Which Way are You "Leaning" Today?

My wife and I took a nice "road trip" this weekend across southern Oklahoma to visit the beautiful Chickasaw Cultural History Center and Museum. One of the exhibits was particularly interesting to me. As the early Chickasaw tribe moved west from the current area which is Memphis, Tennessee they determined their direction of travel by using a "totem" pole. Each night when the group camped for the evening, the chief would stick the pole in the ground in a perpendicular position. In the morning, whatever direction the pole was "leaning" was the direction the tribe would travel that day. The morning the chief awoke to find pole had not "leaned" at all but remained upright was his indication they had arrived at their permanent location.
As I thought about this tradition it reminded me of the scripture in Proverbs 3:5 which reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and LEAN not unto your own understanding..." I had to stop and ask myself if I am following my own understanding or "leaning" on God for His direction and insight for the direction to follow each day. If I begin each day by "planting" the Word of God in my life and asking it for direction then my steps will certainly be ordered by a higher power who knows the exact path I need to take on my journey. What "pole" do you and I plant every day to see which way it "leans?" I trust it will always be the clear, concise, and encouraging Word of God. Which way are you leaning today?

DON'T WASTE THE GIFT YOU ARE GIVEN EACH SECOND...

I have enjoyed for decades the blessing of sitting in the "husbands" chair at a nice ladies dress shop while I waited for my wonderful wife to try on clothes. While she is in and out of the dressing room having the time of her life I can sit and reflect on how grateful I am that I am waiting on her and not someone else!
This past Saturday I found myself in that position once again. Ladies shops really know how to handle the guys. The chairs are almost always comfortable and there are lot's of copies of sports and business magazines available. The really nice ones have coffee. I leaned my head back into the recliner and closed my eyes to rest and wait until I heard her sweet voice when she appeared from the dressing room saying, "Honey, what do you think of this outfit?"
As I drifted into a doze the shop was so dead quiet I noticed I could feel my heart beating. Bump-bump. Bump-bump. On and on it beat steadily. As I listened I imagined that each beat was saying "A-gift," "A-gift," "A-gift." Every beat of your heart and of mine is indeed a wonderful gift from God. We can help the process by eating correctly and exercising but only God knows how many of those beats He will give us. In the average 70 year life span the human heart beats about 2.52 BILLION times. One day God, who counts and gives every beat as a gift, will say, "That's it, that was number 2,520,000,000" It will be over. Since we all know that is going to happen whether we like it or not why in heaven's name would we waste a single moment, of the gift of the beat this second of our heart? I see people every day who waste the precious gift of beat after beat with complaining, worry, fear, anger, hatred, selfishness, and bitterness. We all need to take life seriously. But don't waste the moments God has given you. Stop for a moment and get quiet. I think you will hear it beating out the words, "A-gift," "A-gift." Use that gift wisely.

Richard Tate

So. Where Are My Book Sales?

Marsha Friedman who is the owner and founder of Friedman and Associates is a highly respected book publicist. She has been a dear friend, colleague, advisor, and supporter of our company and authors for many years. I received the following article from her and wanted to share her thoughts with the followers of my blog. She is as good as it gets in the industry and no one have more understanding of book marketing. We are honored to have her as a friend and consultant.

By Marsha Friedman

One of the most common dilemmas I encounter with many clients is the preconceived notions of what it takes to make sales. The problem with these preconceived notions is that they often misdirect people into thinking there is empirical evidence that lays out the sales cycle in absolutes. But, that just doesn't exist.

So, what IS real? Exposure is a real tangible element in a marketing and sales cycle, because without it, you can't sell a thing. Just as a candle under a bucket yields no light, a product or service that no one knows about will yield no sales. People have to know about you to do business with you.

Whether you are selling a book, a product or a service – exposure is the first and primary goal of marketing. While exposure doesn't guarantee sales, any hope of generating sales can only result from getting in front of your potential consumer. But, when your product receives that coveted exposure to the masses, the X-factors in play become whether or not consumers will like what they see. Your product will either be exactly what the consumer is looking for, or it won't.

