Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
This Blog Content Has Been Moved - Update Below
Update January 23, 2009 - I have made some major changes to the blogs I'm offering and I am updating this list to reflect those changes. These changes should make it easier to find information and give additional exposure to every one who submits information about their books and themselves.
ANY published author is welcome to submit these questions and answers to promote their books. To use any of these blogs - click on the link, click on "how to submit" in the top corner of the blog and follow the instructions. I ask that you send the questions and answers as an RTF file. It is also good to send a jpg file of your book cover - no PDF files for the cover art. When you complete the interview, send to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with the interview title in the subject line and I will add you to the list for that blog.
I have divided the blog lists for fiction and non fiction books to make it easier to find the ones you need. I've added several new blogs lately - so if you've been here before - there are some new options.
Two quick updates -
The print edition of Book Promo 101 is complete and available. The print book is oversize 8" x 10" and the layout is gorgeous. The manuscript for Book Promo 201: Promote Online With Web 2.0 is with my publisher and will be available in early 2009 -- there will be updates posted. If you would like details about the contents of this book, visit http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm
I offer a wide array of promotional services to authors. Feel free to take a look at the possibilities and contact me with questions. If you are interested in something that you don't see listed, let me know and we can talk. For a list of these services visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
I offer a wide assortment of virtual book tour options and the current list is located at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/virtual-blog-tour-options.html - there are a number of options and price ranges or we can talk about other options. I'm also planning to add more services in late winter and early spring 2009. If you would like to be added to my mailing list to get the latest updates, send me a message at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com
Promotional Blogs for Fiction Books
Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html
http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/ - Details about story setting.
How to Submit – http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-all-about-setting.html
Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html
Villains in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_7729.html
Heroine in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_134.html
Hero in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html
Best Friend - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_28.html
Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html
http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/ - From Books to the Movies
If a movie was made about your book, which actors and actresses would play the main characters? This is your chance in case a movie of your book and it can be a lot of fun.
How to Submit – http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html
Interview a Male Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_6392.html
Interview a Female Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_1859.htm
In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html
Before I Was Published - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html
http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html
Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html
http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit – http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html
http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter
How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html
Promotional Blogs for Non-Fiction Books
Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html
Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html
Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html
In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html
http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html
Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html
http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit – http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html
http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter
How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html
I reserve the right to refuse to post any submissions, but so far I haven't needed to turn anyone away. I did edit a couple of first chapters to maintain a PG-13 rating for my visitors. That could be one of the reasons why some have such a long waiting list. All the blogs are listed on my Blogger profile which is located at - www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557.
Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
Author Promotional Services - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Friday, December 26, 2008
Author Promotion Interviews Have Been Moved
http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Teel James Glenn Talks About His Book Promotion
- Where are you from and where are you now?
I’m a Brooklyn boy, born and bread in Flatbush, though as I often point out—I am from Flatbush, not of it. I think of myself as more of a citizen of the world. Though I didn’t get far-I live in Union City New Jersey right now just across the tunnel from Manhattan.
- How did you get started writing?
I started writing as far back as I can remember filling notebooks in grammar school with ‘comic books’ of adventure characters.
- What do you do when not writing?
I fall down, or get stabbed or set on fire. I am a stunt man and fight choreographer who is a sword expert. I do plays, TV and films (lots of low budget late night drinking party watching films).
- What would readers like to know about you?
That I believe in heroes. Not just believe, I actively live my life trying to see the positive, not ignoring the negative, but choosing to operate ‘in the light.’ And so do my characters. I don’t want to spend any more time with ‘villains’ than needed to tell the story-I’m sick of the idea that the badguy is always more interesting dramatically-I thinks that’s not true if you really find the humanity in your hero.
- What inspired your first book?
I had a summer writing course in high school and we were supposed to write a short story each week-I talked my teacher into letting me do a ‘novel- a four chapter book (which by the way I rewrote as a novella some thirty five years later and it saw print!)
- How many books have you written?
To date I’ve written eighteen books, most of them in the last three years since I committed to writing as a career.
