Simone DaCosta's Blog: Depicting The Writer in You, page 6
September 21, 2012
Fiona Raye Clarke
Author, professional writer, editor
Fiona Clarke is a writer and a graduate of the University of Toronto. Fiona is passionate about telling the stories of Black people around the world and is interested in putting Black Canadians on the map. Fiona is also a writer for Who’s Who In Black Canada. She has recently published her first book, Basodee: An Anthology Dedicated to Black Youth, which she edited.
She is currently coordinating a forthcoming book and is working on one of her own. Fiona e...
Dr. Antoinette Smith, PhD, CPA
Author, digital animator, fantasy writer
Dr. Smith has helped a number of individuals and corporations win national awards. From day one, she has always lived with a purpose and a desire to help others succeed. Dr. Smith helps others step outside their comfort zone, rise to new levels in life and persevere through the challenges. She is the recipient of several degrees, awards, scholarships and grants but never has she been so proud as getting to a place in life where she took control over...
August 14, 2012
Why Write a Blog?
“A blog is an author’s way of sharing information”
The internet is about sharing news, be it in a Tweet or Facebook message. Yet given that advertising through the usual media channels can be expensive, then it’s necessary to utilise whatever is at your disposal to your best advantage. This then is the beauty of blogging.
A blog is your daily page to the world for sharing news, announcements and stories including information about your book. Remember, it’s all about self-promotion where you’re in charge of all the content in exactly the same way as you are with your website, should you have one.
It’s all about creating a dialogue with the internet community. So whether it’s news regarding a book signing, media coverage or just simply sharing progress about a new writing project, a blog gives a fresh impetus to a very personal statement from the author.
Remember, it’s all about getting the message ‘out there’. So be sure to make your blog as animated and as interesting as you can, because information should be fun and accessible - as should be your blog.
By Martin Baum
Regular contributor on Simone's Blog
The internet is about sharing news, be it in a Tweet or Facebook message. Yet given that advertising through the usual media channels can be expensive, then it’s necessary to utilise whatever is at your disposal to your best advantage. This then is the beauty of blogging.
A blog is your daily page to the world for sharing news, announcements and stories including information about your book. Remember, it’s all about self-promotion where you’re in charge of all the content in exactly the same way as you are with your website, should you have one.
It’s all about creating a dialogue with the internet community. So whether it’s news regarding a book signing, media coverage or just simply sharing progress about a new writing project, a blog gives a fresh impetus to a very personal statement from the author.
Remember, it’s all about getting the message ‘out there’. So be sure to make your blog as animated and as interesting as you can, because information should be fun and accessible - as should be your blog.
By Martin Baum
Regular contributor on Simone's Blog
August 8, 2012
50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid
1. Absolutely certain or sure/essential/guaranteed: Someone who is certain or sure is already without doubt. Something that is essential is intrinsically absolute. A guarantee is by nature absolute (or should be). Abandon absolutely in such usage.
2. Actual experience/fact: An experience is something that occurred (unless otherwise indicated). A fact is something confirmed to have happened. Actual is extraneous in these instances.
3. Add an additional: To add is to provide another of something. Additional is extraneous.
4. Added bonus: A bonus is an extra feature, so added is redundant.
5. Advance notice/planning/reservations/warning: Notices, planning, reservations, and warnings are all, by their nature, actions that occur before some event, so qualifying such terms with advance is superfluous.
6. As for example: As implies that an example is being provided, so omit “an example.”
7. Ask a question: To ask is to pose a question, so question is redundant.
8. At the present time: “At present” means “at this time,” so avoid the verbose version.
9. Basic fundamentals/essentials: Fundamentals and essentials are by their nature elementary, so remove basic from each phrase.
10. (Filled to) capacity: Something filled is done so to capacity, so describing something as “filled to capacity” is repetitive.
11. Came at a time when: When provides the necessary temporal reference to the action of coming; “at a time” is redundant.
12. Close proximity/scrutiny: Proximity means “close in location,” and scrutiny means “close study,” so avoid qualifying these terms with close.
13. Collaborate/join/meet/merge together: If you write of a group that collaborates or meets together, you imply that there’s another way to collect or confer. To speak of joining or merging together is, likewise, redundant.
14. Completely filled/finished/opposite: Something that is filled or finished is thoroughly so; completely is redundant. Something that is opposite isn’t necessarily diametrically opposed, especially in qualitative connotations, but the modifier is still extraneous.