I was talking to my senior strategist and he reminded me of the launch of New Coke back in the 1980s. Coca-Cola decided that Pepsi’s gains in the marketplace meant that consumers wanted a sweeter-tasting soda pop than Coke’s patented formula delivered. So, they scrapped their mainline product altogether and introduced New Coke with a multi-million dollar ad campaign featuring prime time darling Bill Cosby.

Their new product launch tanked. Consumers wanted their old Coke back. The moral of the story is that everyone in America had been exposed to New Coke. But, it also appeared that no one in America wanted to buy it. That’s the flip side of exposure, because great marketing doesn't make something a quality product, nor can it fool people into wanting something they wouldn't ordinarily buy. Your product must be able to stand on its own once it receives the exposure.

In the absence of empirical data, let’s take a look at some anecdotal data – specifically, your own. Ask yourself some simple questions. When was the last time you made a purchase of anything after being exposed to it only once? When was the last time an advertisement or an article about a product or service made SUCH an impression on you that you immediately made arrangements to buy it? If you’re like most consumers and business decision-makers, the answer to that question is either never, or rarely. The first step was that you were made aware of it, and perhaps after several exposures to that item, you then became interested in it.

Interest is what comes as a result of exposure, but interest doesn't necessarily get you reaching for your check book. Interest usually spurs you to get information. You research it online, you ask friends about it, you ask business associates to weigh in on it – you collect your OWN data. And if you still want more information, you may decide to contact the company and ask them about it. My point here is that there are hundreds of ways to act on interest that does not involve making a purchase, and each of those actions represents a series of decision points, at which you may still decide not to buy.

Short of climbing inside our heads, which some researchers are doing these days under the category of “behavioral research” to track how consumers make buying decisions, there is no ironclad way to track what happens with the consumer from the point of exposure to the point of sale. In the advertising world, you'll find a wide range of references about the frequency of advertising required to CAUSE a sale. But, my problem with those theories is they don't take into account what actions the buyer took during the “interest” phase of their buying process that really caused the decision to buy.

And that is my point, and it’s why I know the value of PR and it’s how I've been able to sustain and grow a thriving PR agency over the course of 20+ years, through recessions and economic downturns and absolute market upheaval. It’s because of this one truth: You can't sell anything without exposure that creates interest in the minds of the consumer. And PR is the most cost-effective and successful way of achieving that exposure and interest.

So, while good marketing and PR may not make record-breaking sales a mortal lock, you will never even be in the game without it.

Tate Publishing does more for their authors in these areas than anyone...Richard

HOW TO SELL 70 MILLION BOOKS-A CONVERSATION WITH JERRY JENKINS

We were delighted to have Jerry Jenkins visit Tate Publishing last week to discuss his future books, The Christian Writers Guild and Guide, and several other possibilities. We were honored he chose to come and discuss with us numerous options.

When it comes to selling books in the Christian publishing market, you won't find a much bigger name than Jerry B. Jenkins , co-author of the Left Behind series of books. Along with his co-author, Tim LaHaye, Jenkins has had 16 bestsellers in the series, with more than 70 million copies sold. To say Jenkins knows something about selling books is like saying a fish knows something about being wet.

Jenkins also heads the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, which offers courses geared toward helping aspiring writers perfect their craft. It was in this role that Jenkins visited the offices of Tate Publishing today to take a tour and see what our company was all about. It's not everyday you get to do a Q & A with an author who has sold 70 million books about what it takes to sell those books. Surely, there must be some secret, right?

When I am given the opportunity to ask an author like Jenkins questions about book promotion and marketing, I try to do it from the standpoint of an author trying to make it in the industry, not as someone who sells books for a living. With this introduction now out of the way, I will let Jenkins explain how things work in the publishing industry, in his own words (from notes taken during our meetings).

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

"Too many authors think everything starts with their book. Starting your writing career with a book is like a five year old starting graduate school. Writers need to work up to their first book by writing articles and short stories and perfecting their craft."

What kind of expectations should a new author have with their first book?

"(New) authors are thoroughly unrealistic. They think that "if my book was just in a bookstore it would become a bestseller. If only I could get on Oprah." It takes word of mouth, telling people about your book, attending conferences, doing speaking engagements and getting the word out. Authors are going to do most of the work, and they need to. Publishers count on authors being the Number One salesperson. Nobody knows more about their book and can speak about it with more passion than the author."

