You Would Resent Having Overnight Success

by James L. Rubart, @jameslrubart

It’s true.

Even though you don’t entirely believe it. Neither did I.

When I went to my first writing conference back in 2006, I wanted the agent I submitted the first 10 pages of my manuscript to, to email me before I even got to the conference and say, “Oh, wow! You must send the rest! Now! Now!”

(Truth be told, in my deluded, uneducated state of mind, a small part of me expected that to happen.)

What I Needed, What you Might Need as Well

Read More

You Might Need to Wake Up

by James L. Rubart, @jameslrubart

After I won the Christy Award Book of the Year, a Carol Award for speculative fiction, and the ACFW Mentor of the Year last year, my son Taylor came to me and said, “Uh, Dad, do you think maybe it’s time you do more than teach workshops at conferences?”

“What do you mean?”

“You got published, hit the bestseller list, and started winning awards in four years. It takes most novelists ten on average, right?”

Read More

A Bit of Advice On Taking Advice

by James L. Rubart, @jameslrubart

In ninth grade, I wanted to be a rock star. (Yeah, me and every other kid who had a modicum of talent on the guitar, bass or drums.)

That meant buying an electric guitar. I’d played an acoustic for a few years, but I needed something I could plug into an amp that would go to eleven. More than that, I needed a guitar that I could play lead guitar on. I wanted to play those screaming solos that would make girls like me and guys want to be me.

Read More

I Don’t Want to Hear About Your Story Anymore

by James L. Rubart, @jameslrubart

When God spoke to me about being a novelist, it was a supernatural, lightning bolt type experience. I was pretty pumped when it happened, so I of course told my great friend Jim Rubstello about it, and described the story I would attempt writing.

He celebrated with me, told me he had no doubt I could do it, and encouraged me to dive in.

Read More

You're a Lousy Gift Giver (And So Am I)

by James L. Rubart

This is the season for gift exchanges. But isn't that an oxymoron? 

• A gift is something given with no expectation of anything in return.

• An exchange is when I give you something, you give me something back. 

Confession Time

I've had times where I've given friends gifts at Christmas and not received one in return and it hurt a bit. You too? Whew. Nice to know I'm not alone.

Jesus had a few thoughts about giving: In Luke 14 he says, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid."

What? I'm not supposed to get something back?

A number of years ago a friend of mine gave a secret scholarship so a writer could attend the Mt Hermon Christian Writer's Conference. She says it's a treasured memory, primarily because she gave it without any possibility of the person giving anything in return. Hmmm, I think there's a lesson here.

Dying To Self

When we truly die to self or maybe better said, fully align ourselves with Christ (not not the easiest task) we're able to give from a full heart with no expectation of what will come back to us. There is such freedom and joy in that! 

An Idea

No matter how long you've been on this writing journey, there are people ahead of you. And no matter how short, there are people behind you. So go crazy, and take a moment to tell that person ahead of you how much they have inspired you. That is a significant gift.

Then turn around and take a moment to tell that writer a few paces behind you how you believe in them, and to grab onto hope and never let go. That too is an incredible gift.

Because deep inside, whether we're a bestseller, or are just starting our first novel, we are an insecure lot who wonder if we matter, wonder if we have worth. And the gift of encouragement we can give each other is worth more than gold.

TWEETABLES

You're a Lousy Gift Giver (And So Am I) by James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

I'm not supposed to get something back?~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

Take a moment to tell a person how much they have inspired you~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of eight novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his branding and marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make much more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

Read More

How To Make Team Teaching a Smashing Success

by James L. Rubart

Last week I team taught at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference with Susan May Warren and Jeff Gerke. (Great conference BTW.)

Susie and Jeff coming up with brilliant ideas

Even though I’ve known Jeff and Susie for years I’d never presented with them. I was interested in how it would turn out. Why?

We had only seven hours of teaching time. (Yeah, I know that sounds like a lot, but when you have three people who would have no problem filling those hours by themselves I was curious how we’d adapt to each other.)

The Key to Our Success

It sounds simple, but here’s why it worked wonderfully: While we shared our opinions passionately while we brainstormed how the class should work, none of us had any ego in the game. Extremely refreshing. When we taught the class the same attitude prevailed.

I’ve team taught in the past where it became clear immediately that my co-teacher had a King Kong plus Godzilla size ego, and if I was going to say anything I had to forcefully interrupt.

With Susie and Jeff, it was the opposite. We encouraged each other to jump in with an agreement, disagreement, and color commentary at any time. We didn’t care who was speaking as long as it had an impact on the class.

The Awards Banquet--Another Chance to Collaborate

OCW has an awards banquet every year and the three of us decided to amp things up with a running gag about me crashing Susie and Jeff’s MC-ing duties. Looking back at the creation of the skit, I can’t tell you who came up with what and I’m guessing they couldn’t either. It was a completely collaborative effort. None of us cared if their idea was used, we just wanted it to work.

