Click Here To Purchase From Amazon The Writer Within You: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing And Publishing In Your Retirement Years

Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest, Charles Jacobs author of The Writer Within You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing In Your Retirement Years.

Charles is an award winning journalist who has been honored with numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Working Press Association, the New Jersey Press Club and the North American Travel Journalists Association. His more than 750 articles have appeared in magazines and newspapers in the USA and Canada. He holds a Master’s degree from Columbia’s famed Pulitzer Graduate School of Journalism. Among the many positions Charles has occupied are Publisher/President of the Alameda Newspaper Group in the San Francisco region, Publisher of the New Jersey Herald & News and Editor-in-Chief of Focus, a million circulation magazine.

Good day Charles and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

What do you think over the years has driven you as a writer? As a follow up, what's the most difficult thing for you about being a writer?

Charles:

The dream began at age nine or so when my parents gave me an inexpensive, little hand printing press that spewed out 4inch by 4 inch sheets. I became the neighborhood busy body/reporter, and have remained same ever since with much expanded boundaries. I loved the excitement of a newsroom, the breaking news and the constant deadline pressure. Now that I am perhaps a bit slowed down by age, I find writing articles and books an ideal career and a wonderful way to spend retirement.

Norm:

What motivated you to write The Writer Within You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing In Your Retirement Years?

Charles:

When I am invited to speak about writing and publishing, I am inevitably surrounded by members of the audience—most often the older ones— and I hear time and again, “Have I got a fabulous book I want to write!”  A moment of silence usually follows, and then the plaintive complaint, “But I don’t know how to begin.” After hearing this time and again, I decided about a year ago it was time to address that problem.

Norm:

Why do you think this is an important book at this time? What are your hopes for this book? Whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why? What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Charles:

The perception of retirement has changed drastically within the past few years. People are healthier and live longer lives. They are unwilling to spend those precious years only on the golf course or at the card table. Retirees today, particularly Baby Boomers who have completed their careers, seek a more productive retirement. Some choose to work part-time in some aspect of their former specialty. Others seek challenges in new fields.

Many volunteer or devote long hours to their lifelong hobbies. Surveys have shown that writing a book is a cherished life dream of more than 80 percent. Spending just two or three hours everyday at the computer will allow that dream to be fulfilled, and at the same time leave many hours for fun and relaxation. The interest and in many cases the gratitude of people when they learn about what I am writing is my greatest enjoyment and fulfillment.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book?  Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Charles:

I never tried to get representation for this book. Traditional publishing today short changes all but the best known writers, politicos or celebrities. No longer do publishers cover the cost of promoting a book. That’s left to the author, who must spend all that money, and yet receive a minuscule royalty. This is a niche book that can be marketed very well through personal appearances, web sites, blogs and periodicals that cover the same niche. Therefore I followed the increasingly popular trend and self-published.

Norm:

Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

Charles:

Having been involved with some form of writing and publishing for many years, I was able to tap many resources in the industry. As a former reporter, I knew how to ferret out information. Between my own private collection of books on writing and publishing, the library reference room and the Internet, research became relatively easy.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Charles:

The biggest obstacle to starting was organizing an easily understandable format for presenting what really was an enormous amount of information. My goal was to offer all the knowledge a person would need to tackle the specific category of writing he/she desired.

The complaint I constantly hear is that hopeful writers are turned off by the need to research through a dozen or more books. There are many, many excellent books available, but almost all cover only a single aspect of writing or publishing. For example, if a beginner wanted to write a novel, he/she might have to read a book on plot, another on character, a third on description and so forth. Toss in publishing and promotion and their personal library expands endlessly.

With the information contained in The Writer Within You, any wannabe can turn out publishable articles or a book. If there is a desire to learn more, I have included an extensive Appendix with recommended web sites, books and other quality resources.

Norm:

In the last year or so have you seen any changes in the way publishers publish and/or distribute books? Are there any emerging trends developing?

Charles:

In my view, the most exciting trend is the continuing growth and prominence of the independent, smaller publishing house. These men and women are willing to take chances, and like publishers before the era of consolidation and massive conglomerates, they base acceptance on quality, not simply the bottom line.

Norm:

Why have books whose titles we had never heard of been selling millions of copies  while some of the books we thought the most popular have barely scraped the lists of best sellers? eg. diet books, books on spirituality etc

Charles:

Far too many authors forget that although they type “The End” to their book, it really is only the beginning. There are excellent books that lie moribund on the bookstore shelf because they haven’t been properly introduced to the public. They haven’t been promoted. Conversely, some very mediocre books have gained great popularity because of heavy and astute promotion.

Norm:

What's your advice to achieve success as a writer?

Charles:

Above all else, it takes real desire. Writing can be very lonely and demanding. It requires the discipline to face that blank computer screen every day with regularity. Writing can’t be done well on a hit or miss basis. In addition, I do recommend either reading quality books on the aspect of writing to which you aspire, and if possible taking courses. Writing is a craft that can be taught. While the genius to create a classic is a very rare gift, many without it have risen to the top of the best seller lists.

Norm:

I understand you are also a travel writer? What is the biggest reward of life as a travel writer?

Charles:

Discovering that unique aspect of a destination that fully characterizes it. In essence, discovering its soul and raison d’être. That becomes particularly rewarding when it has not previously been captured and publicized by any other writer

Norm:

Do you feel that writers, regardless of genre owe something to readers, if not, why not, if so, why and what would that be?

Charles:

Absolutely! If for no other reason than that the reader buys our books, and that provides our livelihoods. But there is a much greater consideration. I come out of the tradition of “old time” journalism, where we were always taught and believed deeply in the sanctity of the written word. It is not something to be taken lightly because so many people are influenced by what you write. A writer has a deep obligation to truth and propriety.

Norm:

What do you think of the new Internet market for writers?

Charles:

It is a fabulous way to reach potential readers. There is an intimacy when you make contact on the computer with a person sitting in his/her own home. The Internet is a superb tool to relay information and a marvelous selling tool for your books. I have taken it a step further, and built a free educational program for writers on my web site and blog.

These can be addressed individually or can function as supplements to The Writer Within You to become a three-part program that I call “Retire-Write.” When someone clicks onto www.retirement-writing.com, he/she will find a steady flow of free new articles on all aspects of writing, publishing and promoting. The blog offers news of the publishing industry and a weekly instructional feature called “Charlie’s Choice.” There is also an opportunity to ask questions on the blog and within 24 hours to receive professional answers.

Norm:

Where can we find out more about Charles Jacobs?

Charles:

Again, I suggest clicking onto my web site at www.retirement-writing.com.

Norm:

What is next for Charles Jacobs and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Charles:

I am rather tempted to go to work on a new novel, although I have had several requests to create another book similar to The Writer Within You for a general audience of all ages. The outline of the novel is gradually taking shape in my mind whenever I can switch thoughts away from the current book. Your interview has been extensive, and I think we’ve covered just about everything except perhaps how to order the book.

That can be done on my web site or by telephoning 800-BOOKLOG. But hurry. I don’t know how much longer we can continue the deep discounts that we offered as a pre-publication price. The book is also available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, and can be obtained from your favorite bookstore.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

To read Norm's Review of The Writer Within You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing In Your Retirement Years CLICK HERE