Jody Cantrell Dyer's Blog: What's your story? Maybe I can help you write it., page 3

What would YOU teach young creative writers?

 

Hello from Crippled Beagle Publishing Headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee!

My team and I will soon plan the lessons for my third UT KidsU Creative Writing Camp, and I’d love to know what YOU think the students will enjoy! My previous lesson plans are great, but I’m always looking for new ideas.

The “campers” are grades (rising) 8-12, and we meet for four hours per day, Monday – Friday, June 26-30. On Monday, they’ll be quiet. By Friday, they’ll all be best buds on Snapchat.

The camp is held at the University of Tennessee Conference Center on Henley Street. UT gives me a huge classroom with a projector screen, a computer, flip charts, markers, tables, and chairs. I can rearrange the furniture and raise/dim the lighting. I’ll likely have 15 to 20 students, total.

If you were going to teach a week-long camp for young creative writers, what would you want to include? I can’t wait to read your ideas!

If you know a young person or parent who may be interested in camp information, please share my contact information or forward this email. Parents may learn more and register students at this link: 

Creative Writing (Grades 8-12, rising) - 23SUKU354 (utk.edu)

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for your creative ideas!

Xoxoxo 

P.S. Remember, I teach adult (18 and older) classes, too. The next one is in June. Here's the full list: Language and Writing (utk.edu)

Be realistic, embrace retail reality, and find those readers!

Greetings from Crippled Beagle Publishing headquarters in Knoxville,Tennessee. Speaking of Tennessee, did you know that La Vergne, Tennessee, is hometo Ingram Industries? Ingram leads the WORLD in book distribution. CrippledBeagle Publishing uses a combination of Ingram (through subsidiary IngramSpark)and Amazon-owned Kindle Direct Publishing to distribute clients’ books.

Ingram wholesales to over 40,000 retailers, includingretailer Amazon.com. According to Statisica.com, Amazon has WELL over 2 BILLIONwebsite visits per month.

While we all love libraries and bookstores, Amazon.comoffers an easy and economical route for readers to buy books, granting youincredible opportunities to grow readership, especially if you are puttingconsistent time and energy into your marketing efforts. The fact is that themajority of books are sold on Amazon.com.

This bar chart shows how important Amazon is to independentauthors across the world. (I’ve actually heard many times that Amazon sales arecloser to 80%, and I don’t doubt it.) I don’t like that brick-and-mortar bookstoresare struggling, but I do like that busy authors can economically focus their effortson online marketing and grow readership. Amazon understands this, which is whyKindle Direct Publishing is the preferred print-on-demand distributor AND whyAmazon and KDP provide many tools to help authors succeed. TIP: When you marketyour book online, be sure to include the URL (web address) that takes readersto your website or your buying page on Amazon.com. Make doing business with youeasy😊.

If you’d like to read the article behind this graphic,visit: Chart:Amazon Dominates Book Sales Almost Everywhere | Statista (https://www.statista.com/chart/28042/...).

HAPPY MARKETING!

Jody

Get media coverage without exhausting your brain and keyboard

Research pays off. Have youever wondered how certain books get so much press? There are lots of ways togain media coverage for your book, but the task can be confusing and daunting.One internet search query can turn into hours of tedious reading. Here are twotips to help you get more coverage without exhausting your brain and keyboard.

TIP #1 

Reverse presscontacting - Look for successful books similar to yours (genre, content, audience,theme, region, etcetera), and see what press they have gotten. Then, contactthose press outlets. If you aren’t’ sure how to tell if a book is successful,visit the book’s Amazon page and look for rankings and reviews.

TIP #2

Go where youwill automatically be liked. Instead of trying to convince someone who rarely endorsesauthors to endorse you, go where you will more likely be liked! (I made thatone kind of a riddle-tongue-twister😊. If you see a write-up, hear a podcast, orread a blog post about a book, contact the source. The source likes books and authors,so he/she may like and promote your work, too. I learned this technique from myfather when he coached me on dating. He said, “Jody, I always liked the girlswho liked me. That made the whole process easier.”

Happy marketing!

xoxoxo

If you would like to know the next, best step in promoting your book, book a "Next Steps Call" here: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/free-fi...

Get creative and collaborate with illustrators and artists, but also be creative and cost-conscious!

Hello fromCrippled Beagle Publishing Headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. The dogwoodsare blooming, and I am feeling energized by the spring weather and scenery. Howabout you?

Lately, I’vebeen answering lots of questions about book illustration, artwork, andphotography. There are multiple ways to find the right illustrator for yourwork. Here are a few “fancy” methods I’ve tried, all of which have beensuccessful.

