Archive for the ‘Authorship’ Category

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What Does An Author Need to Know About Publishing?

Friday, August 23rd, 2013

What do you need to know about publishing? If you’re an author or plan to become one, you need to know everything you can possibly learn about the publishing industry, your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author. If you want to experience a level of success within this industry, you must know something about it.

Professionals will tell you over and over again how important it is to study the publishing industry before getting involved. You need to know, for example, that books, in order to sell, need exposure—people will not buy a book they don’t know exists.

Believe it or not, some hopeful authors still don’t understand or embrace this truth. I heard from one recently who definitely wanted to land a traditional publisher primarily because he didn’t want to do any promotion. I hope I convinced him that no matter which publishing option he chooses or which publisher he goes with, he is 100 percent responsible for promoting his book.

Sure, some publishers will provide a little help during the first few weeks or months. You can purchase a marketing plan from your “self-publishing” company. But is this enough to launch your book? To recoup your investment? To make a little money? NO!

Most authors are not salespeople, marketing experts, promotional managers. They don’t have a clue as to how to get publicity for their books. But they can learn something about the world of publishing and the much larger aspect of authorship, which is book marketing, by tapping into blogs, books and newsletters produced by credible, knowledgeable professionals. I highly recommend that authors start reading blogs such as this one and that they subscribe to newsletters and other publications and attend writers group meetings and writers/authors conferences. Listen, read and learn.

Publishing/Marketing News and Views is my new bi-monthly e-newsletter for authors at any stage of publishing or marketing their books. Sign up today to receive your copy for insider tips, resources and perspective you won’t find anywhere else. http://www.patriciafry.com

The first newsletter went out this month. If you’d like a copy of it, let me know. The second newsletter will be sent via email in October.

So I invite you to visit this blog often and be sure to sign up to receive my e-newsletter, Publishing/Marketing News and Views by Patricia Fry. http://www.patriciafry.com It’s FREE

While you’re at it, you can download my FREE ebook, 50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform.

You can never be too well-informed. And with the publishing industry and your marketing options changing by the minute, it is important to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry in constantly. This e-newsletter will help you with that.

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Who Do You Think You Are?

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

If you’re an author or you’re gearing up to become one, you’d better adopt an identification that will resonate with your readers. You’d better make yourself known in your field or genre. Why? With the huge increase in books coming out and ordinary people becoming authors—and I mean HUGE—the competition for book sales is fierce. As an author of a book in any genre or on any topic, you must stand out—be noticed—in other words, have a platform.

Do you know how to establish a platform and build on it? I do and it’s all in an ebooklet I’m offering for FREE. Download my FREE ebooklet today, 50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform. http://www.patriciafry.com

If you read mysteries and if you like stories involving animals, order my latest book–my first novel–Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery. It’s on Kindle only. http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

What’s my platform for writing this book? I read cozy mysteries. I love cats and writing about cats. I have a strong background in writing in general, although, previously, my focus was on nonfiction-writing. I have a wide audience base. I have a cat-related blog where I talk about Catnapped a lot. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades I have a following. I have a massive email list. I produce a newsletter. And there’s more.

I’m also doing what many professionals suggest, I’m establishing a series. Book two of the Klepto Cat Mystery series, Cat-Eye Witness, will debut in October as a Kindle book. I’ll have both of these titles published in print, as well, while I’m working on book 3.

Posted in Authorship, Platform | No Comments »

Your Author Consultation

Saturday, August 3rd, 2013

Do you need a consultation? Sometimes authors get stuck and lose forward motion when it comes to their projects. They aren’t sure how to proceed after finishing the writing or even after they publish their books. There are periods throughout the process of producing a book where a shift must take place. The individual becomes a writer. The writer soon becomes a hopeful author. The hopeful author becomes a published author. The author becomes a marketing agent for his/her book. And along the way—throughout his journey—the author may need assistance.

There are numerous books and periodicals for authors at various stages of writing and producing a book. There are writers conferences and groups that meet and assist one another. And there is also the consultant. I sometimes consult with hopeful and progressing authors. Sometimes the consultation is successful and useful for the author and other times not so much. What makes the difference? Here are some tips to help the author have a more valuable consultation experience.

