Today, jexbo.com, the site that helps self-published authors sell books online at www.jexbo.com, announced four, new interviews. Each week, Jill Exler, jexbo Founder, interviews different authors to discover their self-publishing secrets and answers to questions about "how to sell my book" on her blog at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/ and SmallBiz America channel, "jexbo - Help for Self-Published Authors" at www.smallbizamerica.com/jexbo.
"I continued to hear authors interested in self-publishing say, 'I want to learn how to sell my book but don't know where to start,' so I took jexbo one step further to provide assistance," states Exler. "Now, self-published authors provide their own personal tips and insights on how to sell books online and the self-publishing process. Through these brief interviews, we provide free information to help people learn about the self-publishing process."
Do you ask, "I want to know how to sell my book"? For answers, check out Jill's new interviews with self-published authors:
* Chris Wager, author of "101 Helpful Painting Hints," available at www.jexbo.com/items/106;
Paul Hughes, author of the Spanish book, "Y Ahora..? Una dosis para tu alivio," available at www.jexbo.com/items/164;
* Beth Conway, author of the children's book, "Rachel and the Magic Beads," available at www.jexbo.com/items/94; and
* Nick Cavuto, author of the cookbook, "Conquering Healthier Recipes and Beyond," available at www.jexbo.com/items/98.
With jexbo and SmallBiz America's channel at www.smallbizamerica.com/jexbo, now authors and small business owners can:
* Learn the latest, self-publishing trends;
* Save time and money by listing their books for free with no long-term contracts, reach a worldwide audience of potential customers, and opt-in or out at their convenience;
* Market and sell books online with a free Web page, access customized bookmarks and share marketing tips on the online forum;
* Control pricing, change marketing messages at any time and talk directly to customers; and
* Turn a manuscript into an eBook, audio book or both and receive distribution and publicity via major online channels.
"In addition to information from authors who are self-publishing, readers will also find interesting and unique books on the site, states Exler.
Need help selling and marketing your book? For more information and to claim your exclusive, no-cost eReport, "The Top 5 Ways to Get Free Publicity for Your Self-Published Book Now," visit http://www.jexbo.com/.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Can First Time Writers Get Book Reviews? by Peter Stockwell
If you have written a book you may be wondering about endorsements and reviews. All books need both, but what are they and how do you get them?
Endorsements are the comments you see on the back cover of a book, saying how good it is and signed by a well known person. Reviews are articles in magazines, on Amazon or elsewhere giving the writer's opinion of your book.
Endorsements should be planned well in advance. Your publisher will want them in time for your cover and getting them can be a long process. First you must be realistic, President Obama or J.K. Rowling are not going to endorse a first novel by an unknown author.
Try to find somebody who is moderately well known in your field. If you write seafaring fiction Google 'seafaring fiction' or check it out on Amazon. If there is a writer whose work you admire you will need his mail or email address. A lot of authors have websites and these can be easily found. If not write to him at his publisher's address. If you write surface mail enclose a stamped address envelope. Tell him how much you enjoy his work, ask if he has the time to read your manuscript and to consider endorsing it.. Then wait.
Authors are busy people, with all the demands on their time it is amazing they are able to write anything at all. Your request is one more demand, so be patient. It is a good idea to write to several authors as you will get a lot of polite rejections. But with any luck you will get the one or two endorsements you need.
Reviews are easier. What seems easiest of all is to pay for them. But do not waste your money. There are websites offering paid reviews which seem most impressive and appear to give an excellent service. They will be happy to post your review on Amazon, in ezines and in magazines. The problem is that almost anybody can become a reviewer on paid sites. It does not help your book at all to have badly written reviews appearing in conspicuous places, sometimes identifiable as coming from a paid review site. There are those which offer to put reviews of your book on top article directories, where it will be read by a lot of people. Fine, but if the article writer's resource box links to his own book's website your book review is selling his book not yours. There are even websites offering to put a review of you book on YouTube. A very good idea if you do it yourself, but an uncomfortable amateur speaker reading from a badly written script will do your book more harm than good.