7. What are the titles of your books and in what genres?
The published or contracted books are:
The World of Altiva fantasy series books are: Death at Dragonthroat, Tales of a Warrior Priest, The Daemonhold Curse, Sister Warrior and the forth coming The Daemonhold Inheritance. (All from Epress-online.com)
The Exceptionals Sci Fi Thriller series books are: The Measure of a Man, Across theWasteland and On the Good Ship Caligula (From WhiskeyCreekpress.com)
The Dr. Shadows pulp detective/mystery books set in the 1930s are: A Hex of ShadowsShadows in Hong Kong (both due out from Epress-online late in o8 and 09.) and
And the first books of two series:
Vision Quest Factor (Sci Fi) and Knight Errant: Death ad Life at the Faire (Murder mystery)
Lastly: Them Fightin’ Words: A writer’s Guide to Writing Fight Scenes is a nonfiction book from Epress-Online where I give away some of my tricks.
8. How do you decide on a topic or genre and why are specifically qualified to write on that topic.
My stories always start with a character or two—the theme or genre actually comes later, in fact I ‘ve had characters shift genre’s on me when they wanted (Yes I think of them as alive). And I never write about something I have not experienced or researched very deeply—my varied background in my ‘other job’ has helped with that.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused when writing a book?
When I’m starting a book I have to really focus in—until the movie in my mind is running full bore-then nothing can distract me-I write while walking down the street, eating, talking with people—once I’m rolling I’m a ‘writing machine.’
10. Do you write to make money for the love of writing or both?
I write to be read-otherwise I could just fantasize the stories and be done with it. I want money for my writing so I can afford the time to write to be read by more people. Would I write for free? I might tell my stories for free at a gathering of friends but , no- as Robert Parker once said when Mickey Spillane referred to readers as ‘customers’—“That’s right, we ain’t giving it away for free!”
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used. Which are most successful?
I am absolutely no judge of this—I haven’t sold enough for long enough to be able to tell you.
12. What are some unique methods you’ve used? Which are most successful?
Again, not a clue but I hope to have soon.
13. Do you sell through a website? What’s the address, if not why?
I refer people to the publisher’s website or Fictionwise or Amazon—I am not web savy enough to run my own site though someday I’d like to.
14. Where can people order your books?
My books are all available on Fictionwise or Amazon or from the publishers directly. Just goggle my name and I shall appear!
15. What format are your books in? E Book, Print or Audio?
So far both my publishers (and those of the anthology I have a story in) do both print and e versions. Hopefully audio books will follow.
16. Will you write more books?
Try to stop me!
17.What do you have in the works?
I just finished the Third Exceptionals novel and am about to launch into the fifth Altiva novel but I may take a little break to do some short form detective fiction I have a contemporary character Jeremiah Falcon that has been flying around in my consciousness waiting for a landing strip.
18.What does the future hold for you and your books?
I would like to do an illustrated version of some of my work—and a collection called Visions of Altiva-I am a painter/illustrator as well- which would explore the world visually. And The Exceptionals was originally conceived as a TV series and I’d love to shoot it—I did do a pilot trailer for it which I later recut into the book trailer.
19. What is the most successful thing you’ve done to promote your books?
Getting reviews, I would think—I did a lot of research and went after reviewers for my last few books and I think it has helped get the word out. That and making sure the books really were the best thing I could do and had my heart in them—I think the word gets out if you do that.
20.What is the least successful?
I don’t know—it is hard to gage-probably the writers groups I belong to—I don’t think most writers have the money to buy a heck of lot of the competition’s wares. But I might be wrong.
21. Tell us about your most recent work.
The first Exceptionals book: The Measure of a Man came out in May and has been doing well, was in fact the best seller for Whiskey Creek Press. It is about bio-enhanced bounty hunters in the year 2030 whose identities are protected by UN mandate.
22.what makes this book special?
It is my take on realistic ‘superheroes’ filtered through political science and current technology. And a way to examine just what it is, philosophically that makes a person risk their lives to do what they perceive is right. When I created the world of the Exceptionals in 1998 with my writing partner Jerry, we imagined terrorists attacking the World Trade Center in 2010. We were off by years but a lot of the world we foresaw is happening, and maybe will happen.
23.What sort of comments have you gotten about the contents of this book?
It has been doing well, a best seller for Whiskey Creek Press and spent a couple of weeks at number 17 out of 4400 at fictionwise. And one of the reviews at Simply Romance reviews said, in part:
“…The Exceptionals is a great book and the start of what I hope to be a long series in the science fiction/thriller suspense genre. The authors fictional world set in the mid 21st century is so vivid and compelling you find yourself believing that this reality of the world actually exists. Teel James Glenn and Jerry Kokich have created a great fictional world for their Exceptionals and I for one can't wait to return.”
24. What makes this a book other people must read and why?
It offers hope for that darker world to come and deals with some eternal issues about life, its meaning, purpose and direction. And the action is darn good.
