Working Titlez

Okay Boys and Girls: How many times have you heard me say that speaking engagements are the BEST way to sell books, especially for non-fiction writers. The second piece of advice I preach over and over is to garner as many Amazon reviews as you can. Here’s a two for one tip: When you sign a book at at workshop or speaking event, hand it to the buyer and say “I hope you like it, and if you do, please write a review on Amazon.” People may love your book, but it may never cross their mind to post a review if you don’t plant the seed. Don’t obsess over a few reviews that aren’t five star. It is preferable to have a few reviews that aren’t — the reviews appear much more genuine (and not like only Mom and your best friends wrote reviews). Oft-published author Maralys Wills loves sharing her writing knowledge with others. She’s created a classy little message to readers via this sticker that goes in her books. Among her books is Damn the Rejections, Full Speed Ahead: The Bumpy Road to Getting Published. Now she’s working on a companion book, titled Buy a Trumpet, Blow Your Own Horn: Making Bucks from Books.

My new car does magical technological things. Besides finding the nearest Costco or showing me the white lines after I’ve parked (so I know if I need to re-park) and it also plays my audio books loaded on my phone on its stereo system. Beautifully. Simply. I love it!

I’ve always enjoyed National Public Radio (and especially our local Nevada Public Radio) so I went seeking their podcasts to play in my car. I was never in my car at the right time to catch my favorite show or I missed the best parts since my trip times didn’t coincide with the show times. Podcasts solve all that!

And, oh, does NPR have book shows! Tons of ‘em. I’m gushing to you right now about one I just heard. Here’s the link. Memoir teacher, author, and journalist Marion Roach Smith will provide you with a dozen “a ha” moments as she brings clarity and focus to the how-tos of writing one’s life. Learn her X-Y-Z algorithm, and you’ll at last know just what you’re writing about. Should you tell the truth or fudge to protect others or make your story more interesting? What’s the diff between autobiography and memoir? What’s the best way to get started? Her op-ed idea is as surprising as it is the perfect answer. All this and more — a meaty excerpt from her book is also on the site. Check it out and while you’re there, you might want to prowl around some of the other book-related podcasts. I’m on my way back right now!

The Vegas Valley Book Festival is sponsoring a Flash Fiction contest. Application here. Only the first twenty applicants will be accepted, and you can’t register until July 22. So set your alarms and register early to get one of the coveted spots. Flashers will show up at the appointed time and place, be given a writing prompt, ninety minutes to write a 500-word short story and will write their hearts. Winners will achieve fame and glory! Their story will published in CityLife and an audience to read it to at the Book Festival.

Of our 100+ authors, how many are making a living from writing? A few, but they also have “multiple streams of revenue” from freelance writing, speaking gigs, and selling a ton of their own books. Publishing executive and blogger Terry Cordingley shares some thoughts on the writer’s dream. It can happen but it takes a lot of W O R K ! ~CHU

Most Authors Can’t Live on Royalties Alone

By Terry Cordingley

Royalties.  These are the magic dollar signs for which nearly every author strives.  Many aspiring writers laboring over their books have visions of earning large six-figure advances for their work and then sitting back and watching the royalty checks come pouring in to their mailbox.  This will, of course, give them even more time to sit in their mahogany-lined libraries by the fireplace and write their next bestselling novel.

OK, so I’m being facetious, but you have probably gathered by now that this is a scenario that doesn’t happen for many authors, with the exception of James Patterson.  One out of every seven books sold in the U.S. this past year were his, and he raked in an estimated $70 million.

But what if you aren’t James Patterson?  Where does that leave you?  Most authors, by and large, cannot live on the royalties generated by their books alone.  If you want to be a professional writer, you’re going to have to write more than just your books.

Read more …

Every book starts with a single sentence. How do YOU get started? Do you agonize over the first words? Do you start somewhere in the middle? Worry about the first line last? My friend Fred Rayworth shares some thoughts on getting started. Fred and I have been buddies ever since we discovered we’d both lived in Turkey for a time and practice what little Turkish we remember on each other. ~CHU

While preparing to speak at the Ames, Iowa public library about her most recent book, The Home for the Friendless, author Betty Auchard spent time with Laura Millsaps of the Ames Tribune. A wonderful article where Betty shares some of her fondest memories of her childhood in Iowa. For the full interview, click here:

Recently, Cedar Rapids, Iowa native Betty Auchard returned to her roots and spoke with Charity Nebbe of Iowa Public Radio. Click here to listen to Betty as she tells stories from her newest book, The Home for the Friendless.

You hear it over and over: One of the best ways for authors to sell books and build a fan base is through speaking engagements. Especially for non-fiction authors, “expertizing” one’s self through book publication and speaking is a great way to build a career.

My own speaking life improved greatly with the advice of our author Judi Moreo (You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman’s Guide to Power, Purpose, and Passion) who is the president this year of the National Speakers Association (NSA). I highly recommend this group for folks who want to be professional (and paid) speakers and there are chapters all over the country.

One of the things I learned from Judi and NSA is that you must have a list of speaking topics and descriptions. I’ve recently updated my Programs for Writers, and at the same time, I updated my handouts. Now each topic has a box of handouts organized in my office, ready-to-go. I can grab the box I need, and when it gets low, it is time to reprint. I also keep a file of speech notes and whenever I come across new statistics or factoids, I add it to the file. When I’m ready to update or customize a talk for a specific group, the notes are right there.

With the season of graduations, weddings, and high school reunions upon us, we find ourselves reminiscing about days gone by – both good and bad. Some might even be inspired to write about the past … to preserve those wonderful memories … to purge those horrible times … to inspire others.

Whatever the motivation, the Stephens Press imprint, LifeStories, is dedicated to the art of memoir and biography writing, providing an opportunity for those who might not otherwise find a publisher for their work. For a peek at LifeStories titles that have been published, or for guidelines to submit a manuscript, click here:

Betty Auchard’s newest book, The Home for the Friendless, was April’s book-of-the-month at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leafs in Las Vegas. She met with fans, held book signings, spoke to a women’s group in Henderson, and even went across town to meet readers in Red Rock. Betty made friends everywhere she went!