Publishing Poynters
Book and Information-Marketing News and Ideas from Dan PoynterApril 1, 2002. Copyright Para Publishing. ISSN: 1530-5694
DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com; http://ParaPub.com; 1-800-ParaPub
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. ParaNews=============================================
2. ParaTips
3. ParaResources
4. ParaThoughts
5. ParaFreebies
6. ParaCalendar
7. ParaHumor
A. THE MEDIA GOES ELECTRONIC. According to Joan Stewart (The Publicity
Hound), the media are moving to electronic press kits both for speed and
because of the anthrax scare. For an example, check out our press rooms.
One is at http://www.parapublishing.com/subsites/cat/
A pressroom provides the media with instant self-service access to everything
you would normally fined in a press kit. A pressroom on your site saves
the media time and saves you money.
B. WEBSITE ADs du JOUR: BANNERS GIVE WAY TO STREAMING. See http://www.e-tactics.com/March%2002.pdf
C. HEADED TO NEW YORK? WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE PRODUCERS. Tickets to The Producers are next-to-impossible to come by at this date, but BookZone has five pairs of Producers tickets to give away in daily drawings at their PMA-PU and BEA booths. You can also enter online for the April 30 theater performance.
Enter now for your chance to win FREE tickets to The Producers. There is absolutely no obligation. And while you are in NYC, stop by the BookZone booth (PMA-PU #37, BEA #4748) and enter daily for more chances to win. For complete details, visit http://www.bookzone.com/producers_drawing/
D. AOL GIVES UP ON AOL MAIL; OK FOR OTHERS BUT NOT ITSELF. See http://www.msnbc.com/news/727898.asp?cp1=1
E. OUR SANTA BARBARA BOOK PROMOTION WORKSHOPS ARE FILLING FAST. Both the April 20-21 and July 20-21 events are nearing their limits of 23 participants. The $695 workshops must be good: we have been hosting them for 16 years, four-times a year and they are always sold out. See http://parapub.com/accessreport.cfm?report=167&refpage=edutrain.html
F. PRIORITY FLAT RATE TO DECREASE IN JULY. According to Godfrey Harris, who attended the Los Angeles Postal Customer Council luncheon, the Postal Rate Commission has accepted the September 2001 rate proposals. Those publishers that ship books via Priority Mail will be interested that the Flat Rate will actually decrease from $3.95 to $3.85. See http://www.usps.gov/ratecase/priority.htm
Publishers that are currently shipping books in the large video boxes will return to using the Flat Rate envelopes. Joel Leach suggests a couple of hand-staples to keep the book from sliding around inside the envelope.
Media Mail rates are proposed to increase 4 percent ($1.33-1.38), and Library Mail rates to increase by 3.3 percent.
G. THE NEW BOOK MODEL IS COMING TO LINDON, UT, LOUISVILLE, KY, VALLEY FORGE, PA, SACRAMENTO AND MORE. now through April.
Dan Poynter's legendary PowerPoint slide show book program will be presented in 12 cities across North American in April and May. See the ParaCalendar, below. Please alert your book colleagues if a program is coming to their area. They will thank you.
H. IMUS DEMANDS FIRST INTERVIEWS. The famous early-morning talk show host said he will not interview authors with a new book who appear on the Today Show, Larry King or other shows. On the air March 25, he said he is happy to interview authors but that they must appear on his show first. He said author interviews are a lot of work because he has to read their books. Don Imus acknowledged that an appearance on his show would sell a lot of books and he said he was happy to help.
I. WHAT IS AMAZON THINKING? They have been discounting some bestselling books 30% for the past 10 months. For example, the 2002 edition of The Self-Publishing Manual is selling for 30% off or just $13.96. Incredible! How long can this last? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568600739/
J. eBOOKS. The Self-Publishing Manual, Writing Nonfiction and Successful Nonfiction are available for just $5.95 in electronic download from CyclopsMedia.com. Now you can have a fully searchable edition of these bestsellers. http://www.cyclopsmedia.com/catalog_writing.html The first chapters are free. Visit the site and see how eBooks are sold.
