Writing and Publishing News from

Some of you are finding the blow-by-blow report of my book promotion activities interesting. For those of you who don’t know, I am in the early stages of promoting my newest book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

One thing I preach and teach students and clients is to get plenty of book reviews in appropriate publications and at appropriate sites. I’ve been spending my time seeking out potential reviewers of cat books. I have avoided contacting book review sites. Why? Because a review for a book like mine at one of these sites would probably go unnoticed. The audience for a general book review site most likely includes people who read novels or an interesting memoir, perhaps. Someone who is seeking out a book of cat stories, a business book or a how-to crafts book would be more inclined to search specific sites and publications—related to cats, business or crafts, for example.

I’ve sent out 17 review copies so far. I actually could have distributed dozens more review copies, if I’d just sent books out randomly to every address I found for a cat-related site, publication, pet store, etc. But I would rather make sure that the store or site owner or magazine/newsletter/ezine editor is interested. So the 17 review copies I’ve sent are going to individuals who have expressed an interest in reviewing or carrying Catscapades, True Cat Tales.

I was disappointed to discover that some of the great directories I located are sorely outdated. After studying one directory of around 90 online pet stores and sites, I discovered that 23 of them were no longer in business, emails to another 27 of them bounced and 20 of them were not appropriate matches for my book. I am currently preparing to send letters by mail to those whose email addresses bounced and for whom I have addresses. While I expect to get quite a few bad address returns on these, I might also discover some worthwhile opportunities among them. A few excellent reviews in well-read pet magazines or placement in a couple of busy pet stores would be a nice reward for my efforts.

Book promotion is more time-consuming and tedious than I remembered. Let me back up the truck here for a second. I am in constant book promotion mode, as you should be if you are the author of one or more books. But that initial, out-of-the-chute promotion is quite different than ongoing book promotion. It is more intense. If it is a book of a different color—dissimilar to the books you are accustomed to promoting—you must spend a lot of time reinventing the wheel that will fit that particular book. It can get a bit overwhelming and intimidating as you weed through the enormous array of superfluous material to discover those gems that could result in book sales.

I have been working for over a month on promoting this book and I have not even scratched the tip of the iceberg. But I have a marketing plan which includes book signings (one scheduled so far), book festivals (4 coming up this year) and my book has been accepted to be included in one online pet site, so far. Hopefully, several positive reviews will be forthcoming, my book will be accepted to more appropriate sites and orders will start rolling in. My initial order of books from the printer is minimal and I hope to experience enough volume to go into a second printing by February or March of 2011.

Are you promoting a new book? How’s it going? What are you doing to get word out about your book? We’d like to hear about your process of promotion. It’s an ongoing learning process.

Also, I’m interested in your leads. One reader already sent me the name of a potential outlet for my books in Arizona. Come on, I know some of you others know of possibilities for this book.

Disrespect on Your Online Discussion Group
Do you belong to an online discussion group related to your book topic or something of interest to you? I belong to two of them and I have to tell you something that I’ve noticed. Please tell me if you’ve noticed this, as well. Some members of a discussion group seem to behave as if they are anonymous in a way similar to how we feel when driving. You’ve noticed how you have enhanced courage when you’re behind the wheel and are irritated with another driver. You may say unkind things under your breath when a driver cuts you off or you see someone talking on a cell phone while driving, etc. You have no problem calling this person a “jerk,” “yo yo,” or worse. But if you were face-to-face with this person, you might not express your reaction to their behavior in quite the same way.

I’m noticing that some people treat other people in their online discussion groups with the same disrespect. It’s as if, “heck, they can’t see me and I don’t know them, anything goes.” I’ve seen people indicate that another member is stupid, dense or irresponsible. Some people don’t even think about how they are coming across when they crassly or rudely discount something someone else has offered.

It’s embarrassing to the “victim” and it should be embarrassing to the perpetrator. I hope that we can all step back and look at what we’re writing before we click “send.” Think about how your words may come across.

