What’s going on in the offices of Matilija Press and Patricia Fry this week?
It rarely fails. When I go out and speak about some aspect of writing or publishing, someone asks me how I manage my time. They want to know what comprises my work day, if I maintain a schedule and they are most fascinated with how I manage to write so many books. So occasionally, I devote my blog to what’s going on in my career—how I’m spending my time.
First, let me say that this will be my last blog post until Monday morning. I’m heading to LA for the big LA Times Festival of Books this evening—a long weekend event. We’ve been promised good weather—in fact, it might be a tad HOT. Probably everyone of the over 140,000 people they typically attract to this event will come out of their homes this weekend to browse the 300 or so booths of books and things related to books and reading. SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) has a large booth and some of our members will join us in the booth to talk to visitors about their books. Those of us representing the organization will be talking to budding, struggling and hopeful authors about publishing and book promotion and handing out catalogs of our members’ books. It is an intense and fun weekend.
We’re in booth number 238. Do stop by and say, “Hello.” Pick up a SPAWN Catalog of Member’s Books and Services. Sign up for the FREE enewsletter—SPAWNews. Pick up one of my brochures. Buy a book from one of our members.
So this week, I’ve been preparing in every way for the book festival—gathering all of the books, book racks, banners, table clothes, tape, pens, sign-up sheets, chairs, business cards, promo materials for my books, a case of water, SPAWN tote bags, membership apps, etc. to take this weekend.
I’ve also been writing and refining a piece for my website. Once I finish it, I’ll present this FREE ebooklet at http://www.patriciafry.com for download. I’ve had a lot of interest in the current FREE ebooklet—50 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book. And the one I offered before that, The Successful Author’s Handbook, was also popular. The new freebie is 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook.
I think that all of you who have an ebook or who are considering producing one will be quite surprised at the list I have compiled and the tips and resources I’m offering. Keep an eye on this blog site. I will make an announcement when the new ebooklet is ready for free download.
I have been working with a client this week—helping him fine-tune his book and we’ve worked on the back cover copy together. I also finished up an article requested by the editors of Publishing Basics on ebook marketing.
I met a former client for a chai latte. Then I realized it is made using milk and I am off most dairy right now. So I just sipped as we talked about his plans to edge into the publishing field in a helping capacity. When I got home, I gathered up and emailed him the resources I promised.
I also turned over the dirt in our veggie and herb garden beds and planted seeds and plants. Now I add daily watering to my list of regular tasks, such as blogging, writing, editing, fielding questions, officially welcoming new SPAWN members, studying the “e” and print newsletters and magazines that come in while noting resources and publishing trends for the newsletter I write for the member area of the SPAWN site and so forth.
This week, I also conducted a couple of interviews for the newsletter and finished editing it for publication May 1.
We’ve been taking bids for some remodel work we want around here—had the repairman out to replace the timer on our clothes dryer and I’ve been in touch with the SPAWN members who will be in the booth with us this weekend.
I communicated some of my ideas to the organizer of an upcoming author festival and conference, discussed an article with a magazine editor, shipped books, did some SPAWN bookwork and banking and played with my cats whenever they were in the mood.
I also scrubbed both bathroom floors with Spic n Span and walked a total of about 10 miles.
How much time did I spend actually writing this week? Probably somewhere between twenty and thirty hours. That’s not much for me. When I am working on a book on deadline or editing for someone, I can put in six to eight hours a day just writing, sometimes seven days a week.
My days probably don’t look much different than yours, except that my priority is writing. Many would be writers I meet say they just don’t have time to write. They can’t figure out how to fit it in. My problem is training myself to fit in the other things in life—things that don’t necessarily have to do with writing and book promotion. But when I read through this recap of my week, I am pretty pleased with my efforts to get away from the office and out in the sun for brief periods of time throughout the day. Yesterday, in fact, I said “Yes” to an invitation to have lunch on an outdoor patio at a local eatery with my middle daughter and oldest granddaughter. And I do spend time with my ninety-year-old mother regularly.
How about you? Are you making time to write? What about book promotion? Or are you like me and you’ve become so enmeshed in your writing world and so disciplined that you have to find ways to work in the fun stuff?
Are you struggling to start on or complete your book manuscript? Are you nearly finished and wonder what to do next? Which publishing option is best? Are you wondering how one goes about finding/choosing the right publisher? What’s all of this about book promotion? The ordinary author doesn’t have to get involved with that, does he/she? If I get a publisher, I won’t have to worry about it at all, isn’t that right? Do I need an agent? How do you find one that is legit? What about a distributor, copyright, book reviews, Internet marketing, using social media? Do I need a website?
If you have these and other questions, PLEASE do yourself a favor and order a copy of the book I wrote expressly for you!!!! Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. It’s at Amazon.com and other online and downtown bookstores. You can also purchase it at the author’s website http://www.matilijapress.com
Remember, no blog over the weekend. See you bright and early Monday.