A Gift for You and Example of a Holiday Promotion. . .

. . . all rolled into one. So, here is a gift for everone, but for writers it's two gifts because it's also an idea for your holiday promoiton.

I am participating in Recipes and Writing 2008 compiled by Gregory A. Kompes (www.kompes.com) for Fabulist Flash Publishing. It includes recipes, stories, essays and poems and TaDa!! recipes from authors.

Yes, it's a gift from Writerpreneur Gregory and those of us who contributed, but it is also an example of a wonderful cross promotion that you might try. Those of you who have known me for a long time will remember Cooking by the Book. Find it at http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/free_ebooks.htm along with other free e-books. This is a concept much like Cooking by the Book, and that one has served some of my promotional needs for years now. This one will, too!

You'll find it Recipes and Writing 2008 here, http://www.kompes.com/RecipesandWriting2008.pdf, but you can also just e-mail me (HoJoNews@aol.com) and I'll send you the pdf, especially if you'd like to use it for your own holiday greeting.

We authors will send this book--or one we've produced ourselves-- to friends, family and colleagues and it's better, by far, than a simple card because of recipes like Ben Malisow's Bachelor Steak—Reduce Mess and Impress, Leslie E. Hoffman's Mom's Sweet Potato Pudding and a tribute to my mom, Birdie's Chocolate Cherry Nut Cake with 7 minute "Icing."

Participants will also put it into our newsletters. We'll offer the gift on our blogs (you blog readers are valued colleagues, after all!), or it might be offered as a gift when people buy a book or as an incentive for them to sign up for your newsletter. This year you may use this one, next year you may decide to do something of your own.

PS: You'll find more information on using e-books to promote and the story of how Cooking by the Book came about in something like 2001 in The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't along with lots of ways to use books like this and tips for using them.

CHJ
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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 and AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog that helps writers and publishers turn a ho-hum book fair booth into a sizzler. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com.

After You've Gotten a Great Blurb, Then What?

I met Gregory Kompes when we was director of the Las Vegas Writers' Conference and he asked me to speak. He is also a coach and teacher. He has a couple of books published but this is his first specifically for the benefit of writers' careers. Learn more about endorsements from his book, The Quest for Endorsements, or from the segment of The Frugal Book Promoter on endorsements (also called blurbs and several other things! (-: ) Use the index to find it. Today Greg is my guest blogger:

10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Book Endorsements
By Gregory A. Kompes


Endorsements, sometimes called "Blurbs," are wonderful and often witty comments about your book provided by respected authors, journalists, entertainers, and industry experts connected to your topic. They're also one of the strongest sales tools an author has in their book sales toolbox. These short quotes should be gathered both before and after your book is published. Once you've gathered your endorsements what do you do with them? Here's a list of ten ways to get the most out of your well earned endorsements:

1. Book Cover. Readers respect the opinion of others, especially respected authors and industry experts. Endorsements gathered before production should be included on your book cover. In addition to placing your blurbs on the back cover, a great, short endorsement on the front will increase your sales.

2. Inside Your Book. Place pre-publication endorsements on a page or two just inside the front cover of your book. If you don't have pre-publication blurbs, consider adding your blurbs on your next printing.

3. "What Others Are Saying" Page. Collect your best endorsements and reviews on a single page and include it in your media kit. Positive endorsements will increase your press coverage.

4. Promotional Materials. When creating postcards, bookmarks, flyers, brochures and other give-a-way items, include an endorsement. They send the message, "Don't take my word for it, this is what others think of my book."

5. Tip Sheets: Create a tip sheet to include in your media kit and as a handout. Tip sheets, sometimes called a "One Page," include four basic elements: About the Book, About the Author, Book Statistics, and Order Information. A callout box or sidebar with a blurb about your book is an excellent addition.

6. Website. Include call out boxes or sidebars on your website that contain your endorsement quotes. Boxes add interest to your website. Your site visitors will view them as testimonials from others adding a level of trust.

7. Email Signature. Endorsements included with a link to your website draw interest and attention to your email signature.

8. Advertisements. Include a quality endorsement quote or two in all your print and online advertisements.

9. Query Letters. Include an endorsement or two in query letters when selling editors on stories connected to your book.

10. Press Releases. Use endorsements as quotes in your press releases. This will add interest and value to your book related news items. Additionally, a great endorsement from a recognized name is press release worthy on its own.

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Want to learn how to obtain endorsements for your book? Gregory A. Kompes is the author of The Endorsement Quest (www.EndorsementQuest.com). This e-Book outlines an easy to follow and affordable way to obtain those all important endorsements. "A beautiful, professional piece—and much needed" --Carolyn-Howard Johnson, author of The Frugal Book Promoter. "Well done. Smart Idea." --Eva Shaw, author, writing coach, mentor.


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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 and AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog that helps writers and publishers turn a ho-hum book fair booth into a sizzler.