Category Archives: Publishing Books

Karma? Fate? Fickle luck? Good fortune?

These are all theories on how things happen to us, the common man. It’s a debate that has stormed across the ages, and will never have a resolution. We’ll all stumble along, damning fate whenever we trip, and thanking our good luck when we shine.

So it is with my start in writing. Going traditional was simply dumb luck. Or one of those other choices. See, I never ached to have my books read. It isn’t something I yearned for over the last 54 years. But over those years, I was looking for a way to create. Playing the trumpet, singing, even tried my hand at genealogy. (That last isn’t quite up there in the creation scale, but trust me, there’s a lot of satisfaction in it.) Nothing seemed to do the trick. So, one day I just decided to try writing. That was a year ago. Didn’t know crappola about writing, publishing, or any of the rest. (Still don’t know too much.) But what I did discover was that it’s fun. Just plain ol’ fun. And so I wrote. And wrote. And wrote some more. And after four months, I had a novel. I edited the snot out of it, lost sleep for a few days, and finally picked three publishers to which I would submit.

Now, unlike many of you who might be reading this, I hadn’t gone through the rejection thing. I’d heard the nightmares, of course, and had even read Stephen King’s account of his start, and how many rejection chits he’d received before he began his decades-long romance with the literary world. (That work is entitled “On Writing”, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone wishing to gain a bit of perspective.) So, I waited. The first rejection came back pretty fast. They were a blood and gore type site, and my story ain’t that. Fair enough. The second one was down my alley, and took my work. But when I wrote them a courtesy letter, telling them I’d also submitted to another publisher, they slid a rejection back down the tube faster than a Nolan Ryan fast ball. So, one remained. And I resolved that, given all the success stories I’d heard over the weeks about publishing “indie”, if I was rejected again, I’d go it alone. Even downloaded software to convert my story over to mobi. Had a cover artist picked out. The works. Then the letter came.

Congratulations.

And all that stuff about going it on my own flew out the window like it was chasing that Nolan zinger. So, now I have a contract, my work will be out in a few weeks, and here I sit, acting like I know something and spouting this and that.

Now, had I been rejected and gone indie, some things would be different. I’d be hustling to get my book converted (not too terribly difficult, and there are sites out there that will do it for a fee), get my cover done (ditto), and slap my book up on Amazon, Barnes& Noble, and Smashwords. I likely would have also gone to Createspace and done the print side. Then would have come the marketing. The Twitter, blogging, hob-knobbing, asking for reviews, asking for guest blogs, asking for author interviews…to be short, my next few months would be spent asking for something, mainly publicity. And you know what?

Two things are what.

Number one, that would be perfectly ok, because if you’re writing it, and believing it’s good, then you damned well better be prepared to TELL folks it’s good.

Number two, it’s absolutely no different when you publish traditionally.

Well, it’s a little different. My publisher IS setting up many of those afore-mentioned interviews, guest blogs, and so forth. But I’ll still have to work my butt off. I’m good with that. He goes to bat for me. He does that because he likes my book…and because when my book makes money, so does he. The down side to this is he has complete control over where and when my book gets published. I signed a contract saying so. A lot of folks have a problem with that, and I have to admit, it gave me pause. But after emailing quite a bit with the man in charge (His name is Tim C. Taylor), I felt very comfortable indeed with my choice. Now my book is due out in a little while under the Greyhart Publishing logo, and I’m a very happy boy.

So, you ask, what’s the bottom line? It’s simply this. We all do what works for us. Indie works. So does traditional. Will I ever go indie, if Tim doesn’t like something I do, or if it’s in a genre that doesn’t interest him? Absolutely. Do I have a bit less control since someone else holds the reins? Yeah, probably. But, I don’t care. My work load for getting my book out there is now far less, I can devote more time to writing, and it’s all good. Very good. So, see, it’s what is right at that moment, and for your particular situation. There is no right and wrong, no good and evil (except in our work). Both beasts can result in success, both in failure. That, in the end, depends on you.

Now, stop reading this article and go write something.

Author: Thomas Rydder
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Beading Necklace

Green is the new black. A 2006 Pew poll found that around half of the residents of many countries were personally concerned about global warming. However, the same poll found that the U.S. and China, the largest global warming culprits, felt little worry about the issue. In 2009, this attitude is beginning to change. People want to live sustainably, even in the word’s most commercial countries, so more and more sustainable products and services are being offered. Now, customers can choose everything from hybrid cars to organic, hand sewn baby clothes as alternatives to carbon causing mass production. Companies and industries are making an attempt to go carbon neutral by reducing their emissions and taking measures to erase their carbon footprints.

