What Learning from Fellow Authors: What Authors Did Right . . .What Authors Did Wrong

It won't be long! I'm hoping visitors and subscribers to SharingwithWriters will check this writers' conference in Oxnard out. It's in Sunny California. At a resort. On the beach.  What better way to start November out before the holiday rush is upon you!

I am sending you a special invitation to join me on Saturday, Nov. 2, for a three-hour workshop. It's about how to get a book off to its best start--or keep it alive!  Or to relaunch it.  The web is our friend. With the right tools, we can keep our books alive for a long, long, LONG time--or use them to to move our careers forward--help keep those next books coming (and on top!). You'll also learn to build a media kit and use it as your forever go-to for the promotional materials you'll use every day. It can be your major time saver! I bring the bricks and mortar for your UN-virtual, hands-on kit!

Today I'm sharing one of the featured panels.  You'll love it. I have followed the trajectory of Patricia Fry's Kept Cat series, and believe me she has a few secrets to share!

If you are considering self-publishing, this is a must-attend panel. View this email in your browser

The 805 Writers Conference TOOLS — SKILLS — RESOURCES Delivering the information you need to succeed in publishing Three self-published authors recounts what they did right and wrong, how they found resources who helped them, and what were the most important lessons they learned bringing their books to life. From the left, Kimberly Davis Basso, Patricia Fry, and Ivor Davis. Want to learn the brutal truth about self-publishing? No punches pulled? There is no magic self-publishing fairy who will come, take your manuscript, edit it, design it, turn it into a book, and put it up on Amazon. And then, MOST IMPORTANT, promote it, so people buy the book. All three of our panelists have gone through the uphill battle to see their book come to life and sell. And they have met with success, but it took time, lots of effort on their part, and a good deal of cash. You may have written the greatest book on the face of the earth--but you must spend to spread the word. Publishing is a business. Some of the things the panelists will cover are from their personal experience: Authors need to know: What are my publishing options and the pros and cons of each. How to determine the best publishing option for your book. Not every publishing option is right for every book and every author. No matter which option you choose, the author is responsible for promoting his own book—even if you go with a traditional publisher. What are your marketing options? How do you find marketing resources? If the publishing process was a pie chart for the time and efforts spent by an author, the percentages are something like this: 35% writing and revisions (over and over) 10% on editing phases (there are more than one) 5% on the design, layout, and production of the book 50% marketing and promoting the book – on Amazon, on social media, via your website, book signings, blogs, and more for at least 6 months after release. Learn how these three writers embraced self-publishing and succeeded. If you are considering self-publishing, this is a must-attend panel. If you can't spend a whole day or the weekend, individual session passes on sale nlow. Learn more about the sessions and register now! “The 805 Writers’ Conference was an incredible value and I would definitely recommend it to new or established authors. Unfortunately, the day went by too quickly!  I had an amazing experience and accomplished everything I wanted to, and then some.” The 805 Writers’ Conference brings Solution Providers to you—top publishing professionals who deliver unparalleled education. Each session gives you actionable information you can take home and put to work immediately be it on the craft of writing or the business of publishing. No fancy debates about philosophy, just solid tools and skills you can hone into a completed work you can be proud of. Have a book out there already? Then listen to our key marketing people who will show you new ways to promote your book, expand your audience, and sell more books. Got a book you think has movie or series potential? Meet producers and agents looking to take your book to the screen. Learn more at www.805WritersConference.com Register NOW Sponsoring literary groups

More about the Blogger 

 Howard-Johnson is the multi award-wining author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is

also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter now offered by Modern History Press, at a discount to visitors to this blog. The discount code in in the right column of the page. Her latest is in the series is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. Learn more on her Amazon profile page (http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile). Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers (http://bit.ly/Last-MinuteEditing) is one of her booklets--perfect for inexpensive gift giving--and, another booklet, The Great First Impression Book Proposal (http://bit.ly/BookProposals) helps writers who want to be traditionally published. The Frugal Editor (http://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), now in its second edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It 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 (http://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, she helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com)