Writing and Publishing News

Don’t you sometimes feel as though you are all alone in the world of book promotion? You reach out with announcements and information about your wonderful book and all you hear is silence. You wonder if anyone is listening. You question whether your message is breaking through. You worry that you are not hitting your mark&#8212that you aren’t reaching your audience.

You are writing articles for publication or submitting short stories. You’ve had a few book reviews. You left numerous posts, recently, at various related sites and you’re adding to your blog almost daily. You handed out about 50 business cards at the local Chamber mixer and left a stack of cards on the sign-in table at your class reunion this summer. You send press releases to appropriate publications regularly. But still, you have periods when you hear nothing but silence.

I’ve been promoting books for 30 years and I can tell you that it takes enormous effort and persistence to sell books. You’ll have flurries of sales at events such as book festivals or presentations. But where are your customers during the rest of the year? Why don’t they respond to your promotional endeavors? Why do you hear so much silence?

Readers are fickle. You can’t count on them to buy your book when you think they should. Like you, they are busy. They are overwhelmed. They are being bombarded every day with suggestions from other authors&#8212″Buy my book!” “No, buy this one!” They have limited funds and time for frivolous things like reading for pleasure. They must limit themselves to only a few self-help or informational books on their favorite subjects. There are numerous reasons why consumers resist buying books or why they procrastinate.

Our job as authors is to create books that are actually needed/wanted by a large segment of the population. It is our responsibility to figure out how to reach these people and to entice them to purchase our books. And it isn’t easy. Nobody said it would be easy. Book promotion is a full-time job for the energetic, imaginative individual. If you don’t have the time, energy or imagination&#8212if you don’t have the ability or willingness&#8212you might as well give up the idea of fame and fortune through authorship.

It’s tough. It’s sometimes lonely. But it can be incredibly rewarding. Do yourself a favor, instead of imagining your promotional efforts being ignored&#8212instead of feeling defeated each time you DON’T get an order&#8212imagine thousands of people saving up their money to purchase your book. Imagine people everywhere reading your promo material with keen interest. Imagine folks seeking ways to purchase your book. Imagine them lusting after your book&#8212yearning to own it. This will keep you on track. You’ll realize the importance of continuing your bombardment of promotion. You’ll understand the value in keeping your book and yourself in front of your audience.

At least, occasionally, do a Google search using your book’s title and another one using your name. This will help you to see how widespread your marketing efforts are reaching.

It may seem as though your efforts are going unnoticed. But truly, no promotional activity is wasted. While some specific activities might appear to lead nowhere, in reality, someone did notice. Maybe it was many people. And it may be weeks, months or even years before you will reap the benefits of your specific endeavors.

Just yesterday, I received an email from a woman who saw my picture on my brochure many months ago and decided then and there that I am the editor she wants to work with.

A couple of weeks ago, a woman contacted me after reading an article I wrote two years ago. She had some questions and ended up purchasing my book The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. She also hired me to do a manuscript evaluation.

I gentleman I met at a book festival last year contacted me recently ready to have his manuscript edited. He also ordered a copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and the Author’s Workbook.

It may seem as though you’re blowing in the wind with your promotional attempts. But, just because you don’t receive immediate feedback, doesn’t mean your efforts are going unnoticed. Hang in there. First, make sure that you have a viable product. This is your job prior to producing your book. Then promote, promote, promote.

Don’t forget, my next online Book Proposal course starts September 15. And if you sign up this week, you pay only $180 for the 8-week course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm Deadline for the discount is midnight Friday, August 29, 2008.

I frequently get question from clients, SPAWN members, authors and freelance writers that I’ve met at various events and those who find me through my site or writings. These questions range from simple to complex. Some of them I can answer off the top of my head and others take some research&#8212research that the writer or author could have done. And a good writer/author should know how to conduct research. I think that, sometimes, the individual just wants a second opinion or reassurance from a presumed expert.

Here are some questions I’ve received recently and my somewhat condensed responses:

“How should I handle quotes in my manuscript?”

Note: This client is using a mix of dialogue (in quotation marks), thoughts (in Italics), song lyrics, comments from others and expert quotes throughout her book manuscript.

I told her that she can indent and single-space quotes to set them off, use a different font, separate them using borders/boxes, for example. I suggested that she consider all of the aspects she is including in her manuscript (dialogue, thoughts, comments, etc.) and choose a logical way of setting them apart. Then be consistent. What is important here, more than anything else, is consistency and clarity.

“Do I need permission to quote from a certain Bible?”

I took a look at the copyright page for this Bible (one of the many newer derivations of the original) and it clearly states, “No permission needed for fewer than 500 passages.” I pointed this out to the author. Then I reminded her that I am not an attorney and I recommended that she talk to an intellectual properties attorney to be absolutely sure. I gave her the email address for the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and suggested she see what information she could get there. http://www.vlaa.org

“I’m going to write someone else’s story, where can I find a form I can use in creating an agreement between us?”

