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Enabling Authors to be Published and Published Authors to Win! Each week we interview a different industry luminary about writing, publishing, or marketing. We cover a lot of children's author[experts
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The 2012 Richard Boes Memorial Award goes to Randall Reneau for his book Deadly Lode ISBN 978-147913179-2). The award is a $200 cash prize for best debut book by a veteran (fiction or memoir) and is sponsored by Modern History Press. An excerpt from Renau’s book will appear in an upcoming issue of Recovering The Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing. The contest is administered by Reader Views Inc., which includes a general book award contest as well.
Daryn Watson’s review at Reader Views noted: “Deadly Lode is a great fiction novel and a very easy, enjoyable and quick read.”
Richard Boes (R.I.P.)
Richard Boes enlisted into the US Army and served in Vietnam in 1969 – 1970 with the First Air Cav. He is the author of two books, The Last Dead Soldier Left Alive (2007) a firsthand inquiry into why thousands of Vietnam veterans have committed suicide and Last Train Out (2008). Right up to his death Richard was writing a third, In the Valley of Dry Bones. He passed away on Feb 21st, 2009 at the VA Hospital in Albany, NY.
On December 22nd, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke withDeltina Hay, author of The Bootstrapper’s Guide to the Mobile Web and The Social Media Survival Guide, is a web developer, publisher, and small business owner. She is the founder of Plumb Web Solutions, helping small businesses and publishers with website creation; search and social media optimization; and content marketing. Deltina informed us on several points of interest including
How is the mobile web different than the regular Internet?
Why do I need a mobile version of my website?
Mobile apps are all the rage, but do I need one?
I hear some people are offering their books as mobile apps. How can I do that?
What should I do differently when marketing to smartphone users?
What are QR codes, and how can I leverage them to sell my books?
How can I leverage location-based services like foursquare and Google places?
What should I know about the future of mobile marketing – such as augmented reality and NFC chips
How do I choose platforms: Android or iOS (iPad/iPhone)
Social media marketing is the 800 pound gorilla in the room nowadays. The trend is so widespread that it is one of the most popular ways to market a business or profession on the internet besides using Google to be findable.
Of all social media platforms, Facebook is the most used. With over 1 billion users as of September 12, 2012, businesses, professionals, and every day folks are riding the wave with no end in sight.
Interestingly, Google recognizes the significance of this trend and they count the importance of social media platforms when ranking websites for search engine optimization. In layman’s terms that simply means if you’re popular on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc., Google will know it and will reward your website with higher ranking if you correctly set up linking between your site and the social platforms.
Lastly, businesses and professionals are urged to create a marketing funnel using social media platforms and search engine marketing. Combined, it is powerful marketing.
0 Comments on Social Media & Marketing Funnel Consultation Case Study as of 12/3/2012 8:57:00 PM
We regret to inform everyone of the passing of Irene Watson from this earth. As you may know, she was instrumental in launching the show. I would not ever have even started the show without her infectious enthusiasm for the project. We just uneventfully passed our 6th anniversary of recording the first show. For now, we will record one final show this year on Dec. 20th 2012 with Deltina Hay.
Irene Watson’s Memorial: A Celebration of Life
WHEN: Saturday November 17, 2012 at 1:00 pm
WHERE: Unity Church of the Hills,
9905 Anderson Mill Rd.
Austin TX 78750
A reception will follow the service. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Unity Church of the Hills.
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Ms. Watson. Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. She has been so inspiring to me. I’ve received her newsletters and have visited her websites many times. I hope that you are able to continue sharing the podcasts, too. They are very informative and useful.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ann
Lucinda said, on 11/26/2012 10:17:00 AM
I am deeply saddened to learn of Irene’s passing. I thought she was winning her fight. I send condolences to both her family and staff.
I never had the chance to meet Irene in person but she was a great inspiration and help as I struggled to get my indie press off the ground. This world’s loss is a gain for heaven.
RIP Irene, you will be missed!
