Monique Fields, the first-ever Passion Project winner, divulges some industry know-how after her month working with platform expert Sarah Wilson and life coach Rebecca Rodskog. I thought I had my act together when it came to marketing and promotion. Ideas for my memoir included the usual tour, designing postcards for events, and delivering speeches to parents who are raising biracial and multiracial children. That’s fine, but most publishers want to know what I will do before my book is published, said Sarah Wilson, who helps authors develop platforms and promote their books. I have to show publishers how I will continue to grow my platform, she said. Sarah challenged me to list all of the organizations of which I am a member. The list includes schools I have attended as well as professional and social organizations. I then called and emailed all of them and asked two questions: 1. Does the organization promote books written by members in a newsletter or magazine? 2. If yes, how many members does the organization’s publication reach? I haven’t completed the task and I already can show how news about my book will reach more than 200,000 people before it is published. I had listed many of the organizations in my proposal but now I can show the impact those organizations will have on my book. How in the heck was I supposed to know that? So glad I have a cadre of women leading the way. Of course, I have a lot more work to do, including rewriting the promotion, marketing, and author sections of my book proposal. Sarah will work with me for two more weeks. No, that’s not quite right. I will work for Sarah for two more weeks. I don’t mind working hard up front because it will pay off more than I can count in the end. Speaking of work, it’s not all about the ideas. I do have to make them come to fruition. That means I have to work on me a little bit. Okay, I have to work on me a lot. Life coach Rebecca Friese Rodskog and her expertise is truly a gift. She is helping me navigate the difficult process of writing a book. Ultimately, the foundation we build together will be one I can use for the rest of my life. I had heard about life coaches, thought I needed one, but I don’t know that I could have told anyone what such coaches do to help their clients. Rebecca asked a lot of questions, some of them personal. She asked about family, religion, aspects of my life that are going well and areas that need improvement. I agreed as part of our contract that I would answer each question honestly because I want to take full advantage of her gift. As we discussed my answers, I started to understand myself in different ways. I can’t point to anything tangible except to say Sarah gets me. She understands where I am coming from and where I’m going even though we have never met in person and have been talking for just a few weeks. She suggested I read The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. I was intrigued. I had not heard of the book and found it in the New Age section — just so you know. I find myself navigating to that section of the bookstore more and more these days, but I don’t consider myself New Age. The Four Agreements is a little book and can be read in one sitting. The book establishes all of the agreements we have made and then suggests our lives could change dramatically for the better. All we have to do is adopt The Four Agreements. The last few chapters give examples on how to do that. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word Don’t Take Anything Personally Don’t Make Assumptions Always Do Your Best It’s so simple and to the point. Of course, it’s more difficult to do than it sounds. Still, I am willing to give it a try. I enjoyed reading the book so much I’m reading it again. I also plan to send it to several of my girlfriends for Christmas. Wait, I can’t think of Christmas yet. I have so much rewriting and calling and other writerly tasks to do. My book is starting to feel real now. It is no longer a project I embarked on and one day hoped would be published. It can – No, it will – happen. Sarah and Rebecca are guiding me, one step at a time. I’ll take a cue from Rebecca and be open and honest when I trip and fall. I will have no choice but to get up, dust off and keep on writing because I know everyone is watching. Ed's Note: Sarah Wilson will be offering a LIVE webinar, sharing the savvy she shared with Monique, this Thursday, October 21, 12-1pm ET via web and phone. Participate live or pre-order the download here: “How To Write a Marketing Plan Publishers Will Buy”