15. Consensus of opinion: A consensus is an agreement but not necessarily one about an opinion, so “consensus of opinion” is not purely redundant, but the phrase “of opinion” is usually unnecessary.
16. (During the) course (of): During means “in or throughout the duration of”), so “during the course of” is repetitive.
17. Definite decision: Decisions may not be final, but when they are made, they are unequivocal and therefore definite, so one should not be described as “a definite decision.”
18. Difficult dilemma: A dilemma is by nature complicated, so omit difficult as a modifier.
19. Direct confrontation: A confrontation is a head-on conflict. Direct as a qualifier in this case is redundant.
20. End result: A result is something that occurs at the end, so omit end as a modifier of result.
21. Enter in: To enter is to go in, so throw in out.
22. Estimated at about/roughly: An estimate is an approximation. About and roughly are superfluous.
23. False pretense: A pretense is a deception, so false is redundant.
24. Few in number: Few refers to a small number; do not qualify few with the modifier “in number.”
25. Final outcome: An outcome is a result and is therefore intrinsically final.
26. First began, new beginning: A beginning is when something first occurs, so first and new are superfluous terms in these cases.
27. For a period/number of days: Days is plural, so a duration is implied; “a period of” or “a number of” is redundant. It’s better to specify the number of days or to generalize with many.
28. Foreign imports: Imports are products that originate in another country, so their foreign nature is implicit and the word foreign is redundant.
29. Forever and ever: Ever is an unnecessary reduplication of forever.
30. Free gift: A gift is by definition free (though cynics will dispute that definition), so free is extraneous.
31. Invited guests: Guests are intrinsically those who have an invitation, so invited is redundant.
32. Major breakthrough: A breakthrough is a significant progress in an effort. Though major is not directly redundant, the notable nature of the event is implicit.
33. [Number] a.m. in the morning/p.m. in the evening: The abbreviations a.m. and p.m. already identify the time of day, so omit “in the morning” or “in the evening.”
34. Past history/record: A history is by definition a record of past occurrences, and a record is documentation of what has already happened. In both cases, past is redundant.
35. Plan ahead: To plan is to prepare for the future. Ahead is extraneous.
36. Possibly might: Might indicates probability, so omit the redundant qualifier possibly.
37. Postpone until later: To postpone is to delay. Later is superfluous.
38. Protest against: To protest is to communicate opposition. Against is redundant.
39. Repeat again: To repeat is to reiterate an action, so again is unnecessary.
40. Revert back: Something that reverts returns to an earlier state. Back is superfluous.
41. Same identical: Same and identical are just that (and that). Omit same as a qualifier for identical.
42. Since the time when: Since indicates a time in the past; “the time when” is superfluous.
43. Spell out in detail: To spell out is to provide details, so “in detail” is repetitive.
44. Still remains: Something that remains is still in place. Still is redundant.
45. Suddenly exploded: An explosion is an immediate event. It cannot be any more sudden than it is.
46. Therapeutic treatment: Treatment in the sense of medical care is by nature therapeutic, so the adjective is redundant.
47. Unexpected surprise: No surprise is expected, so the modifier is extraneous.
48. Unintended mistake: A mistake is an inadvertently erroneous action. The lack of intention is implicit.
49. Usual custom: A custom is something routinely and repeatedly done or observed, and usual is redundant.
50. Written down: Something written has been taken down. Down is superfluous.
Reference:
Retrieved from http://www.dailywritingtips.com on Monday, July 16, 2012
Stephanie Williams
Contributor on Simone's Blog
2. Actual experience/fact: An experience is something that occurred (unless otherwise indicated). A fact is something confirmed to have happened. Actual is extraneous in these instances.
3. Add an additional: To add is to provide another of something. Additional is extraneous.
4. Added bonus: A bonus is an extra feature, so added is redundant.
5. Advance notice/planning/reservations/warning: Notices, planning, reservations, and warnings are all, by their nature, actions that occur before some event, so qualifying such terms with advance is superfluous.
6. As for example: As implies that an example is being provided, so omit “an example.”
7. Ask a question: To ask is to pose a question, so question is redundant.
8. At the present time: “At present” means “at this time,” so avoid the verbose version.
9. Basic fundamentals/essentials: Fundamentals and essentials are by their nature elementary, so remove basic from each phrase.
10. (Filled to) capacity: Something filled is done so to capacity, so describing something as “filled to capacity” is repetitive.
