Writing and Publishing News from

March 22, 2012

Is Your Great Book Idea Really a Great Book Idea?

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 3:24 am

So you have an idea and you want to write about it. Most of us immediately think, “book” when the light bulb goes off above our heads.

“Gosh, that would make a great book!” or “I’d like to write a book on that topic or concept.”

Sometimes, however, your idea isn’t worthy of an entire book on the subject. That’s why I advise writers to consider writing an article, instead. If it is a worthwhile topic, the writing is good and the audience is eager to get this information, you should be able to sell the article to a high-paying magazine market. If not, perhaps it isn’t a great idea, after all.

Sometimes articles evolve into books. I’ve had this happen a couple of times. After seeing the response to my article on long-distance grandparenting, I wrote a book on the topic. Likewise, there was an interest in my articles on youth mentoring, which encouraged me to reproduce them in book form.

Some of my book publishing/promotion articles also evolved into full-blown books. In fact, article-writing is a good way to test your potential book ideas.

Another option, especially if you want to distribute the material you’ve written on a particular topic, is the booklet. Professionals and experts often produce booklets to test a concept or to bring attention to their work or business, for example.

If you think you have a great idea for a book, here’s what I suggest:
• Write an outline in order to determine just how substantial this book might be.

• Consider writing an article for an appropriate publication to see what the level of interest is in this concept.

• Test the idea by producing a booklet to give away or sell at your website or hand out at trade shows, conferences, etc.

What can you expect from the process of testing the market? You might find that you have a strong niche market for a full-blown book on the subject. The feedback you receive might prompt you to alter your original idea to suit a larger or more targeted audience. You may discover that this isn’t such a good idea, after all and you’ll save yourself money and time.

Have you ever done a test market on a book idea? How did you proceed with that? How did it go? What did you learn from the process? Leave your comments here.

If you are determined to produce a book, be sure to educate yourself first about the vast and fiercely competitive publishing industry. Read Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

It’s also at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and others. And it is on Kindle and Nook.

March 17, 2012

Are You Getting Your Energy’s Worth?

Filed under: Authorship,Writing — Patricia @ 12:52 am

If you are a freelance writer or an author with one or more books to promote and you’re darn serious about succeeding, you lead a busy life.

As a freelance writer, you are always in promotion mode. You face frequent deadlines. Either you work with editors or you serve clients; and their needs don’t always coincide with the time you have available.

As an author, you are either researching and writing every chance you get or you’re involved in promoting one or more books. I’m sure that you feel as though someone is stealing hours out of your days, lately. It’s really hard to get it all done.

But my question today is, “Are You Getting Your Energy’s Worth?” Is the payoff in satisfaction and/or success appropriate to the energy you expend? Or are you, wasting or misusing your efforts? I think this is a question we should ask ourselves every once in a while; because if we are not using our time and energy wisely, we won’t get the results we desire.

And what do you desire:
• having your book completed and edited by December of 2012?
• an increase in the number of books sold this year?
• a contract from a major publisher?
• more new editorial clients in 2012?
• a greater volume of your magazine articles/stories published?
• a higher rate of pay for freelance work—more money per article or story?
• a higher overall income in 2012?

Whatever your goal, you know that it is up to you to meet it, right? But are you taking the right steps, making the right moves and using your energy wisely? How do you know whether you are or not? Your answers to these 4 questions might offer some insight.

1: Do you have realistic priorities with regard to the work necessary in meeting your goals? In other words, do you set aside an appropriate amount of time and expend the right level of energy in which to do the research, writing or promotion necessary to make some strides and move ahead?
2: Are you doing more of what has worked in the past while also trying some of the new things that have come to your attention?
3: Are you always on the lookout for new ideas, resources, recommendations and opportunities?

4: Do you take advantage of the opportunities that come before you?

One area where many authors and freelance writers fall down is that they subscribe to a newsletter and/or join a club or organization and then neglect to use the materials and opportunities afforded them through this channel.

• Determine which organizations have the most value in your particular quest and which benefits are most useful—set aside time to pursue these. It might be a member forum or discussion group, a monthly podcast or a book proposal or article-writing course, for example.

