Alliance of Writers

Literary Pie: Annual Celebration

2008-07-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

Above (L to R): Kat Blanc, Diana L Guerrero, "William Sarabande," Liz Harris, Rita Robinson Campbell. Not pictured is Pamela Heiman.

This week was our annual author lunch which now revolves around the Literary Pie tradition started by Susan Messer & Patry Francis.

If you have not had your piece of the Literary Pie, you'd better get busy and feed that muse. This year my pie didn't look as perfect as it has in the past but it always tastes out of this world!

Above: This year's Literary Pie. Check out the recipe and rules to this tradition here.

We sent our good thoughts and blessings over to Patry and I hope to hear from her soon. She's had some health challenges of late.

You can visit Patry's blog here and see her last year's pie while you are at it!

Review: Yaro Starak's Blog Mastermind Program

2008-07-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Above: Yaro talks to me about Blog Mastermind

One of the big challenges facing any author is how to establish a relationship with your readers and maintain it.

In addition, marketing budgets are low or non-existent for most newly published authors or bloggers.

My last book, Blessing of the Animals was designed to drive readers to the book’s website which had an opt-in email list and a blog.

Today I am overhauling the site (and this one--I have about 10 so be patient) so that it will be blog (web journal) that allows two way communication with my readership or visitors who are surfing the web and who land on the site.

Let me tell you why.

I just ended a year long investment into two programs by Yaro Starak. If you don’t know who Yaro Starak is—you probably are new to blogging.

A few years ago Yaro began blogging and quickly shot to the top of the heap as on of the most successful and well known internet bloggers.

If you are going to spend time and energy blogging—shouldn’t you do it right? Shouldn’t you make money in the process?

Yes, do it right and make money!

Let me give you a bit of history on my experience with Yaro Starak and state right now that it is my recommendation that you enroll in his Blog Mastermind Program. I don't often recommend or review programs (and yes, I am an affiliate) but this is a gem.

If you are a skeptic, start with his free resources—the Blog Profits Blueprint and the Become a Blogger tutorials--but don’t miss out on the Blog Mastermind Program because it opens up to new students this month and he only takes so many students per session.

I first learned of Yaro Starak during a teleseminar about podcasting. A novice at the effort, I was glad that he shared vital information that helped me right away. In addition, I liked what he had to say and the personality that he presented.

So, when he invited listeners to opt-in to his email list—I joined.

That was in 2006 and boy am I glad I did.

It was just last year when he invited me to get involved in the early launch of his Blog Mastermind Program. It was so great that I continued into the beta Mastermind Membership Program.

This week Yaro Starak is about to reopen the Blog Mastermind Program to a new group of students and I HIGHLY recommend it. The program is by far one of the best values for the investment.

If you want an overview into what the program delves into, take a moment and download the Blog Profits Blueprint by Yaro Starak (if you did not do so already). The free download gives you an inkling of how generous the guy is—but the blueprint only scratches the surface.

The Blog Mastermind Program is a series of twenty-seven lessons delivered once a week to your email address. You just click on the link and read the assignment.

In addition, you can participate in a membership only forum, ask questions of advanced bloggers (including Yaro), and listen to audio interviews from some of the top bloggers and marketers, such as Darren Rowse (Problogger), Brian Clark (Copyblogger), and a whole lot more.

As they say, “but that’s not all” since you will also be able to view video case studies and tutorials where Yaro reviews blogs and makes suggestions for change or reveals tools or techniques you might have missed.

One of the other perks is that you get to network with other students. If you feel alone out there--you won't in this program. Everyone tries to help each other and you build some good online pals in the process.

Now, I do have to admit that I wasn’t happy with Starak’s review of one of my blogs—but he was right and that is what I was paying him for—to help me optimize and make it work for me. Now that blog is doing more than I expected--you can see the before and after blog makeover at this review on the Fawnskin Flyer.

The program is well worth the price and at least one other review said that she would be “willing to invest much more in it than I would have in any other product.” So let’s talk about the program:

First, blogging takes time and growing your audience, traffic, and any profits come from time invested. Yaro Starak makes a pretty good income from his blogging. Will you?

I haven’t yet but with the Blog Mastermind Program you’ll be guided closer to that goal and I am making some money now--which I had not done the previous couple of years prior to enrolling!

Blog Mastermind is a great step-by-step guide, and the time frame for the assignments allows you to absorb all the lessons but if you don’t—those that complete the program have lifetime access to the course and any new goodies that will be added in the future.

