Check out my articles in Self Published Authors Newsletter, April 1, 2009 edition. Subscribe at http://www.selfpublishedauthors.com/subscribe
Newsletter editor, Dan Shaurette published my piece called, “Book Promotion Activities: How Many Should You Do?” and my commentary, “Have You Ever Bought a Self-Published Book?”
If you haven’t read my piece asking, “Have You Ever Bought a Self-Published Book?” you may want to. Herein, I attempt to make authors, who are concerned about the stigma of self-published books, think about how they buy books. What makes you decide to read or not to read books? Do you avoid purchasing books that you know are self-published? I doubt it. In my article, I say, “If you’re fascinated by astrology and you find a neat little pocket guide to astrology, you’re probably going to buy it no matter who published it. If you discover a quaint little book of poems about children, you may purchase it for your niece who’s expecting her first child whether it was produced by Simon and Schuster or the Mom and Pop Publishing Company of Kansas. If someone recommends a fantastic novel, you’re going to order it no matter where it came from.”
And I go on to tell authors how to do their part to change the stigma of self-published books. Check it out at the link above.
Speaking of Newsletters…
I often mention writers/publishers newsletters and enewsletters in this blog. I would imagine that you have never heard of most of them. Am I correct? Are you familiar with The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter, Book Promotion Newsletter or Wow-Women on Writing Newsletter? What about Book Marketing Matters? Have you heard of this newsletter? Do you subscribe to the FREE SPAWNews? Are you familiar with Cross and Quill Newsletter, Coffee Break for Writers, Freelance Writers Report or Mike’s Writing Newsletter? Then there’s Inkspotter News, Pen Wheels, Write Success, The Write Way and Write From Home. How many of these have you heard of?
If you’re a serious freelance writer or author, you should be checking out every newsletter that comes to your attention to see if they produce information, resources and news that you can use in your writing, publishing, book promotion pursuits.
When you hear about an article that sounds even mildly interesting or useful or you stumble across the name of a newsletter, do you just move on past the information, barely stopping to notice if the punctuation within the sentence is correct? Ideally, you would print out that page or jot down the title or link on your to-do list. And then be sure to follow through. At least look at a sample newsletter or print out the article and scan it. If there’s anything there that you think might definitely be of value, spend a few moments studying the document. Or lay it in the stack of things you read in the evening while watching the news or in the morning with your first cup of coffee.
Here’s what I want you to do this week—today, if possible:
• Establish a routine of viewing potentially valuable material you discover.
• Create space in your life when you can study these things.
• Follow through and actually read these items.
I have to say again that I subscribe to a whole lot of writers/authors newsletters and, still, the best one around is the one I compile for SPAWN members. Learn more about the SPAWN Market Update by subscribing to AND READING the FREE SPAWNews. http://www.spawn.org Click on “Free Newsletter.”
I’m on my way to San Diego today for the IBPA Affiliate Retreat. Unfortunately, we’re supposed to have dreary weather. But for those coming from places where they have real winter, seeing the green hillsides, the sprays of wild flowers and the vast ocean will probably make them feel warmer than they have in months.
I’ll be back in the shipping department Monday, so don’t hesitate sending your orders for The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html or The Author’s Repair Kit. This is an e-book that will help you to breathe new life into your struggling book. http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html
And if you want to snuggle up with my book of cat stories, order Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats place your order at http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html
Have you visited my NEW Catscapades blog? While struggling with the learning curve with this new blog program, I am also having loads of fun bringing you stories of cats and kittens. And I’m adding photographs of kitties to these blog entries. Go by there, spend a little time with the kitties and then let me know what you think. I’d like to post some of your cat stories. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades