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Since April begins with April Fools’ Day, I thought I’d write about those who make us laugh and push our buttons. In the first book of my time travel series, I introduce you to Alan a Dale—Robin Hood’s famous minstrel and part of his band of merry teens. In my version, Alan is a teenage jongleur—a.k.a. juggler— and is instrumental in helping the Timekeepers with their mission in Nottingham. Jongleurs and juggles and jesters all fall into the same category: their purpose was to entertain royalty and commoners alike. In fact, the word ‘jester’ derives from the Anglo-Norman (French) words gestouror jestour meaning storyteller or minstrel.
Jesters (or fools as they were known) held a position of power and privilege within a royal or noble household. They could get away with saying or doing anything to the king or queen or nobles—literally anyone—without being punished. Compare the antics to our modern day comedians like Tim Allen, Robin Williams (still miss him), Ellen DeGeneres, or any past or present Saturday Night Livecomedians and you get what I mean. Comedians will say and do anything (most times for the shock value) and get away with it.
Now, if you think about it, books are a huge part of the entertainment industry. We writers are present day jesters and fools too. Words are power. And like comedians, we can pretty much say whatever we want in the written form, and publish it on Amazon or any other on-line publishing site. But there’s a fine line here. Back in the day, when jesters got a free pass for their behavior (with the exception of a few who did get reprimanded or whipped), they didn’t have the social media circus that we have now. Nowadays, if someone says something out of turn, you can bet it will be tweeted or shared! The jester’s main job was to entertain through stories or music or juggling. They poked fun at others, helped them to lighten up, and made them smile and laugh. Sometimes they even stopped wars from happening by detonating a situation between royals.
Imagine if writers had that kind of power? To write a book so powerful it could stop a war. Put down prose that would allow a reader to visualize walking in a character’s shoes. Or just create a story that will take readers away from their mundane existence. Keep in mind the intent of such power, and use intention as a foundation, and you’ve probably written a generational book that will continued to be talked about and read in the future. Think To Kill a Mockingbird or Les Miserables or The Catcher in the Rye, and you know what I’m talking about. Jesters, like authors, aren’t so far apart after all. We just have to remember to lighten-up, ourselves.
So, what makes you laugh-out-loud? Do you have a favorite modern day jester? How about a book that affected you so deeply that you’d recommend your kids and grandchildren should read it? Would love to read your comments! Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
The outside world doesn’t always get kidlit and YA lit. Children’s books are cute and easy and anyone with a vague sense that children are charming can write them, right? And anyone can write silly fluff for young adults. Especially anyone with a famous name.
That’s a common attitude, anyway. But there are celebrities who don’t think that way. Like Stephen Colbert.
Back in 2012, Colbert interviewed the late, great Maurice Sendak on his old show Comedy Central show, The Colbert Report. Going in, I figured that interview would be amusing, but I also figured some of the amusement would stem from a celeb’s typical ignorance of everything that goes into creating a children’s book. Boy, was I wrong. The whole point of the two-part“Grim Colberty Tales” segment was to parody the very attitude I’d expected to see. It’s also a great interview, and it resulted in Colbert’s spoofy picture book, I Am a Pole(And So Can You!) (Grand Central Publishing, May 2012), which was coincidentally released with Sendak’s blurb (“The sad thing is, I like it!”) the same day that Sendak passed away. Highly recommended if you need a good laugh. Warning: Colbert Report-style silliness; Sendak-style crotchetiness; NSFW.
“Grim Colberty Tales” made another appearance or two with other authors before Colbert left the Report for CBS’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert. But the change in venue doesn’t mean Colbert’s become too cool for books for young people (or books in general, for that matter). On the contrary, his new show has a recurring segment firmly rooted in YA: the Hungry for Power Games. As candidates have dropped out of the presidential election, Colbert has bid each “tribute” farewell with his best Caesar Flickerman impression. (Warning: contains politics.)
And of course, the man is a certified Tolkien nerd. This, right here, is what it looks like when someone cares about a story. Not a bad thing to show on TV.
I still think Ellen would be a perfect interviewer for the Newbery and Caldecott winners. But if Stephen beats her to it (ALAYMA 2017, anyone?), that’d be pretty cool, too.
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres (pictured, via) has landed a deal with Grand Central Publishing to write a book about interior design.
According to the press release, “DeGeneres, who has bought and renovated over a dozen properties, most recently launched a line of home goods on QVC and will launch Ellen’s Design Challenge, a new show on HGTV, in January of 2015.” Home will be released in Fall 2015.
