Johnny Ray's Blog, page 51
February 24, 2012
LEARNING HOW TO BUILD A BRAND AND A PLATFORMI enjoy using...
I enjoy using various social media sites to connect with readers and make new friends. I also love to pass on articles I find that hep fellow writers. I hope you enjoy this one below
Johnny Ray
How Do You Build Platform Blogging About Fiction or Memoir?
Author: Nina Amir
I'm a big proponent of using blogging as a way to build platform for nonfiction authors. I speak about this quite often to my clients, many of whom come to me with book proposals that have empty platform sections. When I speak before groups, in particular writer's groups, I often get asked about how fiction writers can use a blog to build platform.
Interestingly enough, on my blog at VibrantNation.com, the other day a reader asked me the very same question. She wrote: "This may work for non-fiction but how would a blog work for fiction writers? I do have a blog where I speak about my own writing journey and process. However, I do not go into great depth regarding my two novels. How would I interest readers to my blog without posting the entire story line, chapters, etc?"
Given that so many nonfiction writers write memoir, which reads like fiction, I thought I should address this question. Here's how you use a blog to build platform or promote fiction or memoir:
* Blog about subjects related to your novel or memoir.
* Blog about your characters and their development.
* Blog about what inspired you to write to write the book.
* Blog about how your book BENEFITS readers.
* Blog about what readers learn from your characters or from the story line.
* Blog about the place or time period in which your novel takes place.
* Offer recipes that pertain to the place where your book takes place or that come from your memoir (experience).
* Blog about your writing practice or tools.
* Offer snippets of a new novel or memoir.
* Publish vignettes.
* Discuss little sections of your novel or memoir and how you wrote them or what they mean.
* Blog about how you or your characters continued to change after the time period covered in your memoir.
* Provide videos in your blog of places you mention in your book.
* Include interviews (audio) with the real people in your memoir.
I hope that helps. Blogging provides one of the easiest and best ways to build author platform today. If you blog often--3-7 times per week--you will find yourself developing a readership quite quickly. If you also include videos and audio in your blog posts and then post these to Itunes and YouTube, you will find your reach extending much farther.
If you want a built in readership for your book, start blogging today. You'll be amazed at how many topics you can cover that relate to your novel or memoir and successfully promote them in the process.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/how-do-you-build-platform-blogging-about-fiction-or-memoir-3615084.html
About the Author
Nina Amir is a speaker, author, editor, and writing and author coach who blogs at www.writenonfictionnow.com. She helps aspiring authors turn their passion, purpose and potential into publishable products. Get a FREE special report (a $10 value) by joining her mailing list at CopyWright Communications . Register for a memoir workshop taught by Linda Joy Myers on 11/6 in the San Francisco Bay Area here.
February 18, 2012
Picking an editor is not easy. I think the article below ...
Johnny Ray
How to Choose a Novel Editor
Author: Gareth Hoyle
So, you've written your novel. You're proud of it (and you should be). Your mother loves it (and she should do). But that doesn't necessarily mean your novel is yet ready to be taken to a literary agent or publisher. As a rough guide, agents take about 1 in 1000 manuscripts, so your novel needs to be excellent before you send it out there.
Perhaps, then, you need help from a professional editor.
1) Do I need a novel editor at all?
Maybe not. If you think your work is strong enough to publish without the help of a pro novel editor, there's an easy way to find out. Simply send your work to approx 10-12 literary agents and see what happens. If your novel is taken on, it's good enough. If it isn't, it's not.
2) How do I choose a good novel editor?
First off, you MUST choose a professional author for your editor. These guys are the experts at creating, shaping, refining, editing and polishing novels – because they have to do it with their own work. What's more, any pro author has proven their ability to write novels that are strong enough to sell. That's the skill-set you need.
Secondly, you should choose an author who has sold big books to big publishers. If an author has sold work to Random House or Penguin, that means they've excelled in the very toughest arena. If an author has only sold a collection of short stories to HereTodayAndGoneTomorrow Press... well, their skills may not be all that great.
Thirdly, don't make a couple of classic mistakes:
Using a novel editor whose background is in publishing only. Yes, I know they're 'professional editors' – but remember what that means. Modern publishers only ever work on novels that have already been accepted by literary agents and which have been authorised for purchase by the publisher in question. That means the manuscript is already in excellent editorial shape, and the editor's job is about giving the novel a relatively light polish. Almost certainly, your issues are more fundamental than that.
Secondly, don't fall for the blandishments of an English PhD, a copyeditor, a qualified proofreader, or anyone of that ilk. 99% of first-time novels have some kind of structural or other pervasive issue. That doesn't mean they're not fixable – they mostly are – but it does mean it makes no sense paying for wallpaper until you've fixed the walls. That means you need a novelist with plenty of editorial experience.
3) Do I choose a company or a one-man or one-woman operator?
