Self-Publish And Promote Your Books

Xlibris, the self-publishing industry leader, has announced the launch of their Publishers Weekly Marketing Packages to help self-published authors in promoting their books.

These packages enable authors to maximize the full potential of their marketing campaign by promoting their self-published book on the different Publishers Weekly services that cover both print and online media.

Publishers Weekly is a well-respected international news magazine that serves all segments in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word. On print, their presence is made known through the Publishers Weekly Magazine. Online, they are known through the www.publishersweekly.com website where they feature five niche-oriented e-newsletters namely the PW Daily, Cooking the Books, Children’s Bookshelf, Religion BookLine, and PW Comics Week.

Combining online and print advertising, these marketing packages from the self-publishing leader gives authors the opportunity to reach out to not only the niche markets of their books, but also to literary agents and publishers looking for the next big thing in books.

For more information, please visit http://www.xlibris.com/requestkit/index.asp?src=apr&key=mm , e-mail pressrelease@xlibris.com or call at 1-888-795-4247, to receive a free publishing guide.

About Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a well-respect international news magazine that has been in publication for over 130 years. They are part of Reed Business Information’s Publishing Group (Reed Elsevier) and they belong to the same publishing house of Criticas, Library Journal, School Library Journal, Variety and Daily Variety.

About Xlibris
Xlibris was founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Philadelphia, PA and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.

Technorati Tags: Books, promote, publishers, SelfPublished, Weekly, Xlibris

Any tips on writing scripts and screenplays?

I’d like to be able to send off scripts for TV shows, and screenplays to professional companies, but I don’t really know how they should be set out. Do you need special software, or can they be set up in word?
Also, any tips on the sort of style stage directions and descriptions of characters and scenes are written in? Do they tend to be written sparingly, leaving most of it to the director etc, or is it ok to go more creative with the language?

Technorati Tags: screenplays, scripts, tips, writing

The Screenwriter’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

Product Description
The Screenwriter’s Bible is six books in one. Book 1 — A screenwriting primer that provides a concise presentation of screenwriting basics. Book 2 — A workbook that walks the writer through the writing process, from nascent ideas through revisions. Book 3 — A formatting guide that presents correct formats for both screenplays and TV scripts. Book 4 — A spec writing guide that demonstrates today’s spec style through sample scenes and analysis. Book 5 — A sa… More >>

The Screenwriter’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

Technorati Tags: Complete, guide, Screenwriter's, Script, selling, writing, writing a screen play, writing script

TOC 2010: Skip Prichard, “Are Ebooks Dead?”

Skip Prichard (Ingram Content Group, Inc.), “Are Ebooks Dead?”

Technorati Tags: Authors, Books, ebooks, writers

Do you Write Short Stories

If you like me are a member of a writers group, you will probably end up with a lot of very short stories that after a few readings will sit and gather dust in a file. You know the kind of thing, one or two page short stories that are just the right length to be read and discussed in a fifteen minute slot. Even if you are not a member of a group and write on your own, if you love to write, you will produce lots of work that will never be used in the book or anthology that you intend one day to publish.

What a waste, after all, you did put time and effort into them. I know you liked the writing and enjoyed the response to them from a few others, but it seems a shame for them to sit in a file and not be read. So why not put some of them onto your own website and let people read them for free. People will read them and while they might not make you any money, you will begin to build up a following. This can benefit you in several ways. One, you will get feedback and feedback, good or bad, will help you improve you writing, Two, you will build up a regular readership that enjoys your work and hopefully a ready market for when you finally publish your book. Three, the website is a place to showcase your book. Four, now four is only a maybe. Maybe, if you are good and build enough of a following, you just might come to the attention of a publisher.

You do not need to be computer literate or a wiz kid to have and run your own website. I am the one they wrote the idiots guide for and I am unable to even read it. What I did was to look on the Internet for website hosting and I found loads There are free websites, cheap websites, reasonably priced websites and you makes your choice and takes your pick. The free sites all had banner advertising at the top and strip ads down one side of the page, but they are giving you a free website and they have to make money somewhere. The paid for sites charge you for their services because they do not sell the ad space. So once again it is your choice.

I looked for the one that in my opinion would be the easiest to use and picked, do your own site. The site is jargon free, easy to use and I can update quickly and easily at anytime. They gave me a thirty day no quibble free trial, which gave me ample time to test everything out, I had my first page up and out there in no time, and I decided to go ahead without waiting for the trial period to end. I pay £58.80 a year, which I think is a very reasonable cost for a very rewarding hobby. After all, most hobbies cost you hundred if not thousands a year.

If you are worried about your copyright to any material you place on your web pages, you have a right to be worried, for while copyright laws still applies to your material, the very nature of the internet makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible to enforce. Once you publish your page, your work it is out there in the public domain and can be downloaded or copied. Look at all the music and software that is copied.

However, what we are talking about here, is not your novel or anthology, we are talking those hundreds of short pieces that you will never publish, but others may enjoy. You can still put copyright with your name and date to claim the right to your own work. So why not take a chance, get a website put your work on and sit back while your short stories are enjoyed on the World Wide Web. You will be surprised at the number of people that will read them.

