Saturday, August 30, 2008

Goals for Your Published Book

In the last post, I mentioned some of the factors you need to take into consideration in deciding on which avenue to book publishing is best for you for this book. The first of which is your goal for it.

Before I get into that, you might want to go back to my May 14thm '07 posting on this blog entitled What is a book? Most authors think first (and only?) of a standard paperback or hardcover book. But other formats and bindings may better suit your book. That post described alternatives.

Now back to Goals. Consider these questions:
  1. Will this version of this book be only for distribution to family and friends?
  2. Is it a church, community or work project for which there will be limited demand?
  3. Will it be offered only as a back-of-the-room sales item at workshops and seminars?
  4. Are you testing the market with this one, figuring you might want to go to a larger print run later after you get some reviews and reader feed-back?
  5. Do you expect to place your book in bookstores alongside the ones from big publishers like Wiley, Writers Digest and Hay House?
Self-Publishing (by the highest professional standards) will accomplish all five. With POD (print on demand) online publishers like iUniverse and AuthorHouse, you can accomplish the first four very nicely. (It's my current belief that POD books aren't quite up to the quality of a print run on an off set press.)

Either high quality self-publishing or a traditional author-publisher contract with a "big house" will satisfy your needs.

If you are at all interested in self-publishing, I encourage you to devour Dan Poynter's fine Self Publishing Manual now in its 16th edition and the Ross's book, Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, 4th edition. Publishing is a business with it's own rules, quirks and terminology, and walking that path requires study.

Next time, I'll talk about the money angle.

Happy writing~

Linda





Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Publishing Choices

Book coaching clients and writing students often ask me what I think of Print on Demand (POD) printers and online publishers versus opening their own small publishing company (self-publisher) versus sending their manuscripts out to big publishing houses.

There are pros and cons to all of them, depending on (1) your goals for you book, (2) your patience, (3) the money you’re willing to invest, (4) the desired appearance of the finished product, (5)the amount of time and work you want to invest, and last but not least, (6) your experience in the business world.

That’s just a start. Which is my point. There are many aspects to the original decision on publishing. I teach a 3-hour class on self-publishing and am able to only address the primary steps. So …

I invite you to send me your questions about publishing. I'll answer those first, then I’ll fill in the gaps.

You can either send your questions as “comments” at the bottom of this post or you can write me directly at
WriterLin@aol.com. No question is too dumb. No one is born knowing this stuff.

Tomorrow, I’ll look at the various goals different authors may have for their books.

Happy writing!





Linda

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Another Version of Book Signings

Some of the variations on bookstore signings can be even more enjoyable. The location could be the cafe in a bookstore or a book night at a cafe (so to speak). Presentations at non-book retail locations often yield more book sales than in more traditional stores and can build a rich bond between author and readers . For example:
  • You could give a nature journaling talk at a gardening store and sell copies of your nature-oriented book before and after the talk.
  • A travel shop (maps, blank journals, packing gadgets, suitcases and such) would be a great place for a presentation on vacation and travel journaling, followed by sales of your book on journaling or travel.
  • Because I'm a nonfiction writer, my mind always leaps to those kinds of topics. But for a historical novel, the author might speak at a history museum about the historical research she did for the book.
The store owners and directors of such place are usually passionate about their (and your) topics and are a joy to work with.

I have another idea that I want to present to a local shop manager: a monthly "Night with the Author." Initially, of course, that author would be me. But other authors might want to sign on, too. The evening (or morning or whatever) might begin with an overview of how the book came to be written and any significant challenges along the way. After that would be a book signing time, followed by a casual, kicked-back Q & A time, during which visitors could ask questions about books and the creative writing process. I'll let you know if I can sell that idea. But really, before I was published, I would have dearly loved a chance to pick an experienced author's brain in a cozy social setting.

Wish me luck and happy writing ~

Linda

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Author Publisher Team

There's a common misconception among new authors and writers that says, if you can just get your book picked up by a Big Publishing house, they'll take care of the promotion. Furthermore, they'll pop for a glamerous national book tour with bright lights and huge sales, and possibly local TV coverage.

Sorry to break it to you, but that's just wrong. Unless you're a former or future president or a movie star, it doesn't happen. What you will get is a specific paragraph in your authhor's contract whereby you swear to actively promote and market your book(s) to the buying public. They should have it in their book catalog, but don't look for a swarm of eager salepeople to fan out across the U.S. to hype your printed and bound baby. Of course, if you self-publish, you'd be rowing that marketing boat yourself anyway.

So what can a scribe do to move book sales? Bookstore appearances are a start.

Bookstore Marketing


#1 Schedule a short workshop, discussion or presentation based on your book, and autograph copies of your book at the end of it.

Do not simply plan a book signing! Your signature alone isn't that tempting to the public. You need to offer something of value. For a new book, you can describe how you came to write the book and give an overview of the whole process of writing, getting published or self-publishing it.
For a book that's been out for a few months, present a topical workshop to give visitors a reason to sit down and will spark their interest in the topics. I've given various journaling workshops to promote my journaling books.

#2 Create your event promotion signs for the bookstore to put on their counters. Include the time, date and topic of your presentation, a photo of you and of your book's cover. Include a sentence or two from a positive book review, and take the signs to the store manager. (Check back after a few days to see if the sign is up or if it's gotten buried in the store room.)

