Archive for February, 2010

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Success Tricks and Tips for Writers and Authors

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

This morning, I had an email from a friend telling me about a bargain she got downtown yesterday. She saved over $700 on items that she typically sells on eBay.

When you hear about a savings of that magnitude, you imagine that the bill was around $800 or even $500. But no! She spent only $94. Don’t you love a really good bargain?

But, there’s more to this story. It’s about timing, being alert and making quick and appropriate decisions. There was another woman in the store who questioned the prices. She hesitated making a purchase—said she didn’t want to be greedy.

My friend walked into the store not knowing about the dramatic mark-downs. She happened to overhear this woman confirming the prices on some of the items with the clerk. And she didn’t hesitate, make excuses or procrastinate. Instead, she rushed to the back of the store where the sale bins were, began loading up her basket and made her purchase.

In other words, knew she was at the right place at the right time. She paid close attention to the information she was hearing. She took action. And she scored!

I think this is a good lesson for freelance writers and authors who tend to procrastinate, who don’t notice the opportunities around them and who are afraid to take action that isn’t pre-planned. As writers and authors who want to be published and sell our works, we must keep alert to opportunities, maintain an open mind and, while being discriminating, also be willing to take risks.

How’s the writing of your book going? How is your published book doing in the marketplace? Are you satisfied with the direction of your freelance writing business? If your response to any of these questions is a tad (or a lot) negative, maybe it’s time you made some changes in your life. Here’s what I suggest:

If you’re serious about producing a book, get serious about sitting down and writing it. If you’re stuck, move off dead center, get out and join a writers’ critique group, for example.

If your published book just isn’t selling, do something different. Look for the opportunities in the newsletters you subscribe to (and probably don’t read). Get more involved in the networking activities offered through your writers group or publishing organization. Purchase books by book marketing experts and actually read them (remember to open your mind). Sign up for my book promotion course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm.
And then grow the courage to try something new.

If your freelance writing business is going nowhere, go somewhere in search of a solution. If what you’re doing isn’t working, do something different. Study Peter Bowerman’s Well Fed Writers series. Take my article-writing course.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

There’s a course in progress now—it’s not too late to sign up.

Catscapades Report
Be sure to order your copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales before March 15, 2010 and get free shipping within the US. I’ll also throw in a free gift. Visit the Catscapades blog at
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades I’ve posted an unusual photo depicting several of my cats in a heavenly place. Meet my Persian, Crystal; Katy, my sweet Himalayan; Winfield, our white odd-eye cat—one blue and one green; Carli, Gus, Daisy and Rosie. Order the book here: http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Posted in Publishing, Writing | No Comments »

Write a Better Book—Produce a Better Product

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Are you pleased with the books you turn out? Have you ever received a book from the pay-to-publish service, printer or even business center and felt a touch (or a slap) of disappointment?
You didn’t like the cover, the inside design isn’t as you expected or you feel your story or your nonfiction book is lacking something? This isn’t unusual. And do you know why? Because we tend to rush our book projects.

As we near completion, we start projecting a publication date—the date we will get the book back from the publishing service or printer. If there is a holiday or special family birthday around that time, for example, we get attached to that date—“Gotta have it ready to promote at that time,” or “It would be so cool to have it ready for Uncle Frank’s 80th birthday.” If we start telling friends and colleagues about the pending book, our attachment to that date becomes even more intense.

When we allow this to happen, we are approaching our projects through emotions rather than a business sense and this can be a dangerous way to go. What’s the answer? How does an author establish the right pace for his or her project?

1: From the beginning, consider your book a product.

2: Make all decisions with regard to your book from a business and not an emotional place.

3: Educate yourself about publishing and keep your finger on the pulse of the industry.

4: Write a book proposal and prove to yourself what you may already know—that this is a valid project. Find out who your true target audience is, how many people this encompasses, where you will find them and how to approach them. What is the best way to promote to this audience and what can you bring to the table in this regard? In other words, what is your platform?

