Archive for April, 2009

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What Sort of Writing/Publishing Resources Do You Need?

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Today, I thought I’d offer some resources for my various writer/author friends who follow my blog. Let me know if there are other categories you’re interested in: PLFry620@yahoo.com

Directories of Publishers
Directory of children’s book publishers
http://www.childrens-publishers.com
• Over 100 publishers of children’s books
• Sites for children’s book writers
• Illustrators of children’s books

Directory of publishers in all genres/topics
http://www.acqweb.org/pubr.html

Magazine Directories
 http://www.newpages.com/litmags

Directory of electronic magazines and newsletters
http://ezine-universe.com
http://newsletteraccess.com

Newspaper Directories
http://www.newspapers.com
http://www.usnpl.com

If you write articles or stories for magazines or to promote a book; if you are seeking a publisher for your manuscript or if you want to send out press releases in order to promote your book, you’ll be glad that you stumbled across or came back to visit this blog today. These links represent thousands of resources that, if pursued, could help you to get published, sell more books or have some of your articles or stories accepted for publication.

A good value? You bet it is. Want more? Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org. You’ll have access to thousands more resources in many categories every month through the SPAWN Market Update, posted in the member area of the SPAWN website every month. We also provide searchable archives representing about 8 years worth of this amazing newsletter.

KUDOS for Patricia Fry
My article, “Expanding Within Your Niche” appears in Mike’s Writing Workshop Newsletter April 18, 2009 edition. Check it out at http://mikeswritingworkshop.blogspot.com

Learn more about me, Patricia Fry, and my work and services at http://www.matilijapress.com

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Discussion Groups–What’s in it for You?

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

Do you belong to a “discussion group?” Of course, SPAWN has a discussion group where members can discuss writing and publishing subjects, share resources, etc. (SPAWN is Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network.) http://www.spawn.org. We’ve had some good discussions over the years and many members have been helped by the perspective, knowledge and resources shared by others.

Since I came out with my book of cat stories, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats, I joined the Cat Writer’s Association. Yesterday, a member who is an editor shared her story in our discussion group about her recent dealings with an author who became completely irrational. The author overreacted to the point of attempting to get the editor fired from the job and all because of the editor’s great editorial suggestion. You should have seen the emails flying back and forth in support of this editor and her plight.

Evidently, many of us in the Cat Writer’s Association are editors and we could all feel this gal’s pain. But, being somewhat removed from the situation emotionally, we could also see the humor and irony in the situation. Each of us had war stories to tell. We had each other cracking up and nodding in complete alignment over the often crazy and sometimes unreasonable responses and reactions we’ve experienced with our authors. And I think that all of us, including the editor who was currently hurting, felt comforted and supported knowing that there are others out there who understand.

If you are struggling along as a freelance writer, hopeful author or an author who is attempting to promote a book, don’t go it alone. Get involved with a discussion group or forum. Share your stories of deranged editors, difficult publishers and problems with booksellers and distributors, for example. Ask how others handle such situations. There are many online discussion groups and forums around and some of them are free. Get the support you need from others who can understand what you’re experiencing and even help in some way.

If you are a professional who writes about cats, consider joining the Cat Writer’s Association: http://www.catwriters.org. Commiserate and collaborates with other authors, publishers, agents, artists, illustrators, etc. as a member of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org. It’s only $45/year and you get a free book of your choice.

Some of the free networking opportunities include Writers Space at: http://www.writerspace.com, Writing Forums at: http://www.writingforums.com, Absolute Write at: http://www.absolutewrite.com.

Do a Google search to find others—use keywords “writing” “forums” or “publishing” “forums.”

Get all of the information you need about writing, publishing, book promotion and everything that goes with it in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

And if you want a hands-on approach to learning how to establish a freelance writing career, set up your own publishing company, write a book proposal or promote your book, sign up for one of my online, on-demand courses: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

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Resources for Authors

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Today Max and I bring you a variety of ideas, tips and resources.

