State of Publishing

The State of Publishing – May 2025

Why the Rules Have Changed (and What That Means for Authors Today)

By David L. Hancock
Founder of Morgan James and Author of The Babylon Blueprint for Authors

Let’s face it—the publishing world isn’t what it used to be. And that’s a good thing.

For decades, getting published meant playing by someone else’s rules: submitting to the gatekeepers, waiting months (if not years) for approval, and hoping your book would get the attention it deserved after signing away most of your rights. Thankfully, those days are behind us.

Today, authors have options. Real options. But with more choices comes more confusion. So let’s break it down—what’s really going on in the world of publishing?

Traditional Publishing: Still Standing, but Shifting

Traditional publishing still holds weight in certain circles—especially when it comes to prestige or major media appearances. But it’s no secret that the landscape has changed. Advances are smaller, timelines are longer, and unless you’re a household name, the marketing support is minimal at best.

Most traditional publishers now expect you to bring the audience, the platform, and the momentum. In short, they want you to already be successful before they’ll consider working with you. That may work for celebrities and seasoned speakers—but for entrepreneurial authors building their brands, it’s often not the most strategic path.

Self-Publishing: Accessible, but Often Lonely

On the flip side, self-publishing has made it easier than ever to get your book out into the world. Amazon, IngramSpark, and other platforms have democratized the process. You can upload a file today and have a paperback on sale tomorrow.

But easy doesn’t mean effective. Self-published authors often struggle with credibility, visibility, and distribution. Sure, you keep more of the revenue—but only if you can figure out how to move books in the first place. And unless you’re experienced in design, editing, printing, marketing, metadata, and distribution… it can get overwhelming fast.

Hybrid Publishing: The Best of Both Worlds?

Enter hybrid publishing—where the author leads, and the publisher supports. It’s not vanity publishing (where anyone can write a check and get a book printed). It’s not traditional publishing (where you give up control and wait your turn). It’s a partnership.

Hybrid publishing brings together the professionalism and distribution of a traditional house with the freedom, speed, and entrepreneurial focus of self-publishing. You retain your rights, earn higher royalties, and have a say in the process. Better still, your book gets real bookstore distribution—yes, actual shelves in Barnes & Noble—and strategic marketing opportunities that help it stand out.

That’s what we focus on at Morgan James. We’ve built a model that respects the author, supports the book, and helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders use their book as a business tool, not just a trophy.

So, What’s the Bottom Line?

The rules have changed. You don’t need to wait for permission. You don’t need to settle for low margins or limited reach. You do need to lead. Your book is your blueprint—and whether you’re building a brand, launching a business, or starting a movement, you get to decide what success looks like.

In today’s publishing landscape, the authors who win are the ones who take ownership—not just of their message, but of the entire journey.

And if you build that journey on a foundation of wisdom, strategy, and service—just like we talk about in The Babylon Blueprint for Authors—you’ll not only publish a book. You’ll build a legacy.

Pre-order your copy of The Babylon Blueprint for Authors today at your favorite retailer and get a head start on building your author empire.

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The State of Publishing – May 2023

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for celebrating Morgan James Publishing’s 20th year of publishing with us. The last 20 years have been filled with challenges, opportunities, and successes made possible only by our authors, readers, our distributor (PGW/IPS), and Publishers Weekly. One thing that hasn’t changed was our commitment to you.

Morgan James was founded in 2003 to empower authors while also giving Morgan James more flexibility and speed to market. We sought to provide a personalized experience in a traditional publishing model but one that allowed the author to retain ownership and control over their intellectual property—making decisions together while looking at the big picture with the author. We also sought to maximize the credibility, distribution, and opportunity for the author, but stay out of their way. And we sought to assist authors in understanding best practices for reaching their goals—being flexible because we know that inflexible things often become brittle and break.

Another founding principle that has remained consistent over the past 20 years was our desire to create meaningful relationships on the distribution side of publishing. To that end, we committed to engaging the sales team and bookstore buyers early in the process to help everyone involved understand each other’s goals and needs. This has paid off tremendously.

