TOM BIRD'S WRITER'S ROUNDTABLE
The Third Most Common New Year's Resolution,
and How to Make It a Reality
You won't believe this, or maybe you will
December 2006
Dear Author:
Before I sold my first book, I didn’t have any idea that so many other people wanted to write. But then when my first book sold, and I received so much publicity as the result of its sale, people began approaching me from everywhere wanting to know about writing books and how to get them published. Because I was so young, it was obvious that my method and not my years of experience were responsible for my success. After almost a quarter of a century of working nationwide with over 50,000 new writers through over 3,000 lectures at over 110 different colleges and universities, I feel as if everyone wants to write a book at one time or another, whether for sixty years or for six minutes after a six pack of beer. My theory is supported by a variety of sources, including a survey quoted in the New York Times that claimed that 81% of Americans feel that they have a book stuck inside of them trying to get out. My experience tells me that their results were relatively accurate. According to my calculations, they were only off by 19%. Even though the topic of writing a book is oftentimes seen as an embarrassing admission by most Americans, who just don’t feel worthy of being able to do so, it is nonetheless a prevalent endeavor for just about everyone; so prevalent that I believe that "writing a book" is the third most popular New Year’s resolution right behind losing weight and/or getting in shape and quitting smoking. However, the few of those who do make “finally writing that book” a New Year’s resolution rarely succeed, and their poor results have nothing to do with the demands or difficulty of the task. I have students of all types attend my classes, and I believe that anyone can write a book with the proper preparation and guidance. The average student who appropriately applies my system normally completes their first book, writing two hours a day, six days a week, in twenty-seven days. There are the several keys to making one’s New Year’s resolution of writing a book a reality.
Preparation
You must prepare to succeed. Don’t all of sudden just jump into writing a book. Prepare to write one, and don’t wait until the last minute, start now.
What exactly do I mean when I say “prepare?”
Have a realistic plan and I emphasize ‘realistic.’ When are you going to write each day? How are you going to go about doing so? Is there a proven system that you can buy into? If so, take the proper steps to employ it. Get all of the materials you need in advance, which you may add to your Christmas wish list. Talk to the people closest to you in your life. Tell them what you are going to do. Tell them, if anything, what you will need from them, even if it means that you will just be asking them to leave you alone for certain hours during the day. If you have pets, prepare them for the change as well. Since they are dependent upon you, make sure your responsibilities to them are met but not interfering with your writing.
Accountability
The biggest reason that aspiring writers don’t live up to their potential and actually complete their books is that they do not establish a system of accountability to themselves. Accountability is everywhere else in our lives and it works. If you attend school, do all of the class work and study to pass all of the necessary tests, you graduate, which positively compensates you on both a personal and professional level. If you have a job or are self-employed, when you do your work, you get paid, which again provides a wide range of positive reinforcements. Why should your approach to writing be any different?
Which equates to what? Telling someone you really love and respect what you are going to being doing with your writing and how you will be doing it. Ask them to hold you accountable or to serve as a personal mentor. Just telling them what you are going to do is usually enough because if you respect them and want them to respect you, you don’t want to disappoint them.
Make yourself accountable to a professional writing mentor with a proven method that he or she can share with you. Or, serve as your own mentor.
How does one do that? Make a list of all the things you especially like to do for yourself each day, such as bathing, that special cup of coffee in the morning, the glass of wine at night, or the favorite sitcom you like to watch. Write it all down. Then if you complete your writing goals each day, you can enjoy as many things listed as you would like. If you don’t complete your writing goals, you don’t get to enjoy any of your favorite things that day.
I know that may seem radical, but it works. You only have to endure one day without all of the things you love so much before you learn not to miss your scheduled writing time ever again.
Set Realistic Expectations
Lastly, most writers oftentimes subconsciously sabotage their writing endeavors by setting unrealistic goals and/or expectations. It’s like trying to run a marathon without ever having run before. Prepare. Let the naturalness of the process train you as a writer. Make sure you have all of the proper materials on hand. Set up some form of accountability and approach your writing on a consistent basis, which is the only way that the permanent changes will ever be realized for aspiring writers to allow them to attain the results they yearn for.
