Writing and Publishing News from

March 27, 2010

Are You Writing in This Economy? Why Not?

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 6:35 am

It has taken a while for the trickle-down effect to reach some writers. Even while high unemployment figures were being quoted on the evening news and during the time massive layoffs and failed businesses were being reported, most working writers were still writing. But things are changing and I’m wondering if you’re feeling the crunch.

Here’s what I see occurring—there are more people writing and this includes retirees and the unemployed. More writers and, by the way, non-writers, are hanging out their shingles—advertising themselves as ghostwriters, editors, book doctors, writing coaches , publishers and so forth. Just look at the abundance of unfamiliar names cropping up on articles published in your favorite writing/publishing newsletters and magazines. There’s also an influx of new books, blogs, courses, webinars, etc., by new kids on the block. Have you noticed?

Another thing I’ve noticed is more freebies for authors. Oh my gosh, everywhere you go on the Web, there are free classes, free webinars/teleseminars, free books, free articles and, of course, you can get an enormous amount of valuable information on blogs such as this one, free ezines and so forth.

I want to accomplish two things with this blog post today:

BEWARE
First, a warning. Please make sure that when you hire an editor, book doctor or sign up for a course or conference, for example, the individuals involved are credible and knowledgeable. What is their background? How long have they been writing/publishing/teaching/editing?

You may recall the story I told here a year or so ago about the potential client who thanked me kindly for my quote to edit his book, but said that he had found someone who charges much less and he was going to hire this other individual. In fact, the author suggested that I consider adjusting my fees as the other person was charging more per hour, but promised that they could edit the manuscript in a much shorter time. As I recall, this other “editor” claimed he could edit at around 25 pages per hour. Unbelievable! Well, the author came back a few weeks later to report that I was absolutely right when I told him that this individual would probably just do a quick check using his Word spell and grammar check and call it good.

You really have to be careful who you are dealing with, what their experience is and what their process is. Also, be sure to get references. I often tell audiences at writers’ conferences and so forth, to avoid hiring your neighbor—a retired professor—your son’s high school English teacher or a coworker who seems to have a good vocabulary to edit your book manuscript. Make sure your editor is credible and experienced in editing book manuscripts.

Share Your Story and Receive a Free Gift of Your Choice
The second thing I’d like to accomplish here is to get a sense about how the economy is affecting you. There’s a free gift in it for you—see below: For example:

• How is the economy affecting you personally, if at all?

• What are you doing differently this year to get work as a freelance writer, article-writer, editor, etc.?

• What about your book sales? Are they up/down/the same?

• What are you doing differently to maintain or increase sales?

• Have you hired anyone to edit, write, teach you? How did you choose this individual? How did it work out?

• What would you suggest to other writers/authors who are struggling in this economy?

Respond by leaving a comment here. The more detail the better. And as for your FREE gift for participating, what would you like? Choose one:

1: Free manuscript evaluation? (3 chapters or around 25 pages and table of contents).

2: Free ebook of your choice—request a list.

3: Free Book Promotion, Self-Publishing, Article-Writing or Book Proposal course for you with one paid student. Get your writing buddy to sign up and you get the course for FREE.

4: Free copy of A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles OR Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book OR The Successful Writer’s Handbook with purchase of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Contact Patricia Fry here: PLFry620@yahoo.com
Learn more about my offerings here: http://www.matilijapress.com

March 26, 2010

Mistakes to Avoid in Your Book Proposal

Filed under: Book Proposals — Patricia @ 6:53 am

Most authors are intimidated by the thought of preparing a book proposal. Many of them bypass this opportunity all together. Others struggle through the process hating (and pretty much feeling confused) by the whole procedure.

If you’re an author or you’re gearing up to become one, you may have already tackled the book proposal, at least to the best of your ability. Some of you are still shaking in your boots just thinking about writing one. And you wonder, why bother? You might reason, “A book proposal is for a publisher; why do I need one if I’m going to self-publish?”

