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Follow through on that New Year resolution to build a stronger online presence... Internet ACE: Building Your Online Self-Promotion Platform with Gregory A. Kompes — learn how build, brand, and expand your writing career using Internet Technology during this 10 week, interactive, online course. Begins May 5, 2008. $147. Register Today! |
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I attended an Advantage Media Group teleclass this week: Media Training 101 for Authors. The focus was attaining on air publicity with Canadian talk show host Wayne Kelly. This was one of the most educational and informative teleconference calls I've participated in in a long time. Why was this event so good? Because the interviewed guest expert was generous with his knowledge and information. Sure, both the host and guest did a bit of self promotion, that's to be expected on a free teleconference call. But, in the hour before that I got enough information to make me a better radio show guest. It wasn't all sell, it was mostly information. Public speaking is a great way to sell books and services. The best way to make the sale is to first offer lots of information and value to those listening. When your listeners trust you, they're more likely to make a purchase. ~Gregory |
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February 21, 2008 |
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Gregory A. Kompes, Editor |
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ISSUE #166 |
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February 23 — Book Fair — 2pm-4pm
Writer’s Pen & Grill (Las Vegas, NV) is a social networking evening for writers. Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Open to all. Visit http://www.PenandGrill.com for location and details. |
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Sound is powerful. We often stop what we're doing to listen. It's virtually impossible to read or write anything when another is speaking. It's how our brains are wired. Harnessing the power of sound to build and brand your writing career just makes sense. If done correctly, you may even open up a new readership and expand your following with sound. There are many ways to take advantage of sound and we'll look at just a few of them here including trailers, audio books, podcasting and Internet radio. Trailers are one of the smartest and easiest ways to start using sound to reach your readers. By digitally recording your book's introduction or first chapter and making those available to readers on your website you increase the possibility of sales of your book. Having your full work available in audio format, think books on tape, is another positive way to spread the word with sound. Companies like Books in Motion (http://www.booksinmotion.com) are always looking for new products to add to their catalog of Audio Books available for sales and rental. As you discover how easy it is to create digital sound files, it might be time to explore Podcasting & Internet radio. If you're investigating teleconferences, remember to record the events. These make excellent downloadable sound files for your website or for use through RSS (Real Simple Syndication). Creating audio newsletters (podcasts) that include interviews and discussions of your expert topic will draw in a larger audience for your work. When done as a regular feature, you begin to create a body of sound files that can be listened to by your readers at any time. If you podcast on a regular schedule (i.e., weekly, monthly) your listeners will return over and over. Additionally, you can make these regular podcasts available through distribution sites like iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes). Helpful Tool For high-end recording capabilities, check out Tech Smith's Camtasia Studio (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp). This software allows you to record, edit, and post online audio, video, and screenshot recordings. How many ideas popped into your head with those possibilities? |
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Olympia WS100 To create sound files for your Website or podcast, you'll need a digital recorder that allows you to create digital format audio files (.wav, MP3, .aiff, etc.). You don't need to spend a lot for quality these days. I'm rarely without my plug and play Olympia WS100 (retail: $79). While there are many generations of recorders that have followed, this powerful (and affordable) little recorder remains my favorite. |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? It chose me. My dad and grandfather had been pushing me to write since I was a child. I’d always enjoyed writing creatively, but didn’t think I could make a living at it. Then I hit a certain age; my kids were grown--but never truly gone from the house--and I allowed myself to start researching markets, publishers, and venues for my work.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) I have education and training equivalent to a BA in Business. I’ve always worked to support my family. My background in construction and business management led me to my first regular gig writing for a construction magazine.
3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer? When I was 3.
4. How would you describe your style of writing? Non-fiction: Getting the facts right and telling the story in the most interesting way. Fiction: I’m still working on this one. I don’t think I’ve developed a “style” of my own yet.
5. What is your writing process? Sit butt in chair. Ignore everything around me. Write.
6. What was your path to publication? I joined an online writer’s group, The Writer’s Chatroom. There I got the encouragement to write what I knew and to actually submit my work. I found that each published clip makes the next one easier to get.
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? Networking, in person and online.
8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer? How easy it is to put poorly written material on the market. Anyone can be published today. So much of what’s out there is garbage. 9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? Watching life and how people act and react. There are nuggets of inspiration in every conversation and every interaction. |
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10. What is your proudest writer moment? Every time I see my byline, I’m inspired. Receiving checks in the mail on a regular basis doesn’t hurt. I think the proudest writer moment is yet to happen.
11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing? Sit butt in chair. Write. Submit. I’m a faithful student of the Hope Clark “keep 13 queries in play at all times” school of thought.
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? I’m often asked to critique the work of others. Some of it is so bad I’m not sure how to comment. I don’t want to embarrass or thwart the creativity of someone else, which leads to my own embarrassment.
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Knowing when to say “no”. Some projects aren’t worth taking on. I’m getting better at sorting through those and stepping aside.
14. What is your writer life philosophy? No one else can write this (story, article, book) like I can. Writing is like breathing.
15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun? Visit new places. Explore new ideas. Watch people. Review books.
16. Who do you like to read? My favorite author is Earl Emerson. His thrillers keep me enthralled from page one. Illona Haus is a relatively new author definitely worth watching.
17. What’s your advice for new writers? Write, submit. Write, submit. Query, write, submit. Read when you aren’t writing. Never give up. Join a writer’s group if you need the encouragement and/or advice to keep going.
18. What are you currently working on? I write for a couple of construction magazines regularly, and freelance to other online and print magazines about food, health, and parenting. A mystery/suspense novel is in process.
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ISSN 1554-0804 |
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Are you a published author? Take the 18Q today! |
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Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice Deadline: March 31, 2008. Choice Publishing Group is looking for original stories and essays up to 2000 words about and by grandmothers and the choices they make. Each submission will be reviewed and considered based on creativity, originality, concept, and style. Reading will be continuous and submissions will be considered as they arrive. Not all works will be accepted. There is NO Entry or Reading Fee. Queer Collection: Prose & Poetry 2009 Deadline: December 31, 2008. Pays upon publication. Looking for creative original prose and poetry by and for a gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) audience. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry will be considered. http://www.queercollection.com |