Archive for June, 2011

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Which Manuscript Should You Pitch?

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Do you have more than one writing project on your desktop? Do you sometimes debate with yourself, which one to get behind? Which one will be most interesting to a publisher? Which one has the most potential for sales? Which one do you favor—would you enjoy pursuing?

Hopeful authors come to me frequently with this dilemma. And here’s how I advise them: I suggest that they write a book proposal. How will this help you make this difficult decision?

• You’ll be required to write a synopsis and this will give you a clue as to whether you have enough material for a nonfiction book or whether you’re clear as to the scope and focus of a children’s book or novel, for example.

• I recommend that an author also write a one or two sentence description of his book. This exercise will help you to determine if you actually have a handle on the book you propose.

• You’ll need to check to see what else is out there like your book. For a nonfiction book, how does your book differ? What makes it better or more useful than what’s currently on the market? For fiction—is the genre popular? Will your book fill a need or a niche?

• You must determine whether you have what it takes to successfully promote this book. While you may want to write a novel, you may be more well-qualified to promote and sell a book related to a field of your interest and/or expertise—accounting, horse training, quilting, aviation, etc. So a how-to or informational book might be your best bet for a first publishing experience.

• You will be required to compile chapter summaries. This will certainly assist in your decision-making process. If you can’t come up with, say, ten chapters and describe them, maybe you don’t have a book, at all.

I hope this little exercise today helps you with your big decision as to whether you should work on your children’s book, your western novel, your memoir or your business book. Here are additional tips:
• Go with the one that is easiest for you to compile, write and promote.
• Start with a nonfiction project on a topic you are very familiar with.
• Test the market with a pamphlet or booklet.
• Write short stories and submit them.

For additional articles on this and many other subjects for authors, go to:

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Authorship, Publishing | No Comments »

Should We Slap Warning Labels on Books?

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

I received a letter yesterday from a concerned parent. She said that her ten-year-old son has twice brought home books from the library that were not appropriate for children. Both times, he found the books in the juvenile section at the public library.

The mother spoke to the librarian about this and she took the books home and read them. She, too, determined they were not suitable for kids and moved them to another section. She explained to the mother that books come to the library with basic information printed on them as to the type of book this is and its audience. This is how they decide where, in the library, the book should be placed. They also use reviews to make this determination.

I started thinking about some of the many authors I know who promote their books as young adult novels because this is what was selling best in the marketplace at the time. Perhaps they didn’t stop to think that there were scenes in their books that were inappropriate for certain age groups.

The letter I received was a plea for organizations such as SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) to band with other organizations in an effort to establish some sort of rating system for books—in order to protect our young children.

The mother pointed out that movies and video games have ratings, some music carries warning labels, why not books? Do any of you have an answer to this? We’ve never had ratings for books, as far as I know. Has this always posed a problem? Or is the problem more wide-spread now that the publishing industry is in such chaos? What with so many authors publishing on their own and the rise in “vanity” or “pay-to-publish” companies, which publish indiscriminately, it seems that anything goes in publishing these days. There are no regulations as to the content in books, the writing abilities of authors or the identification key placed on the back cover of books. Authors/publishers are free to represent their books in any way they see fit, sometimes confusing (or deceiving) librarians and consumers.

I did a quick Internet search to see how others feel about the prospect of rating books. Some believe that warning labels on books would hamper the education of children. They call this censorship. Others would approve a system whereby the number and type of swear words, nudity, sexually explicit scenes and violence are listed on the book as a gauge to parents, teachers and librarians.

Others say it is strictly up to the parents and others responsible for what children read to examine the individual book before making it available to kids.

In one poll involving over 3,000 people, just over half were against a rating system for books. How do you feel about this?

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Books | No Comments »

The Fast-Track to Publishing Know-How

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Are you an author who is confused about what direction to go with your finished manuscript? Have you published your book and you are now stuck in book promotion hell? You don’t understand it, don’t want to understand it and would rather spend the day in the dentist’s chair than to have to go out and promote your book one more time.

