Archive for March, 2009

Newer Entries »

Putting a Price on Your Book

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

“Yes You Can Make Money Writing Fiction!” That’s the title of my article that appears in Writing-World Newsletter this week (March 5, 2009). It features over 50 tips and resources for those who want to make money writing fiction. Check it out at http://www.writing-world.com

But I’m not the only one in the family getting press this week. Max, our handsome 11-year-old formerly feral cat has joined Terzo’s MewSical Society in Canada. You can see him straining to hit a high note at Barbara Florio Graham’s website: http://www.simonteakettle.com/musical.society.htm
This news will also appear in my new Catscapades Blog http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.

I’m still getting used to the brand new, foreign format of the new blog. Hop on over there and see what we’re doing. And be sure to visit regularly to read the stories we’ll be sharing and view the cat photos we’ll be adding regularly. Order your copy of the book that started it all, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. Both the ebook and the print (comb-bound) book feature over 30 true cat stories and NOW they include 80 photos of gorgeous, silly, impish, funny and simply delightful cats and kittens. Order your copy not at http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html.

While the value of the books has increased considerably since we added photos of around 40 cats (and a few dogs), the prices are still the same: $10 for the ebook and $14 for the print book.

Have you ever thought about how authors/publishers determine the prices of their books? Almost every client I’ve worked with over the years who has self-published (established his or her own publishing company) struggled with this issue. And most will ask me, “What shall I sell my book for?” Here’s what I tell them:

• Figure out how much the book costs you to produce.
• Check prices on books similar to yours.

Some professionals say that the price should reflect the cost times 5 or 8. In many cases, that would be one expensive book. Can you imagine trying to sell a 250 page paperback novel for $45.00?

It makes more sense to me to price your book so that you are making a profit, but also according to what the market will bear. This is why you should spend some time at Amazon.com and local bookstores reviewing the prices on similar books. In fact, I recommend that you do this BEFORE producing the book. This might help you to make better, more reasonable decisions when choosing a cover designer, selecting paper quality, going with hardcover or soft, for example.

If your book is a one-of-a-kind local history, however, the only book featuring the life and times of a well-known celebrity or a collection of poetry or photos from the archives of a famous poet/photographer, you may be able to price your book above those you find in the sections where these books will be stocked. I sold the first edition (1983) of my 300-page local history book for $15.95. I sold the revision (1999) for $19.95. I may have been able to sell that book for as much as $25, however, because it is a comprehensive history of our community and there is no other book like it. Those who have purchased it over the years either want it or they don’t. And the price probably isn’t going to entice or deter sales.

A novel, on the other hand, probably would not sell at a higher price than the other novels on the shelf unless it has been receiving extreme acclaim. But, without this, your novel won’t necessarily sell at a lower price, either, if the author’s name and the title are not familiar to the customer, the cover isn’t absolutely stunning and enticing and so forth.

Again, it is brought to our attention that it takes more to sell a book than simply the desire to share your story. If you are writing in hopes of someday publishing a book, do yourself a huge favor and read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Let some of my customers tell you how valuable this book is to them. Read the customer comments at: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
This is the same link for ordering the book.

Posted in Publishing | No Comments »

Writing: Is it a Hobby or Career?

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

Why do you write? Do you write for the pure pleasure of it or is money and/or recognition your motivation? Let me ask this a different way: Do you claim “writer” on your income tax form? If so, then you either are a career writer or you’re attempting to establish yourself as such. Of course, you probably still enjoy the process of writing and all of the challenges that go with it—otherwise, what’s the point of making it such a major part of your life?

If you are considering becoming a career writer, there are some things that you should know. Writing as a career is way different from writing only for pleasure. For example:

• You can no longer write only when inspiration moves you. The business of writing requires discipline and commitment.

• As a career writer, you must also become a marketer. No matter what form your writing business takes, you must promote yourself and/or pitch your work.

• When you go professional with your writing, you will be required to keep excellent records, save pertinent receipts and file income taxes.

• For some who establish careers in the writing/publishing field, the process of writing often becomes secondary to the other tasks involved in operating the business. This is why it is imperative that you have not only writing ability, but the skills and willingness to transition from creative writer to a business savvy writer.