11. Came at a time when: When provides the necessary temporal reference to the action of coming; “at a time” is redundant.
12. Close proximity/scrutiny: Proximity means “close in location,” and scrutiny means “close study,” so avoid qualifying these terms with close.
13. Collaborate/join/meet/merge together: If you write of a group that collaborates or meets together, you imply that there’s another way to collect or confer. To speak of joining or merging together is, likewise, redundant.
14. Completely filled/finished/opposite: Something that is filled or finished is thoroughly so; completely is redundant. Something that is opposite isn’t necessarily diametrically opposed, especially in qualitative connotations, but the modifier is still extraneous.
15. Consensus of opinion: A consensus is an agreement but not necessarily one about an opinion, so “consensus of opinion” is not purely redundant, but the phrase “of opinion” is usually unnecessary.
16. (During the) course (of): During means “in or throughout the duration of”), so “during the course of” is repetitive.
17. Definite decision: Decisions may not be final, but when they are made, they are unequivocal and therefore definite, so one should not be described as “a definite decision.”
18. Difficult dilemma: A dilemma is by nature complicated, so omit difficult as a modifier.
19. Direct confrontation: A confrontation is a head-on conflict. Direct as a qualifier in this case is redundant.
20. End result: A result is something that occurs at the end, so omit end as a modifier of result.
21. Enter in: To enter is to go in, so throw in out.
22. Estimated at about/roughly: An estimate is an approximation. About and roughly are superfluous.
23. False pretense: A pretense is a deception, so false is redundant.
24. Few in number: Few refers to a small number; do not qualify few with the modifier “in number.”
25. Final outcome: An outcome is a result and is therefore intrinsically final.
26. First began, new beginning: A beginning is when something first occurs, so first and new are superfluous terms in these cases.
27. For a period/number of days: Days is plural, so a duration is implied; “a period of” or “a number of” is redundant. It’s better to specify the number of days or to generalize with many.
28. Foreign imports: Imports are products that originate in another country, so their foreign nature is implicit and the word foreign is redundant.
29. Forever and ever: Ever is an unnecessary reduplication of forever.
30. Free gift: A gift is by definition free (though cynics will dispute that definition), so free is extraneous.
31. Invited guests: Guests are intrinsically those who have an invitation, so invited is redundant.
32. Major breakthrough: A breakthrough is a significant progress in an effort. Though major is not directly redundant, the notable nature of the event is implicit.
33. [Number] a.m. in the morning/p.m. in the evening: The abbreviations a.m. and p.m. already identify the time of day, so omit “in the morning” or “in the evening.”
34. Past history/record: A history is by definition a record of past occurrences, and a record is documentation of what has already happened. In both cases, past is redundant.
35. Plan ahead: To plan is to prepare for the future. Ahead is extraneous.
36. Possibly might: Might indicates probability, so omit the redundant qualifier possibly.
37. Postpone until later: To postpone is to delay. Later is superfluous.
38. Protest against: To protest is to communicate opposition. Against is redundant.
39. Repeat again: To repeat is to reiterate an action, so again is unnecessary.
40. Revert back: Something that reverts returns to an earlier state. Back is superfluous.
41. Same identical: Same and identical are just that (and that). Omit same as a qualifier for identical.
42. Since the time when: Since indicates a time in the past; “the time when” is superfluous.
43. Spell out in detail: To spell out is to provide details, so “in detail” is repetitive.
44. Still remains: Something that remains is still in place. Still is redundant.
45. Suddenly exploded: An explosion is an immediate event. It cannot be any more sudden than it is.
46. Therapeutic treatment: Treatment in the sense of medical care is by nature therapeutic, so the adjective is redundant.
47. Unexpected surprise: No surprise is expected, so the modifier is extraneous.
48. Unintended mistake: A mistake is an inadvertently erroneous action. The lack of intention is implicit.
49. Usual custom: A custom is something routinely and repeatedly done or observed, and usual is redundant.
50. Written down: Something written has been taken down. Down is superfluous.
Reference:
Retrieved from http://www.dailywritingtips.com on Monday, July 16, 2012
Stephanie Williams
Contributor on Simone's Blog
August 6, 2012
Preparing a previously published work for e-book format
Larry has asked how to go about preparing a previously published work for publishing in ebook format.
