Clare C. Marshall's Blog, page 18
July 22, 2012
Book Distribution for Indie Publishers
If you’ve been following on Facebook, you’ll have noticed that I met with a Friesens sales rep on Friday. Friesens is a reputable offset printer in Winnipeg. They print for lots of publishers here in Canada and abroad.
This is a pretty big step. Purchasing editing for your book can often be the point of no return, but printing your book–that’s like, being sucked into the black hole.
But it will totally be worth it.
That’s what I keep telling myself.
It will, though. Having an offset print book allows me to go to the next level with distribution…which is the second challenge I face. Most distributors I’ve looked at either a) don’t take self-published books or b) have a minimum back-list of like, 4 books or c) you have to publish a certain number of books per year. And that certain number is like, 5, instead of 1. Currently, with Amazon-CreateSpace, I have to order WITHIN from the US for a POD book. It’s just not cost effective at all.
So I’ve got to do it the hard way. One bookstore at a time…and hopefully getting into Chapters/Indigo. They actually do take self-published books, ones that have been packaged nicely. You can read more about Indigo and their standards in the bowels of their website, here. Then when my sales have reached an acceptable level, then I’ll be able to think about a distributor.
Right now, totally stoked to choose paper stock for The Violet Fox. It is going to be the prettiest book. ^^
July 18, 2012
Writing & Sushi: The Way of the Shokunin
Sushi is one of my favourite foods.
Recently, Dave and I sat down to watch a documentary called Jiro Dreams of Sushi. If you haven’t seen it, you should try to find it. It’s about an elderly Japanese man who runs a small sushi restaurant in Japan. He’s considered to be the best sushi chef around. Why? He says it’s because of his dedication to his craft. He is always seeking to improve the way he makes and presents his sushi. He pays attention to detail. He selects only the highest quality fish and rice, from whom he considers to be the most knowledgeable. For example, he buys tuna from the guy at the market who only sells tuna. He has a special rice dealer that visits him and sells him the rice. Each person is specialized. The key to success, Jiro says, is to practice over and over again, and never accept that you know everything.
Artists who dedicate themselves to their craft and seek to better their technique are called shokunin in Japanese. Wannabe sushi masters who went to Jiro for an apprenticeship didn’t just study for two years and leave. Oh no. They study for ten years. Yes, you have to apprentice for ten years before you are considered a master. That’s a considerable about of time! But if you’re 100% sure you want to dedicate your life to something, ten years is just the beginning.
Jiro’s life lessons can be applied to writing. There’s only one way to practice writing, and that’s to write something every day. I used to believe that if I tapped the muse too much, I’d eventually run dry. Now I realize not only is that silly, but it limits your potential. You’re never going to “run dry.” You might feel “in the zone” some days, and “off” on others, but there are ways to make yourself sit down and get the words to flow.
Reading is another way to broaden your writing horizon. In the sushi documentary, Jiro says to make good food, you must eat good food. So to improve your writing, you must read good books. If you’re a book reviewer, this might be difficult–there are a lot of books out there that need to be picked apart–but recognizing when something could be improved, that is helping you not to make that mistake in your writing.
Accepting that you don’t know it all is tough. But publishing is a constantly evolving field. There’s always something going on. Connecting with other authors on Twitter or Facebook is one way to keep your finger on the pulse. Read book blogs to see what sub-genres are trending. Read writing and publishing magazines and periodicals to see what the experts are saying–and then form your own opinions. Getting involved starts now, not tomorrow.
Being a writer is a lifestyle choice. Don’t do it for the money–do it because you love it and you want to perfect your skills. Do it because it’s something you don’t mind doing over and over again. Once you become a shokunin, people will notice. And that’s when you become successful.
What do you think? Are you on your way to becoming a shokunin? Email your answers to aurora@faeryinkpress.com and I’ll feature them in the next issue.
July 16, 2012
Faces in the Mist, Part 30
Kristen’s heart raced as her footfalls pounded against the smooth floor. When was the last time she’d felt so scared? It came to her easily. Her little sister, Martha, had been climbing the tree out in the backyard. Her brother, Joseph was running around like a crazed dog. He’d gotten into the cookie jar and then found some of Father’s gadgets. Would have been cute, but this time the gadget was that super old gun that Father kept in his study. For emergencies. And Mother and Father were both at work and it was Kristen’s job to watch her siblings but that collector was supposed to come by and she had to make up some story about why the bills were late, so late…
“Lady Kristen?”
