Archive for December, 2008

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Writers, Authors and the Economy

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Be sure to read Paul Greenberg’s essay, “Bail Out the Writers!” in The New York Times December 9, 2008 edition. I’d be interested in your comments. How many of you are part of the 185,000 who claim writing as your primary career? I’ve been doing so since around 1973. Would like to invite you to chime in on Greenberg’s perspective. Here’s the link to the story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/books/review/Greenberg-t.html

Things are definitely slow for freelance writers and authors right now, but they always are this time of year. When I was doing a lot of writing for magazines, everything would start to slow down in the second half of November and come to a halt in December. It happened that way every year. There was no (or very little) communication from editors during this time. Clients stopped sending me their chapters, publishers ceased responding to queries or inquiries.

This year, add to that dire holiday report the fact that consumers are not buying books. I think the only thing people are happy to spend money on these days is gas. Since the prices have come down, it’s almost exciting to fill your tank. Everywhere I go, people are gleefully bragging about how much money they saved at the pump this week. Now, those thieving oil company execs are pretty good guys, right?

Well, I’d spend more time with you this morning discussing the future of publishing or encouraging you to keep writing despite the forecast, but I think I’ll go dig out my cat story book and start preparing it for publication as an ebook. This is something I’ve been putting off only because I’ve been so busy all year. It’s a pure labor of love project that I’ve been eager to return to. Besides, we all know that, in times of fear and uncertainty, we gravitate toward anything that’s warm and fuzzy. After 911, sales for comforters and cozy blankets and pillows rose, as did chocolate candy sales. When things are looking bad, people want to read what makes them feel good inside&#8212stories that cause them to smile. Of course, we are also looking for answers. We want to know what to do next, how to proceed, how to protect ourselves should things turn even more ugly. Keep this in mind as you ponder what to write next.

If you want to become more deeply embedded in the publishing field, you’ll want to invest in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you have a book that is stalled or lagging as far as sales go, you might be able to revive it by reading my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit. It’s only $5.95.
http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html

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Can You Write What You Want and Still Make Money?

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

This is a question that many new or hopeful freelance writers ask.

Most of us come into the writing profession with the desire to write on a certain topic, in a certain style or genre. You might hope to make it big writing children’s stories, for example, change the world through your ecological articles or share your opinion essays. And you may be able to actually sell some of your favorite pieces. But, if you hope to become a freelance writer or supplement your income through your writing, you’ll probably have to stretch a bit beyond these narrowly focused concepts.

For one thing, it is not generally practical to place all of your hopes and dreams within one area of interest. The children’s story writer may get further in this business by also writing some how-to and informational pieces, for example. The editorial staff at magazine A may reject her fantasy story, but welcome her piece on how to encourage children to read. An editor might pass on your personal family essay, but be thrilled to receive your humorous piece on how to survive a dysfunctional family or 10 tips for bonding with your long-distance grandchildren.

Becoming a freelance writer isn’t exactly the same time as writing for fun. While you get to (in fact, have to) come up with the story or article ideas to pitch and you can choose topics of interest to you, you may not be able to put your exact slant or focus on the piece. You can’t generally just sit down and write fun stuff and then easily get it published and collect a paycheck. You must be willing to conform to what the editors are looking for.

Here are 4 tips for writers who want to achieve success in the freelance writing field:

1: Be flexible. Be willing to write a how-to piece, where required, even though you prefer penning those get-it-off-your-chest essays of yours.

2: Get in touch with what is selling. Study the magazines you want to write for and conform in topic and style.

3: Constantly research new magazines, newsletters and websites that offer payment for articles/stories. One way is through the SPAWN Market Update in the member area of the SPAWN website. Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) at http://www.spawn.org. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter to learn more about this site. Also subscribe to the Wooden Horse Pub newsletter: http://www.woodenhorsepub.com, Freelance Writers Report at http://www.writers-editors.com. And study Writer’s Market. Purchase at any bookstore for around $30. Or sign up for their database at http://www.writersmarket.com

4: Learn to develop many article ideas from one concept. You may decide to write a piece on grandparenting, for example. Suggest one on how to choose cool gifts for long-distance grandkids for a senior publication. Pitch one on educational places you can take grandchildren to a regional magazine. Propose a piece on how to entertain the kids when they come to visit for a family spiritual magazine. How about one for a parenting magazine on how parents can help their children bond with their grandparents? A senior magazine might be interested in your tips for maintaining family traditions. And you might interest a nostalgia magazine on your nostalgic piece featuring Christmas at Grandmother’s house in the 1950s.

