Category: Rblog

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Musings About My Story

Author R. Frederick Riddle

My story today is about the world of writing and what it takes to become a published author. When I first started my career in my middle twenties, I was raw, inexperienced, and an unbeliever.

My Personal Love Story.

I loved reading as well as writing. Considering the frustration of not being able to write an entire book, I have to say I loved reading more than writing. But there was a desire to write that wouldn’t quit.

My True Story.

Technically, I was enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks. This is a school with thousands of students, but no campus, no administrative offices, no mailing address, no teacher, and no curriculum. It is a school where the student learns by trial and error, mostly error. There is no graduation ceremony, no certificate, and no counselors.

It is a school where its students often learn the wrong thing. Failure is inbred, and the writer is frustrated.

A Foundation to the Future.

It is with that history in mind that I set out to establish my writing course which is now known as Basic Authors Training or B.A.T. to many of you. Having been through the School of Hard Knocks and having to relearn or more appropriately unlearn what I thought I knew was something I did not want anyone else to have to endure.

Teresa (aka Tess) and I launched T&R Independent Books in 2014. Although quickly challenged by my heart attack and her bouts with cancer to name a few obstacles we set about the business of publishing our own books. That involved buying the rights to my own books from the publishers. A few were simply unpublished, but most were transferred to T&R Independent Books.

Today, I am not only an author, but I am also a publisher, teacher, and coach who is willing to use my knowledge to help others become published author. All together I have over 20 years of experience as an author, and about 9 years as a publisher. During those years I have written over 15 books (fiction and nonfiction).

My New Story.

God laid on my heart to open myself up to fellow Christians who want to write and become published authors. Both B.A.T. and Ministry Publishing, which is for focused on publishing, are a result of His leading. If you or someone you know wants to become a published author, I encourage you to visit the store right here. Check out the Writing department and view the services offered. You can begin your career now.

If you want to learn more simply go to Writing – T&R Independent Bookstore.

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Musings of a Published Author

Basic Authors Training Dept.

I am starting an entirely new blog that cover writing, publishing, and anything else that I can think of that is related to being a published author.

My name is R. Frederick Riddle. I am an Published Author, Editor, Formatter, Coach, and Publisher. I have been a published author since 2003 when I wrote Refuge: The Genesis Chronicles (no longer published). I was so pleased with that book that I followed it with Adam’s Chronicles (also no longer published).

Those two books formed the basis of the first book of the six-book series The World That Perished. In fact, that first book was entitled Perished: The World That Perished, which spanned from Creation to the Flood.

Now I have published multiple books into the teens. But along the way I was disappointed by the publishing industry. I did the work and they got the profits. So, in 2014 my wife Teresa (Tess Riddle) started T&R Independent Books with the purpose of publishing our own books.

Yes, I said “our” because Teresa expressed a secret desire to be an author herself. She had been editing my books and watching my progress as an author. So, in 2021 she wrote her first book. Later in 2022 it was changed (including its title) to Keys to Murder. This led to additional books all of which were Ladies Devotionals. All in all, she wrote three devotionals and was working on her fourth when she went in December 2022 to the hospital. Though released to home hospice care in January 2023, she passed away in her sleep.

Though now with the Lord in Heaven, her three devotions were republished along with the partial fourth as The Best of Tess in 2023. These books had an excellent response.

Looking back I realized that I had helped her learn to be a writer although I was simply being a good husband and involving her in my own career. But I was astounded that within one year she produced a republished novel, plus three published devotions, and was working on a fourth! Amazing!

It was then that God spoke to my heart and told me that I can help others become published authors. That is when I opened up to any professing Christian who would write in the Christian World view. Plus I wrote and have been adding to a Writing Course called Basic Author’s Training or B.A.T. to teach writing.

I can help you reach your dreams, to transform your simple desire into becoming a prolific author. If you don’t know how to write, I can teach and coach you. If you have a book in need of a publisher, I can transform that into a published book through Ministry Publishing.

Interested?

Check out www.trbookservices.com/shop/writing/.