5: Hire a good book editor. And don’t write over him/her once they have cleaned up your manuscript. If extensive rewrites are recommended, always, ALWAYS take the work back to your editor for a final look.

6: Hire a cover design expert. While good writing, a good story and/or good information is highly important, you also need a cover that will grab the attention of your readers. If they avoid your book because of a dull cover or the title doesn’t spark an interest, they may never take a chance on what’s inside.

7: Move slowly and methodically through the publishing process. Be clear as to your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author. Choose your publishing option using business sense and make all of the decisions throughout the publishing process based on knowledge, not emotions.

Successful publishing is much more than a dedication to writing. While writing is a craft—a heart thing—publishing is a business. What other business can you start that doesn’t require a measure of business sense, knowledge of the field, an outlay of money (investment), clear-headed decision-making, affiliation with experts in various areas related to your field and a business plan?

How much money do you need in order to produce a book? It could be anywhere from $500 to have 50 copies of your tiny book of poetry printed at a local business center for family and friends, to thousands of dollars for a substantial novel or nonfiction book scheduled for wide distribution.

Before you sit down to write a novel, a children’s book or a nonfiction self-help, how to or business book, for example, read my book. I wrote it for new and struggling authors. It is your ticket to publishing success. It’s The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This is your guide to understanding the publishing industry. It walks you through the book proposal process and it prepares you for the huge job of book promotion.

Don’t short change yourself when you decide to enter into the business of publishing. Buy your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book now!
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Update on Catscapades
If you love cats or you know someone who does, you’ll enjoy the stories in my upcoming book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales. The book is scheduled to arrive from the printer around March 15, 2010. I’m offering a prepublication discount through that date. Order prior to March 15, 2010 and you pay no shipping. PLUS, you get a free gift.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

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Publishing Horror Stories

Friday, February 26th, 2010

I actually prefer keeping a positive attitude—looking on the bright side of things—turning a frown upside down—seeing a glass as half full… But I try not to bury my head in the sand, either.

The fact is that anyone who has been involved in publishing for any length of time (and some who are just starting out) has a horror story to tell. Of course, one reason that I spend an hour or so every day posting to this blog, that I write and submit a dozen or so articles every month, that I produce books on publishing and that I travel around and speak to you personally is to minimize your instances of negative publishing experiences.

Some of them, however, just sideswipe us when we’re innocently standing by. But all of them should be learning situations and, where possible, teaching opportunities. Here are a few horror stories from my own experiences and those of others:

• Just this week, I heard from an author who received her shipment of books from the publisher only to discover that their editors had made changes without consulting her. And this was a book of poetry! Yes, the editors took license with her poems, changed some of the words and then the company published it without getting her okay. This happens with nonfiction books, with novels, but with a book of poetry? There is just something terribly wrong with anyone who would mess with a creative work like this without express permission from the author.

• What about contracts? How many of us actually study the publishing contracts we’re issued and completely understand them? I know one author who signed a contract with a fulfillment company after a personal conversation with the representative. He believed that the company would do as the representative promised, even though this wasn’t in the contract. The company did not live up to their promises. In fact, they denied that they ever made them. He ended up selling 0 books and losing $3,000.

• I think we all know someone who, upon receiving their new book from their pay-to-publish company (or printer) found numerous mistakes. One author told me that there was a comma in the title where one was not called for and a misspelled word on the front cover. Others have been disappointed in the way the text looked on the pages. This is a lesson in responsibility. We MUST take more responsibility for our projects so we know that we are getting an excellent product. In this case, since the author was not familiar with how to do page layout and cover design, he should have hired professionals. The pay-to-publish publisher and, in some cases, the printer, may not care enough about your project to alert you when something doesn’t seem right. Their job is to print what you give them. Thankfully, on an upbeat note, our printer for Catscapades, True Cat Tales, 360 Digital Books, has contacted us twice this week telling us that something wasn’t right with our file. They’re working with us to get the right resolution for the photos with the program they require that we use to transport the files to them.

