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As we wrap up this year and head toward next tradition suggests we set new goals make resolutions. Each of us has our own definition for success and what that may be. I’ve included some thoughts for reaching our intentions.

Effective writing goals should be specific:  measurable, meaningful, and attainable:

A goal of writing a particular number of  words per day, such as 1000 words per day.

• A goal of writing a certain amount of time per day on a set schedule, such as three hours a day five times a week from 9:00 AM until Noon Monday through Friday.
• A goal to read materials in or about your genre, such as a book per month.
• A goal to improve the writing craft by learning a new technique by reading about it and practicing, participating in a critique group, and / or attending a writing workshop once a month.

An important area the requires focus for authors is marketing. Include items on your list that will assist you to achieve success in selling your books:

• Attend different kinds of book events to see how others complete this part of their plan.
• Network with booksellers in different venues to broaden your horizon.
• Improve your social networking skills by attending workshops and or classes.
• Set aside time to do your blogging, twitter, facebook, and so forth regularly.
• Budget for promotion.
• Prepare your sales kit – professional photo, digital file of book cover, synopsis, query letters and so forth.

Make sure the goals you choose are personalized so that you can take ownership of the goal and make it part of your everyday life. Measure progress on a chart and place it where you will  see and remember your goals often to keep you motivated and headed in the right direction. If one wants to be a #1 best selling author and make lots of money, but doesn’t feel comfortable in front of crowds, doesn’t have a network for promotion, and doesn’t want to invest in doing so it is a pipe dream, not a realistic goal. On the other hand if writing is for your own pleasure, you only plan to share the results of your writing with close family and or friends, then the only thing you may want to focus on is finishing the project and finding the most cost effective way to reproduce the manuscript for sharing.

Please share any helpful hints and or ideas with comments. May we all achieve our goals in 2011.

Great Blog ! Regards.

Hey – great article. Merry Christmas to you and your family from our team! Have an awesome New Year as well!

The Rite Aid drug store at 3^rd and Pike Street is where I get my prescriptions filled.  Atenolol for my high blood pressure—I’m supposed to eat right and exercise, avoid the salt in my food, but I don’t.  I’m supposed to avoid fats too, like taking the skin off chicken.  But I don’t.  My other prescription is for Paxil, an anti-depressant that has some anti-anxiety properties.  It’s supposed to have sexual side effects, but it doesn’t.  Do they work?  At one time my blood pressure was 160 over 110.  Now it’s 120 over 70.  So I suppose the Atenolol works.  At one time I dreamed of dying every single day.  And I was always angry and irritable; I cut and blistered people with my tongue and made them stay the fuck away from me.  Now I don’t.  So I suppose the Paxil works too.  But it makes me sweat.

I like to walk from my office to drop off the refills during break and pick them up at lunch.  I suppose I could phone them in but I like to get outside and breathe the air.  A December day in Seattle is just as likely to be sunny and nice as to be rainy and dark.  That day was bright, and I enjoyed the stroll.

The sundry aisle was full of Christmas decorations.  I have a little artificial tree and a box of ornaments in my storage unit: a miniature stocking, a small Norwegian made out of a clothespin, a picture of Santa hanging on a chain, a bauble of gold thread and rhinestones made by my mother, bless her soul.

I picked up a string of very tiny lights.  They were $1.99.  Just as likely to start a fire as light up the tree, but I picked them up anyway.

My prescription wasn’t ready.  A pharmacist had called in sick.  Irony in that.  So, I cooled my heels in the waiting area.  A heavy-set black woman sat there.

“Guess you’ll have to wait too,” she said in a weary voice, but loud enough so the behind the counter folks could hear, “My doctor called mine in hours ago.”

Probably for some kind of pain killers, I thought, then was immediately abashed by my own racism.  Never mind that I’d come there for a mood altering drug myself.

She had several items in her substantial lap—one of which was a string of the very same tiny Christmas lights that I was buying.

“Hey, I see we’re buying the same kind of lights,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m going to wrap them around my wreath and put them on my front door,” she said.

“I’d be careful about that,” I said.  “You don’t want to be running an extension cord outside to the front door, you might cause a fire.”

“These here lights run on batteries,” she said.  She showed me the package.  Although the lights were the same, hers indeed featured a battery pack.  The price was significantly higher—$5.99, batteries not included.

“Well what do you know,” I said.  “That’s just great.”  And I felt a sudden surge of elation, admiring her resourcefulness.  What was it about people, to be inspired to happiness by such small and insignificant things?  And we chatted on about how nice the weather was and how relieved we were neither one of us had to travel over the holidays.