Completely Smooth? Kind Of

Did we ever disagree? Of course. For example, when Jeff or I suggested an idea that Susie wasn’t keen on, she’d say, “I like that idea, but I think we can build on it ...”

Jeff’s translation: “Susie doesn’t like it, thinks it’s stupid, but is too kind to say it that bluntly.”

Then we’d laugh and move on. The point is, we disagreed with gentleness and consideration.

Can we work this way with our editors? Our publishers? Our marketing people? Other authors? Hope so. I know it will produce a better product, and better relationships as well.

One More Memory From OCW

This has nothing to do with the rest of my post, but it’s too funny not to include. You know the cliché when a room is cold that goes, “This place is like a meat locker!” The room we taught in was colder than a meat locker. I kid you not. So at one point Susie did the logical thing and went to her room and grabbed a blanket. 

"Here's how to beat the cold."

Only Three Rules To Follow For An Outstanding Team Teaching Experience

1. Get your opinions out there.
2. Get rid of your ego.
3. Get a warm blanket

James L. Rubart is the best-selling, Christy award winning author of seven novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs Barefoot Marketing which helps authors and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife in the Pacific Northwest and loves to dirt bike with his two sons, hike, golf, take photos, and still thinks he's young enough to water ski like a madman. More at www.jameslrubart.com

Read More

To Be A Creepy Author Stalker, or Not to Be. That’s My Question

by James L. Rubart

“There’s a post on Facebook about ROOMS you might want to take a look at.”

My wife mentioned this to me last week as I was working on an omelet. I took a peek. 

The remark was posted on a Facebook group I’m a member of. It was from a lady who essentially commented on how, um, well ... utterly amazing the novel is. (Sorry, I always have a hard time not feeling like I’m tooting my own horn when I quote readers.)

There were quite a few comments back and forth from others in the group (both pro and con) and as I scrolled through the thread I debated whether to stay silent or jump in. 

I stayed silent. 

What Would You Have Done?

On one hand, the lady who was so enthusiastic about the novel might have enjoyed me getting involved in the discussion. “Hey, the guy who wrote the book is here? Cool!” And I am a member of the group. 

On the other, it might have come across as a little creepy. As if I’m scouring the internet, watching for people who like my books like Big Brother, then throwing back the curtain and jumping into the party without really being invited.

It Comes Down to Our Readers

Like probably all of you, I was a reader a lot longer than I’ve been an author. Putting myself in a reader’s shoes, if one of my favorite authors commented on a blog post, or Facebook comment of mine, part of me would be thrilled, and part of me would find it disconcerting. 

In the end (for me) the disconcerting part was is a little bigger, so I kept my laptop on mute.

Your Turn

If you’re published, how have you handled scenarios like the above? If it hasn’t happened yet, how do you think you’ll react when it does?

If you’re not yet published, how would you feel if an author you’ve never heard of (before reading their novel) dove into a social media discussion based on your comments? Excited? Exited and a little weirded out? Only weirded out?

Gotta go, the FB app on my phone just buzzed ...  

James L. Rubart is the best-selling, Christy award winning author of seven novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs Barefoot Marketing which helps authors and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife in the Pacific Northwest and loves to dirt bike with his two sons, hike, golf, take photos, and still thinks he's young enough to water ski like a madman. More at www.jameslrubart.com

Read More

Trying to Understand the Minds of Readers

by James L. Rubart

I probably should've titled this post, “You Can’t Understand the Mind of Readers”, but I digress. Let’s get to the stories:

In March I keynoted at my friend Jan Cline’s writing conference in Spokane, WA and had the chance to stay for a few nights with Brandilyn Collins and her husband Mark who live in nearby Idaho.

The view from Brandilyn and Mark's home. Spectacular!

Taylor (my oldest son) was with me and when we arrived at the Collin’s home after the first night of the conference, Brandilyn and Mark were finishing up dinner with friends of theirs.

Being the extremely gracious hosts that they are, they invited us to join them and their guests at the table.

After meeting their friends and a bit of chatting, the woman I’d just met asked me what kind of fiction I wrote. I described ROOMS to her and she got a puzzled look on her face for a second and then said, “I read that book. I gave it to a friend of mine after I finished. She really enjoyed it.”

I smiled and nodded.

She paused and then said, “That book was … uh … interesting.”

I showed no expression on the outside, but on the inside I was laughing. It didn’t offend me in the least. If she’d expanded on her feelings she probably would have said ROOMS was all right, but it didn’t really connect with her.

That reaction I understand. Not everyone is going to love our novels. (Let alone our jokes, the movies we like, even our personalities.)

Here’s the story I Don’t Understand

Last Friday I was part of a multi-author signing and during it a man came up and tapped one of my novels.

“I just had to thank you for this book. It was an amazing novel. Really just so powerful. I bought it four or five years ago from you and still think about it. Had to come up and tell you how much it means to me.”