The history of carbon neutral publishing, or at least attempts at carbon neutral publishing, begins with recycled paper. In 2008, Tyson Miller – the founder of the Green Press Initiative – worked with others to compile a report on the book industry’s sustainability. What they found was that paper accounted for the majority of the industry’s carbon output, around 70%. Magazines, journals, and newspapers that are printed in hard copy form also had to deal with this shocking news. Even through recycled paper was one attempt to curb this problem, publishers knew that they needed to do more. And that’s where attempts at carbon neutral publishing got digital.

Many of the largest publishers have begun taking their materials into cyberspace instead of sending them to the printing press. Because they’re not using paper, these companies are significantly cutting carbon emissions. Just a few of these new technologies include e-readers like those marketed by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Sony, which allow individuals to read books, magazines, and newspapers in digital format. According to the New York Times, the carbon emissions of these devices are neutralized after about a year of use. In addition to the fact that attempts at carbon neutral publishing such as these are improving the environment, e-readers, which allow individuals to download books the way music is downloaded for an iPod, are starting a new trend. The Association of American Publishers concludes that the purchase of e-books has risen by more than 100%!

But while e-readers are carbon efficient, they’re not completely carbon neutral. To be so, companies would have to buy carbon credits to offset the carbon used to make the readers and the carbon needed to run the computers and servers that hold the digital media and make downloading possible. In addition, the companies that market e-readers are also in the business of publishing and distributing paper books, a carbon nightmare. However, another technology provides a way for complete carbon neutral publishing. These publishers offer completely carbon neutral publishing by not only providing a forum in which writers can publish e-books and other publications online with no paper use, but also by offsetting all carbon emissions through purchasing carbon credits from Carbon Clear.

So how do you get involved in carbon neutral publishing? The answer is simple, don’t use paper, and publish your work with a virtual publisher like Libretto. Make sure you evaluate your chosen e-publisher before submitting to determine that your publisher is carbon neutral, not just carbon efficient. This means that the publisher takes all steps to completely neutralize the carbon used to run the business, which is primarily produced as a result of electronic equipment such as computers and servers. As the numbers of individuals concerned about publishing continues to grow, more and more publishers will get on the carbon neutral publication bandwagon. But until then, you can make a difference by choosing carbon neutral publishing.

Martin Alan enjoys writing on subjects such as literature, online publishing, online magazines, green publishing and self publishing. He also enjoys keeping up-to-date with the latest developments and innovations in technology and online marketing.

For more information on online publishing click here; http://www.yudu.com

Author: Martin Alan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Duty tariff

Independent authors (or indie authors) seem to be taking over the publishing world. Tons of new books come out every day, many of them from indie authors. But if the issue of how to become published has changed, one thing hasn’t: indie writers still have to know more than just writing to get their books to sell. Here are a few tips that every indie writer should know.

Become a Marketing Author

If you want to go from writer to author (not selling vs. selling), you have to understand marketing. If you think you don’t have to learn book marketing, don’t kid yourself. The successful eBook authors (J.A. Konrath, John Locke, Amanda Hocking) have all learned how to market themselves. Become a marketing author – what I mean by this is you can’t just put your books up on Amazon or Smashwords and expect everyone to know they are there and then buy your books. You have to find the readers and you do this by great marketing. But what’s great marketing?

Author Websites

An author website is a great place to start your book marketing. But make sure that your page is high quality because this is a reflection of your writing skills (even if you didn’t set up the website yourself). Make sure there are no typos. Add great copy, and what I mean by that is short, punchy descriptions of your books, and what you are doing. Look to authors you like for examples.

Promote Your Book

Indie writers need to understand that there is a difference between writing a book and marketing it. Beyond just having a great author website, you need to have other places to promote your book, like a blog, a Twitter account, or a Facebook fan page (not a personal profile, this doesn’t help with your marketing). And beyond this, make sure that those places reflect what you do in a positive manner. Don’t have a blog with spelling errors on it. Make sure your fan page is engaging. Get on Twitter and tweet, but not just about yourself. It’s critical to know how to market and you will see your books climbing the charts.

Final Thoughts

In order to sell books, indie authors need to become marketing authors. I recommend starting with Twitter and a Facebook fan page. But make sure your Facebook fan page focuses on quality marketing (there are do’s and don’ts to marketing – be aware of them). If you would like to receive more tips on how to set up a Facebook fan page, AND how to market your books, visit here for more tips. Remember, you CAN learn how to market your books!

If you enjoyed this article and would like several more FREE tips, go to fanpagemagic.com for more valuable information.

Renee Pawlish is the author of Nephilim Genesis of Evil, a paranormal thriller, The Reed Ferguson Mystery series, Take Five, a short story collection, and The Sallie House: Exposing the Breast Within, a non-fiction account of a haunted house investigation. She consults with authors and other entertainers, helping them learn how to effectively market their books or music.

