Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Book Promotion, Uncategorized

10 Ways to Promote Your Self-Published Book in March

March is National Small Press Month, which celebrates small publishers and showcases the unique voices of the authors who choose them. This makes March the perfect time to promote your self-published book! To help you take advantage of this, I am offering promotion advice and ideas on the blog every Monday this month. Be sure to check out last week’s post Why March is the Best Time to Promote Your Self-Published Book.

This week I’ll share ten ways to promote your book during National Small Press Month.

1. Contact other independent published authors in your area.

Connect with other authors and combine your resources to fully exploit the opportunities during this month. There’s a lot to do, and four hands are better than two.

2. Send out a press release.

Send a press release to the local media (newspapers, radio, television) mentioning Small Press Month and your independently published book. If you secured some events, mention them in the release.

3. Follow up on your press release.

Be sure to follow up on your press release via telephone. Reiterate Small Press Month, your planned events in the community, and your Small Press book. Offer to send them a review of your book that they can use as a foundation.

4. Contact your local libraries.

Suggest they feature Small Press titles, including yours. Offer to leave a free copy with them, along with a sales sheet.

5. Contact local schools.

Tell them about Small Press Month. Mention that you are a local published author and offer to speak to their assembly about how to accomplish their dreams of being published. This is particularly effective if you have a children’s book you can then sell after the assembly.

6. Contact local universities and colleges.

This is the same concept as number 5— promote yourself and your book by sharing your knowledge of how to write a book and get it published. Sell copies of your book afterward.

7. Schedule a seminar or tele-seminar.

Schedule a seminar or tele-seminar on “How to Write and Publish a Book.” Offer a “Small Press Month” discount on the registration fee. Send out a local news release about your class.

8. Contact other sales channels.

Brainstorm and contact sales channels outside of the bookstore that may be likely to sell your book. This may include websites related to your book’s topic, gift stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, boutiques, etc. Look at your book and ask yourself where your readers may be shopping.

9. Use social media.

Create social networking accounts on Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc. Use the accounts to connect with readers and promote yourself and your book.

10. Contact the Learning Annex (or similarly themed Adult Education Program) in your area.

Offer to teach a class on the subject of your book. As a published author, you are qualified to teach on your subject since you are an expert. Your book may even be required reading for each student!

Check back next week for more promotion ideas.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 03/06/15

MARCHING INTO SPRING

This month I want to especially encourage my Fiction writer friends.  A very famous author and professor—S.I. Hayakawa—once said, “Fiction is a tool to increase one’s experience of life experiences.”  I wholeheartedly agree.  I’m just now realizing (in my adult years) that the main reason I’ve always enjoyed reading books of fiction is because I learn so much—without the tedious work and/or study of history, psychology, sociology, cultures, governments and laws, etc.  One well written Fiction Book exposes me to all those elements of life, expanding my knowledge and often adding the component of mystery or adventure.

It seems that I have very little time for pleasure reading these days, so I’m becoming quite selective in what books I purchase, not wanting to be disappointed in them.  If you’ve read previous blogs, you’re probably aware that I’m a big fan of author Lloyd C. Douglas, most specifically his novel THE ROBE. From the very first page I walked back in time and became part of the events in the lives of those characters.  The first time I opened this book I wasn’t far from my teen years and immediately identified with the main character’s little sister.  She (and I) matured together, dealing with lost loved ones, questions about “proprieties,” ethics, faith, war and much more—all elements pertinent to my own present-day life.

For the Fiction/Science Fiction enthusiasts, another book that I would re-read IF I had the time is titled The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.  The basic info statement about it reads: “In 3016, the 2nd Empire of Man spans hundreds of star systems…. Intelligent beings are finally found from the Mote, an isolated star in a thick dust cloud. The ancient civilization (at least one million years old) are welcoming, kind, yet evasive, with a dark problem they have not solved in over a million years.”

BOTH books present readers with “real life” experiences IN unique settings of time and place.  Although the plots of these stories may seem dramatically different, they are basically quite similar.  But we won’t discuss that today.  Instead, I offer you the following Creative Writing for Fiction Readers pointers for your consideration.

