John Kremer : 1001 Ways to Market Your Books

Okay, I admit it I'm a fan. When I interviewed John Kremer on my blog talk radio show, for authors I confessed, and he took the complement graciously. I explained that it was due to his book that I attribute much of my success. I have successfully self-published since 1994, and now work with many authors publishing their books under the Media Angels®, Inc., imprint.

I first read the sixth edition of John's book, "1001 Ways to Market Your Books" on a family reunion in North Carolina.

Everyone else was on a trek to view the mountain falls close up, while I was very happy to view the lake, and mountain view comfortably from the deck of our hotel. There I was, with my littlest son, and my book on marketing. I had been writing and publishing for a few years at this point, in a niche market, and the thought crossed my mind to expand this market into the schools and libraries. I had no idea where to begin and this book, this great resource, was able to answer all of my questions and all the others I didn't know I had!

I am a book purest. I’m coming alongside the eBook revolution very quietly although I am kicking and screaming inside. The idea of a wonderful book in my hands brings a smile to my lips. And, I would never in one-hundred years even contemplate turning down the page corners of any books in my personal library, which easily numbers over a thousand titles. Yet, John’s book broke all my carefully laid guidelines.

In fact I had to take some pictures of his book to show you.

You can see the pages are somewhat faded with age, written upon…

And, the corners are well… I really don’t know what I was thinking at the time. Was the kite-fold really necessary?

When an author begins writing, very few have a mind for marketing. Of course there are the exceptions, such as a friend, Eric Reinhold, author of the Ryann Watters fantasy series for children. Eric is a business man, a financial planner, and knows how to market. Not only does he have three books planned for the series, he has hopes for a movie to tie in with Mount Dora's 100 year anniversary. Mount Dora is the location of the book, a real place in Florida.

For the rest of us, just getting the book written is a huge undertaking. Many of the aspiring authors I work with begin to panic when I outline an underlying marketing plan to work toward, as they finish their manuscript. There are several choices according to John, one is to hire someone to market and publicize for you and the other is to do it yourself. I opted to do it myself and found the information I needed in John's "1001 Ways to Market Your Books".

What kind of information? Let me recount what this book did for me, personally:

1. I saved over $1000.00 on the print run of my book Information in a Nutshell: "Writing and Publishing" by using the printer information in John's book and website. I was able to obtain printing proposals; comparison shopped and asked my local printer if they could match the price. In this case the print run was large enough that they said, "Yes!"

2. Learned innovative ways to market, by including specific information that helped with sales. For example, the authors of book titles I mentioned in my book, mentioned my book to others. In one case the self-published author with a typical print run of 10,000 books, mentioned me in her “Digging Deeper” section. My sales soared.

3. Learned more about niche marketing, in my case the focus was on a particular group, and using my educational skills. I offered to speak to small groups, parent groups and state conventions. I taught workshops to adults and hands-on science workshops to children.

4. Marketing seasons: I found information about the best times to release books and tying this into what his happening locally. A great example is the one by Eric, mentioned above. John gives the author many ideas about how to tie this into your overall marketing campaign.

5. A book promotion time-line that is second to none. In this list, the author knows when to market and publicize and the order that it becomes the most effective. This is worth the ticket price of the book, in my opinion.

For the rest of the points you will need to listen to the radio interview I conducted with John. I am embarrassed to say that the interview went over the prescribed one hour. We clocked in at 90 minutes of excellent information! He was unselfish and generous as he continued to answer without an eye for the clock, and explained such marketing gems as the importance of a good front cover, testing the market, and building relationships.

You can learn more about John Kremer from:
Website: http://www.bookmarket.com
Group Discussion on his “Ning”: http://bookmarket.ning.com/
He has over 5,000 members, and I am one.

Happily, Blog Talk Radio selected this show as one of  Today's Top Picks!

The link for the radio show interview is: http://www.writingandpublishingradio.com.

You are always welcome to join the live event; every Monday at 3:30 ET, in order to ask the guest questions in “real time”… this interview was as much for my listening audience as it was for me. John has the experience of over 25+ years in the industry, and this interview reflected just the tip of his knowledge. Thanks John, from all of us who have profited from your research, time, energy and knowledge. I thank you for writing your book.

When do you Start Marketing Your Book?

Guest Blogger

Carol White

When I can "have it my way" - which isn’t often  - I prefer to work on the book at least 6 months ahead of the pub date – I know, “but my book is coming out next week!” - you really need that much time to get the marketing/distribution/pricing plans together. 



You need to apply to distributors, get their paperwork done, get their sales team representing your book to the chains, the chains place their advance orders, you know how many to print and ship to them, they have to get them in stores - all prior to your pub date. If you aren’t going to use a trade distributor, how are people going to get your book once they know about it? You have to be able to answer that question; and the answer isn’t “from my website” – most people will not buy from an unknown website by an unknown author.

Speaking of websites, a website is another activity that should be done as early as possible - you can use it to begin creating advance buzz for your book, have a media room where the media can learn about your book (cover art, pictures from the book, pub date, etc.) and a place to post your media coverage as it comes in. You can post your Table of contents, a sample chapter, do a blog, and so on - lots you can do to start building that platform waaayyy ahead of the book.

You also need your publicist in place with your media kit to do pre-pub reviewers 3-4 months minimum before pub date (required time), get early copies out to large magazines with long lead times, and then when the time gets closer, do newspapers, blogs, websites, and short cycle magazines. If you don’t hire a publicist, then you need to do these activities.

WHEW!!! See why it takes 6 months? Oh - and YOU have to follow-up on all this to maximize the impact.

My motto: No follow-up = no results
Get your book really ready by following these steps:

1) You need a distribution strategy (whether POD or off-set - just the logistics are different) - how sad is it to create great buzz - and you don’t have your book anyplace where the trade and consumers can get it for your anxious buyers.

2) To engage a trade distributor or even a wholesaler (assuming you are doing print runs) you must have a written marketing plan for them.

3) You have to make sure that your product is top notch - or a publicist won’t take it - their reputation is on the line with every book they recommend to their media contacts. That is what you are really paying for - who they know and how effective they are at placing your book for publicity.

4) You have to make sure that your price is competitive with other books in your genre or no amount of publicity will create the sales that you expect.