In 2008 Publishers Weekly called us the first Hybrid Publisher to market and in 2020 an Unconventional Traditional Publisher, a moniker of which we are tremendously proud.

Morgan James continues to improve, evolve, and seek out new ways to serve the readers, the authors, and the distribution of our books.

Relationships

In the world of book publishing, the relationship between the author and the reader is crucial. However, another relationship is just as important: the one between the author and the publisher. When nurtured and maintained, this relationship can be the key to a successful and rewarding publishing experience for all involved.

When an author submits their manuscript to a publisher, they are not just looking for someone to print and distribute their book. They are also looking for a partner who will help them shape and refine their work and who will be their advocate in the marketplace. For this partnership to be successful, there needs to be a strong connection between the author and the publisher, built on trust, respect, and clear communication.

One of the key benefits of a strong connection between the author and the publisher is that it allows for a more collaborative approach to the publishing process. Instead of the publisher dictating the terms and editorial process, the author and publisher can work together to find a mutually beneficial path forward. This can lead to better books, as the author’s vision is able to shine through more clearly. It can also lead to more successful books, as the author and publisher are both invested in the success of the project.

Another benefit of a strong connection between the author and the publisher is that it can help to build the author’s brand and reputation. Publishers have a wealth of knowledge and resources when it comes to marketing and promoting books, and a publisher who is invested in an author’s success will work tirelessly to get their book into the hands of readers. This can lead to increased visibility for the author and a loyal readership who will be eager to read their next book, buy their courses, attend their conferences, or hire them for a keynote speech or consulting project.

Of course, the most important relationship in book publishing is the one between the author and the reader. Ultimately, the reader will decide the fate of a book and whether it becomes a bestseller, a consistent seller, or a forgotten title. However, the publisher can play a crucial role in helping build that relationship by creating an attractive, well-designed, and professionally produced book. The publisher can also help get the book into the hands of readers by distributing it through bookstores, online retailers, and other channels.

Moreover, these connections must be built on foundations of trust, respect, and transparency. The author needs to trust that the publisher has their best interests at heart and that they will work to create the best possible book. The publisher must respect the author’s vision and voice and communicate clearly and honestly throughout the process. And the reader needs to trust that the book they are reading is a quality product that has been created with care and attention.

Bureaucracy Beware

I am sharing this with you today to also bring attention to an issue that affects us all in publishing: bureaucracy. As book publishers, we know firsthand the challenges of navigating the publishing industry. We work tirelessly to create high-quality, meaningful content for our readers and value for our authors, but all too often, we find ourselves bogged down by red tape and endless bureaucracy.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. As a community of publishers, we have the power to effect change. By working together to streamline processes, simplify guidelines, and reduce bureaucracy, we can make the publishing industry more efficient, more accessible, and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

I urge you to join me in this effort to beware of bureaucracy in book publishing. Let’s work together to create a publishing industry that values creativity, innovation, and collaboration over bureaucracy and red tape. By doing so, we will not only make our jobs easier, but we will also create a better experience for our readers and authors, who deserve nothing less than our very best work.

Together, we can make a difference.

Times are changing

The book publishing industry has undergone significant changes in recent years due to the rise of digital technologies, the changing habits of readers regarding how and where they purchase their books, and other factors Here are some key trends and developments in the current state of book publishing:

E-books and digital reading: The popularity of eBooks continues to grow, and many readers prefer to read on their digital devices in addition to print. This has led to a rise in digital-only imprints, as well as new reading platforms and subscription services.

Hardcovers: The industry favorite hardcover is now taking a back seat to the more affordable paperback options. Now being fueled by major retailers who are pushing back on hardcovers unless the author has already demonstrated the ability to move tens of thousands of copies.

Print on demand: Advances in print-on-demand technology have made it easier and more cost-effective for publishers to produce and distribute print books in smaller quantities, reducing the need for large print runs and warehousing.

