People often times confuse book reviews with book reports. Book reports describe what happens in the book. Their focus is the retelling of facts concerning plot, characters, and the main idea. Book reviews inform readers what the book is like and whether it was enjoyable or not. Good book reviews help increase the sale of a book.
If you review books on your web site, be aware of the type of readers you have visiting and ask yourself if the subject matter will interest them. For Lori’s Book Reviews the majority of my audience is women between the ages of 20 to 60. I do have a few male readers, but it is predominately women. Therefore books I review will cover what I believe will interest them; you won’t find me reviewing book covering war stories because that is not what my readers are looking for.
When you are offered a book for review, remember that was something the author worked very hard for. Honest opinion of the book should be offered, but in a respectful manner.
Tips I found helpful when I write book reviews:
1. READ THE BOOK. I can not stress this enough, you can not offer a fair review if you only skim the book.
2. As you read the book write down themes or quotes that may interest readers.
3. While writing, tell readers about the story as if you are sitting across from them discussing the book.
4. Give the name of the author and the book several times throughout the review.
5. Since my tag line is “Reviewing Books with a Purpose” I want to share what insight I found in the book. How did the book bring readers closer to God?
6. Express your honest opinion. A review should either persuade readers to pickup the book or to avoid reading it.
7. Don’t give any surprises away in your review.
The on going debate right now is “Do Blog Book Reviews Drive Sales?” Anne Kingman and Michael Kindness, who are Random House sales representatives, reported that more than 30% of their readers at Books on the Nightstand have bought three to five books based on recommendations on the site and 14% have bought six or more, according to the 252 respondents to their recent reader survey. A recent survey of lit blog readers shows that 56% buy books primarily based on the influence of blogs. I believe publishers like Thomas Nelson, Random House and Tyndale House Publishers have realized this and now offer a blogger review program.
After you have a well written review posted on your web site, be sure to email the author or publishing house and offer a link to your review. Also post your reviews on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com to increase your exposure as a book reviewer.
If you are interested in becoming a book reviewer here are some links to get you started:
Thomas Nelson (http://brb.thomasnelson.com/)
Tyndale House (http://mediacenter.tyndale.com)
Lori's Book Reviews:
http://laurelwreathsreflections.com/lorisbookreviews/
Showing posts with label strategy for publishers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strategy for publishers. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Marketing Strategy 9: Black Book of Business Contacts
In the world of business there is the coveted "book of business" that contains key contacts. Usually a list is amassed over the years of doing business. The longer you are in business and are successful the more valuable your contacts become.
A book of business would vary greatly by industry. A contractor's contact list might be different from those of an attorney. While an insurance sales person would have a contact list that was not industry specific, but based upon clients who have purchased from them in the past. Who would be in the book? This may include previous clients, contacts in the media, or people you know who are great at referrals. This list of people would be in your niche market, or those that would be the most interested in your book topic. You are not going to include your plumbers name in the list, no matter how important he may be unless you have a book that is geared to the plumbing industry.
In the world of writing and publishing your book of business may contain some of the suggestions listed below. Don't limit yourself to these categories, and by all means if you have additional suggestions, please share!
Pre-Book Publication:
Writing and Publishing Book of Business Contacts:
Agents
Publishers
Graphic Artists
Editors
Printers (for self-publishers)
Publicity
Book Club Reviewers
Speakers associations
Magazine or print editors
Valuable online contacts
Social networking websites
This list will grow as you slowly get closer to your publication date. I have a list of twelve people I use with each book I print. Does this list vary, yes...but I am so happy the major leg work is over. I know who I am going to use to layout and create the cover of each book, I know who I'll choose to edit, distribute, or help with publicity. I know who I will call to set up speaking engagements, help with promotions and share my information via speakers bureaus and networks. What a time saver!