5) You need a good media kit for the publicist to use as a basis for the publicity she/he will create for you - or you can pay the publicist or another marketing professional to do that work for you.

 

Of course all of these steps are predicated on your goals for your project, the amount of resources (time & money) you can devote to your book and any constraints that your life situation imposes on you (don’t want to do live appearances or maybe radio terrifies you, etc.).
So give your book a chance – start early and plan your marketing just as carefully as you planned your words on the page

 
Carol White is an author, speaker, writer, and book marketing coach.  In addition to co-authoring the best selling, award-winning book, Live Your Road Trip Dream, Carol is a frequent guest speaker at conventions such as the national AARP Life @ 50+ and The Great North American RV Rally.  She is also a published writer for magazines and websites and has spoken about publishing to groups including IBPA’s Publishing University, the Northwest Association of Book Publishers and the Bay Area Independent Publisher’s Assn. She has an active book marketing consulting practice that includes both domestic and international clients. www.carolwhitemarketing.com

An Agent...Deep Undercover Just for You!

For those of us with a love for the Spy novels, the word "agent" evokes a mysterious, shadowy, deep-deep, undercover character, who is bigger than life, takes chances and will work tirelessly for a good cause. Other than the "shadowy character" part, a literary agent does much of the same thing for an author with a good piece of Literature.

An agent is a intermediate between the publisher and you. This is a person you will come to know, trust and rely upon for their understanding of the market and what distinct publishers are looking to buy.  An agent has the experience you may lack and can help you obtain a better contractual deal than you might have obtained on your own.

Your Agent will...

• Believe in Your Work
• Find the perfect publisher
• Work tirelessly for you
• Encouragement to you
• Obtains the best contract with you in mind
• Works hard for their percentage anything for ten to fifteen percent
• Is the mediator between you and your publisher and will help you solve problems

I will be interviewing Literary Agent, Elizabeth Pomada from Larsen Pomada Literary Agency

Be sure to join us for the live event Monday at 3:30 ET...or listen to the archives of the show here:

Writing and Publishing Radio

Getting "Into" Your Character

 

Getting into the head of your character is what brings them to life. Knowing them intimately, writing a back-story (where they have come from), knowing the details down to their favorite flavor of ice-cream, or considering an abusive childhood creates realism. My radio show http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com guest, Virginia Smith shared some of her pointers on characterization as well as other tips for authors during our interview.

What you may not know about Virginia is her tenacity to become a published author. She received 143-rejection letters before getting her first contract. Most would have given up way before then. In fact, I stopped writing for ten years due to receiving a handful. She is truly an inspiration. She explained there is no substitute for studying the writing craft, taking classes, joining support groups and constantly learning. [I offer a weekly eCourse for authors on writing fiction here: http:// writingmembership.com]

http://www.virginiasmith.org

To hear the entire radio show go to: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com

Here are some of Virginia’s tips:

1.    When writing about your character 20% comes from words and 80% from expression
2.    Relay body language
3.    People have physical quirks give your character one
4.    Invest in writing courses
5.    Attend Writing Conferences
6.    Study the craft
7.    Many more elements of a good novel in the interview

She also recommended good books among them ones on career steps and business negotiations, self-editing, and plot and structure.

I hope reading about Viriginia has motivated you to persevere in the writing and publishing process. As I tend to end my broadcasts, “Keep Writing”!

Do you have any particular struggles you have difficulty overcoming? Share them here.

Marketing Your Book Now

Are you tired of hearing me talk about marketing? Shouldn't an author write just for the sake of pleasure? What ever happened to purity in an art form? While I like the idea of writing well, writing to spread a message, teach an idea or rally the troops (whatever your cause). I much prefer the bottom line to be black!

As a publisher it is all about the bottom line. Much as I hate to admit it. If publishers don't make money, they don't pay the bills, and they don't publish any other books. In fact those of us who have published, unwisely (putting a book out before we lay the groundwork) have ended up with hundreds of books they can't move, sell or give away at rock-bottom prices.

I have held all types of sales and some are more successful than others. Yet, if I had marketed correctly in the first place I could have saved myself the aggravation of wracking my brain to decide how I was going to sell the book! I once read a blog in which the author was giving away 100 books to 400 readers. The first 100 read the book and passed it on to 3 other people so that there were 400 readers in all It was an honor system. What a brilliant concept and before the publication of his book, he had many, many sign ups to obtain a copy.

There are all types of innovative marketing techniques. And...I'm looking for some! If you know about a good book marketing technique share it with us. In fact, I'll make the offer a bit "sweeter".

For the month of March I will pick one person ... this month to receive your choice of a free book Information In a A Nutshell and DVD,  and/or a free 30 minute consultation. The consultation can be in the form of a chapter evaluation of your manuscript, talking over a book idea, or questions you may have about the writing and publishing process.

All you have to do to win is post a comment to one of the blog posts this month, and bring along a writing friend! (latter is not are requirement, but I'd love it if you did!)

Tension, Transparency, and Trauma : The Power of Personal Narrative

Tension, Transparency, and Trauma :

The Power of Personal Narrative

By Shelly Beach
Shellybeachonline.com

Award-winning author of The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk: Conforming Deadly Thought Patterns to the Word of God (Moody Publications 2009)

The day I signed the contract to write my fifth book, The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk: Conforming Deadly Thought Patterns to the Word of God, was one of the most memorable of my life. Not because I envisioned the book launching me over new authorial hurdles but because I the thought of writing it made me want to stick my head in a bucket. I knew what writing the book would require of me—stripping down to my spiritual skivvies and walking down a virtual runway so the world could take a look at the mess of me.

Walking Around in Our Spiritual Skivvies: Transparency and Authenticity
It was a book that would require transparency, and I’d run from transparency all my life. Yet in order for me to hope to effect change for anyone else, I had to first be willing to share my personal journey authentically and honestly.

And while Silent Seduction was not written to be memoir, it required me to disclose the inner struggles of my spiritual journey I hopes of stirring readers down the path to their own journey. Since the book centered on the subject of self-talk, I wrote out my own actual internal dialogues that revealed my struggles with manipulation, control, power, self-protection, and self-promotion.