Deb Futter, the editor-in-chief of hardcovers at the imprint, negotiated the deal with Esther Newberg, a literary agent of ICM Partners. Karen Murgolo, editorial director of Grand Central Life & Style, will edit the manuscript.
My comedic novel set in a pet shelter was unleashed upon the world last July.
Here's the good news. Reviews have been almost universally excellent - three and four stars on Amazon and Goodreads, and even a very nice one from the pros at Kirkus. So, great, right?
Well, not exactly. Truth is, I'm just not selling many books. Here's the dilemma, no doubt one faced by many self-published authors. I'm not reaching my audience. If the book had lousy reviews - or even no reviews - I'd give it up. But people LIKE it, and many absolutely LOVE it.
So I'm seeking help: I need some fresh ideas to market the book without bankrupting myself.
Before you start to make suggestions, I'm going to outline what I've done so far.
Social Media Twitter: I've strategically acquired nearly 70,000 Twitter followers, most of whom are animal lovers and/or avid readers. I promote the book regularly on Twitter, and send new Twitter followers a welcome message containing a link to the book on Amazon. Plus, I engage my readers daily with witty, fun, thoughtful content. And Twitter, my friends, has been the sole successful effort to date. Nearly all my readers come to the book via Twitter. I definitely need to diversify, which I'm trying to do. Read on.
Facebook: Created separate Facebook page for the book, and post there as well as on my regular page.
Goodreads: Contacted top reviewers, mainly women, and requested reviews. A few did so, with mostly glowing reviews. Results: some sales, I guess. Not tons.
Amazon: The mother of them all. Like Goodreads, sent review requests to top reviewers who seemed a good fit. Again, received great reviews. Enough to generate business? Nah. Pinterest: Have a bunch of followers there, and the book is part of my profile.
Women's interest e-newsletters
Sent the actual book or link to Amazon page to: Daily Candy, Pure Wow, Urban Daddy, Fab, Joyous, Hello Giggles (Zooey Deschanel's site) and Rookie. Guess the outcome.
eBook Reviewers
Sent review requests to People, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle and even The New York Times (now there's a waste of postage).
This is in a category all its own. I read in the NYTimes that founder of BuzzFeed was funding his daughter's new animal focused website The Dodo. So I sent said daughter a copy of the book, and The Dodo featured a story I wrote about my dog on the site, with a link to the book's Amazon page. Guess I sold a few extra copies the days the story was featured.
Bookstore Readings Did readings at two local stores. Frankly, don't have time to pursue this further and doubt it would do much for me.
Blurb and PR requests Sent copies of the paperback to around sixty celebrities who are known animal lovers (yes, including Ellen DeGeneres) and to chick-lit writers, asking them to write a blurb for the book - or even, in some cases, option it for the movies. Yes, I have delusions of grandeur. Result: I received a lovely, handwritten note from author Meg Cabot, informing me that she was no longer doing blurbs, but wishing me luck, and - TA DA - an envelope containing nothing but an autographed picture of Charlize Theron.
Charity Tie-In I approached animal oriented charities - ASPCA, The Humane Society, PETA and the World Wildlife Fund - offering to donate to them a percentage of the profits from sales of the book if they would promote it on their websites. All turned me down, though PETA does have an online store where I can list the book for $500. I'm considering it.
Pet-oriented businesses I sent copies of the book to PETCO, Petsmart and a few other national pet supply stores to see if they would carry the book. All declined. Also tried a few local independents - same result.
Vets' offices I tried my local veterinarian's office,which is part of the VCA chain. They said they couldn't make the decision to carry the book, and that I would need to approach VCA's national headquarters. I did so, and contacted the other big veterinary chain, Banfield, as well. Never heard from them - and yes, I did make follow-up phone calls.
Pet-centric writers Sent copies of the book to a few columnists who write about animals. Nada.
What I've considered and haven't done Placed copies of the book on subway seats and airport waiting areas with a note asking finders to post reviews and/or spread the word any way they could in exchange for the free book. Any thoughts on this?
So, bottom line. I've done every free thing I can think of. Please share with me your ideas (whether more unpaid things or things I'd have to pay for) so that I can help my little baby find the audience it deserves. You can post here or email me at [email protected].
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS, BOUGHT ANIMAL CRACKER, OR MAKES A SUGGESTION.