Audiobooks: Audiobooks have become increasingly popular, with more and more readers listening to books on their smartphones or other devices. This has led to a growth in audio-first imprints and publishers producing both print and audio editions of books.

Self-publishing: Self-publishing has become more accessible and affordable, allowing authors to bypass traditional publishing channels and reach readers directly. This has led to a rise in self-publishing platforms, including our very own affordable assisted self-publishing imprint, Persona Publishing.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion: The publishing industry has been under pressure to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a growing demand for books that reflect the experiences of underrepresented groups. This has led to a much-needed and growing trend of more diverse voices being published and a focus on promoting inclusivity both in the books themselves and within the industry as a whole.

Consolidation: The publishing industry has seen significant consolidation in recent years, with a small number of large publishers dominating the market. This has led to concerns about the impact on competition, diversity, equity, and inclusion, author compensation, and the potential for censorship and editorial bias.

Overall, the current state of book publishing is one of ongoing transformation and adaptation as publishers, authors, and readers navigate the changing landscape of the digital age.

Speaking of Change

I’ve said it before; one can be sure of two things in the coming years: publishing will be a lot harder, and publishing will be a lot easier.

It will be harder because of five factors:

Time: Time will become magnified in importance. The luxury of spare time is a luxury of the past. Spare time will be revered, but not at work. You will notice that almost everyone will share the new awareness of time. Readers will demand and expect speed. You will too.

Contact: Less face-to-face contact will remove much of the social warmth of working. People now get more than half their messages through other forms of communication, such as voicemail, e-mail, and postings to social media sites. Such communications can be misunderstood or inaccurate; verbal accuracy will grow in value. The joy of social interaction will be diminished.

Change: Change will be thrust upon us, and much that we counted on before will no longer hold forth. Even things we learn will be true only for a short time before being surpassed by new truths. Genius will not consist of learning something but of learning one thing after another. If we can’t adapt, we aren’t cut out to be in publishing.

Talent: Talent will become diffused as top people trade the vitality of a huge corporation for the tranquility of working at home or otherwise more flexible employment. This is well and good for them, but for entrepreneurially minded authors, this means they will have to scout out the best minds in publishing, as the most experienced minds in publishing will no longer be found under one or two roofs. They will have to scout them out, just like publishers will need to scout out the best talent differently to grow their teams.

Technology: Technology will be more important in your life, and you’ll have to understand it to take full advantage of it. But technology is becoming easier to use, user manuals aren’t even written anymore, and the nature of training (repetition will be your friend for life) has improved. As my mentor, Jay Conrad Levinson once told me, “If you’re technophobic, see a techno-shrink.”

What Won’t Change

 Human Nature: People will be people, with the usual strengths and weaknesses. They will be creatures of their emotions and still want to be treated fairly and kindly.

Wants, Needs, and Fears: People will continue to want and need love and security, money and power, a sense of identity, and a feeling of well-being. They will fear the same things they fear now: lack of control, illness, and absence of love and security.

Youth and Age: They’ll be just as they are now: Young people will still often be the first to try new things, and old people will still control most of the wealth. The generation gap will never close, but it will move. Every child will still grow up to be either like their parents or as a reaction to their parents.

Faith: Although people will differ in how they find faith, they will continue to seek it and continue to find it. Faith will continue to motivate the best that is within people. There will be a renaissance as people recognize their own inherent faith. It has already started.

Problems: Authors who can solve them will be sought-after members of society. Millions will still be trying to earn more money, lose weight, make friends, start new businesses, and break bad habits, whatever those habits may be.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the importance of connection in book publishing cannot be overstated. A strong relationship between the author and the publisher can lead to better books, more successful books, and a stronger brand for the author. And ultimately, the connection between the author, publisher, and reader is the foundation of any successful book. By building and nurturing these relationships, breaking down bureaucracy, and understanding the people we serve, we can create a publishing industry that is vibrant, exciting, and inclusive for all involved.

David L. Hancock, Founder
Morgan James Publihsing

 

State of Publishing2025-05-24T13:29:30-04:00

Don’t Lose Your Enthusiasm

Your enthusiasm for your ideas and your books, and your ability to communicate your passion, is essential to your success.

