Writing and Publishing News from

May 23, 2012

Your Blog Comments and MORE

Filed under: Announcements,Writing — Patricia @ 5:21 am

Do you have a blog? Is your comments section open or do you have it closed? Do you comment at other blog sites? Do you know the value of the comments option at your blog site?

1: You get some idea of how many people are reading your blog posts and who they are? However, the large majority of your followers will never or rarely comment.

2: You’ll find out what topics are of the most interest to your readers.

3: You’ll get ideas for blog posts.

4: You’ll meet potential guest bloggers.

5: People are more inclined to read a blog where there’s a lot of activity—interesting comments from others.

I have a couple of blog followers who comment fairly often about my blog. But not in the public forum. They comment to me. They email me. I love it, but I’d love it more if they would share their great comments with all the others who read my blog.

Others would be more inclined to follow suit. Then those stopping in for the first time would see that we’ve established a bit of a community of writers/authors here and they would want to feel a part of it.

Do you see how that works?

Of course, I would get more comments if I wrote in a more controversial vein. When I do get gutsy and bring up a hot topic, I get comments. But I guess sensationalism isn’t my nature. I’d rather offer the tips, techniques, perspectives and resources that I think can benefit you the most.

SPAWN’s Generous Donation and Opportunity for Members
On a new topic—most of you know I am the executive director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). This month SPAWN has donated $500 to the Ojai (California) Library while providing a dozen SPAWN members the opportunity to network face-to-face. During the month of June, here in Ojai, there will be almost daily, day-long workshops. On Saturday, June 23, the Ojai Writers’ Conference will kick in and the opening event is an elegant Book Tea. Organizations can sponsor entire tables (seating for 6) for $250 and individuals can attend for $30 each. All proceeds go to the Ojai Library. SPAWN is sponsoring 2 tables and SPAWN members will be our guests. For additional information about the Book Tea, go here:
http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com/booktea

Waiting List for Seat at SPAWN Table
To go on the waiting list for the free SPAWN networking opportunity, contact me at Patricia@spawn.org. You must be a SPAWN member. It’s $65/year to join. Sign up here: http://www.spawn.org

For the writers conference: http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com

For the month-long workshops: http://www.ojaiwritersworkshops.com

Patricia Fry Keynote Speaker at Luncheon June 23
I will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon following the Book Tea. I’m speaking on the ABC’s of Self-Publishing. The luncheon is $20. Sign up here: http://register.ojaiwritersconference.com/Literary-Events/Writers-Luncheon-Saturday-JUNE-23.html

Patricia Fry Workshop Leader in Ojai
I’ll also be presenting a workshop on writing a book proposal at the writers’ conference that afternoon.
http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com

April 17, 2012

Publishing/Marketing Books Bundled

Filed under: Announcements,Books — Patricia @ 4:47 am

Amazon is offering both of my latest books in a bundle package today. You can buy both Publish Your Book and Promote Your Book for $27.69. How’s that for a bargain? They sell for $19.95 each. It’s a savings of $12.21.

How many of you have purchased either of these books at your local bookstore? I understand they are in bookstores. Have any of you seen them?

Where do you buy books? I just bought two for gifts through Amazon. A few weeks ago, I bought a couple of books at a book festival. I also buy books at a Barnes and Noble store, which is still standing and operating in the next town. And I often buy books from friends and clients as gifts and for my own library. How about you? What is your favorite bookselling outlet? I met someone yesterday who wanted one of my books that is out of print. She said, “No problem, I’ll find it on the Internet.”

And do you know what? She wasn’t kidding. I checked and this out-of-print book, as well as most of my books that are still currently available, are for sale all over the Internet through secondhand dealers and at eBay, etc. at all sorts of ridiculous prices—both high and low.

Do you have books for sale? Are you looking for a particular book that is supposed to be out of print? Do an Internet search and you’ll probably find it for sale through one of the many online book dealers.

In the meantime, if you’ve spent any time at this blog site, you know that I write about just about any and everything related to freelance writing, publishing and book marketing. Is there a topic that you would like to see me cover? Just let me know. Leave a comment here or email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.

March 24, 2012

Presentation Help, Warnings and Accolades

Filed under: Announcements,Public Speaking,Publishing — Patricia @ 4:48 am

This weekend, after having finished editing a 400-page manuscript, I am preparing for a series of five presentations next week at the Ojai Wordfest. Busy, busy.

