Ready to Publish--Which Steps to Take?

It's the most exciting time for a writer when she/he gets ready to publish a book. Given that most of us  belong to the self-pub'd variety, the fun and glory besides the work is loaded on our own shoulders.
How many years do we spend on writing it on average? How many years do we go through numerous if not countless revisions? Whether you are a fast writer and keep writing to get the story out of your mind onto paper (computer) or whether you belong to the meticulous type, like me, who corrects every sentence as soon as you see it written down: n'importe quoi! It always seems to take forever until we can launch our baby into the big old world.Ask a big, traditional author how long it took him! Also years, sometimes. Unless you are so well established that their publisher makes them write a book a year.
And a launch is not merely a publication date anymore. While having the book revised and formatted so that it is ready for print, some of us play around with title covers, asking fellow writers and beta readers which cover image they prefer, which font, which sub-title etc. After all, we want to get it just right. At least for our own critical eye if not ideally for all the potential readers. So hours are spent scouting through the allegedly free websites that advertise free pictures ...and always get their hands in your purse and charge. Find a talented cover designer who puts your ideas into print. And I must say, I'm very happy with mine, Tayyaba Bano. Not just creative but also reliable and affordable!
With a little tweaking here and there you soon make it to the launch pad and announce the title cover reveal with much aplomb, send press releases out and maybe organize a launch party; a virtual fest on Facebook. Lucky you if you have a publisher of your choice. For first timers calculate in some days of comparing self-publishing houses to each other. I have my experience with 2 of the big names and could now decide quickly which one to go for. The publisher of my choice at least gives you the illusion that he can get you into bookstore by nature of being on the Ingram distribution list. But buyer beware-- it doesn't often happen, definitely not automatically. So another difficult choice has to be made: Do I spend the extra $60 for my high hopes of making it this time for my paperback version?
First title around I learned how to buy a cheap ISBN and how to register it. Formatting an e-Book is child's play.Well, Amazon converts your manuscript almost automatically. Uploading is simple and it will go live within 24 hours. The learning curve for me this time round is figuring out how to offer the option of pre-publication orders. I wish...!
Still waiting for endorsements and reviews here which should go on the back cover or inside. I guess that could be added later.
Since there is practically no holiday between now that St. Patrick's Day is over and Bloomsday (16 June), I could really go public any day. (Bank holidays don't count!) Who knows about Mr. Blooms Day anyway? Nobody I know ever really read Ulysses. And what has that got to do with an organic Irish farm and its farming life anyway?
So without further ado I now give you my latest baby.

I ONCE HAD A FARM IN IRELAND: LIVING THE ORGANIC LIFESTYLE

If you'd like to review it, contact me and I'll send you a free copy!
Siggy Buckley, the Ex Farmer's Wife
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Must Do Marketing: Phase One

There are three primary reasons you must market your writing. Promotions are  free,  offer name recognition, and help to sell your books. Here are 10 quick and easy steps to jump start your book marketing plan.

1.  Create a 25 word blurb. It must sum up the essence of your book. Practice saying it, so you will be prepared when asked what your book is about.

2.  Email tags. After your name, this information should also be in your signature line: your book titles and all of your contact information, email, web page, Facebook, Twitter, and blog addresses.

3.  Create a web page. This can be simple or complex. You can obtain a domain name and use a template that is provided. It's important to have all of your contact information on every page and to update your web page frequently.

4.  Have business cards. Be sure all of your contact information is on your business card.  Do not put your home address or personal phone number. On the reverse side you can list your book titles or put a title with a blurb.

5.  Join a writers' group. This provides networking opportunities with authors, agents, editors, and publishers. You learn invaluable tips and information and become known as an author.

6.  Attend writer conferences/seminars/workshops/presentations. This provides a larger group for networking and learning. You can also find out what successful authors are doing beyond your local area.

7. Always have books available. You should have a minimum of five books in your car. You should always carry at least one of your books when attending a writer event.

8.  Donate your books: They can be given as door prizes, not only at writer events, but also to local charitable organizations or a non-profit that supports a cause related to your content.

9. Write an interesting bio: Tell about yourself, your education, credentials, awards, and what led you to write this particular book.  You can offer a brief bit of personal information, such as your dog's name, or you have triplets, or hiked the Grand Canyon. Write several different bios to suit different target groups.

10. Always acknowledge those who support you as an author: Offer to read and review their book for online book sellers. Thank any journalist or media person who gave you a write up. Especially acknowledge those who make referrals to you or give your book to someone as a gift.

Marketing Phase II will be here on WGT on 3/29/15. Watch this space!

~ Valerie Allen ~

VAllenWriter@cs.com                                          ValerieAllenWriter.com

Facebook.com/Valerie.Allen.520

Amazon.com/Author/ValerieAllen

 Beyond the Inkblots: Confusion to Harmony

Write Publish Sell!

Summer School for Smarties

Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends

Amazing Grace

Sins of the Father

Suffer the Little Children

'Tis Herself: Short Story Collection, Vol 1

What's on your bucket list?

I've made an interesting, albeit maybe obvious, observation. As we get older, we become more like our parents/grandparents.