Terri said, on 11/26/2012 7:44:00 PM
I am so sorry to hear of Irene’s death. I always enjoyed her interactions with guests on the Authors Access podcasts and admired her professionalism and the quality of her work. Please know that you, her coworkers and friends, as well as her family, are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
On October 18th, 2012, Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with children’s author, book coach, and reviewer Virginia S. Grenier. She is the founder & owner of Stories for Children Publishing, LLC, award-winning editor-in-chief of Stories for Children Magazine. In a wide-ranging discussion, we covered many key areas including
What is required for a character to be believable?
What is key in making a book part of a series?
What tips can children’s authors use to relate to their readers?
Are there topics not suitable for children’s or young adult books?
Is there a set guideline in children’s writing to be successful?
V.S. Grenier
V.S. Grenier is managing editor for the Brand Buzz Network and chief editor for Halo Publishing, Int, and also, the host of the blog talk radio shows on The World of Ink Network: Stories for Children, The Writing Mama, What is Success and Families Matter. A California girl at heart and former fashion buyer, Grenier lives in Southern Utah with her supportive husband, their three children and the family’s miniature schnauzer Taz
Creating a Local Historical Book: Fiction and Non-Fiction Genres
Due to the overwhelming popularity of the podcast Creating A Local Historical Book, which has become our most popular download in 2012, we were compelled to release an eBook and printed book transcript of this show.
On October 4th, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with digital publishing entrepreneur and applications guru Manish Seghal about key factors for success in the digital publishing marketplace. Manish is the Founder and CEO of Nov8rix, a New York City-based mobile technology company. Nov8rixhas created several products which are iPad Publisher, One Publisher, and Smartphone Publisher and two platforms that power more than 300 mobile content publishing apps released on Apple iOS and Android devices. He has expertise in digital publishing, strategy, marketing and monetizing content. Among the fundamental values we discussed were:
Going mobile: how and why
Know your target market: who
Content is king
Start with replicas
Spend 80% of your resources / budget on marketing
Publish thru your own dev accounts
Track your data
Listeners who hear the complete podcast will learn of a special offer with Nov8rix which can get them started for no money down and a savings of hundreds of dollars on a content-rich, turnkey solution for instant iPad exposure of multiple books or other pubs. Offer expires October 31st, 2012 so don’t delay!
On September 13th, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with self-published author and entrepreneur Gretchen Preston about the challenges and opportunities of living every day as a legally blind, visually-impaired person. Gretchen Preston is a children’s book author who lives near Marquette, Michigan. Legally blind since the fifth grade she writes her books on a laptop computer equipped with talking software. She shared with us some important aspects of her work life and success including:
Educate us about your visual problem and the assistive technology you use to write your books.
Your books are beautifully illustrated; share with us how a blind author produces such a nicely illustrated book.
Writing for vision impaired readers — what should people know?
How do you keep organized at book signings and sales events?
How does your low vision contribute to your books?
You have a totally blind character in your second book, what motivated you to create Winslow the blind professor?
Gretchen Preston
Originally from Portland, Oregon Gretchen Preston is one of five children. She went to college at the University of Oregon and went on to graduate school at Arizona State University. Trained as a medical social worker, Gretchen worked on an organ transplant team in Denver, Colorado.Her interest in writing came early. She wrote her first book when she was seventeen. The Idiot Cookbook: The Complete Cookbook for the Complete Idiot was an unpublished work patterned after Peg Bracken’s I Hate To Cookbook.In her job as a medical social worker she wrote newsletter articles and patient education manuals.Gretchen is married. She lives with her husband Tim, their old dog, Rosie and Buddy Boy the cat. Her Valley Cat series of children’s books are set on their rural dirt road near the south shore of Lake Superior. Currently, she is working on the third book in the Valley Cat series and several adult books.