K. SOME INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS SEEKING NEW OWNERS. See http://www.salon.com/books/wire/2002/03/25/independents/index.html?x
L. ACCORDING TO GARTNER, DIRECT MAIL COSTS are between $500 and $700 per thousand compared to e-mail costs between $5 and $7 per thousand. The average click-through rate for permission-based e-mails is between 6% and 8%. Thanks for this alert from Wally Bock. http://www.wallybock.com/
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A. SELL MORE BOOKS AT YOUR EVENTS by tailoring your presentation to your audience's specific needs and interests. Find out who your audience is and why they're attending your event. Select key themes, chapters, passages, charts, etc. from your book to discuss--topics that hit the audience's hot buttons. Build your presentation around these themes. At the same time, stress the benefits your book offers and (subtly) why the audience should make a purchase. The moment your presentation ends, offer books for sale and autograph them. See Book Promotion Made Easy: Event Planning, Presentation Skills & Product Marketing by Eric Gelb, MBA, CPA at http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm?file=resource/promote.html (and scroll way down).
B. TO CHECK ON WORDS AND QUOTATIONS, SEE
http://www.online-pr.com/OnlinePRwordquotationcheckers.htm
(Thanks for Markus Allen for this tip)
C. AVOID GETTING CAUGHT FOR SPAMMING. See
http://www.nua.ie/surveys/analysis/weekly_editorial.html
For spam laws state-by-state, see
http://www.spamlaws.com/state/index.html
D. WHERE TO SEND GALLEYS. Three to four months prior to your publication date, send bound galleys with a cover letter and a news release to the following prepublication reviewers:
Publishers Weekly, Forecasts, 245 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011; Tel: (212) 463-6758; Fax: (212) 463-6631. PW is directed at the book trade (bookstores, wholesalers, libraries and publishers). A good review here will result in many bookstore orders; most will come through wholesalers. PW gives priority to books with broad general appeal. They review new books only, no reprints, reissues or new editions. Send galleys between 12 and 16 weeks of your publication date. Circulation: 38,000. Contact PW for their "Forecast Submission Guidelines" and see the first page of the Forecasts section for recent submission details. See http://www.publishersweekly.com/about/forecast-guidelines.asp.
Library Journal, Book Review Editor, 245 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011; Tel: (888) 800-5473 or (212) 463-6818; Fax: (212) 463-6734; bkrev@lj.cahners.com. LJ is a magazine directed to general public librarians. They review 4,500 books each year, from the 30,000 received, specifically to assess their value to the library market. For many nonfiction books, a good review in LJ will sell over 1,000 copies. A rave review on a high-demand topic may move 5,000. Most of these library orders will come through a library wholesaler, and some 80% of these through Baker & Taylor. Therefore, it is important to let the wholesalers know about your book too. LJ will review from galleys or the finished book. Circulation: 28,000. See http://www.libraryjournal.com/about/submission.asp.
Foreword Magazine, Alex Moore, 129½ East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. Tel: 231-933-3699. Reviews@ForewordMagazine.com. Fax: 231-933-3899. Foreword receives more than 400 Galleys and audio books each month can reviews about ten percent of them. The controlled-circulation magazine is sent to 15,000 booksellers and librarians as well as other trade professionals. http://www.forewordmagazine.com
Kirkus Reviews, Library Advance Information Service, 770 Broadway, NYC, NY 10003-9595. Tel: 646-654-4602; fax 646-654-4706; kirkusrev@kirkusreviews.com.
KR is a book review magazine directed toward libraries and bookstores. They review most any fiction and nonfiction except poetry, mass-market paperbacks and children’s books for toddlers. KR likes to see galleys three to four months prior to publication of the book. Circulation: about 5,400.
