Archive for December, 2009

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Don’t Write Over Your Editor

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

When you hire an editor for your book manuscript, do you allow her to do her job?

Generally, you will turn your manuscript over to an editor after you have done a thorough self-editing. S/he will correct mistakes such as the misuse of words, punctuation errors and misspelled words. S/he will make suggestions in the area of repeated words, run-on sentences, capitalization questions, continuity/flow of the story, inconsistencies in the story, organization of the material and so forth. If your editor is like me, s/he will teach as s/he edits—noting why s/he is making certain suggestions.

Then s/he will turn your manuscript back to you. You can either accept or reject her suggestions. You can make changes and do some rewriting (some of it your editor has recommended). But after you do this, especially if it is extensive, you really should let your editor go over your manuscript one more time. S/he should do the final edit. S/he should have the opportunity to look over your changes and comment on them. It could be that you incorporated some of your bad writing habits into the new paragraph or you interrupted the continuity of your story, for example. Your editor will discover any new problems.

And, if your changes were not extensive, you may not have to pay the editor to read the entire manuscript again. Highlight those areas that you changed on your own and ask her to charge you only for editing those. Keep in mind that she may have to spend more time doing this than you imagine when s/he’s editing for continuity and consistency.

As editors, we are gleefully pleased when our authors acknowledge us in their completed book. But, as you can imagine, it can be an embarrassment and, possibly a black mark on our reputations, when the author writes over our edits to an extent that negates our editing work.

So my message today is—definitely hire a good, recommended editor for your project. Let her do her job by allowing her to see and okay the final draft before putting her name on your book.

For more about using an editor and self-editing, read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I’m getting quite a few orders for this book from Amazon, lately. Would rather that you order it from me—it costs me money to sell it to you through Amazon, would you believe…

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What’s an Author to Say?

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Are you thinking about going on the speaking circuit? Or to put it in more realistic terms, are you considering going out and speaking to a few groups about your book? As I’ve told you many times, this is a good way to sell books and to get exposure for your book.

Okay, so you’ve joined a Toastmasters club and you’re becoming more comfortable as a speaker. You’ve contacted a few program directors for local organizations. You may have even set up a speaking engagement. Now what? What will you talk about?

First find out something about the organization or group you’ll be speaking to and then learn something about your audience. How much time will you have to speak? Your subject matter, slant and way of delivery all depend on the circumstances you’ll be facing.

You have more options and possibilities when you have more time to speak. While some people prefer brief time slots in which to speak, I crave the hour-long or even 2-hour-long opportunities. I can give and teach so much more when I have more time. You can barely establish a rapport with an audience and introduce yourself in only thirty minutes, for example.

Here are some ideas for your next speaking engagement:

• Talk about what prompted you to become a writer or to write this particular book.

• Talk off the cuff about your experiences while writing and publishing this book.

• If it is a novel or children’s book, share parts of the story and read a few sections. (Read from your book only if you have practiced reading out loud and you are very good at it. Otherwise, don’t bother.)

• Ask audience members to help present your story. Give them parts to read or act out.

For a nonfiction book:
• Share the premise of your book, what prompted you to write it. Offer anecdotes.

• Expand on a point in your book. For a book on how to make your life more green, focus just on recycling, for example.

• Give a demonstration. Maybe your book features handmade kites. Actually show how to create one. Involve the audience.

• Present an experiment or a lesson related to the theme of your book.

• Talk about something new that has come to your attention since you completed your book—a new theory, process or concept…

• Talk about some of your experiences as a published author.

Before you go out and speak, jot down possible topics or themes you could talk about. Go through your Table of Contents to discover subjects. Thumb through your chapters. Some of your headings might give you clues as to subtopics you could expand into speeches.

Once you have a list of speech topics, start outlining them to see which ones actually hold water—or will hold the audience members’ attention.

Learn more about speaking as a means of promoting your book in Chapter Thirteen of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Sign up for my online Book Promotion Course at
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm

Posted in Public Speaking | 1 Comment »

Make the Right Choices on Behalf of Your Publishing Project

Monday, December 7th, 2009

I started this blog just four years ago. I’ve published nearly 650 posts since then on all variety of topics related to publishing, authorship and freelance writing. When I go back and look at entries posted in November and December of 2005, I notice the similarities to what I write today and I am aware of the changes that have taken place over the years in publishing.

