Writing and Publishing News from

I am pretty excited this morning so I’m not sure I can write a meaningful blog post for you. What is so exciting? The one photo that I entered in the county fair WON the People’s Choice Award. This means that, even while the judges didn’t give it a ribbon, the people visiting the photography exhibit voted it best of show.

This is a photo of my mom’s cat, Smokey, leaping, quite unexpectedly, out of some bushes and flowers in pursuit of a bee. I was trying to get a sweet shot of him peering out from behind some flowers. At the moment I pressed the shutter release button, I heard Smokey crashing through the bushes and thought—“darn it, I missed the shot.” When I looked at my digital camera screen, however, I saw the most marvelous action shot I’ve ever taken. And this is the photo I entered in the local fair.

People’s Choice Award. Wow!

If you want to see the photo visit my Catscapades blog at http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

In the meantime, I am attending a friend’s book signing today. Do you support your friends, authors from your writers’ group and other local authors by attending their book signings? You should. We should all help and support each other by attending library events featuring authors, book signings wherever they are being held, public presentations by authors, etc. Not only is it a nice thing to do, you could learn volumes—that is, if you pay attention.

Observe what makes this event successful or unsuccessful. What would you do differently as far as the program or your approach? Did the author advertise—how, through what channels? Is this author able to engage attendees or is she/he stand-offish? What sort of book display does the author have? Is it attractive? What gimmick does the author use to entice interaction with attendees?

The signing I’m attending today is at a cupcake bakery. Strange place, you say? Well, not really. The book, “I Murdered the PTA,” has a cupcake on the cover. The main character refers to the women in PTA as “cupcakes.” Here’s an example of a novelist using a nonfiction hook to promote her book. Can’t wait to get my mouth around one of those yummy cupcakes today. What a treat!

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

Do you have a new book to promote? Or should I just ask, do you have a new book out? Did you know that it is up to you to promote it? Some authors still don’t understand that book promotion is their responsibility.

Do not expect your traditional publisher to carry the entire book marketing load. Because they won’t. Don’t expect the money you paid your pay-to-publish (“self-publishing”) company to cover the promotion necessary. Because it won’t. And never ever assume that your book will sell itself—without any help from you. Because—you guessed it…it won’t!

It is your responsibility as an author to promote your book. And the success of the book hinges on just how much time, effort, energy and creativity you put into book promotion.

I just published a book containing over 250 book promotion ideas, tips and resources. Order your copy of “Promote Your Book” (Allworth Press), by Patricia Fry here: http://amzn.to/oe56Ia.

While this book covers a wide range of ideas for authors, I’d like to discuss a primary one today. Most authors dream of having their book posted for sale at Amazon. I’ve heard some authors say, however, that they won’t do business with Amazon because they take such a high percentage from authors. I believe that most of the sales I’ve had over the years through Amazon may not have occurred without Amazon. It’s likely that customers who purchased my books from Amazon might not have known about it if they hadn’t seen it while browsing at Amazon.

I’m told by publicists that Amazon reviews really do sell books. So how do authors get all of those reviews you see posted on their book pages? (I have 10 five-star reviews for my new book as we speak.) How does this occur, indeed? The same way as you get speaking engagements, write-ups in newspapers, book reviews in magazines, publicity at various websites, etc. You ask for them.

Offer free copies to key people (professionals in your field or well-known authors in your genre, for example) if they will post a review at Amazon. I sent out dozens of PDF copies to colleagues who agreed to post reviews at Amazon. Sure there are a few reviews there that I did not solicit. But most people will not go to the trouble of adding one more item to their to-do list unless they are invited to do so.

Some authors have told me that they are signing (or have signed) with a pay-to-publish company in order to get their books at Amazon. Well, guess what? If your pay-to-publish company representative told you that they are the only ones with the power to get your book on Amazon, they lied to you! You can post your book at Amazon yourself. You do not NEED a company to do that for you and they know this. Don’t you wonder what else they are lying to you about?

