The LA Times headline (P. A13, Tues, March 24) “Obama lacks a Secretary of Selling It” caught my attention. For me the word “selling” translates into “marketing” or at least, “public relations.” I know. It’s a sickness.
And I was a bit puzzled by the headline at first because Obama himself is a great marketer--even if he hasn’t quite mastered the “selling” part in his mere 70 or 80 days in office. But the article points out that he chose his advisors and secretaries for their expertise and their “ability to think creatively about problems and to work out solutions to what is admittedly a very complex issue.” So says Alice M. Rivlin, budget director under President Clinton. And, of course, that’s not a bad thing.
The article is right, though. One of the reasons that Obama must appear in public so often is that his advisors aren’t very good at it. Sumner, as an example, made big time boo-boos as President of Harvard--notably with his remark about women’s mathematical ability--so he’s been sort of hidden away wherever presidents hide the people who have value but can’t be trusted in public. Then Geithner, who looks adorable, but comes off wonky, stressed, and unprepared on TV, didn’t exactly sell his program to Wall Street even though now it appears they approve. Too late. Obama has stepped in to do the selling. Geithner will just have to be satisfied seeing the stock market take off instead of dip. Or is it too early to tell?
So how does all this relate to authors? Well, we are for the most part our own Secretaries of Selling It!
We all know that selling is very, very important indeed. We want to sell our books. But we can’t do it until we understand that great PR and marketing comes before selling. And we can’t do that until we’ve developed the skills to do it.
So, the question we should be asking ourselves is, what are we doing to better our skills? For speaking, I suggest Pam Kelly’s Speak with Power! Speak with Passion! For feeling inspired, I suggest the book, CD or video, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. There is nothing new in it, mind you, but if you really use it by listening to it until the secrets permeate you pores, you may find your passion so palpable that you’re your marketing and PR efforts materialize into sales before you know it. You'll find the how-tos to go along with those skills in The Frugal Book Promoter.
Happy Writing, Promoting and, Yes, Editing, Too!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
PS: Another lesson I’ve been learning from politics lately (and from The Secret), is that if you feel you must criticize someone or something, it’s better if you turn that urge on its ear. Praise Instead. And offer a positive alternative. Enough bitching already.
Technorati Tags:
public relations, sumner, geithner, obama, book marketing, book promotion, carolyn howard-johnson, pam kelly, speak with power speak with passion, carolyn howard-johnson, the secret, rhonda byrne, the frugal book promoter, selling books
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Publish Your Work to Build a Platform
In The Frugal Book Promoter I advise the shy writer to promote by what they love to do most, writing. Yes, shy writers can promote by sitting behind their computers. There is a litany of ways to get your message out there and they’re all listed in the book with a little advice for how to break into each of them.
Those ideas include publishing in anthologies and lesser-known or beginning journals. The emerging writer has a better chance there. And you don’t have to sacrifice quality. New or small or online does not necessarily mean that a journal isn’t respected.
One of my poems about morning glories and chicken poop was just published in Writings from the River(www.frontrangereview.org). Edited by Frederick Bridger, it is Montana State University’s journal (so it has the academic cache), but they specialize in a Midwest sensibility which this little poem (borrowed from my childhood experiences) had in abundance. By the way, they will soon be publishing under the name Front Range Review. I had a similar experience with Mary, a journal put out by St. Mary’s College here in Los Angles.
I also had the luck to publish with a brand new journal Pear Noir (http://www.pearnoir.com). When one submits to something brand new, one has no idea of what to expect. It turned out to be beautiful and this note today is mostly to urge you poets and short story writers to submit to them. When I received this well-designed volume, I was surprised to see that a fellow UCLA instructor, Les Plesko, was also published in it along with quite a few recognizable names in the literary world.
So, one can luck out. But even if the newbie journal doesn’t turn out to be all that you’d hope, it is always a thrill to have someone think enough of your work to want to include it. And you develop a platform as a credible writer when you publish.
Keep in mind that payment for some of these journals is often very low. Sometimes they pay only in copies. I wouldn’t submit, though, if they don’t offer at least one copy in return for using your work. It feels a little scammy; you want to see your work, after all, and you shouldn’t be forced to buy a copy to see it. In fact, that’s one of the ways you can determine the difference between an authentic literary journal and one that will publish anything to get unsuspecting authors (especially poets) to buy lots of copies or one big, thin-paged, unedited and generally awful volume.
On the other hand, it is nice to buy an extra copy or two to support the people who cared enough to publish the very best--YOU.
Keep Writing, Promoting and Yes, Editing, Too!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
PS: All of these literary journals will qualify for Poets and Writers list of published poets (and other writers)--even if they don’t presently have them on their list of publications. It is a nice little literary touch to be listed among the nation’s greatest authors on that magazine’s sites.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Those ideas include publishing in anthologies and lesser-known or beginning journals. The emerging writer has a better chance there. And you don’t have to sacrifice quality. New or small or online does not necessarily mean that a journal isn’t respected.
One of my poems about morning glories and chicken poop was just published in Writings from the River(www.frontrangereview.org). Edited by Frederick Bridger, it is Montana State University’s journal (so it has the academic cache), but they specialize in a Midwest sensibility which this little poem (borrowed from my childhood experiences) had in abundance. By the way, they will soon be publishing under the name Front Range Review. I had a similar experience with Mary, a journal put out by St. Mary’s College here in Los Angles.
I also had the luck to publish with a brand new journal Pear Noir (http://www.pearnoir.com). When one submits to something brand new, one has no idea of what to expect. It turned out to be beautiful and this note today is mostly to urge you poets and short story writers to submit to them. When I received this well-designed volume, I was surprised to see that a fellow UCLA instructor, Les Plesko, was also published in it along with quite a few recognizable names in the literary world.
So, one can luck out. But even if the newbie journal doesn’t turn out to be all that you’d hope, it is always a thrill to have someone think enough of your work to want to include it. And you develop a platform as a credible writer when you publish.
Keep in mind that payment for some of these journals is often very low. Sometimes they pay only in copies. I wouldn’t submit, though, if they don’t offer at least one copy in return for using your work. It feels a little scammy; you want to see your work, after all, and you shouldn’t be forced to buy a copy to see it. In fact, that’s one of the ways you can determine the difference between an authentic literary journal and one that will publish anything to get unsuspecting authors (especially poets) to buy lots of copies or one big, thin-paged, unedited and generally awful volume.
