The Hezekiah Effect For Writers

By Sherryle Kiser Jackson, author of Soon and Very Soon

Someone estimated that everybody gets about 15 minutes of fame. It would suggest that the recognition we receive as writers for our works will ultimately subside to make way for someone else’s time. When does our 15 minutes begin? Is it when you have crystallized a theme or idea in your mind and proudly announce to friends and loved ones, “I am writing a book?” Is it the minute you learn to juggle the creative and business side of writing shopping your completed manuscript and securing a publishing deal. Or does it happen much later when you see your finished product properly bound with your name prominently on the packaging?

As writers we are all somewhere in that process. Even though we may not have submitted our offerings for recognition and fame, we ultimately want someone to read it, right? I mean, we did have something to say. Somehow we are lead to believe that our book’s release date is the starting time and like a Domino Pizza delivery guy we are hell bent to deliver in 30 minutes or less. Is the clock ticking on our book’s relevance? Does the amount of time our books sit on the shelves before being noticed and appreciated by the masses diminish its poignancy? Don’t we all wish that we have written a classic and definitive novel in our particular genre that will receive steady sales and leave our publishers with no other choice but to go into a second, third or fourth reprinting?

New authors, especially those not use to running into that phone booth as a mere citizen of the creative world and emerging as a book marketing expert, are particularly concerned about their book’s shelf life. They may still be on hold with the publicity department trying to figure out what their publisher is going to do to help market their book for them or in the line at Kinko’s printing out a thousand homemade flyers. What is a press release?

In Biblical times, Hezekiah, the King of Judah faced the end of his life. The prophet, Isaiah was sent to tell him, “set your affairs in order, for you are going to die.” A premature death was prescribed to Hezekiah. How does a man face his last and final days? Hezekiah had a mild breakdown, similar to the one many authors have when they think of the thousands of books in the bookstore, or worse, in their living room, that they have no idea how to move. Hezekiah didn’t accept the timeline given to him. It is written that on his sick bed, he turned his faith to the wall and prayed to the Lord, reminding Him at the same time of how faithful he had been.

“Father, remember the countless hours I have spent, writing, researching, editing and re-writing this novel. I got up every morning and completed my morning papers like Julia Cameron suggested in The Artist Way. I cut my ties to the literal and tried my best to show-not-tell as outlined in the Elements of Style, by Shrunk and White. Not to mention the money I spent in conferences, writer’s workshops and retreats. I understand its all part of the deal. The books are not going to sale themselves. Please don’t let them send my book back to the publisher. Please, Lord, I’ve got to make back my advance.”

The Lord heard Hezekiah’s plea and agreed he was indeed faithful to his craft. God promised he would heal him and added fifteen more years on to his life. Another fifteen. What could we do with another fifteen minutes of fame. Maybe we could truly make a coast to coast book tour. That might be just enough time for the producers at Oprah to unearth your book from the slush pile of perspective Oprah Book Club picks. Heck, you need that extra time just to explore the infinite possibilities of on-line marketing-the real New Frontier. So we can learn a thing or two from Hezekiah: don’t let critics mark the time of death for your book, stay faithful to your craft, and take a kneel beside your laptop or PC, stare at that that wall cluttered with pin ups of character sketches, outlines and literary contacts and pray for mercy.










Sherryle Jackson
Author of Soon and Very Soon
ISBN-13:978-1-60162-949-4
ISBN-10:1-60162-949-4
Soon is not just a promised destination, but a journey

First Checklist for Self Publishing

Ahhh. The story is complete. And you are feeling mighty proud. You have gone over it, and gone over it again. You've sent it in your protected manuscript to others and have waited with no response. You've been rejected, but you know that you've got something worth reading. You strive on to publish it ya damn self.


Self-publishing is a market place for many to pursue. There are many vanity presses out there who thrive on aspiring authors, with big dreams, a copyrighted work, and kite-filled hopes. If you are looking for nothing more but to see a physical book in your hand, then go ahead and try a, 'help-you-publish,' service.

Try to aim for a well respected, reputable company with a great package. Shop around first to see what you can live with. And remember, when it's all said and done, it's THEIR ISBN number on the back of the book. It's still your story, but it is their book to sell, or not sell. Your story would still most likely be your responsibility to shop. And if it did start to do well, then there may be issues, and rights to deal with. What's an ISBN you ask?

Go find a soft cover book right now. Turn it over and look at the back. See that barcode? See the set price? That should always belong to you as well as the story itself. Want to learn more?

Follow me next week. I'm trying teach a little game to those who don't already know.
Join me next time as I will give you a second-things-next checklist for self publishing. It's free game baby. That concrete based, foundational game. I'm down here all of the time.
Much luv all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to you.


