I received a call from the marketing department of my POD publisher yesterday. Very nice of them to notify me that my representative there had left the company. Very nice to be introduced to the new lady--who was that masked lady again? But, as usual, they wanted me to seriously consider spending thousands of dollars to promote my book.
And, as usual, I told them, in no uncertain terms, that I cannot afford their marketing "packages" which get no better results than I can get on my own. Do I need help with writing a press release? I don't think so, as I have written them for two other books and helped other authors do the same. Do I need them to write book reviews for me? I don't think so, as I write book reviews for an online magazine and several writing newsletters. Can they help me with reader lists? Thank you, I can come up with my own since you, Mr.Publisher, ask me to submit people who might be interested n reading my book in order for you to create this list that I have already created. Confusing? It's not only that, but crazy.
Don't fall for marketing ploys. You are your best marketing tool. Let everyone of your family and friends know about your book, send press releases to the local newspapers and all the online newsletters/magazines you subscribe to (that will allow you to do so), and make sure you put all the information about your book in your email signature line. Carry business cards with the book info on it with you and hand them out to everyone you meet.
You can market your book better than anyone.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
ROYALTIES
While I was having a great time out on the Pacific on a lovely ship and visiting nice Mexican ports, my publisher was working day and night with the books-trying to figure out the large numbers I was expecting him to type into that royalty check. Several days after our return, the check arrived in the mail.
I am still laughing, readers. Let's see, I seem to remember I was to receive 40% of the listed price of my book. That sounds real good, doesn't it? Until you figure out that it actually equates to about .40 per book sale. And it is less if sold on Amazon because they demand payment of your laptop,first child, and who knows what else from the publisher, before they, or you, get your cut.
Needless to say, the royalty check I received would not buy me a new cartridge for my printer. I guess that means I should do a better job of promoting "Pink Poodle" and maybe my next check will purchase a cartridge and a ream of paper to print it on.
Ah, the joys of being an unknown writer.
I am still laughing, readers. Let's see, I seem to remember I was to receive 40% of the listed price of my book. That sounds real good, doesn't it? Until you figure out that it actually equates to about .40 per book sale. And it is less if sold on Amazon because they demand payment of your laptop,first child, and who knows what else from the publisher, before they, or you, get your cut.
Needless to say, the royalty check I received would not buy me a new cartridge for my printer. I guess that means I should do a better job of promoting "Pink Poodle" and maybe my next check will purchase a cartridge and a ream of paper to print it on.
Ah, the joys of being an unknown writer.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Books Sold
Well, my "ugly" stories were of interest to others in a recent charity sale to benefit a local art gallery. I am pleased to see that they made more per book than they are being sold for online and in bookstores. The money willl go toward a continuing program to teach low-income children how to write.
And one of those stories has been chosen for another anthology to be out sometime this year. I am most proud of this collection of short stories.
The book may be found at Amazon.com, iUniverse.com, B&N, and from moi, the author. Leave a contact point at comments here and I will forward information to obtain an authographed copy of this book, or one of my others, "The Quilt Maker" or "Growing up Barefoot in the South (descriptions on Amazon. com).
And one of those stories has been chosen for another anthology to be out sometime this year. I am most proud of this collection of short stories.
The book may be found at Amazon.com, iUniverse.com, B&N, and from moi, the author. Leave a contact point at comments here and I will forward information to obtain an authographed copy of this book, or one of my others, "The Quilt Maker" or "Growing up Barefoot in the South (descriptions on Amazon. com).
Saturday, February 6, 2010
AD REJECTION
For many years I have been writing (for free) for a lady who produces a small, home-computer-copied, quarterly newsletter. Half of it is typed and much of it is handwritten. It is a labor of love for the lady who sends it out, and I have come to enjoy both her, her publication, and the people who write for her.
My two past books, "The Quilt Maker" and "Growing up Barefoot in the South" have been advertised in her newsletter. Since I give my home address for buying these books, I know not one of her readers has ever purchased one of my books. I pay for an ad because I know from my own experiences with newsletter publications, it is a losing proposition for the samll guy/gal. I put the ad in to support her newsletter.
In today's mail, I received a check from her for the amount of my ad. She had requested that I send her a few of the stories from the book for her to read, and I quote from her letter: "Although I have admired your contribution of articles on the craft of writing, I do not approve of your current writing. I was not pleased with the stories you sent me. Too ugly and contrived. I just don't want to promote such a book."
