Interview with Joanna Penn

~~~~Here is a writer’s interview with Joanna Penn (An author and speaker)~~~

1. First off, How many books have you published?

I have 3 books now that are self-published. “How to enjoy your job” was my first one – it is on Amazon and you can also see all about it at http://www.HowToEnjoyYourJob.com

I have two more for authors, “From Idea to Book”, about writing and publishing, and “From Book to Market”, about sales and marketing for your book.
Both are currently being put onto Amazon. One is on Kindle. Both are also available as ebooks – more here.

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/books/from-idea-to-book/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/books/from-book-to-market/

2. How long have you been writing?

I have been writing all my life, here’s more about my writing journey
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2009/01/16/my-writing-history-joanna-penn/

But in terms of books, I started writing “How to enjoy your job” in 2007, after thinking about it for years!

3. What has inspired you to write?

My own problems with work and career change inspired “How to enjoy your job” and then my adventures with publishing led to the other 2. I am a believer in “write the book you need” and there will be others that need it too. This is a non-fiction attitude perhaps! I will continue to write non-fiction, self-help books. My aim is to be like Jack Canfield – Success Principles is the book I wish I had written!

4. What sacrifices did you have to make for you to write and publish your first book? The ones after that?

I wrote every evening and every weekend. We don’t have a TV so that makes it easier! I also went part-time at my job so I could do the research needed. So I have given up time and income, but I am certainly much happier and love what I am doing now!

5. About how many hours and days did it take you to write your book?

It took me about 9 months evenings and weekends to write “How to enjoy your job”, including editing and rewriting. It took about 4 months to write the next 2 based on notes I had taken during the process.

6. Are you happy that you went through all that to write and publish your book?

7. Was it worth it to you?
6&7 are the same really. Absolutely it was worth it and I am happy to now consider myself an author. I will continue to write and publish books – to help myself and also other people. I will try all kinds of methods of publishing and am just loving the possibilities available at the moment.

8. Finally, what advice would you give a first time writer?

Learn about all the options for writing and publishing. You don’t have to be constrained by just paper book writing and traditional publishing anymore. There are so many options it is exciting!
Also, just get on with it. Don’t think about it for 10 years like me. You can write a book and you can publish it. You can get your message out there!

Learn more about Joanna and her website at:

(email) joanna@TheCreativePenn.com

(website) http://www.TheCreativePenn.com – Writing, self-publishing, print-on-demand, internet sales and promotion…for your book.

twitter) http://twitter.com/thecreativepenn