Freelance article-writing isn’t exactly an art, but if you plan to earn a living or supplement your income through freelance article-writing, there are certain rules and requirements you must follow. For additional information on this subject, purchase Patricia Fry’s book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles ($6.50). http://www.matilijapress.com.

Sign up for the article-writing course at, http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Posted in Writing | 2 Comments »

How Many Rejections Are Too Many?

Friday, December 12th, 2008

Yesterday, we talked about rejection&#8212what it means and what it doesn’t mean. Today, I’d like to discuss rejection as a barometer. How many rejections can you handle? What number of rejections signal to you that maybe your project isn’t all that good? When do you quit under the pressure of rejections? At what point do you stop sending out your book manuscript or pitching your amazing article idea or short story? Is it 5, 10, 100?

For one woman it was 16. After her book manuscript had been rejected 16 times, she threw it a funeral. I know others who give up after only a few rejections. And still others are showing their manuscripts around after years and years of rejection.

Not every hopeful author has this kind of endurance. And not everyone gives up completely.
The many (85 at last count) fee-based POD “not” self publishing companies are eagerly waiting in the wings for authors to fail, so they can pick up the pieces and lure them into their publishing contracts. Thousands of authors, eager to be published, sign on the dotted line.

Which author are you? Would you quit cold turkey and give up altogether? Would you sign with the first “POD” company that comes along? Wait! You have another choice.

If you can’t get even an inkling of interest from appropriate publishers, if agents are refusing to represent you, maybe this is a message you should pay attention to. Maybe there is something wrong with your project, the way it is being presented or YOU. I don’t mean there is something wrong with you&#8212but, perhaps, in the way you are presenting or representing yourself.

If you are sick of being rejected, don’t give up. That’s sort of like throwing the baby out with the water, isn’t it? I mean, maybe you have the essence of a viable product and it just needs to be more well developed. Maybe your idea or your presentation is lacking something. Perhaps you are targeting the wrong audience or you haven’t really thought through the purpose for this book. Maybe you haven’t achieved the self-help aspect that you promise in your description or your story doesn’t move along smoothly or fast enough for today’s readers.

Have you established your platform? When you present your proposal to publishers or agents, do you stand apart from the other authors because of your outstanding platform and succinct marketing plan? Or have you even prepared a proposal at all?

You’ve been reading and hearing for years that there’s a tremendous amount of competition within the publishing industry. Well, multiply that by dozens or hundreds today. The economy has put hugely increasing pressure on hopeful authors to present the absolute best manuscript possible&#8212one that is needed or desired and that you back it up with your willingness and ability to aggressively promote it.

If you have received rejection after rejection for your book or article manuscript or idea and you’d like another opinion as to its viability, contact me, Patricia Fry, for a free evaluation.

PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Whether you are thinking about writing a book for publication, you are in the process of writing it, you are pitching it to publishers or you are marketing a book, this is the time when you should be reading my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” Think you can’t afford it? You can’t afford not to read it. Without the information, perspective and resources in this book, you are liable to make some costly and embarrassing mistakes. Order it here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

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How to Survive Rejection

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

While I was preparing Class Number 6 in the Article-Writing course this morning, I started thinking about something all freelance writers and authors experience as a normal part of our world&#8212rejection. And that’s what I decided to write about today.

Rejection is a part of this business and it is important to keep it in perspective. I once heard someone say that he had never received a rejection letter for one of his articles. I am not usually inclined to call someone a liar. But give me a break! The only way this could be true is if he has never submitted an article OR if he, perhaps, has submitted just a very few articles to really targeted magazines all on a subject about which he is an expert. I can say that there are certain magazines that I’ve never received a rejection letter from. And that’s because I only worked with them once or just a handful of times and my articles were very narrowly, timely and appropriately focused for that magazine.

