Self Publishing Books for Profit

#Technology and Books and Ebooks

2012-01-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

So Debbie, one of the Ink Tree partners, decided with enthusiasm to begin adding her say to this blog. Wonderful idea because Deb is the publicity expert and most of you need help, help, help with your publicity campaigns.

However her computer, and computers being the frustrating tools that they are, would not allow her to log into our blog site. I love computers when they work, but there many times that I look for a hammer. So far I have managed to restrain myself, but there could come a day... Just saying.

Anyway, as Deb's husband tries to solve her computer issues I will bend your ears a bit about ebooks. They have become a necessary asset and a necessary evil for publishers. Ebooks are a challenge on their own, subject to the quirks of electronic devices. Once a paper book is published, it's good to go. It can be displayed on your book shelf, it can be traded, it can be sold, it can be shared and so on.

Ebooks, however, cannot do most of those things. That being said, and as I said, they are a necessary part of your publishing plan. The reality is that many people now want their books in electronic format so you, the publisher, need to provide buyers with what they want.

Just be prepared for a few technical glitches. It's the new reality. We just have to get used to it and deal with it.

On to the future...

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#Disappointing Book. Respect #Your Audience.

2012-01-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

So, I just finished a book that I was reading. Initially I thought it was good - it kept my interest, the writing style was good, the story was credible and the main character was likeable.

For many chapters I went along for the ride, being intrigued by the character's life and adventures both good and bad.

However, somewhere along the line the story began to deteriorate. It was subtle at first. I thought, "Oh really, that's a bit far-fetched but still credible". But then, incredible, silly stuff began to happen and my interest began to wane.

The last chapter did me in. I then knew that the story had deteriorated into just plain ridiculous. It was a disappointing ending.

I hate that. It felt more like the author duped me than entertained me. He did not indicate anywhere in the story that he was writing tongue-in-cheek so now I just feel like I wasted my time.

It seems that I won't be looking for more books by the same author.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#OUR BOOK PUBLISHING NEWSLETTER

2012-01-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the month again. Our book publishing newsletter has just been sent out to our many thousands of followers. It's fun and challenging each month to provide useful information to people who want to publish a book. We aim to entertain and educate.

Please go to our website and sign up for the newsletter: www.inktreemarketing.com. We give our followers the opportunity to have their books mentioned in our newsletter and we provide useful information.

Don't forget, we offer a FREE coaching hotline for our clients to send us their publishing questions.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW

2012-01-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

This cold spell is sapping my creative juices. It's far nicer to curl up in a warm spot and read someone else's writings than think of clever bits of wisdom of my own.

I am reading a most unique novel titled The Ballad of Lee Cotton by Christopher Wilson. The author certainly has written a "different" story, which is largely what makes it so appealing. They say that you should write what you know. He must have had some very interesting experiences in his life. I'm fascinated.

So on that note, good luck with your writing. I hope that you sell a million books.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#BOOKS AND CHILDREN

2012-01-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

Recently my three-year-old granddaughter came to visit with books in hand. She proudly carried a set of learn-to-read books that she wanted us to read together.

What was so wonderful was her excitement about learning to read on her own, and reading only one book was just not enough - she wanted to read all twenty books. And we did. She was just as enthusiastic about the last book as she was about the first book.

All of my little grandchildren love books. It's wonderful. Whenever I have the chance to be the one who puts them to bed at night, we read stories. The only problem is limiting them to only three stories each.

I hope that they never lose their love of reading. I hope that your children and grandchildren have discovered a great relationship with books. Reading is a life-long pleasure that should be available to everyone.

Don't forget to read to your children every day.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#HOW TO WRITE A BOOK

2012-01-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

How many times have I heard - "I'm thinking of writing a book. Do you think that I can publish it in about six months from now?" There are even people who claim that they can teach you how to have your book written in 90 days. Crazy idea! Use successful authors as your example and do it right. Most highly successful authors take two or three years to write a book.

Even before you start writing your book, take an entry level university English class. Following that, take some creative writing courses. You may even start writing your book during the education process because you don't want to lose your creative ideas, but the writing process will be so much easier if you have good writing skills. Your writing style will also be hugely improved with some coaching.

The writing process is long. Your mind needs sufficient time to think of ideas, and then think of those ideas time and again. There is always a different way to say anything. After reading your material over and over, a better way to express your thoughts may pop up. It may even happen in your sleep as your subconscious mulls over what you have put onto paper (or into your computer).

It is a good idea to put your writing aside periodically. Don't think about it for a few days before you review what you have written. It's amazing how errors, omissions and new ideas flash into into your mind when you read something after taking a break from all of the thoughts that are swirling inside.

Take your time when writing a book. You want the book to be the best it can be. There is a lot of competition out there so be a perfectionist - it will pay off.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#SELLING FOREIGN RIGHTS

2012-01-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again - Foreign Rights Sales season. Our agent will soon be putting out the call for submissions. He is the guru of foreign rights sales. How important is it to have an agent representing your book? Very. You should not send your book with someone who does not know your book. Personal representation is crucial to success.

Our agent attends the Frankfurt Book Fair in person. He sends out a catalog to his client base before he goes to Frankfurt.He arranges actual one-on-one appointments with publishers from all over the world before he even arrives in Frankfurt. He displays each book that he represents. He has working relationships with many hundreds of foreign publishers. He understands what a good offer is and what is an offer that should be rejected.

What is he worth? He's priceless. Is he expensive? NO. Amazing.

If you are thinking of selling foreign rights to your book (and why would you not want to sell the rights?), be sure to contact us.

Get on the list before it is full. Space is limited.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#DO AUTHORS NEED CREDENTIALS?

2012-01-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

Another question that I was asked recently is, "Do I need credentials to write a book?"

This particular author wants to write a self help book on how to live a healthy, spiritual life based on his experiences and opinions. He wants to know if the book will sell.

There is no absolute answer, of course, but there are some obvious points to be made. The most obvious one is, why should someone buy your book when they can purchase one that was written by a professional in the field? There are thousands of books that have been written by psychologists, life coaches and other similar professionals.

Some of those authors are famous people. Don't you think that someone looking for a self help book will choose advice from an experienced, qualified professional rather than from someone's anecdotes?

That being said, there can be a market for people who want affirmation they can overcome many of life's conflicts and stresses. A well-written book that supports the advice of the experts can be very attractive to sceptics.

There are many approaches to writing a book. Even if you are not the certified authority on a subject, you can still add great supportive information.

Just be careful how you approach the subject. If you do not claim to be the expert, you can find a way to write about your topic in a way that will attract people.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#WILL MY BOOK SELL?

2012-01-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! The discussions I get into! Today I was asked by someone if her book would sell. What a loaded question. Where do I begin with the variables? I cannot control the sales of anyone's book - I can only advise. The work of writing and selling the book are yours. Period. Ultimately, it is your business.

My reply included explaining my role. My job is to point out the necessary concerns when writing and publishing a book, and the pitfalls of selling the book. Otherwise, you stand to make many expensive mistakes.

The person who sent me her questions made reference to a successfully self published book in the 1940's. Has anything changed in the book market since then? Oh, yes, it has. In the 1940's, far fewer books were published so the competition was so much less, not to mention that fewer people bought books in those days.

Now, anyone publishing a book had better know their target market. Also, they had best also be a most excellent writer who has had the book extensively edited.

It's tough out there, guys.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#BOOK TITLES MATTER

2012-01-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

I just had a conversation with a client about his book title. It's just amazing what an author can overlook, even though it's obvious to unbiased readers.

Although I cannot go into detail, this person's name, attached to his title and subtitle, could definitely be interpreted as smutty and could leave the author open to ridicule. It is important to be aware of the slang connotations of words before attaching them to a book.

Negative ideas can pop into people's minds unwittingly just because some words are so commonly used as slang, even though their dictionary definition is completely different. That being said, media persons will shun the book, as will corporate buyers, because they want to avoid offending their audiences or clients.

The intentions of the author were never meant to be negative, but one needs to keep in mind all of the ways in which a title can be interpreted.

Research your book's title THOROUGHLY before you publish. Once the book has been printed, there is no going back.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

# Books in Libraries

2012-01-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

The new year is now well underway and routines have returned to normal. Christmas is so much fun but it can be a relief when the season is over. Whew!! There is something to be said for routine, although routine can also become exhausting, but as my mother used to say, "A change is as good as a rest." So true. The break from routine was energizing, for a while, but now the return to order has become a breath of fresh air.

It feels good to get the juices flowing again. Over the break time I had opportunities to visit my local library a few times. I was reminded of how many times I used the library while writing my book, just to do research. I found out so much about books and publishing, including -
1. self publishing
2. printing books
3. designing books
4. the appeal or non-appeal of book covers
5. the attraction or non-attraction of book titles
6. information about successful authors
7. data that must be included in the beginning pages of a book
8. who my competitors were and how I could be better
9. price points of books
10. the ideal number of pages for a book
11. things to which I had never paid attention such as where to place the publisher's logo on the cover, where to place the author info, styles of indexes, page layouts and so on, and so on.

So, while you are writing your book, before you design the book, and certainly before you go to print, spend time in your local library. People do judge a book by its cover (and how it looks on the inside), so make sure that your book surpasses the expectations of your potential buyers.

Happy New Year.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#USING QUOTATIONS IN A BOOK

2011-12-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

I recently had a discussion with a client about using quotations in his book. As I told him, quoting someone else must be done with caution or you run the risk of plagiarism. Sometimes it's a fine line. When is a quotation short enough and when is it too long?

It's perfectly acceptable to quote someone else to illustrate a point and it can even be flattering to the person being quoted. It's not a bad thing for someone else to think that your words are so profound that no one else can possibly come up with the same meaning. However, if you use a lengthy quotation it is most advisable to request permission from the source or the dreaded plagiarism word rears its ugly head.

Really, though, do try to come up with your own way of expressing ideas. If you are writing a book, originality is the key to success. If the reader wants to know what someone else has to say on a subject, the reader might as well read the original.

In defense of quotations, at times they do lend credibility to your work as you are aligning yourself with a recognized authority. Just be careful about how many quotations you use and about the length of each quotation. And, be very diligent about the accuracy of the acknowledgment: as I told my client, the original source can usually afford a lawyer more than you can.

On that note, I am signing off for the Christmas season. Best wishes to all of you.

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#CHRISTMAS LETTERS

2011-12-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

I was watching my little grandchildren write their Christmas letters. It is so wonderous to see the concentration and the creativity that they possess - traits that I hope they never lose.

Children are so good at living in the moment which allows them to focus solely on the task at hand. No multi-tasking for them. We all need to go back to that state of mind. I do try but it is so very difficult as the multitiude of to-do's pop into my head.

I wonder how creative we all would be if we could do everything with the single-minded purpose of a child?

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#CHRISTMAS STUFF

2011-12-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

Just rushing around as we all are. Looking forward to some down time starting next week - a book, a glass of wine. Aaah. What about you?

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#BOOKS AS GIFTS

2011-12-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is definitely gift-giving season. It is the time of year when we think of others. A gift that continues to give all year long is the best gift of all.

What could be a better gift than a book? The genres that can be read many times include:

- children's stories because children want to hear the same story many time over and over
- health books because health is for every day, not just for a few days of New Year's
resolutions
- business books because advice and support are timeless
- spiritual books to help us through life's difficult times
- travel books that allow us to dream of faraway places
- nature books because Nature is so constantly amazing
- gardening books that offer advice during planting and harvesting, and ideas for planning the
next season
- sports books so that sports enthusiasts can get the inside information on their favorite
teams and players
- fitness books to keep those abs tight all year
- and so on, and so on.

I hope that I have helped a bit with your Christmas shopping.

Cheers,

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#BOOK MARKETING PLAN

2011-12-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining and the ground is covered with sparkling white snow. It looks like we are living in a Christmas card, which is perfect as we rush around getting gifts wrapped and cookies baked.

