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ISSN 1545-5599 BOOK PROMOTION NEWSLETTER Issue 59: May 25, 2005 EDITOR: FRANCINE SILVERMAN http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com http://www.nystatetravel.com INTRODUCTION A debt of gratitude to Meredith Hamilton of Expert Communications (http://www.expertcommunications.com) for her suggestions on how to combat the AOL predicament, namely, bounced issues to AOL members. (Many subscribers with newsletters have complained of the same problem). One of Meredith??™s suggestions was to put Book Promotion Newsletter in lower case letters and brackets in the subject line. When I sent the current issue to new subscribers on AOL and wrote [Book Promotion Newsletter-current issue] in the subject line, they did not bounce!! Meredith was editor of THE EXPERT WITNESS MARKETING BOOK (Expert Communications 2003) and is known by other staff members as the resident ???geek??? who takes care of all computer gremlins. If this issue goes out without a hitch, I anoint her a lifesaver. ----------- Good news, not only for me but for you too! I am now a columnist on John Kremer's sites. At present, Market with Fran is on his blog at http://www.openhorizons.blogspot.com? and will eventually be posted on his new site: http://www.promotingyourbooks.com. The anecdotes from the Q&As are used as fodder for the column. Now there is even more reason for paid subscribers to complete those questionnaires. My first column, entitled ???Are All Libraries Created Equal,??? compares an author??™s chances of getting his or her books in libraries in small towns with the libraries in The Big Apple. Six contributors from the book are featured. --------- I was invited to join a panel on book publishing at the Learning Annex with Brian Jud and others on June 18. It will be my first experience as panelist and I am very excited. =================================================================== Please consider adding www.AuthorsandExperts.com and www.SchoolBookings.com to your list of resources. These are great places for authors, experts, and speakers to connect with members of the media, those searching for speakers, and schools. Free to schools and media members and an economical resource for authors and experts. =============================================================== In This Issue: 1) Feature Article 2) Promotional Coups 3) Progress Report 4) Contests 5) Grist For Your Mill 6) A Good Question 1) FEATURE ARTICLE Book signings can be hellish, but, as Aaron Paul Lazar illustrates, a good sense of humor helps ease the pain. The Book Signing ? Tomorrow night is my first Local Writers Fair. I??™ve been looking forward to this one for a long time. Ten authors will gather in a little room behind tables full of books in a historic library in Canandaigua, N.Y. It??™s been advertised heavily and the excitement has been building for weeks. ? Just for this occasion, I bought a new table cover from the fabric department at Walmart. It??™s a deep, cobalt blue with a fine pattern. The black-framed photos of the Genesee Valley will stand against the blue. I hemmed and hawed, solicited ???how to buy this stuff??? help from the nice lady behind the counter (who, by the way, is an avid mystery fan) and finally bought four yards of it. Twelve feet????? Yeah, but it??™ll work. Better to have too much than too little. Kind of my gardening philosophy extended into the world of fabric! ? Anyway, this morning I started to worry about what to wear. What to wear? Not typically a subject I get too concerned about??¦ I looked in the closet and sighed. What do ???authors??? wear? Black turtlenecks and corduroys? Heck no, not for May. A plaid wool shirt and a pipe to chew on? Nope. It??™s spring, for goodness sakes! So, I settled on a long-sleeved black button down shirt and camel-colored Dockers. ? I even took out the tooth-whitening paraphernalia last night. Me? Worried about white teeth? Well, heck, I??™m gonna be smiling all over the place. I can??™t have disgusting yellow teeth! So, I suffered during sleep with the set of molds on my teeth with all that white goo sliding around in my mouth. I woke up with the bottom set missing! Finally, I found it under my pillow. And no, there was no quarter from the tooth fairy. ? I drove to work this morning, going through my mental checklist. Bookmarks. Books. Handouts. Poster. Scotch tape to hang the poster. Double-sided tape to keep the fabric from sliding off the table. Suddenly I felt this little itchy bump on my nose. I looked in the rear view mirror and there it was! A monstrous cold sore was forming RIGHT on top of my nose! It??™s a noteworthy one this time, a good quarter inch plus in size. It??™s gonna be a whopper. Kind of makes me look like a drunk. ? So, with whitened teeth, carefully selected clothes, a beautiful table cover, I will smile and chat with this remarkably noticeable nose and hope that they look at the cover of Double Forte??™ more than they do my ugly mug. ? I feel like I??™m fourteen again... Epilogue The Authors Fair was very cool! Attendees were few and far between ??“ but I networked like hell among the other authors! I was invited to a winery book sale on June 4th, so it was well worth the trip. Of course, knowing my love for wine, it??