Why Write a Book?

by Peggy Sue Skipper

     It has often been said that everyone has a book in them. Everyone is a pretty broad statement but I believe many of us have at one time or another in our lives begun at least the outline or idea of a book. It can be pretty overwhelming just thinking about putting words on paper. Where do I start?
 
     Having now written three books and countless articles and papers I can tell you that it is a terrific way to discover yourself—the good, the bad and the weird. At least it has been for me. So, writing a book can be a pretty daunting effort and then you get to the issue of actually getting it out in the world for people to read. And that is where the rubber really meets the road.

     There is good news and bad news about the current atmosphere of book publishing. Like so many industries it has been tremendously affected by the internet which gives an author so many new avenues to promote their books but also has created a much more competitive arena. There are just a lot more books in circulation because it is easier to get them out there than ever before.

     I independently published my first book and had some good success with it early on but then got sidetracked and quit putting energy into selling it. The book pretty much went by the wayside for a number of years. It is an ongoing process marketing a book. The good news is that lo, these many years later it still has good information and may actually be timelier now than when it was first published.

     It was through the process of publishing that book that I met Rita Mills and The Book Connection. Her team did a fabulous job with my project and we kept in touch and ultimately, of course, created this publication. The experience I had working with Rita on my book began building the foundation for us to later create The New Era Times.

     My second book was written for hire for Books-A-Million so once I sent it off to the editors my job was done with that project. It was still a wonderful writing experience and I do have a copy in my office but can’t sell any and do not make a dime off any that are sold. That’s OK, it is still one of my “babies” and I love it.

     The third book, just finished, was a hybrid effort because I was paid to write it but I will be very involved in the promotion of it because it is about Dr. Sam Osmanagich and his pyramid discovery in Bosnia. I am extremely blessed to have been a part of this project and very much look forward to the book coming out in early 2011. It will have mainstream distribution and we are putting together a comprehensive marketing plan including nationwide conferences featuring Dr. Sam and other noted archaeologists and alternative history buffs. Look for more information on those conferences soon but I can tell you now that the first conference will be at the Unity Church Pyramid in Houston, Texas on March 5, 2010 so mark your calendars now for that! What better place to kick off conferences about ancient sites than in a pyramid?

     Having been through these different approaches to writing and selling books I can tell you from firsthand experience that they all have their pros and cons. It can be a confusing arena to navigate and if you would like to learn more from two experts in the field then also mark your calendars for January 15, 2011 to attend a very special workshop in Houston, TX for anyone looking for advice about the publishing industry. Join Randy Davila, CEO of Hampton Roads Publishing (authors published — Neale Donald Walsh, Echkart Tolle, Byron Katie, Linda Goodman) and Rita Mills, owner of The Book Connection and co-founder of The New Era Times, for an informative workshop on the basics of the book publishing industry and what it takes to get your book published. The workshop will be from 9:00am to 4:30pm and you must have prepaid reservations. The investment is $99.00 and you can sign up through the internet at this link. For questions please call 713-937-9184. This unique presentation will cover everything from how to get with a major publishing house to the ins and outs of independent publishing, and what makes the most sense for your project.

     So, if you are one of the folks with a book in you then write it! Enjoy the process!

     One of the important things about where we are, as a species, right now is that we must all truly begin to live our legacy. What do we want people to say about us when we die? What do we want to leave behind? There is no better way to leave your mark than to write a book. And while you are at it go ahead and start truly living that legacy because that is the best way to leave this planet better than when you arrived and isn’t that each of our true purpose?

     I often like to end my column with updates about past columns so I want to let you all know that on October 28, 2010 the Prime Minister of Bosnia gave an official nod to Dr. Sam Osmanagich’s work and The Bosnian Valley of the Pyramids. This is important and exciting news and I want to congratulate Dr. Sam because he has tirelessly put in all his resources to bringing this important site to global recognition. Now, there is a true example of someone living their legacy! The New Era Times is also putting together a trip to visit the pyramids in Bosnia in June 2011 so look for details on that coming soon and let me know if that is of particular interest to you by emailing me at peggysue.skipper@tnetimes.com
Until next time….