Gretchen Preston is the author of the Valley Cat series of children’s books. Jam-packed with local fun and adventure, Valley Cats: The Adventures of Boonie and River and More Valley Cats: Fun, Games and New Friends can be purchased via her website. For more information including a list of stores carrying her books visit, www.prestonhillpress.com.
Watch for her upcoming book Valley of the Cats: Earth, Wind and sky
On August 25th, 2012 Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with publisher and family archiver Ronnie Boggess. After doing extensive research on her own family genealogy, Ronnie had both the vision and the goal to help others research and find facts and stories about their families. Whether writing about one member or several, she has a passion for getting members to record and publish, one of a kind books that can be passed down from generation to generation.
Exactly what are Legacy Books?
How did you get started in publishing Legacy Books?
Who would be interested in Legacy Books?
What if one is not a writer or researcher? How would she/he get started with the family history?
Why would someone be interested in publishing a family history book?
Have you published any interesting Legacy stories?
How would one get started writing or publishing a Legacy book?
Ronnie Boggess
Ronnie Boggess, is the president and CEO of My Vision Works Publishing, an Indie Publisher and author support company that specializes in first time authors, children’s books, poets, educational and the newest…. Legacy Books. Founding the company in 2008, she uses her extensive background in education as well as specific training in process writing, creative writing, editing and literacy consulting to assist authors in developing and publishing books of all genres.
An author in her own right, she has written and published over 12 books including 5 children’s books, 3 fictional, several non-fiction and 2 educational texts. The books have been featured on Fox news, the Detroit Free Press and many other media. Ronnie lives in the metro Detroit area, where she enjoys entertaining, painting, attending cultural events and spending time with family and friends.
On July 9th, 2012 Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with bestselling author and media guru Maryann Reid about how to go from author to media sensation. Maryann Reid is an Award-winning author and entrepreneur who has been featured by countless media outlets including USA Today, Essence, Glamour, The CBS Early Show, and The Wendy Williams Experience. Maryann’s first book Sex and the Single Sister: 5 Novellas was published by St. Martins Press when she was just 25 years old. At that time, Maryann had no idea that a few stories she wrote in her journal would become characters and later become a book. But she quickly learned the power of the media and pop culture influence on publishers and their decision-making.
What is your most popular book and why?
• Do you have advice for authors who have trouble publicizing or marketing fiction?
• How do you coach clients to increase their visibility and attract opportunities?
• Who is your ideal client?
• What are some things authors are doing wrong?
• What is the difference between a buyer and an audience?
• Why should authors work with a coach and what should they look out for?
Maryann Reid
Because of the popularity of HBO’s Sex and The City, Maryann Reid hit the zeitgeist she sold her first book without it being finished. She signed her first book deal with St. Martins and the strong support of a stellar agent.Several books later, Maryann teaches others how they can sell their own books, attract agents and publicity in half the time they would on their own.When her third novel Marry Your Baby Daddy was published, Maryann was able to address a social issue that she cared deeply about and rally a new movement. As a result, she and her books have been profiled in The New Yorker, Newsweek, Oprah.com, NBC Nightly News, etc. for her innovative approach to life and solving its complex issues.
On July 26th, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with media guru and blogger Jason Boog about current trends in the rapidly changing publishing industry. Jason Boog is the editor of Mediabistro’s publishing blog, GalleyCat. His first book, Will Write for Change: How New York City Writers Survived the Great Depression, is forthcoming from OR Books. His work has been published in Los Angeles Review of Books, The Believer, Poetry Foundation and Salon. In a wide-ranging conversation we covered many technological and media trends including:
Can eGalleys replace printed galleys for all prepublication uses?
What are new tools that authors can use to augment their book and message?
Interactive ebooks vs. websites, what makes sense?
Parallels between the last recession of 2009 and the Great Depression and how one writer survived
What’s going on with Patron Driven Access (PDA) for library eBook sales?
How can I stay up on the trends and ahead of the curve?
Jason worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 2000-2002. He earned his master’s degree in journalism from New York University two years later. After school, he edited The Publishing Spot blog for the business blog network, KnowMoreMedia.