On the first day of Christmas my true friends gave to me a laptop under my tree.

On the second day of Christmas my true friends gave to me two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the third day of Christmas my true friends gave to me three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me five EDITORS! Four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me, six eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true friends gave to me, seven writing contracts, six  eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me eight haggling lawyers, seven writing contracts, six eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me nine pristine characters, eight haggling lawyers, seven writing contracts, six eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me ten rich investors, nine pristine characters, eight haggling lawyers, seven writing contracts, six  eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true friends gave to me eleven book producers, ten rich investors, nine pristine characters, eight haggling lawyers, seven writing contracts, six eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me twelve author events, eleven book producers, ten rich investors, nine pristine characters, eight haggling lawyers, seven writing contracts, six eager agents, five EDITORS, four revisions, three publishers, two reference books and a laptop under my tree.

By Margaret Larsen Turley © 12/14/2010

Merry Christmas to all and a successful writing year in 2011.



A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens tops my list of favorites for this time of year.  The novella was  first published by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843.  I love reading Charles Dickens any time. This tale has been filmed in many different versions and my Christmas season isn’t complete without watching at least a few of them.

Here is a quote from this well loved author: “I have endeavoured, in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.”
Their faithful Friend and Servant, C. D. December 1843.

Another story that gripped my heart as a girl was about an orange. The version Christmas Orange I love best is written by Linda Bethers and beautifully illustrated by Ben Sowards.

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl always brings a tear. Last year I read Gregory Maguire’s twist – something he does so well with many classics – Matchless. I was in no way disappointed.

This year I’d like to invite all of Pamela Goodfellow’s students, former students, and published authors to submit your short holiday stories or poems to be posted or linked to here on the Goodfellow Publishing Blog. This will be our “Get Well Card” and “Season’s Greetings” for our fearless leader who will be going in for surgery this Tuesday, December 14th. Pamela suffered several hip dislocations this year. She stoically postponed the necessary repair surgery until after the Goodfellow Book Launch Celebration on November 4th, insisting on giving all eight authors that participated their moment of glory. She determinedly completed the quarters scheduled classes despite e

Writers Unite to Fight Cancer has planned more charity events to collect funds for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

Today’s cancer researchers are on the verge of life-saving discoveries. But what scientists desperately need are the funds required to mount an all-out assault against cancer. One in three people will develop cancer during their life. 1,529,560 people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer and the more than 7.6 million people around the world  will die from cancer in a year.  Writers Unite to Fight Cancer have chosen the American Association for Cancer Research as our charity because of their innovative approach to the battle for our lives.  We invite all writers and authors who would like to join this cause to participate in any or all of our future efforts to wage war on this terrible disease.

This Saturday, December 4th, 2010 from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM we have reserved a table to sell books at the Kare Bear Fair the will be held in the Clubhouse at Sunbird Golf Resort. (6240 S Sunbird Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85249  Enter Riggs Rd. between McQueen & Cooper on Championship Dr.)  We will contribute the entire amount we collect from the sales of books that are donated for this event to the AACR. Authors may choose how many books they would like to give to this cause. In exchange you will be receiving exposure in a new venue – a very active adult community who love to read so much they have their own library. Please contact Margaret Turley at [email protected] or call           480-773-7087 for more information.  We will also participate in the Kare Bear Fairs on Saturday, February 5th, and March 5th.

Another fund-raising activity that is being planned for Writers Unite to Fight Cancer is a book fair in the Bookman’s store in Tucson on the Southwest Corner of Speedway and Wilmont for the end of February or the beginning of March. There is no cost to the author to participate. Each author will have their own table for signing their own books. The author provides their own books and handles their own sales. Writers Unite to Fight Cancer is asking for $1.00 donation for the AACR per book sold (or any other larger amount that the individual author sees fit to contribute.) The AACR will be making bookmarks for us to place in the books we sell next year.

Sincerely,

Margaret L. Turley, Administrator for Writers Unite to Fight Cancer

Ten years ago, if someone had told me I would have two books published by 2010, I would’ve laughed—longingly of course. My first novel, Cowgirl Dreams, was released in December 2008, almost ten years after I started writing it. The sequel, Follow the Dream, just came out in October.

People say to me, “The second book must be a lot easier than the first one, right?”

Well, yes and no. I guess I could say that I cheated, in a way. I wrote the two books as one long book to begin with. But when I began researching publishers, I found that the word count for the “western” genre was generally shorter. It just happened that I found a place in about the middle where I thought it could be easily divided. But then I had to make sure the second book could stand alone and fill in some of the back story without resorting to the old “telling” versus “showing.”