On the other hand, it is nice to buy an extra copy or two to support the people who cared enough to publish the very best--YOU.
Keep Writing, Promoting and Yes, Editing, Too!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
PS: All of these literary journals will qualify for Poets and Writers list of published poets (and other writers)--even if they don’t presently have them on their list of publications. It is a nice little literary touch to be listed among the nation’s greatest authors on that magazine’s sites.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Scam Artists After a Writer's Soul? (And What To Do About It!)
We authors are a little different from others business people when it comes to needing our computers. Everyone depends on tech for daily business, but writers often have their hearts and souls stored in the depths of computer memory. Theoretically we all backup our files, but probably not frequently enough. And even if we were that thorough downtime can be depressing and suck up the time we could be ding what not only our pocketbooks need, but our souls.
Thus scams that violate our computers, violate we writers at a much deeper level. Whether they're after our identity or trying to infect our files and those of our contacts.
We, of course, all get the Nigerian scams and can usually identify them, because they are obvious. In one an e-mail asks if your credit card has been stolen. They want you to give them your card number so they can check!
There is a new one out, one I detest so much I blogged about it at www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com claims a soldier in Iraq has a couple million he needs help transferring out of the country before he leaves for home (now where would an Army Sergeant get that kind of money?). Still it occurred to me that because so many s c @ m s use trusted entities to rope people in, it wouldn’t hurt to run a few by you.
These scam artists are using you cable company’s name and your Internet provider’s name. I wouldn’t know if something went wrong with my AOL account because I just ignore anything in my e-mail box that comes from them. I’d rather they closed my account that fall for a scam so they’d better send their trouble shooters to my door or send a letter if they want my attention.
Scammers use the names of your most dearly beloved American institution (or your most dearly hated ones!) including McDonald’s. Many customer satisfaction surveys are a way to build trust and then sock you for more information than you should give them. The trick here is to forget surveys or to simply avoid giving out your card number, your social security number, or your bank number in an e-mail or on the phone for that matter.
They’re also sending fake McDonald's, Coke, and Hallmark coupons. To get ensnared, you don’t even have to give out information. Just click on a link and a virus will get you and your friends. I could fall for this one! Frugal me wants those Coke and Hallmark coupons.
The recession is providing all kinds of inspiration to scammers. They’ll hustle you with ways to get some of that great money the government is giving away. They set up a professional-looking Web site and you pay a registration fee for their service. They might hound you for more always with an excuse. Court fees or legal fees to complete the deal, as examples. You can protect yourself by checking official government Web sites like www.grands.gov or www.recovery.gov.
Airline ticket scams are big, too. So, if you aren’t flying anywhere, don’t be lulled into opening e-mail from airlines. I’ve had e-mails that PayPal and e-Bay. I don’t even have an account at e-Bay!
There’s an IRS tax refund scam. Watch for tax-refunds@irs.gov and run like hell. That means, use your delete finger. If you have questions about a refund call the IRS at 800 829 1040
You may get a fake parking ticket with a Web address on it where you can download a picture of your car. With that download you get something that will make your computer very sick.
Some scammers are phishing instead of tweeting on Twitter, particularly with direct messages. Don’t download attachments!
Last, you don’t need to do business with Nigeria. That includes selling them hundreds of your books. Yes, I’ve seen this scam personally.
What if a window pops up when you’re on a credit card or bank site. Heck, that feels legitimate, right? Wrong. Answer no questions. Follow no links. Download nothing. Pam Kelly, author of Speak with Power! Speak with Passion!, nearly sold 100 books to a place of business in Belgium. She says she caught herself because she takes my newsletter where I warn, nag, advise and love authors with all kinds of things that pertain to writers. Afterward she could see all kinds of warning signals in their communications that all was not right with their oh-so-lucrative deal. (You can subscribe by using the box on the left column of my home page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com.)
These same kinds of scammers can find you on your cell phone or your regular phone. When in doubt call the establishment purporting to need information directly using a telephone number you get from your phone book or from your phone’s directory service, not the one they give you.
So, you say. You’re not dumb enough to give your social security number or your credit card number or your bank number to anyone online. How about your Google or Amazon account number or password? Nope. Don’t do it.
You’ve heard me tell you not to send out media releases or much of anything else as an attachment because it’s not going to get read by editors. That’s because they know viruses are often carried in attachments.
So, the final lesson for writers. You want something read by your contacts, don’t put it in an attachment. I’m a contact, too. Please, please, plop the information you have for me in the window of your e-mail. That probably goes for most of submissions of any kind. Unless their guidelines say to send something as an attachment, don’t do it.
Technorati Tags:
military scam, author scams, writer scams, computer scams, computer viruses, identity theft, writers security, hallmark scams, e-bay scams, mcdonald's scams, airline scams, paypal scams,
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Thus scams that violate our computers, violate we writers at a much deeper level. Whether they're after our identity or trying to infect our files and those of our contacts.
We, of course, all get the Nigerian scams and can usually identify them, because they are obvious. In one an e-mail asks if your credit card has been stolen. They want you to give them your card number so they can check!
There is a new one out, one I detest so much I blogged about it at www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com claims a soldier in Iraq has a couple million he needs help transferring out of the country before he leaves for home (now where would an Army Sergeant get that kind of money?). Still it occurred to me that because so many s c @ m s use trusted entities to rope people in, it wouldn’t hurt to run a few by you.
These scam artists are using you cable company’s name and your Internet provider’s name. I wouldn’t know if something went wrong with my AOL account because I just ignore anything in my e-mail box that comes from them. I’d rather they closed my account that fall for a scam so they’d better send their trouble shooters to my door or send a letter if they want my attention.
Scammers use the names of your most dearly beloved American institution (or your most dearly hated ones!) including McDonald’s. Many customer satisfaction surveys are a way to build trust and then sock you for more information than you should give them. The trick here is to forget surveys or to simply avoid giving out your card number, your social security number, or your bank number in an e-mail or on the phone for that matter.
They’re also sending fake McDonald's, Coke, and Hallmark coupons. To get ensnared, you don’t even have to give out information. Just click on a link and a virus will get you and your friends. I could fall for this one! Frugal me wants those Coke and Hallmark coupons.
The recession is providing all kinds of inspiration to scammers. They’ll hustle you with ways to get some of that great money the government is giving away. They set up a professional-looking Web site and you pay a registration fee for their service. They might hound you for more always with an excuse. Court fees or legal fees to complete the deal, as examples. You can protect yourself by checking official government Web sites like www.grands.gov or www.recovery.gov.