Do you have a list of people that you will use to help you as your book project grows near completion? If not, begin today.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Guest Blogger: Susan K. Marlow
Part 2
4. Changing points of view during a scene. TV shows and movies can get away with this, and maybe even the classic writers of old, but it's not a good idea to bounce around from one character's thoughts and viewpoint to another's, all in the same scene. I've seen this many times in beginning writers' work. In fact, changing POVs (points of view) was the very first thing a critique group pointed out to me during my first writers' group meeting. My character was just getting ready to be trampled by a wild stallion and her brother pulled her to safety. Then I switched points of view and told the story from the brother's viewpoint as he rescued his sister. I had no idea I was doing something that is a "mistake." It's OK to switch POVs between chapters or if you use a distinct scene break, but avoid jumping around during the same scene.
5. Run-on sentences. I'm always amazed when I read new writers' work and wonder if a sentence is ever going to end. It's like they're so busy putting thoughts on paper they forget there needs to be a period now and then. Instead, they connect phrases and clauses with "and" "but" "then" "so" and other connectors that are best used sparingly. Here's an example: "Sarah, the office manager, wanted all the memos to be typed so they would be easy to read, but Jane just couldn't figure the keyboard out, no matter how many times Jane tried to teach her, and it drove Jane nuts." It's best to use short, snappy sentences (especially if you want to build suspense). Save the longer sentences for a quiet, sleepy feeling. But be careful you don't put the reader to sleep!
6. Pet word. Every beginning writer (and sometimes experienced authors) have a basket of "pet words." These are words that flowed so well when we use them that before long we've crossed over into "overuse." A good critique partner (or editor) catches there favorite words right away. Mine was "just." Other pet words may include "that" "then" "very" "really" and "OK." You don't even know you're using them! However, that wonderful "Find" tool in the Word program helps you track them down and use a different word or (better yet) cut them out. Even now I cringe like a beginner when my critiquer says things like "first use" "second use" "third use" and she's still on the same page. Most recently, my pet word was "toss." Things were always getting tossed! And I didn't even know it until she pointed it out to me.
7. Pest words. Pet words quickly morph into "pest words." These are bugs that infect your writing and can brand you as a beginner. "ly" adverbs are a perfect example of pest words. "Really, happily, clearly, wisely, lovingly, carefully, frantically . . ." There is no end to these verb modifiers! While the beginner believes he is expanding his description (Jon held tightly to the railing), in reality it is considered weak writing. Intead, go through your manuscript and find "ly" adverbs and try to think of a strong, vivid verb to use instead. (Jon gripped the railing). Sarah talked loudly could be Sarah shouted. The boy ran quickly through the forest = The boy dashed through the forest. Again, this is a beginner's mistake that most of us don't realize we are making and it easy to fix!
"ing" words are another pest problem. I've seen many manuscripts come in where the character can't say or do anything without an "ing" word attached to the dialogue tag. "I can't hang on much longer!" Jon said loudly, holding tightly to the edge of the cliff. Sounds OK at first glance, and honestly, a few of these are OK in a novel. It's overuse we're talking about here. This could be changed to: Jon clung to the cliff's edge. "I can't hang on much longer!" The exclamation point clues the reader into the fact that he's probably shouting. I replaced the "holding tightly" with "clung."
8. Passive verbs. Beginning authors always use passive verb forms. It's a sure sign, so look out and fix this one before sending anything into an editor or agent. Passive = slow. Active = action. A passive verb is when you use a state-of-being verb (am, is are, was, were, be, being, been) and have all that great action happening TO the subject of the sentence instead of the subject DOING the action. This wearies a reader's mind in no time and makes the story slog along like it's caught in molasses. For example: The meeting was called to order by President Baker. Change to: President Baker called the meeting to order. Or . . . The dog was hit by the car. Change to: The car hit the dog. Again, the occasional use of passive verb forms add variety to your story, but overuse will brand you as a beginner.
Learning to self-edit your own work saves you a lot of misery (from rejection letters) and money (from paying an editor to do what you are perfectly capable of doing). Once you are aware of the mistakes, it takes only determination and vigilance to keep from falling into these beginner traps.
