Introducing...

This book is for you . . .

• If you’d like to write a book about your local or regional history, but have too many ideas . . . and just can’t get started.

• If you know what local or regional story you’d like to write. . . but just aren’t sure how to make it happen.

• If you don’t live in the area that captures your interest . . . this will teach you how to get the “locals” to help bring your story to life.

• If you’ve started researching and writing your book about local or regional history, this will help get you on track to completion and even marketing your book. So, this is for you too

You may have an idea and just “freeze up” before writing a word. Or you might be lost in piles of research and can’t get started writing. You’re overwhelmed. Or maybe you’re not sure it will be worth it.

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance.
                             ~ Alexander Pope, “An Essay on Criticism”

Wouldn’t You Like to Work Once,
and Get Paid for that Same Work Over and Over Again?

Of course, that’s how it works with any book. However, local and regional history books have a longer shelf life than most genres — history is here to stay. These books are called "evergreen" books because the information is not fleeting — but is valued “forever”. Also, you have a built-in readership. Anyone whose name or family is mentioned in your book, will surely want to buy a copy.

When you become a part of saving the cherished stories of an area, you also get the opportunity to leave your legacy which will be enjoyed for generations to come. Not only will you profit by selling books, but your life will be enhanced by the pride of saving history and having your name on the cover.

And, although it happens for just a few authors, just think about all the movies you’ve seen that are “based on a true story”. Authors like yourself wrote the original books that became the basis for most of those movies. Don’t tell me history doesn’t pay over and over.

What Better Place than Your Own Backyard to Find a Story that Sells?

Everybody walks past a thousand stories every day.
The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them.
Most don’t see any.     ~ Orson Scott Card

There IS gold in your own backyard. It’s just up to you to find the best way to “mine it” – to find and tell the story.

Writing history is an adventure calling for your best detective skills. You’ll find answers to the "why and when" about people and events. You may even discover stories about your family that you’ve never heard before.

However, the stories you find will not all be about your family. Glimpses into the lives and dreams of other people who give flavor to your book will make your story real and interesting. For instance, I included this delightful story in one of my books about a dreamer in my hometown:

William Henry Kruse had visions of gold buried beneath an old apple tree on his farm. He was taken somewhat seriously as he had other visions that came true — the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1901 assassination of President William McKinley. He went so far as to build a 100-foot tower, dig a mine shaft, and forged smelters to handle the ore. He planned to use the gold to help eliminate poverty in the area and invited the entire town to join him in his venture. The mine opened to the strains of "Silver Threads Among the Gold" played by the city’s marching Cornet Band leading a group of townspeople, 30 workmen, and 7 two-horse scrapers to the mine to begin digging. Though little gold was ever found, his dream gave work for eight or ten families over 20 years.

As a local writer, you have a certain credibility by virtue of just living in a place. People will be more open to you in interviews, resources are easier to find and most site visits are nearby.

So How Do You Go From a “Gold” Idea to Published
if You’ve Never Written a Book Before?

If you don’t know if you have a good idea or don’t think anyone will read your book, relax. The best way to get through the “writing a book” maze is with a map. I bring you that map in the form of my step-by-step guidance in The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History. Use it as your shortcut path to a book that sells.

As an award-winning author myself, I’m uniquely qualified to guide you, step-by-step, to help you plan, write and publish your book. I work on a regular basis with both first-time and already published authors. This gives me real insight into the biggest challenges authors face.

I’ll Remove Your Biggest Pitfalls to Writing a Book that Sells

Most of the authors I work with have three problems in common:
First, they’re not sure if their book idea will sell.

Second, they get lost in the research and planning stages and never get to the writing.

Third, they write the book, but it sits on a shelf through lack of marketing and never gets sold.

I started at the second problem — my worst problem is being overwhelmed with boxes of old newspaper clippings, notes from other books about the town, copies of journals, diaries, letters, and oral histories of people who settled the area, started a business or farming operation, raised a family, started churches and schools – set a framework of work ethic and values that still exist today. WOW. That’s a lot of stuff!

I will show you how I transformed all this stuff into books that sold well and still sell today.

More than that, the best part was that I was able to preserve the cherished stories of my childhood, as well as the history of my town including the events that led to its incorporation in 1881.

As a result, a big part of my motivation is to help people like you get on the right shortcut path to a book that sells. I know you have a story in you. I don’t want you to agonize one more minute whether you have a good idea, whether you can make sense of your research or whether you can sell your book or not. Nor do I want you to worry about not being able to write it. My goal is for you to see how simple it is. You’ll soon see that following the few practical steps in my book will lead you in the right direction – and before you know it, you’ll have written a book.

You’ll find these easy-to-follow steps that I used – as well as those used by other successful writers – will help you write a book you’ll be proud to share with your town and family.

If You Don’t Tell the Story, Who Will?

Stories you value will be lost to time and memory if not saved. Old photographs of interesting people having fun make you sad if the people aren’t even named. But you can probably still find people around your town who can recall at least most of the people, what they’re doing, where they are etc. When these memories fade, the facts disappear with them.

