Category: Wendy Speaks

Contests, Wendy Speaks

Contest for Self Publishing Authors: 2013 Global Ebook Awards

Contests are one of the best ways for self-publishing authors to promote their book and improve their credibility. If you want to increase your book’s exposure and prove that you are an accomplished writer, check out the 2013 Global Ebook Awards. This contest does more than just offer an award sticker to put on your book’s cover; it is truly a great way to market your book and self.

By entering your ebook, you will receive the following benefits:

• An official Nominee “sticker” on your ebook cover, website, Amazon page, and promotion materials

• A free listing in Publishing Poynters Marketplace, offering copies of your book for reviews on prestigious ebook dealers’ sites such as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and others

• The Global Ebook Awards comes with a six-step publicity program. Each week, they show you how to publicize your ebook.

• Media coverage for your book and you

• Winners and finalists will be listed on the official Global Ebook Awards site.

• Winners and finalists are eligible to receive Global Ebook Award certificates attesting to their honor.

• Winners will be announced to the media in news releases.

• Discounts on video trailers for YouTube, Amazon, and your website

• Discounts on other services for authors and publishers

• And much more…

To be eligible, your book must have been released anytime in 2011, 2012, or 2013. The application deadline is March 12, 2013, but it is recommended that you submit your ebook as soon as possible.

To learn more, visit http://globalebookawards.com/.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.

Wendy Speaks

Five Ways Self Publishing Authors Can Prepare for NanoWriMo

There is a little less than a month until the official start of National Novel Writing Month (NanoWriMo), but you can begin preparing now. While you can’t officially start writing the manuscript until November 1st, there is plenty of work you can do ahead of time to make the most of the month ahead. Here are five ways self publishing authors can prepare for NanoWriMo.

1) Brainstorm! It is never too early to start thinking of ideas. Carry around a notebook and jot down ideas whenever they come to you. Listen to people’s conversations to pick up fun quote ideas. Observe strangers to help you create interesting characters. Read books and watch movies to generate unique plot ideas. The more ideas you come with now, the easier it will be to write your novel in a month.

2) Get organized. Once you have a good sense of your plot, characters, setting, and conflict, you can begin outlining your story. The more detailed your outline is the more helpful it may be when you sit down to write your manuscript. This is especially important for self publishing authors participating in NanoWriMo because they are on a tight deadline. You will want to focus on writing rather organizing once you begin the challenge.

3) Prepare your writing area. This task will also save you time in the future. Gear up for the big challenge by cleaning out the clutter, purchasing any supplies, and designating a space that will be your official writing area. Don’t worry if you don’t have an entire office to dedicate to the task. All you need is paper, pens, a computer, a flash drive, and possibly a few reference materials such as a dictionary.

4) Set your goals. The keys to succeeding in the NanoWriMo challenge are goal setting and time management. If you want to write a 50,000 word book in a month, you need to figure out how many pages you will write each day or week and when you will write those pages. Choose a schedule that is realistic and achievable.

5) Enlist some help. Tell your friends and family about your goals so they can help you achieve them. Writing a novel in a month will be time-consuming, so you may need your spouse to cook dinners or ask your in-laws to watch the children. Just because writing is often an independent craft doesn’t mean you have to tackle this challenge alone.

I’d love to know, what are you doing to prepare for NanoWriMo?

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Wendy Speaks

National Novel Writing Month: A Perfect Challenge for Self Publishing Authors

If you’ve been considering self publishing but haven’t finished your manuscript yet, I have the perfect challenge to help you achieve your goal: National Novel Writing Month (NanoWriMo). Beginning November 1, join thousands of other writers who are committing to the same goal: writing a 50,000-word (approximately 175-page) novel by 11:59:59 PM on November 30. That’s right; by participating in NanoWriMo, you can finish your entire manuscript in a month!

Many authors considering self publishing never take the leap because they procrastinate, over-think the planning process, or fear rejection. The NanoWriMo program forces you to take action and just start writing. By signing up online, you will also have access to forums and meet other authors who are striving to reach the same goal.

