Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts
Thursday, January 4, 2018
100+ Tips on Book Marketing (website list)
I've been doing some research on self publishing and self marketing. I figure at some point I'll need to know ALL. THE. THINGS. I'd like to share them with you, too!
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Two Firsts (Part 1) - First Live Pitch to an Editor
I just got back from an invigorating experience at the Idaho Writers League (IWL) 2017 annual conference. This year it was held in Pocatello, which really isn't a big, exciting city. In true Emily fashion, I made the most of it.
Our Travelodge was lackluster, but I only needed to shower and sleep in my room. The true gems of this place were the comfy chairs in the lobby and the bar with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The first night was all Smirnoff and southern rock, and it was pretty much our small group of older white folk playing pool and dancing until eleven o'clock.
The second night, we were outnumbered in a sea of culture. A better known group speaking rapid Spanish and serenading couples with a saxophone put some mariachi rock out there. The dance floor was packed. I nursed wine that night, and was dubbed the pool shark. The name was hilarious since the seven games in a row that I won were accomplished through no fault of my own. My opponents kept following the eight ball with the cue ball into a pocket.
You didn't come to this post to read about the fun, but its important to remember the details when you journal, or so the Gary Eckhart said in his talk on journaling. I think its time I start treating this blog like one and see what happens.
I spent almost as much time learning about Idaho Magazine, writing fantasy, and book marketing as I did running around and accomplishing some of my IWL duties as state treasurer and Coeur d'Alene Chapter president. Checks needed written, votes needed cast for big changes, and I needed to meet a lot of people. It's amazing how writing can forge friendships.
Why would I drive eight hours just to go to a conference? Well, I am a leader, and I really really really enjoyed the carpooling with friends and the free writing time. (Seriously, I haven't written that much in one day in over a year, and I got to do it twice in four days!). The biggest reason in my mind was pitching to a publisher.
Some of you know that I've had an agent for nearly two years now, and in that time I've written five novels, half a dozen picture books, and countless queries (my own and some of yours, too!). Small submission batches for the BIG publishers had already gone out via my agent, with some returning quickly and some not yet responding. When I saw the conference speaker bios and that I could pay for a 15-minute session, I had to check out the publisher.
I couldn't believe it. TWO of my books would fit right into their list. MOON DAUGHTER RISING was a middle grade fantasy with dark and family-based themes. They had also recently published some middle grade contemporary novels and had another one releasing, so ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS was another contender. This was my chance.
Twitter stalking was impossible, as the editor that was taking the pitches keeps a low profile on social media. I did check out their authors, excitement flaring at the pictures of book signings and readings plastered on their social media. That could be me!
My slot was scheduled about 11:00am when sweet Alice Dun of Pocatello chapter came with a slip of paper with 15 minute intervals in a list.
"How about 10 minutes from now?" she asked.
I quivered. I wasn't ready yet. I needed to go to my hotel room and talk myself straight. I asked her if I could have 45 minutes and she switched with me. I hugged her and rushed to my room.
Then I went back over my pitch and bio, as well as the blurb my agent told me to include with her take on the manuscript. I'd spent the last four weeks polishing it in case the editor wanted it next day. Those stories had been repeated to me by just about everyone I'd encountered and all our chapter members the week before at one of our meetings. I gathered my business card, my agent's business card, and the printed first chapter of the manuscript into a folder and pinned it all together with a paperclip. Deep breaths, ready. Not ready. No, no, I was ready.
I walked down the hotel hall with confidence, rocking my power outfit and heels. Preparation was my middle name. I had this.
I reached the coffee pot where it was far enough away to not intrude on the pitch in session, but close enough that they knew I was there and waiting. I was excited for my friend currently sitting with the editor, but he went way past his 15 minutes. I said a prayer and tried to hold still. A few friends walked through the lobby and into the presentations going on, each stopping to chat for a minute. They each calmed my nerves (thanks Lila, Jeremy, Larry, and Richard!).
My turn! The editor (who must not be named) invited me to sit, and I perched myself on the edge of the plush, red wing-backed chair.
