Most of you are probably shocked by the title of this blog entry. Why would an author turn against those who can help him succeed? It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make sense to me, either. But, trust me, there are authors who show up at writers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 conferences, enroll in online and real-time courses, subscribe to marketing publications and then block much of the information they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re offered.<\/p>\n
They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll email professionals with questions and, rather than consider the responses, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll argue about them. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll give out their email addresses and then complain when they receive material that could help them meet their publishing goals. I met two such people last month.<\/p>\n
Bruce attended my authors\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 workshop. He signed up to receive additional material from me and later claimed that I had stolen his email address. He said that he did not want to receive information about my blog, the discount offer on my book or anything else from me. One has to wonder how he thinks he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll ever move forward and succeed as a published author when he is so protective of his space and has such a closed mind.<\/p>\n
Lola visited the SPAWN booth at a book festival with a burning question: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m almost finished with my memoir, how can I find a publisher?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I suggested that she shift gears and write a book proposal. I told her that, through the process of writing a book proposal, she will determine whether or not there is an audience for her book, who they are, where she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find them and how she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll market to them. I said that the experience of writing a book proposal will also give her the opportunity to learn something about the publishing industry, such as her publishing options, and she may come up with ideas for making her book more marketable\u00e2\u20ac\u201dmore salable. <\/p>\n
You might not believe Lola\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s response. She said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Heck, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to get all that involved, all I want to do here is write my memoirs.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
I said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, I guess I misunderstood. So you just want to write this book for family and friends\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou plan to have just a dozen or so printed?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
She looked at me as if I was from another planet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she retorted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be selling it through bookstores; you know, how books are sold these days\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She walked away before I could give her a reality check on that pipedream. <\/p>\n
The learning curve isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t for sissies. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard work getting up-to-speed on any new industry or field. And it takes an open, inquisitive and discerning mind. <\/p>\n
Hopeful and struggling authors, I challenge you to study the publishing industry through books by professionals, membership in publishing organizations (SPAWN, PMA, SPAN) and subscriptions to appropriate electronic and print publications. But don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stop there, also participate, read the materials and check out some of the resources.<\/p>\n
Here are the newsletters I recommend to authors: SPAWN Market Update<\/strong> I also recommend reading every page of the PMA Independent <\/em>and the SPAN Connection<\/em>. Obtain these important print newsletters through membership in these organizations. <\/p>\n The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter<\/strong> Book Marketing Matters<\/strong> Now subscribing is only the first step on your way toward success as an author. You must also read the newsletters. I recommend reading them from beginning to end, noting the articles that resonate with you and the resources you want to check out. <\/p>\n I subscribe to probably two dozen writing\/publishing-related newsletters. I typically print them out and read them in the evening when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m away from the computer. I mark the items I want to pursue. And I follow through with them the next morning. <\/p>\n There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a lot of unwanted and unrelated material coming at us every day, from every source. And it can be annoying and downright bothersome to have to face it. But it is vital to your success as an author to wade through the muck in order to harvest the pearls.<\/p>\n The revised second edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, Your Complete Guide to Successful Authorship <\/em>should arrive on our doorstep this coming Wednesday (October 10). Be sure to order your copy along with the brand new Author’s Workbook<\/em>. Order them together for only $28.00. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> If you own the first edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em>, order the Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Workbook <\/em>for only $10.00.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most of you are probably shocked by the title of this blog entry. Why would an author turn against those who can help him succeed? It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make sense to me, either. But, trust me, there are authors who show up at writers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 conferences, enroll in online and real-time courses, subscribe to marketing publications and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,3],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\nSPAWNews <\/strong>
\nAs you may know, I am the president of SPAWN. And I can tell you that SPAWNews<\/em> does not carry any advertising. Instead, we provide book reviews only on books related to publishing, pertinent articles, a book marketing column, a Q and A reflecting questions you might ask a professional and we list conferences, contests and other events of interest to anyone who is involved in publishing. SPAWNews<\/em> is a FREE e-newsletter that comes to your email box every first of the month. Subscribe at www.spawn.org. Click on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153FREE Newsletter.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Scope out the current newsletter and the archives at http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> <\/p>\n
\nBecause SPAWN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s membership is diverse, as the editor of the SPAWN Market Update<\/em>, I strive to address the needs of each one. Whether you are a freelance writer, graphic artist, independent publisher, author of many or just one book, editor, illustrator, screenwriter, poet or novelist and whether you are a beginner or a veteran, if you are interested in being published, I have you in mind when I produce this newsletter. Here, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find opportunities for authors, artists and freelance writers. There are resources galore and news bites and tips. I also include an agent, publisher or writer interview on occasion. This newsletter is available to SPAWN members only. Join SPAWN at http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a>. Click on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Join SPAWN Now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s $45\/year. Most members get their money back and MORE from the information and opportunities listed in only one SPAWN Market Update<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nI highly recommend this newsletter for anyone with a book to market. It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a huge newsletter, but each issue is packed with cutting edge marketing techniques. The most recent issue of Penny Sansevieri\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s newsletter features how to get more traffic to your blog. Learn more about Penny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work and subscribe to her newsletter at http:\/\/www.amarketingexpert.com<\/a> FREE.<\/p>\n
\nBrian Jud\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Book Marketing Matters <\/em>runs only about 7 pages. While he promotes his own products and services, he also adds a lot of value to his newsletter with short notes from various experts and professionals such as Dan Poynter, author of The Self-Publishing Manual<\/em>; Marcella Smith, small press business manager for Barnes and Noble; Penny Sansevieri, A Marketing Expert; Rita Thompson, producer for CNBC and CBS News; John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Book<\/em>; Rick Frishman, author of Author 101: Bestselling Book Publicity <\/em>and several others including yours truly, Patricia Fry as a guest columnist from time to time. This is also a FREE subscription.<\/p>\n