"Self Published Authors" Bi-Monthly Newsletter
Helping self-published authors promote and market their books and share information and resources.
December 1, 2007 Volume 4: Issue 9
Dan Shaurette
editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
http://www.selfpublishedauthors.com
By Subscription Only! You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions are at the end of this newsletter.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Editor's Notebook
2. Newsletter Submission Guidelines
3. Feature Article by Judy Cullins
4. Resource Links
5. Interview of Angeline Bandon-Bibum
6. Free Products, Services, and Downloads
7. Self-promotion by Gerri D Smith
8. Reciprocal Links
9. Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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1: EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
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Happy Holidays and welcome to the December 2007 newsletter for SelfPublishedAuthors.com. For those of you who are new to the website and newsletter, I hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you for visiting the website and subscribing to the list. To the regulars out there, I'm glad to see you back for another issue.
For those of you that participate in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, during November, I hope you were successful in writing, or at least getting started on a new project. Now I would like to tell you about NaNoFiMo, which is National Novel Finishing Month, starting December 1st.
NaNoFiMo is a challenge to write at least 30,000 words on your unfinished novel draft and to reach a conclusion to the novel, between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31. If you participate in both projects, this should bring you to 80,000 words, which brings you closer to a novel's length. Check it out at http://www.nanofimo.org/ if you have a manuscript that is waiting to be completed.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or if you'd like to contribute, be interviewed, add an event or have a request, please reply to this email, or drop a line to me at: editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
Thanks for reading and enjoy the issue!
Dan Shaurette
editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
http://www.DanShaurette.com
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2: NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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The newsletter for SelfPublishedAuthors.com is here to provide a resource for all authors. Obviously, I want to help you succeed in your writing, self-publishing efforts, and self-promotion. I have received a few requests from fellow authors asking what they can do to promote their books in the newsletter.
I am always happy to help promote an author and their works in the newsletter. That's what we're here for. That being said, the best I can do is one of the following.
If you are interested in writing an article about your experiences as a self-published author, I would be more than happy to consider it for publication. If I publish the article, I will give you space for a signature box that you could use to promote yourself and your book.
If you would like to send me an ARC copy of your book, eBook format preferred, I would be happy to review it and interview you. The interview would most likely be what gets published in the newsletter, but reviews of recommended books may also be published. Please note, I have already been presented with some works to read, so please query me first before sending your books. I'd rather return a book than form a slush pile.
If you have a book signing coming up, we do try to list those when they are timely. Remember our newsletter is published in February, April, June, August, October, and December. If you host a class or workshop, or have a website that promotes a writer's resource, please let us know about it. All links about such events are provided free of charge. Your name, location, dates, and contact info. will be presented.
If instead you are just interested in placing an advertisement in the newsletter for your book or website, I'll ask for some patience. I am re-evaluting various plans for advertising in both the newsletter and the website.
Currently there are places for you to list your books, websites, and even join our banner ad exchange. You can also feel free to post in our forums and tell us about yourself and your books. As soon as I figure out a new model for classified ads in the newsletter, I will let you all know. Thank you for your patience.
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3: FEATURE ARTICLE by Judy Cullins
Why You Should Keep Writing Articles to Market Yourself
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Maybe you have affiliate programs, maybe you have a service-oriented web site. Definitely you want more affiliate click-throughs that boost your commissions. Definitely you want more qualified clients, and definitely you want more targeted visitors to your site. To stand out from the crowd do these things:
1. Feature your own free content on you web site to educate your visitors. This builds trust and they are more likely to buy from you. Make most of these articles your own to show you as the savvy expert.
2. Set up your articles with links that lead to your affiliate programs. When you write an article why something is important and useful to your audience, it's like a mini sales letter and sets up ready buyers.
3. Parlay targeted people coming to your site daily. Build these numbers by submitting your well-edited articles to top article directories like http://ezinearticles.com and http://articlecity.com. When thousands, even millions, interested in your topic people, read your gems, they will eagerly go to your web site where after a few visits, will buy from you.
4. Know this viral marketing is the number one way to get BIG visibility. Because blogs, other web sites, newsletters, and big companies constantly need new content for their readers, you can expand to much bigger audiences.
5. Find out your visibility progress by Googling your name or your article title. Once you see the growth as min from 900 in four months to over 110,000 in 6 years. Read where you are featured, and send them more articles because they already used you..