The main changes seem to revolve around the opportunities in this field. Because of the opportunities, more people are getting involved as authors, as publishers and as printers, editors, publicists, agents, workshop leaders/teachers, book shepherds…

Go in search of an editor or a publicist, publisher, POD printing company or agent and you will find listing after listing after listing of them. Seek out a pay-to-publish company and dozens and dozens of them will appear before your eyes.

And what about books? Everyone who has ever produced a book or even thought about it is writing a book for authors.

Not only that—there are many people establishing companies based on eclectic skills and creative concepts through which they are offering services of all kinds for authors. You’ve probably come across some of them in your search for help with your publishing project.

Is this good for the hopeful and struggling author or not? Of course the answer to this is as confusing as is the array of services being offered to authors. The answer is a definite “yes and no.” Sure there are some amazing professionals out there with the skills to guide you toward publishing success. And there are some definite Johnny and Jill-come-latelys who do not have the knowledge and understanding of the industry to successfully advise or assist any hopeful author. There are three categories of people in this slot.

1: The non-expert/non-professional who are simply misguided into thinking that, just because they published a book they know the ropes.

2: The eager beaver who has expertise ONLY in finance, marketing or editing a magazine, for example and who see an opportunity to build a business within the publishing field.

3: The out and out scam artist who only pretends to have something of value to offer authors.

Of course, the author loses in each of these situations.

What can you do to protect yourself from being scammed (or misled) by someone in any of these categories?

• Study the publishing industry so you understand what it entails, what your options are, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.

• Before signing with or hiring any individual or company, do some serious research. How long have they been in business? Who are their clients/customers? Just exactly what do they offer?—get samples. Ask for references and follow up with them.

• Check warning sites for any negatives about this individual or company. Also do a Google search to discover what others are saying about them.

• If there is a contract involved, make sure you understand it completely. Hire an intellectual properties or publishing attorney to look it over if you have any questions.

Most of all, take your time as you navigate through the process of studying the publishing industry, writing a book proposal, hiring and working with an editor, locating and approaching an agent/publisher and/or choosing a publishing option.

Start the new year being proactive and intelligent on behalf of your book project. Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Contact me if you have any questions or need direction with regard to your next step within the publishing industry. PLFry620@yahoo.com

Posted in Publishing | No Comments »

Use Your Book to Get Perks

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

I’m sure that this heading perked up your ears and made you feel a bit perky. We all like to use what we have to score some sort of benefit or advantage. For example, being an author brings you recognition. And it affords you opportunities that you might not otherwise have. But it’s often up to you to create and accept those opportunities.

As an author, you might be invited to special events, be able to justify trips to interesting places, land lucrative writing assignments, be treated to some unusual experiences. The possibilities are endless.

I know the author of a war story who, because of his book and his passion for his story, traveled to the South Pacific, met with dignitaries there and, because he launched an important project, has received enormous publicity. There is even a documentary about him and his story.

Dan Poynter travels thousands of miles every week to cities all over the world talking to authors about the topic of his book.

I, too, have visited many cities because of my status as an author. And I’m planning something very exciting as we speak. I told you that my friends’ screenplay will be presented next year near Atlanta. I really, really want to see it. So I am attempting to arrange some speaking engagements at local writers’ group meetings in that area during the play’s run in order to justify putting out the money to travel. I’ll let you know how it goes. Watch the “Activities Schedule” at my website for the details. http://www.matilijapress.com

In the meantime, if you belong to a writers group in the Atlanta area, check to see if they need a speaker for a February or March meeting and please let me know.

Likewise, I’ll be in Las Vegas and maybe Phoenix areas in April. Do you belong to a group in these regions? I’d like to talk to your program chairman.

I’m traveling this weekend, but it is all family—no business. I hope to be back Monday with some great tips for locating those sometimes elusive submission guidelines for writers/authors at websites.

Contact me at: plfry620@yahoo.com

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A Few Words From Patricia

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Why You Should Join SPAWN NOW
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we’re raising the SPAWN dues. If you have been thinking about joining, join now at $45/year. As of January 1, dues will be $65. It’s the first raise in almost 14 years. To learn more about SPAWN and what’s in it for you as an author, freelance writer or artist, go to http://www.spawn.org.

I’m Traveling Again
My blog posts will be hit and miss this weekend. I’ll be out of town to a family wedding.

Want to Speak to Authors in Atlanta
In the meantime, I’m looking for some opportunities to speak about authorship in the Atlanta area in late February/early March. A friend is presenting her play, Who’s There in the Atlanta area and I want to go. When I travel, I always look for opportunities to meet other authors and share with them. So if you know of any groups that meet in that area or community programs seeking speakers on topics of interest to authors, let me know ASAP.

