Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Whitmire.
Hi Terri, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m not alone when I say writing a book has been a life long dream. But for years, I was afraid my skills weren’t strong enough to write a whole novel. After all, I graduated with a Computer Science degree and worked in telecommunication for years. But after my company downsized and I was a huge success. I wrote and published it all on my own. And many readers commented on how the book kept them up reading until the wee hours of the morning. I self-published four more books after that and that’s when other writers began to take notice. Many came to me sharing how vanity publishers had ripped them off or delivered sloppy work. Others were overcharged or trapped into purchasing hundreds of books. They came to me asking who published my books and when I told them I self-published, they wanted to know if I would work on their project. For several years, I mentored and assisted my writer friends In publishing their work while asking for nothing in return. Finally, in 2015, Writer’s Tablet Publishing Agency was born and we welcomed our first client.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I first started my agency, I treated it like a hobby. My books were a disaster. I didn’t have standard procedures in place, and I didn’t have a business plan. My clients were happy with their books, but I realized flying by the seat of my pants was not going to cut it, and eventually, something would slip through the cracks. Plus, I was a one-woman show, and I was feeling burnt out. It took several years to finally get a complete handle on the business side of Writer’s Tablet. I first analyzed my strengths and weaknesses, which showed where my skills were best used and where I shined. I then hired the right resources to take care of the rest. Fortunately, I found a fantastic editor, Marsha Malcolm, and a fantastic graphic artist, Desiree Coleman, to join my team. I met with key mentors from Score and RICE to teach me how to grow my business. It was a challenge solidifying my procedures, and I still struggle with strategic planning, but with the right team and the right tools, I was no longer working in a vacuum; My team is just as meticulous as I am. They overdeliver and have a solid foundation in their faith. I couldn’t ask for more. Since then, I have hired several talented creatives, expanded my services, and now we are a well-oiled machine.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Many of my clients have dreamed of becoming an author for years, and some come manuscript-ready, while others haven’t even typed their first word. They love the nurturing environment and the care we take in making them feel like they are our only clients. We are best known for being a Christian-based organization that makes the writing journey fun, fulfilling, and ultimately, fruitful. We partner with clients on a technical and emotional level to make their writing dreams become a reality. Our goal is to exceed each client’s expectations by elevating their initial concept and making it more than they could have hoped for.
I am a creator at heart, but my technology background allows me to utilize both. So I have access to several applications that make book publishing easier. I also have a supercritical eye, and I expect perfection and want my clients to be 100 satisfied. And to date, 99.9% of my clients are just that. (I won’t even mention the .1% that stretched us to our limit.)
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
When Covid hit, people were forced to sit still, and they turned to those projects that they had been delaying for years. For some, that meant sprucing up their house, cleaning out the garage, or connecting with old friends. However, there were a few brave souls who decided to write. They wrote about their life, skills, business plan, and so much more. During the pandemic, the number of clients we served doubled that of the previous year. Almost every week, we were receiving an inquiry about our services. It was such a blessing. Most came through referrals of previous clients who were over the moon with their books; others found us online. We are incredibly grateful to those who took a leap of faith and decided to utilize our services. During this unprecedented time, I learned that people want to share their stories when given enough time and space to do so. And we are here when they are ready.
Contact Info:
- Email: Writerstablet@gmail.com
- Website: www.writerstablet.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Writerstablet/