• Select the publications that contain the type of information and resources you need most and take time to study them each week/month.

• Collect tips and resources and make sure that you follow-up on those that could move your project or career forward.

The thing is, if you give the same amount of energy and time to your career or project as you always have, you can expect the same result. If you want a different result—more client work, more money coming in from article work, increased book sales, for example—you must expend a different amount of energy using different methods.

How many of you reading this blog regularly have already purchased my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author?

I’d like to know how it has helped you along your publishing path. Leave a comment here or write to: PLFry620@yahoo.com.To those hopeful authors who haven’t read it yet, order yours today at Amazon.com or at http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

March 11, 2012

Success in Writing/Publishing Takes Time, Thought, Understanding, Action

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 4:36 am

Yesterday we talked about competition—how much there is of it in the world of writing and publishing. I maintain that competition certainly can spoil your dream if you let it. How can you succeed as a freelance writer or author when the field is so saturated—there are so many other people vying for attention and sales? Here are the basics.

• Study the publishing industry (or the world of freelance writing). Know something about the industry before you jump in. Read books on the subject (there are recommendations below), attend writers’ conferences, join writers’ groups and publishers’ organizations and participate, sign up for online and real-time classes, subscribe to good writing and publishing magazines and newsletters and READ THEM.

Only a small percentage of you will pay attention to this blog. The rest of you will give freelance writing or authorship a lick and a promise without paying any attention to the experts in the field. And you will most likely fail. Millions of people, each year, do.

If you are serious about succeeding, consider the suggestions above. And let us know how it works out for you? I love good success stories.

Recommended books: Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. This is your primer designed to prepare you in every way for a more successful publishing venture. At Amazon.com in print and kindle and at http://www.matilijapress.com

A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles (if you are serious about getting involved in article-writing). http://www.matilijapress.com

See my array of online courses at: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

March 10, 2012

Is Competition Spoiling Your Writing Dream?

Filed under: Authorship,Writing — Patricia @ 5:43 am

The Writer turns 125 this year. I wasn’t a fan of The Writer over the years. It was too literary for me. It seemed as though they catered to those who wrote fiction for fun. I didn’t see much for the serious writer interested in writing for a living or the author. It appears, however, that The Writer has evolved over time to include useful articles and resources for all writers. Would you agree?

Which is your favorite writers’ magazine? Does anyone subscribe to Writer’s Digest? You are probably aware that Writer’s Journal quit last year. Those writers’ magazines left standing certainly have more competition than they did when I started writing for publication. How many writers’ and authors’ newsletters and enewsletters do you think are being circulated in 2012?

Not only are professionals and even newby writers producing newsletters for other writers, but many clubs and organizations circulate them to their members and beyond. SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) has two. SPAWNews is free http://www.spawn.org. The SPAWN Market Update is posted in the member area each month for members only.

There is certainly a lot of competition for the primary print magazines now. But there are still authors and freelance writers who try to break in without bothering to read any of the publications available to them. Big mistake!

I actually cut my writing teeth on Writer’s Digest (occasionally The Writer) when I decided I wanted to write for publication. I subscribed to them and read them from cover to cover and back again as often as possible for ten years before I finally felt I had the time and space to pursue my writing career. I had also been studying the magazines I wanted to write for—as you may recall, my dream was to write articles for magazines. You may also remember my telling you that the first article I wrote, sold—as did many after that. And the first book I wrote sold to a New York publisher. One reason is that I was prepared. I knew something about the industry and the process.

Today, many of you wake up one morning and say, “I think I’ll write a book,” or you see an author being interviewed on TV and announce, “I could write a book!” I’ve also known people to decide on the spur of a moment to submit a pet story to a magazine without any thought as to the procedure. They see articles published in magazines attributed to writers they don’t know, and ask, “Why not me?” They wonder, “Why can’t I get published in my favorite magazine?” It might be an easy way to make a little money, right? Plus, they believe their idea is fresh, interesting and timely.

