Writing and Publishing News from

Do I have a Christmas gift for you! It’s straight from Oprah&#8212well, via my friend, Angela Hoy at http://www.writersweekly.com. In her current newsletter, Writer’s Weekly, she offers this link to a whole list of topics coming up on Oprah’s show. If you have a book, check out these topics and see if you would be an appropriate guest at any point in 2009. http://www.oprah.com/pluglist.jsp?teamTypeName=TOWS

And let us know if you get on. I’d love to share your successes with other readers.

My clients are getting ready for Christmas. They’re finishing up their manuscripts and proposals and sending them to me for editing. They’re ready to move forward with their holiday plans now that they have taken their projects off of their plates. But now their projects are on my plate. And I am grateful. You’ll all just have to understand that I can’t get to anything that takes any amount of time or concentration until after the big day&#8212that’s Christmas. I’ll probably add to the blog, dabble with my cat stories book and respond to emails&#8212so it’s okay to send your questions. But otherwise, I’ll be really busy cleaning, baking, wrapping, cooking and preparing for a crowd of 20 here on Sunday. Next week, it’s more baking and Christmas parties here and there and then Christmas day, which we split between two large families. I’ll be back to work on Friday, December 26.

In the meantime, what are you doing to promote your book or your freelance writing business? Have you talked about your book to at least ten people this week? Have you mentioned, during your company, church or club Christmas party that you will write for money? Are you spreading the word? There’s a realtor in town who, once a month or so, she walks around various neighborhoods leaving a rose or a small package of seasonal tea along with her promo piece on every doorstep. I will remember her if I ever decide to sell my house or if a friend asks about a realtor because she keeps reminding me.

Are you reminding your potential customers and clients about your products and services? Or do you expect them to remember you when they are struggling with a writing project or want a good novel as a gift? They will certainly remember you for about 2 minutes after hearing about your book or your services the first time. You want to remain in their minds. And you can do that by reminding them from time to time that you and your book exists. How? Here are just a few ideas:

• Create and maintain a blog related to your book or services and promote it.
• Establish a newsletter and promote it.
• Send periodic emails to your list announcing new books, awards, reduced price, add-on products, etc.
• Mail gifts, such as bookmarks, origami art, greeting card or discount coupon to customers/clients occasionally.
• Make news locally and nationally and report it in all appropriate publications.
• Write articles/stories on your topic or in your genre and get them published all over the place.
• Participate in related blogs and forums.
• Join organizations that will help you learn more about publishing and marketing.

Is your Christmas wish for greater success? Do you hope to attain success in 2009? Then you MUST take steps to make it happen. Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) in order to keep your finger on the pulse of the publishing industry and for the resources and information to help you sell books. You’ll also receive valuable tips and opportunities designed to help you build your freelance writing business. http://www.spawn.org.

The other thing you must do if you are thinking about writing a book, working on a book, seeking a publisher, contemplating self-publishing or promoting a book is to purchase The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.

I just had an order from a gentleman who had found this book in his library. He liked it so much that he knew he had to own a copy. In fact, he sent me a letter saying that he couldn’t find, on my website, how much we charge for shipping. I can understand his concern. I have been bilked out of money for shipping when I’ve purchased multiple items, for example. I mean $6.49 per $8.95 items for shipping is quite a bit over the top. I didn’t learn until after I ordered 6 of the items (each weighing less than 2 pounds) that this company literally meant $6.49 shipping charge per item&#8212all items coming to the same address!!! Sinful. I complained loudly and was made whole. But I don’t think they changed their practices.

So I could understand this gentleman’s concern. I assured him that we charge quite reasonable fees depending on the weight of the book. And I, in fact, sent him a copy of the book immediately priority mail and asked that he send a check by return mail&#8212which he did.
I have since put a statement on each book ordering page letting customers know that the shipping cost will be $2.00 to $5.00 for orders totally $6.50 to $25.00.

Happy baking, shopping and wrapping. And safe partying.

My article, “This is No Time to Cut Back on Promotion” was published in Francine Silverman’s Book Promotion Newsletter this week. This is certainly a topic that should be of great interest to anyone with a book to promote during this difficult economic period. Check it out at:
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com

Speaking of this “downturn,” has it occurred to any of you that the downfall of enormous companies is sort of like a wildfire? It’s necessary once in a while in order to create a more natural balance in our economy. It is painful while it’s happening, but it creates a better environment down the road for those who survive. Does this make sense or is it just plain insensitive?

Hey, interesting news: Harper Studio, a new imprint of Harper Collins has cut a deal with Borders to eliminate the returns policy. Read all about it all over the web and, probably, in all of the newspapers. In return, Borders gets a deeper discount on the books they buy. Experts knew this was coming, and this seems to be the starting point.