Rejection is not necessarily about poor writing. Not at all. Why, then, are we rejected? Let me count the ways. Of course, you might be rejected because of poor writing skills or maybe you got lazy with this particular article and just didn’t do a good job on it. But, if these things are not the case, then it is something else. Here are some possibilities:

• Because your idea just isn’t timely
• The magazine has done something on this subject recently and they don’t want to revisit it right now.
• The editor is inundated with articles and, while yours is good, it just didn’t make the cut.
• You didn’t target the right magazine with your idea.
• The magazine is going out of business.
• The editor who previously requested your article has left and the new editor doesn’t like it. I swear, new editors are power freaks who refuse to go with what the former editor has already lined up. When you’ve had a good relationship with an editor, and she leaves, you can almost always wave goodbye to that opportunity. On the other hand, if you’ve had trouble breaking into a magazine, wait until the editor leaves and then pitch your stuff to the new one.
• A magazine changes their format—this happens more than you might think—so keep abreast of changes in magazines so you are always informed and prepared. If you are writing within a certain field, you might want to subscribe to some of the key magazines so you’ll stay abreast of subtle and blatant changes.
• The editor got up on the wrong side of the bed. Or she had a fight with her
boyfriend and he has the same name as you do.
• The editor happens to hate the subject you’ve pitched (cats, dogs, kids—whatever).
• The magazine advertisers would be offended by the subject matter or the slant.

See, it isn’t always you. Sometimes it’s not you, at all. Just continue to do your best to present a quality product, on a topic that’s definitely within the magazine’s realm of subject matter and style and always approach the editor in a professional manner. Follow this rule of thumb and remember these 10 reasons why articles are rejected and then rest assured that you’ve done nothing wrong.

To learn more about the article-writing process, sign up for my Article Writing Course at http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Order my great little book for freelance writers and authors who are promoting their books: “A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/writingpage.html

Contact me, Patricia Fry, to discuss your freelance writing career. PLFry620@yahoo.com

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The Joys and Challenges of an Author’s Partnerships

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

I notice that things change between people when they work closely together on a project. Becoming part of a team has an effect on the way we feel about others and about ourselves. Participating as a functioning member of a partnership&#8212whether we’re working for good or for evil&#8212gives us a deep sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves. For many, it’s a comforting feeling of support and a powerful sense of accomplishment.

We have the opportunity to work within the boundaries of a team from birth. Families function best when everyone feels that they are a vital part of a well oiled team. We also know that when the family dynamics don’t allow for clear divisions of responsibility, support, attention, affection, togetherness and love within some semblance of a team environment, it fails. Thus, the rise in gang membership.

We can accomplish more when we work as a team. We are bigger, smarter, stronger, more effective and more powerful when we team up with the right people. We have more ideas. We get more done.

Sometimes teams are formed and other times they just happen. Have you ever been in a crisis or near crisis situation which was averted because of teamwork? Maybe you were in an elevator with strangers when the power went off, survived a bus crash, were involved in a fire in a public place or you were among a few citizens who saw someone take an elderly woman’s purse. Sure, I know, some people will stand back and contribute nothing&#8212they have nothing to give. But most people, in dire circumstances, will band together, form an instantaneous union and work together to alleviate the problem or change the situation. That’s teamwork.

Why this subject in a publishing blog? Because I am becoming more and more aware of the teamwork involved in producing a book. Sure, we all know it takes contributions by many people to bring a book to production, but I’m speaking specifically of the relationship between the author and the editor. As you know, I do a lot of editing for clients. I’ve edited books on beauty secrets, abuse, religious epiphanies, spiritual awakenings, channeled messages, and more. I’ve edited historical novels, young adult fantasies, self-help books, business books and memoirs related to travel, music, grief, coming of age, family dynamics and so forth. And I’m impacted by each and every project.