0 Comments on Help me market my novel as of 3/2/2014 10:26:00 AM
Here’s a new way of promoting an animated movie: having a voice actor dress up as their character for a talk show appearance. That’s what Steve Carell did on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last week when he appeared as Despicable Me 2′s Gru.
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres announced on her show today that Disney-Pixar will make an Andrew Stanton-directed sequel to Finding Nemo called Finding Dory.
Of course, Ellen’s fans went crazy:
Reactions outside of her studio audience were somewhat different:
Musician Janis Ianbeat out First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, political commentator Rachel Maddow and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres for the “Best Spoken Word Album” Grammy award.
Ian narrated her own book for the win.
Audible released the audiobook edition of her nonfiction book, Society’s Child: My Autobiography, in June 2012. The hardcover print version of this book actually came out back in July 2008.
Many members of the publishing community, such as Washinton Post fiction editorRon Charles, have shared their opinions about this announcement. Celebrities have also weighed in on the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.
As rumors continue to circulate about a film adaptation, we’ve rounded-up four videos featuring celebrities reading the book.
You know how people ask, If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be?
Well, I’d pick Ellen Degeneres every day of the week and 5 times on Sunday (and not just because she’s from my hearttown and New Orleanians can put together a Sunday dinner like nobody’s business).
Anyway, as Ellen points out in her book, it’s polite to send a thank-you note to the host after a dinner party. Even though we haven’t actually had our dinner party yet, I’m going to practice by thanking her for sharing her thoughts in this book. (And perhaps precipitate an invitation if she happens to read my blog – stranger things have happened ;)
Dear Ellen,
Thank you for explaining to readers how much thought goes into choosing a book title; it is indeed a SOLID skill.
Thank you for understanding thatideas come whenever they feel like it and that we must keep a pen and paper on us at all times just in case.
Thank you for reminding me to DVR I Survived.
Thank you for all of the science lessons, from the fundamental every action has a reaction to little endorphin Annie. Good stuff.
Thank you for giving me a tie-in to my blog by acknowledging that there is a difference between yam and sweet potatoes. Of course, you could’ve actually told me what the difference is…oh, wait! Were you giving me the gift of letting me find the answer on my own? I get it now. Thanks for that, too.
Thank you for instructing every reader to hug yourself, enjoy every day, take risks, and stretch your mind.
Thank you for showing me how to turn YouTube into a workout.
Thank you for telling us if you and Portia are going to have children – yes, I’m one of the millions of people wanting to know.
Thank you for agreeing that a glass of wine counts as a serving of fruit.
Thank you for calling out the person who coined the term “fashionably late” since there’s nothing fashionable about it. Like culottes.
Thank you for including me in your dream about Colonel Sanders, who is, like you, an American treasure.
And, in the spirit of saving the best for last, like dessert, thank you for sharing your life, laugh, and light with all of us. :)
Sincerely, A huge fan
WKQ6XWYUGVNA
4 Comments on FOODFIC: Seriously...I'm Kidding - Ellen DeGeneres, last added: 9/1/2012
Talk show host and author Ellen DeGeneres shared a short skit online, attempting to read the audiobook version of E. L. James‘ steamy erotica, Fifty Shades of Grey.
We’ve embedded the video above (Completely Safe for Work)–what do you think of her charming sound effects?
Last month, James landed a seven-figure book deal and a movie deal for her bestselling title. In another post, we explored the novel’s previous incarnation as sexy Twilight fan fiction.
Talk show host and author Ellen DeGeneres shared a short skit online, attempting to read the audiobook version of E. L. James‘ steamy erotica, Fifty Shades of Grey.
We’ve embedded the video above (Completely Safe for Work)–what do you think of her charming sound effects?
Last month, James landed a seven-figure book deal and a movie deal for her bestselling title. In another post, we explored the novel’s previous incarnation as sexy Twilight fan fiction.
Lagardere Publishing, the corporate parent of Hachette, reported that eBooks composed 20 percent of US adult sales in the final quarter of 2011.
Worldwide, sales were down 5.9 percent for the publishing arm of the media conglomerate, publisher of Stephanie Meyer and Nicolas Sparks.
Here’s more from the release: “United States activity grew strongly (+12.8%) on the back of new bestsellers (The Best of Me by Nicolas Sparks, Seriously… I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres), despite problems with distribution networks (bankruptcy of Borders) that lingered on into the fourth quarter. The e-books growth continued in the fourth quarter, mainly in English-speaking countries: in the United States and United Kingdom e-books accounted for 20% and 10%, respectively, of Adult Trade at the end of December 2011.” (Via Jose Afonso Furtado)
Lagardere Publishing, the corporate parent of Hachette, reported that eBooks composed 20 percent of US adult sales in the final quarter of 2011.