But even if one does complete a book, isn't it unrealistic to believe the book will never be published or that the writer will never be paid for his or her efforts? In one word -- NO. It’s that type of negative thinking that leads to more failure on the part of aspiring writers than anything else.
And, just like there are methods like mine that can lead to the completion of your long- awaited books, there are methods that are just as effective in getting your material published.
I know since I have been blessed to see thousands of my students fulfill their aspirations as writers through not only the completion of their books, but also through the publication as well.
Now what are you waiting for? Get started right now. Sit down and make a list. Plan what it is you are going to do, when you are going to do it, how you are going to do it, what you need, and who you need to talk to, because, as a writer, your new years starts right now.
Happy Holidays and as always, my best. Tom
I Need Your Help
As you probably know, for many years I have been looking for a quick, easy and efficient way to get my method employed by our educational system. I think I may have finally found a vehicle to do so through the National Commission on Writing. Following is a copy of a letter that I recently sent to them.
Dear National Commission on Writing:
During my twenty-three years of teaching classes and seminars on writing, I have witnessed the results of our educational system’s lack of ability to teach creative writing. At the same time, I have also seen the deep desire of our nation to write.
I never dreamt of being anything other than an author. Yet, I had to step away from training I had received from my primary education through university degree to find success as a writer. Frustration and a lack of success served as the driving forces for developing my own system for both writing and publishing my work.
By adhering to my own method, I have published sixteen books, sold dozens of articles, and lived my dream as an author. Since the sale of my first book, I have lectured before 50,000 aspiring writers during 3,000 appearances at over 110 different colleges and universities. What has become known as the Tom Bird MethodTH has led tens of thousands of my students to both the completion and the publication of their books, articles, short stories, plays and screenplays.
My method is a step-by-step plan based on award-winning scientific research. One of the many assets of the Tom Bird Method is that no extensive study is necessary. My typical student attends an average of six hours of instruction, which provides them all they need to know about how to approach their writing and then how to get published.
It also taps into and takes full advantage of the therapeutic, expressive, creative and logistical opportunities associated with writing.
This method can be adapted for use with students of all ages. Through a short study course, those who teach writing in our schools can be shown how to share the basics of my method, enabling these hard-working educators to receive the same gratifying success I have experienced with my own students.
I have carefully reviewed the information on your website along with the other sites linked to it. It is obvious that you have a deep desire to succeed, and, in my opinion, I feel that many of the basic techniques of my method could greatly enhance your success.
For many years I have felt drawn to share this crucial information about writing and publishing with a world starving for it (a recent survey featured in the New York Times claimed that 81% of Americans felt they had a book inside of them trying to get out). I have been looking for just the right vehicle to reach all ages and educational levels of our society. After I saw Bob Costa's PSA on television last Saturday, I decided to contact you.
Please don't hesitate to review my website - www.TomBird.com which contains more information about me and the services I offer. I would like an opportunity to speak with you further about how I can assist you with your worthy task. You can reach me directly at 928-399-9189 or through my assistant, Jill, at 480-661-6513.
Thank you for taking the time to review the above and I hope this letter finds you doing well....Tom Bird
Some typical responses from my students, colleagues and the media follow.
"Even Stephen King could learn something about writing from Tom," Jean Marie Stine, author and former editor-and-chief of the esteemed publisher of books on writing Tarcher Books.
"Thank you for showing me how to get published...over 200,000 books sold to date," Jan Larkey, author of Flatter Your Figure (Simon & Schuster).
"Within four weeks I had written over 120,000 words. I had written a book! It had patiently waited for me for over forty-five years. I would have never been able to do this without what I had learned from Tom," Karen Stone, Smyrna, Georgia.
"When I first met Tom Bird, I was a burned-out lawyer with a dream of writing a mystery. Tom was an inspiration and a credible mentor. His system works," Mark Cohen, Nederland, Colorado, author of The Fractal Murders and Bluetick Revenge (Mysterious Press).
