Writing and Publishing News from

July 8, 2012

Is Blogging Dead?

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 3:49 am

Someone told me just yesterday that blogging is dead—no one does it anymore and no one visits blogs. Say what?

Well, curious researcher that I am, of course I went after other opinions and maybe a few facts to back up my penchant for blogging or dispel the whole premise of it. And I discovered that the death of the blog has been reported nearly every year since around 2007. And then WordPress reports another 100,000 new bloggers signing up.

When I did this research, guess where I ended up most often—yup, at blog sites.

The problem I see with blogs is that there are so many. It’s a case of “So many good blogs and so little time to visit them all.” Blogs are being ignored because there are just such an overabundance of them in every category. At last count—in 2009—there were reportedly 133 million blogs up and running on a wide variety of topics, with many different opinions, styles, purposes, etc.

Sure some of those have been abandoned. I have two blog sites. While I post daily here, I rarely post at my Catscapades site. I know that there are others contributing to the illusion that blogging is dead by walking away from their blog sites. So what is left? Only the most useful sites being operated by the most dedicated bloggers who are actually serious about teaching, sharing, informing, enlightening and/or entertaining others on the subject or in the genre of their interest or their book.

Is blogging dead? What do you think? What is your experience? Do you think FaceBook has taken over where blogs leave off?

July 7, 2012

Resources for Working With a Book Illustrator

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 5:21 am

I field many questions related to publishing and book promotion. And I like to share my responses from time to time with those of you who enjoy my blog. After all, some of you might have similar questions.

Yesterday a SPAWN member asked about working with an illustrator. She wanted to know what they charge—what sort of contract to expect. Here is my response:

Here are four links to articles on the subject of working with an illustrator. They were the first four links that appeared when I typed in keywords “author working with illustrator.” In an Internet search.

http://www.best-childrens-books.com/working-with-an-illustrator.html

http://www.netplaces.com/writing-childrens-books/putting-pictures-to-words/working-with-the-illustrator.htm

http://selfpublishingresources.com/working-with-a-professional-illustrator-part-one

http://kidlit.com/2010/06/14/working-as-an-author-and-illustrator-team-before-submission

Here are a couple of articles about how much you can expect to pay an illustrator, but I’m sure this can vary considerably from illustrator to illustrator
http://www.ehow.com/how_2301225_find-illustrator-book.html


http://www.ehow.com/about_7483630_do-illustrators-paid-illustrating-book.html

You might look at illustrator’s websites and see if any of them mention how much they charge. I’m guessing that most negotiate with the authors they work with. Don’t you think a contract would be different when there are a few simple drawings involved than if there were several complex pieces of artwork?

I often recommend Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books to anyone entering into the children’s book market. It’s a great reference.

And you’ll find a lot of information about illustrations for, writing and publishing children’s books at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. http://www.scbwi.org

If your manuscript is ready for editing, contact Patricia Fry. I’ll provide a sample edit, evaluate your manuscript and offer and estimate for editing the entire manuscript. PLFry620@yahoo.com. For more about me: http://www.patriciafry.com

July 6, 2012

Freebies and an Opportunity to Have Your Book Manuscript Edited

Filed under: Authorship,Book Promotion,Editing — Patricia @ 4:40 am

Have you published an ebook? Are you thinking about producing one? You might find my latest FREE ebooklet useful. It’s 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook. You’ll find it ready to download FREE at
http://www.patriciafry.com

You might be surprised to discover some of the marketing ideas in this ebooklet. Most authors will read a few pages of it and then slap themselves on the forehead in astonishment because they didn’t think of these things themselves.

There’s really nothing mysterious about ebook marketing techniques. It’s just a matter of producing a viable product, knowing your audience, understanding their book-buying habits and taking the initiative to approach and address them appropriately.

Download your copy of 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook today. http://www.patriciafry.com

If you like the free ebooks I’ve offered—50 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book, The Successful Author’s Handbook and now, 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook, you’ll LOVE my latest two books. Order them today at amazon.com or another online or downtown bookstore or at my website: http://www.matilijapress.com

Book Titles
Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author
Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author

These books are also on Kindle, Nook and other e-readers.

