blogging - T&R Independent Bookstore

Posted on September 2, 2025August 30, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Ministry Publishing – Marketing

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.

Posted on July 29, 2025July 29, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

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.

Posted on July 22, 2025July 21, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Ministry Publishing When Opportunity Knocks

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.

Posted on July 8, 2025November 22, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

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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Posted on June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Ministry Publishing Simple Thoughts

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 4^th Quarter. Because the book is being published now instead of just before the end of the year, we decided to publish now for the 4^th 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).

Posted on May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – The Thrill of Authoring

The thrill of authoring is today’s topic. That is both exciting and energizing. Since I am both an author and a publisher I will speak to both viewpoints.

The Thrill of Creating.

When I think of writing I think of creating stories. O, I know man doesn’t create something out of nothing. Only God does that. The best man can do is create something out of something.

As an author I create a plot, a story, plus the characters that populate it. When I do that I receive a sense of accomplishment that is hard to describe but very real.

The Thrill of Crafting the Story.

This is the art, the act of creating first the plot (think of the overall view, or outline), then the story. In addition, there are the various characters who will populate the story. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

This is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of writing, although it is also the most frustrating part of writing. As the author you get to create in some cases whole new worlds or as is most often the world that is but with a few twists you thought up.

On top of that you are able to bring to life different characters who will play their roles within the story itself. As the author you move them around so that they fit the story you are crafting.

It is a process you never fully forget or leave behind.

The Thrill of Becoming Published.

When you get that first book in your hands as a published work, you get a very special feeling that is hard to describe. What’s more is that every time you author a new book and get it published that feeling returns. It is exquisite!

The Joy that is Unique as a Publisher.

I get to participate in someone else’s dream of becoming a published author. As the Publisher I get to watch the author grow, and expand as his or her story grows and takes shape. I become enamored with their story and watch it come to life. I have a perch where I have the perfect view.

But that is not all. As the Publisher I have the unique experience of working with the author in the coaching, editing, and polishing phases. I share the author’s enthusiasm.

Then comes the realization that you have not only witnessed but participated in something that just might be pure greatness. It is exhilarating!

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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). He can also be found on Facebook.

Posted on May 6, 2025May 3, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – The Why I Write

My Why I Write will differ from other authors. But I will relate my story in the hopes it connects with you and inspires you to pursue your own journey.

My First Why I Write

My very first why began as a child which I will get to in a moment, but my first why I write in importance began as a Christian. It didn’t occur until I had been a Christian for quite a while and had experienced many failures as a writer.

It began during my morning devotions. Sitting at my desk in the upstairs office, I was reading Genesis chapter 6:13-116 KJV.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

14Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

As I read those words it suddenly hit me that God was giving Noah a description that Noah, a farmer, would only understand in general. He would have needed someone who understood the terminology and the plan or ‘blueprint’. Thus began the concept for Refuge: The Genesis Chronicles.

This story not only became my first published work, but it became the foundation of a later series of books that began with Perished: The World That Was. More importantly, it immediately became my Call to write. God called me to write Christian fiction and gave me the plot right out of His Word!

My Original Reason

I referred to this earlier. As a child I loved to read. I had a child’s imagination which I have never outgrown. I would watch television shows that showed men running and flying through the air using a fuel tank strapped to his back. I watch this man and others fight evil in outer space, and my imagination was fired up.

As an adult I tried to learn the art of putting my imagination on paper, but I continually failed. I tell people I enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks to learn the craft. But one never intentionally enrolls. This is a school with no campus, no buildings, no teaching staff, no curriculum, and no possibility of properly learning how to write. Enrollment is by default.

For years I struggled to learn the craft and I would run into that proverbial wall, usually around chapter five and I would stop. The story I was writing would end up in the nearest trash can.

The Lord’s Training

Once I had received God’s call to write, He then began my training. The first lesson? Getting rid of most of which I had learned in the School of Hard Knocks. That was a painful yet important lesson.

Then He took me through the research for the book, the putting the book together, His taking me through the wall, and finally choosing a publisher. God allowed me to research agents, experiencing rejection, and finally seeking a publisher on my own.