Maybe you’ve thought about hiring a consultant. I am a consultant. But I generally would not consult with an author in the scenario above. What good would it do? Instead, here’s what I suggest for authors who don’t know which publishing option to choose, are struggling with book promotion or are confused about the whole publishing scene.

• Study books such as The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (by Patricia Fry). This book will help you to understand the publishing industry. It will clarify your publishing options and help you to determine which one is best for you and for your particular/specific project. And it will introduce you to and inform you about the HUGE world of book promotion. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

• If you are considering the “self-publishing” (pay-to-publish) route, you’ll find plenty in The Right Way book on this subject. But I also want you to read Mark Levine’s The Fine Print of Self-Publishing. He rates and ranks the most well-known companies and goes over their contracts with you. Get the ebook version FREE when you join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org

• Sign up for one of my online courses. Perhaps you are considering true self-publishing, for example. My self-publishing course will walk you through the process. Do you need help with the whole process of book promotion? I have a course for you. I also teach courses on the majorly important task of recognizing, establishing and building on your platform; writing a book proposal and more. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

• Join organizations where you have the opportunity to network with other authors and publishers, receive information and resources via newsletters and discussion groups, participate in educational and promotional activities and so forth. SPAWN is a good fit for many. (See above.)

• When you join an organization, participate to the fullest. When you subscribe to a publishing or authors’ newsletter, READ it.

In other words, be proactive. If you have done all of this and you still want a consultation, you can contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Authorship, Publishing | No Comments »

Promote Your Book Before it’s a Book

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Your new book has just gone to the printer or publisher. You’ll be holding it in your hands within three to eight weeks. What should you be doing in the meantime? Well, promoting it of course.

Here are some ideas for promoting your book while you’re waiting for it to become a book. You should have been doing some of this even during the process of writing it:

1: Build a website and, if you are the publisher, arrange for a merchant account system.

2: Start blogging regularly on the topic or theme of your book.

3: Get involved in some of the social media sites: FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

4: Send notices to your mailing list and email list offering a pre-publication discount—purchase the book before a certain date and get a 20 percent discount.

5: Create promotional brochures and order business cards.

6: Talk about your book wherever you go and hand out your promotional material.

7: Arrange for speaking engagements spaced throughout the year.

8: Write articles (or submit stories) to appropriate publications. Promote your book in the bio at the end.

9: Make connections with leaders in your field/genre.

10: Research and list the managers of specialty stores, websites, companies, institutions etc., as well as professionals who might be interested in using your upcoming book in some way—selling it, recommending it, etc.

11: Write promotional letters to send out to your lists once the book arrives.

12: Check out conferences related to the theme/topic of your book. Contact the organizers of those you’d like to attend.

What can you add to this list? Send me your ideas—let’s get creative and help other authors.

My new book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author is scheduled for release a month from now. You can pre-order this book now from amazon.com.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

Build Promotion Into Your Book BEFORE it’s a Book

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

When should you start promoting your book? I say, while you’re writing it. That’s right; you should be building promotion into your book during the writing process. How?

1: Include a lot of people in your book. Most of them will purchase your book and tell their friends and acquaintances about it.

For nonfiction:
• Quote experts and interview people who have experiences related to the topic of your book (raising feral kittens, caring for an Alzheimer’s patient, hiking after the age of fifty, recycling, cycling, fishing certain lakes or losing weight, for example.)

• List the people you interviewed in the book as well as the agencies and other entities that provided information, stats, facts, etc.

For nonfiction and fiction:
• Gather endorsements for your book and print them on the back cover and perhaps inside the book, as well.

2: Offer something of interest to a variety of readers. For nonfiction, you might have a large audience base among readers seeking help managing diabetes, struggling with self-image issues or wanting help with self-publishing, for example. For fiction, you might have a large readership for your science fiction, chic lit or techno-thriller book. But you can increase your audience by adding something more.