™ll be a terrible hardship...how will I take it? A few folks actually did show up ??“ about four came past my table. I sold at a 50% rate ??“ two sales! Woo Hoo! Hey, every sale counts, right? But I had a ball talking with the attendees. All in all, our few visitors had their noses in books, rather than staring at mine! ------------ Aaron is author of eight Gus LeGarde mysteries; the latest is DOUBLE FORTE (PublishAmerica 2004). http://www.legardemysteries.com ============================================================ REMINDER - The annual subscription fee is $5. Residents of the U.S. may send a check to Francine Silverman, P.O. Box 1333, Riverdale Station, Riverdale, NY 10471 or make payment to Book Promotion Newsletter at PayPal if you have an account with them. Non-residents may use PayPal or send $5 in cash to the post office box. ============================================================ 2) PROMOTIONAL COUPS Canadian author Katherine Gibson has ???made more money speaking to organizations??? than she does with royalties and would like to share her secret: ???When ???Unclutter Your Life: Transforming Your Physical, Mental and Emotional Space??™ (Beyond Words Publishing, 2004) came out, I had the biggest independent bookstore in my city advertise that I would do a presentation, not just a book signing. We had 250 show up! A couple of people who heard me asked me to speak to their groups, which I did for free with the understanding I could sell my books. From those events, I not only sold books, but received more speaking engagements which I did for small fees until I felt I had enough confidence to move to the next level. I now charge $1500 - $2500 per keynote (and still sell books). I have done more than 20 presentations since the book came out May 2004, and have not spent a single cent advertising myself as a speaker. It is all word of mouth. ???This coming January, I will be hosting a cruise to Mexico where I have teamed with another author. We will provide seminars during the days at sea, have a great time, and earn a good fee. So your book can spawn new opportunities and promote itself while you earn royalties plus additional fees.??? http://www.clutterbook.com ------------------ Michelle True finds teaming up with other authors among her best promotional gigs: ? ???I found out first hand that participating in multi-author receptions and book signing events bring bigger crowds, which means more exposure for all participants!,??? she says. ? ???I participated in a multi-author event last night at the Vernon Area Public Library in Vernon Hills, Illinois.? There were 11 authors, representing a wide variety of genres as well as writing experience.? The event drew over 50 attendees - not bad for a rainy Tuesday night in the north suburbs of Chicago! ? ???Each author had 5-7 minutes to talk about their work.? Afterwards, attendees were free to have? refreshments and then approach the authors at the table to ask questions and, of course, purchase their books.? I was invigorated by the evening, enjoyed meeting the other authors, sold some books, and at least one person will be joining the monthly poetry group that I run. ? ???In a publishing world that is still rather unfriendly to new, unknown or not-quite-bestseller authors, working together to promote ourselves is a fantastic tool that I intend to use as much as possible in the future!? I have had several public appearances at libraries where I was the only author, and? drew 5 to? 15 attendees.? While they were wonderful and all had a great time, I wished more had attended. ? ???I'm also participating? in a multi-author "author fest" in Schaumburg, Illinois in June where at least 15-20 authors are participating in panel discussions, poetry readings and book signing activities all day long.? ? ???So, writers, talk to your local libraries and bookstores about doing multi-author events!? It means more book sales for the stores and more traffic for the libraries!? And if the library doesn't offer to purchase your book, donate it to them, then let the local newspapers know people can read your book before deciding to buy it, should they desire.? I do that myself so I expect others to do the same, knowing my book is well worth the cost.??? ? Michelle is author of TRUE RELECTIONS (PublishAmerica 2004). http://www.michelleailenetrue.com ? ================================ Book Marketing from A-Z (Infinity Publishing 2005) Written by 325 paid subscribers to Book Promotion Newsletter Available at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com (Category: Marketing) Subscribers are entitled to a 20% discount. Contact Fran at franalive@optonline.net for code. ================================= 3) PROGRESS REPORT Subscribers Dehanna Bailee listed Book Marketing from A-Z under ???Recommended Reading??? in her newsletter, Publicationary. http://www.dehanna.com/newspage.htm Monique Rider listed info on my book on her Wellness Marketplace website:? http://www.personaljoy.com/WellnessMarketplace.html Pamela Faye, Arts Editor at Rolling Seas Promotions, has written a one-page release on the book that she plans to distribute worldwide. http://www.pamelafaye.biz Betty Jo Tucker, author and movie critic, began a blog called "Memosaic" which is a combination of "memories" and "mosaic" or "memo" and "mosaic," and featured my book as the top entry on Thursday, May 19, 2005. http://Memosaic.blogspot.com Robyn Jackson sent an email out to her mailing list about her book??