In recent years, I’ve identified the “high” I feel at the conclusion of each project. It is that sense of accomplishment through teamwork. Here’s how it plays out. The author brings me a book manuscript. It may be a great idea or a wonderful story and it might even be either fairly or beautifully well written. But most of the manuscripts I take on as an editor have some chronic problems. Most manuscripts reflect the authors’ various editorial limitations&#8212or, as one editor says, weaknesses. I’m seeing more authors for whom English is their second language and their manuscripts reflect their various language flaws. Some authors are hung-up on old style punctuation. Others simply have some bad habits such as, run-on sentences, muddy sentences, they overuse or repeat words, they use passive instead of active voice, use clichés, misspell words or use the wrong word and so forth.

We all develop habits and a good editor can help you to create more good writing habits.

I may edit a manuscript once or three times, depending on the magnitude of the work necessary. If I’ve suggested a lot of changes throughout, I practically insist upon seeing the manuscript at least once more before it is ready for publication.

Once I’ve seen the finished product and have made those last few suggestions, I can’t help but marvel at what the partnership has achieved. I recall the condition of the manuscript when I first saw it. I reflect on some of the conversations I had early on with the author and how the author, in some cases, questioned and resisted my suggestions. Some of them have even fired me only to come back months later asking for my help. Not every author is ready to be part of a team because they don’t understand how it all works. They are used to working in a vacuum&#8212doing things their way without interference or, heaven forbid, criticism. Once they spend a little time outside the comfort of their solitude, however, and learn something about the real world of publishing, they are soon ready to join a team for the benefit of their precious project.

I love my role as the author’s partner. It is hard work helping new authors to find their way in this competitive field, especially when the author refuses to help move the many obstacles out of the way of his or her progress. But it can be extremely satisfying work when, in the end, we have a much better product than we started with&#8212one with a larger target audience, one that is more well-written, one that actually portrays the message or information the author hoped to get across.

Folks, just because you have the idea or the dream doesn’t mean that your attempt to put it down on paper will be successful. It doesn’t mean that you can communicate your message adequately. And it doesn’t mean that you have a marketable product. When you hire me to evaluate your book manuscript and edit it (if needed), you are also getting someone you can consult with should you have questions about or need guidance within the vast, fiercely competitive publishing field.

Contact me to discuss your project. Let me be part of your team. Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about me and my services at: http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

As a primer to publishing, be sure to read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” I wrote it just for you. How do I know? You are interested in publishing, aren’t you? You are either writing a book, thinking about it or you’ve written it and are trying to get it published. Maybe you have a book you are marketing. Wherever you are within the realm of publishing, this book is for you: “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” ( http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html)

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How Will You Know When You Are a Writer?

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

What are the clues? When is it official? Who determines that it is so? And then, how do you convince those people who’ve known you for years as an engineer, homemaker, secretary or dentist that you are now a writer? It’s all very mysterious and indefinable, isn’t it?

But it doesn’t have to be. I figure that you are a writer as soon as you decide that you are. For some, this might be once you sit down and start penning that first novel. Others can’t quite call themselves writers until they’ve had something published. But does it count if you pay to get published or you get published without pay? I know some people who have sold several pieces to a variety of publications and are still hesitant to consider themselves bonafide writers. I also know some who maintain blogs or who write a story now and then and introduce themselves regularly as “writers.”

I guess the label doesn’t really matter, except to the individual and the IRS. You probably can’t claim writing as your profession unless you are either making or losing money at it. And if you don’t claim profits and/or losses related to writing on your income tax return, I don’t think you can be considered a writer, can you?

Some people claim “writership” for the prestige value. I’m not sure, really, how non-writers feel about writers these days. When I started responding to the question, “What do you do?” with, “I’m a writer,” few people understood that status. Some were slightly impressed, until they discovered that I couldn’t name a publication I’d written for that they knew. This used to bother me, until I realized that I was earning a living through my writing, and it didn’t matter if it was through obscure publications. Maybe no one had heard of Woman’s Life, Columbia, The World and I, Communication Briefings, Pages, Teaching Tolerance, American Health for Women, Technology and Learning, Silicon 2.0, for example, but they were providing my bread and butter. (In fact, some of these magazines paid quite well.)

