From time to time in this space, Balboa Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journeys. These are the words of Sarah Ingmanson, author of “Word of the Week”. She is also the founder and president of Star’s Locker fitness studio in Henderson, Nev. She is a former executive director at Morgan Stanley, professional ice skater with Disney On Ice and nationally ranked fitness competitor. Ingmanson was a Fulbright Scholar at Osaka University in Japan. She holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, a master’s degree in international affairs from the University of Pennsylvania Lauder Institute and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tufts University. Download the Balboa Press free publishing guide to receive more information on self-publishing your book with Balboa Press.
- Tell us a little bit about your book. What inspired you to write it?
This book originates from The willPower Method® and the “Word of the Week” (WoW). As a willPower fitness instructor, I am tasked to introduce the WoW into my class as a centering theme and a creative focus for my cues.
My husband encouraged me to write this book after he became an avid reader of my willPower blogs as he went through chemotherapy. He felt that my words would resonate with anyone – in their fitness or in life more broadly. All I needed was a framework…
Within the WoW, this book encourages you to think about the parts of yourself…your energy centers…your archetypes. There happen to be seven, which corresponds nicely with the number of days in the week. By applying this framework to the WoW, I invite you to bring more deliberate focus to your willPower…and to perhaps the disconnect that is keeping you from true mind-body connection and soul alignment with your life purpose.
- What are 5 things you’ve learned about self-publishing?
- You get what you pay for.
- Edit, edit, edit.
- Be patient.
- Hold the vision, trust the process.
- Celebrate the milestones.
- What do you love most about self-publishing and would you recommend it to other authors?
Control and freedom. Emphatic yes.
- What’s your favorite social media outlet for marketing/promotions?
Instagram. I use Canva.com to create picture quotes and hash-tag my book title along with other quote-specific hashtags. Compared to Facebook, you’re more apt to attract your audience/tribe on IG. Your friends and family may buy the book, but your tribe will read it (and buy the next one!)
- What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Do the Hay House Online Writing Workshop. Incredibly helpful, insightful, and inspirational. Follow your favorite authors on social media, email lists, etc., and start “acting as-if”. Acting as-if doesn’t mean mimicking them, it means learning from them, recognizing their unique voices and styles as a mechanism for bringing out yours. Authenticity and vulnerability are your best assets. If someone takes the time to make a substantive comment, reply substantively. Be thoughtful. The best authors…fitness celebrities…whomever do this. Finding the right balance is key. Social media isn’t a popularity contest in our realm, it’s a means of communication, connection, and healing. Don’t shy away from sharing other people’s writing, quotes, posts. Just because you are now a self-proclaimed author doesn’t mean all of the quotes have to be yours. Share the love. Inspire meaning in-spirit, supportive, of service. Start your day with gratitude…and writing. Just like in fitness, consistency is the most important thing. Nourish your mind as you do your body. And nourish your body as you do your mind. Choose higher vibration food, read while doing your cardio, listen to an inspiring podcast on your commute or while doing the dishes.
Balboa Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books, are invited to do so by sending a message through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BalboaPress, by tweeting us @BalboaPress, or by emailing blog@ balboapress.com. We may not be able to use every story, but we will read and consider them. Balboa Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar and punctuation accuracy; as well as for space.