For nonfiction:
• Give your book more than one aspect—add a self-help angle to your healing memoir, for example, a how-to focus for your informational book or a workbook feature to enhance your how-to book.

• Promote one or more products, companies, organizations or causes in your book (with permission), and possibly get added support, influence or help when promoting your book.

For Fiction:
• Add elements to your historical novel, young adult thriller or adventure novel, for example, that will appeal to a wider audience. What is in, what’s hot, what’s on people’s minds? Incorporate some of these things into your novel. Give a character autism, a designer dog or a bent toward political cynicism, for example. Those people who don’t typically read historical novels, might be interested in one with a character who thinks like he does or who has an affliction he is familiar with.

The most important thing you can do while writing your book is to always write with your particular audience in mind. Ask yourself all along the way, “Will readers understand this comment?” “Does this segue make sense?” “Is this scene easy to follow?” Make sure that you do not lose your audience—leave them behind, confuse them or lie to them.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

Book Promotion for Fiction

Saturday, June 25th, 2011

It’s nice to find your blog listed among another author’s favorites. I happened to visit James Moushon’s blog at http://hbspublications.blogspot.com yesterday and found that he lists my blog as one that he reads regularly. Thanks James.

Then I decided to see what else I could find that points readers in the direction of this blog and here are a few things I found: author Dallas Woodburn listed mine as one of her favorite blogs. My blog is recommended at http://jumbopublishing.blogspot.com. And I found two great testimonials about my work at two different websites. One from a client and one from someone who says, “I like Dan Poynter, but I loooooove Patricia Fry.” Don’t you love it?

Have you done a search on your name, your book title or your blogsite, lately? It can be quite enlightening and uplifting.

I also found two slightly disappointing comments about one of my books. Both readers claim that I just didn’t have enough information and resources for fiction writers. The thing I have found is this: many fiction authors do not recognize a promotional idea even after it bites them on the nose. While they have oodles of creative ideas when it comes to writing and designing their books, their brain just does not function in a way that can recognize, absorb and put into action even concrete leads and instructions when it comes to book promotion.

I guess a new book is in order—YES, an even more simplified guide for fiction authors. In the meantime, if you are a novelist who needs help with promotion, read my article, “Novel Ways to Promote Your Novel”: http://www.matilijapress.com/articles/promote_novel.htm

And if you have any question, contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com

Posted in Authorship, Book Promotion | 2 Comments »

Successful Authors Maintain an Intimacy With Their Projects

Friday, June 24th, 2011

I love it when one of my posts or articles strikes a chord with an author. It is heartening when my message is timely—when someone reads it on the brink of making a major publishing decision, for example.

Over the years, I’ve met numerous authors who acted before gathering the information they needed. As soon as they finished their manuscript, they typed “publisher” or “how to get published,” or “book publishers,” etc. at the Google prompt and quickly located a service that would take over their project.

Is that what you really want—a company that makes it easy for you to become a published author? Or would you rather learn how to become a successful published author? What is the difference?

From my viewpoint—which is far-reaching, considering I’ve been involved with SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) for sixteen years, I’ve been working with other authors for the past fifteen years and I’ve been writing for publication for nearly forty years with thirty-four books to my credit—there is a vast difference.

• A successful author has an understanding of the publishing industry, her options, the possible consequences of her choices and her responsibilities as a published author.

• A successful author takes time to study the publishing industry before getting involved.

• A successful author writes a book that is wanted/needed in the marketplace.

• A successful author devises a plan for her project based on her study of the industry, her business and promotional skills and abilities and her desire for the future of her book.

• A successful author takes steps to build on her platform.

• A successful author steps outside her comfort zone in order to compete for consumer interest/sales.

In other words, a successful author maintains the same sense of intimacy with her book project throughout the publishing and marketing process as she did the writing process.