It’s a great question that involves a variety of tasks that will very likely be unique in each circumstance. The first task is to ensure you have the rights to publish in digital formate (ebook). Check with your agent or editor who handled the original publication and get confirmation that you have digital rights.
If you have your original text file of the manuscript, you are ahead of the game. If you have to rely on your publisher getting the file back to you, you may have some conversion problems. Most often they will return it to you in PDF format. If that’s the only format you can get your hands on, you can use a PDF conversion package like Desk Un-PDF to turn it back into a Word or WordPerfect doc so you can work on it. If you’re terribly unlucky and only have the original hard copy, i.e., paperback, hard cover or manuscript pages, you will have to get the book scanned.
If that is the case, you have a decision to make. If you’re computer literate, you may want to invest $200 in a duplexing scanner (such as the Xerox DocuMate 3220. Otherwise, be prepared to pay on average a quarter per page to have the book professionally scanned. Ask them to give you an .rtf (Rich Text Format) file, or a Word .doc file.
Many folks like to go straight to Smashwords to publish ebooks, because Smashwords has a tool they call the “Meatgrinder”. You upload one clean file, formatted to their specifications, and the meatgrinder converts it to all the necessary formats, i.e., Kobo, Sony, Apple, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and others.
Others want the benefit of seeing their sales day by day, hour by hour on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. Those folks will want to create a KDP account at Amazon, and a PubIt account at Barnes and Noble. Each has its own set of requirements for formatting the document.
So, here are the links to the Quick Reference Guides that will give you all the specifications you need:
SMASHWORDS
Register for a free account at Smashwords and then access their excellent guide for preparing your manuscript for ebook at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52. Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, also provides a list of vendors who can provide services, such as book cover creation, file conversion, etc. You can obtain his list of vendors by emailing list@smashwords.com . Many of these are authors who have broad experience in e-publishing and will provide services for you for an hourly fee.
KDP Formatting Guide
Sign up for your free KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account by visiting http://kdp.amazon.com
They offer two free guides that will get you started:
Building Your Book for Kindle (PC version) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007URVZJ6
Building Your Book for Kindle for Mac (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00822K3Z0)
These are free guides to download from Amazon and read in PDF format on your computer or Kindle.
Kindle also provides a list of Conversion Services you can contact. These services will convert your file for a fee if you feel unequipped to do that on your own. You can see the list of service providers at https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishin.... (Note that you may need to sign up for a free KDP account in order to access these files.)
Barnes and Noble PubIt!
PubIt accepts .epub, .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .txt files. You can choose the formatting guide you need at http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com/pubit... . Note that you will want to sign up for a free PubIt account to gain access to the files. To sign up, go to http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com
Now, did that seem like a walk in the park? Or do you need a bit more help? There’s a web site that can do all these things for you, for a fee, of course. It’s called BookBaby. Go to http://www.bookbaby.com and see what they can offer. Essentially, for a very nominal fee, they will convert your files and distribute them to the various online book vendors. Then, they’ll set up a page where you can monitor your daily sales. And the best part is that the royalties…100% of them…go directly into any bank account you indicate.
For many of you, the do-it-yourself document formatting will be the obvious choice. And for many more, a service like BookBaby will be the answer to a prayer. Whichever way you go, begin with the cleanest, most carefully edited manuscript of which you are capable. Get the most professional-looking cover you can. And write an engaging “blurb” that will convince the reader this book must go on his or her shelf. Immediately.
Happy trails!
It’s a great question that involves a variety of tasks that will very likely be unique in each circumstance. The first task is to ensure you have the rights to publish in digital formate (ebook). Check with your agent or editor who handled the original publication and get confirmation that you have digital rights.
If you have your original text file of the manuscript, you are ahead of the game. If you have to rely on your publisher getting the file back to you, you may have some conversion problems. Most often they will return it to you in PDF format. If that’s the only format you can get your hands on, you can use a PDF conversion package like Desk Un-PDF to turn it back into a Word or WordPerfect doc so you can work on it. If you’re terribly unlucky and only have the original hard copy, i.e., paperback, hard cover or manuscript pages, you will have to get the book scanned.
If that is the case, you have a decision to make. If you’re computer literate, you may want to invest $200 in a duplexing scanner (such as the Xerox DocuMate 3220. Otherwise, be prepared to pay on average a quarter per page to have the book professionally scanned. Ask them to give you an .rtf (Rich Text Format) file, or a Word .doc file.
