Archive for September, 2006

How Can Book Festivals Help You? Let Me Count the Ways

Sunday, September 10th, 2006

Yesterday I attended the 7th annual Central Coast Book Festival. It’s a rather small event held in the charming city of San Luis Obispo, CA (near Pismo Beach). I’ve had a booth at this event either with SPAWN or on my own almost every year. I think I missed once. While it has always a nice event, this year was particularly enjoyable. I shared a booth with two delightful women—Dr. Maxine Thompson, former social worker turned author/literary agent/radio show host and more, and her sister, Nancy. Maxine and I also participated together on a panel discussion about publishing. We had a good audience and a good time.

The booth next to us was womanned by members of the SLO NightWriters group. I had met some of these women before at other book festivals and a few years ago when I spoke at one of their meetings. I enjoyed conversing with this array of writers and sending local writers to them to discuss membership in the NightWriters. Likewise, the women at the NightWriters booth directed folks with publishing questions to me. And some of those attendees bought copies of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

Another reason why this was a good event is because the attendees were actually buying books. I don’t recall the residents of San Luis Obispo ever being so eager to purchase books. Maxine sold numerous copies of her novels. Copies of my book were flying out of the booth. And I noticed others around us also selling quite a few children’s books, memoirs and so forth.

While I rarely make expenses when I participate in the SLO Book Festival, I continue to go there because of the exposure and the camaraderie. This year, in SLO, I made a profit, I got plenty of exposure, I enjoyed a generous helping of camaraderie AND I did some important networking. Here are 10 additional ways that this event worked for me:

1. I’ll feature Maxine in an upcoming issue of the SPAWN Market Update. I know that our members will enjoy reading about this literary agent and learning how to get on her Internet radio shows.
2. I also got a copy of Maxine’s Hush Hush Secrets to Writing Fiction That Sells to review for an upcoming issue of SPAWNews.
3. Maxine, on the other hand, wants to interview me on one of her shows.
4. I made a connection with the NightWriters that will probably result in a speaking engagement. Their membership is over 100 now, so this could be a lucrative opportunity.
5. I met a man who is soliciting articles for his local literary journal—I’ll report this opportunity to SPAWN members.
6. I connected face-to-face with a few SPAWN members whom I only get to see at events such as these.
7. I met about 25 writers and authors at various stages of their work—most of whom had questions and some of whom may eventually purchase one or more of my books or they might come to me for a consultation or other help with their projects.
8. I got some ideas for new articles. Authors’ questions often generate new article ideas.
9. I had a drawing for a free book and came home with the email addresses for about two dozen writers to add to my mailing list.
10. My book got exposure that it wouldn’t have received had I stayed in my home office and had I kept the book in the dark closet.

So what did you do this weekend? Did you spend any time promoting your book, soliciting homes for some of your articles, working on your book proposal or writing your book? Did you take every opportunity available to get exposure for your work? Or do you only talk about wanting to write, promote your book, develop a book proposal? If you fit into the later category, here are some tips to help you jumpstart your project:

1. Make your project a priority. I can’t tell you how many people claim they just don’t have time to write. I also know people who have managed to write a book and promote it despite an extremely busy schedule. The fact is, if you don’t have the time or can’t find the time, this isn’t the right time to launch your project. When the time is right and when you are ready, you will find/make the time no matter what else is going on in your life. If you truly want to produce a book, make it a priority in your life, be willing to make some sacrifices and start writing.
2. If you find yourself near a bookstore, go inside and spend an hour (your lunch hour?) doing the research necessary toward the development of your book proposal, for example, or check historical facts for your story.
3. Attend local book festivals and writers conferences to pick up tips and ideas and for the networking opportunities. There are almost always writers/publishers organizations represented. Let the directors help guide you. But also talk to the many authors you will meet there. Find out where they made their publishing mistakes. Ask for recommendations of publishers, promotional ideas, etc.
4. I talk to many successful authors and freelance writers who built their businesses by getting up an hour or two earlier every morning to work on their projects. I am one of those authors. I went from full-time employee to full-time freelance writer and author by getting up two hours earlier and spending that time writing. I also gave up many social activities on weekends in order to spend this time writing. Determine what is taking much of your otherwise free time and make some changes. Whether it is TV that gets most of your attention, clubbing, entertaining or reading, if you want to succeed as a writer or author, you really must at least cut back on these activities and spend that time honing your craft or building your writing/publishing business.
5. If you have a book to promote, spend time each week sending out email press releases, notices and announcements to appropriate Web sites, for publication in appropriate newsletters and to libraries, for example.
6. Again, if you’re in promotion mode, do more networking. Join clubs and organizations, particularly those where you’ll be connecting with people who are potentially interested in your book. Show your book to people. Talk about it. Hand out bookmarks advertising your book. Drop off bookmarks where they will be seen by your audience. I know a master promoter who leaves her promotional bookmarks scattered around in the restrooms at meeting halls and other venues where numbers of people gather.

Hopefully, I’ve succeeded in motivating you to do more to make your book a reality or to make it successful. Of course, you’ll find additional ideas and lots of encouragement in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

Why Do You Write?

Sunday, September 10th, 2006

I love reading a writing-related newsletter or visiting a publishing Web site and seeing my own face smiling at me. This means that either The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book has been reviewed again or one of my articles has been published. I smile back and think, Ka Ching.

