Publishing Poynters
Book and Information-Marketing News and Ideas from Dan PoynterJuly 1, 2001. Copyright Para Publishing. ISSN: 1530-5694
DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com; http://ParaPub.com; 1-800-ParaPub
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. ParaNews=============================================
2. ParaTips
3. ParaResources
4. ParaThoughts
5. ParaFreebies
6. ParaCalendar
7. ParaHumor
A. INGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW PUBLISHERS WITH FEWER THAN 10 TITLES. We noted in our last edition that there was a big announcement coming. Ingram recommends that smaller and newer publishers work through a distributor-if you can get one. Or, to work through Ingram subsidiary LightningSource and pay high individual-copy POD prices. Ingram will continue to work with the small publishers it currently serves through its Express program, but it reserves the right to revisit those arrangements as well.
B. INGRAM AND AMAZON SIGN FULFILLMENT DEAL. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-6028998.html?tag=st.ne.ron.lthd
C. DIGITAL PRINTING SEMINARS AND PLANT TOURS. Seminars with Dan Poynter and various digital printing companies are being scheduled around North America. The first three will be at One2One Direct in Valencia, CA, on June 16, 23 and 30. The next will be at DeHarts in Santa Clara, CA, on August 11. More will follow in the Midwest and Northeast. Dan Poynter will share the New Book Model: the faster, easier and cheaper way to write, produce and promote your books. A plant tour will follow to help you understand the new technology. For details, see the ParaCalendar, below.
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See the "ParaSite" at http://ParaPub.com
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D. OVER 1,300 ENERGIZED PUBLISHERS have graduated from our weekend workshops here in Santa Barbara since 1984. Many publishers got so much out of the weekend, they are returning for an update on the industry. Four times a year, 18 people pay $695 to learn more about book marketing, promoting and distributing. The January-April-July-October events are held at Dan Poynter's home offices, high on a hill overlooking the Pacific. See the ParaCalendar below and Document 167 on our web site: /accessreport.cfm?report=167&refpage=edutrain.html
E. VIRAL MARKETING EXAMPLE. My latest book is The Older Cat: Recognizing Decline & Extending Life. It is all about aging, declining, grieving and memorializing a feline friend. See http://OlderCat.com And click on Cats.
Please pass this news item on to the cat lovers in your address book. They will thank you and I will thank you (and their aging cat will thank you.) Viral marketing is turning your friends into clipping services. Email just makes it easier.
F. DO YOU HAVE A STORY ON CUSTOMER SERVICE? Debra J. Schmidt, is known "America's Customer Loyalty Ambassador" and is president of Spectrum Consulting Group Inc. She is writing a book titled The Extra Mile; which will feature outstanding examples of customer service. Have you had a great customer service experience? Do you know of a company that consistently surprises and delights it's customers? Debra would love to include your story. Story length should be 300 words or less and if possible, include the name of the company and the city where it is located. A longer story will be considered if it's a powerful example. Just for submitting your story, you will receive a FREE copy of Debra's booklet, "101 Ways to Build Customer Loyalty," so be sure to include your name and complete address with your submission. To be considered for inclusion in the book, email your story as a Word document attachment by July 31, 2001: to spectrum@debraschmidt.com
You will be notified by October 1 if your story has been selected to be included in the book. To learn more about Debra J. Schmidt and Spectrum Consulting Group: http://www.spectrumresults.com
G. STORIES OF BUSINESS SUCCESS WANTED. Successful author Bob Bly wants stories of how individuals or companies established themselves as leaders or experts in their field. If you wrote a best-selling book on your subject, were featured on Oprah or were otherwise successful, contact rwBly@Bly.com
H. THE MAUI WRITERS CONFERENCE is a phenomenal writing-publishing event. Over 1,000 authors, publishers, agents and book professionals will get together over the Labor Day holiday. See http://www.MauiWriters.com
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A. OPRAH. For a list of shows in the works, see http://www.oprah.com/tows/intheworks/tows_works_main.html. Kimberly Stevens contributed this tip.