I remember editing an article for my brother once. It was a good article with some valuable points and information. But I told him that it wasn’t publishable until he took the anger out of it. Yes, it was a rant. He took another look at the piece and complied. While he admitted that this was a topic he is passionate about, he had no idea that the anger showed in his article.

Let’s all try to write with passion, of course, but without attacking or making others feel inadequate, ignorant or wrong.

My article on how to write a daily blog appeared this morning in Fran Silverman’s Book Promotion Newsletter.

I sent out four more review copies of my newest book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales today. And today, I plan to explore cat specialty shops. Believe it or not, I located a directory of cat specialty stores—they only sell things related to cats—cat figurines, cat stationery, cat pens, cat jewelry—everything cat. This is an example of what diligent research can produce for a persistent book promoter. Isn’t it fun to make these little discoveries?

Are you in book promotion mode? Have you been using the Internet to locate promotional ideas, resources, leads, reviewers, appropriate stores, sites, etc? And have you found some lovely surprises along the way? I can tell you that you’ll also find a lot of distractions and go-nowhere dead ends. I get sidetracked when I come across an adorable cat video, for example—have you seen the one where the kitten is fiercely grasping and defending his stalk of broccoli? OMG, soooo cute!

The process of research can be tedious and seem like a waste of time at times. But it can also be worth your while when you uncover really good directories of reviewers for your science fiction book, for example, a specialty bookstore focusing on western novels, an active site where business books are featured or other great opportunities for promoting your particular book. And, yes, this definitely happens.

If you are in promotion mode and the work is getting tiring and the fruits of your labor sparse, don’t give up. Keep plugging along. Continue your dedicated search. Look for new avenues of research. Come up with fresh ideas.

It may sometimes feel as though the well is dry. But you never know when you’re going to break through the parched soil and discover a fresh water supply. And sometimes it is the seemingly insignificant puddles or trickles that result in the greatest gushers.

For book promotion ideas, and for hand-holding support throughout the writing, publishing and book promotion process, be sure to read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. You can get it through the library system, but you’re going to want to own a copy so you can refer to it often at all stages of your publishing project—distribution, dealing with Amazon.com, writing articles to promote your book, selecting a publishing option, working with your printer, shipping books and even writer’s block and self-editing tips and techniques.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

NEW Self-Editing Course
Speaking of self-editing, I have developed a NEW online Self-Editing Course designed to improve your writing and save you tons of money on all of your writing projects.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_self-editing.html

Now there’s a question few authors think to ask. And it’s a good thing, because there is no definitive answer. All we do know is that it takes exposure to make sales. People have to know about your book before they will purchase it. And just having it sitting on a shelf in a bookstore, doesn’t necessarily mean that people will be inclined to purchase it.

They need to hear about it, read about it, hear others talk about it, see it reviewed in their favorite related publication, see it a few (or many) times, have it recommended and learn more about it. Not only do they need to know about it, they must be convinced that this is something they want to read—that they will enjoy it or benefit from it or that someone they know will. Handpicked books make great gifts.

I’ve spent a good portion of my life attempting to get exposure for my writing/publishing books. I go out and speak, I have a website, I teach courses related to these books, I have my books at Amazon and other venues, I have them in Books in Print, I talk about them wherever I go, I belong to organizations that will widen my exposure as well as offer learning experiences and I attend conferences related to my topic. It’s continuous.

Currently, I am testing new waters while getting exposure for my latest book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales. Initially, I am sending books out to reviewers of cat books—those with cat websites, blog sites, newsletters/magazines, columns, radio shows and so forth. I am placing books in a few local stores and I am planning book signings locally. I’ve already made arrangements to speak and sell books at the large Cat Writer’s Association Conference in New York in November. And I’ve signed up for a few book festivals where I will offer Catcapades and my other books for sale.

Additionally, I’ve announced my new book in all appropriate publications where I can do so for free (as a member, for example). And I’ve kicked my Catscapades blog up a notch—posting every few days instead of every few weeks.

