Writing and Publishing News from

August 21, 2007

Good Things Coming for Authors

Filed under: New Books — Patricia @ 4:08 am

My traditional pre-publication discount offer is official. You can now order a copy of the newly revised edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book AND the accompanying Author’s Workbook at my Web site http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

As you’ll notice, there are 4 ordering options.

(The discount offers are good through September 20, 2007 only.)

Some of you are going to ask, “Why would I buy the second edition if I already have the first edition in my library?” Good question. Here’s my response:

While the 2007 version of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book is basically the same book as the 2006 edition and, while you can use the original book quite effectively for years to come, the revised second edition includes important updates and concepts that the first edition doesn’t have. Plus, the Author’s Workbook, while it can be successfully used with the first edition, is specifically designed to accompany the second edition. Below I list 20 changes and additions you’ll find in the second edition:

• There’s more information for authors in all categories of fiction.
• There are a total of 25 Index entries for authors of poetry and children’s books.
• We offer more assistance to help you write a book proposal for fiction.
• We’ve expanded the section on promoting fiction.
• You’ll learn how to build promotion into your novel.
• We include tips for novelists and children’s book authors who want to appear on radio and TV.
• We explain how to establish your platform and we provide examples.
• We’ve added information about promoting through book “trailers” or videos.
• We explain how to sell books through your blog.
• We provide information about fulfillment services.
• We’ve updated industry information (fees, contact numbers, etc.).
• We’ve updated and added new industry statistics.
• There are 27 new entries in the Resource Directory, now giving you 212 resources.
• We recommend several new books, including two books on how to make money with your poetry and one that rates fee-based POD “self-publishing” companies.
• We’ve listed more subheadings in the Table of Contents for easier access to the sections you seek.
• We’ve developed a more useful, more complete Index by expanding it from 9 pages to 16.
• We provide some unexpected and highly useful references on key publishing topics and issues.
• We give you the tools to check sales figures on any book in Ingram’s database.
• The book is packaged with a more appealing cover.
AND THE MOST EXCITING ADDITION OF ALL…
• We’ve designed a workbook to accompany the revised second edition.

Here are your current ordering options:
1: Order your revised edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today along with the accompanying Author’s Workbook and enjoy a discount of around 25%.
(Offer good through September 20, 2007 only)

2: Order just The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and get a 20% discount. (Offer good through September 20, 2007.)

3: If you have already purchased the first edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, you can order the Author’s Workbook at a discount anytime.

All pre-publication orders for the revised second edition and/or the workbook will be shipped sometime around September 20, 2007.

Place your order at: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html using your Mastercard or Visa OR send a check to the address below reflecting the correct price and the cost of shipping. (For CA residents only, add 7.25% tax.)

Matilija Press
PMB 123
323 E. Matilija St., Ste. 110
Ojai, CA 93023

Questions? plfry620@yahoo.com

August 14, 2007

A Writer’s Pace

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 5:29 am

My book is with the printer. Yup, the revised edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book is out of my hands and into the care of strangers at a new-to-me offset printing company. I’m experiencing a mix of relief and sadness. I’m glad that the project is completed, but I miss the work.

Are you familiar with that lull that comes after the whirlwind of activity in the final preparation of a book? While some people live for the lull, to me a lull can be dull. I’d rather feel at least a little pressure.

Some of you know that I am creating a workbook to accompany the second edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. But even this is out of my hands at the moment. It’s with my designer. I feel rather like a mom whose children have gone off to kindergarten for the first time.

While I’m currently working with a few clients and there are several projects I could start, I’m not, at this moment, invested in a project and it feels weird. While putting the finishing touches on The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, this month, I have also completed the 9-page SPAWN Market Update for September, I have written one new article, hopefully, for Angela Hoy’s Writer’s Weekly and I’ve submitted a few reprints. Ron at Publishing Basics will publish my piece, Publishing: The Raw Truth. I’ve submitted articles to Willamette Writer, Write News, Absolute Write and Write Success. And I’ve been practicing a speech I’ll present August 25 at the Ventura Book Festival. I’m speaking on Self-Publishing.

