Writing and Publishing News from

August 9, 2008

Guest Columnist: Pam Kumpe

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 4:50 am

I received this email from author, Pam Kumpe yesterday and I thought my blog readers would like, yet, another perspective on writing. Pam shares with us some of the insecurities she experienced at the thought of putting herself out there through her writing. And then she fills us in about her successes. I think that her story is inspiring and interesting. So I invited Pam to be my guest blogger this morning. Here’s Pam Kumpe:

“Today I’m known as ‘The Funny Newspaper Woman’ in my area of East Texas. I’ve spent the past 10 years working as a correspondent for a newspaper, writing features, snapping photos and writing my inspirational column for a general market paper, Bowie County Life/Texarkana Gazette.

My journey began with writing in journals, and some stints writing newsletters. Then I wrote some magazine articles, and pieces for a few online publications.

However, my fearful attitude kept me from wearing a ‘brave badge.’ We all have a brave badge, you know, that invisible dose of ‘confidence’ where we find out what works and what doesn’t.

Anyway, just prior to writing for the newspaper, I pulled out those words written over the years in my dozen or so journals, the ones tucked away in a decorative box.

I’d always struggled with shyness, due to having an outspoken twin who was my ‘voice’ for many years. But, when she moved away, I had to talk. I suppose, I’m making up for lost time. I haven’t stopped talking since, and when I write, it’s a silent way of using my gift of gab.

Since my emerging with a brave badge, I’ve written more than a thousand features and hundreds of news pieces. I also go out and speak to groups of people on topics of inspiration and humor.

Next month, my first book, See You in The Funny Papers: A Bit of Good News, comes out. This was a requested book. People told me over and over how much they enjoyed my talks and that they wanted more. Last year, I began to gather up my favorite fun columns, added a few, bought some cartoons, hired an artist for the cover, and had my manuscript edited. I set up my own publishing company, yes I’m the only client, but I’ve published this book myself.

What I learned during this journey is invaluable. My stories have new life. I have a product. I created the best book I could, taking my time, doing my research, and hiring quality people to produce it. I outsourced for those items I couldn’t do, which is why this book is the best that I can offer.

And for that I am excited. Isn’t it interesting how a phone call 10 years ago from the newspaper publisher, asking me to write a column, started this entire journey?

My advice for those who are scared is, Go. Walk. Call. Be ready. Write. Start a podcast (Yes, I have that too). Do a newsletter. Be proactive. Write some more.

Oh, and find your own voice. My real voice isn’t terribly deep, as I’m not filled with wisdom, but then again, my fun-light stories are there to make you smile. Maybe that’s what we need more of, because with all the news in the forefront, we can use a good laugh.

Enough rambling, I’ve got a feature to write!”
—
Your Pray & Play Friend,
Pam Kumpe
http://www.pamkumpe.com
————–
Don’t forget that I’m offering a discount on my online, on-demand courses for those who sign up this week. Sign up today for my article-writing, book proposal, self-publishing or book promotion course and save. Email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com for more information. And let me know if you’d like to be a guest columnist at my Writing Publishing News Blog.

August 7, 2008

Guest Blogger: Long Time Writer Friend, Linda McGinnis

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 5:23 am

Good morning, everyone:

I’d like to introduce Linda McGinnis. She’s a friend (we used to walk together when she lived in Ojai), and she’s a colleague. She’s a writer and a teacher. She also does page layout and design. She designed several of my books over the years. She wrote to me in response to a recent blog entry and I’d like to share it with you:

“I enjoy reading your blogs. I especially like your style; it is as if we are sitting in your living room, drinking coffee together.

Writing was the hardest thing I have ever done. I rarely write for pleasure, or the joy of writing. When I pick up a pen, it is because I am emotionally pushed to express myself. It does give me a feeling of great accomplishment.

I wanted my book, The Art of Hairdressing Success, (1995) to be successful. I wanted to sell thousands of copies. At the height of my marketing, 6 schools had made the book a requirement. I had never dreamed The Art of Hairdressing Success would be required in beauty schools or referred to as the “Senior Text.” But, as you know, I burned out from marketing. It was about the time I moved up to Northern California that I stopped book marketing. I was tired of creating newsletters, offering discount specials; doing the hundreds of mailings per month to beauty schools. Orders slowly came in, then eventually stopped. Only one school still makes my book a requirement.