Airline ticket scams are big, too. So, if you aren’t flying anywhere, don’t be lulled into opening e-mail from airlines. I’ve had e-mails that PayPal and e-Bay. I don’t even have an account at e-Bay!
There’s an IRS tax refund scam. Watch for tax-refunds@irs.gov and run like hell. That means, use your delete finger. If you have questions about a refund call the IRS at 800 829 1040
You may get a fake parking ticket with a Web address on it where you can download a picture of your car. With that download you get something that will make your computer very sick.
Some scammers are phishing instead of tweeting on Twitter, particularly with direct messages. Don’t download attachments!
Last, you don’t need to do business with Nigeria. That includes selling them hundreds of your books. Yes, I’ve seen this scam personally.
What if a window pops up when you’re on a credit card or bank site. Heck, that feels legitimate, right? Wrong. Answer no questions. Follow no links. Download nothing. Pam Kelly, author of Speak with Power! Speak with Passion!, nearly sold 100 books to a place of business in Belgium. She says she caught herself because she takes my newsletter where I warn, nag, advise and love authors with all kinds of things that pertain to writers. Afterward she could see all kinds of warning signals in their communications that all was not right with their oh-so-lucrative deal. (You can subscribe by using the box on the left column of my home page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com.)
These same kinds of scammers can find you on your cell phone or your regular phone. When in doubt call the establishment purporting to need information directly using a telephone number you get from your phone book or from your phone’s directory service, not the one they give you.
So, you say. You’re not dumb enough to give your social security number or your credit card number or your bank number to anyone online. How about your Google or Amazon account number or password? Nope. Don’t do it.
You’ve heard me tell you not to send out media releases or much of anything else as an attachment because it’s not going to get read by editors. That’s because they know viruses are often carried in attachments.
So, the final lesson for writers. You want something read by your contacts, don’t put it in an attachment. I’m a contact, too. Please, please, plop the information you have for me in the window of your e-mail. That probably goes for most of submissions of any kind. Unless their guidelines say to send something as an attachment, don’t do it.
Technorati Tags:
military scam, author scams, writer scams, computer scams, computer viruses, identity theft, writers security, hallmark scams, e-bay scams, mcdonald's scams, airline scams, paypal scams,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
In the Publishing World: No National Book Fair Equality for Self-Published Authors
Span Connection, the print newsletter of www.spannet.org, runs the headline "The Almost-National Book Festival." Writer Edward Allan Faine tell us that though care was taken to represent diverse group[s from age to reading categories to ethnic and racial groups at the National Book Festival in our capital, one group was woefully neglected.
Sighhhh!
I’m sure you can guess which one. Of the 156 books of invited artists 2/3 were published by the six large conglomerates (many of them foreign owned), about 1/3 by large and mid-size independents and nine by university presses. The writer of the article notes that there was one out-print chapbook by poet Michael Lind so at least out-of print got represented.
So where does that leave what many incorrectly call POD-published authors (really self-, subsidy- or partner-published). Exactly nowhere. By the way, this is a festival sponsored by the Library of Congress (our tax dollars?) and founded by former First Lady Laura Bush.
It will be interesting to note what the mix will be at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books this weekend. After all, LA is known for its acceptance in general. Let’s hope that extends to books. At least in Christine’s and my booth, there will be authors published every which way. All were welcome this year. All will be welcome next. Those signing in booths are not the invited guests of the fair administration but rather talented, hard-working authors of books period. They deserve readers' support. See www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com for more information on how we make that booth successful.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Sighhhh!
I’m sure you can guess which one. Of the 156 books of invited artists 2/3 were published by the six large conglomerates (many of them foreign owned), about 1/3 by large and mid-size independents and nine by university presses. The writer of the article notes that there was one out-print chapbook by poet Michael Lind so at least out-of print got represented.
So where does that leave what many incorrectly call POD-published authors (really self-, subsidy- or partner-published). Exactly nowhere. By the way, this is a festival sponsored by the Library of Congress (our tax dollars?) and founded by former First Lady Laura Bush.
It will be interesting to note what the mix will be at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books this weekend. After all, LA is known for its acceptance in general. Let’s hope that extends to books. At least in Christine’s and my booth, there will be authors published every which way. All were welcome this year. All will be welcome next. Those signing in booths are not the invited guests of the fair administration but rather talented, hard-working authors of books period. They deserve readers' support. See www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com for more information on how we make that booth successful.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Q&A a la Ann Landers: Kindle or Not to Kindle
Those of you who receive to my Sharing with Writers newsletter know that I enjoy answering questions for my subscribers. Here is one that echoes one of my favorite mantras from my retailing days. It's a variation on "The customer is always right." It is, "Give the customer what he or she wants." If you'd like more information like this, please subscribe by sending an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews @ aol.com.
QUESTION:
What's your feeling about Kindle? I have two friends who have and love it. One is an author of a book about caring for horses...not a popular topic. She is self published, offered it on Kindle and was shocked and delighted to receive three responses from readers who bought it. The other friend is not a writer but swears by Kindle. He says he's never without it. Apparently the only real negatives are that you can't dog-ear or underscore pages and you can't pass the book on to friend to read. Are any of your books on it?
Thanks for your take on this.
Laverne, Columns & Poems
ANSWER:
Readers who have Kindle may go elsewhere for reading material if they can't get what they want the way they want it. You won't sell a lot of books on Kindle. I sell my Frugal books on Kindle but those sales probably make up less than 1 percent of my sales. Many say that's not enough. I ask, why not? One of those people might pass the good word about my book to someone else. Another might be a Hollywood producer looking for a good story. Good retailers give their customers the products they want. And they let them buy them the way they want--credit card? Cash? Check? They don't cram their own needs and preferences down their customers' throats. Guess what? We authors are retailers, like it or not.
By the way, thank you for this question. It prompted me to get my latest how-to release, A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques, on Kindle. If Kindle serves your readers better, why not? Besides, it doesn’t cost anything but your time to do it. Check out The Frugal Editor’s Kindle sales page as an example. It is only $7.20 on Kindle so it also appeals to those who may not want to pay full price for a book (but you do get to set your own price). The Kindle page for the FRUGAL retailing book is at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0021AEXU0/
Technorati Tags:
amazon kindle, selling books, book marketing, retailing books, gift retailing, book promotion, amazon kindle, kindle, successful retailing, in-store promotion, carolyn howard-johnson, sharing with writers,
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Paralyzed and Speechless Can Tweet with Their Brains
I just couldn't wait for you to see this from my next newsletter!