I really, really wanted to write this book under the name of the girl in sixth grade who called me fat. Bev. (You know who you are, Bev.) But God said, no. We’re only real when we allow people to see our struggles. My thought was that if this was true, my huge capacity for struggle blasted open doors for God to do his work.

Knowing When to Gag the Waitress: Restraint
When we’re writing memoir and narrative, as authors we also need to skillfully filter the scenes we include. Not every experience of our lives is important, and not every detail of even our important experiences is helpful to the reader.

In one chapter of Silent Seduction I describe an inner conversation I’m battling through as Dan and I are sitting in a restaurant. I’m angry and working hard at having a godly response to my husband. The most important elements in those moments were the things I was saying to myself, even though the waitress kept interrupting my tearful pout with offerings of bread, water, and even offering nonverbal encouragement as I wept into my beverage. Her presence would have distracted my reader, so I gagged her.

As authors of memoir and personal narrative, we must practice the art of skillful editing and gagging. Just because it happened doesn’t mean there’s value in the telling.

The Point of It All: Reviving with Humor, Pointing to Hope
All of my books, in one way or another, flow out of the experiences of my life. Many of those experiences have been painful: an attack by a serial rapist, my daughter’s sexual abuse, my near-fatal brain illness, a prodigal child, chronic neurological challenges, eight years caring in my home for dying parents. But all of my books are heavily doused with humor and point to hope in Jesus Christ.

My contemporary Christian novels (Hallie’s Heart, Kregel Publications and 2008 Christy Award winner; Morningsong, 2009 Kregel Publications) deal with death, alcoholism, forgiveness, and chronic illness, yet rely on humorous characters, conversations, and interactions to relieve the weight of the topics and give readers the opportunity to laugh and experience refreshment, even as they probe difficult topics. These novels flow from my desire to write about the “big questions” most of us ask in the toughest moments of our lives: Can God be trusted? Why does He allow suffering? Why do I have to forgive evil people?

The goal of off my writing is to communicate that in even the most painful struggles of our lives, we are not alone. God offers us a hope and a future beyond the circumstances we can see. My tagline is “Illuminating truth through story” because the motivating desire of my life is to help people know the Master Storyteller who brings purpose to not only our joy, but even our deepest pain.

People Won't Read Books Anymore? Think Again

And so the story goes... there was a man by the name of Steve Jobs who made a comment in the not so distant past saying that e-readers were going to fail because people were not reading anymore. When his prediction turned out the be false he did what all good business men do...if you can't beat them, join them. E-books are here to stay. In fact one source I read claimed ebook sales topped book sales for the first time ever. If I may add my own website stats, this year alone my ebook sales are 3-1.

A Hard Decision

I'm  normally a computer savvy, tecky. I've owned many laptops before they were in. I own a netbook, mine is cream colored white. I have a wireless card for my computer so I can surf the net from anywhere with cell phone service. I've owned a computer since 1986 (remember the Commodore 64? For those who care 64 stands for K the amount of memory it had). Yet, I have a love-hate relationship with ebooks. I'm not entirely sure why. I like the convenience of e-books, but I also like to hold a book in my hands. Do I have an e-reader. No. I've looked at them but I'm still holding out. I'm not 100% convinced its the same, contrary to what all my friends who own them tell me.

Why e-books?

• I want (need) it now.
• I don't want to pay shipping.
• I will save money over the cost of a soft/hard cover book
  

Why not e-books?

• I don't like digital files
• I have to print it out if I want to hold it
  
• I like books with covers 

As you can see I'm evenly divided. But then I'm in good company. Steve Jobs couldn't decide either. He's launched his iPad that includes the iReader, years after his competition. Well, Steve I guess we authors better get working. There is now another platform to turn our digital files into for your device.


I know, ebooks are here to stay. I just don't have to like it, do I?

An Author's New Years' Resolution

New Year's Resolution: An Author's Plan

New Resolution:
Click the "publish post button on blog", so this will become published at the right time! Okay, I goofed. Now you know I'm only human!


Have you hoped to become an author? Are you working on a second book? Do you have a plan? The most prolific authors that I know are those who are well organized and have a plan.

If you have not considered writing one, today is the day!

Goals for 2010  

Research:

If you are an author, research is your best friend whether you write fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Understanding how to write is half the battle of becoming an author. Having a well researched topic is also important. I remember researching England for a novel based in a country I had not visited. I have folders of information pertaining to the city, history and local delicacies. After my research I felt I had traveled there. Know your topic.

Education:

Do you know the essential steps for writing your book successfully? It takes much more than just placing your words on paper. Well, that does help! If you would like a course that takes you through weekly lessons, assignments and must-have information join my exclusive writer's ecourse here: http://WritingMembership.com You not only receive an ecourse you receive a private email to ask me questions, a writer's membership website full of writing and publishing information, and for a limited time, a free phone consult with me!



Hire a Consultant:

When I began writing my first book I had no where to turn. Writing consultants were not readily available and not at a price I could pay. I asked several of my friends who were published and while well meaning, their advice was spotty at best. Literary consultants come in all shapes, sizes and costs. if you are serious about getting your writing going, quickly this may be an option for you.

Felice to the Rescue: I am a consultant for those who want thirty minutes of my time or longer. It is affordable, email me at felice (at) mediaangels.com and explain your needs. I can design a customized plans depending upon your needs. I have been consulted to rewrite entire manuscripts as well as analyze a publishing company saving one customer thousands of dollars (all after a thirty minute phone call). Don't be fooled by publishing companies that appear to be legitimate publishers but in reality are vanity presses.

Read:


A good author in any genre is one who is widely read, or an expert in their field. I had the pleasure of reading an excellent manuscript by an aspiring author, who happened to be a relative. When I asked her how she was able to write so well, she shared that she had read over 200 books in her chosen genre. That is doing your homework! Her work reflected an understanding of the writing process.

Read good blog posts from authors in your genre, or those who understand the publishing process. Follow blog posts of publishers or agents. Remember to post on those blogs. Get known. I posted regularly on several blogs and when I emailed the person, they remembered my name because of blog post interaction. It helps.