I could have made more appearances, traveled more. But, I was exhausted, and wanted to focus on making a new life here.

I think that most people have big dreams for the success of their books. But, nothing ever turns out quite like you think it will. And, in my case, it all turned out better than I could have planned.

When I think of the doors that opened for me; how my life changed, and blossomed as a result of writing my book, I am grateful. I feel as though I did something really big in my life. I learned to use a computer, to write, to publish, to do page-layout. Writing a book led to getting work in the field of education and graphic design.

The work you do as a writing coach is so important. Because the writing/publishing task is so daunting, yet so rewarding.

Thank you for being there for so many. Thank you for having the confidence in my book-design skills to hire me years ago. Focusing on your books helped me to not get overly emotionally involved in the success of or lack of success of my book.

Now back to work for S’cool Moves, Inc where I use the skills of writing, editing, page layout, and marketing. Those useful skills gained over the years of working on, The Art of Hairdressing Success, and then the years of design work for your books!

Linda McGinnis”

I’d like to hear your writing/publishing stories. Send them to me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. And remember that I am offering a discount this week on all of my on demand online courses. Email me for more information.

August 5, 2008

First Comes the Book Cover?

Filed under: Announcements,Publishing — Patricia @ 9:10 am

Design the book cover first? It’s an interesting concept, but one that isn’t all that foreign to some of the more artistic writers. Some authors actually design their book covers before they start writing the book&#8212or, at least, before they get too far into the writing.

Why? The book cover becomes something tangible to inspire them and encourage them to continue. Looking at a cover design, from time to time, helps an author to focus on her book and to believe more heartily in her dream. The design might be a crude drawing, a cut and paste effort, a photograph with the title sprawled across the top and bottom or a professional painting. The cover can be book size and folded to fit an actual book or blown up to poster size. And it can be tentative&#8212something completely different than the ultimate cover design. It doesn’t matter. The point is to create a visual that helps to make your dream seem more real&#8212more obtainable.

Some authors create a mock up of their entire book idea before even writing the book. They bind (usually saddle-stitch or comb binding) their book outline along with the table of contents, illustrations, graphs, charts, etc. As the book progresses and takes shape, they might reprint the pages and update their model.

I know someone who keeps a large binder related to her book. Every idea, editor’s comment, critique, rough draft and illustration or photograph related to her project goes into this binder. It is her reference guide, her reality check and her confidence booster.

If you have a book in mind that is counter to the norm&#8212a four by five chunky book rather than one that’s 8.5 by 5.5, for example, it helps to actually see and hold a replica to make sure this will work. Maybe you want to produce an oversized hardcover book for children, before putting up the money, create one.

If you aren’t particularly artistic, ask a friend or relative to design a tentative cover. Put this and your book pages on a CD and take it to a business center to have one or more copies printed and bound.

One author I know pastes pages from her books on her office walls as she designs them. Not only does she love being surrounded by her creations, she feels she can more readily scrutinize the pages and maybe catch something she wouldn’t see otherwise. It is a good idea to look at your text, illustrations and cover from different distances and perspectives.

We all have a vision when we begin to work on a book project. Why not bring that vision to life in some tangible form to inspire you as you continue to work toward your publishing dreams?

For more about designing your cover, read pages 202-204 in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

NEWS FLASH – Discount
Remember, I’m offering my on-demand, online courses this week at a discount. Sign up this week: August 4 through August 10 (2008) and get any one of my four online courses at a 15% discount. That would be just over $100 for the Book Proposal Course and the Article-Writing Course, $136 for the Self-Publishing Workshop and $170 for the BRAND NEW 6-week Book Promotion Course. (The discount will be initiated at the time your card is manually charged (or, of course, you can send a check). You will receive a receipt.)

You decide when to start. A lecture and assignment will be emailed on that day of each consecutive week throughout the 6 or 8 week course. You will also receive personalized feedback and support from course leader, Patricia Fry.
Check out the courses and be sure to click on “How does an online class work?”
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

Email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com with questions.