You need reviews, but get free ones. How do you do get them? Approach people on the Top Reviewers list on Amazon, some will agree to give you a review, some won't but their reviews are fair and respected. Contact literary ezines and magazines. Check out the quality of their reviews first, if the general standard is high your review will be worth having. Get as many reviews as you can. That way your book will become well known and one day you will be able use them on your author's website.
Peter Stockwell is the author of award winning children's book The Horse Painters. http://www.the-horse-painters.com/
Endorsements are the comments you see on the back cover of a book, saying how good it is and signed by a well known person. Reviews are articles in magazines, on Amazon or elsewhere giving the writer's opinion of your book.
Endorsements should be planned well in advance. Your publisher will want them in time for your cover and getting them can be a long process. First you must be realistic, President Obama or J.K. Rowling are not going to endorse a first novel by an unknown author.
Try to find somebody who is moderately well known in your field. If you write seafaring fiction Google 'seafaring fiction' or check it out on Amazon. If there is a writer whose work you admire you will need his mail or email address. A lot of authors have websites and these can be easily found. If not write to him at his publisher's address. If you write surface mail enclose a stamped address envelope. Tell him how much you enjoy his work, ask if he has the time to read your manuscript and to consider endorsing it.. Then wait.
Authors are busy people, with all the demands on their time it is amazing they are able to write anything at all. Your request is one more demand, so be patient. It is a good idea to write to several authors as you will get a lot of polite rejections. But with any luck you will get the one or two endorsements you need.
Reviews are easier. What seems easiest of all is to pay for them. But do not waste your money. There are websites offering paid reviews which seem most impressive and appear to give an excellent service. They will be happy to post your review on Amazon, in ezines and in magazines. The problem is that almost anybody can become a reviewer on paid sites. It does not help your book at all to have badly written reviews appearing in conspicuous places, sometimes identifiable as coming from a paid review site. There are those which offer to put reviews of your book on top article directories, where it will be read by a lot of people. Fine, but if the article writer's resource box links to his own book's website your book review is selling his book not yours. There are even websites offering to put a review of you book on YouTube. A very good idea if you do it yourself, but an uncomfortable amateur speaker reading from a badly written script will do your book more harm than good.
You need reviews, but get free ones. How do you do get them? Approach people on the Top Reviewers list on Amazon, some will agree to give you a review, some won't but their reviews are fair and respected. Contact literary ezines and magazines. Check out the quality of their reviews first, if the general standard is high your review will be worth having. Get as many reviews as you can. That way your book will become well known and one day you will be able use them on your author's website.
Peter Stockwell is the author of award winning children's book The Horse Painters. http://www.the-horse-painters.com/
Author David Sedaris Admits "Full House" Fabrication, Offers Regrets to Fans
On the eve of a 35-city national book tour, award-winning author David Sedaris admitted to fabricating parts of a short story entitled "Full House," which appeared in his recent book of short stories, "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim."
"Full House" purported to tell the story of an all-male slumber party that Sedaris was invited to during his teenage years in 1960s Raleigh, North Carolina. The party allegedly evolved into a game of strip poker, in which Sedaris was the winner. As a penalty, Sedaris required a fully naked boy to sit on his lap. The boys involved were 14 at the time.
"There truly was an all-male slumber party, and we did play cards," Sedaris said through a spokesperson. "But that's pretty much where truth ends and fantasy begins. This story was not really 'the Full Monty.'"
The well-known story has been included in many collections of teenage erotica.
Through a spokesperson, Sedaris said he wasn't playing with a "full deck" when he chose to include that story in "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim," and attributed the lapse to nicotine addiction. Sedaris has since quit smoking.
"I regret the deception and apologize to anyone who may have been offended," said the Mark Twain prize winner.
It isn't the first time Sedaris has been involved in a fabrication controversy. The most recent involved an article written by Alex Heard and published in the New Republic in which Sedaris was accused of fabricating the colors of several automobiles as well as fictionalizing various architectural styles.
Sedaris has said he exaggerates mostly dialogue in his writing, but contends the events and situations he writes about are true.
His embellishments are nothing, he said, compared to James Frey, whose memoir, "A Million Little Pieces," was partly fabricated.
