There is a growing symbiotic relationship between authors and readers. Like horse and carriage, you can't have one without the other. Of course, a relationship has always existed, but until recently it was always somewhat removed, stand-offish, like the maiden aunt who visits you once a year. Over the centuries, readers have had to read … Continue reading Help Your Favorite Author (and yourself)
marketing
Why An Audio Book?
The hot topic in my writing circles lately is audio books. I sense a fascination among my fellow authors. Several have made them, many want to make them. And why not? Audio books are enjoying an enormous surge in popularity, having more than doubled sales in the last several years. For the author, it's never … Continue reading Why An Audio Book?
Tips From The 805
Last Saturday I drove to Ventura to attend the 805 Writers' Conference, mostly for the chance to hear Penny one more time. Penny is the author of How To Sell Your Books by the Truckload on Amazon.com, a catchy title for me since that is what I try to do. What I like about Penny … Continue reading Tips From The 805
Take Control Of Your Event
It's been a full summer of book launches, signings and sales for this author culminating in a long weekend of talks and vending. It was exhausting, yet profitable, a reminder that even something as pleasurable as writing can succeed only with the application of hard work––well directed hard work, which brings me to my thoughts. … Continue reading Take Control Of Your Event
Does Social Media Help Market Your Book?
In an interview for Indie Recon, the worldwide virtual conference for independent publishers and authors, Mark Coker of Smashword suggested four approaches for the self publishing author in today’s market. His first advice was to "write a good, no, a great book". I discussed that thought in my April 17 Post, “Five Best Marketing Approaches … Continue reading Does Social Media Help Market Your Book?
Five Best Marketing Approaches for Self-Published Writers
IndieRecon (an independent publishing on-line conference) recently presented an interview with Mark Coker of Smashword. The topic, among other things; new marketing approaches for self publishing authors. He had five central thoughts: 1. Write a good, no, a great book 2. Forget Social Media - it won’t help 3. Write a lot of great … Continue reading Five Best Marketing Approaches for Self-Published Writers
The Value of Writers Conferences
Having just returned from my second writers conference in six months, I find it natural to contemplate the value received versus the fiscal drain. Most conference attendees , at least those to whom I speak after their conference is done, tend to evaluate the experience in terms of useful gain. That is to say, what did … Continue reading The Value of Writers Conferences
Why Their Success Story is not Your Success Story
Recently, while reading an encouraging piece about someone’s ten steps to successful book marketing, it dawned on me that there might possibly be more authors of how-to-succeed books than people who are actually successful authors. Let’s face it, how-to-succeed books are a tremendous market. We are drawn to them like bears to honey. In a … Continue reading Why Their Success Story is not Your Success Story
My Five Goals for a Conference
Two days after the convention is the minimum time I need to evaluate the experience, to let it soak in. There is an overload of information that needs to settle, like rainwater on dry soil, to begin the growth process. I need the time to separate my emotional high from the true value gained, the grain … Continue reading My Five Goals for a Conference
What A Publisher Wants
I recently received an inquiry from a publisher asking that I write a proposal for a book they’d like me to write. This publisher deals in strictly formatted, non fiction books. There is not a lot of opportunity for creativity, nor is there a pot of gold at the end of this particular rainbow. … Continue reading What A Publisher Wants
R Lawson Gamble 