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Back-of-Room Sales: When to Do It Yourself and When to Bring in a Retailer

November 9, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

There are many reasons why authors choose to self-publish or go with a hybrid model that lets them retain their rights, but one of the most frequently cited reasons is ownership of inventory. Having ownership of their own books allows authors to sell directly to the public at high margins, which is great for entrepreneurial authors interested in back-of-room sales. (In a … [Read more...]

How Do Authors Make Money?—Thinking Beyond the Book

November 4, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

It’s a commonly held misperception that authors are rich. Yes there are some authors who are well off, and yes some of them sell thousands of books, but here’s the real reason those authors are making money—they’re thinking beyond the book. The truth is that quality books are costly to develop and produce and they must sell through several reprints to become profitable. As … [Read more...]

Who Does What? A Breakdown of Each Job in Publishing and Marketing a Book

November 1, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

Oftentimes authors are quite confused about what exactly each person does in the publishing process. There are so many people involved in developing and promoting a book that it is easy to get overwhelmed by the many functions and responsibilities of each department. To help make it easier, here’s a quick breakdown of the general jobs in publishing and how each one … [Read more...]

How to Pitch a Speaking Engagement

October 28, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

You’ve been blogging and interacting to build your author platform, and now it’s time to get out there and connect with your audience live and in person—but how do you get those speaking engagements? It takes a combination of three things: relevant speaking topics that can be honed to a specific audience, a speaker’s press kit, and a customized pitch. Relevant Speaking … [Read more...]

How to Pitch Your Book

October 21, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

Any opportunity you have to get in front of an agents or publishers and tell them about your book is a precious opportunity, no matter how brief the encounter. Don’t waste it. Make the moment memorable (for the right reasons) by crafting a series of brief, targeted talking points about your project. Qualities of a Good Pitch: It’s brief: A good pitch starts with a single … [Read more...]

How to Comment on Blogs (and Drive Traffic Back to Your Author Website)

October 4, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

Everywhere you turn, you’re hearing about the power and influence of bloggers. They’ve taken over the Internet, and many rival traditional media as venues for authors trying to get their books in front of readers. Though guest blogging lets you take advantage of this trend, there is also another great way to get in front of bloggers (and their readers). How? By posting … [Read more...]

Public Speaking Basics for Authors

October 1, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

Not all authors are natural speakers, but it is becoming more and more necessary for authors to develop their speaking skills. Presentations, appearances, interviews, and other speaking engagements are an increasing part of how authors build and connect with their platforms. To make the most of those opportunities, you—the author—need to develop your speaking skills. No one … [Read more...]

Build Your Platform by Guest Blogging

September 28, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

You've already heard a great deal about building your platform and especially about the benefits of blogging and writing articles to demonstrate your expertise to your audience. Still, you’re always looking for more ways to drive traffic back to your online presence, and ultimately to the bookstore to buy your book.  Another excellent way to achieve this is by serving as a … [Read more...]

Give a Great Author Interview

September 24, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

You’ve probably seen them: those author interviews where there is no energy and the guest is as placid as the polar ice cap. Or worse: the author is talkative—too talkative—and  runs over the host with wanton disregard. Guests like these are rarely invited back. The key to becoming a media darling and keeping the publicity coming is to be a great interviewee. Here are a few … [Read more...]

Make your Nonfiction Content Actionable

September 21, 2010 by Shennandoah Diaz

There are many qualities that make a piece of nonfiction great. Style, voice, and organization all come together to form a solid work that flows well and educates the reader. However, to truly be powerful, the content of your nonfiction piece must also be actionable. Actionable content tells readers what they need to do to incorporate the information in your book into their … [Read more...]

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