• You’ve heard me complain about clients writing over my carefully placed edits and then crediting me as editor when they publish it. This is a rude slap in the face and an embarrassment, especially when the author is a terrible writer. It’s going to be an embarrassment to the author, as well, when people start critiquing this book.

• Speaking of editing—another huge mistake authors make is not to hire an editor at all. Some authors aren’t particularly savvy. They aren’t aware that they need an editor and they just forge ahead with their books. But when the book is published (with numerous grammatical, punctuation and semantic errors) and friends, book reviewers, etc. point this out, he realizes his mistake. Don’t make this mistake—always hire an editor and always allow him/her to review the last revision.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to publishing horror stories. If you have one, leave your comment here.

If you are entering into the world of publishing, invest in insurance against some of these horror stories by reading books by experts in the field of publishing. Start with my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
 http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

And if you are interested in supplementing your income (or promoting your book) through article writing, sign up for my online course—in progress now. Every Wednesday, for 6-weeks, I send a lecture and assignment to your email box.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

And if you love cats and cat story books, order my NEW book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales at the prepublication discount (free shipping and free gift). This offer is good through March 15, 2010. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Posted in Publishing | No Comments »

The Stress of Turning Your Baby (Book Project) Over to the Printer

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The promotional postcards for Catscapades have arrived. They are beautiful. The magnets with the cover photo on them have arrived. But there is a problem with the book file. We have worked with this printer several times before, but never on a book with color photos. Catscapades, True Cat Tales has 46 color photos of cats and kittens. And there seem to be problems with the way the files we sent the printer were set up.

I don’t do the page layout for my books and I don’t work in PageMaker or any other design program. Thus, I don’t understand the various programs that different printers use for receiving book files. But I guess the folks at the printing company forgot to tell us to turn off some of the options in the particular program they use to accept book files and our photos were coming out fuzzy. The resolution was way low. They’ve sent us back to the drawing board twice so far with different instructions for fixing the problem. Hopefully, we have it right now. We’ve never had this happen with this printer, but we’ve never using color photos in a book before. So I guess it is a little different process in the transfer of the files.

It’s making me nervous, I can tell you. But I’m always nervous about what might happen while a book is at the printer and how it will come out.

I’ve been disappointed only once. And that was when a group of employees at my printing company of choice, including the people I’d been working with, broke off from the main company, bought some inferior machines and started their own company. (This was not the company I am currently working with.) This project was a 360-page local history filled with black and white photos.

About the time I expected shipment of the books, they contacted me to say that the first printing of the book was a failure as all of the photos turned out black. When I received the 3,000 books, I was not happy with the quality of the photos, still. They were flat and dull with little depth. Disappointing. Not only that, as I pulled books from the boxes to deliver and ship, I began to notice defects—creases on the covers, pages cut ragged, corners of pages turned under, etc. We decided to do what every author/publisher should do upon receiving a shipment of books—we went through every box of books and checked every book.

Well over half of the books had major or minor flaws. I called the company head. He ended up coming out here from Kansas (or wherever it was) to look at the books and to discuss compensation.

I ended up getting money back for the books that we agreed were a total loss—books that actually had to be trashed. And I got a slight discount on books that were slightly damaged—books that I would donate. I still had additional books that were not perfect, but that could be sold at a reduced price. And the issue of the awful print job on the photos was pushed under the rug. The representative (actually the owner of the company) would not acknowledge that there was anything wrong with them.

Not only that, but two boxes of these books were damaged beyond recognition when a forklift ran through them. So the trucking company paid for that loss.

I guess anyone who produces any number of titles is going to have a nightmare experience with a printer at some point. And I hope that ours is in our past. Cross fingers for us, would you, with regard to Catscapades, True Cat Tales.
And be sure to order your copy at the prepublication price now. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html.

The cover girl on this book is Lily. She was born in an abandoned Volkswagen and raised with 14 other kittens in the attic of an old home. The three mother cats were wild. No one could touch them. And no one spent any time with the kittens. So how did Lily turn out to be such an affectionate, friendly “greeter” cat? We can only guess. Read her story and about 40 others in this delightful book of stories. As an aside–we considered Lily a rescue because how in the world were those people going to find homes for 15 kittens. Turns out the kittens were gone–had all gone to homes–in one day! How? In two words, Craig’s List.