I’ve mentioned the Wordfest before. This is the second year they’ve held it here in Ojai and it is an interesting concept which pretty much involves the whole town. Various merchants agree to have an author read or speak to customers at set times throughout the week. There will also be speakers/readers at the library, in private homes and other venues throughout the community. It’s a lot of fun and it’s well attended. To learn more about the event, go to http://www.ojaiwordfest.wordpress.com You’ll find a calendar of events there.

Speech Preparation How-To
Two of my adult grandsons were over for dinner the other night. One of them asked me how I prepare for a speech. I thought some of you might be interested in my response, as well.

I write my speech and then I go over it many times, tweaking as I go. When I am satisfied, I condense it to notes and begin practicing it while I walk each day. I might memorize (or loosely memorize) the first line and the last line. Other than that, the speech may take on a different flavor each time I practice it. This means I am also free to go with my intuition upon meeting my audience and gearing my talk to their specific needs.

I know my material, so my main concern, when formulating a presentation, is organization. I want to share the information and anecdotes in an organized manner, so that the material flows—much the same as you would do when writing a book or an article.

If I need to memorize a speech, which I may do for a much longer presentation, I do all of my rehearsing while out walking. Has anyone else discovered the benefits of rehearsing speeches while walking? What works for you?

Grandparent Scam
By the way, all of you grandparents out there: Are you aware of the grandparent telephone scam being perpetuated against grandparents, lately? I have received one of the calls, as has my mother and my daughter’s father-in-law. The caller pretends to be your grandson or daughter who is stranded in a foreign country and in need of money. They say, “I can’t call my parents, they don’t know I’m here, so can you send me some money so I can come home?”

Don’t fall for this scam. As I understand it some do. My mother was the first one I know to get the call and she handled herself and the criminal on the other end of the phone quite well. I got it next and, recognized the scam for what it was because of my mother’s experience—but also because my grandsons would never talk to me the way this young man spoke to me.

Protect yourself from telephone scammers just like you do Internet scammers.

New Unsolicited Review for Publish Your Book!
Hey check this out: I got an Amazon review from someone I don’t know and she doesn’t know me. Don’t you love when that happens? Here’s the review:

“I really appreciate this book. I wish that I had known about it before I started my own publishing journey. It is packed full of things every beginning author needs to know to be successful. It talks about mistakes beginning authors make, some of which I made, also things like how to pick a publisher, self-publishing, writing a book proposal, and even some marketing basics with lots of tips and ideas. She includes the addresses of many helpful websites and even has a chapter on bookkeeping for authors. I recommend this book for any beginning author and anyone who wants to know more about the book publishing industry.”

If you haven’t ordered your copy of Publish Your Book, why not visit Amazon.com this weekend and place an order. If you are thinking about writing a book, you’re involved in the process of writing or publishing a book, you will not be disappointed in my book. Let it be your guiding light that helps you make better decisions on behalf of your project.
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

March 2, 2012

Ojai Wordfest

Filed under: Announcements — Patricia @ 7:33 am

Last year, some forward-thinking, literary-minded women put their heads together on behalf of the writers, authors, readers and would-be writers in our community and established the first Ojai Wordfest. This is a week-long event focusing on writers and writing. I completed the schedule for my activities yesterday. Here is a rundown—for those of you who live in or near the Ojai Valley, California.

I’ll be at Bart’s Books (an open-air bookstore) Monday, March 26 from 10 to 11 talking about my writing journey.

Tuesday, March 27, I’ll be on the patio at The Ojai House on Montgomery Street from 11 to 12. I have a casual conversation planned with locals who want to know more about establishing themselves as writers.

Wednesday, March 28, you can hear me at the Ojai Library. The title of my talk is, “So, You Want to Write A Book!” This event is from 1 to 2:30.

Friday morning (March 30), I’m a guest in a local woman’s home for breakfast. I’ll reveal to her other guests, 25 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book.

Friday evening, I’ll be part of a community effort called Well Red. (Yes, Well Red—not Well Read.) This runs from 7 to 10, involves many authors and will be held at the Ojai Women’s Club House.

For more detailed information about my presentations and the many other events planned during the Ojai Wordfest, visit the website at: http://ojaiwordfest.wordpress.com

Keep checking back—they don’t have everything listed, yet.