Write:

This is what divides the professional author from those who are aspiring. Authors write. Aspiring authors talk about writing a book. Spend the time daily, or at least three times a week or more getting words down on paper. Schedule and give yourself a deadline. That is the only way I can accomplish my scheduled writing of blog posts, e-course lessons, or my own full length writing projects. 

I did talk about writing, for about ten years. Even after I completed two full length fiction novels, I let the work sit after a few rejection letters. Even though these rejection letters included personalized comments (that is considered close, but not close enough!). Plan. Schedule, and do it!


Become Published:

Whether it is your completed book or not, you can become published. Write articles, write blog posts for your own blog or others. Get your writing known. Having a following on a blog post is a start. If you do not have a blog, it may be better to offer guest blog posts on other blogs. Do you follow any blogs? Make sure you post often, get to know the author, get to know the author's following, and contribute positively. In this way it will not come as a shock to the blog author if, at some point, you offer a literary piece as a guest blogger.


Send out our Manuscript:

As previously mentioned, you need someone to read your work. If you are writing only for yourself you have accomplished your goal. If you are writing for someone else to read your book, you have to get it off your computer and into the hands of someone whose opinion counts. This means someone other than a personal family member (unless that person happens to be a literary consultant!). Ask my daughter, a co-author on the Truth Seekers Mystery SeriesTM, if you want to know what a critique looks like! We received many of them with our first drafts, but that only encouraged the two of us to write better.

Market
Not sure how to begin? Read this blog backwards. Start with some of my earlier posts and you will learn what I call the ten most effective ways to market your book. You will find these techniques work especially well for first time authors, as well as veteran writers.


Start a Page on a Popular Site
Have you heard of Squidoo Lenses or perhaps HubPages? These are two websites and I am sure there are many others that allow you to become published. HubPages is a bit daunting as you are graded on the website based on an algorithm only known to the site creators. I was not happy with my first score so I tried harder the next time. Try you hand on writing with these sites, but don't stop there. In fact I was once tempted to post a HubPage on how so many talented authors were wasting their time putting up HubPages. (You can earn revenue with these services, but for most it's not enough to buy a meal). Why did I try these sites? Because some of those I consult asked me about them and I wanted to learn if there was value. The value I give it is getting your work in print.


Teach a Class
We are not all teachers, I know that, but if you have any ability this may be a way to get others to learn about your books. I have many non-fiction books, which easily lend themselves to teaching. If you can create slide presentations, you can teach a class. If you are interested in monetizing your class, you can here, http://www.ScholarSquare.com.


Do you have any ideas of how to begin this year? If so, please share.

Leadership Training and Communication

 Communication with a Purpose

What does it take to be a leader?
How do you learn leadership skills?
Can you communicate effectively and with purpose?
How does this information help an author?

I've asked quite a few questions and will attempt to answer them using my life experience as a basis. I never considered becoming older an asset until recent years. While I've earned every gray hair on my head, I take pains to have them professionally covered up on a frequent basis! So, if you can not learn about my years of experience via my hair color, how then can I share it? On a stage or with words.

What does it take to be a leader?

A leader is someone who is commendable, trustworthy, and honorable. A leader is someone you want to follow, and you have confidence that the information imparted will be accurate. Leadership takes experience, confidence and ability. It also takes an art in communicating information accurately.


How do you learn leadership skills?

You can learn leadership skills through life experiences or formal education. In college I joined many organizations and was elected to leadership positions much to my surprise. Only as an adult with some introspection have I learned that a leader is someone who is not afraid to learn and to tackle a job, any job. A leader is not afraid to learn the menial jobs, or those beneath their skill levels. I was elected because those in the organization knew I wasn't afraid to do the job, and I would do it right.

Can you communicate effectively and with purpose?

Many of us take communication for granted. I talk too much at times and give too much information. I have learned to take the time to listen and address those questions that I am asked...only. That takes skill! Not everyone wants to know the entire account or history of printing if they ask a question about publishing. No matter how exciting I think it is! Listen, and answer the question. Or explain the information as concisely, or as briefly as possible.


How does this information help an author?

Authors who have a speaking platform will find they have a ready-made outlet for selling their books. Many of us who speak professionally find the bulk of our sales result after a speaking session. Even if the topic is different from the book authored. Being a leader in your field, a "expert" or someone of knowledge, experience and expertise will help you to find an audience eager to hear what you have to say. Do you have value? Only you can answer this question, but authors of all kinds need to give value in their work, and use it when speaking from a platform.

Leaders are not all created equal.

As much as I'd love to say you too can learn to become an wonderful leader, while the skill set might be attainable, the desire, drive and talent are often innate. Many wonderful people have leadership skills but don't do well in a public setting, or in front of an audience. I do think some people are born leaders but that doesn't mean you can't learn what it takes and aspire to lead. If not in front of a live audience, you can use the Internet in the form of blogs, social media forums or the printed word to show the ways in which you can shine in your chosen profession.

The idea here is that being an author doesn't mean that you hide behind your book. You, after all are your best sales-person. You believe in your book or you wouldn't be spending the time to put it together. You will lead people into purchasing you book if you show passion and excitement for your topic. I once met a romance author who spent much of her time teaching classes and mentoring others. She told me she wrote in threes...one part was the actual writing, one part was learning and one part was giving back, in the form of education or mentoring. That is leadership. Perhaps not in the traditional sense of the word, but in a form that others would aspire to duplicate. Analyze your skills and become a leader today!

Meeting Dan Poynter

As seminars go, this one topped my expectations. I was invited as a guest by the President of A&A Printing, Billy Ashby. A&A Printing  The seminar was filled with some aspiring authors, some new authors, and some veteran authors. The latter was filled by the very tall shoes of Dan Poynter. I know Dan very well, yet I just met Dan in person on Saturday.

The reason I know him is that I've studied his book, Self-Publishing Manual many years ago. It was one of my favorite resources when I began writing in earnest, and one I still reference. I wrote for a niche market and had an audience and buyers. I wanted to expand my readership and his book helped me to think outside of the box. He has suggestions for approaching the book market in an innovative way. My book is very dog-eared. I have purchased, used it, and highly recommend it. In fact it is cited and reference in my book, Information in a Nutshell: Writing and Publishing.