™s nomination (see Kudos) and included the fact that she is a contributor to my book. She wrote: ???Check out the Web site this week for a review of 'Book Marketing From A-Z,' by Francine Silverman. I am one of the 300-plus authors who share their tips in this book, but even if I wasn't, I'd still recommend it.??? http://www.robynjackson.com Dotsie Bregel did a beautiful job designing the Paper Media section of her site, reproducing the logos of the publications in which she was featured, i.e., Christian Science Monitor, The Columbus Dispatch. She included Book Promotion Newsletter and the website (which covers info on the book), mentioning that she??™s a contributor. ???I hope all contributors will do this!??? she urges. http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/inthenews.html#papermedia ? ----------- Non-subscribers The latest edition of The Romance Studio newsletter printed my release under ???News.??? http://theromancestudio.com/studionotes.php Dan Poynter printed my release in the May 15, 2005 of his Publishing Poynters newsletter. http://www.parapublishing.com Pat Haley, business manager and editor at Changeling Press, posted information about the book in her author's loop and monthly newsletter. http://www.changelingpress.com ? ---------------------------------- 4) CONTEST Want to win a $25 gift certificate to your favorite bookstore? Dotsie Bregel is seeking stories about our bodies for her writing contest. "In 1800 words or less tell us how you have celebrated physical changes, examined inner beauty, and/or embraced your authentic self. Writing Guidelines are on the site. Deadline - July 1, 2005." http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com ****************************************************** 5) GRIST FOR YOUR MILL The big guns of book marketing will be leading the Publishing Seminar May 31, June 1 and June 2 in New York City. Speakers include subscriber Rick Frishman, along with John Kremer, Jerry Jenkins and Alex Carroll and others. All the information is at http://www.publishingseminar.com ? ---------------------- Carol Sveilich is inviting authors of books on health-related topics, especially about coping with chronic illness and pain, to participate in a reciprocal link. ? "My new book is on coping with chronic illness and pain," she explains. "If you feel your book website (or a health-topics site) would be something of interest to those who visit my book website, please let me know. This falls under? the 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' heading!" Carol is author of JUST FINE: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness and Pain (Avid Reader Press 2004). http://www.writefaceforward.com carol4catz@Yahoo.com ----------------------- Cynthia Brian, whose company, Starstyle?® Productions, helps promote self-esteem and confidence in children, teens and adults via the medium of video, has contributed the following: WANT TO GET RID OF OVERSTOCK, RETURNS, OR DAMAGED BOOKS? Be the Star You Are! accepts donated books, CD's, and music and re-distributes these resources for FREE to groups in need across America.? The donor receives a tax deductible receipt for the full retail value of the resources donated, and other charities benefit from receiving the donated books and resources.? All donors are listed on the Galaxy of Stars donor page on the web site and are thanked in the newsletter, Starsearchers Express, which offers publicity in gratitude for the contribution.? Most genre books are accepted except those that advocate pornography, illicit sex, violence, or abuse.? Be the Star You Are! especially needs books for children and women.? Opportunities to sponsor the Be the Star You Are! syndicated radio program are available and all donations/contributions to the charity are tax deductible.? Send books to: Be the Star You Are!, 1660 School St. #101 D, Moraga, California, 94556. The motto of Be the Star You Are! is "To be a leader, you must be a reader." http://www.bethestaryouare.org www.cynthiabrian.com www.starstylproductions.com ----------------- Levi Wayne is launching a massive campaign on May 26, 2005 for his first scifi/supernatural thriller in a six-part series, WISEMEN: THE AWAKENING (AuthorHouse 2003). The second book, WISEMEN: THE AVENGERS (AuthorHouse 2005) has also been published. Levi has ???lined up some phenomenal bonus gifts that are going to be thrown in for absolutely no extra charge,??? he says, ???when buyers grab one copy of WiseMen: The Awakening on May 26th, from amazon.com.??? The book is $19.95 and the free bonus gifts are worth more than $750. http://www.leviwayne.com --------------------------------------- The Boox Review is seeking review copies in all genres - poetry and audiobooks too! In fact, it will consider any book submitted for review, holding no preconceived prejudices regarding subject matter, genre, publisher or style. For complete info, visit http://www.thebooxreview.com/submissions.htm ------------------------------------------ Shirley Cheng has found a new site for writers, artists, photographers, and any others in the arts area, to post their work for free: http://www.artisticnetwork.net ------------------------------------------ Arlene Uslander is working on an article about whether more first time writers send their book manuscripts to agents or directly to publishers (who will accept unagented manuscripts). She??