Who’s Max? He is my trusty behind the scenes feline assistant. Unbeknownst to any of you, every morning, he is here helping me write my blog. As I type my message to you, he’s either sitting on the corner of my desk “whiskering” in my ear or he’s on my lap purring out his opinion. This morning, he wants me to tell you, first off, to visit my Catscapades blog because he is the handsome dude featured this week. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

How to Locate an Author
I had someone contact me a few days ago asking how to locate a particular author. She said she had done the usual Google search and came up with nothing. So I went to work to see what I could find out for her.

If you want to contact an author in hopes of having him/her write a testimonial for your book, to participate with you in a panel discussion at a conference, to interview at your blog site, to question with regard to their promotional activities, to quote for an article or ? here’s what you do:

• Conduct an Internet search using Google.com, Yahoo.com or your choice of search engines using the author’s name, his/her pen name and/or their book title. Hopefully, you will locate this author’s website.

• Look for the contact button. If you locate the author’s website, but can’t easily find contact information (which is becoming more and more of a problem at many websites), try the following: Look for the “contact” button among the links at the top, along the side or at the bottom of the page. If you don’t see one, click on “About Us.” Sometimes you’ll find the contact button embedded in this page. If the site offers any contests, submission information, advertising opportunities, list of names involved in the site, you might find contact information or a contact form on one of these pages. You can also take a peek at the Privacy Page at the site, if you can find one. And the Index page might help, as well.

• Get help. Here’s an interesting concept—Domain Tools, provides all sorts of information about the owners of most websites. Check it out at http://www.domaintools.com. I did a search using my own site and was quite surprised by the magnitude of information they have about me and my company, Matilija Press.

• Contact the publisher. If there is no website in sight, find out who published his/her book and contact them. Most publishing companies assign pr persons to their authors. Their job is to screen the authors’ messages and put them in touch with the people who can possibly help them to sell tons of books.

It doesn’t seem like something as simple as finding contact information at a website would become so difficult. But, if you ever need to reach someone who doesn’t really want to be disturbed, without these tips, you may end up a bit disturbed by the run-around you are given.

Book Promotion Tip and Resource
Use holidays to promote your book. How? Visit http://www.earthcalendar.net. Find holidays, events and special celebration days that relate to your book and use these to do some interesting promotion. For example, did you know that April 22 is Oklahoma Day in the U.S.? It’s also Earth Day and Administrative Professional Day (formerly Secretaries Day). April 23 is World Copyright Day. And the 25th is World Penguin Day. Oh yes, you’ll have lots of fun with this site and planning special promotional activities using it.

Changes in Library Directory Sites
I attempted to use the online ALA Library Directory this week and discovered that it seems to be disabled. Another Library Directory site that I list in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, also seems to be gone. But don’t stress over this. I’m not going to leave you hanging. Now, if you want to access a library directory use http://travelinlibrarian.info/libdir or http://www.publiclibraries.com

Let Me Know When Links No Longer Work
Many of you have copies of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. If you use one of my resources and discover that it is no longer useful, please let me know. I will personally locate replacement sites for you. In fact, if you have a need for a directory of any kind—job search for writers, book distributors, book festivals, writers conferences, legal help, etc., contact me either through this blog site or through my website or email address (both listed below). I’ll see what sites I can locate for you.

So there you have it—some important updates, a terrifically useful bit of information, some promises of help and enough new links to keep you busy until Max and I meet with you again.

Be sure to visit my website—you can always find a way to contact me there http://www.matilijapress.com. And to make it even easier, use this email address: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

And don’t forget to stop by and meet Max: http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

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Book Promotion Opportunities Missed Are Sales Lost

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Don’t discount those marketing opportunities that are right under your nose. A few years ago, we started a new department in SPAWNews, SPAWN’s monthly newsletter which goes out to around 2,200 writers, authors, artists and small publishers. (That’s Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network http://www.spawn.org) We decided that each month, we would feature a member’s website. We put out a call to members—”We will showcase YOUR website in SPAWNews—for FREE.” And we gave the contact information.