In the News: Sharing with Writers subscriber and photo-artist for She Wore Emerald Then, May Lattanzio passed along this information for fellow readers:
Paralyzed people and people who can’t speak can now use their brains to tweet. See how Twitter is influencing medicine and science! Truly! http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/twitter.locked.in/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
In the News: Sharing with Writers subscriber and photo-artist for She Wore Emerald Then, May Lattanzio passed along this information for fellow readers:
Paralyzed people and people who can’t speak can now use their brains to tweet. See how Twitter is influencing medicine and science! Truly! http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/twitter.locked.in/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Monday, April 20, 2009
What I Learned from my Librarian Friends
Librarians and I go back a long way.
My favorite aunt was retired from being head of a library system’s accounting department before she died. My children always received library bound books from her on birthdays and Christmas and her love for reading and for them became palpable with these little gifts. My daughter had the entire Little House on the Prairie series. One of my good critique partners is a librarian. His intensity for books and literature and for helping others is permeates his life.
Thus, I feel almost violated when I hear an author say that they don’t want to sell books to libraries because if people borrow books it keeps the author from selling them. No, no, no! When people get books from libraries, it helps a book’s buzz. It helps people who can’t afford a book access your work. It can even help you promote if you keep in touch with librarians.
Recently my library friend and critique partner confided that libraries budgets are severely restricted--in many cases more than they have been before. No news there. But he also mentioned how they generally make their book-buying decisions. They, of course read journals like Library Journal to guide them. But in addition they check their distributor’s stock (places like Baker & Taylor) and if B&T doesn’t have 100 or more copies in stock, they take that as an indication that there isn’t much call for the book in bookstores. If there isn’t call in the bookstores, the reasoning goes, there won’t be in libraries either. And that’s pretty much all it takes for a book to be cut of their lists.
What can we authors do about it? Well, when one library catalogs a book it may encourage another to do so as well. So:
~Work with your library to speak or teach at their library.
~Donate a book or two.
~Buy (or put together) library lists and send out query letters explaining why your book is a must for their library.
~Try real hard to get reviewed in Library Journal (information on how to do that is in The Frugal Book Promoter).
~Display at library tradeshows and conferences (like BEA but regional).
~Work libraries (meaning make sales calls) one at a time.
Is it worth it? The American Library Association says that libraris buy nearly 1.8 BILLION in books annually. You tell me. Is it worth it?
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
My favorite aunt was retired from being head of a library system’s accounting department before she died. My children always received library bound books from her on birthdays and Christmas and her love for reading and for them became palpable with these little gifts. My daughter had the entire Little House on the Prairie series. One of my good critique partners is a librarian. His intensity for books and literature and for helping others is permeates his life.
Thus, I feel almost violated when I hear an author say that they don’t want to sell books to libraries because if people borrow books it keeps the author from selling them. No, no, no! When people get books from libraries, it helps a book’s buzz. It helps people who can’t afford a book access your work. It can even help you promote if you keep in touch with librarians.
Recently my library friend and critique partner confided that libraries budgets are severely restricted--in many cases more than they have been before. No news there. But he also mentioned how they generally make their book-buying decisions. They, of course read journals like Library Journal to guide them. But in addition they check their distributor’s stock (places like Baker & Taylor) and if B&T doesn’t have 100 or more copies in stock, they take that as an indication that there isn’t much call for the book in bookstores. If there isn’t call in the bookstores, the reasoning goes, there won’t be in libraries either. And that’s pretty much all it takes for a book to be cut of their lists.
What can we authors do about it? Well, when one library catalogs a book it may encourage another to do so as well. So:
~Work with your library to speak or teach at their library.
~Donate a book or two.
~Buy (or put together) library lists and send out query letters explaining why your book is a must for their library.
~Try real hard to get reviewed in Library Journal (information on how to do that is in The Frugal Book Promoter).
~Display at library tradeshows and conferences (like BEA but regional).
~Work libraries (meaning make sales calls) one at a time.
Is it worth it? The American Library Association says that libraris buy nearly 1.8 BILLION in books annually. You tell me. Is it worth it?
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Special Reports on Social Media Campaigns for Writers
This article is guest blogged by Phyllis Zimbler Miller, a writer who has made an effort to put social media to work for her. It includes links to other articles that will help you, too! Phyllis spent many hundreds of dollars learning social networking from other experts. She talks about this experience and how she took her expensive lessons and reported on them so you could benefit frugally!
I got on LinkedIn because the niece of my business partner sent me an invite. I had no idea what it meant once I joined.
I got on Facebook because a cousin decided that we should have a family page on Facebook, whatever a family page meant.
And I got up the courage to join Twitter only because one of the Internet marketing gurus from whom I had begun to learn mentioned it.
Then I started blogging in preparation for the release of my novel Mrs. Leiutenant. And somehow I learned that I could use Twitterfeed.com to automatically bring a feed from my blog into Twitter and that I could also bring my blog feed into my Facebook page.
Then I got lucky – I had an epiphany and realized the power of using social media to market/promote my novel. I set off like a woman possessed to learn as much as possible about utilizing social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, etc.) to effectively market online.
I spent a fair amount of money and a huge amount of time learning from as many experts as I could find. And then I synthesized what everyone said into a workable social media marketing plan.
When I became comfortable with all of this, I decided to share what I’d learned by writing an easy-to-follow Special Report in order to save other writers the time and money I’d spent to learn this vital information.
The result of this decision is actually two Special Reports:
1) For book authors on using a social media campaign to market books -- http://www.queensofbookmarketing.com/page1.php
2) For screenwriters and directors on using a social media campaign to market films, tv shows and animation projects -- http://www.showmethescreenplay.com/special-reports-entertainment-industry-insiders/
The $14.95 price of the Special Report is a steal compared to what I spent on webinars, teleseminars, e-books, etc. before putting all the info together and directed at specific marketing goals. (And the report can save you from making major public gaffes.)
If you don’t want to reinvent the wheel--and instead want to easily learn how to start doing social media campaigns for your writing projects--get the Special Report that applies to you and get cracking now.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZimblerMiller, and I’m on Facebook and LinkedIn as Phyllis Zimbler Miller. My two blogs are http://www.mrslieutenant.blogspot.com and http://www.dogooderscrooge.blogspot.com.