  1. Does your novel immediately engage the reader in the mind-set and emotions of the characters?
  2. Are you providing enough background information (woven throughout the pages) that allows readers to understand why the characters DO what they do?
  3. Can readers describe the relationship dynamics between characters (friendships, siblings, marriages, co-workers, etc.)?
  4. Fiction readers want to know the characters well enough so that they can form an opinion about who they are and whether (or not) they admire them, dislike them, respect them or want to leave them on a deserted island somewhere because they are not fit for human companionship. Are your characters that well-defined?
  5. Do the characters—at least the main characters—evolve during the timeframe of your novel? (Suggestion: Watch the TV series Downton Abbey and observe the personalities as the development of these characters unfold.)
  6. Will your readers be able to discern whether a character’s actions were justified or unwarranted?
  7. Will your readers be able to “live” the lives of these characters?

Writing Fiction novels is quite possibly one of the most enjoyable of writing careers.  The character types you create will come alive in the minds of your reading Fans and bring you—Author! Author!—acclaim in the publishing and literary realms.  Film makers are also actively seeking the amazing characters only you can write-into-reality.

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review:The Key to Job Success in Any Career

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’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 key to job success

 The Key to Job Success in Any Career

Frank B. Leibold

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN:9781432760465

America is falling behind in business success, but that gap can be closed. “The Key to Job Success in Any Career: Developing Six Competencies That Close America’s Global Skills Gap” discusses how to increase the potential and skills that one needs to compete in today’s global marketplace, with much practical advice for greater success on many levels. “The Key to Job Success in Any Career” is a strong addition to career and self-improvement collections.

Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 03/03/15

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Four Reasons to Self-Publish Your Children’s Book

In this Huffington Post article, author and illustrator Sue Shanahan shares what she learned during her publishing journey and why she thinks self-publishing is a great option for children’s book authors. This is a must read for all writers considering self-publishing.

A Recipe for Success: Tips for Self-Publishing Your Cookbook

This Publisher’s Weekly article offers helpful tips for cookbook authors. Topics covered include building a platform, finding your niche, creating a team, and more. It is a must read for authors interested in self-publishing a cookbook.

LAPL, SELF-e, Surprising Stats | Self-Publishing & Libraries

This Library Journal article discusses self-publishing statistics and how they impact libraries. This is an interesting read for authors and librarians.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive 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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 02/27/15

LOVE CAN SHINE A LIGHTthe boys next door

 

Not long ago I caught the end of a conversation in a grocery store parking lot.  In a very animated voice, the woman was saying, “…but you just can’t do that to someone who depends on others to do the right thing by them.”  My imagination flew into action as the group—two ladies and two gentlemen—got into a van and drove away.  The sign painted on the side door read: HELP For Disabled Children Is Here.  I wondered.

Do you remember Mother Teresa?  She passed from this earth in 1997.  However, while on the planet she taught us a lot about LOVE.  “I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like,” she is quoted saying, “but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather He will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?’”  How will I answer that question?  Will examples of what I’ve written become evidence?

Back in 1996, I watched a TV movie titled: THE BOYS NEXT DOOR.  It was adapted for film from a stage play by playwright Tom Griffin. The story centers on a social worker (Jack) who found himself in a “job” that basically made him the “house-father” of four mentally challenged men living “regular” lives (to the best of their abilities) in a neighborhood house.  At one point in the story, there is a State Senate hearing that will decide the sustainability of this group home.  Jack and one of his charges (Lucien) are seated at the defendants table.  In this formal setting, the writer developed a short soliloquy, spoken by Lucien who steps aside from his mental illness for a few brief moments and speaks to the senators as if he were a “normal man.”  This superbly written dialogue is forever etched in my memory.  I would like to share the whole scene, but with limited space I will offer one quote.

Lucien stands up from the defendants table, straightens his rumpled suit and says: “I stand before you a middle-aged man…whose capacity for rational thought is somewhere between a five-year-old and an oyster.  I am retarded…damaged…sick inside from so many years of utter and profound confusion.…But I will not go away.…Damaged though I may be, I shall not wither, because I am unique and irreplaceable and part of you all.…Civilizations are judged by the way they treat their most helpless of citizens.  I am that citizen…and if you turn away from me, you extinguish your own light.”

Do you have such thoughts—such words—in your collection of BOOK ideas?  Are those concepts tossed about on scraps of paper or organized neatly in files?  PLEASE!  Don’t waste another minute!  Get your stories written!  The human condition of our world NEEDS to be encouraged!  There are too many lights hidden away under self-doubt and the fear-of-success.  You’ve been given the GIFT of writing—the skills and inspiration—to make a difference.  GET TO IT!

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.