Editor's Note: Susan Marlow has authored a book for students, Reach for the Stars Young Fiction Author's Workbook
Susan K. Marlow
www.circlecadventures.com
4. Changing points of view during a scene. TV shows and movies can get away with this, and maybe even the classic writers of old, but it's not a good idea to bounce around from one character's thoughts and viewpoint to another's, all in the same scene. I've seen this many times in beginning writers' work. In fact, changing POVs (points of view) was the very first thing a critique group pointed out to me during my first writers' group meeting. My character was just getting ready to be trampled by a wild stallion and her brother pulled her to safety. Then I switched points of view and told the story from the brother's viewpoint as he rescued his sister. I had no idea I was doing something that is a "mistake." It's OK to switch POVs between chapters or if you use a distinct scene break, but avoid jumping around during the same scene.
5. Run-on sentences. I'm always amazed when I read new writers' work and wonder if a sentence is ever going to end. It's like they're so busy putting thoughts on paper they forget there needs to be a period now and then. Instead, they connect phrases and clauses with "and" "but" "then" "so" and other connectors that are best used sparingly. Here's an example: "Sarah, the office manager, wanted all the memos to be typed so they would be easy to read, but Jane just couldn't figure the keyboard out, no matter how many times Jane tried to teach her, and it drove Jane nuts." It's best to use short, snappy sentences (especially if you want to build suspense). Save the longer sentences for a quiet, sleepy feeling. But be careful you don't put the reader to sleep!
6. Pet word. Every beginning writer (and sometimes experienced authors) have a basket of "pet words." These are words that flowed so well when we use them that before long we've crossed over into "overuse." A good critique partner (or editor) catches there favorite words right away. Mine was "just." Other pet words may include "that" "then" "very" "really" and "OK." You don't even know you're using them! However, that wonderful "Find" tool in the Word program helps you track them down and use a different word or (better yet) cut them out. Even now I cringe like a beginner when my critiquer says things like "first use" "second use" "third use" and she's still on the same page. Most recently, my pet word was "toss." Things were always getting tossed! And I didn't even know it until she pointed it out to me.
7. Pest words. Pet words quickly morph into "pest words." These are bugs that infect your writing and can brand you as a beginner. "ly" adverbs are a perfect example of pest words. "Really, happily, clearly, wisely, lovingly, carefully, frantically . . ." There is no end to these verb modifiers! While the beginner believes he is expanding his description (Jon held tightly to the railing), in reality it is considered weak writing. Intead, go through your manuscript and find "ly" adverbs and try to think of a strong, vivid verb to use instead. (Jon gripped the railing). Sarah talked loudly could be Sarah shouted. The boy ran quickly through the forest = The boy dashed through the forest. Again, this is a beginner's mistake that most of us don't realize we are making and it easy to fix!
"ing" words are another pest problem. I've seen many manuscripts come in where the character can't say or do anything without an "ing" word attached to the dialogue tag. "I can't hang on much longer!" Jon said loudly, holding tightly to the edge of the cliff. Sounds OK at first glance, and honestly, a few of these are OK in a novel. It's overuse we're talking about here. This could be changed to: Jon clung to the cliff's edge. "I can't hang on much longer!" The exclamation point clues the reader into the fact that he's probably shouting. I replaced the "holding tightly" with "clung."
8. Passive verbs. Beginning authors always use passive verb forms. It's a sure sign, so look out and fix this one before sending anything into an editor or agent. Passive = slow. Active = action. A passive verb is when you use a state-of-being verb (am, is are, was, were, be, being, been) and have all that great action happening TO the subject of the sentence instead of the subject DOING the action. This wearies a reader's mind in no time and makes the story slog along like it's caught in molasses. For example: The meeting was called to order by President Baker. Change to: President Baker called the meeting to order. Or . . . The dog was hit by the car. Change to: The car hit the dog. Again, the occasional use of passive verb forms add variety to your story, but overuse will brand you as a beginner.
Learning to self-edit your own work saves you a lot of misery (from rejection letters) and money (from paying an editor to do what you are perfectly capable of doing). Once you are aware of the mistakes, it takes only determination and vigilance to keep from falling into these beginner traps.