B. SECURITY TIP FROM DON PAUL. Your answering machine message should say, "I am always here, but working on my computer so I can’t pick up just now." For more, see: http://www.survival-books.com/FreeHotTips.htm
C. AT BOOK FAIRS AND INDUSTRY EXHIBITS, try this sign:
"Autographed Books are More Valuable. Have Your Book Signed by the Author"
(It works!)
A. REVIEW MEDIA STATISTICS. Want to know how many books the periodicals review each year? See http://www.BookWire.com/review_media_stats.html
B. TALK SHOW LIST. If you plan to extensively promote your books on radio, check out William A. Gordon's comprehensive list of radio talk shows. Unlike some other lists, Gordon only cites shows that actually interview authors, and his list provides producers' names, e-mail addresses, the show's web sites, and show descriptions. The 210-page list enables you to reach over 750 locally produced and nationally syndicated shows, and it gives you the ability to e-mail shows most likely to talk about your books. If you e-mail Gordon at info@nrbooks.com and mention Publishing Poynters," he will e-mail you sample listings. The full list costs $100 and includes three free monthly e-mail updates.
C. NEW AGE RESOURCE LIST. Mark Greenia’s list contains many links to publishers, distributors and articles related to New Age interests for authors, publishers and readers. http://www.Luminarch.com. D. PUBLISHING RESOURCES. A list of important publishing industry Web sites. Home Business Mastery Website. See http://www.paulbarrs.com/links/bookseducationpublishin.html E. NEWPAGES GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE PERIODICALS Casey Hill. http://www.newpages.com/NPGuides/magpubs.htm F. RESOURCES FOR BOOK MARKETING, PROMOTING AND DISTRIBUTING. To get these reports instantly and save on the shipping changes, see: /getpage.cfm?file=resource/promote.html and scroll down.
=>How to Price Your Book. Selecting the right price for your book is almost as important as selecting the right title for it. Dan Poynter provides you with a two step, easy plan to select the price that will maximize sales—and profits. He goes on to explain other price-related considerations such as placement of the price on the back cover, the price extension in the bar code, why you need an order blank on the last page of your book and more. Document 604, 6 pages, Paper: $7.95; self-service Electronic: $3.95. =>Publishing Contract: Author—Publisher. This is a primary Trade Publishing Agreement for use between a publisher and an author for trade hardcover and softcover editions. A new paragraph covers electronic rights. Document 607, 15 pages, Paper: $13.95; self-service Electronic: $9.95.
=>Questions and Answers on Book Publishing covers the basics and a lot of new material in an interview format. There are lots of small pieces of vital and encouraging publishing information that do not fit in our other Reports. This Report is fascinating and fun to read. Additionally, all authors should draft a series of questions and answers on their topic specialty to supply to editors for interview articles. This is a very cost-efficient way to get free publicity. Document 623, 18 pages, Paper: $11.95; self-service Electronic: $7.95.
=>How to Set up & Run a Successful Book Publishing Business. Dan Poynter describes his eleven-point plan for successfully operating your publishing company. Learn the advantages to being a smaller publisher, why you must publish more than one book¾ in the same field, the importance of consistent packaging, should you pursue wholesale over retail sales, the secrets of low-cost book promotion and more. Document 624, 7 pages, Paper: $7.95; self-service Electronic: $3.95.
=>Raising Money to Publish Books will show you where the money is and how to get it. There are grants, government programs, creative ways to borrow and lots of good financing advice. If you need money to publish your next book, this report will help you get it. Document 626, 6 pages. Paper: $9.95; self-service Electronic: $5.95.