Author: Renee Pawlish
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

What used to be called Print-on-Demand (POD) publishers are increasingly being referred to as “author services companies.” POD is a digital technology that prints anywhere from one to 1,000 books at a time. The rest of the time the book is stored as a digital file on a large server. This eliminates the need for large press runs and storage space. The appeal of POD is that it makes it possible for many would-be authors to see their books in print, which may not be possible through conventional publishing methods.

Most author services companies, such BookSurge (owned by Amazon), AuthorHouse, iUniverse (owned by Barnes & Noble), Infinity Publishing, Xlibrus, and PublishAmerica offer a variety of packages to authors and contract out the actual printing to Lightning Source or some other digital printer.

The set-up fees and cost per book or per page vary from publisher to publisher, so it’s a good idea to shop around. Obviously, the quality of the books produced this way runs the gamut. It is up to the author to ensure that the book meets the same high standards demanded by a conventional publisher. Since that doesn’t always happen, the value of being a “published author” may be compromised. It won’t take too many obviously inferior books to give POD the same poor reputation once attached to “Vanity Press.”

Benefits of POD
* You can tell your story the way you want to.
* You retain the rights to your book.
* You retain editorial/creative control.
* You still receive a royalty.
* Your book can be a means to an end or an end in itself.
* You can say you are an author.

Disadvantages of POD
* POD is a technology — shorthand for digital printing.
* POD companies charge an up front fee, which can be as high as $1500.
* Most POD companies have strict guidelines for formatting, page size, and pricing.
* There is an additional charge for editing and marketing; and, in some cases, purchase of the marketing package is mandatory.
* If the company designs the covers, it owns the cover design.
* Wholesalers and retailers may not buy POD books because they are non-returnable, higher in price, and often lower in quality.
* While POD is far better than Vanity Press, the principle is similar, i.e., books are printed as submitted for a fee and are not subject to editorial quality control.
* The author has little control over production; quality of printing varies from one company to another.
* The ISBN number is often in the company’s name, not the author’s, making the company the publisher of record.
* After an initial number of complementary books, authors must purchase copies of their own books at about 40 percent of retail.

The larger POD printers produce high-quality books. But no matter how you plan to publish your book, remember that to attract a buyer, it must have a catchy title, eye-catching cover, solid content, and excellent writing.

Bobbi Linkemer is a ghostwriter, book-writing coach, and editor. She is also the author of 14 books. Bobbi has been a professional writer for 40 years, a magazine editor and journalist, and a book-writing teacher. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs who want to enhance their credibility and build their businesses. Her articles on writing regularly appear on ezinearticles.com and other top online article sites. Visit her Website at: http://www.WriteANonfictionBook.com

Author: Bobbi Linkemer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

“Indie” authors like you know that the journey to success has only begun with the completion of writing your book. Your success depends on well your book will sell to your target audience. A big part of this, in turn, relies heavily on how well you are going to promote your stuff. Here is your quick guide.

The Challenges

First, you have to accept that several challenges await you in promoting your book. As an independent author and publisher, you have the sole marketing responsibility, and this is never easy. This is especially true with first-time writers and publishers.

But challenges are part of your journey towards your goals of successes. Instead of looking at them as roadblock, learn from them and use what you have learned to better your craft. The internet has all resources you need to help you overcome the challenges of being an independent author self-publishing your books.

How to Promote

It is also on the web where you will find profitable avenues to promote your book. Here are simple methods:

– Your website or blogsite – As an indie author, you will find that you need a strong internet presence to reach your target market. Internet marketing is one of the best methods that will allow you to enjoy profitable results. It enables you to cut on marketing cost while increasing your book sales. Through your website or blogsite, you are giving your target audience an avenue to get to know you and your stuff more. Most times, readers buy books when they feel they can connect with the author.

– Website dedicated to “indie author” promotions – If you want to speed up results, you would gain much from using a website that is dedicated to promoting Indie writers and their works, digital and physical books. Such website implements effective methods and techniques to capture the interest and eventually the support of the audience so they will buy Indie books. Among these strategies are the following: sending out newsletters to subscribers, enabling free Kindle and Nook downloads, establishing social media presence. The goal is to increase exposure of the authors and their books and the awareness and interest of the public to the same.

– Social media – Creating Facebook and Google+ pages as well as a Twitter account will help you bring your work to the awareness and recognition of your target audience. These social networking sites have their throngs of users, and it is for you to take advantage of their built-in population. Make your page interesting to gain connections. Post relevant, exciting, and useful updates that will arouse curiosity and stimulate social network users to get to know you and read your stuff.

These are just three of the proven methods you can promote yourself and your works as an independent author. The internet is kind and generous to self-starters like you. All you need is to use your creativity and find the right resources and will surely get the better of whatever challenges usually met by indie authors.

Are you looking for more information regarding indie authors? Visit http://www.indiehousebooks.com/ today!

Author: Pete Morgan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Netbook, Tablets and Mobile Computing