I thanked him and asked if he’d read any of my other novels, and if so, what he thought.

“No, no, haven’t had the chance to read any of the others.”

At that point my marketing persona kicked in. I didn’t ask my next question hoping he’d buy one of my other novels, I was genuinely curious.

“If you liked this book so much, what kept you from trying any of my others?”

“Well, I have a lot of books on my to-be-read pile.”

I won’t bore you with the rest of the conversation, you’d probably be thinking the same thing at that point: It’s been four or five years! That must be an Empire State Building tall TBR pile.

Maybe it’s because when I find a book I go crazy over, I devour all the books that author has written. Finding a new author I love is like opening a multitude of presents on Christmas morning.

Am I weird? Do you ever read a novel, love it, but never read another by that writer?

Do you have any stories in the same vein as mine? Would love to hear them!

James L. Rubart is the best-selling, Christy award winning author of six novels. His seventh, The Five Times I Met Myself, comes out this November

During the day he runs a marketing company which helps authors make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife in the Pacific Northwest and loves to dirt bike, hike, golf, take photos, and still thinks he’s young enough to water ski like a madman. More at www.jameslrubart.com

Read More

I’ve Contracted Stingy Book Buyers Disease

by James L. Rubart @JamesLRubart

True (embarrassing) confession. I’ve become cheap when it comes to buying books.

What‘s wrong with me?

A few months back the e-book version of Patrick Carr’s first novel, A Cast of Stones was offered for free. So I downloaded it on my Kindle. I liked it so much I bought the second book in the trilogy for my Kindle. Cost: $4.99

I finished The Hero’s Lot this past Saturday. Loved it. So I jumped on the web to get book three. Then I saw the price. $9.99?! Are you kidding? That expensive? I debated back and forth for at least twenty minutes before buying Draw of Kings.

But I didn’t hesitate for even a second when I strolled into Subway the other day and they wanted $9 for a flatbread pastrami sandwich.

The Conditioning Factors

We’ve torched ourselves haven’t we? If I had been buying quality sub sandwiches for the past three years for free, or .99 cents, I’d probably balk at paying nine bucks for a sub. But I haven’t.

We sure have been conditioned when it comes to books though. With Bookbub, and eReaderIQ and the like, we’ve trained readers (and ourselves) to think paying anything over five dollars for an e-book is a considerable amount of money. (Have you balked at paying even .99 cents for a book that looked good? I have.)

A few weekends back I flew to Oklahoma to speak at the ACFW chapter in Oklahoma City. I sat next to a man who is a rabid Lee Child fan. Has read every one of his Jack Reacher books. But he couldn’t imagine paying $15 for Child’s latest.

Lamonts

In the 80s and 90s there was a clothing store in the Seattle area that was basically a cheap version of Nordstroms. They sold a lot of merchandise until they implemented an advertising philosophy that was essentially to have everything on sale all the time.

I’m not talking 20% off sales. I’m talking 70% off.  All the time. How could they sustain that type of deep discounting? They couldn’t. Lamonts ended up filing for bankruptcy twice during the 90s and closed their doors for the final time in 2000 when they sold the company to Gottschalks (which went bankrupt as well in 2009.)

I Wouldn’t Want to Be a Publisher

I love my publisher. My editor has become a dear friend. But wow, I wouldn’t want to work there. They are up against significant challenges. I don’t mean them specifically. I mean any publisher. That’s a battered ship at the moment. (I do know what'd I do to turn the ship around which I'll share in a later column.)

What’s My Point?

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. You realize we’ve cut our own throat. When your publisher is selling your books for .99 cents, you’re not making a lot of bank.

So what do we do? As authors I believe we need face reality (as many of you already have) and admit the only way we’re going to find an income is to embrace the hybrid model. I used to think it was an option. Not anymore.

Yes, I hear some of you saying, “Uh, James, where have you been? You just now waking up to that certainty?” Yeah, I suppose I am. But I’m guessing I’m not alone.

Three Questions

• Have your buying habits changed?
• Are you embracing the hybrid model? (Or the fully indie model?)
• How can publishers keep from becoming Lamonts? 

James L. Rubart is the best-selling and Christy award winning author of six novels. He’s also a professional speaker, and marketer who helps businesses and authors make more coin of the realm. In his free time he dirt bikes, hikes, golfs, takes photos, and occasionally does sleight of hand. No, he doesn’t sleep much. He lives with his amazing wife and two sons in the Pacific Northwest and still thinks he’s young enough to water ski like a madman. More at http://jameslrubart.com/

Read More

Congratulations to Jim Rubart!

Novel Rocket is proud to announce our own Jim Rubart has been nominated for a Christy Award for Soul's Gate (Thomas Nelson, a division of Harper Collins Christian Publishing)

CONGRATULATIONS, JIM!!!

Read More