You can learn more about R. Frederick Riddle at Facebook and LinkedIn.

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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.

___

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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Blog by Ron – BLACK FRIDAY 3-DAY SALE

Black Friday 3-day sale sounds like just another commercial. But it is more than that.

What is for sale on Black Friday

It is more than books in a bookstore.

Yes, I am offering books for sale such as:

Any one or all six of The World That Was novel series based on the Book of Genesis. These books are said to ‘bring the Bible alive!’

Any one or all of the growing What’s True About nonfiction book series. Topics include Christmas, Revival, God, and more.

What’s so Special about this Black Friday?

Basic Authors Training which introduces 2-tier instruction. This is basic teaching married to live coaching. B.A.T. is a self-paced writing course that allows you the freedom to learn at your pace while having access to a real coach who will work with you.

This course is designed to provide you with information that will help you grow, yet apply right now. And it leads to you getting published. Guaranteed!

Guaranteed Publishing?

Yes. T&R Independent Books is a Christian Indie Publisher of Christian books. If you meet the following criteria T&R will guarantee your book will be published.

As a student you agree:

  • Your fiction or nonfiction work is within the Christian worldview.
  • All quoted Scripture will be from the King James Version Bible.
  • You have completed the course and been offered a publishing package.

In other words, after the completion of the course, you will receive a publishing package at no extra cost which you can accept or refuse. If you desire to publish elsewhere that is your right. But if you agree to be published by T&R Independent

When is the Sale

It takes place on November 28 through 30, 2024 or Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday. It may be extended through the weekend to include Cyber Monday, but that is not currently planned.

What is the Black Friday Sale?

It is 10% off the current sale price. For example, is a product is currently for sale for $12.99 it will be reduced by another $1.30 approximately. Another example is the Basic Authors Training writing course.

That is currently on sale for $4500 and will be reduced by $450. Or if subscription it will be reduced from $400 a month for 12 months to $360 a month for 12 months. (the 12 months only refers to subscription price, not length of course time).

The course is a self-paced course featuring teaching and live coaching to bring out your best and transform you into the published author you want to be.

___

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). He can be found on Facebook.

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Blog by Ron – A Time to Thrive

R. Frederick Riddle

A Time to Thrive can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. To me it is a call to renewal. That renewal can be anything from the personal to business. In this blog I want to talk about business.

Time is an Endangered Species

Something of a play on words here, but there is truth as well. In my daily Thought of the Day I quoted Benjamin (I call him Ben) Franklin, Lost time is never found again. There is so much truth in that saying. All of us have wasted it, sometimes to our regret.

Unlike animals being protected by law, time has no protection. We use in wrongly or carelessly, it doesn’t matter. It is lost forever.

All Time is Important

While all time is important, I want to talk about time set aside for business. You do set it aside for writing, don’t you?

If not, why not?

If you want to be a published author then you have to get serious. That means you set aside time. And the first time frame should be prayer. Pray about your writing, about God’s call, and about the 4 Ws.

Who is writing? (You or AI)

Where are you writing?

When are you writing?

What are you writing about?

Who are you writing for?

Though you may not have written a single word, you need to have someone in mind. Many experts will say don’t write for yourself. But I disagree. Chances are your interests influence what you write. If that is true, then I submit that your audience is likely you, perhaps at a younger age. Or you can market to the average reader of your books, assuming you are already published.

Here you have two possible avatars that you can write for: you or the average reader of previous books. It may be possible to write for both, but for now it is one or the other.

It is Fragile

You may be like me and find that perfectly quiet time leads to sleepiness. My solution is to play some good Christian music. It can itself be quiet, but not too quiet. The music coopts a part of brain, leaving the rest to focus on the task on hand. In fact, as I wrote this I put on a CD.

It is in the background, but loud enough that I could stop and sing along. But its primary job is keeping my physical senses alive while my mental is quietly thinking.

Another trick is to read while writing. That is, I read out loud the text that I am writing.

Both work for me. It doesn’t really matter which one I use. The point is that my mind is kept busy recording the music or words, so I am kept alert while doing the serious work. Instead of wasting time dozing or daydreaming, I can actually get work done.