What they don’t understand is the big picture. They don’t even stop to consider it. When these hopeful writers come to me for help—sign up for my article-writing course, for example—some of them become disheartened to learn about the extreme competition and what it takes to rise above it. I hear them say often, “I didn’t know it would be so hard.”

Yes, it’s hard! The world of publishing has absolutely exploded with the advent of the personal computer and with advanced printing technology. It’s easy to write something. Now everyone also wants to be published in some form or another.

Opportunities abound for those who want to hold their own books in their hands and for those who want to see their writing in print (whether on paper or on the screen). Getting published isn’t all that hard these days. What is hard is becoming successful as a published author or a freelance writer—making any money—being recognized as a writer or an expert in your field through your writing. And it’s hard because of the competition.

I’m going to let you mull this over. I’ll continue tomorrow.

In the meantime, visit my websites: I am in the process of updating. I’ll let you know when this has been done. I plan to update my massive resource list for one thing. This might be a good weekend to order my two newest books: Publish Your Book and Promote Your Book.

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

March 3, 2012

What the Author’s Competition Can Tell Him

Filed under: Authorship,Book Promotion — Patricia @ 5:45 am

You hear that you should be aware of your competition when planning and writing a book. If you haven’t heard this, you aren’t getting out enough. You aren’t studying enough about the publishing industry and how to successfully publish a book.

The reason you want to check out what else is out there before writing your book is to make sure the market isn’t inundated with books on this topic—written from a similar perspective. You want to know that there is a need for the book you have in mind. Or, in the case of fiction, you should find out if there is an audience for books in the genre you have chosen and how wide spread it is.

But there is another reason why it is important to pay attention to your competition. They will help you to create your own marketing plan.

Those of you who are just tuning into this blog for the first time and who are in the beginning stages of writing a book, might say, “WHAT? I need a marketing plan?”

Yes dear hopeful author and dear author in denial. No matter which publishing option you choose—self-publishing (where you establish your own publishing company), a pay-to-publish company or you land a traditional publisher, it is up to the author to promote and market his or her own book. And you can learn volumes about how to promote your book by taking a peek into the marketing activities of your most successful competitors.

I’ll explain how in tomorrow’s blog post.

In the meantime, check out my new book’s Amazon page. There are now four 5-star reviews for Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.

To learn more about me, my work and my books, follow these links:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

February 28, 2012

How to Write a More Successful Book, Part 2

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 5:25 am

As most of you know, I’ve been writing for publication for nearly forty years. I have 35 published books to my credit. So I hope you hear me when I advise the following:

Before you write a word—or, perhaps, while you are outlining or conducting research for your book:

Study the publishing industry. How? Read my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. What can this book do for you and your project? It can put you within the 21 percent of authors who produce successful books. No kidding, folks. Nearly 80 percent of all books fail and one major, major reason is the fact that the author entered into the fiercely competitive publishing arena without enough knowledge about the publishing industry, their options, the possible consequences of their choices and knowledge of their responsibility as a published author. PUBLISHING IS A BUSINESS. And authors, in order to succeed, MUST approach it as such.

The second thing I want you to do is the write a book proposal and this is true whether you plan to write a book of fiction, a collection of your poetry, a children’s book or a nonfiction book. You will learn volumes about your project and whether it is actually a good idea through the process of writing a book proposal. Many an author has, at some point, discovered that they are writing or have written the wrong book for the wrong audience. If this is the case with your book, you want to know BEFORE it is published.

What does this mean? That the book idea should be scratched? Not necessarily. Maybe it just need to be tweaked. A reality check before your book is a book can save you tons of money and tons of heartache.

One more thing I’d like to recommend. Start now setting aside money for an editor. A good book editor could cost you anywhere from $800 to $3,000—depending on the condition, size and complexity of your manuscript. Work this into your plan. You will have a much more successful publishing experience if you do.

I’ve known authors to skip this step—to just bring out their book as soon as they could without that extra set of professional eyes—some of them knowing that their book had numerous errors. They figured they would make some money on the book and THEN hire an editor for the reprint.