I’m actually going to leave my home office for a long walk this morning before temps hit the triple digits. I’ve been taking short walks while busy with the book details. I’m also going to try out the new window squeegee I bought at the county fair last week. Often, I find that, when I get out of the office and do something mindless such as walking, washing windows or gardening, I return to work overflowing with renewed creativity.

There is no lack of projects in this office. I collect them like some people collect pennies, tools or shoes. I need to write the promo for my usual pre-publication book discount offer. I’ll start planning my major promotional campaign for the book revision soon. I really would like to spend some time with my cat stories book. I may bring it out as an ebook early next year. I have a 3-inch stack of files on my desk filled with article and book ideas. And, thankfully, there seems to be no shortage of clients who need help with their projects.

Writing lulls don’t last very long in this office and, as you can see, this is by design.

Be sure to visit my Web site http://www.matilijapress.com. Sign up for one of my Courses on Demand. Learn how to self-publish a book, how to write a book proposal or how to get involved in writing magazine articles. And the best part is, I teach you on your schedule. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

August 5, 2007

Don’t Bypass the Onramp to Publishing Success

Filed under: Book Promotion,Publishing — Patricia @ 11:11 am

Have you discovered that the road to publishing success is rather bumpy? It’s not easy to locate the freeway, is it?

I’ve spent much of the last several weeks trying to steer authors and would-be authors toward the onramp. I’m working with clients, of course, but I also get a lot of random questions via email. This week, I received emails from 2 hopeful authors asking, “How can I get my book of poetry published?” Three others asked how to promote their books—these included a self-help book, and two novels. Another budding author emailed me asking how to write a book proposal.

When people ask broad questions like these, their lack of knowledge about the publishing industry becomes obvious. There’s nothing wrong with being uninformed. We all started out that way. Nor is it a sin to ask questions. That’s how we learn. The problem is that most hopeful authors who ask major questions that typically need complex responses, are going to close their eyes, put their fingers in their ears and chant “LA LA LA,” when they hear the answers. Most of them don’t want to do what is necessary to succeed or even survive in the competitive field of publishing.

So how do I respond to these questions? Because I can’t stand by and watch authors self-destruct, I always provide them with some specific information and resources they can use. But I also strongly urge them to:

• Study the publishing industry.
• Write a complete book proposal.

Simplistic, you say? Some authors will even tell me, “Been there, done that.” But when they turn around and ask me, “How do I find a publisher for my book?” or “What’s the best way to promote a book?” I know they haven’t truly finished their homework.

So what do I mean about studying the publishing industry? How does one go about this?

1: Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Also read some of the books I suggest as recommended reading—if you’re interested in self-publishing, Dan Poynter’s Self Publishing Manual, if you are considering a POD fee-based publishing service, Mark Levine’s The Fine Print, for a wider understanding of book promotion, Brian Jud’s Beyond the Bookstore, for example.

2: Join publishers’ organizations, SPAWN, PMA and SPAN, for example. Participate in their discussion groups, read the articles and check out the resources at their sites and read every newsletter.

3: Subscribe to magazines and newsletters related to publishing. (Read the SPAWN Market Update in the member area of the SPAWN Web site. Read the PMA Independent and SPAN Connection from cover to cover, as well.)

4: Search the Net. Spend time each week checking out the resources you’ve already discovered and searching for additional resources, articles, discussion groups and books. Use these materials and sites to gather additional information you need about the industry (your publishing options, how to choose and approach publishers/agents, what are your responsibilities as a published author, etc.).

