Archive for July, 2011

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How to Launch a Newly Published Book

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

What’s the first thing you do when your newly published book arrives? Well, after you celebrate and run around showing it to your neighbors, friends and coworkers…

For me, it depends on the book and the circumstances. For example, for my self-published books (books produced through my own publishing company, Matilija Press,) I would normally be sending out contributor copies right off the bat. I’d also send copies to key reviewers in my topic/genre and other key players in this field. (The publisher is handling these tasks.)

In the case of my brand new book produced by Skyhorse/Allworth Press, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author I will fill the gaps. I’ll also make sure I have enough copies to take with me to the various conferences, book festivals and other events I have scheduled. I’ll announce the new book in my blog and appropriate newsletters.

I will also notify my massive email list of clients, customers, colleagues and so forth.

I’ll post the new book on my website, announce it at Facebook, change my “signature” to include it and I’ll submit a rash of articles to my favorite newsletters and magazines. I’ll also set up more speaking opportunities at writers groups, conferences and so forth.

Press releases? Sure, I may get a flurry of press releases circulating. I’ll also contact the various writers groups where I’ve presented programs and let them know about the book. I’ll post an announcement at the discussion groups I frequent. And I’ll take copies down to a couple of bookstores that carry my other books and schedule book signings. And I’ll research specialty stores for writers and contact any that are left.

I’ll contact the leaders of organizations and related websites to see about getting my book featured or, at least, mentioned. And I’ll stay in touch with all of the contributors to the book with updates and ideas for how they can promote it to their followers.

I might devise a contest to bring added attention to my book. Offer it as a raffle prize at conferences I attend and some that I don’t.

And after a few months, in between speaking engagements, article submissions, Internet posts, etc., I’ll contact my emailing list again. I’ll ask for testimonials from those who purchased the book and remind those who didn’t order it to do so.

Whew! It’s going to be a busy summer/fall.

If you need some ideas for launching your new book or to revive an older book that is struggling in the marketplace, order your copy of Promote Your Book today. It really does give you over 250 ideas with instructions and examples. And this book is designed for fiction as well as nonfiction authors.

http://www.allworth.com/Promote_Your_Book_p/1-58115-857-1.htm

Posted in Authorship, Book Promotion | No Comments »

New Book on Book Promotion

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

I called my publisher yesterday to order copies of my upcoming book, Promote Your Book. It’s scheduled to debut August 10 and I wanted to get my order in. I was surprised to learn that there are already copies in the warehouse. Skyhorse/Allworth can ship this week!

Then I got an email from one of the contributors to the book thanking me for the book and complimenting it. “It looks great,” she said. “I’ve already recommended it to someone.”

My book is out and I have not even seen it yet! But then I’m used to that. As a freelance article writer for years, I was often the last one to see a copy of the magazine with my article in it. Others would call, write or email with comments on an article that I had still not seen. Seems odd to me and frustrating for the author/writer because we’re eager to view the piece or see the completed book and begin the promotion process.

Since my new book is available, let me begin the ball rolling. Many of you, I’ll be contacting personally. But for those whose contact information I don’t have and who would like to take steps to begin or enhance your book promotion efforts, order this new book today.

Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.

There really are over 250 book promotion ideas, resources and tips. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the book promotion process and the author’s responsibility as a published author. And I think you’ll enjoy reading how twenty-four other authors promote their books successfully. It’s a good opportunity to learn how others do it!

This book is not just for nonfiction authors. I made a special effort to address fiction and children’s book authors, as well. But I’ve learned over the years that some writers of fiction just do not want to accept the marketing role and they discount any and all information and ideas related to book promotion. In fact, I’ve already had comments from a couple of novelists who were given the opportunity to review prepublication copies and they indicated that there were no ideas for them. On the contrary…the book is teaming with ideas for them, they just choose not to accept them. They are not of a mindset to recognize them and utilize them. Most authors of fiction need to be spoon-fed marketing strategy. But even when they “get” it, many will still resist it.

If you are promoting a book of fiction fairly successfully, I’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime, whether you are writing or have written fiction, nonfiction or a children’s book, order your copy of this brand new book on book promotion:

Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. http://www.allworth.com/Promote_Your_Book_p/1-58115-857-1.htm

Or order it at amazon.com in print or on Kindle. Type in my name, Patricia Fry or the book title.