ALA Booklist, Up Front, Advance Reviews, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; Tel: (800) 545-2433 or (312) 944-6780; Fax: (312) 337-6787. Booklist reviews books for small and medium-sized public libraries. They review fiction, nonfiction, reference, young adult and children’s books. This does not include textbooks, workbooks, pamphlets or coloring materials. Send galleys or finished books. Circulation: 31,500. See http://www.ala.org/booklist.
New York Times Book Review, Charles McGrath, 229 W. 43rd St., New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 556-1234; Fax: (212) 556-7088. The New York Times is one of the most prestigious of review publications. Times reviews are also syndicated, so a review there may appear in papers throughout the country. The Times does not review very technical, specialized or juvenile books. Send galleys and then send books when printed. Circulation: 1,600,000. See http://www.nytimes.com/books.
The primary review medium in the United States for popular
trade books is the New York Times.
—Nat Bodian, The Joy of Publishing
Los Angeles Times Magazine, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053; Tel: (213) 237-7811; Fax: (213) 237-4712; LATMag@latimes.com. Times editors look for books that are of general interest to their newspaper readers. Circulation: 1,100,000 daily, 1,300,000 Sunday. See http://www.latimes.com.
School Library Journal (two copies), Attn: Trevelyn Jones, 245 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011; Tel: (212) 463-6759; Fax: (212) 463-6689; tjones@cahners.com. SLJ prints 2,500 reviews annually by school and public librarians of new books for children and young adults. They will consider for review any book appropriate for school library use. This monthly (except June and July) has a circulation of 43,000. See http://www.slj.com.
Quality Books, Inc., New Title Acquisitions, 1003 W. Pines Rd., Oregon, IL 61061; Tel: (800) 323-4241 or (815) 732-4450; Fax: (815) 732-4499. Quality is a distributor of small press titles to libraries. They want to know about your nonfiction books and tapes early. See http://www.quality-books.com.
Major & matching book clubs. Send bound galleys to the major clubs, such as Book-of-the-Month and Literary Guild and those specializing in the book’s field. See Literary Market Place for a list of book clubs. See http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp
Presentation copies to opinion molders. The best way to get sales moving is to get the book talked about by the right people. This group may amount to anywhere from just a very few people to hundreds. Sometimes the publisher uses special bound galleys to get the public talking about the book. Many people feel that receiving an advance bound galley is much more impressive than receiving the actual book. Some opinion molders should get bound galleys, but others should receive the finished product.
For more information on galleys, pub-dates and reviews, see http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm?file=resource/promote.html
A. THE SECRETS OF MICROSOFT OFFICE. Inside tips from PC Magazine. See http://eletters1.ziffdavis.com/cgi-bin10/flo?y=eO640CxaCy0E4K0f5L0AV
B. WONDERING WHERE TO FIND THE TOP BABY BOOMER PORTALS--sites targeting the lifestyles and concerns of essentially everyone from around 40 to nearly 60? See http://www.clienthelpdesk.com/niche_portals/baby_boomer_portals.html
Also see the lists at http://parapub.com/maillist.cfm?
C. ADDRESSES OF FEDERAL PRISONS.
http://www.federalprison.com/federalprison/html/1Fed%20Facilities%20List.html
D. HOW DOES YOUR WEB SITE APPEAR WITH OTHER BROWSERS? Markus Allen suggests
you check it at
http://www.anybrowser.com/siteviewer.html
E. URBAN LEGENDS AND EMAIL. Before you forward an unbelievable story, check it out at
http://UrbanLegends.tqn.com
http://www.darwinawards.com/legends/
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1401/urbanlegends.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/urban-legend.htm
http://www.jannermedia.com/otherf.html
http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/skill26.htm
http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/help/critical/index.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_cul.htm
http://www.scambusters.org/legends.html
http://www.snopes2.com/
http://www.ulrc.com.au/
http://www.urban-legends.ukf.net/
http://www.vmyths.com
http://www.warphead.com/urbanlegends/
http://dmoz.org/Society/Folklore/Literature/Urban_Legends/
http://nene.essortment.com/urbanlegendswh_rcrw.htm
http://netsquirrel.com/combatkit/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Mythology_and_Folklore/Folklore/Urban_Legends/
(and there are many more sites)
Save this list. Whenever you receive an unbelievable story, reply with
this resource list
KEEP YOUR BOOK TO YOURSELF AT FIRST
It is hard to keep a secret
Early on, do not show your manuscript to anyone. When it is nearly done, show it to everyone.