I already have one invitation to a small writers group in the Griffin area. Yeah! I’d like to meet up with one or two others while I’m there.

Give Books for Christmas
Are you giving books for Christmas? How about purchasing them from the authors you know from your writers’ group, through your publishing organization, from the writing conference you attended or that you meet throughout the course of your busy days. I’m giving books to seven people on my list from four authors I know—a spiritual story, a novel, a book of cat stories and a children’s book.

Support authors just like you want to be supported in your writing/publishing efforts.

If you know a budding author, present him or her with my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Posted in Announcements | No Comments »

Promote Your Book From State to State

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

I told you that a client/friend landed a grant to have her book presented as a play in Griffin, Georgia. Well, I really, really want to be there, so I am attempting to locate writers groups in the area where I can speak, therefore, justify spending the money to go.

Do you see how that works? No, I probably won’t be a paid speaker—although some clubs and organizations do give speakers a stipend of from $50 to $150 or so. I go out and speak to these small groups for the exposure. It is a way for me to promote my books, my services and SPAWN while also helping hopeful and struggling authors to take the steps necessary to succeed.

Those of you with books to promote could follow suit. Do you have a class reunion or a family reunion coming up next summer in Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, Miami or Waterloo, Iowa? Contact bookstores in the area and arrange for a book signing. Then make arrangements to do a gig on a local talk radio show prior to the event and be sure to send out press releases to local newspapers. If your book, in any way, relates to local history, see about speaking at the museum or before the historical society.

Maybe you have a nonfiction book featuring pets, natural health and beauty tips or family budgeting. Arrange book signings at appropriate sites—pet stores, veterinarian offices, animal shelters or natural health food stores, beauty shops, beauty supply stores or real estate offices, an accountant’s office, etc.

Do you have a novel focusing on an elderly couple who take a motorcycle road trip? Set up signings/talks at senior centers, bike shops, civic club meetings and so forth.

In other words, use your imagination to come up with good venues for promoting your book and step out of your comfort zone to make the arrangements.

Program directors and bookstore managers who do not know you, will need some proof of your credibility. After telling them a little about yourself, invite them to your website. Send them a copy of your book. Give them a sense of your talk. And be sure to tell them about some of your speaking experiences.

What? You don’t have speaking experience? Here’s what you do:

1. Join a Toastmasters Club. Find one near you at: http://www.toastmasters.org. Toastmasters Clubs are self-help organizations for honing your public speaking and communication skills.

2. Devise a presentation designed to entertain and/or inform audiences.

3. Set up several book signings and speaking engagements locally.
Now you have skills and experience.

To learn more about the dos and don’ts of public speaking as a way to promote your book and so much more related to writing, publishing and promoting your book, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Those of you who have this book–and I know there are quite a few of you who do–how about commenting on what part of the book helped you the most. PLFry620@yahoo.com. Or leave a comment here.

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

How to Use Columns to Promote Your Nonfiction Book

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Most newspapers and magazines have columns. A newspaper might have a book review column, a business column, a pet column, a senior column—even columns related to automotive, local activities, foods and cooking, parenting, gardening and health.

Magazines have columns related to the theme of the periodical. A parenting magazine might have columns in the areas of family activities, family budgeting, children’s books, relationships and child behavior. A women’s magazine may have columns focusing on fashion, beauty, shopping, foods, fitness, home decorating, family issues, career and so forth.

What do these columns mean to you? They could provide book promotion opportunities.

An author friend of mine sold a lot of her specialty cookbooks by tapping into newspaper columns. This was before everyone was using the computer. She collected newspapers from all over the U.S. through friends, relatives and the library system. And she studied each of them to find out if they had a foods column, contacted the editors of those columns and told them about her book. Most of them responded by requesting a copy of the book to review or asking for an interview with the author.

What is the theme of your book? Does it deal with an illness? Locate newspapers and magazines with medical and health columns and ask the editors if they would either review your book, publish excerpts from it, allow you to be guest columnist or interview you for their columns. It would help if you could link your request to one of their recent columns or a current national health concern.

Maybe your book features your family’s mission in a third world country. You might interest the editors of family, travel, religious, spiritual or volunteering columns in writing about your book.

For a book on using basic kitchen ingredients in your beauty rituals, contact the editors of health, environmental/natural health, beauty, senior and maybe even foods/cooking or budgeting columns.

And remember, the easier you make it for the columnist to say yes, the better your chances of getting space in the column. How?