Guess what? These authors never get to the place where they can afford to do a reprint. These authors are among the nearly 80 percent who fail in the marketplace. A few people might buy their book, but they won’t recommend it. Reviewers either won’t review it or they give it an honest (and brutal) review. Booksellers aren’t interested in it.

So, before we get too far into March, let’s get your book project up and running. What are you going to do first?

• Evaluate your reason for writing this book and the book’s purpose.
• Study the publishing industry. Consider reading Publish Your Book by Patricia Fry.
• Write a book proposal.

Order Publish Your Book at Amazon.com or here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

February 25, 2012

Bookselling Opportunities and Resources for Authors

Filed under: Announcements,Authorship,Book Promotion — Patricia @ 10:45 am

Some of you subscribe to SPAWNews, the free enewsletter distributed by SPAWN on the first of each month. And you read my promo each month for the SPAWN Market Update, which is posted in the member area of the SPAWN site each first of the month. Here’s what I wrote in the March SPAWNews describing what members will find in this month’s Market Update.

The March 2012 issue of the SPAWN Market Update is all about volume. We provide 15 links to literally thousands of writing contests; jobs in the publishing field; writing opportunities for fiction, poetry and nonfiction and publishers for your project. Additionally, we show you how to track your book sales and promote your book through magazine articles. The information in this issue could give you that “award-winning,” moniker you’ve been wanting; land you a sought-after job as an editor, art director, videographer, etc.; finally reveal the right publisher for your manuscript; help you to place some of your articles/stories and so much more.

If you’d like to have access to this and every jam-packed issue of the SPAWN Market Update, PLUS several years of archives, join SPAWN NOW. It’s $65/year. What else do you get? Access to our discussion group so you can “speak” directly to some of the movers and shakers in publishing and join in on discussions related to your areas of interest, you can post your book in the SPAWN Catalog of Members’ Books and Services (it’s online year round and handed out to some of the 140,000 visitors to the SPAWN booth at the LA Times Festival of Books (LATFB) in April), you can sell books from the SPAWN booth at the LATFB or send your book to be displayed in the booth, you can place announcements in SPAWNews (circulation 2,000). Read the additional perks for SPAWN members here:
http://www.spawn.org/member.htm

If you live in Southern California and you have a published book, consider joining us in the SPAWN booth April 21 and 22. Booths are up around $1,000 each. We have secured two booths and are charging members $200 per day (either Saturday or Sunday) to sell books from our booths. You must be a member of SPAWN ($65/year) and we recommend that you have your book listed in the SPAWN Catalog of Member’s Books and Services ($35). So for $300, you get all of the benefits of membership for a year, your book is listed in our catalog (the print edition goes out to 500 readers) and you have the opportunity to connect with your readership in person at the LATFB, sell books and make important contacts that can lead to future sales. Contact me if you have questions: PLFry620@yahoo.com or Patricia@spawn.org.

February 24, 2012

Networking Brings Many Gifts for Authors & Writers

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 6:31 am

Do you belong to an organization of writers and/or authors? Do you attend meetings in your area? Some of you know that SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writes Network) started out as a face-to-face networking organization with chapters in three counties. The Internet brought us all home and made it possible for us to connect with thousands more people throughout the world. The good thing about this is that we are helping more people to make better decisions on behalf of their writing/publishing projects. The downside is the fact that we are no longer experiencing that personal connection—well, not in the face-to-face, handshaking, back-patting, hugging sort of way.

That’s why I always look forward to traveling around and meeting writers in person at writers’ conferences, local writers’ group meetings and book festivals.

You all know that I finished writing my latest book—on public speaking and communication for authors. As soon as I did, my world became flooded with editing jobs and speaking invitations. Here at SPAWN, we’re gearing up for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in April. And I am spending every spare moment, these days, in promotion mode with my latest book, “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.” So there continues to be a lot on my plate. It’s all good.

Especially good news is that my promotional efforts and those of the publisher’s publicist seem to be paying off. The book ranking is UP at amazon.com. Thanks to all of you who are ordering it. I am thrilled—not so much because I want to sell books, but because I want you to learn some of the ins and outs of publishing before getting involved. And this is one of the best books around for the new and struggling author. Thanks for buying it. You’ll be awfully glad you did.

