Ann Narcisian Videan's Blog, page 9
June 9, 2015
Fast, cheap, book postcard resource: Secret Writers’ Society (ALWAYS)
The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) —
a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers — gather once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except the tips we share are not so secret, because we share them with you.
Here’s another one…
Ready to create a handout about your book… perhaps a business card, sticker, or postcard? NextDayFlyers online can print them up for you quickly, and quite inexpensively.
Front of postcard
Back of postcard
Say I want the front cover of my Song of the Ocarina novel on one side of a postcard, and the back cover on the other. I can upload both easily at the site. It’s painless, too, because I already have the artwork, right? You also can create your own design to upload, or choose instead to use NextDayFlyers’ design services.
If I order 100, 5×7″, four-color, glossy postcards, I can have them delivered in two to four business days for about $55. Cool right?
What other resources can you suggest for fast, easy, inexpensive book materials?
…………………..
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
Check out my Book Shepherding sessions.
avidean@videanunlimited.com
June 8, 2015
Speaking opportunities for authors made easy – ALWAYS
If you are an established writer in the Phoenix metro area, consider gathering with us at the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) tribe meeting on Thurs., June 11, 2015.
My free workshops at the Tempe Library have helped me sell both books and writing/editing services, because those are my topics. What can you talk about to help you sell books?
TOPIC: Speaking opportunities for authors
• How do you set up speaking engagements where you can also sell your book?
• What topics do you cover when you talk?
• What are some of the best practices for speaking as an author?
Find out at our next ALWAYS gathering.
Next gathering:
Thursday, June 11, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)
Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224
Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com
If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….
ABOUT ALWAYS
• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?
If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.
Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.
May 24, 2015
Key book-organization tools: Secret Writers’ Society (ALWAYS)
We look a lot more vibrant than this in person!
Wendy, Patricia, Ann, Mallary, Marsha, Karen, and Alana
The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) — a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers — gather once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except the tips we share are not so secret, since we share them with you. :)
Key Book-Organization Tools
Many authors I’ve encountered in the past several weeks brought up the topic of how to organize a book. ALWAYS members shared a handful of fun and worthwhile suggestions:
1. Use a large sketch pad for writing notes; and to draw, map, or paste visual ideas that pertain to the story. You can also use it to develop a portable storyboard for your plot.
2. Write character notes or actions, important plot point, or scene ideas on colored 3×5 cards. Use a different color for characters, plot points, etc.
3. Post a visual timeline or cards or Post-It notes on a cork board in the room where you write.
4. Use software to help organize all your thoughts and ideas:
Scrivner content generation tool
Aeon Timeline timeline tracking
MindGenius mind mapping
Write Way Pro book organization
What other ideas can you share?
…………………..
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
Check out my Book Shepherding sessions.
avidean@videanunlimited.com
May 9, 2015
Book plotting made easy — ALWAYS
Do you know the direction your story will take? Learn plotting techniques from other established writers at our May 14 ALWAYS author gathering over lunch in downtown Gilbert, AZ.
Established writer, gather with us to talk plotting at the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) tribe meeting on May 14, 2015, in Gilbert, Ariz.
TOPIC:
Let’s share our secrets about plotting stories. Bring an outline, book, or recap of your favorite plot development techniques to share with the group.
Next gathering:
Thursday, May 14, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)
Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224
Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com
If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….
ABOUT ALWAYS
• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?
If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.
Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.
May 8, 2015
Book shepherding moves you forward immediately
Book shepherding can lead you to a restful place and green pastures for your book.
I snapped this photo of super comfy sheep on the Alexander Farm, aka the Hobbiton movie set, in New Zealand in 2008.
This post falls under the realm of shameless promotion, but what I offer, I guarantee will help you as an aspiring author. Basically, I’m making accessible to you very affordably all the knowledge I gained while creating my own novels and others’—talking with hundreds of authors, publishers, designers, book consultants, and other literary experts over the period of at least 15 years. What I know can essentially eliminate your author learning curve and allow you to move forward immediately.
So, with that said, the following debuts my Book Shepherding sessions… providing the personal guidance, information, and inspiration you need to take the next step in your writing process. Whether you need a book or plot idea, advice on writing or creating your book, assistance with publishing, or generating word-of-mouth marketing, I can help you.
You can move forward confidently with customized advice from an author who’s “been there, done that” when it comes to developing books for herself and many other fiction and non-fiction authors in various genres. Your participation in the following consulting sessions will drive you immediately toward your book’s success.
Sample Edit/Critique
Review/edit feedback on three pages of your writing. Free
One-On-One
As-needed consultation.