In order to earn more of a percentage through Amazon, consider having at least some of your books printed through Lightning Source. They are your middleman for Amazon. They print books as Amazon needs them. They supply Amazon with the books and you do not have to ship or pay shipping for those books. And you pay a much smaller percentage http://www.lightningsource.com

For more about Patricia Fry and a FREE ebooklet go to:
http://www.patriciafry.com

For a list of books and ordering information, visit:
http://www.matilijapress.com

To order “Promote Your Book,” go to http://amzn.to/oe56Ia
Be sure to read the great reviews on the book page.

I often talk to you about using various hooks you’ve written into your book in order to promote it. I also suggest that you build promotion into your book by involving a lot of people you can promote to and who will inspire interest in the book and by adding other interesting elements.

Some of you didn’t consider doing this during the writing process, but your book may have some nonfiction hooks you can use in promotion, nonetheless. Here are some examples:

A friend of mine—a fabulous humor writer—recently penned a novel wherein she refers to the PTA members as “cupcakes.” There’s even a large cupcake on the cover of the book. This weekend, she has scheduled a book signing at a Crushcakes Bakery where they specialize in baking cupcakes. Check out “I Murdered the PTA” by Wendy Dager at Amazon.com.

What are other hooks that you can use from your book and methods of using them?

I edited a memoir once that included a trip to Antarctica where the author walked among the Emperor and Rockhopper Penguins. She might be able to set up a signing and/or sell books at marinas/harbors, marine life centers and aquariums. She wrote of several experiences aboard various cruise lines. Perhaps she could donate copies of her book (with ordering information inside) to various cruise lines for their libraries.

Another client is writing a book featuring an amazing horse she once owned. He came from Spain (I think it was) where he was trained in a most cruel manner and she had to reprogram him to save him from himself. There’s also a thread of mutual healing running through the book—she saves the horse and the horse, in turn, saves her. Don’t you know this story will be devoured by anyone who loves horses? Among other venues for promoting her book, she will definitely do well marketing to the horsey crowd.

I know someone who is writing her story of injury and recovery. This book also includes a certain major sport. She should be able to promote her book through hospitals and recovery centers and also tap into those interested in and involved in the sport she writes about. The fact that part of her story is set in another country is an additional hook she can use when promoting her book.

Are you aware of the hooks you are building into your book or that you have written into the book you are promoting? Dig around and find those tidbits you may have added without much thought. And find ways to use them in promotion. This might be the inclusion of the poodle your character rescued one rainy night (ever hear of the many poodle rescue sites?), a feral cat colony (there are hundreds of feral cat organizations across the US), someone in the military (now there’s a large audience)…

Would like to hear some of your unusual marketing ideas and venues for your book.

For additional ideas for promoting your book, buy my book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.”
http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

I feel like a juggler this week—trying to manage all of the requested interviews and invitations to speak and sending out review copies while keeping up with my regular commitments. Today the editor of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) newsletter is calling me to discuss how to use my new book to create a useful article. Monday, I am being interviewed by phone for a blog. Last night I received five partial manuscripts to evaluate for participants in the Alaska Writers Conference in Anchorage where I’m keynote speaker next month.

Tomorrow, I’m headed over to Tehachapi, CA for a book festival. I’ll be speaking to a group at 1:15. Thursday, I’m speaking in Glendale and later this month, I’ll be joining a colleague in presenting a workshop in Thousand Oaks, California.

With my promotional efforts and connections combined with those of the publisher (Allworth Press), I am getting busier and busier.

Have you checked out my new books, yet? It is getting lots of buzz—9 five-star reviews at Amazon!! Mark Levine, author of “The Fine Print of Self-Publishing,” emailed me yesterday, after receiving his copy, and said, “I love it!”