The reality is that a well-researched book proposal will give you the information you need to make the best decisions on behalf of your project. When you decide to become published, you are no longer just a writer existing in creative mode for the pleasure you derive from it. You have shifted to a place worlds away and you will not survive in this world unless you adjust and adapt. Now, you must shift from writer to potentially published author—from the pleasure of creating to serious business mode. And the book proposal will help with this process.

You’ve heard it before, a book proposal is your business plan for your book. It will help you to determine whether you have a valid product at all and how to effectively market the thing. There are scads of books, courses and articles on writing a book proposal. I offer several myself. But here are a few things that you might not know about writing a book proposal. If you want to benefit from your book proposal so that you can land a traditional publisher or realize your dream of succeeding in the marketplace with your book, do not make the following mistakes:

1: Inexperienced authors tend to write awkward, lengthy, ineffective story or manuscript summaries. Some would-be authors try to tease publishers by keeping aspects of the story secret. The synopsis should describe your manuscript succinctly and clearly without rambling or withholding. Some experts say that if you can’t describe your story or your nonfiction book in one or two sentences, you may need to rethink your project. A synopsis should run between 1.5 to 3 pages.

2: The competition section is not designed to be a book bashing. Herein, you are only required to locate books similar to yours and seriously examine them. You need to know whether your book, as planned, is actually needed and why? If you discover several books similar to yours and your audience is relatively small, you may need to consider changing aspects of your project so that it does fill a need among a large enough audience.

3: Don’t skimp on chapter summaries (the chapter outline). This section is designed to help you (as the author) and the publisher to see how the book flows, whether it is well organized or not, what is missing, which chapters are too full and need to be split, etc. It takes some skill to encapsulate the material in each chapter, but this is an extremely worthwhile exercise for the author and a most welcome addition to any book proposal for the publisher.

4: Few authors know how to think like a publisher. And this is an important practice even if you don’t plan to approach publishers. If you self-publish (establish your own publishing company) or go with a pay-to-publish company, you become either totally or in essence the publisher. You need to consider your bottom line. If you want a successful publishing experience—you want your book to sell and to make a difference—you must be clear as to who your audience is, how extensive they are and the best way to reach them. Is there a large enough audience to warrant producing this book? Do you know how you will reach them? These are important questions you must explore through your book proposal. Use honesty here—NOT wishful thinking.

5: Authors tend to slough off the importance of their own credentials. Part of the book proposal involves YOU. Who are you? Do you have a platform—a following, a way of reaching your particular audience? Or have you been sitting in your writing room for years producing this manuscript with no thought as to why anyone would read what you have written? If you are paying close attention, a book proposal could teach you that you need to start now establishing a platform. The truth is, and many authors will not accept this until it is too late, your book will probably not be available in bookstores nationwide. People will have no way of finding your book or learning about it unless you lead the charge. You are responsible for promoting and selling your own book. You are the primary marketing agent for your book. Think long and hard about this as you prepare to enter the highly competitive world of bookselling.

For more about writing a book proposal, establishing a platform, promoting your book and so much more, read the book I wrote expressly for you: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Sign up today for my online, on demand Book Proposal Workshop. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm

March 25, 2010

I’m Happy With My Book Printer

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 5:40 am

I’ve been working with 360 Digital Books as my printer for years—ever since Linda, Keith and others broke away from Fidlar Doubleday Printing. And I have been pleased with their work, their attention to detail and their availability. I practically require a prompt response from the people I work with. And this company provides that to my satisfaction. They do excellent work, as well.

Of course, I had them print my latest book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales. But this was not exactly a smooth sail through calm waters. We had to go back to the drawing board three times with the files before they were right. I so appreciate Brian checking with us about the low resolution photos instead of just printing the book as we sent it. He worked with us to get the files correct. Since we were having problems, I decided, at the last minute, to ask for a color proof. I had opted not to do this in the beginning, only because we had already asked for proofs of some of the photos to make sure their printer would produce them in the same quality we desired.