It seems that at this time of year there is a plan but a very loose plan. We can get away with that in our personal lives but not in business, and amazingly this comes as a surprise to so many authors who self publish - publishing is a business. I can't tell you how many times I have had to make that clear.

A book is like any other product that you are selling - it just another widget that requires marketing. Which brings us to today's topic - #BOOK MARKETING PLAN with the key word being plan.

The new year is fast arriving, so what is your plan for marketing your book in 2012?

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

FOREIGN RIGHTS

2011-12-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

So busy at this time of year. It's a good kind of busy but it's a good kind of busy.

I don't have much time to be chatty today, but thought I would touch on the subject of foreign rights. What are the advantages? -

1. Money that you would not earn otherwise.

2. Creates good credibility.

3. Good credentials to add to your media kit.

4. Good publicity in other countries.

5. Fun to have copies of your book in other languages.

6. Opens new markets for selling your book to corporations.

7. Selling your foreign rights costs nothing but has the potential to earn extra cash.

Our agent is one of the leading experts in foreign rights sales. Contact us if you are interested.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

TO E-BOOK OR NOT TO E-BOOK

2011-12-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

To e-book or not to e-book, that is the current question. Today's authors agonize over whether to publish a traditional print version of their books or whether to go the e-book route. It is definitely something to ponder. Which book will sell better? Which book will be most profitable?

Major publishers have been struggling with the same questions for some time now, although as recently as a few years ago they might have scorned the idea of producing an electronic book. No one would like reading on a screen, they thought. Well, surprise. The e-book format is taking the world by storm.

Now, even the major publishing houses are seeing the light, so to speak. What they have discovered is that , lo and behold, there is more profit to be made in an e-book than in the print medium version. Some of the big e-book sellers have actually bankrupted some of the bricks-and-mortars book stores. Impossible to believe ten years ago.

The only sure thing in life is that things will change. There is no such thing as status quo, and isn't that fabulous? Life is never boring if you stay abreast of changes, even though change can be intimidating and fearsome.

In the publishing world, it is time to embrace the changes. But really, why choose one or the other? It is entirely possible to have your cake and eat it too. Why not have your graphic designer create two files? - one print ready and one for e-book sales. You will be ready for any and all types of book sales and selling books is the ultimate goal of publishing.

Welcome to the future.

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

THINK ABOUT BOOKS

2011-12-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

So, instead of thinking of books and publishing, I am decorating my house for Christmas. This is a wonderful time of the year - people can be somewhat distracted from the doom and gloom in the media and focus on their Christmas activities. I do speak of Christmas rather than the "holiday season" or such words. Let's just stay true to our heritage and acknowledge where this "festive" season originated. We welcome everyone else to join in and celebrate whatever their heritage and their spirits direct and understand that we are all connected, no matter what language we speak or what cultural beliefs we hold. Humanity is humanity so let's celebrate it.

However, we can speak of books, even though they are not my primary focus right now, because books are always a part of my gift-giving. It's fun to search out books that match the family members and friends who will receive them. Books can be such a personal gift. As we all know, not everyone will enjoy the same book. That's what makes the giving of them so much fun. The giver has to get inside the head of the recipient a bit to find something that will resonate with that special person, so it means that the giver really has to put some thought into the gift. You can't just randomly choose a book because it is on the latest bestseller list - you have to step further into the book store (even if it's online) to find that unique work. The recipient has to somewhat think like the author.

That's what authors need to consider when they are writing a book. For whom are they writing? They need to consider the audience that is being targeted and write with them in mind. After all, if the author is writing for herself or himself only, that's just a journal. If that author is you, keep if for yourself and write something that other like-minded people will want to buy.

Well, there you go, I did get onto a more serious matter of books after all. I just can't help myself, I guess:-)

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

BOOK TITLES

2011-11-29T19:54:00.001-07:00

It seems that no matter how much I write about giving a book a title, people just don't get it. Authors just don't seem to understand the importance of a good title. It's all about marketing. The goal is to have people easily remember your book. The title must say what the book is about in a few words without being absolutely literal about it. The title must be an enticing clue about the book's subject matter - it does not need to spell it out as if I the reader is in a boring class that is just a lot of work. I, the reader, want to be intrigued. The title must spark my imagination and draw me in, causing my hand to reach out involuntarily to pick up the book.

Once the book is in my hand I will look further but I must pick up the book in the first place to get more information or I will not buy it. I cannot buy what I did not pick up.

Also, I want to have already heard about the book before I buy it, thus creating the importance of the title. It must be easily recognized. Imagine if I was interested in a book, but the book's title was How to Properly Groom Your Dog. Boring. Easily forgotten because it is just one book of many on the same subject. But what about if it was called Dogs and Suds? My imagination has been excited, making me smile and want to read more. I will also be more inclined to talk about the book to my friends, and that is what you, the author, is aiming for.

So, think long and hard about your book's title. It matters.

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com

SELLING EBOOKS - INTERNATIONAL OR NOT?

2011-11-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

For everyone who is selling ebooks on Amazon, the link at the end of this blog is very interesting reading. We like to think that once our ebooks are on Amazon our books are available anywhere in the world. It seems that technology has a long way to go before all ebook readers are compatible. If you are selling in the U.S., Canada or Australia you are fine but the rest of English-speaking in the world might be excluded. If you are not aware of the restrictions you could be excused for wondering why your sales are not better. Again, it's a matter of buyer beware. Read the fine print.
http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com/how-much-does-a-99c-ebook-cost-on-amazon

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com

LEARN HOW TO WRITE

2011-11-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Before you start writing a book, learn how to write. It you do not write with style, you will not sell books. It's as simple as that. Today I listened to an interview with an award-winning author who offered great advice. He said, "Read The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White." You may remember Mr. White as the author of Charlotte's Web, a most touching and memorable story.

Why is Charlotte's Web so memorable? Simple. The writing is so good that it resonates and it is memorable, which are the two elements that make a book a classic. You, the author, want your book to be in that category.

As my father always told me, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well." Don't waste your time writing something mediocre - write for long term success and write with style. It will pay off.

If you think that your writing is not stellar, no problem. You can learn how to write. The rules are written in many books, but The Elements of Style is a great place to start. Follow the advice of those who have achieved success and you will do well.

Be hard on yourself and you will create a work worthy of pride.

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com

MORE ON TECHIE STUFF

2011-11-23T16:03:00.000-07:00

So, I wanted to add a Twitter button to the blog. What I discovered is: it's not that easy. The button has to be added into the html background of the blog site. Yikes!! I love technology when it works for me, not when I have to figure out HOW it works. Thank goodness for Joni, who understands the background workings of a website. Even for her, though, it was a bit of a challenge.

In the process of all this technology research, I was researching how to format an ebook. Yikes again!! It gave me a headache just reading the first page of instructions because really, it was like reading a foreign language (which for me, it is). Don't look for an actual ebook from me soon - this could take a few months.

So anyway, while it is important to publish your books in ebook format, don't expect it to be all that easy. Take your time and learn the "foreign language".

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com

The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn

2011-11-22T12:37:00.001-07:00

Last night I saw the new Twilight movie. I feel like that's a confession, like it's something I should be embarassed about (my husband sure thinks so), but it was so entertaining. Cheesy, yes, but very entertaining. Perhaps it's because I've read all the books. You heard me. I'm a 30-something Mom of two and I read the Twilight books. There. And you know what? So have all of my other 30-something Mom friends AND the Mom of one of those friends who was with us last night! I read them, and I liked them. I think my friend's husband summed it up best after he saw it: "it was garbage, but it was good" (by the way, I'm pretty sure he would deny to the death that he went to see it, but that's here nor there). That's kind of how I felt about the books when I read them. They're cheesy, not exceptionally well written and incredibly basic, but I'll admit that there were times I sat my kids in front of Dora or Diego so I could finish one.

So, what is up with that? The books aren't great in terms of quality and certainly would not be described as a feat of literary excellence, but you know Stephenie Meyer is a bazillionaire now. What gives? Marketing people. Straight up marketing. Check into it.

If you haven't already signed up for our free Self Publishing Newsletter on our website, now would be a good time. For the next several newsletters, we're going to give you a taste of what's in our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit. In each newsletter we'll give you an excerpt straight out of The Kit itself. Listen to me when I tell you that the biggest value in The Ultimate Book Marketing is the free consulting it comes with. The Kit itself is meant to be your baseline and the place where you get all of the basics of publishing your own book. It is then up to you to customize the publishing and marketing plan so that it is best implemented for YOUR book. You do this WITH OUR HELP. The consulting time is meant to be used. We are here waiting to help you -- we want to help you.

Because, I'm sure at least a few of you would be ok with several million 30-something Moms paying $20 at the theatre for your "garbage-good" movie...

Joni

RESURRECTING THE BLOG

2011-11-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

RESURRECTING THE BLOG

A blog is something that requires a chatty person, I think - something I'm not. However, I do like to write, so perhaps my interest in writing can translate into some chattiness. Here goes. The best thing is that I get to communicate with like-minded people. Recently, I joined Twitter just for that reason. It's kind of interesting, although it's another learning curve. Well, you should learn something every moment until you die - that's what makes life interesting. When I decided to publish a book I had no idea of the learning curve which I had just jumped onto. Wow! It was like discovering another dimension. My son says that physicists know of at least ten dimensions, which blows my mind, but I know of at least five: length, width, height, time and publishing. Actually, I know of six: technology. That has been another learning curve, from finding out about computers, the internet, cell phones, email, external hard drives, personal video recorders, Twitter, Facebook. I guess that I will never run out of things to learn.

Anyway, my goal is to help other people who want to learn - about publishing. Not about technology. I'll just stick to what I know. So, if you are interested in learning about how to publish a book, and ebooks follow the same principles, let me know.

Denise
www.inktreemarketing.com

JOINT VENTURES

2011-05-26T11:32:00.003-07:00

Here is a common questions that we receive:

What is a joint venture?

A joint venture is an agreement between two companies to sell a product for mutual profit. So, you could go to a company to say, if you sell my book, I will give you x% of the profits. Or you could go to a company to say, I will give you a discount on my books if you buy x number of them and here is how the book will help you to increase your profits or it will attract new customers to you, or it will show your good will to your customers.

The company is not likely to give you their mailing list as that is confidential information but the company could send out an offer for your book to help them increse their own sales, elg., buy $x of my product and you will receive a free cook book.

Keep in mind that the company will be interested ONLY if you can demonstrate to them the benefits they will receive by using your cook book.

Make a list of companies that are compatible with your book, call the company and ask to speak to the director of marketing. Have your information ready in case they request a proposal: sell sheet, discount schedule, benefits to them.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

FOLLOW UP TO WRITING MY STORY

2011-05-16T11:35:00.004-07:00

Last month I wrote about writing my story (see copy of my blog below). Let me tell you, it was a struggle!

As my acupuncturist recently remarked, "You bottle things up. When something worries you, you keep it to yourself. You need to stop that." Well, writing my story was a difficult task, since I rarely talk about myself. Overall, the writing was a good experience. It opened my eyes to what I really think about life in general and how I handle issues.

Here is an exercise for you. Write about an event or an experience that has changed your life, but if like me you couldn't think of one outstanding event, write about what you have learned up to your current age. It's great therapy!

When the book is published, I will let you know.

