Write-On!

For some, writing a book can be a overwhelming project. You do the research, you make notes and do all the things you think you need to do to get started. Don’t let it make you crazy or scare you from writing at all.

Ready to take the big leap? Write-On!

Okay! Here’s the first tip: Don’t quit your day job! Writing a book is only part of the equation. If you self-publish you will need to hire an editor, make arrangements with a book printer and if you want to to make your book available nationally and perhaps internationally, you will need to find a distributor or a wholesaler.

Confusion reigns when we get down to defining the different activites of book wholesalers and book distributors. It is important to accurately distinguish the two types of activities because they are extremely different in both emphasis and kind.

The book wholesaler should be seen as a service provider to bookstores. They do not create demand; rather they efficiently respond to demand whatever the cause and whatever the title. They envision their task as serving the interests of bookstores and similar outlets.

A wholesaler’s main objective is getting product “A” to store “B” in the shortest time and at the lowest possible cost. Look at them as a kind of UPS or Fed Ex of the book business.

On the other hand, book distributors represent the interests and activities of book publishers. Instead of hiring your own sales and marketing personnel and running your own shipping, storage and returns processing warehouse, you would outsource all of these activities to a book distributor who focuses on these activites on your behalf.

Unless, you are generating over $5,000,000 in book sales, you should seriously consider the book distribution option. It may actually cost less and at the same time provide marketplace clout because the distributor represents many publishers to the marketplace.

Question: How do you eat an elephant?
Answer: One bite at a time.

Question: How do you write a book?
Answer: One sentence at a time.

It’s really that easy. Many first-time authors stress over how long it will take, whether they have enough material to fill a book and more.

Just start writing! You have to begin sometime. Why not today!

Get organized. Do your research. By the way, doing research does not mean copying some other author’s stuff. That’s called plagiarism, that is to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own. Read more about plagiarism.

Do a brief outline of what you want to write about. My first book had 10 key points or in other words, 10 chapters. I made a list of what I wanted each chapter to be about and started writing. It is not necessary to write a book from beginning to end. In my case, I opened 10 files in my computer, titled them and began to write a little at a time in each chapter. Set aside a little time to write everyday.

My first writing mentor, Peggy Moss Fielding (Tulsa, OK) once told me that if I wanted to be a writer I needed to write at least one hour everyday. I didn’t believe her at first, but once I got the hang of it, I got hooked. Today I often spend more than one hour writing each day. She totally inspired me to begin writing my first book. (Thanks, Peggy! You created a writing monster!) Since then I have written 5 books, more than 650 articles, have four blogs (something new goes up every 4th day on each of them) and I have 5 Websites. I also am a guest blogger on 11 other blogs.

Stop “talking” about writing a book and just do it! Get inspired! Let your imagination run wild. Write-on! . . .and on. . . and on! If you need help, call a coach!

Click here for a really neat Website that will help you get started. Make sure you visit all of their links to learn about the origins of writing, methods you can use to help you organize your writing, the many different forms of writings and more.

BONUS Articles: How to Distribute Your Self-Published Book Offline
Piecing Together the Distribution Puzzle

Authors & Speakers Network Blog

Copyright © 2011 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

The Importance of Editing Your Book BEFORE Publication

When text has been rewritten and “reread” many times, the human brain “fills in the blanks” and sees what it expects to see. For this reason, the fresh eyes of an editor can be a real benefit for every book. When you edit your own work, typos will still slip through. Proofreading your book is one of the most important steps in self-publishing.

Text that is perfectly clear to the author may be less so to someone who is reading it for the first time. By revising over and over and proofreading over and over, you may find mistakes you didn’t notice before. Check and double-check. After proofreading, put your work down for a day and check it again later. Things you missed one day you will notice the next. You will always read your own words in the way that you thought you wrote them, but another person may well read them differently.

When you do your own editing, read your book out aloud. This is a procedure that is followed by a large number of professional book editors and proofreaders, because they want to hear what the sentence sounds like, rather than what it looks like on paper. Not only are you using your hearing faculty, but you are also using your sight to identify potential mistakes in the manuscript. The process of editing can be rather time-consuming and challenging. AND you should never neglect it.

Next. . . Hiring an experienced editor, rather than a friend or relative who happens to be an English teacher, is money well spent. Friends have a tendency to be less critical than is helpful.

It is very wise that a budget for editing must be included in your overall marketing plan. No one gets it right on the first time. Editing is necessary because clear and incisive communication is the key to successful publishing and advertising, polishing the writing and improving presentation. When fresh eyes looks at your book, it may help catch some grammatical errors you have thus far missed. It is much harder to detect mistakes in your own writing than in someone else’s.

