Do Some Professors Stock Their Libraries With “Free Desk Copies?” Yep! Angela, Your note on professors who are requesting free books to build their libraries was actually pretty charitable. As an ex-bookman and acquaintance of several bookstore managers I can tell you that there are also professors who request “examination copies” with the specific intent […]
I was SO excited! After two years, I’d finally finished revisions to my newest non-fiction book, and even had scored an interview with a major metropolitan daily. I was all set to promote the new edition to buyers of the first edition, as well as to new readers.
Publication day came. I updated my website, and was ready to roll – except for one hitch…
I confess, my writing assignments are boring. I write on some of the driest topics and content, but that is the market niche where I also have the most experience and knowledge. Articles on project management, disaster recovery, contingency planning and even the dreaded technology audit just don’t lend themselves to an entertaining or witty writing style. Yes, these assignments pay good, but something was missing. Travel? Fiction? Personal interest? I was burning out…
Our daughter, Ali, has always helped me with the wrapping at Christmastime. However, she’s double-majoring AND in the middle of finals so she isn’t really available right now. So, I’ve been spending any spare moment I can sorting gifts (out-of-town vs. other) and wrapping…
If you’ve sent out a dozen or so free desk copies and received no orders, you should rethink your strategy.
What rights does WritersWeekly buy for success stories and features? If you don’t mind, I’d like to try to get some of my pieces reprinted.
L.
Per our guidelines, we only ask for non-exclusive electronic rights to all features and success stories. You are absolutely free to sell your pieces elsewhere.
In these high tech times, a blog or web site is certainly a useful marketing tool to maintain an online presence that promotes your book. However, unless you have millions of followers for your web site, you need online exposure beyond your own blog and Facebook page to reach people who aren’t aware of your book. Here are some of my favorite free ways to promote a book online.
Just a question. I am getting a lot of email from (an online marketing firm) regarding book fairs, library shows, putting my book in front of appropriate people through magazines, and access to overseas rights. What is your opinion of these avenues of marketing?
I’ve been spending my evenings painstakingly uploading more than 400 photos to Qoop.com, where I order our family photo books each year. After I upload, I must then type captions underneath each one and I try to be a bit witty…on a few of them at least. Those photo books can be pretty expensive (more than $25 each) but the grandparents sure seem to like ’em.
I’ve also been working on a homemade gift for my mother. I won’t be able to tell you what it is until after the holidays because she makes weekly comments about WritersWeekly. I figure that means she reads it.
I’ve posted articles in the past about inexpensive holiday gifts you can make at home. If you’re interested, see THIS LINK.
I have a Masonism for you this week.
This morning, Mason (age 4) hollered at me from the bathroom, “Mommy! I can make pee bubbles!”
Hugs to all!
Angela
Letters will return next week.