The second thing you MUST do is write a book proposal. Forget about writing it for a publisher. (Although, of course, a publisher will, most likely, want to see it at some point.) The most important reason for writing a book proposal for a nonfiction, fiction and even a children’s book or book of poetry, is YOU. Here’s what you really must know before launching out into this highly competitive field with your manuscript. And this is true whether you plan to land a major publisher; go with one of the many smaller publishers; sign with a fee-based, POD self-publishing service or self-publish (establish your own publishing company). Through the process of writing a book proposal, you will learn:

1: Is the proposed book a viable product/is there a market for it?
2: Who is my target audience and how large is it?
3: How will I reach this audience?
4: How will I promote the book?
5: What is my competition?
6: What is my platform? (Credentials, expertise, following, way of attracting an audience.) If you don’t have a platform, start now establishing one.

A well-developed book proposal can tell you whether you have a book at all and, if not, how to tweak it so it is a viable product.

Of course, all of this should be done before even considering writing a book. Unfortunately, many hopeful and new authors operate on emotions rather than business sense. They haven’t learned yet that publishing is not an extension of their writing.

Wake up folks! Why do you think that over three-quarters (3/4) of all books fail? It’s because most authors bypass the onramp to publishing success.

1: They produce a book that is not well-written on a subject of interest to only a small segment of people or a slant that actually repels the very audience they want to attract.
2: Even though they have never written anything before, they trust that they’ve done it well and don’t bother to hire an editor.
3: They start seeking publication immediately after placing the last period. When their book isn’t welcomed with open arms by the majors, they pay a publishing service to produce it. This is okay, if the author is industry-savvy and understands the contract before signing it.
4: They never consider, until it’s too late, that they will have to promote the book. Or they don’t think this truth applies to them. One hopeful author told me several months ago that his book would sell itself. IF he ever got published and if he didn’t change his attitude, I’m pretty sure his is one of the over 948,000 titles that sold fewer than 100 copies last year.

What’s the answer? What is the key to publishing success? It’s nothing new—it’s not a big secret. Just think back on the other successes you’ve experienced in your lifetime. What were they based on? If you’re candid, your list will probably include:

*Knowledge
*Information
*Research/study
*Experience
*Work/effort/energy
*Persistence
*Practice
*Patience
*Skills/talent

Think about it, your business (sports, parenting, relationship, artistic and other) successes were based on these attributes and activities. It only makes sense that you would consider them when seeking success as an author.

If you are in any stage of authorship, stop the forward motion now and 0rder your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com

Watch for the pre-publication discount offer for the revised edition of this book. Visit this blog often for more information.

August 1, 2007

Authors Should Heed Those Discouraging Words

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 6:50 am

Authors Should Heed Those Discouraging Words
By Patricia Fry

A hopeful author said to me yesterday, “I know that your purpose in writing The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book was to help authors succeed, but, as I read through your book, it almost seems as though you’re trying to discourage them.”

I said, “You’re right. I am. My aim is to discourage those people who are not suited to or who do not have the stomach for the fiercely competitive, highly professional world of publishing. Those who are still standing after my discouraging words are likely to succeed.”

Patricia Fry is the author of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. The second (Revised) edition is due out mid-September along with a workbook to use in charting your course through the publishing process. Watch for my pre-publication discount offer.

http://www.matilijapress.com

July 25, 2007

Are You Writing This Summer?

Filed under: Book Promotion,Writing — Patricia @ 9:51 am

Can you believe that we’re already halfway through summer? Are you making good use of the season? The weather? The kids being out of school? Are you vacationing? Relaxing? Spending time in the great out-of-doors? And the big question is, are you writing?

Last year at this time, it was HOT in Ojai. It was the longest hottest period I can remember here in the valley. This summer has been mild in comparison—high 80s to mid 90s. It’s heavenly by comparison. If you’re having one of those horribly hot summers and the heat is keeping you from writing, you might want to read my blog entry for July 26, 2006, How to Write Anyway When it’s Just Too Hot.

News Flash: This week, I came up with another way to get exposure for my work and my books. I’ve been telling you about my article, The Post-Publication Book Proposal. As you know, I’ve offered free copies of it to anyone who will email me and ask. Plfry620@yahoo.com. I’ve had quite a bit of interest. Hopefully, the article will help folks who are having trouble promoting and selling their books.