Posted in Announcements, Book Promotion | No Comments »

The Cost of Successful Authorship

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

A few days ago, I promised that I would continue with my “lecture” on how to succeed as a published author. If you missed the July 15th post, be sure to backtrack and read it. Here is what I suggest to serious authors who want to succeed in the competitive publishing field.

Continue reading this and other publishing blogs, pertinent books such as The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, and newsletters for authors. Attend writers’ group meetings and writers’ conferences. Sign up for appropriate online courses. And follow up with the speakers/authors whose messages resonate with you.

I often say that successful publishing depends on knowledge and understanding. I’d also like to add “strategy.” Here’s my formula—it’s simple—but not always easy. Study the publishing industry and write a book proposal.

As part of your learning path, let me say that publishing is not FREE. It requires that you produce your very best piece of work. I recommend saving up (or setting aside) money early on to pay a good book editor to put the polish on your amazing manuscript. You’ll need anywhere from $500 to $3,000 (or more), depending on the size, scope and shape of your manuscript.

I have charged as little as $700 for editing and as much as $3,500. I issued a quote of $12,000 recently. The author was nowhere near prepared to pay that much, but it was a HUGE manuscript (actually the size of three typical novels) and there were many, many problems with sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and such. The author, for whom English was her second language, also had a deadline. She wanted me to complete the work in a mere few weeks. That just wasn’t going to happen. I did my best to negotiate a lower fee, but the author chose to do her own editing (argh) and then call it good.

Okay, so put money aside for a good book manuscript editor. You may decide to self-publish (establish your own publishing company) or go with a pay-to-publish service. Set aside another $1,000 to $5,000 for a cover designer and page layout person. Depending on which company you choose and how many copies you want, it may cost you an additional $1,000 to $10,000 to produce your book.

And then there is the task of book promotion. This will require your time, commitment, creativity, imagination and, most likely, some money. It costs to travel, to reserve booths at book festivals, to set up a website, to hire a press release service, to have brochures and posters made, to have your book included in catalogs, to join important organizations…

These are the kinds of things many authors do not want to hear or to deal with. And that, dear readers, is the reason why so many authors fail each year.

Questions: Contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo. (I apologize for being silent for the last few days. I was traveling and had limited Internet access.)

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

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More Reasons Why Authors Fail

Friday, July 15th, 2011

You finally step outside your comfort zone and attend a writers’ group meeting or writers’ conference. You listen intently while the speaker explains aspects of the publishing industry and how to navigate it. The speaker hands out brochures, business cards—maybe a list of resources or an article or tip sheet. He or she takes time to answer audience questions, and then the speaker invites you to visit her website and even to email her if you have additional questions.

You have been given a great opportunity to connect in a personal way with someone whose presentation you found enlightening and informative—who has material and experience and is willing to share it. You’re excited at the prospect. You’re eager to learn more—to have your burning questions answered—to gain a greater understanding of the publishing industry. But you don’t follow through. Why?

You don’t want to bother the speaker? You don’t think your question is worth asking? Or is it that you would rather not know the answers because you suspect it will mean an uncomfortable walk along the learning curve or it will necessitate stretching on your part?

If you’re one of the many authors who hope to find an easy entrance into the world of publishing—one that does not require you to step outside of your comfort zone—you might as well quit now. If you’re not going to read the recommended books, follow up on the suggested resources or take the opportunity to connect in a meaningful way with someone who might be able to help in your publishing journey, you may become one of the seventy-six percent of authors who fail.

I know what you must do in order to succeed in the fiercely competitive publishing field. And I know that the seventy-six percent of authors who fail either do not know what it takes or they choose not to accept the truth. There are still authors who so believe in their projects that they expect success without the effort. They think that all they need to do is launch their books and the public will do the rest. If they make the book available, people will buy it. These authors go from point A to point Z with nothing but faith.

I have absolutely nothing against faith. I have it, too. But when it comes to a serious and, sometimes, costly business such as publishing, I advise bringing in oodles of knowledge, understanding and proactive measures.

