Joylene Nowell Butler's Blog, page 16

K is for...

It's a long story, thankfully here's the short version. I've been out of the country for 6 months and the internet was not good. However, I'm home now, prepared to buckle down, get to all those blogs and comments I wasn't able to get to before... starting now.

Today I'm at the IWSG website doing the A-Z Challenge for the letter K.

My K is for Kindness.

Hope you can stop by. I will definitely reciprocate! You can also check out the other letters. Fabulous reading.

Happy Writing!

G is for ...

I'm over at IWSG website helping the admins celebrate A-Z challenge by providing a word for G: Goal. Hope you can visit our Insecure Writer's Support Group during this challenge. Our theme is all about encouragement and inspiration.

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgrou...

IWSG: Ask PZM April 2015 and A-Z Challenge

It's that the first Wednesday of the month, which also means it's Insecure Writer's Support Group Wednesday. Thanks to our noble Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh, it's time to share our fears and insecurities, or support and assistance. Doesn't matter which.


If you'd like to join Insecure Writer's Support Group, click here. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
Our hashtag is #IWSG
The awesome co-hosts for today are: Suzanne Furness, Tonja Drecker, Toi Thomas, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, and  Donna Hole!

Please stop by and thank them for their time. Yay co-host/minions!

It's also April, which means the  A to Z Challenge . Over at IWSG, we're spreading encouragement and inspiration the entire month. Should be a good one. 


ASK PZM:


Q:  I have noticed that there have been changes to the format of Amazon’s Author Pages.  What are these changes?
When I emailed Amazon recently about the Author Page for my 90-year-old father (see www.amazon.com/author/albertzimbler) in connection with the book feed(see explanation below) of the covers of his five humorous short story books about love and sex, here is the answer I got from Amazon:
“The default edition [paperback or Kindle] reflected on Author Pages are sorted based on actual customer shopping behaviors and we're not able to manually adjust the titles shown in this feature.

“Author Pages were redesigned to be more visually engaging and to make it easy for readers to learn about authors as they shop for books on Amazon.

“Below are the updates we've made to the Author Page:

“A book feed at the top of the page with large book covers.
 “Biographies are now located below the profile image on the left column.

“Social network updates (Tweets, blog posts, image and video uploads) are ordered from newest to oldest in a new 'Author Updates' feed.

“The old Author Pages only showed the most recent Tweet and blog post. In the new design, we show up to 20 Tweets and all the blog entries in the RSS feed.
“We do hope you have a better understanding of how our system works at present.”
(Do note the words “at present” – with Amazon things can and do change frequently.)
If you’re an author in the U.S. with books on Amazon and you have not yet claimed your free Author Page, go here now to do so – www.authorcentral.amazon.com

Q. What are Amazon giveaways?
Amazon now has provided a way to give away physical productsincluding books directly from Amazon. 
You won’t see this option on your book’s Kindle page on Amazon, although you will see it near the bottom of your book’s paperback page on Amazon:
Set up an Amazon Giveaway
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers.
What is interesting about this new opportunity is that you do not have to be the author of a book to do this.  Anyone with an Amazon account who meets the criteria for setting up a giveaway can give away your physical books.
Your giveaway type can be a lucky number (for example, every x entrant wins) or first-come, first-served (for example, the first x entrants).
Amazon says the lucky number type “lasts longer and has more entrants; works better to grow fans or followers” and the first-come, first-served type “creates a sense of urgency; rewards fast action time.”
And there is a field in the setup if you want to require entrants to follow you on Twitter.
While I have not yet tried out this option, I do plan to do so in the future.  Meanwhile, go to www.amazon.com/giveaway for more details.



Phyllis Zimbler Miller blogs on book-related topics at www.PhyllisZimblerMiller.com and her Amazon Author Page is at www.amazon.com/author/phylliszimblermiller

FNN: No Electric Cars

Exclusive to Faux News Network:

Today Hank Quense, CEO and Chief Author at Strange Worlds Publishing made the following announcement at a press conference.

“With all the buzz about electric cars and the range of companies reputed or rumored to have one under development, I want to assure everyone that Strange Worlds Publishing will NOT design, develop and produce an electric car.

“An electric car simply doesn’t fit into our business model and would require extensive resources that we don’t have at this time. Our job at Strange Worlds Publishing is to produce parodies that entertain readers, not to manufacture hardware.

“Producing an electric car did have some attractive innovations, but they weren’t enough to sway us. One option was to factory-equip the car with a bookshelf and stock it with a copy of all our print books. Another option was to equip the sound system with an audiobook copy of our entire catalog. These pull-through sales simply weren’t enough to overcome the logistics problem associated with the development.


“While we’re discussing hardware, I should mention that Strange Worlds Publishing will also not design, develop or produce smartphones, electric guitars, food processors, electric motor scooters or smart watches.

“We will dedicate ourselves to our core values and continue to produce top-notch parodies. We will hold nothing sacred in our quest for the perfect parody.” 

Hank Quense is the author of 50 published short stories along with four novels and three collections of stories. All of these are humorous and/or satiric scifi and fantasy. In the non-fiction area, he has over a dozen articles published on fiction writing and he's the author of the Fiction Writing Guides series and the Self-publishing Guides series. Both series consist of a number of ebooks. The Fiction Writing Guides and the Self-Publishing Guides are an outgrowth of his lectures on both subjects.

Strange Worlds Online Hank's Amazon Page Hank's Blog Page Self-publishing Guides

Strange Worlds OnlineAmazon pageSelf-publishing GuidesHank's fiction works 

IWSG - Ask PZM March 2015 (repost)

It's that the first Wednesday of the month, which also means it's Insecure Writer's Support Group Wednesday. Thanks to our noble Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh, it's time to share our fears and insecurities, or add support and assistance. Doesn't matter which.


If you'd like to join Insecure Writer's Support Group, click here. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
Our hashtag is #IWSG
The awesome co-hosts for today are: 

Chemist Ken,
Suzanne Sapseed, 
Shannon Lawrence!


Please stop by and thank them for their time. 
Before we get to Ask PZM, just a reminder that The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond is now available for free downloading. You can check out the sites here.




The following post is an updated post originally aired June 2010.  Hope you enjoy the updated version ...


Q: Where can I learn more about online marketing to promote my book?

One of the most wonderful things about Internet marketing is that “best practices” for marketers is to give away valuable free information to help you know, like and trust them before you spend any money.

When I first began learning how to use Internet marketing to promote my novel “Mrs. Lieutenant” I signed up for many free reports, free teleseminars, and free ezines (electronic newsletters). I found links to this free information on Twitter and other places.

Gradually I winnowed out who I followed and whose products I actually bought. Yet I continue to this day to read as many blog posts, reports, white papers, etc. as I can because Internet marketing is always changing.

Here are some links to valuable free information:

1. Publicity Hound” Joan Stewart’s weekly ezine – sign up at www.publicityhound.com

2. Book author/marketer Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s ezine – send an email to hojonews@aol.com with the subject line: Subscribe Ref. by HowToDoItFrugally.com

3. Book marketer Dana Lynn Smith’s ebook “Top Book Marketing Tips” and her monthly ezine – http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/

4. Book marketer Penny Sansevieri’s ezine – http://www.amarketingexpert.com

5. Book marketer John Kremer’s ezine – http://www.bookmarket.com/



Q: Is it important that visitors to my book website know immediately whether my book is fiction or nonfiction?

Yes, it is important. People want to know immediately what genre a novel is or whether the book is nonfiction.

For example, I read the promo copy on a website about a book dealing with a woman suffering from PTSD. I had no idea whether the book was a novel or nonfiction. And especially because I am involved in PTSD projects (including www.SolomonsJustice.com) I wanted to know exactly what the book is.

Do not frustrate your website visitors by making them hunt for the information they want. Give them the most important information front and center, including how to buy the book.




Phyllis Zimbler Miller is a digital marketer as well as a fiction and nonfiction author.  Her ebook TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON is at http://www.amazon.com/Tips-Publish-Market-Your-Amazon-ebook/dp/B009RBJW3E

FNN Report: NFL Announces Losers Bowl for Next Year

FNN Sports reporter Jock Strapper filed this report after an NFL press conference ended.
Today the NFL announced a new post-season game called the Losers Bowl. The game will be played on the Sunday prior to the Super Bowl and will replace the Pro Bowl.
In the Losers Bowl, the NFC team with the worst record will play the AFC team with the worst record. Anticipating that a game between the two worst teams won’t draw a wide audience, the NFL placed a degree of importance on the outcome: the winner of the Losers Bowl will be awarded the first two picks in the next draft.
Tomorrow, the TV networks can place bids to carry the game. Bids will start at a hundred million dollars.
The NFL also announced the initial bid price for Losers Bowl ads. The one-hundred-ninety ad slots to be shown during the game will require a minimum bid of two million dollars. If more than one advertiser wants a time slot, it will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The NFL said the ad prices were high because the league needed the extra cash to pay all judgements in the lawsuits they have been losing.

Hank Quense is the author of 50 published short stories along with four novels and three collections of stories. All of these are humorous and/or satiric scifi and fantasy. In the non-fiction area, he has over a dozen articles published on fiction writing and he's the author of the Fiction Writing Guides series and the Self-publishing Guides series. Both series consist of a number of ebooks. The Fiction Writing Guides and the Self-Publishing Guides are an outgrowth of his lectures on both subjects.