Cheers,

Denise

http://www.inktreemarketing.com/

WRITING MY STORY write a chapter, writing my story
WRITING MY STORY I have been invited to write about myself in someone else's book - actually, a 3000 to 4000 word chapter that tells about my life experiences. O.K. Where do I start? It's one thing to coach other people about writing but having the tables turned is another story, literally. Here is the kicker - they have given me only six weeks. Many days I have writer's block just doing this blog so nothing gets posted. Now I have to write an entire chapter of a book. Yikes! Stay tuned, and if you have suggestions, please don't feel shy about letting me know. Denise http://www.inktreemarketing.com/
Labels: write a chapter, writing my story

READING CONTRACTS

2011-05-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Contracts are legal documents. It is vital that you read and understand a contract before signing it. By signing, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions in the contract. You are legally bound to abide by those terms and conditions.

Here is a case in point: we are having a few issues with a client who did not read the terms of a contract before signing the contract and now she is in a huff. The points of dispute are minor but they can create negative feelings which we like to avoid. Certainly it is not our intention to make anyone unhappy but we have to remain firm or we will be breaking the terms of the contract and that can have repercussions.

Diplomacy is now required to pacify the client yet hold her to the terms to which she agreed. There will be a lot of energy required and time wasted before everything settles down.

All of this could have been avoided if the client had just read the contract and asked questions up front. She is now annoyed, not justifiably so, which places her in a defensive frame of mind. We, of course, do not wish to reply in a negative tone. What good will hard feelings accomplish in the long run? We'd rather make friends than enemies.

Just be sure that you avoid all of this turmoil. Before you sign ANY contract, read it and most importantly UNDERSTAND it. You will save yourself a lot of frustration in the long run.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

BOOK MARKETING MATERIALS

2011-05-09T10:45:00.005-07:00

It was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Time spent with family is invaluable and precious. Grandchildren grow at an alarmingly rapid pace as did their parents before them. I hope that all you mothers had as nice a day as I did.

Now, on to book matters. Recently, clients have sent me their marketing materials to review. While they might look pretty, the message is frequently being missed - buy the book.

All marketing materials are part of your sales team, speaking for you when you are not there. There are essential elements that must be included:

Title

Photo of the book if possible

Benefits of the book

Description of the physical book (price, size, number of pages, graphics, photos, etc.)

Availability - where do readers buy the book?

Contact information

Ordering information

Call to order (offer deals if you can)

Endorsement or two

Very short author bio

Your goal is to entice people to want, no NEED, your book. All of the information in the marketing materials must be kept brief - very brief. If people want more information they can visit your website.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

ELECTION AND OTHER STUFF

2011-05-03T09:48:00.005-07:00

Canada has just gone through another general election, with great and positive results. For a few years now, there has been some political power-playing among some of the lesser Parties but they have now been trounced and we can all get back to business as usual. Whew! Talk about "one for the books" as the saying goes. Amazingly, in spite of it all, Canada has fared best economically of all the G8 countries. We were doing something right all along and will now have the mandate to do even better. Watch out world. :-)

Now is a good time to talk about the business of books. Be sure that you research the book business before you jump in with both feet. One publisher with whom I am working is having to re-design his entire book because he did not take the time to research what sells. He just thought that he could print in any format and that book stores would accept his product. Not so, as he is learning.

If you think that the cost of education is high, think of the price of the lack of education.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

BECOME EDUCATED BEFORE YOU GO TO PRINT

2011-04-28T11:25:00.005-07:00

Oh, my here we go again. A sad, innocent author sent me his book to be critiqued. When I responded by asking if he had sent me the galley copy he was astounded! "This is NOT a galley copy", was his comment of dismay.

Please, please do not publish a book before you are educated about the publishing process.

I cannot in any form of honesty tell this author that he should go ahead and print more books. He is in fact only at manuscript stage even though he thinks that he is ready to begin selling books. Now all that I can do is to encourage him in his efforts, and salvage all that we can by using his one hundred copies as actual galleys.

I repeat this over and over - understand publishing BEFORE you publish or you will spend thousands of dollars and many hours of time for absolutely nothing. Book buyers know a good book on sight. There is no fooling them. Professional design is crucial for success. Professional editing is crucial for success. There are no shortcuts.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

TAXES ON FOREIGN RIGHTS SALES

2011-04-21T10:09:00.005-07:00

Here is a question that has come up: why do I have to pay taxes on foreign rights in another country?

As we all know, there is no avoiding taxes. That truth is applicable to selling goods in any other country of the world. Each country wants its share of any profits made, no matter the source and will withhold its share. Usually, as a nonresident, you can get the taxes back but there are procedures to follow and those procedures vary from country to country.

When you sell foreign rights to your book, expect to encounter tax issues. Is it the job of your book agent to deal with the taxes? No. It is your job as the publisher to handle the reimbursement of the taxes.

Who can help you? - the publisher to whom you sold your book rights. Have them contact their country's tax department to request the necessary paperwork.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

SELLING BOOKS

2011-04-19T12:37:00.003-07:00

It is most interesting to me that people publish books BEFORE they have a clear idea of where they will sell those books!

Seriously, would anyone manufacture any other product without knowing that there is a good market for the product?

Would you go to the trouble and expense of creating a new kind of widget without knowing if people even want your widget? Not unless you are very, very silly.

The same holds true for books. Think about where and how you will sell it BEFORE you publish it.

That's my rant for today. :-)

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

WRITING MY STORY

2011-04-13T12:26:00.005-07:00

I have been invited to write about myself in someone else's book - actually, a 3000 to 4000 word chapter that tells about my life experiences. O.K. Where do I start? It's one thing to coach other people about writing but having the tables turned is another story, literally. Here is the kicker - they have given me only six weeks. Many days I have writer's block just doing this blog so nothing gets posted. Now I have to write an entire chapter of a book. Yikes! Stay tuned, and if you have suggestions, please don't feel shy about letting me know. Denise www.inktreemarketing.com

GOOD WRITING

2011-04-02T15:38:00.003-07:00

Today's message is about writing. In trying to choose a Sympathy card, I was reminded of how difficult it is to find just the correct message. There are thousands of ways to say "I'm sorry. I feel very sad for you in your loss", but the words must resonate and convey just the right feeling. It's a reminder that when you are writing, you need to keep the reader in mind. What might they be looking for? How do you write a book that speaks to the reader's needs (not YOUR needs). One key point is to be clear in your mind how you are planning to make the reader's life better, or how you intend to entertain a specific target audience. Before you even put pen to paper, think long and hard about who will buy your book, and write for them. Denise www.inktreemarketing.com

GUARANTEED BOOK SALES

2011-03-31T09:00:00.004-07:00

Well, today I received an interesting question from an aspiring publisher. She wants to know if I can guarantee that she will sell x number of books in one year. Wow!! I'm wondering how anyone can assume that someone else can guarantee the results of their efforts. Will I be there when she makes the decision to edit or not edit her manuscript, will I be there when she decides on a graphic designer, will I make the decision on which printer she chooses, will I be the one who speaks to the media during HER interviews? - and so on, and so on. Yes, I can coach her and tell her the elements that make for a quality book, I can tell her how to design her media kit, I can show her how to design a proposal for high volume sales. BUT. I cannot do all of the work for her. It is her business, her book and her efforts that count. Choosing to turn over the book publishing and the marketing efforts to other people yet expecting great results is a common failing that I see in aspiring publishers. It is THEIR business so they should mind their own business. Denise www.inktreemarketing.com

WRITING A PROPOSAL

2011-03-30T09:16:00.003-07:00

We at Ink Tree are in the process of writing a proposal to pitch a show idea. So for all of you who are doing the same thing, here are a few pointers: - make your cover page stand out: use graphics - use a teaser on the cover page to entice them to read further - tell them the benefits of your idea: what's in it for them - give them the what, who, why, how and when scenarios - let them know why you are indispensable to the idea - label each page of the proposal, either in the footer or by watermarking the pages or both Good luck! Denise www.inktreemarketing.com

PUBLISHING CONTRACTS

2011-03-28T13:21:00.005-07:00

Another disappointed author! We received a phone call today form an author who is having difficulties with his publisher. It seems that the author signed a publishing contract without actually researching intellectual property rights, so said author had no idea which rights he should retain for himself. Now, this author would like to register for our Foreign Rights program. As it turns out, his publisher will not allow that to happen as the contract states that the publisher owns the foreign rights. Fair enough. The contract has been signed. However, the publisher does not promote foreign rights sales, so that leaves the author high and dry. The author wants to promote foreign rights sales but the publisher will not allow it but the publisher does not promote foreign rights sales so no one can sell the foreign rights to the book. What a vicious circle. Another reason for authors to become educated about the publishing process before publishing. If you think that the cost of education is expensive - try the cost of ignorance. Denise www.inktreemarketing.com

HOW MANY PEOPLE WANT TO WRITE A BOOK?

2011-03-23T08:47:00.006-07:00

Upon researching statistics on books, I stumbled upon data that I had always suspected but never confirmed. How many people would like to write a book? To my delight and amazement, the figure is 82%. Wow!

My own experiment at a seminar one day confirms that. When I stood up and asked the same question, how many would like to write a book, hands popped up all over the room. At that time I was astounded. Now I know the truth.

Are you among that eight-two percent? Even if you are, here is another fact that you should know - most people will do nothing about their wish to be an author. Some will write a manuscript, or even several manuscripts, but never pursue having them published. Some will submit their manuscript to a publisher or two and become defeated by a couple of rejections. Some will "self publish" using a "publishing service" but the book will never sell because of its inferior quality.

A very special few will actually become successful authors. Why them? There are many reasons, but among them are:

believing passionately in their idea
becoming educated about the publishing process
understanding their competition
targeting their audience and their market
being persistent.

That's it in a nutshell. If you sincerely want to be successful as an author, memorize those reasons and follow through.

Denise

SURPRISE

2011-03-21T19:09:00.003-07:00

Just when it seemed that winter was finally, finally over we have been hit with a blizzard. Road conditions are atrocious, so staying at home seems like an excellent option. Nothing is so important that it can't wait for sunnier days.

So, while house bound there was time to have a long chat with a lovely lady who is interested in publishing a cookbook. Her most interesting comment was that her finances are too tight to purchase our $97.00 Ultimate Book Marketing Kit yet she planned to sign a multi-thousand dollar contract to publish her book. She was turning over the design, editing, printing and marketing to a publishing service (there is a place for them, but...) that would produce for her one of their "cookie-cutter" books. Unfortunately, book buyers and book reviewers can tell an inferior product just as anyone experienced in any other industry can tell poor quality goods.

Instead of spending less than $100.00 for education she was willing to spend thousands of dollars to produce a product that will surely fail. That is just awful!!

There is just no explaining human nature.

Denise

THE VACATION IS OVER

2011-03-18T11:28:00.004-07:00

How quickly a vacation passes. There is great truth in the saying "time flies when you're having fun."

Cabo San Lucas is an absolutely lovely place to rest and relax, especially if you avoid the busy tourist zone on the harbor. We did have some fun shopping and eating in the heart of the action but most of our time was spent poolside.

I read several books while lounging under a big umbrella with a frosty drink in hand. Because my time of utter relaxation was precious, any book in my selection had to absolutely grab my attention. If it didn't, bye-bye. There was a book exchange basket at each pool area where the rejects were quickly deposited. Just because the book did not please me did not mean that it might not appeal to someone else and they must have, because they quickly disappeared. That being said, I found some interesting novels there, too.

What appeals most to me is well written books that were not necessarily on the bestseller list. They are not "cookie-cutter" books nor are they "formula" stories. My favorites are well written stories with a human slant. No fantasy or science fiction for this chick - I want to read about people. Truth, or something very close to it, is "stranger than fiction" in my mind.

Hours of pool time with a fascinating book - what a great vacation.

Denise

VACATION BREAK

2011-02-21T12:56:00.003-07:00

I am saying adios for two weeks as Mexico calls. More to the point, warm days and beaches call. This unseasonbly, unglobal-warming-like cold spell is just not fun.

I would love for some of you to send in suggestions of what you might like to have discussed in future blogs.

Don't forget to sign up for our Ink Tree newsletter at www.inktreemarketing.com for tons of pointers on publishing.