Copyright Fred Watson September 2007

Technorati Tags: short, stories, Write

Overcoming the Planning Hurdles When Writing Your First Nonfiction Book

Once you’ve covered the basics of determining who your specific audience is, understanding exactly what they want to read, and knowing what other similar books already exist, it’s time to begin strategizing the business angles of your book. Beginning nonfiction authors frequently err in judgment when it comes to the practical, business, and fiscal components of creating your book.
FAILING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING AND SELF-PUBLISHING
In traditional publishing, there are three primary parties involved: the author, the agent, and the publishing company. The author writes the material; the agent acts as the author’s representative and sells the material to a publisher; the publisher is the money behind the project and is responsible for placement of the book in brick and mortar stores as well as online distribution channels.
The publisher also sometimes handles certain marketing responsibilities for the book, including its listing in appropriate catalogues and other resources. The scope of the publisher’s marketing efforts will depend largely on the author’s credentials and renown. If they are already a well-known name with a big following, the publisher will be much more likely to take a risk than they would be for a first-time author with very little name or brand recognition.
In certain cases, the publisher will offer the author an “advance” – money paid to the writer before the book is even completed. This is a gamble, really, on the part of the publisher, because it assumes the book will sell enough copies to both cover the advance and be profitable to the publishing company.
Alternately, when you self-publish, you assume all the risk – financial and otherwise – yourself. The good news is that when you self-publish, you get to do it your way. You select the title. You determine what the cover looks like. And you keep a much greater percentage of the profits. The outlay on your part, however, can be substantial.
Hard costs can involve any or all of the following: ghostwriting, editing, cover design, interior design, proofreading, ISBN, copyright, proofs, printing, binding, shipping, distribution, Web design, e commerce capabilities, marketing, attorneys’ fees. To do it properly, the costs can be considerable. Anyone thinking about writing a book who plans to sell more than a couple dozen copies to family and friends must realize that a book is a business.
While there are no hard numbers available for self-published books, a quick perusal of the article archives at writing-world’s website confirms that between 5,000 and 10,000 books are printed each year by the major vanity presses (a publisher that publishes a book at the author’s complete expense), such as Xlibris, iUniverse, and the like.
FAILING TO UNDERSTAND THAT A BOOK IS A BUSINESS
As mentioned above, a well-written book that will actually appeal to people and sell more than a handful of copies must be treated as a business. This means incorporating all the steps involved in starting any new business. A budget, a business plan (generally speaking, a well-written book proposal will suffice), a Web site equipped with e-commerce, and a thorough marketing plan are a few of the main components involved in a successful “book business.” Our goal here is not to stamp all the enjoyment out of your writing project. Certainly you can and should have fun with your book. But if you have any intent to see it widely read and distributed, you must set out with a realistic attitude about exactly what is involved in taking your idea from conception to publication to dollars in your pocket.
Do not make the mistake of thinking this book will make you rich – the likelihood is that it won’t. That’s not to say you shouldn’t write it, or that your book will not be a financial success for you – but you must be prepared to lay out some serious cash first, particularly for a self-published title. Generally speaking, if you recoup your expenses within the first year, your book has been “successful.” With a great concept, proper marketing, and a real business plan to which you are willing to adhere, you can supersede this goal and actually make money from your book, but it will require a substantial time and energy commitment on your part.
NEGLECTING TO CREATE A REALISTIC TIMELINE
One major place where new authors get tripped up is understanding how long the writing/publishing process takes. First, there are the research components mentioned above. Next, there’s the actual writing process. Unless you are as disciplined as Gandhi, you have to plan for distractions. This likely means creating a dedicated writing space and/or carving out a specified writing time. If you’re not independently wealthy or haven’t already sold your book to a publisher for a healthy advance, chances are you will be writing this book around your existing job and amidst life’s many demands (job, spouse, kids, parents, social commitments, civic commitments, religious commitments, errands, pets, etc.). Oh my goodness . . . where are you possibly going to find the time to write a book?
This is why you absolutely must create a timeline and find a way to carve out dedicated writing time. Otherwise, your book will never take top priority for you. It will always remain just another great idea, a hobby, or something that hovers somewhere on your “someday” list.
How much time you can dedicate to your writing project will differ for each person. But even if you can afford only two hours a week for dedicated writing time, schedule that time. Write it on your calendar or enter it into your PDA. Make a sign for the door: “Do Not Disturb – Mommy’s Wearing Her Author Hat Until 2 p.m.” Get up an hour earlier. Stay up an hour later. Write during your lunch hour. Think about getting a digital recorder and “talking” your book; you can always have it transcribed later. Find a coach or an accountability partner . . . someone who checks in with you once a week to see how much progress you’ve made. Do whatever works for you – but you MUST create a timeline for your writing project and find a way to stick to it.
Once your book is written, though, you’re really only halfway there – unless your only dream was to write it, and you couldn’t give a flying Fig Newton if you ever sell a copy. Most authors do care about selling their work, though. Even if you are the Bob Ross of nonfiction writing, you still must factor in all the components that come AFTER the writing is complete. These include editing, cover design, layout and interior design, proofreading, and printing, to name a few of the basics.
While it’s pretty much guaranteed that your timeline will change, you must have one, if you want to have any idea how all the pieces will dovetail, once the production process gets underway.
Virtually anyone can write a book – it’s true. Seeing to the details, though, will make a huge difference in whether your book sinks or swims financially. Decide before you begin whether you will self-publish or seek a traditional publisher. Treat your book as a business, and create a realistic budget for it. And lastly, create a timeline for the entirety of your publishing project. While there is no way to EVER guarantee which book will succeed and which one will fail, these steps will help assure that your book has a fighting chance for success.