Sedaris' publisher, Little Brown, said that it regrets the erroneous inclusion, adding that Sedaris is a "20th Century genius." Sedaris is the brother of Little, Brown author Amy Sedaris.
"Full House" purported to tell the story of an all-male slumber party that Sedaris was invited to during his teenage years in 1960s Raleigh, North Carolina. The party allegedly evolved into a game of strip poker, in which Sedaris was the winner. As a penalty, Sedaris required a fully naked boy to sit on his lap. The boys involved were 14 at the time.
"There truly was an all-male slumber party, and we did play cards," Sedaris said through a spokesperson. "But that's pretty much where truth ends and fantasy begins. This story was not really 'the Full Monty.'"
The well-known story has been included in many collections of teenage erotica.
Through a spokesperson, Sedaris said he wasn't playing with a "full deck" when he chose to include that story in "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim," and attributed the lapse to nicotine addiction. Sedaris has since quit smoking.
"I regret the deception and apologize to anyone who may have been offended," said the Mark Twain prize winner.
It isn't the first time Sedaris has been involved in a fabrication controversy. The most recent involved an article written by Alex Heard and published in the New Republic in which Sedaris was accused of fabricating the colors of several automobiles as well as fictionalizing various architectural styles.
Sedaris has said he exaggerates mostly dialogue in his writing, but contends the events and situations he writes about are true.
His embellishments are nothing, he said, compared to James Frey, whose memoir, "A Million Little Pieces," was partly fabricated.
Sedaris' publisher, Little Brown, said that it regrets the erroneous inclusion, adding that Sedaris is a "20th Century genius." Sedaris is the brother of Little, Brown author Amy Sedaris.
Author Solutions Agrees To Distribution Deal With Amazon Kindle
Author Solutions (ASI), the world leader in indie book publishing, announced today the signing of an agreement with Amazon to distribute all new black-and-white AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, and Xlibris titles through its popular eReader, the Kindle.
"The Kindle was a pioneer in the rapidly expanding eReader market, and we're pleased to be able to offer our authors' books through this platform," said Kevin Weiss, ASI president and chief executive officer.
A default price of $9.99 will be set for every ASI title made available through the Kindle, but each author will have the opportunity to set his or her own price. E-book distribution through the Kindle will be included as a free service for all new black-and-white ASI titles.
For more information on Author Solutions and its leadership of the indie book publishing revolution, visit http://www.authorsolutions.com/.
"The Kindle was a pioneer in the rapidly expanding eReader market, and we're pleased to be able to offer our authors' books through this platform," said Kevin Weiss, ASI president and chief executive officer.
A default price of $9.99 will be set for every ASI title made available through the Kindle, but each author will have the opportunity to set his or her own price. E-book distribution through the Kindle will be included as a free service for all new black-and-white ASI titles.
For more information on Author Solutions and its leadership of the indie book publishing revolution, visit http://www.authorsolutions.com/.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Zondervan to Publish More Than 1,000 Christian Titles for iPad Launch
To accompany the long-awaited iPad launch, Zondervan is one of the first publishers to release titles in Apple's iBookstore beginning Saturday, April 3, 2010. More than 1,000 titles will be available for download from all product groups. Zondervan plans to release all its future ebooks in an iPad version and is working to release more than 150 additional books in the next three months.
Users will be able to purchase the books from Apple's iBookstore, as well as read excerpts, reviews and additional details about Zondervan books and its authors. Unlike other ebook versions, the iPad compatible ebooks feature full color artwork.
"As a division of HarperCollins, we are fortunate to play a major part in the iPad launch," said Steve Sammons, Executive Vice President of Consumer Engagement. "We are excited that by this Easter, Zondervan's titles will be available to an even broader audience."
Among the 1,000+ books offered are three translations of the Holy Bible. New releases including The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel and Take Three by Karen Kingsbury will be available along with a selection of classic Zondervan titles, including bestsellers like The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. All titles, including more than 30 Spanish and 150 children's books, will be available for download starting April 3.
To celebrate, Zondervan will launch a social media campaign giving away fifty $10 iTunes gift cards for use in the iBookstore through Twitter and Facebook. Follow Zondervan on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Zondervan and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Zondervan for more information.