No one came forward. NO ONE!! I wondered, don’t our members have websites for their writing/graphics businesses? Aren’t they selling books through their own websites? So I went in search of member sites.

My first stop was the SPAWN Member Directory. While virtually all members are listed there, few of them had their websites listed. Somehow, they neglected to put their website address on their member application. So I began contacting members to ask if they had a website and if they would like to have it featured in SPAWNews. BINGO! Almost all of the ten-or-so members I randomly contacted said, “Yes, I have a website and I’d love to have it featured in SPAWNews.”

So why didn’t they come forward to take advantage of this promotional opportunity on their own? Why didn’t they at least make sure their website was listed in the SPAWN Member Directory?

I began evaluating my own marketing techniques and realized that there are opportunities I miss, too. We stay so busy trying to make a living, keeping up with our contacts, processing (physically and mentally) the enormous volume of materials we receive each day, coming up with new marketing ideas for our books and trying to maintain some order in our personal lives, we’re overloaded.. No wonder we either miss or just don’t get around to pursuing some of the opportunities that are right under our noses.

I vowed to pay more attention to those opportunities that come up. When I read about a marketing opportunity that takes little time and effort, I’ll drop what I’m doing and take advantage right then. If I hear about a potential market for one of my books, I’ll make a note of it and slip it into a file folder which I promise to open at least once a week. My day for this work is Sunday afternoon. I spend another half day every few weeks pursuing new markets for one of my books—sending out press releases to libraries across the U.S., coming up with new ideas for newspaper press releases—that new angle that will grab an editor even in Boulder, CO or Jacksonville, FL.

I suggest to everyone reading this—pay attention to the opportunities that come before you and act on them now, either by direct action or by filing the idea in a hot file to pursue in the near future.

For more about how to promote your book, how to design a marketing plan, etc. continue reading this blog and be sure to review past posts. Also, read “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Posted in Book Promotion, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Online, On-Demand Courses for Authors

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

The online course is a phenomenon of the times. And it can be extremely useful—a worthwhile endeavor for anyone who wants to become more educated in a particular area of interest or expertise and who doesn’t have the time to take real-time, in-person classes.

I teach four different online courses for authors and freelance writers. I’ve added something that may be unique—I teach my courses on-demand. This means that you don’t have to wait for the classes to start. You can sign up when you are ready and I will present the course just for you.

Here’s how it works, you choose the day of the week on which you’d like to receive lessons. I will send you a lecture and an assignment on that day each week during the 6 or 8 week course and provide whatever feedback you require throughout the duration of the course. This is actually a rather inexpensive way to work with me one-on-one.

If you are struggling to write a book proposal or you don’t even know where to start writing one, sign up for my 8-week BOOK PROPOSAL course and I’ll guide you in writing a successful book proposal for a fee of $200. If you were to work with me at my consultation fee, this may cost you considerably more.

If you need help promoting your book, you might benefit from my 6-week Book Promotion Workshop or the course on How to Write and Sell Magazine Articles, which is an excellent way to promote a nonfiction book.

I also teach a Self-Publishing Workshop—where I guide you in setting up your own publishing company. (8 weeks, $160)

If you need help writing a book proposal, promoting your book, breaking into the magazine article business or establishing a publishing company of your own, consider signing up for one (or more) of my online, on-demand courses. Check them out at http://www.matilijapress.com/htm. There, you’ll also find links to “How does an online class work?” and testimonials from Patricia Fry’s students, clients and customers.

KUDOS for Patricia
Hey, check out my article at Publishing Basics http://www.publishingbasics.com. They feature my article, “Editing is a Process,” in their April 14, 2009 newsletter. Scroll down to find my smiling face alongside the link to my article. If you struggle with the editing process, this article may bring you some comfort and give you some tools.