If you want to know how to create buzz for your book when it comes out, you really must read my book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

When should you read a good book on book promotion? This book is designed to start absorbing before you even write your book because it has ideas in there for making your book more salable—more appealing to your audience—while you are in the writing process.

However, if you are already writing the book or you have finished the writing, NOW is an excellent time for you to stop the forward motion and read this book! Before you get involved in publishing, you really do need to understand the world of book promotion because that is going to be your life for as long as you want your book to sell. And this is true whether you self-publish (establish your own publishing company), go with a pay-to-publish company or land a traditional publisher.

The author is responsible for promoting his or her book!!!! And the earlier you start studying what promotion entails in this highly competitive bookselling climate, the more successful you will become with your book.

Order your copy TODAY at http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

Learn more about me and my work here:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

We all think we’re special—that some rules don’t apply to us. In light traffic, I sometimes dart across the street between crosswalks. I’ll step off the curb knowing it is frowned upon and maybe illegal. I don’t always remember to carry my reusable grocery bags into the supermarket. I know people who do not recycle, who smoke in restricted areas, who roll through stop signs and who open packages to look at an item in a department store and then insist upon buying the one that has not been opened.

There are also hopeful authors who do not believe they will have to promote their books. Or they cannot see any reason to prepare for the massive task of book promotion because they plan to promote online only—through their simple website, by blogging and through word of mouth among their discussion groups.

I’ve known authors who had a list of a dozen people who definitely wanted copies of their books when it was published, and they thought this was an omen that the book would be popular. When push comes to shove, however, most of those friends/colleagues do not purchase the book. Other authors actually believe that the book will sell itself. Truly, I’ve had people tell me that. But what these authors don’t get is that they need to make people aware of it before they are inclined to buy it. Even if there was a book produced that readers would want immediately upon seeing it, there’s still a need to somehow bring it to the reader. They are not going to buy a book they do not know exists, now are they?

Ignoring the reality of book promotion is like stepping off of that curb at night wearing dark clothing to cross the street in heavy traffic. It’s just not a good idea. It’s not going to get you where you want to go. It will not lead to a positive destination.

One reason why serious book promotion is so important today is because of the tremendous competition. Those who are out there showing off their books and asking for the sale are more likely to make the sale.

If you have a book in the works, in your hands or on your mind, you need to study the reality and process of book promotion. Promoting a book is more than simply telling a few buddies about it. It takes study, understanding and generally an open mind. Book promotion requires creativity and energy. Oh yes…and it takes plenty of perseverance.

I suggest starting your journey into the world of book promotion by studying the over 250 tips, techniques and resources in my new book, Promote Your Book. Herein, you’ll learn the basics of book promotion, what you can do before your book is a book to make it more salable and you will be guided in picking and choosing those promotional activities that will work for you and for your particular book.

Check it out here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/PromoteYourBook.html

Read all of the 5-star reviews posted at Amazon. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

It’s HERE! It’s HERE!!

My new book is available now at my website as well as at Amazon.com, B&N.com and IndieBound.org. It can also be purchased at the publisher’s website. (Links below.)

Book title: Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author

You know who I am. You’ve either hired me to edit your manuscript, you’ve read my articles and/or books, you’ve attended my presentations, you’ve visited my website, you read my blog, we met at a book festival, you are a SPAWN member and/or you’ve taken one or more of my online courses. Some of you have downloaded the FREE ebooklet from my website.

If you’ve gained value from my offerings in the past—in particular in this blog—and if you have a book to promote or plan to publish a book, you really must take a look at my new book, Promote Your Book. Here’s the thing:

Do you have what it takes to be a successful author, but you’re not sure how to go about it? Are you currently writing a book and really don’t understand much about how the publishing industry works? Are you a published author with a book that is struggling in the marketplace? Promote Your Book gives enterprising authors the advantage they need in order to more successfully navigate the publishing industry and gain a better understanding of their responsibilities as a published author. At some point in your publishing journey, you’ll discover the enormity of your responsibility in promoting your book. You’ll realize that your approach to book promotion is key to your book’s success. And this is true whether you write nonfiction, fiction or children’s books.