Denise

ADVICE FROM AUTHORS

2011-02-18T11:49:00.003-07:00

This posting will be extremely brief but very helpful to new authors. Oprah Winfrey's website, www.oprah.com, today features interviews with famous authors. Who better to give you advice on writing a book than people who have already been there and done that?

You will discover that writing a book can be a heart wrenching, lengthy, rewarding endeavour. Don't rush the process. Make it count.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

Do you want to publish a book that will sell? We can help you.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

2011-02-17T19:22:00.007-07:00

Today I was reading stories to my two little granddaughters. What a great excuse to get a cuddle and to watch their little faces as they become engrossed in the story. These are moments to cherish forever.

What came to mind as I was reading is that so many people think that they can write children's books. How hard can it be? The books need only a few simple words. How deceptive.

It is extremely difficult to tell a story using only a few words. Each word must count for more than a whole page in an adult book. Furthermore, the words must be kept very simple. Now, there's a challenge, especially since you will have to repeat most of the words several times at least.

Book buyers are also very particular about children's books. They know the word counts allowable per page for each age group and the level of vocabulary acceptable for each age group. Break the rules and no one will buy your book.

Illustrations must also be attractive to both adults and to children. After all, who buys the books? Not the kids. Therefore, the book needs to be pleasing to the family and friends who are buying books as gifts for children.

If you feel that you need to write children's books, spend a LOT of time researching what works and what doesn't. Once you are sure that you understand the criteria, write your stories.

I look forward to reading them to my little ones.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

PACKING

2011-02-16T18:49:00.003-07:00

Just when it seemed that winter was showing signs of ending, it returned with a vengeance. Thank goodness March is just around the corner!

I have started to pack for a much needed and anticipated trip to sunnier climes. Needless to say, books are included in the necessary items. These days with limited luggage allowances, which books to pack becomes an issue.

Hard cover books are much too bulky and heavy. That reduces the selection to soft cover books. I selected a pile of novels that sound very intriguing. The sign of the tines is that the books that made the final cut are the lightest in weight.

Sometimes choices must be made for unanticipated reasons.

I find that most interesting...

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

2011-02-15T13:44:00.005-07:00

I had the most amazing Valentine's dinner, complete with a decadent chocolate dessert. Yum!

Anyway, I gave an author a challenge. He had a "publishing service" printing company design and edit his book. I told him that I would be able to tell just by looking at the book, as could book buyers tell, that he had not hired his own designer and editor. To prove me wrong he offered to send me a copy of the book.

Well, I had completely forgotten about it. This week his book appeared on my desk, and it having been some time since the challenge, I did not realize that it was HIS book that I was looking at. My first comment in the office was, "This book has not been professionally designed. Just look at the cover." Oops. Then I read his letter. Well, the appearance of his book was proof of my initial comment - "Just by looking at the book I will be able to tell you that this book was produced by a publishing service."

Don't get me wrong, simple books have their place. Some people don't want to sell to book stores and corporate buyers, and that's just fine. Maybe they want to sell only on a website or maybe they want to sell only during personal appearances, or maybe they don't want to sell at all. Maybe the book is meant for a charity group or for the private distribution to friends and family. No problem.

What is a problem is trying to sell to corporate buyers when the book looks like an amateur production. Academy awards are not presented to home movies any more than sales are awarded to poor quality books.

If you want to sell large quantities of books, treat your book like a product that you intend to sell to a designer company not to a discount store.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-02-14T11:13:00.005-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all.

This is a good day to relax and just read something romantic, isn't it? Put aside all of the rules and just read a fun romance novel - one of those feel good books that you will never remember, the writing is not all that great, but it's fun and it puts a smile on your face.

This is not a day to be analytical. It's a day to do something fun and eat some chocolates. Tomorrow is another day. We can chat about serious matters then.

For today, be kind to your heart.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

WRITING - WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

2011-02-11T19:19:00.007-07:00

I wonder what people think about when they are writing. Obviously, the writer is thinking about something that is of interest to him/her. But what else?

For me, I picture someone reading what I have written. I picture the reader absorbing what I have said and I hope that my thoughts come through clearly. When I was writing my cookbook/healthy lifestyle book, I asked my daughter to act out an exercise that I was describing. It was funny to see her go through the motions, because what I THOUGHT I had said is apparently not what I actually said. It was a terrific learning experience in understanding how my brain (and yours) fills in the missing links because in your brain you can picture the outcome. However, the reader's brain may go in another direction. That is why you have to write, re-write, leave it for a while, re-write and so on until you are sure that your message is clear.

I decided to test my writing on my daughter again for the book. When she was asked to act out the steps in a recipe, I almost jumped up and down for joy when she actually carried out the instructions as I meant them to be performed. Whew! That was a relief.

As we say in our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit (www.inktreemarketing.com), you absolutely CANNOT edit your own writing. That tricky brain, again, will fill in the blanks when you don't even know it's happening.

Trust me, it's true. You MUST, MUST, MUST have your manuscript edited professionally or you will be misquoted all over the place. The results could be unpleasant indeed, because once you have published a work, it's out there for all to critique.

Make it good.

Denise

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOUR BOOK WILL SELL?

2011-02-10T18:25:00.008-07:00

To continue in the vein of our newsletter sent out today, (you can sign up for the newsletter at www.inktreemarketing.com), why do you think that your book will sell?

We receive review copies of books daily. One glance at most of them and we know - this book will never make it. We so often wonder what the publishers are thinking! Have they ever actually gone to a book store to study they physical aspects of a book? Apparently not!

Everyone is familiar with the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Well, guess what? People do judge a book by its cover (and by the appearance of the inside pages). The cover of a book must be enticing. It must call out to people who are browsing, urging them to actually pick up the book, read the back cover and then flip the book open to get a sampling of the writing, which had better be good.

If a book is not professionally designed and professionally edited, it screams out POOR QUALITY. There are too many competitors available for people to pay the same amount for an inferior book as for a superior book. There is plenty of competition out there. Your book has to stand out above the rest - it must be different and better than the other books in the same genre.

If your book does not "grab" the reader, you have just sold someone else's book.

NEVER, NEVER go to print with a poor quality book unless you need to fill your garage with rejects.

Phew, that rant feels great.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

2011-02-09T10:22:00.003-07:00

Life-transforming ideas have always come to me through books.
Bell Hooks, O Magazine, December 2003

Walk into a room full of people and ask how many have or are in the process of or would like to write a book, and hands will flash up all over the room. I've tried it - it's true. Several years ago we ran a contest for authors with amazing results. Hundreds of people submitted manuscripts that had been written for some time and some were works in progress, but it was an indication of just how many people are interested in writing books.

How wonderful! Just think of the number of people who have ideas, knowledge and wisdom to share or who are creative enough to entertain us through writing.

Currently, books are in a state of transistion with the development of ebook readers and that's OK. I know that there is a great deal of controversy about ebooks but let's just celebrate that more people can get their books and their ideas out to the public. One of the few certainties in life is that things will change. That's fine.

Let's celebrate that people are still interested in sharing their ideas and people are still interested in reading in whatever format makes them happy.

Denise

AND THE FLU GOES ON....

2011-02-08T15:00:00.004-07:00

When will it end? When will my head stop feeling like it's a balloon ready to burst? When will I get a good night's sleep?

Anyway - I still have to read my email and I still hear the daily complaint of "I have a "publisher" but I am very disappointed in the service that I am receiving for the amount of money that I paid. What can I do now?

The answer is: very little. You have likely blown the publishing budget, you have received a poor quality book and no one will review it or buy it.

There just cannot be enough said about education. Before you ever, ever sign a contract or print some books, research books (physical books) and research the publishing game. There is a LOT to it and publishing is a LOT of work. It is a business, not a hobby. Your goal is to create a product that you want to sell, just as if you are manufacturing a widget. What does the competition look like? What does it cost to produce? Where will you sell it? How will people know about it? How much time do you have to devote to the project?

You can ask me how at www.inktreemarketing.com.

Denise

FLU AND A HAPPY PUBLISHER

2011-02-03T19:37:00.003-07:00

The flu bag still has a nasty grip on me. For ten days I haven't tasted a thing that I have eaten. I am judging what I eat by it's appearance and by what I assume it tastes like based on someone else's opinion - kind of like judging a book. You assume it is good by its cover and by what you presume the contents will be based on what other people tell you.

Sometimes your expectations are justified but sometimes you are disappointed. You have to follow your instincts based on initial reactions and sometimes you have to wait for your own analysis based on trying it. If your dinner or the book looks good - give it a chance. If someone else tells you it is good, try it yourself. It may or may not be as good as it looks.

That's about all my fevered brain can come up with today.

Denise

UPDATE

2011-02-02T11:31:00.005-07:00

I had such great intentions of blogging regularly, but as soon as I declared that intention, some awful virus hit me followed by a nasty bacterial sinus and chest infection. Weeks have disappeared in the fight against the nasty.

The same goes for other projects in life, I guess. You get side-tracked. The only thing holding you back is focus and determination. So, with focus and determination I am back on the right track, hopefully.

Anyway, some poor soul has been emailing me about her disappointment in dealing with her "publishing service". I have said it before and I will say it again and again - self publishing means SELF publishing. If you are not in complete control of your book, it will NOT be successful. If you do not understand the publishing industry before you ever print a book, you will FAIL. If you think that education is expensive, try experiencing the cost of ignorance.

That's it in a nutshell. Lack of knowledge will cost you.

Denise

NEW YEAR'S START OVER

2011-01-19T15:15:00.003-07:00

OK, OK, it's time to get back to being a serious blogger after my long Christmas break.

Today I was issued a challenge by a gentleman who has had his book "edited" and "designed" by a publishing service. I told him that I will be able to tell immediately that his book was not professionally produced so he is sending me a copy of the book. My reply was, "I will be more than pleased to be proved wrong".

Almost invariabley, I can tell that someone has not hired their own (I hate saying their) editor and book designer. It usually shows - big time!! However, there are always exceptions to the rule. We'll see...

So, I am helping a future author with his Doctorate in Naturopathy because he needs help with the writing of the thesis, which will be a couple of years down the road. It's going to be very interesting getting back into medical terminology. Yesterday we puzzled over the different meaning of fundus and of inferior. Talk about splitting hairs on the definition... Help! I need an editor. I'm sure that there will be more comments as I struggle with minor differences.

We're busy now with our Foreign Rights program, as authors wring their hands over whether or not to sell the rights to their books. I always say they have nothing to lose and great credibility to gain. Why wouldn't you want your book published in other countries and in other languages. I always smile when I see the Polish version of my book - I think it says what I meant to say. It looks good. :-)

Stay tuned for more updates.

Denise

OTHER BLOG

2010-11-30T14:15:00.003-07:00

On the weekend I watched the movie Julie and Julia. Now there's an example of dedication to a blog and to a research project! I was amazed - truly. The blog author wanted to become a "writer" so she completely immersed herself in her blog and all of the cooking it involved for a full year. She researched Julia Child and she followed each recipe to the letter. Quality was uppermost in her mind at all times. Good for her.

That is how successful publishers are. They spend at least a year researching the publishing industry and what it takes to create a great book. They and/or the author spend countless hours researching the subject that they are planning to write about and publish. They write and they re-write and they re-write and then they seek help from a professional editor. The final product will be as near to perfect as they can make it. They hire a designer to create a book that will pass the "judge the book by its cover" cliche with flying colors.

When I co-authored and co-published my book, I took over two years to get the book to market. I went to meetings and presentations by successful authors, researched everything I could find about publishing, spent countless hours in libraries and book stores picking apart my competition, wrote the book over and over, spoke to numerous professionals in every aspect of publishing - and only then did I look for printing quotes. Whew!! It was a lot of work but it paid off in spades.