Just imagine how great it will feel to not only be able to say you are finally self publishing your finished manuscript, but that you also wrote it in a month! To learn more, visit http://www.nanowrimo.org.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Book Promotion, Contests, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

First Call: The 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award

Contests are a great way to gain positive publicity for your book and increase your credibility as an author. One of my favorite awards for self-published authors is The Eric Hoffer Book Award. Here is all of the information you need to enter.

The Eric Hoffer Book Award recognizes excellence in publishing. A single registration gives you six ways to win: by genre, press, the Montaigne Medal, the da Vince Eye, the First Horizon Award, and the Hoffer grand prize. There is a category for every book.

Award/Benefits:

* $2,000 Grand Prize (The Eric Hoffer Award for Books)

* Winner of the Montaigne Medal for the most thought-provoking books

* Winner of the da Vinci Eye for best covers

* Winner of the First Horizon Award for debut authors

* Winner and First Runner-Up awarded for every category

* Honorable Mentions for every category

* Individual Awards for Micro, Small, and Academic Presses, as well as Self-Published Books

* Coverage in The US Review of Books (www.theUSreview.com) and on http://www.HofferAward.com

* Gold Seal Certificates

* Worldwide Exposure

> Categories: Art, Poetry, General Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Children, Young Adult, Culture, Memoir, Business, Reference, Home, Health, Self-Help/Spiritual, Legacy Fiction, Legacy Nonfiction, E-book Fiction, and E-book Nonfiction.

Submission Guidelines:

  •  Entry deadline is January 21, 2013.
  •  Awards are open to academic, independent, small press, and self-published books that were released or copyrighted in the last 2 years, including unique books with small print runs. (Books over 2 years old may enter the Legacy Fiction or Legacy Nonfiction category.)
  • For each entry, submit the book, entry form, and $50 fee (check, money order, or Internet payment receipt) to Hopewell Publications, LLC, PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560. Be certain to specify award category and press type. Registration will be confirmed via e-mail. In May, all entrants will be notified of winners. Submissions must be postmarked by January 21, 2013.
  • Judges may include authors, editors, agents, publishers, book producers, artists, experienced category readers, and health and business professionals. Note: The contest is closed to the staff of Hopewell Publications and previous WNBA winning entries. At the low entrance fee, it is not feasible to provide judge’s critiques for each entry.

To learn more and enter your book, visit  www.HofferAward.com.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Blogging Tips for Authors, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

4 Ways Self Published Authors Can Improve Their Blogs

One of the best ways to market yourself and your book is blogging. In fact, authors are now expected to have an online presence. Both readers and industry experts, such as agents and publishers, want to see that authors are building a platform online.

For some people, the idea of creating and maintaining a blog seems time-consuming and confusing. Afterall, a blog is only useful if it actually attracts readers and develops relationships. Here are four ways to improve your own blog.

1.) It is a two-way street. Links on other blogs and comments on your posts are two great ways to increase traffic, but you can’t just expect people to share your posts and comment on your page. One of the best ways to encourage interaction is to link to and comment on other bloggers’ posts. This will encourage the blog owner and their readers to check out your page, and they may decide to return the favor. However, make sure you aren’t spamming other bloggers. Only comment if you have something useful and honest to say. Never leave a comment just to include a link to your personal page.

2.) Be efficient. One of the keys to improving traffic is regularly updating content. However, most people don’t have time to update their blogs daily. You can save time and work more efficiently if you schedule your blogs. This way, you can write several posts at one time, but they will each publish on a separate day. Most blogging websites have this feature.

3.) Be professional. Always, always, always proofread your posts. If you aren’t good at grammar, pay someone else to proofread your posts. Readers want to read blogs by professionals not amateurs.

4.) Be patient. Great blogs don’t happen over night. It takes time to attract followers, build relationships, and figure out your personal style and voice. As long as you keep trying, you will continue to see your blog grow.

I’d love to know, what is your secret to creating a great blog?

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.