Tag Archives: Improve

Best Endeavours Business Best Practice: Jane Cable On what happens once that publishing deal is in the bag continues

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writing, #amwritingBEST ENDEAVOURS

Jane Cable’s blog about what happens once that digital publishing deal is in the bag continues.

BUSINESS BEST PRACTICE

So there we have it: from a deal signed in August to the perhaps untimely escape of the book just before Christmas – the first part of Another You’s story is complete. But in many ways the hard graft is just beginning.

Having come through the ranks of savvy indie authors it amazes me when I meet writers with publishing deals who think that marketing isn’t their job. Yes, when you have a deal you aren’t the only one trying to sell as many copies as possible, but I don’t believe you can delegate responsibility. As a writer I have three books to market – as a publisher Endeavour has thousands.

My motivation for writing is to share my stories. Perhaps it’s different for other authors; maybe the craft itself is enough, and finding a publisher is sufficient reward for a job well done. Perhaps for them it is the end of the journey.

How other authors approach the business of writing fascinates me and next year I’ll be using this blog to talk to some of them about how they make a living from their words. This will come as later in 2017 I’ll be making the transition from more-or-less full time accountant to more-or-less full time writer. It’s going to be quite some year.
Jane Cable, publishing, writing

But for now I am back to the anxious business of nursing a new baby through its first fragile steps into the world. I can’t stop myself from checking Amazon rankings daily and I am waiting with equal parts of terror and excitement to read the first review. Quite frankly I need to get a grip because no one is going to get around to reading the book over Christmas.

As for me, I’ll keep on gently marketing during the break. I need to approve a press release for issue early in the new year. I need to send seasonal/promotional emails to friends. I need to perfect the art of creating publicity material with Canva (my new favourite website). Perhaps I need a Facebook advert. And I have blog tour material to prepare and at least four guest blogs to write.

Thank goodness my husband has Christmas sorted…

Jane Cable is the author of two independently published romantic suspense novels, The Cheesemaker’s House and The Faerie Tree, and a sporadic contributor to Frost. Another You tells the tale of how chance meetings on the 60th anniversary of D-Day help forty-something Marie Johnson to rebuild her shattered confidence and find new love. Discover more at www.janecable.com.

Simple Steps To Improve Self-Confidence

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ritaoraFeeling at ease with your body is something many people struggle with. Such feelings can eat away at self-confidence and make it harder to assert yourself in life. Sometimes, other people’s attitudes and messages in the media can make it even more difficult, but there are things you can do to fight back and learn to love yourself.

 

Identify problem attitudes

 

Do you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about your body when you’re dressing, showering or shopping? Try to spot such thoughts developing and stop yourself. You probably wouldn’t make negative comments to a friend in that way, so why do it to yourself? Instead, focus on parts of your body that you like, even if they don’t seem as important. Practice thinking positively about them and remember that you don’t have to be perfect to be appreciated.

 

Share thoughts with friends

 

Social convention means that often we don’t complement each other enough. If you have friends who also need more body confidence arrange to get together and tell each other what you admire about one another’s appearance. Alternatively, you might prefer to do it using anonymous notes if you’re shy. You might be surprised by how much friends like or even envy aspects of the way you look that you never considered previously.

 

Focus on fitness

 

Even if you’re overweight, disabled or getting on in years, there will usually be something you can do to increase your fitness level. Exercise lowers levels of cortisone, the stress hormone and makes the body look better. You can even do exercises for your face to reduce lines and wrinkles; a sort of natural facelift.

 

Dress to flatter your figure

 

Everyone likes to feel sexy and you can find clothing to suit all shapes and sizes online, including fantastic plus sized lingerie deals. Rather than worrying about what doesn’t look good on you, seek out stores that specialize in clothing designed for bodies like yours, whatever shape you are. You don’t have to look like a model, because in reality people are attracted by many different aspects of an individual, such as sense of humor, stylishness and intelligence.

 

Love your style

 

Part of learning to love your body is about understanding how to see it on your own terms, which involves choosing clothes that flatter your shape and selecting colors and patterns that reflect your personality rather than concerning yourself with following fashion. That way you don’t need to worry about being compared to other people and you can instead focus on simply being who you are.

 

Despite the fact that women’s magazines tend to focus on hairstyles and waist measurements, studies show again and again that one of the most attractive assets anyone can have is self-confidence. Once you are comfortable in your own skin and enjoy the way you look it will show in the way you walk, the way you dance, even the way you smile; all things that will make an impression on others. Most importantly, they will make you feel good about yourself.