=>Internet/Web for Publishers shows you how to log on the Internet for e-mail, "mailing lists," forums and research. Then it shows you how to establish a presence with a home page for your publishing company and books. It goes on to explain how to set up a complete web site and tells you where to get the tools (free software) to lay out your own web pages. Everything is explained: domain names, where to find things and more. This report tells you more than most books but it won’t waste your time or money. Document 627, 13 pages, Paper: $13.95; self-service Electronic: $9.95.
=>Canadian Book Publishing is a north-of-the-border supplement to The Self-Publishing Manual. It contains all the names, numbers and resources for ISBN, copyright, Legal Deposit, CIP, bar coding, distributors, associations, magazines and much more to publish successfully in Canada. Document 628, 8 pages, Paper: $13.95; self-service Electronic: $9.95 USD.
=>Beyond Remainders describes creative inventory reduction. When sales of a book drop off, it is time to move out the balance, before they get too old, to make room for new books. There are many easy ways to reduce inventory besides remaindering and they bring in more money. An action plan, sample letters, addresses, and resources are included. Document 633, 10 pages, Paper: $13.95; self-service Electronic: $9.95.
=>Insurance for Publishers; Protecting Your Book Company. The very latest on incorporation, insurance, indemnity clauses, disclaimers and other ways to limit your exposure to law suits. Cites cases and legal precedent. Resources section lists insurance companies, attorneys, etc. Document 636, 7 pages, Paper: $13.95; self-service Electronic: $9.95. Ordering: Paper editions. Shipped by Air Mail, fax or email (specify). Add 7.75% sales tax if you are in California. Telephone, Fax, mail or email your order. Provide your credit card number, expiration date and the name on the card.
Self-Service Electronic editions. (Less expensive because we do not have to inventory, print or send them).Web site: Log on to: http://www.ParaPublishing.com, search for the Document by title. You save shipping charges, handling fees and sales taxes.
G. NEED HELP WITH WEB SITE DESIGN & INTERNET PROMOTION? See
BookZone, Mary Westheimer, PO Box 2228, Scottsdale, AZ 85252-2228. e-mail: mary@bookzone.com. Website: http://www.bookzone.com. We will list your books or build your site.
Lightbourne, Gaelyn Larrick & Shannon Bodie, 2565 Siskiyou Blvd., #1-G, Ashland, OR 97520. Tel: (800) 697-9833; Fax: (541) 482-1730; email: knocking@opendoor.com; web site: http://www.waking.com/lightbourne. Extraordinary design, fair prices and helpful guidance.
Write Promotion. Anne Marie Baugh, 19691 East Ida Circle, Aurora, CO 80015. Tel: 303-400-8114; fax: 303-400-8119; internet@mail.vii.com; http://www.write-promotion.com. Results driven Website promotion & publicity. Affordable packages for every budget.
H. PROMOTION TOOL. Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters by Debbie Allen features 68 marketing secrets and proven strategies to help you promote yourself and market your books. Well-known authors include Mark Victor Hansen, Greg Godek, John Kremer and many more. It can be purchased online at http://www.ConfessionsofShamelessSelfPromoters.com or by phone at 800-359-4544.
I. 1001 WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BOOKS is simply the best reference in the business. John Kremer has researched every possible way to sell books. He provides the most comprehensive collection of procedures and resources in this 700-page work. Invest $27.95 now. Call 800-PARAPUB.
J. PATRICK HORTON’S WORKSHOPS ON STORYTELLING. Stories make your writing memorable. Discover the secrets of storytelling on July 14, 21 or 28, Beverly Hills. See http://www.thestorycoach.com/index.html
GET MORE DETAIL: Nonfiction books are written from research plus personal experience.
Check every book written on your subject. Then check the magazines. Interview experts and make a field trip. Get all the background you can.
Author-consultant Penny Paine wanted her children’s book to be set in Ireland and her main character to be a pig. So she spent three days walking about Newport on the west coast of the Emerald Isle, taking photographs, interviewing the locals (and pretending to be a pig).