I was vulnerable. I told her that it was my first pitch session but that I was excited to meet her. I asked if she'd like to hear more about me or my pitch first. She asked for the pitch. So I took a breath and managed to get the pitch out, including word count, comparison titles, and my agent's words of praise. Then I told her how I decided to pitch to her because I felt my books would fit right onto her list.
She asked questions. I responded. We joked like old friends. She complimented me, asked about my contemporary novel ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS, and seemed interested. I gave her the folder. Then she complimented me on my pitch, preparation, and said I did great.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
Jeremy even insisted on calling the chair I sat in during the pitch my throne, and made me blush more then once talking about what happened.
So I've been doing another sweep through the manuscript and just sent it to my agent and a few critique partners for final read-throughs. Part two comes from one of these read-throughs, so if you haven't followed my blog yet, please do! You won't want to miss it!
Hint: I've always dreamed of seeing a child read my book....
Our Travelodge was lackluster, but I only needed to shower and sleep in my room. The true gems of this place were the comfy chairs in the lobby and the bar with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The first night was all Smirnoff and southern rock, and it was pretty much our small group of older white folk playing pool and dancing until eleven o'clock.
The second night, we were outnumbered in a sea of culture. A better known group speaking rapid Spanish and serenading couples with a saxophone put some mariachi rock out there. The dance floor was packed. I nursed wine that night, and was dubbed the pool shark. The name was hilarious since the seven games in a row that I won were accomplished through no fault of my own. My opponents kept following the eight ball with the cue ball into a pocket.
You didn't come to this post to read about the fun, but its important to remember the details when you journal, or so the Gary Eckhart said in his talk on journaling. I think its time I start treating this blog like one and see what happens.
Speakers at the conference!
I spent almost as much time learning about Idaho Magazine, writing fantasy, and book marketing as I did running around and accomplishing some of my IWL duties as state treasurer and Coeur d'Alene Chapter president. Checks needed written, votes needed cast for big changes, and I needed to meet a lot of people. It's amazing how writing can forge friendships.
Why would I drive eight hours just to go to a conference? Well, I am a leader, and I really really really enjoyed the carpooling with friends and the free writing time. (Seriously, I haven't written that much in one day in over a year, and I got to do it twice in four days!). The biggest reason in my mind was pitching to a publisher.
My three carpooling buddies Kathleen, Bill, and Jeremy!
Some of you know that I've had an agent for nearly two years now, and in that time I've written five novels, half a dozen picture books, and countless queries (my own and some of yours, too!). Small submission batches for the BIG publishers had already gone out via my agent, with some returning quickly and some not yet responding. When I saw the conference speaker bios and that I could pay for a 15-minute session, I had to check out the publisher.
I couldn't believe it. TWO of my books would fit right into their list. MOON DAUGHTER RISING was a middle grade fantasy with dark and family-based themes. They had also recently published some middle grade contemporary novels and had another one releasing, so ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS was another contender. This was my chance.
Twitter stalking was impossible, as the editor that was taking the pitches keeps a low profile on social media. I did check out their authors, excitement flaring at the pictures of book signings and readings plastered on their social media. That could be me!
My slot was scheduled about 11:00am when sweet Alice Dun of Pocatello chapter came with a slip of paper with 15 minute intervals in a list.
"How about 10 minutes from now?" she asked.
I quivered. I wasn't ready yet. I needed to go to my hotel room and talk myself straight. I asked her if I could have 45 minutes and she switched with me. I hugged her and rushed to my room.
Then I went back over my pitch and bio, as well as the blurb my agent told me to include with her take on the manuscript. I'd spent the last four weeks polishing it in case the editor wanted it next day. Those stories had been repeated to me by just about everyone I'd encountered and all our chapter members the week before at one of our meetings. I gathered my business card, my agent's business card, and the printed first chapter of the manuscript into a folder and pinned it all together with a paperclip. Deep breaths, ready. Not ready. No, no, I was ready.
I walked down the hotel hall with confidence, rocking my power outfit and heels. Preparation was my middle name. I had this.