1: Be clear as to what sort of advice or guidance you require.

2: Clearly describe your project, where you are in the process and exactly what sort of information, resources or other assistance would help you at this point.

3: Take the initiative to study the publishing industry so you understand enough about it to know what is expected of you as an author and how to proceed through the process. This will help you to know what you need and to ask the right questions.

4: Give the consultant the information and background he asks for. Many authors take up the consultant’s time with a lot of description and information he does not need.

5: When the consultant offers suggestions and ideas, avoid saying things like, “Oh, I’ve done that.” “I’ve tried that—doesn’t work.” Most authors do this when they are resistant to the idea and don’t want to give it a good try. Sure, they might have done one book signing that didn’t pan out or they joined an organization, but didn’t participate. Listen and learn.

6: Try to go along with the mode of consultation the consultant suggests. Some consultants work better via telephone or an in-person meeting. Others can be more helpful via email. I find email works best for me, although occasionally I can help an individual via a phone call if the author is prepared with questions, if the questions are fairly generic and if the author is a good listener.

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The Book That Can Contribute to Your Publishing Success

Saturday, June 29th, 2013

Yesterday, I talked about Publish Your Book and promised that today I would give you a list of things you will learn about the publishing industry and how to more successfully navigate it by reading this book. Here goes. You’ll learn more about:

• Your publishing options.
• How to choose the right option for your project.
• How to write the right book for the right audience.
• What it takes to land a traditional publisher.
• How to locate and approach an agent.
• What can you expect if you have an agent?
• Why it is vital that you hire a good book editor.
• How to get your book into bookstores.
• How to determine the best promotional activities for your book.
• How to locate publishers.
• How to locate publishers’ submission guidelines
• Why submission guidelines are important.
• How to determine the genre of your book.
• How to self-publish a book from start to finish.
• How to write and recite a 30-second commercial for your book.
• How to write a book proposal from start to finish.
• What is a target audience?
• What is an author’s platform?
• How can you build marketability into your book?
• How to write a query letter.
• How to choose a good book editor.
• How to self-edit before hiring an editor.

I will add to this list in tomorrow’s blog.

In the meantime, purchase your copy of Publish Your Book at Amazon in print, Kindle or audio. Also available at most other online and downtown bookstores. Or order it from me at http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

Cozy Cat Mystery
Have you ordered your copy of Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery yet for your Kindle? Sales are climbing. But I’m still short on reviews. Please, if you’ve read it, post a review at the book page. http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

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Strictly for Authors

Friday, June 28th, 2013

Publish Your Book is the perfect book for new and struggling authors. This is the book I and others recommend to help you, as an author, gain a better understanding of the publishing industry, your options and your responsibility as a published author.

Are you having trouble deciding which publishing option to choose? Are you confused about which company to go with or which publishing contract to accept? While recommendations are useful, not every publisher is right for every author and every book project. There are things you must be aware of and consider before you make the very important decision as to who you will entrust to publish your book. Publish Your Book has a section that will help you to make the best choice on behalf of your book.

publish your bookWhen you begin the grueling process of selecting a publisher, it should not be a matter of who will accept your project first or which one is less expensive—but which one is going to help you fulfill your goals as a published author.

But first, you need to know what are your goals. Are they reasonable? What can you expect as a published author, etc? The author with the most reasonable expectations and goals is the author who has taken the time to become well-informed about the publishing industry before getting involved.

Tomorrow, I will list some of the things you will learn about the publishing field, about how your project will fit into the scheme of things.

Here are some of the testimonials for Publish Your Book:
Patricia Fry does a great job of providing both realism and encouragement to authors who are enthusiastic about publishing their books. I believe in good planning in the publishing process, and Chapter One alone is worth the price of admission.” (Scott Flora, vice president, About Books, Inc.)