Dan lived up to my expectations and gave a very good presentation where he explained his life mission, aiding authors to get their manuscripts into print. That is now one of my goals, the reason for this blog, the podcast radio show every Monday, and the reason I wrote my book. In a busy world being an author takes time. It is difficult to make the time for something that is uncertain. After all there are so many unknowns for a new author approaching the book market. Dan's book is a detailed blue-print for an author wanting to take charge of the publishing experience.

One of the best things about the workshop is Dan's confidence that anyone with a decent book can make sales and that self-publishing is a very viable option. Many times you will read that self-publishers don't sell many books, that they give up too soon, and the entire experience, in general is dismal. Dan painted another picture. He shared his success in writing for a niche market and how he used his ideas to sell outside of the brick-and-mortar bookstore.

He has been traditionally published, a publisher himself, and self-publishes. He knows all sides of the publishing world, and still he encouraged those in the room that self-publishing, successfully is an option in today's rough economy. I have found that he is correct on many levels. For those of you considering self-publishing, take heart! Now may be one of the best times to do so. Are you ready to take the plunge?

Interviews: What Works

How to get the most out of an interview

by Jocelyn Green

http://www.faithdeployed.com

Most of my writing, whether for magazine articles, Web content or books, depends on me getting great interviews with my sources. Some interview subjects make that job easy, and some make me work for it. Here are a few tips for getting what you want out of any interview.

1) Ask the right people. Before requesting an interview, make sure the potential source has the credentials and experience you are looking for. How do you find good sources?
    a) Do a Google search for your topic plus the word “expert” and see who comes up.
    b) Look up news articles online on your topic and see who those reporters are quoting. They may be good leads for you.
    c) Go to Amazon.com and see who the published authors are on the topic.
    d) Use Profnet.com to find any kind of expert you want. It’s free for writers, and effective.
    e) If you’re looking for personal stories or illustrations from the average person, go where they congregate. Contact churches, local chapters of a national organization like MOPS or AmVets, and use social media like Facebook and Twitter. Just be specific about what you’re looking for.

2) Do your homework. Before the interview, read as much background on your person as possible. If they are a published author, ask the publisher for a review copy of their book. If they are not published or quoted in the news already, send them a few preliminary questions they can answer via email before your phone call so you know where to probe.

3) Put them at ease. Some people are naturally more comfortable being interviewed than others. Everyone will be more at ease if you send them a list of questions that you will likely ask them during the interview. If your editor/publisher agrees, tell them up front that you will send them your draft of their story before sending it to the editor so they can make corrections for accuracy.

4) Ask the right questions. Of course you’ll need to get the facts, but dig deeper for the emotional, human element of the story.
    a) Ask about the thoughts that were never spoken. “What went through your mind at that moment?”
    b) Ask about surprises, expectations, emotions. For example, ask “What surprised you about____?” Ask, “When was the last time you cried, and why?” to get a glimpse of his or her heart.
    c) Ask them to paint a picture for you. For instance, “What was the view from that mountaintop where you had that conversation with God?” The details you get could take your story from good to great.
    d) Ask follow-up questions if they aren’t giving you what you want.

5) Don’t interrupt. When your interview subject pauses, don’t quickly jump in. He or she may be thinking. Many times if you just let the silence hang for a moment, your source will keep going. Whether or not it’s just to fill the silence, you may get some deeper stuff than if you had gone on to your next question.

CIA 101: INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES FROM THE TRENCHES

by Jeanette Windle

Your writing can only breathe reality and authenticity if you know intimately what you’re writing about. Is it true, I am frequently queried, that I have been able to write fiction about counternarcotics operations in Bolivia, guerrilla warfare in Colombia, the Islamic militant threat south of the Rio Grande, or today's Afghanistan with enough authenticity to have government sources demanding to know where I got classified information?

Yes, it is, an interesting tale in itself (bottom line, any place on the planet government intelligence can send an agent to dig around, some missionary or humanitarian worker will already be there and know more than they do). It helps to have lived in six countries and traveled thirty or so. But what if one doesn't have those travel opportunities? How to learn to see, hear, smell, touch, taste and understand a wider world to bring it alive for readers? Here's a few principles I've picked up along the way that can be applied by any writer.

1.    Collect experiences: The wider your base of experiences, the greater variety of situations on which you will be able to write with authority. That doesn't just mean how many places to which you’ve traveled.   My life experiences have allowed me to know jungles, deserts, mountain precipices, hurricanes, earthquakes, drought, fire, cold, heat, thirst, hunger, riots, coups, roadblocks, personal assault, and death--with all the sights and sounds and smells and emotions attached. Much was not pleasant at the time, but all are invaluable to my writing.

2.    Collect contacts:  You don't need to know all things about every subject you want to write about. You just need to know someone who does.  I always have my eyes and ears open for people with expertise and experience in a background where I do not yet have contacts. For  my last novel, Veiled Freedom, set in Afghanistan, I tapped Special Forces, private security contractors, counternarcotics, humanitarian aid workers, embassy personnel, bush pilots, and so many more who have been boots on the ground in Afghanistan.  Nor are they as hard to approach as one might think. But that is a subject for another day.

3.    Collect characters: People are not only your best source of on-the ground intel, but of color for your writing. Along with an interesting profession, I always have my ears pricked up for an interesting life story or just eccentricity of character. Again, the wider the sphere of people with whom you allow yourself to interact, the greater the pool you will have from which to draw characters, whether a jungle chief facing off with a condescending environmentalist (The DMZ), a cartel heir racing around in a red Ferrari (CrossFire), or a supercilious Special Forces sergeant determined to intimidate a female civilian--me! (Veiled Freedom).  And don't avoid the unpleasant ones. My motto as a writer when eccentric, annoying or even nasty people cross one’s path is simple and effective. Don’t get irritated or even. Just write them into your next book!

4.    Immerse yourself in your subject: It isn’t enough to collect interesting experiences and interview people. These must be tied together with thorough research so that you understand the implications of what you have seen and heard. Before I tackle a book set in a new country or political environment, I saturate myself in that place. Histories, biographies, political commentary, regional literature, travelogues, video documentary--I will have easily read 20,000 pages material before I ever pick up a pen or computer keyboard.  Now the people I’ve met, the bits and pieces of what I’ve heard, seen on the news, etc. make sense and I’m ready to write the book.

