Writing and Publishing News

This morning, I had an email from a friend telling me about a bargain she got downtown yesterday. She saved over $700 on items that she typically sells on eBay. When you hear about a savings of that magnitude, you imagine that the bill was around $800 or even $500. But no! She spent only [...]

Are you pleased with the books you turn out? Have you ever received a book from the pay-to-publish service, printer or even business center and felt a touch (or a slap) of disappointment? You didn’t like the cover, the inside design isn’t as you expected or you feel your story or your nonfiction book is [...]

I actually prefer keeping a positive attitude—looking on the bright side of things—turning a frown upside down—seeing a glass as half full… But I try not to bury my head in the sand, either. The fact is that anyone who has been involved in publishing for any length of time (and some who are just [...]

The promotional postcards for Catscapades have arrived. They are beautiful. The magnets with the cover photo on them have arrived. But there is a problem with the book file. We have worked with this printer several times before, but never on a book with color photos. Catscapades, True Cat Tales has 46 color photos of [...]

I’m in the process of writing a book proposal. As you may know, I’m the author of a book called How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less. I based this book on my 8-week article-writing course. How do you write a book proposal in 8 days when it is designed [...]

Beginning freelance article writers often set out to establish a niche. They believe that they must choose a topic or area of interest and stick within those bounds. Most of them focus on the things they enjoy, the things they are involved in, the things they know. And this isn’t a bad place to start. [...]

I often hear novelists say to a speaker, “That was a nice presentation, but it catered to the nonfiction author.” Or they will say, “I found your book (or article) helpful, but I wish there was more for the fiction author. Just the other day, someone commented at a blog saying something similar—“Good blog, but [...]

Today I’m going to promote Catscapades, True Cat Tales. Amazon has already placed an order for this book, along with 5 other books. How cool is that? Check out the book at my brand new Catscapades page at http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html What is Catscapades? This is a 130-page perfect-bound print book filled with over 40 full-length stories [...]

I’m getting a lot of response to my survey (see February 17, 2010 post) from SPAWN members. That’s Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network http://www.spawn.org. But very very few from those of you who read this blog. So it occurred to me that maybe most of my blog visitors are not published authors who are [...]

Moving right along. The PCIP came in for Catscapades, True Cat Tales yesterday and the book is now with the printer! Also the promo material is trickling in. Late last evening UPS delivered our advertising magnets. The postcards are on the way. My webmaster has not completed the work at my website. I will let [...]