“Patricia Fry has written an eye-opening book that tells it like it really is. Would-be authors who want to make their book a commercial success should read this for an insurmountable head start over all other others. It is comprehensive, well written, up to date, and highly informative. I believe it is one of the most helpful publishing books out there.” (Brian Jud, author of How to Make Real Money Selling Books and Beyond the Bookstore)

“Patricia really knows about publishing! Her book offers years of wisdom and powerful insights on writing, publishing, and marketing your book for anyone serious about book publishing success.” (Debbie Allen, international business speaker and bestselling author of Confessions of Shameless Self-Promoters)

“This book provides generous doses of insider information about the publishing process.” (Jeff Herman, literary agent and author of Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents)

Order your copy of Publish Your Book in print, Kindle or audio at Amazon.com or at most any other online or downtown bookstore. Also available at my website: http://www.matilijapress.com

The Purrrrfect Cozy Mystery
Just for fun, be sure to order your Kindle version of my first fiction book, Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery. I’m still waiting for more reviews—please, if you’ve read it, write a review at Amazon. But I see that sales are up this morning. Yay!!! Check it out here: http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

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Words and Kitty Cat Book Promotion

Thursday, June 20th, 2013

You’re flaunting your power again. The newish words you’ve been using are showing up in the Oxford English Dictionary.

These are words that have become part of our vocabulary—words we now take for granted. So to hear they are now a part of a dictionary seems odd. Weren’t they there all along?

Evidently, they added 1,200 new words to the old Oxford. Among them are tweet (as a verb and a noun), follower, geekery, crowdsourcing, and one I haven’t heard—dad dancing. Ever hear that one? It actually brings up quite an image for me.

According to one source, it usually takes a word an entire decade in use before it is included in the dictionary. Tweet, however, has only been in use with regard to Twitter for seven years.

See Cute Kitty Picture
I’m late getting my blog posted, partly because I’ve had business related to Catnapped and partly because I’ve been inundated with birthday wishes. Yes, today is my special day this year.

Check out the promotion my kitty, Lily and I have been doing for my new novel, Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

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Day 6 of My Journey as a Novelist

Friday, June 14th, 2013

Do you know what it means to be an author? If you have a published book, you are at least somewhat savvy. If you haven’t reached that point yet—you’re still in the writing stages or are just thinking about writing a book—you may still be in the dark. You can only imagine the joy and the responsibilities. But you may not have a clue as to the responsibilities. Most hopeful authors have a warped idea of what’s ahead and that’s why most authors fail.

They can write the book—and this is usually the book they want to write without regard to whether or not there is an audience for it. Their inspiration to write it may stem from the stories they read about some of this country’s bestselling authors. They may know people who have written and published books and they have the attitude: “If they can do it, I can do it.” And certainly, anyone can find a publisher willing to take on their book—no matter how poorly written or insignificant.

But the reason why most authors fail has more to do with the last phase of authorship—the marketing phase. They either don’t know that it’s up to them to promote their own books or they simply don’t want to do it. I’ve known authors who had no intention of promoting their books once they were published. All they cared about was getting the book out. Some authors believe that their book will sell without a marketing plan or any effort on their part. But most authors simply do not understand how important a good marketing plan is to the success of a book. Even an excellent, well-written book with a potentially large audience must be promoted. People won’t buy a book they don’t know about. And with so much competition for book sales today, it’s even more important that authors reach their readers and the more personal the approach, in many cases, the better.

As you know, I’m just starting my journey in promoting a novel—something new to me. I’ll try to keep you apprised of the process. I know that some of you are writing novels and you might find my path helpful. My book is a cozy mystery involving cats: Catnapped, A Klepto Cat Mystery. So far, I have done the following:

• I’ve set up an email program where I’ve input the nearly 2,000 email addresses I’ve collected over the years. I sent an email blast announcing my new book to this list and to my friends and family. I’ve had a bit of a setback with the program and have had to take time out to get that taken care of. My technology coach is out of commission this week, so I’m behind schedule with this task. But priority number one for me right now is getting that list in shape for future use. I think some of you can relate when I say I am technologically-challenged and need to be walked through the steps to a new system as if I was in preschool learning the alphabet. And in the midst of this learning curve, Yahoo decided to make some changes. I was typing an email when the new format came into being and I thought I’d clicked on something to make the window change. I spent an afternoon trying to figure that out. Book promotion can take many twists and turns which often distracts us from the task at hand. But some of the distractions are necessary to handle in order to streamline things for future success.