Here’s my new idea for getting exposure: Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours sending announcements to editors of writing/publishing-related newsletters and magazines and appropriate Web site hosts offering their readers/visitors a FREE copy of this article. Many of these editors/hosts have agreed to post or publish my announcement. Already, I’ve had several more requests from authors who indicate that they are pretty overwhelmed and/or stumped by the process of promotion. (Why don’t hopeful authors do their homework BEFORE they enter into the highly competitive publishing field?????)

Unfortunately, some authors, even when they have the opportunity to hear or read sage publishing advice, ignore it. Gosh that’s frustrating for those of us who truly want to help authors experience the level of success they desire. It’s similar to that helpless feeling you get when you can do nothing but sit back and watch your youngster make some of the same mistakes you made because he won’t heed your warnings and hear your wisdom.

I made a mistake this month. I ordered 500 business cards with a typo. Fortunately, I haven’t handed too many of them out, yet, because, horror of horrors, an astute editor pointed out that the cards have a blatant error. How embarrassing. Of course, I’m tossing these cards and I’ve ordered a new, very carefully proofed batch.

I’m spending my summer revising my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, trying to help hopeful authors avoid costly mistakes and attempting to bale authors out of the mistakes they made, anyway. I’m doing this in between gardening, picking peaches, making cobbler and trying to beat the heat for early morning walks every day.

Are you accomplishing anything this summer? Are you writing, studying the publishing industry, submitting articles for publication, learning the ropes of self-publishing, spending time promoting your book? If so, good for you. If you’re relaxing and vacationing, I urge you to use some of that down time to further your writing/publishing career. Here are my recommendations:

For Freelance Writers:
1: Join SPAWN (www.spawn.org)
2: Be always on the search for article ideas.
3: Think up new ways to earn money through writing.
4: Research new and different magazines, newsletters, Web sites.

For the Hopeful Author:
1: Join SPAWN (www.spawn.org)
2: Study the publishing industry.
3: Write a book proposal.

For the Author With a Book to Promote:
1: Join SPAWN (www.spawn.org)
2: Read several articles and at least one book on book promotion this summer.
3: Try two new book promotion ideas or opportunities each week.

For those of you who don’t know or don’t remember, SPAWN is Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network—a networking organization and resource center for anyone interested in or involved in publishing. Visit us at http://www.spawn.org Spend time reading the articles and newsletter archives. Check out the resource lists. Subscribe to the FREE monthly newsletter and consider joining. It’s only $45/year and you get a free book as well as access to the member area of the site where there are boo coo advantages and opportunities for all writers and authors.

Depending on your commitments and your children’s school calendar, you have anywhere from three to six weeks of summer vacation left. There are eight weeks of the actual summer season remaining. What will you do with this time? What steps will you take to move your career forward? One giant step you must take is to sign up to be notified of the pre-publication discount I’ll be offering for the revision of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Publication Date is right around the time summer hands the baton to autumn—September 23. Contact me, Patricia Fry, plfry620@yahoo.com

July 21, 2007

Write a Book Proposal After Publication

Filed under: Book Promotion,Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 6:40 am

Hi, I’m Patricia Fry. Check out my latest article, The Post-Publication Book Proposal. I don’t think you’ll find anything else like this anywhere. This article is for those of you who:

*neglected to write a book proposal before publishing your book.
*are having trouble selling your book.
*believe that you may have made some mistakes with your book.
*could be targeting the wrong audience.
*have run out of promotional ideas.
*feel frustrated and lost in the world of publishing and marketing.

Let me know if you’d like to receive a FREE copy of my article, The Post-Publication Book Proposal by Patricia L. Fry, plfry620@yahoo.com.

Visit my Web site for more articles on writing, publishing, book promotion at http://www.matilijapress.com

July 15, 2007

Post-Publication Book Proposal

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 4:46 am

I’m behind on my blog entries, yard work, doing my nails and writing thank you notes for my birthday gifts/cards, but I’m right on schedule with other areas of my life. Very few of our homegrown peaches have dropped to the ground this year. We’ve been diligent in our quest to pick and use all (estimated) 20 or 30 dozen peaches from our little tree this summer. I’ve managed to share in the responsibility of helping my mom out since her hip replacement surgery a month ago, I’ve done some work for clients AND I’ve finished The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book revision. Moving right along.