Something that appeals to me about Tate Publishing is the personal attention they offer. This is a tough game, and if you are intimidated by the odds of making it in the publishing industry, this may not be the game for you. Use those long odds as a challenge to be one of the authors who do make it."

What is the difference between marketing your first book and promoting your more recent books?

"It really doesn't change. When Left Behind became a bestseller and was doing so well we just held on for dear life. Look at bestsellers as a season. They don't last, and one bestseller doesn't mean your next book is going to be a bestseller. Just because a book has my name on it or I wrote Left Behind doesn't mean it's automatically going to be a bestseller. It always takes work, speaking engagements and conferences. The work doesn't change regardless of success."

At this point, Jenkins' wife of 40 years, Dianna, pointed out that Jenkins hires his own publicists when it's time to promote another book.

What advice do you have for authors who are struggling with book sales?

Most authors miss it. They think most of the promotion starts at the beginning when the book is released. Most publishers stop promoting a book after six months to a year. New York publishers stop promoting after three months or less if the book doesn't take off. Then it's all on the author. When you still have 1,000 or 2,000 books left to sell, THAT'S the time to really start promoting. Hire a publicist. Get interviews. Speak at conferences. Connect with the audience with which you are an expert. Even if there are only 50 people there, that's 49 more people than you are talking to right now.

Nothing is going to happen automatically. Word of mouth is the best sales tool, and that should come from the author. There are no shortcuts."

Jenkins stated "If you are intimidated by the odds, you are in the wrong profession. It should be a motivation."

We were delighted to have Jerry here touring our campus, speaking to our staff, and sharing with us his visions and dreams. We look forward to working with him in the coming days.

TATE PUBLISHING, YOGI BERRA, AND A WEEPING WILLOW TREE

Friends and followers,

Most of my younger readers will not remember the great New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra. He was not only one of the great Yankees of all time but was an absolutely hilarious philosopher. His book of sayings (Yogisms they were called) are very entertaining to say the least. One of his most familar sayings was, "It ain't over 'til it's over!"
Over the years Tate Publishing & Enterprises has grown to the huge success we enjoy today through good times and challenging times. I have never been one to give up. Yogi's statement is encouraging us to keep on keeping on no matter what the circumstances.
As an author, your desire is to find readers. It takes a top notch publisher such as our company investing in your work to make that happen and it also takes determination on your part as an author. You must never give up. I remember standing in the office of our buyer in the large press division of one of the biggest chains in America. We sell an incredible amount of books to that national chain. Bryan Norris and Mark Mingle who lead our marketing divisions are part of the team that goes to New York City each month to pitch the books we publish. Bryan asked her, "What are you looking for in authors right now?" Her answer was immediate. "I want books by authors who are willing to work. I am more concerned about the work ethic of the author than I am about the book." Great insight.
My wife and I spend a great deal of time with our yard and gardening. Three years ago we planted a tiny weeping willow tree. That spring the slim trunk of the tree and two or three tiny branches prepared for the spring growing season. The trunk of that tree was no more than a half inch thick. It finally sprouted a couple of branches and we braced it with a metal pole to give it stability. Overnight an Oklahoma spring storm did disastrous work on the tiny Willow. The storm had broken the tree loose from its metal mooring and its only limb had been broken and now hung limp. We decided it was probably dead and would not survive and at only four feet tall we felt the outcome was determined. It would die. As a last resort and believing "it ain't over 'til it's over" we trimmed off the broken branches, re-attached it to the metal pole for stability and kept on watering the pitiful little remainder. It was NOT over. That spring branches began to appear. Then more leaves. The next season it grew larger and taller. It was fighting the odds. Last weekend my wife and I were sitting in our breakfast nook having a Saturday morning cup of coffee when we noticed the first sign of spring leaf buds on that weeping willow which stood just outside the window. The metal post supporting the tree in it's infancy is long gone. It now stands firmly and proudly on its own. The Oklahoma storms cannot break it now. In only a few short years it has become a survivor and its shade graces our yard and our grandchildren find great fun in running through the dangling and dainty branches. The long slender branches which brush the ground are healthy and strong. The tree towers over the yard and is now almost twenty five feet high. The tree did not give up. We did not give up on the tree. My encouragement to you as an author is to never give up. Keep trimming back the dead stuff and ideas which are not working. Keep watering and working and telling your story. One day you can say about your project what we can say now about that once tiny willow tree. Success is mine.