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Listen to What Publishers Want and then Follow What You Know

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

I’m in the process of writing a book proposal. As you may know, I’m the author of a book called How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less. I based this book on my 8-week article-writing course. How do you write a book proposal in 8 days when it is designed to take 8 weeks? You do the lessons daily instead of weekly!

I have been working on my book proposal for a few days and should complete it today. Yeah! See you truly can write a book proposal in 8 days or less.

The book is, Over 100 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. You may be familiar with the book I produced in 2000, Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. I’m revising that book. And I’ve decided to seek a traditional publisher so the book will receive greater exposure and added potential for sales. So far, I have had one rejection letter.

My pitch for this book—what makes it unique—is that it is not a huge, intimidating tome. It is brief, compact, succinct, well-organized yet fully packed with ideas, resources and anecdotes. The response to my query letter reminded me that publishers aren’t so interested in what the public wants as they are “how much money can I make.” I teach and preach that publishing is a business and that you must approach publishers with an excellent business idea that will make them some money. But still, there is a mindset within the publishing industry that isn’t easy for an author (even an author/publisher like me) to grasp.

The first publisher to respond wrote a very nice note of explanation as to why they were not interested in publishing my book. They don’t want it for the very reason I thought they would! Because it is small and non-intimidating. They want books that they can price at around the $19.95 mark. They want those mega-books that intimidate authors. Also, this publisher said that they don’t sell many books on book promotion, anyway.

I guess this sort of follows my observation about many of the authors who are just coming into the publishing fold. They want to do things their way and they don’t want to be distracted or side-tracked by the facts of the matter. In other words, they aren’t studying what others write about book promotion. They don’t want to know how to promote their books. They have some ideas about getting exposure for their books—ideas that fit within their comfort zone—and they aren’t interested in complicating their world by learning about book promotion.

Hmmm. It’s looking more and more as if I will be publishing this book through my own publishing company, Matilija Press. I will complete my book proposal and send it out to the carefully researched publishers on my list. I’ll wait to hear back from them and then I’ll make my decision. I know that the first edition of this book is popular with authors everywhere I go. It is the one Amazon orders the most—often in bulk. It sells best at my website. And more people purchase this little 72-page book than any of my more substantial publishing-related books.

Maybe this publisher is dead wrong. Maybe authors would purchase more books on book promotion if they could find books like mine—books that are jam-packed with ideas, resources and anecdotes, but that are not huge and overwhelming.

We all have the opportunity to learn within this changing publishing industry daily. And I just learned that just because a publisher won’t accept your project doesn’t necessarily mean it is not worth publishing.

Catscapades
In the meantime, orders are filtering in for my new print version of Catscapades, True Cat Tales. Most people are purchasing multiple copies. It will make an absolutely marvelous gift. Think Easter! And Mother’s Day! I’ve got many of the birthdays on my list covered for the next year, as well.

I met two cat ladies over the weekend. One has seven cats and the other has five. They shared stories with me that may appear in the sequel to Catscapades, True Cat Tales in a few years. I’ve been visiting cat blogs and websites and meeting some of the people within the cat community. Several of them want to review the book when it arrives from the printer. Yeah!

Order your copy before March 15, 2010 and I’ll pay the shipping. I’ll also tuck in a free gift—something you can use every day for years! http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

New Article-Writing course starts today. It’s not too late to sign up. $125 for 6-weeks of lectures, assignments and my personal attention to your project.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Posted in Book Proposals, Publishing | No Comments »

Tips for Starting Your Freelance Article-Writing Career

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Beginning freelance article writers often set out to establish a niche. They believe that they must choose a topic or area of interest and stick within those bounds. Most of them focus on the things they enjoy, the things they are involved in, the things they know. And this isn’t a bad place to start. But it can be so limiting.

It is also typical for a new writer to get stuck in her own world. She can’t see a story beyond what she has experienced or what she knows. And if her world is rather small—if she lacks imagination—she won’t be able to produce many articles of any real interest or merit.

