Blogger versus WordPress Blogs – Pro and Con’s

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Many traditional websites only have 5-6 pages, so the maximum number of times they will ever get indexed by search engines is 5 or 6 times, if they are static pages and not constantly updated.
However, when you create a blog, every single post you publish has its own URL. Suddenly you can go from 5-6 pages to 20, 50, 100 or over 1,000 at http://SavvyBookWriters.wordpress.com.

If you would like to use a free blog, you have the choice of WordPress or Blogger. Both of them are great blogging systems, but you might be wondering which one to choose. Both WordPress.com and Blogger are great free sites, but which is the right one for you?

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BLOGGER (Blogspot.com)
Blogger is a Google service, and just like YouTube, requires a Google account. It is very easy to use and maintain. With Blogger you get only Google+, Tweet and Like buttons on each post. There is luckily one workaround through the use of the excellent IFTTT web service.  Embedding a video from YouTube is free. A domain name with blogger account is always like “yourblogname.blogspot.com” by default (depending upon your country ‘.com’ will be changed). Blogger let’s you choose your own domain name for $10 per year and to connect your blogger account with your personalized domain name.
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Blogger is the platform to choose if you are looking for a free product that might allow you to make a bit of money. WordPress is there for those who are in love with its huge variety of themes and the user-friendly approach. You can choose to enable Google AdSense on your blog which will show targeted adverts based on your content. You need to get some content up first, before choosing the option from the earnings menu entry.  Blogger sites are hosted on Google’s servers so you’ll rarely experience down times and your site should run smoothly most of the time. Unless your Google account password is stolen, it’s virtually hacker-proof. At the bottom of every post Blogger embeds a row of social networking icons, including Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Gmail and other Blogger blogs. Google’s AdSense Integration is easy with blogger because both are owned by the same company. Those who want to start blogging to earn some money they can opt for blogger as it gives you by default the option of AdSense to start with. Or you can choose Amazon affiliate for example, program blogger itself allows to generate affiliate revenue.

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WORDPRESS.com
WordPress is greatly customizable, earning much of its good name for the huge number of themes and plugins available in the standalone open-source release. It allows you to connect to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tumblr, StumbleUpon, Pinterest and Reddit for automatic sharing.

On their Stats site you can see how many visitors and views your blog received,

• from which country they came,
• your top posts and pages,
• who or what referred to your blog’s site.
• You will receive information how many total followers
• how many shares your site receives,
• what are the most popular tags (keywords)
• who commented the most on your WordPress blog

WordPress offers only 3 GB of space and if your blog is the success that you hope it will be, 3 GB will eventually fill up – after 3000 blogs maybe, depending on how large your images are.
However, there is another solution available that gives you the possibility to have your own custom URL, but with all the benefits and statistics of a WordPress.com website: “Upgrade” for ca. $25 and buy your own URL (without the WordPress in it), sign up with a hosting company for approx. $6 / month.  This way you get all the useful statistics and features from WordPress without having to use their name in your URL.  Your blog will appear more professional to visitors!

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WORDPRESS.org
Don’t be confused with WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
WordPress.org is absolutely free. All you need is hosting plan from a hosting company and a domain name that you purchase. And also a knowledgeable person to customize your site for your needs… WordPress.org is made for those who like to have total control over their websites. It is open source and therefor offers you fully customization. Both are owned by same owner but WordPress.com is something like blogger – it offers you free hosting and a free domain name that contains “wordpress” in it: yourwebsitename.wordpress.com.  While using WordPress.org you are the sole owner of the website, and you can choose if you use a free or paid theme (design) for you blog. 

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But why is blogging important for writers? Blogging is telling a story, blogging is sharing your opinion, blogging is reporting news and more. But at the core, blogging is writing! It’s an internet stage upon which you hope readers will drop in to see what you have to say – and get an impression of your writing skills.
Where are you blogging:  On WordPress or Blogger – and why?
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More sources:
http://www.epreneur.tv/blogger-v-wordpress-the-best-blog-platform/
http://learn.wordpress.com/
http://www.techlila.com/articles/how-to-create-free-website-free-blog/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/blogger-vs-wordpress-comparision/
http://www.epreneur.tv/blogger-v-wordpress-the-best-blog-platform/
http://www.inkthemes.com/blogger-or-wordpress-which-is-better/02/

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,060 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Thriller set in International Oil Markets: To Steal a Sea

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About the Author Simon D. Reagan:

Simon D. Reagan lives in London and has lectured and presented on financial crime, money laundering, and international finance for more years than he’d care to say. He holds a doctorate in financial innovation in the global shipping sector. He’s fascinated by world politics and conspiracies, both real and imagined, and loves the beaches of Trinidad during the later cooler days of summer. Quite a paradox since he prefers rain and wind-swept umbrellas, and thunderstorms across seascapes.
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To Steal a Sea in Print and e-Book:

Russian oligarch Petr Damyanovitch had amassed his fortune through ruthlessness and charisma. His war record had been exemplary: as one of the most talented snipers in the Russian Army he had survived the blood-soaked killing fields of Stalingrad, and been present at the fall of Berlin.
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But after the collapse of the USSR his obsession became to restore his nation’s place in the world, using the untamed destructiveness of the international bond markets to wreak havoc upon those he blames for its demise. New-found allies on Wall Street and in a pragmatic White House would collaborate in his conspiracy, by supreme irony assisted by an Islamic fundamentalist with a vendetta against a modern secular world.
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Only three men stand in the way, with exceptional talents in law and finance but character flaws in equal measure. This would be a battle which would engulf many in its path, with the oil riches of a sea and the survival of nations as prizes. As panic floods the markets, a figure from the past emerges who holds the balance of power in his hands, seeking justice for a crime hidden from the world for a lifetime.
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The theme of closeness between friends, between lovers, and between father and daughter, pervades the book, as a terrifying conspiracy tears its way through the international oil markets. But it is the haunting of a war criminal, and the unfathomable self-guilt of a survivor, which drive forces which would clash across countries and continents in a remorseless quest for revenge and retribution, and an insatiable need for spiritual salvation.

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Paperback: 566 pages, great reviews

Kindle Edition $3.99 
http://www.amazon.com/Steal-Sea-Simon-D-Reagan-ebook/dp/B00FRSKGO0

Paperback     $19.80
http://www.amazon.com/To-Steal-Sea-Simon-Reagan/dp/0957526709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Selling Audio-Books and E-books to Libraries

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How Do Libraries Get Their e-Books?
OverDrive, the main distributor to libraries has more than 1,000,000 e-book titles available and growing.  They were the early pioneers in the digital lending space and developed the e-book lending systems used by most libraries today. Overdrive uses the same Adobe DRM (Digital Rights Management) system as Kobo, Sony, B & N and Google Books to protect files from piracy and manage the lending period of library e-books. Overdrive also offers a program called “Advantage” where individual libraries and library systems buy extra titles or copies to fill local demand.  Other vendors who sell to libraries are Ingram and Baker & Taylor.
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Audio-Book and e-Book Lending Exploded.
In these statistics you can see the tremendous growth in circulation numbers from just one library during the last years. In the meantime the numbers are much higher!

Audio-Books
August 2005 – 231
August 2009 – 16,680

Ebooks
Nov. 2009 – 17,521
Jan. 2014 – 57,672

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Technology Challenges:
Libraries face many challenges from setting up their internet infrastructure to the actual ebook license acquisitions. In regards to e-Books the initial problems were: staff training and learning how to use and upload e-books to different devices. Integrating the titles into the library system’s online catalog took some time. Getting a download link from the catalog took even more time.
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Trade Publishers are the Problem for Libraries.
Acquiring the e-books, is a problem for most libraries because e-book licensing from trade publishers can cost as much as or more than a print book. Several publishers still refuse to sell to the library market. Other publishers are taking advantage on cost and “metering.” Random House will charge $83 for an eBook and Harper Collins has a 26-time checkout limit.  Libraries “buy” the books, but ownership is determined by the vendor/publisher agreements.  If a contract is not renewed will the library still own the titles?

The e-book library market is split between vendors and devices. Costs of content and administrative fees are increasing which can make e-books more expensive than print. Library users persevere because the rewards of checking out e-books from a library are tremendous with the ever-growing inventory of e-books. Yet there are usually a couple extra steps between checking the item out and loading it onto a device. Using an app does seem to solve a lot of this trouble.
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Selling eBooks to Libraries.
The Washington County Library System in Minnesota, United States, has been growing their e-book collection in the last few years.  Their entire system is using an innovative method to develop their ebook portfolio.  Local authors are encouraged to submit their own novels in electronic format to add to the existing library system using “Library Local Connect.”.  A similar initiative is currently in place in Douglas County, Colorado, USA. This helps libraries to increase their online e-book portfolio and gives exposure to local authors.  Ask your library if they have a similar program.
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Small Publishers:
Overdrive downloads into the library catalog.  However, as an author, if you’re interested in getting your ebooks into libraries, you have limited choices.  They are explaining on their website:
“OverDrive delivers BEST-SELLING digital audio-books, eBooks, music, and video for download directly from a custom-built ‘Virtual Branch’ website.  The world’s leading libraries, including New York Public Library, Toronto Public Library, and Singapore National Library, use OverDrive to deliver content to their patrons.” 
Which means dealing with the wholesaler/distributor OverDrive works only for authors who can proof great sales numbers.
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Certain Review Sites are Read by Librarians.
Getting a positive review in a publication that both vendors and libraries recognize is really critical to getting your book considered by libraries.  Books for reviews are selected for their potential interest to a broad spectrum of libraries.  If you’re interested in submitting your forthcoming book for review, keep in mind that many of these publications require submission several months! prior to the book’s launch:

http://self-e.libraryjournal.com/#sthash.MwY9kve1.dpuf

http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/about/submitting-titles-for-review/?ref=menu#Books

http://www.slj.com/about-us/review-submissions/#_

http://www.voyamagazine.com/publishers/#sthash.MwY9kve1.dpuf

http://www.hbook.com/about-us-2/submissions/#sthash.MwY9kve1.dpuf
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These are the essentials for your book to even be considered for purchase by a library:

• A professional cover image and book layout
• Accurate BISAC / subject codes 
• Complete and well-written book description
• Accurate readers age range for the book
  

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Hopefully sales from self-publishers to libraries will one day be commonplace.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Professional Publishing: Seminar, Ottawa, ON, Apr 12

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Ottawa Parliament from the Museum of Civilization

 

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These are Some of the Seminar Topics:

• Explore new publishing possibilities; don’t limit yourself to books only
• Learn how to make more money with your writing, your manuscript’s content
• Become a brand and leverage the content of your book into other markets
• Market and publicize your book successfully on a budget
• Find out about Government grants and funding possibilities

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What You Will Get Out of this Seminar
Receive lots of useful information for your future literary career in this workshop. Find out how to navigate the modern publishing world while in the relaxed atmosphere of a group of writers. Get hundreds of valuable practical hands-on tips how to promote your book without even spending money for it – through your writing and earn more money, while leveraging your manuscript and the research you have done for your book.
Should you not be able to attend on April 12: we offer the same seminar on April 26 too!

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About the Fascilitator Doris Heilmann
Doris studied Business, Marketing and e-Publishing and authored books and magazine articles for several aviation publications in Europe, before she founded her own magazine “USA by Air” in the early 90’s and successfully ran it for more than ten years. Now, she writes non-fiction books, several blogs and facilitates seminars for writers – all dedicated to help authors establishing their successful writing careers. After all, Doris knows the publishing business and marketing inside out and has been in the field for more than 30 years.

Save $20 Early-Bird-Discount before April 5, and register for only $59

http://www.111publishing.com/seminar-ottawa/

Read our valuable tips for authors at http://SavvyBookWriters.com/blog
Get even more practical help for your future career.

For any questions or writers group discounts please email us:
111Publishing@gmail.com

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Great Benefit of Beta Readers

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… and where you can find them.
You might ask: “what’s the difference between a beta reader, manuscript editor and a proof reader?” or “Why should I give my manuscript to a beta reader instead of my trusted friends or family?” Contrary to friends and family member, beta readers are often writers themselves. Maybe even in the same genre and they ought to give you honest feedback, no sugar coating, and constructive critique – while your beloved ones are often afraid to hurt your feelings, and might not be objective. Dealing with another writer you can exchange in beta-reading each others manuscripts. And both of you can learn from the others’ weak points.

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Online Writing Forums
For writers looking for very specific feedback from knowledgeable readers Online forums are a great place to find them. Because participants tend to cluster around particular topics of interest. These are just a few of the online resources available that can help writers to connect.  The most popular one seems to be Wattpad which has now 24 million members.  Even celebrity authors, such as Margaret Atwood, post there from time to time. ‘If the work on Wattpad is public, the authors often are not. As many as half its writers are anonymous or pseudonymous. The traditional publishing industry is watching Wattpad closely, not only as a source of new talent but also for techniques to increase reader engagement”, writes David Streitfeld in a NewYork Times article. Brittany Geragotelis has been “discovered” this way.

• Wattpad.com
• Scribd.com
• Writers’ Café
• the Red Room
• Nothing Binding
• Figment.com
• WritingForums.org

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Writing Groups
Many creative writing groups focus on critique. While Beta Readers are working through your entire finished manuscript, that’s often not possible for writing groups as time is only constraint to a few pages. Try to find a beta reading exchange with other members – aside from the regular meetings of the group.

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Beta Readers at Google+
Google+ offers a variety of fantastic communities for writers looking to connect with like-minded
authors. Join these groups, and look out for new ones regularely.

• Writers’ Critique Group
• The Writer’s Discussion Group
• Writers’ Corner
• Poets of G+
• JLB Creatives
• Aspiring Authors
• Writers, Authors, Bloggers
• Authors – Blatant Promo 4 Writers, Blogs!