The advantage of having a solo operator for your novel editor is that your relationship is that bit more personal. BUT:
A larger company can select the right novel editor for you from a much larger pool of people.
A larger company will have much stronger connections with literary agents.
A larger company will therefore be the best choice for most writers.
4) Do I want to get advice on my novel, or do I want hands-on editorial work?
For nearly all writers, it will make more sense to get tough feedback on your work, in the form of a detailed editorial report from a pro novel editor. In most cases, if a writer gets strong, clear advice on what needs to be done, they'll be able to do it themselves. This isn't just creatively more satisfying, it's also cheaper. If you decide you want hands-on help, then most large companies can arrange this – but make sure you get a pro author doing that work on your behalf.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/how-to-choose-a-novel-editor-4176414.html
About the Author
By Harry Bingham, of the Writers' Workshop. Harry is a best-selling, prize short-listed author of novels and non-fiction, including the category-leading book on Getting Published. The Writers' Workshop's team of novel editors is second to none. Between them, our novel editors have written hundreds of books, sold millions of copies and won or been shortlisted for countless literary awards.
February 4, 2012
My thoughts on the publishing industryHave we seen a lot ...
Have we seen a lot of changes over the last year? I think we all will agree that we have been overwhelmed at the least. And these changes have affected everyone from the Author, the Agent, the Publisher, the Distributor, and most importantly--the READER!
Everyone has the ultimate goal of selling a book to a reader. What is important to understand is that now everyone wants to control the process. It is assumed that the reader--he/she, on the other hand, just wants to find a good book that meets what they like to read and at the best price.
My projection is that we will see more detailed breakdown on who is responsible for generating the actual sale and that person, be it publisher, distributor, or author be more fully compensated for their work.
For example, if the sale results from an ad the publisher ran,the internet can track where the connection came form and give credit where it is due, but if the sale came from an interview the author gave, then the author should make a higher percentage.
Also, the ultimate voter is the one spending the money--the reader. The route the reader takes to find the book will determine who gets paid more. Readers can be very loyal and when they understand this, I think they will be on the side of the writer.
Your thoughts.
Johnny Ray
January 21, 2012
I had a very nice interview today on another blog that I ...
Please click here
December 26, 2011
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season. The good news is...
The good news is that my novel, THE REJECTION LETTER is currently at no 6 on amazons list of best sellers in the romance category.
I plan to soon do a series of interviews with my characters, so stay tuned.
Johnny Ray
December 23, 2011
this is a video I think you will enjoy.
December 19, 2011
THE HERITAGE is one of my latest novels and I thought eve...
THE HERITAGE is one of my latest novels and I thought everyone might like a look at the opening of the book. I hope you like it and see more at the amazon site.
Available on Kindle now
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rejection-L...
THE HERITAGE is a 55,000 word novel based in New York City. KRISTINA SUTHERLAND learns she‟s pregnant, but how? She couldn‟t remember having sex with anyone for a long time. Her only explanation—a date rape drug. The problem: it happened onboard the corporate yacht attended by every member of the board of directors, older men and friends of her family. Still, the test strip didn‟t lie. And now, someone wants her to have an abortion to end the scandal and would do anything necessary to make sure she either complies or dies before giving birth.
An insider, the head of security for Lyon International soon offers her the best chance in surviving and discovering the truth. But SHAWN DAVIS has his own deep secrets to hide. While his grandfather, Brent Lyon is the chairman of the board he had tossed Shawn and his mother to the curb when he was born. His mother had refused to have an abortion, a decision Shawn obviously felt thankful for. This time, however, Shawn can make a difference, especially when Kristina needs someone to believe in her, to be her champion.
THE HERITAGE
BY
JOHNNY RAY
Chapter 1
A tingling sensation ravaged Kristina Sutherland‟s body as she waited for the colors to change on the test strip. Damn, she couldn‟t be pregnant. How? She hadn‟t been with a guy for months now. Still, she never missed her period before. A spinning numbness clouded her thoughts as she studied the blue strip indicating a positive response.
She needed help, but knew all she would receive was criticism. Yes, she loved to party, but she wasn‟t stupid. This couldn‟t be happening to her. Facing her mother would be the hardest part. She could imagine the headlines as Barbara Sutherland, one of the top socialites in New York City had to explain how her daughter got knocked up.
Kristina hid the test kit in a drawer. Her father, Lawson Sutherland would be home soon. She didn‟t want him to know. While her mother would go berserk, but her father would . . . . She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before shuffled toward her mother‟s activity room where Kristina last saw her painting.
The perspiration coating her body turned to a bitter chill. She shut the door on the way in as her mother studied the way she could barely walk, much less stand.
Barbara turned and lowered her paint brush. "What is it?"
"You‟re not going to like this." Kristina struggled to find a seat as her legs failed her and her mother rushed to her aid.
"Here." Barbara tossed papers and small boxes out of the seat and onto the floor. "Let me help you. Kristina, you look sick."