For example, let’s say that you love to run and you just ran a marathon. You decide that’s what you want to write about. Good start. Only who is going to be interested in your story? What is the appeal? What makes this a good story? This is the place where most writers get stuck. Here are a few ideas:

• Maybe this is your first marathon. Write from the perspective of a beginner. Everyone was a beginner once and this might be a refreshing point of view for a magazine that uses essays or, perhaps, humor pieces on running or sports/fitness in general.

• If you learned a lot on that first competitive run, create a how-to article for new runners.

• Maybe you are in your 50s or 60s or you have a disability—a piece featuring running tips for the older runner or those with handicaps might appeal to an editor.

• What were some of the special challenges of this marathon? Did it take place in a much higher altitude than you’re used to? Was the terrain particularly rugged? Maybe the weather was extreme. Do some additional research and present an editor with a piece on preparing for altitude changes, preventing altitude sickness, training for uneven terrain or dealing with weather changes, for example.

Now this is just a start. What will you write about next? Here’s a hint. Since you’ve done the research on altitude sickness, for example, glom onto this topic and start molding it to fit other types of magazines—parenting (how to help children deal with altitude changes), travel (preparing for altitude change), health (symptoms of and how to treat altitude sickness), horse and rider (caring for a horse in higher altitudes), pet (what about dogs and altitude?) and so forth.

Take your first-time runner piece, slice and dice it to fit other activities—how to develop a competitor’s mindset, tips for shutting out the competition and concentrating just on your personal best, the joy of good sportsmanship, how to make friends with competitors, the psychology of competing…

By taking your topic in new directions like this, you will more readily develop the skill for recognizing article ideas even outside your realm of expertise or interest. In fact, article ideas may occur to you while conducting research for an article and while observing others. The sportsmanship piece might evolve into one for a youth sports magazine, for example. And that might lead to a piece on preventing sports injuries in kids, how to determine when your kids are ready for competitive sports, tips for making youth sports a good experience for your child, etc.

Certainly, write about what you know and what you’ve experienced. But open your mind to article possibilities beyond the obvious. As a freelance article writer, you should:

• Look at an event or circumstance from a variety of angles.
• Stretch your mind and imagination.
• Reach out for additional facts and other information.
• Be highly observant.
• Use creative thought rather than staying stuck in total reality.
• Develop the ability to see beyond what is.
• Know what the reader wants/needs.

I’d like to hear how you used this lesson in your freelance article work. PLFry620@yahoo.com

I Teach an Article-Writing Course
I’m starting a new Article-Writing Course February 24, 2010. Sign up today at
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
It’s only $125 for 6-weeks and you get my personal attention and feedback during that time. This is worth around $600, at least.

For Cat People
My latest book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales is at the printer. Order your copy NOW and pay no shipping. You’ll also get a free gift. This offer good through March 15, 2010. Check it out here!
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Posted in Article-Writing | No Comments »

The Seriously Debilitating Block That Plagues Fiction Authors

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

I often hear novelists say to a speaker, “That was a nice presentation, but it catered to the nonfiction author.” Or they will say, “I found your book (or article) helpful, but I wish there was more for the fiction author. Just the other day, someone commented at a blog saying something similar—“Good blog, but what about those of us who write fiction?”

The fact is that most of what I and other professionals write, teach and present in our programs DOES apply to novelists as well as nonfiction authors. The fiction writer just doesn’t want to acknowledge it—they don’t want to hear it. They just don’t know what to do with the information.

Yes, those of you who write fiction should write a book proposal. Many publishers (and agents) require one now. And it will teach you volumes about the world you are about to enter, your project and how to represent it within the publishing industry.

Yes, you need to study the publishing industry before getting involved.

Yes, you can (and should) build promotion into your book and I spend more time talking/writing about how to do it for fiction than nonfiction. You just aren’t listening.

Yes, you need to study publishers’ submission guidelines before submitting anything.