™d like to get feedback from other published subscribers and will mention their names and books, and websites if they have one. Arlene may be contacted via her website: http://www.thefatesite.com. Her questions would be: 1) If you have had a book(s) published, was it through an agent or did you submit directly to the publisher? 2) Have you found agents to be helpful to you in getting a book published? ************************************************************ 6) A GOOD QUESTION ???What do you know about ???theauthorconnection.com??™ - (not to be confused with ???authorconnection.com??™),??? asks Shirley Cheng. ???I would like to know if they are ???real??™ before I decide to use them.??? http://www.shirleycheng.com ---------------------- Sigrid Macdonald would like to know if anyone has ever used Rank Reports, www.add-url-free.com, which promises that for $5 a month it will submit your site to the important search engines, and issue daily rank reports and the ranking of your top five competitors. "I just wondered if it was worth the money,??? she says. Author of GETTING HIP: RECOVERY FROM A TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT (AuthorHouse 2004), Sigrid is considering using this service since she finds it ???so much easier to drive people to my web site on hip replacement because it's a very specific topic.??? http://www.sigridsrecovery.blogspot.com.? ???Writing fiction is entirely different,??? she says, ???I'm having a lot more trouble attracting regular traffic to my fiction site although I've established a number of reciprocal links.??? Sigrid would like to know how to market fiction. Her book is D??™Amour Road (Lulu 2005). http://www.damourroad.blogspot.com ? ******************************************************************* 7) KUDOS Robyn Jackson??™s LAKOTA MOON (Timothy Lane Press 2004) is a semi-finalist in the historical fiction/military category for the 2005 Independent Publishers Book Awards (the IPPYs). A winner and two finalists were named May 23 and the awards will be presented June 3 during BookExpo America in New York City. http://www.IndependentPublisher.com. ----------------------- ? ? Shirley Roe??™s site, http://www.allbooksreviews.com, has been chosen one of the 101 best websites by Writers Digest for the second year in a row. ----------------------- Lorraine Kemper, author of LEAN ON ME ??“ CANCER THROUGH A CARER??™S EYES (L. Kemper Publications 2004), had an article published in Australian Woman??™s Day. http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com --------------------- Byline Magazine published Sybilla A. Cook??™s article "How to Prepare for Book Signings" as a feature in the May 2005 issue. ???I'm impressed with Editor Marcia Preston's interest (she asked me several times for? revisions, which strengthened the article, and the way she laid it out in the publication,??? says Sybilla.? ???Not all writers know about this magazine, but it's worthwhile looking at, especially for writers starting out.??? Sybilla has authored and co-authored many books. Her latest, written with a co-author, is ELEMENTARY BATTLE OF THE BOOK (Highsmith Press, 2005). ? --------------------- Arizona-based life coach Monique Rider was recently published in Field & Feast print magazine.? For a PDF copy of? the nutrition article titled:? Fermented Milk? -? A Nourishing Gift From the Ancients,? email Monique_Rider@msn.com. Monique has also been published in the online ezine, Health after Trauma.? Her article, Success Begins Within, details how the sport of bodybuilding helped her overcome the childhood trauma of abuse.? http://www.healthaftertrauma.com/article-monique-rider.html ---------------------- Francine Silverman is author of CATSKILLS ALIVE (second edition) and LONG ISLAND ALIVE, both published in 2003 by Hunter Publishing and geared to every interest. To learn more about her guidebooks and for links to hundreds of attractions on Long Island and in the Catskills, visit Fran's one-stop website at www.nystatetravel.com. To subscribe to this newsletter, send an e-mail with your first name to: franalive@optonline.net, visit: http://www.nystatetravel.com, or check the archives at www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1333, Riverdale, New York 10471. PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "Book Promotion Newsletter" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph: Reprinted from "Book Promotion Newsletter," an ezine featuring articles, tips and promotional coups for generating book publicity. franalive@optonline.net. www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com -- To unsubscribe/change profile: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=29055075z-6c15c30c To subscribe: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=12216r Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com |
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