It’s Foreword, NOT Forward

Spell it right!

The number of manuscripts I’ve seen — and even printed books — with this common misspelling is staggering.

Sometimes they’re long. Sometimes they’re short. But they’re always written by someone other than the author — preferably that someone is SOMEONE.

Someone well-known. Foreword writers can be an expert or authority in field that is the subject of the book or a celebrity who enjoys a relationship with the author or a passion for the book’s topic or purpose.

First Lady of Nevada, Dawn Gibbons, wrote a gracious foreword for 100 Years in the Nevada Governor’s Mansion. Siegfried and Roy were naturals to ask to pen a foreword for our book on the history of the legendary Stardust. Former governor Kenny Guinn was honored to write a foreword for civil rights activist Bob Bailey’s memoir and we tapped former Governor Mike Huckabee to write the foreword for Bayou Country about southeast Arkansas. Boxing champ George Foreman contributed the foreword for Fight Town. One of my personal favorites was visiting composer John Williams at his Los Angeles film studio bungalow to discuss his foreword for More Than a Parade, our pictorial history of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid provided the foreword for Silent Heroes of the Cold War. I would say that these and other luminaries have unfailingly been honored to be asked and very helpful and interested in the process.

Give some thought to who you know, or who you know who might know the person you wish to approach. If you have a noble cause or a subject close to their hearts, many famous folks will listen to your pitch to write a foreword. Don’t be shy — it can’t hurt to ask.

Once an agreement has been reached to provide a foreword, you should offer to send your manuscript for their review. At this point, you can gingerly feel out your SOMEONE as to their intention to write the foreword themselves, or if they prefer to have the author or editor write for their review and approval. Yes, that happens.

Can your SOMEONE be NO ONE? Sure. While your publisher is looking for any and all advantages to help sell your book — and the credibility or star power from a famous expert or celebrity may help — forewords can be written by anyone. A foreword’s purpose is to give the reader some perspective on the subject and/or the author before they delve into the text. Nor do all books require a foreword.

But if you have one, spell it right!

Here a Tweet, There a Tweet

We tweet — do you tweet? Okay, I’ll be the first to admit my skepticism over the Twitter phenomenon. But, we gave it a try, and the more I use it, the more I see the applications. Tweets (as Twitter messages are called) are very short, with a maximum of 140 characters (that’s characters, not words). Some folks seem to use Twitter as their main communication tool, but most companies and individuals use it to make quick announcements or comments, often with a link for more information. Yes, a great number of companies are using Twitter now, especially to promote events. Celebs use Twitter to build a connection with their fans. Authors can tweet to build followers, update progress on book projects, book tours, and announce appearances. The twitterers amongst you can follow us @carolynhayesuber and @stephenspress.

Are You Getting Paid to Speak?

Professional speaker and author Judi Moreo will address many of the questions you might be asking about how to get bookings, develop a business plan, work with speaker bureaus and showcases, and which organizations to join. She will share information on maximizing your expertise, customizing your material, and giving a “great” presentation.

Whether you see speaking as a glamorous profession, you believe you have something important to share with the world, or you simply want to promote your book, this is the workshop to attend to find out how to get started.

Wednesday, October 14th
9 am — 12 pm
Bonanza Building ~ Conference Room 2
Las Vegas Review-Journal
1111 West Bonanza Road, Las Vegas
Workshop fee is $50. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Please call (383-0496) or email (khawkins@stephenspress.com) to reserve a spot.

Judi Moreo is the author of You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion & Power and the companion Achievement Journal. For over twenty years, Judi has enjoyed an exciting and successful career as a paid professional speaker. She has presented keynote speeches, seminars, and workshops in 27 countries on four continents.

Promoting Poetry Problematic

Q: We are self-publishing my mom’s fourth poetry book. The family loves it, and her poetry is wonderful, but how do we reach a wider audience?

Jessica, Northern California

A: Hi Jessica, Thanks for your very pertinent question. The subjects of self-publishing and poetry are intertwined. I’ll be addressing self-publishing more directly in future blog posts so I’ll focus on poetry in this reply.

