Why you DON'T want to get published

Marketing Muse

Promote your book signings!!!!! Do not expect the libraries and bookstores or your publicist to do it. If they do - great you are ahead of the game. If you want people, they will not come unless you tell them about it ahead of time! There will always be some kind of marketing you can do to get the word out. But you have to plan ahead. Newsletters, local newspapers, email distribution, blog announcements, signs, etc

Why you DON'T want to get published!

OK - So I read this post and it is hilarious! But I betcha it is true.

Made me feel better about not already being on the shelves. Whew! takes off some of the pressure. (Yeah right!)

For those of you sick of this entire publishing process - because let's face it, it is not easy - this one's for you!

Why You DON'T Want to Get published - From a publishing intern.

Enjoy!

A web of terror - I'm going in!

Comment Your Butt Off Weekly Update
Thanks to everyone who is participating in my contest.
After all, the prize for chit chatting with me is a customized
5 page web site design valued at over $1,000.

March 1 - 7th (thru today at 2):
Unique Visitors: 797
Repeat Visitors: 552
Total Comments: 370
# of people commenting: 41

Remember the contest runs ALL OF MARCH. There a several people neck-and-neckbut it is NOT too late to start - you have 3 weeks and some people may slack off :)

A web of terror - I'm going in!

This week - I sent off a partial of my new WIP a couple of agents that requested it. My plan? Distract agents with my new WIP so I can be sure I am not forgotten while I am diving into book suggestions. (PS This will be about as painful as diving into an empty pool - twice!)

My first thought when I sat down today?

How in the F#$@ am I going to edit this book?

Part of me is excited, part of me is scared, part of me is pissed, part of me is overwhelmed.

For those of you who write YA (especially suspense/thriller/mysteries) will empathize with me on how hard this process is going to be. I basically have to come up with an alternate ending for the last 4th of the book. I think I have the WHAT, WHERE and WHO? After all it's something I've been chewing on for several weeks - even before I got any feedback.

It's the HOW that puzzles me

But to find all those little clues woven intricately through the pages and chapters (the subtle hints) and change them? ugh! Because you see the original plot will have to change in a way where every little hidden clue that I carefully hid along the way will have to be yanked out and either replanted or reinvented.

My books (like many of yours) are like a spider's web. Each little thread is carefully chosen and woven in a way that creates a pretty picture in the end. Where everything neatly comes together yet a few loose strands - that you may not notice - sway in the light breeeze, leaving me options for another book if I want to down the road.

So why the web analogy?

This morning - as I drank my delish coffee listening to Elmo singing in the background - I happen to glance out the window. I noticed a spider was weaving a web in the morning light. As I watched him slide across the thin strings, I appreciated how much time and effort was put into each link, each thread.

He (or she - how would I know? wait don't tell me. was probably full of glee, loving his work and hoping for a catch.

This made me think about my book.

When I started writing this book, I loved weaving the intricate web on the pages. And I too was hoping for a catch.

Well I did get a small one recently. And even though the catch didn't quick stick around, I think if I reweave my web and make it better, prettier, and a little different. Maybe, I will get lucky and attract that either that same great fly or possibly even a different one.

Maybe this time, I'll catch something for good.

So, now I am diving into this intricate web I have and hoping I that can somehow recreate another one. But what if I mess it up? What if it is not as good and I spend hours doing it? What if the fly doesn't like it? I'm kinda feelin' like Charlotte. Thinking about and hoping for the right way to help Wilbur make it.

I went to the bookstore for storytime and browsed through the aisles, getting psyched for revision process to begin. The rows of neatly placed books stretched along side the wall calling to me, begging me to join their club. I came home inspired, ready to work. My hubby took the dog to the vet (don't ask why he spent 400$!) and I put the kids down for a nap/quiet time (AKA my sanity time). After miraculously doing another load of laundry, the dishes, cleaning up toys, finally getting a chance to pee, and shoving down lunch - I sat down to write. (of course after I blog - it stretches out my brain - like yoga for the brain.)

I decide to dive in.

Grace - here I come again to shake up your world. hang on - it's going to be a wild ride! Who knows where we will end up! But at least, we'll get there together.

Then, I looked out the window and noticed the beutiful, delicate web had been destroyed by a fly or leaf or something. The silky pieces floated in the wind and the spider was off to one size as if accessing the damage and making a plan.

Poor spider.

I know how it feels.

Don't let the word Marketing fool you!

Marketing Muse
Visit book reviewers and librarians sites. Comment on their blogs. get the name recognition. Ask yourself what can you do FOR THEM. When your books come out - they may remember you :)

It's all Marketing! Don't let it fool you.

What is Marketing?

Everything you do can be called "Marketing" I have gotten tons of comments in the last few days about Pre-published Marketing especially since I spoke at Southern Breeze. Many of those comments are saying that they know of many authors that have NOT started marketing until their book has already come out. That is not true.

Remember: most writers/authors usually only think of Marketing as Book Marketing. They think of running ads or doing book signings and school events.

Marketing is any of the following: blogs, social networking sites, newsletters, speaking engagements, signings, podcasts, interviews, business cards, web sites. Anything you do to get your name out there and meet people is Marketing. ALOT of authors these days do start marketing before they get published.

They just don't know its marketing.

Marketing things you may already be doing and don't even know it!

• So if you are commenting on my blog for this contest - that is Marketing!
• If you are doing a blog - that is Marketing!
• If you have a web site (all together now) - Marketing!
• If you have joined facebook or myspace - Marketing (are you seeing a pattern yet?)
• If you have business cards - marketing (brand identity)
• If you are speaking at conferences on any topic - marketing
• If you have joined SCBWI - Marketing (networking is an informal way of marketing)
• Book signings? School Visits? Do I hear Marketing?
• Podcasts/Blog tours- Marketing
• Commenting on blogs or connecting to other people's blogs - marketing
• Volunteering

Why do marketing at all?

Because you get your name out there. Name recognition and networking are critical in marketing (obviously second to writing a good book)

• Prepublished - if an editor or agent recognizes your name. It may get you a serious look or chance.
• Published - if a librarian or store owner know your name and see your book. They make book you for the signing over someone they have never met.

That is why you want to brand yourself - because you are getting out there anyway. Why not send a consistent message?

Other forms of Marketing

Don't get this confused when people offer "Marketing Workshops" that focus on Queries, Synopsis, and cover letters. This is a form of marketing to - you are marketing your book ideas to agents and editors. That is why they say "have a hook" - this is common term in Marketing.

Make sure if you go to a workshop that is titled Marketing - you read the details on which type of marketing it is.

Do Agents and Editors Market themselves?