6. Know consistently writing and submitting articles will make you well-respected and known globally. Be sure to send one or two weekly to top-rated Web sites to make your marketing sizzle.
Other article writing benefits include low cost, free if you do it yourself, and you attract many because you take time to educate them . The time to do this is also short, probably only four hours a week. Keep writing those articles. The payoffs are big.
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Copyright © 2007 Judy Cullins. Reprinted with permission.
Book and Internet Marketing Coach Judy Cullins helps businesses get all the clients and sell all the books they want. Author of 13 books including How to Write your Book Fast, The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic, Advanced Article Marketing - Nine Mistakes and How to Solve Them, and Advanced Article Three Book Program. Judy offers 256 articles and free eBook "Book Writing and Marketing Tips" with monthly ezine subscription at http://www.bookcoaching.com and http://www.advancedarticlemarketing.com
Email her at judycullins@cox.net or Phone: 619/466-0622
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4: RESOURCE LINKS
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SELFPUBLISHERSPLACE.COM - A new Resource for Self-Published Authors
Please check out our new website devoted to self-published authors.
For absolutely no fee of any kind you may upload a picture of your
book, a blurb and a link to your home website.
http://www.selfpublishersplace.com/
iFOGO.com - Search for books and other media online
iFOGO.com is designed to provide you a powerful tool for searching for, and learning about books and other creative offerings. When you visit iFOGO.com, you may hear up to 20 minutes of an author, or a narrator, reading excerpts from his or her book, even as you browse other site pages. You may also choose to read printed excerpts, reviews, and more from authors in nearly all genres. Watch video excerpts, visit the author's pages, even purchase the title(s) at Amazon/BN/Author's own site. Our goal and mission is to present not only established writers with major publishers, but to make readers/buyers aware of outstanding authors who often go unnoticed.
http://www.ifogo.com/
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5: INTERVIEW: Angeline Bandon-Bibum by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney
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Angeline, tell me something about yourself.
I am originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, I live in Silver Spring, Maryland. I am a Help Desk Analyst by day, and I am a writer by night. I am a wife and mother of three children. I graduated from Howard University in 1988, with a Bachelor of Arts. I am a poet and author of SOJOURNER'S DREAM (a romantic story of Sojourner Brown, a shy grad student, and Joseph Kalisa, a debonair DC lawyer). I am currently working on the sequel to SOJOURNER'S DREAM which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior.
What inspired you to write your sequel to SOJOURNER'S DREAM which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior?
Joseph Kalisa, the protagonist in SOJOURNER'S DREAM, inspired me to write the sequel. Joseph was inspired my childhood vision of an African warrior, whom I modernized. Joseph's story does not end in SOJOURNER'S DREAM.
Do you have a specific target audience for your sequel to SOJOURNER'S DREAM which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior?
I am hoping that African history buffs, as well as literary fiction bibliophiles will enjoy it. I actually don't have a target in mind though.
How did you come up with your title?
It is inspired by some of the experiences of the characters in the novel.
Do you have any role models?
I have many literary role models, whose works have inspired me. Among them include Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, William Faulkner, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wright, etc. This list can go on and on.
Do you have any comments for the readers?
If you are interested in learning more about my sequel to my first novel, SOJOURNER'S DREAM which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior, then, I invite you to check out my blog designated for my sequel. It can be viewed at http://sojournersdreamlamentationsofawarrior.blogspot.com/
They should also check out my other sites, which can be viewed at the following links listed below:
http://www.authorsden.com/msangelinebandonbibum/
http://angelinebandonbibum.blogspot.com/
http://sojournersdreamanovel.blogspot.com/
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has offered comments about my first novel, SOJOURNER'S DREAM. I also would like to say thank you for all of those who have supported me in putting such an intriguing novel together. In addition, thank you to all of those that have purchased my first novel, SOJOURNER'S DREAM.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
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Copyright © 2007 by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney. Reprinted with permission.
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6: FREE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, and DOWNLOADS
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AUTHORNATION.COM - Community for Authors, Writers, Poets and Readers
Join a creative atmosphere of writers, poets, published authors and enthusiastic readers. AuthorNationTM.com offers more features to its members to connect, share and promote than any other writing community on the net and best of all MEMBERSHIP IS FREE!
http://www.authornation.com/
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7: SELF-PROMOTION by Gerri D Smith
Would You Make the Best Dressed List?