One of the things I really liked was that Yaro Starak explains tough concepts clearly and serves them up in bite size pieces.

My bottom line assessment is that Yaro Starak’s Blog Mastermind Program will equip you with all the tools you need to make money blogging. The program support is excellent. I am still very happy I joined.

The Blog Mastermind Program teaches you how to implement strategies to help you make money. It does take work...it is not a get rich quick scheme and has integrity.

The Blog Mastermind Program is worth the money and I encourage you to join.

Read the Blog Mastermind Sales Page
Download the Blog Profits Blueprint Now
Learn How to Blog

From the Authors Guild: eBooks Simon & Schuster

2008-07-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Simon & Schuster has recently sent a one-page letter to many, perhaps thousands, of authors with unspecified e-book royalty rates in an attempt to set those rates at 15% of the "catalog retail price" of the e-book. (This is the typical e-book royalty rate for S&S.) As with any amendment to a book contract, the Authors Guild advises caution:

1. Discuss the amendment with your agent or attorney, if you have one.

2. Depending on your existing contract with Simon & Schuster, the amendment may grant the publisher rights that you've otherwise retained.

3. Be aware that the amendment may affect your ability to obtain a reversion of rights.

In any negotiation regarding e-book royalty rates, we suggest that you keep your powder dry: try to retain the right to renegotiate e-book royalty rates. The Authors Guild expects that 15% of the retail list price will be the low-water mark for e-book royalties. As the e-book market develops, authors with clout will doubtlessly insist on a more reasonable share of e-book revenues, and the industry will have to adapt. One glance at Amazon.com's home page, which has for months been ceaselessly promoting its Kindle e-book reader, indicates that day may be near.

For more on Amazon and e-books, see this July 4th article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Copyright Issues & JK Rowling

2008-04-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the trial on the JK Rowling VS Harry Potter Lexicon (RDR Books) has concluded--for the moment. Additional documents will have to be in by May 9th. This case should be of interest to any author or creator of original works and I'd be interested to hear your opinion.

Orphan Files: Protect Your Copyrights!

2008-04-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

Urgent for you artists to read this regarding legislation about orphan files and this orphan works resource page.

Amazon Book Surge Info Request

2008-04-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

This just in from the Author's Guild:

Last week Amazon announced that it would be requiring that all books that it sells that are produced through on-demand means be printed by BookSurge, their in-house on-demand printer/publisher.

Amazon pitched this as a customer service matter, a means for more speedily delivering print-on-demand books and allowing for the bundling of shipments with other items purchased at the same time from Amazon. It also put a bit of an environmental spin on the move -- claiming less transportation fuel is used (this is unlikely, but that's another story) when all items are shipped directly from Amazon.

We, and many others, think something else is afoot. Ingram Industries' Lightning Source is currently the dominant printer for on-demand titles, and they appear to be quite efficient at their task. They ship on-demand titles shortly after they are ordered through Amazon directly to the customer. It's a nice business for Ingram, since they get a percentage of the sales and a printing fee for every on-demand book they ship. Amazon would be foolish not to covet that business.

What's the rub? Once Amazon owns the supply chain, it has effective control of much of the "long tail" of publishing -- the enormous number of titles that sell in low volumes but which, in aggregate, make a lot of money for the aggregator. Since Amazon has a firm grip on the retailing of these books (it's uneconomic for physical book stores to stock many of these titles), owning the supply chain would allow it to easily increase its profit margins on these books: it need only insist on buying at a deeper discount -- or it can choose to charge more for its printing of the books -- to increase its profits. Most publishers could do little but grumble and comply.

We suspect this maneuver by Amazon is far more about profit margin than it is about customer service or fossil fuels. The potential big losers (other than Ingram) if Amazon does impose greater discounts on the industry, are authors -- since many are paid for on-demand sales based on the publisher's gross revenues -- and publishers.

We're reviewing the antitrust and other legal implications of Amazon's bold move. If you have any information on this matter that you think could be helpful to us, please call us at (212) 563-5904 and ask for the legal services department, or send an e-mail to staffauthorsguild.org.

Feel free to post or forward this message in its entirety.

Meet Your Muse Workshop

2008-03-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

New for 2008, the Meet Your Muse Workshop was presented as part of a two day program for magazine writers visiting the Big Bear Valley in March.