Finding a wider audience for a poetry book is problematic on the best of days, and even for traditionally published poetry. Most poetry titles enjoy very modest sales unless the poet-author is well known and enjoys a following.

As you no doubt already know, distribution of a self-published book of any genre into chain bookstores is nearly impossible. Even if you could get into the stores, sales of poetry books still remain low. If you live near one of the few remaining independent bookstores in the country, you may be able to arrange a reading/signing. The bookstore will expect you to bring in an audience — they can’t afford to advertise and they expect their signing authors to generate their own buyers.

You didn’t say what kind of poetry — certain kinds of poetry books (humorous or inspirational) make good gift books if they are well-produced and you could seek out gift stores as possible retailers. You’ll need to give them a 50% discount off the retail price.

Generate all the buzz you can (friends referring friends) and direct people to Amazon or your own web site for sales. Take every advantage to do readings at public events (clubs, church, community gatherings) and sell the books BOR (back of room) after the event.

Submit individual poems from the book to online and print literary journals which publish a fair amount of poetry each year. Earnings for published poems will range from zero to very little, but it is a way to also promote the book and build a fan base.

Mail complimentary copies to well-known individuals you think would have a reason to like the contents — ask them for a blurb or testimonial that you can use with their name for future marketing efforts.

If the book addresses a certain subject and does it well (say humor in the workplace or the love of pets) you might be able to find an organization or corporation to buy books in quantity to use as gifts at sales conferences, seminars and such.

If you have a writers group in your area, check in with them (always a great resource) for suggestions. Finally, ask your local librarian. Many libraries sponsor local author events, book fairs, or literacy programs where authors in the area are invited to offer their books at sales tables, participate in programs, or do readings.

Good luck!

Gaining Exposure

All my authors know I’m a huge fan of speaking engagements as one of the very best ways to market books and build an author’s audience. Speaking opportunities abound for the author who is personable and offers a useful, educational, or inspirational program. Guest blogger Amber Stidham’s article offers some very practical tips. CHU

Making the most of your workshops and speaking gigs

By Amber Stidham

Dare I say that there is an upside to the economic downturn? Yes.

Rapt audiences are the goal of many a book author (Library of Congress)

Any professional out ‘n’ about knows there is a new information sharing environment that exists as a result of the new economy. Professional development seminars, industry-specific discussion panels, mixers, luncheons – the list goes on. There is an overabundance of information for the person willing to spend a bit of time learning something new – often at no cost, making attending these events very attractive.

For those of us searching to learn more, protect our business and increase sales, these events are an opportunity to do so. More importantly, for the sake of this blog anyhow, it’s an opportunity for businesses to gain added exposure.

If you are a business looking to maintain and grow your market share, please pay attention. Take advantage of speaking opportunities. Your audience is searching for advice (The kind of advice that cannot be gained from Internet searches alone.), personal interaction and relationships with businesses they trust. There is no better way to achieve these goals than to be the “expert” providing the information to them.

“How do I find a platform or venue to give a presentation?” you ask? Here are a handful of ideas you can start with.

• Host a workshop at your office. Don’t have space? Find a friendly business who will host a workshop at their location for you.
• Contact your local chamber of commerce and offer your presentation for free to their members. Be sure to showcase how your presentation can serve as a value-added member resource to a majority of the chamber’s members.
• If you belong to a trade or professional association, contact their respective representatives and ask if you can host a workshop for members.
• Partner with one to two other like-minded businesses that offer similar, but non-competitive, services to yours and host a joint workshop or presentation for all combined colleagues, clients, vendors and contacts you share.

Critical note: Make certain your workshops are educational and not used as a sales platform for your company. If you provide an educational opportunity to people, they will better trust your expertise, respect you as a professional and will connect with you to do business. Rest assured.

“I have a place and a time. Now how do I get butts in seats?” you ask? Some more helpful tips.