Happy writing, and do what you gotta do to Get Ya Shine ON!
"Get Ya Shine On!" - Milwaukee's Urban Author, Teresa Rae Butler of, "Don't Even Trip," the sequel, "God, I Respect Ya Gangsta," and the 2008 release, "Entreprenubian Royalty."


www.myspace.com/teresaraebutler
www.text4mpublishing.com
And the
Teresa Rae Butler's CITY SEXY BLOG http://teresaraebutlerscitysexyblog.blogspot.com

Being Professional

With this being African American History Month I got to thinking about how we treat our own. We have had to overcome so much in our time in this country. I am not going to run down every negative thing that has happen to us I am sure you’ll hear about that all month. This is a piece that speaks to the reverse behavior we have adopted in the way we treat each other and conduct our business.

I have noticed that in the various walks of life many African American’s don’t truly know how to act or present themselves in a professional manner. Now you may ask, “K. L. what does this have to do with African American History Month?” Well its simple, with all that we have overcome you would think being professional to another person of color should be the cultural norm. Many other cultures seem to get a charge out of helping another in a professional manner.


I truly believe that so many suffer from the pains of past aristocrats and because of that they have gotten use to being rude to anyone that has the same color as them. It actually has become a norm that too many people of color can’t do business with each other. Many blacks will say openly, “I would rather do business with whites, because you know how blacks are.”


As a new writer I am learning that in the Literary Game, many have seemed to wrap themselves up in acting in whatever way they want regardless of how it appears to others. I see the absence of professionalism in various ways. The term “keeping it real” seems to be a buzz word for speaking and acting anyway you want to someone. The use of profanity and Ebonics in meetings or interviews comes to the forefront which causes the exit of professionalism. When I am listening to many of the on-line shows, like Urban Literary Review where guests have an opportunity to discuss the topics of their books I tend to question the professionalism of the writers.


There is the business aspect of being professional, there are too many who want to try to “Street Hustle” their business instead of pushing their business in a strong professional manner. You can get out in the world and truly push and push to get your product out in the hands of those who you want to do business with and still not have it look like a street corner drug sale.


Some African Americans can’t seem to see that professionalism means coming to the table prepared to offer something to get something. Your book may be about your life on the street but when you are attempting to market it to the public through this type of medium there is a point where even in your own word you need to remain professional.


Just my thoughts. This is not intended to be a attack on any one particular performer, artist or writer .

Respect always,

K. L.

www.myspace.com/klthewriter

'The Holiday Ha-Ha's'

The holidays are a time to come together and share warm and friendly moments and to mainly, well...vacation. Let Famous Milwaukee Author, Teresa Rae Butler show you how to avoid the hassle in a smart, savvy and classy way.

The chestnuts roast on the open flames, winds wind-up crispy leaves into swirls of wonder, and the new fallen snow happily clusters on fluttering eyelashes. The picture perfect settings makes up for good times. This is what makes the holidays worth it. Right? But for many Black families who are underpaid and over worked, the holidays can be a bothersome frenzy equaling one huge headache. Because many Black families already lack a central hub to gather, i.e. Big Momma's House- 'who's in charge for dinner?'

That is just one of many questions that surround the catastrophe of an uncelebrated, season's greeting. And so the scramble begins! 'This year we're having festivities at your house!' What? Since when did I volunteer my crib? Everyone knows that you always have a few problems when you invite people to your house for festivities.

For me, It's the people issues. I don't know about your family, but I have a drunk uncle who is always loud, pushy and aggressive. He always takes about three plates of food home and always needs a ride across town to get there. But we love him still and are always glad to see him. As members come in from the cold, they are welcomed to the early arrivers with good regards. But what about those carpet stains? To keep people from tracking black stuff on your carpet, have a bowl of .99 cent socks, in a bowl with the tiny hanger attached. Y? Because you will always find that someone will not want to remove shoes or boots because of hole filled socks and stockings. There will be children. So to keep from slapping them in the head for running in front of the TV just set aside an area for them to congregate. I use my basement, because the area is carpeted, toy equipped and sealed away from heaters and other dangerous units. There they have their tables, chairs, their own TV and games to sort through. Teenagers are also shifted to this part of the house because they ARE NOT GROWN just yet. Be sure to salt your well-cleared stairs and sidewalks, because your family will still sue you, and on the holidays at that. Keep a variety of music and movies.

Some may want to hear holiday tunes, some may want jazz and a little blues. To keep from being stuck with feeding everyone and cleaning up every damn thing, make folk bring a dish in a big, tin disposable pan. And when they go- 'Hey! It's not my fault that your macaroni was NOT a hit this year. Take it with you. Thanks. I love you.' This way, everything goes smooth for the picture taking, the video recording and the maximum enjoyment of those good ol' Holiday Ha-Ha's.

Join me next time as I will give you a first-things-first checklist for self publishing. It's free game baby. That concrete base, foundation game. I'm down here all of the time.
Much luv all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to you.


Happy writing, and do what you gotta do to Get Ya Shine ON!
'Get Ya Shine On!' - Milwaukee's Urban Author, Teresa Rae Butler of, 'Don't Even Trip,' the sequel, 'God, I Respect Ya Gangsta,' and the 2008 release, 'Entreprenubian Royalty.
www.myspace.com/teresaraebutler
www.text4mpublishing.com

And the

Teresa Rae Butler's CITY SEXY BLOG http://teresaraebutlerscitysexyblog.blogspot.com