"I feel like I‟m going to pass out." Kristina realized she might lose her lunch any moment.
Her mother knelt beside her and squeezed her hand. "You feel sweaty. What‟s going on with you?"
Kristina cried, as she lowered her head. Each loud expression of sorrow released one wave of embarrassment after another. "Mother. I‟m pregnant."
"Pregnant! What? Are you sure?"
"I know. I just took a test. I missed my period and I never ever miss one."
Kristina felt her mother pull her head into her bosom. Good, she needed support and not criticism. However, she knew it would come soon enough.
The patience of her mother shocked her. She never reacted like this with her before. It wasn‟t her temperament. "I‟m sorry, mother."
"I‟ll take care of you, baby. I think I know what you‟re going through. I‟m here for you."
Kristina raised her head to face her mother. "Please, don‟t tell Dad."
"He‟ll have to know soon enough."
"I know. But I don‟t know who the father is, and I know he‟ll want to know."
"I see. It shouldn‟t be too hard to figure how which guy did this to you."
"Mother, you don‟t understand. I haven‟t had sex with anyone in a long time."
"Well apparently you have."
"That‟s why I‟m upset. I don‟t remember anyone. It has been at least four months ago."
Her mother offered a smile. "Then perhaps the test was wrong. We need to have you looked at by a good doctor."
"Yes, I want to see someone good, but I don‟t think there‟s any doubt. I need to know what happened to me. I only have one possible explanation."
"Which is?"
"I‟m thinking someone may have taken advantage of me when I passed out from drinking too much one night."
"Which night?" Her mother‟s mouth opened wide. "This sounds like rape. Are you sure?"
"No, I‟m not, but I don‟t have any other explanations." Kristina forced her attention on the night aboard the company yacht. She remembered the heavy drinking, and the partying later, but nothing else until she woke late the next day. "Mom, I really need to do some thinking before I say anything."
"I think you‟re hiding something. You know you can tell me."
In a way she knew she needed her mother‟s help, but also how she might explode, accusing others with no proof. She had to think about it. She needed to be alone and concentrate. Perhaps even ask some questions of others who were onboard. Yes, maybe even find someone who could do an investigation for her—discretely.
As Kristina mind raced from one thought to another, her mother regained her normal mannerism of arrogance and pride she had been breed with—something Kristina fought every day with. She didn‟t want to become like her mother. Her father‟s wealth provided her with all of the physical luxury they could ever want, but also saddled them with a need to protect their image from those intent to ruin it in any kind of scandal. So was the life of the high society elite in New York City.
"I can tell you‟re not mentally able to handle this right now. I think I have no choice but to help you."
"Mom, you mean control me. Don‟t worry; I don‟t plan to let the world know what happen until I have more answers." Kristina rubbed her eyes. "I need to be alone for a while and think."
"I do hope you have some smarts about you. But, we do need to get to the bottom of this as fast as we can."
"For now, I need to lie down and rest. I know I need to eat something, and will force myself to later. However, I want to be left alone." Before her mother could respond, Kristina walked out of the room and rushed to her own. She had to concentrate on what she needed to do. She wanted a best friend; someone who really cared about her. Unfortunately, all of the people she had around her insisted on partying all of the time. They would find this hilarious and their ridicule was definitely not what she needed now.
SEE MORE ON KINDLE INCLUDING REVIEWS
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rejection-L...
December 18, 2011
Merry Christmas to allPlease see my author page for updat...
Please see my author page for updates on my novels. And please give me your feedback on my hook I am using in my current advertising.
Just asking--After sleeping with a literary agent shouldn't you receive more than a standard form rejection letter? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069S80AE
THE REJECTION LETTER
December 2, 2011
THE REJECTION LETTERFREE GIVEAWAY TO CONTINUETo continue ...
FREE GIVEAWAY TO CONTINUE
To continue with the season of giving back to the reader, I will give away one copy of THE REJECTION LETTER every day until Christmas. These free copies will be selected from people signing up for my newsletter. The form to do so is on the side of this blog.
From my family to yours, I hope everyone has a great Christmas season.
JOHNNY RAY
December 1, 2011
THE REJECTION LETTER3 FREE E-BOOKS TO BE GIVEN AWAY TODAY...
3 FREE E-BOOKS TO BE GIVEN AWAY TODAY
LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE IN THE DRAWING
REJECTIONS
EVERYONE RECEIVES THEM
I don't think anyone enjoys them. What has been your way of dealing with them? What is the most amusing or funny rejection who ever received? What advice can you offer others on accepting it and moving on?
Since rejections go both ways, how do you prepare someone for a rejection? When is a little white lie better than the truth? Or, how do you make it sound not so bad? What is your advice on someone faced with having to give a rejection to someone?
I look forward to seeing everyone's opinion. And good luck on the drawing for a copy of THE REJECTION LETTER.
JOHNNY RAY