Penny searched out family names, special locations and local sayings for authenticity. She wrote it all down as she walked her story. Molly’s Magic was so detailed, accurate and fun, it won a Parent’s Choice award. http://www.PennyPaine.com
Check every resource and get first-hand experience.
"The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book." —Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English lexographer and author of the Dictionary of the English Language. (Excerpted from Successful Nonfiction by Dan Poynter. For 108 more inspirational tips, See /getpage.cfm?file=resource/writing.html#successful_nonfiction)
A. HOW TO WRITE YOUR PERSONAL MILITARY MEMOIRS by William McGee is full of tips and resources. The free report available from BMCpublications@aol.com
See http://www.bmcpublications.com/
B. FOR BACK ISSUES OF THIS NEWSLETTER, see http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm?file=/news.html
A. Dan Poynter is criss-crossing North America to spread the word on eBooks, pBooks and The New Book Publishing Model.
Authors and publishers are discovering an innovative way to write, produce and promote their books and the new way is faster, easier and cheaper. New software accelerates typesetting, new machines automate printing and the Internet streamlines promotion. These technological improvements have spawned a fresh way to look at book publishing. The New Book Model covers all the bases and is a refreshingly innovative route for anyone with a manuscript.
Today, books are written in page-layout format instead of double-spaced courier typeface. Then the pages are converted into Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for printing and conversion.
Just 500 books are printed using computer-driven high-speed laser printers. The softcover and hardcover books are indistinguishable from traditional ink-printed books. Prices are just slightly higher, per unit, but the quantity (and invoice) is much lower.
PDF and LIT files are generated for reading on eBook readers such as the Pocket PC.
Then finished books are sent to two or three selected agents, a few more are sent to publishers with a track records for that type of book, 3-400 are sent for review to genre-specific magazines, four or five are sent to specialized book clubs, about ten are sent to foreign publishers suggesting translation and a handful are sent to opinion molders in the author’s field.
If an agent or publisher comes in with a good offer, the author sells out. If not, all the bases are covered: the book is out for review and the orders are starting to come in.
Most of the book promotion is done via email; the author’s web site replaces brochures. The media kit is replaced by a Press Room on the web site. For an example, see /getpage.cfm?file=pressroom/pressroom.html. Avoiding printing and postage reduces promotion costs tremendously.
So, the New Book Model is a way to conserve time, inventory space and money while testing the market. More books are not printed until after they are sold. It is no longer necessary to tie up a lot of money and inventory in printed books.
More specifically:
1. The New Book Model: Writing. How to set up and build your book rather than just write it. Discover how to qualify the project, research on the Net, organize the project, draft the content and convert it into a PDF file for printing.
2. The New Book Model: Producing print and electronic editions. Typesetting, layout, book design, PDF files and POD/PQN (pBooks) printing. eBooks: Downloads, CDs and handheld readers.
3. The New Book Model: Promoting. Getting your books into bookstores, book clubs and making nontraditional sales (catalogs, premiums, fundraisers, specialty stores). Using broadcast email. Radio/TV interviews, autographings, review copies and other promotion. See /getpage.cfm?file=newbook.html Come to meet Dan and hear his vital book writing-publishing- promoting message. See the props and get the handout.
2001
June 28: Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference. Dan Poynter to speak on new writing and production techniques. Fmi: Barnaby Conrad, 805-684-2250.
June 30: Publishers’ Day. Seminar and tour of digital printing plant in Valencia, California. For Book publishers, book producers and anyone engaged in the production, marketing and promoting of books. You will discover the low prices and quick turnaround offered by digital printing (PQN). Find out about mass customization and multipurposing. You will be able to produce your books faster, easier and cheaper. Just imagine shorter print runs and small print bills. You will be able to eliminate obsolescence, large capital outlays and warehousing. 9:30-12:30. Free. Dan Poynter will share the technology to speed your book production and promotion. Space is limited. Register now: One2One Digital Printing, Rita Armendariz, 866-220-0121.