"I can't thank you enough for helping me fulfill the deepest desire of my heart," Debra Blais, author of Letting Your Heart Sing (Capital Books).
"As a professor at Georgia Tech University, I work long hours, so I had to get my writing in during early morning and late evening hours. Within a three-week period, I wrote 80,000 words," Lorraine J. Justice, Ph.D.
"My husband couldn't believe that within one week of finishing Tom's intensive retreat that I had completed my first book. He knew how motivated I was, but he couldn't believe it was possible. Looking back, I didn't either," Debbie Kowalsky, Hollywood, Florida.
"A professional writer, no matter how talented, is nothing if he can't get his work published...Bird has a system," The Pittsburgh Press.
"Tom reminds us we can do anything through our connection with the Divine, and that writing is a divine way to do it," Nancy Aronie, host of a national PBS radio talk show and author of Writing from the Heart (Hyperion).
If you would like to help me get their attention, please send a letter to them about any pleasurable experience you may have had through the use of my method or through the attendance at my classes or retreats. They can be contacted at info@writingcommission.org.
You may also want to check out their website at www.writingcommission.org. Thank you in advance for any time or effort that you may expend on my behalf, especially during this busy season of the year.
As was mentioned in the newsletter from November, I do not have any openings in my IIWC until after the new year, and I currently have only two spaces available coming available in January. If you would like to be considered for one of those two openings, please contact my assistant Jill (928-203-0265 or Jill@TomBird.com) to set up an interview.
Book publicist Joanne McCall will be the co-presenter with me during the book publicity retreat in February. As you know, I work very diligently to bring in only the finest co-presenters for my book publicity retreats and I am just thrilled to be able to have landed Joanne.
Since Joanne's website is being reconstructed, I thought you would appreciate it if you had a little background information on her, so I have included that below.
JOANNE McCALL
Joanne McCall has a knack for giving her clients exactly what they want and need. Whether generating widespread coverage in national publications such as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Good Housekeeping, and Self; or booking national television shows such as The View, Today, Dateline NBC, CNN, Oprah, Fox News Channel, EXTRA, MSNBC, etc.; or securing daily newspapers such as The Seattle Times, The Dallas Morning News, and The Chicago Tribune, and major market radio interviews on KFI, KGO, WCCO, WGN, WPCH, Joanne McCall knows how to do it.
Joanne McCall is president of McCall Public Relations, which specializes in generating national and major market publicity for authors. After 18 years as a radio host, interviewer, and newscaster, McCall formed her own company. Through her radio experience, she became very skilled at recognizing which clients will interview well in specific situations. She knows what makes for a compelling guest, and knows how to train them.
McCall is unique. Her degree in communications and broadcast experience gives her an insiders’ view of the industry. She knows what hosts and producers are looking for in their guests, and she knows how to coach her clients to meet those expectations. During her years in radio, she has formed many long-term relationships with radio and television personalities throughout the country. In addition, she has an extensive list of print editors, writers, and freelancers that has been created over her years of experience.
McCall formed McCall Public Relations in July of 1996. She is married and living with her husband in Portland, Oregon.
MCCALL PUBLIC RELATIONS CLIENTS AND BOOKS
The Ten Commitments: Translating Good Intentions into Great Choices (HCI, Inc.) Dr. David Simon of the Chopra Center
The Grief Club: The Secret to Getting Through All Kinds of Change (Hazelden) Melody Beattie
Getting Rich Your Own Way: Achieve All Your Financial Goals Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible (Wiley) Brian Tracy
Turbo Coach: A Powerful System for Achieving Breakthrough Career Success (AMACOM, the American Management Association) Brian Tracy
The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success (Davies-Black) Scott Eblin
Flight Capital: The Alarming Exodus of America’s Best and Brightest (Davies-Black) David Heenan
The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success (Thomas Nelson) Andy Andrews
The Wisdom of Alexander the Great: Enduring Leadership Lessons from the Man Who Created an Empire (AMACOM) Lance Kurke, Ph.D.