• Study each column so you are familiar with the style, subject matter, etc. of each column. Use an approach and a column idea that fits within this formula.

• Point out two or three strong themes in your book that would make for interesting columns.

• Have some material prepared so the columnist can simply slip it in.

• When it seems appropriate, offer to send the editor a copy of your book.

• Keep researching your topic so you can speak to fresh, new trends.

If you aren’t sure what sort of column to seek out for your particular book, contact us here through the “comments” function and we’ll help you work it out.

Don’t get so busy this season that you forget to take care of your needs as a hopeful or budding author. You won’t get very far in this highly competitive publishing field unless you are armed with knowledge—an understanding of the publishing industry, your options, the possible ramifications of your choices and your responsibility as a published author.

If you have a book in mind or in the works and you don’t know all of your publishing options, you don’t know how to locate and approach a publisher or agent, you are unfamiliar with the process of getting your book noticed by your particular audience, you know nothing or little about the HUGE process of book promotion, you really MUST read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Order your copy now:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

How to Turn a Germ of a Concept Into an Explosion of Article Ideas

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

It has been an exciting few months for a couple of my clients. Roy Raynor’s novel, Chameleon Man, His Women, His Journey came out this month. Check it out at http://www.rarpublisher.com.

SPAWN member, friend and occasional client, Sandra Cropsey’s hilarious book, Who’s There? is being presented as a play in February and March. Here’s an introduction to the play and book:

“Each day, on a chicken farm in the rural south, Momma, Sister, and Ivylee have a bizarre memorial service for Bunk’s amputated leg, which they otherwise keep in the freezer. Each looks for love and each waits. Someone knocks, but Momma’s beliefs are not strong enough for her to answer. So she looks for signs to help her understand who’s there.” Learn more about this book here:
http://www.outskirtspress.com/whosthere

It’s December first. We are looking at fresh calendar pages and launching into a new season. I see it as a season of promises. I hope you do, too. In today’s blog post, I promised to tell you how to come up with article ideas. So here goes:

1: Write about what you know. And this doesn’t mean to limit yourself to just those things you excel in or in which you are an expert. Perhaps you teach math, but you also know how to build exhibition kites and fly them. Maybe you have had a lot of experience with farming, you are raising a teen-age girl and you are a self-taught chef in your home. These are all things that you know something about and that you could probably write about—if not with authority, at least from your perspective and experiences.

2: Write about what you want to know. How many times have you been intrigued by a concept or something tangible? Do you sometimes question how something works or where it came from? If you are a writer, you are probably curious. Learn how to turn your curiosity into cash. I once saw a pair of rare and unusual Pallas cats at the Denver Zoo. I was charmed and I wanted to know more about them. So I contacted the editors at Cats Magazine and they gave me the go-ahead to do the research and write an article about this interesting species. I suffered a heat-related illness once. I wanted to know more about this condition and how to prevent it happening again, so I pitched an idea for an article to a national magazine and was able to get paid to research and write a piece on this topic.

3: Share your experiences. Your experiences and how you perceive and react to them are completely different from anyone else’s. I’ve written about my experiences caring for an older horse, presenting Hawaiian luaus on the mainland, succumbing to hypnosis, writing a newspaper column, taking in feral kittens and more.

4: Relate the experiences of others. Here’s where it is really important to tune into others—listen to what they’re talking about, watch what they’re doing and how they do it, read about their adventures and journeys. You can interview individuals and write about their experiences or use their experiences to write an essay or how-to piece. For example, maybe you know someone who works part-time in another country. Interview her, but also write a piece about the trend to work outside America and get quotes from several people who do. You could create another article featuring tips for acclimating to the customs of another country before visiting or going there to work. Can you see how a germ of an idea can expand into an explosion of ideas?

5: Look everywhere for article ideas. A successful freelance article writer does not limit himself when it comes to finding those ideas. He always has his article-search radar up no matter where he is or what he’s doing. Some of my most fascinating assignments came in the most unusual places—the Little League field, in line at the grocery store, at the post office, while waiting in an airport, during a lecture on a completely different topic, at social gatherings, on top of a mountain, while walking on the beach and even while preparing a holiday meal.

As you can see, being a successful freelance writer means being ever present in your life and with regard to what’s going on around you.

I’d like to hear where some of your best article ideas came from. Leave your comment here.

Tomorrow’s column will feature how to use magazine and newspaper columns to promote your fiction or nonfiction book.

For more about me and my books and services, go to
http://www.matilijapress.com

Posted in Writing | 1 Comment »

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