There’s much more to editing a book than fixing the grammar.

A good editor will polish your words without changing your style, and help your book to be the very best it can be, one that will stand up to the tough scrutiny of distributors, booksellers, and librarians. Professional editors are trained to put their own personal feelings aside and focus on enhancing your work.

Sloppy sentences, surface errors, misused punctuation, wordiness, and faulty use of tenses – all these can undermine the effectiveness of your writing. Errors distract the reader considerably, diminishing the effectiveness of your writing.

Here are a few things that editors look for:

• Typographical Errors
• Grammatical Mistakes
• Run-On Sentences
• Punctuation & Quotation Marks
• Subject-Verb Disagreements
• Sentence Fragments and Lengths
• Spelling
• Apostrophes
• Comma Usage and Splices
• Capitalization
• Tenses
• Structure and Theme
• Organization
• Audience Appropriateness

While spell checkers and grammar checkers can be handy tools, don’t rely on them as your only means of proofreading. They do not catch everything. You should also look at the usage of apostrophes and contractions while proofreading. There is a big difference between “its” and “it’s.” Lots of people make mistakes between “they’re,” “their” and “there.”

“Editing is one of the absolute factors that will influence your book sales. The degree to which you personally edit your thoughts and writing, combined with the degree to which you invest in professional editing will ultimately play a large role in developing reader comfort. A great edit will not ensure your book sells, but it will definitely eliminate one of the largest potential detractors that might prevent book sales.” ~ Sherrie Wilkolaski

The process of editing and proofreading ensures that your finished written document is free from grammatical and spelling errors, and is the final step that must be taken before any document is to be considered complete. Your work must be polished and fine tuned so that it shines and strikes a chord with readers. It is wise for authors and publishers alike to solicit the help of professional editors and proofreaders before publishing your book.

The object of your book is to hold the reader’s attention; this will happen when the reader isn’t jumping over errors and pausing at mistakes as they try to comprehend what you are saying. An editor found 110 corrections that needed to be made in one of my books “after” it was published and thousands of copies were sold after my appearance on ABC TV’s “The View” after I was interviewed by Barbara Walters. Lesson learned!

You should always view all the proofs after editing, and can make further additions or alterations before a final proof is accepted. Even after you have hired an editor and they have given you their critique, you should then re-check everything yourself.

Bonus Articles: “Editing Tip for Writers“
“What is the Difference Between Copy Editing and Proofreading?” by James Hamilton

Book Recomendation: “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk & E. B. White

Thank you to Michele DeFilipp for her contribution to this article.

Authors & Speakers Network Blog

Copyright © 2011 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

It Takes “Discipline” to Be a Writer. . . and More!

My writing teacher and biggest influencer in my writing career, Peggy Moss Fielding, once told me, “If you can’t set aside at least one hour each day to write, you will never be a writer.”

My first thought was. . . “One hour a day?! No way! I don’t have time to do the things I need to do every day as it is. How about if I start with 15 minutes?”

“Writing is sitting down – EVERY DAY – slicing open a vein, then bleeding your Truth all over the page.” ~ Scott Ginsberg

The hardest thing for most writers to do is to write. However, once they have written something, there is a great sense of accomplishment.

Discipline often conjures up images of deprivation, seriousness, or (gasp) rules. It not only takes dicipline, it takes dedication. Discipline usually means making ourselves do some duty, grit our teeth, force ourselves to do what we don’t want to do. If you want to be a writer you MUST write. When writing, discipline must be seen as a positive, never a negative.

“You settle into the discipline of writing just as you settle into your favorite chair. Discipline feels good and makes you a good writer.” ~ Harriet Hodgson

Currently I have 4 blogs (including this one – see the list at the end of this article) and I write something new on each one of them almost every day. Each blog is published on Facebook and Tweeted every 4th day. Don’t even think about starting a blog unless you can commit to writing something new at least once each week. If you don’t your blog will die on the vine. It must have interesting and fresh “content” to attract readers who will subscribe to your blog and come back to see what’s new. Be sure to add the URL to your blog on your business card, your e-mail signature and everything that leaves your office. If “you” don’t tell people about it – who will?

Daily. You must write something everyday. Choose the time when you feel that you are the most creative and promise yourself to spend at least one hour writing. My best time is late in the evening. No phone calls. No interruptions. You need some undisturbed time for concentration. Right now it is 12:14 a.m. You may prefer to write in long or short sessions. Write a short paragraph or an entire page. What works best for you? Be sure to take occasional breaks to keep the creative juices flowing.