That, of course, is her privilege. She "owns" the publication and can do as she pleases. As I said, her readers never purchase my books anyway. But I am sort of miffed at the idea of the censorship this rejection smacks of. I guess if all magazines/newsletters/bookstores had this ability, many authors would never see a book on a shelf anywhere. There is always someone(s) who doesn't approve of the subject matter, or the way the book was written, or the controversial topic.
I will be nice to her, however. I will accept her decision. The letter accompanying the check also seemed to be speaking of my articles in the past tense, so I am assuming she will not longer print those "free articles" by a writer who writes such "ugly" stories.
If you're read the book, you know that these stories are all done in fun or with a moral to the tale, showing how strong women, even those who didn't know they were strong, can make a place for themselves in this world by getting even, and striking out on their own.
Hey, Lady, it's fiction!
Onward and upward. Maybe this ad rejection will lead to an article accepted by a paying market.
My two past books, "The Quilt Maker" and "Growing up Barefoot in the South" have been advertised in her newsletter. Since I give my home address for buying these books, I know not one of her readers has ever purchased one of my books. I pay for an ad because I know from my own experiences with newsletter publications, it is a losing proposition for the samll guy/gal. I put the ad in to support her newsletter.
In today's mail, I received a check from her for the amount of my ad. She had requested that I send her a few of the stories from the book for her to read, and I quote from her letter: "Although I have admired your contribution of articles on the craft of writing, I do not approve of your current writing. I was not pleased with the stories you sent me. Too ugly and contrived. I just don't want to promote such a book."
That, of course, is her privilege. She "owns" the publication and can do as she pleases. As I said, her readers never purchase my books anyway. But I am sort of miffed at the idea of the censorship this rejection smacks of. I guess if all magazines/newsletters/bookstores had this ability, many authors would never see a book on a shelf anywhere. There is always someone(s) who doesn't approve of the subject matter, or the way the book was written, or the controversial topic.
I will be nice to her, however. I will accept her decision. The letter accompanying the check also seemed to be speaking of my articles in the past tense, so I am assuming she will not longer print those "free articles" by a writer who writes such "ugly" stories.
If you're read the book, you know that these stories are all done in fun or with a moral to the tale, showing how strong women, even those who didn't know they were strong, can make a place for themselves in this world by getting even, and striking out on their own.
Hey, Lady, it's fiction!
Onward and upward. Maybe this ad rejection will lead to an article accepted by a paying market.
Friday, January 29, 2010
POODLES ARE YAPPING
That pretty little pink poodle on a leach on the cover of this book is putting a smile on the gal's (author?) face. That little doggie is bringing in the sales, initiating favorable comments from readers, and questions of my sanity from friends and family.
"I can't believe the same quiet lady who wrote those touching stories in "The Quilt Maker" could write such revenge stories." That comment was heard often from people who know me. My husband's comment was rather comical. "I refuse to share another drink with you for the rest of my life." I had a femme fatal poison a private investigator in such a sweet manner he never saw it coming.
I have had one book signing and joined authors at a Book Exposition. I will have another one this spring. I still need to get more Press Releases out, and have composed a letter to go out to women's groups for lectures or seminars (with book signing to follow, of course). I love talking about writing and my publications with others.
If you haven't purchased your copy, go to Amazon.com or iUniverse.
Okay, okay, I'm using this blog to promote my book and you came here to read about writing it. This is about writing, readers. This is the result of sitting your "arse" in that chair and pouring out your imagination onto the page.
If you want to read more about writing, check out: http:barbswritetree.blogspot.com
"I can't believe the same quiet lady who wrote those touching stories in "The Quilt Maker" could write such revenge stories." That comment was heard often from people who know me. My husband's comment was rather comical. "I refuse to share another drink with you for the rest of my life." I had a femme fatal poison a private investigator in such a sweet manner he never saw it coming.
I have had one book signing and joined authors at a Book Exposition. I will have another one this spring. I still need to get more Press Releases out, and have composed a letter to go out to women's groups for lectures or seminars (with book signing to follow, of course). I love talking about writing and my publications with others.
If you haven't purchased your copy, go to Amazon.com or iUniverse.
Okay, okay, I'm using this blog to promote my book and you came here to read about writing it. This is about writing, readers. This is the result of sitting your "arse" in that chair and pouring out your imagination onto the page.
If you want to read more about writing, check out: http:barbswritetree.blogspot.com