Dare to Dream

Hello Friends -

Mr. John Koplas was my favorite teacher at Lockport Senior High School. While other kids yawned, his enthusiasm over English Literature and Shakespeare made it come alive for me. When I graduated in 1974 he gave me a thesaurus, I still remember it.

Like most teens I’d dream about my future and what career to pursue. In my yearbook I wrote—“My goal is to write a book.” When my first book was released in 2005 I sent Mr. Koplas a copy, along with a thank you for his encouragement. He saw my potential.

If writing and/or speaking is an ambition for you, or someone you know, this newsletter provides details and insight.

Last month I received several e-mails asking permission to forward my newsletter onto others. The purpose of my e-news is to assist as many people as possible, so please forward to anyone you feel may benefit.

Under Grace,
Laura  

So You Think You Can Write?

by Laura Petherbridge

Have you seen the TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance?” Those performers are a far cry from the old “Star Search show.” I’m amazed at the talent and perfection the men and women possess.

Laura (and Steve) signing her latest release at the International Christian Booksellers Convention.

As a writer I’m often asked how to break into the world of publishing. Although I’m not an expert I can share that the competition, like dancing, is more challenging than it used to be. If you are serious about getting published, here are a few suggestions:...[click here to read]

I’d like to quit my job and become a Christian speaker. What should I do?

Don’t quit your job—Yet!  Writing and speaking sounds like a glamorous career, and it is rewarding, but I assure there is more to it than meets the eye.

When you first start out in Christian speaking it’s typically at small events with little or no pay. It can take several years to build a speaking platform. Speaking in the church is vastly different than in the secular world because the financial reimbursement is considerably less. Once you build a platform (and become a published author with a publishing house) you can charge more, but it often takes time.

A large portion of my time is spent on the administrative side of ministry as opposed to in front of a group. Something that frequently surprises a potential speaker are the behind-the-scene expenses. Some of these include:

• Promotional Materials: one-page color flyer, business cards, newsletters, logos and brochures
• Web design and maintenance-a costly necessity
• Photographs: High quality photos are an important part of promotion, and as your look changes so must the photo.
• Postage: shipping books to meeting locations is expensive.
• Demo CDs: production, corrections, duplication and cases are typically sent for free and few are returned for reuse.
• Resale products: books, tapes, and CDs. The cost for these comes out of your own pocket until sold.
• Professional labor: legal fees, accountants for tax issues, and bureau services.
• Office equipment: computer, software, copier, fax, phone, and furniture.
• Travel: luggage, containers, travel agent fees, ticket change fees, parking, and tips.

This information is not meant to discourage you, but to inform.

Attending a speaker’s conference may help you to discover when and how to take a step towards this decision.  Information may be found on www.carolkent.org ; www.shespeaksconference.com ; www.Kendavis.com  and www.classervices.com

Writing is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public. - Winston Churchill

Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators. - Olin Miller

Losing My Mind and Loving It!

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:5

Are anxious and stressful thoughts taking over your life? Would you like to learn how to demolish negative thinking? Then this workshop is for you. Christ longs to renovate your mind. He will take you from restlessness to peace.

Together we will:

• Replace nagging doubt with unshakeable faith
• Discover your unique purpose
• Restore joy and destroy discouragement 
• Obtain victory over destructive patterns
• Learn how to take action when God calls

Click here to read more about Laura's other speaking topics.

Resource
Give-Away Contest:

Last month’s Winner was Jennifer Palmer, Crossroads Christian Church in Evansville, Indiana. Congratulations, Jennifer!

This month’s resource give-away contest winner will receive Word Weavers: The Story of a Successful Writer’s Critique Group

For more about the authors, check out their websites:
www.EvaMarieEverson.com and www.JaniceElsheimer.com

Be the 5th person to contact me. To enter this month's Resource Give-Away Contest, enter simply by contacting me.

Did You Know...

About 92 percent of Americans own at least one Bible, and the average household has three. Baptist Standard, Dec 2000

World sales of the Bible are more than 100 million every year. www.soon.org.uk

In 2006 Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark sold for $12,500. www.Abebooks.com