I’ve been working on my cat stories book. Wow, I forgot how much work it can be to pull it all together so it makes for an interesting book, organize it (I’ve reorganized it 5 times already),fact-check, research, edit, edit, edit, etc. It’s taking more time than I expected. And I’m enjoying it more than I expected. Are any of you in writing mode? Are you working on a book as we speak? I’d love to hear your thoughts, emotions and experiences as you compile or create the pages of your current book project.

Are any of you trying to accomplish this with a large, shedding cat on your lap? The colder the weather gets, the more time Max spends on my lap. Have you seen those colorful ceramic good luck cats sitting in Asian places of business? You can’t miss them&#8212it looks like they are waving while holding some sort of money symbol. I actually have one in my office. I think this is what he thinks he is&#8212a good luck cat. Sometimes he just sits on my lap looking me in the eye as I type. Hey, I did have a better year in 2008 economically. Maybe he is bringing me luck.

I’m rather distracted lately. I’m focusing on my cat stories book more than I’m thinking about book promotion and article-writing, but I do want to provide you with something of value whenever I can. So here are a few tips: Another reason for looking at Fran Silverman’s current Book Promotion Newsletter is that she provides several resources for book review sites and other book review opportunities.

While I prefer that you seek out publications, sites and newspaper columns directly related to the topic or genre of your book when soliciting book reviews, it doesn’t hurt to have your book reviewed at some of the book review sites and in book review publications, as well. For those of you who are paying quite a bit for copies of your book through your fee-based POD “self-publishing” company, it can get kind of costly to send books out for review. But if you score even 3 sales per review, it might be worth your while, right? Plus, you are getting that much needed exposure. You have to get your name out. You must get your book known. Without exposure, you can forget about sales.

I’d like to hear about your most successful or unusual book review experience. Would you like to recommend a book review site or publication? I encourage you to share what you know&#8212network. This was the premise that launched SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). SPAWN was formed 13 years ago in order to provide anyone interested in publishing the opportunity to collaborate, share, teach, learn&#8212in other words, network with others who can help to move your project forward. Check out SPAWN and consider joining in 2009. If you get involved, participate and partake of our offerings, you WILL experience greater success in 2009. Membership is $45/year AND you receive a FREE book of your choice (6 books/ebooks to choose from).
http://www.spawn.org.

To contact me, Patricia Fry, PLFry620@yahoo.com. Visit my website at
http://www.matilijapress.com
Or type in Patricia Fry. You’ll find me!!!

Well, I’ve done it. I started working on my cat stories book again. If all goes well and I don’t get swamped with client work (which would be a good thing), I will complete it within the next month or so and publish it as an ebook. I’m excited! How many of you would be interested in reading my book of cat stories? It includes stories about many of the cats I’ve known over the years and those from other cat people I’ve met. I have stories of feral cats, cats living in cat colonies, cats suffering from ailments, cats with unusual habits or traits, cats who live in libraries, working cats, cats with handicaps, traveling cats, cats as teachers and much more.

Are any of you familiar with Dewey, the library cat who was found near death in a book drop in Iowa one frigid morning several years ago? There’s a book out about him now? I was one of about 250 people who wrote about Dewey over the years. I haven’t seen librarian, Vickie Myron’s book, yet, but I have it on my Christmas list, so I should own it soon.

I also want the book, The Necklace. How many of you know about this book? It’s the story of a group of women from my county, here in California, who pooled their money to buy an exquisite, expensive diamond necklace. The book tells the story of how this necklace affected their lives and the lives of those they have shared the necklace with. For example, one woman I know was given the honor of wearing the necklace because she stepped up and gave a friend a kidney.

Both of these books were picked up by major publishing houses and all of the authors are touring around promoting their books. Isn’t it interesting to see what the big publishers will buy and what books will sell?

It seems to pay to get involved, doesn’t it? If Vickie Myron hadn’t taken the injured, abused kitten in, she wouldn’t have earned a million dollar + advance this year. This is a reminder of how important it is to reach out when someone needs our help and to say “yes,” even when we may feel a little uncomfortable or the request is a bit unorthodox or overwhelming. It sometimes pays to risk and take chances. Of course, we all know that publishing is a gamble and it becomes more so all the time.

So what did you do this year that might ultimately result in something positive for yourself or others? Have you taken risks? Have you stood up for or helped someone else? Have you stepped up to the plate on behalf of your publishing dream? I’d love to hear some of your stories.

