I started publishing Business Book Review (BBR) in 1999, managed and edited the work product of 11 professional writers, single-handedly built the business to over 700,000 paid subscribers worldwide, established BBR as the premier business book summary service, and sold the business to a larger publisher in 2008.
As publisher of BBR, I received over 1,500 business books a year and selected only one book a week, what I considered the best, for summarization and inclusion into the BBR online library.
What I learned during my BBR years:
- Worked closely with and learned the business strategies of all major publishing houses.
- Developed a thorough understanding of book publishing - from concept to commercialization.
- Learned what constitutes a successful business book and what attracts the attention of publishers.
- Learned from our base of over 700,000 readers what book topics were in demand but unfulfilled.
- Brainstormed with editing teams at top publishing houses to explore trends in business books.
- Discovered how poorly books were organized and began counseling authors on sharpening their book content and structuring their books for better logic flow.
- Advised many established authors on saleable book concepts and sequels to their existing works.
In 2005, I began The Literary Coach consultancy, working with first-time and established authors primarily on developing their book concepts, building their platforms, and preparing their book proposals.
Over the years, I created and perfected The Literary Coach Book Proposal Template that many literary agents, acquisition editors, publishing houses, and established authors consider the most comprehensive in the book publishing industry.
Today, I deliver best practices seminars, webinars, and podcasts on a variety of business and personal skills development subjects with special emphasis on Book Concept Development, Business Writing Skills, Leadership & Talent Development, and Social Intelligence Skills.
I’ve lectured at the Library of Congress and to growing list of companies, including AT&T, Bank of America, Booz Allen Hamilton, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Nintendo N.A., Heidrick & Struggles, Siemens, and Rockwell Collins.
Over the past several years, I’ve mentored many first-time managers to senior executives on career growth and personal skills development. My broad knowledge, experience, and one-on-one engagement skills have helped many professionals across a variety of disciplines identify, develop, and capitalize on their core strengths.
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