Why Self-Published Authors Should Consider Foreword Firsts

November 23, 2011

Kelly Schuknecht Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Contests, Kelly Speaks, Marketing Your Self-Published Book , , 1 Comment

Competitions are one of the best way for self-published authors to market their books, increase exposure and improve credibility. Unfortunately, most authors aren’t aware of all the competitions available to them. For instance, it has been brought to my attention that many authors are not aware of Foreword Firsts, a debut fiction competition designed to showcase the best print-on-demand and self-published titles. Here is everything you need to know to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

How It Works

If you’re a first-time author who self-published your book, you’re eligible to enter. For the Summer/Autumn 2011 contest, entries for books published July through December 2011 will be accepted through January 10, 2012.

The cost is $25 per title entered. Mail your entry to the address provided below, and  ForeWord’s editors will review the selections and cull the best titles. Winners will be announced, published and posted January 30, 2012, and they will receive a free Clarion Review.

Why Enter

It’s affordable marketing you can’t afford to pass up. As a self-published author, you know the value of a book review. However, it can be difficult for new self-published authors to receive a book review.

However, if your title makes the ForeWord Firsts list, it will be sent out to 4,000+ book publishing insiders and buyers,  and it will be posted for 125,000+ web viewers to see. It’s the best buzz for the buck!

To enter this competition, please send your books to: ForeWord Firsts 425 Boardman Ave. Traverse City, MI. 49684

 

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht works as the Vice President of Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Self-Publishing Weekly Book Review: The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter by Samuel DiMatteo & Kristin Johnson

September 1, 2011

selfpublishingadvisor Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week , Leave a comment

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if they don’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:


The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter

Samuel DiMatteo & Kristin Johnson

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432764500

Genre: Children’s Book/Sports

Reviewed by Midwest Book Review

To be a champion is the goal of anyone who seeks a sport seriously. “The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter” is a children’s book. It is a story of Sami DeMani,   a golfing gander whose his career ruined when his luck goes over. But with the help of technology, Sami might very well be able to play again. The authors present a story of perseverance and tenacity in the face of ill fortune. “The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter” is worth considering for reading for any golf lover and their children.

Getting book reviews for a self-published book

August 17, 2011

Outskirts Press Book Reviews , 4 Comments

If your self-published book is available for sale at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble (BN.com), and other sites, you want to be sure your online listings have book reviews. You can always be sure your book has at least 1 review by asking someone you know to review for your book. Who knows? They may even do it!

Once you have one review, your job is to solicit others. Obviously, if you’ve given some of your books away to friends or families, you should ask them to write a review in exchange for the book. As you continue to give them away, suggest to your customers that it would be helpful to you if they took the time to write an honest online review. People like to help people, but usually only do so if you ask.

BONUS: Once you have reviews, you can use them in quotes for further promotion. For example:

“Best Book Ever!” — Amazon.com review.

Your book detail page on Amazon and Barnes & Noble have links for writing reviews of your book. If you haven’t done that yet, do it right away.

Remember, in order to write a review for a book on Amazon, each reviewer must have an Amazon account with which they have purchased something. This is how Amazon verifies the identity of the reviewer. They don’t need to buy your book, per se, they just need to buy something, anything, from Amazon. But it is nice if they DO buy your book, so suggest that to your friends first.

Contacting Amazon reviewers is also a great place to start, and here’s where you can find them: http://www.amazon.com/review/top-reviewers

 

Self Publishing Saturday: What Happened this Week?

May 21, 2011

Elise L. Connors Self Publishing Saturday, Uncategorized , , Leave a comment

On weekend mornings, I enjoy nothing more than reading the paper to find out what has happened this week (now I primarily read the news online) in one place without searching many places. With many “tweeps” (Twitter slang for “people”) using paper.li to put together information, you can keep track of things pretty easily. What if you don’t have a Twitter account? What about the sources the things that weren’t mentioned?

Here we aim to feature things that are going on in self publishing so that you don’t have to find out on your own. Plus, we want to share other resource with you so that you can be well-advised on the publishing process.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s digest (pickings are rather slim this week…).

Have you written something our readers can benefit from this week? Post a link in the comments.

Why are book reviews important for self-publishing authors?

May 20, 2011

Kelly Schuknecht Book Reviews, Kelly Speaks , , , 2 Comments

Customers searching online for books will often glance at book reviews when deciding whether or not to purchase a book.  They may compare the review information for one book with a similar book to decide between the two which they want to purchase.  Doing a quick search on Amazon for “book marketing,” for example, brings up 201,642 results.  A customer has to narrow it down somehow, so they may glance through some of the books and look at things like the cover, publish date and reviews among other things.  Comparing the two following books from this category, which would you be more likely to purchase?

#1 – A total of 3 reviews (in 5 years) with an average rating of about 3.5 stars.

#2 – A total of 187 reviews with an average rating of about 5 stars.

There may be other factors involved for a customer comparing these two.  For instance, #1 is priced much lower.  Sure, pricing is important, and the lower the better to encourage sales, but is a lower price more important than really great feedback from other readers?  Customers probably won’t think so.

I wrote a few weeks ago about paying for book reviews.  If it isn’t in your marketing budget to pay for reviews or you simply want to pursue free review services, here are a few places to start:

http://www.bookpleasures.com
http://www.bookreviewsrus.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/
http://readersfavorite.com/
http://readerviews.com

* To read my review of Plug Your Book! by Steve Weber, visit: http://goo.gl/EkTYv 

DISCUSSION: Do you know of other great FREE book review services our readers should know about?  Post them in the comments below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Director of Author Support for Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

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