25. What people need to read this book?
Anyone who loves adventure writing, strong women characters and political thrillers.
26. What sparks your creativity? And any tips for others to help them spark theirs?
I can get my inspiration from anything—A tv show that I didn’t like the plot twist and so see it going another way—or one I liked so much I want to do my version of it. A book I read, an article. Or some location I think a character should go to. As to sparking others’ creativity—just be open it comes at you from all sides. Just pick one and go with it.
27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?
I think it is the same motivation that the firs story tellers had sitting around a campfire—they have something to say- about themselves, the state of the world or some hope they need to express. It is easier now than ever to get your story out there—less of a monolithic new York tower to climb so more people are taking the plunge-which is good in many ways but bad in the sense that there are so many voices now that it is hard to be heard even if you do have something to contribute.
As for me—I have always wanted to share my stories with people. One of my biggest thrills is reading my work ( ala Dickens) at conventions. I do story telling at Ren faires and to know my work can touch people is a tremendous feeling. It is a hard industry, however, and so I have had to work to become a craftsman as well as a storyteller and that is the stage, I am afraid many new authors don’t embark on—it is the hardest part.
28. What is the most unusual thing you have done to promote your books?
Let people hit me in the head with pipes. On screen. The book trailer I did for Measure of a Man, culled from the TV pilot has me being bashed about quite a bit. And I do a lecture demo for Them’s Fightin’ Words that has a bunch of that in it.
29. If a potential reader wasn’t interested in this book what could you say to convince them to read it?
If they aren’t hooked by the first page I’d be surprised. It starts off at a dead run and doesn’t stop; the characters, even the bad guys- are people you can relate to.
30. Why does this topic interest you and why would a reader want to read it?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Mark Tewart Talks About His Book and His Promotion
You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.
Your Name: Mark Tewart
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I a was born and raised in Middletown Ohio and currently reside in beautiful Lebanon Ohio which is a country suburb of Cincinnati and Dayton Ohio
2. How did you get started writing?
I started writing training manuals with my ideas back when I was a General Manager of an auto dealership. That continued on when I became a professional speaker, trainer and consultant and I have written 11 or twelve training manuals and numerous CD,DVD and on line training materials. Later, I was asked to write a monthly column in a trade journal and that became several articles a month in different magazines. I also was asked to do an ongoing TV show on a satellite training network in which I wrote the shows. My new book is my first book through a publisher.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I own four businesses that keep me very busy. I am a speaker, consultant, coach and now author. I own a products company, a reinsurance company that reinsures many of the products and services I offer and a real estate investment/holding company. I am also married to my wife Kim with two children – Erin a 23 year old senior at Wright State University and Jake a 9 year old son. I am actively involved with Jake in coaching and supporting his sports and school activities. I am a member of the National Speakers Association, Authors Guild and the Elks Lodge. I like to scuba dive, ski, sky dive, read, write, travel and spend time with my family.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
I am the same as everyone else. I have hopes and dreams, triumphs and tradgedies, fears and trepidations. I grew up on the tough side of the tracks and left home after I graduated high school to make some money for college. I moved across country to a place with a better economic climate, but where I had no place to stay, no job, no car, no money. I experienced tough times but was able to benefit from it and persisted to create a successful path.
5. What inspired your first book?
Two things. First of all I was diagnosed with cancer in November 2005. I am a lifetime non smoker who eats right exercises and takes care of myself. However, I still got cancer. When you face a life threatening illness it causes strong introspection. I had always been pretty good about going for my goals but upon reflection I had not written he book that I had always had a goal to do. I got busy in educating myself about the book business and process. When I started writing, I wound up writing the whole book in less than two months. Secondly, I became tired and frustrated and watching intelligent, talented people either fail or not reach their goals, hopes and dreams. I knew that I could help them. I felt like it was my calling to share with anyone that had a desire to seek something better. I also know what a difference books have made in my life.
6. How many books have you written?
11 or twelve manuals I have self published, tons of articles but 1 published book so far.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
How To Be A Sales Superstar – Break All the Rules and Succeed While Doing It
Sales, Sales Techniques, Sales and Marketing
However, I have been told by many that this book is also a book about life and strong self improvement book as well.
8. Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?