This can all be true for editors and agents too. If they get their name out there - they may get better queries. They may get a chance at a specific author. That is why they go to conferences. That is why they go to lunch. That is why they tweet. That is why they mention the books they are working on at conferences or in interviews. All this gets their name, their agency/house, and their new books out in front of people so they are thought of first.

So what are they doing?

Marketing!

We all need to change our view of Marketing - beyond the basics.

So comment here and start your marketing. Start getting your name out.

Now go "market"

Beware of your Shadow Brand!

Contest Update
Whoa - you people are Krazy! Lots of competitiveness out there. I am loving the comments and meeting new bloggers. keep it up. If you are just coming - the contest goes all month. here's the original post. To all you players - lets' see who can keep up this pace all month long! :0)


Beware of your Shadow Brand!

This past weekend, I spoke at an SCBWI conference in Atlanta on Getting past your fear of branding/marketing. I promised I would blog about it as a recap.

Befor eyou decide what your brand is - you need to be aware of the brand you are giving off.

Beware of your Shadow brand - Be aware of what type of vibe you give off. I'm not talking about if you just have a bad day. I mean the "consistent shadow brand" you may be projecting. Are you scared, frustrated, desperate, confident etc. If you don't know what it is - ask your critique group members.

Develop your own Author branding. This is your personal brand as a writer/author. You do not need to be published for your author brand. You only need to know your writing. What do you write? what is special about it? What colors represent you?

What do you need for your author brand?

• Web site ( a must!!!!!). Go for some variation of your name. (yourname.com) If you can't get it throw in your middle name or initials. You want your name as your author web site - it is easier to find that "YAbookauthor.com"
• Blog (Andrew Karre, Editor at Carolrhoda, said yesterday that he prefers active blogs to stagnant web sites.)
• Begin networking - what can you do for other people. Do this where you are comfortable - online or in person.
• Decide on your colors/logo/look - keep it to 2 or 3 colors and figure out your style.
• professional looking biz cards (try to stay away form white and definitely stay away from printing them yourself with perforated edges. You can get printing very inexpensive these days.

Don't be baffled by Book branding. This is the brand of your published books. No one really needs to book brand until they get published. Although your topic appeals to a marketing segment, the book cover also plays a major role in the branding.

What do you need for your book brand?

• all of the above
• develop a marketing strategy plan that is specific (not too generic)
• do have marketing materials - book markers, postcards etc
• If you have a series - you can always start a "book web site" "bookseriestitle.com" like harrypotter.com
• Of course - expand your networking and always follow up!!!

Cheapies to get you started

• Web sites - I prefer godaddy - you can get a good site for under 15$ a month. They also sell domains for about 6$ a year. There are free web sites but they will not show up in search engines and they do not have as much of a professional look.. IN addition, usually your url will have their site in the title. Like srjohannes.googlepages.com.
• Blogs - blogger or livejournal tend to be the most popular ones
• free Blog templates - http://www.templates-blogger.com/ or http://btemplates.com/
• Social networking - free (facebook/myspace/goodreads etc)
• Twitter - free
• Business cards - you can always design them and print them at vistprint.com or iprint.com. keep in mind the design is not totally customizable.
• Other materials - again vistaprint.com allows you to upload documents and print for very inexpensive. (postcards/brochures/flyers).

Should you ever spend money?

I say not if you don't have to. (my hubby and accountant are killing me right now :)

If you ever decide to spend any money on marketing - I would highly recommend hiring a graphic designer to custom design your web site, biz cards, and other marketing materials. You do the copy and printing yourself. If you pay a graphic designer to put it together, be sure you ask and receive the print ready files. That way, you can print inexpensively on vistprint or iprint.

For those who asked - I give 20% off to writers and 30% off to SCBWI members. I will also promise to always beat your other estimates by 10% (assuming their prices are in alignment with the Graphic Artists Guild Pricing Guidelines and Ethics.

Hope this helps!

Marvelous Marketer: Andrew Karre (Editorial Director, Carolrhoda Books)

Comment Your Butt off point updates:

Good questions and I have added some additional points based on your suggestions.

• 2 extra points if you friend me on Facebook (left side)
• 2 points if you become a Follower of my blog (left side)
• 2 points if you follow me on Twitter. (left side)

Email me and let me know when you add me.

Ok funny people!!! if you comment, they cannot be repeats. Remember - your comments need to be meaningful to the post or chit chatty to me! You can do back posts if you like too.

Don't forget it goes through March so you'll have to keep visiting me :) We'll see who can keep it up. Keep in mind - this is for us to find new bloggers and get some to practice commenting. I know the prize is great but keep that in mind when you are posting.

Marvelous Marketer: Andrew Karre (Editorial Director, Carolrhoda Books)

Hi Andrew. Thank you so much for joining us today. Before we get into marketing, tell me a little about yourself.

I’m the editorial director at Carolrhoda, Lerner Publishing Group’s trade children’s book imprint where we publish picture books, Middle Grade and YA. I was previously the editor at Flux, Llewellyn Worldwide's young adult imprint.

Do you/your agency/your house have a website/blog? When did you start it and who manages it?

I started blogging at Carolrhoda.blogspot.com when I started here in October. I provide most of the content.

In your opinion , what are the top 3 things every author should and must do to promote their book?

a) Be honest with yourself about what you’re good at and focus on that.
b) Do whatever you can to make your local bookstore, library, and school communities aware of your book shortly before it comes out.
c) Make sure you’ve done the basics online well and thoroughly but that you’ve spent no more than a hundred bucks or so, if anything. By basics, I mean: you’ve a simple web site at yourname.com (could be just redirecting to your Blogger or Wordpress blog); you’re networking and commenting on well-trafficked blogs at least as much as you are posting to your own; and you’re reading critically everything you can about what’s going on in your genre or niche.

In your opinion, how important is social networking like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, GoodReads etc.

They’re very important if you can use them well and if they don’t distract you too much. I am not a fan of MySpace. I don’t think debut authors need to do anything beyond pulling their profile names for later use. Facebook is better, though mostly for networking with gatekeeping adults at first. I find Twitter a useful way to follow news, even though I don’t tweet much. I don’t yet have an opinion on Goodreads.

How important is technology to an author’s marketing plan?

It’s as important as it needs to be. You don’t sell more books because you used the most tech. You might sell more books because you used the right tech for your book effectively.

Technology is an amplifier for your book, but not every technology is a good fit for every book. A flashy, expensive web site can be a very loud amplifier, but if you’re trying to promote your literary YA debut, I don’t think anyone will be listening. On the other hand a free blog as starting point for a disciplined program of pithy commenting on well-trafficked librarian and reviewer blogs can get you out loud and clear to the right people for almost no money.

Bear in mind that almost no one has anything beyond anecdotal evidence of efficacy for any of these strategies.

What other advice do you have for authors/writers regarding marketing?

