Year: 2025

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Waiting on God

Author R. Frederick Riddle

Waiting on God is the prerequisite of the Christian life and our serving Him.

You face difficulties in life. God says trust and wait on Me. You have challenges and opportunities where you need God to lead you. This is something we all face wherever we live or serve.

Called to Write.

You’ve received God’s call to become a writer. You know it but God hasn’t told the specifics. What should you do. Well, here is plan.

Waiting on God to Verify.

By this I do not mean to do nothing while you wait. If you think God might be calling you to be an author, you need to take some small steps in preparation for the verification and beyond. Here are some possible steps to consider.

  1. 1) EXAMINE the ‘Why’ you think God is calling you. This involves being honest with yourself. It involves a careful examination of what you may be identifying as signs. You can ask other people but what you get are opinions. Maybe helpful but only you seeking God’s revealing will know for sure.
  2. 2) IF you are satisfied with the results of step (1), then examine your live for obstacles and start eliminating them. This also involves honesty and the seeking of God’s searchlight into your soul and taking action on what you discover.
  3. 3) PRAY fervently and sincerely for God’s direction. I am not talking about some formula prayer or a ‘now I lay me down’ prayer but a prayer that is intense.
  4. 4) LISTEN. If you don’t listen to God’s response then you wasted your time in steps 1 thru 3. Oh, and by the way, God cannot be constrained to just one way of answering. You can lay down a chamois and that is ok, but He cannot be restricted to that method.

These may seem obvious and unimportant to you but they are neither. They get your heart right, and puts God in the Driver’s seat.

Waiting on God to Give You the Opportunity.

This may not take long at all or could take a very long time. Write down things that might be worthy subjects you might be interested in writing about. You could also write out the concepts of stories. This will get your mind ready.

Waiting on God to Lead.

The Indwelling Holy Spirit may have something He wants you to write about. It may be that story you’ve been thinking about. Or He may have something altogether different. That is okay. You just switch to God’s plan. Your mind will adjust and soon your mind will be in subjection to God’s direction.

When you reach that point you will find that things flow easier and God’s direction is moving you. These steps are essentially what I do, but the key is to put yourself in a place where God can communicate with you not just to you.

This is a simple plan, but you may have a better plan. That is fine. The idea is simply to wait upon His leading and enabling.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com). You can also find out more about him and what he offers at Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Essential Author Marketing Strategies for Success

Author R. Frederick Riddle

Author Marketing is just what the title suggests. You the author will do most of the marketing. If you have a good publisher, they will do some marketing. For example, T&R Independent Books markets using Social Media, plus other tools we have. But the truth is you will do most of the marketing. I explain what I mean below.

The Work of Author Marketing.

The author has tools at their disposal that they may not realize they have. For example, you may have multiple friends of Social Media like Facebook. Those friends can be golden. While they might respond to our marketing, they will likely respond quicker to you.

Email Marketing.

This is truly personal marketing. While a company may use email marketing perhaps using names you supplied, your efforts will be more personal and therefore more likely to succeed.

If you choose to use email marketing, then I recommend the personal touch. Share some of what you did to get that book written. In fact, you should work with your publisher for ideas and tools that they may supply.

Local Author Marketing

Do you have a local grocery store? How about the library? Or other local businesses? These are all possibilities. Especially if you are a regular customer.

Local independent business’s may be the best, but if you can get into a chain store, you might expand your market. Usually corporate stores need author’s to contact headquarters to get approval. When I was younger I had some of my best marketing doing Author Book Signings in a chain bookstore!

Social Media Author Marketing.

Just because your publisher is marketing on social media doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. He can perhaps flood them with posts about your book. But you can post as well.

You should have a Business Page on your Facebook account. Plus, don’t forget LinkedIn. That is primarily business to business, and you are a businessperson whether you know it or not.

I favor Facebook and Instagram for my books because this is where you find readers of an older generation. Younger readers tend to spend time on TikTok. I invest most of my sales time on Facebook, but I am not afraid to explore other platforms.

Email Marketing.

This is one of the oldest and still successful platforms to use. I have used it in the past but only lately have I considered email for my sales efforts. But it is a valid methodology that I will explore in the days ahead.

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This blog is now published on Fridays, and the Title is more subject related. R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. His website is T&R Independent Books.

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Ministry Publishing – Marketing

R. Frederick Riddle

Marketing has none of the joys of writing. In writing your imagination is often given free reign, wherein marketing requires more diligence and focus.

The Work of Marketing.

I have written over fifteen books and in each case I was the chief marketer. I have had to learn the trade the hard way. I had no one to teach or guide me other than books. The problem is that there are numerous individuals who appoint themselves as masters of marketing. Each however seems to have his or her own opinion on how to do it successfully.

So, I have learned different techniques and been forced to choose which I prefer.