I started selling when I was 18 or 19 years old. When I was in college, I started to sell automobiles and did well. I became a general manager of a dealership when I was 27. I started my speaking, training and consulting career when I was 31. I have personally sold many millions of dollars of products and services from business to consumer, business to business and presided over companies selling millions of dollars of products and services each month. I have spoke to over 2,000 audiences on sales, sales marketing and sales management. I have coached and consulted with many different companies in various industries that have had magnificent increases in sales and profits. I guess the simple answer is that I have and currently do what I write about. I have been fortunate to have success in the sales and business arena so I have a desire to assist people in reaching the goals and success they wish.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?
I set aside a time each day to write and in that time, I do not allow distractions. No emails, cell phones, office calls, office visits, family interruptions – nothing. The world has to wait. I wrote my book in less than two months. When I start something I am pretty fanatical about finishing it.
10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?
Both. I don’t believe that you have to separate the two. I think it’s dangerous to start making the two mutually exclusive. I think it becomes a self imposed roadblock. I love to write. I love to share. I also know that if my writing has great value it will be impossible for me to not be rewarded and one of the ways I will be and expect to be rewarded is financially. Money follows value.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?
Dimensional or lumpy mail – trash can mailers, bank bag mailers, barf bag mailers, FED Ex Mailers etc. email marketing – newsletters, autoresponders, special notices, tele-seminars, associations, articles with by lines, trade magazines, 800 recorded messages, special reports, ebooks, sponsorships, special events, speaking engagements, Twitter and many other social networking events, vendors and many more
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
Yes, www.marktewartlive.com – www.tewart.com – www.marktewart.com – www.howtobesalessuperstar.info
14. Where can people order your books?
www.marktewart.com – www.marktewartlive.com – www.amazon.com as well as book stores and other online retailers
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
My book is only in print form at the moment. I do have a couple of ebooks and niched industry specific DVD, audios and workbooks as well.
16. Will you write more books?
My goal is write 1 or more a year for the next ten years minimum
17. What do you have in the works now?
I am writing another sales book titled – From Zero to Sales Hero In 60 Days or Less
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
I will continue to write and have my books published where I am creating a brand around me and my writing and projects.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Teleseminars, joint venture book announcements, speaking engagements, social media
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
Hire a PR firm
22. What makes this book special to you?
It’s a lifetime culmination. The book is a completely different perspective on sales. The book emphasizes not only sales skills, people skills, life skills and marketing skills. I believe everyone is a salesperson and that we all should get better at sales. I have wonderful feedback from people who are not in traditional sales capacities that have expressed how much the book has helped them. I also wrote this book in a more conversational form which made it fun for me and hopefully for the reader as well.
23. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?
I have been told that it brings the missing elements to sales and success. I have been told that it updates and professionalizes the profession of selling. I have been told that it is a book anyone should read not just salespeople.
24. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?
This book is so much more than sales it is a success primer. The book addresses the roadblocks that in some form or fashion we all face and gives you real life effective approaches to use in your life. The things expressed in this book are not just theory they are tried and tested. The approaches have worked for myself and thousands.
25. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?
They only need two things. They need an open mind and a teachable spirit.
26. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?
Just about everything. I look at everything and ask what the opposite would be. I am a Contrarian. I also look at everything from a value and marketing perspective. I read newspapers from a marketing and copywriting perspective. I also get great creativity and motivation from education – Education = Motivation. I am constantly self educating myself through seminars, books, CD’s mastermind groups and more
27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?
I think most people feel they have something to say and a burning desire to share. I have no misconceptions about my ability to spin prose. I only have confidence in my information and ability to communicate.
28. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?
I am in the process of setting up corporate sponsors and utilizing non profits where I can donate some proceeds from the book and in turn they will assist me in marketing
29. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)
Everyone is a salesperson. To be truly great at what you do, you must be great at sales in some fashion. This book is unique in the approach it takes to help you get to that success. This book breaks the mold of traditional selling techniques and brings a new perspective to sales. The world and the marketplace is a different and changing all the time and this book gives real world information on how to sell and market in today’s environment.
30. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.
I have lived and breathed sales and marketing my entire adult life. I have seen the rewards this information can bring and I have seen the sorrows that salespeople, entrepreneurs and people in general experience if they don’t have sales and marketing skills. Quite simply, you can’t afford to not have this information. It can only help and not hurt you. If you want to excel to higher levels you cannot do what you have always done. For what a person pays for book in relation to the value received and the possible results it can being is minuscule.
To read the first chapter of How to be a Sales Superstar and to receive several FREE bonuses from Mark Tewart, visit www.marktewartlive.com.
Full tour details are posted at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-be-sales-superstar-by-mark.html
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lillian Brummet Talks About Her Book Promotion
Where you are from and where are you now?
