Publishing Free Newsletter on How to Get Published

I'm compiling a list of tips from all kinds of sites re how to get your work published - non-fiction and fiction authors alike. My sources are sites, publishers, editors, authors. My newsletter's value lies in compiling great tips in one place. Saves time hopping all over the internet looking at different sites!  I'm building it tweet by tweet via twitter.

Personalized Bookmarks and Other Author Grab Bag Stuff

When you decide to attend a book signing in person or have a virtual book signing or any time you distribute copies of your book to anyone anywhere its always a good idea to have little gimmicks on hand for instant advertising.  Including your photo and email addy are always good ideas with these little gems. Here are a few cool ideas that are relatively cheap to acquire:

Bookmarks - take a copy of the cover of your book to the copy shop and have them make it into a bunch of bookmarks.  Stick the bookmark inside every single copy of your book that you give away/sell yourself.  Make sure you have a stack of them on your actual (not virtual :)  table at real live book signings and give them out even if a customer isn't going to buy your book.  She might change her mind and return to buy it later.

Postcards - I'm not a big fan but I think they have the same PR value as a bookmark.  The neat thing about a postcard is you can include upcoming virtual and actual tour dates and signings on your site or in person.  It's also cool to write in first or third person about the main character in your novel if its fiction or an abstract about your non-book/poetry collection.

Posters - Take a copy of your book cover and return to that same trusty copy shop.  Have them blow it up to an 11 X 17 or larger and laminated (if they do that).  You can ask bookstores to display it a few days before your book signing or you can get a wooden backing and make it into a placard that you display at the front of the store or beside your table.

If you can think of other "stuff" for the grab bag by all means add a comment. 

The bag will just get fuller.

Cool!

Personalize Your Author Signature

This idea is cool because I thought of it - well partly.  And also because it works for non-fiction, poetry, fiction and whatever else is out there in the world of book publishing.

Try personalizing your signature a little rather than using the usual snore of "best wishes" and signing with a blue or black pen. One author I read about used the title of his book to sign his name because it lended itself nicely to an autograph. It was something along the lines of "Peace and Happiness", signed _____. (Shame on me I can't remember who he is or I would definitely write him in here). Of course Peace and Happiness was the title of the book. Cool.


Perhaps you have a fancy metallic marker you like to write with? Or a glitter gel marker?

Are you a teacher? Then goodness sakes put a little sticker next to your signature.

Did you write a book about children's crafts and paintings? Why not leave one of your fingerprints from fingerpaint? Or sign your name using a red crayon?

Did you write a book on calligraphy?  Now I really don't have to tell you to sign your name using one of your calligraphy pens and ink do I?

Wrote a book on photography?  Hmmm let's see. Oh I know, glue in a personal photo that doesn't match the one in the book - or perhaps just use your personalized bookmark with a photo that doesn't match your book.

Serious! Get creative and crafty. Little personal touches go a long way and they are way more fun than the usual ho-hum of a standard authograph. 

An Introduction is in Order

I'm a novelist and I fancy myself a poet. Alas, no one seems interested in publishing my poetry; hence I shall blog it and post it myself on my blogspot. What the heck? I'm much more interested in my fiction anyway. I have a bit of a history you may (or may not) find interesting:

1. boy,crazy - 2005 - PublishAmerica - thriller - a grim little story about an abused boy who
   grows up to become (what else) an aspiring serial killer. This was my first ever publication and even though I cringe now at how graphic the details are I suppose I must look at it as a learning experience. I flatter myself that my writing has come a long way since then. If you're interested the URL is: http://www.publishamerica.net/product6141.html
2. Winnifred, Winnifred - 2007 - RSPublishing - experimental prose - another rather ghastly little piece that was published as an e-book whose primary value lies in its disjointed thinking and text layout. Didn't make a fortune off of this one either but hey, I have always found it true that writers don't write to make money, we write because we have to (at least that's my experience).
3. Millicent Carlisle - 2010 - PublishAmerica - literary fiction - yes my first publisher took me back! That is exciting. I've heard a lot of people blast PA but I have never had any problems with their contract or their services. They offer your books in stores like Chapters-Coles-Indigo so you can do signings. Sweet. I'm especially proud of this book. It is quite a departure from my usual grim writings. This one is about a child bride residing in southerwestern America during the Second World War. I did a lot of research for it and had fun with this one. You might too! When it is released (probably summer 2010) I shall post a link.

Thanks for reading. Comments are always welcome.