5.    Use the Internet as the invaluable tool it is: The Internet is an invaluable tool—how much information is out there really is enough to make any law enforcement nervous. Want to make that Colombian guerrilla commander in your pages real? Try reading his actual speeches posted to his website. Want to know the weaknesses of Hanford Nuclear Reservation security? Read studies and blueprints posted by environmentalist groups protesting the place. For every place I write about, I keep a Google Alert set for daily news digests. I follow blogs and travelogues of 'boots on the ground' whose lives and professions mirror the characters I am writing about. 

6.    Combine experiences you do have with thorough research to create a reality you can’t experience: The secret is to develop a wide frame of reference in which to fit your research so that you can describe as vividly as though you’d really been there. ‘A jungle is a jungle is a jungle’. So is a desert.  Whether an earthquake, the bitter cold of a blizzard, the vertigo of a thousand-foot precipice, terror of a mugging, the adrenaline tension of a military roadblock, once you’ve gone through any experience, you can use it in any similar setting on the planet. The secret is to research carefully those details unique to the setting in question. Again, those blogs and travelogues as well as Lonely Planet and other tourism guides can be invaluable.

7.    Have experts read it afterwards: On the other hand, I have often had plot holes caught and details corrected just by having an expert on the subject read it—often details I wouldn’t even know to ask ahead of time. On a recent novel, I had Coast Guard, DEA, counter-narcotics, military intelligence, weapons and nuclear experts, fire marshal, experts, clinical psychologists, former ambassador. That they found only a handful of errors was confirmation that I'd researched well. But I'd have hated for the specs of a certain air battle to have made it into print as I originally wrote it, even if few readers would ever know the difference.

The ultimate compliment for an author is to get fan mail from those who are or have been in the field of which we write that say, "You really get it; I can tell from your writing that you’ve been where we’re at." Fiction or not, that should be our ultimate goal as a writer.

Author Interviews: Jeanette Windle

One of my favorite parts of preparing for upcoming talk show interviews is the amount of information I learn about the guest. Jeanette Windle did not disappoint me, in fact she is one of the most interesting authors. She is a child of missionaries and grew up in small towns and the jungles of Colombia. After college and as an adult, she moved to Bolivia to work in the mission field with her husband. While she is "state-side" now, she has traveled widely and brings this experience to her writing.

If you are an author who wants to write fiction that reads like an authentic account, stay tuned to this blog, and Jeanette will share her techniques and tips with you on how this can be done. She has experienced many of the places she writes about. Even if you can't go to the places you'd like to write about or talk to those you'd like to characterize in your book, you can glean much through the correct type of research.

Another interesting point is that Jeanette continues to participate in writing groups. She is teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. What a wonderful gift to those authors who attend. Jeanette currently resides in Lancaster, PA, so if you are in the area you will want to learn about the non-denominational writing group for Christian authors.

As an author I will never stop discovering new ideas and techniques that will continue to stretch my abilities. It is edifying to learn from some of the best! Obviously the access to information online has been a great boon to authors. Sometimes I wonder what we did beforehand. My trips to the college library to research seem so long ago! Are there any techniques you have found especially helpful in your writing projects? Let us know.

Time to Give Thanks and Get Organized: Writing Your Book

Time to Give Thanks and Get Organized 

Writing Your Book

With Thanksgiving week fast approaching I realize your time to write is going to take a hit. Writing your book may not have been on your top ten priority list, anyway. But, with the holiday season upon us it will take a place even further back than usual.

I speak to so many people who have dreamed of writing a book and becoming a published author. This is the best time to do it! Why? Because there is a new industry sprouting up and that is a self-publishing. Even traditionally published authors are sometimes self-publishing their books in order to expedite the turn around time. I will address the new rash of self-publishing houses owned by traditional publishers in a future blog post.

For today, don't put your writing project away quite yet. Before you get too caught up in the flurry make a list! I recently read a post that made me think! 6VAQJY4P6HT4 The suggestion was to make short lists that are manageable. For example no more that ten-twelve items at a time on a list! These are items you can get done that day.

I have an version of this system. I use yellow, or white pads of paper. You know, the legal kind where the pages flip over. I divide a line down the middle and put two headings. Today and Later. Under the today heading I have the items I must accomplish and under the later...things that crop up or I want to accomplish but I'm not sure I will get to today. It helps to keep my frustration level a bit lower!

I have on-going projects that will take weeks and it can be really disappointing to see them on my list day after day. For those I have a flow chart. I have one for books under contract, and another for a book line for books that will be released, including book promotion time lines. I am still tweaking these but hope to have them in an e-book version in 2010. This has been an invaluable help for me.

Just get it down on paper. Make sure you leave a few minutes a day to work toward your writing goals. Even if it is not putting words on paper, you will find that you are making progress if you are researching or editing. The most successful authors are those that sit on that chair, write and do not move! I have interviewed many of these wonderful authors and they all tell me the same thing. They just get it done. If they don't? The lose a contract.


I do want to take the time to say, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to post a comment, send an encouraging email or just read the blog, in general! It is because of people like you that there are writers like me. It has been my pleasure to host guest bloggers on this site, as well.

Before I end...one parting question...how do you get your writing tasks accomplished during the busy times of the year? Do you take a break or work through the holidays? I'll answer this question down below, and hope you'll post your advice as well.

Word Placement by Guest Blogger: Gail Martin

Word Placement for Powerful Sentences

 

by Gail Gaymer Martin
www.gailmartin.com

How words are placed in sentences determines the power words, the word that is the focus of the sentence. Sometimes, it’s easy to allow the major point or focus of the sentence to get lost in the structure. By putting it in the correct location, you can change the emotion and power of the sentence.

Margie Lawson, psychology counselor, is well known for her fiction editing and emotion workshops. I enjoyed one of her courses a few years ago and especially what she taught in her class Empowering Characters Emotions.  Though this technique, which Margie calls “backloading,” not only is the emotion enchanced, but it places the focus word at the end of the sentence, a place of power. This last word in the sentence draws attention to it and enforces emphasis, making your writing more dynamic. The words are truly empowered.

Here are a few examples:

Original Sentence: Tears filled her eyes.
Powered Structure: Her eyes filled with tears.