• I’ve been talking about Catnapped here in this blog and at Twitter.

• I had some charming little temporary promo pieces created and I’ve been handing them out at meetings, in line at the post office, while shopping for a water fountain for my cat, while visiting a doctor’s office, etc.

• I have approached a couple of reviewers of cozy mysteries—they were most interested in the theme of my book. One liked the cover so much, she put it at one of her cozy mystery sites. (It’s an original painting that artist Bernadette Kazmarski did.) Don’t you love it when you get an added bonus like this one from your promotional efforts? A few friends and colleagues I sent the announcement to have offered to review the book or post it at their site. All good. But it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t reached out.

• Today I plan to check the SPAWN Market Update archives for reviewer directories. I compile the Market Update (posted in the member’s only area of the SPAWN website) and I often provide directories of reviewers (as well as publishers, agents, publicists, libraries, newspapers, writing jobs, etc…) I mean why do a simple search for a single reviewer at a time when you have access to directories of reviewers? Moving right along.

• Today I am also trying to discover how to help reviewers get free copies of my Kindle novel, Catnapped. I understand there’s a program where reviewers can get Kindle books free. I haven’t had that confirmed, yet. Anyone out there know about this?

• Yes, that’s another thing I’m doing at this point, reaching out to other novelists and to reviewers and colleagues for guidance and with questions since this road is a little less familiar than the one I’ve taken for the last 40 years.

The ranking is still excellent for >Catnapped: A Klepto Cat Mystery. Check it out here: http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

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How to Get the Most From Your Website Research Efforts

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

Do you get everything you could out of the Internet searches you conduct or do you limit your potential for information, understanding, resources and perspective?

If you’re an author, you conduct research. Even novelists need to know whether camellias grow in Alaska before putting their main character in a charming home in Anchorage surrounded by lush camellia bushes. If it is 1997 and you say that Sunday falls on September 7, you better make sure that is correct. How? Through research. Maybe you want a character to suffer from a certain illness. What are the symptoms? Sure you may be writing fiction, but you’d better base the trackable details on fact. What? “trackable” isn’t a word? According to my spellcheck, no. But research shows that it is. So it stays in today’s post. Yes, even fiction needs to be believable—at least fiction that’s based on reality as we know and live it.

This post is dedicated to website research. So often, we only skim the surface of the websites we visit for research purposes. We stop at the home page and maybe click on “about us” and then leave. And often, in so doing, you’ve missed some valuable leads to other sites on the topic. Many serious sites have resource pages, for example. And if you are researching a particular topic, you could be remiss by not checking and printing out some of these pages. These pages found, sometimes, deep within the recesses of a website could be a goldmine to your research efforts. You might find directories of sites related to your topic, lists of recommended reading material (articles, books, reports…), etc. But if you neglect to dig, you won’t discover the pearls you are seeking.

Some websites are easier to navigate than others—that’s for sure. While some are a bit lame—they aren’t designed to do much other than promote a product or idea—others are absolutely rich in materials and information. But you have to be willing to search for them. Get used to searching beyond the obvious. You could be rewarded many fold.

Tomorrow we will talk about using Internet search tools to conduct research

Personal from Patricia
I continue to watch the Amazon ranking for my new novel, Catnapped, a Klepto Cat Mystery, rise, rise and rise. This book is on Kindle only. If you don’t own a Kindle, you can download a program (FREE) from amazon to your iPad, iPhone, computer or Android that allows you to read a Kindle book. Check out my new cozy mystery novel here: http://amzn.to/14OCk0W

If you are ready to publish your own book, but you have not had it edited yet, contact me here: plfry620@yahoo.com

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Authors, Save Money, Time, Failure—Educate Yourself

Sunday, June 9th, 2013

It’s tough to be a self-starter and to work independently when your efforts seem to be for naught.

Don’t you feel more like working when you’re actually experiencing positive feedback—when your articles are being accepted, your books are selling well and/or your clients are thanking you profusely for your good work? Ah, yes. And isn’t it annoying when you are ignored and rejected? It’s not easy to get back on that bucking horse. But successful writers and authors have done so many times. They’ve licked their wounds, tended to their bruises and climbed back up into the saddle. It’s the only way to succeed.