Right. The man. Mac Jaclow. She’d heard some things about him from the other ladies.
He told lies.
She had to carry out Lady Harmony’s task, or have her face eaten by their long, sharp teeth. And once Mac Jaclow found out that she was helping Lady Harmony, he’d leave her alone to face whatever fate the First Lady had in store for her.
Her family would never see her again.
She swallowed a sob. “Yes?” Each word had to be controlled. She’d let herself go on the promenade. What if the Ladies were watching? They could burst through walls now. Who knew what else they could do.
“You said that you just had to do one thing, and then you could go home…but you live here on the Lunar Dome, right?”
Careful, careful. Kristen slowed her run. Just three more corridors, and then they would be there. The Ladies’ Quarters. That wasn’t home, not really, no matter how much Kristen wished it were. The Charter, that was her home. It had saved her.
“I’m from Earth.”
She snuck a glance at him. He wasn’t looking at her, though. He was watching where they were going. Of course. He didn’t care if she was ripped apart by Lady Harmony the Monster. He didn’t even know that she was a monster. Not unless she told him, which would be very, very, very bad.
“Where on Earth are you from?”
Kristen peeked around the corner. Deserted. Too deserted. Maybe what Mac Jaclow had said about the soldiers rounding up people and escorting them away was true. Or maybe Lady Harmony had eaten them all. She could still hear Lady Méline’s tortured, gurgled screams as Lady Harmony and Lady Dominique devoured her face.
If Lady Harmony ate her face, her family wouldn’t be able to recognize her when she died.
“Sorry. I was just trying to be friendly,” Mac Jaclow said. “I’m from Earth too, you know.”
Lies, he probably wasn’t from Earth at all. He probably grew up on this lifeless rock without any worries at all. That was why he was always bothering other people, because he didn’t know what it was like to be bothered. She crept down the dark corridor. Just two more and they would be there. He was so close behind her that she could feel his hot breath on her neck.
“I just…want to make sure you’re all right.”
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Now was definitely not the time to get all flattered. But what if he really was from Earth, and what if he really was trying to help her?
“Just between you and me,” he went on, “I don’t think this is a typical quarantine. This is going to sound crazy, and just because I work for the Daily Dome…well, maybe you don’t read that. I don’t know what Ladies read. But…Lady Harmony isn’t herself because of any…Earthly…or Lunar…disease.”
They were closing in on the next fork in the twisty hallways when Kristen stopped. “What do you mean, not an Earthly or Lunar disease? Like, do you mean…” She dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned forward. The Ladies could be listening. They probably were listening, and now, she was going to die. But if Mac Jaclow knew something that could help her, and he probably did, since he was a journalist and all…
Mac’s eyes darted around the corridor as he lowered his voice. “I don’t have all the evidence yet. That’s why I need to get into the Ladies’ Quarters–that’s where Lady Harmony was last, before the incident in the throne room. But something attacked her, and I think that same something is why we’re all quarantined now. Because it’s still here. Maybe…still inside her. I…I saw the footage.”
Footage! Proof that she wasn’t crazy…and that she had another reason to fear the monster Lady Harmony had become.
Kristen studied Mac’s face. Her mother always said that you could tell an honest man from a cheat by looking into his eyes. And there was something there, in his irises, that screamed truth. That he wasn’t just trying to get a story out of her, or expose her to Lady Harmony. She’d always trusted the older ladies, but now, she couldn’t. All she had was this stranger who said he’d help her do a potentially awful thing.
Her lips parted. Lady Harmony is a monster. That was all she had to say. And she was good at saying things.
Words failed her.
“We’re almost there,” she said quietly.
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While My Book is in Editing…
After sending The Violet Fox to my editor, I have a moment to breathe. But only a moment, really. Because in publishing you always have to think months and months ahead, and I can’t let myself stop and smell the flowers for too long.
Now, I have time to focus on a couple of things:
1. Getting another manuscript ready to send away to traditional publishers/agents.
Yes, even though I’m an indie publisher, I’m still playing the traditional publishing game. Because why not have multiple eggs in multiple baskets? It’s good to always have at least one manuscript to shop around. You never know who might pick it up and read it.
2. Promotion. Promotion. Promotion.
I have some contests planned for The Violet Fox, and I’ve also got to get a start on planning that blog tour. Because those things don’t plan themselves, you know.
3. Set up a meeting with a printer.
Didn’t I tell you I’m going to do an offset print run of The Violet Fox? Yup! I’ve set aside some cash to do this, and while it’s probably the most expensive thing I’ve ever bought (besides school, of course), I think it will be worth it in the long run. I’m pretty serious about getting some traditional distribution. The more channels I’m available in, the better.
4. Try not to fall prey to Terraria.
Oh dear. How many hours has this game taken away from me in the past five days? It was only $2.49. It’s like Minecraft meets Metroid or Mario. So addicting. I’m like, I’ll just see how deep this goes, and then it’s two hours later. Bad, bad, bad for productivity.
5. Read and Review books!
I’m on fire over at YA Fantasy Book Reviews. Totally loving being part of the book reviewing scene. Now I just have to keep it up.
July 9, 2012
Faces in the Mist, Part 29
Skyla knew leaving her chambers would be a bad idea. Not just because there were five guards outside her door. They’d stop her before she’d get halfway down the corridor. She’d order them not to, but she wasn’t sure if that would make a difference. The Dome was quarantined. No one was safe.
No word from Earth, either. That unsettled her. She slumped by her dresser mirror in front of the console, willing it to light up. Had they heard about the quarantine? A quarantine didn’t mean there had to be radio silence.
Still…
The moment Earth heard that the entire Dome was shut down because of a “potential” Moon Flash Virus outbreak–even if it had nothing to do with the virus at all–they’d send Ambassador Conrod. He’d take over the Lunar Dome, and her career in politics would be finished.
She rubbed her tired face. She’d have to sleep sometime. A real sleep, no naps. The day was long gone, wasn’t it? Her bed beckoned. It looked so comfortable. Three plush pillows and a fluffy down duvet. Big enough for her to sprawl.
Before she knew it she was there. She sunk into the mattress, and then fell into something deeper…
The mist was thicker now. She couldn’t see herself. The faces weren’t there yet, but they’d arrive soon enough to pass judgment. Where had she been before she was in the mist? A tower. Yes. Climbing stairs…because she was going to her death.
It’s a dream, some part of her whispered.
No, it wasn’t.
She placed one bare foot in front of another. The floor was cool and smooth as she padded through the yellow smog. When had she lost her shoes? The men had taken them. Yes, that made sense. Before she’d come to the tower, after her death had been announced. They’d taken her shoes but left her clothes because even though she was a prisoner, she had to die with some dignity.
The smog faded somewhat. She was still in the tower, it seemed. Her death hadn’t happened yet. That was in the future. The near-future. This room was the death-room. Round, with a single window letting in a strip of sunlight across the wooden floor.
Wood? But the floor had been smooth before.
Yes, but you weren’t in the tower just then.
This is a dream.
No, because as she stepped into the sun, she was instantly warmed. How long since she’d felt the sun? Three days ago. She’d been walking down Spadina. It was a miserable day. People crowded the sidewalk. A street car had zoomed past, and Sebastian was there, urging her to run…
Sebastian? No that wasn’t right. He was long gone.
Skyla looked out the window. She was on Earth. The moon was just a fading grey ball in the sky as the sun overtook the sky with pink and yellow rays. Below, the rolling, grassy hills were a rich green. Off to the right, a town was just waking up. Far, far off, snow-topped mountains.
It would be a fairy tale, if not for the sense of doom around her.
The chopping block narrowly avoided the strip of sunshine in the room. She clutched her neck and gulped. The men weren’t here yet, but they would be soon. And then her head would be gone, and the people in the town would be happy.
Would they? What had she done to anger them?
It doesn’t matter, it’s a dream.
No, she knew this wood. She’d felt it before. She’d lived her death and it was going to happen. And if this was the place she was going to die, then she was here for a reason: to prevent it.
Even if, deep down, she felt she deserved it.
And then, the sunlight grew brighter. So bright, Skyla shielded her face and her eyes screamed in pain. She knew this light too. It blinked like a strobe light and probed her mind, searching…
Wake up. Wake up, Skyla…
“This is not a dream!” she screamed.
Skyla’s mouth, heavy with sleep, brought her back to her chambers. On the moon. Where she was queen and the entire base was quarantined but she was alive. Not sentenced to death. She still had her head. For now.