Users will be able to purchase the books from Apple's iBookstore, as well as read excerpts, reviews and additional details about Zondervan books and its authors. Unlike other ebook versions, the iPad compatible ebooks feature full color artwork.
"As a division of HarperCollins, we are fortunate to play a major part in the iPad launch," said Steve Sammons, Executive Vice President of Consumer Engagement. "We are excited that by this Easter, Zondervan's titles will be available to an even broader audience."
Among the 1,000+ books offered are three translations of the Holy Bible. New releases including The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel and Take Three by Karen Kingsbury will be available along with a selection of classic Zondervan titles, including bestsellers like The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. All titles, including more than 30 Spanish and 150 children's books, will be available for download starting April 3.
To celebrate, Zondervan will launch a social media campaign giving away fifty $10 iTunes gift cards for use in the iBookstore through Twitter and Facebook. Follow Zondervan on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Zondervan and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Zondervan for more information.
Amazon.com Announces Kindle App for iPad
Amazon.com, Inc. today announced its Kindle App for iPad is now available in the App Store. The app lets users select from over 450,000 books from the Kindle Store on iPad and features Amazon Whispersync technology that saves and synchronizes customers' last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, iPad, and more.
"Kindle for iPad includes all the features customers love about Kindle for iPhone, including a massive selection of over 450,000 books, along with a beautiful new user interface tailored to the look and feel of iPad," said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle. "Kindle for iPad is the perfect companion for the millions of customers who already own a Kindle or Kindle DX, and a way for customers around the world to download and enjoy books even if they don't yet have a Kindle."
With the Kindle App for iPad, readers can choose from over 450,000 books available in the Kindle Store, including new releases and New York Times Bestsellers, plus tens of thousands of the most popular classics for free including titles like "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Treasure Island." Bestsellers such as "Backlash" by Aaron Allston, "Big Girl" by Danielle Steel, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, and "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown, and hundreds of thousands of other popular books are $9.99 or less in the Kindle Store. The Kindle Store is the only place to find tens of thousands of books added to the Kindle Store by authors and publishers using Kindle's self-service platform. Customers can search for a specific book or browse by genre or author, and can take advantage of all the features that customers enjoy in the Kindle Store, including Amazon.com customer reviews, personalized recommendations and editorial reviews.
Features of the Kindle App for iPad include:
* Automatically Syncs with Kindle and Kindle Compatible Devices: Amazon's Whispersync technology automatically syncs customers' last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across Kindle, Kindle DX, Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for Mac, Kindle for iPad, and more. Customers can read on their Kindle, read some on their iPad or Mac, and always pick up where they left off.
* Beautiful User Interface: The Kindle App user interface is tailored to the large size, look, and feel of iPad. The new user interface with bold colors, animation, and seamless user experience make Kindle on iPad a unique reading experience.
* Customizable Appearance: Customers can choose to dim iPad's screen within the app to make reading easier regardless of the ambient light or time of day. Readers can also choose from three different background colors and alter the font color and size to customize the reading experience and help ease the strain on their eyes.
* Page Turn Animation: Kindle App for iPad offers an interactive experience with page turn animation designed to replicate the look of a page turning in a book. Customers who prefer a simpler, unadorned reading experience can choose the "Basic Reading Mode" option and turn off animation.
The Kindle App for iPad is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
For more information please visit: www.amazon.com/kindleforipad.
"Kindle for iPad includes all the features customers love about Kindle for iPhone, including a massive selection of over 450,000 books, along with a beautiful new user interface tailored to the look and feel of iPad," said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle. "Kindle for iPad is the perfect companion for the millions of customers who already own a Kindle or Kindle DX, and a way for customers around the world to download and enjoy books even if they don't yet have a Kindle."
With the Kindle App for iPad, readers can choose from over 450,000 books available in the Kindle Store, including new releases and New York Times Bestsellers, plus tens of thousands of the most popular classics for free including titles like "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Treasure Island." Bestsellers such as "Backlash" by Aaron Allston, "Big Girl" by Danielle Steel, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, and "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown, and hundreds of thousands of other popular books are $9.99 or less in the Kindle Store. The Kindle Store is the only place to find tens of thousands of books added to the Kindle Store by authors and publishers using Kindle's self-service platform. Customers can search for a specific book or browse by genre or author, and can take advantage of all the features that customers enjoy in the Kindle Store, including Amazon.com customer reviews, personalized recommendations and editorial reviews.