Editor's Note: Susan Marlow has authored a book for students, Reach for the Stars Young Fiction Author's Workbook
Susan K. Marlow
www.circlecadventures.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Marketing Strategy 4: Continuing Education
As I get older I realize how much I do not know. I know at heart I am a perpetual student. I love the researching part of the writing. I enjoy the hunt, uncovering little tidbits of knowledge so much that I don't want to start writing the manuscript, no matter what the topic. Maybe you are not like me and you feel learning is a drudgery. I will share with you little short cuts to the learning process and how to make a small amount of time pay off in a big way.
Learning encompasses so many facets of the writing process. Everything from the research needed to set a location in some-faraway-exotic land, to where does that darn semi-colon go in a series...and my favorite when do you use a comma before AND and when don't you! (Don't worry, if you are a grammarian you will enjoy these blog posts for the fun it will give you in finding errors.)
Yet, the learning I'm referring to here is not only to hone your punctuation skills (you can hire a good editor for this and I have 4 right off the top of my head I can refer to you), but also for learning about the publishing process. Even more important is the marketing that is needed to sell that book. I really wish I had known the importance of marketing when I first began. I know to many of you it may seem self-evident, but to most authors just wanting to complete the first manuscript the entire process can seem daunting without adding marketing into the mix.
I am a self-published author who turned down a 4-book contract. I work with authors who are published by traditional publishers and those who are self-published and even authors that I have personally published, through my company Media Angels, Inc. This experience has given me the edge and what I have learned could fill a book, and has. It's title? Information in a Nutshell: Writing and Publishing.
Maybe you are a natural and do not need formal education, but I can't say that about all authors...believe me, some of my own manuscripts have needed major overhauls before they could see the light of day! Not all of us can go back to college and pursue journalism, communication or other writing intensive degree. So, if you have a day job, what are your options?
I thought you'd never ask. There are many options that are surprisingly free on the internet if you know where to find them, and, some that are a small cost and worth every penny. One of the best ways to stay ahead of the crowd is to study internet marketing. I have done this for about two years. I've taken copious notes, listened to more podcasts, CD’s, and watched more DVD’s, than there are grains of sand on Ft. Myers, Beach. Alright, that may be a slight exaggeration, but sometimes it feels that way. And what have I learned? That I have a long way to go in learning about Internet marketing and if I continue to learn, I will be on the cutting edge of technology. The only reason I care about this at all is that it has already proven that it helps to sell books.
My sales have grown exponentially since the first of the year and all of this in a down market. If I used the marketing trends as they are meant to be used, I am sure the sales would increase. One way is to blog daily. The biggest obstacle to blogging that I am still working on overcoming is the realization that every blog does not need to be profound! For that reason I don’t blog daily (yet). I am working toward that goal!
Here is what I have learned and you can implement quickly:
Stay up to date with marketing trends by subscribing to a free e-mail, (or paid) subscription, of Publisher’s Weekly, or other similar literary magazine.
Listen to marketing and publishing podcasts. A good one to start with is my upcoming podcast, Information in A Nutshell on BlogTalkRadio.com. Another one is hosted by Cindy Rushton, also on BlogTalkRadio …The Writer’s Radio Show. Both of these will bring you information you can use, now! Check for times and topics at http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/InformationInANutshell.
Take a free (or subscription) writing course. I have offered a free writing e-course on my website http://www.InformationInANutshell.com that is available online. This course will give you some good information on the writing process and how to hone your skills. I will be teaching several others this year online as well.
If you are serious about your writing you can’t learn too much, especially if you plan to launch your book with a bang. I have done both…launched books with a bang and a fizzle. Believe me, the bang is always a more satisfying feeling. The fizzle translates into books that trickle out the door. If you do your homework and at least one of the things I have encouraged you to look into above, your book launch is sure to be a success!
