The Fabulist Flash

Issue 17

Venice Taxis Mousepad

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. Writer's Bookshelf
3. Feature Article
4. A Writer Tidbit
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

This Week

Welcome to Issue 17 of The Fabulist Flash.

Our New Year begins with devastation and hope. The devastating tsunami, because of world media attention, has captured the hearts of citizens around the world. The images of destruction, death, and survival have been humbling to say the least. It's going to take years to rebuild infrastructure; it's going to take lifetimes to heal the pain of loss suffered by so many.

Like so many, tragic world events have a significant impact on me. There's little most of us can physically do during a crisis, but cash donations, big or small, will help. Donating to the relief effort has been made easier through the USA Freedom Corps and a joint fundraising effort by presidents H.W. Bush and Clinton. Visit http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov to make a donation today.

New Year hope comes as millions of people around the world join forces to bring aid to those who've suffered through and survived this disaster. It's been good for us to have a positive event to focus on. With the current world chaos, it's good to be reminded that there are greater forces in the world and there are times these forces demand we acknowledge them and bow. This positive response is also enlightening. It gives me a sense of hope for humanity.

Our writing gains strength when we use our words to offer hope in addition to information. With hope in mind, Ralph Keyes' book, A Writer's Book of Hope, is this week's addition to the Writer's Bookshelf.

Are you interested in eBooks? This week's feature article, The Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make by Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel, gives some foundation information on the topic.

Until next week,

Gregory
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Gregory A. Kompes is a freelance writer and photographer. Learn more about Gregory and his work at http://www.Kompes.com
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2. Writer's Bookshelf

The Writer's Book of Hope: Getting from Frustration to Publication by Ralph Keyes

A Review by Gregory A. Kompes

"Is Hope Necessary?" Ralph Keyes asks in Chapter 1 of his work, The Writer's Book of Hope: Getting from Frustration to Publication. And, his response: "Any writer has a legitimate, valid need to hear this it isn't all for naught."

It is from this perspective that Mr. Keyes groups anecdotes and advice to help writers understand and overcome the frustrations of rejection, to help writers find an inner sense of Hope. It is this sense of hope, hope for validation of our work and our sense of self that drives writers toward success.

To assist with that drive, Mr. Keyes strings together success stories and anecdotes with some writer's histories to create an inspiring work. I challenge you to read his book and not be inspired and motivated. Knowing we're not alone in our angst and frustration helps to alleviate those feelings.

I also like Mr. Keyes' voice. I like his conversational style of writing. There's much to be learned here. This sense of knowing we're not alone in our frustration at rejection is import. Reading a conversational writing style is also important. There's a growing trend in magazine and book writing that draws toward the conversational versus the formal styles of writing. Mr. Keyes achieves this easy, style to perfection.

The Writer's Book of Hope: Getting from Frustration to Publication is a nice addition to your Writer's Bookshelf. This is one of those books worth reading and revisiting when you find your own sense of hope for your writing career wanes.

For this title and others of inspiration to writers visit The Writer's Bookshelf.

3. Feature Article

The Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make

-By Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel

eBooks are the hottest thing going on the Web right now!

Authors with the entrepreneurial instinct are making anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars per month - that's right, per month - by selling ebooks online.

Why are some authors doing so much better than others? We've discovered seven key mistakes that most ebook authors make (and in doing so, hold themselves back from major success):

1. They don't write to a specific, target audience.

The biggest mistake most ebook authors make is they don't clearly define, identify and visualize who they are selling their ebook to. On the Web, to be successful, you must write to a specific group of people who have specific interests.

Make sure that you know exactly who is going to buy your ebook, and where you can find them online.

2. They don't automate as many of their business activities as possible.

Selling ebooks, though it is highly profitable, is not a business where you make hundreds of dollars per sale.

Automate everything you can - credit card processing, ebook delivery, as much technical support as possible. If you can't automate a function, delegate it to someone else.

3. They don't have a compelling title for their ebook.

Use words that convey the benefit of what's in the ebook, as well as words your audience is familiar with.

A bad title for an ebook: "Online Marketing for Newbies." A good title for the same ebook: "97 Ways to Promote Your Website - No Experience Required."

4. They try to cover too much ground.

Many ebook authors convey a lot of information but don't cover anything in-depth. As a result, they never fully explain anything in enough detail to provide any useful value to their readers.

This is a very bad mistake to make, especially when it comes to how-to ebooks, which happen to be the best type to write.

5. They are not proactive in their marketing.

It would be nice if marketing for your ebook simply happened on its own - but it doesn't. You have to do it yourself.

After you've promoted your ebook to the people on your own mailing list (if you have one), then you have to contact other Website owners and persuade them to be your affiliates. You should do this continually.

6. They don't differentiate their ebook from its competitors.

When you choose your topic, even if there are a hundred other ebooks out there on same general subject, choose an angle for yours that will make it easy for yours to be distinguished from the others. For example, right now job-hunting ebooks are very popular. There are dozens that are big sellers. "Secrets of Breaking Into Pharmaceutical Sales" has a very specific title that sets it apart from the competition, and is aimed at a clearly identified target audience. Incidentally, it's selling very well itself.

7. They write ebooks that nobody will pay for.

Many ebook authors write about information that either people can get for free, or that people are not actually interested in enough to pay for the information.

Before you invest weeks or months into the writing of your ebook, invest a little time investigating whether other ebooks in the same subject area are selling on the Web.

So, there you have it - the seven big mistakes to avoid. Remember, the opportunities are plentiful - and huge - right now for anyone who wants to become a best-selling ebook author. Simply use common sense, follow our advice, and let your literary career flourish!

© Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel

About the Author
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Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel are co-authors of "eBook Secrets Exposed: How to Make Massive Amounts of Money in Record Time With Your Own eBook (whether you wrote it or not!)," the authoritative guide to publishing and marketing ebooks on the Web.

Guerrilla Marketing author Jay Conrad Levinson says, "If there ever was a 'must-read' for this century, it's this book." For more information Click Here

4. A Writer Tidbit

Looking for information? In the Encyclopedic tradition check out InfoPlease: All the Information You Need to Know. (http://www.infoplease.com)

5. About the Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

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Best Sellers
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This Week's New York Times Best Sellers