Don’t waste your time on a generic marketing plan. If you can’t come up with a marketing plan that doesn’t include the words “Oprah” and “book tour,” then you don’t have a marketing plan—and that’s fine. Spend your time getting to know the online community for your genre. I’m vastly more impressed when I recognize a writer as commenter on a favorite blog than I am by a generic marketing plan.

When evaluating whether to take on an author or book, do you ever Google them to see if they already have a web presence or platform?

Yes, always. I’d rather see an active blog than a flashy website any day.

What things do Publishers offer in contracts in terms of Marketing? What does the average author receive or is it different, depending on the book?

In my experience, almost nothing in the contract. It varies hugely, book to book. Keep in my mind, my experience is all with small to midsize indie publishers.

What things do you expect an author to do on their own?

I expect authors to make a sincere effort to make the most of their promotional opportunities. I do not expect authors to spend their advances on freelance publicists or to go into debt. I expect them to be good partners and to tell us honestly what they think they can do (And be willing to stretch that a little).

Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your marketing strategies as an editor!

Marvelous Marketer - Elizabeth Dulemba (Illustrator/Author)

Elizabeth Dulemba - Illustrator/Author

Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for joining me today. before we get into marketing, tell me a little about yourself.

Hi Shelli - thanks for hosting me on Market My Words! I am an illustrator first with several award-winning picture books including Paco and the Giant Chile Plant (Raven Tree Press, 2008) and the ParentSmart KidHappy™ series (Free Spirit Publishing). I've also illustrated educational books for Harcourt, Houghton Mifflin, Scholastic, and McGraw-Hill, and did the cover of the December Highlights Magazine for which I just won the SCBWI 2008 Magazine Merit Award!

Forthcoming books include two more from the ParentSmart KidHappy™ series and The 12 Days of Christmas in Georgia (Sterling 2010). Best of all, my first picture book as author/illustrator comes out this Fall - Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón (Raven Tree Press). As if this wasn't enough, my first novel is being shopped by my agent while I work on my second. I also teach "Creating Picture Books" at the John C. Campbell Folk School and speak at conferences, schools and festivals regularly.

*whew* I've been a busy girl.I'm agented by the awesome Courtney Miller-Callihan of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates - love her! With all this focus on creating books for children, you can probably guess most of my friends are in the biz too. Our lunches keep me sane and I love meeting up with friends from far away at out of town events. My awesome hubbie, Stan, is incredibly supportive, and my three fuzzies (2 dogs and a cat) are good cuddlers. (One of my dogs, Bernie, makes star appearances in all my books.) I'm working my bum off right now, but I'm also having a blast.

I know you used to be a graphic designer but I'll askt the question anyway :) Do you have a website/blog? When did you start it and who manages it?

I've had a website for years now and blog regularly where I offer a free coloring page every week. These days I think authors, and especially illustrators, must have a website. With my graphic design background I was lucky enough to know how to create my own, but there are inexpensive/easy alternatives to building a website too.

A lot of people have found my article, "Build an Easy Website (Using a Blog)" helpful

I know you do tons for your own marketing. I seem to see you everywhere! In your opinion , what are the top 3 things every author should andmust do to promote their book?

Marketing, networking and public speaking are three necessary parts of being a successful children's book creator. Ironically, people usually don't consider they'll have to do these things when they're trying to break into this business. A website is no longer optional, and a regularly updated website (like a blog) is ideal. The main thing is to build relationships with your readers and buzz around your name so people will say "Oh, I've heard of her," when your next book comes out. It's the old "see it seven times" rule of advertising. People generally don't notice an ad until they've seen it at least seven times. In other words, the more you and your name are out there, the more likely your work will stick in people's minds.

In your opinion, how important is social networking? Not including dinner and drinks :)

All forms of social networking fit into the larger picture of getting yourself out there. The more people can interact with you, the more they'll feel a kinship or loyalty to you, which of course spills over into book sales. But you can't be disingenuous about it - it's not about inundating people with ads. It's about building real relationships and giving back as much as you can. Give people good reasons to want to support you.

How important is technology to an author's marketing plan?These days the technology side of marketing is integral and growing. Nobody is really sure what it's going to mean to the book business, they just know it's coming - with blogs, book trailers, e-readers, etc. Our business is evolving into a much more technologically driven medium. The more in tune with that you can be, the more likely you are to succeed. Do your research. Subscribe to Publisher's Lunch, PW, SCBWI, etc. Stay educated about how things are moving forward so that you can position yourself to take advantage and be ahead of the curve. It will also be more attractive to publishers as they're looking for the next best way technology can help as well.

Did you think about marketing before your book was published? Did you start prior to getting an agent or selling your book?

If so, when andwhat did you do?I was in graphic design for 15 years before getting into illustrating children's books, so it's part of how my brain works. I had my website up and was already blogging long before my first book came out. It's like a pyramid - it takes time to build a following and the sooner you start, the better. Part of the reason to start early is so you can grow comfortable with digital medium and learn to create content that draws readers. I also started collecting information on reviewers, librarians, booksellers, etc. I have over 1,000 publishing-related contacts in my address book and they come in handy. I don't send out my promotional materials to a purchased list, I send them to a very targeted list of people I've collected from my research. It makes my promotional materials more effective and actually ends up being cheaper. It's all about that relationship-building thing I was talking about.

Do you feel it is beneficial for authors to team up and promotebooks as a group? Why?

Definitely! Several voices in unison will always have more strength than one. And I'm a firm believer in that we help ourselves most when we lift others up with us in our efforts. It's not about one person's career - it's about creating a passion for books and reading in society. Together, we have a better chance of creating passionate readers. And of course, when that happens book sales increase for everybody, and we make our society stronger too - bonus!

What other advice do you have for authors/writers regardingmarketing?

Expect that marketing will be a large chunk of what you do every day. I spend about 30-40% of my day on marketing. (My hubbie would claim more than that.) That includes blogging, reading blogs, social networking, mailers, etc. It all builds people's awareness of you and your work and is seldom wasted energy. Of course, you have to have the good works to back up your marketing, so writing and illustrating books readers will love should always remain the highest priority.

What creative things have you done to promote a book?

Probably the smartest thing I ever did was to create my Coloring Page Tuesdays . My stats went through the roof when I started creating them, and now that the collection has grown rather large (I've been doing this over a year) I have people referencing images on a regular basis (thousands every week).

I'm also asking them to sign up for my newsletter where I announce my latest book news - it all draws attention to my books!I always have my radar up for marketing opportunities. You'd be surprised how often they come up (such as your invitation for this interview) - be ready to take advantage.

Thanks for joining us today and sharing your marketing strategies.