When you use your time wisely, then you will truly thrive as will your work.

___

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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Blog by Ron – Are You Getting Better?

Author R. Frederick Riddle

Are you getting better could be rephrased to Are you getting better or stagnating? The truth is if you are not improving yourself, then you are stagnating. And that is never a good thing.

Getting Better Requires Commitment.

I started writing in 2000, my first published book was in 2003, and I have now published 20 books. A few are now out of print, but most are available in T&R Bookstore and Amazon.

Through it all I have never quit. Did I have rough times? Of course. But I kept on writing, learning, and more writing.

Getting Better Means Work

Everyone of those books were the result of research, study, application, editing, formatting, before I published. All of those activities involved work. You want to succeed, you put in the work.

Disappointments

Were there books that made absolutely no impact, no sales? Yes, and that was discouraging. But I knew I had been called of God to write, so I continued to write.

If I am a Successful Author, Why Do I Need to be Getting Better?

Yesterday’s successes belong to yesterday. I strive to get better so that I can better serve God. I want to entertain, but more than that I want people to get a proper view of God. Ultimately, I pray that each book reveals God to my readers. That can take various forms, but I consider a book a success when it brings a reader closer to God, or creates within them a desire for God’s Word, or simply encourage them.

What are you doing?

___

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 learn more about R. Frederick Riddle in Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Blog by Ron – The Next Step

Author R. Frederick Riddle

The Next Step for me is not to be full-time, but to actively build the business. Why do I say that? Because I am now full-time.

My Next Step Was to Go Full-Time.

Up until the end of June I considered that I needed to achieve certain goals to be able to go full-time. But God took me aside to explain a few things.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t, I repeat, I don’t hear voices. But I do hear God through the preaching of God’s Word, the reading of God’s Word, and through brothers and sisters in the Lord.

As I said, God took me aside. I imagine He set me on His lap and gently held me as He explained His will.

You are Wrong!

Nobody wants to hear those words, but that is what God told me. He pointed out that it was He that helped me write the course on writing, it was He that enabled me to take a part-time job, and it is He that wants me full-time in the business. I could add it was He that put the support of missions on my heart.

I was looking at things the wrong way.

The Next Step is based on the current Situation.

There is nothing wrong with having goals, but not recognizing that those goals either have been achieved or are possibly wrong goals. The fact is that I am already full-time!

How?

I am doing the work. I am creating content. I am getting my message out. I am making plans and acting on them. I am making short term and long-term decisions that will impact my business for years.

My Next Step is to Build upon the Foundation.

That foundation is in part the books I have written whether fiction or nonfiction. God enabled me to do so. Another part of the foundation is Basic Authors Training where I teach writers to become published authors. I have expanded and improved the content to a higher professional level. In addition to that I have added two services, Ministry Publishing and Fast Trac. All in all I am offering great content at affordable prices.

That is the foundation. In the days, weeks, and months to go I plan on more content to be published on Facebook and LinkedIn, plus YouTube. Furthermore, I plan on  additional content being added in the course. It is an exciting future.

It Includes the Help Ministry.

This is a ministry that God laid on my heart late last year. It started with Him laying a coworker on my heart and expanded to a vision. This vision is to help people, Christians and non-Christians. In will eventually include financial help, both literal and advisory, plus spiritual help as well.

Have You Taken the Next Step?

Whether you are talking about your Christian Walk or your Christian business, you need to always be taking that next step. It is a sign of a growing Christian.

___

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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A Thanksgiving Wish

Author R. Frederick Riddle

A Thanksgiving Wish for You

As we approach Thanksgiving and the Christmas season, families generally anticipate shopping. Especially shopping for their children.

Or if you don’t have children, you might be shopping for the extended family, or for friends, or just between spouses.

In any case, shopping tends to take front state. Now, you might think it strange that I, a seller of books, plus a writing course, and a publishing service, would not be on the bandwagon. Well, if you have seen my posts of Facebook, you know I am selling. In fact, I jumped into the Deals market with both feet and offer potential buyers a 25% discount storewide!