One is often tempted to tell friends and family about a work in progress. If you do, they will start pestering you about it. They may feel they are being supportive but the questions will make you feel guilty that you are behind schedule.
Cynthia Miller’s manuscript was nearly complete. She had worked for years to compile the details on her collectibles. Finally, she announced to her colleagues that she needed just a few more items and her book would be done.
She received a quick reply from a distant acquaintance "Don’t write it; my book on collectibles is at the printer."
Of course, the competitor’s book was not at the printer. The acquaintance was disappointed in his own lack of motivation and had not even touched the keyboard yet.
Do not waste time talking about what you plan to do. Spend the time doing it.
"Never talk about what you are going to do until after you have written it." —Mario Puzo, author, The Godfather.
(Excerpted from Successful Nonfiction by Dan Poynter.
For 108 more inspirational tips, See
/successful_nonfiction
A. "YEAR 2001 IN REVIEW: NEW PUBLICATION START-UPS," is a free three-part digest highlighting some of the more important publication start-ups that occurred during the year 2001. You can use this information to contact new editors and drum up fresh editorial opportunities.
You can read the digest online by going to http://www.Freelancing4Money.com/free.html
B. HTTP://WWW.FREEAGENT.COM is where editors, graphic specialists, web designers, etc. can place bids on projects posted — and you can post a project for those specialists and have them bid on my job. (Thanks to Emily Lumpkin for this tip)
C. DAILY CASH CONTROL FORM to let you know how much cash you have available
right now – today, in PDF format. From Brenner Information Group. See:
http://www.brennerbooks.com/dailycashflowmonitor.pdf
A. Dan Poynter is criss-crossing North America to spread the word on eBooks, dBooks, pBooks, digital printing and The New Book Publishing Model. At some events he provides the entire four-hour writing, publishing, promoting program while at others he gives a shorter presentation. Contact the FMI names for details. And see /getpage.cfm?file=newbook.html
Come to meet Dan and hear his vital book writing-publishing-promoting
message. See the props and get the handout. If you want Dan to come to
your area, contact him at
DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.
2002
March 30: Alexander's Digital Printing. LINDON, UT. Complete four-hour New Model seminar, lunch and a factory tour. Free. Fmi: Barry Merrell, 801-224-8666, http://www.Alexanders.com
April 6: Kentucky Speakers Association. LOUISVILLE. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Conway Stone, 888-899-5353, Conway@DreamHigh.com. See http://www.kyspeakers.org/
April 12-14: Infinity Publishing Retreat. New Book Model-Promotion. VALLEY FORGE, PA. Fmi: John Harnish, 610-348-6182. jHarnish@BuyBooksOnTheWeb.com; http://www.BuyBooksOnTheWeb.com
April 20-21: Book marketing/promotion/distribution
seminar in SANTA BARBARA with Dan Poynter. For details, contact Para Publishing,
PO Box 8206-896, Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206. Tel: (805) 968-7277, Fax:
(805) 968-1379. See
http://parapub.com/accessreport.cfm?report=167&refpage=edutrain.html
April 23: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
April 27: Sacramento Publishers Association. SACRAMENTO, California. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Andrea Patterson, 916-393-0500, SardisPublishers@cwo.com
April 30: Publishing University Warm-up prior
to the BEA Book Fair in NEW YORK CITY. Publishing Introduction. Publishers
Marketing Association. Fmi: 310-372-2732.