Shelli, thanks again for interviewing me and for all the free advice you offer to book creators on your blog. It's enormously helpful! :)

Marvelous Marketer - Krista Marino (Sr. Editor/Delacorte Press)

Marvelous Marketers: Krista Marino, Senior Editor
Delacorte Press (Random House Kids)

Hi Krista! Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to be with us today. Before we get into your marketing advice, can you tell me a little about yourself and publishing house.

I am a Senior Editor at Delacorte Press—an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. Delacorte publishes middle grade and young adult fiction, so I’m only looking to acquire books that fall into those categories. The genres I work on are far-ranging, though. Lately I’ve been acquiring darker projects. I think it’s a reflection on where our world is today. Teenagers just aren’t really looking to read light, happy books--and I guess I’m not, either. One of my upcoming books perfectly encapsulates this world anxiety. THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan is a story about hope set in a post-apocalyptic world.

In your opinion, how important is social networking? Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, GoodReads etc.

At Random House we’ve found that this is a HUGE part of an author’s success. You can quietly build a solid fan base by keeping (and maintaining regularly) a blog and website. And the more authors you connect with, the better your networking tools become. You can follow Random House . Facebook seems to be the social networking site of choice these days, but a personal blog could be even more useful in creating a feeling of intimacy with your readership.

How important is technology to an author’s marketing plan?

Because teens are on the internet more and more, we’ve really turned our marketing focus toward this venue. I think it’s very important you are out there—that you have a presence—on the internet.

Do you feel it is beneficial for authors to team up and promote books as a group? Why?

Yes. It’s very beneficial. And the more authors you have out there talking your books up the better. Any champion you can get with a venue that reaches the public is useful. The internet seems to be the most cost-effective venue out there these days and there are several groups that are taking advantage of this, organizing online, and pooling money for group marketing projects.

What things do you expect an author to do on their own?

We expect an author to do anything they can to support their book. These days, a website is a basic necessity. Then you can build up from there to Facebook and Myspace and other online communities. Not only for marketing, but for building connections within the industry. Librarians, teachers, other authors—the more people you know, and the more friendly you are, the better off you’ll be. Many of my authors have parlayed their relationships into blurbs for their debut novels. That’s something that goes far.

Thank you again for sharing your marketing advice!

Analyze Your Audience/ 09 is mine!

Update: My thought sgo out to the 2 Greenwich librarians killed on the way to airport from ALA. It reminds us that Life is so precious.

Day 2: Analyze your Audience

1) So you have identified your audiences (3-5).

2) Now you need to analyze your market. Where do they go? What do they do? What orgs? What Magazines? You can easily find all this on Google. For example for my knitting mystery for teens : I'd google knitting book organizations, knitting books, knitting teens, knitting stores, knitting magazines, teen knitting etc.

3) Create a spreadsheet for EACH Book and begin logging the information you find.

4) Create a worksheet in the Spreadsheet for each audience. Focus on 3-5 largest audience.

• In each worksheet, you label the following columns: Name of Channel, Channel type, Contact Name, Contact Address, Contact Phone, Email, and Comments.
• Example: Knitting Mystery
• Name of Channel : Knitting R Us
• Type of Channel: Magazine or Organization or Club or ezine
• Contact Columns: Jane Smith; 1344 book Lane, 444-444-5555; jsmith@book.com
• Comment: Joined 1/29

5) Join organizations ad contact people. Introduce yourself. Even if you don't have a book out or coming out. These connections can still be made.

Next Week:

• Don't forget Monday - Jas Asher is our Magnificent Marketer.
• I will continue the 30 days series next Tuesday.
• And I have a Secret Guest On Wednesday.
  

09 is Mine!

So I am in the throws of subbing my Grace book right now.

2 years ago, my first book made 2 acquisitions meetings with publishers (*sigh), last year my nonfiction book made Acquisitions at American Girl (*sigh). I have never queried agents before.

This time, I decided to focus on getting an agent. And I have taken my time. I have made my short list of Dreamy agents based on their clients and likes and wants. I am only subbing to a handful of selected agents at a time. I am not doing the mass query thing.

Currently, I have a few fulls requested and out. Now? I am just waiting. So far, pretty much every agent I have queried has immediately requested a full. And that is a good sign. But the waiting game is tough. No matter how far you or where you are in the process, I am sure the waiting exists and is just as hard.

But for some reason, I feel like this is my year. I don't know why, I just feel an energy pulling me. Doesn't mean I dont have my down days (I am actually having one today :( b/c I do. I am a go-getter and I push myself hard. So to sit back and let go of control is hard for me. But this has been a good lesson. I am also used to things happening for me pretty quickly for me so putting in my dues and time with little in return is hard as well.

I've given up alot to be here and it has all been worth it. But doubt creeps in and rears its ugly head no matter what requests or feedback I get.

You see I had the chance to be a high - high- high level executive at an International Bank. But a few years ago, I left alot of money and alot of experience and walked away from my fast track in Corporate America to write. Of course, I have had 2 kids in the process so it has not gone as quickly as I had planned or hoped.

In the meantime, with my degrees and experience, I started my marketing biz on the side to help pay the bills. It allowed me to work from home, be with my kids, and control my own days of when to write and when to work.

My hubby has been so supportive and equally agreed to give up 50% of our income for me to follow my dream. And now I am so close. And what is interesting is that no matter how bad I want it for myself. I also want to do it for him so he knows we haven't struggled for nothing. He has given up so much for me to pursue my passion and his support and faith never waivers.

So now? I just wait... and hope....and believe....and write.

And more importantly, I start another book, a new series that I am very excited about.

I just hope that when my time does come, I find an agent and editor that I connect with, that believes in my story enough to take a leap of faith with me, that gets me and my character. That sees the uniqueness and timeliness of my subject matter. I dont just want anyone, I want "the one". And I know "the one" is different for everyone. And I will wait until it feels right.

Lindsey Leavitt gave me some good advice over coffee last fall and for some reason it stuck with me. She said, "I never knew who my dream agent was until I met her." That is so true. You pick people based on reputations and clients. But in the end it is the connection that matters. Their love for your story.

Now I finally am at a place where I can devote myself to my writing. My daughter starts K this summer, my son turns 2 in May, and my hubby has said "there will be no more".

I've cleared the path - 09 is mine.

Build Your Author Brand (Day 1) & Writing Lessons from The Office

Build Your Author Brand/Platform (Day 1)

OK I want everyone to go through this exercise with me for the next 30 days. Ill teach you how to start your marketing plan from scratch, aw well as some best practices for twitter, blogging, facebook and more.

This book is a great reference: Author's Guide to Building an Online Platform

Today is about creating a brand/platform for yourself. What is a platform?
The term author platform is popping up all over the place, but what exactly is an author platform? Essentially, your platform is based on your expertise. For nonfiction, this relates to the topic of your books. What about fiction authors? Your platform, obviously, should focus on your genre. It’s even better to focus on a smaller niche. For example, get known for knitting mysteries.