Strange Worlds Online Hank's Amazon Page Hank's Blog Page Self-publishing Guides

Strange Worlds OnlineAmazon pageSelf-publishing GuidesHank's fiction works 

Bucerias and IWSG news

In case you've missed what's been happening at your IWSG website this New Year, we've had some exciting guest hosts in January and February. February 11th, Alexander Slater, Literary Agent wrote about publishing in the international market. I'll be there Monday February 16th, talking about the importance of up-to-date research. Elizabeth S. Craig, scheduled for the 25th will give thoughts on being a hybrid writer, and on March 11th, Dianna Gunn will discuss the merits of internship.
Hope to see you there.
Meanwhile, since I can't say enough about Bucerias, thought I'd spare you my ramblings and let the photographs speak for themselves:
Rhythm of the Night Dancers Sayulita above and below

Wendy y Joylene at a Luna Rumba concert

Luna Rumba
A chicken came to visit Marbles y Shasta.  Turns out she belong to the farmer in the back 40.

Our neighbour Henry
Henry's younger brother; didn't catch his name

Henry's distant cousins Gina y Mateo 
Paco in his new casa by the pool
Favourite Breakfast Caffe, Hotel Pericos, Bucerias

View from Hotel Ana RuthAnd finally... life down here is definitely tough on our cats


Shasta practising yoga

Marbles, not sure what the fuss is about
In the zone


The sounds of Luna Rumba



A busy Saturday poolside at Los Arroyos Verdes

IWSG: Ask PZM, February 2015

It's that the first Wednesday of the month, which also means it's Insecure Writer's Support Group Wednesday. Thanks to our noble Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh, it's time to share our fears and insecurities, or support and assistance. Doesn't matter which.


If you'd like to join Insecure Writer's Support Group, click here. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
Our hashtag is #IWSG
The awesome co-hosts for today are: 

Gwen Gardner,
Dolorah,  
Sarah Foster, 
and M. Pax!


Please stop by and thank them for their time. 
Before we get to Ask PZM, just a reminder that The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond is now available for free downloading. You can check out the sites here.



ASK PZM

Q. What do you think are the basics for any writer or author in the world of the Internet?
I strong believe that no matter where you are on your writing journey – beginning, middle, one or several books published – you need to have one hand in the writing field and one hand in the marketing field.
And this means the sooner you start the marketing area the better off you will be.
In an ideal world, I would recommend starting a website/blog that you own (self-hosted) from day one.  This website/blog then becomes the home base for all your other marketing activities.  You can share your writing and publishing journey as you build up a fan base.
Let’s say, though, that for whatever reason you are not yet ready to own your own online real estate.  Then choose some entities where you can establish a presence (and hope that the entities remain popular and user friendly).
For example, if you are a fiction or nonfiction writer, you might want to set up a free Wattpad.com account and showcase some of your writing in order to get early fans.  (See my Wattpad account at http://www.wattpad.com/user/ZimblerMiller)
Perhaps you write on nonfiction topics that fit with the business mindset of LinkedIn.  You can now write blogs posts on your LinkedIn profile.  This is a great way to start sharing your writing with target markets.  (See my blog posts at www.linkedin.com/in/phylliszimblermiller)
Remember, if you are writing blog posts, try to include at least one interesting photo with the post.  That photo can draw attention to the post and then be used to add the post to an appropriate board on a Pinterest account.  (See my boards at www.pinterest.com/zimblermiller)
All of these activities – and more – can be done before you have even finished the first chapter of your book.  In fact, starting your marketing activities early on can help you gain input for your writing.  (One of the fans for my dystopian story THE MOTHER SIEGE on Wattpad gave me a great idea I would not have thought of on my own.  I incorporated his idea at the end of the screenplay adaptation I wrote of the story.)
Warning:  I am NOT suggesting that you spend tons of time each day on social media rather than writing.  I am suggesting that you plan to participate in a few places that enable you to showcase what you are writing about and to start connecting with your prospective target audiences.
And, of course, you can join online writing and marketing groups that offer valuable information.  Things change so quickly on the Internet that very few people can keep up with everything.  But if you have online groups that have your back, you’ll be farther ahead than others who are going it alone.  (Those of you who are regular followers of Joylene’s blog have a definite advantage.)
Amazon cautionary tale:
I recently learned of an author who refuses to put his hardcover book on Amazon because he thinks Amazon takes too much of the book’s price.  His book is only available via his own website.
I understand that he is about to have TV appearances as part of a publicity campaign.  I suspect that many of those people who see him on TV will automatically go to Amazon to buy his book either because they do not remember his website URL or because Amazon already has their billing and shipping information.
In my opinion, this author is making a big mistake as I believe he should have his book where the most people shop for books.  (I am reminded of the expression “Cutting off the nose to spite the face.”)
Q: Anything else you’d like to mention?
Those of you who have often read my posts know that I believe in helping others online without the expectation of help in return.  Still, I am pleased that Derin Cag, founder and CEO of the new site Richtopia.com, appreciated my few suggestions for him so much that he reviewed on his site my book TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO MARKET ON THE INTERNET WITH PICTURES.  Check out this review at http://richtopia.com/reviews/top-tips-how-to-market-internet-with-picturesand other articles on his site.




