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$uccess

Your Path to a Successful Book

Our $uccess blog will feature writing, marketing, and publishing tips we continue to learn since writing our 2009 INDIE Finalist workbook $uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book keeping our readers abreast of the everchanging skills required to write, publish and sell a successful book. We will also have guest commentators. Achieving your goals as a writer is what matters. Anything we can do to help you get there is our goal. We welcome your comments and hope you will sign up for our bi-monthly (or whenever we have enough material) newsletter.

Archive for January, 2010

The Positive Power of Humor and Creativity

Sunday, January 24th, 2010


Any one who knows me or reads these posts regularly, also is aware that I strongly believe in the positive power of humor and creativity.

The Humor Project runs a conference called, “The Positive Power of Humor and Creativity.” The Humor Project was founded by Joel Goodman and Margie Ingram. I first met Joel when we were attending Creative Problem Solving in Buffalo, NY in the 80s. Later, I sporadically started attending his conferences when I needed a creativity fix. Margie, Joel’s wife, is the Conference Coordinator and what a great job she does.

In any case, this year’s line up is terrific: Jeff Zaslow, Co-author of The Last Lecture; Norman Cousins, LOL Award Legacy of Laughter; Matt Weinstein, “What Bernie Madoff Couldn’t Steal from Me;” Martha Bolton, Jest-selling author & Bob Hope staff writer; and David Roth, Conference troubadour, Master of music & Mirth.

I’m partial to David as one of the songs he wrote, “Don’t Should on Me, and I won’t Should on You,” is a favorite.

I mention this conference from June 11-13 because it is good, reasonable, and good for anyone. You see teachers, health care workers, clowns, FBI, CIA, business people, and just about anyone you can imagine or not imagine attending. Norm went with me two years, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you need a jump start or restart, this is the answer. You can find out more details at www.HumorProject.com or call 518-587-8770.

I have a schedule conflict this year. If any of you attend, please let me know how you enjoyed the experience.

Laughter and Creativity Matter,

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where & What in the World

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards,
“$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book,”

Success Tip – Jackson Brown, Jr. Philosophy

Friday, January 22nd, 2010


Jackson Brown, Jr. wrote this success philosophy in 1991.

Then, Maralyn and Brenda experienced the truth of this first hand with their fist book together in 2001-Our Love Affairs with Food and Travel.

“Do your homework and know your facts, but remember it is passion that persuades.”

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills
Success Log
Global Log

Success Tip – Writing Goals

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Set your writing goals realistically.

Many times, someone will say, I’m going to write a book this year?

When, how long, have your started or done research, who is your market?

Consider saying, “I’m go to spend 2 hours a week working on my book.”

Now you may be able to spend 10 hours a week or 40, which is great. But many who want to write a book, have not allocated time to start writing.

If time is an issue, start small. Don’t wait until you have time. Schedule time. Even if you journal 10 minutes a day on the topic you want to write, it will help you pull your book together.

Brenda and I spend a long time collecting the information we want to include, and then get fired up like crazy to put it together.

Do what works for you, just do it. Be sure to sign up for our posts to come e-mail or rss if you enjoy them. If you have any tips, we are always happy to receive your thoughts.

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where & What in the World

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards,
“$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book,”