August 4, 2008

Writing a Book Can Forever Change Your Life

Filed under: Announcements,Writing — Patricia @ 7:39 am

“Writing a book can forever change your life.” A writer friend expressed this observation in an email I received from her over the weekend. It really struck me. I wrote it down, circled it, highlighted it and thought about it many times throughout the day.

How profound, I thought. How absolutely true. And how dare I or anyone else discourage someone from writing his or her story just because they aren’t willing to follow publishing protocol? Yet, isn’t that what we do when we begin our rhetoric on the right way to write and publish our books? And, oh yes, let’s don’t forget how we teach and preach that every author MUST gear up for the enormous job of marketing.

What we, as professionals, forget sometimes is that not everyone wants to become big time published authors, nor are all writers cut out for it. Some writers just want to tell their stories, entice a few readers and give a copy to their beloved community libraries.

For some writers, being encouraged to enter the hugely competitive publishing industry, when they only want to write for the joy of it, is like forcing a baby to drive a car or take up skiing. A writer, whose desire doesn’t go beyond simply holding his book in his hands, may not have any interest in or any business trying to build a brand. He just wants to write and be acknowledged for his work by members of his writing group, family and friends. Maybe he doesn’t aspire to experience fame and fortune and he shouldn’t be encouraged or forced to.

It’s a strange concept for me (an author who is driven) to comprehend, but there are writers who are content just writing for themselves. And this is okay. Sometimes I wish this were me. But I’m still carving out a living through my writing and editorial work, so writing purely for the pleasure of it is still foreign to me. Thankfully, though, I adore what I am doing. I absolutely love the process of writing (couldn’t survive without it). I thoroughly enjoy teaching, coaching and mentoring other aspiring writers. And it’s hard for me to remember that not everyone has my level of ambition. So when I’m reminded to take a look around and consider the variety of writers with their variety of motivations, I appreciate the opportunity.

The fact is that not every book is destined for bestsellerdom. Nor is every author interested in being groomed for the big time. And it is important for teachers, coaches and mentors to allow authors the freedom to create the book and the publishing environment they desire.

I must train myself to ask every potential client who comes to me and every individual who asks for my advice or information, “What are your goals with this book?” “What is your purpose for this book?”

Actually, I prompt authors to ask themselves these questions, but maybe I need to listen to their answers, as well, before I start nudging them into a situation they don’t want and can’t handle.

I certainly spell it out in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, I say that, “Publishing is NOT for everyone.” Even those who want to hold their finished book in their hands, may want nothing beyond that. And why should this author be deprived of (discouraged from) living his dream? What is writing, after all, but therapeutic/cathartic, liberating, healing and/or energizing? Writing can touch one at the soul level. It’s a creative outlet and it is an absolute necessity for some of us.

Yes, writing a book can be forever life-changing in any number of important ways and every author must be allowed and encouraged to take the steps necessary toward his or her specific goal. If the pure joy of accomplishment and the opportunity to share with just a few people are your goals, then you would take one publishing path. But if you truly want to experience bestselling status or you envision sharing your message with many thousands of people, you must take a more seriously professional path in order to meet your goals.

NEWS FLASH – Discount
I’m offering my on-demand, online courses this month at a discount. Sign up this week: August 4 through August 10 (2008) and get any one of my four online courses at a 15% discount. That would be just over $100 for the Book Proposal Course and the Article-Writing Course, $136 for the Self-Publishing Workshop and $170 for the BRAND NEW 6-week Book Promotion Course. (The discount will be initiated at the time your card is manually charged (or, of course, you can send a check). You will receive a receipt.)

Check out the courses and be sure to click on “How does an online class work?” http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

Email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com with questions.

August 3, 2008

Promotion is Part of a Successful Publishing Journey

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 6:00 am

One of my students asked me recently how I got to this place in my writing career. Interesting question. How does anyone work his or her way from point A to point B during a lifetime of pursuing a profession?

But, wait. Writing is different, isn’t it? Writing is an art, a hobby, an emotional outlet, therapy, something we do for fun. It isn’t often thought of as a career. And when a long-time writer begins to teach writing techniques/skills or some form of authorship (how to write a book proposal, self-publishing, article-writing, etc.), people do wonder whence came this teacher? What makes her an authority? Why does she teach?