Why not establish your own Beta Reader Group?
As more Beta Readers you have, as better! Different people catch different errors.

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MeetUp Groups and Workshops
I recently attended quite a few manuscript critique / beta-reading author meetings, and was impressed by the friendly, constructive suggestions of these Meetup members. They can be mostly found in cities, and include a variety of groups for writers. Some gatherings are dedicated to critique and to beta reading. This is a great avenue for those writers who prefer face-to-face interaction, and who are also open to meet new writer friends. Don’t find a beta reader meetup listed for your city? Organize your own!

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Once you’ve found a handful of Beta Readers to share your work with you, the result will be a manuscript, which is ready for the editor. Beta Reading might save you a lot of money, if the editor is charching by the hour. Beta Reading also helps to polish your book before the first reviewer or readers gets their hand on your book.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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$25,000 Offer for 3 Months Writers Residency

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All Canadian writers of established literary reputation in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction or drama are encouraged to apply. The writer-in-residence receives CAD $25,000 !!!  for the three-month residency.  The Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence program is a full-time, three-month residency for Canadian writers. The writer-in-residence resides in Lucinda House, a century home close to Laurier’s Waterloo campus, and splits his or her time between writing and community programming at the university’s various campuses.

The full-time position (40 hours/week) requires 40% of the author’s time to be spent on community programs or projects, leaving 60% of the work-week available for the writer’s own creative projects. Community programs and projects include reading manuscripts and consulting with students and the public, visiting classrooms, giving readings and lectures, leading workshops, or participating in similar community programming, on Laurier’s three campuses.
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Who Should Apply?
All Canadian writers of established literary reputation in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or drama are encouraged to apply. The following criteria are required:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
• Established literary reputation with critically well-received work.
• Professional teaching or public speaking experience.
• Willing to engage with the public one-on-one and in group settings.
• Active participant in the writing community.
• In the midst of a new writing project intended for book-length publication.
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The Following Criteria are Considered Assets:

• Experience in working with youth;
• Experience in working with the public and with beginning writers.
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Download the Call for Applications
for a complete list of rules and regulations and all the details on how to apply.
Apply electronically by 4 p.m., May 31, 2014

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Secret of Social Selling Your Book

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It’s all about CONTENT MARKETING…

Authors can do either of the following:

• Spend ten thousands, even hundred thousands of dollars to buy their way into bestseller lists
• Create their platform – do your own marketing, write articles or short stories – or hire publicists

REMEMBER:  Even Celebrity Authors are required to have a platform and a web presence!
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Social Media has become part of our culture, and helps to connect with your readers. However when scrawling through tweets and other posts on Social Media sites one gets the impression that 90% of all posts by writers are “buy my book, buy my book, buy my book…”.  Instead of posting links to useful or entertaining articles, reader only land at sales pages.  Few links are pointing to interesting, entertaining or helpful content – despite the fact that there are so many talented writers out there, who could write great articles or show snippets of their books online. This would make their Social Media presence more valuable and would connect readers with their writing craft.
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by mohitlakhmani.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

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QUESTION: No matter what you purchase: Whom Would you Believe More:

• a) advertisements
• b) newspaper / magazine articles
• c) writing samples

I am not telling you a secret here:  b) and c) are free … and sometimes authors can even make more money with writing newspaper and magazine articles.  So, why not doing what you like best:  WRITING – and at the same time market your books with writing?
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Content Writing Resolutions:

•         Split chapters of your book into several blog articles
•         Use your research notes to create web content or guest blogs
•         Write 2 blogs / week for 2-3 months
•         Write 1 email newsletter / month for your customers
•         Write 2 guest blogs / month
•         Write 2 articles for e-Zines / month
•         Write 2 posts for Google+ community sites
•         Upload blogs to Sharing Sites after each post (Google+, Twitter FB, Pinterest, StumpleUpon, Tumblr etc.)

Remember:  Blog/web content or articles does not have to be always written text:  Graphics, images, curated text, re-blogs, videos, guest blogs or info graphics for example are fine too!  And if you have not already, read this story how an author cleverly used places in his book to write a magazine article and show off his latest novel.  What about you?  Are you using the content you have already researched or the books you have written to show your writing skills and get more exposure as an author?

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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The Best and the Worst Book Covers

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Interesting book covers are getting more exposure on shelf-displays, both online and off-line. We are a very visual culture, which influences our book-buying habits. A stunning book cover is one of the best marketing tools for any writer!  And you will never have a second chance to make a first good impression with your book – online and offline!  In the last weeks I have seen so many ugly and boring book covers and lots of beginner errors on self-published books, I just had to write this reminder.
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Chris Robley wrote recently in a blog for BookBaby:

1. Before someone buys your book, they will probably read your book description, blurbs, bio, and maybe even skim a few pages from chapter one.
2. Before they can do any of that reading, they will have to pick the book off a shelf, or perhaps click to the book’s page on Amazon, B&N, etc.
3. And before they are compelled to click a link or pick up a book, they will have to be attracted to your book’s cover (or thumbnail image).