How much time is it taking? LOTS of it. Getting exposure in all the right places is my full time job at the moment. I’m researching cat writers, cat columnists, cat sites, cat publications, cat blog sites, etc. for hours each day. When I take a break, I head downtown to make personal contact with key people who can help me get exposure for this book.

I’m telling you this not to complain, but to demonstrate what it takes in order to launch a new book. Yes, I’ve been busy, diligent, persistent and creative in my pursuit for exposure and, frankly, not much is happening, yet. But it’s early—the reviewers are barely receiving their review copies as we speak.

How long does it take to get the results you want through exposure? Do you want me to be candid? This is an ongoing activity for as long as you want your book to sell.

Until you have major name recognition as the author of mysteries, true crime books, children’s or young adult books, fantasies, science fiction or books on finance, for example, you will need to practically hand sell each and every book you produce.

Sure, you’ll get a flurry of sales after a positive review is published by a reviewer of some credibility and with a large following. You may sell a box or two of books at a book festival or a large conference where you speak. And you will surely sell a dozen or so books at a well-publicized book signing. And some of those customers will tell others about your book and you’ll get some residual sales. But then, you’re back to the drawing board reminding potential customers about your book on a regular basis while attempting to find new ways to get exposure.

Soon, I’ll be submitting articles to appropriate sites and publications, for example. And I’ll continually be on the lookout for new reviewers of cat books, new speaking opportunities and so forth. It doesn’t end until you no longer want to play the book promotion game.

Does it sound like a dismal reward for writing a marvelous book—to have to promote for evermore? It depends on how you look at it. I suggest shifting a measure of your creativity over from your writing efforts to the process of promotion and look at it as a creative challenge.

Here’s another tip. Don’t ever allow yourself to be discouraged when your sales during a particular event or after a great review fall below your expectations. Exposure doesn’t always lead to immediate gratification (sales). In fact, I like to tell the story of a SPAWN member who shared in our SPAWN booth at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books one year. He didn’t sell very many books that year, but he made some amazing contacts that led to him being involved in a documentary featuring the topic of his book. It airs frequently on the Military channel.

I hope this rant today has helped you to put things in perspective regarding your promotional efforts. It’s darn hard work. If you’d like to complain or brag to us here—use the comments feature. We’d like to hear from you. We can all use encouragement and ideas. And maybe we can offer you some specifics that will assist in your promotional efforts.

For additional support, information, resources and gobs of stuff you need to know about the publishing industry and how to get involved without getting harmed, your publishing options and, of course, book promotion, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Sign up for my online Book Promotion course and let me help you chart your course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm

For a delightful, fun read, order your copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales here: http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Check out my Catscapades blog:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

Yesterday we talked about using ideas from other authors’ events calendars to promote your own books. The idea is that you would visit websites of authors with books similar to yours and find out how they are promoting their books. Then borrow some of these ideas for your own arsenal of sales techniques.

You might discover, for example, that an author of a mystery novel has been speaking at mystery writers’ groups and conferences. Maybe she gives presentations and does readings locally—find out what sort of venues. Perhaps, you can arrange to do something similar in your area. If you’re not sure how to go about it or how to get in touch with appropriate genre groups, contact the author and get some pointers. (You’ll also learn volumes about promoting through public speaking in the promotions section of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.)
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you have a Google Alerts designed to alert you to blogs on the topic of your inspirational book, you may discover other authors with books of this type. Search their blogs for information about their promotional activities or leave a comment that opens up some dialogue on promotional ideas for this type of book.

I suppose in today’s strong social media climate, you’ll also discover ideas through authors’ Facebook and Twitter sites. And I would suggest something I’ve actually been doing lately in the process of promoting my book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales. Do a Google search to find promotional ideas for books in your genre/topic. Use keywords, “cat books + promotion,” “author + cat book,” “promote cat book.”

Also in my pursuit, I have contacted authors directly to discuss promotional ideas. It’s usually a win/win situation for everyone if you have some ideas of your own to share.