I reached the coffee pot where it was far enough away to not intrude on the pitch in session, but close enough that they knew I was there and waiting. I was excited for my friend currently sitting with the editor, but he went way past his 15 minutes. I said a prayer and tried to hold still. A few friends walked through the lobby and into the presentations going on, each stopping to chat for a minute. They each calmed my nerves (thanks Lila, Jeremy, Larry, and Richard!).
Playing with the Conference props. Theme: Rendezvous
My turn! The editor (who must not be named) invited me to sit, and I perched myself on the edge of the plush, red wing-backed chair.
Make eye contact, speak slow. I reminded myself.
I was vulnerable. I told her that it was my first pitch session but that I was excited to meet her. I asked if she'd like to hear more about me or my pitch first. She asked for the pitch. So I took a breath and managed to get the pitch out, including word count, comparison titles, and my agent's words of praise. Then I told her how I decided to pitch to her because I felt my books would fit right onto her list.
She asked questions. I responded. We joked like old friends. She complimented me, asked about my contemporary novel ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS, and seemed interested. I gave her the folder. Then she complimented me on my pitch, preparation, and said I did great.
THEN SHE SAID SHE WANTED A FULL MANUSCRIPT WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND SAID SHE'D BE CALLING MY AGENT!!!!!
via GIPHY
Guys, GUYS, this is what dreams are made of. I shook her hand and practically skipped back through the lobby. The rest of the weekend, my friends laughed at my dream face, like....
via GIPHY
Jeremy even insisted on calling the chair I sat in during the pitch my throne, and made me blush more then once talking about what happened.
This could be it! I had to chronicle the experience.
So I've been doing another sweep through the manuscript and just sent it to my agent and a few critique partners for final read-throughs. Part two comes from one of these read-throughs, so if you haven't followed my blog yet, please do! You won't want to miss it!
Hint: I've always dreamed of seeing a child read my book....
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Using Amazon Free Samples to Better your Writing
I have a confession. I may or may not be addicted to those free samples on Amazon. You know, the teasers you can download to convince you to buy the book?
It’s a great marketing tool, and an awesome way for readers to decide whether or not they want to invest in the characters. For writers, it is also a fantastic way to really study the beginning of the competition.
When I read these beginnings as an upcoming author, I like to look at the first line and see if it hooks me. Examining the sample allows me to figure out the best way to convince a reader that my words are worth their time and money. How does the author make the character or their plight memorable enough to warrant further reading? What unique features of the world or magic system (I love fantasy!) or government or society are highlighted so the reader is immersed? How can I apply those calculations or techniques in my own writing to make my agent able to sell my books to editors who can sell them to the public?
Do you utilize those Amazon samples as a reader or writer? Or do you study the beginnings and blurbs of books you buy? Have you ever done this to improve your writing and/or marketing strategy? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!
Monday, April 13, 2015
Ghostwriting Series #2: How Can You Ghostwrite a Book in 30 days?
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| Source: www.laustel.com |
In March, I had special guest Marcia Layton Turner, co-founder of the Association of Ghostwriters, give us the pros and cons of ghostwriting as a form of freelancing. She wanted to give more insight and I couldn't resist hearing more. So let's let her have the floor again for part two of this series.
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“How long does it take to ghostwrite a book?” I am frequently asked. The answer, of course, is, “It depends.”
It depends on how much research is already available, how
much research still needs to be done, whether there is an approved outline, how
many interviews are needed, how long the desired finished product is, but most
of all, it depends on when the client wants it done.
I’ve found that, like most corporate meetings, book writing
projects can expand to fill the time allotted. So give me four months and it
will take four months. Give me six and it will take six. Give me 30 days and a
large enough financial incentive and I will find a way to get it done in 30
days.
Yes, it may require the help of others, such as
transcriptionists and online researchers, but you can write a book in 30 days
and it can be of top quality, believe it or not. The last book I wrote in 30
days was bought by a major publisher and is expected to sell hundreds of
thousands – even millions – of copies.
Here is my process for getting it done:
Line up a team of specialists to which you can outsource.
Even if you clear your calendar,
turn down all other work, and limit sleep to three hours a night, it’s possible
you won’t finish the book in time without outside help. Identify the work to be
done that does not require your involvement, where you don’t add much value.