It’s been said that no man is a hero to his biographer. So regardless of how enthusiastic you are when you start to write a book, remaining passionate for as long as you want your book and the talks based on it to keep generating income may become a challenge.

The one and a half or two years from now that it will take your book idea to reach the bookstores is a long time, yet it’s only the beginning of the life of your book. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of publication and promotion. As difficult as it may be to guess how long your enthusiasm for a book will last, make a careful judgment before committing yourself to living with the book.

This is another reason to test-market your ideas by giving talks and writing articles. This will help you decide how much you enjoy writing and talking about your book, gauge the response your books will get, and establish your credentials with agents, editors, and book buyers.

If you are doing all you can to achieve your goals, you have a right to be optimistic. Assume that your career, like that of most writers, will continue to flourish over time. Assume every book you write will be better than the last, bringing you closer to reaching the critical mass of readers you need to break out and become as successful as you want to be.

To keep your publisher happy, you have to keep doing the following:

  • Giving presentations around the country based on your books
  • Using your speaking schedule to increase your national visibility in the media
  • Building your stature in your field
  • Making sure there is an uptick in the sales of every book you write
  • Ensuring your past books continue to sell

To keep yourself happy, you need optimism to help sustain your enthusiasm and determination to bounce back from setbacks. You can’t allow the problems you will confront throughout your career to affect your positive outlook.

Optimism is contagious, and you want to infect everyone you meet with it. It’s been said that when we talk, only 7 percent of what we communicate is words. The other 93 percent is everything else about us, including tone of voice, facial expression, gestures, and clothing.

You want to exude optimism, so that when people think of you, they think of someone who loves life and lives it with hope and gusto. People would rather be around an optimist than a pessimist. That’s one of the reasons talk-show hosts will invite you back, and why the people in your networks will always be glad to hear from you. A bonus: Optimism is better for your health.

 

David L. Hancock, Founder
Morgan James Publishing

 

 

David Hancock is the founder of Morgan James Publishing and has co-authored sixteen books, including Guerrilla Marketing for Writers and The Entrepreneurial Author. NASDAQ cites David as one of the world’s most prestigious business leaders, and he is reported to be the future of publishing. David was selected for Fast Company Magazine’s Fast 50 for his leadership, creative thinking, significant accomplishments, and his significant impact on the industry over the next ten years.

Don’t Lose Your Enthusiasm2019-07-25T14:50:23-04:00

Morgan James Radio Episode 38: Simplifying the System with Dr. William Donaldson

Systems can seem so complex; it scares many of us away. Dr. William Donaldson takes systems and makes them simple so we can all apply them to our business.

Willy has a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, but he lays out systems and management in an approachable way.

When it comes to writing a book about a complex subject, Willy manages to write like you are talking to an old friend.

Listen in to this episode of Morgan James Radio as Willy Donaldson helps authors understand how to turn a complex message into a simple vision.

Morgan James Radio Episode 38: Simplifying the System with Dr. William Donaldson2019-06-18T20:25:25-04:00

Hot New Releases for June 4th, 2019

Morgan James Publishing is excited to announce these Hot New Releases for this week!
Each of these are available at your favorite bookseller or online starting this week.

Ask the Foot Doctor: Real-Life Answers to Enjoy Happy, Healthy, Pain-Free Feet

Contributor: Tumen, Dr. Doug (Author)

Annotation: A collection of frequently-asked questions and answers about foot care.

Founding Leadership: Lessons on Business and Personal Leadership From the Men Who Brought You the American Revolution

Contributor: Taylor, Brent (Author)

Annotation: Founding Leadership features timeless leadership principles that show leaders how to avoid major pitfalls.

Victorious Heart: Finding Hope and Healing After a Devastating Loss

Contributor: Peacock, Kim (Author)

Annotation: Victorious Heart shows grieving family members that it’s okay to laugh again through Kim Peacock’s story of hope and healing after the loss of her child.

