Writing and Publishing News

A published book is like having a pet. It might survive without your full attention, but will it thrive? Anyone who has invited a cat, dog or other pet into their home has learned that the animal responds more easily and more positively when you spend time with it. And, when you’re involved with your pet, you enjoy it more, too. There are benefits for both the animal and you when you pay attention to it, care for it at a physical and emotional level, understand more about what it needs and wants and take care of those requirements and desires.

How does a published book differ? While it is not a living breathing life form, as the author, you may feel an emotional attachment to the book you have created. And you will get out of authorship whatever you are willing to put into it.

If you spread the word about your book, it will sell. If a high sales record is your goal, you will meet with success only if you do the work—put in the time and energy. As with a pet, you will get out of the relationship (or experience) whatever you are willing to put into it. The benefits or rewards will be in direct alignment with your efforts.

Authorship is more than writing a book, just as parenting is more than giving birth.

Way too many people dive into the world of publishing without understanding the industry and their responsibility as a published author. At least, parents have life experiences, models/examples, mentors and so forth to help them through the difficult process of parenting a child. Some of them even take courses and read books and articles on parenting. Most of them also hang out with other parents of same-age children and pick-up tips from moms and dads in the trenches.

Unless you’ve been embedded in the publishing industry at some level, however, the only things you know about it are probably what you read in major and local newspapers—Such-and-such a resident has just published a book; book signing scheduled. Or you might read that another bookstore has closed, there’s an increase in books published each year or you’ll spot an ad for a local publisher who will publish your wonderful book for a fee.

Most authors know nothing about book promotion or even that it is necessary to promote your book. They come into the business expecting to be celebrity authors right out of the chute. The reality of the publishing industry affects different authors in different ways. Once they get involved and discover what is expected/required of them, if they desire some level of success, there are generally two responses. While some of them step up to the plate and begin studying the publishing industry and start pursuing authorship as a business instead of a right to passage, others refuse to conform. Can you guess which of these authors will succeed?

Are you in the process of writing a book for publication or are considering it? Don’t spoil your chances of success. Start NOW learning the ropes.

• Join writers’ groups and organizations and mingle with other authors.
• Pursue the resources and information provided through these means.
• Subscribe to meaningful newsletters and magazines.
• Educate yourself by reading books on the topic by professionals, attending writers’ conferences and other lectures.
• Pursue your own research.
• Frequent informative blog sites designed for authors.
• Have your book professionally edited before even thinking about publishing it.

Start by reading Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author by Patricia Fry. This book is available at Amazon.com in print, audio and Kindle. Or order the print version here: http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

Klepto Cat Mystery Series Update

If you’re ready for a break and want a light, fun read—download my Klepto Cat Mystery series for your Kindle. Although each book in the series is a stand-alone book, you might enjoy reading them in order—Catnapped, Cat-Eye Witness and then Sleight of Paw. If you’ve already read all three, watch for Undercover Cat to be published soon. If you enjoyed reading these books, please post a review at Amazon.

There used to be a statement you would see quite often saying, “Eighty-one percent of the adult population claim they have a book inside them.” At the time (I believe it was the eighties when I first read this), very few of those people were actually writing those books. And they certainly weren’t publishing them.

Now, I’d say that practically all of those eighty-one percent of adults with a book inside are writing them AND publishing them.

Here’s something else I’ve observed. A large number of those who are publishing books shouldn’t be. And there are still thousands—maybe millions—of books that should be written and have not been.

Authors, before you launch out and write that memoir, novel or informational book, study the market. Find out what is needed and what is popular. Learn what is already out there and determine whether or not you can produce something as useful or entertaining as what’s already being published. In other words, is there an audience for your book? Is your nonfiction book different enough from what’s already been published or is your novel similar enough to what’s currently popular?

To learn more about determining the potential success of your proposed book as well as how to navigate the publishing industry, read Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. It’s in print, Kindle and audio at http://www.amazon.com. Or order it in print form here: http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

Today we’re visiting Socrates Book Reviews at http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com Host, Yvonne, asked me to share my life as a writer and talk about my transition from nonfiction into fiction. So this stopover on my blog tour is all about me and my writing experiences, thoughts, etc. I also provide a list of my tips for a more successful publishing project. This is worth the price of admission to any high-power writers conference, yet it is FREE. All it takes is a tad of your time. Here’s the direct link to my guest blog post at Socrates: http://bit.ly/1fjaAGJ

So far during the first 3 days of this tour, we’ve sold 132 copies of Catnapped, Cat-Eye Witness and Sleight of Paw. If you write fiction or are thinking about it, you may find my post enlightening—at least inspirational. Check it out. http://bit.ly/1fjaAGJ

Just 12 more days to another big milestone in this blog and my career. Within those 12 days, I will publish my 42^nd book (my 3^rd novel), I will have completed the writing of my 43^rd book (my 4^th novel) and I’ll have produced one of my Kindle novels in print form. Do you know what that means?

It means a whole lot of book promotion ahead for me—Patricia Fry

It also means I’ll be offering some freebies to those of you who read this blog. So be sure to follow along during these next dozen days to see what’s in it for you.

I try to provide something for you in this blog daily. I compile the posts for the many hopeful, new and struggling authors out there who are thinking about writing a book, are working on a book or have produced a book and are wondering what to do now.

We talk about writing, publishing and promotion. I provide information, tips and resources in all three areas, including how to build your authors’ platform, how to conduct research, where to locate the additional information and resources you need and more.

Here, we try to cover the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, publishing and marketing. If you’ll browse through the archives, you’ll find posts on just about every aspect of these topics you can imagine. If you can’t find it, ask me about it and I’ll see if I can provide you with the information you’re seeking.

In the meantime, stay tuned—we’re on countdown.

Are you aware of the FREE ebooklets I offer at http://www.patriciafry.com? Currently, you can download my 21-page ebooklet, 50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform.

Formerly, I offered 50 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book, 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook and 50 Ways to Use Your Personality to Sell Books. See them listed here: http://www.matilijapress.com

I offer these three ebooks at my website for $3.95 each, but I’d like to present you with a New Year’s gift to help you start your 2014 off right. If you are interested in any of these three ebooklets listed above, contact me: PLFry620@yahoo.com. If you want to know more about establishing and building on your platform, download 50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform from my website, http://www.patriciafry.com

Here’s the Table of Contents for the first 9 tips in 50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform.

1: Plan the right book for the right audience.

2: Compare your book idea with what’s on the market.

3: Get to know your reader.

4: Keep your audience in mind throughout the entire planning and writing process.

5: Study the concept of book promotion.

6: Identify your book marketing strengths

7: Improve the skills you have and add new ones.

8: Build promotion (hooks) into your book

If your gift to yourself this year is to write and publish a book, be sure to enter into the highly competitive publishing arena with a professionally edited book. Contact me for a free estimate and sample edit. PLFry620@yahoo.com

Happy New Year from Patricia Fry

http://www.matilijapress.com

http://www.patriciafry.com

http://www.facebook.com/KleptoCatMysteries

http://www.twitter.com/authorplf

www.matilijapress.com/catscapades (cat-related blog)

www.spawn.org (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network)