(Half an hour by phone or Skype) $30
Access to me whenever you need advice on any aspect of your writing:
The writing process
Editing
Production/design
Self-publishing/publishing
Word-of-mouth marketing strategies
Something of your choosing
Kick-Start
One-time/initial consultation.
(1.5 hours, in-person, phone, or Skype) $120
(Workshop attendees’ discount) $50
We might:
Set initial goals to create or market your book
Bounce story ideas
Hone your plot, or discuss story structure
Receive feedback on your writing
Walk through how to use CreateSpace
Brainstorm book cover or
marketing ideas
Set writing goals
Discuss your specific request
Move Forward
As-needed directional meeting.
(1.5 hours in-person, by phone or Skype) $120
We might do:
Any of the activities provided under the Kick-Start section above
A writing critique session on 3,000 words of your writing
A revisit of goals set in our kick-start consultation, for accountability.
Something you request
Build Momentum
Once-a-month directional meeting with a three-month minimum.
(1.5 hours/month in-person, by phone or Skype,
a 17% volume discount off the Kick-Start option.) $100/mo.
We might do:
Any of the activities provided under the Move Forward section above
Something you request
OR
Once-a-week directional meeting with a five-week minimum.
(Half an hour/week in-person, by phone or Skype,
a 17% volume discount off the Kick-Start option.) $25/wk.
We might do:
Any of the activities provided under the Move Forward section above
Something you request
Contact me to set up your intake meeting and move
that book dream closer to reality!
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan, Author and Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.
April 13, 2015
Coffee CommuniTea: Cultured Cafe yogurt and coffee – Flagstaff, AZ
Today’s Cup o’ Tea
Cultured Cafe—Flagstaff, AZ
You have arrived!
The perfect tea stop in Flagstaff, AZ. Oh, and did I mention frozen yogurt, too?
Perks (what I really like!)
Yogurt and coffee counter.
A great tea selection, not to mention special coffee concoction, and the self-serve frozen yogurt bar!
The décor… how did they manage to pull off a comfy industrial mountain theme? Apparently, through the creative brilliance of “owner Kelly, who combined the influences of mountain lodges with olde-world flare and a twist of lime.”
Free wi-fi
Varied seating, from large meeting tables and high bar tables to comfy couches
A fireplace to cut the chill.
A piano in the upstairs loft. Love!
Share a Cuppa (the stories)
Per, the Web site, “Owners Kelly and Jesse found themselves craving frozen yogurt in middle of the Flagstaff winter, but wanting to enjoy it in the inviting warmth and ambiance of mountain coffee shop. Combining the creativity and creamy goodness of self-serve frozen yogurt with a full specialty coffee house seemed so natural.”
The fireplace view from the loft.
It just feels natural and comfy, too.
What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)
Nice, loose-tea selection, complete with your own brewing tray, tea steeping carafe, teapot, teacup, honey pitcher, and tiny spoon.
Tea for one, please.
Specialty coffee, “every cup carefully prepared to exacting standards.”
Truly cultured yogurts, “artfully produced and Certified Live and Active with 5 active culture strain and 3 probiotics in your cup.” Now you know fro-yo can be healthy!
The Grind (what I would change)
No complaints here.
Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)
Get Cultured on Fridays with its “Coffee Q” and explore a variety of coffee origins and preparation methods, complete with free tastings.
The Grounds (location)
319 West Regent St.
Flagstaff, AZ
928.213.0999
Tea Times (hours)
Mon-Sat: 7am – 11pm
Sun: 8am – 11pm
Yelp rating: 4 stars from 40 reviews
……………………
I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel and Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress in coffee/tea venues, so I found it natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!
March 14, 2015
Four upcoming marketing events reveal top author secrets
From the movie You’ve Got Mail:
Kathleen:”I love daisies…”
Joe:”You told me…”
Kathleen:”They’re so friendly. Don’t you think that daisies are the friendliest flowers?”
Joe:”I do.”
[Photo by CEVidean 2011]
Here are four events where I will help ideas sprout and bloom like daisies, so you can pluck and gather them into your book-marketing bouquet.
Tucson Festival of Books 2015
Want to see how books are sold in real life? Attend the huge and amazing TFOB this weekend. I’ll be touting my own book Song of the Ocarina, so come by and pick my brain about book-event marketing. Here’s where/when you can find me:
The Dreams Convention, Booth #106
[Buildin’ the Dream (writers) and Arizona Dreamin’ (readers)]
Sun., March 15, 2015
1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Tempe Public Library marketing workshops
These two interactive workshops will help you identify unique aspects of your book, generate ideas to capitalize on those chat-worthy aspects, and to compel readers to spread the word about your writing. Each marketing-brainstorm session is limited to 15 people, so register early.
