Why
Mentors Are Important by Nicole Weaver
Aside from
getting a book contract, having mentors who are willing to help and support you
is the second most important thing a new author must have. After my first book
came out I did a search for people willing to do reviews. I came across an individual who reviewed my
book and through her I learned about my current publisher.
My second
trilingual children’s book is being published by this traditional publisher.
Soon after I signed the contract my publisher made it available for me to join
her yahoo group. I met many wonderful
author friends through the group. In
more ways than one these authors have become my mentors. I never knew how important mentors were until
I joined the group.
I knew very
little about the business of promoting a book.
Along the way the friends I have made taught me a lot of pertinent
information. I learned how to create a
blog, how to write a media release, and more importantly, how to write a decent
book review.
I also learned
that one should not wait until your book is published to start promoting
it. I feel very fortunate to be
surrounded by so many authors who have experienced great success. These authors are the most unselfish group
of people I know. They are never too
busy to answer questions and help with pressing needs.
I have found a
second group of great mentors through an online critique group. As a new author I need a lot of
mentoring. I get the chance to submit
my manuscript for critique. I have
learned so much from the members of the group.
The person who started the group is an award-winning author who knows
her craft very well. I am very happy she afforded me the opportunity to be part
of the group.
If you are a
new author, I highly recommend you take the time to locate other authors who
are willing to mentor you. I believe
that most authors are kind and giving individuals. Do a Google search. It is never too late to
start.
Nicole Weaver was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She came to the
United States when she was ten years old. She is fluent in Creole, French,
Spanish and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish. She is the
author of a children's trilingual picture book titled Marie and Her Friend the
Sea Turtle.
The story is about a Haitian little girl who resided by the beach
in Haiti. Her second trilingual children's picture book will be published by
Guardian Angel Publishing. The book titled, My Sister is my Best Friend, will
be published fall 2011.
You can visit Nicole Weaver’s website at http://www.melangeofcultures.wordpress.com
and
her book’s blog at http://marieandherfriendtheseaturtle.blogspot.com/