The book is refreshed, updated and even more valuable than the original version—which earned dozens of 5-star reviews, by the way. I actually added over 100 new and updated resources, concepts, tips and techniques to the revision. the book has expanded by about 30 pages. The cover will have a slightly refined new look. All that’s left to do is to finalize the front matter and the index and wait for the proof-reader’s comments. We should have the revision in hand by late August or early September.

Once the book is with the printer, I’ll send out notices announcing my prepublication discount offer. Do you want to be notified? Let me know: plfry620@yahoo.com.

I’m speaking to a group of authors at the West Coast Author Premiere at the Side Car Restaurant in Ventura, CA Friday night (July 20) and I’ll be handing out a new, one-of-a-kind article to all in attendance. Let me know if you want a copy of this article, which will be published somewhere—I just haven’t decided where, yet. The article is called, The Post-Publication Book Proposal.

Many authors neglect to write a book proposal first. A book proposal is so important to the success of a book that I’m suggesting authors write a book proposal even after their book is produced and I’ll provide a formula for how to do this. Why write a book proposal after the barn door is closed?

• To more appropriately identify your target audience. (If your book sales are slow, it could be that you are trying to reach the wrong audience.)
• To discover how to reach this audience.
• To build promotion into the book. (If you used POD technology to produce your book, you could actually make some vital changes during the next printing OR maybe you’re unaware of hooks already built into your book that you can use in your promotional efforts.)
• To create a realistic promotional plan.
• To continue to build your platform.

I know you won’t want to miss this article. Contact me and I’ll send it to you hot off the press in a day or so.

For now, I’m off to pick more peaches.

Visit my Web site at http://www.matilijapress.com Buy some of my wonderfully useful, enjoyable books. Have you read about my experiences working with a hypnotherapist who used past-life regression therapy with his clients? Fascinating. That’s Quest for Truth. All of my writing/publishing-related books are solid, useful and important to your success. If you need an editor, contact me. I’ll have more time once the peach harvest is over.

Happy summer!

June 29, 2007

My Blog: My Contribution to Authors

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 6:43 am

I can hardly believe that I’ve been blogging since November of 2005 and this is blog number 88. Five years ago, I didn’t even know what a blog was? Did you? Heck, the term blog wasn’t coined until just 10 years ago. Do you know how many blogs there are now? In May of this year, a whopping 71 million of them were recorded.

Everyone manages his/her blog differently. I typically add entries to my publishing blog every week or 10 days. While I sometimes get personal, I try to share, teach, inform, guide and otherwise coach my blog visitors on writing and publishing. My topics during 20 months of my blogging career have included 42 entries on writing, 19 on book promotion, 17 on publishing, I used 5 entries to flaunt my new books and there were 4 entries that I forgot to categorize.

You can visit my blog site once a month and be treated to anywhere from 2 to 4 new entries—you can count on it. Put it on your calendar. You can also search through the blog archives and pull up entries on book promotion ideas, how to sell books at a book festival, tips for operating a freelance writing business, warnings related to fee-based POD “self-publishing” services, how to write during the summer heat and the holiday hustle-bustle, how to hone your organization skills, how to more effectively use the subject line in your email messages and my trip to Dubai. Yes, you went to Dubai with me. I wrote fascinating blog entries about my experiences from my laptop in my plush hotel room in Dubai last year.

If you want information, encouragement, resources and my perspective (after over 30 years in the business) on writing and publishing, visit my blog often, surf through the archives and also check out the articles I have posted at my web site http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm There, you’ll find about 75 articles related to writing and publishing. You might also enjoy reading some of the articles I’ve written for general magazines such as, Cat Fancy, The World and I Magazine, Woman’s Own, Entrepreneur and others.