Have any of you gone this route, yet? I’d like to hear some of your stories and so would my blog followers. We all need help and support along the long and lonely path of book promotion. Let’s use this venue to provide it.

For primary help with your book promotion, order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I devote 3 chapters (70 pages) to book promotion. And as readers say, “Patricia Fry’s books are some of the most reader-friendly and useful around.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Catscapades Update
I continue to send out review copies of Catscapades, True Cat Tales and I have placed them in two local stores, so far—one is a business center that recently started selling books. It gets a lot of traffic. And my name is definitely known locally as the author of several local history books. The second store is called Made in Ojai. Everything in the store comes from Ojai artisans, herbalists, authors, crafts people, quilters, etc. I don’t know if I mentioned, it is also for sale at a veterinarian’s office in Connecticut. I have a promise of a signing, just need to pin down the owner of the pet store. I understand she will be in the store on Monday—so will I—with day planner in hand. Oh yes, and a couple of cat site owners have already agreed to place a link to my book site for their visitors who are looking for a cat book.

Of course, I’m also talking about the book wherever I go (and so are those who have read it). And I am carrying it everywhere I go.

New Flash: I can hardly believe I finally did this—I joined Facebook. I now have my own Facebook account and some friends. I’m not at all sure what happens from here. I am also on Twitter and I’m sure I am not using it to the fullest extent. We all have strong points and weak ones—the social media explosion is sort of beyond me. I haven’t figured out what the point is. I am not in a position to spend my days playing and visiting. I am hoping to use both Twitter and Facebook to connect with people I would not ordinarily connect with, sure, but mainly to further my reach with my books and editorial services. Anyone with ideas on how to do this, please let me know.

Order your copy of the adorable, delightful, heartwarming book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales today. It is fully illustrated by around 40 color photos of cats and kittens.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Do you let other authors in your genre/topic help you along the bumpy, difficult book publicity road? Or do you try to go it alone?

There’s no reason why you should chart a whole new course for your book on family budgeting if there are already books out there on this topic. Why would you create a whole new promotions plan for your memoir when others have paved the way for you and your book?

I’m not suggesting that you can skip the task of creating a marketing plan. As an author, you still have tons of work to do toward the promotion of your book. I’m just saying that there are authors of books in your genre/topic who can actually help you create your promotional plan. How?

Some—certainly not all—authors post their promotional activities, media coverage, retail outlets, online bookstores, etc. at their website. They want their potential customers/readers to know where they’ll be speaking, what the reviewers are saying about their books, where their articles or short stories have appeared, where their books can be purchased and so forth. And you want to know where they’re speaking and who is reviewing their books, where they are submitting articles/stories and where their books are being sold.

The first step is to acknowledge authors of books like yours. Locate their websites. If they don’t offer media information at their sites, check to see if they have a testimonials page. Read the testimonials—some of them may be from reviewers of publications you want to approach. Read what reviewers and others are posting on these authors’ amazon.com pages. And be sure to read these authors’ blogs. While they may not be good at keeping up a media page at their site, they may blog about their publicity strategies and their promotional activities.

Sign up for Google alerts in order to keep alert to new authors in your category, new book reviewers and, of course, other promotional opportunities for authors of books like yours.
http://www.google.com/alerts

Don’t avoid your competition, let them guide you toward the success you desire. Keep an eye on what they’re doing and the publicity they’re getting and get in on the action, where appropriate.

Tune in tomorrow, when I will offer some explicit examples of how to use what you learn from other authors’ sites, blogs, etc.

Catscapades Update—Promotion is HARD Work
With 31 published books, I am always in book promotion mode. But I am still always surprised to rediscover how intense, overwhelming, time-consuming and energy-draining hard hitting book promotion can be. I am in full book promotion mode with my latest book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales While I love meeting some of the cat people out there who are reviewing cat books, operating cat sites, maintaining cat blogs, selling cat books, etc., I am feeling disorganized and, yes, overwhelmed.