Phyllis Zimbler Miller is a digital marketer as well as a fiction and nonfiction author.  Her ebook TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON is at http://www.amazon.com/Tips-Publish-Market-Your-Amazon-ebook/dp/B009RBJW3E

Living in Bucerias

November 17's post, you may remember I shared photos of the botanical gardens of Los Arroyos Verdes where we've rented a casa for the winter. I mentioned I was putting myself on a strict schedule and spending my time in writing mode. I was so certain once I became acclimatized, a routine would present itself and I'd finally finish my current WIP. It's disheartening to realize I've turned into one of those well-meaning persons who can't get anything done past getting her nose burned.

Recently someone asked, "Do you write more from May to October in Canada or from November to April in Mexico?"

We had a heatwave in central British Columbia last summer (averaged 37C/98F) and I still produced more words during the hottest week than I have in almost 3 months here in Bucerias. Through no fault of mine, it's far too easy to wander outside with no apparent goal in mind than to smell the flowers, listen to Sunday's visiting band playing poolside, watch the surf pounding on the shores of Bay of Banderas, or feast in quaint restaurants in the most obscure places on those I-don't-want-to-cook nights. 



Next to the Santander Banco on Boulevard Riviera Nayarit is a small restaurant that makes the best fajitas ever. Down the road on Las Palmas, delicious gluten-free pizza at La Quinto di Francesco's on Las Palmas is best served up with a bottle of my favourite cabernet Monte Vino.

Every writer knows how lonely writing can be. Life on a quiet lake is the perfect backdrop for creating memorable characters. True. Yet, after 30 years of wanting nothing more than to write, suddenly I find myself needing the companionship of living--breathing human beings. I need good conversation. Laughter and great food. I want to hear their story and witness life through their memories.

In the next few months, I'd like to share more of life here in Bucerias. If you've visited Mexico enough, you know they are a loving, gracious people who feel the music deep in their souls. They love good food, good friends, and absolutely nothing is more important than family. What's so incredibly wonderful is how quickly they make you feel a part of theirs.

Some of the reasons why I'm so captivated by this place:

FNN Predictions for 2015

 
Faux News Network staff and management spent most of December gathering data and trends from around the world. Using advance mathematical devices such as calculators and smart phones we analyzed the data and developed a set of productions for next year.
Here are the Faux News Network predictions for 2015:

* Congress will pass a resolution proclaiming that global warming is an act of God and can’t be thwarted. People claiming pollution is affecting the weather will be deemed ecological terrorists and treated as such.
* Oil companies, because of falling prices, will demand a federal bailout so the companies can maintain their high profitability and dividend levels. Congress will approve the bailout.
* Pope Francis will announce he is moving the Vatican from Rome to Argentina to get away from the entrenched Vatican bureaucracy.
* Abortion will only be permitted in states in the Northeast and on the west coast.
* To invigorate the depressed armaments industry, Congress will authorize the President to declare war on the non-English speaking country of his choice.
*The NFL will cut the length of football games from sixty minutes to forty minutes in order to show more commercials.
* With the growing calls for a Constitutional Amendment on term limits, Congress will pass its own term-limit bill. Under the new law, people in Congress will be limited to serving 35 years.
* The cost of buying a member of Congress will increase 15% year to year. The cost of buying a local politician will vary by state and average 6 to 11%.
* The Supreme Court will rule that religious non-profits are people also and pastors now have the right to tell their parishioners how to vote without losing the church’s non-profit status.

FNN wants to know what your predictions are. Please tell us.

Hank Quense is the author of 50 published short stories along with four novels and three collections of stories. All of these are humorous and/or satiric scifi and fantasy. In the non-fiction area, he has over a dozen articles published on fiction writing and he's the author of the Fiction Writing Guides series and the Self-publishing Guides series. Both series consist of a number of ebooks. The Fiction Writing Guides and the Self-Publishing Guides are an outgrowth of his lectures on both subjects.

Strange Worlds Online Hank's Amazon Page Hank's Blog Page Self-publishing Guides

Strange Worlds OnlineAmazon pageSelf-publishing GuidesHank's fiction works