Define Marketing.

Here is one definition: Book marketing is the strategies that authors use to get their book in front of their target readers with the goal of selling more copies. Many authors use various marketing tactics to develop a marketing plan. It’s worth noting not every book is the same, so your marketing plan will probably differ from other authors. The tactics that work for you may not be as effective for another author. This may be because they have a different audience or resources at their disposal, such as a different advertising budget or network of people.

That is a mouthful. So, let me simplify it.

Book marketing is the strategy or plan one uses to attract their target readers to buy your book. There are many different plans, but the goal is the same: Sales.

Social Media Sales.

Many authors find success using social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to organically promote and/or advertise their books. The critical first step is to discover which platform your target audience favors.

I favor Facebook and Instagram for my books because this is where you find readers of an older generation. Younger readers tend to spend time on TikTok. I invest most of my sales time on Facebook, but I am not afraid to explore other platforms.

Email Marketing.

This is one of the oldest and still successful platforms to use. I have used it in the past but only lately have I considered email for my sales efforts. But it is a valid methodology that I will explore in the days ahead.

Book Reviews.

I am constantly looking for people who review books. Many years ago they were out there and the little guy could make use of them. Today they are still out there but a little harder to find.

My advice: Don’t quit looking. A good review is something to be desired.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. You can learn more about him at Facebook. The website is at T&R Independent Books.

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Ministry Publishing – Take Time to Rest

Author and Publisher at T&R Independent Books

Take time to rest is an axiom to live by in life and in business. It is important for whatever you are doing.

Time to Rest.

What is time to rest? The concept is that our minds and bodies need to be rested, not necessarily sleep. But this is dealing with time. Time is not eternal, it is fixed. So we find a specific time to rest from what we are doing.

Why Should We Take Time to Rest?

Because our bodies have a need to rest. Moreover, our minds can become tired. This is particularly true when you work with computers. Eyestrain and simply sitting, or worse slouching at our desks. All of these can lead to energy strain. Rest, however, often rejuvenates us.

Do You Mean Take a Nap?

That is one way of resting. But there are other ways. Simply switching from one task to another often provides physical and mental rest. Here is a list of restful activities:

Nap

Switch Tasks

Take a Walk

Eat

Shower

What if You Don’t Have Time to Rest?

You always have time if you remember this maxim: A Tired Mind Makes Mistakes.

If you remember this then you will find time to take a rest. Otherwise, you might find yourself rewriting what you just wrote.

When I get tired, I tend to close my eyes and then if I am typing I get a string of letters.

Then I will take one of those restful activities and get recharged.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. You can learn more about him at Facebook. The website is at T&R Independent Books.

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Ministry Publishing When Opportunity Knocks

Author and Publisher at T&R Independent Books

What is Opportunity?

Opportunity: an occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something.

When Opportunity Knocks Check it out?

What does it mean to check it out? When opportunity comes calling learn as much as possible about it. Who is offering it? What is it? What will it cost?

Once you have answers then evaluate.

Use a KJV Bible to Filter the information. Looking through the mirror of God’s Word what does it reveal about the principles undergirding the offer? Does it violate God’s Word? Ask questions that require more than yes or no.

Evaluate the Opportunity

This is more than passing the Bible test. You’ve already done that. Now you dig deeper. What are your needs and does the opportunity answer them? How much time and effort will it cost.

An example of this would be does Basic Authors Training or Basic Authors Training for Groups meet the need to transform your writing into a manuscript worthy of being published? Do they guarantee publication of your book if you meet the proper standards?

Then there are cost issues, such as can I afford this opportunity? This requires that you have some knowledge and understanding of where your finances are right now. You want the best savings possible without loss of quality.

Evaluate Against Personal Preferences

I can’t enumerate here because everybody is different. But you need to be honest with yourself. Cost, time, and energy are all important. But here we are talking about personal preferences. They can be arbitrary and silly, but you need to know.

The Opportunity is Valid and meets Your Needs. Now Do It.

This is the hardest part. Up to now you have been investigating, and asking questions. But now having decided it is good for you the time has come to Just Do It! No opportunity is going to transform you into a published author unless it is accompanied by the commitment to do it.

Don’t just wish, do.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com). You can also learn more about him at Facebook.

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Ministry Publishing Group Think

R. Frederick Riddle

Group Think is a continuation of the previous announcement concerning B.A.T. for Groups. I take a deeper dive into the discussion.

Group Think Involves the Entire Group

The concept of B.A.T. for Groups is that like-minded writers form a group. What does that mean or entail? A quick look at a typical group is that there are several Christian men and women who want to become published authors. Perhaps there are three. All three are Christians. All three want to learn to write. All three cannot afford the course on their own.

