Published on November 30, 2005
book marketing
Let’s say that you followed the advice of several publishing professionals and prepared a complete book proposal. Good for you! It’s clear to anyone reading your proposal that you have a handle on your target audience. You did a good job of showing that there is a need for your proposed book. Your synopsis and chapter outline are superbly written. And your promotional plan is impressive, indeed, except for one thing. It’s fake, counterfeit, phony, bogus.
Published on November 30, 2005
I’m curious. What happens to the unpaid (except in signed copies of the book) contributors when a well-known celebrity publishes a book with the stories and “wisdom” from ordinary writer folk? Do the ordinary folk get any publicity or press in the ensuing publicity tour? Does it hurt/help a writer to have their selections published in someone else’s best seller? I’ve been selected to have a story I wrote published in a celebrity’s book and folks are asking ME what happens and I have to say, I honestly don’t know! Can you clue me in?
Published on November 30, 2005
It’s been almost eight years, and I can still feel the gut wrench. Up to that day, I’d been contributing tens of thousands of words to a prominent how-to publisher’s books, all at a handsome per word rate, for an editor I’d met only by phone but adored.
Now, the voice on the other end of the line was telling me she would be in charge. This Ms. LB would give me a small sample assignment at the usual per word rate, but no promises.
Published on November 30, 2005
This Week:
Published on November 23, 2005
Isn’t technology great? We can watch TV shows from all over the world now. Case in point? Postman Pat. Here in the U.S., HBO airs this darling children’s show each day. Max adores it and we even hear him talking in a British accent sometimes when mimicking lines from the show. (He also uses a Texas accent when mimicking lines from King of the Hill). Anyway, Max really wants a Postman Pat Doll (and his kitty, too) for Christmas. The problem is, I can’t find anybody in the U.S. who sells Postman Pat products. Oh, I found tons of people and companies in the U.K. with the dolls, but nobody will ship to the U.S. – not even amazon.co.uk!
Published on November 23, 2005
This Week:
- Comment On “When Authors Die…”
- Dick Learned Makes Us Smile Once Again!
Published on November 23, 2005
How much do you make PER HOUR writing articles? $100? $50? Less than $10? Here are two critical questions: How much do you need to make every day, week or month to run a profitable full-time or part-time freelance business? How does this income requirement translate into an hourly rate?
Published on November 23, 2005
My book was first published by another Print on Demand company. I’ve since had it printed elsewhere.
Just this morning whilst searching the Heathrow Airport website for book retailers to contact in the course of my marketing strategy, I came across my book title, the old version, on Amazon.com, selling for
Published on November 23, 2005
I love it when someone asks what I do, and I reply that I am a writer. Because predictably, the next question they ask is what my “real” job is. Then I get to tell them that I actually do support my household as a writer, and have for a long time – and still have running water, eat out, own a home, and do all the other things that normal people do.
After a hushed silence, people then often ask, “How do you do it?” Glad you asked! Here, in summary form, is how I make a real livelihood as a writer…
Published on November 23, 2005
This Week:
- Xlibris / Xlibris.com – SPAMMERS. Has spammed Angela 6 times this year alone! Two authors also report being spammed by them this week. Emails sent requesting removal are ignored.
- Google Print – Why Random House won’t let them do it!
- Conrad Black – federal prosecutors in Chicago have filed criminal fraud charges against this former newspaper tycoon
- Former Maclean’s editor – Conrad Black uses magazine’s party to serve defamation lawsuit.
- AT&T – Bay Directories (phone book publishers) owner Ron Andrews scores one for the little guy!