I am probably preaching to the choir here. The author in this scenario would probably not be reading this blog, unless it is to find a way to revive a failing book. And in that case, I have a great resource. Order my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit. This ebook is designed to help you to heal your publishing mistakes and breathe new life into your book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

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What it Really Takes to Succeed as a Published Author

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

You may have noticed the many, many author services that have cropped up in the last few years—and continue to launch. Some of them are pay-to-publish companies trying to disguise themselves as something else. But most of them have some new book promotion gimmick.

We get frequent questions about some of these outfits from authors through SPAWN. Random authors contact me for advice, personally, as well. I also receive emails and calls from some of these companies who want to somehow get to our members so they can sell their services to them… “We’ll offer your members a discount”—“create a special package for them,” etc.

What is my response to authors? I think you’ve heard/read me say it before—before signing with any company, become proactive.

• Arm yourself with knowledge by studying the publishing industry. By this, I mean, read books, blogs and articles by industry professionals; subscribe to and read newsletters for authors; join appropriate organizations and participate; attend authors’ conferences, etc.

• Check out the publishing warning sites. I provide them fairly often in this blog. If you have missed them and would like a list, contact me: PLFry620@yahoo.com

• Do a Google search to see if there have been any complaints lodged against them. Use keywords, “name of the company” and “complaint,” “scam” or “warning.”

• If you get to the point of viewing the contract, hire a publishing attorney to look it over before signing.

You may think that your timely, amazing, well-written book is what’s going to launch you into stardom and wealth. I’m here to tell you that this is only part of the story. What you really need is knowledge of the publishing industry and an understanding of your responsibilities as a published author.

Once you understand what it takes to promote a book, for example, you’ll be more able to discern which book promotion services are valid and which ones aren’t. In some cases, it depends on your book. For example, a press release service to public school districts probably isn’t going to bode well for you if your book is a guide to parenting triplets. A service that gets you on talk radio, probably won’t do you any good if you happen to be deaf or you simply refuse to speak in public. Likewise, hiring a publicity company that books speeches all over the US won’t be a good match for you if you don’t have time or inclination to travel.

I sit here and write new blog posts practically every day of the year, continually write and update my books, write numerous articles for appropriate publications, travel around and speak, continue as executive director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers), work with clients, teach online courses and field questions almost daily in order to help you make the best decisions toward your publishing success. I’m not just blowing in the wind, folks. I’m trying to help you here.

If you haven’t done so already, go to my Patricia Fry website and download my FREE ebooklet, 50 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book. You’ll learn volumes that will help you to make the right decisions for you and your project.

http://www.patriciafry.com

Order books and sign up for my online courses here:
http://www.matilijapress.com

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Your Book as a Business Card

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Have you noticed that everyone is writing a book? If you listen to or watch radio/TV talk shows, you are being constantly introduced to individuals who have written books. Many of them are ordinary people who have published books on parenting, cats, hiring a foreign nanny, politics, spirituality, public speaking, Yoga, home birthing, relationships, flying, budgeting, health issues, fitness, computing, mentoring or any number of other topics.

Everyone is publishing his or her memoirs, thoughts, poetry, realizations, discoveries, insights, dreams and other creations. And a whole lot of people are becoming authors by way of elaborate business cards.

I’m sure you know people in this category—they want added credibility in their field and they come out with a book to that end.

I write books for authors and freelance writers. My books cover the workings and processes involved in the publishing industry, your publishing options, how to write a book proposal, book promotion and so forth. My business is writing and editing. These books help to give me and my work credibility.

I know someone who operates a nonprofit organization for the welfare of animals. Her book on the same topic is like a business card for her organization. I also know animal behaviorists, elder caregivers, photographers, veterinarians, marketing experts and plenty of psychologists who have written books in their fields.

I’ve met a caregiver in the field of mental disorders, a job counselor, a dog trainer, a horse trainer, a couple of psychics, a chef, a gardener, graphic designers, artists, a woman who works with the deaf, a realtor, a fashion designer, a financial expert, an attorney, a travel agent and other men and women in various specific businesses who produced books in order to enhance their businesses.

Do you know what I call these books? Sophisticated business cards.

If you’re working on a business card book or are thinking about writing one, keep a couple of things in mind:

• Can the market bear another book on this topic?

• What is different about your book—what makes it better—more beneficial?