What’s Happening at Catscapades?
For the cat people among you, I updated my Catscapades blog yesterday. At my cat Max’s request, I have featured one of his glamour shots. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades. Max is our formerly feral 11-year-old cat and boy is he a handsome dude—don’t you think? Also take a look at Smokey, Frigie FryPan, Daisy, Pumpkin and little Catalina in previous posts at the Catscapades blog site. For more cat photos and lots more cat stories, order your copy of Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats today: http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Updates at My Website
I’m preparing to have an open house at my updated website, but it’s not quite ready, yet. My webmaster has completed some of the updates, but the resources page is still in progress. I am hoping for an April 20 open house. Stay posted.

Sign up for the online course of your choice today. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm Email me with questions: PLFry620@yahoo.com

Posted in Announcements, Publishing | No Comments »

Have You Been a Guest Blogger, Lately?

Monday, April 13th, 2009

When was the last time you were a guest blogger? Most of you would have to answer this question by saying, “never.” You haven’t gone in search of blog sites related to the topic of your book, have you? You haven’t used these sites to learn more about promoting your book, to discover new promotional ideas, to make contact with folks who can help you promote your book, to discover resources to help with book promotion and you haven’t asked to be a guest blogger at these sites.

So what are you missing by neglecting this area of possibilities? Book sales, perhaps; most definitely, exposure as well as the opportunity to meet key people, learn about valuable resources and make some important connections.

Why haven’t you pursued guest blogging or even blog hopping? Because you don’t know how to go about it? Because you weren’t aware of the value in this activity? Because you didn’t consider it a priority? Well, now that you know the value of this activity, maybe you’ll make it a priority and I’m going to tell you how to go about it.

Sign up for Google Alerts at http://www.google.com/alerts or another notification service. Use keywords related to your book’s genre and topic. You can set the alerts to arrive in your email box daily, weekly or as it happens. Some of the alerts that come in are news items related to your topic(s) and some are blog posts.

This is just one way to discover blog sites where your topic or genre is being discussed. You can also do web searches using keywords, “blog” and your topic, for example.

When you discover a blog related to your topic or genre, visit it and study the posts. Read the comments and leave one. Where appropriate, ask to be interviewed or to be a guest blogger.

Once you get a gig, expand on the publicity by writing about it at your own blog site and/or by sending an email to your list. Be sure to report back to us here at the Publishing Blog, as well. Now, not only are you reaching the thousands of people who visit the original blog, all of your blog visitors/email pals are now aware and the thousand, or so, people who stop in at my blogsite every day will also learn about you and your book.

Take advantage of free promotional opportunities while they are available. You never know when they will go away. I’m sure that most of you are aware that Amazon.com is probably going to remove one of our promotional opportunities from their site—one that we’ve taken for granted for several years. Up until now, we could post reviews at other authors’ book pages at Amazon while promoting our own books through our bio at the bottom. Amazon is currently in the process of removing some of those reviews.

From what I understand, some people consider this removal process a good thing. Evidently, mean-spirited people sometimes leave negative reviews and, up until now, no matter what the victimized author did, Amazon refused to remove the reviews.

So, the lesson for authors today is, use some of the many free promotional opportunities to the fullest while they are available because you never know when they will be taken away. And, since blogging is so popular now, it’s a good place to begin.

If you are still working on your book manuscript, don’t start showing it around to publishers and certainly don’t publish it yourself until you’ve had it professionally edited. I am a freelance writer, the author of 29 books (11 of them related to writing and publishing) and I edit works for other authors. Learn more about my services and qualifications at http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

How comforting it is to work with an editor who is also an expert in the field of publishing and book promotion.

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How to Ride Out the Recession as a Freelance Writer or Author

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Have you seen the list of businesses that are booming during the recession? While the economic downturn is affecting everyone in some way—your investments are down, your bank has closed, your dog groomer and housekeeper have had to get minimum wage jobs downtown in order to survive—there are some businesses that are excelling. And it seems that two of the top jobs to be in during the recession are writing-related.

