Finish Your Book!

Finish Your Book

1. What’s your book about? Have an elevator speech: a one minute sentence describing your book.
2. Write a working title. Cute, memorable, or mysterious is better. You may want to have a 2 part title. For example: Wind & Wing: A Love Story from the “Greatest Generation” or Beginning Astrology: All You Need to Know to Read Your Chart
3. What is the genre of your book? Search in the bookstore; find the publishers that publish the kinds of books you think you want to write.
4. Set a time to write.   What works for you? Set Pick reasonable options for you, daily or weekly.
5. Find a comfort zone. Some folks like to write in a quiet zone or a beautiful place. Some like commotion and coziness. Get your place ready, and then set your appointment with yourself. Keep your appointment!
6. Set deadlines for yourself. Plan to put part of it online or show someone on a certain day. That will help you keep promises to yourself. Sometimes, urgency is helpful!
7. How far along are you? Do you have a plan? Where is the book going to go? Write chapter headings, make an outline, or write a page on each character.
8. What is your beginning? Where does it end? What’s in the middle?
9. Make a list of people who could advise you: editors, experts in your field or genre, fellow writers.
10. Get a business card that says you are a writer, author, or expert. You might even get one that has the name of your book, to help you feel like a writer and give you incentive to finish. This is psychological stuff to help you on your way!
11. Get an ISBN –or 10.
12. Write your bio: a one liner, one paragrapher, and something longer for the publisher. What would you write for the back cover of your book? What picture of yourself would you use?
13. Join a group that is already doing it. Like Weight Watchers, but for writers: Romance Writers of America, Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, etc.
14. If there is no group, create one! You need networking and moral support!
15. Reminder: Do it. Just write. Do not worry at first about grammar or punctuation. Live your passion. Make it a priority. Do not worry about failure or whether it will get published or not. Just do it. (Later on, you can get an expert to help you.)

Write Publish & Market Your Book – new classes, new online community too!

“I absolutely loved taking this class.  Andrea Foster has a strong concern for her students and their success.  Taking this class has been one of the best decisions I’ve made with regard to my professional development.”

“I loved this course, and the teacher is super.  I now have two books in print and two more ready to go because of her help and knowledge.”

“She is so knowledgeable, and I appreciate the individual attention.”

“Andrea did an absolutely fantastic job!  She was very well prepared and her experience, depth of knowledge, and passion for teaching the class were clear every single class.  She provided excellent research materials and practical ways for new writers to become published authors.  I’d attend any future class she teaches!”

These are some of the things my students have written about my WRITE PUBLISH & MARKET YOUR BOOK classes.  I have also been told by a marketing person that only ONE of my sessions was like having a fire hose (of ideas) turned on her!  Still others have said, “why spend $300 on a conference when I can spend $19 for a class that covers everything and so much more?” To be fair, that $19 is the senior/veteran’s discount, but full price of the class is $99. (for 24 hours/8weeks of 3-hour classes)

I was in the book business a LOONNG time doing everything from writing, editing, marketing, and every other aspect of publishing there is.  I got the goods!  Please join us for a cheap, fun, and worthwhile experience at CVTech!  You know you have wanted to publish your book.  Let’s do it!!!  As they said, I love to help!

Cheers! Andrea Foster aka The Booklady

http://www.thebooklady.info

Don’t forget to check out our new online community here: http://www,patreon.com/CreativeQuills

Women & Leadership Conference!

