by Amber D. Browne
My lifelong dream has been to write a book. With the publication of The Little Book of Hermetic Principles: Heal Your Energy, Seek Enlightenment, and Deepen Your Understanding of Your Mind, Body, and Spirit, my dream has become a reality. Thanks to independent publisher Ulysses Press, I was able to research, write, and be involved in the editing process until publication.
The Indie publisher was searching for a potential author to write a book about the Hermetic principles. I was unfamiliar with the topic, but the opportunity stated the potential author should be familiar with the wellness space, mentalism, and vibrations, as well as have excellent research skills and the ability to write in an informative yet friendly style. This sounded like the perfect opportunity for me!
My background is broadcast journalism, so I know how to take what might be considered complicated information and write it in a way for the majority of the population to understand. I have always been interested in the power of the mind and energy, so I did a little research about the Hermetic principles. I knew this project was meant for me. I truly believe God put this opportunity in front of me so that I would take the initiative and begin a new journey in this life. I reached out to the acquisitions editor and ultimately received a contract to write the book. This was the push I needed to resign from teaching and start writing again full-time. This time, though, I would start a freelance writing business.
After signing the contract and receiving the first payment, I got to work on the 4,000-word outline. Prior to writing the outline, I researched Hermes Trismegistus and the Hermetic principles outlined in The Kybalion. I got a better idea about what I would cover, how I would go about sharing this ancient knowledge, and what type of guidance I would include to help readers implement this information in modern times.
An outline has always been my choice to organize during the planning stage of the writing process. I divided the book into three sections: Hermes Trismegistus and Hermeticism, The Kybalion-The Hermetic Principles, and The Mystical Teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. From this point, I was able to outline each section into chapters and determine how I would organize the book. Once the publisher approved the outline, I began the journey of writing my first book.
Throughout my career in broadcast journalism and freelance writing, I have reached out to thousands of experts and officials to share their knowledge about the subject matter I would cover. Research is a great way to get information, but when you can interview experts to share insight from their fields, you may discover information that never crossed your mind. As the interviewer, you can plan questions that will guide your writing for that section. If the experts add additional information that could be included, even better! You can find a way to work it into the text.
I found most of my experts through online searches. You can Google just about anything, and many times, you can reach out to organizations, associations, government entities, etc., for guidance on finding the right person to contact. If you know someone personally who would be a good fit, reach out to them! I knew several people who were experts in their fields or had knowledge on the subject matter for the book, so I was able to interview them to share their insight.
Whether you use a digital app or a physical recording device, always record your interviews! You can transcribe your interviews to guarantee you have the correct quote and information. Once you have done your research and have spoken to your experts, you can incorporate the information into your outline so that it follows the direction you are planning for your book.
I did not write the entire book in one document. I copied and pasted each chapter from the outline into a separate Word Document. The chapters were also divided into sections by subject matter, so it was much easier to keep the information organized. Once an entire chapter was complete, I would add it to the final Word Document. You could use Google Docs, too.
Two months later, I emailed the 40,000-word book to my acquisition’s editor. From there, I received editing recommendations, which took about a week to review and return to the publisher. The book was then formatted, proofread, and returned to me for review. I answered questions from the editor, proofread the book, and returned it with a request for one final review before publication. After the changes were made by the publisher, and I made one final proofread, the book was scheduled for publication.
Throughout the book writing process, I learned about contract negotiations, more about editing in different types of software, and of course, more about the subject matter. I am grateful for every aspect of my book writing experience. I appreciate Ulysses Press for giving me this opportunity and for everyone involved in the process. From the editors to the experts, they were all a vital part of bringing The Little Book of Hermetic Principles to fruition, and I am forever grateful.
The Little Book of Hermetic Principles: Heal Your Energy, Seek Enlightenment, and Deepen Your Understanding of Your Mind, Body, and Spirit is a beginner-friendly guide that delves into the wisdom and philosophy of Hermes Trismegistus and how it can be applied to modern life. The bookbegins with a brief history about Trismegistus and his ancient texts. As readers move into the chapters regarding the seven Hermetic principles, they discover how to harness the power of the mind, increase energy, and develop gender personality characteristics. Tips on meditation, music therapy, exercise, nutrition, prayer, crystals, astrology, nature, magic, alchemy, and so on, help readers foster a better understanding of reality, how the universe works, and the interconnectedness of everything.
This is my first book to author, but it will not be my last. You can find more of my written work at www.amberdbrowne.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. The Little Book of Hermetic Principles is available for purchase at various online retailers including Amazon.
About the Author:
As a young teen, Amber D. Browne discovered her passion for the written word and for sharing information. After acquiring a BA in mass communication with a minor in history from Texas State University, Amber spent much of her career researching and reporting Texas news for radio. She later branched out as a freelance writer and editor for local magazines, and her desire to share her journalism experience led to a seven-year stint in junior high education as an English language arts/reading and media teacher. Amber resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with her husband and their two children. Find more of Amber’s written work at www.amberdbrowne.com.
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
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Ashley O'Melia, Author 