Tag Archives: independent publisher help

It is a Tricky Business

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One of the comments I hear from self publishing authors or independent publishers is “I had no idea what I was getting myself into!”  But this comment is not unique to the publishing industry. I have often heard the same comment from those who have renovated a house or had a house custom built! Sometimes, we just do not know all the facets of a project until  we roll up our sleeves and jump in!

This same comment can be heard from those selling independently published books, videos, DVDs and journals through e-commerce (internet sales). Independent publishers think “how hard can it be to put a book in the mail to someone?” What independent publishers fail to consider is this:

  • Is there time in your day to invoice the orders and record payments?
  • Do you have a reliable method for tracking your inventory?
  • Are you ready to deal with wholesale orders from bookstores, universities, libraries and other organizations?
  • Will you be able to handle customer service inquiries and calls regarding lost shipments or shipment tracking?

This is only surface stuff. Once you roll up your sleeves and jump in, I can assure you order fulfillment is a whole lot more time consuming and detailed than one can imagine. Just keeping track of what the most economical and most efficient way of shipping is, is a job in itself.

Thankfully, there are companies out there that can assist with the business end of shipping so you can focus on writing and publishing. The best way to find the support services you need is use your favorite seach engine and search the terms:  Order Fulfillment for Independent Publishers or Order Fulfillment for Independent Filmmakers or Order Fulfillment for Independently Published Books, Videos, DVDs and Journals. That part is not tricky!

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Grow, Baby, Grow

“He who plants a garden, plants happiness”   Chinese  Proverb                             

Writing usually begins with a hint of an idea, a small thought, a vague notion.  As time goes by, the seed sprouts, the microscopic buds reach out and the plot develops, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, chapter after chapter!

But remember, your marketing plans for your book or film must too develop. Many independent publishers make the mistake of limiting the marketing possibilities to the thought that “my family and friends” will buy it. Quite bluntly, that is the wrong approach.

Just like a vine, the marketing possibilities  for your independently published book or film should reach out in every imaginable direction. Beauty can be found in unpromising places. Let your imagination run rampant, without discipline, without fences as it’s borders. You may need to trim the growth once you have discovered your target market but, when putting together the initial plan – brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm.

You have put too much time and effort into planting the seed, weeding and nurturing your publication to completion to limit its possibilities. A book or film which you may feel has limited potential is only limited by your efforts! Aim high, reach for the stars and most of all, share your thrill for your beautifully cultivated publication with others. Your excitement needs to be like poison ivy – contagious!

After all, a gardener is optimistic! Let that spirit carry your publication to the beautiful places you have dreamed about.

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More Indy Publishers News

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More upcoming events for Independent Publishers:

October 14    Midwest Independent Publishers Assoc.                 Guest speakers: Dunn & Assoc. – Kathi Dunn & Ron Hobart

to visit their website go to www.dunn-design.com They are among the best in the business for book cover design!   For more information on the event, visit www.mipa.org/Events

October 18 & 19 American Library Assoc. (NELA), Hartford, CT   For more information and to register, visit www.ipne.org/Events

January 15 – 17, 2010 American Library Assoc. Mid Winter Conference (ALA),  Event to be held in Boston, MA.  For more information and also to register, visit www.ipne.org/Events

ATTENTION – CALLING ALL POETS!!!                                                Between September 15 – October 15, 2009 there are 49 writing and poetry contests. Go to Submission Calendar in Poets and Writers Magazine on-line. http://www.pw.org/submissioncalendar

Special Offer Now: Poets and Writers Magazine           subscriptions at discounted rates  50% off   6 issues for  $14.97                               to subscribe go to http://www.pw.org

Stay tuned next weekend for more writers and publishers resources, events and conferences! There is always something happening in the independent publishing industry!!

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Weekend Indy Publisher News

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My desk has become a landing field for broadcast information on independent publishing display opportunities, writers conferences and workshops. In fact, it could be a full time job just staying “in the know” with all the happenings on the independent publishing scene.

In an attempt to keep  our independent publishing friends up to date and informed, our weekend blogs, at least for the next few weeks, will be devoted to passing along information regarding conferences, workshops and publishing display opportunities. Bookselling, in part, is dependent upon trade shows, so it is important to get this information out!

