Here is some information that the new (or experienced) writer will find helpful that I received in an author’s newsletter that I receive regularly and enjoy, full credit given at the end of the post, I encourage you to sign up for the newsletter if you aren’t receiving it already.

In the following, the writer shares a list of common things that she believes are myths that are told to new writers, and some promotional tips, I hope you find this list to be helpful:

1) If someone writes a review I don’t like, can I get them to rewrite it? No, this will never happen, nor should you ask for this. Doing this will show you are a novice. If you get back a bad review, try to learn from it and move on. It happens to everyone at least once, it’s disheartening but unfortunately, it’s part of the business.

2) Radio is all I need to sell books. Not true. For some authors radio is golden, but that’s few and far between. Doing a lot of radio may be great for your exposure, but it may not sell books. The best type of radio are interviews that are done to promote an event or workshop, that way you can at least drive people to something, rather than hoping they’ll click on your site.

3) I’m going to take my independent title and get it on Oprah. Some years back, Oprah decided to be “unique” when selecting her books and she picked a title that came from a very small publisher. Because a mention on the Oprah show can produce a high demand, the publisher could not keep up with the orders, nor did they have enough in stock or stocked in a bookstore. The result? A lot of viewers called into the show when they couldn’t find the book and Oprah vowed never to feature a small press title again. The challenge here is always availability. If you have a book from a small press but it has significant bookstore placement and availability, be sure to let the producers know this when you’re pitching the book. It could go a long way to helping you gain consideration for the show!

4) I’m going to get my book on the New York Times Bestseller list. Bestseller lists are funny things, many of them, (like the New York Times list) are not based on sales but rather on exposure and popularity. Meaning that if your book is gaining huge popularity, it might not be selling a ton of copies but bookstores are buzzing about it. The New York Times has around thirty or so bookstores around the country that report to them on what’s hot and what’s not. None of this is based on sales, just on what people are asking for. Regardless of the sales quota, in order to attain this level of exposure your book needs to have a significant print run of at least 50,000 or more. This also means that there needs to be placement of the book in bookstores. Yes, there are always exceptions to this rule, we saw that recently with the success of The Shack, but if someone is promising you bestseller status, take your marketing dollars and run.

5) If I get into Amazon does that mean my distribution is handled? No, Amazon is not a distributor, they are an online portal. Distribution means that there is a distributor actively involved in selling your book into bookstores. While it’s great to be listed on all the online sites, having this as your only access point could hamper your book’s success. If at all possible, get someone to distribute your title. Distribution can be tricky but it’s often the one missing piece to a book’s success.

6) How can I prevent my review copies from being sold? Unfortunately you can’t, nor should you waste your time and energy on trying to get them back. Review copies are sold, it happens all the time and spending your time chasing used copies isn’t a good use of your promotional efforts.

7) When I schedule a book signing the store will do all the promotion, right? Wrong. The bookstore may do some of the promotion, but not all of it. You will handle the lion’s share of promotion for your event - this includes but is not limited to: notifying the media, printing up flyers and taking them to the store (if they’ll let you provide bag stuffers to notify patrons prior to the event), getting a calendar listing in your local paper(s), getting posters done with your book cover on them, printing up and inviting every single one of your local contacts.

8 ) Will major media outlets review my book? Possibly, it depends. There’s a lot of competition out there for review space, and review space is shrinking. While aspiring to a review in the New York Times is nice, it’s important to be realistic. If your book is print-on-demand, major media may be less inclined to review it. Instead, take a look at trade or local (regional) media. And if your regional media says they won’t review your book, try getting them to do a story on you.

9) Your book will be judged by its cover: This means unless your grandson is Rembrandt he or she may not contribute her finger paintings to your cover design. Period. End of story. There is a rare exception to this but it’s important to note that it’s rare. Having a professional cover is like trying to decide whether to use hot pink paper for your resume or stock white. Unless the job you’re applying for welcomes a wildly creative bent, it’s likely that an off-beat approach to your resume will turn off any future employer. Your book is the same way. Your book is your resume, your book cover is your cover letter. If you want to get them to read on you’d better be careful about the first thing you put in front of them. Don’t take chances with your cover. Do your research, know what sells and what doesn’t, and know what will get your reader to pick up the book and what won’t.

10) All of my friends will buy my book! Your friends may not buy your book; the truth is, strangers tend to buy books faster than friends do so don’t be discouraged if your pals aren’t snapping up your book.

11) How many copies should I plan to give away to promote my book? As many as it takes. Don’t give copies to family and friends. I know this might sound mean but fair is fair, the only people who get a free copy are Mom and Dad. Friends and family need to pony up the money and buy their own copies. The rest (promotional copies) you’ll buy and give away like candy.