Next thing I know, however, the entire shipment of books arrives. We open a box and can’t believe our eyes. There, on the gorgeous cover we designed, is an unexpected, uncalled for hot pink bar across the front, a pink line running up the spine and a pink border around the back cover. What!!!????

It took a few days for Keith, to respond to our phone calls. But when he did, he had all of the information he needed, he had all of his ducks in a row and he had Brian in the room in case we had questions. It was a most congenial discussion. I admitted that the problem originated with us—but we did not know there was a problem—it did not show up on the cover designer (Dennis’) computer. That’s when Keith told us that Brian was not aware of the pink intrusion, either. It did not show up on his computer. He was as surprised to see it as we were. But Keith agreed to share in the responsibility of the problem since they neglected to send us the proof we ordered.

We discussed returning the books and having them recovered. Keith explained to me that we don’t have enough margin to work with and he didn’t think we would be happy with the outcome. I so appreciated him pointing that out. I was not aware that they would have to trim the book in order to put a new cover on. Good to know.

So we are sending them a CD and a print out of the cover done right. We have asked for a proof. And they will print as many books as we want at a discounted rate.

I am happy. I have recommended 360 Digital Books to numerous authors, clients, students and SPAWN members over the years. They are listed in my resource list in my books and on my website. And I will continue to sing their praises. You really never know how good a company is until there is a problem.

I would love to hear some of your printing stories. I know many authors who are unhappy with the way their pay-to-publish books turn out. In most cases, it is author error—the printer just prints what he is given. With a large printing company or a pay-to-publish company, you aren’t always treated as an individual with a special project. Your book is just another product on the assembly line—no one looks at it—no one proofs it—no one cares if it is good—they just want to move it through and collect the brass ring.

We all have printer/publisher war stories. I won’t go into mine today because I am too pleased with my current printer. It is wonderful to work with people who care about their customers and the products that they produce.

360 Digital Books printed The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and several other books for me. Order your copy of this book today at
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Read this book and you’ll learn everything you really need to know about the publishing industry, your publishing options, how to choose the best option for your particular project, how to self-edit your book, a time-line for self-publishing (establishing your own publishing company), how to write a book proposal, book promotion/distribution and so much more.

March 24, 2010

Tips For Finding Speaking Gigs

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 4:53 am

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.

March 23, 2010

Building Rapport With Your Audience Takes Time

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 5:34 am

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

March 22, 2010

Character Development for Nonfiction

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 6:22 am

Does this seem like an oxymoron? Well, think about it—there are many instances when you must rely on your fiction-writing skills in nonfiction. What about the memoir? I’m working with a client now whose book manuscript features depictions of actual people as examples throughout. She is a give-me-the-facts type of more academic writer and I’m helping her to bring her real “characters” to life.

We use anecdotes even in our how-to, self-help and informational books. And it’s often necessary, or at least recommended, that these anecdotes be fleshed out much the same as one would do for characters in a novel. And what about story books? The Chicken Soup stories are nonfiction. The stories in my new book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales are true. Yet, no one will be interested in reading stories that are written in stiff, academic style.

Readers respond to writing that evokes emotion, whether it tugs at their heart strings, scares the wits out of them or makes them mad as hell. A good fiction writer can put the reader in the story with the characters and make him/her care. Nonfiction writers who include true-to-life anecdotes or who are trying to tell a true story, need to borrow some of these techniques.

It takes practice, if you’re a staunch nonfiction writer, to get to the point where you can flesh out your profile pieces, to make your anecdotes sing, to create stories that touch one at a deep level. But, if you are writing a memoir, a biography, a how-to book featuring several case studies or a book of stories, this is a process you really must learn.

Instead of just listing the occurrences the way things happened, practice using imagery to make the story come alive. Rather than simply telling the story, use words and anecdotes that put more emotion into your story. Instead of using mundane terms that might work for a piece of nonfiction, use more descriptive words—create word pictures.

If your brain doesn’t automatically work that way, it can take practice. So practice. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Get poetic. Force yourself, if you have to, into using a poetic tone to describe something ordinary—an object or an activity, for example. You probably won’t write using the words and phrases you come up with in this exercise, but it will get you off dead center and loosen up your, perhaps, stiff, stifled way of communicating.

