Writing and Publishing News

Some of you may be curious as to the authors I work with and the types of books I edit. Let me start by saying that I see promise in every project. Of course, not every book is destined to achieve bestseller status. Some authors simply want to share the book they’ve been carrying around inside them with even a small segment of society. Others hope that a book on an aspect of their expertise will help to give them more credibility in their field. Then there are those who come to me with the desire to amass a fortune through the sale of their book on how to raise baby bunnies, their dull homemaker’s memoir or their collection of aviation poetry, for example.

Sure, I will help them to prepare their books for publication, if that’s what they still want to do once they’ve followed my recommendations to educate themselves about the publishing industry. I aim to instill in my clients the most realistic expectations for their projects while encouraging them to build on their qualifications and abilities.

One thing that a publishing coach and editorial assistant (editor) loves to receive is news that a client is succeeding, whatever success happens to mean to that individual. Some authors excel in the area of book promotion. Today, I’d like to introduce you to four of my clients and share with you some of their tremendous successes.

An Example of a Successful Inspirational Author
Yesterday, I received a packet of clips from my client, Constance D’Angelis, representing some of her recent promotional activities. Constance, an attorney and a resident of Florida, is the author of a lovely little chunky 4 x 6 book, encompassing 148 pages called The 7 Laws of Inner Peace. And she is really doing her homework as far as promoting this book. Every few months, she writes to me with news of a series of book signing events she is participating in or workshops she is conducting. Yesterday, I received a whole packet of clips representing her presentations and advertisements. Yes, she is sticking her neck out and advertising herself as an inspirational speaker in appropriate classified ads sections. She also promotes herself through a newsletter and some classy, professional promo pieces and flyers. She has a great website. She’s even on UTube.

What makes Constance’s book unique and powerful is the personal touch, which I strongly advised her to include. How she came upon the 7 Laws in her own life is a fascinating story and really gives her process of study greater impact. Visit her website for more information about Constance and her growing 7 Laws book series. http://www.the7lawsofinnerpeace.com

This Author is Succeeding With a How-To Book
Another client, Lydia Silvestry, is the designer of the famous Infinite Dress. She is also a strong proponent of natural health and body care. You must visit her website and see for yourself how her natural beauty regime, which she has practiced practically all of her life, has served her skin and body. This grandmother glows with good health. A few years ago, she decided to let others know about her beauty secrets, which include the use of almond and olive oil instead of expensive body oils and creams and even in place of nail polish; baking soda instead of deodorant and so forth. Lydia was accustomed to appearing on TV and radio, traveling the world introducing her Infinite Dress, so she was prepared for her book promotion journey. Like Constance, Lydia, too, is selling large numbers of books due to her extraordinary efforts.

I helped Lydia, a native of Puerto Rico, Americanize her writing—remove the accent, so to speak. Check out her gorgeous hardcover book, Lydia Silvestry’s Beauty Secrets at: http://www.lydiasilvestry.com

The Psychic Author
Gary Spivey is a psychic who has been presenting workshops throughout the world for many years. He also does regular radio shows. Maybe you’ve heard of him. When he decided that he wanted a book that summed up his work, that provided some keys for people to use in their own lives and that he could promote along with his workshops, he came to us at Matilija Press. We edited his book and did the page layout, as well. Gary’s book was an interesting project for me. It required very basic editing. It was already well-written. It was up to me to correct some grammatical and punctuation errors and enhance the readability of the text.

Your Keys to Heaven, Secrets From God is a lovely hardcover book available at: http://www.garyspivey.com Check it out. After only a few months of book sales, we got word that this book was going into a second printing. Obviously, Gary’s already established platform and connections are paying off big time.

Her YA Fantasy Books Sell Like Magic
Diana Zimmerman is also accustomed to being in the public eye. She was once billed as the world’s foremost lady magician. Now she is a high-powered businesswoman with a desire to write young adult fantasy. We edited and designed the inside of her first book in the series, Kandide and the Secret of the Mists. Books two and three are in the works. Diana is an amazing marketer. She was able to hire a publicist and this has been an incredibly wise decision. Diana travels all over the US presenting programs for young and old alike and doing book signings. She participates in fairy (and faery) events nationwide. And I can tell you that, when Diana has an event, it is spectacular, with magicians, games, refreshments and more. I attended her first one in Santa Monica, California. What fun. She also has an amazing website with games for kids, ideas for how teachers can use this book with their students and more. This book is in perfect bound (soft cover) and in hardcover.

The editorial work I did with Diana on this book and more recently with a business book she is co-authoring, amounted to pretty basic editing. Every author needs an editor and a proof-reader (these are two different tasks and require two different experts.) Take a look at how Diana Zimmerman is promoting this book at: http://www.kandide.com

These four authors are excelling in the book selling arena. Why? What does it take? Here it is, folks. It takes:

• A good idea.
• A platform (your following—your way of attracting readers—your connections).
• A keen marketing sense.
• The willingness to take advantage of promotional opportunities.
• The ability to create promotional opportunities.