Cuts of a Diamond: Turn Even Your Most Heartbreaking Experiences to a Thing of Beauty

Contributor: Bicknell, Sandra Rodriguez (Author)

Annotation: A tool for women to conquer heartbreak and turn those moments into things of beauty.

Where’s the Joy?: An Invitation to Look Up, Reach Out, and Experience Life’s Greatest Treasure

Contributors: Williamson, Danny (Author) and Camp, Jeremy (Foreword by)

Annotation: Where’s the Joy fosters hope for readers and provides the keys to unlocking joy.

Rockstar Service. Rockstar Profits. Increase Your Revenues, Grow Your Business and Create Raving Fan Customers for Life

Contributor: Brownlee, David (Author)

Annotation: Shows business owners a more effective way for their team to deliver world-class, rockstar customer service.

Hot New Releases for June 4th, 20192019-06-04T16:08:09-04:00

Morgan James Radio Episode 37: Scale With Speed with Judge Graham

Morgan James Radio Episode 37: Scale With Speed with Judge Graham

In a world that keeps moving faster, how do you keep up and make an impact?

Judge Graham joins Morgan James Radio to discuss his new book, Scale with Speed.

Seeing so many business books giving theory only, Judge wanted to offer a book that gives ready steps they can take action on immediately.

Judge will inspire you to decide with speed and take action.

Morgan James Radio Episode 37: Scale With Speed with Judge Graham2019-05-28T14:29:59-04:00

Morgan James Radio Episode 30: Celebrating 15 Years of Morgan James Publishing

Jim Howard, the publisher at Morgan James Publishing, joins David Hancock, founder of Morgan James Publishing to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of Morgan James.

Together, they tell the story of the company and what has taken place, what has led to the success of the company, and changes in book publishing during that time.

You will enjoy this inside look at how Morgan James works and how they help authors find the right path. Find out what Morgan James does to help authors make their book a part of something bigger.

Morgan James Radio Episode 30: Celebrating 15 Years of Morgan James Publishing2018-09-30T00:17:07-04:00

What Is “Operation Toussaint,” And Why Should You Help?

Do you know what the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the United States is all about? This 32 billion dollar industry doesn’t have the same national stage or attention as obesity, the war on drugs, racism, or terrorism, and yet it is one of the most heinous and evil practices on the Earth today that is affecting millions. Every 30 seconds, a child is sold….for sex, labor, or organ harvesting.

It’s a topic people don’t want to talk about because they don’t want to think about it. It’s too hard for most of us to comprehend this kind of darkness, but if we don’t face it, the evil will continue.

What happens when you turn on the light in a house full of cockroaches? They flee. Evil prevails when the truth doesn’t stand up for itself. That’s what this post is about today. It’s my way of turning on the light and bringing attention to a modern day slavery machine that needs to be stopped.

I was introduced to the story of a man named Tim Ballard by Nick Nanton, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author with Morgan James.

Tim Ballard was a high ranking officer in the government, and during his many operations overseas, he uncovered the dark enterprise of human trafficking happening to young children. Can you imagine the righteous indignation that rose up in him when he tried to do something about it and realized that as a government official, there was nothing the government could do because it wasn’t an American case?

Even worse, he discovered that the greatest demand for trafficking was coming from American men flying overseas to pay for a night with these children?!

Tim wasn’t willing to ignore the modern day slavery right in from of him, so he decided to leave his job, his pension, and his ranking, to start an organization called Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.).

The reason I’m telling you all this is because I want to help Tim and O.U.R. to spread the word and bring awareness through the upcoming release of the documentary “Operation Toussaint”.

About Operation Toussaint

After Tim and his team successfully arrests a ring of sex traffickers and locks them in jail, they find out that there were corrupt judges in high places that accepted a bribe to release the criminals they just locked away. Operation Toussaint is the harrowing tale of Tim’s resolve to go back to Haiti, get rid of the corruption, and find and re-arrest those men once and for all.