Wordof mouth – I created a post on social media and asked for recommendations.Onlinemarketplaces – I’ve used Fiverr, Reedsy, and Upwork to find subcontractortalent.Canva– Often, I can create artwork or use royalty-secured artwork through my proaccount with Canva.Friends and relatives (mine/clients’) – Ask around in your social circles. You may besurprised at what talents are hidden among your family and friends!Clients– Many of my clients provide their own photography or artwork, which adds tothe creative experience while saving them money.

Visit www.crippledbeaglepublishing.com and go to the bookstore page to see lots of cover designs created by all the above.

If you dodecide to collaborate with an artist, there are a few issues to consider. Forthat reason, I created a short guide to help you. If you would like my “How to Work with anIllustrator Tip Sheet," email me at jody@crippledbeaglepublishing.com.

Happyspringtime from East Tennessee!

xoxoxo

Jody

BRING ON BOOK SUCCESS IN 2023! Here are a few ways Crippled Beagle Publishing can help you.

 Jody,

Greetings from Crippled Beagle Publishing. The first quarter of 2023 has been WILD here, and I'm excited to share lots of news with you. Let's go by phase.

Writing - My colleague Debbie Patrick and I are teaching several workshops this year at the University of Tennessee in the Office Professional and Personal Development. The next class is April 6, in person, from 6 to 8 PM in Knoxville. The class is called Building Your Book's Foundation. Please tell your friends. There's still room in this class. For details on each class, go to 2023 Workshops with Jody Dyer at UT.

Editing - My team and I continue to edit fantastic manuscripts. We've updated and sped up the process, too. 

Publishing - I now have set packages to help clients at any budget level: Imprint Publishing Package, Catalog Publishing Package, One-on-One Coaching, as needed consultations and assistance, and my Self-Publish Your Book Mastermind. 

Marketing - Get excited for lots of new tools this year, beginning with my Big Book of Book Marketing, which I hope to publish in April or May. I have compiled all the tools I've used for years, revised them, added new ones, and hired lots of expert help to create an awesome resource for authors at an affordable price. Additionally, I have revised my marketing packages to now include programs, services, and products that cater to authors' needs, goals, interests, schedules, and budgets. If you'd like a copy of the new packages, email me. Also, the free author interviews are going GREAT! If you'd like to schedule one, email me.

SPEAKING OF EMAIL and all things TECH, with the help of expert Lynne Tuel, I am almost finished moving my entire website to a new hosting platform. This will allow me to give visitors and clients great content and tools, all in one place. The move has not been easy, and there were some stalls with the email transfers. If you emailed me at jody@crippledbeaglepublishing.com and did not receive a response from me, I apologize. The emails didn't transfer, but I think Lynne has solved the high-tech problem. You can always use dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com. You can also (this is so old-school) CALL me at 865-414-4017.

OPPORTUNITY - Speaking of the new site, make sure your books are in my bookstore. Through the new site, I am hosting a virtual bookstore where I can showcase client work. I am currently building out that store and will continue to "stock it" with new titles. Please check the bookstore soon. If you don't see your cover, end me a .jpeg image of your book/books' front cover/covers and the URL where you'd like to send visitors (this can be your website or your Amazon Author Central page or your book's listing on Amazon). Here's the link to the store: CBP Bookstore.

Thank you for a wonderfully wild and successful, exciting first quarter. My team and I look forward to helping you meet your author goals in 2023. Tell us what you need. We love to create and innovate! 

xoxoxo 

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Have you ever entered a writing contest? Here's a cool site my client Kim shared with me.

Hello Creative Friend,

At what AGE did you start writing stories? Think way, way, WAY back. My bet is that you started even younger than you think. My son Houston used to write "books" (using markers and Crayons) about the people at the Battle of the Alamo. Would that be considered fan fiction? He would staple the pages together and present these titles to me with pride.

I signed up for essay contests as a high school student to hopefully get cash for college. Thank goodness for the Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Rotary Club and similar organizations. They are a blessing to collegebound students.

Have you ever entered competitions in school, at work, online, at the county fair, or through civic groups?

Client Kim Clelland told me about a great organization called Globe Soup, and I'm excited to share info with you. Browse the site and see if you want to enter a contest. You can search by genre, entry fee, and other criteria. Enjoy! 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE GLOBE SOUP WEBSITE:)

THANKS, KIM! I hope you win another one soon.

xoxoxo

Enjoy this funny video. Writer, you'll relate and learn!

This funny video actually teaches an important lesson. Writing requires a system. Notice how many best-selling authors repeatedly use certain themes and processes. Atomic Habits author James Clear teaches, "You do not rise to the level of your goals; you sink to the level of your systems." I encourage you to create a writing system that reduces anxiety and increases productivity. If you need help, I'm here. 
For a free, first-time consultation, BOOK A CALL RIGHT ON MY CALENDAR
xoxoxoJody DyerFounder and Owner of Crippled Beagle Publishing

Great tool to help you find more readers (on free landing pages)!