• Visualize the scene you are working on. Try to see it in great detail. Write what you see.

• Practice giving your characters personality. Rather than having Bob grow up, graduate and get a job, have him grow up playing in the cornfields of Iowa, graduating despite heavy burdens at home and landing his first job as a car hop on roller skates.

• Don’t be afraid to make readers cry, experience fear or laugh. That’s what we read for—to feel.

• Read, read and read some more. Study the techniques used by some of the great fiction writers.

The leap from nonfiction writing to fiction can be mighty for some staunch “give me the facts, Ma’am” kind of writers. But you are a writer, after all. You worked to develop the skills you have. If you want to write your memoir or a book of stories or do more profile pieces, and if what you’re writing falls a little flat, use these ideas and practice, practice, practice. You’ll soon see your storytelling skills become sharper and sharper.

If you need help with your manuscript, contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com

Catscapades Update
Our shipment of Catscapades, True Cat Tales arrived last week. We’re already receiving comments from happy readers. One animal person said, “This is a book that can be read again and again. It’s not just information, it’s a feeling.”

Another reader says, “Well, I’ve read Catscapades from cover to cover & loved it! This will be a treasured book that I will re-read many times. I’m grateful for your gift to write & your ability to get these stories in print for all of us to enjoy. But beyond actually enjoying the stories, I found the stories brought to mind my own life cat encounters. It is a great little book!”

Order your copy from Amazon.com or at my website: http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Visit our Catscapades blog:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

March 21, 2010

Developing Your Story’s Characters

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 6:59 am

How do you establish characters for your stories? Do your characters represent people that you know or are they all from your imagination? Do you create them from characters you see in movies and on TV? Maybe some of the people you read about in books or even newspapers, spark your ideas for characters.

I know authors who dream their characters. Most of them have vivid dreams and remarkable recall.

Of course, some characters start out rather mundane and ordinary. As the author builds the story, the character develops into something he didn’t even imagine. You’ve probably heard authors say, “The story took on a life of its own.” Well, so do characters.

You have to wonder how some of the most famous characters in literature evolved—was it in the author’s mind? Was the character developed or fleshed out before the story began to unfold? Some authors have their main character set in their minds and they write a story around him or her. Other authors have a story in mind and create the characters as they write.

I knew a writer who created her characters by being observant. She often left her writing room and traveled to sites where there were lots of other people. Then, she would sit and watch. Much as a sketch artist, she would key in on someone and focus on their look, way of moving, mannerisms, manner of speaking, way of dressing and so forth.

She might sit along the railing on the local pier and watch the fishermen and the honeymooners. She watched people in restaurants, at parks, leaving large corporations or factories at quitting time, walking along the city streets, at a sports arena, shopping, in the gym, at the beach, at the dog park or participating in the special Olympics or a marathon, for example.

This author once wrote something about a newspaper cart-wheeling along the sidewalk. She got that by being observant one breezy day.

I used to write poetry and, like my writer friend, I became highly observant on purpose for the sake of my poetry. I would watch the vapor trail behind a dot of a jet airplane and attempt to describe it in poetic terms. I wrote from the emotions I felt when I saw a majestic elk in Yellow Stone National Park being stalked and disturbed by unthinking, uncaring park guests. I viewed my cats from different angles when I wrote Cat Eternal, a poem depicting the history of the cat.

Yesterday I sat amidst a group of people—all very different—all interested in one subject—all listening to a single speaker on the topic of gardening. And I began to observe some of them. I imagined them as characters in a story. There was a man who couldn’t stop smiling, a woman who ate what looked like a thick soup with her fingers, a couple in their late 60s who seemed desperately to want to look 30 again (it wasn’t working for them), couple who don’t go anywhere without their dog, an 80+ year old who still works her own garden and a woman with beautiful hair who doesn’t appreciate it. Didn’t look like it had been combed in a week.

