Tag: published author

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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. And no real success.

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 with the goal of publishing our own books. Although quickly challenged by my heart attack and her bouts with cancer to name a few obstacles we set about the business of publishing . 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 A few were simply unpublished, but most were transferred to T&R Independent Books, laying a foundation for growth.

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 authors. All together I have over 26 years of experience as an author, and over 12 years as a publisher. During those years I have written over 15 books (fiction and nonfiction) and published additional books by clients.

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 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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Blog by Ron – How to Present Yourself

R. Frederick Riddle

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 19th 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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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 www.facebook.com/ronald.f.riddle, and at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfrederickriddle.

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Blog by Ron – Write What You Know

R. Frederick Riddle

Write what you know is advice that has been around for a long time. But it is still true. Let’s take a look.

What to Write.

Every writer faces this challenge. If fiction, it can refer to the genre, the plot, just about anything. If nonfiction it can refer again to the genre, and the topic. It can be a real dilemma.

What Genre to Write?

The genre or category a story falls into will determine the audience you reach. It can also determine characters, nature, and the plot itself.

Write What You Know.

This is outstanding advice, but it needs a little explanation. When I first heard this advice, it was meant very specific. As such, it limited you and placed you in a box. Yet it was also true. If you are writing about a subject, you don’t know it is a good chance that it will be reflected in the quality of your story.

Expand it From Knowledge Experienced or Gained.

I like this better because it opens that box. It is not only what you know, but it can also include what you learn. In my case, I had become known for writing fiction, especially novels based on Biblical events and characters. But I decided I wanted to write nonfiction. That led to me learning how to write about people and places I know in this life.

My best-selling book, Hurricane Ian Winds of Providence & Provisions is a classic example. My pastor and his family were caught in the midst of this terrible storm. While prepared for the hurricane they were not prepared for the flash flood that it stirred up. They lost everything, but survived. Instead of being a story of tragedy it became a story of faith in God, experiencing His providential care, and sharing with others. It was inspirational!

God laid it on my heart to write the story, but I had failed at previous attempts to write nonfiction. I had written a book on Donald Trump that was honest, well-documented, with references. It was a book that showed him at his best, but I couldn’t get anyone interested. My other attempt was to do a Ghost-Written book. This also failed.

But the book on Hurricane Ian was different than anything I had ever done. It ended up allowing the people who experienced it tell their own stories with only minor editing by me. It proved powerful.

But it was a book I had to learn as I wrote it.

Allow Yourself Room to Grow.

I believe that is key. Leave yourself room to grow as a person, and as a writer. Like a little hatchling eventually turns into a beautiful bird, you will be transformed into a writer. In fact, that thought is what I convey to people about my writing course. I take fledgling writers and transform them into published authors.

When you leave room for growth, to flap your wings, you learn not only to fly (write), but to soar (become published).

What an exciting experience it is when you get your book and hold it in your hands for the first time. It feels and smells wonderful to you! You feel transformed!

Now go, write what you know, and watch yourself grow.

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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 be found on Facebook.