The weekend workshop was condensed to an hour. The workshop is usually a full day of activities that include outdoor assignments, writing exercises, and guided visualizations with an optional second day of social activities and sharing.

The new course is another project of Diana L Guerrero, author speaker, and founder of the Alliance of Writers.

The workshop location is a quaint cabin with a fabulous view of Big Bear Lake and a short walking distance from the national forest and hiking trails. Overnight accommodations are available to those attending from "off the mountain".

Meet Your Muse will be presented again in May of 2008. For further information contact Guerrero at (800) 818-7387.

Happy New Year 2008!

2008-01-01T07:17:00.001-08:00

Holiday Wishes and Sarcastic Video

2007-12-25T09:13:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays! What do you think about this video allegedly by the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers?

Just a note to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...and Happy Holidays to those of you with different traditions!

Free Gifts for Writers & Writers Guild Strike in Week Six

2007-12-19T07:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! If you want to have some free presents compliments of the Alliance of Writers, just click here: Free Gifts for Writers

I always love seeing creativity at work. Did you know if you live (or visit) Manhattan that you can get custom poetry while you wait?

Hollywood Writers on Strike
If you are wondering about the Hollywood writers strike, now six weeks old, you can read more about the Writers Guild Strike and get the latest updates here.

Jay Leno & Conan will be going back on the air January 2nd. Concerns over the Golden Globe and Oscar programs are just some of many repercussions facing the movie and television industry.

The strike has resulted in a ripple effect on Hollywood--many jobs are on hold.

Yesterday, one of my buddies told me his wife (a hair dresser to the industry) said that estimates are that lost wages are somewhere in the ballpark of 21 million dollars per day.

You can also visit United Hollywood for more information.

Amazon's Kindle: Reviews & Other Scuttlebutt

2007-11-30T14:22:00.001-08:00

I thought you might like to read this review (at Publishers Weekly) of the new Amazon Kindle which retails for $400.

Here is the Amazon.com info:
What is Amazon Kindle?

Amazon Kindle (http://amazon.com/kindle) is a revolutionary portable reader that wirelessly downloads books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight.

Kindle customers, no matter where they are in the U.S., can wirelessly shop the Kindle Store and download new content — all without a PC or a WiFi hot spot. Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so there are no monthly wireless bills and no service commitments for customers. The Kindle Store contains over 90,000 books that can be purchased and delivered wirelessly to Kindle, each in less than a minute. Customers can choose from hundreds of top newspapers, magazines and blogs and have their subscriptions auto-delivered wirelessly. All New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases are $9.99, unless marked otherwise.

At 10.3 ounces, Kindle is lighter and thinner than a paperback book, carries two hundred books, and includes built-in access to The New Oxford American Dictionary and wireless access to the Earth’s biggest encyclopedia, Wikipedia.org.

Freelance Class Action Suit Update

2007-11-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

Wow, remember I mentioned that writers are often treated like bottom feeders? Never mind the Writers Guild fight for internet rights. This am I got word about the class action suit about works that were published without permission across the Internet from the Author's Guild:

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, in a 2-1 decision, the district court's approval of the settlement.

That settlement, valued at up to $18 million, was to resolve the copyright infringement claims of freelance writers against database companies, such as Dow Jones and the owners of Lexis-Nexis, that had made digital use of the writers' articles without permission. Plaintiffs and defendants had arrived at settlement in 2005.

The appellate court ruled that the district court lacked jurisdiction over claims relating to unregistered freelance articles. Copyright registration is required to bring a suit for infringement, but since registration is viewed as a formality (comparable, many of us believe, to the requirement that one file a complaint in order to get into court), lawyers on both sides thought the settlement could resolve infringement claims for both registered and unregistered works.

The settlement had been objected to and appealed by a group of freelance writers who thought it failed to allot sufficient funds to the claims of authors of unregistered works. If this decision stands, of course, such claims would be shut out entirely.

The shard of good news is that there is a substantial dissenting opinion by Judge Walker. We are considering our options at the moment. One possibility is to seek an en banc review (a review by all of the judges of the 2nd Circuit) to see whether we can persuade a majority of the court to see things our way.

This is sad news. I've had work taken and posted without permission and without stipulation in the contractual agreement. For my professional brand, it usually works out well for me, but from the professional writing standpoint it is a horrible thing...

Read more at the Authors Guild

Judge Says Book Reading/Purchasing Is Private

2007-11-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Just thought you would find this interesting--I personally prefer privacy where ever I can get it! This rewrite came to me via email from Publishers Market Place.

Court records unsealed last week indicate that earlier this year federal prosecutors had tried to get a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Wisconsin to approve a subpoena compelling Amazon.com to disclose the identity of thousands of people who bought used books online. They were investigating former Madison public official Robert D'Angelo, indicted recently on charges that he ran a used book business of his office and did not report the proceeds as income.

Judge Stephen Crocker turned down the request, ruling that there is a First Amendment right to keep your reading habits private. And the AP says he also "unsealed documents detailing the showdown against prosecutors' wishes."

He wrote, "Well-founded or not, rumors of an Orwellian federal criminal investigation into the reading habits of Amazon's customers could frighten countless potential customers into canceling planned online book purchases." Crocker added, "The subpoena is troubling because it permits the government to peek into the reading habits of specific individuals without their knowledge or permission.... It is an unsettling and un-American scenario to envision federal agents nosing through the reading lists of law-abiding citizens while hunting for evidence against somebody else."

Apparently, "Crocker brokered a compromise in which [Amazon] would send a letter to the 24,000 customers describing the investigation and asking them to voluntarily contact prosecutors if they were interested in testifying."
AP

Happy Thanksgiving Paperback Writers!

2007-11-22T07:47:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving--for your enjoyment paperback writer with the Beatles!

Writing YA & Beyond

2007-11-13T22:57:00.000-08:00

J is a former member of the Alliance of Writers. When she read her work, everyone tranformed into little children, sitting on the edges of their seats, waiting in anticipation of another story.

Me too. I miss that.

Once, I began talking about how my mouse was out--meaning the mouse to my computer died. J came up with a whole story about a mouse getting out...a furry one and funny.

So I found it amusing that in a recent blog she talked about being amazed at the ideas that came from the writers in her current critique group--she forgets that she has always done a good job herself. You can read some of her musings at Writing YA.

Karen, another former member just dropped me a line saying her book is already going into second printing--it came out in May. Check the archives for it.

Good going.

Me, I have to work on my next proposal and am catching up with all my work online in the meantime.

*Sigh* I never stop but I did take three whole days off--never mind I worked more than 30 days straight.

In the writing world, many colleagues are on strike. Which seems strange. Writers need to fight for their rights on many levels but there are a ton of people who write for free.

I understand their concerns because basically, writers are often viewed as bottom feeders. At least the money is big in Hollywood. Bottom feeders with a rich, thick, layer of nutrient rich...oh dear, there I go again...

The Internet and new media makes things a bit tricky. I've had work copied and posted on the World Wide Web without permission and there are worse stories from inside the industry...I actually had one publisher want to use my work perpetually online when she only paid for it in a print magazine. Geez.

There is another place where my work is still up. When do you fight and when do figure it is a marketing edge?

You don't hear many of the publishing world tales unless you are in a dark room, lights dim, poets murmuring in the corner--then you hear whispers of discontent.

Those stories are the ones that make you shake your head and look for a good literary attorney--just in case.

Speaking of attorneys and advocates, the Wall Street Journal had an interesting article on the Writers Guild and the current strike.

It is a shame we have to have advocacy groups for this type of thing but also is one of the reasons you should hold professional memberships so you don't have to fight the fight alone.

The only good news is that I don't watch too much television and so I don't miss much of anything during the strike. Those poor writers are picketing when they could be writing!

Annie Jennings PR Million Dollar Mindset Audio

2007-10-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

If you haven't discovered Annie Jennings PR you might want to take a preview of her Million Dollar Mindset audio. I spent three years listening to Annie & Tony and landed some great media spots by following their advice. Check out the Annie Jennings PR Million Dollar Mindset Audio now.

Moms Choose Kendra Kandlestar

2007-10-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well, my pal author and illustrator Lee Födi has finally scored! I love his work and it is about time he won an award, check out this announcement:

Moms Choose Kendra Kandlestar

New York, NY (October 13, 2007) — How often do moms and their kids like the same thing? Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers by Lee Edward Födi is loved by both and as a result has won the 2007 Mom's Choice Award® for best children's chapter book, aged 8 and up.

The awards were announced October 13, 2007, in New York by an esteemed panel of judges, including Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling author; LeAnn Thieman, coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Florrie Binford-Kichler, President of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association; and MCA founder Tara Paterson.

"We're delighted with the outstanding works represented in this very special group of recipients," said Paterson.

Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers is a combination of fairytale, folklore, and fantasy. The tale involves a magic box that has guarded all the secrets in the Land of Een for over a thousand years. When the box is suddenly stolen, young Kendra Kandlestar finds herself swept away on a magical adventure, only to discover that the greatest magic comes when she finds the courage to face herself—and her own precious secret.

The sequel, Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger is scheduled for release in November.

Author, Lee Edward Födi, known as the “Wizard of Words” to hoards of children, lives in Vancouver, Canada. Kids like the illustrator’s live interactive programs—and often get carried away in the details of what an ogre should look like. Warts and boogers seem to be favorites.

Lee Födi has penned three books for children and has illustrated numerous picture books for other authors, including the Canadian national bestseller, The Chocolatier’s Apprentice. Födi is also the co-founder and head mentor for Dream Workshop, a Vancouver-based creative writing program for children, which helps young authors, aged 8-13, publish their own books.

For more information on the Moms’ Choice awards, or Kendra Kandlestar, visit www.momschoiceawards.com or www.kendrakandlestar.com

Get the scoop on where Lee is touring here.

If you want to contact his publicist try: Cindy Birne, Publicity Director, Brown Books
• e: cindybrownbooks.com • T: 972.381.0009

Is your publisher working with or against you?

2007-10-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

One of the most frustrating things in publishing, at least from the author's standpoint, is that when your book is published you are already a has-been in the publishing world. Honest to goodness I cannot figure out just why publishers do what they do...but then I am not a publisher.

I spent a wad to go promote my last book in New York and the publisher didn't even have one of them on display. They were already into the Fall catalog.

Every author has stories. I changed my publisher after my last book based on some of the actions they took that just were not in my best interest. My newest publisher has been better in some ways and worse than others.

As an author, you expect a publisher to assist you with sales and follow-up to media inquiries. If an author is kept in the loop he or she can at least mitigate any oversights--if it is caught. When there is a communciation break down or some other issue and something surfaces--it certain kills the enthusiasm.

Publishers have more books to sell and push than just mine, I am aware of that, but I know that not many authors promote or go after media like I do. I'd like to be confident that they will follow up on those requests in a timely manner--when they don't it makes it hard to move forward.

So, I completely understand why some of my colleagues have bailed on the traditional publishing model and have moved toward subsidized publishing and even self-publishing.

On the one hand, self-publishing and print-on-demand (POD) haved earned bad names due to all the crap that has been produced and then pushed on booksellers. BUT there are some self-published works that went on to be really big sellers for mainstream publishers.

We actually began to require authors to send galleys before allowing them to appear and sign at the Alliance of Writers just because we didn't want any trouble. We had some great self-published works and some real trash.

However, today the pendulum is swinging as far as the mainstream view of self-publishing and POD. Unless some things that may become the only way to get niche books and non-celebrity driven titles.

When looking at the industry, I can't say that I know any other successful industry that allows product to be returned after six months just because it didn't sell or the store wanted to exchange the product for something newer.

Nor do I know businesses who own successful selling products and then stop producing them because they are "old" or too niched.

Since I've recently been getting a lot of media again, I have a small inventory--just for problem situations like the one that came up this week. The author endorsed my book and since he is an artist, he also donated the press kit for my last book. He still did not receive his copy of the book (which was requested back in March of 2007, again in June 2007, and again this week) so I priority shipped one to him to get rid of the pain.

Each book is a learning curve. My next one (*wince*) will also be a perennial, I'll seek another publisher and hope for the best. In the end, I have some of my own projects coming out under my imprint just because they don't fit the same old model. Did I mention a publisher who I shopped it with knocked off a similar series?

Wow.

I'd like to hear your positive publishing experiences...one of my pals is doing great with her publisher. It is her first book so hopefully it will lead to others.

Authors on the Web: Yes, a website or Blog is critical to your success.

2007-10-15T07:34:00.001-07:00

You know I am often amazed at how many "writers" are not on the web or don't use a computer to create their work. This is not very business savvy in my opinion because most of the world conducts business over the internet.

My first publisher and I sent files and edits back and forth and the whole final manuscript was sent in via email. My last editor at another publishing house demanded a hard copy and disk. The whole process was slow and laborious--simply because she was not up to speed on the new technology.

If you read the previous guest post, I would say I would agree with the basic idea that you MUST have a web presence but I don't think you need to create an old fashioned website when a blog will get you up and running, get you better search engine results, and is very simple to manage.

This page is a blog that I attached to the website. More and more I have moved away from adding new content on the static part of any of my sites because I can blog and go live instantly. Granted, this is a pain because I run multiple sites and now feel they should all be blogs to save me the headaches of running a website...which means more work.

The key is that blogs allow your audience and readers to interact with you. It creates a community which is what you ultimately want. It also gets you better search engine traffic and ranking.

Consistency is key. You need a web presence and you need to update it, at the very minimum, once a month. I tend to blog at least once a week and more on a couple of my blogs.

So, I believe you should have a website for each book and for you as an author. Currently I run three just on my work and to promote my work as an author, speaker, and animal specialist. If someone types in the book name, they get my book website, if they type in my name--they get my website designed for the media and event planners.

This strategy has landed some big media spots related to breaking news and quite a few feature interviews on my books. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

So, having said that you won't want to miss the Annie Jennings PR teleseminar reviewing media websites on October 17th.

If you miss it, she also has a wealth of information free to authors and other experts at the Annie Jennings PR website. You can find some of the past Annie Jennings PR teleseminar shows on the site or you can purchase the best Annie Jennings PR programs by clicking here.

Steve Harrison: Limited Time Offer How to Become a Much More Successful Author & Getting A Whole Lot More Publicity...

2007-10-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you might know about Steve Harrison and Radio & Television Interview Report. He sent a special offer and for a limited time, until Friday, October 19th, you can call into listen to the following courses at no charge.

To access the "How to Become a Much More Successful Author By Learning What Rich Authors Know That Poor Authors Don't" call from Thursday, October 4th, dial: 1-620-294-1533.

To access the "Getting A Whole Lot More Publicity And Exposure For Whatever You're Promoting And Making A Name For Yourself As An Expert In Your Field" call from Thursday, October 11th, dial: 1-620-294-1517.

Next Thursday, October 18th he is offering the third and final preview teleseminar for his Quantum Leap Coaching Program on how to make more from your expertise quickly and easily.

He will be previewing more of the material you'll learn in my Quantum Leap program. Be sure to sign up for this one because there will be no replays available. Click here to register

Guest Post by Nick Daws: Why Every Writer Needs a Web Presence

2007-10-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

If you're a writer and don't have your own website to advertise yourself, you're missing out on a lot of opportunities. How do I know? Well, I've had my own site for about seven years now, and during that time it's brought me dozens, possibly hundreds, of work opportunities. Here are just a few which came my way as a result of people seeing my site...

* Hamlyn Publishing (UK) wanting me to write a couple of two-page spreads for a proposed book.

* A retired gangster living in Ireland wanting me to help write his memoirs.

* A local video company, wanting my help scripting a training video.

* A US publishing house wanting me to ghost-write an exposé of malpractice in the insurance industry.

* A UK publisher, wanting me to quote for producing a series of city guides for publication on the Internet.

* And, not least, White Cliff Computing Limited, whose interest in my work led to me writing two courses for them, “Write Any Book in 28 Days – Or Less!” and “Quick Cash Writing”.

I didn't actually take up all of the opportunities mentioned above. Sometimes I was too busy with other projects (and I must admit the retired gangster scared me a little…). However, the point is that none of these approaches would have come my way without a website.

There are other benefits as well. If I'm applying for a new writing project or commission, I can simply suggest that the potential client refers to my website if they require any further information. It saves constantly sending out weighty CVs or résumés, and makes me look like a technologically aware, up-to-the-minute sort of guy (this becomes more important when, as in my case, you are no longer in the first flush of youth). The website also helps me keep in touch with readers of my books, and it provides me with an additional (if small) income stream through advertising.

OK, I hear you saying, you've sold me on the benefits of having a website, but I'm a writer, not a tech-head. I don't know how to create my own site, and I don't have the spare cash to hire someone to build one for me.

Let's take the latter point first. Getting a website built for you need not be hugely expensive. Freelance writers really don't need whizzy, cutting-edge designs with Flash animation, online databases, shopping trolleys, and so forth. A basic site which showcases you and your work should be more than sufficient. Try entering "website designer" in your favorite search engine and
you'll get hundreds of potential designers. Approach a few with details of your requirements and see what responses you get. You may well be pleasantly surprised by the quotes you receive. Website design is a very competitive field – and, of course, the designer you use can be based anywhere in the world.

However, if at all possible, I do strongly recommend that you consider building and maintaining your own site. This has all sorts of advantages. For one, you can update it yourself quickly and easily, and you can also create it exactly as you wish. You can add bits, take bits away, try out advertising, start your own newsletter, etc. etc. This is the route I have taken, and although my site is never going to win any awards for its design, it suits my purposes very well.

In my time I've used various programs to create and maintain my website, starting with a program called the CompuServe First Web Page Designer (now, I'm sure, residing in software heaven). If I was starting again today, however, I would definitely invest a few bucks in the Newbie Club First Website Builder. This is a four-volume guide to creating, writing, designing, automating, uploading and promoting your own website, in fully illustrated e-book format. As well as the four beautifully written e-books, you get loads of free software, including the Super Easy Mini Site Wizard, which will build a basic site for you in literally minutes. Check out everything on offer in this product at the Newbie Club. I guarantee it'll blow you away.

Even if you decide to hire a professional designer to create your site for you, the Newbie Club First Website Builder will show you everything you need to know in order to take over the running of your site and maintain and update it yourself.

Incidentally, the Newbie Club, which is aimed at people new to computing rather than IT specialists, also produces a free email newsletter packed with hints and tips for newcomers to computing – you can sign up to it at the Newbie Club main page if you wish. Although I've been using PCs for quite a while now, I still subscribe, and regularly pick up useful hints and tips I hadn't been aware of before.

Nick Daws is a best-selling author living in Staffordshire, England.
Discover his course online at How to Write Any Book in 28 Days -- Or Less!"

Why Authors Hate Doing Book Store Events

2007-10-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have refrained from ranting but back in June I was asked to do an event for a bookstore. I only toured locally for my last book, while my previous book took me out for 60 (yes, _6_0_) in a year.

Author's do book events because they help sell books. It is good to get out with fans--and if they like you they buy.

Booksellers like book events because they view them as part of their customer service support--and that is the fatal flaw.

Book events are for selling books. Authors take time off from writing, travel, pay for hotel, transportation, and meals to help sell books. They don't view them as a customer service activity--they are there to help make money--for the publisher, for the bookseller, and for the often paultry royalty checks that eventually roll in.

So, I showed up for my event--and not only was the bookseller rude to me, they didn't have one book in stock. Not one. The owner demanded to know if I had brought them!

"Uh, no. I don't ever bring them. All the bookstores either order them from their distributors or my publishers--and nobody asked me to do such a thing."

My thoughts were, "You must be kidding me, you asked me to come and now you want me to fund your inventory? This on top of spending two days in travel and prep when I could be writing or creating an income!"

If I was someone else, I would have turned around the car when I called the store in the am and the bookseller didn't have the time to talk to me. However, I stayed and I enjoyed the company of a number of pet owners and pets that came and stayed to visit with me for a solid hour. One dog and owner kept me chatting for another hour before I took off for lunch.

I did take order forms--hopefully they will order from me or the website..

I'll save you all the details but I have to say the bookseller has the distinction of being one of the rudest people I have ever agreed to do an event for. His event guy seemed super but was not there--and one staff member came in for the event. Other than that I won't recommend the place or go back.

If you talk to an author you will find we all have a lot of the same stories...I don't do bookstore events much these days--only for those I know and like AND for those who pay the minimum deposit now required to cover my expenses.

Don't think that this is a unique experience. Here are some of the other things that have happened--be sure to add your own.

No books were on hand for a signing at a major book festival when the author showed up.
Other authors were also selling books (author was not notified--this can work for you).
Booksellers had not set up for the author and the event started late.
Book Store did not announce or promote the event prior to the signing.
Books were not on display prior to the event nor were any signs posted.
The event location was closed upon arrival--only opened a couple of minutes before the event.
A signing with the publisher was arranged at a large event. The publisher did not want a poster annoucing the event put near the booth. They also did not advance promote the event AND when the author was signing promoted another author instead of the one in the booth!

New Products for the Web Savvy Writer

2007-10-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a good new resource for writers, it is called dealdotcom. If you do any amount of online writing and are looking for deals on internet marketing or related materials be sure to check it out.

Today's special is for a press release package. The deals are usually around 50% off. They change everyday so don't miss out click here to sign up and grab the latest deal at dealdotcom!