In the darkness, her chamber door creaked open, and a shadowy figure slipped inside.
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July 7, 2012
Book Giveaway Finds, July 7, 2012
I’m thinking that Book Giveaway Finds will probably migrate to YA Fantasy Book Reviews next week. You haven’t seen my new book review website? Yep, it’s a pretty. And it will only get prettier the more you visit!
Also, I am having a giveaway for the Violet Fox Cover Reveal! Click on the cover to go to the giveaway page.
Book Giveaway Finds!
Giving Away: Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
Blog Doing Giveaway: Evie-Bookish
Book Type: Physical
Open: US/Canada Only
Giveaway Ends: July 14, 2012
Giving Away: 2 Signed Hardcover Copies of LIES BENEATH + Bookmarks
Blog Doing Giveaway: Badass Bookie
Book Type: Physical
Open: International!
Giveaway Ends: July 16, 2012
Giving Away: In Honor by Jessi Kirby
Blog Doing Giveaway: WinterHaven Books
Book Type: Physical
Open: US/Canada Only
Giveaway Ends: July 25, 2012
Giving Away: VELVETEEN by Daniel Marks
Blog Doing Giveaway: Icey Books
Book Type: Physical
Open: Unknown
Giveaway Ends: July 27, 2012
July 3, 2012
The Violet Fox Cover!
Title: The Violet Fox (The Violet Fox #1)
Author: Clare C. Marshall
Publication Date: October 13, 2012
TA DAAA!
This is the cover for The Violet Fox.
I’m so excited to show you this today. Read the extended blurb:
There are two kinds of people in the land of Marlenia.
The Marlenians, who live on the surface,
and the Freetors, who are forced to live underground.
The war between them ended two hundred years ago, but the Freetors still fight for the right to live under the sun. Fifteen-year-old Kiera Driscoll embodies the Freetors’ hopes as the Violet Fox. In a violet cape and mask, she sneaks around Marlenia City stealing food and freeing her people from slavery.
Then the Elders task her with a secret mission: retrieve a stolen tome that contains the secrets of Freetor magic, something the Marlenians both fear and covet. Kiera must disguise herself as a noblewoman and infiltrate the Marlenian castle before the Freetor-hating Advisor finds out her real identity, before her brother is imprisioned because of the secrets he hides, and before she falls any more in love with the prince she’s supposed to hate.
More is happening in the castle than she realizes, and Kiera is faced with a difficult choice. Will she be loyal to her people and their fight for freedom, or will she be loyal to her heart?
Not sure if that’s going to go on the back of the book, or on French flaps. We shall see!
I’m also hosting a giveaway! Two e-ARC copies will be available for two lucky winners. They will receive them in September, when the book has been laid out. Contest ends July 31st, 2012.
Good luck to everyone! And thanks to the bloggers who participated in the cover reveal today!! 
July 2, 2012
No Faces in the Mist this Week
No Faces in the Mist this week! Extremely busy with the last minute details of the cover reveal, other freelance projects, and finishing up the editing for The Violet Fox.
Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for the The Violet Fox cover reveal, and giveaway!
Thanks!
June 30, 2012
Book Giveaway Finds, June 30, 2012
Lots of pretty covers this week on Book Giveaway Finds! Don’t you just want to have all of these books on your shelves. I guess the chance of one person winning all of these books are pretty small. You’d have to at least be in the US, since some of these giveaways are restricted by country. Ohhh well.
Without further ado!
BOOK GIVEAWAY FINDS
Giving Away: Arranged, by Catherine McKenzie + “I Love Canada” Watercolour print
Blog Doing Giveaway: Dolce Pazzia
Book Type: Unknown
Open: International!
Giveaway Ends: July 1, 2012
Giving Away: 2 Paperback copies of Dreams by Daniela Sacerdoti
Blog Doing Giveaway: Book Whales
Book Type: Physical
Open: International!
Giveaway Ends: July 2, 2012
Giving Away: Signed ARC of Of Poseidon, Signed ARC of Monument 14
Signed ARC of Struck, Signed ARC of Shadow and Bone, Various FIERCE swag!