For three years, Jason worked as an investigative reporter for Judicial Reports for three years. Jason joined GalleyCat as a freelance blogger in 2008 and Mediabistro promoted him to publishing editor in 2009. He also taught as an adjunct journalism professor at New York University.
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On July 12th, 2012 Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with publisher Sheila Ruth about how to navigate the Book Expo America (BEA) successfully. Sheila Ruth founded Imaginator Press in 2003 and has been addicted to publishing ever since. Imaginator Press publishes middle-grade and YA fantasy and science fiction. She first attended BEA in 2004, and since then has only missed attending one year. Sheila spilled all her secrets with us including:
What is BEA?
what are some ways that an author can have a presence at BEA?
What things can an author attending BEA plan to do?
Are there any things that an author shouldn’t do at BEA?
How should an author prepare for attending the conference?
What are some ways to minimize the cost associated with attending BEA?
Sheila Ruth
Sheila is a list-mom of the self-publishing Yahoo group, and was president of the MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association from 2005-2009. In addition to publishing, Sheila is also a book blogger, an organizer of the Children’s and Young Adult Book Bloggers’ Literary Awards (Cybils Awards), a web site developer, and a publishing technology expert. She has a B.S. degree in Liberal Arts and Technology from Stevenson University and has worked as a programmer developing publishing and typesetting software. She is available for ebook conversion and design, web site development projects, and social media strategy consulting.
On July 21st, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with journalist and bestselling author Robert J. Hughes about creating your platform and energizing it with social media.Robert J. Hughes is a writer living between New York and Paris. He was a longtime arts reporter for The Wall Street Journal, where he wrote about theater, classical and popular music, books and television, as well as philanthropy and fine arts, including the auction markets. Robert took us on a back-to-basic tours of the who, what, and why of platforms for authors:
What exactly is a platform?
How do you build a platform?
What is the coming trend in digital publishing?
How easy is it to self-publish, and why should you consider it?
What steps do you need to take to ensure success in self publishing?
What new digital tools are available to you?
Robert J. Hughes
Robert J. Hughes is the author of the novel Late and Soon, which Edmund White praised for its “Jamesian subtlety.” His new novel, “The Rectory,” will be published soon.He is currently at work on a book about his life in France
On May 17th, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Susan Violante spoke with editor, publisher, and entrepreneur Victor R. Volkman about how to get maximum revenue from your eBook platforms. Victor has made getting total market coverage in ebooks, the fastest growing media market, the centerpiece of his strategy for the past 18 months. In that time period, he has added sales channels on Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook, and Kobo platforms as well as entered agreements with ProQuest eBrary, Content Reserve’s Overdrive, and other library wholesalers to maximize market share. Our talk covered all points of the eBook compass including:
How can a self-publisher compete against big name companies like Random House in the ebook market?
How have ebooks impacted publishers’ sales mix over the last year?
What are the major eReader platforms and how are their market shares?
Are there platform-independent stores?
What’s the deal with Amazon KDP Select?
What are library wholesalers (Content Reserve, Proquest eBrary, EBSCO) and what kind of pricing do they require?
Why would I want my eBook in a library?
Should I use SmashWords?
How can you manage price changes with multiple vendors?’
What is book metadata and how important is it in the big picture?
Victor R. Volkman
Victor R. Volkman published his first book in 2003 and soon discovered many others needed help in producing self-help, personal growth, and trauma recovery books. His company Loving Healing Press and imprints including Modern History Press, Marvelous Spirit Press have since produced more than 150 books in hardcover, paperback, and eBook.He has personally edited more than a dozen anthologies including
On May 3rd, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with veteran radio host and media maven Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Media Group. Cyrus been active in the arts for over a decade and has used his passion for engaging discussions to build his media brand. Through his radio show he has interviewed Pulitzer-Prize winners, celebrity musicians and actors as well as individuals with a powerful story to tell. Tonight, Cyrus Webb shared his inside information on how you can make yourself into a guest that radio interviewers can’t refuse! We touched on all aspects of guest appearances including:
What are some of the most important things for the author wanting to be interviewed to know about the host and the show?