Richard Tate

Law Number Four

4-BE PERSISTENT AND DO NOT GIVE UP REGARDLESS OF THE CHALLENGE

Every person reading this blog has taken a stick or broom and destroyed the detailed, tedious, and impressive work of the spider. We all have “taken down” a spider web at one time or another. Every one of us reading this email has worked our heads off to get a sale, sell a book or get a task completed only to find that all of our efforts were "pulled down" by other people or circumstances we could not control. We have all had experiences when we gave a 110% effort to be the best we could be with people to find that they walked away and took a “stick” and tore down our beautifully designed and prepared work and plan. Be persistent. Don’t give up is a worn out phrase but is still true and needs to be our daily mantra. I have discovered it takes about 6 “no’s” until you can finally get to the “yes.” The spider comes back from the hunt, finds you have destroyed his work on the back porch, and says, “Fantastic, I see they did it again, tore down my web. I will just build a better one this time” and gets back to work. However, the spider just keeps on building and is always in Kings’ palaces. Don’t give up. If you are a quitter, get a job where the most difficult thing you have to do is ask, “Do you want fries with that?”
I was in a meeting Thursday with a gentleman who is a legend in the music business, Roy Clark. He wants to do his book with us about his life and experiences. He made a very fitting statement to me about his success. He said that it did not come easy. It took work, work, and more work, and then more persistence before there was any consideration of being in the Hall of Fame. There will be lot's of destroyed dreams and roadblocks on your way to success. See each one of them as an opportunity to grow and know.

Richard Tate

Richard Tate

SUCCESS LAW NUMBER THREE

3-COOPERATE, SEEK HELP, AND KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND THE POWER OF THE TEAM
The Locust is simply lost without the swarm. A swarm can destroy ten thousand acres of grassland in Africa in less than an hour one bite at a time multiplied by a billion munches. In order to cross water the first Locusts’ to arrive at the stream throw themselves into the river and die. As the mound of dead Locust pile up the remaining billion or more following cross safely on the bridge composed of the dead bodies of their swarm. They are, in a very unusual way, the best example of TEAM on the planet. Each of us must do OUR individual job…one bite…our bite. Then with all of us taking our personal responsibility, the entire team succeeds. Cooperate, seek help, know your strengths and work in those every day, and make sure you do not let the team down…whatever sacrifice is necessary. Whatever it takes to achieve the goal by cooperating, making sacrifices, knowing the strength of “one bite at a time”, and the power of team makes us, and the swarm of locust, unstoppable.

In the world of books and publishing it takes a good hard working author, a publisher with a vested financial interest like Tate Publishing, and a great team of marketing experts and publicists such as the Tate Publishing staff. No one can skip their turn to "take a bite" of the work to be done.

MY WEEKLY SERIES AND PLAN THAT WILL WORK FOR YOU IN 2011 FROM TATE PUBLISHING

To my friends and followers,

There are tens of thousands of books on the market that will tell you how to be successful. However, in my opinion the only book that is dead on correct 100% of the time is the Bible. The principles there are without fail and have the backing of the highest power that exists. As we make every decision related to this business as well as our individual responsibilities, there are some unfailing elements which must be the foundation of our work. I felt that at the beginning of 2011 these same principles might be helpful to you as well who follow this blog. I am introducing the first of our important principles today and will continue each week until you have all four.

These four principles are found in Proverbs 30:24-29.

"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces."