On July 10th, you, me, Tim, and people all over the world will tune in to watch Tim’s journey into Haiti to bring a ring of traffickers to justice. The documentary is only up for a limited time, and the goal is to get at least 1,000,000 viewers so we can shine the brightest light on this horrific evil, and crush modern day slavery once and for all.

Here’s what I need your help with:

Sign up for the limited showing of Operation Toussaint on July 10th here.

Once you’ve done so, please share the link everywhere – with your friends and family and on social media. SHARE THIS LINK
This documentary will open your eyes. It’ll change the way you see the world. It’ll make you hungry for justice, hope, and freedom for innocent children all over the world. Become a modern day abolitionist. End the war on children by joining the fight against sex slavery worldwide.
Thank you!
David L. Hancock
Founder, Morgan James Publishing
What Is “Operation Toussaint,” And Why Should You Help?2018-06-19T19:46:04-04:00

5 Time Management Tools for the Busy Writer

5 Time Management Tools for the Busy Writer

Writers rarely have the luxury of focusing on one project at a time. In addition to the actual writing, there’s marketing, outreach, networking, research, etc. And that’s only for one project (there’s rarely just one).

Without the right time management tools, writers can fall prey to burn out, quitting, or driving themselves mad with too many balls in the air. You’re not a circus clown but you MUST learn to juggle like it’s your job. Because it is. That means juggling fire and chainsaws, not scarves. Below are five time management tools for the busy writer, that includes new writers developing their process, seasoned writers who could use a refresher, and the many folks that fall in-between.

1.Organization

For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.

– Benjamin Franklin

A clean and tidy workspace will help keep your project (and your mind) organized. While organizing takes time away from your writing, you’ll have even more time to focus when it’s done. Nothing breaks a writer’s flow worse than when you need to access something quickly but have to spend the rest of the day tearing your office apart looking for it.

If the thought of organizing your office feels overwhelming, hire help. It’s a small price to pay for better energy, and once everything is set up and complete, you’ll be able to maintain it with minimal effort.

  1. Priorities

The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

–Stephen Covey

While most of us understand our priorities on a grander scale – i.e. devoting time to family, friends, and health – our daily priorities are constantly changing. Take inventory of each day and decide what’s most important based on your deadlines and goals. Now when distractions arise, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what has to be completed first.

A warning: Be aware when the people in your life put their priorities on you. Their urgency is not your urgency unless you make it so. And while you want to help others, your priorities come first. If you let yourself bend and sway to the schedule of others too often, you’ll never find time for what’s important to you. If you really want to dive into this, research The Eisenhower Matrix for a visual chart!

  1. Theme Days

A confused mind does nothing.

– Dallas Travers

Theme days are a lifesaver, especially for those who create their own schedule. Why? Because there’s always an errand to run or a book to read, and your week can become muddy when you have a great big ‘to do’ list in front of you with no clear order. In addition to setting priorities, look at your week and create theme days. Todd Herman talks about this in his 90-Day Year goal setting program – also worth looking into.

For example, set themes at the beginning of each week based on all the things that need to be done. Try an “errand day” where you’re out of the house shopping, picking up the dry cleaning, or running by the post office. We’re far more efficient when we step into certain modes and stay there. You can have days dedicated to everything from phone calls to finance. Of course, life happens and it’s important to be flexible, but theme days give us the peace of mind that things will be taken care of on their designated day – avoiding confusion about what to do next. Put those tiny errands and distractions in their allotted day, then focus on writing by getting into the zone and staying there.

  1. Deadlines

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

– Napoleon Hill

Whether someone has set a deadline for you or it’s self-imposed, deadlines will help you move forward with the things that matter most – making priorities clear as a whistle.

When setting your own deadlines, up the stakes by asking someone to hold you accountable. Know what your weaknesses are with deadlines and tell that person what you need. Will you not complete a task unless someone actually reads your work? Let them know! Do everything you can to set yourself up for success by getting clear on what works for you, what doesn’t, then asking for what you need.

  1. Take Action

Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us get up and go to work.

