writing on a vintage typewriter
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Think BIG

“We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.”  — Marilyn Monroe

Are you ready for my BIG announcement? (drum roll please) I've started my own book. Tada!

As you probably know, I've been working with writers for several years now with 12 Most, #MyBookClub, and most recently with Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch on their book, APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur – How to Publish a Book. I've learned so much through this process and up until this point, I've been an observer of the book writing process, albeit a very close observer. This has afforded me a unique peek into the world of writing, self-publishing and combined with my expertise with social media marketing and online promotions, I think I have a unique perspective. With #MyBookClub I have focused on social media, business, and marketing books which have given me a firm foundation for my own social media work with Kreussler Inc. as director of marketing and social media manager and with Guy Kawasaki as his social media strategist.

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”  ― Toni Morrison

Many people have asked me when I would be writing my own book and in the back of my head that was something that I  wanted to do but I thought it would be a fiction book. I'm creating my own journey by starting with a non-fiction book and then moving to fiction (I think) since this book that I've started just needs to be told. It's the one that's bubbling up and wants to be written. I truly feel that what I have to say in this book will help other people. I don't have any lofty ideals of making lots of money or world fame but this seems like the next step for me. I do, of course, hope that people will want to read it. So, what's my book about you ask? I'm writing a book on how to sell a book with social media marketing. I don't have the title set yet but I have the subtitle and outline so I'm off to the races.

Through my blog and social media, I've shared things that I've learned on my social media journey and this book will be a bigger extension of that. What you may not know is that my educational background is in education. I was an Education/Geography major with an English minor so this seems like such a natural fit for me.

I started out immediately using the template for writing a book from APE and WOW! I went from idea, to outline to writing the preface on the same day. What a fast track! So part of the fun of this for me is that I'm literally APE'g the book (the APE term for self-publishing) and using the guidelines that Guy and Shawn created. I have to say, just the template alone was worth the price of the book for me. I did actually buy two copies of APE, the first version and the second version with my chapter in it. The ability to go from free-form writing to something that looks and feels like a book already is such a gift. I would never have had any idea how to format a book without the template and I consider myself to be fairly high-tech.

So, I'm APE'g my book. I'm using my Mac Book Pro, Microsoft Word, Dropbox, and Evernote as recommended in APE. One of the smartest things I know is taking good advice when it's given to me so, I'm following the APE way. I do have the challenge of writing while I'm working but I think that's one that most writers have. I think I'm up to the challenge.

Making the public announcement here is going to hold me publicly accountable for my writing but I have to tell you, I'm so excited that I don't think that progress is going to be a problem. I saw a writing progress meter on Hugh Howey‘s website and he's the bomb diggity so I want one too. I think that seeing the progress will be fun and I hope that you'll be interested in it too. I've added my own progress meter and it's on the sidebar now.

Thank you for being an awesome blog community and growing with me over the past few years as I've blogged here! I'm not going to give me theories about social media, I've used every trick and tip that I'll share. I've tested the tools, used the platforms, and been thoroughly entrenched in the social media world for three years and for several before that with traditional and online marketing before social media was born. My blog has been my starter seeds in the little cups that are now going to be transplanted to the big garden and nurtured.

What do you want to learn from me about social media marketing? Let me know and I'll make sure that it's covered in my untitled book. What do you think of my BIG thinking?

Do you want to write a book? How are you getting started?

UPDATE: This book was completed and published by Penguin Random House under the Portfolio books label. It's The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users.

37 Comments

  1. Cynthia OhSoPinteresting Thank you, Cynthia! I’m happy to send you a copy of APE. I have your email address so I’ll send you an email to get your home address to mail it.
    Thank you for having me on your podcast, it was really fun!

  2. How exciting Peggy. Congrats and good luck with your book! Can’t wait to read it! ~Cheryl

  3. Hi Peg! This is great news. APE changed my perspective on writing
    books. It inspired me to create a new guide designed to help people
    optimize their email marketing. My favorite part was “Should you write a
    book?” Please keep me posted on your progress.

    1. Debra_Ellis Hi Debra, APE is awesome. Did you use the template for your book? Congrats your writing your guide! Email marketing still rocks, I’ve always been a fan.
      And thanks!

      1. PegFitzpatrick The template is really cool. I didn’t use the template for this guide because I had most of the stuff already set up. Your talk about how fast everything fell in place makes me want to use it next time. 
        Email marketing does rock. It’ll be harder with Gmail’s new interface but it is still a powerful marketing tool.

        1. Debra_Ellis The template is the BEST! Use it next time, you’ll see.
          You don’t use MailChimp or Constant Contact for your email marketing? If not, why?

        2. PegFitzpatrickI will! I’m in the process of switching from Constant Contact to Aweber
          so I have a foot in two camps. Constant contact was my tool of choice
          for years but they are not as social friendly as MailChimp and Aweber.
          It was hard deciding between Aweber and MailChimp. The interface on
          Aweber made me decide to go with it.