Your platform includes your Web presence, any public speaking you do, the classes you teach, the media contacts you have established, the articles you have published, and any other means. here are 8 things to think through when determining what your platform is.

1) What is your genre? Lets say you are writing a knitting mystery.
2) What experience/knowledge do you bring? (are you a knitter? Do you do arts and crafts? are you a fashion major? etc)
3) Write Down 3 different audiences that your book targets. (Knitters, Fashion, Mystery)
4) Write down 5 ways to reach those audiences. (groups, organizations, web sites, etc)
5) Find out who are the influencers in those groups (leaders, content experts) and introduce yourself. tell them what you are doing. (google google google)
6) Get involved in those organizations now (whether you are published or not). Become familiar with organizations related to your topic or genre. Join those that you feel can help move your career forward through education and/or association. Become known by participating.
7) Create a web site - this is one of the first things to do. Simple 5 pages. (Use a knitting motive)
8) Start building an email database/spreadsheet of critical contacts. (Be sure to keep track of contacts)

Come back tomorrow for Day 2 in our Marketing Journey!

The Office Lessons

After working an an executive at Bank of America, this show is quite funny to me. Sick but funny. Mostly because it is completely sarcastic humor which I am a sucker for.

I love the battle that goes on between Jim and Dwight. Steve Carrell is hilarious but Rainn Wilson cracks me up. And I swear I used to know people like him at work.

It’s silly and stupid, controlled yet edgy. Its totally inappropriate. But believe it or not there are people who actually say and think these things. Sometimes, its the only way to get people to pay attention that this behavior still exists. Even though it is disgusting, you have to laugh at the ignorance of some people in the world and work place. And sometimes, you just have to laugh at that especially when there is nothing else to do. Now I do not approve of any of the behavior but that is what makes it funny. Its exaggerated.

In this show, everyone in the office realizes they’re stuck with each other. And in a way, they love each other flaws and all. It doesn’t matter that their boss, Michael (Steve Carrell) is totally ridiculous. It doesn’t matter if they get insulted. It doesn't matter if they play pranks. In the end, it’s back to life and it's about the sum of parts. And that’s real.

As everything I participate in or watch, I am always thinking about my writing. This show does have its lessons for writers.

• Characterization. Most of all, when I look at the writing, it is great. The characters thought greatly flawed are lovable.
• Story. It tells a succinct story in 30 minutes yet does a great job of creating arching stories that link each episode.
• Dialogue. It does not deliver one-liners. The dialogue is natural and funny. It flows and does not feel forced.
• The scene. The desks, the offices. Their clothes. Next time look at the details. These details matter when I'm writing. The pictures on the desk. The stress balls. The environment gives you a sense of these people.
• The nonverbals. The characters mannerisms, their looks. Those things are hard to capture in a book but it is doable. But they have to be natural.

A few Memorable Moments

Medical Form Scene

• Dwight: Someone forged medical information, and that's a felony.
• Jim: OK, Whoa, all right 'cause that's a pretty intense accusation. How do you know that they're fake?
• Dwight: [reading from a sheet] Uh, Leprosy, Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hot Dog Fingers, Government Created Killer Nano Robot Infection.

Identity Theft

• Jim Comes to work dressed as Dwight
• Dwight: Imitation is a form of flattery
• Jim pulls out a few items he took from Dwight
• Dwight: You know Identity theft is not a joke Jim. Millions of people suffer from it every year.

Spud Gun

• Dwight:I.D. badges are long overdue. Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day, with a rifle that shoots potatoes at 60 pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?

Please - if you have not seen this show - watch this clip. It is hilarious and I bet most of you will be hooked. If you have, take a moment and enjoy this montage of funny moments to start out your day.

Update: I changed the clip - I swear you will laugh at loud at this. Come on you know you wanna try it.

Sometimes, it's O.K to Mouth-Off!

First Thing First
Huge thanks to Elizabeth Bird at School Library Journal Fuse 8 for the special
"shout out" to my blog. :) Check out her blog for other book business recommendations.

Marketing Tip for the Day
Some of the best Internet marketers in the world are hosting a series of free teleconferences where you can learn a ton of great tips for marketing your books via the Internet.
Upcoming: Wednesday evening: John Di Lemme; Thursday evening: Bob Burg
More speakers next week as well.
You can find out about the entire free teleconference series by visiting:
http://jvAlertLive.com/webcast/default.aspx?id=1889

Mouth-Off! Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM)
Word-of-mouth marketing spreads from one person to another outside of a formalized setting, without push from any advertisers.

A recommendation from someone familiar and trust-worthy is the easiest path to a sale, link or new subscriber. Why? Because recommendations are generally perceived as incentive-free, there is no obvious motivation.

Here are a few Easy WOMM strategies from Marketing Profs:

1.Target Talkers. Focus on Industry Influencers. I said target not stalk. You want to really build a relationship with them with the hopes of marketing through their existing sphere of social influence. Examples of influencers include celebrities, power users on social websites like Digg and popular webmasters or bloggers with many loyal supporters. I am a true believer that when you build relationships, it begins on "what YOU can do for them" not "what can you do for me" attitude.

2. Topic. Find discuss topics that are interesting to your talkers. Think about ways to create a positive response by enhancing your audiences experience in unexpected ways. Make your readers feel like an insider to an unique situation that encourages them to share or recommend your book. This could be to get them talking about special offers, freebies, information.

3. Tools/Technology - Use social networks to spread the word . This can be existing networks you already have (alumni, sorority, clubs or organizations) or joining large online communities. The existing ones you are already a part of are a quick hit. There is already a connection. Joining new ones takes a while to build so its not something that is as easy.

4. Take Part - Join in on message board or blog conversations. Again, contribute to discussions because you want to and because you care. Don't just contribute to use the board for advertising. It will have a negative effect. Also be sure to respond to phone calls, emails and comments on your blog.

5. Track - Keep up to date on what works for you and what doesn't. You only have time to focus on a few great things so don't waste your time with the things that don't work for you. Let them go and move on to something that does work.

Tips:

• More often than not, you will need to kick start some promotional method to initialize word of mouth buzz.

• WOMM can include written testimonials, reviews, resource links, asked for expert advice


• Focus on producing an excellent product -this will greatly facilitate the word-of-mouth process.


• Honest word of mouth marketers live by earning the respect of their customers


• Talk powerfully and naturally about what you do


• Appreciate and acknowledge those who talk about you.


• Treat everyone with respect.


• Anything that breaks trust will backfire.


• Negative word-of-mouth especially on you as a professional or as an author can hurt just as much as positive word of mouth can help.