• Announce your upcoming workshop/speaking engagement to your contacts, whether by e-mail, e-newsletter or in person. Do it several times.
• If you’re partnering with a business or organization, be certain they are announcing the event to their lists. Also, offer to submit a short written description or verbal announcement during events taking place before your presentation date.
• Write a press release and send out to news outlets. Many news outlets regularly publish business calendars. Don’t forget to submit to non-traditional outlets such as local professionals who host their own highly-visible Web calendars, like-minded trade/professional organizations as well as those you belong to and to sites such as Craigslist.
• Blog about your upcoming event.
• Post event details your Web site and any social networking profile you have, such as Facebook.
• Use Twitter to announce your event and post a link to your blog or Facebook within your “Tweet” to ensure readers can get event details and how to RSVP their attendance.

Workshops and speaking gigs are a great place to start when you’re looking for new contacts to generate new business. It is a powerful business growth tool – and a low-cost one at that.

Amber Stidham is the Director of Strategic Planning for Imagine Marketing. Contact Amber at astidham@imnv.com

How Free is Free?

Information “wants” to be free — but reporters want to be paid. This is a hotly debated topic these days, especially in the journalistic halls where Stephens Press makes its home. “Free” is spilling over into books. Stephens Press, and many other publishers, have long provided a “free” chapter from our books online, so prospective buyers can sample the wares (we can’t offer taste, touch, smell online). Chris Anderson’s (of The Long Tail fame) newest book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price, will supposedly be free in certain formats with the “premium” edition being a printed book. How this will sort itself out is anyone’s guess. An author with a huge mega-seller under his belt is in a better position to bet the farm that enough people will pay actual dollars to buy a book when the content is free in other forms. Debut authors and writers of more esoteric or limited-audiences tomes probably can’t make that model work under any circumstances. I can assure you that most book authors do not make their living from their books. Most have day jobs or supplement their income with freelance writing. But certainly they expect some compensation for the year(s) of their life that disappeared into the writing of their book. Here’s an intro to the Publishers Weekly article — click below to read it all and let us know what you think of this approach to “selling” books.

Free-For-All: Anderson, “Free” Book, Sparks a Backlash Online and Among Battered Media Industry

By Andrew Albanese — Publishers Weekly — 7/9/2009

Under normal circumstances, that Wired editor-in-chief Chris Anderson’s latest book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price, logged over 17,000 free views in one day on upstart “social publisher” Scribd would be the story. The story, however, might lurk in the comments left on the Scribd web site.

“Well it’s not really “FREE” at all, is it?” groused one unsatisfied customer, complaining the book couldn’t be downloaded, but read only in the browser on Scribd. “False advertising!” screeched another assessment. When Anderson weighed in to tell Scribd readers that there would be free downloads available next week, “why not make an e-book available already?” came the response, which derisively labeled publisher Hyperion as “old school.”

Welcome to Chris Anderson’s world. In the weeks leading up to this week’s publication of Free, the author of the bestselling The Long Tail has seen his latest book assailed by traditional journalists, including the New Yorker’s Malcolm Gladwell, characterized by reviewers as simple, even dangerous, and at the same time slammed by others for not being free enough. A controversy over passages lifted from Wikipedia didn’t help.

Read entire article.

Perfect Circles Recognized

Big congrats to our author John Michael Stuart. John’s book, Perfect Circles: Redefining Perfection was named a silver medalist in the Personal Growth/Motivation category for the Living Now Book Awards from the Independent Publishers organization. These awards are designed to honor the year’s best books that help readers attain healthier, more fulfilling, and productive lives. We’re gratified that the judges saw what we saw — a fine book that makes a meaningful contribution to society — and a personal odyssey, that shared with others, brings insight and inspiration to each reader. Born with Cerebral Palsy, John Michael has not let this disease prevent him from significant achievements in education and career. He is a frequent speaker for organizations and radio interviews, helping audiences exam their own sense of perfection, and how liberating it can be to redefine it. I highly recommend him should your church or organization need an inspiring speaker. Find out more at www.readperfectcircles.com.

Meetin’ & Greetin’

The Clark County Library is sponsoring a Meet & Greet networking event Wednesday evening (June 24) at the Flamingo branch. Writers can mingle with fellow authors as well as industry professionals — editors, publishers, journalists, bloggers, and bookstore owners — at a literary event designed to help build relationships and share views and ideas. Writers groups, book clubs, and and webmasters will also be in attendance. This is a great opportunity to meet publishing pros and ask questions. Bring business cards and/or sales literature. I’ll be there — join us!