Patricia Fry Available to Edit Your Manuscript
Oh yes, while I’m on the subject of my work, I am between editing jobs. If you have something ready for editing, this is the time to approach me. Email me your fiction or nonfiction manuscript (or the first 20-30 pages) and I will give you an evaluation, sample edit and estimate. PLFry620@yahoo.com

And authors, ebooks need editing attention every bit as much as print books do.

July 5, 2012

Why Does Your Wonderful Magazine Article Keep Getting Rejected?

Filed under: Article-Writing — Patricia @ 4:38 am

Is there anyone still just writing for themselves? It doesn’t seem like it. Everyone wants to share their writing—to be read. Some just have one reason for writing and that is to make a difference, make a point or change minds.

Today, I want to touch on the importance of writing the right article for the right editor. If you want to break into writing through articles on your subject of interest, not only must you write in a way that your piece will be accepted by your proposed readership, but you need to write the type of article the particular magazine uses.

Article-writing is not the same as submitting a letter-to-the-editor for your hometown newspaper. There are rules and policies and requirements.

Sure, you might be able to get your opinion piece published somewhere. But typically, it is necessary that you follow guidelines with regard to the type of piece the publication accepts. There’s word count to consider (and most editors are strict about this). And, in case you haven’t noticed, articles come in many forms.

There is the essay (most popular with writers who have a grudge or something caught in their craw), the how-to, self-help, informational, Q&A, interview/profile, reporting and bulleted pieces, for example. Some editors require that you sprinkle your article with expert quotes and statistics for added credibility.

Few publications use a mix of article types—they might pulish strictly how-to pieces or only bulleted articles. It is your job as the writer to find the right magazine or newsletter and write your piece to conform.

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met over the years who are passionate about an issue and who want to spread their word, but who refuse to accept the requirements and policies of the various magazines out there. They don’t understand why the magazines they’ve approached keep rejecting their opinion piece. They can’t see beyond their desire to be heard/read. They don’t realize that if they would just change the style of the article to suit the individual magazine, they would have a much better chance for acceptance.

Additionally, it is important to pay attention to what this magazine has previously published. And don’t forget to study the advertisers. If they’ve published a major article on this topic recently or they’ve covered it adequately over the years, they probably don’t need your piece on the same subject.

Likewise, you’re not going to land a contract for your article on how ridiculous and dangerous it is to have plastic surgery when the magazine’s biggest advertisers are plastic surgeons.

Is the business of article-writing starting to make more sense to you? Are you beginning to understand why, perhaps, your writings have been rejected? Maybe you’re not approaching this industry as a business. And believe me, it is a business.

For more articles on article-writing, go to http://matilijapress.com/articlespublishing.htm

July 4, 2012

Is Your Proposed Book Really a Good Idea?

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 5:21 am

It’s suggested that you check your potential competition before deciding on the focus of your nonfiction book.

You want to find out if there are other books out there like yours. What makes yours different? How can you make your book better or at least more desirable to a segment of this audience?

If you want a successful outcome, it is important that you use your most objective mindset during this evaluation. Put yourself in the heads of your proposed audience. What do they truly need/want and what can you offer that is enough different than what is already out there?

Is there a large enough audience that there’s room for another book on this topic? Can you come up with an interesting and/or useful slant for your book?

Perhaps you found no books on your topic. Ask yourself, is this an opportunity or a red flag? The correct answer is in the results of your additional research. Seek websites that might relate to this subject, as well as magazines, newsletters and organizations. Determine how many people are actually interested in this topic—would they read a book about tattoo removal, for example? (Would you believe I located several books on this topic?) What about midget racing for senior citizens, how to help your pre-teen break his nicotine addiction, parenting tips for children who are raising their siblings, distortion photography or how to spin your cat’s fur into knitting yarn?

Do the research to find out if one or two books on this topic is enough or if you can address this tight niche group using a fresh and worthwhile approach.

Do NOT get so attached to your book idea that you move forward with it in spite of obvious red flags indicating that the market is saturated for this particular book. You could go ahead with it knowing your target audience is very small. Or you could use your imagination to come up with something that would intrigue or interest a larger segment of people. Considering the tattoo removal book, for example—perhaps you could interview people who have invested in interesting tattoos that they ultimately had removed. You could call it, “It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time!” Or include a section on piercings, as well, if no one else has done this.