Belated Marketing Monday - Must-Have Media Kit and a Secret

I was so excited about the 500 unique visitors (now 600)- I did not do my weekly Marketing Post this week.

Today, I'm going to talk about creating a solid Media Kit, also called a Press kit.

You don't have to be published to start this. Pre-Published authors can get ahead of the game! You never know. A media kit on your web site may even help you sell your book if an agent or editor comes across it.

In Guerrilla Marketing, it says the key to approaching the media, is to have the right materials in place to make it easy for placement. Books, web site, and media kit.

Tips on Creating Your Media Kit

• Your media kit should be accessible online. That way you can mail it out or email a link. You need to have everything easily available for editors or reviewers in case they don't want or need to contact you personally. All this information will convince them to interview you.
• This is the first impression they have of you so make it good, professional, and of high quality. It is better to do a few things great than alot of things mediocre. It can make the difference!
• Keep your information current
• Color is always better than B/W - except in your photo (that is just preference)

Must Haves of Online Media Kit

1. A 5x7 photo
2. Your bio
3. Any links to articles or reviews or other interviews (pdfs would be better b/c links to other sites can change)
4. A one page press release - update this quarterly with recent news - maybe including new reviews, sales, printing releases, milestones (Go to prnews.com for some samples)
5. List of basic interview questions and questions (FAQs) (next week I will focus on how to write a good press release!)
6. Link to Tour dates/signings/speaking engagements
7. Contact information
8. a brochure with a book summary and some other key facts
9. Pdf of book cover

Nice To Haves (Especially in this age of technology)

1. Video, audio, even a VLOG of you talking at signing or in interview - optional but I think in this day and age any technology is ideal
2. Links to networking pages - Facebook, MySpace etc
3. Book Trailers
4. Podcasts

Mail-out Media

1. Try to use special folders. Glossy is preferred. Double pocket with biz card window. yellow, white or grey manila folders are not ok
2. Cover letter - be professional - include project pitch, bio, and how you can benefit them (like a longer query letter)
3. Business cards - do NOT print off your own. Make them nice.
4. Order stickers for front - maybe book cover or other art. You can get folders and labels customized at VistaPrint.
5. Be sure everything is branded to be in alignment with your book/genre/author persona For example: use the same colors as your book, use images from your book) If you book is about a princes, use a tiara as a symbol. If your book is about going green, use a leaf or a green color scheme.)
6. You can add in cdsdvd's of book trailers or videos. Also include any pdfs of covers and head shots
7. Any copies of newspapers, articles, interviews etc
8. Always do your research, make a few calls to be sure you get your kit to the right person if you are mailing it out.

Great Media Examples from our very own:

• Alan Gratz - author of Samari Shortstop/Something Rotten
• Elizabeth Dulemba - illustrator (The Prince's Diary/Glotter Girl and The Crazy Cheese)

Our Little Secret

If anyone needs ever feels like they need or want help with marketing or PR, I will happily honor the Southern Breeze SCBWI discount I give on all of my services to any published or pre-published author. Go to my biz web site for detailed prices and packages.

Nuggets of Knowledge (Part 2)

From now on - since this is supposed to be more of a marketing blog (sprinkled with a few rants and raves), I will always include a marketing tip for published and pre-published authors no matter the topic of the post. I will also rank the cost: Free, Low, Medium, High.

Today's tip: Fancy up your cards
Always use both sides of our business cards and always do them in some kind of color. (Low-medium cost depending on design)

• Published - Use both sides of your business card - use the front for your information, and use the back to list your book title(s), blurbs, how to buy book, etc
• Pre-published - You can do the same. Use the front for your information and the back for the book you are trying to sell along with your 2-3 sentence elevator speech. It may catch an editor or agents eye.

Now for Self-Editing for Fiction Writers continued:

7) See How it Sounds -

• Dialogue must be compressed and more focused than real dialogue.
• use more contractions.
• two sentences can be strung together with a comma instead of period. Most real people do not pause between sentences. (do not overuse).
• dialogue is excellent to get facts across.
• weed out fancy words - instead of "have you considered the consequences?", how about "have you thought about what might happen?"
• have characters answer unspoken questions, talk at cross purposes, have them hedge or disagree.
• good dialogue must mimic real speech so it sounds real.
• read your dialogue out loud with someone - be alert for anything you naturally change or say that is not written. Even non verbals.
• Don't not use trick spellings or lexical gimmicks. Occasional different spelling is OK but don't use it too often.
• best way to show dialect or speech is through word choice, cadence and grammar.

8) Interior Monologue -

• don't use too much - it can interrupt the scene. Focus on beats.
• be sure you do not reiterate what is already in scene.
• make sure it is not explaining dialogue.
• show what you can't show in dialogue.
• ask yourself - how important are these feelings to the story?
• never use quotes and you don't need italics.
• rarely a good idea to mumble or speak under breath unless it is specific to your character.
• if monologue is long, set off in a separate paragraph.

9) Easy beats

• internal monologue is considered a beat.
• physical actions can be beats.
• allows you to vary pace of dialogue
• don't describe actions in too much detail unless it is critical to story. Assume your readers can fill in the steps you skip.
• # of beats depends on rhythm of dialogue.
• only describe things that really matter.
• higher tension - fewer beats; lower tension/breaks - more beats.
• beats show change in emotion - when character has a change of feeling or realization
• read aloud for natural flow. Listen for the natural pauses - that is where you can add a beat.
• write fresh beats to cliches. Change up cliches.
• Watch your friends as they are talking for non verbals

10) Breaking it up

• watch lengths of paragraphs. never longer than 1/2 of a page.
• You want some white space
• longer paragraphs - create a slower pace; shorter paragraphs create more tension.
• All chapters do not have to be the same length.
• brief scenes or chapters create tension.
• IN real life - few of us get a string of sentences off without any interruption. Look for long paragraphs of dialogue and break it up.

11) Once is enough!

• be sure you are not repealing feelings or actions too often.
• watch for echos - words repeated in a paragraph should be altered for variety. repeated phrases in a chapter should be altered.
• don't use brand names often - mention once and then use generic.
• be on lookout for repetition on a larger scale as well. -
• Writing 2 or more chapters that offer the same thing - consider combining them or distinguishing them.
• When you have characters that accomplish the same thing - consider combining them or distinguishing them.
• Watch repetitive effects (throwing up, rolling eyes etc)
• Do not crate stereotypical characters- find a way to change them.
• watch repetition from book to book. Be sure the plot shifts and different characters are not really just the same one repeated with a different name.

