Today I intend to summarize the last several weeks, so this should be short and simple. I can hear some of you saying, "Oh, yeh! The other blogs were supposed to be short."
No, this will be short.
My best advice is always take what you hear and apply it to you, to the house your are trying to sell to, to the genre you write. Don't take my word for gospel. It may not fit your situation.
There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of sites on the Internet that detail any of the subjects I've covered here, so with a little searching through "Google" or "Bing" you can read many other opinions about what to do and how to do it. I've tried to approach these blogs with what I've learned over the years. However, remember, my genre, my own style, the houses I write for, and the more I learned have always determined what I'm doing and how I do it. So, do your research.
It's your career, they are your books, not someone else's work. What works for you might not work for another author. It's determine by your time, money, personality and talent.
So happy writing and researching.
Now I have to decide what I'll blog about for the next month or two.
See Ya!
Allison Knight
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
"Betrayed Bride" available from www.ChampagneBooks.com
"Lynbrook's Lady" coming in August from www.ChampagneBooks.com
Showing posts with label award-winning author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label award-winning author. Show all posts
Monday, June 10, 2013
Monday, June 03, 2013
Monday's Helpful Hints - Press kits.
Late again. Sorry about this.
Okay, what is a press kit. It's something to give to the press, make available through your web site, send to your publisher, provide to a speaker's group. There are any number of reasons why you should have a press kit available. So what should it include and basically - why?
Yes, I have a press Kit, and yes, I prepared it myself. You can do it yourself, or you can pay to have it done. I don't have the kind of money available to spend on things like a kit when I can do it myself. So what did I use and how did I assemble this advertising medium, because that it what it is. This summarizes your writing career - in detail.
Fist, I started with a clear plastic binder to hold the information. You can get these at any office supply store. Next I printed a copy of the book cover I was presently promoting in good glossy photo paper. Also with everything I printed I used good 24 lb paper. Think of it as a resume for an important job.
I printed a bio, and this was extensive. But it was only about my writing experiences and career, starting with the education classes I took to learn to write fiction. Since I didn't teach English I didn't bother with a description of my teaching experience. Only that I taught high school and recently retired.
I did detail the books I had published, the kind of genre I wrote, and awards I'd received. Next, I included a recently professional photograph of me, a book mark, a list of my published works, a short description of any speaking engagements or appearances I planned, offices held that involved my writing career.
Some authors include a disk of their ebook, or a copy of their print book, but unless the organization you are submitting to, is reviewing books, or is interested in you genre, it might be a waste. That's for you to decide.
Last but not least, I include my online connections, URL's, publisher's URL, and personal contact information.
The object is to look professional, sell yourself and your career. Do you really need a press kit? It's another of those things you have decide for yourself. I decided years ago, I needed one.
I'd love to see what those of you who have press kits would be willing to share.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady available in August from Champagne Books
Okay, what is a press kit. It's something to give to the press, make available through your web site, send to your publisher, provide to a speaker's group. There are any number of reasons why you should have a press kit available. So what should it include and basically - why?
Yes, I have a press Kit, and yes, I prepared it myself. You can do it yourself, or you can pay to have it done. I don't have the kind of money available to spend on things like a kit when I can do it myself. So what did I use and how did I assemble this advertising medium, because that it what it is. This summarizes your writing career - in detail.
Fist, I started with a clear plastic binder to hold the information. You can get these at any office supply store. Next I printed a copy of the book cover I was presently promoting in good glossy photo paper. Also with everything I printed I used good 24 lb paper. Think of it as a resume for an important job.
I printed a bio, and this was extensive. But it was only about my writing experiences and career, starting with the education classes I took to learn to write fiction. Since I didn't teach English I didn't bother with a description of my teaching experience. Only that I taught high school and recently retired.
I did detail the books I had published, the kind of genre I wrote, and awards I'd received. Next, I included a recently professional photograph of me, a book mark, a list of my published works, a short description of any speaking engagements or appearances I planned, offices held that involved my writing career.
Some authors include a disk of their ebook, or a copy of their print book, but unless the organization you are submitting to, is reviewing books, or is interested in you genre, it might be a waste. That's for you to decide.
Last but not least, I include my online connections, URL's, publisher's URL, and personal contact information.
The object is to look professional, sell yourself and your career. Do you really need a press kit? It's another of those things you have decide for yourself. I decided years ago, I needed one.
I'd love to see what those of you who have press kits would be willing to share.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady available in August from Champagne Books
Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday's Helpful Hints - What you must do
Okay, there is only one thing you must do. Whether you are self-published, traditionally published, or indie pubslished, you must have a web presence. And, that is the trick. How you establish a web presence is up to you.
I would recommend a web page, be it through a blog, or a traditional web page, you need some way for people to see your name and your books.
I have a web page. If you are reading this, then you know I have a blog. I also blog for other people on their web sites or blogs. I tried to visit some of the reader loops that are on line as well, but not as much as I probably should.
So you have to decide how you are going to make yourself known on the web. And, yes, I know not everyone has a computer, but the number is decreasing dailey, and most readers do check the online book sites to see what books are available, if they are reviewed, or if there are any comments about those books.
So your marketing plan must include some information about how you are going to promote yourself on the web. It's also a good idea to decide, at least for yourself, how often you intend to visit your web page, blog, or the loops on which you want to promote your books.
Today social media is the big buzz. Your marketing plan needs to detail if you intend to promote on one or more of those sites. I'm talking about facebook, google +, pinterest, twitter, to name a few.
Then there is the paper market. Are you going to make bookmarks to pass out and where are you going to give them out? How much money are you going to spend? Paper products cost money, whether you make them yourself, or have them made for you. What you plan to use becomes part of the marketing plan.