As you can see from the wide array of books on so many different subjects, there are many ways to approach most topics. Don’t marry yourself to a specific idea and then close your mind to any other possibilities. This does not make good business sense and, in case you’ve forgotten, authorship is a business. If you look at it as anything else, you may not achieve the level of success you desire with your book.

Ebooks
On another subject—if you have an ebook or are considering producing one, be sure to download my FREE ebooklet, 50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook. It’s here:
http://www.patriciafry.com

To further enhance your library, order both of my latest books today:
Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author AND
Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. They’re at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores. Or purchase them here: http://www.matilijapress.com

July 3, 2012

Sell More Books at Your Next Book Event

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 3:47 am

I hope you found yesterday’s post helpful and will follow the suggestions outlined for your next book event—whether it is a signing, speaking engagement or other bookselling opportunity. Today, we’re going to talk about some of the things you can do at the event to sell more books. But first, I want to let you know about a new FREEBIE I have ready for you to download at my website.

50 Ways to Promote Your Ebook is available FREE at
http://www.patriciafry.com
Get your FREE copy today!

So, how can an author sell more books at an event? Here are a few ideas:

• Give, give, give. Whether you are speaking, offering a demonstration or simply signing books or manning a booth, give guests benefit of your knowledge on the subject of your nonfiction book. If your book is fiction, bring one or more of your characters alive in your presentation. Make the story irresistible in your spiel, describe the setting with all of the detail and flair you used in writing the story. Make audience members want to know more. Help them to realize the value in your offerings.

• Put your book into the hands of potential customers as you’re talking to them. It is harder to say “no” to a good book with a beautiful cover once you’ve held it.

• Provide great-looking handouts—bookmarks, postcards, etc. I once saw an author hand out tiny representations of her novel. These simply looked like mini versions of her book cover. Sweet and charming. And, I might add, very popular with guests—something more than we’re used to getting.

• Offer a discount on your book and/or something free for the duration of this particular event.

• Make sure that your potential customers have many options for purchasing the book—using a credit card, cash, check, of course. But also include a QR code on your brochures or business card so folks can access your website and order your book on the spot using their SmartPhones or iPads.

• Treat each person who comes up to speak to you as if they are the only one in the room. Give him or her your undivided attention. Respond to their questions. Listen to their stories. If he or she expresses an issue related to your story or nonfiction book, explain how your book might address it in a positive way.

• Ask for the sale. No kidding, sometimes that’s all it takes to get a potential customer to move off dead center. Say, “How many copies would you like today?” or “May I wrap it for you?” or simply, “Please buy my book.”

• Stay upbeat, even if sales are down. Avoid going into an event with expectations other than to give all you can. If you count on a certain number of books sold, for example, you may be disappointed. It’s difficult to hide disappointment and a negative attitude can turn off potential customers.

• Speaking of attitude (or mindset), if you concentrate more on what you have to give instead of what you might get, you will have a more successful event.

• Collect names and email addresses at book events and follow up with guests when you get home. You might offer a free report or chapter for download at your site, an invitation to subscribe to your enewsletter, or simply a reminder to order a copy of your book while it is still at a reduced price.

You can’t force anyone to buy your book. And you shouldn’t try to shame them into it or use manipulation. But you can demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the subject of your book or your unique and interesting approach to storytelling. You can charm potential customers and you can offer every incentive to buy. Some people will buy on the spot. Some will buy later from Amazon or when they see it again at the bookstore, perhaps. Others will never get around to it. That’s just the way it is.

For many, many more ideas for bookselling, order my book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. It’s at amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores. Also here: http://www.matilijapress.com

July 2, 2012

The Over-the-Top Successful Book Signing

Filed under: Book Promotion,Bookselling — Patricia @ 5:52 am

Have you had a disappointing book signing? Here are some ideas that will result in a more successful event:

• Arrange for a signing at an interesting venue related to the theme of your book—plant nursery, small airport, charming gift shop, real estate office, winery, grand opening of a craft shop, beauty shop or car dealership… you get the idea. One author I know held a book launch party for her children’s book on kindness to animals at a pet spa. I’ve signed books at an outdoor bookstore. I’ve known others to do book signings at a children’s store, cupcake bakery, coffee house, restaurant, craft shop and zoo.