What type of business can you create from your writing hobby? Here are a few ideas:

• Freelance magazine article writer.

• Freelance writer of ad copy, newsletters, brochures, etc. for businesses and organizations.

• Hire on at a radio or TV station to write their commentary/ad copy, etc.

• Ghostwriter—help others write their memoirs, for example.

• Teach writing through a local college or art center or design and present writing workshops.

• Editing and/or consulting services.

• Book shepherd—walk hopeful authors through the process of publishing their books.

• Hire on as a writer for a company or organization.

• Establish a publishing company and produce books for others.

• Produce your own series of books, promote and sell them. (I suggest a series or multiple books because it is rare that you can create a business from one book. However, if you have produced a book and you are selling it, you are in business and must claim your earnings. You can also deduct your expenses.)

• Write a book or series of books designed to promote and enhance your credibility in your field.

There are certainly some innovative businesses cropping up all the time related to writing and publishing. We writers are becoming even more creative in our attempt to ride this economic wave without drowning. I’d like to hear about your writing or publishing business.

As for me, I have been writing articles for magazines for over 35 years and claiming “writer” on my income tax form for all of those years. However, it took me maybe five years before I was actually making a profit. Throughout my long career, I have written and published (through my own publishing company and through traditional royalty publishers) 29 books. About 15 years ago, I began teaching and conducting workshops for other writers and around 2000, I actually hung out my shingle and started accepting clients. Currently, I consult with authors and freelance writers with regard to their publishing projects, I edit manuscripts, I teach courses and speak on topics related to writing and publishing and I still write articles for magazines and newsletters and an occasional book. And this is how I earn my living. Way back in 1973, when I was a young mom and homemaker, I parlayed my love for writing into a business and it has changed and grown over the years—always presenting me with surprises and lots and lots of challenges. And I wouldn’t change it for any other type of work.

For more about me and my work—also a partial list of my books—visit my website at: http://www.matilijapress.com

Posted in Writing | No Comments »

The Learning Curve for Authors

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

I’m experiencing the learning curve again with my new Catscapades Blog, which is very different than the mechanics of this blog site. I hope to get the thing figured out within the next few days.

Does facing the learning curve make you cringe or want to retreat into your comfort zone? It does me.

But for me, rejection used to feel like a kick in the stomach. There was even a time when the idea of speaking in public felt overwhelmingly uncomfortable.

But, when I made the decision to become a freelance writer, I had to learn to accept rejection. When I decided to become an author, I vowed to meet the challenges necessary to accommodate the success I desired. Thus, I joined a Toastmasters Club and became more at ease with speaking in public. Most of you know the rest of my story. It includes the fact that I was invited to travel to Dubai, all expenses paid, as the keynote speaker for their Toastmaster convention in 2006. For one hour, I stood alone on a stage before 800 people for whom English is their second language and spoke about creativity in speaking. Read about my experiences in Dubai and view photos of the place in my book, Dubai. http://www.matilijapress.com

Are you a new or struggling author who is experiencing the discomfort and uncertainties of the learning curve? Maybe you are writing your first book proposal or trying to devise a query letter and it seems so foreign and awkward to you. Many authors with published books go gung ho into book promotion right out of the gate and then, when book sales slow down, their ideas and energy wanes and they simply stop their forward motion.

While every facet of writing, producing and marketing a book creates challenges for most authors, probably the most difficult period starts around 6 months to a year after they have published. Does this ring true for you? You eagerly awaited publication of your book. You thrilled at holding it in your hands. You send out press releases to key players, deliver and ship copies to several reviewers, show your book around the office and speak about it to your women’s club. You visit independent bookstores around your neighborhood, do a book signing and then quit. Maybe you sold a box or two of books, but sales are dwindling and you are out of ideas and steam.