Where: Clark County Library, 1401 East Flamingo, Jewel Box Theater

When: Wednesday, June 24th, 6:30 pm

Info: 702.507.3458

Cost: None, nada, zip!

New to the Author’s Toolbox: FiledBy.Com

By Krissy Hawkins

FiledBy.com is the flagship site of FiledBy, Inc. and one of the most comprehensive online marketing platforms and directory of published author web pages on the Internet.

Company co-founders Peter Clifton, former Ingram executive, and Mike Shatzkin, industry analyst, developed the site to provide authors with an inexpensive way to create a Web presence in an environment where publishers are looking to cut costs.

FiledBy hosts the site for free and member pages feature a brief biography and a list of works. More options such as media postings, event listings and online press kits are available for users willing to pay a fee.

The site was intentionally designed to highlight authors rather than books. “It helps make authors discoverable,” says Clifton. The site provides a medium for authors to connect with fans and peers. But in addition to the social networking aspects the site includes links which enable users to purchase the book.

Just recently FiledBy expanded its online author directory, adding and linking together sites for illustrators, coauthors, editors, photographers, artists, translators and others who contribute to the publication of a book.

Since its launch in March 2009 the site has accumulated 1.8 million author sites in its directory, with this latest expansion it adds more than 1 million contributors. Contributors to published works can now enhance their own profile with photographs, a biography, links and multimedia.

The site is now in Beta so users can manage and enhance their pages, promote their books, check for accuracy, provide corrections, and more.

FiledBy is not preclusive to those who contribute to the production of a book, but also available to those who enjoy the finished product. Readers are free to login and write reviews or make comments about their favorite authors and titles. www.FiledBy.com

Editor’s Note — FiledBy is evidently downloading book data from Bowker as a spot check suggests Stephens Press titles are already in place but missing covers and/or author’s photos and information about the author. Authors are encouraged to add material to their listing. Remember, you can always find emailable and uploadable copies of your book cover and author photo on your book’s web sites. Contact Krissy if you need help. CHU

Where the Writers Are

Red Room is the online home of many of the world’s greatest writers. It’s a prestigious place for the literary community to promote their work, express themselves, and connect with their favorite authors. Author Geoff Schumacher is one such member and was recently named Red Room’s ‘Rising Star’. Click here to visit Schumacher’s author profile and discover more about this acclaimed author – from reading his blog to finding out about his writing influences and upcoming projects.

Are YOU Getting Paid to Speak?

Judi Moreo Is!

Who WOULDN’T want to get paid to speak? Find out how and much more when Stephens Press hosts the remarkable Judi Moreo for a WORKSHOP FOR AUTHORS. Judi has traveled the world, speaking at conferences, conventions, and corporate gatherings — and been properly compensated for entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences large and small. All our authors know I encourage speaking engagments and the BOR (back of room) sales so getting booked for gigs is important. Getting PAID to speak — plus selling books — is the best! We booked this workshop in March and sold out — this repeast in May is to accomodate the folks that didn’t get in her first workshop. We’ve only got 20 seats available and when they are gone, they’re gone, so contact Krissy asap if you want to attend at khawkins@stephenspress.com or 702.383.0496.

Local Author Showcase

Our good friends at the Henderson Libraries are offering a neat opportunity for Vegas Valley authors. An Author Showcase will be a part of the 2009 Summer Reading Kick-Off on Saturday, June 13th at the Paseo Verde Library in Henderson. Participating authors can sign up for either morning or afternoon sessions to meet readers and sign books. Friday is the last day to request a table — contact Arlene Caruso at 702.492.6580 or acaruso@hdpl.org. Best of all, the price is right — free!

Granny McFanny Heading to Italy

The fun-loving, irrespressible Granny McFanny is off on a grand adventure to Bologna, Italy! The 46th annual exhibition will be held March 23-26. It is is the most important international event dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry. In Bologna, authors, illustrators, literary agents, TV & film producers, licensors and licensees, packagers, distributors, printers, booksellers, and librarians meet to review new children’s books, trends, and to find the “next big thing.” Exhibitors hail from 69 different countries, and the attendees are strictly limited to trade professionals. We’re sure Granny (who is a finalist for the Foreword magazine’s Book of the Year award) will make plenty of new friends!