• Use your email list to promote the book signing. Contact everyone you know in your geographic area and personally invite them to your signing. Send the initial invitation 10 days to two weeks prior and then follow-up a week in advance. I would then make phone calls three to four days ahead of the signing.

• Promise something special: a gift to all (or the first 10) who arrive; a demonstration related to the theme of your book—how to frost and decorate cupcakes, how to prune a rose bush, how to write a Haiku or how to make wine, for example. If you have connections—and all authors should make important connections—entice a Hollywood celebrity or a celebrity in your field or genre to attend the event.

• Make sure the event is announced in all local newspapers and at your social media pages.

• Create posters to post in strategic places—most prominently at the venue at least a week prior to the event. If your book features an animal theme—a therapy dog or a cat who solves crimes, for example—hang posters (with permission) at all veterinarian’s offices, pet stores, animal shelters, wild life preserve offices, groomers and so forth. Use your imagination. Don’t forget to hang them at local bookstores and libraries, as well.

• Hand out fliers. If the signing will be held at a retail business, ask the manager to insert a flier with each purchase during the week prior to the event.

• Visit corporations and other businesses and invite employees to attend your signing. You might get permission to visit the lunch room and talk to employees about your book. Handout discount coupons to employees for the purchase of your book if they attend the signing.

• Attend other signings and schmooze with authors at book festivals and flea markets. Meet and offer support to other authors and they will be more likely to support your events. This should go without saying—but start this practice even before you are ready to do your own signings.

• Join up. I suggest that writers join writers groups and participate. Since most writers are readers, too, make sure you promote your event assertively to your fellow members. In fact, members of clubs and organizations not related to writing would probably be interested in attending your book signing even if it is out of curiosity. Group meetings are excellent places to generate excitement and commitment for your upcoming signing. Dress in attire appropriate to the theme or topic of your book and share something from the book, a plate of cupcakes, a recipe, your steamiest chapter, homemade burn ointment, a newspaper article on the original crime you’ve written about, etc.

Whether you are signing a mystery novel, adventure series, romance, your memoir, a how-to, self-help, historical, true crime or informational book and whether it is an ebook or a print book, use these suggestions and you will have a more successful book signing.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about how to conduct yourself and sell more books at the event.

I notice that the rankings for my latest two books go up on weekends and they go even higher on holiday weeks. This would be a good week for you to purchase them. They include a whole lot of information, resources, ideas, techniques, tips and good solid advice for the new and struggling author. If you get something out of this blog, you will LOVE these books.

Read Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author and you will have a much greater understanding of the publishing industry. This understanding and the knowledge you will glean from this book will go a very long way toward helping you have a more successful publishing experience.

Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author will give you a huge step up in the extremely competitive bookselling arena.

Order both—they’re bundled at Amazon.com. Also available at the author’s website and most other online and downtown bookstores.
http://www.matilijapress.com

July 1, 2012

FaceBook Security Measures for Authors

Filed under: Announcements — Patricia @ 4:36 am

You may recall that my FaceBook profile was stolen a while back. All of my “friends” were approached by the hacker who tried to bilk them out of money. Some of them actually thought it was me contacting them even though the emails were written in poor, broken English. Most, however, were smart enough to realize it was a scammer and not me.

My hacker has moved on to someone else—maybe you or a friend of yours. I no longer have a FaceBook account. But I have information that could save you the stress of being hacked and the embarrassment of having your friends think you are pressuring them into doing something stupid and costly.

Those of you who were reading my blog during that disturbing time may recall what the hacker told one of my friends who confronted him (or her). They said that “hacking was a right to be used to draw cash from the ‘overclasses’” That’s the mentality and belief system of these people.

Here are some links where you can learn what scams are being launched on unsuspecting FaceBook users and how to better protect yourself.

http://www.sophos.com/en-us/security-news-trends/best-practices/facebook.aspx

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pf_article_112364.html

http://www.cio.com/article/696212/4_Facebook_Security_Tips_to_Stay_Safe_in_2012

Now go do the right thing on behalf of your security and those of your friends and colleagues.

June 30, 2012

Authors Supporting Authors

Filed under: Authorship — Patricia @ 4:57 am

How do you support your fellow authors? It seems that we don’t have enough time and energy these days to do all that we feel we must, let alone be able to offer anything much to others. I think that busy authors are especially lacking in the support department.