That is what I want to see my clients do - pour your heart and soul into your book project. Don't be satisfied with a cookie cutter "publishing service" if you want to sell lots of books. Publishing services have a definite place for people who want to publish a few books to give to family and friends, or to sell during personal appearances or to sell via a website. If you truly want to create a best seller - don't settle for second best.

Go for it!

Denise

2010-11-26T09:35:00.006-07:00

What fun! We sent out a survey to our mailing list, asking them for opinions on our newsletter content. The response so far has been very favorable and also very informative to us.

It's one thing to be sending out information to people, but it's also amazing to actually communicate with the people who are on the receiving end. Communication is a two-way street - listening is a large part of the communication process.

One thing I have learned in life, is that whether comments are negative or positive, one always learns something from another person's point of view.

It's also illuminating to hear what the person on the listening end is thinking. Talking, talking, talking can fall on deaf ears if you are just talking about your own interests. Knowing what the other person wants to hear opens the lines of communication and makes your message effective.

Thanks to the responders to our survey for teaching us about what to teach you.

You can also comment on this blog - feel free. Our ears are open.

Denise

NOT MUCH NEWS TODAY

2010-11-23T13:55:00.004-07:00

It was minus 30 degrees Celsius here last night - a record low for this time of year. Brrr... Just when I'm recovering from a cold and laryngitis. Where is that global warming happening? - not here. Send us some of it, whoever has it. Please.

The cold and my cold have put my brain into a bit of a deep freeze, knocking out my inspiration. Well, you can't be on top of things all of the time.

I am shopping for books as Christmas gifts, though. What a fun gift a book is. You have to think about the recipient: what are their interests, why genre do they like to read, which authors do they favor, etc. Just picture their face when they open the gift! The beauty of books as gifts is that there certainly is something for everyone.

If you are in the process of writing a book, think about the future recipients. What will appeal to them - and write for them. After all, they are your future customers and you want to please them.

Denise

BAD PUBLICITY

2010-11-15T12:07:00.004-07:00

Publicity is an essential part of your book marketing campaign. You just cannot manage without it. If no one knows about your book, no one will buy it. The best way to attract buyers is viral - the word needs to spread. Using the media to encourage the spread is very effective because a third party endorsement lends great credibility to your book. A good book review is perceived to be a third party endorsement.

But, what do you do about a negative review? Don't panic. As the old saying goes, There is no such thing as bad publicity. So, use a "bad" review to your advantage. The first step is to write a letter to the reviewer, thanking him or her for drawing attention to your book. The second step is to give a positive spin to the review, in a very polite manner, correcting the misconceptions that the reviewer has about your book. You might even agree with some of the points but in your own sweet way you tell the reviewer what you actually said in your book. Thank the reviewer for drawing those misconceptions to the attention of the public, thus allowing you the opportunity to clarify your message.

Lastly, use that bad review and your corrections in your media kit and in your interviews and public appearances. Using the bad review gives you control of the matter and allows you to refute any negative perceptions that future readers, viewers and listeners might have misinterpreted.

No matter what or who you are, not everyone will embrace your work. Your job is to take control of anything that the media throws your way, whether negative or positive. Always thank the media person who reviewed your book even if it makes you want to gag. Think of the attention that was brought your way and say, "Thank you."

At Ink Tree, we can help you create a great news release and a stellar media kit. Just go to our website at www.inktreemarketing.com. Don't forget - we offer FREE email coaching and a free news release critique.

Denise

SELLING IN OTHER COUNTRIES

2010-11-04T09:05:00.003-07:00

The question has arisen about selling books in another country. What is the best way to handle orders? The answer is not simple. There are a couple of ways to approach the issue:

manage the sales yourself or sell the rights to foreign publishers.

If you receive an order but you don't have distribution in a foreign country, you can invoice directly. Make sure that the buyer pays for the shipping and that they pay in advance for the books as well, since this is considered a special order. Often you don't have to give as big a discount as you would to a trade book store. Ask them what their usual terms are.

If you can find distributors in other countries and if you are willing to do the publicity to drive the sales, you might be able to manage it yourself. However, you will need tax numbers for each country and you will either have to ship books or find a printer in each country. If there are sales taxes you will need to know how to submit them to each country's government.

There is much to consider. Seek professional advice from an accountant and perhaps from a lawyer who is familiar with international trade laws.

If it all sounds too complicated and more work than you can manage, you have the option of selling the rights to your book to foreign publishers. You can still do the publicity but they will manage distribution, returns and money.

At least you have choices.

Denise

PUBLICITY

2010-10-28T12:20:00.003-07:00

I just received an email from a client who is frustrated with the lack of results in her media campaign. I so understand how difficult it is but we must all understand that producers, editors, and hosts are inundated with "stuff" every day.

True, without stories, they have no audience. The trick is for media persons to decide which of the many daily submissions to use.

That is why your news release must be outstanding. "Author XYZ publishes new book titled ABC" just does NOT work!! Your news release also must be sent to a person, not a general mailbox. When No One is responsible for something, No One will respond.

Then you must follow up, follow up. Often your email is just deleted because there is no time to pay attention to it so make sure that the subject line of your email is VERY interesting. Send it out and then follow up, follow up.

If you are not getting a response, perhaps you need to send out a different news release with a different headline. Try, try again.

Don't forget to contact radio shows, especially talk-back radio if you have a topic that makes a good discussion or that a wide range of listeners can relate to and feel inspired to call the show.

Keep trying.

Denise

BACK COVERS

2010-10-26T13:04:00.003-07:00

I recently received a sample of someone's back cover ideas so back covers seemed like a good topic for this blog.

The back cover is your silent sales force. It is the first thing that potential buyers look at after they are attracted to your front cover. People pick up a book, look at the cover and immediately flip the book over to read the back cover. That is your few second opportunity to hook the reader.

And what does the reader want to know - what's in it for me? They don't want to hear you talking about yourself. They want to know what they will gain by reading your book. Will you answer questions for them, will you solve some problems for them, will you make them feel better about something or will you entertain them?

You have to convince the reader that he or she cannot live without this book. The information that the book contains is very, very real, needy and relative for the reader. They need the answers that they will find in the book.

It is OK to add a small photo of yourself to the back cover because people do like to know what the author looks like, but primarily potential buyers want to fulfill a need.

An endorsement or two on the back cover because endorsements are third party recommendations. They lend credibility.

Most importantly, though, you need to sell the potential buyer on the benefits of the book.

I hope this information is helpful.

Cheers,

Denise

HOW TIME FLIES

2010-10-19T09:21:00.003-07:00

Oh, my goodness, I can't believe that it has been so long since I blogged!! Not good and I won't make excuses. Today I heard an author being interviewed on television. When asked about his publishing contract, he mentioned that the publisher gave him two years to write the book. His reply to that was, "Oh, no, write the contract so that I have to write fifteen pages every two weeks and it will actually happen." I need someone like that to keep tabs on me, apparently.

But, it's a good idea when you are writing a book to make a schedule. The same goes for your publishing time line. Part of your business plan needs to include dates for the completion of projects and goals or life just gets in the way. So often I have just gone off to play with my grandchildren rather than sit down to write and yet when I do sit down to write, the words just flow. What is my problem?

I need some of you out there to be my cattle prods - give me a nudge. Go to our website at www.inktreemarketing.com, click Contact Us and send me an email. Write "Where is today's blog?" in the subject line and also let me know if you have any publishing questions that you would like addressed.

Denise

PRESS RELEASE

2010-09-29T09:44:00.003-07:00

I was just helping someone to edit her news release. Here are a few points that need to be mentioned:

1. Have a killer headline. Create controversy or at least have the reader stop and say, "What?"

2. Keep the press release to one page.

3. Place the contact information at the top.

4. Open with a strong statement.

5. State the benefits of your book in bulleted points.

6. Use only one strong endorsement.

7. Include a quote from the author.

8. End by stating that the author is available for interviews.

9. Place this symbol at the bottom of the page to indicate "The End": ###

Denise

Learn more about publishing at: www.inktreemarketing.com

BOOK TITLE

2010-09-24T09:18:00.003-07:00

Just a quick note about titles: you want to claim the title as yours to discourage other publishers from using it. You want the title to become a household word that most people recognize, or at least most people in your target market. Of course, you already know that the title needs to be short, snappy and relevant, but did you know that you can claim first ownership by using the trademark symbol (™) after the title? It's not a registered trademark, but it does carry some significance to others who might want to copycat. That's just a little tip that I learned from my lawyer.

Denise

ACHIEVING GOALS

2010-09-13T10:19:00.003-07:00

This is not about books actually - it's about achieving a goal - it's about fulfilling a dream. A friend of mine will soon run a marathon in Greece from Marathon to Athens. A few years ago he decided to lose weight and begin an exercise program which has led to this amazing feat. I can only think, "Wow! Good for you." Few people actually follow their dreams to completion.

I'm not going to prattle on and on about this. I only want to say that if publishing a book is your goal, good for you and if you actually carry the project through to the end, that's amazing. You will never regret pursuing the dream.

Denise

BOOK PROMOTION

2010-09-07T07:48:00.003-07:00

Labor Day is over. Our thoughts now turn to planning our Fall and Winter schedules. Horror of horrors, some of us must begin to plan for Christmas sales - I shudder to think of snow, especially since flowers are still blooming in my yard and there are tomatoes and zucchini to harvest. But, here it is: September.

For those of you who have a published book, you should have your marketing plans in place to take advantage of Christmas sales. If your plans are not firmed up, get on with it! Book stores may have already placed their orders so you have some selling to do if you are not on the list.

The same goes for catalogs and for corporate buyers. They place their orders early. But, the corporate market is quite flexible so you still have time to achieve something there.

I won't go into the details of how to market in this blog, as that is the job of our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit (www.inktreemarketing.com), but I do urge you to make some plans and get them in action.

Denise

ANOTHER QUESTION

2010-09-01T10:04:00.003-07:00

Today's question:

Can I publish my book in more than one language?

A. You can publish in as many languages as you like. The problem is: where will you publish in all of those languages? If you are planning to publish in multiple countries, you are setting yourself up for huge work and problems. Where will you have the books printed? If not in the country where you are printing you must consider shipping costs. What about distribution? Who will handle that in each country? What about publicity? Who will handle that in each country? What about the tax laws of having a business in each country? The list goes on and on.

That is why we recommend a good foreign rights agent. He/she will negotiate foreign rights contracts in other countries on your behalf.

Denise

PUBLISHING QUESTIONS

2010-08-27T11:20:00.004-07:00

Some recent questions we have received:

Q. Should I self publish in another country or should I find a publisher in that country?
A. Unless you plan to find a printer in the foreign country and manage your own distribution and publicity there, it is best to have an agent find a publisher for you. Shipping books from your country would be ridiculously expensive.

Q. How do I get a bar code for my book?
A. Your printer should arrange that for you.

Q. Should I have my photo on the back cover?
A. Yes, but just a small photo unless you are already very famous.

Q. Should I have endorsements on the back cover?
A. Yes, but only a few. Save room to list the benefits of the book. The back cover is your silent salesman. You can add more endorsements in the front pages of the book.

Hope these are of some help.

Denise

BACK FROM HOLIDAYS

2010-08-24T09:13:00.003-07:00

All good things must come to an end. I am just back from a trip to visit my brothers, nieces and nephews. It was so good to see all of them after a year, which is far too long but distance prevents frequent visits. C'est la vie. Sigh...

While away, I started reading a book that I thought would be compelling reading (which is of course why I chose the book) but the writing was sadly disappointing. Since reading is so personal the title will go unmentioned because other people might enjoy what was not great to me.

Interestingly, though, the writing in said book is good but I found that the story meandered in directions that seemed irrelevant and therefore uninteresting. My attention frequently wandered and I would catch myself having to go back a page to find out what my brain just skipped over. Consequently, I will not finish reading that book. It is going to charity, hopefully to find someone who will like it much more than I did.

