Authors Access: 30 Success Secrets for Authors and Publishers

Authors Access: 30 Success Secrets for Authors and Publishers features a cover photo of the planet earth. Per editor Victor R, Volkman, the image was selected because the book imparts a "world of information.” I agree; it does. Authors Access is a writer how-to book so jam-packed with info that you have to read it in small increments. Basically, the text is a compilation of podcasts from Authors Access, the internet radio show of the same name, which broadcasts live every Thursday on Internet Voices Radio. I’ve read my fair share of similar books. By that, I mean books populated by the thoughts and wisdom of those who have found success in publishing. Authors Access confidently stands among them, thanks to its timely and targeted info. But its little something extra is the inclusion of links to the corresponding podcasts. 

It’s an effective double whammy. Readers can absorb the podcast, getting a real feel for the author’s experiences. They can then whip out a highlighter and tuck into the chapter. And as the author website links also are included, readers have yet a third avenue for obtaining additional information. The nine chapters of Authors Access run the gamut from editing tips to building buzz with book reviewers. Each chapter includes at least two articles per the chosen topic. So in the “Genre” chapter, for example, readers find tips on writing romances, crime novels, even regional fiction. In the “Craft of Writing” chapter, they're reminded to use the Rule of Three (Thank you very much, Goldilocks!), while cautioned to trim the padding and to always show, not tell. They also learn that writer’s block is due to one simple factor: fear of surrender. I know I’ll personally be musing on that nugget for a while! And then there's the delightful “Children’s Books” chapter. Here the manuscript directives are to 1) kill off any pesky parents, 2) add frequent cliffhangers, and 3) hand the draft over to children reviewers before even daring to dangle the manuscript before a publisher. That’s great advice. I wonder if more authors would quickly secure contracts if they did so -- instead of relying on the praise of their friends and mothers? As I had familiarity with much of the above content, I spent most of my time dwelling on the chapters titled “Marketing Your Work” and “Making the Most of Technology.” One article in particular, “Promoting Your Book with Social Media and Web 2.0,” was especially helpful. Because it's becoming crystal clear to me that writers must quickly get up to speed on both if they want to market their books effectively. So, where is my review copy now? In my office. Sharing space on the bookshelf I’ve labeled my “Smart Writer Resources.” That about sums up the value I give to Authors Access.