Working Titlez

Stephens Press book designer extraordinaire Sue Campbell is a closet poet — who knew? She’s been persuaded to share a bit of rhyme about the poet’s bane, “da rules”.

Poetry Anarchy
by Sue Campbell (2007)

What are the rules for poetry?
Who knows about voice, and meter and timing?
Oh, and never mind rhyming.

That, I could never do.
Sure, it’s pretty simple
to find a rhyme for blue.

But what about orange, or purple?
Does it matter
when words don’t want to patter?
Instead preferring to shuffle, or plod, or slink.

The picture is the thing
that makes poetry sing.
Words are paint, to be slathered,
stippled, babbled and dribbled.

But I, since I’m clueless, and ruleless
am free to sling words with abandon,
seeing what sticks,
and what runs down the page.
Smearing in embarrassment, at being used
and abused by one who knows no rules.

L-R Author Laraine Russo Harper, Yours Truly, and Editor Geoff Schumacher

I got to do one of my very favorite things yesterday — present an author with the very first copy of her very first book. There is nothing quite like holding the “real thing” in your hands, the heft and weight of it, turning the pages, the smell of fresh ink — and thinking about the hundreds, if not thousands, of hours that went into the project. From research and fact-finding, to interviews and phone calls, long nights on the computer, writing and rewriting, tweaking and massaging until you have something you can call a manuscript. Then comes the quest for a publisher (which could be the subject of a whole book in itself) and then the editing, production and manufacturing process. Once the book is in hand, “the real work commences”. The marketing, interviews, signings, presentations — there’s a lot to this book biz! The one comment that authors frequently make to me is that it feels a lot like having a baby — all of the work and effort and the lengthy process — and the reward of finally seeing one’s words in print. Of course, I point out, in most cases, one can usually produce a human child on a much faster schedule than publishing a book! More information here: Media Advisory Legal Tender.

Speakers are authors and authors are speakers — or, at least, they should be. Anyone who has spent any time in the book world knows that speaking engagements are the number one best way to sell books, build your brand, expertize yourself and create demand. Sign up for an e-newsletter of helpful tips at Presenters and Programs. Judi Moreo and Greg Kompes know of what they speak. They also have a program marketing speakers to meeting planners and convention planning professionals. Both are dynamic speakers and trainers with plenty of “in the trenches” experience.

Authors, are you ready for your booksignings? Join this Boulder, Colorado novelist as he trains and recounts his experiences doing booksignings at all the Borders within a 100 mile radius of his hometown. This YouTube video illustrates how effective a good/funny/heartfelt or intriguing clip can stir up interest in your book and how an energetic and enthusiastic bookstore appearance where the author interacts with the bookstore browsers can get you booked in more and more stores. I can easily surmise that he was booked for one or two and his performance got him bookings at the rest of the stores in the region. View video at Blood, Sweat and Booksignings and stock up on Gatorade!

The Las Vegas Business Press cover story for August 25th is about businesses using blogging as part of their marketing mix. The blogosphere is growing: 27% of Americans read blogs and that’s bound to grow. There is a lot of online yakking going on — the question becomes how to join in the conversations to benefit your business. The prevailing theory is that building buzz about your products and services via social networking gets your message out in a friendly, approachable and less “self-serving” way. Hybridization of blogs and websites is also occurring. This “blogsite” is an example, sharing the characteristics of both. Back in the day, we referred to the “mass market” and advertised in publications like The Saturday Evening Post which had a massive circulation reaching a large percentage of the American population. Advertisers talked “at” their audience. Today, there is no mass market, but a multitude of defined markets with sub-sub-sub segments. Advertisers today must find ways to talk “with” their audiences.

The road from film option to popcorn in the theater is long and rocky. But every journey starts with the first step. Stephens Press author Marta Becket’s autobiography, To Dance on Sands, was recently optioned for a feature film. Marta’s magical story from the stages of New York City to the sands of Death Valley is enthralling and should make an entertaining and inspirational movie. Still performing at her Amargosa Opera House in her eighties, Marta is thrilled her life story may make it to the big screen.

Q: Used copies of my book are appearing on Amazon, but the book hasn’t even been printed yet! What gives?

A: New authors are frequently surprised and confused by the listings for “new and used” copies of their brand-new book on Amazon.com, eBay, and other sites. They are not stolen books or unreported sales. These online “virtual booksellers” are pulling title and inventory information from Bowker or Ingram’s electronic database feed, and they rarely have the books in their possession. Because the books are listed months before the official pub date, they may show up as “used” but they aren’t really used, or even available. The used books dealer will order from a wholesaler like Ingram if and when one of their customers orders the books from them. Yes, a new book. Priced like a used book. Their business model is to make just a little on each book and make it up in volume. Typically, the price per book will be quite low, but the shipping and handling fees are high. Since Amazon often offers discounts and free shipping, in the end, there may be little to no savings. Used books are one of the fastest growing segments of the industry, but not all used books are, in fact, used.

Interesting article in the New York Times on the subject of “blurbbing”. Getting blurbs, those snippets of glowing endorsements on book jackets, is part and parcel of the publishing process. How do we get them? Early in the process, while the book is still in the editing phase, we discuss with the author who we might ask to blurb (a word that seems to have become both a noun and a verb). We’re looking for blurbbers who “fit” the subject matter. Maybe they’re an expert in the field. A “name” blurbber, is of course, the prize blurb. Somehow, more credence comes from “Great Book!” from Jane Somebody rather than Joe Anyone. For the record, we’ve never EVER paid for a blurb! Article here.

My colleague here at the R-J and author of two Stephens Press books, Geoff Schumacher, offers up on intriguing analysis of what library patrons in Sin City (yes, we have libraries — nice ones — as well as churches, parks and even symphony and ballet!) are reading. View it here: Bookish Las Vegans.If you are not a fan of Patterson & Company titles, take heart! While a Patterson read can be an entertaining romp when that’s what you need, the thinking reader can find some excellent book suggestions in Geoff’s column.

Welcome to my personal blog/website. It’s time for me to share my life with the world via blogging. This opening page will feature posts of my musings on the book world, modern life, announcements and celebrations.

Other pages will include information on speaking and consulting services, downloads of reports and useful information for meeting planners, authors and marketing folks. The personal page will be a repository of some writing pieces, memorabilia, photos and “fun stuff”.

Comments welcome (see below) and I’ll do my best to answer any questions about publishing, marketing, design or editing. Or my goat cheese cracker spread!

See the list to the right for links to useful or interesting sites, interviews or resources. If any of you wonder why I keep trekking back across the desert, take a look at my hubby Bill’s website for Van Ness Water Gardens.

If this looks interesting and you’d like to follow my posts and uploads, you can subscribe via a reader or email.

Yours in the blogosphere,

Carolyn