If you want writing/publishing success, giving up is not an option. If things aren’t going your way, find another way. And don’t look for the easy way out. One of the easy options offered to hopeful authors today is the pay-to-publish service option. These companies may call themselves self-publishing companies. They may seem like the answer to a struggling or hopeful author’s dreams. In reality, these publishing services may actually be stifling your dreams of success.

They don’t do anything to help you grow as a writer or as an author. They take more away from you than just your money. They give you an easy way out of the frustrating, difficult process of authorship. They publish your book for a fee and then toss you to the wolves. In the process, you have not been encouraged or guided in how to make your book the best that it can be. You know nothing or little about the publishing industry and how you fit into it. You are not prepared for the reality of your promotional responsibilities. And you are trying to sell a book that may not be ready for an audience and that is often too high priced to sell.

If you are contemplating turning your book over to a fee-based publishing service, PLEASE read my book first. The most valuable gift you can give yourself is knowledge. Educate yourself about the publishing industry—learn about your choices and the ramifications of those choices. Don’t spoil your chance for publishing success. Arm yourself with knowledge and make educated decisions.

Order your copy of “Publish Your Book” today. It’s in print, Kindle and audio at Amazon.com. It’s filled with information, resources and inspiration from my forty years in the business and provides perspective and guidance from an additional two dozen professionals and others who have experienced some measure of publishing success.

Note: This message was first posted here in June of 2006—only the book title I recommend has changed. “Publish Your Book” is the revised, updated version of another book I wrote for you—“The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.”

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10 Ways to Write the Right Book for the Right Audience

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Is the book you propose wanted or needed by a distinct segment of readers? Does it have the elements your readers require or expect? Does it respond to the questions or concerns of your readership? If it is fiction, are all of the elements your readers enjoy written into the story?

Here are 10 things that you can do in order to make sure you are writing the right book for the right reader:

1: Study the market with regard to books like the one you want to write. For nonfiction, what is missing from most books within the realm of your topic—what is not being covered? For fiction, discover what is currently popular? Which genres are selling?

2: Study books within the category you want to write. What makes these books work? What do you want to avoid with your book? Maybe books in your topic are typically heavily illustrated with graphs and diagrams. Perhaps readers of these books appreciate a lot of examples throughout. Certainly the way a nonfiction book is organized is important.

3: Connect with your proposed audience through online discussion groups, bulletin boards, and find out what this audience wants/needs.

4: Read what others are discussion in these discussion groups, but also ask pointed questions to get the information you want. Ask, for example, “What would you like to see included in a book related to animal behavior?” “What elements are missing in the relationship books you’ve been reading?” or “What tugs at your heart most in your favorite novels?”

5: Join a group or organization in order to become more educated about what is available and what is needed. Involvement with your potential audience is a great way to learn about their reading needs/desires.

6: Subscribe to newsletters and enewsletters directed at your proposed audience and read them. Pay particular attention to letters to the editor.

7: Visit blogs related to your book’s topic/genre. Study the posts and the comments.

8: Start your own blog along the lines of the book you propose and invite comments from your potential audience.

9: Teach a workshop or class in your topic or genre. Listen to your students’ questions and comments.

10: Communicate with other authors of books like the one you propose. Most are willing to discuss the topic and their books. One author may tell you that publishing a memoir is a big waste of time and money. However, you might discover that this author hasn’t done any promotion and, in fact, doesn’t understand the necessity to promote your book or how to go about it. Another author of a memoir might recommend that you provide more than just your story in order to attract a wider audience—a self-help or educational aspect, for example. This step could give you valuable insight. Or it could be a deflating experience.

Your primary concern before you write a book should be whether or not this is the right book to write at this time and if you are writing it for the right audience. Take these 10 steps and you will be closer to making the best decision on behalf of your fiction or nonfiction book.

For additional help, be sure to read my book: “Publish Your Book, Prove Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.” It’s at Amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio. Also available here: http://www.matilijapress.com

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