Many folks like to go straight to Smashwords to publish ebooks, because Smashwords has a tool they call the “Meatgrinder”. You upload one clean file, formatted to their specifications, and the meatgrinder converts it to all the necessary formats, i.e., Kobo, Sony, Apple, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and others.
Others want the benefit of seeing their sales day by day, hour by hour on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. Those folks will want to create a KDP account at Amazon, and a PubIt account at Barnes and Noble. Each has its own set of requirements for formatting the document.
So, here are the links to the Quick Reference Guides that will give you all the specifications you need:
SMASHWORDS
Register for a free account at Smashwords and then access their excellent guide for preparing your manuscript for ebook at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52. Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, also provides a list of vendors who can provide services, such as book cover creation, file conversion, etc. You can obtain his list of vendors by emailing list@smashwords.com . Many of these are authors who have broad experience in e-publishing and will provide services for you for an hourly fee.
KDP Formatting Guide
Sign up for your free KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account by visiting http://kdp.amazon.com
They offer two free guides that will get you started:
Building Your Book for Kindle (PC version) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007URVZJ6
Building Your Book for Kindle for Mac (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00822K3Z0)
These are free guides to download from Amazon and read in PDF format on your computer or Kindle.
Kindle also provides a list of Conversion Services you can contact. These services will convert your file for a fee if you feel unequipped to do that on your own. You can see the list of service providers at https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishin.... (Note that you may need to sign up for a free KDP account in order to access these files.)
Barnes and Noble PubIt!
PubIt accepts .epub, .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .txt files. You can choose the formatting guide you need at http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com/pubit... . Note that you will want to sign up for a free PubIt account to gain access to the files. To sign up, go to http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com
Now, did that seem like a walk in the park? Or do you need a bit more help? There’s a web site that can do all these things for you, for a fee, of course. It’s called BookBaby. Go to http://www.bookbaby.com and see what they can offer. Essentially, for a very nominal fee, they will convert your files and distribute them to the various online book vendors. Then, they’ll set up a page where you can monitor your daily sales. And the best part is that the royalties…100% of them…go directly into any bank account you indicate.
For many of you, the do-it-yourself document formatting will be the obvious choice. And for many more, a service like BookBaby will be the answer to a prayer. Whichever way you go, begin with the cleanest, most carefully edited manuscript of which you are capable. Get the most professional-looking cover you can. And write an engaging “blurb” that will convince the reader this book must go on his or her shelf. Immediately.
Happy trails!
August 4, 2012
Media Preperation
“You don’t have to be an extrovert to be interesting, just be prepared”
Although the idea of being part of the news is appealing, it’s nevertheless a daunting affair. Achieving an interview is quite a big deal but as long as you’re prepared, then there’s everything to enjoy and absolutely nothing to fear.
If the media is interested then it means your press release did what it was meant to. However, all that good work can be undone by being badly prepared. It happens. So it’s important to bear in mind the five Ws; who you are, what you wrote, why you wrote it, when you wrote it and where it’s available.
This is about getting information across to an audience as clearly as you can, so be sure to make notes ahead of the interview. Remember, this is your opportunity to get the message out there. This is your chance to speak about your book as only the author can.
The media will want to know about you; they will want to know about your home life and of course your book. They want something that will appeal to their readers or listeners so allow journalists and reporters to work with as much additional and relevant information as you can.
An interview with the media is your opportunity to shine brightly. Make as many notes as you can by thinking of as many questions that might be asked in advance. Think of yourself as part of the readership and specifically what you would find interesting about the article.
Remember to be authoritative and informative but above all, be prepared.
Martin Baum
Contributor on Simone's Blog
Although the idea of being part of the news is appealing, it’s nevertheless a daunting affair. Achieving an interview is quite a big deal but as long as you’re prepared, then there’s everything to enjoy and absolutely nothing to fear.
If the media is interested then it means your press release did what it was meant to. However, all that good work can be undone by being badly prepared. It happens. So it’s important to bear in mind the five Ws; who you are, what you wrote, why you wrote it, when you wrote it and where it’s available.
This is about getting information across to an audience as clearly as you can, so be sure to make notes ahead of the interview. Remember, this is your opportunity to get the message out there. This is your chance to speak about your book as only the author can.
The media will want to know about you; they will want to know about your home life and of course your book. They want something that will appeal to their readers or listeners so allow journalists and reporters to work with as much additional and relevant information as you can.