Writing a book is never easy. There is always a lot of research to do, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. The self-discipline of writing regularly is easier for some than for others. I wear several hats—writer, teacher, editor and critique group leader, so sometimes my own writing gets put aside.

Of course, once the first draft is put down on paper (and I subscribe to Anne Lamott’s advice to give yourself permission to write a “crappy” first draft), there is revision, revision, revision. This can be done in bits and pieces or going through the entire manuscript several times with a fine-tooth comb. Revision is helped greatly by having an astute critique group to give valuable, constructive feedback.

So, despite the fact that I had the second book “written” when my first book came out, I had to go through several revisions before it was ready to submit to the publisher. The preliminary reader had some further suggestions, as did the editor, and so there were more revisions. Finally, after two years, my second novel was released.

Now the work begins: marketing. Is that easier with the second book? Again, yes and no. I learned as I went with the first book, and I know more now than I did two years ago. But it’s still a matter of hitting the bricks, hand-selling, and roaring through cyberspace, trying to get your name out there, trying to build up fans.

No, I would say the second book is not easier than the first. And, in working on the third in the series, that fact is reinforced. This saying sums it up quite well: “The more you learn, the less you know.” But that is also what I love about writing—I never stop learning.

Both Cowgirl Dreams and Follow the Dream are based on my grandmother who rode bucking stock in Montana rodeos during the 1920s and ‘30s. The books are written for adults, but also suitable for young adult readers.

Cowgirl Dreams takes place during the 1920s and features the heroine, Net

Today is our final Blog post prior to the Goodfellow Book Launch Celebration with Writers Unite to Fight Cancer silent auction fundraiser for the American Association for Cancer Research.  It is an opportunity to share with you our passion and feelings for this event. Jessica Cestone is the AACR representative we have been working with and she has been very helpful and supportive. After her statement each author will share her thoughts on the program, followed by comments from Dr. Pamela R. Goodfellow.

Cancer is a worldwide health concern affecting people of all ages, races and ethnicities. High quality, innovative, collaborative research has been, and continues to be, the path to finding new and alternative ways to prevent and cure cancer. As a global scientific partner and facilitator of cancer research initiatives, the American Association for Cancer Research works side-by-side with scientists, patients and families as they face cancer’s challenges. Tremendous strides have been made in the prevention, treatment and cure of many types of cancers, but much more work needs to be done. We are especially grateful to Writers Unite to Fight Cancer for partnering with us to raise the much needed funds that will lead to a cure. Thank You!

Jessica A. Cestone   Associate Director, Development  American Association for Cancer Research

The opportunity to touch the life of another person in a way that makes us both better is given to me every time I meet someone with cancer. This weekend I had three people ask for help in their battle with cancer, an illness that remains beyond our current means of medical help. I see White Lions Foundation as a way to reach past the tips of my own fingers and join hands with the world to lift us out of the fearful tragedy taking the lives of cancer victims every day. Together we can embrace the positive elements of the earth and heal one another. I have lost count of the number of lives I have watched be taken by cancer and I hope one day the need to count these loses is stopped altogether. We must rid the face of the planet of this devastating illness.  The Goodfellow Publishing book and fund raising celebration is a great opportunity to share my love of writing with an event that highlights my passion to stop cancer.

Lisa Finder author of Black Sand White Lions Foundation Founder

I feel honored and thankful to associate with Dr. Pamela Goodfellow and her student writers in this silent auction and book signing event. I pray that we can make a dent in the huge amount of money needed for cancer research. As a current cancer victim, I am

What is a Book Launch? It is the culmination of months, even years of work by an author, who has worked with a variety of publishing professionals to bring a work to commercial viability. It is a celebration. It is a chance to step back, revel in accomplishment, and accept acknowledgement from friends, colleagues, and family for a job well done.

On November 4^th, 2010, eight authors will be celebrating their published works with a Book Launch at the Wright House in  Mesa, Arizona. I have had the privilege and the pleasure of working with all of these authors on their books. It is with     great pride in their accomplishments that I am hosting the event. These are amazing women. The stories they have to tell

are treasures.

What makes this celebration unique in these tough economical times is that it is not just a book sale, but also a fundraiser for cancer research. Each of these authors has pledged a portion of her proceeds to donate to the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), via the White Lions Foundation. I have worked in publishing a long time, more than thirty years now and I have never had the honor of working with such selfless authors. We will be holding a silent auction with wonderful items up for bid, each collected by the authors whose books are being honored at the event. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from this auction, along with the author’s portion of the proceeds from book sales, will be donated to help with cancer research.