But as a Christian I thing there should be more.

My Thanksgiving Wish for You is That You Find Time for God.

You have legitimate needs that need to be taken care of; or you have children or other relatives that you need to buy presents for and you don’t have much time. But may I encourage you to take 10 – 15 – 20 minutes or more and truly offer up your thanks to God the Father.

I won’t go into all the things you owe God for what He has done in your life. But I do encourage you to take a look at the last year and list the blessings. When I do that, I see that God has blessed me beyond measure.

If I pause and consider my wife’s passing, I find reasons for Thanking God even there. She passed in her sleep with a smile on her lips, the last words she spoke to me were, “I love you!”, and she was spared another battle with cancer. It was painful for me, yes. But when I look at those positive things, realizing only a miracle could have changed the outcome, I am overwhelmed with what God gave us in the last 2 months of her life. I now have memories, precious memories for the rest of my life.

I am not wishing you to lose anyone, but I am praying that you will treasure the loved ones you have by your side, and that you get at least a glimpse of God’s providential care for you.

The Times We are In

We live in precarious times. From a biblical standpoint many of us believe we are in the End Times. But whether we are or not is not the issue. The issue is that God deserves our lives, our thanks, and our obedience.

Let’s render to God all we are and have. That means our lives, our hopes, our fears, and our possessions. But mostly it means our hearts!

My Thanksgiving Wish for Our Nation

Wouldn’t it be nice if our politicians “would just get along.” Usually people who say that mean get along by agreeing with me. But it would be nice if the could work together.

Do you remember 911? One of the things I remember is that for too brief a time our nation was united. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents were united in prayer and determination. It was beautiful!

One wish I have is that they will learn to work together again. I am not talking about loving one another, although that would be a great start. I am talking putting our nation ahead of our petty desires, and putting God first in everything! Being thankful and acting accordingly!

My Wish for You

I don’t know the vast majority of you, but I truly wish that this Thanksgiving you will have plenty of food to eat, that your favorite football team will win (as long as it’s the Detroit Lions), that you will have great health, that you might make new friendships along the way, and that you will remember and have a reserved a special place in your heart for Jesus!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Blog by Ron – Writing About Current Events

Writing about current events is a good subject matter for authors. Because our news media has drifted away from reporting the news and now include their own bias, the door has been opened for authors to write more about current events than may have been the norm.

Writing About Current Events by News Media

It varies according to the subject matter, but my statement about bias reporting as referred I referred to previously is a correct assessment. I have been around long enough to remember when the opinions were relegated to the Opinion Page. But that is no longer true. Now the reporter includes his or her opinion ass though it was fact, which explains the current lack of knowledge about events, people, and places.

It is a shame that reporting of the news has slipped to such a low standard, but for authors it is a major open door.

Writing About Current Events is the Basis of Many Successful Books

Basically, an author writes about historical events, current events, or future events. Which means that Current Events is a topic we are not only knowledgeable about, but often write about.

The news media has opened a door that we already had a foot inside. You could say it is our forte. At least the forte of some writers.

I call today’s reporting, Bias Reporting. Whereas in the past reporting focused on the facts, today the focus is on bias. Facts are only used if they agree with the bias. This, in turn, puts news reporting on the same level as fictional writing. Both are stories based on some facts and a lot of imagination.

For hundreds of years writers have been taking either historical or current events and developing successful novels or nonfiction stories. It is what we do. And based on history, we have done quite well. In fact, we’ve done a better job of it than the reporters.

So, if you are planning to write a book, don’t be afraid to tackle current events. You can take a current event and develop a mystery, an adventure story, or just about anything your imagination can stir up.

Let Your Imagination Soar

Because you are an author with a lively imagination you can take a current event and take it into the future or explore the past leading up to the event. This is equivalent to reporting at this stage. But then you can take it further’

Writing About Current Events has its Risks

Current events as a subject matter has some risks, such as losing consumer interest quickly. When I was writing Hurricane Ian Winds of Providence and Provision, I was writing about a current event. But I was aware that the window of interest was narrow.