Do interviewers prefer a hard copy of the book prior to the show or an electronic copy?
Can a book be too old, do you have to pitch it in a special way?
Give us the top 5 mistakes people who are new to the medium will make
Is there a difference in how to approach internet radio vs. AM talk radio or other segments?
What can fiction authors talk about?
How early should I arrive for an interview that is in person or how early should I call if over the phone?
After the interview is over should I contact the host or producer again to say thanks and ask for a review if one hasn’t been written?
What about call-in shows?
0 Comments on Cyrus Webb – How to Prepare for an Internet Radio Interview as of 5/4/2012 12:20:00 PM
On April 19th, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Irene Watson spoke with professional editor and marketing guru Beth Werner about the Association of Independent Authors and what it can do for you. In 2010 Beth left the corporate world to launch Author Connections, LLC, a company created to educate, encourage and empower authors. She currently provides editing and marketing services to an exclusive roster of select clients. Her professional mission is to support high quality, multi-media content for hungry readers. As an AiA board member she was able to educate us on aspects of the association including:
Where can authors participate in forums and discussion groups with other authors?
Is there an online resource guide that authors can reference for service providers?
If an author has a drafted manuscript but doesn’t know what to do next, where can they find help with the publishing process?
If an author has very limited time but wants a regular snapshot of news and tips in the publishing world, is there a source of useful information they can rely on?
When an author is considering an industry service provider, is there a way for them to verify a valid partner from a ripoff or sketchy player?
How does AIA membership compare to other organizations like the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) or Small Publishers of North America (SPAN)
Beth Werner
Beth Werner has been a professional editor and small business developer since the age of 20, having worked 16 years in b2b magazine publishing; gaining practical training and first-hand experience in consultative selling, customer relations, and integrated marketing strategies. Her primary focus was advertising sales – where she learned to design custom brand campaigns in various vertical industries. During this time, Beth worked with and counseled some of the largest companies in the world about integrated marketing for successful business development.Her passions are travel, gourmet cooking and dining, photography, and gardening. Her own book, Travels of an Independent Woman (#readtiw) is coming soon…
On April 6th 2012, Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with Yvonne Rose, Associate Publisher and Senior Editor at Amber Communications Group, Inc. Ms. Rose began her stint at Amber Books in 1998 as the co-author of the Company’s flagship title, the national bestseller, Is Modeling for You? The Handbook and Guide for the Young Aspiring Black Model. Yvonne Rose was appointed to head Quality Press and has turned a few thousands of Self-Published authors manuscripts into completed books. She spoke with us a wide-range of issues relating to African-American authors specifically and publishing in general
Writing for African American culture
Publishing hurdles of African American books
Target marketing to African American community
Writing cross-culture book – mixed race books
African American any different than other cultures?
Getting the characters right for the culture
Importance of covers depicting African American content
Yvonne Rose
She recently published Ageless Beauty: The Ultimate Skincare and Makeup Book for Women and Teens of Color. (Amber Books). As the Director of Quality Press, Yvonne and her team of editors, designers and printers, oversee the editing, design/layout, registration and manufacturing of every self-published author’s books. She also consults with the authors regarding their marketing, production, promotional, distribution and publicity goals.Yvonne has ghost-written and co-written several top selling non-fiction titles, including: Natural Radiance: A Guide for Ethnic Skin Care (Global Skin Solutions Publishing) by Pamela Springer; Fighting for Your Life: The African American Criminal Justice Survival Guide (Amber Books) by John Elmore, Esq.; Led by the Spirit: A Sharecropper’s Son Tells His Story of Love, Happiness, Success and Survival (Strickland Books) by Robuster Strickland; Let Them Play…The Story of the MGAA (MGAA Books) by John David and A Journey that Matters: Your Personal Living Legacy (Lyceum Group Books) by Erline Belton. She is currently ghostwriting books for two high-profile personalities – retired Arizona Cardinal, Levvar Fisher, and WBLS New York Radio / Television host and personality Doctor Bob Lee.