This well-organized collection of the most successful low-cost and no-cost ideas provides solutions for both aspiring and seasoned authors in any genre. You will learn how to promote the book without changing your lifestyle; how to promote creatively; when, why and how to get involved in social media; how and when to submit news releases and tip sheets; ideas for arranging book signings and radio and TV appearances; tips for submitting articles and stories for publication; how to land and present speaking gigs; how to get your book into the school system and libraries; how to enhance the marketing skills you already have in place and much more. We’ve even included a few valid reasons to spend money on book promotion. Would a book trailer enhance your sales, for example? Perhaps a publicist would help jumpstart sales.

Important Note: This book is designed with the novelist in mind as well as the nonfiction and children’s author. While virtually all of the tips, techniques and resources are for fiction authors as well as nonfiction, I’ve provided details in some cases showing how fiction authors can best use them.

And I’m not taking all of the credit for this book. I invited two dozen other professionals and book authors to share their stories throughout the pages of this highly informative book.

Read some of the reviews and comments at the book page on Amazon. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

Patricia’s bio
Patricia poured into this book the information and experience she has gleaned from over 35 years in this business. Not only was she involved in early publishing models, she stays up-to-date with the industry through her own current publishing projects, by guiding clients and students through the publishing maze and through the work she does on behalf of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). She also keeps her finger on the pulse of the industry by researching for and writing the monthly SPAWN Market Update—a meaty newsletter posted at the SPAWN Web site.

Over a dozen of Patricia’s 34 books relate to writing/publishing and she contributes dozens of articles each year to writing/publishing magazines such as, Writer’s Digest, Authorship, PMA Independent, Advanced Christian Writer, Arizona Authors, Freelance Writer’s Report, Byline, SPAWNews, SPANnet, Book Promotion Newsletter and many others.

To order the book at my website, go to http://www.matilijapress.com/PromoteYourBook.html

Or to the publisher’s website: http://www.allworth.com/Promote_Your_Book_p/1-58115-857-1.htm

Special Offer: I will include a free copy of my book, “Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book,” with the first 25 books ordered.

How many free copies of your book do you send out for promotional purposes? Five, twenty-five, ninety-five or more? Most authors provide free copies to contributors—those experts and other people who provided quotes and/or information for their book. The editor generally gets a copy and the cover designer, as does anyone else who offered a service or financial or editorial support during the writing and production process.

And then there are reviewers and others who might assist in promoting the book. Sometimes that number can reach into the triple digits. But there are some authors who can’t bring themselves to give away their books. They can’t see the benefit of providing free copies to supporters and the media.

Does the practice of giving free books compute into sales? Some authors think so. In my new book, Promote Your Book, I recommend sending complimentary copies to people who were key in the process of writing/producing your book. They, too, have an interest in the book. They will be eager to show it off to their friends and colleagues. This could be a good way to make sales.

I also suggest giving copies to influential people in your genre or topic. Here’s an excerpt from the book: “Nothing helps sales like having prominent spokespersons talking about your book. Do you have any idea how sales soared when Oprah introduced a book on her show? While your book may not get that kind of recognition, you can still increase your sales by involving the right people.

“If your book is about parenting, send copies to well-known psychologists and family therapists along with a note suggesting they read it and recommend it to the families they work with. Ask each of them for a testimonial for your website (and future reprints) while you’re at it.

“Send a copy of your book featuring pet care for beginners to the directors of every humane organization in the country (or at least in your region). They meet people every day who could use this book.

“Send copies to everyone you know who writes for periodicals or hosts a radio or TV show. When I was writing for periodicals, I often received complimentary copies of books from authors whom I’d interviewed. If I wrote on that topic again, I’d mention that book. Subscribe online to HARO (Help a Reporter Out) http://www.helpareporter.com and Reporter Connection http://www.reporterconnection.com. You’re bound to discover many additional journalists and experts who might be interested in reviewing your book or quoting from it in upcoming articles.”