“Start off slow. Either begin with every other day, twice a week, whatever is not overwhelming for you. Or limit your writing to a half an hour every day or two pages or whatever’s attainable. Many people burn out before they solidify a routine.” ~ J. A. Howard

Begin my making notes about what you want to write about. Scribble. Random notes are okay. Write your notes in a computer file. Refer to them when you run out of ideas. Some of my best ideas have been in my “Future Ideas” file. Many times what I may have written months before is just what I need to complete an idea that I have had trouble finishing. Often these ideas will inspire a creative streak when it seems that I cannot type fast enough to express the thoughts that I want to write about.

Sometimes a lightning bolt of inspiration strikes. I may be driving my car to an appointment, thinking and BANG! A new idea or a twist on an old idea comes to mind. The small recorder in my dashboard comes in handy at moments like this. I have been known to awaken from a dream, get up and go to my computer to jot a few noteworthy ideas. Experience has taught me that I most likely will never remember the idea when I wake up in the morning. I also have a pen with a small light at it’s tip that can help me make notes in the dark on a notepad beside my bed.

Don’t get too wordy. Say what you need to say, let it rest, come back 24 hours later, read it again, and edit or rewrite if necessary.

Learn to Tweet. I resisted Twitter for months thinking it was for kids. People “tweet” about everything from their latest closed sale to the color of the bird on their windowsill. I could care less about reading that Sam had a ham sandwich with Sally. That has all changed. Twitter has helped me be a better writer. The common thread between these vastly different messages is their length – Twitter restricts your messages to 140 characters. I decided to write a “relationship” Tweet once each day. Sometimes I will have an idea for a Tweet but it will be too long. Restricting an entire message to just 140 characters builds discipline – you can’t ramble and repeat yourself over and over. Discipline helps me edit to 140 characters so it makes sense. I can now see that 365 Tweets could very easily become another relationship book – one relationship “Tweet” for everyday in the year – 140 characters at a time. Imagination is a wonderful thing!

Don’t worry about sentence structure, punctuation, etc., that comes later. Just write. Be spontaneous. If you want to be a good writer you will need to hire someone to proofread your writing. Spellcheck is terrific, but it doesn’t discover all the nuances that a professional will find.

The mistake that a lot of would be writers make is that they stop writing when they don’t feel inspired and wait for the passion to come back. That is a mistake. You can always write something. Even it it means beginning to write something new to get you back on track. Don’t believe in “writer’s block.” Writing is never difficult if you have something good to say. Sketch out a few new ideas and begin again. You can always write something!

My first attempt at writing my first book, took 13 1/2 months. My second book was easier and quicker and my 3 book was written in 2 1/2 months. Since then I’ve written 2 more.

“Go toward with what attracts, excites or inspires you. Ask yourself what’s worth the effort and the sacrifices that come with commitment to any big goal. Worthwhile goals demand effort, risk, and sacrifice. You have to persist through fear and doubt; you have to draw on inner resources and become more than you were before. You find out what you’re made of.” ~ Dan Millman

If your goal is to write a book, set a sub-goal to write 3 to 5 pages a day. If you are writing a 200 page book and write 3 pages a day, it will only take you about 65 to 70 days to complete it if you say on schedule.

“The key of course to being a highly effective blogger is discipline, and discipline required structure. Structure of course leads to habit, and habit is a natural tool that can make anyone more effective if its focused in the right direction.” ~ Duncan Riley

It only takes 20 to 30 days to develop a new habit. Practice, practice, practice by writing something everyday and you will develop a new, productive habit of writing in about a month. Good writing habits are easy to make and hard to break, especially if you enjoy writing. Having been writing most of my life, but seriously since 1995, I feel compelled to write. It’s a good feeling. I have developed a passion for writing.

I cannot imagine writing a book on a legal pad. Or a typewritter. Computers have made writing easy. When I wrote “Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections,” I created 10 files in my computer, named each file and as I came up with ideas I would alternate writing between each of the ten files until I could not think of anything else to write. You don’t have to write a book from page one to the end. I write non-fiction and it’s more fun to skip around from chapter to chapter or as in my later books, from topic to topic.

For me, I usually am listening to some quiet jazz as I write. Jazz inspires me. My hero, Miles Davis once said, “”When you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that makes it good or bad.” When a jazz musician plays jazz, although he may not consciously know what the next note will be, he trusts his intuition enough to fearlessly play it. It’s the same with writing. Often the next word will inspire me to go back and rewrite the entire sentence to make it better. Some soft classical music in the background may inspire you.

If you want to be a writer there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome with time. Never let anyone tell you that you cannot write. Everyone can write if they really want to. Read lots of articles about writing. Follow other writer’s blogs. Google – “Writer Blogs!”

BONUS TIP: Always click “save” after you have written something on your computer. You cannot click the save button too much. I had to rewrite the entire first chapter of my very first book all over again because I forgot to save what I had written and my computer froze. (Of course, it was better the second time around!)