Ageless Beauty: The Ultimate Skincare and Makeup Guide for Women and Teens of Color
On March 14th, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with singer, songwriter, restaurateur, and entrepreneur Ruby Dee Philippa. She is the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated high-octane roots and rockabilly act Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. Previously, Ruby owned three successful restaurants in Seattle, Washington, until she finally “settled down” as a musician in Austin, Texas, where she lives today. Her book, Ruby’s Juke Joint Americana Cookbook, is a veritable feast of down-home recipes meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. She shared delicious tidbits of hard-earned wisdom on self-publishing cookbooks from conception to sales and marketing:
How far along was I when I began shopping the book around
Where did I go first- agents? Publishers? What was the trail that I followed
What sort of replies did I get?
What sort of deal did I end up making?
- what was included in the deal (printing, distribution, publicity?)
- who owns the rights to the manuscript
As a self published deal, did the publisher cover anything or was it all out of pocket?
what expenses can one expect to pay for this type of deal?
What are the mechanics of integrating a bound-in music CD with a book?
Am I happy with the outcome?
Raised in both the Northern California foothill ranches and the cotton and oil fields of the Texas panhandle, Ruby has worked on fishing boats in Alaska, lived in South America, and toured most of the United States as well as Europe. Her travels have inspired her devotion to Americana culture, which celebrates the melting pot heritage of the United States.
On March 1st, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author, motivational speaker, and publisher Sabrina K. Carpenter. In 2006, Sabrina founded her professional writing firm, Perfected Pen, Inc., which specializes in business writing services ranging from editing, website content, business plans, motivational speaking, press releases, social media management and beyond. She founded her children’s literacy program, Eager Readers, Brighter Writers in 2011. Traveling across the country, Carpenter encourages the natural quest for knowledge within children, through fun and interactive reading groups and writing workshops. We had wide-ranging discussion including these points:
Determining Which Event is Right for You
How much to pay?
How important is the venue?
The Face of Marketing
Why Time is Always Money
Avoid Toxic People
Branding – You or the Book
Sabrina K. Carpenter
As a cancer survivor, professional writer, motivational speaker, author, literacy coach, entrepreneur, mother, radio show host, spoken word poet, publisher and philanthropist, Sabrina Carpenter. has inspired and motivated thousands of people with her ability to evoke heartfelt emotion through stories of growth and perseverance.In 2010, her publishing division, Perfected Pen Publishing was born, fulfilling an obvious gap in the land of books. Perfected Pen Publishing specializes in manuscript consultations, editing and complete book publishing and design.Carpenter has authored two books of her own thus far; a collection of poetry entitled, ‘Betting on One Percent’ and a dynamic children’s book, The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy. Her latest book of poetry and CD, ‘Pain-ted Faces’ will be debuting in 2012. All are available on Amazon.com.
On February 16th, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author and marketing guru Cathy Stuckeron the basics of effective blogging AND promoting your blog. Best known as the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker helps authors, entrepreneurs and professionals attract customers and make themselves famous with techniques that make marketing easy, inexpensive and even fun. We covered a myriad of topics, including:
Does blogging really sell books?
What is the best way to set up a blog?
What should authors blog about?
What about fiction authors?
How do you find the time to write for a blog without neglecting your “real” writing?
How personal should a blog be?
How do you handle blogging if you write in multiple genres or under more than one name?
How can authors attract readers to their blogs?