I'm talking about how we view our mortality. Think about it. Remember how your parents talked about their ailments, doctor's appointments and obituaries? As a kid, I totally never got it. Now, enjoying the last half of my life, I see why they did that. It's surprising how much your mind still feels twenty-five but your body feels ancient. When did that happen? I could have sworn I felt much younger yesterday. Where has the time gone?

In this wake of our mortality some of us stop and look around us. What have me missed? We have friends passing all around us. Have we done all the things we thought we'd do? Oh, some of us have gained maturity (I said some - no laughing) and wisdom (I fit better there). But have we accomplished the things we thought we would?

I did a survey on Facebook. What's on your bucket list? Some of the answers I received I expected, some were surprising. The most common item on the list was some kind of adventure. Whether it be sailing on a full-rig ship, skydiving (most common), walk the Great Wall of China or joining the mile-high club, adventure was the most common answer.

                                                               

Why is that? Are we too cautious in our everyday life? Are we saving that big moment for the day we're told we only have six months to live? Reality is life is filled with work, family and bills that need to be paid. Adventure isn't a priority. We have been taught that responsibility out weighs fun. These dreams get put on a back-burner. Once we have more money, less responsibility, we'll have more time to follow through with the dreams. Hopefully, we'll have six weeks notice and the health to do it.

The next most common was travel. Reasons, I'm sure, are the same as adventure. I know I'd love to go to Scotland but the money just isn't available. Now if I played the lotto I might have a chance. Other common destinations were Disney World, Australia, and seeing all fifty states.

Some other bucket list items were having a novel on the best sellers list, finding a soul mate, and losing weight. Are any of these impossible? No! And, definitely, shouldn't be put off to the last ticking minute.

What's my message here? Just because we age doesn't mean we aren't capable of great things. Why wait until we are too old to enjoy our bucket list? Start planning today to fulfill that list! Live a full, exciting life - if that's what you're looking for. Don't put it off...you may never get another chance.  

 

 Linda Bolton 

Amazon http://ow.ly/hENaT

www.lindabolton.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/lindaboltonauthor

http://www.facebook.com/linda.bowersbolton

www.twitter.com/!#/lindalou42

Olympics and Mars

I'm exhilarated and exhausted watching the monumental feats of the physical athletes in the Olympics combined with the mental athletes at JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab) successfully setting Curiosity on Mars.  With the massive coverage of both events, it's possible not to miss a frenzied second of it all.

There are indeed similarities.   Physical athletes of the caliber of the Olympics must put their brains and their bodies into overload for years.  Even the youngest competitors have already been practicing for years.  The brilliant JPL scientists have also been devoting many years to perfecting their knowledge of how to tackle the unknown.   The faces of the many blue-shirted scientists at JPL waiting that interminable 7 minutes to learn Curiosity's fate shared the same signs of physical tension as the Olympic athletes.  There was worry, pacing, nervous twitches of the mouth and face.  Both groups talked of how long and hard they had been working for this moment.   The mental athletes of JPL celebrated the same as the winners in the Olympics.  There was hugging, high five's all around, tears of joy, jubilation that their years of hard work had accomplished something never done before.  Yet, I had a funny image in my mind of aliens watching from somewhere and laughing at the jumping for joy naive, backward members of the earthly human race.

I've picked up some differences in the Olympics from previous years.  Old records keep getting broken rather often.  The bar gets ever higher.  Fingernail art and tatoos are very visible, as are skimpier and skimpier attire on the athletes, some looking downright uncomfortable.  Except for the divers, the bathing suits are longer, but the women swimmers seem to endlessly rearrange their suits as well as their bathing caps and goggles.  This was the first time I realized they wear two bathing caps.  And artistic designs of colorful tape decorate the bodies of many of the athletes.  In the age of Twitter and Facebook, little rituals and movements (like the Bolt) aid in "branding" athletes who are in easy contact with well, everyone in the world.  Of course, that can work the other way, and nasty tweets did get a few of the athletes thrown out.

The seesaw of emotions is dizzying.  I've never heard so much talk before of how competing in the Olympics is so much fun and that's why they do it (up), the frustration and despair of losing (down), tears of joy and the hugging camaraderie of team competitions (up), the tears of pain, despair, defeat (down).  I've noticed I'm taking the down parts harder this year because I have a lifelong tendency of  siding with the underdog.  I relate more this year to the agony on the faces of the parents (aren't the cameras spending more time on televising the parents?) watching their child from afar.  Not only does every second count, but now even thousandths of a second can completely change the life of that young person from a superstar to an "also ran" who will live out his/her life in obscurity.

The struggles of these young people to get to the Olympics is not only a matter of talent.  Some countries rigorously groom and financially support promising children from a young age to raise them as Olympians.  In other countries, the financial sacrifices alone of becoming a contender are staggering.  And then there are the young women who have babies during the 4 year breaks and then get back into shape.  Ironically, contrary to the massive advertising of Coke and McDonald's, those tight six-pack stomachs aren't made by downing poisonous Coke or chomping on Big Macs.

Retiring at 27 with titles and billions galore, Michael Phelps is now indulging a wish that I share, but can't fulfill.  He wants to be able to eat anything he wants, any time he wants!  We wish you well, Michael.