Interview with the Author: Lander Marks

Author Lander Marks takes The SPQ. Ms. Marks is the author of Artist’s Proof, a debut novel filled with mysteries, plot twists, and shocking secrets that keep the reader trying to guess how the story will end. An automotive industry executive, Marks is also the author of Reservations Required: Culinary Secrets of Las Vegas’ Celebrity Chefs (Huntington Press).

1. How long did your manuscript take, start to finish? Eight years.

2. Did you do special research? I traveled to Europe, New York City and contacted experts in the most specific areas of the books content, i.e.: Holocaust art restitution, Vatican, cruise business and art auction professionals.

3. How long before you held the first copy in your hands? One year two months from contract signing.

4. How do you write? When the mood strikes or certain time of day for writing? Word count goals? I am a sporadic writer but constant note taker, article clipper and outline modifier.

5. Do you outline first? Yes, and constantly revising.

6. Do you listen to music while you write? If so what type of music? I listen to music (all kinds) when meditating which often leads me to thoughts and feelings about my writing projects.

7. What is your favorite adjective and verb? Be creative. Think. Create.

8. Which book have you read again and again? My own.

9. What is your favorite book title (not the book, just the title)? STICK

10. Which author would you most like to meet, living or dead? Walter Mosley or Lillian Braun.

11. Would you rather get paid to read or get paid to write? Paid to write.

12. What is the strangest comment or experience you’ve had about your book or writing? The ultimate ending to my recent book, Artist’s Proof. I discovered the painting by Hungarian artist Bela Kadar among my art collection, after the book was completed and at the printers. It was as if Bela had been haunting me for eight years to get this story finished and only after it was done did the painting reveal itself, and another chapter in the tale of Artist’s Proof became a legacy to this period of art, literature and heritage. Amazing.

13. Your best advice for novice writers? Plan your story and really think it through before you begin. Outline, outline, research, research. Begin with the end in mind. Otherwise you will waste seven years!

14. Your best marketing techniques? Face to face appointments with meeting planners and bookers involved in the subject matter of the book.

15. The future of printed books . . . ? Good stories or great timely information will always be in demand. A printed book will always be treasured. The Bible is a great example. Still the Number 1 bestseller every year, since record keeping began.

16. What piece(s) of fiction gave you that “Ah ha, I know this is what I want to do” realization? MetroGirl by Janet Evanovich.

17. What are you reading now? Buddhism without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor.

18. What is your biggest reader pet peeve? Predictability! Cliché storylines, lack of character development.

19. What is your biggest writing pet peeve? Lack of time and solitude.

20. What’s the best piece of writing advice you ever received? Kill your babies.

21. What writing tool can you not live without? The EDITOR!

22. Many writers say that until they decided they didn’t care what their mommas would think, they held back. And when they let go of that concern, they felt free to write. Did this ever apply to you? It didn’t until I published a book and began to wonder if my perceived audience didn’t appreciate my character’s language and attitude.

23. Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work? www.readartistsproof.com

Foreword Book of the Year Finalists!

Congratulations and good wishes to Geoff Schumacher, Lewis Kimberly and Jorge Betancourt Polanco — their books have been named FINALISTS in the Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year awards. The competition was established to bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors. ForeWord is the only review trade journal devoted exclusively to books from independent houses.

Geoff is the author of Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue while Lewis the author and Jorge the illustrator of Granny McFanny. Granny recently received two silver medals from the Mom’s Choice awards, one for humor and another for illustration.

The prestigious Foreword awards process brings readers, librarians, and booksellers together to select their top categories as well as choose the winning titles. Their decisions are based on editorial excellence, professional production, originality of the narrative, author credentials relative to the book, and the value the book adds to its genre.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor’s Choice Prizes for Fiction and Nonfiction will be announced at a special program at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in New York City on May 29. The winners of the two Editor’s Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each.

Keeping our fingers crossed!