And I co-host the BlogTalkRadio show http://www.YourMilitaryLife.com.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
I got on LinkedIn because the niece of my business partner sent me an invite. I had no idea what it meant once I joined.
I got on Facebook because a cousin decided that we should have a family page on Facebook, whatever a family page meant.
And I got up the courage to join Twitter only because one of the Internet marketing gurus from whom I had begun to learn mentioned it.
Then I started blogging in preparation for the release of my novel Mrs. Leiutenant. And somehow I learned that I could use Twitterfeed.com to automatically bring a feed from my blog into Twitter and that I could also bring my blog feed into my Facebook page.
Then I got lucky – I had an epiphany and realized the power of using social media to market/promote my novel. I set off like a woman possessed to learn as much as possible about utilizing social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, etc.) to effectively market online.
I spent a fair amount of money and a huge amount of time learning from as many experts as I could find. And then I synthesized what everyone said into a workable social media marketing plan.
When I became comfortable with all of this, I decided to share what I’d learned by writing an easy-to-follow Special Report in order to save other writers the time and money I’d spent to learn this vital information.
The result of this decision is actually two Special Reports:
1) For book authors on using a social media campaign to market books -- http://www.queensofbookmarketing.com/page1.php
2) For screenwriters and directors on using a social media campaign to market films, tv shows and animation projects -- http://www.showmethescreenplay.com/special-reports-entertainment-industry-insiders/
The $14.95 price of the Special Report is a steal compared to what I spent on webinars, teleseminars, e-books, etc. before putting all the info together and directed at specific marketing goals. (And the report can save you from making major public gaffes.)
If you don’t want to reinvent the wheel--and instead want to easily learn how to start doing social media campaigns for your writing projects--get the Special Report that applies to you and get cracking now.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZimblerMiller, and I’m on Facebook and LinkedIn as Phyllis Zimbler Miller. My two blogs are http://www.mrslieutenant.blogspot.com and http://www.dogooderscrooge.blogspot.com.
And I co-host the BlogTalkRadio show http://www.YourMilitaryLife.com.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sybil Baker Shares First Novel Advice
Today's guest blogger Sybil Baker talks about novel writing. Her advice? Read more...
By Sybil Baker author of The Life Plan
With old drafts of a novel or two languishing in desk drawers, another one I’m revising, and another one published, the most important thing I’ve learned about novel writing is that I have a lot more to learn. We can all find examples of some lucky or extraordinarily talented writers whose first novel was published to much fanfare and acclaim. Most times, though, you’ll read about how a famous author had to write a terrible novel or two before they wrote the good one. Of course this is the last thing anyone toiling over their manuscript wants to think.
But like it or not, you can’t learn to ride a bike, play the piano, or play golf by reading how-to books and dreaming of success. You have to get out and do it, even if you fall the first few times.
That said, there are some things that I learned the hard way—by doing—that I can share with you to save you some time while you are working on your novel.
1. Commit to finishing the first draft, no matter how horrible it is. This is probably the most important advice I can give. I’ve seen many talented writers who couldn’t get their novel finished because they were unable to continue until they had those first few chapters “perfect” in their mind. Here’s the thing: you’ll probably be massively revising those first few chapters anyway, and you won’t know how you’re going to revise them until you finish that first draft. Trust me.
2. Use an outline. An outline will actually free you up because you don’t have to worry about basic plot points and you can explore characters and scenes. Remember, your outline is there to serve you—you can always revise your outline or veer from it, but refer to it when you feel you’ve lost the plot or have strayed too far from the novel’s story.
3. Structure your novel into three acts. Even the most apparently experimental novels use the three act structure for their novel with plot points and a mid point. Like an outline, a three act structure will actually free you up to focus on character development and keep the novel on course.
4. Think of your novel in terms of scenes, not chapters. Each scene needs its own purpose, with a beginning, middle, and end, and forward the action of the novel. Scenes build on each other and form your chapters.
5. Read novels in your genre (this includes literary genres) and outline them. Literature is a conversation, so it’s essential to know what other people have written or writing and how your novel fits in with the conversation. By analyzing the structure of those novels, you’ll get a better feel for how to structure your own novel.
Remember, after you write the draft of your novel you’ll have a much easier time writing your second or revising your first. Practice may not make perfect, but it will improve your game.
Find Sybil Baker http://www.sybilbaker.com. She blogs at http://sybilbaker.blogspot.com> Find The Life Plan book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RVu8VbHEbY&fmt=18
Buy it at: http://www.casperianbooks.com/catalog/1-934081-16-7.html
or an Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Life-Plan-Sybil-Baker/dp/1934081167/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239574852&sr=8-1
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
By Sybil Baker author of The Life Plan
With old drafts of a novel or two languishing in desk drawers, another one I’m revising, and another one published, the most important thing I’ve learned about novel writing is that I have a lot more to learn. We can all find examples of some lucky or extraordinarily talented writers whose first novel was published to much fanfare and acclaim. Most times, though, you’ll read about how a famous author had to write a terrible novel or two before they wrote the good one. Of course this is the last thing anyone toiling over their manuscript wants to think.
But like it or not, you can’t learn to ride a bike, play the piano, or play golf by reading how-to books and dreaming of success. You have to get out and do it, even if you fall the first few times.
That said, there are some things that I learned the hard way—by doing—that I can share with you to save you some time while you are working on your novel.
1. Commit to finishing the first draft, no matter how horrible it is. This is probably the most important advice I can give. I’ve seen many talented writers who couldn’t get their novel finished because they were unable to continue until they had those first few chapters “perfect” in their mind. Here’s the thing: you’ll probably be massively revising those first few chapters anyway, and you won’t know how you’re going to revise them until you finish that first draft. Trust me.
2. Use an outline. An outline will actually free you up because you don’t have to worry about basic plot points and you can explore characters and scenes. Remember, your outline is there to serve you—you can always revise your outline or veer from it, but refer to it when you feel you’ve lost the plot or have strayed too far from the novel’s story.
3. Structure your novel into three acts. Even the most apparently experimental novels use the three act structure for their novel with plot points and a mid point. Like an outline, a three act structure will actually free you up to focus on character development and keep the novel on course.
4. Think of your novel in terms of scenes, not chapters. Each scene needs its own purpose, with a beginning, middle, and end, and forward the action of the novel. Scenes build on each other and form your chapters.
5. Read novels in your genre (this includes literary genres) and outline them. Literature is a conversation, so it’s essential to know what other people have written or writing and how your novel fits in with the conversation. By analyzing the structure of those novels, you’ll get a better feel for how to structure your own novel.
