The Fabulist Flash

Issue 156

by Gregory A. Kompes

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. 10 Ways to Become an Authority
3. Sell Books Online
4. Sherry Derr-Wille takes the 18Q
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

What to share this week? There's so much going on.

The new novel is a hit with the first readers. There are a few places that need clarification and more detail, but early readers love the book. I'm hoping that agents and publishers feel the same way. The plan is to complete the revisions and begin submitting by the end of the year.

My BellaOnline Distance Learning site had the highest number of visitors and page hits during my first official month than in its history. That's gratifying and exciting.

Promotion has started for my Internet ACE event at the National Speakers Association-Las Vegas chapter on October 20. If you'll be in Vegas on the 20th and developing your online self-promotion presence you won't want to miss this popular and well-received seminar.

I've been invited back as a 2008 columnist for Writer's on the Rise. This will be my third year writing for this excellent online publication. If you're not on the mailing list, you're missing a ton of great information every month.

Choice Publishing Group has brought me on board as an editor and partner for their new book series Patchwork Path. The story collection titles are all based on quilt block names and themes. Submissions are now open for Grandma's Choice (to be published in late 2008), other upcoming titles include Friendship Star (2009) and Dad's Bowtie (2009). Visit PatchworkPath.com for submission guidelines.

Of course, there's also all the details related to the new house. While the construction plans are set and moving forward, there's lots of packing, moving, and planning details. Not to mention all the day dreaming about design choices and furniture placement.

Hope you're writing up a storm!

Gregory

Upcoming Events

October 20, 2007: Internet Tech: Building Your ACE Internet Self-Promotion Platform with Gregory A. Kompes -- learn how build, brand, and expand your writing career using Internet Technology during this three hour seminar sponsored by NSA-Las Vegas.

October 29, 2007: Writerpreneur(tm) Course: Internet ACE: Building Your Online Self-Platform Platform with Gregory A. Kompes -- learn how build, brand, and expand your writing career using Internet Technology during this 10 week, interactive, online course. Registration Open.

November 10, 2007: Writerpreneur Workshop: Say It, Don't Slay It with Linda O'Connor. Las Vegas, NV.

If you'll be in Las Vegas on a Wednesday night, socialize with the local writers at the Writer's Pen & Grill(TM). Open to all writers!

2. 10 Ways to Become an Authority

The Power of the Written Word: Top 10 Ways to Become an Authority in Your Field
by Susan L Reid

With the Internet such an accessible place to get your written word out, there's no reason why you can't become a recognized name in your field in 6 months or less. At no other time in history has it been easier to connect with readers hungry for what you have to say. The opportunities for becoming a leading authority in your field have never been richer. Here are the top 10 tried-and-true ways to become a written-word authority in your field.

There is so much power in the written word. With the Internet being such an accessible place to get your written word out, there's no reason why you can't become a recognized name in your field in six months or less.

At no other time in history has it been easier or simpler to connect with a sea of readers, hungry for what you have to say. With one click of a button, your article can be submitted all over the world, your blog comment can be distributed to 50 million people, and thousands per day can read your on-line book review at Amazon.com.

The opportunities for becoming a leading authority in your field have never been richer. Not long ago, this would have taken you many years, a great deal of effort, and lots of money. Now you can do it in six months, with a moderate amount of work and minimal expense. Listed in order of the quickest to the most time consuming, here are the top 10 tried-and-tested ways to start becoming a written-word authority in your field:

1. Leave a comment on someone else's blog.
2. Join a discussion board.
3. Write a review for a book at Amazon.com.
4. Start your own blog.
5. Publish an e-Zine or Newsletter.
6. Submit articles.
7. Publish e-books.
8. Publish a booklet or pamphlet.
9. Develop your own website.
10. Publish a book.

There are two main approaches to becoming a written-word authority in your field: by joining in on conversations and by starting your own. Both are important. If you just focus on starting your own conversation without joining in and adding your ideas, comments, or opinions to discussions already in progress, you will be viewed as an outsider. On the other hand, if you just dart in and out of discussion boards or only leave comments on others' blogs, you will not become known. A balance of both is the ticket to written-word success.

Joining Conversations by Commenting and Discussing

Leaving comments on other people's blog posts, joining discussion boards or forums, and writing reviews for on-line books are the easiest, quickest, and simplest ways to make yourself known. Of course, we're not talking just about any ole blog, discussion forum, or book review. We're talking about targeting those in your niche or related field with the express purpose of building relationships and community.

Participating in on-line conversations is the same as participating in face-to-face conversations. You don't just jump into the middle of a discussion about golf with your ideas about parakeets; you join in on the existing topic and evolve with it as the discussion flows. You make comments on what other people are saying, agreeing or disagreeing respectfully. You show interest and ask open-ended questions. You add relevant insights and further information to the conversation already in progress. Starting Your Own Conversation by Distributing and Publishing

Having your very own blog and website are the standard calling cards on the Internet today. They are the means by which you announce yourself to the world and open your own conversation with others. You could certainly accomplish this goal with either a blog or a website, though having both is best. That way you will reach the greatest number of people and have the greatest impact on the Internet.