Last evening, I took a break from the intensity. I sat down away from the computer and created a plan—like I tell my clients to do. I listed the type of research I want to do in order to locate book promotion opportunities. I want to visit cat-related websites and see about getting my book featured on them. I want to get in touch with reviewers of cat books. I will go in search of cat blogs—yesterday, I met a sweet cat named Sparkle, who reviews cat books at his blog site. I am searching out cat shows and will see about either attending or hooking up with vendors who will include my book among their merchandise. I want to be guest blogger at cat blog sites, find cats only bookstores/gift shops, locate cat-related newsletters and magazines where I can get my book reviewed and/or submit articles. I’ve already started the ball rolling locally as far as book signings and I have placed books in two specialty stores in town.

I’m open to ideas from you all. Brainstorming is good for authors who are in serious book promotion mode. Do you know of prime opportunities for promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales? PLFry620@yahoo.com (or leave a comment here.)

If you want to purchase a copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales, this is an excellent time. I’ll send you a free gift along with your book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

And be sure to stop in once in a while at my Catscapades blog. We’re having fun over there:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

Are you an author with one or more websites? You might ask, why would an author need more than one website? If you have one book to promote or a line of books, and you offer nothing more than these books for sale, one website is probably enough.

I interviewed an author a few weeks ago who told me that she has numerous websites. She has books, services, an organization, classes and a business each of which she promotes on separate sites. I am in the process of designing my second website and I can tell you why I’m doing it.

If you go to my current Matilija Press website, you will see that it functions on many levels. It is where I showcase and sell many of my books. It introduces me, the author—but also me, the editor, teacher, speaker, workshop presenter and article-writer. At the Matilija Press site, you can sign up for online courses, search an extensive resource list for writers and authors, visit either of my two blogs, study numerous articles on writing and publishing, learn more about my qualifications and experience related to my writing and editorial work, follow my speaking schedule, read testimonials and reviews for my work and my books and, of course, you can buy books. http://www.matilijapress.com

That’s a lot of work to expect one website to do. And that’s why I’ve decided to create a Patricia Fry site—one dedicated to my editorial work. I hope to be able to invite you there soon.

There are a lot of decisions, choices and considerations to be made when designing a website. I had in mind just splitting Matilija Press in half and creating PatriciaFry.com. But my webmaster (and friend), over a gourmet cookie and bottle of water one windy March day at a California park, explained to me that Google doesn’t like it when you take away from an existing site. “Better,” she said, “to create a new site using new material.”

She also warned against using flash on my website—if I do, to keep it simple. Actually, I had no intentions of getting that fancy. But I asked her why. She said that some of the new gadgets, such as I-Phones, while they are capable of pulling up websites, cannot handle flash. I guess that technology is coming, however. But I’m still not interested in all of that glitzy stuff. Some of my clients and potential clients have trouble with attachments. Their computers are old and they’re still on dial-up and they can only handle the most simple of sites.

The only fancy dancy thing I might do at some point is add a couple of book trailers to my Matilija Press site. I would love to do a book trailer promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales. I think site visitors would enjoy seeing a slide show of charming cat and kitten pictures. In the meantime, though, I’ve increased the frequency with which I post to my Catscapades blog and I always post a new kitty photo, as well. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

By the way, are you gearing up for Mother’s Day? Consider purchasing an autographed copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales for your mom, wife, daughter, mother-in-law and/or grandmother! It really does make a lovely, lasting gift. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

So, here I am in the midst of creating website pages in order to attract more editorial work. I’m sure there are people out there who know me as an author, teacher, speaker, but who don’t know that I edit books. In fact, book editing has become my specialty. And yes, I edit fiction as well as nonfiction. I edit young adult manuscripts, but not those for young children.