And it all boils down to being a savvy author instead of a timid, clueless author. It’s not enough to have a good idea. It’s the whole package that makes for a successful publishing venture.
By the way, I earned a spot in the Acknowledgements Pages in each of these books as editor. How neat is that?

Learn more about my editorial services at: http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

Do you ever trade books with other authors? I enjoy trading for books I’m interested in and recently I traded my newest book, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats with Mary Shafer who edited a book called, Almost Perfect, Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them. It’s a collection of heart-warming stories of handicapped cats, dogs and even a rat—all of them finding love in the most unexpected places. http://www.wordforgebooks.com

I also received a book to review yesterday. Did you know that I review books related to writing and publishing for SPAWNews? This one is called, Publishize, How to Quickly and Affordably Self-Publish a Book That Promotes Your Expertise by Susan C. Daffron. One thing she points out in her book—something that I think is a good reminder to all of us—book promotion is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time event. And it may require some experimenting to find what works.

Folks, when you find something that works—when one of your promotional activities is proving to sell book—keep it up. When you attempt something new and it doesn’t seem to be working, don’t stop too soon. Sometimes it takes a while for your marketing attempts to attract sales.

That’s why most professionals suggest that you promote in several directions and carefully monitor the results. But, especially in this economic climate, have patience. Keep putting yourself out there through your blog, magazine articles/short stories, by leaving comments and getting interviewed at other blog sites, through public speaking and so forth. Sales may be a bit sluggish despite your efforts, but they will stop altogether if you give up.

Authors are often encouraged to send press releases on behalf of their books. I agree that this can be a worthwhile activity. But keep in mind that your press release is competing with many other press releases for a limited amount of space in the newspaper, newsletter or magazine. In order to get noticed, you must present a topic, focus or story that is actually newsworthy, that is interesting and, perhaps, current. It should also be relevant or pertinent to the particular publication or the season, for example. Take advantage of world or local events or occurrences, when sending out your news releases.

For example, you may have been able to garner publicity for your book on safe flying or your airline-focused novel in newspapers worldwide during the week after that airliner crash-landed so successfully in the Hudson.

Newscasters are probably getting tired of reporting on the hard winter this year. They might welcome a creative way to present the news by quoting some passages from your book on global warming or your novel featuring the worst winter ever.

I recommend promoting for the season and the holiday. What’s going on in February? What special dates or celebrations could you connect your book to during this month? Well, there’s Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Flag Day. Oh yes, and Ash Wednesday.

But did you know that this month is also National Cat Health Month, Potato Lover’s Month, Black History Month, National Bird Feeding Month, Chocolate Lover’s Month, Pet Dental Month, National Crime Prevention Month, National Patient Recognition Month. This month we also have a week labeled, Pay Your Bills Week.

Now, can’t you just see some possibilities there for using some of these prompts to promote your book nationally or internationally?

Start now preparing your promotional press releases for March and April. Here are some sites to help you choose the appropriate prompts: http://www.holidaysmart.com and http://www.earthcalendar.net

Have fun. I’d love to have you report back to me about some of the promotional ideas these prompts generated. Just leave your comment at this blogsite.

News Flash: My article on how to target your market appears in the February edition of the IBPA (formerly PMA) Independent. Check it out!

In the meantime, for more book promotion ideas, order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book or Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com

Are you promoting a book? Are your efforts being rewarded? When is the last time you did an Internet search to check on the whereabouts of your book promo? Do you subscribe to Google Alerts? If you do and if you use keywords related to the title of your book, you will be alerted every time the title appears anywhere on the Internet. But it isn’t going to show up if you aren’t promoting it.

Yes, it is time-consuming and it can be all-consuming to spread the word about your book. Just consider it a job that’s necessary if you want your book to actually sell and be read. Isn’t that your goal? And you are the only one who can make that happen. Sure, there are certainly others out there to help you—folks who will review your book, interview you at their blog sites, post or publish your article or comments, for example. But you have to seek them out, contact them, make the suggestion and, often, follow-up and follow through.

Book reviewers are seeking good books to review. Bloggers want copy for their sites. Editors need articles and stories. They are all waiting for you to provide them with what they can use.

As you know, I’ve been promoting my latest book, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. And the book is getting quite a bit of attention in blogs, newsletters and at websites related to cats and writing. For those who are new to this blog, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats is my new book of mostly true cat stories. Check out Gerald Schiffhorst’s blog dated Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at http://mindfulwriting.blogspot.com

There’s a post at Writers and Editors website in the member announcement area:
http://www.writers-editors.com/Need_a_writer_/Member_News/member_news.htm

Barbara Florio Graham over at Simon Teakettle, has included Catscapades on her recommended cat reading page
http://www.simonteakettle.com/rescats.htm

As I already mentioned in previous blogs, the Cat Lady in Seattle reviewed the book as did the folks at All Cute Cats. And I’ve posted announcements at the ASPCA pet blot, Thoughts Fur Paws, The Cat Site, The Cat Coach, Pet Side, Amazing Felines, Cat Lovers Only and other places. In fact, word of Catscapades is in places on the web that I’ve never heard of. This is what happens when you start promoting a book in earnest. It’s like a small bud that, once it is exposed to the elements, it blossoms into a large, beautiful flower. And that flower spews seeds everywhere. It’s true.

