Monica Valentinelli's Blog: booksofm.com, page 121

Guest Blog on SFWA: Do You Know How to Sell Your Sword?

In my latest guest post on the SFWA blog, I discuss the sales cycle from an online and an offline perspective. Do You Know How to Sell Your Sword? offers you my perspective from working in online and offline retail, by providing you with a metaphor about a blacksmith who is trying to sell a magic sword.

The online sales cycle is a very passive one for retailers, because no matter how much any store owner may try — the seller is not in control. The buyer is. At a convention, for example...

Read my Guest Post about Dracula on the Crackle.com Blog

Folks, I'm pleased to announce that I have a guest post over at Crackle.com.The best part about Crackle.com, is that you can legally watch original and older content for free online — without a lot of commercials! As part of their Halloween celebration, they're offering really, fun movies for fans to watch like GHOSTBUSTERS and CANDYMAN.

When they asked me what vampire movie I wanted to write about, I initially chose FRIGHT NIGHT as my first pick. When they had mentioned that they needed...

Life in Crazytown, New Releases and a Favor

First? I need to offer all of you an apology. I haven't been blogging lately, because things have been a "bit" busy on this end. After my appearance in Indianapolis for GenCon, things slowed down a bit in September, but quickly picked back up. Why? Can't talk about all of it, but I can talk about some of it. Blasted Non-Disclosure Agreements!

Halloween and White Wolf

As project manager for FlamesRising.com, every year we do something special for Halloween. Last year, we offered Halloween...

[Video] Printing Process for THE LOST SYMBOL

This YouTube! video shows the printing process for Dan Brown's THE LOST SYMBOL. I thought you might enjoy seeing how a book is "born," because there's a lot of work involved. From the video, you can see how the cover art is etched by hand!

Songs for the Cyclical Nature of Publishing

I've been really busy working on revisions for ARGENTUM and a few gaming-related things that have popped up. In between thinking about all the cool projects I've been working on and lamenting my novel revisions, I heard a song in my head. Literally. That song was "Bang Your Head" by Quiet Riot. I thought to myself how that was the perfect song when I'm engaging in "writer's avoidance behavior," otherwise known as writer's block.

From Quiet Riot to Muse, here's my pick for songs that represent ...

Writer's Block? Check out this Horror Plot Generator

It's often funny how I get ideas from the weirdest places. Last month at a writer's meet-up, we were presented with some word lists to help foster our creativity for character types. Before I went to the meeting, I was having a terrible week. (I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.) I was in that black pit of despair, to the point where I just couldn't write or be social, which pissed me off even more. Enter the writer's group and its profound effect on my psyche.

Coming out of that...

FTC Ruling for Endorsements and Testimonials

Hi folks,

There's been a lot of chatter the past few days about the FTC's "new" ruling regarding a website's or blog's disclosure about endorsements and testimonials. Unfortunately, there has also been a lot of misinformation circulating as well. I'd like to point out that as of October 5, 2009, the FTC hasn't published the Guides concerning this issue. In their recent release, FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials, the FTC states that:

The notice incorporates several...

Tips on How to Be a Pro | Part 3 of 3

Thanks for your feedback on this series about "How to be a Pro." Even though I could go on forever about the importance of being a professional, I'd like to wrap up this topic by offering more tips from other pros and ten more nuggets to consider.

First, here are the links to the first and second part:

Tips On How To Be A Professional: Part One of Three
Tips On How To Be A Pro: Part Two of Three

To finish with a bang, let's here from some other pros first. This first tip is from Cam Banks...

New on the SFWA Blog: Online Reputation vs. Writer's Platform

Recently, I got the chance to write about a topic that I feel is essential for every professional writer to think about. On the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) Blog, I wrote an article entitled, "Thinking About Your Writer's Platform? Consider Your Online Reputation First." In the article, I discuss my opinions related to the importance of internet search, tracking, managing and fostering your online reputation, and potential ramifications for sloppy content.

Here's a...

Tips on How to Be a Pro | Part Two of Three

Last time, I kicked off the series with a quote from Jennifer Brozek and offered some Tips on How to be a Professional for part one of this three part series. So far, this topic has been pretty popular so I'd like to continue it with more tips and quotes from other professionals working in the publishing industry.

This first quote is from Jess Hartley, an author and game designer who is helping geeks navigate through the waters of conventions, manners, social situations and a whole lot more. ...