I always got the impression that people, upon learning that I am a writer, imagined me spending my days in contemplation until I felt inspired. I’m sure that most non-writers, at least pre-2000, had no idea about the energy, effort and time involved in carving out and maintaining a writing career. I spent many hours attempting to convince people that career writing is a business like any other business.

When I started writing, I didn’t know another writer. Now I know hundreds and hundreds of them. That’s partly because the Internet has brought us together&#8212made us aware of one another. And it’s also partially because there are so many more of us. I think that the general public is becoming more educated about the writing life. Even though each of us puts a little different slant on the way we pursue our writing, we, as writers, are less of a mystery. Everyone, these days, knows a writer. Even some non-writers are penning their memoirs, maintaining a blog, submitting articles in order to promote a cause or writing one (and only one) how-to, self-help or informational book reflecting their passion.

So are they writers? I guess it depends on how they feel about themselves and what the term writer means to them.

Today, I want to know, are you a writer? What criteria determine this judgment? In your mind, what more must you accomplish or what threshold must you approach before you can consider yourself a writer?

Have you checked out my array of books, lately? I talk a lot about my hallmark book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. But I rarely mention my other books. My books include:

• The Successful Writer’s Handbook
• Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book
• A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles
• How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less
• The Author’s Workbook
• The Author’s Repair Kit
• The Mainland Luau
• Quest for Truth (a metaphysical adventure)

Check them out at http://www.matilijapress.com

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Who’s to Blame for Book Fulfillment Company Woes?

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Everyone has a blog these days. There are blog sites related to every subject imaginable and some whose hosts just ramble on about nothing. Do you visit other blogs? Are you addicted to reading blogs? Some people are, you know. Do you have favorite blog sites that you frequent&#8212those related to writing and publishing, for example? Whatever your blog habits, I appreciate that you are reading this entry on my blog site. If you’re new here, I hope that you will check out our archives and that you will visit here often.

I’m Patricia Fry, 35-year veteran within the realm of writing and publishing. I strive to educate and inform readers who are interested in writing and publishing. This blog is just one mode through which I teach and provide resources for freelance writers and authors as well as those hoping to enter into the realm of publishing through their poetry, article/story-writing or a book manuscript.

I attempt to keep you abreast of what’s going on in the publishing industry. I post warnings. I alert you to new resources and opportunities. I share with you and I ask you to share with me. This blog site has a purpose. It is an extension of my knowledge base related to publishing as well as my constant research, work and experiences within this arena. My goal, through this blog, is to help you to understand your options and opportunities (whether you are seeking a publisher, marketing a book or attempting to earn some money as a freelance writer). But I also want you to know your responsibilities as a published author or freelance writer. Yes, along with the title&#8212the role&#8212comes responsibility. This is true no matter what field or area you are involved in. I think that most Americans are getting that picture loud and clear when they watch what’s currently happening with our economy, for example.

We, as individuals, have responsibilities when it comes to making the right choices be it a loan we’re pursuing, using credit, spending or investing. But so do those heading up big business and our government have responsibilities and obligations they must consider and fulfill.

On a smaller scale and pertaining to publishing, let me tell you about something that has recently come to my attention. A while back, I may have mentioned this in a blog, a SPAWN member felt he was “taken” by a fulfillment and distribution company to the tune of $3,000. This company sold all of 5 (five) books for him over a period of a few months. The thing is, the company did what the contract said they would do. But our member was counting on cashing in on what they said verbally, as well. And nothing they told him in their meeting, was pursued.

This week, someone in one of my online discussion groups complained about being bamboozled by a fulfillment and distribution company (I think it was the same company). Others chimed in with similar tales of woe. They claimed that this company did not sell anywhere near the number of books they expected, yet they were still being charged a huge amount of money. But what everyone seems to have forgotten is that these companies typically (and I’m sure their contracts reflect this) do not sell your books. They warehouse them for a fee. They take orders on an 800 number for a fee. They ship books out when orders come in. (Yes, for an additional fee.) But, it is my understanding that they do not solicit orders. They do not promote your book. It is up to the author to promote the book and make the sale. Without the author’s (or the author’s publicist’s) hard work, those books stored in boxes on pallets in the fulfillment company’s warehouse are just going to continue sitting there. The fulfillment company needs you&#8212the author&#8212to promote, promote, promote; to get necessary exposure; to locate his audience, approach them and show them the book. In order for the fulfillment company to do their job, the author must do his.