My point in writing about this at all is to caution writers about writing for themselves and therefore losing the audience. The author is familiar with the story so to him or her everything is relevant and the author knows exactly where the story is going. The reader does not and does not want to slog through chapters and chapters before having a light bulb moment - "So that's why those characters or that plot line was in the book way back there!!"

Always write for the reader. Keep in mind that the reader has no idea where the story is going, which is the thrill of reading -following the story to the unknown and hopefully fascinating ending. Make the story so compelling that the reader absorbs every word and does not want to put the book down. Rambling writing is just boring.

Do people recommend boring books? Not likely, but they certainly do talk about books that thrilled and fascinated them. What sells books? Word of mouth. Think about it.

Denise

THE BUSINESS OF SELF PUBLISHING

2010-08-10T09:46:00.005-07:00

It is so exciting to work with a client who has been willing to learn about the process of self publishing BEFORE he completes his manuscript and book cover. He is also on the right track in maintaining all of the rights to his book.

Now he is working on the marketing of the book before he goes to print. His plan is to joint venture with a charitable organization, creating a profit sharing situation. The author has fronted the money for the book's design and the joint venture will provide funds for the printing of the book. Now he has a win-win means of getting the book out to many potential buyers, creating instant sales and a return on investment.

This client is such a great example of the need to think about a book as a product that will be sold, as well as a product that will help many people with the information and support included in the book.

The whole self publishing concept is not rocket science. It is a system that can be learned - all that is needed is a willingness to search out a source of information, create a plan and follow that plan to success.

Denise

VOLUME BOOK SALES

2010-08-05T13:37:00.004-07:00

I have been having some difficulty in communicating the different ways to do bulk sales to one of our clients. Maybe if I write it here, I can make it clear:

1. You can sell your book to a company and offer a discount for large orders. For instance, if someone wishes to purchase 5,000 copies of your book you might offer a 60% discount. For example:

Retail price $20.00
Discount 60%
Sale price $12.00
Profit $8.00

However, YOU must pay for the printing of the books and wait for payment, perhaps up to 180 days.

2. You can offer a licensing agreement. That means that you sign a contract with the buyer that allows the buyer to print a certain number of books, for a specified time period, in a certain territory for a finite time period and you retain ownership of the copyright. You are paid before the books are printed so you incur no costs. The profit will likely be less but there is no risk and you do not have to finance the printing, which can be a big risk if the purchase falls through.

I hope that clarifies the issue. I like the licensing agreement option and have personally used it several times.

Cheers,

Denise

WHEN TO SEARCH FOR PUBLISHING INFORMATION

2010-08-04T13:10:00.004-07:00

People ask me all the time: when should I learn about self publishing? Should I write the book first?

Absolutely not! Don't write the book first and especially don't print the book first or you may completely miss your target market.

What authors need to understand first and foremost is that they are publishing a book which is a product that is meant to be sold for profit. Shocking idea to many authors!

What do you mean? My book is just a product to be sold? But I just want to be a published author, sell lots of books and be rich and famous. Not going to happen if no one buys the book.

When you are writing your book you must write with the reader (a.k.a. the buyer) in mind. If you are writing for yourself, keep it to yourself. Write your thoughts in a journal and enjoy reading the journal to yourself whenever the mood strikes you.

If you want other people to read (and buy) your book, you must keep the reader in mind. What interests the reader? Are you entertaining the reader or are you informing the reader or are you solving a problem for the reader? As the author you must keep those points in mind as you write so that your book has a purpose or a message or it is meant to entertain a specific audience.

These points will all be important as you look for buyers and as you do your publicity campaign. You will be talking to someone in particular, not just anyone. If you write for anyone, no one will buy your book.

Who needs a garage full of books? Not you!

Cheers,

Denise

BACK FROM HOLIDAYS

2010-08-03T14:11:00.004-07:00

How the time has slipped by. It's over a month since I last posted anything and now it is time to put my creative hat on again.

So, during my vacation I read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, just because I had never read the book but had always wanted to. It was so well worth the time. Great writing is such a treat. You are taken on adventure in your mind that tranports you into another dimension. You find it difficult to put the book down because the experience of that other dimension is so engrossing.

So what, you ask? Well, if you are writing a book, or if you intend to write a book, I highly urge you to read some classics because you will see and experience the difference between OK writing and something special. Great writers don't write things like, "On a hot summer day when the sky was blue and the fluffy white clouds blew across the sky, the young girl awoke to hear birds singing." A great writer (which I am not) will set the scene in a way that compels you to enter into the story. The scene is set without you even realizing that it is happening.

I wish that I was a great writer, but I am just a publishing coach. You, however, should aspire to be great if you are writing or if you are planning to write.

Read great books, take writing courses, join writers' groups and create something wonderful that will compel people to enter into your other dimension.

I look forward to hearing about you and to reading your book.

Denise

CANADA DAY

2010-07-01T07:43:00.003-07:00

It's Canada Day. Get out your maple leaf gear and go out to celebrate living in the world's most wonderful country - that's our opinion and we're sticking to it. :-)

No matter where you live, enjoy the best of where you are and celebrate your freedoms. Work to keep those freedoms. Become involved.

Today is a good day to read newspapers, which are full of Canadian history and information.

Again, no matter where you live, keep in touch with what is going on in your area, your country and the world. You will sometimes find ideas that connect with your book and can lead to news releases and media interviews to discuss ideas of interest to you.

Have a great day, eh?

Denise

PUBLICITY AND BOOK GENRE

2010-06-30T14:34:00.003-07:00

Here is today's question from an affiliate. Is a book with some religious content acceptable to the media?

The answer is: maybe, and only maybe, some media will review the book.

Most media, whether print, radio or television, shy away from books with a religious or a spiritual slant because they do not want to appear to support any particular religious point of view.

You can imagine the backlash that they might experience from people of various religious persuasions and the media would be labeled as a supporter of one particular group.

That is not to say that you cannot find media who will review the book, but choose them carefully. You can target religion sections of newspapers, religion magazines, radio and television shows, religion websites and chat groups, etc.

The point is, you need to target media who are interested in your genre, religious or otherwise.

Enjoy your interviews.

Denise

SELLING BOOKS

2010-06-29T16:58:00.003-07:00

When we at Ink Tree talk to people who have either written or want to write a book, most of them want to be published, acknowledged and then make money, so in essence they know in their mind the end result.

However, the end result is actually the hardest part of the process of writing a book. It might seem at the time that all the effort and time spent in writing would be the biggest chunk and the hardest work – NOT!

Don’t get us wrong, we are not trying to undermine the importance of the time, effort and thought process that went into you achieving your dream and writing your book, but the fact of the matter is that in the word of books and publishing, it is very hard to sell your book and make money.

Most people seem to think that once the book is written the book stores will immediately open their doors and display your book front and centre – okay, slight exaggeration here, but this is not necessarily true – and this is why you must put great thought into how you will “Sell Your Book” once it is written and ready to go.

If you are with a Publishing House you are likely to get a short “publicity” tour for your book and it will definitely end up in the bookstores, but after your book is no long “front list” a publishing term that really means “new and current” and this time period ends somewhere between 6 months and 1 year, the Publishing House will move on to their new prospect and unless you have had mega sales or are some kind of “celebrity” you will be pretty much dropped and left to your own devices to help them promote your book and if things don’t go well or continue to go well for your book you will make no money and in some case may have to return any or some of your “advance” they might have given you! It’s a very tough business.

On the other hand, if you have self published you have much more control over your book and marketing your product, but getting it into the bookstores and selling it in other markets and areas is completely and totally up to you! So, in advance of actually writing your book you need to identify where your story fits in, what kind of twist and difference it has or can make and who and what is your target market. Once you have established this then the bookstores will open their doors more readily to selling your book.

But, that is only one area of marketing your book and it can be a slow process. Unfortunately you only get paid by the bookstores for the books they actually sell, if they decide your book isn’t a “big seller” and return your books you have to pay for the shipping back to yourself and like I said they will only pay for what they have sold, and they don’t pay in advance!.

So, with this kind of situation it is a complete MUST to have other areas of marketing your books, other places to sell large quantities. Here are a few ideas below of how to sell your book outside of the tradition book store:

You MUST have a website to direct buyers to whether it be through the publicity that you will do, or if you are with a Publishing House what they will do for you.
Amazon.com is also a MUST. Everyone all over the world knows about this huge internet “bookstore” and if someone cannot find what they want in a bookstore they will always go here
Volume Buyers:

-Book Clubs
-Corporations
-Catalogs
-Display Retail Companies, etc

There are many, many more avenues to research and promote your book to for volume sales and corporations that perhaps you can align yourself with to help promote your book as they in turn promote their product ie: A health company who may purchase a large volume of your book to give-a-way with their product.

We are Ink Tree Marketing Ltd., can also help you out with much more information on the above subject. We have marketed our own books as well as those of our clients to many, many different areas with great success so take a look at our website and or call us – we want you to be as successful as you possibly can.

So, the bottom line is this. If you know you want to achieve your dream and write a book and you know you want to be successful and make money then before you start, make sure you know what appeals to the market, what is current, what hasn’t been done before, what has a twist and is different and what is your competition! Then try to incorporate some aspect of this into the writing of your book.

The next step is then to research and look into other areas (per above) of selling your “upcoming book” so you can open up your possibilities of selling your book and making money. It’s not easy but worth the time and effort and if you plan ahead then your chances increase by huge amounts for monetary success.

Once you have one successful book on your hands, you can then turn for more professional help with a second book but you will never have a profit with your publishing venture if your “profits” go to pay other people to do something that in the beginning you can do yourself – you have to be very careful what and who you pay to help you and be sure you always get the “best bang for your buck”.

Debbie

SELLING BOOKS

2010-06-28T07:27:00.004-07:00

I wonder how many people think about where they will sell their books after the books are published. From my experience, most people don't think about selling at all.

Here is a thought. What is a book? A book is a product, pure and simple. A book is an item that you are creating to sell - for profit - just as if it was a widget, a water bottle, a paper clip or anything else.

So, if you were planning to sell a widget, would you not research the market for widgets? Who would buy them, why would they buy them, where would you find the buyers, how much would the buyers pay for the widget, what would make the widget most appealing to the buyer, who are the competitors, where would you sell the widget? - and on and on.

Before you publish a book, write each question down and learn the answers to all of those questions - and then do your research to find the answers. You will have a much more clear idea on how to write your book because you will know the target market and you will write with that market in mind. You will know what appeals to that market which will give you direction in finding markets where the buyers hang out, so to speak. You will know what style of book appeals to your buyer. You will know your competition which will inspire you to produce a better and different product.

We can help guide you through the process.

Denise

Publicity - Just How Important is it?

2010-06-24T18:53:00.001-07:00

I was talking to someone the other day who had written a book and was looking to publish it herself. Wonderful! Always fabulous to see someone following through on something they have always wanted to do. So I asked her the big question "What are you doing for Publicity once your book is published"? She looked at me with this blank stare on her face and I thought to myself "Uh oh, here we go again"...

As we talked more I realized that she did actually want to make money from her book and wanted to have it in Chapters, Indigo etc. but had never placed any importance on anything else other than writing her book, getting it edited and then finding a way to self publish. She didn't realize that what she had accomplished so far was the "easy" part.Sadly, this is a common thing that we at Ink Tree hear all the time. Depending where an author is when they come to us will depend on whether or not we are able to help them avoid costly mistakes and follow their dream and/or make the best of where they are in their venture.