According to U.S. News and World Report, romance book sales are up as is the demand for resume editors. Other items that consumers are in need/want of even now (or especially now) are vegetable seeds, help with career development, fast food at reasonable prices (as in McDonald’s value meals) and chocolate.

I remember reading a similar report after 911. Chocolate was selling well then, too, as were inspirational books, comforters, soft pillows and other cozy household items.

So should all writers start writing romance novels and/or set up resume-writing businesses? Certainly, you can if you want to and if this is something you’re good at and would enjoy. I definitely recommend, if you write articles for publication, that you come up with pieces that will provide the hope, comfort, information and resources that people can use during these difficult times. Consider articles focusing on free family togetherness activities, for example, how to land and manage a second job, a list of businesses across the U.S. that are hiring, how to write a romance novel, cost-cutting ideas for your household or business, tips for knowing when is the right time to let your employees go, how to cut down on pet expenses without compromising your dog’s or cat’s health, how to take a vacation in your hometown this summer, etc.

Submit your inspirational stories and poetry to a variety of magazines. I just finished writing the SPAWN Market Update in which I reported that there are currently around 20,000 magazines and newsletters out there and that many of them are seeking material from freelance writers. I also listed several magazines that you might not think of that publish (and pay for) poetry. Get access to this monthly newsletter by joining SPAWN. http://www.spawn.org

If you are skilled in resume-writing, advertise this service throughout your community and beyond. Likewise, if you do web design, consider offering some special packages for the folks who need these services. Get creative in what you offer and how you get the word out.

What if you don’t have these types of skills, but you have a book you are promoting? How can you sell your book in this economy? If you’ve been reading this blog for long and some of the articles posted at my website http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm, then you know that you will sell books only for as long as you are willing to promote your book and that book promotion is ongoing. When the economy gets bad and sales diminish, it’s time to rev up the book-selling machine. Get creative and innovative. Try new sales techniques. Reach out into greater depths of the country or the world with news of your book. Infiltrate areas you haven’t considered, yet. Change something about the way you are promoting your book and your number of sales will change, as well.

The thing is, if you do nothing, that’s what you will get—nothing.

I’d love to hear from you about your latest book promotion idea. Did you go outside your comfort zone in order to reach a new audience with your book? Are you promoting your book using different tactics/skills? How’s it going for you? Let’s report your successes here—it’s another way to promote your book!!!

For more about promoting your book, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Why buy this book in this economy? Let me count the reasons…

Actually, there is only one: it will show you how to succeed as a published author no matter your genre or level of experience.

Order your copy now at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you want to check this book out first, it is in the U.S library system. Make sure that you check out the most current edition—2nd edition, published in 2007.

Posted in Book Promotion, Publishing | No Comments »

What is a Chapter Summary?

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

For most hopeful authors, writing a book proposal seems like an overwhelming task. They may study articles and books about how to write a book proposal. They might review successful book proposals. But when it comes to writing one, they freeze. They question the format, the order, the scope and the focus. They wonder, “What is the point?” “How long should it be?” “What is meant by platform, synopsis, competitive works?” “And what the heck is a chapter summary?”

A book proposal is a sales pitch for your book. A book proposal with all of the right elements and information will help an agent or publisher determine whether your project is worth representing or publishing. And the Chapter Summaries section of a nonfiction manuscript is an important aspect of any book proposal.

So how is a Chapter Summary constructed? Too often, authors simply pull paragraphs from their chapters in order to create a summary. But what does this really tell the publisher about that chapter? Some authors try to mention practically everything that’s in the chapter in a sort of rapid, staccato style. How is a publisher supposed to follow narrative that is so densely compacted? So what does a Chapter Summary contain? How is it presented?