Remember, after you write the draft of your novel you’ll have a much easier time writing your second or revising your first. Practice may not make perfect, but it will improve your game.
Find Sybil Baker http://www.sybilbaker.com. She blogs at http://sybilbaker.blogspot.com> Find The Life Plan book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RVu8VbHEbY&fmt=18
Buy it at: http://www.casperianbooks.com/catalog/1-934081-16-7.html
or an Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Life-Plan-Sybil-Baker/dp/1934081167/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239574852&sr=8-1
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Shopping Your Book Is Part of Your Business
If you were in any other business other than writing, would you think it great advice if you were told not to follow up on important business? The advice writers often get can be so confusing. Here is reprint from my Q&A a la Ann Landers column in my Sharing with Writers newsletter. Those who don't want to miss any of the tips, articles and advice may subscribe by sending an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews @ aol.com.
QUESTION:
Hi, Carolyn!
I am an author who had quite a bit of response shortly after submitting a query letter to hundreds of agents and publishers. It’s been about two months and I haven't heard back from the four agents and six publishers who initially requested my proposal and/or manuscript. I am thinking of e-mailing the four agents to let them know that the book is under review by six publishers and listing the names of the publishers to see if this sparks some interest. Do you think this is a good idea, or do you think I should wait to see if I hear from them? How long should an author wait before moving to the next option?
Yvonne Perry, Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, 615-884-1224
ANSWER:
When agent Michael Larsen is featured at writers’ conferences, I always try to attend his seminars. He takes a no-nonsense approach to the agenting process and I've never seen him when he doesn't say that he's surprised at how many authors don't follow up with their agents after a reasonable amount of time. When he mentions this, it is usually in regard to a slow answer from the agent. Well, a slow answer seems much less pressing than this situation.
So, yes. I would let all the agents know. I'm not sure I would list the others when telling them of your situation. You might mention that the others’ names are available upon request, just to add credibility to your letter.
If you have a preference among the ones still holding your manuscript, I would contact him or her first, though. Sort of prioritize. If that agent passes, then you could send out your letter to the others at the same time (but not in a copied e-mail--obviously each deserves their own personalized communication). With each of these follow-up notes I would add an additional sales point, perhaps some award or promotional activity you've been involved in since you last talked to them. If not, then a reminder of one of the best points from your platform.
You might also consider calling these agents if they don’t specifically forbid that in their guidelines. That will give you a chance to relate to them personally.
Those writing a book proposal will want to download my 49-cent wonder, the Amazon short, “The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less.” Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YG6O5U/ It will help you get the kind of results Yvonne is describing.
Technorati Tags:
book proposals, shopping books, getting agents, yvonne perry, carolyn howard-johnson, sharing with writers, writers newsletters, writers digest 101 best websites,
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
QUESTION:
Hi, Carolyn!
I am an author who had quite a bit of response shortly after submitting a query letter to hundreds of agents and publishers. It’s been about two months and I haven't heard back from the four agents and six publishers who initially requested my proposal and/or manuscript. I am thinking of e-mailing the four agents to let them know that the book is under review by six publishers and listing the names of the publishers to see if this sparks some interest. Do you think this is a good idea, or do you think I should wait to see if I hear from them? How long should an author wait before moving to the next option?
Yvonne Perry, Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, 615-884-1224
ANSWER:
When agent Michael Larsen is featured at writers’ conferences, I always try to attend his seminars. He takes a no-nonsense approach to the agenting process and I've never seen him when he doesn't say that he's surprised at how many authors don't follow up with their agents after a reasonable amount of time. When he mentions this, it is usually in regard to a slow answer from the agent. Well, a slow answer seems much less pressing than this situation.
So, yes. I would let all the agents know. I'm not sure I would list the others when telling them of your situation. You might mention that the others’ names are available upon request, just to add credibility to your letter.
If you have a preference among the ones still holding your manuscript, I would contact him or her first, though. Sort of prioritize. If that agent passes, then you could send out your letter to the others at the same time (but not in a copied e-mail--obviously each deserves their own personalized communication). With each of these follow-up notes I would add an additional sales point, perhaps some award or promotional activity you've been involved in since you last talked to them. If not, then a reminder of one of the best points from your platform.
You might also consider calling these agents if they don’t specifically forbid that in their guidelines. That will give you a chance to relate to them personally.
Those writing a book proposal will want to download my 49-cent wonder, the Amazon short, “The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less.” Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YG6O5U/ It will help you get the kind of results Yvonne is describing.
Technorati Tags:
book proposals, shopping books, getting agents, yvonne perry, carolyn howard-johnson, sharing with writers, writers newsletters, writers digest 101 best websites,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Monday, April 13, 2009
"Your First Novel" Is for All Novelists from Would-Be to Seasoned
I run a review blog at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com but when a book is about writing, promoting, or editing I may include them on this blog. Especially if it's a book I'd like my wrting friends not to miss!
Your First Novel
By Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb
Writer's Digest
ISBN: 9781582973883, 2007
Nonfiction/How-To (Writing)
Contact Reviewer: hojoreviews@aol.com
Publisher's Site: www.writersdigestbooks.com
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This Is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracing, a chapbook of poetry and the How To Do It Frugally Series of book for authors.
When I teach my writing students, I urge them to keep reading, keep writing, keep taking classes. Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb, the agent and author combination who have cobbled together a definitive first book of reading for novelists, urge writers to do the same thing. Having said that, this may very well be the place for a would-be novelist to start.
It's also a great place for a seasoned writer to refresh, pick up a few new hints, get inspired and get some understanding—some real understanding—of what it is agents do.
The reason this book is so important is that both authors come from a place of experience and both have researched their lesson plans. Not only that, Dennis Lehane's foreword will inspire any writer—any writer!—to dig into their craft and the business of publishing by reading farther.
Whitcomb doesn't just give good advice; she illustrates her points liberally with quotations from the classics and newer writers who have perfected their craft. The visuals she provides for, say, "Accents and Dialect" are as clear as if they had been diagrammed for you by the sternest of English-teaching nuns. Only Whitcomb isn't at all stern. Rather her voice (another subject she discusses) will convince writers of her warmth, that she cares about writing, both her own and that of others.
Rittenberg is equally engaging. The most jaded of novelists will come away from her section of the book (publishing, queries, marketing and more!) with a sense that to know an agent may—after all—be to love one.