Learning encompasses so many facets of the writing process. Everything from the research needed to set a location in some-faraway-exotic land, to where does that darn semi-colon go in a series...and my favorite when do you use a comma before AND and when don't you! (Don't worry, if you are a grammarian you will enjoy these blog posts for the fun it will give you in finding errors.)
Yet, the learning I'm referring to here is not only to hone your punctuation skills (you can hire a good editor for this and I have 4 right off the top of my head I can refer to you), but also for learning about the publishing process. Even more important is the marketing that is needed to sell that book. I really wish I had known the importance of marketing when I first began. I know to many of you it may seem self-evident, but to most authors just wanting to complete the first manuscript the entire process can seem daunting without adding marketing into the mix.
I am a self-published author who turned down a 4-book contract. I work with authors who are published by traditional publishers and those who are self-published and even authors that I have personally published, through my company Media Angels, Inc. This experience has given me the edge and what I have learned could fill a book, and has. It's title? Information in a Nutshell: Writing and Publishing.
Maybe you are a natural and do not need formal education, but I can't say that about all authors...believe me, some of my own manuscripts have needed major overhauls before they could see the light of day! Not all of us can go back to college and pursue journalism, communication or other writing intensive degree. So, if you have a day job, what are your options?
I thought you'd never ask. There are many options that are surprisingly free on the internet if you know where to find them, and, some that are a small cost and worth every penny. One of the best ways to stay ahead of the crowd is to study internet marketing. I have done this for about two years. I've taken copious notes, listened to more podcasts, CD’s, and watched more DVD’s, than there are grains of sand on Ft. Myers, Beach. Alright, that may be a slight exaggeration, but sometimes it feels that way. And what have I learned? That I have a long way to go in learning about Internet marketing and if I continue to learn, I will be on the cutting edge of technology. The only reason I care about this at all is that it has already proven that it helps to sell books.
My sales have grown exponentially since the first of the year and all of this in a down market. If I used the marketing trends as they are meant to be used, I am sure the sales would increase. One way is to blog daily. The biggest obstacle to blogging that I am still working on overcoming is the realization that every blog does not need to be profound! For that reason I don’t blog daily (yet). I am working toward that goal!
Here is what I have learned and you can implement quickly:
Stay up to date with marketing trends by subscribing to a free e-mail, (or paid) subscription, of Publisher’s Weekly, or other similar literary magazine.
Listen to marketing and publishing podcasts. A good one to start with is my upcoming podcast, Information in A Nutshell on BlogTalkRadio.com. Another one is hosted by Cindy Rushton, also on BlogTalkRadio …The Writer’s Radio Show. Both of these will bring you information you can use, now! Check for times and topics at http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/InformationInANutshell.
Take a free (or subscription) writing course. I have offered a free writing e-course on my website http://www.InformationInANutshell.com that is available online. This course will give you some good information on the writing process and how to hone your skills. I will be teaching several others this year online as well.
If you are serious about your writing you can’t learn too much, especially if you plan to launch your book with a bang. I have done both…launched books with a bang and a fizzle. Believe me, the bang is always a more satisfying feeling. The fizzle translates into books that trickle out the door. If you do your homework and at least one of the things I have encouraged you to look into above, your book launch is sure to be a success!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Marketing Strategy 3: Buy that Domain Name!
How important is a name? Have you decided on a book title, have you created a company name or perhaps have an idea that might sell? Maybe you are like me and have a notebook and folder on your computer bulging with ideas...or maybe not.
But, what if you do come up with a great name for a company (or book) and decide you will have a website by the same title, a blog or even a Facebook follow page. Then when the happy day rolls around and your book is out or your company is formed you decide to go to http://www.domainsite.com or one of the other places to purchase dot com names and guess what? Your idea has been taken, and all that traffic that should be going to your book or website is going somewhere else.