But He wasn’t done. He then allowed me to experience the success and failure of Self-Publishing before He introduced me to becoming an Indie Author and later an Indie Publisher.

My Why I Write Needed a Coach

During the training I realized I needed a coach. But finding a coach can be expensive and it must be someone you can trust. It wasn’t until I joined a writer’s group that I met the man who would become my coach.

You might ask what did he teach me about writing? Nothing. I already had the writing concepts down, but where I needed a coach was in areas such as marketing myself as well as my books. To believe that if God called me, He also equipped me. And if He equipped me, He also empowered me. It wasn’t easy, but I learned.

You Now Have Heard Why I Write. What about you?

Take time and evaluate your why. It will help you understand your own motivation and provide insights that can help you both as an author and a marketer. It just might have a mighty, inspiring, and purposeful impact on your writing journey!

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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 learn more about R. Frederick Riddle and T&R Independent Books at Facebook, and at LinkedIn.

Posted on April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – Praise God I Am Published

Blog by Ron-Praise God I am Published is about Basic Authors Training, Ministry Publishing, Clients, and myself. And it could be about you.

Published by B.A.T.

Basic Authors Training (B.A.T.) is a writing course with a publishing package included, plus a marketing element. Launched in 2023 it provides a two-tiered writing course. This unique course provides Tier 1, the teaching of basic writing principles, and Tier 2, live coaching where R. Frederick Riddle, the author of multiple books, meets with you via Zoom to coach you along the way.

Published by Ministry Publishing

This service is the same as BAT without the writing course. It is designed to help the Christian (saved by Grace) who is active in their local church to get their book published. There is editing and coaching but not to the degree of the B.A.T. ministry.

Clients To Watch

Not everybody can be a client of T&R Independence Books, but let me introduce you to two who are qualified.

Glenn is a missionary to men and women behind bars. He and his wife minister to those prisoners willing to hear about Jesus and His gospel. It is through the preaching of the gospel that these prisoners learn of the grace of God. Glenn and his wife share the Word to men, women, and youth who are incarcerated. Together they service the Lord wherever He sends them.

What is he working on?

A book of devotions that is founded on the inerrant Word of God. Strong, doctrinal, and easily understood, these devotions will touch hearts and minds refreshing them through the Holy Spirit.

Then there is Dan who was a missionary to Fiji where he shared the Word with the native people. Now retired, he is an active deacon in his church. He is also creating a devotional book that touches hearts with the simple truths of His Word.

These are dedicated men of God who decided to get published.

Myself as a Published Author

My first book was published in 2003 by a Self-Publishing company. I wrote the book, they published it. I put my heart in the book but they controlled every aspect of its publishing. I was responsible for the marketing, but they offered to sell me marketing tools. I made a royalty, but they made more.

Once I had sold some books I decided that was time for me to become the bookseller. So now my wife and I founded T&R Independent Books, an Indie Publisher in 2014. My life changed in that I was now an Indie Author. Then in 2023 as a widower I decided to become the publisher of other peoples, other authors work. And now I am seeing it all come together. I now was part of other people’s publishing experience!

What does that mean to you? I have been where you are. I learned to write the hard way, but I can teach and coach you into being a published author a much easier way. I understand what you need as a writer and as a person.

Take your future into your hands and visit my store at https://www.trbookservices.com/product-category/writing/ . If you qualify then purchase the service you need and together we can begin your journey.

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Posted on February 24, 2025February 24, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – Doing Business As

Doing Business As or as it is commonly known DBA, is a legal name that allows you to operate your business in the state where you dwell. But it is more than that. Let’s take a look.

REGISTERED using a Doing Business As

States have a vital interest in business’s operating in their state. You need to have a legal name to be registered with that state. This is accomplished by incorporating as either a corporation or a limited liability corporation, or a DBA.

DBA’s provide you the legal name without a great deal of money being spent. Corporations may have expensive legal departments to handle such expenses, but the individual person doesn’t have a legal department, nor the money to hire a lawyer. That is one place that a DBA truly earns its way.