• Is there a true audience for this book? Do you know where they are and how to approach them?

• Do you have the qualifications to attract readers on this topic?

• Do you have a clear understanding of the publishing industry?

• Have you saved up money for a professional book editor and to pay to have the book published, if necessary?

• Do you have the time, money and ideas for promoting this book?
For MUCH more about publishing and book promotion, visit my websites:

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

Study my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. It is available at a discount here: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

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5 Things You Can Do Differently To Create Writing Success

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

It’s summer already. Have you begun working toward your 2011 goals? Have you started living your writing/publishing dream? Do you feel that you on track? If so, you’re probably in the minority.

Yup, most people flake out on their own important goals. They just can’t seem to jumpstart a plan of action.

Here are five things that you can do differently in order to create your writing/publishing success.

1: Adopt a “can do” attitude. Often the pure enormity of the industry and the competition is enough to put off a talented writer. Sure, it’s a jungle full of lions, tigers and bears out there. But someone is getting their work published. In fact, millions of “someones” are scoring. Why can’t it be you? Maybe it’s time to stop talking about and thinking about writing and actually start writing.

2: Make some sacrifices. We all have busy lives. And when we want to add a new component, something must give. You’ve experienced this many times in your life. You want to go out and party on Friday night so you sacrifice sleep, time spent watching TV, perhaps some hours of clarity the next morning. Maybe you want to take a trip or help a friend move. You must change aspects of your lifestyle to do these things. Why are you reluctant to make allowances/sacrifices in order to support your writing passion?

3: Pick and choose your project. Sure, maybe you have your heart set on writing your memoirs or a novel that keeps playing out in your mind. But if you are stalled because of the enormity of this book project, why not start with a confidence-building project? Write a simple how-to book on a topic you know well. Submit some of your short stories to magazines/newsletters. Write an article for publication.

4: Stop studying. I never thought I’d hear myself say this. I am a strong advocate of studying the publishing industry before getting involved. However, I know writers and hopeful authors who buy every book on their genre, attend four writers’ groups every month, consult daily with a writing buddy, hire a mentor and/or continually research their projects. Some people carry on like this for years, never writing a word. By the time they get around to hiring me, they’re involved in a habit that is mighty hard to break. It’s important to know when to stop, drop and write.

5: Write what is needed/wanted. I know talented, skilled writers who want to be published, yet they waste their time writing what they want to write with little concern for what will sell. Budding writers come to me complaining that they can’t sell a column idea to the New Yorker or an essay on spring cleaning or washing a Volvo to Woman’s Day. If this describes you, will you do this for me (and for yourself)? Study the magazines you want to write for (I suggest aiming a little lower than Reader’s Digest and Ladies Home Journal in the beginning). What does this magazine publish? What can you offer that might fit this publication? Read their Submission Guidelines and follow them in making a submission.

Follow these five suggestions and let me know how they serve you.

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

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Do You Need a Manuscript Editor?

Monday, July 11th, 2011

I just finished another editing job. I’ve been fortunate this year, to have at least one manuscript and often two on my desk every month since January. And these have been interesting works—well-written, for the most part.

I know of seven others that are coming my way when the authors complete their work—a novel, a true crime, two how-to/self-help books, a young adult fantasy and two fascinating memoirs. Some of the authors will complete their books on schedule, others may never find the time or the discipline to complete theirs.

Still other authors, whom I do not know, yet, will contact me in the meantime, asking for a manuscript evaluation and an estimate for editing it.

Sometimes, throughout the course of my work day, I read an author’s promo, blog, email or article and shudder. I wonder if they hired a good book editor to fix their spelling mistakes, their misuse of words, such as, “shutter” instead of “shudder,” “there,” instead of “their,” “intimidate” instead of “intimate,” “lose” instead of “loose,” and so forth. I hope that they hired someone to help them correct their use of quotation marks and apostrophes as well as their way of presenting dialog in text.

I sincerely hope they found an experienced editor before publication who could rework their muddy and run on sentences, who stopped their tendency to repeat words and use too many similar sentences together, for example.

Do you need an editor before approaching a publisher or before self-publishing? Most of us do. You might be quite surprised to learn how your eyes and your mind have deceived you as you carefully scrutinized your manuscript. Turn your manuscript over to an experienced book editor—some of us offer a free evaluation and estimate. Some of us will even provide a sample.