Maybe you’re struggling to write because you don’t feel good enough. Take a writing course at a community college. That’s what I did and where I met my teacher, Peggy Moss Fielding. She was teaching a class at Tulsa Junior College. That class literally change the direction of my life! (Thanks, Peggy!)

“I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung.” ~ Rabindranath Tagor

I dare you to write something everyday – without fail. – Larry James

To write a blog, article or book, you must first begin writing. Begin today!

By the way. . . I STILL don’t have time to write. I make time to write!

Read: “How to Write a Book, One Page at a Time” by Larry Winget and Jazz Up Your Relationship!

Note: I started writing this article at 12:14 a.m. It is now 2:45 a.m. And all is well.

Authors & Speakers Network Blog

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

More “Back-of-the-Room Sales!

An extension of the speaker’s ability to reinforce their message is through the written word and audio/video learning systems. If I meet any resistance from a meeting planner about offering my books at the back of the room, I offer (in writing) a guarantee. Here is one key paragraph from the signed form I send:

“You have my personal promise that if I spend more than two minutes mentioning the books and audio learning systems that I have available, I will decline acceptance of the balance of my speaking fee from your organization! You have my word on it!”

My two minutes begin when, after my presentation, the meeting planner (the timer) asks me to return to the lectern to “tell a little bit about Larry’s books.” I make this offering carefully, tastefully and briefly. It’s a very fine-tuned, 1-1/2 minute product presentation with book props. So far, I’ve never had to turn down my fee.

There is an understanding that during my presentation I may mention or refer to one of my books if it supports the point I am making (absolutely no long, drawn-out commercial) however the guarantee is for after the meeting planner calls me back to the lectern.

Note: The following two words are often misspoken by meeting planners and speakers.

Lectern – Desk for a standing reader (or speaker). Something you stand behind when you speak.

Podium – A raised platform (as for a speaker). Something you stand on when you speak. Often called a riser.

The lectern is often on the podium.

“Larry, your back-of-the-room policy is perfect. What makes it especially work is that you have tactfully and gracefully involved the client. Further, if a speaker does their job properly and with purpose, then audience members usually want their products – so the way you’ve chosen how to handle this is great!” ~ Nancy Vogl, Speaker, Author, Songwriter

Authors & Speakers Network Blog

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

Introductions: Their Care & Feeding!

As a professional speaker, it is wise to exercise responsibility and assume ownership of your own introduction. A bad introduction, can ruin a good meeting!! An un-prepped introducer often will under-state or over-state the facts about the speaker to the audience, confusing fact until it’s fiction, and sometimes accurately articulating the irrelevant until the audience loses interest. A disinterested audience is a speaker’s nightmare. So is a bad introduction.

Nearly thirteen years ago, I had an introduction that went something like this: “This afternoon we have a special speaker who will talk about. . .” (he paused and looked at me, hoping I would offer the topic, and continued) “Ah. . . I think his topic will be of interest to you. Here’s Larry. . . ah. . . Jones!” My name is Larry JAMES. How embarrassing for HIM.

When this happened I promised myself that I would do everything I could to keep the introducer from making a complete fool of himself and instead help him prep the audience with an introduction that would establish my credibility to speak on the topic and help the audience to know they were going to hear the real “me.” I also determined to provide the introducer with some guidelines to demonstrate the important part they were playing in the event.

I always write my own introduction. I send a copy to the person who hired me to speak and also bring an extra copy with me (just in case). In addition, when I send the introduction to the meeting planner, I staple a copy of the following as a cover sheet to stress the importance of the introduction.

To some of you, this may appear to be an extreme, however, I have yet to have a meeting planner object and most of my introductions have been presented in a more professional way.

Be sure to provide your introduction in a large font (about 14 point). It’s much easier to read.

• Bonus Idea – Rita Emmett, Professional Speaker, says, “When you give the meeting planner a copy of your introduction on the day of the presentation, print your introduction on colored paper (so it stands out from the other papers they are schlepping around) and use 14 or 16 point type to make it just a bit easier to read.”

• Bonus Idea – Include a brief statement in the introduction that politely asks everyone to please turn their cell phones and pagers off before the speaker begins so everyone will be able to enjoy the program.

Here is what I attach to the introduction:

Introductions: Their Care and Feeding!

For best results at your meeting. . .

Give the attached introduction and this flyer to the introducer; someone who is willing to commit to follow the following guidelines. If they can’t make the commitment, give it to someone who will.

Why bring this up? Because. . . you must always take a good introduction seriously!