I think the question, that night, had to do with my knowledge of promotion. When someone is starting out as a writer&#8212penning her first book&#8212she has a writer’s heart. She is focused on stringing words together, creating phrases, painting word pictures, putting her story down on paper. She is almost completely absorbed in the writing process. She is passionate about her story or topic and she is passionate about writing. Of course, this writer would wonder, “How does a sister writer develop this foreign marketing mindset?”

I have to admit that, for me, it was through necessity.

I decided, about 45 years ago, that I wanted to be a writer, but I put my dream on hold while my husband and I raised our 3 small daughters. When the girls were teenagers, I began dabbling as a magazine article writer. A few years later, a publisher accepted and produced my first book, Hints For the Backyard Rider. So by 1978, I had one book and dozens of published articles to my credit. I was also writing a business column for a local newspaper.

And then 2 things happened to seal my future as a writer: I decided to write the first (and so far, only) comprehensive history of the Ojai Valley, California. After 5 years of research and writing, I established my publishing company, Matilija Press, and produced the 360-page book myself. This was in 1983. And this is when I began to learn about the necessity of promotion and exposure. I quickly discovered that, when I made a public appearance (book signing, lecture, book festival&#8212I even had a booth at the huge county fair), I sold books. When I had a write-up in the newspaper or a regional magazine, book sales increased.

Of course, I already knew the concept of and the value of promotion and constantly putting yourself out there as a freelance article-writer. My articles were published only after I came up with the idea, focused that idea to fit a particular magazine, wrote a compelling query letter and then delivered the article I promised. It was no easy process. Getting published over and over again was my goal and it took constant self-promotion. It took a willingness to follow protocol, to continually create and present viable article ideas and follow through. It took a business head as well as a writer’s heart.

The second thing that happened to chart my course as a writer and an author was my divorce. It was then that I made a startling discovery and a serious decision. I wasn’t making enough money from article-writing and book sales to support myself. Since writing was my life&#8212my passion, I knew I had to find a way to make it pay. And I did two things, I lowered my standard of living and, while working at an 8-5 job, I worked hard to establish a more solid writing career.

In 1988, I quit the job and went to work full-time writing articles for magazines, producing books and doing whatever freelance work I could find within the community. And don’t you know that heavy duty promotion was a part of the program? So, for me, promotion was tied into my very survival. I had to combine the writer’s heart and the business head in order to create the perfect balance.

So promotion has always been a strong part of my writing program and, if you want to sell your work, you, too, must develop a business mindset to accompany your writer’s heart.

It is within the last 8 years that I’ve realized and that I began to apply another aspect to my repertoire. That’s when I discovered that I know stuff&#8212stuff that is of value to other writers and hopeful authors. That’s when I began to recognize my burning desire to teach, guide and support other writers and authors as they approach the path toward their successful publishing journey. And I do so for FREE through this blog, my website (check out the resources for writers and numerous articles), articles in over 75 writers/authors’ magazines and ezines (many of them FREE) and through my contributions to the SPAWN website, for example. I also conduct workshops at writers’ conferences nationwide.

As you know, I’ve written several books related to writing and publishing, I teach online courses and I offer editorial services and consultations. Learn more about me, Patricia Fry, my work, my background and my offerings at: http://www.matilijapress.com

August 1, 2008

It’s the Writer’s Job to Move the Reader Along

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 6:09 am

I’ve been looking at a lot of manuscripts, lately. I notice that, while some authors have a knack for moving the reader along and helping the reader stay hooked into the story, others tend to drop the ball in this area. They’ll take the reader only so far and then lose them in an awkward sentence or forget to make a bridge to the next thought, statement or activity.

Here’s an example of what I mean:

The wind came up, so Beth quickly took the red bandana from the handle of the picnic basket she was carrying and placed it over her head.

What visual do you get? In your mind is the bandana suspended above Beth’s head? Wouldn’t it be better if she actually tied it around her head?

Here’s another one:

The colt kicked out with his left hind leg, his hoof catching Jake by surprise. Jake picked himself up and took a sip of well water.