How do you come up with your characters? How do you develop them? If you feel as though your characters are a little flat and your story a bit bland, these days, try getting out among people. Take your note (or sketch) pad. Observe others. You might just come up with the next Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland or Huckleberry Finn.

If you’re looking for an editor for your completed or almost completed fiction or nonfiction manuscript, contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about me and my work at http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

One thing to keep in mind about choosing an editor is the importance of hiring a book editor—someone who has their finger on the pulse of the publishing industry, who understands what constitutes a viable book in this marketplace and who can guide you in making important decisions on behalf of your book project.

March 20, 2010

Recommended Publications and E-publications for Authors and Freelance Writers

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 6:50 am

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

March 19, 2010

You Blog Every Day?

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 6:10 am

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

March 18, 2010

How Many Authors Never Complete Their Work?

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 6:56 am

We all know how many people are writing books these days—well, we have an idea how many there are. I remember when I didn’t know another writer. Now I know hundreds and hundreds of you. Of course, we all know why so many more people are writing books. Because they can.

We have the technology. We’re retiring healthier. More of us feel we have something to say or to contribute to the world of literature. And we have more viable options for getting published—either online or otherwise.

But how many authors actually finish their books? I don’t know of any way we could keep such statistics, do you? I can tell you, however, that there is a fairly high percentage of my clients who never see their books through to completion.

Some simply don’t finish writing their books. What seemed like a good idea at the time, has lost its appeal—its importance. In many cases, life gets in the way. There are family needs or financial needs that require their intervention, time, energy, attention. Some may actually finish the writing and the editing, but get stopped when it comes to publishing their book. They can’t overcome the sense of overwhelm that sneaks up on them when they begin the search for a publisher, for example. And some are turned off by the fact that the author must get involved in the promotion of the book.

Sure, if they have been paying any attention at all, they hear the words, “The author is responsible for promoting his or her book.” But the reality doesn’t click in until they are at the brink of publishing. Some hopeful authors take one look at the big picture of publishing and run the other way. They are the lucky ones. Then there are those who dive in anyway, believing that things will be different for them,
• “Because my book will sell itself.”
• “Because everyone I showed it to loves this book.”
• “Because I have a fabulous website.”
• “Because I don’t mind doing a few book signings.”
• “Because I have connections at a bookstore.”

These authors pay the price to publish and then pay the price of failure.

I don’t mean to paint such a bleak picture for authors this morning. But sometimes it takes a shocking scenario or statement to make a point. And I can tell you that some of the most stubborn people I meet (including myself) are authors or wannabe authors. I guess that stubbornness comes in when we consider our manuscripts our babies. As we all know, parents can be stubbornly protective and, sometimes, quite unrealistically biased about their children. And, oh my, so can authors.

It doesn’t really matter whether you finish or ultimately publish your book manuscript. That is your personal decision. I just urge you to base that decision on the reality within the publishing industry. It is important to your dreams of success that you make the right decisions for your particular project.

What is the right decision for your manuscript? Should you move forward with it, go back to the drawing board or shelve it, altogether? Most first-time authors are not well-prepared to make this determination. That’s why I suggest that you study (I mean study) my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

This book will help you to determine whether or not you are even cut out to be a published author. It will give you a clearer understanding of the publishing industry and your responsibilities as a published author. It’s all much larger than most authors believe at first. And the only way to get involved with successful results is to educate yourself. This book is an excellent place to start!

Order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Yes, you can order this book from Amazon, but there is absolutely no profit in it for me if you do—something you will learn more about as you become more involved in your publishing project.

Catscapades Update
Our shipment of the new Catscapades, True Cat Tales is scheduled to arrive on our doorstep TODAY! Of course, we are eager to see that the printer did the superb job that we expect—especially with regard to the 40 color photos. Learn more about Catscapades here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

All of those who ordered copies of this book for yourself and your friends will receive yours somewhere between March 23 and March 26, depending on where in the US you reside. Thank you for your order. I think you will enjoy the heartwarming, humorous and harrowing stories.

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