Technorati Tags: Book, first, Hurdles, nonfiction, Overcoming, Planning, writing

What are some unique childrens books ideas?

I have a project in English class that we have to create our own childrens books. We have to come up with our own plot, theme, title, etc. for the book.

Does anyone have or know any unique ideas that I could get inspiration from? Maybe some title suggestions as well?

Technorati Tags: Books, childrens, ideas, Some, Unique

What are some Legitimate poetry contest or some poetry books to submit a poem to?

I wrote a poem about the death of my young child. Everyone keeps telling me to enter it into poetry contest. I recently submitted it to a book and am awaiting a reply. This is a poem that really means a lot to me and I do not want to get scammed or anything. Can you please just give me name of websites or poetry books to submit my poem to. All information is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Books, contest, Legitimate, poem, poetry, Some, submit

Need-to-Know Info For Hiring a Nonfiction Book Editor

You’ve written a nonfiction book, and you’d like an editor to peruse it with an objective eye and polish it to a shine before you submit it to a publisher or self-publish. Following are questions you need to ask and answers you need to know about editors and the editing process.

First, the questions:

• What type of editing do most nonfiction writers want and need?
• What’s involved in content and copy editing?
• How does an editor determine a book’s objectives?
• How do you find the editor that’s the right fit for your book?
• What pricing should you expect from an editor?
• What result should you expect from an editor?

And now the answers.

What type of editing do most nonfiction writers want and need?

Most nonfiction writers approach an editor after the manuscript has been conceptualized and the first draft completed. At this point, they need a content editor and a copy editor. Luckily, the same person usually does both content and copy editing. But if your book idea is still in the “germination” stage and you’d like big-picture advice, a developmental editor, or “book doctor,” would be the better choice.

What’s involved in the mix of content and copy editing?

Content editing requires a macro view of the manuscript to answer these questions:

• Does the structure, theme, and style support the stated objectives for the book?
• If not, how could these be changed to better align with the book’s objectives?
• What are strengths and weaknesses of the writing? What is missing?
• What additions would make it better, stronger, more creative?

A content editor may do a manuscript review and return it to the writer to make changes because it’s not ready for copyediting. If the writing doesn’t meeting the writer’s objectives for the book or has structural problems, it’s best to know and adjust the manuscript up front, saving time and money.

A copy editor digs into the nitty gritty of making sentences clear and easy to understand. Like pulling weeds in a garden, the editor searches for every last typo, extraneous expression, and grammar gremlin until the language landscape is uncluttered by word weeds and other distractions. This editor may also add color and design in wording and expression to attract readers, while maintaining the author’s intention and voice.

How does an editor determine a book’s objectives?

A professional editor asks questions that reveal the heart of your plans, goals, and expectations, gathering information, such as:

• What is the book’s target audience, category, and working title?
• What successful books could be used as models for yours?
• Do you expect or intend for your book to be a best-seller? Business door opener? Product profit center for your business? Professional reputation builder? Job networking tool?

Answer these questions for yourself before you contact an editor. What do you want your book to do for others? What do you want it to do for you?

How do you find the editor that’s the right fit for your book?

Follow this four-step process:

1. Ask for referrals from those you know and trust in circles where authors hang out and check out authors’ websites and blogs.

2. Research names of editors acknowledged or credited in model books already published.

3. Do an Internet search for “nonfiction editor” and peruse editors’ websites, particularly their portfolios. Contact authors listed in the same genre as your book’s and ask about their experiences working with particular editors.

4. Request a sample edit from each of the editors you’re considering. Do you like the level and style of editing? Has the editor preserved your voice? Do the comments help? Does the writing “sing” more beautifully?

What pricing should you expect from an editor?

Surveys show the range for an experienced professional editor varies from $50 to $150 an hour. Less experienced editors may charge less but don’t tend to dig deep enough into the soul of the manuscript. Some work more quickly and thoroughly than others-but may do more than you want! Sample edits help you compare results and pricing side by side.

What result should you expect from an editor?

You want to be able to say, “This editing makes me look better than I ever thought I could! My ideas come across clearly and the style fits my personality.” That result gives you confidence to proudly promote your book and make your authorship dreams come true.

Technorati Tags: Book, Editor, hiring, info, NeedtoKnow, nonfiction