And I suggest, “Put your book into the hands of people who will recommend it to others—those with good networking skills. We all have friends who have a wide range of acquaintances and contacts and who love to talk up a good product.”

I use a lot of real examples throughout the book. Here, Bobbi Florio-Graham tells how she sent a copy of her Mewsings and Musings to the Canadian prime minister for his birthday. She says, of the practice of giving books away, “It increases awareness of the book and may lead to subsequent sales.”

Another author I know gave a copy of her children’s book to a friend who tutored her young son in math. The tutor volunteered at the local library. She showed the book to the librarian. Not only did they order a dozen copies for their branches, they invited the author to participate in their summer program for young readers, through which she sold several additional copies.

One author handed her book on ornamental gardening for the beginner to a local landscaper. The landscaper took the book to the next nurserymen’s conference and several owners of nurseries contacted the author asking to sell copies through their businesses.

While there is little or no return on some of the free books you hand out, others may result in many sales. Do you have a new book coming out? Start now listing the people who might help you to spread the word about your book. This would be—depending on the book genre/topic:

• Well-connected friends and acquaintances who are great networkers.
• Professionals in your field.
• Avid readers in your genre.
• Book club organizers.
• Reviewers in your genre/topic.
• Appropriate organization leaders and web hosts.
• Editors of appropriate magazines and ezines.

For hundreds more book promotion tips and resources, order your copy of my new book—a serious, well-organized and easy to follow volume, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. Order it from Amazon.com, B&N.com or IndieBound.org. I will let you know when it is available at my own website.

Tomorrow I will write about free copies to book reviewers.

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

Some of you are aware that I’ve been questioning why some authors of fiction have trouble seeing the value for them in a book like my new one on book promotion.

As you may recall, some fiction authors took one look at my book and said, “It’s a good book with some good ideas, but it is designed for the nonfiction author.”

In my mind, this is so not true. I wondered, why can’t authors of fiction see the value for them in my book? So I polled some fiction authors I know. I approached a couple of reviewers. I ran this question by members of SPAWN through our discussion group.

The general consensus from those who could articulate it and those who tried, demonstrated to me that, while fiction authors certainly use many of the very same ideas I present in my book, they use them differently. And most fiction authors need a certain type of guidance. They need someone to demonstrate other ways to use some of the marketing activities I outline in my book—ways that work best for promoting fiction or for promoting their book in particular.

Now, of course, I do this in some of the listings in my book. I talk about dressing up as one of your book’s characters when giving a live presentation or having audience members participate in a scene from your novel, for example. There are other such suggestions specific to novelists—how to build promotion into a book of fiction while you are writing it, for example, and how to locate nonfiction hooks in your novel to use in promotion. But I am beginning to see that the mind of a fiction writer works a tad differently than some writers of nonfiction and the approach to the concept of book promotion must be a little different in order for most of them to appreciate the value in a book like mine.

Let’s face it, most authors today of any genre or topic do not have a marketing mindset. We may know our topic or how to write in our genre, but the concept of promotion is foreign. New nonfiction authors need guidance in how to pursue some of the various book promotion activities. But, it seems that fiction writers need even more help in this area. It may take some stretching and hand-holding for some fiction writers to look at a list of book promotion ideas and be able to apply them to their own situations.

And that’s why some authors of fiction say that my new book—in fact, almost any book on book promotion—is designed more for the nonfiction author. Nearly every idea and tip in my book, “Promote Your Book,” is equally intended for fiction as well as nonfiction authors. In the future, I just needed to give more detail showing the fiction author how to apply them.

Would you all agree?

Check out my new book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. If you are the author of a fiction or nonfiction book, children’s book, reference guide, etc., this book is for you!
http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

I believe that we all have favorite methods of promoting our books. And we also have techniques that work. It’s grand when both are the same. But, what happens when they are not? What are the consequences for authors when their favorite promotional activity isn’t the one that sells the most books?