        3. Debra_Ellis I switched from Constant Contact (after years) to MailChimp for the same reason. I know a lot of folks love Aweber. Good luck with the migration.

  4. dbvickery Thank Brian! You’re #2 on the comment thread, do you want a copy of APE so you can get into your execution stage? Email me your address and I’ll send one to you.
    🙂

  5. I love the idea of writing with a progress meter – I need to try this!  I’ve been trying to finish a book for so long and would love to read the APE.  It sounds like just the thing.  Looking forward to watching and reading about your progress!

      1. PegFitzpatrick tamirossmanagement I would love one if you still have it.  It’s the bubbling of an idea that won’t let you go.  I need a process I think… and the challenge of tracking my progress. 🙂

        2. PegFitzpatrick Done 🙂  Thank you ever so much.  This is very kind and supportive of you!  I’m excited.

        3. PegFitzpatrick I received my download!  Thanks so much!  Whew lots of great info. 🙂  I see you’re a 1/4 of the way there!  Fantastic!!!

        4. tamirossmanagement Hi Tami! I’m so glad you got your book. Aren’t those Entrill cards cool?
          I guessed at the total word amount, it might be longer so I’ll update it as I go but I have made some good progress. Thanks!
          I hope you love APE as much as I do.

  6. Peggy! Congratulations! What an amazing journey! I look forward to learning about the process ~ love the progress meter idea. Thank you for sharing this with us (and for all of the social goodies you share with us.) I cannot wait to read this!

    1. Tribe2point0 Thank you, Kelly! Sometimes I share my ideas on Facebook in my message to you and sometimes to everyone. I appreciate all your listening and sharing. You know I’ll have a big Pinterest section. 🙂

  7. Peg!!! this is outstanding news! I vote that your new book be named either PAPE (Peg, Authors, Publishers & Entrepreneurs) or Exclamation Proclamation (for obvious reasons). I can’t wait to read your book. Woo hoo 🙂

    1. jaredeasley Ha ha!! >> Exclamation Proclamation!!
      Thank you, Jared! Everything I write about will be applicable for promoting podcasts as well. 🙂

  8. Peg, I’d love a copy of the book if any are still available (I couldn’t tell bc I was on my phone). Great podcast w/ Jared last week!

  9. Congrats, Peg! This is going to be a great addition to the work in APE and something I will buy on launch day. (Actually, I will volunteer now to “road test” your advice or be a beta reader…that’s how bad I want the info!) So excited for you to showcase your expertise and help a lot of artisanal publishers grow their businesses. What a great bit of news on a Monday morning!

    1. betsytalbot Thanks, Betsy! You are #1 on my beta list now, literally I just made the list. I will value your input since you’ve been through the process multiple times.

  10. SO exciting, Peg!! Can’t wait to read it. And I agree accountability is key!

  11. Couldn’t be more pleased for you , Peg. You’ve really listening and now you’re ready. It must feel as if your book is bursting at the seams to get out. If you do create a team to beta read your book, I would be honored to be included.

  12. This is wonderful news! I wrote my book using APE (and gave proper acknowledgment and a link from the ebook) template Guy and Shawn so generously offered with a tip of the hat tweet to them. 
    Apparently, the hybrid publisher I used was thankful I delivered my manuscript in that format; and it’s published in the same shape as I delivered it. So, from experience, the template does and should work. 
    Can’t wait to see what you’ve got to say, Peg!

    1. Soulati | Hybrid PR I am in love with that template, I can’t believe how awesome it was to get started with that tool. It’s so great that you had a good experience with it too. 
      Thanks so much, Jayme! 🙂

  13. Glad to be here Peg…  As a lifelong learner, and long-time blogger thank you for sharing your journey…   Been looking for Guy and Shawn’s digital APE book for some time now 😉  Have bookmarked, and plan to learn from you by reading this blog post over my July 4th mini-break!     ~Rae

  14. “The little sister to APE.” Love it. And who better to write it! As a beneficiary of your guidance on my own book-marketing strategy, I know how much you have to offer. Congratulations, Peg.
    One bit of your feedback that has stuck with me (because it surprised me) was that writers should choose social-media channels that work for them and focus on those vs. trying to do them all. I’m sure you’ll include that advice in your book. 
    Best to you on this grand adventure!

    1. Marcia_Riefer_Johnston i appreciate your comments, Marcia. I’m really happy that APE helped with your book. You probably have the most unique story of the people from the community since you found the book through a Twitter chat which circles back to social media and book marketing. 
      I’m glad I surprised you, that’s good! If you worked in XYZ platform but didn’t like it, I don’t think you’d do nearly as well with ABC platform that you really enjoy. If you aren’t feeling it, I think that would come across in your posts.
      Continued best wishes on your book adventure as well!

  15. Big thinking produces Big ideas that get Big results.
    Good luck Peg. I’m looking forward to the result.
    I’ve always fancied myself a writer but never had the patience to overcome the inertia. I am forced to live vicariously through folks like you and Geoff Livingston.

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