Hello from Crippled Beagle Publishing Headquarters. Our clients' budgets range, so I love to share low-cost solutions to common frustrations. The information below is copied directly from an email I received from Kindle Direct Publishing. It's an update notice for Author Central, which you should absolutely be using to promote yourself. Plus, Author Central is FREE. My team and I created a great resource that walks you through the process step by step (BONUS: the tool includes instructions on setting up your GoodReads Author Page). You can find it by clicking here: QUICK GUIDE TO SET UP MY AUTHOR PAGES

So, read the article, consider downloading our tool, and take advantage of a great free platform! If you need help, let me know. 

xoxoxo 

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THE ARTICLE

Set up your Author Page
 Help readers discover and stay informed about your books.
An Author Page can help you share the most up-to-date information, like your bio, profile photos, blog feed, and bibliography, with millions of readers on Amazon. New readers may visit your page during their shopping journey to get to know you and your books.

The new multi-page storefront experience in the US now features your popular books more prominently, adds a “Quick look” feature to help readers view book details at a glance, and provides an improved layout for shoppers browsing your catalog on mobile devices.

You can also connect with your readers and help your readers discover the next best book via new feature, Book Recommendations . You can add recommendations about the books you’ve written to help readers get started (‘my most talked about book’) or recommend books written by other authors that your readers may also like (‘if you like my work, you’ll like’). After submission, your recommendations may be shown on your new Amazon Author Page. Once you’ve submitted three or more recommendations they can be eligible to be shared with your followers.

Set up your Author Page
Create and manage your Author Page by registering for a free Author Central account using your existing KDP credentials. Once your account is created, you can claim your pen names and add your books, including KDP, traditionally-published, and co-authored titles.

You can manage multiple Author Pages from a single Author Central account and also access a suite of tools, including  Sponsored Brands  advertising, to help you reach your goals as an author.

Visit  Author Central  to set up your Author Page and help readers get to know you and your books.
 Go to Author Central

You CAN sell more book copies! Put these ideas on your calendar, and watch what happens.

Hello creative friend,

Marketing is a long game. That's fine, because books live forever! In every marketing conversation, I stress that you should choose marketing methods based on three major factors (IN THIS ORDER):

What you ENJOY/what interests you.What you have time to actually do on a consistent basis.What you can afford. (This one is #3 because many marketing strategies are free.)

The Crippled Beagle Publishing team has created and is creating lots of tools for you to try, but my best advice is to grab a calendar—paper is great—and schedule marketing tasks. If you don't schedule it, you likely won't do it. Even if you postpone something, you are still more likely to complete the task someday. You may want to start with my 6 building blocks for good book marketing. By the way, these should start IMMEDIATELY, even if you haven't written the first paragraph of your book.

Author brand marketing kitReviews (advance readers'/readers'/YOURS)Social media (basics are fine)Web presences via a website, Amazon Author Central Page, and GoodReads Author PageOutreach plan to find your readers in person and onlineEmail list with lead magnets and opt-in pages

If you are starting from scratch, aim to study and reasonably implement one of these building blocks each month, then revisit. You may not want to use them all, but you won't know unless you start with research. Remember, the team and I are here to help you with options that match your interests, schedule, and budget. If you'd like to make 2023 a MUCH better book sales year, book time with me. We'll figure out your next best step.

For phone or Zoom meetings, visit: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/on_demand_consultations​

For asynchronous conversations (you ask at your convenience, and I quickly respond when I have the BEST answer for you), visit: https://me.volley.app/jodydyer THIS IS A FUN WAY TO COLLABORATE!

If you'd like my FREE resource, the Annual Marketing Planner for Authors, visit: https://crippledbeaglepublishing.ck.page/marketingplanner

Here I am with all of my tools—red pen, reading glasses, internet, sample projects, ideas, editing-day hair, and a big smile—ready to help you succeed!

xoxoxo

Jody

Happy Valentine's Day:) In this article, learn how to draw emotion from readers.

 Happy Valetine's Day (tomorrow) from Crippled Beagle Publishing!

I hope you feel LOTS of love from us. This helpful write-up includes tips on drawing emotion from readers. While the author primarily refers to writing articles, her wisdom and ideas can easily be adapted to improve writing in any genre. Enjoy!

To read, click this link:  https://www.melissamcphail.com/how-much-should-authors-interact-with-readers/#:~:text=Whether%20via%20reviews%20posted%20online,generally%20fun%20for%20the%20readers. 

xoxoxo

Jody

P.S. What is your FAVORITE Valentine's Day candy? I like Dove dark chocolates wrapped in red and pink foil:)))

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