Authorship is so all-consuming that we find ourselves overwhelmed by our own obligations and responsibilities. It takes practically everything we have to hold our own in the competitive publishing arena. The tasks involved in being a successful author take so much out of us that we have little left over.

Additionally, as writers, we’re accustomed to working in solitude—to handling every detail related to the writing, publishing and promotion aspects of our books alone. And we sometimes forget the value in reaching out to ask or to help.

I maintain, however, that reaching out and supporting other authors shouldn’t be viewed as losing something. So often a giving gesture fosters gifts for everyone involved. We know that. But we still withhold from others. What could we be doing better? What could we be doing more of? Here are some ideas:

• Read other authors’ books and post reviews at Amazon and other appropriate places. Not only will this please the other author, it will give you some added exposure and, perhaps, motivate the author to reciprocate in some way.

• Offer resources and help to fellow authors and struggling authors through your online and real-time networking groups.

• Provide articles/stories for newsletters related to your book’s genre/theme. You want to build a rapport with publishers and editors of these periodicals while reaching your book’s audience. (Not all newsletter editors depend on outside submissions, but many do.)

• If you become aware of a good resource or information you believe another author could use, let him or her know about it. I think most authors just bypass information with this thought, “So and so might be interested in this, but he may already know it or maybe he saw this article.” We quickly talk ourselves out of sharing the information because of assumptions.

• Read your colleague’s blog posts or newsletters at least occasionally and make comments. You know how much it means to know that someone is reading what you write and that they care enough to comment.

• Attend author signings and other events as a show of support. Others will follow suit.

• Recommend the books of others and let them know when you have done so.

Adopt a more altruistic demeanor with regard to your fellow authors—including those writing within your field or genre—and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the domino effect of your genuine efforts.

SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) is a networking organization for anyone who is interested in or involved in publishing their work. Our members include highly successful authors, those just starting out and many in between. Our mission is to provide information and resources as well as the opportunity for networking and sharing. We provide an online discussion group and a newsletter as a forum for members. SPAWNews is FREE to anyone. Subscribe at the website (listed below). The SPAWN Market Update is for members only. We also have an online catalog of members’ books and services which is updated each year and printed as a handout at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and other events throughout the year.

Last weekend, we had a networking event in Ojai, CA with several members and their spouses in attendance.

For more information about SPAWN, to subscribe to SPAWNews and to join SPAWN, go to http://www.spawn.org

June 29, 2012

Protect Yourself and Your Publishing Project

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 5:12 am

If you are writing a book to sell commercially, you are planning to become a published author. Are you prepared to enter into the competitive publishing field?

You should know off the bat that transitioning from writing mode to publishing mode is not easy. As a writer, you spend a lot of time alone in your writing room. The extent of your outreach might be to conduct research and online or telephone interviews and maybe a little library research. When you decide to publish, however, you’ll be required to interact with others—at the very least, one or more potential publishers, a manuscript editor and eventually, your readers/customers/audience.

The enterprising hopeful author auditions several editors and potential publishers. He will attend presentations by professionals in the field to gather the information and tools he needs in order to proceed. He will also be out talking to his readers—perhaps conducting workshops or presentations to begin the process of building his platform. If he starts this activity early enough, he can also use reader feedback to help guide him in the direction and focus of his project.

The point is that, while writing is solitary, once you decide to publish, you need other people. And, believe me, there are plenty of people out there eager to help for a buck—hundreds more than ever before in the history of publishing.

Before you start the transition into the world of publishing, I urge you to study the publishing industry. Read books by Patricia Fry, Dan Poynter, Brian Jud, Marilyn Ross, Penny Sansevieri and other professionals. Attend presentations at writers’ group meetings and writers’ conferences, for example. And check out each potential editor, publisher, marketing expert, publicist and so forth that you are considering along your path. How? There are warning sites for authors. I list them often. But a better way to check someone’s reputation is to run your own Internet search.

Type in the name of the publishing company, editor, publicist, etc. and “warning,” or “complaint,” and see what you come up with.

• Be smart.
• Protect yourself.
• Get recommendations.

If you are writing a book for publication—no matter where you are in the process—this is a good time to study my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. It’s available in print and on Kindle and Nook. Order your copy from amazon.com or most any other online or downtown bookstore. You can also order it here: http://www.matilijapress.com

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