This book is one that should be grabbed, read, and kept reference-handy by writers at most any stage in their careers. Okay, I'll exempt Stephen King and Barbara Kingsolver, but you get the idea.
Technorati Tags:
barbara kingsolver, carolyn howard-johnson, book reviews, writing aids, writing helps, ann rittenberg, laura whitcomb, writer's digest, novels, how-tos for writers
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Your First Novel
By Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb
Writer's Digest
ISBN: 9781582973883, 2007
Nonfiction/How-To (Writing)
Contact Reviewer: hojoreviews@aol.com
Publisher's Site: www.writersdigestbooks.com
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This Is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracing, a chapbook of poetry and the How To Do It Frugally Series of book for authors.
When I teach my writing students, I urge them to keep reading, keep writing, keep taking classes. Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb, the agent and author combination who have cobbled together a definitive first book of reading for novelists, urge writers to do the same thing. Having said that, this may very well be the place for a would-be novelist to start.
It's also a great place for a seasoned writer to refresh, pick up a few new hints, get inspired and get some understanding—some real understanding—of what it is agents do.
The reason this book is so important is that both authors come from a place of experience and both have researched their lesson plans. Not only that, Dennis Lehane's foreword will inspire any writer—any writer!—to dig into their craft and the business of publishing by reading farther.
Whitcomb doesn't just give good advice; she illustrates her points liberally with quotations from the classics and newer writers who have perfected their craft. The visuals she provides for, say, "Accents and Dialect" are as clear as if they had been diagrammed for you by the sternest of English-teaching nuns. Only Whitcomb isn't at all stern. Rather her voice (another subject she discusses) will convince writers of her warmth, that she cares about writing, both her own and that of others.
Rittenberg is equally engaging. The most jaded of novelists will come away from her section of the book (publishing, queries, marketing and more!) with a sense that to know an agent may—after all—be to love one.
This book is one that should be grabbed, read, and kept reference-handy by writers at most any stage in their careers. Okay, I'll exempt Stephen King and Barbara Kingsolver, but you get the idea.
Technorati Tags:
barbara kingsolver, carolyn howard-johnson, book reviews, writing aids, writing helps, ann rittenberg, laura whitcomb, writer's digest, novels, how-tos for writers
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Book Expo is Coming. Plan for This Year or Plan for Next!
Choices.
I am not crazy about them because the urge to do it all abides in my genetic code. For instance, it wasn’t really much of a choice but I had to decide in favor of the National Stationery Show over Book Expo America. I am signing a new book on marketing for retailers at NSS and it is two weeks before BEA; I couldn’t stay for an extra (almost) two weeks. I am staying a few extra days to meet my granddaughters in New York, though. We are going to a tea room for children, I kid you not! I guess that was another choice, but a really easy one to make.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think about going to BEA, though. It isn’t too late. It's May 18-31 with some good seminars and stuff occurring a couple days before that. www.bookexpoamerica.com. Don’t wait until it comes to a town closer to you. The Expo people have decided that it will remain in New York for the next three years due to economic conditions so, if you aren't a New Yorker, it could be a long wait.
I remember so vividly my first BEA. I wasn’t a stranger to tradeshows because of my retail background but even at that there was just so much. So much to see. So much to do. So many networking possibilities. So much learning available. Really, you have not been fully published until you have been there and experienced it first hand.
If you are waiting until you can sign, wait no more. Contact Irwin Zucker at irwinzuckerpr@aol.com. Ask him if you can join his Book Publicists of Southern California group (about $35) and also be part of his booth there. You do not have to live in Southern California to support this group. Tell him I sent you and that you know how to promote a booth! Sell yourself! Bet he’ll let you do it, even last minute.
Another way to sign at BEA is to submit your book to Jeff Keen at USA Book News. He has a booth in which he features his winners. I did that last year in Los Angeles and it was really fun.
Of course, you can always take a booth of your own. I don’t advise it. It’s way too expensive but you might work out a share situation for 2010.
For newbies, you should know that BEA isn't a book fair. It really a trade show and it is a different on quite a few levels but the biggest is that books are given away to attendees. They are booksellers, librarians, publishers, distributors, etc. In other words, publishing industry professionals. Book fairs, on the other hand, mostly reach out to readers. Having said that, the tips in The Frugal Book Promoter that help with book fair booths will help with whatever you decide to do at BEA, too. Also, use the index in the left column of this newsletter to find at least one great article by guest bloggers on utilizing BEA to its utmost.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
I am not crazy about them because the urge to do it all abides in my genetic code. For instance, it wasn’t really much of a choice but I had to decide in favor of the National Stationery Show over Book Expo America. I am signing a new book on marketing for retailers at NSS and it is two weeks before BEA; I couldn’t stay for an extra (almost) two weeks. I am staying a few extra days to meet my granddaughters in New York, though. We are going to a tea room for children, I kid you not! I guess that was another choice, but a really easy one to make.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think about going to BEA, though. It isn’t too late. It's May 18-31 with some good seminars and stuff occurring a couple days before that. www.bookexpoamerica.com. Don’t wait until it comes to a town closer to you. The Expo people have decided that it will remain in New York for the next three years due to economic conditions so, if you aren't a New Yorker, it could be a long wait.
I remember so vividly my first BEA. I wasn’t a stranger to tradeshows because of my retail background but even at that there was just so much. So much to see. So much to do. So many networking possibilities. So much learning available. Really, you have not been fully published until you have been there and experienced it first hand.
If you are waiting until you can sign, wait no more. Contact Irwin Zucker at irwinzuckerpr@aol.com. Ask him if you can join his Book Publicists of Southern California group (about $35) and also be part of his booth there. You do not have to live in Southern California to support this group. Tell him I sent you and that you know how to promote a booth! Sell yourself! Bet he’ll let you do it, even last minute.
Another way to sign at BEA is to submit your book to Jeff Keen at USA Book News. He has a booth in which he features his winners. I did that last year in Los Angeles and it was really fun.
Of course, you can always take a booth of your own. I don’t advise it. It’s way too expensive but you might work out a share situation for 2010.