Features of the Kindle App for iPad include:
* Automatically Syncs with Kindle and Kindle Compatible Devices: Amazon's Whispersync technology automatically syncs customers' last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across Kindle, Kindle DX, Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for Mac, Kindle for iPad, and more. Customers can read on their Kindle, read some on their iPad or Mac, and always pick up where they left off.
* Beautiful User Interface: The Kindle App user interface is tailored to the large size, look, and feel of iPad. The new user interface with bold colors, animation, and seamless user experience make Kindle on iPad a unique reading experience.
* Customizable Appearance: Customers can choose to dim iPad's screen within the app to make reading easier regardless of the ambient light or time of day. Readers can also choose from three different background colors and alter the font color and size to customize the reading experience and help ease the strain on their eyes.
* Page Turn Animation: Kindle App for iPad offers an interactive experience with page turn animation designed to replicate the look of a page turning in a book. Customers who prefer a simpler, unadorned reading experience can choose the "Basic Reading Mode" option and turn off animation.
The Kindle App for iPad is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
For more information please visit: www.amazon.com/kindleforipad.
Social Media Tools Vital in Building a Successful Book Promotion Platform
AuthorHive - Author Solutions' professional author marketing and promotional services company for traditionally published and self-published authors - is leading the way in offering social media tool products and services for authors. Social media has become a vital component in building a successful book promotion platform, according to marketing professional Chris Bass, who recently joined AuthorHive as director of author marketing services.
"The marketing world is changing quickly, especially with the emerging popularity of social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Authors who want to optimize their marketing efforts should incorporate a wide array of social media tools into their plan," said Bass.
Bass has more than 15 years of marketing leadership, working with leading brands including Subaru, Firestone, Steak 'n Shake, and the Indianapolis Colts. Throughout his career, he's experienced drastic shifts in marketing strategies, but the popularity of online social media has been perhaps the biggest "game changer."
"Social media is highly effective in leveling the playing field, for example for emerging authors, who may not have the largest marketing budgets," Bass said. "It permits authors to actively engage potential readers from the convenience of a computer and breaks down the barriers of cost and access."
Bass said AuthorHive, which serves both traditionally published and self-published authors, is offering authors several options for "getting in the social media game."
"The Online Bzzz package incorporates social media with the creation of a personal Web site and the implementation of a mass e-mail campaign," said Bass. "Authors can go even further with the Online Bzzz Plus Publicity package, which adds the services of a leading New York-based literary publicist dedicated to getting your book noticed by traditional and online media."
For more information on AuthorHive's leading author marketing services, call 1-866-697-5289 or log on to http://www.authorhive.com/.
"The marketing world is changing quickly, especially with the emerging popularity of social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Authors who want to optimize their marketing efforts should incorporate a wide array of social media tools into their plan," said Bass.
Bass has more than 15 years of marketing leadership, working with leading brands including Subaru, Firestone, Steak 'n Shake, and the Indianapolis Colts. Throughout his career, he's experienced drastic shifts in marketing strategies, but the popularity of online social media has been perhaps the biggest "game changer."
"Social media is highly effective in leveling the playing field, for example for emerging authors, who may not have the largest marketing budgets," Bass said. "It permits authors to actively engage potential readers from the convenience of a computer and breaks down the barriers of cost and access."
Bass said AuthorHive, which serves both traditionally published and self-published authors, is offering authors several options for "getting in the social media game."
"The Online Bzzz package incorporates social media with the creation of a personal Web site and the implementation of a mass e-mail campaign," said Bass. "Authors can go even further with the Online Bzzz Plus Publicity package, which adds the services of a leading New York-based literary publicist dedicated to getting your book noticed by traditional and online media."
For more information on AuthorHive's leading author marketing services, call 1-866-697-5289 or log on to http://www.authorhive.com/.
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