Do you own your personal name.com? I purchased felicegerwitz.com years ago when a friend told me she had lost her name. Ask anyone who has lost their name to a dot.com squatter the importance of purchasing your name. What is a dot com squatter you may ask? Someone who buys a dot com that has expired or of a famous person’s name who has not registered theirs and “sits” on it—reminiscent of land squatters of times gone by. At one time, in the early days of the Internet, there were huge legal firms doing this, squatting on domain names. Other attorneys had a field day suing companies and individuals that purchased names not their own, or purposely purchasing other well known business names. Unfortunately, very few people were able to get their names as domains. But, the ones that did had to either win court cases or paid large legal fees.
When I wrote my book on science fair projects, the name science fair was available. Guess what? I waited to buy it. No, I never was able to purchase that one. At one time it was one of the top 100 words searched on the Internet. I haven’t checked recently to see if this still holds true. Recently my domain name (that I have owned for the last ten years) http://www.Virtual-Field-Trips.com was taken by a squatter and I had to pay to get it back. Thankfully the squatter turned out to be reasonable and I was able to buy it for a reasonable fee (it was my own fault I let it expire!). Yet, others are not so fortunate. One of my business partners lost the name to his unique company name by someone wanting $800.00 for it, he said no.
The lesson here? If you have a book title, or business name idea, check out domainsite.com (or others) and see if you can buy the title. The yearly fee is around $8.99. If you decide after a year that the book is not going to be written, then let it expire. At least you’ll have it if you so decide. I don’t own all the titles of my books, but I do own series titles, for example, InformationInANutshell.com and TruthSeekersMysterySeries.com…it goes without saying that I own the dot coms to all of my company names. Yes, I checked to see if the domain name was available before deciding on my company name.
I have learned the lesson well, the hard way. I only wish I had learned this early on in my writing career. While book titles can’t be copyrighted, business names can. This is something to consider at some point as well. Remember, this little piece of advice may seem insignificant to you right now, but it can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
But, what if you do come up with a great name for a company (or book) and decide you will have a website by the same title, a blog or even a Facebook follow page. Then when the happy day rolls around and your book is out or your company is formed you decide to go to http://www.domainsite.com or one of the other places to purchase dot com names and guess what? Your idea has been taken, and all that traffic that should be going to your book or website is going somewhere else.
Do you own your personal name.com? I purchased felicegerwitz.com years ago when a friend told me she had lost her name. Ask anyone who has lost their name to a dot.com squatter the importance of purchasing your name. What is a dot com squatter you may ask? Someone who buys a dot com that has expired or of a famous person’s name who has not registered theirs and “sits” on it—reminiscent of land squatters of times gone by. At one time, in the early days of the Internet, there were huge legal firms doing this, squatting on domain names. Other attorneys had a field day suing companies and individuals that purchased names not their own, or purposely purchasing other well known business names. Unfortunately, very few people were able to get their names as domains. But, the ones that did had to either win court cases or paid large legal fees.
When I wrote my book on science fair projects, the name science fair was available. Guess what? I waited to buy it. No, I never was able to purchase that one. At one time it was one of the top 100 words searched on the Internet. I haven’t checked recently to see if this still holds true. Recently my domain name (that I have owned for the last ten years) http://www.Virtual-Field-Trips.com was taken by a squatter and I had to pay to get it back. Thankfully the squatter turned out to be reasonable and I was able to buy it for a reasonable fee (it was my own fault I let it expire!). Yet, others are not so fortunate. One of my business partners lost the name to his unique company name by someone wanting $800.00 for it, he said no.
The lesson here? If you have a book title, or business name idea, check out domainsite.com (or others) and see if you can buy the title. The yearly fee is around $8.99. If you decide after a year that the book is not going to be written, then let it expire. At least you’ll have it if you so decide. I don’t own all the titles of my books, but I do own series titles, for example, InformationInANutshell.com and TruthSeekersMysterySeries.com…it goes without saying that I own the dot coms to all of my company names. Yes, I checked to see if the domain name was available before deciding on my company name.
I have learned the lesson well, the hard way. I only wish I had learned this early on in my writing career. While book titles can’t be copyrighted, business names can. This is something to consider at some point as well. Remember, this little piece of advice may seem insignificant to you right now, but it can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
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