Lillian: Originally, I am from California (USA) – However my family moved often so I’ve also grown up in Nevada (USA) and BC (Canada). I even worked up north in the Artic circle for a half a year when I was 18. Now, at 38 years of age, I reside in a sleepy little city of 6,000 in the South-Western area of BC with my husband, Dave - whom I've been with for 18 years. BC is the western most province of Canada and sits above the US states of Washington and Idaho.
How did you get started writing?
Lillian: I have always written for pleasure and as a healing tool, but I began writing as a career in 1999 with the column Trash Talk. I wanted to leave a lasting, positive legacy behind and felt that writing was the tool for me to do this. This continues to be the drive behind my various passions and endeavors.
What do you do when you are not writing?
Lillian: Dave and I purchased our very own home, our first home, nearly 3 summer seasons ago. It was a rental for about 20 years and as such needed a lot of tender loving care, which we provide with every spare moment (and every spare dollar) we have. I am a gardener at heart and I can often be found playing in the dirt. In between these things I am a wife that juggles caring for the house and yard with a drum teaching business that my husband and I operate. Besides writing, I am also a book reviewer and a radio show host. Dave and I produce 2 radio shows, in fact, through the Blogtalk Radio Station.
What would readers like to know about you?
Lillian: Readers tend to want to know what I’ll be doing next. I just completed a cookbook project for our families and friends to enjoy in CD format. Since then, I took a bit of a break on large writing projects for a while but have plans on returning to another project that was started about 20 years ago by my mother. This is an organic gardening guide that offers harvesting tips and a planting calendar for those who are interested in organic gardening using biodynamic, intensive planting methods. I’m not sure where this project will take us, but it is something I’d like to complete and help my mother realize her dream of sharing her knowledge too. Since the release of Purple Snowflake Marketing I've written approximately 24 poems; most of these have already been published in several magazines and read live on radio many times. Just this summer, one of the poems from Towards Understanding was converted into a song by the band Grooveyard for their recently released CD: Place in Time (www.grooveyard.ca). That was a wonderful experience, for sure!
What inspired your first book?
Lillian: Ironically, it was a client from a business I used to run that inspired our first book Trash Talk. She was telling me how afraid she was of being seen taking in the returnable bottles or going to thrift stores - even only to buy Halloween costumes – since she was of the upper middle class. Yet when blue box recycling began in her neighborhood, it was a really big deal to make sure that her items were put on the curb so that she would be “seen” as participating. This got me to thinking about false pride and the importance of helping people realize that living consciously is not always about saving a buck or two, it is about the kind of legacy we want to leave behind when our time is done. So I started with an article on the subject and quickly realized that this was a column in the making - which it proved to be. Trash Talk column ran internationally in a variety of publications and was translated into Spanish and French languages between 1999 and early 2007 – when the last article of this series was written. The articles continue to be picked up and used by various publications. Anyway, as time went on Dave and I realized that this column just was not large enough to allow us to share all of the information we had – that was the spark of inspiration for the book, Trash Talk.
How many books have you written?
Four books in total, but only 3 are available for the public. We are currently looking at the potential for e-commerce on our site for the family cookbook that I completed last winter and possibly for an upcoming gardening book project as well. We haven’t decided yet.
What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
Lillian: Ok, the other two published books are Towards Understanding and Purple Snowflake Marketing. Towards Understanding is a collection of nonfiction poems; Purple Snowflake Marketing is a guide for developing marketing plans for written pieces (books, articles, etc).
How do you decide on that topic or genre? Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?
Lillian: Well, a writing teacher once told us that writers should focus on topics they know well or have a genuine curiosity about. So that is where we started and how we continue to work with today.
How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?
Lillian: A healthy dose of self-discipline! People will also find that they may have to train their family and friends so that their writing time is respected.
Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?
Lillian: I tend to write for the pleasure of it although it has grown to be a tool that I use to leave a positive legacy with.
What are some of the marketing techniques you have used? Which were the most successful?
Lillian: Personally I feel any opportunity to build name recognition is an opportunity not to be missed. Every day I put in at least 2-6 hours into some aspect of marketing the book. The Internet has proven to be a powerful tool where an immense amount of information can be found from newsletters, publishers, forums and authors. Every on-line communication we have is an opportunity to plug our book by simply attaching an auto signature. We developed promotional materials (flyers, mini-posters, large posters, bookmarks, and labels) and, of course, galleys and sample packages for editors and booksellers. Most importantly, we had a great website built.