And I can also tell you that that flower is a bit sluggish these days. It isn’t opening as quickly and completely in this economic climate. It’s taking a lot more energy and time, research and follow-up, and overall creativity to appropriately promote a book. Some authors are giving up—throwing in the towel. Others have been side-tracked by the extra demands of their day jobs. But many of us are still out there pushing ourselves to the limits as we attempt to locate those members of our target audiences who truly desire and need the books we so lovingly offer.

Any essence of glamour that remained in this profession, I believe, is gone. The numbers have helped to dim the bright lights of honor as an author. Authorship is no longer a rare privilege. In America, we mass produce authors and then throw them to the wolves. When these carnivores are finished with them, the sharks move in. And most authors today fail. The last figure I found said that 76% of authors sell fewer than 100 books in a year.

Do you know what a sign spinner is? This is someone who stands on a corner with a, usually, large sign, which he waves, tips, bounces and spins in an attempt to attract attention for his company. Sometimes, you’ll see sign spinners on every corner. Some are just standing there moving the sign from side to side while others are dancing and jumping around as they twirl the sign in the air. Who is going to get the most attention? Certainly, the most active sign spinner. And this is the way of book promotion. Those of us who are most active in locating outlets and other opportunities for our books, who continually come up with new ideas for promoting them, who keep studying, researching and pushing, will experience greater success.

So what are you going to do this week to promote your book? I’d like to know.

If you need help, sign up today for my book promotion course.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm

My book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book includes 3 chapters on book promotion. Order it today at:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) and stay on top of your book promotion game.
http://www.spawn.org
I write the SPAWN Market Update for the member area of the SPAWN website and I always focus heavily on book promotion opportunities and resources.

And for fun and smiles—curl up with a copy of Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. Order the print (comb-bound) copy or the ebook.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Do you seek opportunities to go out and read passages from your book to audiences at writers’ group meetings, conferences, book festivals, in classrooms, etc? Do you sell many books this way? If not, the problem may not be with your book, but with your way of presenting.

The fact is that few people can actually entertain others by reading to them. Unless you have been trained in reading out loud, you probably come across sounding like a 6th grader reading his book report. I’ve had the displeasure of hearing quite a few authors read passages from their books and most of them are plain awful. They look down at their books, mumble and stumble over words and speak in boring monotone. Even if you can understand the words being read, there is no life to them. They come across simply as words without meaning.

Folks, if you want to give readings to draw attention to your book, make sure you do it well. Reading in public is more than simply verbalizing the words on the page so they can be heard. In order for them to mean anything to the audience, they must be presented with the same emotion with which you wrote them.

Do you remember the emotional tugs and bursts you felt while writing various passages in your book? Even in a self-help or instructional book, you might feel a little hot under the collar while writing about the loose laws that don’t quite protect children in some child abuse cases or the number of animals who are abandoned every year by irresponsible people. Try to recapture those emotion when doing a reading.

Emphasize points with your voice. Here’s where vocal variety comes in handy. Sure, you’re going to use a more exaggerated vocal variety when reading to children or when sharing a passage that is rather exciting, for example. But you can also use variety in your tone and way of presenting important points in a nonfiction book and in suspenseful or mysterious portions in your book of fiction.

Enunciate! Oh my gosh, where do we get off thinking that if we mumble through a reading as if we have a mouthful of glue that anyone will get anything out of it? They won’t. Think about why you are in front of that audience. What is your ultimate goal? Selling books? Who’s going to buy a book that they still know nothing about even after the reading? No one.

How can you create the awareness and the habit of effective public reading? Here are my suggestions:

• Join a storytellers group. You will learn all sorts of techniques designed to discover your best and strongest voice and using it to your advantage.
• Join a local Toastmasters Club and work through the first manual of 10 speeches. You will learn much about vocal variety, storytelling, reading out loud, using gestures, speaking clearly and more.
• Practice reading to a child. And make it a point to exaggerate, exaggerate, exaggerate your voice and expressions. You probably won’t read to an adult audience with quite the exuberance that you will to a child, but at least this experience will help to loosen you up a bit.
• Consider talking about your book rather than reading it. Even if you make this choice, I would still advise that you follow the steps above. If you are not accustomed to speaking in public, you will probably need help with your way of presenting—making eye contact, speaking out, using vocal variety, speaking clearly and so forth. I’ve noticed many times over that the author who talks about his book—tells the story rather than reading the story—generally does a much better job with his or her presentation than the one who tries to read from his or her book.

For additional articles on public speaking as well as writing, publishing and book promotion, be sure to visit my website: http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm

My book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book also includes public speaking help. Check it out at my online bookstore. And be sure to take a look at my latest book, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats.
http://www.matilijapress.com