An interview with the media is your opportunity to shine brightly. Make as many notes as you can by thinking of as many questions that might be asked in advance. Think of yourself as part of the readership and specifically what you would find interesting about the article.
Remember to be authoritative and informative but above all, be prepared.
Martin Baum
Contributor on Simone's Blog
August 3, 2012
How do I go about finding a copyright expert/professional to help with the copyright/credits page of my self-published book/work?
There’s a website where you can submit a copyright question and a copyright lawyer will respond. The main page of www.justanswer.com deals with intellectual property. But if you click this link, you’ll go directly to the page where you can submit a copyright question.
One suggestion I might also make is that you get familiar with Passive Guy. He’s a lawyer who is an author, and has a blog about writing and the publishing industry. At www.thepassivevoice.com he covers many of the topics of interest to independent authors. On the lower right of his home page is a list of subjects for his blogs, and you might want to read the blog posts relating to “copyright” to get some background info. These are not “how-to” blog posts, but will give you a feel for things that should be considered. He also has a link at the top right of his home page that will take you to his professional site, the place that deals with his “lawyering” side.
Mary Schwaner
Contributor on Simone's Blog
One suggestion I might also make is that you get familiar with Passive Guy. He’s a lawyer who is an author, and has a blog about writing and the publishing industry. At www.thepassivevoice.com he covers many of the topics of interest to independent authors. On the lower right of his home page is a list of subjects for his blogs, and you might want to read the blog posts relating to “copyright” to get some background info. These are not “how-to” blog posts, but will give you a feel for things that should be considered. He also has a link at the top right of his home page that will take you to his professional site, the place that deals with his “lawyering” side.
Mary Schwaner
Contributor on Simone's Blog
August 2, 2012
Is there an inexpensive way to promote/market my book without breaking the bank?
Promotion is the part we writers are dragged into kicking and screaming. After all, we want to write, not spend our days promoting. But promoting is mandatory, whether you’re independently or traditionally published, so take a deep breath and make a plan.
It won’t cost you a cent to do some of the things which begin to get some name recognition for you. Sign up at www.kindleboards.com. This is a place where readers and authors mingle and talk about everything Kindle. When you sign on, spend a few minutes on your profile and then make a signature. There are several “discussion threads” that will step you through how to add your book covers to your signature. Once you’ve done that, visit some “threads” and start replying/commenting. Each time you do, your signature, proudly displaying your book covers, will fall before the eyes of avid readers. Make sure that you link the book covers to the Amazon page where they can buy your book.
Another “must” is www.goodreads.com. There are nearly two million readers on GoodReads, and friends, readers are the ones you want to cultivate. Sign up (it’s free) and flesh out your profile. Make sure your book is in the “library”, and if it’s not, you can pull it into the database for free, as long as it’s currently for sale someplace like BarnesAndNoble.com, etc. At GoodReads readers build “bookshelves” under categories they get to define themselves. You might name your shelves “Favorites”, “Must-Reads”, “Books to Recommend”, etc., whatever works for you. Pull in the titles of books you’ve read or want to read and the book covers will automatically appear. Give the book a star rating, if you’ve already read it, and write a couple of pithy sentences about why the book was good. Be honest, be direct, be passionate, and people will find your reviews interesting. They’ll ask to be your “friend” and will “follow” your reviews, and you’ll be their friend and follow their reviews. Then join some groups. There are thousands of groups on GoodReads, and you’re sure to find a number of groups that exist to talk about exactly the genre of book you are writing. There are very affordable advertising opportunities on GoodReads, too, where your ad will fall before the eyes of readers. Ah, yes. Readers. For an author, that’s better than gold. And you’ll be able to do a giveaway, too. It’s very common to get over a thousand people signing up for a chance to get a free copy of your book.
For a small fee, you can take ads at www.kindlenationdaily.com, www.frugalereader.com, http://thekindlebookreview.blogspot.com, etc. You can use a Tweeting service like http://www.booktweetingservice.com/ to send out tweets announcing your book, or announcing a great review or lowered price, all with links to the place where they can buy your book.
You can advertise on sites that sell books in your particular genre. After all, that’s where readers who like your kind of book will be hanging out.
Publishing went all upside down and backwards this year, so everyone is working to figure out some common paths that will gain exposure for their books. For now, you’ll have to experiment. And when you do, you’ll be better off to “layer” your promotions. Have some ads overlap, and always accompany them with a Twitter campaign.
