In a column for PJ Media, publicist and novelist Scott Pinsker wrote that there are no happy endings. As readers and listeners, we never want a good story to end.

Here is what Scott wrote:

One more time: There are no happy endings!

After all, when a story is truly great, we don’t want it to end. We need the story to go on and on forever — and for the adventures to continue. When it’s finally time to say goodbye, we mourn the loss.

And mourning isn’t happy.

But it’s par for the course in storytelling; the immoveable yin to the irresistible yang. Can’t have one without the other. As American genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist Tony Stark noted before his death:

“Part of the journey is the end.”

I remember when the hand-picked substitute author massacred the ending of The World of Time series by Robert Jordan. There were and are so many stories still to tell of that world, but the replacement author simply let the story peter away. So disappointing.

But, of course, he didn’t have the inspiration or vision that the original author had. He couldn’t tell the stories. BUT the publisher should have found some fans that would have loved to continue those stories, to continue celebrating an incredible world populated by very interesting people. I hope there are some fans that will tell those stories. They have my permission — and encouragement — to do so.

As authors, we should all have fans that are inspired to continue telling our stories — whether fiction or nonfiction.

Stories are always worth continuing. They shouldn’t have an end. Why not tell more of your story today? You have the time!

And when your time ends, I encourage other courageous writers to continue your stories. Stories without end. Stories that live on and on. Stories that change lives. Stories that move us to greater things.

Move on!

The following tips are adapted from an article in Woman’s World magazine.

Trust your vision. A sense of independence sparks unique visions.

Balance wonder and rigor. Daydream a little. Relax to spark your wonder. Then focus on the details.

Tap into positivity. Reveal your passion. Study: People who write for the joy of it produce more creative work.

Unleash your inner child. Having fun spurs active listening, curiosity, improvisation, and collaboration.

Take a chance on yourself. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Explore your own voice.

Bounce ideas off a friend. A good friend can allow you to test ideas. Note: Just don’t let them become too critical. You want their help, not their negativity.

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Web: https://bookauthorauthority.com

Why give away your books when you can sell them instead? Here are ten reasons why you might want to give away your books as a strategy for making more sales of everything you have to offer.

1. Entice People to Action.

If you want a potential customer to act, you can give them a free book as an enticement. Many websites offer free reports or books to encourage people to sign up for their newsletters or podcasts. A key reason: Books are still valued by consumers.

2. Make an Upsell.

If you are using your book to sell a higher-priced course, webinar, or summit, then giving away the book is a good strategy for convincing people to buy your upsell.

3. Offer a Sample.

Give away a shorter book to give readers a taste of your larger, more expensive book.

Note: A similar strategy is to sell a shorter book on Amazon for a very low price to give people a taste for your more expensive books, your longer books, or any additional books in a series.

4. Give as a Prize.

Give your book away to charities as a prize. Books as prizes are a great way to promote your business or service or higher priced products.

5. Offer Speaking Take-Aways.

If you are speaking at a conference, a summit, or another group event, giving away a book is an easy way to have attendees take you (or your ideas) home with them.

A free book builds credibility and provides audience members with your contact details so they can follow-up on any of your services or products they want to buy.

6. Create a Moon Book Club.

Offer your books as monthly mailings to key contacts for coaching, consulting, speaking, and other high-paying engagements. In this situation, you mail out copies of print books to your key contact list as a tool for establishing your credibility with these key people.

7. Offer 99 Cent Specials.

Books under a dollar are considered just like free books for most readers. So, offering low-cost books for sale are a way of setting a value for the book but essentially keeping the book as “free.”

Bestselling author Robert Allen recently offered his #1 Bestseller: How You Can Become a Bestselling Author in Only 30 Minutes a Day as an ebook for only 99¢ via Amazon. He used it to introduce his high-priced service to help writers become bestselling authors.

8. Introduce Readers to a Series.

One of the best ways to introduce readers to your series of novels is to give away the first book in the series. If they like that book, they will buy into the entire series.

9. Publish a manifesto.

Write and share a manifesto that proclaims your new vision for society, the environment, the world, the universe, or your key topic. Manifestos are generally given away to build the widest possible readership for your new vision.

10. Share Your Book.

You can give away your book to anyone and everyone simply because you want people to benefit from what you’ve written.

If you give away books, never give away junk. Never give away AI creations as your own work. Whatever you give away must represent your work, your writing, your ideas, your creativity, your thought processes, and the higher priced services and products you offer.

If your giveaways truly represent what you offer, you’ll be able to upsell recipients to anything else that you want to create. And at a higher and higher price. Great content inspires great fans.

Order Book Marketing 263 here: https://amzn.to/3TM6CDs on Amazon.

Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.