A bad introduction, can ruin a good meeting! A good introduction creates the attitude of listening the audience will have for the speaker. It sets the stage. It establishes a partnership with the introducer and the speaker and helps the speaker connect with the audience.

For a partnership to work, it takes cooperation, both from the speaker and the introducer. A good introduction for the speaker will inspire the speaker to live up to the expectations talked about in a good introduction. A bad introduction will most always affect the speaker, even a professional speaker, as well as the audience.

The introducer does not have to be great, just better than usual. For anyone to be better than usual, you must always do more than you’ve done in the past. It takes concentration on the task at hand. It takes a commitment to do a good job!

Ad-libbing does not work! Most of the time it will make the introducer look bad. An ad-libbed introduction, often comes across as “thrown together.” Never “wing-it.” People who “wing-it” in life do not come across as professionals. It makes them look and sound as if they were unprepared.

GUIDELINES:

1. Remember to bring the introduction with you to the meeting!

2. Practice, drill and rehearse. It is good to practice reading it in front of a mirror. Read it over until you feel comfortable with it!

3. Stop at the periods and pause at the commas! Also pause when laughter occurs, if it occurs!

4. Read the introduction word for word. Please, no ad-libbing!

5. Read it with enthusiasm. Make it sound like you are glad the speaker is there. Don’t overdo it, you don’t have to be as good as the speaker!

6. After you’ve read the introduction, turn to the speaker, shake his or her hand and take your seat! Thank you for your consideration! These “Introduction Guidelines” are provided as a courtesy of your speaker. Let’s have a GREAT meeting! Thanks, again!

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

Investigate Foreign Rights for Your Books

One significant revenue stream that is often overlooked, is foreign rights. Foreign publishers are desperately seeking licensing rights to good non-fiction books in their countries and look to American authors and publishers in search of those quality books.

What are Foreign Rights?

Foreign rights are a type of subsidiary rights – or subrights – attached to your book. Like other subrights (movies, book clubs, paperback reprints, electronic, audio, etc.), foreign rights can be sold and controlled separately from your book’s primary rights.

Foreign rights are also called translation rights, a practice which can create confusion because, depending on the selling territory they’re attached to, foreign rights may well be in English. (Note: Foreign rights to my book, “Ten Commitments of Networking” is selling in India and Malaysia in English.)

Foreign rights is a win/win situation for American authors and publishers to develop a major revenue stream with no money down.

(Photo of book cover on the left is the Russian version of my book, “The First Book of Life Skills,” (English version is no longer available in bookstores. Signed copies of the English version are available from Larry James). The only way I could tell that is was my book is my photo is on the back cover.)

Read, “The Importance of Foreign Rights” by Bob Erdman.” Learn how to create a foreign rights revenue stream with no money down by contacting veteran publishing and foreign rights Guru Bob Erdmann. Bob gets 5 stars from Larry James.

Bob Erdmann, founder and president of Columbine Communications and Publications, a foreign rights publishing consultancy, started off his program with a definition: Foreign rights is licensing a foreign publisher to reprint a book in English or translate that book into another language, and for that you’re paid a royalty arrangement, very similar to an author/publisher arrangement.

Not every book is a candidate for foreign publication. However, lots of nonfiction titles are pretty much timeless books, especially if they are self-help, business, personal development, success or parenting books. By having your book translated into other languages, more people will benefit from your message, you will gain a new profit center and the sale counts as an “endorsement.” Publishers in other countries translate your book, design it, typeset it, have it printed and then plug it into their existing distribution system.

Bob has sucessfully sold the foreign rights to two of my books which put them in 10 other countries – India, Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Philippines & Vietnam. Send your request to: bob@bob-erdmann.com or call 209-586-1566. Visit Bob’s Website at: http://www.ColumbineCommunications.com/.

It is well worth the while of any publisher to take advantage of the extra income that can be provided by foreign rights deals. While the advance you get isn’t much, it gives you world wide exposure for your work. For a fee, Bob gives your book exposure through face-to-face contact at the Frankfurt International Book Fair (Germany) – the world’s largest book fair.

Read: “The Importance of Foreign Rights” by Bob Erdman.
“Build a Foreign Rights Revenue Stream – Part I” by Bob Erdman.
“Build a Foreign Rights Revenue Stream – Part II” by Bob Erdman.
“Do You Know Your Foreign Rights?” by Deanna Carlyle
“The Check’s in the Airmail: Foreign Publication Rights” by Aaron Hierholzer

NOTE: Although I do not accept money to refer good people, I would appreciate it if you would mention my name (Larry James) so Bob knows where the referral came from. Also, I do not recommend that you attempt to seek out foreign right opportunities yourself. It is time consuming and doing it yourself may not be worth it. Talk to Bob Erdman or someone who has the expertise of the world book market. It will save you lots of time and money.

