Asking: The Life-Changing Secret to Success in Writing and In Life

By Emanuel "E.R." Carpenter

Ever wonder why you don’t get what you want in life? Have you always wanted to write the great American novel but found it was impossible to pursue? Do you have dreams of starting your own publishing company but don't know where to begin? Or maybe you just need help in visualizing your goals, finding a trusted advisor, or deciding how to give back to your community. There’s a reason you’re not getting what you want:

You’re not asking.

So many people fail to get what they really want in life because they never ask. Oftentimes, they don’t ask because they lack confidence, have preconceived notions, or self-defeating prophecies. Many times it’s due to fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, and even fear of success.

Asking: The Life-Changing Secret to Success in Writing and in Life was written for those who really want what writing has to offer. In this 2nd book of the Asking: The Life-Changing Secret to Success series , you'll learn how to sharpen your writing skills, write query letters to publishers, and learn to creatively market and sell your work.

As a bonus, we've included an interview with bestselling author of "Let the Church Say Amen" ReShonda Tate Billingsley on what it takes to get your book optioned for a movie. We also interviewed the author of the mega-hit "The Bum Magnet" Karla KL Brady to learn what it takes to transition from self publishing to getting a traditional deal. Plus we also spoke with the founder of the Black Writers Reunion Conference, Tia Ross, on the value of writers' conferences. And if you want to sell your books in bulk to book clubs, Oosa BookClub share how they choose and buy books.

Are you ready to build confidence, forget negativity, and overcome your fears to get all that your God-given writing talents can give you? It starts by asking the right questions at the right time with the right people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emanuel "E.R." Carpenter
• Release date: Feb 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310717291

Emanuel "E.R." Carpenter

Emanuel "E.R." Carpenter is the author of several business books, a humor book, and a novel.

Book preview

ASKING: The Life-Changing Secret to Success in WRITING and in Life

By

E.R. Carpenter

Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

Enjoy other books by this author, including:

ASKING: The Life-Changing Secret to Success in SALES and in Life (2013, Forest Wade Press)

How to Dominate in Cold Calling and Earn Six Figures Doing It (2012, Forest Wade Press)

Dead Guys Don't Buy: A Winner's Guide to Cold Calling LIVE Prospects Successfully (2007, Forest Wade Press)

Where is the Love? A novel by Emanuel Carpenter (2005, Forest Wade Press)

A Job Ain't Nothing but Work: Confessions of a Corporate Negro by Emanuel Carpenter (2003, Publish America)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Valerie J. Lewis Coleman

Introduction

Part I-Life

Chapter 1- God, Is this the Right Decision?

Chapter 2- What Do I Want?

Chapter 3- What Do You Think Family?

Part II-This Writing Business

Chapter 4-How Do I Get Started as a Writer?

Chapter 5-Who Do I Ask for Advice?

Chapter 6-Should I Join a Writers’ Group?

Chapter 7-Why Should I Attend Writers’ Conferences? (An interview with Tia Ross)

Chapter 8-Should I Self-publish?

Chapter 9-Should I Seek a Traditional Publisher?

Chapter 10-How Do I Write a Query Letter?

Part III-The Business of Writing

Chapter 11-How Do I Market My Books?

Chapter 12-How Do I Write Press Releases?

Chapter 13-How Do I Get Libraries to Buy My Books?

Chapter 14-How Do I Get My Book on Brick and Mortar Bookstore Shelves?

Chapter 15-Where Do I Sell My Books Directly to Readers?

Chapter 16-How Do I Get Book Clubs to Select and Buy My Books? (An interview with Oosa BookClub)

Part IV-Rewards

Chapter 17-How Do I Transition from Self-Published Author to Traditionally-Published Author? (An Interview with Karla KL Brady)

Chapter 18-How Do I Sell the Movie Rights to My Book? (An Interview with ReShonda Tate Billingsley)

Chapter 19-How Do I Give Back to My Community?

Chapter 20-What is there to Gain?

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Appendix

Dedication: For my fellow writers who sacrifice everything from family time to sleep to follow their dreams. Go on and do yo' thang.

Foreword by Valerie J. Lewis Coleman (back to the top)

Success in Writing and in Life

In the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, voices instructed a farmer to build a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn fields. The memorable line, If you build it, they will come resonated within me. The statement was a call to activate faith. Instead of being a hearer of the Word, be a doer. Don’t waste your gift or talent, but rather use it to make a difference.

Now, what do the antics of an Iowa corn farmer have to do with Emanuel Carpenter and Asking: The Life-Changing Secret to Success in Writing and in Life? If the Lord gave you a witty invention, spoke to you in a dream or commanded with an audible voice to do His work, and you failed to move toward accomplishment, then your philosophy falls into a category not unlike my own. Although I have coached thousands of aspiring writers from across the world to become published authors, on occasion, a quiet voice whispers in my ear, If you build it, they won’t come. The enemy attempts to stifle our destinies with subtle scare tactics. Ashamedly, I admit that I have fallen prey to his weapon, fear; the root of which is lack of knowledge.

Throughout his book, Emanuel provides valuable insight and practical tools to eradicate the I-just-can’t-seem-to-find-my-way-out excuses. With concise nuggets of wisdom and honest assessments gleaned from years of experience, he inspires you to transition from dormant to dominate power.

The commission of the messenger, Emanuel Carpenter, was destined in the meaning of his name: God is with you (Emanuel) as you construct or build a literary device (Carpenter).

Life is a series of choices. You choose to do right or wrong. You choose to believe or doubt. You choose to succeed or fail. And by reading this book, you choose to succeed.

The Earth is groaning for the manifestation of your gift. Begin the journey of walking in your purpose to fulfill your destiny and change the world.

Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, award-winning author, publisher and empowerment expert PenOfTheWriter.com, QueenVPublishing.com.

Introduction (back to the top)

Baby, can we make love tonight? Yeah, it sounded like the opening line of one of my novels. But actually, I’d asked my wife the question not really knowing what her reply would be. After all, we had argued about money earlier that day. And she could stay angry for days when it came to money. Plus the last time we argued, she said no. Also, she had just returned from traveling from a book fair, so I figured she might be tired. With those odds stacked against me, you would have thought I wouldn’t have been stupid enough to ask, right?

Yet…

If she said yes, well, we’ll skip the details of it; but let’s just say there would be a benefit. And not just the obvious. We could bond as husband and wife. I could get a good night’s sleep. And