For newbies, you should know that BEA isn't a book fair. It really a trade show and it is a different on quite a few levels but the biggest is that books are given away to attendees. They are booksellers, librarians, publishers, distributors, etc. In other words, publishing industry professionals. Book fairs, on the other hand, mostly reach out to readers. Having said that, the tips in The Frugal Book Promoter that help with book fair booths will help with whatever you decide to do at BEA, too. Also, use the index in the left column of this newsletter to find at least one great article by guest bloggers on utilizing BEA to its utmost.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
On Writing Poetry, Voice and Food as Inspiration
I am including an essay today by a guest blogger. I think I sometimes neglect posting information on the writing process in favor of offering you ways to get people to read what you write. Not fair! my inner voice cries. For what we choose and how we choose it is essential to our writing life. So today a piece on poetry, voice and the choices we make from Margaret Fieland.
Writing Poetry, Voice and Choosing the Artistic Life
By Margaret Fieland
My mother was an amateur artist who specialized in portraits. In spite of the fact that her art teacher told her she had too much talent for commercial art she said she thought she would have been happy as a commercial artist. She never pursued "serious" art, a field which is notoriously hard to break into. Instead she married my father and painted on the side. She gave most of the paintings away. As far as I know she only sold a couple of sketches. This was, I think, mostly from lack of motivation.
I decided not to become a professional musician in part because of her example; I wanted to be able to earn my living and I also wasn't convinced I wanted to devote full time to music. I *never* thought about being a writer. I ended up finally as a computer software engineer. I've been in the field for many years now.
When I started to write more poetry I went out and bought myself a couple of rhyming dictionaries. I rarely use them. I spent years developing my own algorithm for generating rhymes. One of the benefits of my method is that I can come up with slang words. In one of my poems, for example, I rhyme sleep with bleep.
I find surprising things come out in my poetry. I wrote the poem below when I was *really really* annoyed with my partner, mostly about cooking stuff and I got to the line about wanting to hit her with the soup pot. My reactions went something like:
My God, that's awful.
I can't put that in.
I *have to* put that in.
I had to put the line in because, for me anyway, poetry is about truth and that's where my truth was. I've had a number of moments like that, moments where I realize that I had something on my mind, or was worried about something, or whatever, because it came out in a poem.
It was only later that I saw the humor.
Here's the poem. It was published in the June, 2006 Humdinger.
Bitter
I don't want to hear how unhappy you are
because I didn't buy any Roast Beef at the deli
or because I made Chili from Dave's recipe
with the six tablespoons of Chili powder
and Minestrone
with the rind from the Parmesan cheese in the broth
just like Marcella does.
It was enough to make me want to hit you
with the soup pot.
And if you're ever happy with my cooking,
then please tell me.
But I'm not holding my breath.
When I was little we spent our summers in our house on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. My sister and I were good swimmers but my parents had a fenced front yard with a locked gate and we were never, ever let anywhere near the water without an adult. When I asked my mother about this, she told me that the neighbors to the right, who had moved out when I was a baby, had been watching their own children and the daughter of a neighbor swim when the mother went up to the house to answer the phone. In the few minutes she was gone the neighbor’s daughter drowned.
This made a tremendous impression on me and I wanted to write a poem about it, but struggled with the voice. Voice is the tone of the poem, who is speaking, whether it’s in first, second or third person: who is speaking and how they are saying it. I thought about using myself, my mother, the neighbor, the drowned girl’s mother, but none of them felt right. I wanted to convey the sickening drop of my stomach when I heard this story, the sense of how in a moment things can change. Finally I decided to tell it from the point of view of a real estate agent selling the house. The result was “Lakefront Property, for sale, Cheap,” which appears in the November, 2006 issue of The Green Muse http://www.thegreenmuse.net
The essayist is Margaret Fieland. She blogs on her Web site at http://www.margaretfieland.com
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Writing Poetry, Voice and Choosing the Artistic Life
By Margaret Fieland
My mother was an amateur artist who specialized in portraits. In spite of the fact that her art teacher told her she had too much talent for commercial art she said she thought she would have been happy as a commercial artist. She never pursued "serious" art, a field which is notoriously hard to break into. Instead she married my father and painted on the side. She gave most of the paintings away. As far as I know she only sold a couple of sketches. This was, I think, mostly from lack of motivation.
I decided not to become a professional musician in part because of her example; I wanted to be able to earn my living and I also wasn't convinced I wanted to devote full time to music. I *never* thought about being a writer. I ended up finally as a computer software engineer. I've been in the field for many years now.
When I started to write more poetry I went out and bought myself a couple of rhyming dictionaries. I rarely use them. I spent years developing my own algorithm for generating rhymes. One of the benefits of my method is that I can come up with slang words. In one of my poems, for example, I rhyme sleep with bleep.
I find surprising things come out in my poetry. I wrote the poem below when I was *really really* annoyed with my partner, mostly about cooking stuff and I got to the line about wanting to hit her with the soup pot. My reactions went something like:
My God, that's awful.
I can't put that in.
I *have to* put that in.
I had to put the line in because, for me anyway, poetry is about truth and that's where my truth was. I've had a number of moments like that, moments where I realize that I had something on my mind, or was worried about something, or whatever, because it came out in a poem.
It was only later that I saw the humor.
Here's the poem. It was published in the June, 2006 Humdinger.
Bitter
I don't want to hear how unhappy you are
because I didn't buy any Roast Beef at the deli
or because I made Chili from Dave's recipe
with the six tablespoons of Chili powder
and Minestrone
with the rind from the Parmesan cheese in the broth
just like Marcella does.
It was enough to make me want to hit you
with the soup pot.
And if you're ever happy with my cooking,
then please tell me.
But I'm not holding my breath.
When I was little we spent our summers in our house on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. My sister and I were good swimmers but my parents had a fenced front yard with a locked gate and we were never, ever let anywhere near the water without an adult. When I asked my mother about this, she told me that the neighbors to the right, who had moved out when I was a baby, had been watching their own children and the daughter of a neighbor swim when the mother went up to the house to answer the phone. In the few minutes she was gone the neighbor’s daughter drowned.
This made a tremendous impression on me and I wanted to write a poem about it, but struggled with the voice. Voice is the tone of the poem, who is speaking, whether it’s in first, second or third person: who is speaking and how they are saying it. I thought about using myself, my mother, the neighbor, the drowned girl’s mother, but none of them felt right. I wanted to convey the sickening drop of my stomach when I heard this story, the sense of how in a moment things can change. Finally I decided to tell it from the point of view of a real estate agent selling the house. The result was “Lakefront Property, for sale, Cheap,” which appears in the November, 2006 issue of The Green Muse http://www.thegreenmuse.net
The essayist is Margaret Fieland. She blogs on her Web site at http://www.margaretfieland.com
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
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