If you need help putting together your book proposal, recognizing and adding to your platform, marketing your book or even self-editing your book, sign up for the appropriate online course at: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

Is your book ready to turn over to a qualified book editor? Check my credentials and client testimonials at http://www.patriciafry.com

Contact me at: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Posted in Authorship | No Comments »

Sell Your Book Through Personality

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

I notice that folks are still getting confused about the term “self-publishing.” Most hopeful authors who use this term are actually signing a pay-to-publish agreement. They are going with one of the one-hundred or so companies that provide publishing services for a fee. They are signing with AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Dog Ear Press, Booklocker or Outskirts Press, for example.

True self-publishing is now sometimes referred to as independent publishing. It means that the author establishes his or her own publishing company—applies for a fictitious business name, signs up with the state board of equalization, etc. The author hires a printer, buys the ISBN, arranges for the barcode. He or she puts up all of the money, makes all of the decisions and reaps all of the profits.

In either case, the author is responsible for promoting his or her book. And I can tell you that promotion is less complicated when you have the control—when you own the copyright and the ISBN—when you are the publisher of record.

Sure, when you go with a traditional royalty publisher, you don’t own the ISBN—you are not the publisher of record. But, in this case, you have a publisher eager to handle details related to distribution, getting your book into bookstores, arranging for books to be delivered for signings, and all.

You’ve heard (read) me say this before, no matter which publishing option you choose, you are responsible for promoting your book. Sure, the traditional publisher can get your book into bookstores, but it is up to you to keep it there. Once customers stop coming in to purchase copies of your book, the bookstore has no more reason to carry it.

Here’s a statistic that may shock you. RR Bowker (the keeper of publishing statistics) reports that there were over a million books published each of the last two years. Do you know how many books even a mega bookstore such as Barnes and Noble and Borders carries? Only around 150,000 titles.

Of course, experts say that bookstores may not be the best place to sell books. In fact, stats indicate that more than half of all books are sold outside of the traditional bookstore. So if you are a hopeful author who is about ready to launch a new book, make sure that you write a complete book proposal that will honestly and reasonably outline a promotions plan including a wide variety of realistic and potentially effective marketing tactics. And be sure to evaluate your platform and find ways to expand on it and strengthen it.

In today’s highly competitive book marketing climate, I find that personality sells books. When you connect with your readers in some way—through live presentations, book signings, book festivals, an interactive website, perhaps webinars, blogs, etc., people are more apt to purchase your book. In fact, most authors sell more books in person than any other way. I call this hand-selling your books.

If you have a book to sell and sales are a bit sluggish, consider the following:
• Make arrangements this week to speak locally or someplace where you’ll be traveling this summer.

• Plan a home party in your neighborhood where you introduce your nonfiction book or have guests act out parts of your novel.

• Locate (or establish) book clubs throughout your state and offer to attend those gatherings where they’ll be discussing your book.

• Seek out conferences related to the topic or genre of your book and apply to be a speaker. Some organizers plan far in advance, so contact them several months or a year before the event with your list of potential presentations. http://www.allconferences.com

• Contact the program directors of radio talk shows related to books or to the topic of your book throughout the U.S. Read Fran Silverman’s book, Talk Radio Wants You, An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited. Or read her individual reports.
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com

Come up with your own ideas and share them with us. You might plan a program in the lunchroom at the company where you work, for example. Arrange to speak and sign books in an unlikely place—particularly one that gets a lot of foot traffic. Use your imagination. Depending on the topic or theme of your book, this might be a kitchen store, barbecue shop, auto parts store, pet store, vegetarian restaurant, big box store, ice cream parlor, nursery, college, grammar school, library, small airport, etc. If the main character in your novel is a rodeo star, sign books in a feed store on a busy weekend. Maybe you have a book of poetry, see about doing a reading at a rocking gourmet pizza place some Friday night.

Check out my array of books—especially those related to publishing and book promotion:
http://www.matilijapress.com

Review my credentials and ask me to give a free editorial evaluation of your book project.
http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Book Promotion | 1 Comment »

Comparing Your Book to the Others

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

I believe that the Market Analysis (or competition) section of your book proposal is one of the most important for you (the author) and for a potential publisher. Why? It helps determine whether your book is needed. Does it fill a void or will fit into a known popular genre? Is there a market for this book or is the market already saturated with books like yours, for example?