#3 Send out News Release announcements to the calendar sections of your local newspapers. It's fine if the bookstore does it, too.

#4 Arrive at the bookstore at least 30 minutes ahead of time, set up whatever props you have and amble around the store inviting shoppers to come to your presentation.

Be professional from the first visit or phone call until after the presentation. (You did remember to send a thank You note to the store's managers, right?)

Send out email announcements to all of your friends and family, post notices on bulletin boards around town, and cross your fingers.

Happy writing and marketing

Linda

Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Writer's (Cramped) Idea Box

How often do we hear "think outside the box?" It's embarrassing to recall how often and glibly I tell others to do that. (Don’t you?) Well, I just had one of those 2 x 4 moments -- that's exactly what I'm not doing!

The challenge is marketing my new The Many Faces of Journaling: Topics & Techniques for Personal Journal Writing, 2nd edition. Who knew it would be so different from promoting the original 1st edition?

But think about it. When did you ever an announcement in the calendar section of your newspaper proclaiming: “Joe Schmoe presents and signs the new, 2nd edition of his popular book Schmoe Knows?” It just doesn't happen - at least around here.

So I've broadened my current approaches to marketing. But it still feels like I'm just expanding on existing newsprint and Internet avenues. (Or old ruts?)

I'd love to hear any suggestions that you, my clever blog visitors, have beyond these that are already on my "done" or "to-do" list:

a Set up my Experts Page on SelfGrowth.com.

a Tripled the number of newspaper editors around the country to whom I submit News Release Articles.


a Started blog, The Many Faces of Journaling blog, specifically for journaling fans.

a Bought a 1/4 page ad in my distributor's 4-color "booklet" that goes to librarians and book stores.

a Sent announcements to the organizations to which I belong.

They’re all good but not inspired.

So, feel free to send me your (frugal or free) suggestions via the comments button below, and I promise to reply with an exquisitely flattering email Thank you ~

Happy writing ~

Linda





Wednesday, August 13, 2008

More on Writing Friends

Time spent with writing friends, especially those who are at approximately the same point in their careers as you are, can produce exciting Aha! moments. One writing friend and I always have our notebooks open at the lunch table and our pens at the ready. Going back over those brief notes renews the creative boost we got in the first place.

Sometimes at such get togethers, though, the ideas start flying before we've unholstered our notebooks. At that point, you're too wrapped up in the moment to start a search. So you cross your fingers and hope you'll remember the Ahas when you get home.

(This is the authoritative voice of experience speaking ...) As soon as you get back to your desk, write out all you can remember. Then email or call your friend, relay your notes and see if he/she can recall anything else. Two heads and all that good stuff ... Corral those gems before they get dead-filed with the day's junk mail.

It's a great way to relish your mutual growth.

Happy writing ~



Linda

Monday, August 11, 2008

Get to Know a Writing Buddy

Some clichés are true. Take Writing can be a lonely profession. Not only do we work alone, but there just aren't that many people who are genuinely interested in our process. The reasons for that lack of connection vary, but may include one of the following ...

1. Non-writers don't understand much about the creative process, so have no clue about why your frustrations feel so deeply discouraging to you. Sould they get it if you told them - What if I've already written all I'll ever be able to write? What if I'm really used up? Will I ever get another viable book or article idea again? Maybe I can’t get the tone right because the book was a bad idea in the first place!

2. They think you already have the best of all worlds, so they can't work up any sympathy for your whining. Come on admit it - we do whine. Of course it’s always for good reason, but that may not be so obvious to people in other lines of work.

3. They'd far rather talk about the gilded widget problems at their office. What are gilded widgets? Are readers interested in them? Where can I research the history and future of the global widget markets?

4. They're just tired of hearing it. OK, that may be a valid point.

So you go home feeling mildly martyred and vastly underappreciated. And then beat yourself up for feeling that way. Right?

But wait! There's help available. Find a writing buddy with whom you can swap stories of the new project that’s still pecking its way out of the egg, share your questions about styling and formatting a book, and especially proclaim the ecstasy of a great writing session, day or month!

A writing friend with whom you can break bread is the warmest of connections. But finding an email writing buddy can also be hugely rewarding. After conversations, in person or electronic, with these friends, you’ll come away with such writing excitement and joy in your heart, you’ll race to get back to the keyboard.

It’s well worth the effort to find another writer or two, preferably ones who have at least some similar goals and experience to yours, and form that beautiful connection. Attend local writers' groups, sign on to similar interest email groups, or spread the word to all you friends.

I know whereof I speak.

Happy connecting ~

Linda



Thursday, August 7, 2008

Coffee, Writing & Longevity

Good news, all you java junkies! A news article from Reuters states that "long-term coffee drinking does not appear to increase a person's risk of early death and may cut a person's chances of dying from heart disease" according to a published study.

Most of us morning writers require an IV or two of full-bodied, dark Columbian brew to grease our mental wheels. Over the years, veiled warmings from the medical community would hint that too much coffee - say, over 6 ounces a day - would gradually work it's evil way on our chances for longevity. Now you can put that worry behind you and enjoy

Still, if your resting pulse rate goes above 125 or so, you might want to cut back by a quart or two.



Happy, wide-awake writing~



Linda