Remember, a marketing plan is how you plan to sell your book and most publishers want some idea of just how you are going to go about it. Let's face it. Unless you are a seven day wonder, the next best thing to Nora Roberts, or Steven King, you are going to have to promote yourself.
Next Monday, I'll cover some of what I tried that didn't work for me and if I don't run out of space, what a press kit should look like and whether you need one or not. See you then.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady coming in August from Champagne Books
I would recommend a web page, be it through a blog, or a traditional web page, you need some way for people to see your name and your books.
I have a web page. If you are reading this, then you know I have a blog. I also blog for other people on their web sites or blogs. I tried to visit some of the reader loops that are on line as well, but not as much as I probably should.
So you have to decide how you are going to make yourself known on the web. And, yes, I know not everyone has a computer, but the number is decreasing dailey, and most readers do check the online book sites to see what books are available, if they are reviewed, or if there are any comments about those books.
So your marketing plan must include some information about how you are going to promote yourself on the web. It's also a good idea to decide, at least for yourself, how often you intend to visit your web page, blog, or the loops on which you want to promote your books.
Today social media is the big buzz. Your marketing plan needs to detail if you intend to promote on one or more of those sites. I'm talking about facebook, google +, pinterest, twitter, to name a few.
Then there is the paper market. Are you going to make bookmarks to pass out and where are you going to give them out? How much money are you going to spend? Paper products cost money, whether you make them yourself, or have them made for you. What you plan to use becomes part of the marketing plan.
Remember, a marketing plan is how you plan to sell your book and most publishers want some idea of just how you are going to go about it. Let's face it. Unless you are a seven day wonder, the next best thing to Nora Roberts, or Steven King, you are going to have to promote yourself.
Next Monday, I'll cover some of what I tried that didn't work for me and if I don't run out of space, what a press kit should look like and whether you need one or not. See you then.
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady coming in August from Champagne Books
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Finally, writing!
Finally, after weeks of procrastinating, I got started on Lovesong. Why did it take so long, you ask? Simple. The story hadn't jelled in my mind. I had the basics, the hero, the heroine, some of the characters. I knew where the story started, or thought I did, and where it ended, but I'm not one of the pansters (writing by the seat of my pants). I have to have a vague idea where I'm going and how I'm going to get there, the later being the more important.
Oh, that's not to say things don't change as I go along, but I have a pretty detailed framework before I start. And with Lovesong, the framework was missing.
One afternoon as I sat waiting for one of my many doctors, ideas came out of nowhere and suddenly the story began to grow. That's also why I never go anyplace without a notebook and a pen. As I waited I wrote. I now knew not only where I was going but why.
So I'm off to work on Lovesong. And I can hardly wait for y'all to meet Catherine.
Of course, I gotta get pages written before the game today. This is Saturday and that means college football. I guess I got the love of the game from my dad who never missed listening to a game on the radio. His team is not my team. And in the south and in Alabama, you either root for Roll Tide or the Tigers (Alabama or Auburn). I feel sorry for my friends who have kids who attend or have attended both schools. They kinda have to root for both.
Not in the household. We're for Alabama all the way. Roll Tide!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Oh, that's not to say things don't change as I go along, but I have a pretty detailed framework before I start. And with Lovesong, the framework was missing.
One afternoon as I sat waiting for one of my many doctors, ideas came out of nowhere and suddenly the story began to grow. That's also why I never go anyplace without a notebook and a pen. As I waited I wrote. I now knew not only where I was going but why.
So I'm off to work on Lovesong. And I can hardly wait for y'all to meet Catherine.
Of course, I gotta get pages written before the game today. This is Saturday and that means college football. I guess I got the love of the game from my dad who never missed listening to a game on the radio. His team is not my team. And in the south and in Alabama, you either root for Roll Tide or the Tigers (Alabama or Auburn). I feel sorry for my friends who have kids who attend or have attended both schools. They kinda have to root for both.
Not in the household. We're for Alabama all the way. Roll Tide!
Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Saturday, April 28, 2012
About The Cats
What is it about cats? They sleep where they want, wonder around as if
the place belongs to them, eat constantly, and yes, the vet says to leave
the food bowls in place and full 24/7. You want companionship and
they can't be found, you don't want companionship and they insist.
We have three beauties. One is marmalade, one tuxedo, and one
a silver point Siamese and tiger mix, but color doesn't seem to
mean a thing. Nor does age, nor does the place of the origin. The
oldest lived with my daughter before we inherited him. Wally, the
tuxedo was raised by us. We got him when he was only seven weeks
old, and the Siamese was at the vets for almost three years, with a
bunch of other cats. But all three fit the same patterns.
One of these days I'll figure out why when I'm at my desk, or my
computer, they have to be there too. Makes concentrating on my story
a bit difficult.
And printer... Well that's for another time.
Allison
"Heartsong", "Battlesong","Windsong", all available
from Champagne Books, or where good e-books
are sold
the place belongs to them, eat constantly, and yes, the vet says to leave
the food bowls in place and full 24/7. You want companionship and
they can't be found, you don't want companionship and they insist.
We have three beauties. One is marmalade, one tuxedo, and one
a silver point Siamese and tiger mix, but color doesn't seem to
mean a thing. Nor does age, nor does the place of the origin. The
oldest lived with my daughter before we inherited him. Wally, the
tuxedo was raised by us. We got him when he was only seven weeks
old, and the Siamese was at the vets for almost three years, with a
bunch of other cats. But all three fit the same patterns.
One of these days I'll figure out why when I'm at my desk, or my
computer, they have to be there too. Makes concentrating on my story
a bit difficult.
And printer... Well that's for another time.
Allison
"Heartsong", "Battlesong","Windsong", all available
from Champagne Books, or where good e-books
are sold
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