1-PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULT TIMES
The Ant knows that winter is coming when there will be no food. We each know that challenges are coming and each of us must work diligently to prepare. The successful person does not wait until the last minute but gets after it now! The winter (some personal challenge) is coming and if the ant waited until the first snowfall it would be too late. There will be difficult times and difficult people. Get after each immediately. All of the efforts of the little ant is for one purpose…to take care of and feed the queen. The food the workers take, the army ants take, and the nurse room ants take, is exactly what they need to stay on point and make it possible for them to get food to the queen to make more little ants. Your “queen” is your personal success and ability to achieve your goals. As we prepare to make our goals and then achieve them, we get what we need and our dreams and visions remain profitable, stable, and on target. Daily is the key…inch by inch anything is a cinch. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. When we prepare and plan we are stable, and our future is secure when the winter storms come.

Richard Tate

Tate Publishing Nationwide TV ads a huge success!!

When a book we publish releases our fine staff produces a world-class commercial and then our marketing and publicist divisions air those commercials on select channels NATIONWIDE. There is no publisher who provides that kind of marketing...not a single one. We are delighted to see how well this added program is going. Stay tuned for even more fabulous news from the marketing division in the coming months.
Dr. Richard Tate

NATIONWIDE TELEVISION COMMERCIALS ROLL OUT!!

Friends and followers,
My TATE PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE blog usually features a few of the tons of wonderful emails I get from our authors and potential authors. I love sharing those. However, this time I want to shout from the rooftops about our new commercials we are now running on nationwide television. Our fantastic media division produces a world-class 30 second commercial featuring a new book release and then we air that commercial on national television! NO OTHER PUBLISHER IN AMERICA provides that for their authors...no one! We are very proud of this added marketing tool and want you to keep your eyes "peeled" for these 30 second beauties. Thanks again to our marketing and publicist divisions for this outstanding effort. No one does it better.
Dr. Richard Tate
Founder and Chairman of the Board
Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC

KIND OPINION ABOUT TATE PUBLISHING FROM A POTENTIAL AUTHOR

To Tate Publishing Staff,
I am not an established author, but I am hoping to become one. I just recently sent in several chapters of a book in which I am beginning a series for. It is not a completed book, or even an edited version of one. Simply nothing more than several roughly written chapters of a work that I am expanding on. Tate publishing did a very nice, complete and thorough job of explaining exactly what they do and exactly what they expect on their website. There was no doubt in my mind exactly what I was doing when I sent them the few chapters of the uncompleted book that I am working on. They quite specifically said that they would be happy to READ the portion that I had written to see if I actually had something that they MIGHT be interested in. I find absolutly no misrepresentation in this what-so-ever. This to me was a refreshing site to come upon after so many other less than honest sites. IF, by some chance that Tate decides that my works is in any way good enough to use me as one of their writters then I look forward to writting for them as I know that my works would be well taken care of. IF, they should decided that my works is not of their quality then I would have to believe that they took the time to check it over fairly. However whether or not they choose to publish my works or not has no bearing on how I will feel about the honesty of this company. I would have to say that if they do not choose your works, get over it. They are doing a great public service for as many writters as they possibly can and they should be commended for holding to a high set of standards. Weather or not they are the best is all opinion based. But having an A+ rating with the B.B.B. alone says a lot for them. Christian says the rest. Hats off to an honest publisher in a world of dishonest ones.
Tom F.

TATE AUTHORS LOVE WHAT TATE DOES FOR THEIR BOOK

I have a friend that Tate is considering to publish. He wrote to me for an opinion..
I have been proud to be part of Tate, even though it has been a small part.
Dianna and I will be coming to you in the future with our projects.
Feel free to call on us to give an opinion if needed for those looking for people such as Tate to do their projects.

We all agree that Tate is great at what they do.
My friend Jeff B. will be signing with you soon as well. He asked me and I recommended you and will continue to do so.

God bless Tate.
Blessings
John L.

TATE PUBLISHING AUTHOR BOOK IS A DREAM COME TRUE

Dr. Tate,

I am finding that a "thank you" letter to you and to your team is much harder to write than was my book! There are just not enough words to capture my appreciation of this process and the hard work your team put into working with me to make my dream a reality. From the editing process through the marketing process, each person I came into contact with was absolutely wonderful to work with. I will write again, but just wanted to say thank you so very, very much!

Kind Regards,


Kathryn D.