And here’s a rule of thumb (I have stolen it from several well-known authors): Publish your first book, and don’t do any promotion. Write that second book, publish it, and don’t do any promotion. Write your third book. Now you can promote. It’s tough, I know, but I would have had books two and three out a lot faster if I’d adhered to it.
And last, bite the bullet and blog. Respond to blog posts by authors in your genre, or at blog sites where bloggers talk about books. Get your name known as a generally nice guy or gal who really gets enthused when talking about books and writing. Don’t promote your books when you respond. You’re building name recognition here.
Good luck!
Mary Schwaner
Contributor on Simone's Blog
It won’t cost you a cent to do some of the things which begin to get some name recognition for you. Sign up at www.kindleboards.com. This is a place where readers and authors mingle and talk about everything Kindle. When you sign on, spend a few minutes on your profile and then make a signature. There are several “discussion threads” that will step you through how to add your book covers to your signature. Once you’ve done that, visit some “threads” and start replying/commenting. Each time you do, your signature, proudly displaying your book covers, will fall before the eyes of avid readers. Make sure that you link the book covers to the Amazon page where they can buy your book.
Another “must” is www.goodreads.com. There are nearly two million readers on GoodReads, and friends, readers are the ones you want to cultivate. Sign up (it’s free) and flesh out your profile. Make sure your book is in the “library”, and if it’s not, you can pull it into the database for free, as long as it’s currently for sale someplace like BarnesAndNoble.com, etc. At GoodReads readers build “bookshelves” under categories they get to define themselves. You might name your shelves “Favorites”, “Must-Reads”, “Books to Recommend”, etc., whatever works for you. Pull in the titles of books you’ve read or want to read and the book covers will automatically appear. Give the book a star rating, if you’ve already read it, and write a couple of pithy sentences about why the book was good. Be honest, be direct, be passionate, and people will find your reviews interesting. They’ll ask to be your “friend” and will “follow” your reviews, and you’ll be their friend and follow their reviews. Then join some groups. There are thousands of groups on GoodReads, and you’re sure to find a number of groups that exist to talk about exactly the genre of book you are writing. There are very affordable advertising opportunities on GoodReads, too, where your ad will fall before the eyes of readers. Ah, yes. Readers. For an author, that’s better than gold. And you’ll be able to do a giveaway, too. It’s very common to get over a thousand people signing up for a chance to get a free copy of your book.
For a small fee, you can take ads at www.kindlenationdaily.com, www.frugalereader.com, http://thekindlebookreview.blogspot.com, etc. You can use a Tweeting service like http://www.booktweetingservice.com/ to send out tweets announcing your book, or announcing a great review or lowered price, all with links to the place where they can buy your book.
You can advertise on sites that sell books in your particular genre. After all, that’s where readers who like your kind of book will be hanging out.
Publishing went all upside down and backwards this year, so everyone is working to figure out some common paths that will gain exposure for their books. For now, you’ll have to experiment. And when you do, you’ll be better off to “layer” your promotions. Have some ads overlap, and always accompany them with a Twitter campaign.
And here’s a rule of thumb (I have stolen it from several well-known authors): Publish your first book, and don’t do any promotion. Write that second book, publish it, and don’t do any promotion. Write your third book. Now you can promote. It’s tough, I know, but I would have had books two and three out a lot faster if I’d adhered to it.
And last, bite the bullet and blog. Respond to blog posts by authors in your genre, or at blog sites where bloggers talk about books. Get your name known as a generally nice guy or gal who really gets enthused when talking about books and writing. Don’t promote your books when you respond. You’re building name recognition here.
Good luck!
Mary Schwaner
Contributor on Simone's Blog
August 1, 2012
The Murder of King Tut - Book Review
I was at the library one day browsing the shelves when my wondering eyes focused on a book called, The Murder of King Tut. I thought to myself, hmmmmm….. after all these years people are still writing books about King Tut and some what trying to piece together his mysterious death. However, I put aside my reservation and placed it on the shelf in replacement of, The Murder of King Tut. After all, I could not past up the opportunity of a potential good read and a good read it is.
In an attempt to garner their own conclusion of the boy king’s life and death, James Patterson and Martin Dugard took me back 3000 years to King Tut’s childhood, adolescent and early teenage years to his sudden death. As, I read the book with anticipation, eagerly turning each page, I find myself unable to put the book down, as I was so captivated by the story.