In the meantime, if you plan to enter into the competitive world of publishing in 2009, be sure to do so with all of the right information and resources. Before taking your next (possibly wrong) step, read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.

It seems that more hopeful authors are heeding this recommendation as my book sales are up!! Yeah!! And Thank you.

Be sure to read Paul Greenberg’s essay, “Bail Out the Writers!” in The New York Times December 9, 2008 edition. I’d be interested in your comments. How many of you are part of the 185,000 who claim writing as your primary career? I’ve been doing so since around 1973. Would like to invite you to chime in on Greenberg’s perspective. Here’s the link to the story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/books/review/Greenberg-t.html

Things are definitely slow for freelance writers and authors right now, but they always are this time of year. When I was doing a lot of writing for magazines, everything would start to slow down in the second half of November and come to a halt in December. It happened that way every year. There was no (or very little) communication from editors during this time. Clients stopped sending me their chapters, publishers ceased responding to queries or inquiries.

This year, add to that dire holiday report the fact that consumers are not buying books. I think the only thing people are happy to spend money on these days is gas. Since the prices have come down, it’s almost exciting to fill your tank. Everywhere I go, people are gleefully bragging about how much money they saved at the pump this week. Now, those thieving oil company execs are pretty good guys, right?

Well, I’d spend more time with you this morning discussing the future of publishing or encouraging you to keep writing despite the forecast, but I think I’ll go dig out my cat story book and start preparing it for publication as an ebook. This is something I’ve been putting off only because I’ve been so busy all year. It’s a pure labor of love project that I’ve been eager to return to. Besides, we all know that, in times of fear and uncertainty, we gravitate toward anything that’s warm and fuzzy. After 911, sales for comforters and cozy blankets and pillows rose, as did chocolate candy sales. When things are looking bad, people want to read what makes them feel good inside&#8212stories that cause them to smile. Of course, we are also looking for answers. We want to know what to do next, how to proceed, how to protect ourselves should things turn even more ugly. Keep this in mind as you ponder what to write next.

If you want to become more deeply embedded in the publishing field, you’ll want to invest in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you have a book that is stalled or lagging as far as sales go, you might be able to revive it by reading my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit. It’s only $5.95.
http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html

Yesterday, we talked about rejection&#8212what it means and what it doesn’t mean. Today, I’d like to discuss rejection as a barometer. How many rejections can you handle? What number of rejections signal to you that maybe your project isn’t all that good? When do you quit under the pressure of rejections? At what point do you stop sending out your book manuscript or pitching your amazing article idea or short story? Is it 5, 10, 100?

For one woman it was 16. After her book manuscript had been rejected 16 times, she threw it a funeral. I know others who give up after only a few rejections. And still others are showing their manuscripts around after years and years of rejection.

Not every hopeful author has this kind of endurance. And not everyone gives up completely.
The many (85 at last count) fee-based POD “not” self publishing companies are eagerly waiting in the wings for authors to fail, so they can pick up the pieces and lure them into their publishing contracts. Thousands of authors, eager to be published, sign on the dotted line.

Which author are you? Would you quit cold turkey and give up altogether? Would you sign with the first “POD” company that comes along? Wait! You have another choice.

If you can’t get even an inkling of interest from appropriate publishers, if agents are refusing to represent you, maybe this is a message you should pay attention to. Maybe there is something wrong with your project, the way it is being presented or YOU. I don’t mean there is something wrong with you&#8212but, perhaps, in the way you are presenting or representing yourself.

If you are sick of being rejected, don’t give up. That’s sort of like throwing the baby out with the water, isn’t it? I mean, maybe you have the essence of a viable product and it just needs to be more well developed. Maybe your idea or your presentation is lacking something. Perhaps you are targeting the wrong audience or you haven’t really thought through the purpose for this book. Maybe you haven’t achieved the self-help aspect that you promise in your description or your story doesn’t move along smoothly or fast enough for today’s readers.

Have you established your platform? When you present your proposal to publishers or agents, do you stand apart from the other authors because of your outstanding platform and succinct marketing plan? Or have you even prepared a proposal at all?

You’ve been reading and hearing for years that there’s a tremendous amount of competition within the publishing industry. Well, multiply that by dozens or hundreds today. The economy has put hugely increasing pressure on hopeful authors to present the absolute best manuscript possible&#8212one that is needed or desired and that you back it up with your willingness and ability to aggressively promote it.

If you have received rejection after rejection for your book or article manuscript or idea and you’d like another opinion as to its viability, contact me, Patricia Fry, for a free evaluation.

PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Whether you are thinking about writing a book for publication, you are in the process of writing it, you are pitching it to publishers or you are marketing a book, this is the time when you should be reading my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” Think you can’t afford it? You can’t afford not to read it. Without the information, perspective and resources in this book, you are liable to make some costly and embarrassing mistakes. Order it here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I notice that things change between people when they work closely together on a project. Becoming part of a team has an effect on the way we feel about others and about ourselves. Participating as a functioning member of a partnership&#8212whether we’re working for good or for evil&#8212gives us a deep sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves. For many, it’s a comforting feeling of support and a powerful sense of accomplishment.

We have the opportunity to work within the boundaries of a team from birth. Families function best when everyone feels that they are a vital part of a well oiled team. We also know that when the family dynamics don’t allow for clear divisions of responsibility, support, attention, affection, togetherness and love within some semblance of a team environment, it fails. Thus, the rise in gang membership.

We can accomplish more when we work as a team. We are bigger, smarter, stronger, more effective and more powerful when we team up with the right people. We have more ideas. We get more done.

Sometimes teams are formed and other times they just happen. Have you ever been in a crisis or near crisis situation which was averted because of teamwork? Maybe you were in an elevator with strangers when the power went off, survived a bus crash, were involved in a fire in a public place or you were among a few citizens who saw someone take an elderly woman’s purse. Sure, I know, some people will stand back and contribute nothing&#8212they have nothing to give. But most people, in dire circumstances, will band together, form an instantaneous union and work together to alleviate the problem or change the situation. That’s teamwork.

Why this subject in a publishing blog? Because I am becoming more and more aware of the teamwork involved in producing a book. Sure, we all know it takes contributions by many people to bring a book to production, but I’m speaking specifically of the relationship between the author and the editor. As you know, I do a lot of editing for clients. I’ve edited books on beauty secrets, abuse, religious epiphanies, spiritual awakenings, channeled messages, and more. I’ve edited historical novels, young adult fantasies, self-help books, business books and memoirs related to travel, music, grief, coming of age, family dynamics and so forth. And I’m impacted by each and every project.

In recent years, I’ve identified the “high” I feel at the conclusion of each project. It is that sense of accomplishment through teamwork. Here’s how it plays out. The author brings me a book manuscript. It may be a great idea or a wonderful story and it might even be either fairly or beautifully well written. But most of the manuscripts I take on as an editor have some chronic problems. Most manuscripts reflect the authors’ various editorial limitations&#8212or, as one editor says, weaknesses. I’m seeing more authors for whom English is their second language and their manuscripts reflect their various language flaws. Some authors are hung-up on old style punctuation. Others simply have some bad habits such as, run-on sentences, muddy sentences, they overuse or repeat words, they use passive instead of active voice, use clichés, misspell words or use the wrong word and so forth.

We all develop habits and a good editor can help you to create more good writing habits.

I may edit a manuscript once or three times, depending on the magnitude of the work necessary. If I’ve suggested a lot of changes throughout, I practically insist upon seeing the manuscript at least once more before it is ready for publication.

Once I’ve seen the finished product and have made those last few suggestions, I can’t help but marvel at what the partnership has achieved. I recall the condition of the manuscript when I first saw it. I reflect on some of the conversations I had early on with the author and how the author, in some cases, questioned and resisted my suggestions. Some of them have even fired me only to come back months later asking for my help. Not every author is ready to be part of a team because they don’t understand how it all works. They are used to working in a vacuum&#8212doing things their way without interference or, heaven forbid, criticism. Once they spend a little time outside the comfort of their solitude, however, and learn something about the real world of publishing, they are soon ready to join a team for the benefit of their precious project.

I love my role as the author’s partner. It is hard work helping new authors to find their way in this competitive field, especially when the author refuses to help move the many obstacles out of the way of his or her progress. But it can be extremely satisfying work when, in the end, we have a much better product than we started with&#8212one with a larger target audience, one that is more well-written, one that actually portrays the message or information the author hoped to get across.

Folks, just because you have the idea or the dream doesn’t mean that your attempt to put it down on paper will be successful. It doesn’t mean that you can communicate your message adequately. And it doesn’t mean that you have a marketable product. When you hire me to evaluate your book manuscript and edit it (if needed), you are also getting someone you can consult with should you have questions about or need guidance within the vast, fiercely competitive publishing field.

Contact me to discuss your project. Let me be part of your team. Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about me and my services at: http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

As a primer to publishing, be sure to read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” I wrote it just for you. How do I know? You are interested in publishing, aren’t you? You are either writing a book, thinking about it or you’ve written it and are trying to get it published. Maybe you have a book you are marketing. Wherever you are within the realm of publishing, this book is for you: “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” ( http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html)