Comments?? E-mail Suellen at ZimaTravels.com

Welcoming my second guest from the TTC VBT: Catrina Taylor Rudd

Music and my Muse 

I'm a lively and often social kind of person. I am energized by music, people and life. Often when I write though, silence is my best friend. Odd as that may sound, my most productive days writing are spent in silence. No children, of which I have two that I adore (aka distraciton), no music because I enjoy dancing to it, and no internet, well I'm sure you understand why. Distraction free writing is the only way I find a productive rhythm. Each person enjoys a different venue, but I enjoy simple uninterrupted silence.   

On the rare occasions that my muse and I pull up music during work time, it is typical to put a specific mindset about the scene being worked on. During the actual writing process though, the music typically ends after a song or two. As productivity being key, music and my muse rarely meet. 

About the Author

Catrina Taylor is a dynamic author with a passion for science fiction and her children. She strives to create on going worlds developed to tantalize the imagination and encourage readers to dance through the story. This character driven author can be read at http://Xarrok.com or found on facebook at http://Faceboook.com/Xarrok and on twitter as TheLadyWrites

Currently available are two free short stories, Below the Surface and Change by Design and her debut novel: Birth of an Empire is on sale right now through all major online retailers.

 With Love Project:
With Love
The Dawn of Indie Romance - With Love continues

Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own. ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Catrina Taylor Rudd 

PIRATES, KARMA, AND MY UNLIKELY RISE TO #1

            In the last three weeks I’ve experienced more personal accomplishments than I ever could have imagined. First of all, “My Temporary Life,” became available as a free download in an Amazon promotion. The idea is that folks download it for free and with the momentum that has built, when it becomes a paid download, it sells. Well-IT WORKED! It became the most downloaded ebook in North America for one day, a few Sundays ago.                    

            “My Temporary Life,” built up momentum like a rocket taking off, there was nothing gradual about it at all. By the second day, it was second overall in free downloads. On the third day, well you know what happened, because you heard me. You heard me screaming. Yep, doesn’t matter where you were, you probably heard me. We hit #1 overall.

            So, then, “paid” day happened. It changed over at midnight on Sunday and paid sales slowly started to trickle in. The next morning I expected to see 15 or 20 sales. We had over 200. Over 200 folks pulled out their credit cards and took a chance on my self-published book, that over 120 publishers and agents turned down (oh, did I forget to mention that part).

            Sales continued all day, and the days after. We peaked in the overall rankings at #9, but it didn’t stop there. An independent website emailed to tell us that we were the #7 most downloaded independent ebook of the week; we did a bunch of online interviews, emails and reviews stacked up like crazy, the momentum was deafening.

            We hit 60,000 downloads, 51,500 of which were free There were so many requests for information that we issued a press release. Yep, we issued a press release talking about the book that I wrote in the spare bedroom of my house, and emails kept coming in. A Dallas, Texas television station ran the story. They were interested in the fact that over 120 agents and publishers had rejected “My Temporary Life” yet all these folks were downloading it. We were on the Movers and Shakers list. We were one of the top 10 self-published ebooks on Amazon. We were #2 in Romance/Suspense. We were #2 in Mystery/Thriller. And more 5 Star reviews kept coming in every day.

            At dinner one night, Jacquie and I sat and read the newest reviews. Two of them made us cry. It’s an amazing experience to read about how your work, your characters, can touch another person. The sales figures are amazing, and they really are amazing, but the almost overwhelming part is that you have an opportunity to touch so many people. Our current numbers as of this day are over 67,000 people have downloaded “My Temporary Life.” Now, while all this momentum was carrying us through, it was also getting a little help-I was spreading the word. You see, although, I do trust in Amazon, I was helping it along. I was posting interviews, sales figures, anything I could. I was on Amazon discussion boards, Kindleboards, KDP’s Community site, Facebook, Twitter, even Craigslist! All I wanted to do was tell people about my book. And, in doing all of this, not a lot of other things were happening, including writing. And, you see, there are several things that I have to do in my life to feel good. One of them is running. I need to run long distances. The other is-I need to write. I was running a little bit, and sleeping four or five hours a night, but not writing at all. That was the first problem. The second problem was when the pirates showed up.

            “My Temporary Life” showed up on a piracy site. Someone had taken my work and changed some things, and was giving it away. So, we quickly sent a letter to them, and the owners of the site were kind enough to take it down right away. I remember years ago, sitting in front of my computer and playing with Napster, and I felt karma kicking me solidly on my rear end.

            Our sales have tapered off a little lately, but folks are still buying it every day. And, oh yes, the sequel has been started. “My Name Is Hardly” is underway, and I’m very excited about it. I’m aiming for a December release (gulp), and as you can tell from the title, Hardly’s story is going to be told. So, thank you everybody for Facebooking, and Tweeting, and emailing your friends. Every time you’ve told someone about my book it made a huge difference, and the book that over 120 agents and, oh never mind, that doesn’t matter now, the word is out there, and people are enjoying the book. Thank you all, it’s truly appreciated!

Martin Crosbie
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