James with the help of Martin dug up historical facts: evidence, x-rays, forensic clues, many stories told about the boy King through out the ages and Howard Carter’s documented stories. Howard Carter, a 26 year old English Egyptologist who made it his life’s mission to uncover King Tut’s tomb back in 1923.
As, I read about the exotic Egyptian world filled with gold, power and prosperity. It was also filtrated with a lot of jealousy and envy within the palace walls. As I read on, I yearned to know more about ancient Egypt, especially King Tut’s past life. It was then that I came to discover that the Pharoah was challenged from the very first day of his reign by his most trusted advisors who often plotted to over throw the king’s inherited throne. Then suddenly the teenage King mysteriously dies. For years and centuries after King Tut’s death his name was removed from Egyptian history. To this very day Pharaoh’s murder remains an unsolved mystery and is the oldest mystery of all.
But, the story did not stop there for me. At the end, I realized that James and Martin planted a seed in my mind about another possible murderer, Ankhesenpaaten: King Tut’s half sister and wife. In the book, Ankhesenpaaten was upset with King Tut who was unfaithful for the good of Egypt, as Ankhesenpaaten was barren. To make a long story short, Ankhesenpaaten loved the king so much that when she found out he was unfaithful she could not fathom the idea of Tut being with anyone else but her. She felt betrayed by her true love and was very enraged and, therefore, may have killed the King. But, I could be wrong as there are so many possibilities about King Tut’s death through out the centuries that it goes without saying that the boy king’s death is indeed mysterious and controversial.
Review by Simone Da Costa
In an attempt to garner their own conclusion of the boy king’s life and death, James Patterson and Martin Dugard took me back 3000 years to King Tut’s childhood, adolescent and early teenage years to his sudden death. As, I read the book with anticipation, eagerly turning each page, I find myself unable to put the book down, as I was so captivated by the story.
James with the help of Martin dug up historical facts: evidence, x-rays, forensic clues, many stories told about the boy King through out the ages and Howard Carter’s documented stories. Howard Carter, a 26 year old English Egyptologist who made it his life’s mission to uncover King Tut’s tomb back in 1923.
As, I read about the exotic Egyptian world filled with gold, power and prosperity. It was also filtrated with a lot of jealousy and envy within the palace walls. As I read on, I yearned to know more about ancient Egypt, especially King Tut’s past life. It was then that I came to discover that the Pharoah was challenged from the very first day of his reign by his most trusted advisors who often plotted to over throw the king’s inherited throne. Then suddenly the teenage King mysteriously dies. For years and centuries after King Tut’s death his name was removed from Egyptian history. To this very day Pharaoh’s murder remains an unsolved mystery and is the oldest mystery of all.
But, the story did not stop there for me. At the end, I realized that James and Martin planted a seed in my mind about another possible murderer, Ankhesenpaaten: King Tut’s half sister and wife. In the book, Ankhesenpaaten was upset with King Tut who was unfaithful for the good of Egypt, as Ankhesenpaaten was barren. To make a long story short, Ankhesenpaaten loved the king so much that when she found out he was unfaithful she could not fathom the idea of Tut being with anyone else but her. She felt betrayed by her true love and was very enraged and, therefore, may have killed the King. But, I could be wrong as there are so many possibilities about King Tut’s death through out the centuries that it goes without saying that the boy king’s death is indeed mysterious and controversial.
Review by Simone Da Costa
God Don't Like Ugly -Simone's Blog Book Review
God Don’t like Ugly, Mary Monroe’s unforgettable second novel. The story takes place in the south in 1950s a time that breathe the ugliness of racism. Annette Goode, the thirteen year old heroine of Monroe’s poignant book. Annette is an innocent, well mannered and overweight young girl who was secretly raped since the age of seven by Mr. Boatright, a boarder who rented a room in her mother’s home and whom Annette also calls her daddy due to being abandoned by her father.
For many years Annette kept silent and hides her pain by indulging in food. Until 1963, the year she meets the beautiful green eyed Rhoda Goode. After years of suffering and attacks from Mr. Boatright, Rhoda gives Annette the courage to end her abuse once and for all.
Review by Simone Da Costa
For many years Annette kept silent and hides her pain by indulging in food. Until 1963, the year she meets the beautiful green eyed Rhoda Goode. After years of suffering and attacks from Mr. Boatright, Rhoda gives Annette the courage to end her abuse once and for all.
Review by Simone Da Costa
Depicting The Writer in You
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