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Journey of a New Author

Journey Of A New Author

Dana Klosner entered my life eight years ago. She took me up on my offer to write a book that, I believe, is very needed in the world–a book for moms who want to re-enter the workplace. I have chosen to publish this book as I do with book ideas that are focused on making a huge impact in the world.

Join me as I work with Dana who I asked, in addition to me publishing this book, to offer her insights on her journey. I think I picked a good person for this task as Dana is a seasoned writer with experience in this space. This will be the first of a number of blog posts about her journey. I hope it will help those of you looking to write your own book.

Dana

I met Melissa Giovagnoli (G), Wilson, eight years ago when my husband was considering changing jobs. While he was in the midst of his job search I realized he must not be the only mid-career considering making the jump. So, I did what I always do. As a freelance journalist, I got to the job of researching the subject of how to make the switch without losing salary, benefits or vacation. It became a one thousand word article in the Working Section of The Baltimore Sun. Through that research I came across Melissa’s book, “Networlding; Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success” and she became one of my sources for the article. She was dynamic. She was a ball of energy. And she really believed in her motto of positioning yourself in mutually beneficial relationships. She believes in paying it forward and sharing her knowledge.

At that time, Melissa said to me, “You must be drowning in information. Much more than you need for a thousand-word article. You should write a book!”

Me, write a book? Where would I start was all I could think. And with my two kids ages, five and nine needing my attention and my writing career just beginning to take off it just didn’t seem possible. It never came to fruition.

Well, eight years and countless magazine and newspaper articles to later and my kids, now teenagers 13 and 17, not needing mom so much anymore I decided it was time. I wondered if Melissa was still out there? Did I miss a golden opportunity?

About three years ago I wrote an article for Long Island Parent On-Line about stay-at-home moms returning to work. I realized that was my calling. That was my book.

I found Melissa on Linked-In. I took the risk and contacted her. She got right back to me and wanted to hear more. We set up a time to talk on the phone.

I hit the jackpot. Over the years Melissa has expanded her business and has become a coach to CEOs and other professionals who want to write and market their books. I couldn’t believe my luck! She’s the book whisperer. We discussed my idea and Melissa thought it was great. She gave me my first assignment. Go to Amazon and look at all the other books on the market that are similar to my own. Look at the reviews. Of course, take in what the favorable ones have to say, but maybe more importantly, look at the negative reviews and see what their books are missing. We should be sure my book includes what those are missing. I got to work. Those books reviewed said they were geared towards women with MBAs, Law Degrees, and Doctorates and didn’t help the average woman. I will be sure to reach out to the average woman, who perhaps didn’t leave a high-level, high-paying job to stay home to raise her kids but left a more everyday job and now needs to start over.

Melissa was also a wealth of information as far as the marketing end of the business goes. This is more great news for me because as a journalist the only person I had to sell my ideas to were editors. She mentioned people like Seth Goden a guru of marketers. She said she was one of only seventy people to be part of his Domino Project which is a sure-fire way of getting the word out about your book.

She also mentioned she knows another marketing guru, Chris Brogan. I ran out and got Seth and Chris’s books and I am in the process of digging into them.

I know that Melissa’s help “From Mommy Track to Career Track” will be a success.

I’m looking forward to my journey with Melissa.

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