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In any and every given moment of your life, you are either in command of yourself, or you are being commanded. -- Guy Finley
Keeping a wardrobe that is complete and always new is rare. The costs of buying clothing today and with the constant change in styles, bargains are a treasure. There is a definite challenge to being well dressed at all times, especially on a limited budget. For working women this is difficult, yet, it can be done.
The key is in the planning. It takes money to build a wardrobe, or to start over from one season to the next. When you plan your wardrobe, keep in mind your particular style or look. If you find yourself asking questions like, what on earth will I wear today? Or, I've got absolutely nothing to wear. Another favorite is to telephone a few friends to see what they are going to wear. If you find yourself doing any of these, then, your goal is to plan.
Asking some of the following questions may prove helpful:
1.Does your wardrobe consist of more than 20% of clothing you haven't worn in over a year, thinking they may come back in style?
2.Do you own enough accessories to start your own craft store?
3.How often do you make impulse purchases?
4.Before purchasing, do you allow enough time to actually try on the garments?
Answering these questions may make you frown, but these fashion problems are not uncommon. Just realizing what your fashion sense is, is the first step.
Getting to know your own particular styles including the strengths and weaknesses of your figure type is a start. Make a point to focus on a clear image of what you consider being well dressed. Knowing what you like, want, and what looks well on you are important. Buy only what suits you best and not rely on the opinion of someone else. Nor should you base your decision only on what is currently popular.
Fashion is distinctive to each individual and does not need to be classified into a standard mold. Let your own taste dictate your fashion and beauty behavior. Pay attention to fashion and beauty magazines and adjust your taste to the fashions that are made available. Rather then being blindly led to something that may just be the popular style of the moment, adjusting your style is the better way to go.
Where do you start to build a best-dressed wardrobe? Start at the beginning and learn to stretch your fashion dollars by saving any clothing you already have. Make an inventory of what you have in your closet. Most of us usually make two main divisions. One is your summer- wear; the other is your winter wear. Stay within reason and keep anything that is still useful and in good condition. Just try not to cling to any clothing, even for sentimental reasons, that haven't been worn for over a year. They only take up space.
Dresses, suits and coats are your most important investment and should be cared for properly. Upon removing them at the end of the day, be sure to immediately hang them up on their individual hangers. Check for spots and stains, and if necessary, brush them off and air them first before putting them away.
In dressing well, the other parts of your wardrobe include your shoes and accessories. Shoes are a major item and must be kept clean and in shape as often as possible. Constantly walking along cemented sidewalks can be a death march to your shoe heels and soles. Have them repaired as frequently as possible and discard shoes when they are unsalvageable.
Accessories are additional items that may be the central aim of your outfit. Give them your attention. Jewelry items must be sparkling clean. Any traces of tarnish on silver pieces can be cleaned with silver polish. Soap and warm water may be applied to jeweled rings, except on pearls, to remove dust and dried soap on the stones or settings. A little soap and water rinse, and even a little rubbing alcohol on many costume pieces can bring back the shine.
With a little planning, a lot of care, and special thought to your wardrobe purchases, you can add life to your clothing and have a closet that will rival any superstar. Dressing well is a sign of your self-esteem. And self-esteem is a part of your personal development. Without it, you may not be motivated to pay any special attention to the way you dress. Go do, and be well dressed!
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Copyright © 2007 Gerri D Smith. Reprinted with permission.
Gerri D Smith creates fashions for Very Important Women (VIW's). Her creations are for those who love to dress for elegant evenings and special occasions. Why "Elegance?" It is a matter of style--grace, glamour, and sophistication; a regal, almost queenly bearing--it is also about beauty. Elegance is found where beauty and style intersect with your imagination. Visit, http://www.distinctiveimpressions-2.com and for an exciting journey into the world of fashion, go to: http://www.distinctive-elegance.com/afashionjourney.html
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8: RECIPROCAL LINKS
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LISTINGS:
ADD YOUR BOOK LISTING & AUTHOR BIO:
This is a marketing feature you don't want to miss:
http://www.selfpublishedauthors.com/books.php
SHAURETTENET: The Home Page of Dan Shaurette
- His Novel, LILITH'S LOVE - http://www.Liliths-Love.com
- The Lurkers' Domain (creative writing forum) - http://lurk.us
- Is This Thing On? Podcast - http://is-this-thing-on.net
All of this and more at: http://www.Shaurette.net
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT COULD BE HERE!
Contact Dan Shaurette for more information at editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
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9: Subscriber Management / Contact Information
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