Writing & Publishing Class start again at CVTech

If you have ever wanted to write a book or take those poems in the closet and publish them or take your Nana’s memoirs and publish them, the classes at CVTech are for you. You will learn everything you need to learn about how to finish your book, how and where to publish it, and what to do after you’re done.
Want to make money? Write Publish Your Book on Mondays, 6-9pm teach you how to do so with writing and book related careers. Learn the tips and tricks to getting published and making money with your book.
You can also learn how to create and publish a book for next to NADA–that’s nothing! Learn about self-publishing and on demand publishing and ebooks and much much more.
What does it take to become a best seller? Do you need to be famous? Do you need an agent? How fast (or slow) will success happen? Learn everything there is to know about finishing and publishing your book and then selling it in this 8 week class for $99. Veterans & seniors pay only $19! For 8 weeks!
Publishing expert/writer/professor Andrea Foster has been in the “book biz” for over forty years. Find out the real scoop to getting published! After Class 1, then is a Workshop class on Wednesdays where we “git ‘er done”! There is also a Wednesday class from 4-6pm called “Finish Your Book” for folks still in the process of completing a book project, whatever it may be.
Call CVTech to register: 405.422.2201.
http://www.creativequills.com
http://www.okwriters.com

CVTech class learns about blogs & blogging

Our CVTech writing and publishing class is learning about blogging tonight!  What do you blog about?  I like to blog about current events, but some folks I know add their poetry or daily activities.  Is your blog like your Facebook page or not?

Our new book, pass-alongs, & new classes! Soon soon soon! — creativequillsblog

Then August 17th, our workshop group starts at CVTech where we will be tackling people’s individual needs.

via Our new book, pass-alongs, & new classes! Soon soon soon! — creativequillsblog

Pros & Cons of Collaborative Publishing

Pros of collaborative  publishing (print)

1. You are more in control.
2. You will get help from the publisher on editing, looks, etc.
3. You can choose the cover.
4. They will help you get the ISBN.
5. You choose what it looks like.
6. You get what you pay for, mostly.
7. You don’t have to deal with a printer or binder.
8. You can purchase more books as needed.
9. They warehouse your book.
10. You can spend as much or little time as you want on promotion.

Cons of collaborative  publishing (print)

1. The first one will be a test.
2. You have to pay the publisher UP FRONT.
3. They may nickel and dime you to death.
4. You may need to hire a print artist and book cover graphics designer.
5. You can choose the price, so you can make as much or as little on books as you want.
6. Your book can’t get into chain stores.
7. You will have to promote and sell it.
8. You have to buy your own books first at agreed upon cost, then sell for what you want.
9. You must become a salesperson.
10. Your product may not be perfect.
11. The quality may not be the same as those in stores.
12. You may not own the rights to your own book. Be sure to check.

No returns, unless you pay for that privilege.

Pros & Cons of Traditional Publishing

Pros of pursuing a traditional, paying publisher

1. You get paid some $$$ up front.
2. You get royalties on each book sold.
3. Your book gets put in a catalog.
4. Your book is accessible to retail & libraries.
5. Your book is available to distributors.
6. Your book may get listed in a magazine.
7. They will create your cover and other art.
8. They will take care of ISBNs, etc.
9. They are professionals who want your book to sell.
10. You will have a good-looking product.
11. You may get a few free copies to give away as promotion.
12. They may do some marketing.
13. You gain credibility.
14. You don’t have to warehouse or distribute your books.
15. Your book will be considered to be REAL.
16. Books that haven’t sold can be returned to publisher, for the most part.

Cons of pursuing a paying publisher

1. You have to pursue them.
2. Pursuing & convincing takes time and patience.
3. They will largely own your book.
4. They will tell you to make changes.
5. They have deadlines.
6. They may hurt your feelings.
7. They may not do as much as you thought to help sell it.
8. You still have to promote yourself.
9. You may not get famous or rich.
10. There probably won’t be a marketing budget.
11. You make less per book sold.

KEEP CHECKING FOR THE PROS & CONS OF SELF-PUBLISHING–COMING SOON!