It's wonderful to finally write your book, tell your story, offer some great advice on something you are passionate about but here's the thing...how can anyone buy your book, know it actually exists (other than family and close friends) if you don't do PUBLICITY!!The fact is in order for people to remember you and have some recollection they need to see or hear about you at least 7 (seven) times. We are not talking about speaking with your friends and family, they will remember you and go buy your book right off the bat, they are not your concern. In order to be successful with your book and make sales, therefore make money one of the most important things you need to do is get exposure to the general public.

The main channels of publicity and exposure are TV, Radio and Newspapers, along with a website to drive people to when you are doing the aforementioned media. Publicity is not cheap and often because it hasn't been considered by a "wannabe" author it hasn't been figured into their costs and they are left with a garage full of books and very few of them going out the door. Publicity and as well other areas of marketing your book need to be front and center when you are actually writing your book. With certain genres of the book world flooded with new authors daily, your book needs to have something different, an edge on what else is out there or something completely new and exciting - this in turn will garner the interest of the media and get you some of that exposure you want.

Yes, there is a certain amount of work "you" the author can do to get yourself some publicity for your book and your "local" media are often the best place to start but eventually you will need expert advice or someone to help you with this. One of the most important things you must do though is to have a website for your book, distribution is very hard to find and at least you can direct interested buyers here to purchase your book.How would anyone know these things? Often they don't and therefore disappointment hits many authors as well as huge expenses with no way of knowing how to make their book profitable.

We at Ink Tree have our "Ultimate Marketing Kit". This is a must for every "wannabe" author out there. Our kit will guide you through every single thing you need to know from the "thought in your head" to the "finished product on the shelf". This kit is a saving grace that will keep you on target, know what it takes and not make those costly mistakes. It also gives great information on publicity and especially how to market your book in other areas than just the "book stores".It would be great to have every potential author know about our "Ultimate Marketing Kit" before they start their book, however even if someone has a finished manuscript or their published book we can still help them and they will get great benefit from our product.We at Ink Tree want to see every single person who dreams of writing a book reach their goal with the greatest opportunity of success, but knowledge and information is the key to this. We've been there and done it all - know our way around and have been able to create our Ultimate Marketing Kit to make this process easy and successful. We believe in dreams. T

ell everyone you know who wants to follow this path to check out our website and let us help them by providing them with the best tool they need - The Ultimate Marketing Kit.!!

Debbie Black
VP Publicity

THE PRINCIPLE OF A BOOK

2010-06-24T18:36:00.003-07:00

Don't you sometimes wonder why books are so fascinating? Often you hear someone say, "Have you seen Such and Such movie?" - and the response is often "Yes, but the book was better."

Books live in our minds. Movies are fleeting images that flash through our minds but we can't revisit the scenes as easily as we can revisit thoughts that formed in our heads as we read a book. We are in charge of our own imaginations and the characters and the scenes in the story are as we want them to be not as someone else has imagined and flashed through our heads.

According to Guy Vanderhaeghe, author of The Englishman's Boy, "you can control a book - by rereading a chapter, rereading a paragraph, rereading a sentence. A book invites argument, invites reconsideration, invites thought. Like feeling, it simply is. The principle of a book is persuasion; the principle of a movie is revelation."

A book wants you to ponder and to form new thoughts and to discuss YOUR ideas with others. That is why books are so important, whether they are fiction or nonfiction.

Keep on writing. You, your books and your ideas are important.

Denise

CHOOSING A BOOK TITLE

2010-06-08T08:34:00.003-07:00

I have been working with a client on choosing the title for his upcoming book. It's such a struggle, expecially when you are the author. There are so many ideas running through your head and you are so busy with editing and formating that the title just escapes you.

Most authors go for the professorial sounding title, but that type of title belongs on a text book. If you are targeting the average person you want to stand out from the crowd. Unlike a text book, the title that you will be marketing must ring in people's ears. They must be able to say, "Oh, yes, I've heard of that book" and then they must feel compelled to buy the book. People have to buy text books for study purposes but no one HAS to buy your book. You must sell them on it.

The subtitle is the place for clarification - the place where you can say in a phrase what the book is about. The title needs to "say" what the book is about in 3 or 4 words only. Think: Rich Dad, Poor Dad, which you probably know is a book about money management.

The funny thing is that the title is usually right there in the book. You just didn't think of it as a title.

Write your book, and then consult with me. We'll figure it out. My current client and I just had an Ah, Ha moment this morning. There it was - he wrote it in the list of symptoms of the medical condition about which he is writing. It just jumped out at me but he was too close to the project to see it.

What fun!!

Denise

Hmmmm...

2010-06-07T17:20:00.004-07:00

It seems that some of my blog postings were erased. Don't you just love technology? When it works, you have to love it but when it doesn't work, oh boy....

Well, let's see what happens today. It's a good day to write anyway - another cold, rainy Spring day. Where, oh where is that global warming happening?? I know it's somewhere.

Anyway, I read an interesting quote today:

Life-transforming ideas have always come to me through books.
Bell Hooks, O Magazine, December 2003

That's true for me, certainly. One of the best books that I ever read was All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum. My copy is a keeper because it is timeless wisdom. Without having to surf the internet, I can take a few quiet moments to read a chapter, laugh and think about how true the simplest wisdom is.

Anyway, get a copy of the book and see if any of it inspires you to write simple, interesting advice for the rest of us.

Denise

Books and Summertime

2010-05-27T15:22:00.002-07:00

As I sit here watching our "ritual May snow fall" my thoughts are taking me back to this past long weekend and my wonderful time spent at a good friend's home on the lake in Montana.

There was no set agenda on this wonderful weekend, it just flowed. Like most weekends away and holiday times it comes (or should come) with thoughtful and reflective hours with "no guilt". I had packed some magazines but didn't bring a book - no need to worry because everyone has books in their homes and especially a place like this.

It's fun and relaxing to find a well worn book on a shelf, or something new and interesting picked up from the sale basket of a good bookstore or even a cookbook filled with favorite "lake recipes" and then settling down and just running your fingers over the pages - I did this and it felt really good.

I never did finish the newer book I picked up and started to read, I did however enjoy a few of the recipes that became a reality for my tongue and I realized how much importance books play in the story of our lives.

With summer just around the corner (hopefully) and time on our hands to relax and leave the stress of our regular lives behind us I cannot imagine this scenario taking place without "books". Whether it's a romance novel we'll leave behind somewhere for someone else to enjoy, a book on fishing or some other leisure sport that we would like to undertake I realized how just how important books are to the feel, smell or memories we make and especially during our "Summertimes".

A friend of mine said that she reads one of her most favorite books every single year! She never tires of this book and it's usually the summertime that she will pull it off the shelf and read it again and often with her feet planted firmly in the sand. That just makes me smile.

As an established author or a wannabe author never under-estimate the value of what you already do or want to do. People love to read, need to read and whatever you write about there will be someone out there that will get great joy and value from what you have to offer. Keep doing what you do or follow your dream.

Books are with us forever, old or new, like music they help to tell the stories of our lives...

ISBN QUESTION

2010-05-26T19:23:00.003-07:00

Just a very quick note today about ISBN's (International System of Book Numbering). I was recently asked how the ISBN relates to the bar code on a book. Have a look at books and you will see that the ISBN is embedded in the bar code. The bar code identifies the title, edition, publisher and price for book stores, libraries and other buyers. It is a must to have an ISBN number if you are planning to sell your book anywhere. The number avoids confusion for future editions and for future sales of the book.

I must be quick today, so hope this information helps some of you.

Denise

FIRST QUESTION WHEN PUBLISHING

2010-05-25T08:00:00.003-07:00

I am pleased to be in a position to help people and to answer their publishing questions. I receive questions on a daily basis from our clients and I will try to share some of them with you.

However, my first question to new publishers is this: "Why do you want to publish a book?"

There is no right or wrong answer - only the answer that makes sense to you.

You might have expertise that you want to share, knowledge that will help people solve problems, life experience that can help people to avoid life mistakes, a story to tell, recipes to share or just simply you want to entertain people. All are good reasons.

But --- the most important question for you again, is "Why do you want to publish?" The answer will direct your marketing plan, if indeed you need one. You might just want to publish a few books for family and friends, or for an interest group that wants to do some fund raising. You might want to sell books at the back of the room when you speak in public, or, you might want to create a bestseller and sell the book in book stores and many other places.

Think about the long term goals for your book venture, because the goals will identify the difference between publishing as a hobby and publishing as a business.

Cheers,

Denise

LONG WEEKEND THOUGHTS

2010-05-24T06:45:00.003-07:00

It's early in the morning on the May long weekend. I am definitely not away from home because I detest long weekend traffic, preferring to stay home and enjoy the quiet as hordes of people leave the city.

Sometimes a break from all that is busy is good - do some gardening (teach a grandchild how to plant potatoes), some reading; spend time with family; catch up on chores.

Therefore, my only connection with books this weekend is to read one.

Aaaahhh....

Denise

MARKETING YOUR BOOK

2010-05-21T13:33:00.002-07:00

I just received the most amazing email from a client of our ULTIMATE BOOK MARKETING KIT. He obviously took our advice to heart and he has obviously thought long and hard about creative ways to sell - and his book is nonfiction. So, if anyone tells you that selling fiction outside of book stores and without a fortune spent on publicity, think again.

There are so many new and unique strategies for selling books, so many ways to find new markets and so many techniques for connecting with new buyers. The internet has opened a whole new world for publishers - a new world that does not rely on traditional book selling techniques.

I can't disclose our client's strategy, but rest assured that he will sell thousands of books in one day. IN ONE DAY. Wouldn't you love to do that? The first step is education about publishing in general. If you want to be a bestseller, you must first produce a professional book and you must be a professional publisher. That means that you maintain control of your book. That does not mean that you find someone else to put the book together, publish the book and sell the book. You must get serious and passionate about the project.

It always amazes me how few people take advantage of our free coaching. Wow. Do that many new publishers really know all about the process????

Anyway, I have been impressed with our creative client all along and now he is off to the races.

So can you.

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

BOOK TITLE

2010-05-15T07:04:00.004-07:00

Here is today's question: "What do you think of my proposed book title?"

The answer is usually, "Not much". Stop trying to make the title sound professorial and stuffy. People want to read a book, not take a university course on your subject matter. If you're writing a text book, fine, make the title very specific to the subject matter.

Otherwise, the title should be catchy and it should impart the message in a friendly way. Think of the books that have sold many thousands of copies:
-The Wealthy Barber
-Rich Dad, Poor Dad
-The Secret
-Fit to Cook
-One Smart Cookie

A book's title needs to be memorable, not something like How to Invest Money for Your Retirement. Boring! The Wealthy Barber is much more likely to be remembered.

Somewhere in the content of your book there is a great title, so find it and use it.

Cheers,

Denise

PUBLISHING CONTRACTS

2010-05-13T18:49:00.005-07:00

I want to talk about practical matters today. There are many things that people need to know before signing publishing contracts, particularly with publishing "services". Now, there is nothing wrong with publishing services, BUT, you need to know why you are hiring that type of service.

Publishing a book is a business venture. So many people just don't "get" that. It is a business. You are producing a product that you want to sell - usually to make money. So, if you are starting a business, do you just put a sign on the door and hire someone else to actually plan the business, hire the staff and control the hours and conditions of operation? That's crazy. If you do that, it's not your business - it belongs to someone else. They say that they will send you a percentage of the profits. Why did you bother? That's what happens if you hire a publishing service to "publish" your book.

Some people, on the other hand, just want to have a few books to give to family and friends, or to sell at the back of the room during speaking engagements. In that case, a publishing service might be what you want and need. However, if you want to create a bestseller and you want to sell books for profit over an extended period of time, beware of what you sign. You may just be giving your book away to someone else and the profit is all theirs.

Now, I got that off my chest. Contact me at info@inktreemarketing.com if you wish to discuss this issue further.

