Of course, Google is one of a kind, but it also can be amazingly helpful to log into publishers that want to help you do what you’re doing, self publishing.  Most have good websites, and you can pick up a lot of useful tips about self-publishing, marketing, editing, what makes a good book and other helpful resources.

One of the best and most thorough publishing companies I’ve found is www.wheatmark.com.  This is a well-run company with many employees to get the job done.  They’re not the cheapest, but I think they’re far and away the best.  They take time with you, answer all your questions patiently, have top-rated staff and help you put out the  first-class book of your dreams.

A few others that I’ve taken time to study are www.iuniverse.com, www.lulu.com,  www.xlibris.com, and  www.booksurge.com.  I mention these although I haven’t personally tried them.  I do know others who have tried them with varying degrees of success.

Next week I’ll write about studying the blogs of others, give a few links that you might find useful, and you might also consider inviting others to be your guest bloggers as I plan to do shortly.  There’s so much help to be had out there.  Make it your own and reap rich benefits.

Helpful Places You Should Know About originally appeared on Francine Craft on April 28, 2010.

Purple Passion

Maybe you know by now that the big-boy brick and mortar bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Borders won’t carry your self-published book.  That’s because they’re dependent on major publishers, so it’s understandable.  But all online bookstores will carry you, including those named.  It’s up to you to see that you put out a well written, well edited and well proofed product.

And now to market!  Bring your adrenaline up?  It should, because this is another of the most important things you can do for yourself.  Earlier, I spoke of making friends with librarians.  This is a lifetime thing, you know.  And next door to it is contacting independent bookstores.  They’re still out there and many of them are hungry for good books you’ll help them sell as a partner.

If you like talking on the phone, begin with google and make yourself a list of independent bookstores in your area and in nearby cities.  Get the numbers and call.  Make it friendly, respectful, tell what your book is about and why they should be interested.  Don’t forget to stress that you’ll do your part in selling your book.

If you dislike talking on the phone or are just not good at it, and even if you do phone, also send them a well put together flyer with your book jacket cover photo, your photo, a brief description of what the book is about and why it will sell.  Give discount and return info.  If you have a Library of Congress Control Number, give it, and your ISBN. 

Tall order?  Not once you get into it.  You should be carried along by sheer love and if you’re anxious, that’s part of it.  Don’t strive for perfection.  Just be passionate, take care, and do your very best.  Never demand more than that from your precious self.

Next time:  Book Clubs

Marketing To Independents originally appeared on Francine Craft on March 11, 2010.

Going Green

You’ll note my heading does not begin with the words self-publishing.  That’s because this blog is as much for writers being published by regular publishers.  If you’re not studying marketing and the ways it’s done nowadays, stop and wonder if you’re serious about what you’re doing.

The average self-published novel sells around 400 copies.  A listing on a mystery writing lineup featuring publishers who are open to mystery acquisitions states that they sell about 2,000 copies.  That was when the economy was neither booming nor sinking.  Think what it’s like today.

What I’m saying holds as true for self-publishers as for those published by regular publishers.  Today’s market needs a different approach.  First of all, you need first-rate books on how and where to sell.  Three I can think of that can be purchased on Amazon — used if need be — and are worth their weight in platinum are John Kremer’s sixth edition of his fabulous “1001 Ways To Market Your Books.”  From soup to nuts he lays out the ways and means of reaching the readers you want.  Another is Penny Sansevieri’s “Red Hot Internet Advertising.”  Still another is “Plug Your Book,” by Steve Weber.  Amazon’s website is http://www.amazon.com

It’s so important to keep abreast of what’s going on in book marketing.  The internet has taken over.  Print is still important, but fading.  All three of these books set forth the steps you need to take to find and keep readers.  And isn’t that what you want most of all?

When You Go To Market originally appeared on Francine Craft on March 1, 2010.

Pretty Purple

From time to time I’m going to suggest other sites that you can gather info from to your great advantage.  I’ve dealt with the people who set up these sites and found them to be respectful of your time, money, energy, not to mention your hopes and dreams — or your book.  I’ve found  them to be savvy and willing to do their best for you.  You will hear from them prompty and they don’t have dollar signs for eyes.

Today it’s Wheatmark.com.  I will mention this company often because it’s so far above the others I’ve worked with.  Remember, I’ve studied this field for over 20 years, back when it wasn’t so well regarded.  Now, as the comedian said, “Everybody wants to get into the act.”  And no wonder, so many of those who’ve tried it after studying it carefully are thrilled.

Also, please check into Wheatmark.com/blog.  This particular set of ongoing blogs comes largely from writers who are self-publishing with Wheatmark.  I never fail to find these blogs interesting and informative, and I believe you will too.

Self-publishing: Useful Sites originally appeared on Francine Craft on February 21, 2010.

Wondrous Sunset

Ask yourself if you really want to succeed.  Stupid question?  Far from it.  Success means many things to many people.  Webster’s definition that I like best speaks of being favored.  Not an exact quote, but that’s one of the deepest meanings.  To be favored is often to meet with hostile envy.  Can you take it?  Think about it long and hard, because it’s an emotional basic of self-publishing.  Not everybody can do it and some will be envious if you’re successful with it.

Now, to the nitty gritty.  Not enough of you who are interested in self-publishing are willing to do the basics.  Study the market for your book — first.  Sound crazy?  Greedy?  It’s not.  Why spend a big chunk of your time, emotions and energy on something that a little spadework will show isn’t going anywhere?  I can hear you groaning that you write from the heart and that’s what matters, isn’t it?

Indeed it is, so why not consider tweaking your treasured baby so it’s what you want it to be and it fits what the reading public wants.  For that, you’re going to need a  market analysis that will tell you who’s reading what, what’s selling, where, and for how long.  Anybody who writes a book and doesn’t get a market analysis is cheating him or herself.  Like love, you have to be involved with it to appreciate it, and like love, it grows and develops as you put yourself into it.

I thought it was crazy to get a market analysis at the beginning.  I’ve learned better and I think you will too.  They aren’t expensive.  You can google it or you can contact Wheatmark.com.  It’s much to your advantage.  Try it.

Self Publishing: Do Your Basics originally appeared on Francine Craft on February 15, 2010.