Sheldon Newton- An Interview

I hope you've enjoyed reading these Indie author interviews as much as I have. It's a real treat for me to know that I'm not the only one struggling with marketing, writer's block, and ideas that crash and burn. LOL.

Pastor, international speaker, lecturer, and Bible teacher for over thirty years, Bishop Sheldon D. Newton is on a mission to share the foundational and practical keys to victorious Kingdom living, through the application of Biblical Truths which transforms lives. He is a noted author, and the senior pastor of Jesus Christ Centered Ministries, located in Nassau, Bahamas. His teachings on Christ Centered living and the importance and power of developing a closer walk with God through His Word and prayer will ignite you and enable you to live effectively, producing results in your personal, family and professional life.

Bishop Newton is the best-selling author of many books, including the 30 day life-changing devotional, My Name is Jealous; How To Pray & Get Results; How To Live The Christian Life Successfully....VICTORIOUSLY; Diligence To The Things of God; Diligence, the Master Key to Achieving Your Dreams & Humility & the Honor Of God (which is hailed as a Christian Classic).

Interested already? Read the interview below and find out what this man of God had to say to my questions.

Me: How would you describe the success of your self-published books so far?

SN: As a writer of seventeen books so far I have been blessed to have been on the amazon bestseller lists numerous times. I have also received a five star review from Readers Favorite, and I am grateful for these accomplishments. However my greatest degree of satisfaction has come from my readers who continually share with me how my writings are positively impacting their lives for good. Success to me is knowing that what I am writing and sharing is changing lives for the better and I am receiving those kinds of testimonies all the time.

Me: Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?

SN: When I first began writing I lacked the confidence to put in print what I had written. I worked on and finished a book, but did not release it because of this. While I was writing the first book that I did put into print, I found myself becoming distracted by other book ideas, and so I would stop writing one and commence writing another, then another. One evening as I was writing I just had the thought that if I did not focus and finish a book and put it into print, if I continued to procrastinate, I would never get a book done. This is my advice to other writers. Learn to focus upon the first book. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by too many other book ideas. Write those other ides down and get back to them later. But complete your first one. Stay with it and be diligent. Write daily and consistently. If you mind freezes, take a break, go watch a comedy until it unfreezes and then get back to it. But stay with it until you complete it. Then go ahead and get it in print. When you hold your first book in your hand the joy and satisfaction you feel will be indescribable and awesome. I know that’s the way it was with me.

Me: Do you write in only one genre or do you branch out?

SN: I mainly write for the Christian genre. But I do have a few books that deal with self-help as well. For instance, my book, “Diligence, the Master Key to Achieving Your Dreams” was written to share with others the importance of overcoming procrastination, planning and then executing those plans to experience results in one’s pursuits. And after being asked by various people for help in regard to writing their books and being advised by one of my marketing coaches to write a book which would help people understand how to write and complete a book, I wrote, “Lessons I Learned As An Author” which is helping people realize their dream of becoming an author. So I write as I see needs to do what I can to help others. This is a powerful lesson for those who are authors or desire to be to use when determining what to write about. Look and see what people are enquiring about and where they need help.

Me: How do you market your books?

SN: My main form of marketing is online using Facebook Book Clubs and on Twitter. I have an author page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorsheldondnewton) and I use that vehicle to share inspirational thoughts and encouragement with authors and well as share my books. I also speak continually at church meetings and conferences so I take my books with me and they sell well there. Let me say that being a speaker and encouraging people at events where you share to purchase your books, letting them know the benefits of doing so will prove to work in your favor.

Me: What's the craziest place you've gotten an idea for a book from?

SN: Well, one of those “ah ha” moments came when I was counseling a young woman whose mind seemed to be in a semi-depressed state. As we spoke I saw how to help her. And while I was sharing I just had the idea to write a book about how to handle wrong thoughts which may flood the soul. I wrote that book in a short while, it did not take me long at all, probably one or two weeks. I receive inspiration to write all the times. Much of the time it comes as I drive my vehicle, or while I am speaking. I would get the idea to write a book based on my subject. I can get inspired to write based on a need I see or if someone speaks to me of a subject they believe should be addressed in a book I would write it. For

instance, a minister friend of mine said to me that I should write a book to share with others how to live the Christian life victoriously. I have been living for the Lord for over thirty years, having accepted Him at the tender age of thirteen. They believed I needed to share some of the essentials I had learned through the years about living for Christ. And that is where my best-selling book, “How to Live the Christian Life Successfully…..VICTORIOUSLY” came from. Inspiration can come at any time, from anything or from other people. Look for it. Listen for it. And then move with it.

Me: If there was one thing you could write differently about our world, what would it be? Explain your answer. (example: homelessness, violence, etc.)

SN: My heart grieves over the amount of hopelessness that I see everywhere I go. Many people are hurting deep within. They feel trapped, helpless and hopeless over their condition in life. They face situations and circumstances which they feel powerless to handle or overcome. This is, I believe, my mission in life, to give people hope, to show them that there is a better way to live. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly. This means that He has come to show and enable us to have and enjoy life. If there is any message that all of my books aim at addressing, it is that there is hope and a way for all of us to live an overcoming, victorious, successful life, and then to have a real hope of life beyond the grave when we are finished living on this side, if they will only embrace the one true and living God Who loves them and wants to show them how.

Me: Have you reached any personal milestones as a writer?

SN: Recently I was blessed to receive a Five Star Review for my book, “How To Pray And Get Results” from “Readers Favorite.” I was happy when one of the reviewers said that the book had her vote for “Best Christian Book Club Read. “ That was touching. I was also told by a pastor from New York that she had been using notes from the first book I had written as she spoke to her congregation. That was awesome to hear.

Me: Do you attend conferences and/or writer events?

SN: I attended a Book Conference in Los Angeles at a time when I was really frustrated as a budding author because there was much that I did not understand about the business. That conference changed my perspective on what it means to be an author and what it takes to succeed as one. It changed my life. I was not able to get back there yet but plan to in short order. I encourage others to go to such events. The one I attended had a huge impact on me and still inspires me today. And now, after seventeen books and counting, and helping others write their books, I am presently holding a Book Conference & Workshop here in Nassau twice a year. We recently held the first one and it was absolutely awesome. People are waiting for the follow-up.

Me: Has your writing evolved since you started? If so, in what ways?

SN: When I first began writing and printing books there was much I did not understand in this arena. For instance, I did not pay attention to editing and the importance of doing so as I should have. So I have had to recall some books, have them properly edited and then put them back out. So I encourage all who aspire to be authors to pay attention to details and do not rush the process. Get your book properly edited.

I am constantly reading from others who know more than me about writing books and marketing them and learning from them. Their advice and help proves very valuable. One of the greatest pieces of advice I got from two different authors was, “Your book is your book. You will have to market it if it is going to go.” And, “Never Stop Marketing.” These truths may encourage other authors who are feeling overwhelmed. Don’t give up. Keep at it. Something will break and you will be glad you persevered.

Me: How can readers discover more about you and you work?

SN: By going to www.facebook.com/authorsheldondnewton, or to my website at www.sheldondnewton.org. They can also find my books on www.amazon.com. And they can contact me at pgmchristianbooks@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from them if they are in need of advice as they write, or perhaps concerning some issue of life. I am a pastor and minister of the Gospel and I love helping people.