THANKS FOR THE CONTACT TO TATE PUBLISHING BY AUTHOR

I received a nice contact from a mom of 5 children who wanted to know if I would be interested in a book written from a mature experienced mom to younger mothers. I would be delighted to have our staff take a look and get back to you. Please contact me and send a copy of your work for our review. I look forward to your contact at richard@tatepublishing.com
Dr. Richard Tate, Founder

TATE PUBLISHING EDITORS MAKE OUR AUTHOR'S BOOKS SHINE!!!

I received the following emails sent to us from authors who have worked with our professional editors. I am very proud to share these with you. Our authors get the very best...and nothing less.
Dr. Richard Tate

"Vince is knowledgeable. He never failed to respond to a question I had, and he went out of his way to meet me when I showed up in Mustang. Before I submitted the manuscript to Tate, a veteran writer told me, “Those editors will not go over your work with a fine-toothed comb. You better be good because you will be stuck with your own abilities.” But that writer was wrong. Vince Conn kindly but thoroughly walked me through the editorial maze with skill. I am proud of him."

"After having spent so much time writing the manuscript, I was too familiar with the content and the flow as I was accustomed to it. Angela's "fresh eyes" brought to my attention many things that could be said better, other things that were redundant, and some sections that needed much more explaining."
"She pointed out areas in my manuscript which needed strengthening and/or clarification. She also pointed out areas with transition problems. Angela was a joy to work with, very encouraging and professional."
"Emily gave me candid, kind and honest feedback about how I could improve my book without insulting me. I heeded many of her suggestions. She also was very flexible about sections of the book that I chose not to change. This was a great experience for a first time author."
"Emily made me a much better writer. I have no doubt whatsoever that the finished product is much, much better today than it was when I originally submitted it. Her suggestions were "spot on" and she was always there to answer any questions that I had in a very professional and kind way."
"He hammered me where I needed it and he praised where he thought it appropriate. We met as strangers, worked ascolleagues and parted as friends. I began to understand how his head works and I believe he got completely behind the way my heart beats. We coulddebate, discuss, differ—all to improve the end product. And don’t leave the humor out of the equation."
"Meghan was pleasant and affirming to work with. The best thing I liked was that I could tell she had truly read the book carefully and with great interest. All of her comments were in line with the progress of the story and made it better. I never got the feeling that I was "just one more author." Meghan offered several insights into the content of the book, suggested areas that needed strengthened such as character differentiation, and pointed out inconsistencies and confusing passages."

I LOVE TO SHARE TATE PUBLISHING GOOD NEWS LIKE THIS EMAIL

I am not a real "blogger" like some of our staff who are prone to share their professional insight into the industry. I do that from time to time but many times I like to share phone calls, emails, letters, and other contacts I receive (and I get hundreds) from folks who talk about their experience with Tate Publishing. We are aware at Tate Publishing that manufacturing and producing a book is critical work but a critical part of our intense efforts is in marketing. I received the following email this week and I was so pleased I wanted to share this information with you. I am like a proud father of the work of our dozens of professionals in every division. The email was forwarded to me by one of our marketing staff.

Richard Tate
Founder


Dr. Tate,

I just spoke with the manager of a bookstore, whose name is Ray...he told me the following:

He recommends Tate Publishing to potential authors because he is familiar with our titles and is impressed with the quality of our cover design and editing. He said that he is approached by self-published authors at least twice a day, and “there is no comparison” between our product and the titles that the self-published authors present. In his words “you provide a valuable service.”

He knows we are selective, and that the titles we sell have gone through editing, design and layout. He was also impressed that our authors are assigned a marketing representative. He said he often deals with authors who are completely on their own, and their events are always failures. His store does carry Tate Publishing titles on the shelf.
Ray was impressed by the book signing event support that we offer to our authors, which he says nobody else provides, “unless you’re a bestselling author.”

Just thought I would pass along that some of our biggest fans are bookstores which are familiar with our work.

AUTHORS MEAN ALL THE WORLD TO US AT TATE PUBLISHING

The email below just came to me and I simply had to add this to my "brag blog!" This author has done several books with us and is so typical of the happy authors we love to work with. I just heard from a prospective author who said she heard about Tate Publishing from one of our authors at a book signing for that author our marketing division had set up in Indianapolis. She said that the Tate author she met was one of the nicest people she had ever encountered. Thanks to each of our fine staff for making these kind of remarks possible.
Dr. Tate

EMAIL FOLLOWS...