There are definite steps to successful publishing. Here they are outlined in logical order.

1: Study the publishing industry.
2: Write a book proposal (YES even for fiction).
3: Build promotion into your book.
4: Hire an experienced book editor before publishing.

Simple—but not easy. There is nothing easy about producing a viable product.

If you are writing a book that you hope to promote to the masses, start saving up for an editor today. It is crucial to your book’s success.

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

Posted in Authorship, Editing | No Comments »

The Personality of Book Promotion

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

I had such a good time visiting the Apple Valley branch of the California Writers Guild yesterday. What a great group of serious writers and friendly, receptive people. Enjoyable. And I sold out of the books I brought—always a plus.

Even after all of these years in this business, I still always learn something when I speak at events like this. One thing that occurred to me yesterday is how important face-to-face communication still is for humankind. Email, texting, FaceBook and even Twitter, are useful—in fact, valuable in business and personal interactions. But humans still need to touch, to see the meaning of an innuendo in someone’s eyes and to hear the inflection in one’s voice.

We can miss a lot in human communication when it is masked by technology—intention, nuances, gestures, body language, and emotion. Emoticons can provide only so much information. Most of it goes undetected unless you are standing in front of the individual with whom you are conversing, arguing with, laughing with, hugging, etc.

This is certainly nothing new. Remember when it was feared that the cell phone would make real-time, face-to-face communication obsolete—that our ability to converse in person would diminish because of technology?

And the reality of this fear is even more prevalent today. That’s why I am reminding you (and myself) to get out of that den of technology that you call a “writing room” or “office” occasionally and actually sit across from another person. Venture out and speak over the fence to a neighbor. Leave the house as a family without your communication devices and enjoy time together actually talking. Join a writers’ or authors’ group and attend meetings and events. Go out and talk to a group or an individual about your book.

Not only will this be healthy for your psyche, it will expand your horizons as a writer or author. And if you are promoting a book, meeting people in person will result in more book sales.

I sold more books in one two-hour period yesterday than I have sold in the last several weeks through other channels. And I’m pretty sure that my presence made a greater impact on members of the audience than if they had only read my blog, visited my website or followed me on Twitter.

The internet is a wonderful tool. But we also need to apply the personal touch to our business and personal interactions. Make this your goal for the coming week. And let me know how it goes.

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

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Your Publishing Options

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

I got up early enough to write my blog today, after all. And I thought I’d share with you one of the premises I’ll, most likely, share in my talk this morning out in Apple Valley, California. Do you know what your publishing options are? Or have you just emerged from your writing room after months or years of working on your amazing book and you don’t know where to turn? I imagine hundreds and hundreds of hopeful authors running around madly in search of a secret entrance into the wide world of publishing.

Most will turn to the Internet. Type in “publishing,” or “book publishing” or “finding a publisher,” and what comes up? Generally, first listed, are the companies that pay for the top slots in a Google, Yahoo, etc. search—AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford, PublishAmerica, and so forth. Does this mean these are your best choices? Is this some sort of omen indicating that you should publish with one of these pay-to-publish (self-publishing) companies? NO!

What you should do is take time to study the publishing industry so that you understand more about it, so that you know what your publishing options are, the possible ramifications of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.

Have you ever gone into business before? Do you know anyone who has? Most likely you did not jump in with both feet until you knew something about the industry, your customers, the suppliers/distributors and your competition. Well, while writing is a craft, publishing is a serious business and, in order to experience some measure of success, you really need to approach it as such.

Read my book and others like it: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This book is on sale now as I am making room for the updated version to be released by Allworth Press in February. Is the current version still of value to authors? Oh my gosh, YES! It is exactly what you need in order to learn more about the publishing industry and how to navigate it, understand more about your publishing options and how to make the right choices for you and your particular project and how to plan your marketing strategy, for example. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you plan to go the pay-to-publish route, PLEASE read Mark Levine’s book, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing. He rates and ranks the most popular “self-publishing” companies and explains the contracts to you will understand them. Get the ebook version FREE when you join or renew your membership with SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org

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

Posted in Authorship, Publishing | No Comments »

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