While my new website is in progress, I have decided to drop my editorial fees to my 2000 rate. It is now $40/hour instead of $50. You can save $300 to $600 or more on your editing job if you come to me this spring. Mention this offer when you email me. PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Review some of my client testimonials here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/testimonials.html

Today, after I buy arugula, flat leaf parsley and cherry tomatoes at the Farmer’s Market for a Rachel Ray recipe I caught on TV last week, I plan to outline a new online course for you—a memoir course. Let me know if you are interested in this course and I’ll give you a discount for being among the first students.

What are you doing this weekend on behalf of your writing/publishing business?

Are you having trouble finding opportunities to speak? Do you feel you are running out of options? Are you at a loss as to how to locate venues where you can speak about your book? Here are some ideas:

• Visit your colleagues’ sites—those professionals and authors in your field. Check their “appearances” page to see where they have been or where they will be speaking. This ought to give you some ideas for finding speaking gigs in your community and beyond.

• Do a Google search using keywords related to your expertise to find possible speaking opportunities—a library in the next town that’s doing a seminar on this topic, for example, a bookstore where novelists share passages from their books every Friday night or an organization that might welcome your presentation at their next awards banquet.

• Thumb through the section in your phone book related to the theme of your book—pet care, finances, aspects of business, communications, Christianity, health, etc.

• Get a listing of bookstores within a certain geographic area, appropriate businesses (hobby shops, gift shops, pet stores, etc.) and/or organizations related to your topic through the Chamber of Commerce, local business directory, front pages of your phone book, etc.

• Study newsletters related to the theme of your book—in particular those produced by other authors. You’ll learn volumes about what other authors are doing and get many ideas for promoting your book through speaking engagements.

• Use online directories to locate conferences and events in your book’s subject. I’ve published links to directories numerous times in this blog. Let me know if you need me to give them to you again. PLFry620@yahoo.com.

As most of you know, personality and presence sell books. If you have a book and you’re not getting out and speaking, you really should be.

If your book isn’t doing all that well in the marketplace, maybe I can help. I wrote my 40-page ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit expressly for you—to help you to breathe new life into your faltering or failing book. Order your copy here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html

Announcements
My article, “How to Attract Readers” appears in Book Promotion Newsletter this morning.

Here’s something else I found in the Book Promotion Newsletter—Fran Silverman is offering sections from her radio show ebook for sale so you don’t have to purchase the whole big $75 book. If your book relates to food and travel, you can get a list of 20 radio shows that use guests who talk about these topics for only $12. Pay $20 for 83 shows related to business, $15 for 57 shows with a New Age theme and $12 for 42 shows related to health issues. Learn more by visiting Fran’s site at
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com or http://www.talkradioadvocate.com

Order Catscapades, True Cat Tales in time for Easter giving. Anyone who enjoys cats, has one or more cats, used to have cats or simply enjoys charming cat stories will thank you for a gift that promises not to make them fat or sick.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html.

Need to ask a question or get help with your project? Contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Do you go out and speak as part of your book marketing plan? You should be. Most professionals agree that the best way to sell books is through personal contact.

You’ve probably noticed this already. When you talk about your book to someone in person, they are more apt to purchase it than if you send them a dozen emails. An individual may have seen your book in the bookstore or a gift shop downtown several times. But it isn’t until you meet them face-to-face with your book in hand that they even express an interest in buying it.

Yes, personal contact is good. What’s even better is personal contact with groups of people. If you have a book to promote and if you aren’t doing so already, you really should get out and speak to interested groups. This might be groups of random citizens (as in civic organization meetings), groups of like-minded people (businessmen and women, child care/health advocates, gardeners, hobbyists, quilters, those with political interests, pilots, artists, etc.)

I speak to writers and authors at their local group meetings and at conferences nationwide. I’ve been doing this for numbers of years. And I want to share one thing that I’ve learned—building rapport with your audience takes time.

I’ve decided this year that I will no longer agree to speak for less than an hour—that might be 50 minutes with 10 minutes for Q and A. I especially love the 90 minute gigs. Why? Let me count the ways.