Hey Guys-

I wanted to take the time to let you know how truly grateful I am to be a part of making a difference in the world, with you. I had such a great sense of joy to see you in person (sorry I missed you Trinity) and seeing TATE in action first hand. It is obvious to me that GOD is supporting your efforts and will continue to bless all that you do. I saw GOD working through each one of you, and everyone that I met in person. As I continue to surrender to where I am called to be, and how I can use my time here to serve the highest good, I know that being a part of the TATE family is a part of that calling.

It has been a honor for me to see you guys grow in the many ways that you have. I commend all of your efforts and devotions to being a part of the change that we need to see. I love you all and appreciate you very much so.

Keep doing what you do!

With gratitude-

RR, Florida

NO ECONOMIC WOES WITH TATE PUBLISHING OR TATE MUSIC GROUP!!!

I have been watching the economy with great interest as I am sure many of you are as well. I cannot pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio, or listen to the evening news without hearing that "Chicken Little" is running rampant across our nation proclaiming that "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!" I realize there are difficult issues Americans must face regarding their personal financial situations. My prayers are with them each day in my personal quiet time in the morning. Each Monday morning when our entire company meets for a time of prayer requests for our authors and staff we continue to lift up in prayer the financial needs of our fellow Americans.
The good news is that Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group are, in the midst of all that is happening, growing daily. We continue to add new jobs, and increase our sales and marketing position in both industries, while we maintain our corporate policy of remaining debt free. We have just improved our print and production facility and even though it was already state-of-the-art, the new color processing equipment just purchased and installed at our plant has taken our products to an even higher level of quality. If you are an author or artist with Tate Publishing or Tate Music Group, you are part of a growing, dynamic company that has never been in better financial condition. Thanks to each of you for makiing this possible and to all our outstanding staff who work with diligence and fervor to keep Tate at the top of the list of successful companies.

VERY INTERESTING...WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND!

From time to time, we see on the internet other companies try to discredit Tate Publishing. They get desperate in their attempts. One such company even has a brazen ad on their site which shouts, "Don't Use Tate Publishing." Their remarks are ludicrous and incorrect. When you do things like competitors sometimes do it eventually comes back to bite you. We received a lengthy email from an author who signed with that self-publishing vanity press with list after list of complaints, lack of service, failure to provide what was promised, and much more. We will not stoop to post those complaints sent to us (the reason for the email was that the author writing was contacting us to say he wished he had signed with Tate if we would have taken his book) about that publisher. Not our style. Just remember. When you read things on the internet make sure you check out the facts. We are sorry to hear about the bad experience but I am not at all surprised.

TATE PUBLISHING AND THE ACORN TO THE OAK TREE

I was talking with an aspiring author today and could hear the excitement, enthusiasm, passion, and heart in every one of his words for his book. He, like so many I have spoken with over the years, want to profit financially but at the heart of his dream and vision was not money. It was something more powerful. He wants to see lives changed by people picking up his book, reading his thoughts, and implementing his ideas and principles in their lives. This is what really excited him and what was at the center of what he wanted as an aspiring writer.
As he spoke on, I kept glancing at a small item I have had on my desk for years. It is a simple acorn. A little tiny acorn. It is a constant reminder to me that all great achievements start small and with nurture and persistence they can become a mighty oak. As the old parable states when the man asked God to make him like a mighty oak, God answered, "Certainly," and gave him an acorn. Starting as a published author is so similar. You must work with us as your publisher to get the book done well, produced beautifully, marketed with enthusiasm, and then watch it grow. Eventually you have a mighty oak that casts benefit and shade to all who gather under it's branches. The pages of your book is filled with leaves. The leaves of a book and the leaves of a mighty oak tree are so similar. They both take time and lot's of effort. We partner together to make that happen. We are gratified to have been informed that in 2009 we will be one of the top ten book sellers in the industry with the world's largest book wholesaler. It did not happen overnight. Remember the lesson of the acorn. We have.