Blog Doing Giveaway: Literary Exploration
Book Type: Physical
Open: US Only
Giveaway Ends: July 8, 2012
Giving Away: Auracle, by Gina Rosati
Giveaway hosted by: Goodreads
Book Type: Physical
Open: Please check country codes (Canada is not one of them
)Giveaway Ends: July 9, 2012
Giving Away: Signed copy of Croak by Gina Damico
Blog Doing Giveaway: Book Sniffers Anonymous
Book Type: Physical
Open: US Only
Giveaway Ends: July 18, 2012
Giving Away: One YA Contemporary Novel from Amazon
Blog Doing Giveaway: Words, Pages & Books
Book Type: Physical
Open: US Only
Giveaway Ends: July 30, 2012
June 27, 2012
Newsletter: Organizing your Book Event
On Saturday I had the privilege of meeting fellow author Avery Olive (her book is A Stiff Kiss, published by Crescent Moon Press). She held a book signing at Monkeyshines, a children’s bookstore here in Calgary. Her turnout was modest but I was still glad I went, because we had a great discussion about writing and publishing and marketing yourself in this big world of ours.
It also got me to thinking about book events in general. I’ve been to book launches, readings and celebrations, and had a few of my own, and let me tell you something. These events, unless you are a well-known author with a large following, aren’t going to sell your books. You’ll probably sell a handful. But don’t expect to sell hundreds or even tens of copies. Just because you create the event, doesn’t mean people will come. II’ve been to book events where a large crowd was expected, but only friends and families of the authors showed up. Talk about awkward–especially if you’ve rented a large room and hired a catering company!
It’s hard being an unknown author and getting people to come to your events. More often than not, your event will turn into a small family & friends-only gathering. This isn’t because your book sucks. More likely, it’s because you didn’t engage your target audience to the point where they would come check you out in person. Or, you’re holding the event at an inconvenient location or time.
There’s a certain threshold–a tipping point, say–that a person has to reach and cross before they’re willing to invest time or money into an activity. For example, if you ask someone to check out a website, the threshold is low. There’s little investment in doing this, and if you hate the site, you can easily escape. One can’t easily escape a public event, unless there’s a crowd.
The goal, then, is to either lower the threshold, or make it easy for people to reach that threshold. You can do this in many ways.
Offer free snacks & drinks: free food can be a draw, especially if it’s near a meal time.
Call your event a “drop in”: this will ease a person’s commitment. The person will know that they can come and go whenever they please and not insult the host.
Make your event free: If you charge a fee for people to come to your event, there’d better be a good reason for doing so. For example: if your event has a catered meal, or has open bar, or has a live band, it makes sense to have a cover charge–those things aren’t going to pay for themselves and it’s doubtful you’ll recoup your costs otherwise. Charging for the event makes it less desirable to attend if the person feels like they’re not getting anything in return.
Have the event in a public place/well-trafficed area: Walk-in traffic is the best, because they’ve probably never heard of you before and once they’ve stopped to ask what you’re doing, you can direct them to your event. Bookstores and libraries are good places for this because presumably people are already there to find books–maybe your book might interest them.
Offer a giveaway or discount for people who attend: Reward those who have come to see you in person. Ask everyone to put their name in a hat for a “door prize”–a copy of your book, or whatever else you can come up with! Make sure to include this in your advertising.
Speaking of advertising–don’t rely on the venue to advertise for you. Take control of your publicity! Send press releases to your local newspapers, put up posters in places your target audience frequents, and put electronic ads on free websites like Kijiji or Craigslist. Plan your event months in advance if you can–this allows for more advertising time.
Don’t get your hopes up. Set realistic expectations. If you’re a new author, tell your friends to invite their friends. Set your event in a small location so that if not a lot of people show up, the room will still seem full. Don’t spend all your money on food and entertainment. If you’re doing a reading, practice the section. Don’t make your reading long–five minutes tops. Don’t read spoilers–read an exciting part that will make your listeners want to know more! Prepare answers to potential questions so you’re not left tongue-tied.
But most importantly, be humble. Thank the friends and family that do come. They are your true supporters. And thank the venue that hosts you–you’re more likely to be asked back if they remember you as positive and gracious rather than negative and disappointed. Don’t get discouraged–if only three people came to your book signing this time, then maybe 6-10 will come to the next one. And 20-30 at the next one. Things can only get better, especially if you learn from your mistakes.
What do you think? Have you been to any book-related events recently, and how did they turn out? What do you think authors should do to make their book events more attractive to potential readers (and buyers!)? Send your responses to aurora@faeryinkpress.com and I’ll feature them in the next issue of the Faery Ink Press Book Club!