Lee & Grant: Profiles in Leadership form the Battlefields of Virginia (AMACOM) Charles Bowery
Ideas Are Free: How the Idea Revolution is Liberating People and Transforming Organizations (Berrett- Koehler) Alan G. Robinson & Dean M. Schroeder
My Way or the Highway: The Micromanagement Survival Guide (Berrett-Koehler) Harry E. Chambers
Learn More Now: 10 Simple Steps to Learning Better, Smarter & Faster (Wiley) Marcia L. Conner
GOALS! How To Get Everything You Want Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible (Berrett- Kohler) Brian Tracy
Generating Buy-In: Mastering the Language of Leadership (AMACOM) Mark S. Walton
Victory! Applying the Proven Principles of Military Strategy to Achieve Greater Success in Your Business and Personal Life (AMACOM) Brian Tracy
DELIBERATE SUCCESS: Realize Your Vision with Purpose, Passion, and Performance (Career Press) Eric Allenbaugh, Ph.D.
ABOLISHING PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS: Why They Backfire and What to do Instead (Barrett- Koehler) Tom Coens and Mary Jenkins
MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN ONE PERSON AT A TIME: Assessing Change Capacity Within Your Organization (AMACOM) Charles Bishop
THE BUSINESS OF HEART: How Everyday Americans Are Changing the World (Shadow Mountain Press) Michael Glauser
GLORIOUS ACCIDENTS: How Everyday Americans Create Thriving Companies (Shadow Mountain Press) Michael Glauser
SEARCHING FOR A PIECE OF MY SOUL (Contemporary Books) Tammy Kling
WOMEN OF COURAGE: Inspiring Stories From the Women Who Lived Them (New World Library) Katherine Martin
HOW MUCH JOY CAN YOU STAND: A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True (Ballentine) Suzanne Falter-Barnes
CHOCOLATE FOR A WOMAN’S SOUL (Simon & Schuster) Kay Allenbaugh
CHOCOLATE FOR A WOMAN’S HEART (Simon & Schuster) Kay Allenbaugh
MEDIA TOURS FOR:
Kenny Loggins
Anne Perry
Wayne Dyer
Marianne Williamson
John Bradshaw
Jean Houston
Joan Borysenko
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT JOANNE MCCALL
“Joanne is positive, proactive and highly productive. She does a terrific job and follows through on every commitment. She keeps me extremely well informed and continually juggles interviews to work in harmony with my busy travel schedule.”
Brian Tracy, Author
Goals, Create Your Own Future, Victory
And 28 additional titles
“Joanne McCall is an extremely creative, resourceful, and knowledgeable publicist who knows how to maximize publicity opportunities for her clients in every medium—print, radio, TV, and cyberspace. Based on a year of outstanding service and excellent results, I wholeheartedly recommend Joanne to anyone seeking a first-rate publicist.”
Tom Coens
Abolishing Performance Appraisals
“McCall’s deep understanding of marketing, communications, and the media make her a formidable partner for any author wishing to successfully launch a book. The quality of media hits she secures have been top tier and continuous. This, combined with the personal coaching she provides before and during a campaign guarantees both results and a level of personal learning you will carry with you always.”
Mary Jenkins
Abolishing Performance Appraisals
“Because Publicist Joanne McCall understands what motivates members of the press – out of her own broadcasting background, she effectively coaches authors in reaching the interests and sensibilities of interviewers. Joanne is supportive of authors and tenacious in securing publicity opportunities. It truly is a pleasure to work with Joanne McCall.”
Pamela J. Gordon
Lean and Green: Profit for Your Workplace and the Environment
“Joanne is one of the most professional people I’ve worked with. She has the uncanny ability to assess a situation and find the right solution. Energetic and organized, Joanne does what it takes to promote your book or project.”
Tammy Kling, Author
Searching for a Piece of My Soul
“Working with Joanne is an absolute joy. She has helped promote two of my books and has arranged a number of significant events in both cases. She is responsive, professional, and extremely well connected. She definitely knows the important people in her market. Without a doubt, she is one of the best publicists I have used.”