In your story, shouldn’t Jake struggle a bit to get up. Maybe he would even slam against the wall before melting into the hay covered ground. And how did he get the water? Don’t you want to know? Wouldn’t you feel more a part of the story if you were walked over to the well where Jake took the dipper from the bucket and scooped out the water he eventually sipped?

How about this one:

Tessa booted Boots off of her lap before sitting down at the kitchen table for dinner.

Huh? Now how is that possible? I think that Tessa has to stand up after pushing Boots off of her lap and walk into the kitchen before she can sit down at the table, right?

Make sure that you don’t drop the ball in your well-crafted stories. It is your responsibility as an author to grab the reader and then hold his interest by guiding him/her through every scene, action, act and activity. It is your job to move the reader along through your choice of words and phrases.

Here’s a tip for doing that. Scrutinize your manuscript from the reader’s point of view. Examine each word in every sentence. Determine, does it move the story or halt the story? Do you need to add a word or two or remove words?

Never leave your reader behind or you may end up with a manuscript you can’t sell.

For more about self-editing read Chapter 9 in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

July 31, 2008

How Long Does it Take to Write an Article?

Filed under: Book Promotion,Writing — Patricia @ 7:55 am

Yesterday, I received two article requests. One editor wanted a short piece on article-writing and the other requested a 1,200-word article on book promotion.

How quickly can you respond to an editor with a completed article on your book’s topic? Does it take you days or weeks of contemplation and indecision and another few weeks to write and fine-tune the piece? What about coming up with article ideas on your own and following through with them? How long does it take you to do this?

If you want to promote your book through articles (which is an excellent way to get exposure and build credibility, by the way), you really must learn to come up with ideas lickity split, on the spur of the moment. And then you should become accustomed to writing an article within an hour or so.

If you know your topic and you are a skilled writer, this should not be difficult at all. If it isn’t natural for you, yet, it will be with practice.

Start with the idea. Practice coming up with ideas related to your book topic/story.
• Study your book pages for ideas imbedded in the story/text.
• Brainstorm with others.
• Start a running list of story/article ideas.
• Search the web and other articles for ideas for new articles.
• Find article ideas within the articles you’ve already written.
• Study magazines for article and story ideas.
• Listen for ideas when discussing your book with others.
• Watch for new ideas when writing promo material for your book.

Challenge yourself to spend less time writing an article. Much of the time spent writing an article is wasted on second-guessing yourself. You wonder, “Is it good enough?” “Is this what the editor wants?” “Will the editor like this paragraph?” “Does that last sentence make sense?”

Absolutely, you should be concerned with all of the above. But don’t allow these things to sap your confidence or take too much of your time.

There are two kinds of self-destructive self-editors: Those who don’t spend enough time in the editing process and those who over-think every sentence and every paragraph.

Here are my recommendations:
• Come up with the idea.
• Check to see if the idea is too broad. If so, hone it down a bit.
• Outline your article so you can see the scope and focus of it.
• Flesh out each section of your article with the info and quotes you plan to use.
• Fine-tune your article&#8212make sure it flows, that the transitions work and that your message is clear and concise.
• End it and send it.
• Start a blog and add to it regularly. This is great practice for article-writing.

So how long did it take me to write those two requested articles? Approximately an hour and 45 minutes.

For assistance in honing your article-writing skills, sign up today for my on-demand online article-writing course at http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Order my book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles ($6.50). http://www.matilijapress.com/writingpage.html

July 30, 2008

What’s Going on in Your Writers’ Group

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 4:15 am

There are many ways that you can get help as a writer/author. You can read books about creative writing, article-writing and book publishing. You can enroll in on-line or real-time classes and attend conferences. You can hire a writing coach, editorial assistant or publishing/manuscript consultant. You can subscribe to appropriate publications and scour the vast Internet for information. Hopefully, you are pursuing all of the above in order to strengthen your writing skills and/or have a more successful publishing experience. And don’t forget to consider joining your local writers’ group.

SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) was initially established as a face-to-face networking organization. We had three chapters in three counties of Southern/Central California. For about three or four years, we had good attendance. And then attendance fell. We learned that we were competing with the Internet. Folks began staying home and surfing the net for their social outlet and for information. We decided to join them and we moved SPAWN to http://www.spawn.org

Well, guess what? Now our members are asking, “Where do you meet?” “Do you have meetings near my home?”