I suggest that a Chapter Summary is actually a description of the chapter. It should include the purpose of the chapter, an overview of what it encompasses and, perhaps, one or two anecdotes or examples. When you finish writing a summary of a chapter, read it from the point of view of the publisher and determine the following:

• Have you captured the essence of the chapter?
• Is your description clear, uncluttered and concise?
• Does the Chapter Summary reflect how your chapter is organized?
• Do your anecdotes or examples appropriately represent the theme of the chapter?
• Is this a good representation of the way the book is written?

I recommend writing your Chapter Summaries in the same person, tense and general style as your book is written.

The Chapter Summary is just one aspect of the book proposal. To learn more about how to research for, construct and prepare a book proposal, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I dedicate almost 100 pages of this book to writing a book proposal for nonfiction and fiction books. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Folks tell me that my chapters on writing a book proposal are easy to follow and understand. One author said that the book proposal was still a giant mystery to her until she sat down with my book. She said that I was able to get through her book proposal block and guide her in finally writing one.

I can tell you that once you write one, you have a template to follow from now on. You also have a measure of confidence that will see you through even the most complicated book proposal in the future.

If you’d like me to take a look at your Chapter Summaries, email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.

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Tons of Opportunities for Freelance Writers, Authors and Others Involved in Publishing

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

I’m compiling the SPAWN Market Update this week. It’s a large task which I usually enjoy and always learn from. The SPAWN Market Update is a newsletter which is posted in the member area of the SPAWN website each month. (That’s Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network.) This unique newsletter features opportunities for freelance writers, authors, artists, screen writers, photographers and others who are interested in publishing their work. In any one issue, I might provide directories representing thousands of jobs for freelance writers, lists of book review opportunities, paying work for artists, opportunities for poets, calls for screenplays and feature films and a list of several new publishers who are seeking manuscripts.

I also include industry news—which magazines, publishers and writers’ websites are folding; what new policies are being discussed by Amazon; which distributors have gone out of business and how will that affect you and so forth.

I will often feature an area of publishing or promotion. For example, recently, I featured 24 regional organizations that offer face-to-face meetings; I sometimes focus on book festivals and writers’ conferences across the country. And I provide tons and tons of resources for our members. Here are a few of the topics I’ve covered in recent months:

• Publishing law sites
• Hundreds of jobs for artists and photographers
• How to get on the radio
• Speaking tips and opportunities
• A review of writing/publishing newsletters and magazines
• Reports on book and ebook sales
• Agent searches
• Competitions
• Resources to help you self publish or find a publisher
• Online courses for writers and authors
• Tips for promoting your book through magazine articles
• Resources for locating the right writers conferences
• How to devise your marketing plan
• List of speakers’ organizations
• The returns policy explained
• Resources for children’s book authors
• How to locate those elusive submission guidelines

Once, when I told someone that I am a writer and that I write on many different subjects, he said to me, “You must be the smartest woman I have ever met.”

I said, “No, I just know how to conduct research.”

And that’s exactly how I can provide such extreme value in the SPAWN Market Update newsletter—I am pretty much in constant research mode. In the process of responding to clients’, students’ and members’ questions, conducting research for the many articles and blogs I write, studying the myriad of writers/publishers newsletters that come across my desk every week, I collect tidbits of information, news and resources by the bushels and file them away for the next issue of the SPAWN Market Update.

As part of the compilation and writing process, I check out the resources, information bytes and news before including it, so our members always have the most updated and valid material available to help them through the writing, publishing and marketing processes and to assist them in earning a living within their fields.

If you are considering joining SPAWN, and you’d like to see a sample of a SPAWN Market Update, contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Join SPAWN for $45/year and receive a free book/ebook from a choice of six. You’ll also be eligible for participation in our email discussion group, you’ll be listed in our member directory, you can place announcements (promote yourself) in SPAWNews (2,200 circulation), you’ll be eligible for discounts, you can place your book in the SPAWN Catalog of Members Books and Services for a fee, you can participate with us in events such as the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (also for a fee) AND you will have access to the SPAWN Market Update each month as well as several years of archives.