Worldwide, sales were down 5.9 percent for the publishing arm of the media conglomerate, publisher of Stephanie Meyer and Nicolas Sparks.
Here’s more from the release: “United States activity grew strongly (+12.8%) on the back of new bestsellers (The Best of Me by Nicolas Sparks, Seriously… I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres), despite problems with distribution networks (bankruptcy of Borders) that lingered on into the fourth quarter. The e-books growth continued in the fourth quarter, mainly in English-speaking countries: in the United States and United Kingdom e-books accounted for 20% and 10%, respectively, of Adult Trade at the end of December 2011.” (Via Jose Afonso Furtado)
Madonna has had a pretty colorful life, and pretty soon you’ll be able to see it in full color. Independent publisher Bluewater Productions has a new comic book coming out in August based on the star’s life.
Female Force: Madonnais the illustrated story of the star’s life as written by CW Cooke and drawn by Michael Johnson. The book tells the story of how a struggling dancer in New York became one of the biggest pop stars in history. The book also highlights Madonna’s influence on other artists. “Most pop stars owe everything to this woman. It’s amazing all of the things that she’s done in her lifetime, and I have a feeling that this is still only the beginning,” stated Cooke.
Bluewater’s Female Force series featured other prominent women, including: Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling, Ellen Degeneres and Sarah Palin.
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has used her own money to option Jodi Picoult‘s latest novel, Sing You Home.
According to Deadline, DeGeneres regards this as a “passion project.” She enlisted Storyline partners Craig Zadan and Neil Meron to produce a feature film version with her.
Sing You Home, a novel about gay rights, was released earlier this month. The video embedded above features Ellen Wilber‘s performance of Sing You Home which can be found in the book’s companion soundtrack.
Sometimes (it's intermittent), American Idol is on in this house; a few weeks ago, while photographing that precarious icicle, I walked by the screen and snapped this photo. It's Simon, obviously, disagreeing with Ellen, while a singer who has just left her heart on the stage awaits some kind of verdict: Is she good? Does she have a future as an artist? Should she defer her dream, or hold on?
Who is the expert? Whose voice matters? To whom do we-who-are-striving listen to? These are age-old questions, and every artist faces them; each of us, no matter how experienced, wonders. Because while, in some ways, artists are defined by the work they've already done, most artists I know hold that the work they're doing now is the work that counts the most.
And yet: Artists are not going to please everyone. Artists don't have that power. Gangbusters action or poetry. Conservative or risky. Over-the-top hysterical or rather straight-up. The occult or contemporary realism. Life issues or gossip. Right now or in the future. Easy reading or a deliberate tangle. You can have some, but I can't think of a single book that contains them all, and because this is so, it is a tricky business to calculate: What counts the most, and will my work be among the counted?
I wouldn't want to live in a world in which every opinion is the same. I wouldn't want to be operating inside a single standard. I doubt that you would, either. So that what I've learned, in my dozen years of publishing books, is that knowing who you are, as an artist, counts for a whole lot, and locating those voices who can help you do better work—who ask questions you respect, who judge a book not by a pre-established coda but by its own ambitions, who care about artistry, if you, too, care about artistry, or who are experts at action, if that's your thing—counts for a whole lot, too.
You can't please the world. You can always get better.
8 Comments on Standing up beyond the critique, last added: 2/26/2010
I needed this so badly. Even outside of writing, I am just so that type of person who freaks out when anyone has an issue with them. But you're right, we just have to do our thing and try and help and inspire as many people as we can. Thanks for this!
"Knowing who you are as an artist" is definitely the key, whether the art in question is music or writing or painting. There will be an audience for those who remain true to their authentic voice and the message or lyric they want to tell.
Back in 2012, Colbert interviewed the late, great 
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres (pictured, .jpeg?picon=3225)
Musician Janis Ian 
E.L. James became the first author to 
The Grammy Awards nominations 
Lagardere Publishing, the corporate parent of Hachette, reported that eBooks composed 
Thank you for sharing how you feel about Ellen DeGeneres and her book.
thank you very much for sharing the information ... god bless you
Continuing reasons why I need this book in my life.
Loved your post. I would pick her any day of the week too! And I really need to get her book.