When I get a chance to talk to authors, I often ask them why they write. I challenge them to explore their motivation for writing a particular book and wanting to go public with it. Sometimes our deep down reasons surprise us. Sometimes we don’t fully understand or appreciate our reasoning until the book is published. A book that you first envisioned being a self-help book for others may, indeed, become a healing experience for you. An author’s desire to share her story with a few, might develop into the need to create a charity organization to help many.

I wrote my first few writing-related books because I knew that I had something valuable to share, but I also wanted to further establish my credibility in my field. Besides, writing is my passion, my livelihood and my future—hopefully, it will continue to support me in my retirement. (Do writers ever retire?)

I’ve since written 8 writing/publishing-related books and about 400 articles. I still like receiving profits. I love having a project to work on. But I have discovered that I also love, love, love knowing that what I write is making a difference for other authors. Guiding hopeful authors and keeping them from making heartbreaking and expensive mistakes has become as important to me as the profits and royalties that keep the roof over my head. And I like hearing from authors who are reading what I write.

Friday, alone, I received two emails from soon-to-be authors telling me what a blessing and a help my books have been to them. One of them said, “You are giving a great gift with your information and experience.”

And then I opened an email containing the September edition of Publishing Basics Newsletter and there, alongside Peter Bowerman, Fern Reiss and Brian Judd, was my picture and my article, Market Your Book Before it’s a Book. If you want to read it, go to http://www.publishingbasics.com Click on my name (in the middle of the page). I have already received three positive comments from folks who read that article.

I have two questions for you this week: Why do you write? Why did you decide to write the book you are currently working on?

If you are writing a book, you have already written your first book or you are just thinking about writing a book, please do yourself a favor and purchase The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This is the most complete guide to authorship that you will find anywhere. And this book comes with a limited amount of personal help. When you purchase this book (or any of my other titles) and, after reading it, you have specific questions, I invite you to email me and I will respond.

Order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today. It encompasses 312 pages, costs $19.95 and it is for any hopeful or struggling author whether you want to self-publish (establish your own publishing company), land a traditional royalty publisher or go with a fee-based POD publishing service. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Posted in Writing | No Comments »

I Take Pride in My Author Clients

Friday, September 1st, 2006

How many of you have experienced joy and pride when holding your newly published book in your hands for the first time? If you write articles for magazines, you know the excitement of seeing your byline published with your article. It’s almost like giving birth and then watching your “baby” grow and develop. It never occurred to me before, but maybe this thrill is one of the motivating factors that keeps me submitting my work for publication. I always thought I wrote because I can’t not write and because I need to earn a living. Now I think it is also for the thrill-factor.

And now I’m experiencing a new thrill—a new sense of pride—not in myself, but in my clients. When a book proposal client emailed me with the news that a major publisher had issued her a contract based on her excellent book proposal, I was really excited for her. I also took bragging rights for myself and began telling colleagues about the achievements of MY client.

Later, a client for whom I had done some editing, landed the publisher I suggested. He was overjoyed and so was I. This was another pride-filled moment.

Another client managed to attract an agent’s attention with her great, well-focused manuscript. We both celebrated her success.

This week, a client who has turned into a good friend, announced that she has received her second (or third) publishing contract for one of her articles and she has another magazine editor interested in two more pieces. This is a woman who was hesitant to call herself a writer when I met her two years ago. Of course, no one can accomplish anything without putting in the effort, but I like to think that my nagging, encouragement and guidance had some influence on her success. Now she does consider herself a writer.

When I met her, this woman wanted to write, but wasn’t sure what to write about. Now she is brimming over with ideas for articles and is accomplished at searching out appropriate publications for her articles.

Occasionally hopeful authors will come to me asking for help in managing the publishing maze. When they happily become published authors and I’m among the first to be presented a copy of their book, it’s burst your buttons time for me. I love being a part of my clients’, friends’ and colleague’s achievements. I enjoy standing by in support mode as they experience success.

For some clients, success means simply understanding the publishing process and how their project fits into it. It might mean learning what their options are and making the right choices. It could mean getting validation for their book proposal. Or it could mean learning that they’re on the wrong track with their project and that, in order to achieve the success they desire, they really must change the focus or scope of their book.

Yesterday, I met with two 11-year-olds. One is a writer and the other an illustrator for a book they’re working on targeting middle school kids who need a little help in the friendship department. They wanted to know what steps to take in locating a publisher for their project. What a thrill it will be to help these talented students achieve success.

I once balked at the idea of working with other writers and authors. I had so many of my own ideas and writing projects that I had little left to offer others. And then I agreed to work with an author. It went so well and the author was so pleased and I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to add “Editorial and Publishing Consultant” to my list of titles.

During the last seven years, I’ve worked with dozens of hopeful authors and freelance writers and this is now some of the most satisfying work I do. In fact, my clients were a key motivator in my writing The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I wrote this book for them as well as for the many SPAWN members, visitors to the SPAWN Web site and hopeful and struggling authors I meet at the workshops, book festivals and seminars I attend. It is their questions, their concerns and, unfortunately, their mistakes that prompted the writing of this comprehensive book. And I know I am on target with this book because the feedback is extremely favorable.

Not only do customers rave about the value of this book, but we just received our tenth 5-star review for The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Read excerpts from some of the reviews at http://www.matilijapress.com

Purchase the book at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html Or order it through Barnes and Noble Bookstores. It shouldn’t take too long to get it as the book is in their warehouse system.

If you want to write a book or you have written a book and you don’t know what to do next, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Then contact me with your specific questions.

Posted in Publishing | No Comments »