In the original structure, the power word is eyes, but is this the focus? Ask yourself which word is most significant. Though a simple change, the emphasis of the sentence is tears.

Original Sentence: Her throat tightened with the words that formed in her mind.
Powered Structure: Words formed in her mind as her throat tightened.
The revision helps to focus on the emotion she feels, shown as her throat tightens.

Once again, read the first sentence and ask which is the power word in this sentence.


Original Sentence: With her spirit wavering, she shrugged off her attitude and enjoyed the scenery.
Powered Structure: With her spirit wavering, she enjoyed the scenery and shrugged off her attitude.

I think it’s clear that her changing attitude is the focus here and one that is the empowering word of the sentence.
Read this sentence and before you check the re-write, ask yourself what’s most important in the sentence.

Original Sentence: From the past she recalled that Bonnie tended to go into a tizzy when she didn’t get what she wanted.
Powered Structure: From the past she recalled when Bonnie didn’t get what she wanted, she  tended to go into a tizzy.
I think you’ll agree that Bonnie’s tizzy is most important. It’s the part of the sentence that draws more emotion and is the most important piece of information in this sentence.

This technique can make a difference in your writing, One caution: don’t use this method if it ruins the natural flow of your sentence or if it sounds awkward or forced. You can’t structure every sentence with backloading or it can lose its effect, but chose the sentences that will enhance emotion and point readers to what’s important. It’s easy to do. Pull the strongest and most important word from within your sentence and put it at the end, the place of power.   

For more information on Writing Fiction Right visit: www.writingright-martin.blogspot.com

Christian Authors Network

Christian Authors Network

What a blessing to have a group of Christian authors agree to interviews on my Blog Talk Radio show, here: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com. These authors have one thread in common, they belong to CAN (Christian Authors Network).  I was introduced to this wonderful group some years back. To be a member you must have a book published traditionally.

In the last few weeks, and some more ahead through the end of the year, I will be interviewing successful authors who have so much to share. Some have made their mark through writing articles, others through ghost writing and authoring their own books, and still others through collaborative efforts. Several are journalists, missionaries, and even romance writers. I have learned so much which is a bonus and perk. I have even received books to review, which I consider an honor.

One such book comes from the guest on an upcoming show, Gail Martin. She penned "Writing the Christian Romance" by Writers Digest books. I was delighted to receive a copy as I have always wanted to write a romance. Actually, I've written two, neither of which I've completed. I consider Gail's book to be one of the best in covering the topic of writing a romance from a Christian perspective. In fact, it has motivated me to pull out those files again and take a look. Maybe they are salvageable after all.

Gail has written a blog post on word placement, using a technique called "backloading" that in essence helps to make strong sentences. Writing boldly is her trademark and I look forward to interviewing Gail as well as reading her post!

Guest Blogger: Kathi Macias | Writing Methodds

“Herding Cattle” by Kathi Macias

Herding cattle, another obviously relevant title for writers and authors.
Well, okay, maybe not. But let me explain. Better yet, let me illustrate.

•    “They threw me off the hay truck about noon.” —The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain

•    “On February 8, 1956, in a little chapel in Loretto, Pennsylvania, I was ambushed by Jesus of Nazareth.” —Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning

•    “There once was a boy by the name of Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” —The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis

•    “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” —A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

•    “Elmer Gantry was drunk.” —Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis

•    “I had this story from one who had no business to tell it to me, or to any other….” —Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

•    “The cracking sound of gunfire exploded behind them, continuing for several seconds before Melissa and Carrie, en route to the auditorium with dozens of other students, realized there was a problem.” —The Price by Kathi Mills-Macias

These are all the opening lines of books, written in such a way as to get the reader’s immediate attention. Did it work? Did they intrigue you, grab you, suck you into the story and make you want to read on? If so, then you’ve just been snagged by a cow catcher.
  
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not inferring that you’re some sort of bovine creature. What I am saying is that you’ve just been hooked by writers who know how to capture their readers. Or, to put it another way, you’ve been “herded” in the direction the author wanted you to go.

    If you remember last month’s article, we talked about “eating the elephant” one bite at a time, rather than trying to ingest the entire pachyderm at one sitting. In other words, our topic was finding and keeping our focus, whether writing an article, a short story, a report, or a full-length book manuscript. In essence, we were “laying the track” for our train-of-thought writing. If we get off-track at any point during the process of our writing, we have lost the focus of our piece—and may lose our readers as well.

    Properly herding cattle is every bit as important as correctly eating an elephant. If we don’t grab our readers in the very first lines of our manuscript, we will lose them before we ever get them moving along on our word journey. And though snagging the reader as quickly as possible has always been a crucial component of good writing, it is even more important today when we find ourselves living in a culture of “sound bites,” populated by scores of people with short attention spans who require sensational visuals to attract and maintain their interest.

Let’s face it. We now live, for the most part, in a high tech world where movies, television, and video games are quickly replacing reading as a favorite pastime. In fact, I remember hearing not long ago that the average American reads at a fourth-to-sixth grade level, and fewer and fewer people are reading at all, except for required business or related studies. Though I personally find that very sad, I can’t change it. All I can do is work that much harder at fine-tuning and honing my own writing in an attempt to attract and hold as many readers as possible, knowing that I’m competing for their valuable time with star-studded, action-packed, multi-million dollar visuals and bleeping, flashing, virtual-reality cyber games.

And so we come back to the cow catcher, a term that is so outdated in today’s culture that there are few people left who have even the remotest idea of what I’m talking about. So for those of you who, unlike me, aren’t yet quite as old as dirt, let me explain.

Years ago, long before trains were streamlined, the old steam engines were built with a sort of metal grating in front, down near the tracks, in order to “scoop up” a cow—or any other unwelcome varmint, for that matter—that might be loitering on the track, and then carry it along until the train was able to come safely to a stop. The cow might or might not survive the scooping, but it certainly had a better chance than if the train had just plowed right into it—not to mention the damage the cow could do to the train itself, including any passengers who might be on board. Cow catchers were also known as snowplows because the metal device could be used in a similar way to scoop up large piles or drifts of snow from the track so the train’s progress wouldn’t be impeded. But for our purposes, we’re just going to stick with calling these necessary and highly functional front-of-the-engine devices cow catchers.