I apologize for not allowing comments at my blog site—the spam problem just became too time-consuming to deal with. But I welcome email comments, questions and suggestions. Email me at: Plfry620@yahoo.com

June 23, 2007

Authorship: Your Publishing Success Depends on Your Platform

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 6:14 am

Patricia Fry’s blog

Call it popularity, prominence, visibility or expertise. In publishing, it’s what you need in order to succeed.

How many people will rush out to buy your book as soon as it lands in Borders and B&N? Why would anyone choose your novel, cookbook, poetry, children’s story or self-help book over the competition? Before you produce that book, you really must answer these questions. If you can’t come up with answers, I suggest that you start creating some. How?

Even before writing the book, if you don’t have a following, start attracting one. If your name is not known in your field or genre, take steps to become known. If you are not already an expert or authority, begin the process of establishing yourself as such.

Start now, building your platform.

Don’t suddenly emerge from your writing cave into the bright lights of publishing with a manuscript and hope to get it produced. Publishers, today, care more about what you can bring to the promotional table than whether you’ve dotted all of your i’s and crossed all of your t’s. What is a hopeful author to do? Take your responsibility as promoter as seriously as you do the task of writing an excellent book. Here are some tips:

• Write about what you know. This long-held rule is even more important now because your expertise in the topic and your visibility can mean a big difference in sales.
• If you are not known in the subject or genre of your book, take steps to become known before you attempt to publish. Build a web site, start a blog, present workshops and circulate a newsletter, for example.
• Launch or become involved in an organization related to the topic or genre of your book—a poetry association, a national medical support group, a therapy dog organization or a major horror/thriller web site, for example.
• Make news and report it. Start a charity or a contest related to the theme of your book. If your novel features a child with Downs syndrome, create an annual fundraiser for the National Downs Syndrome Society, for example.
• Write articles on your topic or stories in your genre for appropriate magazines, ezines and web sites.

For more about establishing your platform, book promotion, locating and working with an agent/publisher, how to get your book into major bookstores, distribution, etc. read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com

Sign up for Patricia Fry’s Courses on Demand. Choose from courses on self-publishing, article-writing and writing a book proposal. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

June 21, 2007

When Query Letters Go Awry

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 6:08 am

I’m always surprised when I receive a query letter from a hopeful author through the SPAWN website (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) or my Matilija Press website. Why does this surprise me? First, SPAWN is not a publishing company. It is a networking organization. We don’t do any publishing; we provide the resources and tools for those who want to become published.

Visitors to my site (matilijapress.com) should be able to see that I publish just my own books. And I don’t publish fiction, at all.

I wonder if some of these (mostly) poorly written e-queries are sent out by query services. That would explain why they are not targeted emails and why they are usually addressed, “Dear Sir.” Or are individuals sending the e-queries without doing the necessary research?

The hopeful authors whose e-queries happen to land in my personal or my SPAWN email box have one bit of luck going for them; I will respond. I’ll take the time to explain that the scattershot method of sending out a hastily-written e-query rarely results in a publishing contract. And I’ll offer some information and instructions designed to guide the hopeful author successfully through the query/proposal process.

I give these authors some basics about the proper way to locate and approach publishers. Then I recommend that they read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book—which includes everything a hopeful author needs to know in order to succeed as a published author. But I rarely receive a reply. In fact, sometimes my email comes bouncing back because my address is not recognized by their spam alert program.

It’s sometimes frustrating to be a relentless mentor—to continually attempt to guide hopeful authors through the publishing maze. Some authors just don’t want to go to any trouble to live their publishing dreams. Others don’t believe that the basic rules apply to them.

Once in a while, though, an author of genuine desire, reasonable expectations and a refreshing willingness to learn, will reach me via email and actually heed my recommendations. I love when that happens.

If you are a struggling or new hopeful author and you are seeking the pathway to publishing success, you really must read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This book does more than teach you how to write. It does more than reveal your publishing options and help you to choose the one that’s right for you. And it does more than educate you about book promotion. Plus, if you email the author of this book (me), you will receive a reply. http://www.matilijapress.com

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