Writers and authors are evidently ready, now, to get away from their computers for a while and meet face to face again. Writers’ groups are cropping up all over the place. They are growing to such proportions that it’s necessary to create sub-groups&#8212members of like genre are breaking off and meeting separate from the main group. This is a good thing. In fact, it’s pretty great for many writers. Being with other writers inspires an undisciplined writer to write. The encouragement from peers spurs even the most reluctant writer on. Mingling with other writers stimulates the mind and gives one an energy that seems to dwindle when left to his/her own devices for too long.

Do you belong to a writers’ group? I’d like to hear about it and maybe write about it. What makes your group different, special, valuable, inspirational? My readers would like to know.

The Writers Under the Arch (WUTA) in St. Louis have been meeting for a while and they’ve just come up with an idea for a sub group. For now they’re calling it Big Books. It is for those members who are working on book projects. One member will hand out copies of his/her book manuscript at each meeting and the other members will spend the month reading it. The next time they meet, the focus is on this one author. Everyone present will critique this manuscript during that meeting. It could be quite a valuable process. You might try it with your group.

In the meantime, tell us what works in your writers group. Either comment at this blog or email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.

I’ve had only a few people respond to my offer for a free manuscript evaluation. Is there anyone else out there who would like to take advantage of this offer?

Before you get too far into your project, you’ll have a far greater chance for success if you will read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

July 27, 2008

Book Promotion Facts and Fiction

Filed under: Book Promotion,Publishing — Patricia @ 3:11 pm

You must visit Terry Whalin’s July 26, 2008 blog. It features the 5-star review for my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. And Terry has posted my article on the post-publication book proposal, as well. See it all here: http://terrywhalin.blogspot.com/2008/07/write-publish-and-sell-your-book.html

Some of my clients are suffering something that others only dream of. They’re experiencing overwhelm. Some of them have crashed. They feel exhausted. They don’t know what to do next? Why? And why would anyone want to suffer this way?

These clients have completed their books. Their books have been published and they’re holding copies in their hands. Some of these authors have boxes of books stored in their spare rooms, garages or storage sheds. They feel a sense of completion and accomplishment after months or even years of solid work. Others don’t have stored books, but they can order as many books as they want/need from their POD publishing service for a price.

Both groups of authors are stuck. They don’t know what to do next. The initial, “I’m an author,” realization is waning and book orders are not coming in by the thousands. What next? What now? Some wonder, is this what Patricia Fry meant when she kept telling me, “Enjoy the process because, as hard as it was writing the book and as difficult and foreign as the process of publishing might be, it will only get harder. Book promotion is not for sissies.”

And it’s not only my clients who are suffering. Others contact me through SPAWN, my articles and my blog or come up to my booth at book festivals. They ask for answers and hope for miracles. “Please, do you have an easy quick fix for me? Tell me how to sell my books. I only need to sell a few hundred to get my money back.”

What happened to, “Sure, I’ll promote this book. I should be able to sell thousands. The market is huge and I’m willing to get out there and promote, promote, promote.”

Struggling authors want me to chart a course for them or at least give them some ideas for promoting their books. When I do, some of them begin reciting all of the reasons why they can’t spend the time promoting. A typical response is, “Oh, I tried that. Yes, I went out and spoke to my daughter’s preschool PTO (or my husband’s poker club, or my neighbor’s tai chi class) and sold only a few copies of my poetry book. That didn’t work.”

Authors, before you decide to write a book for publication, please think it through. Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book from cover to cover. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html. Study, study, study until you understand what book promotion is all about. Here’s what it is not:

• It is not a one-time shot proposition.
• It is not a one-week, one-month or even one-year commitment.
• It is not usually a one-activity process&#8212send press releases and call it good.
• It is not a task you can push off on someone else. No one else cares as much about your book as you do. Even if you decide to invest in a publicist, you will be expected to participate a LOT!
• It is not for the short-sighted, timid, reserved individual.

Book promotion, for those who want to sell more than a few copies of their books to friends and family, is a time-consuming, long-term commitment which requires plenty of energy, creativity and dedication. It’s darn hard work!!!