12) How long will it take for me to be successful? I don’t know, no one does. I wish I had the answer to that question. We’ve worked with authors who are rising successes after six months, and others who are still plugging away two and three years after their book came out. The key is to have passion for what you’re doing. Passion and commitment will keep you going through the good times and the dark days which will most certainly happen. Passion and commitment will remind you why you’re in this and why you need to stay dedicated to your work. If you’re not passionately committed to what you’re doing, how do you expect anyone else to be?

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Yesterday I noticed that a couple of my internet friends belong to an online network called “Book Event Center“, so I decided to join.

This looks like a good place to share book reviews, inform others and gain support for an upcoming book event, and meet and make friends with other authors. You can interact through messages, chat or the forum. You can create your own unique page featuring yourself and what you do. Stop by and visit.

Writing is something that takes skills that are learned at a young age. Some of these skills are obvious, like reading.  If you can’t read, you can’t write, and don’t develop a feel for how words are put together in a way that captivates the reader…that may sound like a “no-brainer”, but there are many students who don’t see the value in reading.

Writing also requires inspiration and creativity, it is an art, and learning good writing skills can be fun!

I was introduced to Brightstorm, a site that offers what I would call tutoring courses that are fun on a wide variety of subjects that you are taking in high school…including writing, the course most intriguing to aspiring writers and authors that may be visiting this blog.

There are even courses to prepare high school students for SAT’s. That doesn’t sound like much fun, does it? Well Brightstorm makes it their business to make their courses fun, and interesting. Sign up for a free brightstorm account, and you can view the first episode of each video course for free to get an idea of whether it is suited to your needs or not.

I signed up to try the “Decadent Devices in Rich Writing” course by Jennifer Stickland, she introduces the course saying writing is a lot like cooking, and using the theme of cooking throughout the course, she opens your senses to the writing experience…I was sold when she said the “decadent” food she loved was chocolate You’ll have to stop by and see what “sells” you on a course. The teachers are professional, and effective in their approach to education.

And remember, the courses are a great value, and you can get a taste for them before you register for the whole course.

If you’re a parent reading this, take a look yourself; high school students, what are you waiting for, head on over to Brightstorm and sign up for your free account.

I was reading one of my favorite daily devotional readings that I receive by email today, and clicked on a link that lead to a site for Christian authors, and spent some time listening to the video presentation they offered.  I am not being compensated to post this, by the way, just sharing something that looks helpful and worth sharing.  The site is Xulon Press, they help you from start to finish with publication of your book.  If you prefer to skim down the list of their offerings on their site map, then you will want to visit this link.

It’s time for another blog tour, and what more appropriate theme for a “tour” than “Travel”. Today I’d like to introduce you to an eBook for those who have dreamed of publishing articles for magazines, or writing books, about travel.

In my typically over-active imagination, I’ve always thought, wow, travel writers are as lucky as can be because they can eat at the best places, stay at the best hotels, and visit all those historic or fun destinations that most of us just dream of visiting.  Then after a long day of having all kinds of fun, they can sit back in their lounge chair on the beach or beside a pool, or in their luxurious hotel room, pull out their laptop and whip up an article about their experiences.  Then when they are finished, put everything away, and go out for an evening of more fun-fun-fun!

My bubble was burst, well maybe not entirely burst….let’s just say it was a “reality check”… to read and review “Travel Writing as a Freelancer”, a 64 page eBook for those who are interested in writing about travel as a profession.  It still sounds like it would be great fun, and very interesting, but like most things, it does require some expertise and work.

The Author, Wendy VanHatten, provides point-by-point information on the does and and don’ts of writing about travel.  Along with MANY helpful points in her book, you will be guided through the step-by-step process of writing your first article, how to find places that might publish it, how to communicate with publishers, and so very much more.  You will want to have the publication close at hand as you work through the steps necessary. It’s actually written in the form of a course on writing, with assignments.

Here are the chapter titles for the book to give you just a tiny taste:

• What You Need
• Course Overview
• Class Outline and Assignments
•  Topic #1 - Specializing & Specifics
• Topic #2 - Bright Ideas
• Topic #2 - Selling Your Article
• Topic #4 - Building Blocks
• Topic #5 - Story Structure & Headlines
• Topic#6 - Writing Finesse
• Topic #7 - Travel Photography
• Topic #8 - Toning Up
• Topic #9 - Ethics & Etiquette to Nuts & Bolts
• Habits
• FAQ
• Back to the Beginning

Have those headings, and the idea of writing about travel and how to do it, got you curious?  Then please head over to Travels and Escapes for more information about this instructional eBook and how to purchase it…I believe you receive 3 free reports with the eBook.

To read other impressions and thoughts about this book, follow the tour…the next stop will be at “Blogging Roads” by Julie Roads either later today, or tomorrow, November 18th.

Here is something that may interest those of you who are authors, or have a book “inside” of you that is waiting to be written.  I received this information from an author friend who is listed in my Blogroll, Kathie Thomas. It sounds like a lot of fun for those of you who can afford it and fit it into your February schedule.