From these two platforms, you can launch your e-Zine, articles, and e-books. You can list and offer all of your other publications as well, including booklets, tip sheets, and reports. You can provide links to further information, open dialogue, build community, and establish relationships.

Just as in face-to-face conversations, it's better to focus more interest and attention on the other person than on yourself. So, make your blog and website 80% about your intended audience and 20% about you. Since your blog and website will be the first place people come to check you out and get to know you, make it easy for them to find information about you. Make it easier still for them to access lots of free articles, reports, and subject matter that will be of interest and value to them.

Consistency and Frequency

The final recommendation for becoming an authority in your field is to be consistent. The more people see your name and your words on the Internet, the more they will remember you.

Join in on online conversations on a regular basis. Start online discussions of your own frequently. Become known as someone who has insight to offer as well as something unique to give.

Why spend years and lots of effort and money? By following the advice in this article , you can develop a strong presence on the internet and become a leading authority in your field in six months or less.

About the Author
================================================================= Small Business Start Up Coach & Consultant, Susan L Reid, takes the fear out of starting up businesses by providing value, inspiration, and direction to entrepreneurial women transforming lives and making a difference in the world. Accidental Pren-her BlogTM is where entrepreneurial women come to embrace their Inner Samurai.

3. Sell Books Online

Sell Books Online With 3 Easy Promotional Tips
by Kate Taylor

As a successful author and publicist, I'm often asked which tips work best for authors who want to sell books online.

That question, of course, is kind of like asking a Cy Young award-winning pitcher how he learned to throw a curve ball! Selling books online is a lengthy process and requires authors who are willing to commit time and energy almost every day to promoting their books.

However, one thing I always recommend is starting an author blog. You may already have a blog on one of the free accounts like blogger.com or wordpress.com - and that's okay. But, are you using that blog to its fullest potential when it comes to self-promotion. Probably not.

Three Quick Blog Techniques for Authors Who Want to Sell Books Online

1. Find a blog in your genre and offer to guest blog. This technique serves you in several ways because it introduces your writing style to a whole new reading audience, it will help get readers over to your blog, and it helps you build solid relationships with other author bloggers. In the world of blogging, it's all about relationships.

2. Leave QUALITY comments on other author blogs. There is nothing more annoying to an author than finding a comment that reads something like this: "Great blog, visit my blog too." Most quality bloggers consider those types of comments a quick and dirty way for an author to get an active link back to their blog. And, most quality bloggers will quickly delete those comments. It's all about building relationships, so if you're going to comment (which you should) be sure to write something that is intelligent, relevant, and adds value to the other author's blog.

3. Link to other blogs from your blog when you discover a great article. The blogosphere is a community, not a dog-eat-dog competition. Most bloggers value their relationships with other bloggers, and appreciate it when another blogger writes an article about something great on their blog. Be generous of spirit and it's likely that the blogger you wrote about will link back to you with a comment as well.

Have you figured out the secret? Yes, it's all about building relationships.

About the Author
================================================================= Kate Taylor is the Author Representative at CyberBookBuzz.com. She is an expert at blogging and using blogs to promote books and sell books online

4. Sherry Derr-Wille takes the 18Q

The prolific Sherry Derr-Wille takes the 18Q

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?
I think it chose me

2. What is your background? (Education, work, etc.)
With only a high school education, I have written many books, 29 of which are in print, and worked as a reporter for the local daily paper.

3. When did you 'know' you were a writer?
I was in my sophomore English class when the teacher assigned several of us to sit in the back of the room and write for a year. I'm the only one who enjoyed the assignment.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?
My stories are character and dialog driven

5. What is your writing process?
I write from beginning to end and do my best work early in the morning (like 4-6am)

6. What was your path to publication?
A lot of rejection

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?
Have books-will travel a home party book signing plan

8. What are the biggest surprises you've encountered as a writer?
The amount of editing it takes to get a book ready for publication.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?
By putting myself in my character's shoes. My characters

10. What is your proudest writer moment?
When i received a glowing letter from the teacher who started the whole thing.

11. What's the best advice you were given about writing?
Finish the book - finish the book - FINISH THE BOOK!!!!!!!

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?
Sitting at a book signing all day and not selling one book

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?
Getting published

14. What is your writer life philosophy?
It takes 15 minutes to get into character and 15 seconds to get out of it. This is what I do, get over it

15. When you're not writing what do you do for fun?
Watch TV, read and crochet

16. Who do you like to read?
Historical, Christian, and anything by my writer friends

17. What's your advice for new writers?
Don't get discouraged and don't dwell on your first chapter.

18. What are you currently working on?
I'm working on two books as Sherry Derr-Wille. The first is Double M: the Jennings, the last in a 4 books family epic series for whiskey creek press, and Sue Watkins: Over the Hill Biker Bride for the Encore L'amour line of Wings e-Press.

Take the 18Q Today!
=================================================================
Selected a Writer's Digest "101 Best Website" for 2007, the 18Q is a collection of writers sharing their experiences.

More than 100 authors have taken the 18Q. Take your turn Today!

5. About The Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

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