Will Parker Anderson

Senior editor: Waterbrook and Multnomah | Helping Christian nonfiction writers grow their platform and publish their work | Weekly tips at

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Good writing is NOT about being an expert.

Instead ...

- Invite readers to discover with you

- Share the best of what you learn

- Relate with readers as a work in progress

Vulnerability + curiosity = great writing

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Talent can't overcome laziness.

Writers who go far practice a lot.

Even when it's unglamorous.

Stay with it.

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Summary:

Good writers aim their words at the hearts of readers.

Good writers invest in real community.

Good writers humbly welcome feedback.

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

A typical author rejection story goes like this…

Author pours her heart and soul into a book.

But every publisher says no.

Then…

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

1. Focus: she made her book more about readers than herself

2. Momentum: by engaging thoughtfully with her small community, she grew it

3. Feedback: she relentlessly honed her concept with the help of others

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Want readers to trust you?

There are 3 *really* simple ways any writer can do this!

Yesterday, 600+ people learned how to build rapport with their readers.

Miss the issue?

Grab it below ↓

https://t.co/t9lzkTkUew

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

I just challenged my 600+ newsletter readers:

How do you instantly gain readers' trust?

I suggested 3 strategies.

If you want to join us, read this short issue:
https://t.co/K0nzWS4H1v

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Building trust with readers is everything.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Be a reporter
2. Be a learner
3. Be an anti-hero

Tomorrow, I’ll show 600+ people how to use these strategies, with examples from books I love.

If you want to join us, subscribe to my newsletter (Link in bio)

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

If you're on social, ask questions.

Here's why:

- Increases engagement

- Shows you’re a listener, not just a talker

- Teaches you what your community cares about

- Ups your chances of providing value

- Informs your writing

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Writers,

Mediocrity will plague many of your paragraphs.

It's ok. Push through it.

Somewhere in the mess is something useful.

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Summary of how to attract publishers:

1. Make engagement your top social media priority
2. Focus your writing on felt needs
3. Establish a regular rhythm of writing
4. Ask better writers for feedback

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

4/ Ask better writers for feedback

Practice + feedback from experts = fastest growth

Don’t let fear of feedback hold you back.

Be more afraid of stalling without it.

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

3/ Write constantly

Publishing a book isn’t luck.

It’s the fruit of persistence.

Set up a rhythm and write daily, or as often as you can.

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

I meet lots of writers struggling to land a book deal.

Some have tried.

Others don’t know where to start.

Here’s 4 tips to help you…

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Don’t assume readers will naturally flock to your idea.

Instead:

- Anchor your book in a felt need (WHY)
- Identify a target niche (WHO)
- Promise a payoff if people stick with your writing (WHAT)

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

2/ Focus your book concept on a felt need

As writers, it’s easy to get excited about our ideas:

”Everyone will want to read this, right?”

Wrong.

I call this “concept blindness.”

Here’s the cure:

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

Focus on engagement ⬇️

- Respond to comments

- Post questions that invite responses

- Comment regularly and positively on what others post

Make authentic interaction your playbook.

Numbers will come.

[Will Parker Anderson @willpanderson]

1/ Make engagement (not numbers) your top social media priority

Everyone wants a big platform, but numbers aren’t everything.

Unengaged followers = unlikely readers.

Here’s a better way to approach platform…