Here are some tips for conducting research for the competition section of your proposal:

1: Start your search by looking for books on the subject of your book.
A. Search your bookshelves at home.
B. Search amazon.com.
C. Visit your local mega-bookstore.
D. Do a Google search to locate obscure books that are out there but not sold in the usual stores, etc.

2: Read those books that seem most similar to your own. At least read the description of these books, look at the table of contents. Discover the scope and focus of these books and determine how yours compares.

Here’s what the publisher wants to know:
• What makes your book different—special?
• What specific value or benefit does your book offer the reader that others don’t?
• Why will a consumer purchase your book instead of the others?
• Why would a consumer purchase yours as well as the others? (which is often the case with fiction, for example.)

It is necessary that you are absolutely clear as to why your book is different and why it should be published. And it is up to you to be convinced (if you will self-publish) or to convince a publisher.

For assistance writing your book proposal, sign up for Patricia Fry’s online book proposal course: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm

Posted in Book Proposals | No Comments »

Let’s Revisit Proofreading Versus Editing

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Some authors are still confused as to when they should hire a proofreader and when they need an editor. And I think, in some cases, it is because they are simply trying to save money.

They seek out a proofreader and hope that this person will simply read through the manuscript quickly, correct any blatant errors and charge only a few hundred bucks. Some authors avoid going the editing route because they’re terrified that the editor might change their “voice.” Others do not understand how many errors they actually have throughout their manuscripts and how much a good book editor could improve their work. They are not good enough writers to recognize their mistakes. They don’t notice when the tense is off or when there are inconsistencies in their stories. They don’t know the appropriate punctuation for dialog. They are not sure how to use the apostrophe or quotation marks.

Most authors, even when they decide to take on the task of self-editing, do not study and use the Chicago Manual of Style. They simply adopt their own rules of grammar and punctuation. Some are so unsure of the rules, that they are inconsistent throughout their manuscripts—using the apostrophe correctly sometimes and not others, using numerals correctly sometimes and not others, etc. Sometimes there are even inconsistencies in their story—which is a good way to lose credibility with your audience. An example of this would be that Bob has blonde hair in one chapter and brown in another or his ribs show in one scene and he is hefty in another. Seems elementary, but I see this often.

Is your book truly ready for your audience? Can you—the author—actually edit your own manuscript adequately for publication? In most cases, the answer is, “NO.”

I have seen numbers of finished manuscripts. Sometimes the author asks me to edit it and sometimes the editing needed is extensive. Some authors hand over their manuscripts for proofreading only. I always wonder what they expect. Usually, they say, “I have edited it. Would you proofread it and make sure it is ready to go?” However, nine times out of ten, the manuscript needs more than a quick proofing. There are numerous inconsistencies, typos, punctuation and grammatical errors and even difficulty with run-on and muddy sentences.

When someone asks me to proof their manuscript, I will let them know what that manuscript needs, how long it will take me and what I will charge. When they ask me to edit their manuscript, I will let them know what that manuscript needs, how long it will take me and what I will charge.

In other words, if the author believes it needs proofing, I will proof it—making changes and corrections along the way. If they ask for editing, I will proof it—making changes and corrections along the way.

Yes, you read right. There is no difference in the way I approach the manuscript. It is going to get what it needs, whether it is extensive or minor editing.

My goal should be the goal of the author—to make the manuscript the best it can be. For me this means taking your story or nonfiction manuscript and making it more readable while correcting errors. This does not mean rushing past errors and calling it “proofing.” This does not mean changing your story one iota, unless it is in the form of a suggestion that you change something in order to make your story more believable, for example, or showing you how to create more interest for the reader.

Does your manuscript need editing or proofing? Let me take a look and give you a FREE evaluation and estimate. PLFry620@yahoo.com

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Posted in Editing | 1 Comment »

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