• Audience members need time to warm up to you—to sense who you are and determine if they like (and even believe) you or not.

• If the host did not introduce you properly (which happened to me recently), you have to spend some of your allotted time establishing your expertise.

• You need time to learn about the audience. Recently, I was told that no one in this group has been published, yet. However, when I got there, prepared to speak to total newbies, I learned, though a round robin group introduction, that several members had, indeed, been published and quite successfully. It’s an awkward time to have to shift gears.

• If you intend teaching a rather foreign and even unpopular concept, it may take time to sell the idea. Imagine how difficult it is to sell the idea of writing a book proposal to hopeful authors who just want to write that book.

• It takes time for an audience to learn to trust you. Your credentials, alone, won’t sell them. Your 15 minute spiel probably won’t convince them that you know what you’re talking about. But if you have at least an hour with them and you come across in a friendly, but authoritative manner, you will win at least some of them over.

• You definitely want to have time for Q and A. And if you speak for only 15 minutes, you probably won’t get any questions at all. And if you do, the questions may not relate to what you attempted to present. The audience must hear and comprehend your message and, perhaps, learn something new before formulating any meaningful questions. And that can take time.

Over the weekend, I listened to a farmer speak on “how to grow what you eat.” His presentation was scheduled to last for two hours. At first, I thought that was a bit long. But I soon realized that I learned so much more than I would had he talked for 30 minutes. Sure, he could have covered his material within half hour. But not in the depth that he did—not to the point where I understood the reasoning behind his suggestions and the consequences of not following his garden rules, for example.

It takes time to prepare the garden, to plant and germinate a seed and then to sensibly harvest and use the bounty. And it takes time to prepare an audience for the material you want to offer them, to plant and develop your ideas so that they can understand enough about them to make more educated decisions with their projects or in their lives.

How I Can Help You?
Amazon is ordering more and more books from me. Thank you for your orders. A few folks are also purchasing books from my website. I appreciate that even more as there is very little profit left for the author (even when the author is the publisher) when books are sold through Amazon.

Check out my array of books at my website:
http://www.matilijapress.com

Have you ordered my new ebook, yet? Many of you have purchased my book, The Successful Writer’s Handbook over the years. I now offer my BRAND NEW The Successful Author’s Handbook expressly for authors. It is an ebook and can be ordered here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/successful_author_handbook.html

How do you handle an ebook? I like to print it out on pre-hole-punched paper (you can buy it that way) and put it in a binder to read and use as a reference. Having this book at your elbow is like having printed and bound all of my blogs that you really enjoyed—those that resonated with you. Don’t you wish you’d done that over time? Well, I did it for you. If you’re an author or hope to be soon, I compiled The Successful Author’s Handbook for you!!
http://www.matilijapress.com/successful_author_handbook.html

Contact me directly for an evaluation of your amazing manuscript. PLFry620@yahoo.com

Do you subscribe to Publishing Basics Newsletter? If you are an author or plan to become one, this is one newsletter I recommend. The current issue includes my article, “Don’t Bypass the Onramp to Publishing Success.” You’ll also find articles by Florrie Binford Kilcher, President of IBPA; book coach, Judy Cullins; marketing expert, Burke Allen and others.
http://www.publishingbasics.com/current

What are some of the other newsletter I recommend? One of the best around for authors is the SPAWN Market Update. I kid you not, this newsletter, posted each first of the month in the member area of the SPAWN website, is jam-packed with the information, ideas, leads and resources you need in order to succeed as a freelance writer or author. Join SPAWN at $65/year and you could earn many times that amount back in writing work or book sales generated from just one issue of the SPAWN Market Update. There is nothing else like this newsletter available anywhere. http://www.spawn.org

SPAWNews is SPAWN’s free monthly e-newsletter. Herein, you’ll find reviews of books relevant to writers, authors, artists and publishers; grammar and writing tips; pertinent articles; industry news and more.
http://www.spawn.org

Book Promotion Newsletter
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
(Get book promotion ideas from other authors.)