From the moment a person picks up your book, you have about 6 seconds to convince them to buy it. This includes the time they take to look at the back cover and the spine.

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Front Cover Tips
E-books are bought online, usually displayed on a page with many other books. Therefore clarity, simplicity, brightness and information must jump off the screen. Use simple, yet stunning graphic elements and bold clear text for the title and the authors’ name, both must be easy to read on the tiny online image.
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And Never, Ever:
use the word “by” before your author name. Using the word ”by” screams DIY self-published.
use a white background for your book! White on white is barely visible and on websites your
book will not stick out, as the sites’ background are almost always white.
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Back Cover Design
Book Layout Designer Joel Friedlaender posted in a great blog 7 Secrets to Writing Persuasive
Back Cover Sales Copy http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2013/05/casey-demchak-back-cover-copy
“If your cover is good enough to grab readers, your back cover copy needs to convince them to
buy. For authors who self publish this can be a challenge because writing promotional copy
many not be their area of expertise. Plus, for many authors it’s never easy to “brag” about
themselves and their own work.”
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Visit a Bookstore
Check out all the books that are similar to yours. Place your book (or a mock-up) between these.
Does it look better? Is the spine eye-catching? Ask other patrons what they think about every
book, but don’t tell which one is yours. Listen to their opinion. Place your book on the first table in
the bookstore where the NY Times bestsellers are placed. Does your book cover really stand
out?  Has any of the bestsellers the word “by …. author name” on the front cover? For sure not!
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Book Cover Size:
Check if there are specific or popular sizes in the genre your book is in. And do all these
BEFORE your book is ready to print. Later changes only confuse readers and they are very
costly.
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Discuss these Points with Your Cover Designer:

• Use bold or complementary colors
• Use light on dark for dramatic effects (if it fits to your book content)
• Test the cover in thumbnail size to make sure it looks good at Amazon’s website
• Use not more than different two fonts in total
• Use not too wide vertical spaces between lines of text
• Use few shadow, bevel, gradient or glow – keep it subtle
• Align the cover text – centre, left or right
• Place text on plain background to stand out
• Let the front cover design flow into the book’s spine
• Use the same fonts for all your books and readers will be able to identify them easily
• People read left to right, top to bottom. Position your elements in appropriate levels of importance

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Read more:

Lousy Book Covers
http://lousybookcovers.tumblr.com/
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Inside Random House: The Journey from Manuscript to Book
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFUcWguqr7U
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Inside Random House: “The Art of Cover Design”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Z86L25v30
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“23 Creative Book Cover Designs and their Story” is a showcase of creative book cover designs,
indicating the typefaces used for the title or text:
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/inspiration/creative-book-cover-story
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Front and Back Cover Copy for Book Covers
http://www.coverdesignstudio.com/book-cover-copy/
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Joel Friedlander wrote a great blog about brilliant book titles in one of his blogs:
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/06/how-to-write-book-titles-for-people-robotsJoel
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Book Design and Production
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Design-Production-Pete-Masterson/dp/0966981901
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Basics Design Layout, 2nd edition
http://www.amazon.com/Basics-Design-02-Layout-Second/dp/2940411492/
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“40 Extraordinary Photoshop Text Effects”, it shows detailed tutorials, how to create amazing book title effects, step by step and is using lots of screen shots.
http://www.problogdesign.com/resources/40-extraordinary-photoshop-text-effects

Fonts for book titles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typeface
http://www.dafont.com/themes.php
http://www.1001freefonts.com
http://www.identifont.com

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Meet Tamara Jackson: Author, Fitness & Weightloss Coach

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You might have seen Tamara Jackson on the Dr. Oz TV show, where she shared her heart-wrenching journey from 265 lb. junk food addict to 155 lb. fitness fanatic.  In her book 265 Point, Tamara Jackson, in the meantime a “Certified Group Exercise Instructor” through the American College of Sports Medicine, shows readers they can do it too.  265 Point reveals some touching moments where Jackson endured ridicule and prejudice at her high weight of 265 pounds.
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Often the Family is the Problem
Tamara also shares the emotional and environmental challenges often faced in the quest to develop a healthier lifestyle. Women are sometimes sabotaged by their own family and friends who derail their weight loss efforts and criticize their healthier menus. Fueled by a new-found passion for health and fitness, Tamara delivers a realistic plan to reach a healthy weight including a practical food plan and doable exercise regimen.
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Don’t Miss the Before & After Images
Check out Tamara’s author page on Amazon
A powerful and dynamic seminar leader, public speaker, media health expert and motivational fitness consultant, her website www.265point.com invites women worldwide to work one-on-one or in groups to make a final decision to a healthier future.  265 Point, a great guidebook for women who want to be fit, healthy and happy, is available in digital format and in print.on Amazon.
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Readers in Charlotte, NC, meet Tamara at her Book Signing:

Apr 5, 2014 11:00 AM

CHARLOTTE, NC

The Last Word Charlotte

Book Signing at The Last Word Charlotte See details

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Meet Tamara Jackson here too:

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29167290-tamara-jackson

http://www.amazon.com/265-Point-Tamara-Jackson/dp/149446537X/

and certainly on Twitter  @FitnessTamara

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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My Own Mistakes … on Blogs

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“Do Not Make Silly Spelling Mistakes” writes a blogger at Honkiad.com. She might have written it for me? Her article and also the following info graphic show how easily one can slip into it. And no, currently not writing in the mother language is not an excuse : )
She advises to be sensitive to spelling mistakes, such as there and their, it’s and its, form and from. The occasional slip is not going to lose you a lot of readers, but making the same mistakes repeatedly is going to annoy people.

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Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

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Darren Rose, professional blogger, who founded Problogger has lots of tips for authors how to create successful articles for your readers.  
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/08/12/how-to-craft-a-blog-post-10-crucial-points-to-pause

His advise

1. Be Useful – if your post isn’t informing, inspiring, entertaining or making someone’s life better – don’t publish it until it does.
2. Share your Opinion – opinions are often what sets bloggers apart from the pack.
3. Cut out the Fluff – before you hit publish, revise your post and remove anything that doesn’t add value.
4. Visualise Your Reader – writing with a reader in mind personalises your writing.
5. Make Your Posts Scannable – only 16% of people read every word online. Format your posts so that your main points stand out.
6. Work and Rework You Headlines – a good headline can be the difference between a blog post being read, or ignored.
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   Read many more tips on his website how you too can write compelling blog posts: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2013/05/30/11-quick-tips-for-writing-compelling-posts-on-your-blog/

More Resources:

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/08/20-tips-on-how-to-write-for-the-web

https://econsultancy.com/blog/6771-how-to-write-for-the-web-23-useful-rules

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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12 Amazon “Countries” in One Link

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With the limited 140 characters on Twitter for example, character space counting is necessary.  To reach your potential worldwide readers, you have to tweet the link for each country separately. For some reason Amazon divides the world by countries and has separate platforms for each country, the wonderful Word-wide-Web seems not to exist for them…

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Great Amazon Link Shortener
A smart software developer created a program that lets you send out one link, and no matter where your readers are, they come to their own countries’ Amazon website, even though you give the link as viewbook …. It works great. Try it out with our own Amazon sales link. Just sign in with the developers site: http://www.booklinker.net/

Viewbook provides you with a link, which sends the customer to the Amazon site in your country, via their (viewbooks) site. It is a seamless process, and the customer doesn’t realize that it is happening. This is great for using on Twitter, as it does not matter where your potential customers live, because once they click on your link, they’ll be taken to the most appropriate Amazon store.
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Track the Progress of Your Link
Another great feature provided by Viewbook.at is the ability to track the progress of your book links.  Each link you post on Social Media gives you an estimate of how many clicks the books are receiving, and the countries they are coming from.  Two more companies currently offer a similar service: SmartURL and Georiot.

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Even if You Don’t Use Their Distribution Service…
Books2read.com links to: Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, B&N Nook, Google Play, ScribD, 24Symbols, Thalia, Inktera, Smashwords, Baja LIbros, Playster, Blio, Bookmate, Browns Books for Students, Casa del Libro, Family Christian, Hive, Buch.de, BOL.de, DriveThruFiction, Indigo, Angus & Robertson, Bücher.de, FNAC, Hugendubel, Libris, Livraria Cultura, Mondadori, Rakuten, WHSmith, BOL.com, Eason, eBook.de, Gandhi.mx, LaFeltrinelli, Overdrive etc.

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Pro and Con’s
Yes, the service is free, or at least almost, as  Booklinker.net is an Amazon affiliate and this way they receive a tiny commission from Amazon, for a $2.99 book about 6 cents.  If the customer orders more items within 24 hours through this initial Viewbook link certainly more.  However, if you are an Amazon affiliate, you will not receive small  commission on the sale of your book – will receive this tiny amount (approx. 6cents) for their great service.