Have you worked with a fulfillment company? I’d like to interview some of you who have stories to tell (good and bad) about your experiences with fulfillment and/or distribution companies.

In the meantime, be sure to read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” The information, resources and guidance in this book will keep you from making costly, embarrassing and self-defeating mistakes. ( http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

For a major information and resource center and support system for hopeful and published authors, join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org

Posted in Book Promotion, Publishing | 2 Comments »

Sample Online Book Promotion Course #3

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

This is the 3rd and last segment of the sample class (lesson #2) from my online Book Promotion Course. If you’ve just “tuned in,” read the December 2nd and 3rd blog entries to get the entire lecture.

Classes consist of email lectures once a week for a 6 or 8 week period and, each week, there’s an assignment. This sampling represents just one class from just one of the 4 courses we offer through Matilija Press. All courses are taught by me, Patricia Fry.

The courses include, Book Promotion Course, Article-Writing Course, Book Proposal Workshop and Self-Publishing Workshop.

“Graduates” from the Book Promotion Course will have a larger arsenal of book promotion ideas, tools and skills and a greater understanding of the book promotion process and what is expected of them if tthey hope to succeed as an author.

Those taking the Article-Writing Course will learn how to create a business from article writing or simply use this skill and knowledge to promote their book.

After following the lesson plans throughout the Book Proposal Workshop, hopeful authors will have a complete book proposal to start showing around to agents and publishers.

Those who take the appropriate steps in the Self-Publishing Course seriously, will be prepared to start their own publishing company and produce a book by the end of the course.

Learn more about all of the courses offered through Matilija Press by visiting http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm Questions? Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Here is the last part of the sample Book Promotion Class (Class #2).

6: Identify and approach appropriate wholesalers/distributors. Not all of you are free to work with wholesalers and distributors because you are in a publishing agreement. Those of you who have self-published (established your own publishing company) can contact the two major wholesalers, Ingram and Baker and Taylor and appropriate distributors for assistance in distributing your book. But a wholesaler or distributor does little good for you if you are not out there promoting your book yourself.

If you have signed with a traditional publisher, he will arrange for distribution. If you have gone with a POD self-publishing company (you paid to have your book produced), hopefully, they have made some sort of distribution arrangement for your book.

Understanding Wholesalers and Distributors
A wholesaler makes your book available to retail stores and libraries. There are two major wholesalers of books in the US; Baker and Taylor, and Ingram and about a dozen additional wholesalers that specialize. To locate a wholesaler or distributor that specializes in your topic or genre, do an internet search using keywords: “wholesaler” (or distributor) and your genre or topic.

Distributors have sales reps out there showing your book around to booksellers. Most distributors either specialize in certain topics or genres or they are regional—they distribute books just in specific areas of the U.S.

Many authors are led to believe that a distributor is the answer to all of their promotional prayers. In today’s fiercely competitive publishing climate, a connection to a good distributor is definitely a plus, but it is only a piece of the vast promotional puzzle.

If you want to get your book into bookstores and/or other retail stores, choose one or more distributors related to the subject or genre of your book. Then create a demand for your book and the distributors can more easily place it in bookstores and libraries.

A distributor wants to know your promotional plans. They like authors with more than one book in the pipeline. The reasons why they will reject your book are similar to the reasons a bookstore manager might give—it has the wrong binding, you have no promotional plan or the subject matter is inappropriate.

To locate distributors, go to http://www.pma-online.org/distribute.cfm (This is the Independent Book Publishers Association free online directory of distributors and wholesalers). You’ll also find distributors listed at http://www.bookmarket.com/distributors.htm and http://www.parapublishing.com. I also list distributors and wholesalers and their contact information in my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Assignment:

1. Create or update your mailing list. (I do not need to see this, but I’d love a report of the number of names on your list.)
2. Start designing or redesigning your website following the suggestions in this lecture. (Send me your website address, if you’d like for me to see it.)
3. Begin establishing a list of review opportunities. (I would like to see this list.)
4. Research wholesalers and distributors (where appropriate). Those of you who are locked into publishing contracts with publishing companies may not be at liberty to deal with wholesalers and distributors on your own. Discuss the possibilities with your publishing house representative. (Those of you with books not yet published, it is too early to worry about doing this.)