Book Marketing Matters
http://www.bookmarketing.com
(This is Brian Jud’s newsletter—lots of ideas and resources for authors.)

Wooden Horse Pub Newsletter
http://www.woodenhorsepub.com
(Meg Weaver keeps her finger on the pulse of the magazine industry.)

Freelance Writer’s Report
http://www.writers-editors.com
(This print magazine features magazine news as well as articles relevant to freelance writers and authors.)

I also like the IBPA Independent and SPAN Connection (subscriptions with membership in these organizations).

There’s more to subscribing to magazines, ezines and newsletters. In order for you to benefit from them, you must actually read them, follow some of the leads and commit to those that are right for you and your project.

If you feel all alone out there in writing or publishing land, fill the void with the information and resources you need through these publications. They are designed specifically to respond to your questions, teach and inform you and help you to make the right choices on behalf of your publishing or writing project.

Be sure to spend some time at my website, as well—studying the many articles I have posted for you, scouring the recently updated resources list and, while there, order some of my useful books. Note that I also offer online courses on book promotion, self-publishing, article-writing and writing a book proposal.
http://www.matilijapress.com

Do you blog every day? When someone tells you that they do, do you express total disbelief? This is certainly the reaction I get when I tell someone that I post to my blog every day.

They want to know where I find the time and how I think of something to say every day.

Well, I’ve been explaining to non-writers and writers alike for years that what I do is write. So, of course, I have the time to write—it’s my way of life. So putting together a daily 300 to 600-word blog is just as much a part of my schedule as is pouring a glass of orange juice first thing in the morning.

How do I think of what to write? As most of you know, I attempt to follow the rules of blogging etiquette and good sense and offer you something of value in each and every blog post. Sure, I use it to tell you about my books and services. But mainly, you get tips, techniques, resources, perspective, insight and news.

So what do I recommend to those of you who are just starting out with a blog, who are considering a blog or who have been blogging, but not very regularly?

• Jot down topics when they occur to you. Presumably, you are blogging about the subject of your book. Also presumably, you are promoting that book day in and day out. So you are always in the mode of your book—gardening, pet photography, family budgeting, dog-showing, healthy-eating, living green, travel, public speaking or—in my case, writing and publishing.

• Respond to questions. You may receive questions via email, while giving a presentation or even on the street about an aspect of your expertise. Use these questions as a theme for your blog. You’ll notice that’s what I did today. Just recently someone asked me again, “You blog every day?” And she looked at me like I must be from a planet where the beings never sleep, they have hours to spend blogging and where they have access to constant blog topics.

• Seek themes for your blog through Google Alerts, HARO, your regular newsletters, teleseminars, appropriate forums and other such resources.

http://www.google.com/alerts
http://www.helpareporter.com

• Interact with others, be they colleagues, experts in your topic, individuals involved in the subject of your book and so forth. Listen to what they say and use some of their ideas or concerns to create useful blog posts.

• I get ideas for this blog from my clients and customers as they are also my blog followers. At least, they have some of the same challenges.

• I might use a quote, a poorly written sentence or an outrageous comment as fodder for this blog.

As you can see, blog ideas are wherever you look for them. It’s a matter of opening your eyes, ears and mind to them. And about the time element: if you don’t believe that you have the time to blog every day, just rethink your schedule. I wrote this blog post in less than 20 minutes.

If you generally watch TV at night, for example, simply go to the computer at every commercial break, maybe three times during a program, and you should be able to write a fairly decent blog post. Don’t click send until the next morning when you’re fresh. Instead of watching the Morning Show or reading the newspaper, re-read your blog post, revise where necessary and then post it.

If this is a stretch at first, keep on keeping on and you will develop the ability to create more useful blog posts in less time. Practice, practice, practice.

Place your order today for The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Or any of Patricia Fry’s other books for authors. Have you checked out my latest ebook, The Successful Authors Handbook? http://www.matilijapress.com/successful_author_handbook.html