I’m driving home from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles right now. (That’s an amusing visual, isn’t it—me juggling the steering wheel, my laptop, and two dogs?) Actually, Larry’s driving while the pups sleep in their kennels. I had the honor of helping set up his daughter’s freshman dorm room at ASU the past few days. Since Hayli lived with us all summer, of course, Merry and our puppy Troji couldn’t miss the big send off. In case you’re wondering, yes, Troji is short for Trojan. And, yes, he and I went to USC—he a linebacker on the ’78 national championship football team. It’s an understatement to say that we had to force each other to be on good behavior and NOT wear USC tee shirts to ASU on moving day. (Although “Sparky,” the ASU mascot, was quick to recognize, a point at, and even take a picture next to our personalized USC license plates.) Some rivalries never die.
We did, however, do our best to embarrass Hayli in other ways. Do you know what’s fantastic about being middle-aged? In full-on Clampett style, you can strap a massive canoe-shaped storage bin on top of your car, add a pink bicycle on the back for good measure, and not feel even a touch of embarrassment when nearly wiping out rooftop parking structure signage.
In the spirit of exciting new beginnings, I’d love to share some client news. Last Thanksgiving I wrote to you announcing two client’s book deals—each with Random House, and each for big money—one for a quarter mil and one for $350k.
I’ve been remiss about bringing you more of these publishing examples, and have posted a mental sticky note to my forehead to remember to report them more frequently. For starters, this summer brings some inspirational first-time author success and ingenuity…
First up, Julie Colvin:
Mama Bear. Health Crusader. Spiritual Adventurer.
Julie’s first book, A Cure for Emma—chronicles a mother’s quest to heal her child from a nearly invisible disease: type 1 diabetes. Julie had never written before but ached to share her mystical journey with other terrified, exhausted parents. Her book hit stores last week and immediately went to the top of the Amazon sales charts in several categories.
I first met Julie in Carmel in March of last year. She arrived at our retreat house with some of the book written, and we bonded over sipping hot tea and crowding around her laptop for warp-speed editing jags. Afterward, she hired me to do several edits of the full manuscript, while she simultaneously poured over my proposal course and wrote her book proposal (the course is a free gift for all retreat participants). When it was done, she emailed it to me from Canada and I did a thorough polish of the proposal. I was deeply impressed with what she’d created. (In fact, when she got a book deal—with NorLights Press—they said the proposal was one of the best they’d ever seen—maybe the best.) Julie sent samples of the book to celebrity parents also dealing with childhood diseases, and received glowing testimonials from Jenny McCarthy, Alan Thicke, the mother of the Jonas Brothers, etc.
All of Julie’s profits go to find a cure, so if you’re interested in supporting one of our own, here’s a link to purchase. I know you’ll be touched by this spiritual look at one woman’s journey from anguish to hope.
Next, Maj. Patricia Murray:
Decorated War Pilot. Mother. Beauty Queen.
As a former Miss California in the Miss America Pageant system, Patti is an unlikely combat pilot. But as a decorated female combat pilot with over 85 successful combat sorties (when less than 5% of air force pilots are women), she’s cracked the code for access to the most exclusive men’s club of all, without losing her identity as a woman. After working with Patti and her co-author/sister Linda Northrup (a wickedly smart writer and lawyer, who also joined us in Carmel) to write their proposal, I thought Patti’s story had all of the components of a bestselling book and film. My agent friend Ken Atchity (producer of 28 movies, including Joe Somebody with Tim Allen/Fox, and Life or Something Like It with Angelina Jolie/Fox), thought so, too. He took us all out for sushi in Beverly Hills and signed her up immediately.
We talk a lot about building your platform in this business, and Patti and Linda wanted to invest in creating pre-publication buzz (to help her agent get the best deal). So, here’s a creative project we whipped up together in a few days. See if it doesn’t light a fire under your creative butt in marketing your wares (it’s not necessary to play this full-on, but who knows what you’re capable of once you get rolling?).
Patti deploys to Afghanistan today—in EIGHT hours—so send a few safety prayers her way, okay? Ken will be shopping the book when she gets back later this fall. Stay tuned. In the meantime, you can keep track of Patti on her blog (another great example of platform building—not that I’m hinting at anything here…).
Always remember, YOU, too, can write and sell your book!!! You have a story to share with the world, and I’d love to help you when you’re ready.
Until next time,
Linda
xx
P.S. Good luck, Hayli! I know you’ll rock your courses at ASU. So far so good for your “bro,” Tosh, too (in his first year at film school).
Your dad and I are very proud. Can’t wait until we’re all back together for the holidays!
