Starting a book is easy. Finishing it…well, that’s an entirely different story.

That’s why, regardless of the quality of the writing, I admire every author who finishes their book. It’s that hard.

But writing in today’s publishing landscape requires so much more than finishing a manuscript.

Perhaps you’ve asked the same questions I did when I first started out as a writer over 20 years ago:

• How good (or bad) is my manuscript?
• What makes a good manuscript?
• How do I find an agent?
• What are publishing companies looking for?
• Where do I begin with promoting my book?

I could go on and on with the questions that ran through my head.

When you have questions like these, who can you go to for answers?

Writing is NOT and Individual Sport

Here’s what I learned: you can write in isolation, but EVERY successful writer hones their craft in community.

What I mean is, you need other people to grow as a writer.

You need a writers group

A writers group is a community of writers who meet on a regular basis to encourage one another and grow in their craft. At the moment, I participate in two groups. My first group is composed of professional writers whose works have been traditionally published. We talk about the industry, brainstorm ideas for books, and serve as a support system amidst the ups and downs of life.

My other group is composed of writers who are still trying to break through. Every month, a speaker addresses our group about topics as varied as building your platform, writing a book from start to finish, or common writing mistakes.

Even though I make a living as a writer and publisher, I need both.

You need to attend writers conferences

Writers conferences are a buffet of resources and networks. When I started writing, I attended every conference I could. I wanted to learn how I could improve my writing, how the publishing industry works, and I wanted to meet people just like me.

Whenever I can, I still attend writers conferences. My good friend LS Hawker, whose books have appeared on the USA Today Top 20 list, attends writers conferences as if she were just starting out. And she has over 25 years under her belt.

Over the last three years, I’ve evaluated 250-300 manuscripts. Quite often, I ask the writer, “Do you ever go to writers conference? Are you plugged into a writers group?”

But truth be told, I usually know their answer by reading their manuscript

Every quality manuscript I have read was written by a person who either attended a writers group on a regular basis or attended multiple writers conferences.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

If You Ever Wanted to Write a Book, then you NEED to Read This

That’s why Illumify’s Write. Market. Publish. SELL! writers conference this Saturday is so important.

**Bestselling authors LS Hawker (whom I just mentioned) and Karen Bouchard will explain how to write a story that pops.

**Master blogger Tricia Heyer will tell you how blogging thrust her onto the New York Times bestseller list.

Not only that, but you’ll learn:

• The business side of publishing
• Strengths and weaknesses of traditional and indie publishing
• How to decipher publishing’s insider language

And more!

You’ll also receive a FREE copy of Eric Kampmann’s power-packed book The Insider's Guide to Book Publishing Success PLUS, you can sign up for a FREE 15 minute consultation with many of our presenters.

I’m still in awe of the magnitude of our workshops and speakers!

If you want to hone your writing skills…

If you want to build a community of loyal fans who will buy your book…

If you want to run your ideas by established publishing professionals…

Then you need to attend Illumify’s Write. Market. Publish. SELL! writers conference.

https://www.writemarketpublishsell.com/

To save $12 on your registration, just write “WRITERS” in the coupon code.

Happy writing!

Michael J. Klassen

President, Illumify Media Global

mklassen@illumifymedia.com

Write. Market. Publish. SELL!​​​​​​​