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

February 25, 2012

Bookselling Opportunities and Resources for Authors

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

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

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

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

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

February 18, 2012

FREE Book for Serious Authors

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

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

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

And it includes many real examples to follow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 13, 2012

Books and More Books for Authors

Filed under: Announcements,Authorship — Patricia @ 3:21 am

I’m putting the finishing touches on my latest book—on public speaking for authors (Allworth Press). I’m in week 8 of the research, interviews and writing. My deadline is in 2 ½ weeks. I actually hope to finish the fine-tuning this week. I have a new book to promote, after all.

Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author (Allworth Press) debuted last month and I haven’t even had an opportunity to spread the word. I have a large database of client, customer, etc. names and scads of ideas for promotion. But all of my time right now is taken up by the book in progress.

You, my blog followers, are the only ones I’ve told about Publish Your Book. I hope that, if you’ve found my blog, my articles in the publications you read and my books useful, that you will order a copy of this book and tell your friends, members of your writers group, those on your lists and in the forums you frequent about this book. When you read it, please post a review at amazon.com. In the meantime, this book responds to all of those questions I get pretty much constantly:

• What’s the best way to publish my book?
• How can I find a publisher?
• How does one go about self-publishing?
• Do I need an agent?
• How do I go about getting an agent?
• How do you distribute a book?
• How can I get my book into bookstores?
• What’s the best way to promote a book?
• Can I get my book on Amazon?
• How can I find a legitimate pay-to-publish company?
• Do I need an editor?
• How can I get my book reviewed?
• Do I need a book proposal—why?
• How do I write a book proposal?
• What are the most effective book promotion activities?
• How can I set up book signings?

This is just a fraction of the issues that are covered in this book. And yes, it is for the fiction writer, children’s book writer as well as the nonfiction book author. I went through and counted the tips, information and resources and they number close to a thousand. Yes, it is a viable book and one that every hopeful, new and struggling author should have at his/her elbow.

Order your copy of Publish Your Book from amazon.com or from my website: http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

January 14, 2012

Important New Book for Authors

Filed under: Announcements,New Books — Patricia @ 5:03 am

I have another new book—number 35. Check it out at Amazon. It is so new that I don’t have it up at my website, yet. But you can view it and order it at Amazon.com and at the publisher’s website:
http://www.allworth.com (Type my name at the search prompt.)

This one is Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. It is a companion book to Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author (Allworth, 2011).

Publish Your Book is a rewrite and update of my original book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (Matilija Press, 2006 and 2007).

Authors in any genre and at any stage in the publishing process will benefit from this comprehensive resource. It encompasses 240 pages and includes how to write a book for your target audience, how to build promotion into your book, how to write a successful query letter and proposal, how to choose the right publishing option for your particular project, how to establish and strengthen your platform, how to get your book into bookstores, how to promote and sell your book and more. It is a comprehensive tour of the world of publishing and is designed to help authors successfully navigate the industry.

It also includes samples of query letters, cover letters and the various parts of a book proposal.

Endorsing this book are Brian Jud, author of Beyond the Bookstore and How to Make Real Money Selling Books; Jeff Herman, literary agent and author of Write the Perfect Book Proposal and Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents; Scott Flora, former executive director of SPAN, now vice president of About Books, Inc. and Debbie Allen, bestselling author of Confessions of Shameless Self-Promoters.

If you are writing a book, thinking about writing one or you have one that you are trying to promote, please read this book. I think you will find it extremely helpful as you attempt to navigate the publishing industry.

Order your copy at amazon.com or at the publisher’s website (Allworth Press). I’ll let you know when I have it posted at my own website.

January 3, 2012

I’ll Be Back

Filed under: Announcements — Patricia @ 6:21 am

Thank you to those of you who responded with kind words with regard to our family’s recent loss. I plan to resume the blog Tuesday, January 10. So hang in there with me. My sister and I are taking our 90-year-old mother to Idaho for my brother’s services this week. I guess there ARE more important things than work. But this doesn’t mean that I will stop coaching and mentoring all of you who have books in mind or for sale and who are seeking or are involved in a freelance writing career.

I’ll be back.
Patricia

January 2, 2012

On Hiatus

Filed under: Announcements — Patricia @ 5:00 am

I’ve decided to take a short break from this blog. I got word yesterday that my younger brother passed away suddenly New Year’s Eve—an apparent heart attack while in his beloved shop working on an old car he was restoring.

I’m sure I’ll feel less scattered soon and will resume my passion, which is to bring you information and resources to help you make better decisions and choices on behalf of your writing projects.

Stay tuned.

Patricia

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