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To Link or Not to Link?
On the other hand: you might even sell more, as more potential readers are learning about your book by way of the “translation” of your sales page link. Your royalties will not be affected in any way. This single global link to many countries is really a superb invention, reducing lots of customer barriers, and it might improve your overall sales a little bit. There is some discussion on the Internet about Viewbook’s affiliate programs, on the other hand, if customers order free or 99cent books through referral of BookBub and similar services.  BookBub receives a commission too – on top of the hefty ad fees they charge for sending out a newsletter with advertisers’ book campaign info with a single click. That’s all they do!  I have never heard someone on the net discussing these affiliate commissions.
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I personally think the “worldwide” link helps book sales a lot.  And you can certainly use both links, your “old” ones from Amazon for each country and the “worldwide” universal links.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing:  We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

 

The Power of Book Trailers for Your Book Sales

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You might have read my e-book 111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer where I explained:

Book trailers are one of the best ways to introduce your book to millions of readers worldwide. Learn how to plan, create and most important: market your video which is step for step shown.
e-book $2.99 on Amazon
In the following graphic the business side of book trailers and video content is shown, and how much power and influence video has in marketing:

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Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

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Check out our tips for free music, free graphics and images and free video hosting sites on our blog http://SavvyBookWriters.com/blog. Just type in your search words and the articles will appear. And don’t forget to post your video(s) on your Amazon and Goodreads site and on Google+ and other Social Media sites.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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How to Publish With Your Own Imprint

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by Nicole Eva Fraser

I love my traditional publisher, Second Wind Publishing LLC in North Carolina. Second Wind released my first novel (The Hardest Thing in This World) in October 2013.  So why did I decide to self-publish my second novel and a nonfiction e-Book in 2014?  Simply because I wanted to learn the DIY side of the business, and take charge of getting my books to market at a faster pace.
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To publish with my own imprint (= publishing business), I followed the basic steps below, which you can adapt for the state / province where you live and the self-publishing service company you work with.

First, the definition of “imprint”
An imprint is a publisher name. Your own imprint is simply the publisher name you choose, clear, and register according to your state business laws to use in self-publishing your own books. 

File your imprint name in your state
I live in Ohio, so once I settled on my imprint name—Bench Press—I had to check its availability in Ohio and register it as a trade name. The steps should be similar in your state.

• I went to the Ohio Secretary of State website.
• Went to Business Services page.
• Reviewed their Guide to Business Name Availability.
• Did a Business Search by Name and by Exact Name.
• Bench Press didn’t come up in the searches, so I filed the Ohio “Trade Name (Name Registration)” form and paid the $50 fee to register the name.
• I was granted the Trade Name Registration for Bench Press.
• The registration must be renewed every five years.
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How does your self-publishing company handle author imprints?
Considering to use the POD services and retail arms of Amazon and Smashwords, I researched all their policies. You will need to research the policies of the company you will working with well before you are preparing to publish.  Here’s what I found in my research in February 2014:

Amazon CreateSpace (paperback): 

• Yes, you may publish with your own imprint, but must buy your own ISBN to do so (more on ISBNs in a minute).

Amazon KDP (Kindle): 

• Yes, you may publish with your own imprint and are not required to buy your own ISBN.

Smashwords: 

• Yes, you may publish with your own imprint and are not required to buy your own ISBN. However, if you elect to get the free ISBN from Smashwords, be aware that: 

1.     Smashwords will be listed as the publisher in the Bowker Books in Print database; and

2.     Your imprint will be listed as the publisher in your e-Book.

 

ISBNs: to buy or not to buy?

I did decide to buy an ISBN for the paperback of my novel I Don’t Think It’s That Simple because I want Bench Press (not CreateSpace) to appear as the imprint in the paperback.

I decided not to buy ISBNs for GPS for New Novelists because I’m releasing it only as an e-Book, and I’m satisfied with the Smashwords arrangements regarding their free ISBNs.

To learn more about purchasing ISBNs, visit Bowker Identifier Services.

 

More opportunities to consider

• You could choose and buy the domain name of your imprint and create an additional website for your book(s), with all the corresponding exposure and marketing opportunities.
• You could incorporate under your imprint name. Incorporation is a complex legal process and you will need a lawyer.
• You could invite other authors to publish under your imprint and build a collective. Consult a lawyer before you do.
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Conclusion
Publishing with your own imprint requires you to do your due diligence upfront.  Be sure to allow enough time in your pre-production schedule for the research and the decision-making that are involved.

About the Author
Nicole Eva Fraser is the author of I Don’t Think It’s That Simple, forthcoming in Summer 2014, The Hardest Thing in This World (2013), and GPS for New Novelists: Navigating the 5 routes to publication (2014).