Barbara Lofgreen wrote Generations. She has Lung Cancer and has served as our mascot. Louise Laughlin wrote I Must Be Dreaming, Libby’s Vacation and Santa Goes Shopping. Her husband is an esophageal cancer survivor. Nancy Burns wrote Retirement: Sacred or Scared. She lost her sister to cancer this summer. Lisa Finder is author of Black Sand and founder of the White Lions Foundation, the non-profit organization that is helping us gather the money to give to the AACR. Margaret Turley RN wrote Save the Child, a story about the Johnson family and how they cope when their daughter Sharon develops Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Carrie Goodfellow wrote and illustrated her educational children’s book: What Can You Do When It’s 102°? She lost her stepfather and grandmother to cancer. Anna Arnett wrote the memoir of her eternal love with her husband Charles: Lolly’s Yarn. Anna lost a niece and a nephew to cancer. Cindy R. Williams wrote the award winning Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today. Her brother is a testicular cancer survivor.

It is refreshing to work with authors whose integrity and compassion is as evident as it is with this grou

Creating books is a labor-intensive craft that  involves  writers, editors, designers, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, researchers, formatters, printers and other specialized talent whose separate contributions must be integrated seamlessly by the book producer. The people who become book producers have usually worked in the publishing industry for years and are knowledgeable about every aspect of the publishing process. Producers have a keen sense for the demands of the marketplace and a savvy about what is technically feasible.

An author with a project that needs development work and and help with design may approach a book producer, who is equipped and knowledgeable about turning a great idea into a sellable proposal. This kind of  project calls for concentrated, labor-intensive activity.  Produced books  are the kind of projects that literary agents cannot offer to publishers and that publishers themselves generally cannot execute in-house. Book producers are equipped to devote the time, energy, and focused attention necessary to bring these projects to fruition— the packaged and finished books. Book producers can handle every stage of the publishing process and be counted upon with the highest level of professionalism.

Dr. Pamela R. Goodfellow of Goodfellow Publishing Services offers Book Production in a unique way compared to other Book Producers and Publishers. Her experience in the publishing world includes working in the large publishing houses in New York, Developmental Editing, publishing books with Goodfellow Press, being a published author, and instructing writing students from developing a concept through the end product of a beautiful piece of art. In over thirty years in the industry she has developed many contacts and a reputation for the highest quality. Instead of keeping the rights to the book like most publishers she hands them over to the author, and gives them wings to sore unfettered to unlimited heights.

Question: What is a Book Producer?      Answer: Pamela R. Goodfellow PhD

A chance to meet book producer Dr. Pamela R. Goodfellow and see the end product of her work is the Book Celebration on November 4th, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The event will be held at the Wright House Reception Centre in Mesa, AZ on 636 W. University Dr. She is honoring eight authors and books produced since establishing Goodfellow Publishing Services in Arizona.

Dr. Goodfellow joined with the authors to form Writers Unite to Fight Cancer. They will hold a silent auction at the Book Celebration to benefit the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). 100% of the net proceeds and a portion of the book sales will be given to the AACR via the White Lions Foundation, a 501 (3) (c ) non-profit organization.  The White Lions Organization supplies nutritional supplements directly to cancer patients. Tax deductible cont

It’s here! It’s alive and well! I am so excited I can barely contain myself! I picked up the books at the mail store yesterday, danced the happy dance and literally hugged them as if my Save the Child books were a litter of newborns.

I have three interviews on the about the author page that have been lonely without the actual book available in stores to accompany them. And now this group of media has been joined by a Super Trailer. It shouts to the world I’m here: Read Me! My fingers were tingling with so much energy that twitter, facebook and linked-in was privileged to receive the news and pass it along cyber waves.

I’d love it if my friends could help spread the word by writing reviews in Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Good Reads, Shelfari and Library Thing and your your blogs, facebook accounts, twitter and Linked-In.  Any one of them would be appreciated, all of them would have me in your debt to do the same for you, as I’ve done for others. This is part of what Dr. Pamela R. Goodfellow was talking about when she told us about building a local buzz, and what Paul McNeese talked about when he instructed us at Pamela’s home in Gilbert about increasing our visibility and our ratings on Amazon.

The other part of this book finally being available is the fun it is to be associated with other great authors who are having the same thing happen form them. We get to share our joy and then are harnessing it to help others through our group Writers Unite to Fight Cancer. It is exhilerating to be working with such wonderful women  writers who want to give to the community by raising money for the American Association for Cancer Research at our book celebration on November 4th, 2010 in the Wright House Reception Centre on 636 W. University Dr. Mesa Arizona. It will be the best party of my life. I hope to see many of my friends, family and acquaintences there.

Margaret Turley