Yes, you should hire an editor before sending your manuscript to a publisher or before hiring a pay-to-publish company.

Yes, you are responsible for promoting your book.

Yes, most of those promotional ideas we give you DO relate to you and your project. When I suggest writing for magazines and newsletters as a way to promote your book, I expect you to pick up on the idea that you should be submitting stories in your genre. When we recommend giving presentations, we’re speaking to novelists, too. When we tell authors to send news releases in an attempt to get interviewed or get your book reviewed, make news, donate books to get recognition, carry books in your purse, talk about your book everywhere you go, etc. we are speaking as loudly to fiction authors as we are to those who write nonfiction.

But you don’t seem to want to listen. Instead, you say, “Everything you say relates to nonfiction.” Yes it does, but it also relates to fiction!

I wonder what part of our message to authors does not apply to those of you who write fiction. Does anyone have a reasonable answer to this question? I think it is simply the fact that fiction writers have a greater block against entering business mode. Your minds are more tightly closed to the hard realities of authorship and publishing than many nonfiction authors.

My suggestion? If you want to become a published author—especially a successful published author—wake up. Open up. Listen, read and learn. Acceptance of publishing truths (knowledge) is the answer to your chances for success.

Catscapades, True Cat Tales
My Catscapades web page is up. You can see the cover for the new book and read a little about the content. You’ll also see a photo of me with our growing kitten, Lily. Lily was born in an abandoned Volkswagen one cool spring morning. She now lives a life of luxury with a doting family and many human and furred friends.

Take advantage of our prepublication discount offer before March 15 and also get a free gift with your order.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Posted in Book Promotion, Writing | No Comments »

Prepublication Promo for New Book of Cat Tales

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Today I’m going to promote Catscapades, True Cat Tales. Amazon has already placed an order for this book, along with 5 other books. How cool is that?

Check out the book at my brand new Catscapades page at http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

What is Catscapades? This is a 130-page perfect-bound print book filled with over 40 full-length stories and vignettes depicting many of the cats and kittens I’ve known throughout my life. And it is illustrated with 46 charming photographs of cats and kittens, such as Lily, the adorable kitten on the cover.

If you like cats, you’ll love this book. As you will notice at my website, I’m offering a prepublication discount. Order the book prior to March 15, 2010 and I’ll pay the shipping. I’ll also tuck in a free gift you can use for each book purchased.

I often talk about seasonal promotion. Wouldn’t this charming book make a great Easter gift? And also think Mother’s Day! Do you know a cat person who has a birthday coming up? Or how about presenting your cat sitter, thoughtful neighbor, hairdresser, or your children’s teacher a book as a thank you for something nice they did for you.

Visit my website and see what you think of the new book cover (photo taken by Ruth Miller, a professional photographer friend of mine and cat person). This is actually a revision of my original Catscapades ebook, so I have collected quite a list of testimonials from readers, including professionals. Be sure to check out my testimonials page.

And let me know if you have questions—for example, do you have a bookstore and you’d like to purchase books on consignment? Do you have a large list of friends you’d like to present with copies and you want bulk order price?

If you or your friends love true stories about real cats, you’ll enjoy this book. You’ll meet cats that remind you of those you’ve known and some whose stories will leave you shaking your head. Have you ever known a cat to be catnapped, for example? How many kittens have you scooped up off of the streets or out of a woodpile and socialized? Oh what baggage some of them come with. Have you ever had the challenge of finding homes for 15 kittens at one time? Have you dealt with a cat who received a head injury in a horrific accident? (This story, too, has a happy ending.) Within the pages of this book, you’ll meet cats who stubbornly choose where they wanted to live, a spayed cat who showed up with a newborn kitten, a reluctant babysitting cat, a cat who responded to mind-talk and two kittens who responded to a spiritual healing.

Order your copy of Catscapades today and be sure to buys copies for your friends during the prepublication discount days (through March 15, 2010). http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Posted in Announcements | No Comments »

What Do Authors Need? Help Me to Help You!