I had a conversation yesterday with an author who said he is sure eager to get his book manuscript completed and published so he can&#8212get this&#8212write his next book. I attempted to reason with him&#8212advising him that after publication comes promotion: lots and lots of it for many, many months/years. At that point, his eyes glazed over, I could read the writing on his pupils. It said, “I’m in complete denial and I can’t HEAR you!”

You used care in writing your book. You worked hard to find the right publishing option and to see it through. Now you must work ten times harder to make your book a success in the marketplace. Let me help: Sign up today for my online, on-demand Book Promotion course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

July 26, 2008

How to Turn Your Book Idea Into a Viable Product

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 4:59 am

I’m off to another book festival today at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura, CA. I hope to earn a bit above expenses and make some interesting contacts. I am always seeking out hopeful authors who can succeed and, in fact, excel if only they had a little knowledge.

I did a lot of “helping” this month. And the remuneration for my outreach efforts will pay the months bills with some left over for a rainy day. As we all know, those rainy days do occur. I am blessed. I have some amazing, talented clients with good stories to tell and who are eager to learn.

Are you getting a lot of writing done this summer? Where are you with your writing project? I have 5 clients who are moving forward swiftly with their book projects despite the lure of summer weather and activities. I have 8 students who are working hard to complete book proposals or establish freelance article-writing careers. Five other clients completed their books this year and are spending their summer promoting. And there are some who are feverishly seeking publication.

I sometimes wonder where my clients and students would be if they hadn’t come to me for assistance. I don’t mean to sound pompous in this statement. It’s just that most of them were either floundering or were headed down the wrong road with an inferior project. Oh what a difference a little education and guidance can make—not to mention editorial support.

Folks, just because you have a good idea for a book doesn’t mean that it is a viable product or that you can successfully navigate the competitive world of publishing. Just because you can write doesn’t mean that you can produce a worthwhile manuscript. Just because you know how to market, doesn’t mean you can successfully promote a book. Just because you have an assertive nature doesn’t mean that you can easily locate and land a publisher.

There’s much more to successful authorship than one typically sees on the surface. It isn’t a simple matter of writing, publishing and raking in the royalties. Successful publishing means understanding the publishing industry; knowing your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibility as a published author. A successful book generally starts with a complete and well-researched book proposal.

If you have a book in your mind, developing in a computer file or in manuscript form ready to be published, stop now. Do yourself and your future a favor and write a book proposal. It will reveal volumes about the potential for your project and how to proceed with it. What you learn from the book proposal process could change the focus and scope of your book and, believe me, this could be a good thing.

Learn about writing a book proposal by using my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and the companion Author’s Workbook. Order them together and save: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you like hands-on help and you want to work with a professional, sign up for my Online On-Demand Book Proposal Course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm Ask my students&#8212it’s well worth the reasonable price.

I also work one-on-one with clients on their book proposals. Check out my credentials, client testimonials and my fees at http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

SPAN members, be sure to read my article on page 19 of the July 2008 edition of SPAN Connection. It’s all about how to more successfully use your blog to promote your book.

Terry Whalin, literary agent, editor and writer contacted me yesterday to say that he finally finished reading my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and he wrote a 5-star review for Amazon.com. Check it out at my book page at Amazon. This book has 11 five-star reviews posted at Amazon. There is 1 four-star review and, I am sorry to say that there is an erroneous one-star review attributed to this book’s standing.

Here’s what happened: the reviewer gave the book 5-stars in her written review. But, when she clicked on the stars provided, she neglected to set the stars before moving on and some of them disappeared. You’ve probably had that happen. With some programs, if you don’t click the mouse after setting the stars or date or whatever in the space allotted, it will change or disappear when you move the cursor to do something else on the form. I have attempted a couple of times to reach this reviewer and ask her to make the correction (she’s the only one who can). But she has disappeared.

Visit Terry Whalin’s informative blog at http://terrywhalin.blogspot.com

And don’t forget to contact me about working with you on your book proposal. You’ll be awfully glad you did. PLFry620@yahoo.com

By the way, I’m still offering a FREE manuscript evaluation to my blog readers. This is good for a book manuscript or an article. Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com for details.

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