DBA’s provide the legal name required to be registered with the state, and are usually inexpensive to get.

DOING BUSINESS AS Enables Branding

Branding is an important aspect of marketing your books. To do this you need a DBA that is both legal and marketable. By marketable I am talking about your registered name being used to market your brand.

For example, the DBA for my business is T&R Independent Books. I use this in my branding. It identifies the business to the viewer. T&R indicates who the name of the owners. Although Tess is no longer here, she was a cofounder of the business and belongs in the name.

The word Independent tells interested people that this is a company that is independent of any other business. Since we are a publisher it also separates us from any of the major publishing houses.

Books tells people that the business I am in is books. I am an author, teacher, coach, and publisher of books.

I use the name in the website, and in all other marketing efforts.

BUYING is Enabled by Using a Doing Business By Name

Because it is the registered name, the DBA enables me to buy or purchase supplies to be used in the business. Thus, it is an essential tool in my marketing efforts. It’s legality is the key.

SELLING is Enabled by Using a Doing Business By Name.

The DBA makes it possible for me to sell my products online and locally within the state of Florida. Again, it’s legality is the key.

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Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – How to Present Yourself

How to Present Yourself may sound like a no brainer, but not everyone understands that your personal appearance is very important.

This is a subject I feel strongly about and recently spoke about on my podcast Becoming a Published Author is Fun. That is a podcast where I provide new and upcoming writers information they can use now, and it is free.

How Do You Present Yourself

In Episode 25-011 I discuss the clothes you wear, the attitude you wear, how informed you are on your subject, and how prepared you are. Let’s take a look.

Present Yourself in the Clothes You Wear

We cannot see a person as God does. He looks at the heart whereas we look at the outside. Clothing is an unfair way of judging, but the moment we see someone, especially if it is the first time, we make judgments based on the clothing.

It is unfair and often wrong, but it is what humans do. With that in mind it is very important how you dress. So, what are your options.

You have the choice of dressing in a Professional, Business, Business Casual, Casual, or as a slob. I would never recommend you dress as a slob unless that is related to your brand, which is hard to imagine.

This may surprise you but I would not recommend the Professional look either. Why? First, it can appear overdressed. You might be accused of ‘putting on the dog’. Now, if professional fits your brand, then go ahead and used it.

Generally, as an author I would dress as either Business or Business Casual, the difference primarily being whether a man is wearing a coat and tie, a shirt and tie, or just a shirt and no tie. It all depends on the Brand.

Present Yourself with the Attitude You Wear

As with clothes your attitude speaks volumes as to your character. The attitude you wear can make or break deals. If you walk into an establishment thinking you are doing them a favor, they will probably sense that and you might be politely the door.

Attitude is extremely important. So, practice having a positive attitude. Learn beforehand some positive facts about the business before you arrive. Then use them not in a condescending way but graciously and sincerely when talking to the owner, manager, or other representative of the business.

Present Yourself by being Informed

Never, never walk into a business without knowing your subject. I don’t mean knowing the latest writing gimmicks or being an authority on AI. If you write on 19^th Century then I suggest that you have at least a general knowledge regarding clothing, foods, politics, and other features of that century. You should already have that knowledge because you did the necessary research for the book when or before you wrote it.

When you have that knowledge and you can share it with whoever you are talking about your book, it will give them more confidence in you and your book. But don’t be a know-it-all.

Don’t feel like you have to be THE authority unless you are. But being informed is critical.

Be Cooperative

This is crucial. The only way you can do this is to be prepared for things not going the way you planned. In the episode I talk bookstores might not want to purchase books from an unknown (to them) author. They may insist that the books be on consignment. Consignment is you put your books into their bookstore and they Don’t pay until the book or books have sold. That represents an investment with no certainty of a sale. But if you want their business you will have to cooperate with them.

Accept ‘No’s’

I am not saying quit. But I am saying don’t be pushy. When or if they say “No”, then treat them with respect. Be gracious. You might suggest that you come back later. Listen to them.

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