I had two things working in my favor.

One was that the storm was in the news daily, which created interest. If I could get published quickly, I could tap into that interest.

Secondly, it had historical significance which would help sustain the story’s appeal.

A third plus was that it was the personal story of a family as told in their own words.

Anniversary Sale

Since I used the story to emphasize my blog’s point, it seemed good to me to provide people with another opportunity to read this inspiring story. A story that was greater than Charlotte County, and greater than Florida. It inspired people throughout the United States.

Therefore, Hurricane Ian Winds of Providence and Provision is on sale through the remainder of hurricane season and ending on October 1, 2023.

Normally $18.43, it is now $16.80, a 9% discount. But it is over October 1st.

Click on Hurricane Ian Sale and get your copy today.

To visit our bookstore, go to TR Bookstore and look around. You’ll find books by my late wife Tess, plus books by me, including Hurricane Ian Winds of Providence & Provision.

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Blog by Ron – Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season is upon us. Not only that but we are closing in on the worst storm to ever hit Florida. I am talking about Hurricane Ian, a category 5 storm that devastated southwestern Florida, destroyed businesses, leveled homes, and destroyed all the possessions that some people had. Moreover, it killed.

But September 28, 2022, will also be remembered because of an inspiring story that came out of its destructive power. This story is not only inspiring but true.

Hurricane Season is always Traumatic

Hurricanes are mindless, destructive forces that nature unleashes upon the world every year. Here in Florida it makes its presence known from June 1 through November 30th. But come the  latter part of the season and the storms become worse. On September 27th many people, including myself, evacuated because of the coming storm.

But Pastor Jay Sheppard and his family were prepared. They lived along the Peace River in Arcadia, Florida. As they prepared for the storm, their primary concern was for the church that increasingly looked like it would be in the path of the storm.

But the Sheppard’s had a plan. The storm, if it came, would likely come up the Peace River, so they prepared for that possibility. Pastor Jay and his sons worked hard securing anything that looked like it could be impacted, including the roof. They also had a plan B which included evacuation to a safer house not too far away.

It looked like they were ready.

They were wrong!

An Unexpected Surprise in Hurricane Season

The storm drove north along Florida’s southwest coast wreaking havoc and causing damage that would take months, possibly years, to recover. As the cone shifted eastward, it brough Charlotte Harbor into its sights. The storm landed on

Cayo Costa Island about 12 miles west of Cape Coral.

The storm’s path had changed over a brief span of a few days. This was not a great surprise, but it’s intensity and destructive power were surprises. It would soon turn northeast and follow the Peace River, beginning in Charlotte Harbor.

Still, there was no real surprise. Hurricanes were known to change course and to go inland. In my wife and mine experience it seemed normal for the storm to follow the path it was taken.

But then came the surprise. Hurricane Ian acted like it had intelligence. And its Plan was diabolical. While we were focused on the eastern edge of the storm, it unleased a flash flood from the north!

No one had anticipated that, including the Sheppard family. They were literally ambushed as the flash flood came right at them with overwhelming force, wind, and water.

They would end up losing the house, though the structure survived, and virtually all their possessions. But God stepped in and miracle after miracle took place. In the book, the story is told in the words of Pastor Jay and members of his family, as well as others. It is highly personal, but it is much more.

You get a picture of God’s Providence at work.

Anniversary Sale

Now that we are again in hurricane season, it seemed good to me to provide people with another opportunity to read this inspiring story. A story that was greater than Charlotte County, and greater that Florida. It inspired people throughout the United States.

Therefore, Hurricane Ian Winds of Providence and Provision is on sale through the remainder of hurricane season and ending on October 1, 2023.

Normally $18.43, it is now $16.80, a 9% discount. But it is over October 1st.

Click on Hurricane Ian Sale and get your copy today.

To visit our bookstore, go to TR Bookstore and look around. You’ll find books by my late wife Tess, plus books by me, including Hurrican Ian Winds of Providence & Provision.

Want to be be a published author, but don’t know how? Check Best Sellers.