You should also be out mingling with other writers and authors, joining online writers’ support groups, participating in lists and forums, visiting blog sites like this one, attending live author book signings at some of the fascinating places where they are occurring these days, attending writers conferences and book festivals (If you have a book—you should be selling it. If not, get to know some of the authors who have their books for sale.)

Through networking, you will learn who the good guys in publishing are, which pay-to-publish companies to stay away from, where to send your magnificent science fiction story for publication, who is a good editor for your manuscript, where to get your brochures printed, where to find a good book coach, which writers/authors publications are most worthwhile and so much more.

Read books like mine, of course, but also subscribe to all of the right magazines and newsletters. Contact me for a list, if you aren’t sure which publications to choose. PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Where are you in the process of writing or publishing a book? Would you like a free manuscript evaluation? Contact me here or at the email address above. Visit my websites
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Visit SPAWN http://www.spawn.org

February 20, 2012

Should You Send Simultaneous Submissions?

Filed under: Authorship — Patricia @ 6:31 am

Excerpted from Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. Here’s a question I get fairly often and my response:

It is perfectly okay to send out query letters to numbers of publishers at once. Some publishers even sanction sending a book proposal to more than one publisher at a time. I usually send my initial query letter to my first choice of publishers only. I he or she isn’t interested in my project, I start sending out simultaneous query submissions.

Do not, however, send your manuscript to more than one publisher simultaneously. An exception to this rule is when a publisher holds your manuscript for a long time without responding. If you can’t elicit a response after a reasonable waiting period, write or call and let that publisher know that you will be sending the manuscript to another publisher who has requested it. And then tell the new publisher that the manuscript is also being considered by XYZ Publishing House.

Tomorrow “How Long Should You Wait for a Response?”

In the meantime, check out the book this was excepted from, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author at amazon.com or http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

February 18, 2012

FREE Book for Serious Authors

Filed under: Announcements,Authorship,Book Promotion — Patricia @ 7:05 am

Would you be willing to write a review for my Amazon.com page in exchange for a FREE copy of my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author? This is a book for authors in all genres and at any stage in the publishing process. Among many other things, it includes:

• How to write your book for the right target audience
• How to build promotion into your book
• How to write a successful query letter and book proposal (with examples)
• How to choose the right publishing option.
• How to Establish or strengthen your author’s platform
• How to Promote and sell your book.

And it includes many real examples to follow.

Can you use help in any or all of these areas? Is this a book you’ve been wanting to order? Are you a seriously aspiring author who wants to succeed? Do you care what others are saying?

Brian Jud says, “Patricia Fry has written an eye-opening book that tells it like it really is. I believe this is one of the most helpful publishing books out there.”

Jeff Herman says “This book provides generous doses of insider information about the publishing process.”

Do you know who Brian Jud and Jeff Herman are? Brian is the author of “How to Make Real Money Selling Books” and “Beyond the Bookstore.” He’s extremely well-thought of in the publishing world. He writes a newsletter—Marketing Matters. You really should subscribe.

Jeff Herman is a literary agent and the author of “Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents.” He also wrote a book I have used often, “Write the Perfect Book Proposal.”

Let me know if you are serious about writing and publishing a successful book, finishing your fiction or nonfiction book and publishing it (either through a traditional publisher, a pay-to-publish company or self-publishing—establishing your own publishing company) or if you have a published book and it isn’t doing as well as you had hoped in the marketplace.

Contact me today for your FREE copy (US addresses only) and with your promise to review this book for Amazon.com. In the meantime, read all of the reviews for my book, Promote Your Book at Amazon. Just go to Patricia Fry’s Amazon pages. And read the one review we have so far for Publish Your Book.

Note: This offer good for the first five responders only.

If you are one of many who have already purchased this book or you’ve received it from my publisher, I’d appreciate knowing that and I’d love it if you were so inclined to write a brief review at my amazon.com pages.

PLFry620@yahoo.com Put “Publish Your Book” in the subject line and give me your mailing address.

http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

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