This was easy. I just did a Google search using keywords, “ghostwriting agreement forms” and several sites popped up. “Collaboration Agreement” also worked. I pointed this writer in the direction of the book, Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers by Tad Crawford. There are also a couple of sites to try: http://www.copylaw.com/forms/forms.html or http://www.textbookpublishers.com/contracts.html

“How can I make sure I am choosing the right ‘self-publishing’ company?”

Another easy one. Read The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine. He rates, analyzes, ranks and exposes the contracts and services of 45 “self-publishing” companies. If you plan to go with a POD self-publishing company (including PublishAmerica), you must read this book, first. It WILL save you money and heart ache.

Side note: You can get this 320-page, $17.95 book FREE by joining SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). http://www.spawn.org

“I’m going to self-publish, do I still need a book proposal?”

YES!! A book proposal is actually more for you, the author, because it will help you to determine whether or not you have a viable product. Is there a market for this book? Can you identify the competition? Who is the audience and where are they? Do you have a platform related to the topic/genre of this book? What is your marketing plan? These important questions will be answered throughout the process of developing a well-researched book proposal. In fact, if you can’t answer these important questions, you are not ready to write this book. The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book includes several chapters on how to write a book proposal. Or take my online course (see below).

“Should I send a query letter, a book proposal or the completed manuscript to the publisher?”

Always, always study the publisher’s submission guidelines before submitting anything. Different publishers have different submission policies and you want to start your relationship by adhering to his/her wishes. You’ll find submission guidelines at the publisher’s website. Read page 24 of the 2007 edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book for help in locating submission guidelines. Some publishers tend to play hide and seek with their guidelines.

Contact me if you have questions. Contact me if you need an editor. And remember, this week only, you can sign up for my 8-week Book Proposal Course and get $20 off the price. (Course begins September 15, 2008.) This offer is good through August 29, 2008. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm. Check out my other online, on-demand courses at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

Come on, the kids are back to school, summer is nearly over, now is a good time to work toward your writing/publishing dreams. Sign up for the course of your choice. And be sure to order your copy of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Contact me with comments/questions: PLFry620@yahoo.com

I love book signings. I like attending those of my colleagues (I believe it’s important to support our fellow authors in this way) and I enjoy greeting people who attend mine. I had a very successful book signing at Borders Westend in Nashville March 31 of this year. We attracted something like 21 people, who came to hear me talk about publishing. Many of them bought my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. In fact, I shipped several copies of the book a few weeks ahead of the presentation and quite a few books had already been sold by the night of the event. The books were selling so well, that the manager, who so graciously welcomed us to the Nashville Westend Borders, asked if I had any more copies I could leave with him. He ended up with 31 copies total.

Guess how many have been paid for to date&#8212nearly 5 months later? NONE! Zip!! Zero! Not even one of them.

I am to the point of frustration, as you can imagine.

Of course, I’ve been in touch with the manager of the Nashville Borders store and the accounts manager (who has since left) numerous times. When I can actually speak to a live person, or when they happen to respond to my emails, they assure me that the check is in the mail or that they will check into it. A couple of times, I had to resend the invoice. All I get are promises and lies.

Finally, I sent a letter to the Accounts Payable Department at Borders’ Headquarters. I included a timeline of my presentation in Nashville, my conversations with the store manager and my attempts to get paid. There was no response. So two weeks later, I attempted to contact the Borders main headquarters Accounts Payable Department by phone. I left numerous messages. Finally a live person called and left me a message. They don’t seem to know anything about my invoice. I had to send it again. (Or maybe this is just their way of stalling me so I will eventually forget about it and go away.)

On August 20, I sent the copy of the invoice and a timeline of events since the date of the signing (March 31) to Borders Headquarters Accounts Payable Dept. Since then, I’ve made several follow-up calls and have yet to speak to a live person. So I still have not been paid and I still don’t know truly what’s going on. All I know is that I am growing more and more frustrated.

I’ve posted versions of this dilemma at SPAWN’s discussion site, SPAWNDiscuss, asking if anyone else has had a problem collecting from Borders. No one has responded, except with their own bookstore problems—none related to Borders. I can’t find anything while doing a Google search to indicate that others have had similar problems with Borders. So I am assuming that I just fell between the cracks. However, I do have a few smaller outstanding invoices that Borders hasn’t paid over the years&#8212invoices that I didn’t pursue.

Does anyone know what’s going on with Borders? Have you done business with them? Do they pay you? Has anyone had trouble? How did you resolve problems with them? Any information or advice would be welcome.