July 11: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, Los Angeles. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
July 21-22: Book marketing/promotion/distribution seminar in Santa Barbara with Dan Poynter. For details, contact Para Publishing, PO Box 8206-896, Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206. Tel: (805) 968-7277, Fax: (805) 968-1379. Workshop@ParaPublishing.com
July 30-31: NEW TECHNOLOGY: pBooks & eBooks will be covered in detail at Book Tech West in San Francisco, July 30-August 1. More than 1,400 pBook and eBook professional are expected to attend the seminars and trade show. For details, see http://west.booktechexpo.com/. Fmi Rebecca Churilla, rChurilla@napco.com; Tel: 215-238-5449; Tell them you are a Publishing Poynters subscriber and they will cut the registration fee from $500 to $400; save $100. For the discount, contact Daiselle Morris-Hall at dmorrishall@napco.com or 215 238 5468.
August 11: Digital printing seminar with Dan Poynter and Pete Masterson and a tour of DeHarts Printing in Santa Clara, CA. 9-2. Space limited. Fmi and to register, contact Tatiana Promessi 408-982-9118; promessi@ihot.com. See http://www.DeHarts.com
August 16: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, Los Angeles. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. mi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
August 31-September 3: Maui Writers Conference. Dan Poynter on the New Book Model. Fmi: http://www.MauiWriters.com
September 6: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, Toronto. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. fmi 877-277-1240; 416-964-0011. http://www.learningannex.com/default.taf?
September 11: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, Los Angeles. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
September 15-16: Book Publishing Seminar. Philadelphia. Fmi: Brian Jud iMarketBooks@aol.com
October 6: Turning Speeches into Books. Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Fmi: Dan Janal. Dan@ShowStoppers.com
October 10: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, Los Angeles. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
October 13-14: Book marketing/promotion/distribution seminar in Santa Barbara with Dan Poynter. For details, contact Para Publishing, PO Box 8206-896, Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206. Tel: (805) 968-7277, Fax: (805) 968-1379. Workshop@ParaPublishing.com
November 10: Turning Speeches into Books. Heart of Texas Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Fmi: Ann Fry: Ann@HumorU.com.
November 14: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, Los Angeles. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
November 17-18: Book Publishing Seminar. San Antonio. Fmi: Brian Jud iMarketBooks@aol.com
Here is something funny we have found on books, writing, publishing, authors and/or words. If you have a laugh to share, please send it to DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com
A. HERE ARE 5 OF THE BEST ENTRIES in this year's Bulwer-Lytton contest—the competition that asks entrants to write the first line of a bad novel. It is in honor of Victorian author Edward George Bulwer-Lytton who wrote the novel that began "It was a dark and stormy night". (From Terry Paulson\ Max Dreisbach\Linda Barry).
5. "Andre, a simple peasant, had only one thing on his mind as he crept
along the east wall: Andre creep -- Andre creep -- Andre creep."
4. "Stanley looked quite bored and somewhat detached, but then penguins
often do."
3. "Like an overrripe beefsteak tomato rimmed with cottage cheese,
the corpulent remains of Santa Claus lay dead on the hotel floor."
2. "Mike Hardware was the kind of private eye who didn't know the meaning
of the word fear, a man who could laugh in the face of danger and spit
in the eye of death—in short, a moron with suicidal tendencies."
AND THIS YEAR'S WINNER: (Ta Da)
1. "The sun oozed over the horizon, shoved aside darkness, crept along
the greensward, and, with sickly fingers, pushed through the castle window,
revealing the pillaged princess, hand at throat, crown asunder, gaping
in frenzied horror at the sated, sodden amphibian lying beside her, disbelieving
the magnitude of the frog's deception, screaming madly, "You lied!" B.
PARAQUOTATION
"I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters." —Solomon Short. (From Dan Snow)
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