Sat., April 11, 2015
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
and
Sat., May 9, 2015 (potential, if first session sells out)
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If you are interested in attending, please email me or comment below.
Desert Foothills Library
“27 Steps from Book Idea to Published”
If you are new to the idea of writing a book, or are not sure how to publish one, this two-hour workshop will accelerate your learning curve into immediate action. I’ll share book-creation best practices developed through years of interaction with hundreds of authors, editors and publishers. You will learn about each of the twenty-seven steps needed to manifest a book, from conception and design to ISBN numbers and publishing options.
Fri., June 5, 201
1 to 3 p.m.
If you are interested in attending, please email me or comment below.
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan, Author and Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.
March 13, 2015
How to become a best-selling Amazon author, and other secrets — ALWAYS
Twenty, established, Phoenix-area writers met for lunch at the Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) gathering on March 12, 2015, in Phoenix. Here’s what happened.
At our tribe meeting, Deborah Brown, co-owner of Peters & Brown Multimedia Marketing & Publishing, shared five “amazing” book marketing tactics to reach Amazon best-seller status and build a book platform. Here they are:
ALWAYS members absorb Deborah’s valuable marketing tips. (Photo by Eduardo Cervino.)
1. Start with the end in mind, to sell at least 1,000 ebooks in your category at a discount.
Her ideas included tips like:
Make sure your ebook tile and subtitle include your keywords.
Sell the book for $.99.
Use all four category designations available: two for print, two for Kindle.
2. Build your platform first
Start blogging about your book before it’s written.
Create lead pages to separate raving fans from others.
Follow Debbie Macomber and John Locke as great role models.
Use Pinterest for authors, linking to your blog.
Offer a multi-author box set.
3. Nurture your FLASH mob, perhaps starting with a campaign for crowd funding. Your mob includes:
Friends and family
Loyal clients and customers
Able and willing well-wishers
Selected partners
Hand-picked ambassadors
4. Capture leads on launch day.
Amazon does not identify who buys your book, so pre-market the launch date on a separate book-deal Web page, where you can capture contact info.
5. Keep marketing after your launch.
Do talk shows like Deborah’s “Boomer and the Babe” podcast.
Do something every day.
You can’t possibly get the scope of all of Deborah’s good ideas just from these highlights, so I encourage you to find the full version of her handout under the Files link on the ALWAYS Facebook page, or to contact her.
Watch our ALWAYS Facebook page for details on our next gathering on April 9, 2015 (we meet on the second Thursday of the month).
Do you have an idea for a topic or speaker? Maybe some information you need to help you move forward? Perhaps you or someone you know has some great author-related info to relate? Recommend away!
…………………..
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com
March 9, 2015
Five special tactics to reach Amazon bestseller status and build your reader platform — ALWAYS
Here are some members of our illustrious tribe—Al, Ann, Karen, Martha, Laurie, Megan, Shayne—sharing a delicious lunch and stimulating conversation.
Join us at our March 12 ALWAYS meeting with Deborah Brown in Phoenix to learn more about becoming an Amazon best seller, and building your author platform.
Established writer:
• Do you know how to become a best-selling Amazon author in your category?
• Do you have an online platform for your book that helps you connect with your audience?
Deborah Brown, Peters and Brown Marketing (PetersandBrownMarketing.com), will share some tips concerning these questions at our March ALWAYS tribe meeting, at a more central location.
Next gathering:
Thursday, March 12, 2015
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)
Where:
Old Spaghetti Factory
1418 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Just south of McDowell Road on Central Ave. Please plan extra time for downtown light rail traffic and parking.)
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com
If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….
ABOUT ALWAYS
Are you an established writer who:
• Needs contacts to help your writing?
• Wants advice about your writing?
• Likes to hang with other cool writers?
If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.
Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.
January 6, 2015
Share your experience with author TV and radio interviews – ALWAYS
Snapped this shot of Kevin Hearne, author of the Iron Druid Chronicles at his *Shattered* book signing in Colorado. He’s so at ease with an audience… I’m assuming he’s great with the media, too. Are you?
Come find out how you can succeed with broadcast media at our January ALWAYS gathering.
Gather with the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) on Jan. 15, 2015.
TOPIC: What can you bring to the table concerning broadcast marketing for books? How can you prepare? Where are the best broadcast outlets to tout your book? Had some luck? Suffered a bad experience? Know someone who has? Please come and share your experiences, and invite anyone else who you know who might have something to contribute to the group. (We’ll meet a week later than usual, this month.)
Next gathering:
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)
Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224
Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan
If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….
ABOUT ALWAYS
• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?
If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. ALWAYS is an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area. Connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or meet with us in person at a monthly lunch meeting.
We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting to discuss our craft and businesses … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.
…………………..
Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com
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