In the meantime, don’t forget that I’m starting a new book proposal course September 15, 2008. Sign up this week (August 25-29, 2008) and get a discount. Here’s the information:

Write a Successful Book Proposal. Every author needs a book proposal. Let me successfully walk you through the often intimidating process of writing one. 8 weeks, $200. The next class starts September 15. Sign up this week (August 25-29, 2008) and I’ll give you the course for $180. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm

Questions? Comments? PLFry620@yahoo.com

I tell every hopeful author and freelance writer who will listen that knowledge is one key to their publishing success. But where can you go to get information about the publishing industry, to become familiar with the resources you need, to be ever aware of the opportunities and keep up with the changes within the industry? Here’s what I suggest:

• Join organizations such as SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org as well as IBPA (formerly PMA), http://www.pma-online.org and SPAN, http://www.spannet.org
• Read the newsletters and e-newsletters from these organizations and subscribe to others.
• Visit these organization websites and take advantage of the resources they offers.
• Read good books by reliable authorities. For authors, I recommend my book: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html and, if you plan to go with a POD self-publishing services, read Mark Levine’s book, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing (The Contracts and Services of 45 Self-Publishing Companies—Analyzed, Ranked and Exposed). For freelance writers, read A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles http://www.matilijapress.com/writingpage.html and books by Peter Bowerman, for example.
• Attend lectures and conferences related to publishing and freelance writing.

Of the organizations mentioned above, SPAWN is the only one who addresses the needs of the beginning and advanced author and freelance writer. Sign up for the FREE newsletter at the SPAWN website: http://www.spawn.org. Click on “FREE newsletter.”

I’m the president of SPAWN. And I write a second newsletter FOR MEMBERS ONLY which is posted at the SPAWN website each first of the month. This one, The Market Update, is jam-packed with information, news bites, resources and opportunities for authors (at any stage of their publishing journey), freelance writers, artists, photographers, poets and others who are interested in being published.

Here’s a peek into the September edition of the SPAWN Market Update. I have included:

For Freelance writers:
• Listings for dozens of consumer and trade magazines, such as: HOW (pays $900 per article), Human Resource Executive (pays up to $1,000), Advantages Magazine (pays up to $1,000 per piece).
• Sites where you can find additional trade magazines listed: http://www.freebizmag.com, http://www.tradepub.com
• An article focusing on when and how to get permission to quote an individual or a passage.
• I’ve also included 5 magazines that will pay for poetry.

For Authors:
• A list of a dozen publishers to consider.
• Access to hundreds of children’s book publishers. For example: http://www.signaleader.com
• Book promotion opportunities, including a list of fall book festivals and a magazine where you can promote your memoir.
• A library search tool where you can search for books you need for research purposes AND where you can discover which libraries house your own published books. I used http://www.worldcat.org and discovered hundreds of my own books in libraries throughout the world, including South Africa, Australia, and London.

Join SPAWN today and gain access to all of this and much more in the September 2008 edition of the SPAWN Market Update. The cost to join SPAWN is $45/year. Every new member can earn many times this amount in the first month of membership through the tips, opportunities, resources and information bites available in just one issue of this incredible newsletter. Spend a little time searching our Market Update archives and you could be taking money to the bank—lots of it! PLUS you will get a free book or ebook of your choice. We are now including Mark Levine’s The Fine Print of Self-Publishing as one of your choices. Join SPAWN, choose this book and you’ve knocked the cost of your SPAWN membership down to around $25.00.

Learn more about SPAWN at http://www.spawn.org/member.htm

Questions? Contact me at: PLFry620@yahoo.com

How fast do things move off your desk? Do you let tasks and requests pile up until you can find enough time to handle it all? Do you spend X amount of time on these accumulating items each day/week? Or do you take care of business as it comes in?

I tend to be of the latter type. It is rare that you will find a small or even medium “to do” item on my desk for a week or even a few days. Larger tasks, and those that I consider a bit distasteful, may hang around a little longer.

I often get interview requests: “Please respond to the interview questions and return them to me.” I generally tackle them with joy (I love interviews) early the following morning and send them off before my daily walk.

I also receive a lot of questions from clients, SPAWN members and writers/authors at large. It is rare that I don’t respond as soon as I open the email request. If it is a complex question that needs a little research or if it is a list of questions (generally from a client), I may wait until I have the appropriate slot of time in order to respond. This would rarely extend beyond a 12-hour period.

Article requests and manuscript evaluations are typically handled within a few days. I respond to most emails as soon as I receive them and I’m rarely away from my computer for more than 8 hours at a time.