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

Speak in Soundbites on Radio Talk Shows!

Why do radio talk shows to promote yourself or service?

1. Most radio interviews can be done by telephone, with no travel required.
2. Most interviews are live, and allow for Q & A from the listeners.
3. With interviews ranging from five to sixty minutes, this forum provides adequate time for a you to talk about yourself, book or service.
4. A guest can give out a toll-free number, website, or direct listeners to a bookstore to make a purchase.

Wikipedia says, “A soundbite is an audiolinguistic and social communications phenomenon. It is characterized by a short phrase or sentence that deftly captures the essence of what the speaker is trying to say. Such key moments in dialogue (or monologue) stand out better in the audience’s memory and thus become the “taste” that best represents the entire “meal” of the larger message or conversation. Soundbites are a natural consequence of people placing ever greater emphasis on summarizing ever-increasing amounts of information in their lives.”

In a radio interview, an answer to a host’s question has 3 parts.

• Restate the question or the problem
• Give an example of the problem
• Define the solution

Don’t fail this test. Be fiercely opinionated. Be who you are! Offer your input and perspective. Be inspiring, provocative, believable, different and memorable. Look at this opportunity as an audition; a genuine tryout for a real on-air performance. Speak to them in your very best soundbites.

When an author is interviewed on radio (or television), unless it’s a live broadcast, you never know what may end up on the cutting room floor after editors are through tightening it.

It is critical to repeat your core message points and your book’s title several times to be sure that even if only one of your answers makes it over the airwaves, the book gets some play. No matter what you are asked, chime in on you message, as everything you say must support your ideas.

Be Prepared – Have your cheat-sheet with your keywords and book(s) in front of you. Be sure to have answers (soundbites) written out for the sample questions you sent the host. Most radio interviews are by telephone. If you go to the studio, take your stuff with you!

Think in terms of limiting an editor’s choices of what will make the final cut.

Soundbites: A Business Guide to Working With the Media – Kathy Kerchner – With 14 years as a TV new reporter and anchor she’s seen it all; good interviews and “really” bad ones. There is no substitute for hands-on experience and personal coaching. Soundbites coaches you on how to make every interview work “for” you.

Larry’s Review: Learn from the expert! What to say, when and how to say it and WHY you need to learn to speak in sound bites! That’s it in a nutshell. This book was my bible when I appeared on ABC TV’s “The View” with Barbara Walters. I highly recommend it.

NOTE: Larry James has appeared on more than 650 radio talk shows. He’s been a Professional Speaker since 1987 and has written 5 books. If you are invited to do a radio interview and are a little shakey about it, call Larry James. He provides expert coaching for authors and speakers.

BONUS Articles: “Radio Station Checklist“
“How to Be a Great Radio Guest“

SPECIAL: If you would like to receive a FREE 26-page report of the two articles above, send an e-mail to Larry James. Be sure to type, “Please send How to Book Radio Shows and Be a Great Guest” in the subject and I will sent it to you as a Word docx by e-mail. (Thank you Dana Lynn Smith for your great work on preparing this report!)

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

When You Get Love Notes. . .

When someone says something nice about my business, my books, my Websites or my BLOGs, I call them Love Notes. Some call them client testimonials or endorsements.

Don’t be bashful. . . ask your customer and clients for endorsements. Actively solicit testimonials. Words of approval are marketing gold. If you get a really great note from someone who has read your book or who has attended your seminar or workshop, ask them if you can post it on your website, BLOG or use it in your promotional materials. Most people are flattered to be asked to endorse a book.

Favorable comments help sell books, your products and more because word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful forces in marketing! Anything you say about your book may appear self-serving and self-promotional, however words from high profile people are not. You must ASK for words of praise for your book!

When a customer becomes a raving fan, that is wonderful opportunity because you have helped them, and you now have a new potential endorser for your book or whatever. Endorsements are a great enhancement for your book. They add credibility in the eyes of the readers.

Some people don’t know what to say and often don’t have the time. I’m a writer, so that where I can help. I offer to write something for them as a “sample draft” and have them review it and add to it as they care to. Send a few versions of endorsements to them and ask them to pick one as-is, pick one and change it to his or her liking, mix and match, or start from scratch. Most people usually are okay with this, especially if you are asking a celebrity or well known person for the favor.

When you solicit endorsements, start big. Use “Star” power! Go for the BIGGIES! Never assume that an endorsement is out of the question. Any way that you can attach a brand name or celebrity to a book project, do it. Make a list of high profile people that “fit” in your area of expertise. They are the ones most likely to respond. High profile people know the value of having their name on something good. Dr. John Gray, author of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” has endorsed all three of my relationship books. I just asked him – and he said yes. So did Jack Canfield.