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

Sample From Online Book Promotion Course #2

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

When you are pursuing book reviews as a way to promote your book, don’t bypass newsletters. Web hosts have newsletters, organizations produce newsletters, individuals publish newsletters. There are thousands of e- and print newsletters being produced throughout the U.S. Some of them have huge circulation. Others are small. But many of them are quite effective in helping you to reach your audience. I believe it was newsletters that launched my luau book into the success it became. I printed that book, The Mainland Luau, three times and then a publisher took it over. One of my favorite methods of promoting it was through book reviews and articles (which we will discuss in another session) in appropriate newsletters. Use these directories to locate newsletters in your genre/category, http://www.newsletteraccess.com or http://www.ezinehub.com

You’ll also find appropriate newsletters through sites related to your book’s theme or topic. Many of these sites include resource lists of newsletters, other sites and publications and so forth. Take the time to study these lists and visit the appropriate sites. Links can be a goldmine for book promoters.
For my personal use, I have created a list of about 75 writing/publishing-related newsletters and their contact information. All of those that will review books have reviewed my books. I also keep their contact information so I can send them announcements (new books, courses starting, etc.) and articles. I keep this information in a binder for easy reference. And I add to it whenever a new newsletter or magazine comes to my attention and I note when their policies or editors change.

Join SPAWN and read the monthly SPAWN Market Update (in the member area of the SPAWN website). I write this newsletter and frequently include updates related to book review sites and other opportunities for book reviews. http://www.spawn.org

It has become more and more difficult to have your book reviewed in newspapers with a few exceptions. Your hometown newspaper will likely be interested in your story—local author pens a book. Don’t wait to be invited—contact the appropriate reporter and ask for an interview. Entice him or her with a hook for your story. It could be simply, local author pens a book. Or it might be, local author writes first history of the area, long-time resident writes her memoirs, local resident writes children’s book based on a child living in the community…

You may be able to get into newspapers nationwide, as well. Most newspapers have columns featuring such themes as health, fitness, travel, hobbies, foods and cooking, pets, crafts/building, teens, religion/spirituality, parenting, real estate/business, sports, seniors/retirement, etc. And yes, many newspapers have book review columns. Find the right hook for your book and you might be able to land several reviews throughout the country. Here are some examples: Your book on how to sell your house without a realtor might be a natural for the paper’s business column. Pitch your book on grief to the editors of senior or health columns. Suggest a review for your historical fiction book in newspapers within the area where your story takes place. Contact editors of both pet and travel columns for reviews of your book on traveling with your pet. Approach editors of New Age or spiritual columns about your inspirational book.

As you can see, you can remain busy for a very long time just soliciting book reviews. Can they be effective in selling books? Certainly, when they are well targeted. I’ve had numerous reviews for my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book,” in writing/publishing-related magazines, websites and newsletters.
To be continued:

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Sample From My Online Book Promotion Course

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

I keep writing about my online courses. Today, I’m going to give you a treat&#8212a sampling from the second lesson in this 6-week course. Here it is in condensed form:

There are some basic book promotion activities that everyone can and should pursue. And that’s what we’re going to discuss today.

By now, you probably know that book promotion isn’t an event&#8212a one-time activity&#8212or even a timed (one- or two-year) project. Book promotion is ongoing for as long as you want your book to sell.

Likewise, book promotion isn’t generally a one or two activity proposition. It used to be that we relied on bookstores to showcase and sell our books. Our books were there on the shelves in bookstores nationwide. If a customer wanted a book to read, he walked into his neighborhood bookstore and bought the book of his choice.