Tips for Writing Query Letters to Agents & Publishers

1. Personalize the address. Make sure everything, especially the agent’s name, is spelled correctly.
2. Know something about the agent or editor. Do your homework. Find out what they like, and see if you can gear your query letter in that way.
3. Mention if you have queried this person before.
4. Read some good and bad samples queries online or in writer’s books and magazines.
5. Have a great book or article title.
6. Have a great first line for your query.
7. Use your voice or the voice of the book’s subject. Be unique.
8. Have a good lone liner about the book, and use it.
9. Use the title, genre, and word count in first paragraph or one-liner about your piece.
10. Summarize your work clearly, hitting on main themes, especially those you know to be of interest to the agent or editor.
11. Do not give too much plot, too many character names, too many details. This is not Game of Thrones or even Dickens, even if, in the end, the book is!
12. If you do mention characters, mention the really intriguing or unique ones.
13. Mention comparable books.
14. Mention how yours is different.
15. Don’t tell them how wonderful your book is. If it’s wonderful, they will call you! This is not the time or place for hubris!
    

    Write on!

16. Give your short bio.
17. Include publicity concepts with which you have had personal experience. No, “I’m going to do this.” Instead, “I am a regular speaker at this event, place, club. I have been a featured radio guest in the NYC area.”
18. After reading your own query, ask yourself, pretending you are the agent/editor, “Do I want to know more?” (Or, am I a bore? You need a re-write, if it’s the latter!)
19. Proofread, and make it perfect! Errors and misspellings will put you in the “Forget it!” pile. Do your due diligence as a writer!
20. Remember, shorter is better. As I said, this is not the place for War and Peace.

Writing for Dollars!

Here are a few great ways to make money writing:

1. Join poetry contests. Submit, submit, submit to poetry mags and other writers’ magazines that take poetry. Don’t ignore anything, including trade publications looking for light material for their dry publications. Anywhere you see a poem published, submit!
2. Check out local publications: Submit a column, op ed article, or other news article to local newspapers and magazines. Some want investigative articles and pay up to $1000 for a long, in depth, well written articles supported by facts and sources. Best way to start is to get to know small newspapers and their staff. Most small towns have one. If you don’t know for sure, go to http://www.usnpl.com which lists all the media from all the states.
3. Don’t forget to check schools, hospitals, or community newsletters. This is often about developing relationships!
4. Join journalism or writing organizations in your area as well as communications groups, marketing groups, and public relations groups. Check out http://www.prsa.org and http://www.ama.org as well as any local press associations. Their websites list jobs available in all local media, including radio and television. Many times, they are looking for part time news writers, especially sports! I have seen lots of jobs available for sports writers and newscasters. Here’s another source: http://www.iabc.com
5. Here’s an independent media source: http://www.indymedia.org
6. http://www.Ifreelance.com and http://www.VirtualVocations.com list small freelance jobs where you can bid to win a contract. Lowest price wins. L
7. Syndicate your columns. Creators Syndicate at http://www.creators.com or http://www.tmsfeatures.com
8. http://www.about.com is always looking for experts to create blogs on certain subjects. Scroll down, and click on “Write for About”. Current topics available include: Sports cars, poetry, manga, and Colorado travel.
9. Blog for dollars. Http://www.blogsfordollars.com is just one. Or, you can write your own blog on WordPress, Digg, or Blogspot, and then add affiliates to your page.
10. Affiliates: These are sites that list ads that you can put on your blog or website. If someone clicks through and buys something, you get a check. There are also Pay per Click sites as well. Just look up “affiliates for websites” or “affiliates for blogs” online to get listings. Linkshare is one of the ones I use.
11. Of course, publish your book! Use traditional sources which will pay you, or self-publish (in which you pay out).
12. Don’t forget e-book services like Kindle and Createspace. Createspace helps you upload your book as an e-book and sends you a “hard copy” as well. You upload it with the price, and they get a cut of what sells.
13. Look for any and all opportunities to write! Ask! I recently was asked to write a local history book for Arcadia Press, but just don’t have the time to do it! (A good problem to have!)
14. That said, check out small, local, historical or college presses in your area, and see what they need!
15. Have a good bio written that includes your expertise. Remember to include life experience! This doesn’t have to be a resume, but state the subjects about which you are most knowledgeable—and how you got the knowledge!
16. Tell people that you are interesting and have something to say, because you are, and you do!

http://www.thebooklady.info