But they realize that if they team up as a group they can afford the course. The individual cost drops significantly! There is the immediate effect of saving money and being able to register.

What Makes That Unique?1

The lowering of the cost for starters. But let’s look at the formation of the group itself. Assuming there are three students that means there is immediate savings of almost $600. ($599.88 to be exact.)

Let’s put that in perspective. Each student saves $599.88. That is significant for each one of them. However, each student is considered separately. In other words, while they are considered one group, they are each selected as one student.

How is Group Think Considered as Individual Students?

The group only exists as a financial means of paying for the course. Within the course itself each student is independent. They have separate locations, individual study habits, and they bring individual learning skills to the table. Their writing skills will vary, as will their experience and genre preferences. In other words, they come as they are but within a group setting for billing purposes.

What Happens if Someone Quits the Group Think?

It is still a group. The total payment remains the same, but those of you left in the group will have to recalculate your individual share of cost. That is the only think that happens.

If that student changes his or her mind and wants to resume being part of the Group, that would not be a problem. Again, all decisions for cost allocation are made within the group.

Does It have a Downside?

I don’t know of any other than the possibility that one or more may quit the group. That means that you need to be selective of who you are partnering with. As a rule, partnerships need only a handshake (check your state out). So, it comes down to trust. Forming a group to take advantage of B.A.T. for Groups doesn’t require legal contracts, or any other binding agreements. Other than the cost of the plan there is no shared responsibility or duties.

I would suggest that when you purchase the plan you indicate the names and email addresses of each member of the group. This simply provides for each member being slotted as a student with access to the course. If you don’t do this, then I will need to contact the payer directly and ask for the information.

That’s it! To get started go to: B.A.T. for Groups.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. For more information about Ronald Riddle check out his Facebook page. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com).

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Ministry Publishing B.A.T. for Groups

B.A.T. for Groups is an exciting new venture for me. Let me introduce it.

B.A.T. for Groups is Basic Authors Training for Groups.

This is the same writing course that I have been marketing for a while now. It uses the two-tier system of Teaching and Coaching. The student begins learning the basics from day one while at the same time starts writing.

Will the student make mistakes? Hopefully. You see, the training teaches principles and concepts that can at some point during the course be used to review, edit, and correct the manuscript that the student has been writing. By going back and editing their manuscript they use all their senses. But more than that, they learn not to fall in love with what they have written. It can always be improved upon.

The student works at his or her own pace and the transformation in their writing begins taking shape. The more they learn, the more they apply. And the more they apply, the greater is their confidence. By the end of the course, they have created a manuscript that is ready to be published. And then it is published.

So, what is unique about B.A.T. for Groups?

Groups. Short of giving the course away it is almost impossible to attract and register students with potential simply because they can’t afford it. Groups is a new concept for writing courses, as far as I know, that enables men and women to team up to take advantage of this unique learning experience. The Group price is proportioned amongst the students so that the cost is radically brought down to a manageable opportunity.

Why is it Subscription Only?

Because the cost has been lowered considerably it would be unprofitable to market at full price. There are just too many obstacles and ruts.

B.A.T. for Groups is subscription based on 10 months. Does that mean I have to complete the course in 10 months.

No. Never. This is a self-paced course. Only the subscription fee is 10 months. You can take the course and complete it at less than 10 months or more than 10 months.

Further, each member of the group is considered independently of others. Each member has One-on-One coaching and teaching. Each member receives the opportunity to have live coaching calls. Each member is able to get their manuscript published according to their timetable.

Why are You Offering B.A.T. for Groups?

This goes back to when I first thought about putting together a writing course. If you have followed me at all then you know that I went through the School of Hard Knocks. That school has no campus, no classroom, no individual teacher, no personal oversight, and no real principles to be taught. But if you can’t afford a writing course you are automatically accepted into the School of Hard Knocks.

In that school you may learn valuable lessons, but I can assure you that most lessons learned will be hard to learn and often result in failure, not success.

I spent a lot of time in that school and learned the wrong lessons. When God called me to write, He had to cleanse me of all the wrong learning, and teach me the correct stuff. I was poor and could not afford a coach. So, it was all trial and error. But as I grew more capable and, thereby, more confident I realized that there are a great many people facing the same issues I faced.

But the harsh reality was that of perception. If I priced the course too low potential customers figured it was not good enough to charge more. But if I raised the price to increase the value, those same people still couldn’t buy because it was too expensive.

But the group turns out to be a win/win. For me, I sell the Group course for a fair profit, but the members of the group experience tremendous savings because they share the cost. A simple example is that B.A.T. normally subscribes at $399.90 per month for 10 months.

That’s a fair price, but there are talented people out there who can’t afford to pay that much. But if 5 writers join in a group, they get the same course for only $179.97 a month for 10 months. That represents $219.93 savings. More than that, it is priceless to them because now they have an opportunity they can afford. And the future is theirs! You would be right if you said that a dream I have had for a long time has come true.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com). You can also find him on Facebook.