Michael Glauser, Author
Glorious Accidents and The Business of Heart
“Joanne has assisted me in creating a National Best Seller with Chocolate for a Woman’s Soul. Her extensive expertise, great sense of timing, and wonderful sense of humor allows her to create magic with whomever she comes in contact with. I could not have done it without her!”
Kay Allenbaugh, Author
Chocolate for a Woman’s Soul
“Joanne is persistent, savvy, and organized--qualities that are critical in a publicist. She also understands the media in a way that only an insider can; that is indeed an asset for any publisher who works with her.”
Cindy Black, Publisher
Beyond Words Publishing, Inc.
“We always know Joanne’s call is worth returning. You can bet she’s thought through how an interview can be tailored to inform and entertain OUR listeners, making for very good radio. How does she do it? She’s been on this side of the phone. I worked with her then and always marveled at her ability as the interviewer, to ask provocative questions.”
Barbara Scott Sherry,
Production Director, WPCH Radio, Atlanta
“The fantastic thing about Joanne is how well she understands the different kinds of media and is able to help our programs at the same time she helps her authors. We always know that when Joanne comes to us with an idea, it’s going to make for a good interview that our listeners are going to love.”
John Erickson
News Director, KKCW (K103 FM), Portland, Oregon
Deadlines Extended
Because of the usual business of the Holidays and the distraction that comes along with them, we will be extending the dates for the early-sign-up discounts for both retreats.
New Early Registration Deadlines:
January 19, 2007 for Releasing Your Author Within Retreat to be held in Sedona - January 25-27, 2007
January 26, 2007 for Become a Book Promoting Dynamo Retreat to be held in Sedona - February 1-3, 2007
Dates, fees and details for both retreats follow.
TOM’ UPCOMING RETREATS
“Releasing the Author Within” Retreat
Specifically designed for the would-be author to finally get started on that long awaited book, this retreat focuses on the hands-on application of Tom’s amazing methods. Students attending this retreat walk away with a thorough and practical knowledge of how to connect with their Authors Within; complete at least the first tenth of their books (which is normally the most challenging portion); and have their query letters completed and ready to be submitted to prospective agents. In fact, as part of this retreat, your query letters are actually submitted to literary agents for you.
Tom offers generous discounts for returning students, retreat attendees, IIWC candidates, and those who register and sign up early. The full price of this retreat ($695) is quickly reduced if you are an IIWC candidate by $200 (down to $495); returning retreat attendees by $150 (down to $545) or if you are one of his returning students by $100 (down to $595) If you register and pay for this retreat by December 18, 2006, you can also reduce your price by an additional $100 Please note that the class size of these retreats are limited to preserve individual instruction.
Sedona, Arizona
January 25-27, 2007
Boston, Massachusetts
May 10-12, 2007
Sedona, Arizona
May 17-19, 2007
$695
“Become a Book Promoting Dynamo” Retreat
A few times a year, Tom flies David Thalberg in from New York to join him in preparing his students to become the book promoting dynamos they need to be. David is a head honcho at Planned Television Arts – the largest book publicity firm in the world. Since David’s schedule is often full, Tom usually takes advantage of the time he is available by combining two retreats into one time slot, which is the case with this forthcoming event. The first segment of the retreat will focus on presenting you with a full overview of everything you need to know about book publicity. The second half of this essential retreat focuses on media training. This is a retreat not to be missed.
Sedona, Arizona
February 1-3, 2007
$1045
As with all of Tom’s offerings, generous discounts are available for those who have attended his classes. Former class attendees receive a discount of $100; former retreat attendees receive a discount of $150; and Intensive Individual Writers Course students receive a $200 discount. There are also early registration discounts if you register and pay in full one month prior to the date of the retreat; for “Releasing the Author Within” the discount is $100, and for “Become a Book Promoting Dynamo” the discount is $150 More info can be acquired by calling his office at 928-203-0265.