“Larry James speaks from the heart. His words carefully craft a message of hope that inspires couples to work together in a spirit of love and understanding. The powerful effect of his work in the area of relationships can change your life!” ~ Jack Canfield, Bestselling Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

Sometimes the most credible proof of your books benefits are from third party endorsements from three diverse readers who have little else in common other than their adoration of your book. Demonstrate that they’re “real people” by including their name, organization and additional credibility-building phrases. Display these “reinforcers” in your promotional materials.

Some years ago, I received a hand-written endorsement from Og Mandino within 10 days of requesting it. At first, I was reluctant to ask such a revered author for an endorsement. No longer!

Shameless Tip: Offer to write endorsements for other author’s books. I have written endorsements for more than 160 books and several forewords for other authors because I offered to do so. It is good for them and great publicity for me. I volunteered to post my reviews on Amazon.com as a favor to the authors. You can do it too.

When you get these endorsements, make sure you post them prominently on your Website, BLOG, and in all promotional materials. Devote a special page in the front of your book for endorsements you cannot use on the cover. I can assure you that your credibility and sales will increase because of them.

Since 2002 I have been performing “romantic” wedding ceremonies as part of my business. It ties in nicely with my work in the relationship area. Click here to read what some of my former clients have had to say about their weddings. You will also notice on this same page that I make it very easy for others to post their Love Notes.

BONUS Articles: “Third Party Endorsements Are Powerful!”
“Hot Tips for Getting Book Endorsements“
“Celebrity Endorsements“
“How to Write a Book Endorsement“

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

Hot Tips for Getting Book Endorsements

It’s been long known by people in the ad business that the proper person (celebrity or high profile endorsements) talking about a book or a product makes all the difference in the world in sales.

Favorable comments help sell books because word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful forces in marketing! Anything you say about your book may appear self-serving and self-promotional, however words from high profile people are not.

You must ASK for words of praise for your book!

There are several things you must do even before you finish writing your book.

1. Design your book cover. Frame a copy of the cover and put in on your desk. Spend some $$’s on the cover. Everyone judges a book by its cover. Having the cover designed in the beginning is a terrific motivator for finishing your book!

2. After you have written several chapters, send out letters of request for endorsements. Twenty weeks before your publication date is not too soon!

Here are a few tips that I have used to get celebrity and high profile endorsements for my relationship books.

• Start at the top! Use “Star” power! Cast your net beyond people you personally know. Go for the BIGGIES! Any way that you can attach a brand name or celebrity to a book project, do it. Make a list of high profile people that “fit” in your area of expertise. They are the ones most likely to respond. High profile people know the value of having their name on something good.

Good candidate might include: congresspersons, heads of associations, celebrities, company presidents, prominent people and other authors you know.

Don’t overlook celebrity tie-ins and corporate sponsors. Perhaps a celebrity might like have their own cookbook or a health food chain might like to have a book about health.

Sometimes the most credible proof of your books benefits are from third party endorsements from three diverse readers who have little else in common other than their adoration of your book. Demonstrate that they’re “real people” by including their name, organization and additional credibility-building phrases. Display these “reinforcers” in your promotional materials.

Look for prominent online figures in your own niche to review your book. Try editors of high-profile eZINES or Websites.

It’s better to assume that someone will give you an endorsement rather that assume than they won’t and never know for sure. Some years ago, I received a hand-written endorsement from Og Mandino within 10 days of requesting it. At first, I was reluctant to ask such a revered author for an endorsement. No longer!

• Avoid those people whose names you find on every book you pick up.

• Spend some time finding their addresses and send them a letter. Requests sent to publishers rarely get forwarded to the author.

• If the book is not yet published, send enough content for them to get the “feel” of the book. Usually the table of contents and 2 or 3 chapters will do. If the book cover (front and back) is already designed, sent that too. Be ready to send the complete manuscript upon request.

Make sure what you send is not riddled with errors. Remember, the other person’s credibility is on the line endorsing you. You want to be sure they are not distracted by typos.

• In your letter of request, acknowledge that you know they are busy and you are an admirer of their work.

• Most high profile people are very busy. Make giving an endorsement easy for them.

Write 2 or 3 endorsements for them (who better can do this than you) and ask them either edit, rewrite or write one of their own. Make it grrreat!! Writing a good endorsement is a creative act; it takes time and careful thought. Editing a pre-written endorsement is easiser and faster. You will get a higher and much quicker response.

• Tell them your deadline date (45 days or more works well for most – some may take longer) and let them know that if they are unable to meet the deadline, to please send an endorsement for use in your promotional material or for the second printing of the book.