Guess what? It may be time to approach the learning curve again. And I suggest that you do so through the book that I wrote expressly for struggling authors, The Author’s Repair Kit. This book is designed to breathe new life into your book. It’s in ebook form, only—check it out at http://www.matilijapress.com/author-repairkit.html

Is there hope for a book that seems to have run its course? Absolutely. And is there hope for an author who hates facing the learning curve? Certainly. Hey, if I, a web-challenged person, can purposely jump into the middle of a foreign blog site and attempt to unravel its mysteries, you can turn your failing book around. And you have help—The Author’s Repair Kit.

Good luck!

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

A Writers/Authors Kick in the Pants

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Announcement
I’m now a dual blogger. Yup, my Catscapades blog is up. I hope to post my first entry later today and it will probably include an announcement featuring the revised edition of the book, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. You’ve “read” me talk about the fact that we are adding photos to the cat stories book. Yup, we have added over 80 photos involving over 40 cats. I’ve included cats with attitudes, dress-up cats, lazy cats, cats at play, cats of color, curious cats, clever cats, busy cats, helpful cats, formerly feral cats and cats that are simply hanging out waiting to be admired. Come on over and see what we’re doing at the new blog. Visit often and join in on the fun. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

On the Writing and Publishing Front
Have you been living up to your expectations so far this year? Are you meeting your writing/publishing goals? You know, we’ve already burned two months of this year. What do you have to show for those 59 days in January and February? Are you making progress on your book manuscript? Have you discovered new outlets for selling or promoting your already published book? Have you submitted the number of articles you hoped to by this time? If you can say, “Yes,” to any of these questions, CONGRATULATIONS! We’d all love to hear how you did it. Details please. (Just leave your comment at the bottom of this blog post.)

If, on the other hand, you have to respond negatively to these questions, what is your Plan B? Will you recover and move forward so that you can meet your goals this month? You still have 30 days to accomplish something on your list in March.

For those of you who need guidance or motivation, consider this your kick in the pants. If you are at a loss as to how to achieve your lofty (or even miniscule) writing or publishing goals, maybe the following will help.

If your goal relates to writing:
• Set a strict schedule. Figure out when you have or can set aside an hour or more during your day—everyday—and make writing your priority during this time.
• “Ink” in this activity and honor it as important.
• Learn to say “no” to anything that threatens to interfere with your writing schedule.
• Set yourself up for success rather than failure.

If you are promoting a book:
• Study everything you can find on book promotion. Read books by Patricia Fry, Brian Jud and other industry experts.
• Subscribe to pertinent newsletters: “Book Promotion Newsletter,” “Book Marketing Matters,” “Publishing Basics…”
• Join appropriate organizations: SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org. And read the monthly SPAWN Market Update from cover to cover every month! This newsletter is for members only. (Membership $45/year.) Also consider joining IBPA and SPAN.
• Devise a promotional plan that is reasonable for your particular book.
• Begin implementing your plan little by little and continue in this vein—contacting book reviewers, sending press releases, setting up live presentations, blogging, etc. throughout the year and beyond.

If you are trying to create a freelance article-writing business:
• Study the process of submitting articles to magazines. Read my book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles. http://www.matilijapress.com. Subscribe to “Wooden Horse Publications Newsletter,” “Writer’s Weekly” and “Freelance Writer’s Report.”
• Join SPAWN in order to have access to the “SPAWN Market Update,” which includes markets and opportunities for freelance writers each month. http://www.spawn.org
• Set aside time every day or one or two days each week and focus on your freelance writing career. Don’t skimp on time. It takes time to research markets, research and write the article and involve yourself in the submission process.

You cannot succeed in this field if you remain on the sidelines looking in. The writing/publishing business requires high participation throughout the writing, publishing and marketing processes.

For more guidance and guidelines, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

For a personal consultation contact me at: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Posted in Publishing, Writing | No Comments »

Build Your Platform Through Magazine Articles/Stories

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

Yesterday, I received a copy of FellowScript, the official magazine of the Canadian organization, Inscribe, the Christian Writers’ Fellowship. They published my piece called “Are You Writing For the Right Reasons?”Learn more about this print magazine at http://www.inscribe.org

Also arriving in the mail yesterday was a copy of Working Writer with my article, “Do You Engage in Book Promo Babble?” Maggie Frisch produces Working Writer from Illinois in the US and promotes it as a newsletter that offers solid information and a sense of humor. To learn more about this publication, go to http://www.workingwriter1.com

That makes around four or five of my writing/publishing-related articles published in various periodicals this week. That’s pretty good coverage. Why do I bother to submit articles to magazines and newsletters? For the same reason that I spend an hour or so every day writing this blog, take time out to prepare and present programs at various venues throughout the US, visit blogs related to writing and publishing to leave my comment and so forth. And I do this for the same reasons that those of you with published books or books pending should be doing the same thing: To continue building on my platform.