How do you handle the things that come across your desk on a daily basis? What if you’re working on a client project or your own book or article manuscript? How do you handle interruptions? I take regular breaks (go off the clock, if it’s client work) and refresh my tea or coffee, grab lunch, take a walk or do a few stretching exercises. That’s also when I check email and respond to quick questions or simple requests. So I’m keeping up with what’s coming in every few hours or so. This may not be the most effective, efficient way, but it works for me. And my desk, as we speak, is clean. What about you?

SPAWN
I mentioned SPAWN above. To remind you, SPAWN is Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network. If you are interested in publishing, at any level, consider joining SPAWN. We are a networking organization and resource center for anyone interested in publishing. Dues: $45/year. Benefits: Numerous! http://www.spawn.org

Resources for Writers and Authors
If you are writing or promoting a book, seeking an agent or publisher or trying to establish a career as a freelance writer, I have resources for you. Between the SPAWN website and my own, you have access to hundreds of articles and resources. I also have several books for authors and freelance writers at http://www.matilijapress.com Most particularly, you’ll want to order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Book Proposal Course Starting Soon
I’m teaching my 8-week online book proposal course starting September 15. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get professional assistance writing your book proposal. You could pay as much as $1,000 if you were working one-on-one with a professional. Sign up for my course and work one-on-one with a professional for only $200.

By the way, it’s all done via private email&#8212there is no sharing of materials with other students.

You weren’t planning to write a book proposal? You just want to write your book? I urge you to rethink your tactics. Remember, as soon as you decide that you are writing (or have written) a book for publication, as opposed to one for just family and friends, your book becomes a product and you have entered into the realm of business. A book proposal is a business plan for your book. Without one, you are just guessing that you’ve written the right book for the right audience. You are just assuming that there is a spot in the marketplace for your book.

Tell me, is this how you would enter into a business of any other type&#8212blindly without knowledge of the industry, the competition, your customers or the market? Would you open a deli without checking to see if there are others in the neighborhood, how much business they are doing, if there is access to suppliers in your area, what the county/state requirements are and without a marketing plan? I don’t think so!!!

Sign up for my Book Proposal Course at http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm Or sign up for another one of my on demand, online courses at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

It seems like a good idea to write a novel, memoir, self-help book or ___________ (you fill in the blank). But is it, really? What makes you believe that you should spend months or years writing this book? How do you know there is a need or desire for it? Are you sure that there are publishers waiting for a book like this and consumers yearning to read it?

Or are you so emotionally attached to your book idea that you are willing to risk time and money, not to mention your mental health, in order to see it published&#8212one way or another?

Not all manuscripts are meant to be published. Let me say that again, not all manuscripts are meant to be published. Just because you have this desire to write something down, doesn’t mean that it is worthy of publication. There are thousands of books in the system now that probably should have remained just a concept in the author’s mind or musings in a private journal. And there are thousands of authors who wish they had never spent the money to produce an inferior book just for the ego rush. Some of them realize now where they went wrong&#8212others still don’t have a clue.

It used to be that publishers pretty much determined what books were available to read. We had few choices, as consumers, but to rely on their opinions. There have certainly always been a few renegade self-publishers and vanity presses trying to create a voice within the industry, as well. But, today, practically anything and everything goes&#8212good or bad, rich or sleazy, intellectual or trashy, desired/needed or not. And some authors don’t even care about the quality of their project. They just want to see their words (their ideas, their thoughts) down on paper. They want to have something from their own imagination, ingenuity or experiences preserved for evermore. And many of these authors don’t give a second thought to their audiences until the reality of publication begins to set in.

The author wakes up one day and realizes, “Hey, I’ve just spent quite a bit of money having my memoirs (gay-ethnic-romance novel, children’s picture book or alphabetical guide to sushi bars along the west coast) published. Now I’m going to start selling it.” And he heads to the nearest Borders Bookstore with an armload of books and a bundle of self-confidence.

It doesn’t take long for rejection to diminish his confidence level and for overwhelm to set in. Some of these authors run back to their POD companies and start signing up for various promotional programs in hopes of selling enough books to pay the growing publishing bill. When these programs fail to produce the sales figures he desires, the author gives up and his book dies.

So what could have saved this author? What can you do to guarantee your own publishing success? Educate yourself. Become knowledgeable about the publishing industry. Become aware, through study, that publishing is NOT an extension of your writing, but a business. And then take the steps toward becoming a savvy author with a strong business sense. Here are my recommendations for new authors who on the verge of entering into the publishing field. Before writing that book or, at least, before choosing a publishing option:

• Study the publishing industry.
• Become aware of and consider all publishing options before making a choice.
• Keep an open mind. Knowledge will burst some of your bubbles.
• Write a book proposal.

For assistance with any of the above, order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book NOW. Herein, you will learn about the publishing industry, you’ll become aware of your publishing options and receive guidance in making your choice, you’ll also find complete instructions for creating a book proposal along with sample proposals as templates. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html