Launch Your Writing Career, with Emma Dhesi 

How did the LAUNCH PAD series come about, and what was the experience of working in a collaboration?

I love the way sometimes serendipity plays a hand because, about two weeks prior to Grace Sammon coming to me and asking me to be part of this marvellous project, I had just read an anthology published by the British Library. 

The book itself was a beautiful object, but what was so special was that it incorporated a whole range of writers, artists, comic designers and poets writing about creativity. They shared the advice they’d been given at the start of their careers and were now passing it on to the next generation. 

What I loved about the anthology were the different voices and perspectives it brought together. So when Grace Sammon came to me two weeks after I had read that book and said, ‘I’ve got an idea. I want to pull an anthology together. What do you think?’

‘Yes!’ I said, jumping at the opportunity. ‘That’s a great idea, I love it!’

I knew we could work with some fantastic writers, incorporating the things we believed to be at the heart of good writing, which we did.

Not only does this book cover the core principles of good storytelling (character development, point of view and story structure), but it delves into the practical ‘how-to’ of research. Readers learn how to use keywords, use the shortcuts needed to conduct specific searches and how to verify research – ideal for those writing historical or political fiction.

A chapter that I really really wanted to include (because I struggle with this!) was on grammar and punctuation. Most writers don’t want to read an entire book on grammar, they only want what they need for writing good prose and using the correct dialogue tags!

This collaboration wouldn’t haven’t come about if it weren’t for Grace Sammon’s vision. She started her radio programme, LAUNCH PAD, to help writers launch their books over lockdown. 

Authors couldn’t enjoy their publication day in the traditional way, and Grace wanted to offer an alternative. LAUNCH PAD, the radio show, gave authors the chance to talk about their newly published books from the comfort of their own home.

Grace then had the inspired idea to expand this opportunity to include writers who were just getting started – and may one day be a guest on her radio show! – to write, publish and market their books.

She kindly invited me to collaborate on the Writing book, Stephanie Larkin on the Publishing book and Mary Helen Sheriff on the Marketing book.

This was a perfect fit because I am a Book Coach, Stephanie Larkin runs Red Penguin Books, Mary Helen Sheriff is a Book Marketing Coach, and as the founder of Author Talk Network, Grace’s expertise overlaps all these areas.

Why include a book on publishing? Because publishing has changed. There are many routes to bring a book into the world. It’s not a choice between traditional publishing and indie publishing anymore. There is a spectrum in between, including small presses and hybrid presses. 

LAUNCH PAD: The Countdown to Publishing Your Book guides writers on all these facets to publishing so they make the right decision for them, and for their book.

LAUNCH PAD: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book is an essential read for all authors because ‘marketing’ is the way to let people know about a book. It’s only by marketing a book that people find out about it, buy it, read it, and enjoy it.

A defining feature of the entire LAUNCH PAD series are the Top Ten Countdowns at the end of each chapter. These are the Top Ten action points every reader is encouraged to do if they want to improve their craft, publishing knowledge and marketing skills.

We wanted to encourage writers to not only read each chapter, but to implement what it teaches and make it a part of their writing, publishing and marketing practice. This makes the LAUNCH PAD series stand out from the crowd.

This has been a fascinating experience because not only are Grace, Mary, Stephanie and I are geographically spread out, we are running our own businesses as well as raising families! 

We definitely couldn’t have written, edited and compiled the books without the help of Word’s track changes, Google drive and Zoom. That made our jobs so much easier. It’s much nicer to talk to one another ‘face to face’ than to do everything by email.

Those same things that made the project international and exciting also brought about its challenges, namely the time zone differences. But our collective enthusiasm for our vision on how these books would change writers’ lives kept us sustained throughout.

What makes the LAUNCH PAD series particularly special is that it includes the wisdom of so many influential and knowledgeable experts. 

Experts like author, editor, screenwriter, and playwright Amy Ferris, book editor and novelist Janyre Tromp, founder of She Writes Press Brooke Warner, Erika Lance the founder and CEO of 4 Horseman Publications Inc and marketing, visibility and branding expert, Sharvette Mitchell.

I hope writers will take advantage of the words of wisdom held in LAUNCH PAD: The Countdown to Writing Your book, and be inspired to finish their own books!

Find out more and grab your own copy of the LAUNCH PAD series here: https://launchpadcountdown.com/

You can learn more about me, Emma Dhesi, at my website, https://emmadhesi.com/

Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book

Looking for just the right balance of inspiration, skill building, and a toolbox of writing craft tips? Join us here for LAUNCH PAD: The Countdown to Writing Your Book!

From the inspiring words of The Story Summit‘s Amy Ferris to the practical suggestions of award-winning authors, this book, the first in a series of three on writing, publishing, and marketing your book, will help you get it right!

If you’re intimidated by the thought of outlining your novel or creating rich and complex characters, LAUNCH PAD has you covered. If you want to learn the secret to writing a great scene, not only does LAUNCH PAD show you how to structure it like a pro, but it explains how to add the right amount of conflict or suspense, so your readers keep reading.

Each focused chapter brings authors and would-be-authors closer to the creation of a story well told and ready for publication. The brainchild of entrepreneur, author, and speaker, Grace Sammon, this book series builds on the wildly popular radio show LAUNCH PAD – celebrating book releases and the authors who create them. With countdown tips, ways to connect directly to the authors, and bonus downloadable planning sheets, LAUNCH PAD delivers a craft book that speaks right to you.

Led by Emma Dhesi, the internationally recognized author, book coach, and podcaster with a lifetime of experience in helping writers like you improve their craft and Grace Sammon, LAUNCH PAD helps you navigate through the emotional rollercoaster of finishing your novel.

Welcome to the LAUNCH PAD. Now, let’s get writing!

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers