Writing, publishing, book marketing, all offered by experienced authors, writers, and marketers
Writers - Make Your Blog a Powerful Marketing Tool
In that case, the blog doesn't need to be ALL ABOUT YOU.
In fact, the more you post about other writers, writing opportunities, and writing services, the better FOR YOU.
Why is that, you ask?
Well, for one thing, as a writer you want to attract other writers to your blog as well as people who are looking for a writer to write something for them.
Use your blog to show off your writing skills and talents, of course.
But also stop and think about this—How can you best SERVE the people who read your blog?
Many times, you can best serve your readers by directing them to information written by and/or about someone else.
Still your readers will consider you a valuable resource because you provide them with the kinds of information they need, even if you don't write, or directly provide, all of that information yourself.
And that will cause readers to come back to your blog time and time again because they know you'll always have helpful resources and information for them.
Another big plus for you is—since you don't have to write every single post for your blog yourself—you'll actually have more time to do other writing assignments.
The other big payback to you for giving information from, and about, other sites and writers will be that those other sites and writers you direct your readers to will be thankful that you sent traffic to their sites, so they'll likely send traffic to your site(s), too, from time to time.
It's a win-win-win situation.
You win, your readers win, and the other writers you direct your readers to win.
It's just one way to make your blog a powerful marketing tool.
Try it!
Oh, and with all this in mind, since I'm predominately a children's writer, I'd like to share some of my favorite sites for children's writers with you:
underdown.org
www.kidlit411.com
www.evelynchristensen.com
www.scbwi.org
www.nancyisanders.com
www.taralazar.com
www.karencioffiwritingforchildren.com
Enjoy!
For more writing tips, be sure to visit writebythesea.com and get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge.
Once you're a subscriber, you'll also have access to a Private Resource Library for Writers.
Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 35 published books, a freelance writer, and a writing coach.
Why It's Called The Slush Pile
By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin
W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. His work contact information is on the bottom of the second page (follow this link). He has written for over 50 magazines and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. His latest book for writers is 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. Get this book for only $10 + free shipping and over $200 in bonuses. One of Terry's most popular free ebooks is Straight Talk From the Editor, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission. He lives in Colorado and has 190,000 twitter followers.
Marketing Tips for Writers
Marketing Tips for Writers, by Deborah Lyn Stanley
Promotion is sharing what we find important with people who appreciate hearing about it. Marketing is about the reader; who are they and what are they are looking for? The answers help develop your target market and competition awareness.It’s all about getting readers to find your writing.
This path helps guide to best planning. Whatever stage you’re in, it’s always a good time to outline and review our Marketing Plan. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, consider where readers would find books or articles like yours, and make sure they can find yours as well.
Ways to market & promote —
Make the task frequency doable, choose what works for you:
• Create your web-presence, aka an author’s website—your platform
• Blog actively & often
• Collect the best keywords and category designations for search optimization—in bookstores, online searches, and for your web-presence
• Social Media posting—choose the social media platform that works best for you.
-LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
-Post often using images and videos
-Always link back to your website post/page
• Create a newsletter and use email blasts each month or at least quarterly
• Start a Podcast: see link below for details to get started.
• Publish an audiobook
• Some suggest blogging daily is the best. I suggest listening to your readership and follow their patterns. I become annoyed receiving daily posts overloading my email and unsubscribed when it occurs. Also, daily blogging doesn’t work with my schedule.
Critical Details for Reader Searching & Finding your book or article:
• Genre, choose the most applicable genre listing—listen to your readers and where they search
• Price to fit the market
• Metadata is also a vehicle for promoting your work. Metadata is information about your book, the title, sub-title, sales description, categories and author bio. Optimize its use.
Book List & Podcast Link:
*Successful Self-Publishing & How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
*The Frugal Book Promoter by Carolyn Howard-Johnson https://howtodoitfrugally.com/
Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/
Visit her caregiver’s website: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/
Available on Amazon --- Mom & Me: A Story of Dementia and the Power of God’s Love || www.amazon.com/Deborah-Lyn-Stanley/
Facebook: Deborah Lyn Stanley, Writer https://www.facebook.com/deborahlynwriter/?modal=admin_todo_tour
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Lexile Reading Levels for Self and Small Publishers of Children’s Books
Lexile Reading Levels for Self-published and Small Publishers of Children’s Books
Did
you know children’s books should be “leveled” for reading classes? Yes, most
teachers and libraries check the Lexile level of books before purchasing. Why
is that? A Lexile level is an approximate reading level for a student, which
may vary from the grade level. You have
probably seen statements such as, “This book is recommended for children ages
6-8.” Publishers find age information is by having the Lexile level (https://lexile.com/) determined to include this information in their book
listings for authors on sites such as Amazon. It is easily found where the page
numbers, IBNs, and so on are found on book sales pages. Self-published and
smaller publishing houses may also take advantage of reading levels assessed by
the Lexile Framework for Reading. Authors may have to add Lexile levels to
Amazon and other online book descriptions themselves.
Lexile.com
is a rather extensive site and so here is an explanation of the different site
sections. A parent page, educator page, education companies & publishers,
and the departments of education page can be found using the menu. Also, books
may be looked up in the find a book area. Lexile level grade-level charts, an
analyzer, growth planner, Lexile career database, Wordlists, and a Measures
manager are included. Listening levels are a new feature on the site. Spanish
book levels are also available on the site.
Many
States Have Memberships for Their Residents
Because
reading levels are critical to student understanding and success, many states
have already joined the site. I live in Minnesota, and my membership is free. A
teacher friend of mine lives in New York and also has a free membership. The
annual cost is only about $18 if an author lives in a state without a
membership. Even with a free membership, though, the site offers an extensive
amount of information.
The
reasons authors should be aware of this site while writing includes the
following:
1.
An author may
copy then paste up to 1000 words in the analyzer to determine the Lexile level.
Full sentences should be entered before clicking the analyze button. A Lexile
level range will be given, although not certified and is only an estimate. The
overview column will list the longest sentence and recommended books at the
same level. The indicators column will include decoding, vocabulary, and
patterns. The vocabulary column will select up to ten words from the text that
can help inform instruction. See this page for more information. (https://hub.lexile.com/analyzer)
2.
Leveled word
lists may be downloaded from the site and used to inform authors as they write.
3.
If an author
creates curriculum or teacher resources for his or her book, the teacher
assistant area provides state standards. I can look up Minnesota state
standards. I have written two math storybooks and created student work pages
for them, so I check the math standards information.
4.
Lexile Tools for
Find a Book allow searching by author, keyword, ISBN, grade level (easy, just
right, and challenging), or by measure (a number) or a Lexile Range.
5.
When looking for
comp titles to submit a manuscript, this site is also beneficial for finding
such titles.
6.
Book level labels
may be downloaded for books placed on “my shelf” and printed, if interested.
The Most Important Reasons to Consider Using Lexile
Measures
However, an important reason for an author or small
publisher to use this site is to get their books leveled. I did so and received
levels for about $35 a book. For another $10, a vocabulary list is provided. At
the beginning of each book sales page description, I added the Lexile Level number
so teachers will see that first. Many teachers and librarians will look for
Lexile levels first thing.
The second important reason for authors or small
publishers to seek Lexile Levels is because the books are searchable online and
in school and library catalogs. A member may make a bookshelf on the site and
add books. I put the books I authored on
my bookshelf, although they may be searched by individual title. Links may be
shared in blog posts, social media, and press releases.
I hope you found this information useful!
Thank you for reading, Carolyn Wilhelm
Author
and Owner of The Wise Owl Factory
Carolyn Wilhelm is the curriculum writer and
sole owner of The Wise Owl Factory site
and blog. She has a BS in Elementary Education, an MS in Gifted Education, and
an MA in Curriculum and Instruction K-12. As a retired teacher of 28 years, she
now makes mostly free educational resources for teachers and parents. Her
course about Self-Publishing from the Very, Very Beginning is available on
UDEMY. Her children’s books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel sites.
#FebruaryReset: Ten Tips to Restart Your Year
So, what is your best #FebruaryRestart tip? Please share your advice in the comments.
Debra Eckerling is the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals. A writer, editor, and project catalyst, as well as founder of the D*E*B METHOD and Write On Online, Deb works with individuals and businesses to set goals and manage their projects through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and online support. She is also the author of Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages, host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat and #GoalChatLive on Facebook, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.
Book Review || The Story Within: New Insights and Inspiration for Writers
The Story Within: New Insights and Inspiration for Writers by Laura Oliver, MFA, Reviewed by Deborah Lyn Stanley
Today I’m sharing another one of my favorite, most helpful books. Laura Oliver’s book has done as promised for my writing practice. Writer’s Digest recommended Laura Oliver’s book; I grabbed a copy and spent time reading, taking notes and absorbing Laura’s message.
Laura’s delivery style is refreshing and upbeat. As a published author, Laura teaches fiction and essay writing to university students. We are all fortunate to have access to her instructional messages in this book. The book includes tips, delving into why we write, lessons to go with the flow of your story, the significance of journaling deeper, and guidance for growing skills.
Journaling deeper is my favorite message of Laura’s. I must be more diligent to journal, free write, and dig deeper into the heart of my stories.
The Goal of the book is to build a writer’s confidence and to just begin writing; no need to know the whole story first.
I highly recommend this book. It’s refreshing and empowering with insights that inspire our writers' journey.
Thank you Laura Oliver!
Links:
http://thestorywithin.net/
Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/
Visit her caregiver’s website: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/
Facebook: Deborah Lyn Stanley, Writer https://www.facebook.com/deborahlynwriter/?modal=admin_todo_tour
www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomdeborahlyn
www.amazon.com/Deborah-Lyn-Stanley/
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson Tells Authors How to Pretty Up Their Review Copies Before Sending Them
So a Reviewer Said Yes. Now What!
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning
HowToDoItFrugally series of books for authors
Sighhh. I so hate to see an author or publisher send out bare-bones review copies to a reviewer who has committed to reviewing a book.
Here are a few ideas from my newest book from my HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers, How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically, to dress that copy up a bit. The idea is to help your reviewer without violating ethics standards.
• Affix a review label to the inside front cover of the review copy you are sending. It should have all your book’s key data: contact information including name, phone, fax, email, and website. This can be done on a 3.5 x 5 inch label. Print enough for your projected needs.
• Enclose a media kit or a help sheet (sometimes called a sell sheet) about your title. It should include your media release. It might explain the benefits of your book or why someone would be interested in reading it and a bio of the author. Include the same information on this as the review label mention above. By doing this, you assure that your reviewer has the information he or she needs and that your name is spelled right. Further, if you include a nice synopsis, you may even be able to influence the reviewer to highlight what you find most valuable about your book.
• Enclose a cover letter stating that this review copy is being sent in direct response to their request and how to reach you if they need any additional information. This information can also go on the outside of the envelope you are using to send your ARC. Do not say that say it is “requested material”, though, unless it is the truth.
• Send the reviewer a brief e-mail and remind him/her of the request and that the copy is on its way. Double-check the address you have at that time.
• Some reviewers, bloggers, and other media outlets use the information you send verbatim. In the third edition of the The Frugal Book Promoter now published by Modern History Press, I advise that your media kit include a review with permission for them to cut and paste exactly as it is. Be sure to give them guidelines for its use from both you and the original reviewer (Midwest Book Review, as an example, always extends permission for unlimited use as long as they are credited.)
• Let your contact know—as part of the letter and the release and even the review slip—that interior art, cover art, and/or author photos are available electronically or as black and white glossies. Make the cover of your book and an author photo available on your website so they can be downloaded in either color or black and white, in either high or low resolution.
• Don’t try to talk the reviewer into an e-copy if he or she request real paper.
Oh, yeah. Don’t forget to send a thank you for the review. Even if you weren’t that charmed with it. It’s a reviewer’s right to say what they want, although I always advise reviewers to tactfully send a book back if they feel compelled to slaughter it.
More About the Author
Learn more about how to make your book into a classic with forever reviews in the, How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing career. It’s fat, but it has a great index so you can find specific aspects of the review process from managing Amazon reviews to writing reviews of books you love.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson brings her experience as a publicist, journalist, marketer, and retailer to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. All her books for writers are multi award winners including The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor including awards from USA Book News, Readers’ Views Literary Award, the marketing award from Next Generation Indie Books and others including the coveted Irwin award. The newest in the series, How to Get Great Reviews Frugally and Ethically, was launched as part of a promotional program to more than 20,000 new readers. All are available in print or as e-book. Learn more at https://howtodoitfrugally.com .
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