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Ministry Publishing Simple Thoughts

Simple Thoughts From A Simple Man

Simple Thoughts From A Simple Man has after much fanfare been published and is now available. I have included a link in this blog to the book. I have also included the interview I had with Dan Case, the author. Take a break and watch it.

Simple Thoughts is a Devotional.

There are 92 devotionals in the book which means you can have a devotion every day for 13 weeks, plus one extra. The book title includes the words 4th Quarter. Because the book is being published now instead of just before the end of the year, we decided to publish now for the 4th quarter. Plus there are at least two devotions dealing with Christmas.

The Author is a man of simple faith.

He has the ability to sometimes take difficult passages and make them clear. It almost seems that he is shedding light on the Scriptures. Or to put another way, you find yourself saying that makes sense.

He has spent a lifetime reading and meditating on the Word of God. He has seen God work in his life in such a way that the Scriptures came alive to him. From there it is just a simple step to sharing what God has taught.

Simple Thoughts took over 70 years to be written.

That is the sum total of his years on earth. As mentioned already he has seen God move in ways he didn’t anticipate and in the process take him deeper into the Word of God. It doesn’t take long to understand that he loves God and His Word. It is the outcome of a devoted life to serving God to the best he could possibly do.

Simple Thoughts is a Special Book

Why do I say special. There are a lot of good devotionals out there. That is true. But it is a rarity to find a book that speaks to men and women alike. A book that is founded on a clear understanding of God’s Word. As I edited the book I continually found those nuggets of truth that just sprang forward and gripped my soul.

In light of it being special you might want to give it as an early Christmas gift, or just an act of thoughtfulness.

If you would like to see the full interview, simply click on Dan Case Interview.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com).

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Ministry Publishing I am Having Fun

Ministry Publishing I am having Fun. When I became a publisher, I didn’t know that publishing itself can be fun.

Publishing is Fun as I Observe Others.

I have only been a publisher of others for a short time, but I sure have discovered it can be fun. For example, I get to watch people who have never published before step into the water and get their feet wet. They begin learning that they have something important to tell, their own story. They learn that somebody likes what they are doing.

Publishing is Fun as Clients Grow.

Watching someone who willingly admits they don’t know much about publishing and then they start learning what it is about is fun. Their eyes are opened as they begin to realize the opportunities ahead.

Suddenly instead of not knowing they begin to understand the process, techniques, and the results.

I Love Watching Clients Expand Their Skills

When a person comes and wants to be a client, they may know nothing about getting published, but they are willing to learn. I have found that a willing heart to learn is easy to work with no matter what the challenge.

Whether it is learning how to write which I teach in Basic Authors Training or they know how to write and just need a publisher like Ministry Publishing, they are open to letting me into their lives to bring their dreams alive.

Publishing is Fun Because It Satisfies.

Yes, it satisfies. Being a publisher can be hard considering the time, energy, and effort. But to watch clients grow, spread their wings, and fly is a joy! I am thankful that God has put me in the position to watch people develop new skills, expectations, and then the realization that their dream is coming true!

That is what satisfies me!

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com). His Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/ronald.f.riddle, and his YouTube channel is TR Independent Books@trindependentbooks.

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Ministry Publishing Interview with Dan Case

Author Dan Case

Ministry Publishing Interview with Dan Case proved to be historic and an absolute thrill! This is a man that God has used and is using today.

Interview with Brother Dan Case

It was a real honor to have Brother Dan Case visit me in my studio. He is a man I have known and loved in the Lord for years. His knowledge of the Bible, experience serving the Lord, and the Presence of the Lord in his life are striking features that immediately draw you to him.

We spent approximately 19 minutes talking about his life, salvation, and service. He is a remarkable man!

Interview with a Christian.

Dan Case was born into a Christian family that didn’t really have their doctrines down pat. It led to confusion on his part until he learned the truth. Once he understood that salvation is a gift of God that cannot be earned and is by grace alone, he asked Jesus into his heart!

But he still had much to learn before God could use him.

Missions

Early on in his Christian Walk Dan Case was burdened for Missions. Both he and his wife supported missions and raised their children in the Christian faith. But then God called them to a place far away and little known. It was the FIJI Islands.

Interview with a Christian Author

He didn’t say in the interview how he came to be published by T&R Independent Books because I didn’t ask. He did mention the pressure that others put on him to be published. But eventually he came to me and became one of my clients.

Working with him has been a joy. Every client has their own way of doing things, but he was true to his self-description as a simple man. He was straightforward, he had an idea of what he wanted, and he trusted me.

If you would like to see the full interview, simply click on Interview.

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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com).