12) Sophistication

• Watch "stylistic constructions" beginning with as or ing word. Pulling off her gloves, she turned to face him. OR As she pulled off her gloves, she turned to face him.
• Only use these if you need the actions to happen at the same time and if they physically happen at the same time.
• Look for cliches - life in the fast lane - change them up or replace them with something different.
• Watch for characterization cliches - nerd with pocket pen etc
• Look for ly adverbs.
• You can depart from conventional comma usage in dialogue. It may convey how the speech really sounds.
• do not need emphasis quotes
• use exclamation points when someone is yelling.
• Do not use italics for emphasis - show emphasis in dialogue and rhythm.
• Watch out for flowery or poetic speech unless it is part of your character trait.Be sure character speaks as they really would.
• Subtle approaches invokes reader imagination. Leave some physical details to the reader.

13) Voice

• Literary style is different from voice - they are not interchangeable. You can have one and not the other.
• Watch out for too many sentences in a row with same structure. Diminishes voice - no one talks that way.
• If you capture a state of mind poetically - be sure it captures a turning point or key state of mind in character development
• Most characters do not have a "descriptive" speech naturally
• Watch for vagueness (generic) descriptions - man ordered drink vs dwarf ordered a vodka
• If a passage seems obvious - check for explanation (narration or dialogue) or rewrite
• If passage seems strained - read it aloud for any minor changes you can make.

That's it - I learned a ton. You may find some things are not as problematic to you as others.

Go through your book and highlight each one in a different color. Sweep through for each problem to see if it needs to be addressed.

Happy writing!

Marketing Monday - Guerilla Marketing

Happy Marketing Monday!

I highly recommend Guerilla Marketing for Writers by Jay Conrad-Levinson

The book covers 100 weapons for selling your work range from creating media kits and promotional calendars to appearing at book-group discussions and fundraisers. Each "weapon" is rated by its monetary cost to the author, and well over half are free. This mostly pertains to nonfiction but I think anyone can utilize these strategies.

In addition, Guerilla Marketing covers 15 marketing secrets that you must think through to have a successful marketing plan:

1. Content - first you need to write a great book before you can market it.


2. Commitment - you must commit to creating a marketing plan and then do 5 things for your marketing every day.


3. Investment - think of money you put into marketing as a long-term investment.


4. Consistent - be consistent on the frequency and quality of your marketing messages.


5. Confident - consistency creates familiarity and familiarity creates confidence. Confidence is more important than price or other packaging factors.


6. Patient - Know it will take time to build and execute an effective plan. Follow up to ensure results.


7. Assortment - use many different marketing tools to reach different people. Don't only use only 1 or 2 ways. It will only get you so far.


8. Subsequent - focus on creating readers for life more than you focus on sales.


9. Convenient - make it easy for people to reach you and have access to your books.


10. Amazement - excite your readers. technology has a high "Wow" factor in marketing these days (vlogs, twitter, trailers etc).


11. Measurement - track the effectiveness of your "marketing weapons". Eliminate what fails, continue what works.


12. Involvement - Did you know that it costs 6x more to get new readers than to keep old readers? Stay involved with your readers frequently - web sites, forums, emails, newsletters etc.


13. Dependent - create "win-win" dependencies that enable everyone to achieve goals


14. Armament. - use up-to-date technology to promote your work. Don't get outdated.


15. Consent - by being a source of information, you are silently gaining consent to market to your readers.

Let me know if you have any questions on these secrets to marketing success.

Hope this helps...

Nuggets of Knowledge (Part 1)

A while back, my friend, Lindsey Leavitt (Princess for Hire 2010) recommended a great book to me: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.

I finished reading it and found it very helpful, not just for editing, but for writing in general.

Thought I would share my notes and a few "nuggets" I took away from this book (though you should still buy it!)

1) Show vs Tell

• in long strings of dialogue - intersperse "beats" - little pieces of action.
• don't tell feelings - she felt depressed, she was anxious. Rewrite in action.
• use narrative scene strategically - when you purposely want to give the reader a break or when it pushes the story forward.

2) Characterization

• Definition: process of giving character information through words, actions, and thoughts.
• show personality traits through action (if your character is shy, show it in the action. don't say - she is shy).
• do not summarize character up front - work it into the scene.
• be sure you give enough description throughout to help reader picture physical traits.

3) Exposition

• definition -inform, explain or describe plots elements in description, flashback, or narrative.
• give only enough background as needed to the story (not entire background).
• bring these pieces out naturally.
• convert long narratives that describe a process into an action scene.
• look for places where dialogue is really exposition in disguise

4) Point of View

• First person - most intimate POV; cannot write about anything your character cant know.
• Omniscience - when you gain perspective but you lose intimacy.
• 3rd - a continuum in between the first 2 POVs.
• 1st person lets you write with narrative intimacy that sometimes you can convey emotions that even the character is not quite aware of.
• Sometimes it is more effective to stick with one POV and show other characters emotions through dialogue and actions again describing only what main POV could know.
• establish POV in very beginning/first scene if possible.

5) Proportion

• misjudgement - writer undermines readers with blow-by-blow. focus on major points of scene. don't need to fill in every detail, leave some to the reader.
• too much detail - if you are writing about a hobby or interest of your character - be sure you balance what readers want to know with what you want to share.
• cutting - don't cut too much. difference between those that harmonize with story and those that drag down story.
• focus on what is important to story.
• read the first 50 pages - what do you spend most of your time on?
• if you have plot element that is supposed to be a surprise - don't focus on it.
• makes sure most of your materials advances character or plot.

6) Dialogue

• do not explain dialogue - "what are you talking about?" she said in astonishment. put astonishment in the action or inflection or wording.
• look for adverbs - slowly, softly.
• when clarifying speaker attributions, stick to said (not offered, inquired, asked). others interrupt dialogue.
• don't need adverbs with said.
• don't open paragraph with He said. put said at first natural break in sentence.
• put name in front of said. David said. NOT said David.
• decide how you are going to call character and stick with same thing for the entire scene. Hughie for scene. Next scene can be Hugh. Don't mix them up it is distracting to reader.
• replace a said with "beats" - pieces of action, especially if more than 2 people are in the scene. (use discreetly).
• uses dashes - (interruption) and ellipses ... (trailing off).
• New paragraph for each new speaker.

I''ll do the rest tomorrow.

Happy writing!

Friday Five! Marketing Pet Peeves

My Top 5 Book Marketing Pet Peeves

1) Web site pages as long as Santa's naughty list - Don't make us page down through pages of your bio. The standard web rule is the user should not have to page down more than 2 times. I personally prefer 1. Your web site is an executive summary. You only need something short and sweet. Web sites reflect your writing. If you drone on for pages - I might not want to read your book. If you have the attitude - "Ill just get my web site up and work on it later", its the wrong one. The minute you launch it - people can see it. Keep it simple, professional, and short. Again, you can get help on Godaddy, they even have templates from which you can choose.

