) Once published what do I need to do regarding promotion for touching more people and contribute to the world at large?
Thanks once again for your affection and support.
With love and light,
Sayan.
1. What do I do to ’stand out like a sore thumb’ in an editors eyes, so that I’ll have a chance to discuss ideas? Sore thumbs are ‘attention getters’…I think.
2. How do I ‘target a market’ and come up with the editors that match that market?
I don’t need a specific answer…only a direction. If I’m going to ’shoot for the moon’…my thought is GO FOR IT. I think I just did. I may be 71 but I still have the ‘drive’ even if the car’s an older model.
Thank you for listening.
John Victor Crocker
Dear John,
My Biggest question is:
1.) how to publis in the way that big number of people have opportunity to read, or to see
2.) how to manage promotion if the one have regular 8-16 job
Thank you,
ksendl
dear john,
My two biggest questions relate to publishing, which are,
1) what is the first step taken for publishing
2) whom should I approach for publishing for I am totally ignorant in this field.
Thankyou John
maimoonah
Dear john,
I am interested to write book on rebirthing, transformation of sexual energy, ,body mind medicine. I feel like writing but it feels like a difficult job to begin with.Some times I think that I should put my thoughs on dictaphone and develop the matter.
I want to join your course on guiding me how to begin and and go about this and where to publish
John
1. I have a manuscript which is spiritual in nature – how do I find the right publisher? When I do, do I leave the marketing to them?
2. If I can sneak in one more – would an E-Book not be more environmental-friendly?
Be good!
John,
Thanks so much for giving us this forum in which to voice our questions! I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re offering in the course!
1) The biggest area I need help with is publishing & promotion. (OK, so I’m combining them on you!
)
2) My biggest questions are:
– What are the best publishing options for a first-time author?
– Once I’m published, what is the best way to get the word out about my book and get it selling?
– (One more, if I may…) What should I be thinking about BEFORE PUBLISHING my book to help ensure a greater probability of success?
Thanks, John. Can’t wait to get started!
Jason
Dear John:
Since I have written my book and pretty much decided to go with a POD (possiblyOutskirtspress), I’d have to say that promotion is my biggest concern.
Of the questions I could ask about promotion, of which I have many, I’d have to simplify my two by saying how do I get the biggest bang for the least buck? I know that what ever you will be bringing to Author’s University, I will be investing in. I just finished When You Can Walk On Water, Take The Boat, what a life-changing book! It felt like I was talking with and listening to a best friend, beautiful!! It also made me smile and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as Og Mandino initially inspired me to write my spiritual/inspirational book, Richard Bach’s Illusions is proping up my laptop as I type this and I couldn’t believe who did your forward. Brad Stieger did my forward as well! Talk about synchronicity! I know we’ve never met, but you have a forever friend here, John. I can’t wait to read the rest of your work and have a coach of your caliber in my corner through Author’s University.
With great respect,
Bob Brown
PS My email address is the title of a second book I have been working on about focused giving entitled The 60 Second Lover, Got a minute?
1. In which one of the following areas do you have the most questions about becoming a successful published author: Writing, Publishing, or Book Promotion?
Book promotion
2. What are your two biggest questions about that part of becoming an author?
What are the best promotional methods?
How do you pull them off?
1. In which one of the following areas do you have the most questions about becoming a successful published author: Writing, Publishing, or Book Promotion?
WRITING
2. What are your two biggest questions about that part of becoming an author?
a) HOW TO FIND A RIGHT THEME? SO MANY IDEAS FROM DIFFERENT THEMES.
b) STAYING FOCUSED.
i used to write in a feminist magazine, write poetry and a lot of diaries. Loved it. Once wrote a thesis for university, which the teacher did not think to highly of, while i thought she did not understand my approach of the subject, she addressed it from a western scientific side, i from a spiritual side.
Now i have to write a thesis on diabetes, to complete a healthadvisereducation. I also would love to regain my earlierdays joy of writing, am now 58.
I kept my poetry somewhere in a dark corner. Some people liked it.
People also liked my articles and discussions.
I have been working through prenatal ptsd, but do not get clarity, why i feel so totally blocked on starting to write a simple thesis.
And why i cannot return to the joy of writing poetry again.
It is just emails, sometimes long ones.
1. In which one of the following areas do you have the most questions about becoming a successful published author: Writing, Publishing, or Book Promotion?
Writing
2. What are your two biggest questions about that part of becoming an author?
a) Ability to write for RIGHT reasons, i.e. to enrich others (not for money, pride, fame etc.)
b) Subject
1) I have most questions about publishing.
2) My two biggest questions in that area relate to whether or not to self-publish, what would be the best format to put my material “out there” and who is going to hold my hand! Okay, that maybe 3 questions I snuck in there!
Thanks John!
Nicola
1. Publishing non-autobiographical fiction
1½.. maybe some of both Publishing and Book Promotion
2. Since I am a totally unknown novice which small-time publisher would most likely look at my unsolicited manuscript with an open mind — magazines, newsletters, pamphlets?