Logically, you would make a shift. You would spend more time with the marketing ploy that works best. But those authors who aren’t really committed to the task of promotion or they just don’t understand their responsibilities in their book’s success, often choose their area of comfort over what is actually necessary in order to meet their bookselling goals.

Margery really enjoys sitting at home in front of her computer and searching out booksellers and reviewers for her book. But she has discovered that she sells more copies when she appears in public with it—when she stands before an audience and speaks about it or does a book signing, for example. It’s also popular at book festivals and flea markets. She hates doing public appearances, and does them rarely.

Greg prefers going out and talking to people about his book. He spends little time at the computer. Yet, he finds that when he does take time to seek out new websites related to his topic and submits excerpts and articles to a variety of industry newsletters, he gets a more impressive response.

While there are several books, online courses, teleseminars, workshops, articles and even newsletters on book promotion, there really is no set rule for approaching this vast task. Since every book is different and every author has different levels of interest and skill, the author is free to devise a marketing plan that work for him or her.

But first, as an author, you must ask yourself what success means to you. If success means selling hundreds of books each month and the proven way to make sales for this particular book is to present programs in the schools, then it’s logical that this should be your primary promotional activity. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of cold calling, setting up meetings, developing programs and making travel arrangements, you could be sabotaging the very success you desire.

What is the best way to sell your book? Is this the activity you are pursuing most often? Maybe you haven’t hit on your market, yet—you don’t know who your audience is, or the best way to approach promotion with your particular book. Or perhaps you are new to publishing and don’t know much about promotion at all. This is a good time for you to read my new book: Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Trips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. It’s available at amazon.com http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

It’s also available at Barnes and Noble dot com. http://www.barnesandnoble.com Be the first to leave a comment. Or purchase it at http://www.indiebound.org

It will be available at my website soon. And you can also order it at the publisher’s website after August 1—they are revamping the site as we speak.

Questions about the book? PLFry620@yahoo.com

I’m having an interesting email debate with a novelist—and I hope to get more fiction book authors involved. The debate involves the differences between the way fiction and nonfiction authors promote their books. Is there any difference? Some of you may have both fiction and nonfiction books. Are there differences in the methods you use to promote them?

Sure the speaking venues might be different, the reviewer list may have different names on it, your press releases might read differently, your presentations will have a different flavor, you might join different organizations, your blog and Facebook entries will read a bit differently, you’ll seek out different media to approach with your promotional material, but you are still going to go out and speak, get reviews, send press releases, join appropriate organizations, blog, engage in social media, contact the media and so forth. Right?

You’ll reserve space at book festivals for your fiction or nonfiction book. You’ll talk about your book everywhere you go. You’ll send notices about your book to your massive mailing and emailing list. You’ll seek out appropriate websites, specialty stores, etc. through which to sell your fiction or nonfiction book. You’ll add to your line of books—for fiction, a sequel, a play, an audio book: for nonfiction, a spin-off booklet or a related item, for example. Whether your book is a romance novel, mystery, how, to, self-help or spiritual book, for example, you might enter it in contests, run contests, do book signings, do seasonal marketing, employ sales representatives, have your book available on Amazon, tweet and submit articles/stories as a way to increase sales.

So what is the difference between the way nonfiction and fiction authors promote their books? Why would the author of fiction say that a book brimming with these very book promotion activities (and many more) would say that book is designed more for the nonfiction author? I still don’t get it. Do you? Here’s another question, if you believe, as I do, that there is little or no difference in the basics of book promotion for the fiction or nonfiction author, why do you think novelists believe there are? Why are they so eager to discount books like mine as not relating to fiction authors?

I will send the person with the best answer to my questions a free copy of my latest book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” Leave your comment here or email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com

Visit my websites:
http:/www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com