Writing history is an adventure calling for your best detective skills. You’ll find answers to the “why and when” about people and events. You may discover stories about your family that you’ve never heard before.

I barely knew my grandmother and did not know very many stories about her. I just knew she was loved. In researching one of my books for my town, I discovered that she was the valedictorian of her graduating class at the local academy, the first business woman in town, and also the first female clerk at the biggest retail store in town. Her employment was so successful that many other well-known ladies in town also went to work there including a lady who later became the wife of Will Rogers.

So, capture the story now. Maybe you don’t think that YOU can write a book. Or maybe you know the stories, but are afraid to try. Writing a book is not that difficult if you take it one step at a time.

The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History is a step-by-step map from concept to selling your book and everything in between. You’ll start by finding just the right story to tell. And don’t worry if there’s already a book on the subject. I uncover ways you can write a different but still amazing book that sells.

I’ll also help you decide whether to write the entire history from beginning to end, or to write about a particular time when change rocked the foundations of the town and its people.

Don’t let any doubts keep you from plunging in and writing the book. Yes, writing a book takes hard work and perseverance. But you don’t do it all at one time. Each step you take will give you the confidence to take the next. Then before your know it -- Hurrah! Your book is finished.

I Know You’re Asking . . .
“But Marilyn, why can’t I just do it on my own?”

You definitely can. But if you’re like most people, you want to save months and even years of frustration in the process. You may have been writing your book for five years and talking about it for ten years. and you want your book finished and selling as soon as possible. That’s where I can help. I’ve literally been there, done that, and I’m willing to be there with you by giving you all the things you need to write a successful history of your area.

I want to share with you the techniques I’ve learned to help you produce your book and to avoid pitfalls you may not know exist. Tips in this book will save you time and money.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what a few of my readers have to say:

“Collins shows you how to bring real stories to life, plus providing an easy-to-follow plan from concept to a completed published work--even if you've never before seen your name in print.”                                            Barbara Youree                                            Courageous Journey                                            www.barbarayouree.com   “In The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History, Marilyn Collins helps novice writers get stories out of their head (or out of boxes of research) and onto the page. The step-by-step instructions ease the overwhelming feeling one gets at the thought of starting a large writing project.”                                            Lela Davidson                                            Freelance Writer,                                            www.leladavidson.com                                            Editor, www.ParentingSquad.com “The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History is a useful guide to the planning and execution of any nonfiction book. I recommend it to anyone who wants help in beginning a research project. I have lent my copy to my son, as he is thinking about expanding a series of interviews he's doing into a book."                                            Maeve Maddox, Ph.D.                                            English Specialist and Editor of                                            www.DailyWritingTips.com _

Do You Really Want to Write Your Book
Without Knowing the Following?

How to overcome the number one reason books don’t get written You don’t have to write the entire book – and it’s not by using a ghost-writer How to bring all five senses to your readers to make them feel like they’re there The art and science of doing top-notch research What you should include in your book to guarantee sales How to take the scary task of marketing your book and make it fun Two sections few talk about that you MUST include in your book to give credibility and marketability to your story Why doing an outline for a history book is the worst possible direction you could take. And of what works better. Why you should start by defining your potential readers. Have competition? This competition may be good. I’ll show you why. Is your book plan solid? Here’s how to check. Simple but effective elements to help you keep up the momentum in writing your book A how-to chart for easily documenting your research The critical checklist for your book BEFORE you go to print Tips on understanding publishing and printing your book Marketing strategies for non-marketers The simple trick to implement into EVERY chapter you write to make sure your book will work How to exploit the history around you and approach people who can enhance your story to write a unique book Vital elements that you NEED to know before you ever try to go to an editor or publisher How to set up a research system that easily organizes and documents your work Discover how to use the power of words to make your book one that will sell How to keep steady progress on your book and discover what ideas will sell, long before someone else writes a similar book And much, much more

Now, There’s No Reason or Excuse Not to Order Today

I know you don’t want your story to die. With my help, you can develop your story into a book that sells. What are you waiting for? The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History is a mere $9.99.

Here’s How to Order . . .

The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History, along with the special report and mini-workshop, is only $9.99. This is an investment, much more than just a book, and likely even tax-deductible. Whether your book idea becomes a best-seller, a movie, or you sell to a limited audience, there’s nothing like seeing your name on the cover.

Just click the buy now button below and you’ll be directed to my secure order page. On your receipt you'll find the link to immediately download your copy of The Art & Business of Writing Local or Regional History, along with the bonus report, Get More for Your Money at Writers’ Conferences. If you’re one of the next 20, I’ll send you instructions on setting up your individual mini-workshop with me.

My hope is that it will help you decide to start your own book. Don’t let that story die. There is a story within you, about the history around you, that can be a book that sells. May this be your map to making that happen.

Marilyn H. Collins
Your Step by Step Writing Guide

P.S. Here are a few more things that will happen if you follow my step-by-step plan: You’ll attract stories that you never thought of to include in your book. People will turn to you as the expert of your subject. It can make you more prominent and could be quite profitable. You’ll find confidence in having a strong story idea and book plan. You’re no longer just a writer, you’re about to be an author.