Chad R. Allen Blog

Chad R. Allen Blog

Craft of Writing
Chad R. Allen

6 Takeaways for Writers from the #1 New York Times Bestseller *Originals*

As I’ve gone about my travels recently, one book has stood out to me again and again. For one thing the cover is irresistibly head-turning; the promise of the title is also compelling. I’m referring to Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, the #1 New York Times bestseller from respected Wharton business

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Craft of Writing
Chad R. Allen

Veteran Book Publicist Reveals How to Attract Media Attention

Book publishers often think of publicity as the Holy Grail of marketing and for good reason: Media attention has the potential to skyrocket sales. So how does it all work and what do writers need to know about attracting media attention? To find out I turned to 20-year book publicist

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Craft of Writing
Chad R. Allen

See How Easily You Can Structure Your Book with This Method

While it’s true a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step, this is also true: If that first step is in the wrong direction, you’ll end up in the wrong place! Like this Air Asia flight, you could end up in Melbourne instead of Malaysia! When it comes to structuring

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Craft of Writing
Chad R. Allen

Why Missing Your Goals Can Be a Good Thing . . . Really!

As we barrel toward the end of this year, I’ve been thinking a lot about my 2016 goals. It looks like my success rate in 2016 will be 40 percent. When I first noticed this, I was disappointed. I was even tempted to think horrible things about myself: “I’m a

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Platform & Marketing
Chad R. Allen

My Problem with “Platform”

Publishing professionals have been using the term “platform” for a long time. And once my friend and Baker author Michael Hyatt wrote his New York Times bestseller Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, the term became ensconced forever in publishing parlance. These days we can’t review a book proposal

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Craft of Writing
Chad R. Allen

3 Ways to an Acquisitions Editor’s Heart

I recently had conversations with two first-time authors, and I feel very hopeful about both of them. Whether the publisher I work for pursues them or some other publisher, I’m quite certain these authors will be offered contracts. And as long as the publisher doesn’t overpay, chances are good these

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Platform & Marketing
Chad R. Allen

How to Get a Bigger Audience for Your Writing [Free Video]

Recently I asked readers of my blog this question: “What’s the biggest creative challenge or obstacle you are facing?” As I read through the responses, I noticed one particular theme came up again and again: the desire for a bigger audience. Listen to some of these responses; these are direct quotes:

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