Things are different today. Competition is absolutely fierce. There are about 3.5 million books in print and just last year, in 2007, there were 411,422 new books produced. Bookstores today can carry only a small percentage of books in print. The mega bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Borders, can hold around 8 to 12 percent of all books in print.

When I travel around speaking to authors, I say to them, “You’ve been inside some of those mega bookstores. You’ve seen all of the books. Are you sure you want to subject your book to the enormous level of competition evident in bookstores?” Then I tell my audiences that, if they want their book in bookstores, I know the secret to getting in. I call it the backdoor method. And I’m going to share this secret with you in this session.

Here it is: If you want to see your book on the shelves in bookstores nationwide, all you have to do is to create enough of a desire for it that readers are going into bookstores asking for it by name. If there are enough people requesting it, of course, booksellers will carry it.

And that brings us to the reason why you are taking this course. How can you create that desire? What can you do to entice that audience? Here are a few suggestions to get you started. These are some of the basics that everyone should be pursuing as zealously as possible. And you can start pursuing some of them even before you finish writing the book.

1: Develop and use a massive mailing list. Even while you’re writing your book, begin collecting business cards, addresses scribbled on restaurant napkins and email addresses. Whose contact information do you want? Family, friends, business associates, your kids’ school teachers, neighbors, merchants and service people with whom you do business and other people whom you meet on and off line and so on.

It is never too late to use your mailing and emailing list. Even if your book is several months or several years old, mail or email announcements from time to time attempting to generate sales. Reasons for sending announcements might include:
• The book just came out.
• You hit a milestone in sales—500, 1,000, 5,000 or so.
• The book is in its second printing.
• You’ve launched a contest related to your book.
• You have a book signing scheduled or you’ll be speaking about it.
• You’ve come out with another book, booklet or other item (toy, game, puzzle, etc.) related to the original book.
• You’ve had an article or story related to the book theme or genre published.

2: Create a website for the sole purpose of promoting your book. (I offer web design suggestions in the course material.)

3: Add related amenities to your website. This might include a blog, through which you communicate with readers interested in your genre/topic. Consider signing up for a merchant account so that you can make sales at your site. Run contests, launch treasure hunts, devise puzzles, etc. and create a book trailer. A book trailer is a short video “commercial” reflecting your book. For information and expertise in creating a book trailer, contact: Circle of Seven Productions, ( http://www.cosproductions.com) Do a Google search to locate others.

4: Get numerous book reviews in appropriate publications and at appropriate websites. Many authors stop seeking reviews after the prepublication reviewers (Library Journal, Kirkus Review, etc.) turn them down. But there are hundreds of review opportunities out there for most books after they’ve been published.

You’re probably already aware of websites related to your book’s subject or genre. Start there. Visit those sites and check to see if they review books and/or recommend books. Some bloggers and web hosts interview authors with books related to the theme of their site (childcare/parenting, retirement, travel, pets, writing/publishing, boating, water sports, death and dying, inspirational/spiritual, romance novels, real estate, historical novels, etc.). Do an Internet search to locate additional sites related to the genre or theme of your book.

Besides theme websites, there are also book review websites. Here are a few. Do an Internet search to find others: Danny Yee’s Book Reviews, ( http://dannyreviews.com), Get Book Reviews, ( http://www.getbookreviews.com, http://www.dustjacketreivew, http://www.kikimag.com, http://www.christianbookreader.com)

Locate appropriate periodicals. There are hundreds of magazines and ezines that publish book reviews. Some are review publications&#8212they review books of practically any type, like Midwest Book Review and then there are specialty magazines whose editors review books related to their theme. Not all magazines carry reviews, so check them out before sending your book for review. I would not recommend sending your book without an invitation, in most cases, anyway.

Locate magazines through references such as, Writer’s Market (available online and through most bookstores. You may also find a current volume in the library). Purchase for around $30. A new edition comes out each year around September. You can also use Literary Market Place online or use it at your library. Writer’s Market is also online for a fee at ( http://www.writersmarket.com) Also check out Wooden Horse Publications at ( http://www.woodenhorsepub.com) for magazine listings in a variety of categories.

To be continued: If you want more information about the online courses, visit: ( http://www.matilijapress.com

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