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

I’m getting a lot of response to my survey (see February 17, 2010 post) from SPAWN members. That’s Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network http://www.spawn.org. But very very few from those of you who read this blog. So it occurred to me that maybe most of my blog visitors are not published authors who are promoting books.

Perhaps you could help me to more accurately target my blog posts to the right audience by letting me know where you are within the huge, competitive, daunting process of publishing. If you love some of my blog posts—they just resonate with you like crazy—but some of them do not relate, help me to help you in a more meaningful way. Please fill out the questionnaire below and return it to me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.

1: Where are you in the publishing process?

• Are you thinking about writing a book?
• Are you in the process of writing a book for publication?
• Are you attempting to find a publisher or trying to choose a publishing option?
• Are you working with a publisher, agent or publishing service now?
• Do you have a published book and you don’t know what to do now?

2: What are your greatest concerns with regard to your publishing/writing project at this time?

3: What subjects are most important to you at this time? What do you want to see me cover in my blog?

4: Do you have a copy of any of my books? Which ones?

I look forward to discovering how I can best serve you through this blog.
PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Posted in Publishing | No Comments »

What it Takes to Publish in 2010

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Moving right along. The PCIP came in for Catscapades, True Cat Tales yesterday and the book is now with the printer! Also the promo material is trickling in. Late last evening UPS delivered our advertising magnets. The postcards are on the way. My webmaster has not completed the work at my website. I will let you know as soon as the new book is up.

There’s a lot involved with running a publishing company, isn’t there? And probably the most difficult aspect of running any company is relying on others for the tasks you cannot do yourself. What is the alternative? Learning how to do everything? You’d really be stretching yourself to the limit if you had to do it all—build/maintain the website(s), design the books and covers, take care of the publishing details, such as getting the barcode and PCIP information, chase down the best prices for promo material, etc. PLUS the writing and promotion.

I guess there are authors out there who do it all. I actually hire a web person and I have live-in help with the mundane and time-consuming publishing details as well as the book design work. For the Catscapades book, I worked with a professional photographer. So there are more than just my hands in the pie. I did this book listed at Amazon.com, yesterday. Don’t look for it, yet. The listing doesn’t go live for 10 days or so.

I’m chomping at the bit to start the prepublication promotion for Catscapades. Can’t do it until the book is up at my website. Maybe today. Cross fingers!

I did manage to write and submit 8 new articles to 8 different magazines and ezines this week while in wait mode. Why do I keep writing and publishing articles? It’s promotion. Sure, I thrill at helping people—so many authors NEED so much help. But I also submit articles to a variety of publications in order to keep my name in front of people as a professional in the industry. It is a promotional tactic designed to sell books and to attract new clients.

I’m still fine-tuning the revision of Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. (New title, Over 100 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book.) I finished the March edition of the SPAWN Market Update. If you have a book to promote or you are a freelance article writer, you really must join SPAWN so you have access to this amazing newsletter. http://www.spawn.org

On top of it all, I’ve had a little client work. I love it when my clients are thrilled with the improvements I provide for their articles, chapters and/or book proposals.

Oh, by the way, I’m starting a new 6-week article-writing course February 24. If you’re interested in learning how to support yourself or you wish to promote your book by writing and submitting articles to magazines, this is the place to start.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Author Survey
The mini-publishing survey continues. I have had a dozen responses, so far. I’m eager to get many more so I can put together a meaningful article (which I will share here) reflecting what is and what isn’t working for authors today.

In order to do this up right, I need your input.

Please take time to respond to the questions below. The author with the best responses will receive a copy of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Deadline March 10, 2010.

1: How many books are you promoting?

2: What type of books are they—titles/genre/subject?

3: What is your primary book promotion activity?

4: What are some of your secondary book promotion activities?

5: How are they working for you? (Details, please.)

6: What has been your best book promotion resource—organization, book, mentor/individual, website, blog site…?

7: Are you open to new book promotion ideas/resources or not?

8: Are there ideas you’d like to try, but you don’t know how to get involved (article-writing, getting more book reviews, public speaking, having a book trailer made…)?

Send your response to Patricia at PLFry620@yahoo.com

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