Cathy Stucker
Cathy is the author of several books, and she has appeared on television and radio programs from coast to coast. Cathy has been featured in articles in Woman’s Day, Black Enterprise, the New York Times and the Associated Press, among others.Cathy is also the founder of SellingBooks.com, a site about all aspects of writing, publishing and marketing books. You will get free tips and advice about publishing, as well as an audio program about building your author platform, when you sign up for Cathy’s free newsletter at SellingBooks.com
Thanks for hosting me on your podcast. It was great talking with you–and we covered a lot of things authors need to know about blogging in a very short time!
On February 2nd, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with educational publisher and marketing guru Arianne McHugh. She is the President and Co-Owner of Saddleback Educational Publishing. She has revamped Saddleback into the country’s largest publisher of high-interest, low readability material. Saddleback kicks off its 30th anniversary with thirteen Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (2012) for its series, Urban Underground. She took the time to educate on several important aspects of the industry including:
What is educational publishing exactly?
What is a high-interest, low readability book and who is the market?
How does an author write for educational publishers (versus the trade)?
What are the relationships you use to sell books and keep customers?
How does an author market themselves to educational publishers?
As an author, how do you stay relevant in this industry?
What is one thing you get asked all the time?
Arianne McHugh
Arianne McHugh earned her bachelors at San Diego State University. Previous to publishing, Arianne was the Director of Clientele Development for Bloomingdales – assisting in the planning, training and complete operations for the opening of the California Flagship Store. She also created a mom’s blog that received national attention from General Motors as well as TV Dr. Phil, to name a few. Saddleback publishes over a thousand titles including Urban Fiction, Hi-Lo Chapter Books, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Interactive Smartboard Lessons, Low Level Supplemental Curriculum and more.
Don't Think About Tomorrow
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On January 19th, 2012 Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with award-winning children’s author, marketing expert, and entrepreneur Ellen Feld about how to target-market your children”s books. Her first book, Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse, went on to win a coveted “Children’s Choices” award, co-sponsored by The International Reading Association and The Children’s Book Council. The book was then picked up by an international toy company and packaged with a toy horse made to resemble Blackjack, the star of the series. Blackjack continues to sell well and to date has sold over 30,000 copies. Ellen shared her lessons learned and hard won experience with us on a variety of topics including:
on-line advertising: where/when it works/doesn’t work
Selling at regional events, shows, and other public venues outside the bookstore
Why you need to think in terms of a series
Importance of author selling/marketing, the personal touch
Book signings – what works, what to have at your booth
Finding and keeping an illustrator
Cultivating your reputation as an expert
The importance of professional help with your project.
Ellen Feld with Annie
Award-winning author Ellen Feld began writing about horses more than twenty years ago. Her first writing jobs were for horse magazines. At first, she wrote for small, regional publications, but within a few short years her work began to appear regularly in large, national publications. Her articles have appeared in publications such as The Morgan Horse, Stable Management, Equestrian, Young Rider, Just About Horses, Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar, Tri-State Horse, and The Appaloosa Journal.One day, back in 2001, while waiting for her next assignment to come in, Ellen wrote a short story about a Morgan Horse. Several of her friends encouraged her to expand on the story and try writing a book. That short story became the first chapter of “Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse.”
On January 4th, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with regional mystery maven Nancy Barr. Nancy served as news editor at the Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton for three years and now works at Michigan Technological University, where she recently earned a master’s degree in Rhetoric and Technical Communication. Her novels include Page One: Hit and Run(July 2006), “Page One: Vanished” (May 2007), and “Page One: Whiteout” (November 2009), all from Arbutus Press. She spoke with us on all the particulars of regional mystery writing including:
Challenges of writing about real locations in rural areas
Character development — deciding who deserves a repeat appearance and who is a one-book wonder
Plotting versus characterization. Each book has been different for me.
Other mysteries worth reading that feature the rural upper Midwest.
The pros and cons of small, regional publishing houses.