2) Business cards, bookmarks, and brochures from The Land of Cheapo. Come on! Nowadays you can get inexpensive, solid quality stuff from various web sites. You really don't want a white business card with your face on it. You really don't need a bookmark that is so flimsy it can be used as origami. Do yourself and your image a favor, invest in high quality pieces or don't do them at all.

3) My only target audience is children between ages of 0-18. Everyone has more than one target audience. Age is not the only way to segment your audience. There are others such as by topic, by regional as well as looking at the type of media, type of reader (library, bookstore, book club etc). Take some time to think through all of your target audiences and all the ways you can possibly reach them - you should be able to come up with at least 3 audiences and 3 mediums for each.

4) Just gonna wing it. Everyone needs a plan. Just like you need a plot for your book before you write, you need a marketing plan before you can market. Some people think that winging marketing is effective. Nope! I'm not talking about creating a 100 page word document. I am talking about a process where you - as the writer - identify your target audiences, key mediums, key timelines, key events - and set up key contacts in advance. Your materials, plans, and contacts should be in place 6 months before your book comes out. Don't wait until your book is out before you think about it.

5) I don't know computers so I cant do marketing. What? If you are selling books to kids, you need to learn computers. Nowadays at least 50% of marketing (and I am being generous, I think its more like 60-70%) is online. You need to know how to blog, how to do a basic web site, how to start a myspace or facebook page, and how to text/twitter. You also need to keep up with the youth trends (Ypulse is good for that) If you don't know how to use all these, they all are set up pretty easily to figure out. Some even have tutorials. This cannot be an excuse anymore - unless you don't want to sell anything.

Marketing and Pr are critical to your overall brand. It is better to invest in a few key pieces than to do a bunch of bad pieces. Take pride in your materials as you would take pride in your book. It is a reflection of you.

In addition to the bigger things, if you are going to deal in marketing and PR yourself, it's still important to dwell in minutiae. so be mindful of all the little things. Like copy, grammar and punctuation. These all make a different on web sites, blogs, and other marketing materials.

So get out there and market or you could always use me :)

If you have any questions, post them in a comment and I will be happy to answer. :)

Marketing Monday - The Importance of Peeps

As I got to thinking about my marketing post, I admit I was a bit stumped today on what I could post about.

As you all know Marketing and PR is based on Networking. Yes you can have ads, yes you can have websites, and yes you can only do so many book tours or school visits.

I tell all my clients - it is about creating a buzz and name/brand recognition (whether it be your author brand or your book brand). In my humble opinion (after an MBA in Marketing from Auburn and over 15 years of experience doing marketing, pr, and communication for companies and non-profits of all sizes), the best way to do this is by networking. BY getting out there and meeting people whether it be on blogs, vlogs, podcasts, radio interviews, conferences, and yes book signings.

I've said 653 times (at least) if you are only doing school visits and/or bookstore signings, you are missing out. Maybe it does it for a few huge authors and maybe some get lucky. But it is not the way to go these days. You have to branch out and expand your reach.

Therefore, PR is the way to go. Marketing is paid for, choreographed, and organized. PR is word of mouth. Networking is good old fashion PR. And I'm sorry to say (b/c I risk writing myself out of a paycheck) PR is ALWAYS best coming from you - not your agent, not your editor and not a PR person (my hubby is kicking me right now!! Sorry honey!) Those people can help you brainstorm and come up with plans. Can even implement some for you (I redeemed myself honey! :) but they (we) only do so much. People like me are better for pr planning and marketing purposes to get your plans started, materials in order, help create a brand. Yes you need biz cards, yes you need a website, yes you need book signings. That's where I can help.

But most importantly, you need to get out there yourself and network. Create a buzz.

When people buy a brand, don't think for a minute, they are not also buying you. Think about it - if you love a book and hate the author. maybe you met her and she was rude. Would you buy her book again? This happened to me and I didn't - no matter how good the books are - they were ruined for me.

PR is making connections and utilizing your peeps!

1) Start out with your current peeps
Once writers get published, they CANNOT forget where they came from. I am not talking about friends and family either. I am talking critique groups, conference participants and organizers, and blogger buddies, neighborhood organizations, PTAs, charities, Playdates, Alumni etc. Sounds dumb but you already have some easy quick hits in utilizing your current connections. I see so many writers who get published that either don't think of their current connections as a market or audience OR worse, they walk away from them.

I will plug a couple key ones that should never be forgotten. The first sin of an author.

• SCBWI -www.scbwi.org. For those of you who do not know about it - is an organization that helps authors writer for the children's market. I feel like alot of published writers that have always attended these conferences and utilized the knowledge and resources that comes from it, forget how much the group helped them by offering access to industry professionals, critiques, and the insight scoop on the publishing world. So if you are published and a member, stay active. Give back to those that helped you get a chance in this industry. Attend conferences, share your story, be a speaker, meet with unpublished authors. This is still marketing and pr. This is your network. This builds your word of mouth. I know authors get busy, but these conferences in your region are only twice a year. Give back as you have been given too.

• Critique Groups - These are the people who helped you get to where you are - if you have a good one. If you get published, help them get published. Don't leave the group b/c you don't have time. This is still apart of your marketing, your networking.

2) Reconnecting with old peeps - Look to the past. Old friends, high school class, college classmates, sorority pledge class, old job mates. Go to Reunion.com or classmates.com. Your past connections (as long as you were nice to them - i do not recommend contacting those you snubbed, broke up with, or backstabbed :) love hearing stories of success. There are alumni newsletters, school reunions, and company events. So look back and recreate your close connections. (in fact, do that now, before you get published! You'll be one step ahead.

3) Make some new peeps. Here are a few great networking groups for Children's Book Writers when they become published (again, you can start these now! In my opinion, give now - receive later.)

• MySpace.com
• Facebook.com
• Twitter.com
• JacketFlap.com
• Goodreads.com
• Blog groups/Kitlitosphere
• American Library Assoc/Yalsa - ala.org/yalsa
• Booksense.com

4) Give back - If you get published, give back. Immediately, help another person in any way you can. It really bothers me when I run into published authors who hound me for marketing advice. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE helping other people sell their books. I do so please keep approaching me anytime. (Well not anytime but you know what i mean). It just irks me when authors run around asking "How can I sell....?" "How can I get..." "How can I..." How about giving. If everything you do is about you. I do not believe you will get far. Think about creating a 2-way street.

• Give back to other struggling writers - not necessarily your agent or editors number, just give advice/hope/insight.
• Give back to other published authors. Help them sell a book. Help them connect. Find ways to give.
• Try partnering with a charity event or school to help them Do a signing, giving 10% of profits. You get a signing, they get money, you get exposure.

That's my advice for today.

Market my words!

So, today's challenge - reconnect with an old peep, contact a current peep, and make a new peep. Tell me your story!