Next February, the Captains of Independent Publishing are rolling out   a Publishing at Sea Cruise. Judith Briles (The Book Shepherd), Brian Jud (Beyond the Bookstore), Eric Kampmann (Midpoint Trade), Dan Janal (PR Leads) and Katherine Carol (Coach) will help you create the book, the marketing strategy, the PR savvy and much, much more on this fabulous week at sea. The dates are February 15-21. The cruise line is Royal Caribbean.

Publishing Panache, Marketing Moxie, PR Power, Distribution Do-ability and Speaking Savvy will be your guaranteed take-aways and how-tos from this glorious week at Sea. All woven with visits and play in Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel plus two relaxing days cruising at sea. Bring your spouse, significant other or kids—make it a holiday for all.

After a strenuous day of tanning, swimming, touring and a workshop or two you can return to your room, kick off your sandals, pour a refreshing drink and put your feet up on your balcony railing as you watch the Caribbean float by you. Paradise? You bet. You can cruise the Caribbean, visit and play in top Mexican resorts and learn how to publish and market your books—for about $275 a day including meals, the seminar fee, your cabin, all the food you could possibly eat, all taxes and tips. Only Balcony and Oceanview cabins available on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas.

Only 50 cabins area available. The dates are February 15-21, 2009.

For information and details of the workshops, go to www.PublishingAtSea.com.  You can call Judith directly at 303-885-2207.  Reserve your spot NOW!

I am not sure whether one can truly publish a book entirely at no cost, but this article provided by “Selling With Articles” will give you some tips that may set you in the right direction. I hope you enjoy!

How to Self Publish a Book For Free

By: Ruth Barringham

The internet and modern technology have made it very easy for anyone to self publish a book. But like everything else, to do something well and to do it profitably, it takes money. However, you can now self publish as many books as you want to – for free!

It’s every writer’s dream to be a published author; to sit and write books and have them published and selling all over the world.

How great would it be to be able to write as many books as you want to and know that they will all be published?

Can you imagine that?

If you could write and publish books for a living you could work from anywhere in the world. You could sit by a swimming pool and write, or sit on a warm tropical beach or hide away in a snowy log cabin while you churn out one great book after another, knowing that every single one of them will be published.

How fantastic would that life be?

Well you can now stop dreaming and make your life as a successful author a reality. And if you think you can’t afford to publish all your own books, you’re wrong. Because it’s now possible to write and publish all your books for free.

So if you’ve written a book, edited and proof read your manuscript, then it’s time to turn it into a published book. And there are several different ways that you can go about it.

The easiest way is to sell your book electronically (an eBook) as an instant download over the internet.

If you already have a web site you can sell your book from there by creating a sales page and a ‘thank you’ page that includes the download instructions. You can then set up the payment process using an online payment company such as PayPal.

PayPal allows you to set up an account with them for free. Through this account you can set up a ‘buy now’ payment link that you can simply copy and paste onto your sales page.

Once a customer has made a purchase they are then directed to your ‘thank you’ page where they can download your book.

If you don’t have a web site, you can sign up for a free blog and sell your book from there the same way.

Or if you’re really not that savvy at creating web pages, you don’t have to have a web site or blog at all to sell your book.

You can use an online eBook company called MobiPocket who will supply you with free software so that you can upload your book file to their web site.

You can then set your own price and book description, etc, and MobiPocket will sell your eBook for you and take a percentage of each sale.

MobiPocket is owned by Amazon.com and so if you sign a publisher’s agreement with MobiPocket, your book will also be available as an instant download through the Amazon stores too, as well as through over 100 other online eBook stores.

And if you want your book to be available in print form too, you can use LuLu.com.

LuLu.com is a free online POD publisher who will sell a printed copy of your book On Demand from their web site, as well as help you design a free book cover. All they ask in return is a percentage of every book sale.

So if you want to publish your book for free, try these simple ways and you can publish your book easily in only one afternoon and have it available as an eBook and printed book.

And then it’s time to begin writing your next book, and the next, and the next…
Author Resource:-> Learn how to publish as many books as you want for as long as you want and from anywhere in the world. Become a successful self published author. http://selfpublishworldwide.com

Article From Selling With Articles -

A month or so ago, I was made aware of a eZine called “Book Marketing Matters” by a Brian Jud. It contains regular columns with tips from Dan Poynter, John Kremer, Marcella Smith, Penny Sansevieri, Rick Frishman, Eric Kampmann, Pam Lontos, Paulette Ensign, Robin Bartlett, Roger C. Parker, as well as guest columnists.

The newsletter is sent by subscription only.  If you would like to have it sent to you as a pdf, please click here to open your email service, and put “pdf” in the subject line or body of the message.

I reviewed an issue of the newsletter, and visited the associated website, and was quite impressed. I haven’t been compensated for this post, just sharing because I like what I saw!