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Stephen King Book Signing in Sarasota Florida

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Read tips for your own book signing, that might not draw such a crowd, but it will show your book to many more readers, and it is a part of your author platform, which helps to cement your author brand.

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Folks were lining up around the blog… What a sight!  I was curious and asked one of those in line if there is free ice cream from the new opened parlor.  But no!  She explained me that there is a book
signing.  Book Signing? Really? Yes, she said, in BookStore 1 is an author signing his books.  Yes, and what’s his name? Stephen King she answered. Well, no wonder that folks are lining up!
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Stephen King Book Signing in Sarasota Florida

As I had already a small camera in hand, I asked several folks to model for me and took also lots of
photographs from parts of the line-up (sorry, had no wide angle lens with me to capture how the line went around the whole block).

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Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947. He made his first professional short story sale in 1967 to Startling Mystery Stories. In the fall of 1973, he began teaching high school English classes at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine.  I would assume to make ends meet…

If it hadn’t been for Stephen King’s wife, Tabitha, the iconic image of a young girl in a prom dress
covered in pig’s blood would not exist. King received 30 rejections for his story of a tormented girl
with telekinetic powers, and then he threw it in the trash. Tabitha fished it out. She sent his story
around again and, eventually, Carrie was published. The novel became a classic in the horror
genre and has enjoyed film and TV adaptations as well.

Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, which allowed him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 50 books and has become one of the world’s most successful writers.
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Word for Your Week:
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is hard work.” –Stephen King

And by the way: There is a publishing seminar in Sarasota, FL, this coming Saturday, March 22.
Sign-up for the Early-Bird-Offer, and learn how to become a successful writer – maybe one day people are lining up for your book signings too.  It all takes a lot of time, often years, patience and dedication. We will show you at this seminar how to redeem and get short stories from your books’ manuscript and from your research, to get your name out as a writer. Remember: Stephen King started out with short stories!
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Tips for Your Own Book Signing
Start with your local bookstores, some will agree to a book signing with a local author. However, just because you set up an event, doesn’t mean people will come! You have to announce it to as many people as possible. In the weeks leading up to the book signing, promote it often on all your Social Media sites, on Craigslist, print some flyers and post it at libraries, on Community Boards, coffee shops etc. Sent out a press release to various local media outlets, and maybe offer them a free digital version of your book.

Don’t forget to mention that you will have a drawing (maybe for a Kindle, Kobo or Nook and also that you will have “refreshments” (ice water to juice, coffee, or cookies, or even wine and cheese). It all depends on the venue, in a chain book stores that includes a coffees hop you may think about a gift card for a large coffee to hand out to people who bought your book.
Bring your book markings or cards, a fish bowl to collect addresses for the drawing, lots of pens, and ice water for yourself. And have someone to be present at your table and help you. See more tips at our blog post: “Top 18 Book Launch Tips” where you also get a time schedule.
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In her article “How to Have A Successful Book Signing” MaryJanice Davidson said: “First, let’s define “successful”. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a place to sit, and you sell just one book.”  Well, hopefully more than one I would say.
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Author Michel Sauret: “Not every person that comes up to you during the signing will buy the book. Don’t be desperate and try to force a sale to everyone you talk to, but definitely show your enthusiasm and confidence in your own work.” 

Valerie Peterson wrote: “signing books—can be an important part of your book marketing campaign. While online bookselling is booming, of course, many people do enjoy seeing authors live and in person, and it gives writers an opportunity to meet their readers—as well as to sell some books!”

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Interview With Susan Hughes: Editor Par Excellence

Fiza Pathan interviewed Editor Susan Hughes, and one of her questions was:  “What is the editor’s relationship to the writer?. Susan Hughes explained:

“It’s very important for the editor and the writer to become a team in order for the edit to be successful.As an editor, however, I accept the fact that I’m not the captain of the team.  I’m not the one who wrote the words or spent hours enveloped in the creative process.  The editor begins with a secondary role and then works to build that trust with the writer that will eventually level the playing field a bit.”  Read the whole interview here.

Find My Audience

Susan Hughes

Hi Susan, can you describe for us what an “ideal” editor does?
An ideal editor is one who forms a bond and a level of trust with the writer, enabling the writer to have the confidence to hand over his/her precious words—to an absolute stranger!  That trust is built through prompt, friendly communication. Writers have lots of questions about editing, and an ideal editor will be there daily to answer those questions, even before the edit begins.  Then comes the edit itself, and if the bond has been formed, it will be a positive, rewarding, and successful experience for both writer and editor and will hopefully lead to a long working relationship and friendship between the two parties.

 What constitutes a successful edit?
Great question! I feel an edit is a success if the writer is satisfied with the end product. The icing on the cake, however…

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