– Stephen King

Are you a perfectionist to a fault? Don’t confuse time management with perfect timing – there’s a big difference. The goal of time management is to help one make the most of their time. Perfect timing is a fool’s errand, convincing perfectionists that they have to wait for the heavens to open up and offer divine conditions. Avoid this trap at all costs!

Do your best with what you have when you have it. Procrastination has been known to knock on your door – wearing a wig and funny glasses – disguised as a perfectionist. Take action and don’t expect things to be perfect. Get it done so you can move forward and hone your work as you gain more knowledge.

David L. Hancock, Founder
Morgan James Publishing

5 Time Management Tools for the Busy Writer2018-04-27T12:50:40-04:00

Spring Into Writing

Spring Into Writing

Spring is in the air and, depending on where you live, this season is either in full effect or well on its way. Although writing offers the wonderful freedom to work from home, it can also make things tricky as you search for balance between ducking into the writer’s cave and getting some fresh air. It’s easy to neglect the outdoors because of a deadline, but if your reality (or goal) is that your writing is in high demand, it’s important to schedule regular outside time for vitamin D, the grounding that only nature provides, and an appreciation of the world around us.

If you’ve become ‘that writer’ – the one who’s paler than a working mime – it’s time to step outside. Below are 5 healthy ways to get your work done, while taking time out to enjoy this refreshing spring weather.

Balance: Writing Outdoors

Writers are the envy of many, if only for the sole reason of being able to work from home. But technically, we don’t work from home, we work from anywhere and everywhere. Home is one place in the world where we can get things done, and while it’s often the most convenient and controlled environment, it’s not the only answer.

If you’re in a flow, don’t interrupt it unless the curtains are on fire. But if you’re coming up for air, literally come up for air. Go outside. Switch up your surroundings. Take your laptop to an outdoor coffee shop, go to a park, or lounge poolside. Create an outdoor writing space to give balance to your indoor writing space.

Walking: Creativity Boost

The benefits of walking seem endless. Not only does walking help your body, it increases mental stimuli. A Stanford study found that walking actually boosts creativity by a significant amount. No wonder Steve Jobs was known for his walking meetings.

Put in your Bluetooth and take calls on the move. See how many coffee dates you can have on your feet. Instead of sitting down to drink your java, grab one to go and enjoy the neighborhood with a friend. Walking stimulates the mind and creates a more three-dimensional experience.

Plan: Schedule Outings

Professional writers are planners. They work from deadlines and have a daily writing schedule to get things done. When you know you’ll be in the thick of a project, schedule a stroll or hike like you would a writing session.

By planning an activity, we change our expectations and start to look forward to that event, instead of staying indoors (and most likely in front of a computer). It might be uncomfortable at first, but it will eventually become second nature to get into nature with a little consistency.

Breaks: Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management tool, but it also operates on the idea that we’re most productive with intermediate breaks. Yes, writing can be a ‘jump in and don’t stop’ process, but a lot of the work we do involves emails, research, and editing – things that don’t involve a magical flow that can’t be interrupted. When that’s the case, get up and move.

Instead of checking email, which doesn’t give your mind and eyes a break, go outside. Walk around the block to get the blood flowing and to energize your mind and body for the next mini work session. At the very least, open a window and take a deep breath.

Habits: Create Routine

We are creatures of habit, whether those habits are positive or negative. Create the routine of doing one daily activity outdoors and stay consistent. Just as you always brush your teeth after coffee, know that every day you will go outside to water your plants, walk to a nearby store, or to ride your bike.

Have a check-in with a family member each morning for ten minutes while on a stroll. Anything that grounds this outdoor routine can have a positive impact – and if you have an ‘all or nothing’ personality, remind yourself that five minutes outside every day is beneficial.

What outdoor routines and practices work for you? Reach out and let me know!

David L. Hancock, Founder
Morgan James Publishing

Spring Into Writing2018-04-18T16:32:15-04:00

10 Writing Joys

10 Writing Joys

A couple of months ago I put out a blog called 10 Writing Roadblocks. It focused on the struggles of writing, common frustrations, and well, roadblocks that writers can commiserate with. But for anyone who knows me they’ll tell you I’m an insanely positive person – so I just couldn’t leave things there. While the writing process isn’t all Fro-Yo and glitter, there are some incredible moments in the process that are matched by none.

