Do you belong to an organization of writers and\/or authors? Do you attend meetings in your area? Some of you know that SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writes Network) started out as a face-to-face networking organization with chapters in three counties. The Internet brought us all home and made it possible for us to connect with thousands more people throughout the world. The good thing about this is that we are helping more people to make better decisions on behalf of their writing\/publishing projects. The downside is the fact that we are no longer experiencing that personal connection\u2014well, not in the face-to-face, handshaking, back-patting, hugging sort of way. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I always look forward to traveling around and meeting writers in person at writers\u2019 conferences, local writers\u2019 group meetings and book festivals. <\/p>\n
You all know that I finished writing my latest book\u2014on public speaking and communication for authors. As soon as I did, my world became flooded with editing jobs and speaking invitations. Here at SPAWN, we\u2019re gearing up for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in April. And I am spending every spare moment, these days, in promotion mode with my latest book, \u201cPublish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.\u201d So there continues to be a lot on my plate. It\u2019s all good.<\/p>\n
Especially good news is that my promotional efforts and those of the publisher\u2019s publicist seem to be paying off. The book ranking is UP at amazon.com. Thanks to all of you who are ordering it. I am thrilled\u2014not so much because I want to sell books, but because I want you to learn some of the ins and outs of publishing before getting involved. And this is one of the best books around for the new and struggling author. Thanks for buying it. You\u2019ll be awfully glad you did.<\/p>\n
You should also be out mingling with other writers and authors, joining online writers\u2019 support groups, participating in lists and forums, visiting blog sites like this one, attending live author book signings at some of the fascinating places where they are occurring these days, attending writers conferences and book festivals (If you have a book\u2014you should be selling it. If not, get to know some of the authors who have their books for sale.) <\/p>\n
Through networking, you will learn who the good guys in publishing are, which pay-to-publish companies to stay away from, where to send your magnificent science fiction story for publication, who is a good editor for your manuscript, where to get your brochures printed, where to find a good book coach, which writers\/authors publications are most worthwhile and so much more. <\/p>\n
Read books like mine, of course, but also subscribe to all of the right magazines and newsletters. Contact me for a list, if you aren\u2019t sure which publications to choose. PLFry620@yahoo.com. <\/p>\n
Where are you in the process of writing or publishing a book? Would you like a free manuscript evaluation? Contact me here or at the email address above. Visit my websites
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a><\/p>\n