Promoting Your Brand & Other Author Tools: Review of Xiosoft Instant Teleseminar (Telewebcast)

2007-10-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

One of the things I've done to promote my work recently is teleseminars and telewebcasts. In case you are not familiar with such online activities, let me explain.

We all know what a seminar is, right? A teleseminar is one that takes place via your phone line.

Since I live in a rural area I find these ideal. All I have to do to attend is sign up and then call the line and enter the passcode on the time and day of the event.

Over the past two years the strategies that I have picked up from such efforts have landed me national media coverage for my book and my brand. I'll get into these in the next few posts as well--because landing spots as an expert on the Today Show and on ABC News and NBC News is something I am sure every author wants to learn!

Recently I discovered a new type of program called Instant Teleseminar-which actually is a teleseminar and telewebcast combined. This program is similar to teleseminars except that you can also attend, or have your readers attend, via the internet. This allows you a wider audience AND lets people hear the course or interview after it is done.

Not too long ago I interviewed author, Karen Mehringer to help her promote her new book and you can listen to the telewebcast of Sail into Your Dreams by clicking here now.

This was my first test of the program that Rick Radditz launched earlier this year. There have been several glitches during a couple of my telesseminar/telewebcasts but you can see how nice the final program looks.

What I like about the Xiosoft Instant Teleseminar program it is that it instantly becomes available online after you are done. I have not yet integrated the program into my websites but that is the next step.

I was disappointed that some of the features I thought were coming are slower to materialize-- but they are being added. One of the perks is that each month I get to attend the inner circle group of people who are using the system and so am part of the crew who get to help shape it.

Alex Mandossian and Rick Radditz are introducing new features almost on a monthly basis to make it worth the monthly fee. I tried the $7 offer for a free trial and stayed with it after the trial was done. If you click on any of the links in this post, you will be able to take advantage of the same offer. But let me finish my review...

Currently I am using an hour class on animal behavior as a bonus to drive people to subscribe to my eNewsletter. One of the reasons you take such steps is to build your list.

If you are not currently building your email list--get that on your "to do" list because that is how you are going to reach a larger audience. It also helps your readers by giving them information not available elsewhere.

Let's not forget that it helps forge a closer relationship with those readers and hopefully they will help you fine-tune the direction you move by actually telling you what they are waiting for or what they want from you.

I am also able to have others send out an email to drive new people over to take advantage of the free class. You can see how I am driving traffic to my animal site from the teleseminar/telewebcast by sending an email to freeclass insert-the-at-symbol-here arkanimals.com.

You should receive an invitation to the free class and the link immediately. I'll talk about using an autoresponder in another post.

Anyway, when I advertise or send out press releases this email address can be included to get readers over to the course for a personal introduction via audio. I can also schedule a course and offer it online almost immediately.

The Xiosoft Instant Teleseminar system can be used in a variety of ways but I have been reluctant to really market it yet because I've had glitches during each of the bigger telewebcasts I have done. This did not make me happy...

However, I have to say that when contacted, Rick Radditz got back to me personally right away. The developer also sent me an email so I could help them troubleshoot the problem--which turned out to be a browser issue in one instance and server issues in two others.

Rick went the extra mile and gave me his private email address AND his cell number. I'd say that is pretty great because I really hate not being able to reach a live human or not getting a response in a timely manner.

So, the support on the other end is a huge plus. I thought the product was ready to go but it is still being fine-tuned and developed further. As part of the early crew I have to say that my experience has been pretty good so far. For now, I am staying on board because I think it is a great shift from the teleseminar model.

If you would like to check it out, please click this link to view the demo video of the InstantTeleseminar.Com

UCLA Writers' Fair

2007-09-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

This just in from IWOSC:

Join IWOSC on Sunday, September 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
on the UCLA campus for the annual Writers Faire, a festive
and enlightening day of free programs on the art and craft
of writing, sponsored by the UCLA Extension Writers'
Program.

IWOSC is one of only twenty specially selected
organizations invited to participate.

Here are some highlights:

* Hear from more than 70 creative writers and screenwriters
as they share their expertise and tips in 24 unique mini-
classes.
* Enroll in most Writers' Program fall courses at a 10
percent discount.
* Get one-on-one advice on courses and certificate programs.
* Attend a special session on graduate programs in creative
writing.
* Talk to representatives from 20 community and
professional organizations, graduate writing programs, and
writing-allied businesses.

For more information call 310/825-9415 or visit www.uclaextension.edu/writers.