Marketing
Nancy Barr
A transplant to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at the age of 9, Nancy Barr grew up in the tiny town of Rapid River nestled at the top of Little Bay de Noc. She earned an associate’s degree with honors from Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, Mich., and graduated cum laude from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., with a bachelor’s degree. Her love of reading and writing led her to a career in newspaper journalism where she spent several years covering police, courts, schools and local governments for the Daily Press in Escanaba. An animal aficionado, she lives on the Keweenaw Peninsula with two demanding, but lovable, cats. When not writing, Nancy enjoys hiking and photographing the natural beauty that abounds in the Upper Peninsula.
On December 14th, 2011 Irene Watson and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with romance author, publisher, and entrepreneur Donna Winters about writing regional historical romances. Donna Winters and her husband Fred Winters are the owners of Bigwater Publishing. Since 1989 they have released 15 of Donna’s historical romances for ages 12 and up under the Great Lakes Romances imprint. We covered a wide-range of topics from writing to marketing, including:
Historical romances vs. contemporary romances
Research methods
Historical characters
Images
Names
Character development
Historical dialog
Historical costumes
Historical transportation
Donna Winters
Donna adopted Michigan as her home state in 1971 when she moved from a small town outside of Rochester, New York. She began penning novels in 1982 while working full time for an electronics firm in Grand Rapids.She resigned from her job in 1984 following a contract offer for her first book. Since then, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Zondervan Publishing House, Guideposts, and Bigwater Publishing have published her novels. Her husband, Fred, a former American History teacher, shares her enthusiasm for history. Together, they visit historical sites, restored villages, museums, and lake ports, purchasing books and reference materials for use in Donna’s research.
Donna has lived all of her life in states bordering on the Great Lakes. Her familiarity and fascination with these remarkable inland waters and her residence in the heart of Great Lakes Country in Upper Michigan, make her the perfect candidate for writing Great Lakes Romances®.
On December 1st, 2011 Susan Violante and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with publisher and marketing guru Jacqueline Church (“JC”) Simonds. She is the co-owner of Beagle Bay, Inc, a book packaging and distribution company. Jacqueline is also the author of the historical novel Captain Mary, Buccaneer. We went back to basics for this episode and touched on all the fundamentals you need, including:
Self-Publishing = Entrepreneurship. Can you handle the business or do you need a partner?
Publishing is a $3 TRILLION a year, global business. Are you ready to compete?
Most new publishers are woefully lacking in knowledge about the book business.
Should you go for a “Doing Business As” (dba) or incorporate?
How many ISBNs should you buy – 1? 10? 1000
Understand the new business models of Print on Demand (POD) + distribution, eBooks, and offset printing.
Marketing = Sales. How do you plan to reach your reader/buyer in the first few months, and from then on?
Jacqueline is a book shepherd, assisting self-publishers and start-up presses in launching their businesses. Much of her knowledge about publishing can be found at the Creative Minds Press site New Self-Publisher’s FAQ
In Captain Mary, Buccaneer, Simonds has crafted an enduring tale that will satisfy readers with its swashbuckling action, dark intrigue, and torrid romance. The book is the result of Simonds’ extensive research into the pirate subculture of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries. From the tales of real women pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read who were tried for piracy in Spanishtown, Jamaica in 1721, Simonds has created a character who would be as at home on Wall Street as she is on the heaving deck of an 18th century brigantine. If you enjoy curling up in your favorite chair with a great adventure story, then this book is for you!
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I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Ms. Watson. Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. She has been so inspiring to me. I’ve received her newsletters and have visited her websites many times. I hope that you are able to continue sharing the podcasts, too. They are very informative and useful.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ann
I am deeply saddened to learn of Irene’s passing. I thought she was winning her fight. I send condolences to both her family and staff.
I never had the chance to meet Irene in person but she was a great inspiration and help as I struggled to get my indie press off the ground. This world’s loss is a gain for heaven.
RIP Irene, you will be missed!
I am so sorry to hear of Irene’s death. I always enjoyed her interactions with guests on the Authors Access podcasts and admired her professionalism and the quality of her work. Please know that you, her coworkers and friends, as well as her family, are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.