When I help hopeful authors write their book proposals, they always promise the publisher that they will write articles to promote their nonfiction book or memoir and submit stories to promote their novel or children’s book. Most of these authors promise me (and themselves) that they will start this process even before their book is published. But, alas, very few of the dozens and dozens of hopeful authors and published authors I’ve worked with do so. And I can tell you that those who are writing articles for publication and submitting stories for publication are selling books.

Think about it, when your articles or stories teach, inspire, inform, entertain or touch someone, you’ve made an impression. Your name enters into the conscious and subconscious minds of hundreds or even thousands of readers, most of whom are interested in your topic or genre. Multiply the effect of one story or article by six, twelve or 100 and you’ve reached portions of your audience multiple times and, perhaps, tens of thousands of new readers. Your name is becoming a household name—or at least a respected name among your peers and those who crave and/or need the information or entertainment you offer in your book. The more well-known you are, the more generous you are with your knowledge or skills, the more front and center you are, the more books you will sell. How could this not be true?

Sure, there are times when it seems as though you are talking to a wall—that there’s no one paying attention to the enormous amount of effort you expend in order to share your expertise and/or entertain your audience. You reach out and it’s silent on the other end. No one emails you notes of thanks. No one but spammers comment at your blogsite. There may be people learning, growing and succeeding at least partially because of what you share and you aren’t aware of it. Yes, it can get lonely and you might sometimes wonder why you are giving so much when, seemingly, you are getting nothing back.

Sure you are selling a book now and then—sometimes you even have a flurry of sales. But was that actually because of your efforts or a fluke, you wonder?

And then you attend a conference in another state related to your field and strangers come up to you to shake your hand and tell you how much your work has influenced their success. Or you receive an email from someone who says that you were a huge part of their decision to enter into your field, for example. And where there is one who approaches you, there may be hundreds of others who are functioning or succeeding under your direct influence.

So my message here this morning is don’t give up even when you feel as though you are all alone. Keep giving. Continue putting your name out there through articles in appropriate magazines, regular blog entries and so forth. Imagine your audience eager to receive your message and benefit of your expertise in your field. Know that you are making a difference.

I’ve been working on the new version of Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats this weekend. We’re almost ready to launch the revamped edition which includes photos—over 80 photos of cute, silly, gorgeous, funny, lazy, energetic, loving and crazy cats and kittens. I am having so much fun!

My webmaster should have my cat blog up one day soon, in the meantime, I’ll share tidbits about cats and the cat book here. For all of you who appreciate cats—I added this story to the new book: Pebbles is a pampered pet who lives in a home, has plenty of attention and food lavished on her by night. But by day, she lives a very different life. She hangs out with a managed colony of cats behind a 7-11 store in a drainage ditch. Pebbles is now missing. I’m trying to chase down the colony manager to see if they trapped her, of course, thinking she is a feral cat, and are attempting to place her in a home somewhere. The big-hearted colony manager doesn’t know that Pebbles hangs out with the stray cats only to get the free handouts and to counsel them. She’s their mentor—their link to a better life for each of them.

I will let you know if we locate Pebbles.

In the meantime, I would like you to let me know if you have done the right and smart thing on behalf of your pending or already published book by writing and submitting articles or stories for your target audience. If you’re already doing it, how’s it going? If you are not sure how to start, order my little $6.50 book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion or Profit. http://www.matilijapress.com

While you’re at my website, check out the gorgeous cover on Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. This won’t change, but the inside will change enormously, as we will soon present this fascinating book of cat stories with pictures!!!

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

Newer Entries »