Cheers,

Denise

READING TO CHILDREN

2010-05-12T06:50:00.004-07:00

Reading to children is such a special joy. Yesterday I was reading to my little granddaughters who are 4 years old and 22 months old. Both of them brought books to me, crawled up into my lap and settled in for a cuddle and a story. The four year old loves books about dinosaurs, which are her special love. The 22 month old is fond of books about babies, especially if the babies have sweet faces. Having the little ones sit with me for those special moments are memories that I will forever cherish.

The love of reading is so easy to establish. It starts at birth. That is when I began reading to my own children. We would sit in the rocking chair and as the baby nursed, I read little stories and rhymes. Now I get to re-live the experience with all four of my grandchildren because they are all fond of books, having been introduced to them as infants. The 22 month old even has to hold a book as she goes to sleep.

Reading to children is incredibly heart warming. All of the busy-ness of life is suspended as we join Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella and Lightning McQueen on their adventures. Children ask amazing questions as the books unfold and the children offer incredible insights into life from their own perspective.

There is nothing more special to hear than "Nana, please read me a story" and there is no greater feeling of awe and warmth as the little one backs up to me and sits on my lap.

Read to your children every day. You will benefit even more than the child does. Trust me - it's true.

Denise

BACK AT IT

2010-05-10T07:50:00.003-07:00

For some strange reason I could not access this blogging website for a period of time. Who knows why? Technology is great - when it works. But, when it doesn't work I am just frustrated and stumped. Why does it work one day but not the next? I will never understand....

That takes me back to the thread of e-books. They are absolutely great but I just don't seem them as being a complete replacement for books. Say you're on the beach, happily reading your book, and the reader decides it wants to give up the ghost. Aaaaggghhh! The six books you decided to take with you on vacation have been wiped out. Or, what if you're at the pool, your child runs up and bumps into you and over the reader goes into the water? Fried - all six books.

Just plan to have a hard copy of your book as well as an e-book version so that all of your bases are covered. It's merely another reason not to put all of your books into one basket.

Cheers for now.

Denise

BOOK TITLES

2010-04-20T19:01:00.004-07:00

I loved Debbie's blog of yesterday - it was actually Deb, not Joni who wrote it.

Anyway, today I was listening to a discussion of names on the radio. The host was discussing her family's decision to change their names to a western version when they moved to North America from China, although they did also keep their Chinese names. She mentioned how the change of names altered their self perceptions and their feelings of belonging to their heritage. She mentioned that a name is vital to one's identity.

That led me to thinking of book titles and how important they are. Do people judge a book by its cover? You bet, they do. They also need to identify with the title, which must illicit a positive reaction from the reader. A book's title brands the book, giving it an image in the reader's mind. Imagine how different you feel about a book titled "How to Groom Your Dog" than a book titled "Doggie Do's." The book is about the same thing but the second title makes you smile and implies that the author enjoys dogs and that taking care of a dog is fun, while the first title just makes you yawn and feel that the book is just going to make taking care of your dog a chore.

Just be sure to think long and hard about your book's title. Be creative and use the title to brand your expertise.

Densie

"E-book or not E-book - That is the Question"?

2010-04-19T09:59:00.002-07:00

So, there I was, sitting in the walk-in clinic waiting for my turn. I knew from past experience that whenever you go the walk-in route it could be hours before you get seen so I came prepared - I brought a really good book with me, smart thinking.

After a while I decided to do that "people watching" thing which I love to do and noticed sitting to my left was a lady with the new electronic book...an "E-book Reader" (could also known as a Kindle). I found myself watching her as she sat there with this compact device doing the same thing as me..."reading her book". As I watched her I realized something about myself, even though I had heard about this and knew of its benefits I knew I would never be able to give up the "feel of the book" and the page turning which for me, added to the enjoyment of reading a book!

So there we sat, her and I, both enjoying a good book in a very different way and I started thinking to myself, this whole "E-book versus Real Book" is a lot like "Cilantro", I think you are going to either love it or hate it.

My husband thinks that the "E-book Reader" is just awesome and cannot wait for Fathers Day, his Birthday or Christmas to receive one of these. He loves the concept, the ease it provides to have as many books as you want right at your finger tips and just how compact it is and can fit so nicely and easily to take just about anywhere. Even though I completely agree with him, we as husband and wife are definitely a divided camp. I see the advantages but will never be able to give up the feel, the look and the page turning of the traditional book that I so love. Yes, shelf space throughout my house is getting less and less for my collection but there's something warm and inviting about those two shelves in my bedroom filled with colorful and special books that I am either about to read or have done so and just love having them around.

So, I guess the moral of this story is that is really doesn't matter which way you go with books, all that matters is that you continue to read for whatever reasons you have and depending on your lifestyle and preference - I guess you are covered!

Now, from a business side of things I would say it is a MUST to cover all areas and when publishing and it makes good sense that your book is available both traditionally and electronic so you can cover all those "divided camps" and not lose a very important and lucrative stream of income! Knowing whats going on and keeping up with the ever changing world of publishing is one of the differences between success and failure. Oh and a sideline....perhaps I may in the future find myself using an "E-book Reader" or at the very least "sharing with my husband" so that I do not run out of books when I am sitting on the beach in Mexico!!

...and YET THEY REMAIN THE SAME

2010-04-14T10:26:00.004-07:00

Whew, we're avoiding the blizzard that is raging to the south of us. There is always something to be grateful for.

So, yes, changes are coming in the book world with the growing prevalance and popularity of electronic products. Change is something to be aware of and to be prepared for.

It seems, though, that hard copy printed books are in no danger of a complete demise in the near future. Amazon.com has just announced the building of a large distribution centre in Canada to expedite the shipping of books throughout the country. When a huge corporation makes a large financial investment you know that considerable research is behind the decision. I take this move by Amazon to indicate that they still believe that a large part of their business remains and will remain in the printed book.

Time will tell whether I am right or wrong. I suggest that you hedge your bets: market your books in more than one format.

Denise

CHANGES IN THE BOOK WORLD

2010-04-13T11:28:00.003-07:00

Yesterday we talked about needing ISBN's for all versions of your book. From what I have read, the ebook version of your book will soon account for 50% of your sales. That will create massive changes in the publishing and book selling industry, from how many books to print, to the reduced importance of book distributors, to the greater need for a good website and so on.

World markets will open up to you. After all, what will it matter if the publisher is in the U.S. or in the Antarctic? No physical books will need to be shipped. Publicity can be managed anywhere in the world and sales can be achieved in any country.

There will always be a market for physical books, but their role will be only part of your publishing plan. Be sure to plan for an ebook version of your book right from the beginning or you stand to be left out of the digital world.

Denise

ISBN numbers

2010-04-12T15:11:00.004-07:00

It's the middle of April and here we are in the snow again. The poor tulips are up, poking through the white stuff on the ground. I guess that's one of the conditions of life at 3,500 feet above sea level. Never mind, we will just wait for one of our famous Chinook winds to breeze through and raise the temperature by 20 degrees in an hour - like magic it will be Spring again.

So anyway, some people wonder if they should buy blocks of ISBN numbers. There is no correct answer for everyone, but if you plan to publish more than one book, or more than one edition of each book, or more than one style of book (ebook, CD version, etc.) you should buy a block of at least 10 numbers. Use a different number each time you produce your book in a different format, and use a different number for each new book you publish.

Some people purchase in blocks of 100 numbers, but that can be costly. If you have room in your budget and you have plans to publish many books this is a cost saver. However, if your budget is limited as you launch your publishing business, it might be wise to wait until you have acquired some profits before you make such a large financial commitment. Canadians have the advantage in the ISBN number issue. The Canadian government supplies the numbers at no cost as a supportive measure for the publishing industry - not only health care is free. :-)

Denise

GREAT BOOKS cont'd

2010-04-08T07:43:00.003-07:00

So, as I was saying when I so rudely interrupted myself with life and work, writing great books is a skill that can be learned. There are many ways to do so. For instance, read many good books in your genre of interest. I suggest that you avoid the "bestseller" list if the author is repeatedly on the list. Not that bestselling authors are necessarily not the greatest of writers, but they do seem to develop a "formula" that sells to the masses which causes each book to be more of the same. Go to the library and browse through books of interest to you. Read selections from many books. Find books that grab your interest. Examine the writing style. Really good authors don't write in simple narrative using simple sentence structure. There is definitely something special about good writing, and the more you read the more you will recognize the difference between mediocre and great. As Oprah Winfrey has said in the past, the first sentence of a book has to grab her or she puts the book down. Good writers can set the location, the time period, the mood and the character in one sentence without writing something as simple as: It was a snowy day in 1792 when Prince Zorga made his way through the dark forest on horseback.

There are writers' groups in most cities that host writing skills workshops. Do some research in your area to find some of those groups. There is also usually a Writer in Residence who mentors other authors. Most basically, though, before you do that, take a first year university English class to brush up on the basics of good grammar.

So, I challenge you to be the best that you can be. Don't rush the writing process. Create something great.

Denise

GREAT BOOKS

2010-03-31T07:36:00.003-07:00

Oh, shoot, I missed a day. Well, onward from this point.

So, I've been reading a good book and it occurred to me that I should discuss what makes a good book. There are so many factors, but as Oprah says, if the first sentence on the first page of the first chapter doesn't grab your attention, choose another book. So, excellent writing is a huge criteria. But what is excellent writing? I really don't know how to describe it but a well written book "speaks" to me. I feel drawn in and engrossed, immediately, and I want to continue reading. Good writing is definitely a skill - which can be learned. It takes practice, practice, practice and then more practice. You have to re-write everything until the words just sing and the reader is enthralled by the song.

I have to run, so more on this subject next time.

Denise

TARGET MARKET

2010-03-29T18:56:00.002-07:00

Today is just a non-book day for me. Some days are like that - nothing really constructive to say other than be sure that you are clearly targeting your market. Who specifically is your audience? Who will actually buy your book, and that's different from who needs it. I know that everyone needs my healthy lifestyle cookbook, but who will actually buy it? - only people who are willing to make some simple changes in their lives. Not everyone is willing.

Cheers,

Denise

MORE MEDIA TIPS

2010-03-26T10:58:00.004-07:00

Wow, three days in a row. Don't expect weekends, though. :-)

More about media appearances today. There are some do's and dont's about media appearances that you should take seriously. Your goal is to make a positive, lasting impression so you must look and sound professional, knowledgeable and relaxed. A sense of humor is good.

To sound great during an interview, you must have all of your information on the tip of your tongue and you must be able to "spit it out" very easily. Interviews usually last only three to five minutes, so your "sound bites" have to be clear and concise.

Appearances do count as well. Do people judge a book by its cover? Absolutely. You are the sales force for your book, so look good. Hair and makeup (if appropriate) and clothing are important. You don't have to look like a movie star, but wear casual dressy at least. Avoid prints, loud colors and white - the cameras do not like them.

Be prepared. If you are being interviewed for television, watch the show in advance. If you are being interviewed on radio, listen to the show (you can do that on-line). If you are being interviewed in print, read the publication ahead of time. You must know the audience for each interview, and you should be familiar with the philosophy of the interviewer.

Those are just some quick words of advcie from someone who has been there.

Denise

MEDIA TIPS

2010-03-25T09:15:00.004-07:00

I know, I know - two days in a row of blogging. It's amazing. However, I just need to say a bit about publicity.

If you're Canadian, and even if you're American, the media is buzzing about a certain person named Ann who is speaking at Canadian universities, promoting her anti-racist books. The students in Ottawa protested so much that she had to cancel her engagement, but, because of the protest, international media is all over the issue thus proving that there is no such thing as bad press. The speaker will be in Calgary today, followed by international papparazzi. Wow. She will definitely sell books now.

So, if you want to get media attention, create some controversy. Think about the content in your book and if you can give the media something to talk about, send out news releases that make people take sides. Tie into current events and issues. The media loves it!!!

Denise