I can’t tell you how many people have earned double or triple their membership dues from the opportunities and resources in just one issue of the SPAWN Market Update. Others have saved tons of money by heeding the warnings we’ve posted in the SPAWN Market Update. And still others are earning money through freelance opportunities, getting published, selling books, etc. only because of leads they discovered in the SPAWN Market Update.

So—I’d better get back to work on this, my 91st edition of the SPAWN Market Update. Do we have archives—oh yes!!! And we provide a search feature so you can search for the information and resources you want.

Be a part of this exclusive club that has access to this amazing newsletter. Join SPAWN today. I can promise that you will benefit to the degree that you participate, utilize and apply the opportunities and material we provide. http://www.spawn.org

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Book Promotion: Don’t Overdose Your Audience

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Do you have a presentation coming up? Are you planning to speak to a group of your peers, at a civic organization meeting, before your church group or during a book signing at a local bookstore or library?

What’s your demeanor? Are you confident that this will be a successful event? Or are you a little nervous? Here are some steps to help you sail through the presentation comfortably, confidently and smoothly:

Be Well-Prepared
Plan your presentation carefully and then practice, practice, practice. Know your audience and plan to speak directly to them. If they are tourists, you will probably approach the subject of your city’s early history differently than you would if you were addressing locals, for example.

Visit the venue, if possible, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Will you have a lectern, microphone, projector or whiteboard?

Find out how long you are scheduled to speak and prepare your presentation accordingly.

Make it Over the Top Interesting
What are some of the factors that make a presentation sparkle? Fascinating anecdotes, little surprises (intrigue) and humor are three of them. Break up your verbal presentation by giving a demonstration. Engage the audience by asking questions or giving them a responsibility. If you’re promoting a novel, for example, ask a few audience members to read some of the parts. For added interest, bring simple costumes (hats, masks, cigars/pipes, a cane, parasol, etc.).

Keep it Simple
The most effective presentations are those where the speaker offers only 3 points or mini-subjects. While this rule can also apply to authors of fiction, it is most important when presenting subjects of nonfiction. I’m afraid that this is one rule I frequently break. I have so much I want to share with hopeful and struggling authors and I want to offer it ALL. But offering it all doesn’t mean that all will be absorbed and comprehended. In fact, if the material is new to the audience member, an overdose of information and resources could quite likely go undigested.

Before outlining or writing your speech, determine the 3 basic points you want to share. Then create your material around these points. If, for example, your book features how to be a green pet owner, consider focusing on making your own pet food. Your points might include, basic ingredients for feeding healthy dogs, how to prepare the dog food and feeding schedules and tips. Create a handout featuring additional ways to be a green pet owner.

For a book on local history, you might talk about the three major waves of settlers to the area and what brought them. In my city, for example, it was the oilmen seeking their fortunes, the ailing searching for better health and then the wealthy who came for the summers.

Speak Up
We all have habits when it comes to our way of communicating. Try to leave your bad ones home when you speak before a group.

• Speak up and speak out.
• Avoid letting your voice trail off at the end of a sentence—something I see way too often.
• Keep your hands away from your face so you don’t muffle your voice as you speak.
• Stand up straight and tall so you can project your voice toward the back of the room.
• Make eye contact with everyone in the room throughout your talk.
• Speak at a good pace.
• Pause for effect.
• Repeat audience questions to make sure everyone hears them.
• Speak to those in the back of the room, even when you are responding to a question from someone in the front row.
• Keep to your time allotment

There you have the important basics of public speaking. If this concept is new to you, practice on family and friends. (I used to rehearse speeches in front of my cats.) And then go out and start booking events where you can promote your book.

Oh yes, and the last thing you want to appear to be doing is promoting your book! Your goal should be to entertain and/or inform. Of course, once you have provided value to your audience, let folks know that they can read the entire marvelous story or learn even more about your topic by reading the book. Then invite them to the back of the room to purchase copies.

For more about how to successfully promote your book through public speaking, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

You’ll also find a variety of articles at my website about public speaking. http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm

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