With that in mind, let’s throw on our love-goggles and gush over all the reasons writers love to write. Below are 10 writing joys – some of them quite possibly made you fall in love with writing in the first place.

#1 Who’s Alone? 

This one is hard to explain to non-writers: when we’re completely immersed in our work, it’s not uncommon to come up for air and become shocked that we’ve been alone for so long. Why? Because after playing in an active world surrounded by fascinating characters, it feels quite the opposite! While this is never a substitute for actual human connection, writers could have all the fulfillment they need for the next few days with a laptop and some food.

#2 King of the World!

You have the power to choose whatever you’d like to explore with no limits except for the imagination. What world would you like to visit each day? Who do you want to spend hours and hours with? Instead of that annoying co-worker who talks on the phone too loud (learn to whisper, Frank!), you get to hang out with the most interesting people on your planet.

#3 That’s What She Said

You’ve designed your characters and the world they live in with precision. Your story has been masterfully outlined. And while it appears that you’re the puppet master for this journey, you come to realize that the inmates have started to run the asylum. They say and do things that surprise you, their interactions do not go the way you planned, but they have come to life so vividly that you surrender. You just sit back and let them show you how the story is going to go.

#4 Oh, I’m good…

Writers can be their toughest critics but every once in a while something magical happens: you stumble across something you’ve written a while ago and decide to read it with fresh eyes, just for fun. And as you read it hits you… You’re good. Like really good. The jokes are funny, the characters are original, and that twist ending? You almost didn’t see it coming.

#5 Lemonade Anyone?

No matter how optimistic you are there are certain events in our lives that are hard to understand why they occurred at all – even after the passing of time. Then one glorious day you get to use that traumatic, embarrassing, or confusing situation in a story and the specificity of it is absolute gold. Because this happened to you, you’re able to use it to connect with people on a deeper level, helping them not feel so alone. Then all of a sudden that negative event becomes positive and significant.

#6 Like Honey

This joy is perhaps one of the most therapeutic and exciting (like ‘the honeymoon stage’ exciting). The words burst out of you onto the page and your only worry is that your fingers can’t type fast enough. Everything inside of you pours onto the page and the energy of it all is electric. You go into a trance-like state only to find pages full of words when you snap out of it.

#7 Journaling Joys

Writers have the unique ability to dump their emotions onto the page. While anyone can do it, we have the comfort and experience that only comes from having worked this muscle day in and day out. Unlike writing a book, the writer’s journal is for their eyes-only and can offer a similar experience to sitting with a therapist who just keeps saying, “and how did that make you feel?” Over and over again – without the expensive bill.

#8 Rubik’s Cube

We all know what it’s like to bang our head up against a wall in this process. A story feels doomed because every possible solution just doesn’t feel right. Something’s not working and after feeling stuck for a long period of time you think about throwing in the towel. Until that moment that suddenly happens in the shower, or the car, or in the middle of the night – when you pop up and say, “I got it!”

#9 Freedom of Perfected Speech

How many times have we FINALLY found a perfectly witty response to a conversation that happened hours (or even days) after it occurred? Writers get to live vicariously through their characters, giving them brilliant responses to humiliate their enemy, romance the love interest, or just let them completely and articulately express their true feelings.

#10 Homework

Writing on the couch in our PJ’s with a cup of coffee and some nice music in the background isn’t a bad gig. These days – however many there are for you – should be treasured, as others are quite possibly dealing with a long commute, an angry boss, or loud co-workers (Frank, we’re talking about you!). Writing from home or your coffee shop of choice is an honor and a privilege.

Feel like staying in the love zone? Check out 5 Ways to Fall in Love With Writing Again.

David L. Hancock, Founder
Morgan James Publishing

10 Writing Joys2018-03-28T13:48:14-04:00
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