Now to be fair, I will admit there are times that you simply need more than one sentence to build an effective cow catcher for your train—two or three, possibly, maybe even four, but certainly no more than a very brief paragraph. Let’s take a look at another cow catcher, this one requiring more than one sentence to get the train moving.

•    You know how it is there early in the morning in Havana with the bums still asleep against the walls of the buildings; before even the ice wagons come by with ice for the bars? Well, we came across the square from the dock to the Pearl of San Francisco Café to get coffee and there was only one beggar awake in the square and he was getting a drink out of the fountain. But when we got inside the café and sat down, there were the three of them waiting for us. —To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway

Do you see how the author not only gave us the geographical setting for the story (Havana) and the time of day (early morning), but he also painted a vivid image of the street scene itself, replete with colorful characters (the bums asleep against the walls of the buildings and the beggar getting a drink from the fountain) and a feeling of anticipation that something important is about to happen (three of “them” were waiting for the main characters to come into the café). The setting raises all sorts of questions, all of which beg to be answered: What is about to happen? Something good? Something bad? Who are “them” and who are “us”? In one paragraph we know the where and when of the opening scene, and we care about the characters and what is going to happen to them. That is brilliant writing. Quite obviously Mr. Hemingway knew a thing or two about herding cattle.

But designing an effective cow catcher is something any writer can learn to do. All it takes it a little creativity and a lot of determination—and a very strong desire to see your readers “herded” in the
right direction. So work on your own cow catchers this month, and next month we’ll attach them to some powerful locomotives.

*Adapted from THE TRAIN-OF-THOUGHT WRITING METHOD: Practical, User-Friendly Help for Beginning Writers by Kathi Macias and available at www.authorhouse.com.

Guest Blogger: Candy Arrington

Are Your Writing Ideas Publishable?

© 2009 Candy Arrington

Each of us has gifts and talents, and as writers, we have unique ideas about how to convey various topics via the written word. So why is it that some ideas make it to publication and others don’t?

Often, would-be writers claim someone “took” their idea when they see a book release on a subject they are interested in writing about. But I believe God gives his message, in different forms, to many different messengers. Some heed the call immediately and follow through. Others get bogged down in preparations or procrastination. Years after the idea’s germination, they are still pondering but haven’t thought things through fully enough to get to the nugget that will interest a publisher.

Here are some things to consider when determining if you idea is publishable:

•    What are you writing?

While this may sound amazing, I often review a manuscript the writer thinks is a book, when it’s really an article or devotional. Or a writer refers to something as an article that is really a personal experience story. Or a writer isn’t sure if he’s writing fiction or nonfiction. If you are writing a book, do you know which category your book would fit in on the bookstore shelf? Publishers expect you to know. Until you categorize your work, your writing isn’t likely to get published.

•    Who is your audience?

Do you have a magazine or book publisher in mind for your manuscript? Novice writers write first and then try to place their manuscript. Professional writers write to the market rather than chasing it. Until you know your audience, your writing isn’t focused.

•    Is there a market like for your topic?

Have you done market research to see what else is available on the topic? Have famous authors, who are considered “experts,” written on the topic? If so, you may well have a hard time getting a publisher to consider an additional book on the subject. Can you refine your idea, making it narrower and exploring a different twist on the topic? For example, the subject of parenting is broad. Narrow it down by writing about parenting a techno-savvy generation or effective parenting despite your upbringing.

•    Do you have enough material to support your premise?

Have you created a full outline to see if you have enough for a book, or enough for an article? Can you avoid repeating and rephrasing material? Are there other sources you can draw from and quote? (One caveat: there is nothing more boring than a book of quotations broken up by a little commentary!)

•    Is your idea captivating?

Can you sustain the text and hold reader interest throughout the work? Many times writers repeat the same ideas others have already written on, or worse, paraphrase a seminar they’ve attended. If you idea isn’t involved enough to be captivating, or is pirated from someone else, it will never see publication.

•    Do you have a compelling beginning?

Are you hooking your readers and drawing them in from the first sentence? Start with a story, yours or someone else’s. Write in a narrative format that makes readers want to know more. You have to pique the curiosity of an editor or agent first before moving further in the publishing process.



About :
Candy Arrington’s writing provides Biblical insights and practical advice, often on tough topics. Her publishing credits include hundreds of articles in periodicals such as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Encounter, Pray, The Lookout, The Upper Room, Advanced Christian Writer, CBN.com, The Writer, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s stories have appeared in the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort series.

She is coauthor of When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life (Harvest House) and Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B & H Publishing Group). Candy is on staff with The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and also provides private paid writing critiques and editing. She is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

New Author: Just Waiting for the Big Break!

It only takes one book, it only takes one "yes"...it only...

You've written a book, and it took every last ounce of determination. You are finished, you celebrate, and you look longingly at the manuscript which resides on your computer, or on a bookshelf wondering about you next step. Don't worry, we've all been there. Some of us for more years than we wish to share!

Writing a book can be a dream come true! Now it is time to let others read it (and not just your family). Get feedback from those you trust. Make a plan. And follow through.

If you are serious about getting your book published make a list and follow through:

1. Determine if you want to obtain a publisher or self publish
2. If you decide to obtain a royalty publisher, consider an agent
3. If you decide to self publish find a good, no I mean excellent editor

Self Publish duties:

• Editor
• Graphic Artist
• Interior book lay out
• Cover Art
  
• Printer
• Distribution
• Payment System
• Website/Blog
• Social Media
  

Royalty Author duties

• Agent
• Royalty Publisher
• Attorney
  
• Marketing Strategies
• Website/Blog
  
• Social Media
• Interviews
• Lectures
• Book Trailer
• Other publicity ventures
  

This of course is not an extensive list. But it does give you an idea of what is expected. Writing the book, while at the time may have seemed like very hard works, is the easy part! The process of getting the book into print can all seem overwhelming, which is why many opt to try for a royalty publisher.

Remember, even Shakespeare was an unpublished author at one time!

What is your story? If you are published what was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome? If you are an unpublished author, what is your greatest need...or fear?

Writing Good Book Reviews: by Lori Kasbeer

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/