Be sure to follow up if you don’t hear anything. People who are asked for endorsements are not always quick to respond, however, some will move you to the top of their pile of endorsement requests when you follow up.

• Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

• When you get these endorsements, make sure you post them prominently on your Website and in all promotional materials. Devote a special page in the front of your book for endorsements you cannot use on the cover. I can assure you that your credibility and sales will increase because of them.

• Requesting that someone write the foreword for your book can be approached in a similar manner as endoresment, however be sure to allow a longer deadline.

Shameless Tip: Offer to write endorsements for other author’s books. I have written more than 160 endorsements and several forewords for other authors because I offered to do so. I usually add my endorsement to their page on Amazon.com. It is good for them and great publicity for me.

Bonus Tip: Need celebrity addresses for book endorsements? Check out: www.Celebrity.Addresses.com.

Here is a user-friendly, subscription site that provides contact information for most celebrities and their representation. More than 50,000 contacts. Go to: www.WhoRepresents.com.

Also read:

Third Party Endorsements Are Powerful!
Celebrity Endorsements
How To Get Testimonials

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com

ALWAYS Sign Your Books!

There is never a good reason for an author to not sign their book! Never!

Ask any book store manager. If two identical books are sitting side-by-side and one is signed by the author and the other is not, guess which one sells first? Signed books sell quicker!

Don’t wait for someone to ask. Just sign it! Many people think because you wrote a book, you are unapproachable. Prove them wrong.

Talk to people. It builds relationships. Be exceedingly FRIENDLY! Book signings are certainly no place to be shy.

If you are sending books for reviews; sign them.

Obviously you are expected to sign your books at a book signing, however you must seize every opportunuty to sign your books.

I often will sign a bookmark for someone who lingers at my table but does not buy my book. Remember your mission: “Spread good will!” Many people will come back to the store and buy your book after you have left.

Give copies of your book cover to everyone. Have extra book covers printed. Be sure you sign them! They make great giant book cover “postcards.” Sign and send them to friends, clients and book stores. Ask your friends to give (or mail) your signed book covers to their friends.

On second thought. . . sign EVERYTHING!

Print out and give away a FREE “Recommended Reading” list. List several catagories and make sure your book and website are listed in the first topic. Sign your name beside your book title and name to call attention to it. Don’t be afraid to list other competing titles.

As an author you should ALWAYS sign your books, even if you sell or give them to your friends or trade books with other authors. (I believe your friends should BUY your books to help support you in your author efforts.) Some people are too shy to ask for your autograph. Sign it anyway! Simply ask, “Here, let me sign that for you. Whose name would you like in it?” Always ask.

By the way, when you sign your book, ever assume the book is for the one who is buying it. In the beginning, I wasted several books by assuming that the book was for them. I also always ask for the correct spelling. Even John can be spelled, “Jon;” “Kelly: Keli, Kellie, Kelley, etc.”

If you sell your book by mail order be sure to include a blank on your order form for the person’s name to which the book should be signed. Remind them to PRINT the name. I also ask if they would like for me to write a date under my signature. Many people like to remember when they met you.

Authors often trade books with other authors. Remember to sign your books to them and ask them to return the favor.

Come up with a special way of signing your name every time you sign your books. For many years, I have signed books, “Sally & Jim, Celebrate Love! Larry James.” While signing, I always mention that my website is CelebrateLove.com; that there are lots of free relationship articles there and I would love to hear from them by e-mail telling me what they thought of my book. I also add, “If you like it, please tell your friends.”

Be creative in the ways you sign your books! My friend, Steven Andrew Guerrero, author of “Gentlemen, Start HER Engine,” signs his books: “Larry, Always race to win! See you in Victory Lane!”

Adding something special like, “Happy Birthday,” or “Happy Anniversary,” etc., will also make them very proud to show the book to their friends. Signed books are treasured much more than non-signed books!

Be shameless! You are an author now. Some people collect autographs! Give them freely! Don’t be sky. If you proud of what you have written. . . show it!

Sign your books!

Copyright © 2010 – Larry James. Larry James is a professional speaker and the author of three relationship books, “How to Really Love the One You’re With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship,” “LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing” and “Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers.” His newest book is “Ten Commitments of Networking.” Larry James also offers “Author & Speaker” coaching. Contact: AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. CelebrateLove@cox.net – More than 110 articles especially for Authors & Speakers at: www.AuthorsandSpeakersNetwork.com

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateLove.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateLove.com and CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles and “LoveNotes” listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James as a “friend” to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james
Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames
Follow Larry’s “Relationships” BLOG at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Networking” BLOG at: http://NetworkingHQ.wordpress.com
Follow Larry’s “Weddings” BLOG at: http://CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com