That includes research, setting interview appointments, fact checking,
transcribing interviews, and editing, to name some of the most common tasks you
can delegate.
Quickly wrap up any work already in-house. While you can and should turn down any new
opportunities that arise in the next three weeks, or at least try and push them
into next month, you can’t suddenly drop work you’re in the middle of or have
committed to. So take the next few days, as you’re ramping up on the book, to
focus on the work you need to finish. You’ll be much more able to focus on the
big project if you’re not worried about that little project due next Thursday.
Then turn your attention to the book.
Start with the end in
mind. Work backward from your desired due date using your outline and a
calendar as a guide. Set deadlines based on the number of chapters. If you have
15 chapters to write, that’s a chapter every two days. Ten chapters? You have
three days each.
Determine where the
missing information is. Talk through your outline up front and assess where
you will get the background material you’ll need. Do you need to schedule
interviews with individuals, scour Lexis-Nexis for old articles, flip through
court records on site somewhere? Once you know where your information is you
can divide up the tasks and assign them to specialists to complete, so you can
stay focused on writing.
Schedule client
interviews. Since your author-client is the book’s visionary, it’s up to
him or her to guide your work. Schedule phone or in-person interviews according
to your work schedule, so that you’re working in linear fashion through the
chapters. Make sure your client is available to give you what you need
information-wise. A 30-day schedule only works if everyone is devoted to the
task.
Get on the phone.
Following your agreed-up work schedule, interview your client to collect the
information you need. What are their thoughts, observations, key points,
questions, or opinions on the material shared in the introduction? If they
can’t answer your questions, who can? Ask questions, push back, and agree on
what the chapter should contain.
Get started. Once
you have all the background information you can get your hands on, write. I
always want to peruse and study all the information related to a chapter, to
wrap my head around the content, and then I start to write. Once you know the
point and how the client wants to get there, using the background information
you’ve been given, it shouldn’t take too long to write it up.
A 45,000-word book of, say, 15 chapters, requires about
3,000 words per chapter. That’s essentially a long magazine article. Surrounded
by the material – your interviews, background research, statistics, reports,
and a chapter outline - it is very possible to power through a draft.
Will it be perfect? No, it’s a rough draft. The goal is to
shape the material into what the client wanted to convey in that chapter in a
way that sounds like they wrote it. You’ll edit and massage it later. Right
now, your task is to simply get it down on paper.
Move on to the next
chapter. Once you’ve completed the introduction, or chapter 1 – some
writers prefer to leave the introduction to last – get on the phone to talk
through chapter 2. Then write.
The process becomes very methodical, very systematic.
Once you have a rough draft of the book, it’s time to circle
back around and talk through each chapter draft with your client. What do they
like, what do they not like? Where is it missing a key fact from last year’s
Census data? Where is it missing an anecdote? Who can be hired to get that
information while you focus on the actual editing?
You may also choose to hire an editor to take a first pass
at your first draft, suggesting needed revisions and pointing out obvious
holes. Working in tandem with an editor – they’re editing as you’re writing -
can help you arrive at a publishable manuscript faster.
Are 30-day book projects the norm? No, thank goodness. But
when a client is given an opportunity to speak at a major conference next
quarter and wants to sell books at the back of the room, or would like to hand
out a book as a client gift at the end of the year, you may need to figure out
how to get it done in time for them.
While devoting yourself 24/7 to a book for 30 days can be
stressful, painful, and tiring, the upside is that you can earn a sizeable fee
in little more than four weeks. Tacking on a surcharge of between 20-50% of the
total project value isn’t unheard of.
For many ghostwriters, that’s reason enough to write a book
in 30 days.
Marcia Layton Turner is a ghostwriter and freelancer who focuses mainly on business topics. She has authored, co-authored, or ghosted more than 30 non-fiction books. She is also founder and executive director of the Association of Ghostwriters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Thank you so much Marcia for sharing your wisdom with us again today. I'll be rounding out this series next week with some tidbits of experience I have from ghostwriting projects of my own. See you then!
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