Having a plan of action for every project is vital. Every project should have an outline starting from the title through to the end. There should also be a market plan laid out. Who are you marketing to? How you are going about it? What will you do first? These are the most important tools of a writer.
Most people think of a writing career being one where you have lots of leisure time and creating with words. On the contrary, most of the time is spent marketing and organizing projects. For instance, we might write an article and query it to a market. That market may take a few days to get back to us, but it may also be as long as a year before we hear from them. In the meantime, that article is idle and we do not get paid until after it is published - often several weeks after it is published. Therefore, a writer must have many pieces of their work at various stages of writing and marketing at one time. They need to know where each piece is and its status, at a glance. We use the Excel program to take care of this.
The market plan that we use for our books will take us years to complete and is constantly being amended with new information, new contacts to broach. That is normal, actually. A writer must spend much of their time promoting the book for years after publication in order to keep sales happening until the contract with the publisher is finished. So the more work an author has ahead of them in their marketing plan, the better. Unfortunately, promotion and writing time are unpaid hours.
What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
Lillian: Free promotional filler articles, book review projects and media interviews are the most
effective frugal marketing tools we have found to date.
Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
Lillian: We don’t currently sell our books ourselves – we let those in the industry do that for us. We are already overwhelmed with marketing and writing and do not want to take on the additional headaches that come with shipping and handling, lost orders, filling orders and all the taxes and international border issues that may arise from this. We are currently considering, as I mentioned earlier today, of doing e-commerce on our site in the near future with simple “buy now” buttons. The incentive to do this soon is there because of my husband's level 1 hand drum CD and the Grooveyard CD. We are excited about looking into this, but are a little apprehensive as well, because taking on yet another project like this means committing even more time to learn new things. It will, once again, boil down to finding that healthy balance.
Where can people order your books?
Lillian: Virtually anywhere. Trash Talk and Towards Understanding are paperback books printed on 50% recycled paper and are available to order through online and traditional retailers around the world. The books are stocked in numerous library systems in the UK, Canada and the US as well. My personal favorite online retailer is Barnes & Nobles due to their exceptional prices, shipping and speed of delivery - so I do recommend that online retailer.
Purple Snowflake Marketing is currently available as an e-book and as such on can purchase it at places like:
www.twilighttimesbooks.com
www.booklocker.com
www.fictionwise.com
However, in late 2008 Purple Snowflake Marketing will be released as a second edition with 200 more resources and marketing opportunities for writers to access. I am told it will be available in both hard and soft cover format and will be accompanied with a CD so that readers can still access the convenience of live links.
What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Lillian: Without a doubt the most successful thing I did was to build a strong name recognition foundation to work from. With that to work with, doors opened much more easily for us whereever we went. Without it, our marketing efforts would have been much less effective because even if people took the time to listen to or read the exposure we received; they would have had a difficult time finding us online or anywhere else.
What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?
Lillian: Reading other people’s work is a huge inspiration to me on a creative level. I am
constantly learning from others with every word I read.
What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?
Lillian: The notoriety is probably a big draw for most people - people treat you differently when you are a published author. However the reason behind our books, articles and even our 2 radio shows as well, is to inspire others to live more conscious, proactive and positive lifestyles. In doing so we hope to create a ripple effect of good works or good deeds across the planet.
Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books.
Lillian: I really enjoy doing crafts, though I rarely have the leisure time (she laughs) and I put this to good use. I reuse breakfast cereal boxes and maps or wrapping paper and create bookmark displays for various applications. I then take these around during our travels and keep an eye out for a friendly counter or bulletin board. I found tremendous success through laundry facilities near high tourist traffic zones in town and also at a popular restaurant that has a display for maps in the front. These were very effective methods to reach those tourists coming through our small city. Because the displays are pretty and attract the eye, they are very effective. I have different styles for different applications and would consider that prior to taking a display in. For instance, if the store serves a predominately male clientele, I take in a display made from a map or wrapping paper with images of antiques. Travelers would enjoy the map design, while families and women would be more attracted to floral and ribbon decorations.
If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy?
The answer would vary depending on the book and the targeted audience. For Trash Talk it might be “save money, reduce waste and green the planet”. For Towards Understanding it might be “an emotional journey of finding one’s self and pursuing their passion”. For Purple Snowflake Marketing, I might say “learn how to create a frugal and effective marketing plan for every piece you write”.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 series and owner of Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm and www.virtualblogtour.blogspot.com