See http://www.pma-online.org/events_awards.cfm
May 1, 2: Publishing University prior to the BEA Book Fair in NEW YORK CITY. Publishers Marketing Association. Fmi: 310-372-2732. See http://www.pma-online.org/events_awards.cfm
May 8: Grant District Adult Ed. SACRAMENTO, CA. The full four-hour New Model program. 6:00-10:00 pm. Sacramento, CA. Just $50. Fmi: Bud Gardner, 916-781-2830, bgardner@calweb.com
May 11: Nebraska Chapter of NSA. OMAHA. Turning Speeches into Books. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Mark Hunter, MarkJHunter@email.msn.com
May 14: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
May 16-19: Magnificent Marketing Symposium. Queen
Mary, LONG BEACH, California. Dan to speak on May 17. Fmi: Dottie Walters,
Dottie@Walters-Intl.com.
See http://www.walters-intl.com/sharinghome.html
May 18: Writing your Book. National Writers Union, Bay Area Local. SAN FRANCISCO. Pat Holt also on the program. Fmi: writewords@sbcglobal.net; http://www.writeraspublisher.com/
May 25: Turning Speeches into Books. SW ONTARIO Speakers Association, London. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Roy Saunderson, 519-685-0564. Roy Saunderson@RealRecognition.com
June 12: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
June 22: Text & Academic Authors Assn. SAN DIEGO. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Michael Lennie, Esq., 619-515-5456. mLennie@aol.com
June 26: SANTA BARBARA Writers Conference. How to Write Your Nonfiction Book. 1.5 hours. 4 PM. Fmi: Barnaby & Mary Conrad, (805) 684-2250, PO Box 304, Carpinteria, CA 93014.
July 9: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
July 20-21: Book marketing/promotion/distribution
seminar in Santa Barbara with Dan Poynter. For details, contact Para Publishing,
PO Box 8206-896, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93118-8206. Tel: (805) 968-7277, Fax:
(805) 968-1379. See
http://parapub.com/accessreport.cfm?report=167&refpage=edutrain.html
August 13: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
September 10: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
September 21: NSA-Virginia. NORFOLK. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Doris Young, 757-624-9603, dYoung9603@aol.com
September 22: Independent Publishers of New England. MARSHFIELD, Massachusetts. The full four-hour program. FMI: Shel Horowitz shel@FrugalFun.com
September 28-October 5: Infinity Publishing Cruise. Departing Miami for the WESTERN CARIBBEAN. Fmi: John Harnish, 610-348-6182. jHarnish@BuyBooksOnTheWeb.com. And see http://www.infinitypublishing.com
October 9: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
October 19-20: Book marketing/promotion/distribution
seminar in SANTA BARBARA with Dan Poynter. For details, contact Para Publishing,
PO Box 8206-896, Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206. Tel: (805) 968-7277, Fax:
(805) 968-1379. See
http://parapub.com/accessreport.cfm?report=167&refpage=edutrain.html
November 19: Writing & Publishing Nonfiction, a seminar by Dan Poynter at the Learning Annex, LOS ANGELES. The full New Book Model program. 6:30 to 10:00 PM. fmi (310) 478-6677. http://www.LearningAnnex.com
November 22-24: Cat Writers Association. HOUSTON, Texas. The full four-hour New Book Model program. Fmi: Kim Thornton, kthornton@cox.net. http://www.catwriters.org
Here is something funny we have found on books, writing, publishing, authors and/or words. If you have a laugh to share, please send it to DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com
(From Loren Ekroth: some added musical verses on love...a la "AMORE!" You just might want to hum the tune as you read.)
--When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore.
--When an eel bites your hand and that's not what you planned
That's a moray.
--When our habits are strange and our customs deranged
That's our mores.
--When your horse munches straw and the bales total four
That's some more hay.
--When Othello's poor wife, she gets stabbed with a knife
That's a Moor, eh?
--When a Japanese knight used a sword in a fight
That's Sa...mur...ai.
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