Upcoming:                                                                                                            September 25-27                                                                                                   Burlington Book Festival, Burlington, VT                                                          For more details, visit http://BurlingtonBookFestival.com

Baltimore Book Festival, Baltimore, MD                                                            For more details, visit www.baltimorebookfestival.com

Florida Publishers Association presents “Strategies for Success”           2009 Publishing Ed-U-Conference                                                                      For more details, visit www.FLbookpub.org

October 2 & 3                                                                                                               New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA),          Hartford, CT   To register & for information, http://www.ipne.org

The Collingswood Book Festival, Collingswood, New Jersey                    For more information, visit www.collingswoodbookfestival.com

Five great opportunities! Get on Board! Join In and Participate!

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Go, Venture, Explore

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It is rare to find a subject that has not been written about before. It is easy to find all kinds of knowledge on the internet. But, web browsing can not compare to spending time in a library, going up and down the aisles, reading the titles, looking at book covers. Before you know it, “gottcha!” a book will say to you. A book that you can not resist reading. It happens time after time.

Reading can take you to places you have never  been before! It is, no doubt, an escape from reality of our face paced world. What better way to de-stress, relax and visit with some different characters that we don’t hang with in every day life.

September is Library Sign-up Month! If there is a child in your life, whether it is your own child, a niece, a nephew, a grandchild or a neighbor – do them a favor! Take them to the children’s reading hour at a nearby library. You will see expressions of excitement, wonder and curiosity on children’s faces as they are being read to. It could  be your contribution to engaging a life long reader. While you are there, grab a book yourself, find a remote corner and enjoy the journey!

“The more you read,

The more you know,

The more you know,

The smarter you grow,

The smarter you grow,

The stronger your voice,

When speaking your mind,

Or making a choice.”

~ Unknown

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All Part of the Process

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“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”     ~Dolly Parton

Rejection! Most writers have heard it before:

  • “Not what we are looking for”
  • “Does not meet our standards”
  • “Our company does not publish this genre of writing”

Don’t take rejection to heart and let it deflate your ego! Consider how many manuscripts a traditional publishing company reviews for publication on a  weekly, monthly and yearly basis. The competition is stiff and it always has been.

Still, being turned down can be a hard pill to swallow when a writer has devoted so much time and research into their project, not even to mention the emotional investment involved.  But, rejection is not necessarily a sign that a book is not worthwhile and saleable.

Take heart, there could be another way! According to Bowker “on demand and short run books were up a staggering 132% in 2008.” There must be a reason behind it. If it were me, I would at least look into it, consider it and float the idea up in the air.

Who said your book won’t fly?

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Tantalize, Tease and Entice

Owning a company that is a vendor to the independent publishing industry, I often enter into discussions with writers about book covers.  The importance of book cover design can not be overstated.  Good cover design is what leads us to pick up a book in the first place. It is what makes us decide to venture further and take a peak. Good cover design draws us in.

One time, a poet came to me with his book of poetry which was hot off the press – a print on demand publication. He was proud as a peacock that his first published work was complete. The poetry was good. Actually, I liked it alot! He painted visual pictures with words quite effectively. He had used the caption of one of his poems as the title for his book of poetry – it was something like “Hot, Steamy Sunset: Poetry for Evening Reflection.” The cover design, however, was nothing more than a blank canvas – just the name of the book, the author’s name and a solid color (sage green) background.

A discussion ensued about the cover design and I inquired about the lack thereof. He said he had chosen the “least expensive option” available from the print on demand company because  ” he didn’t know how many books he would sell.” 

The cover did nothing, absolutely nothing, to make me want to open up the book of poetry and read it.  So, please remember, the cover needs to be reflective of what is on the inside. It needs to grab a reader and make them yearn for more!  I am not in the book cover design business, but to my way of thinking, the choice of a cover design would have been quite obvious.

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COLORADO INDY PUBLISHERS & THE PUBLIC WELCOME!

BIG BOOK SALE AND OPEN HOUSE – FREE EVENT!!

When:  Thursday, August 27, 2009               6pm – 9 pm

Where: Denver, CO at the Red Lion Inn (Quebec Street location)

Sponsored By: Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc. (CIPA)

This event is open to the public. A chance for CIPA members to sell  books, ask publishing experts your questions and meet vendors promoting their services. Attend this fun social event where you can network and receive free advice. CIPA will provide the food and cash bar will be available.

For more information go to www.ColoradoIndependentPublishersAssociation.com

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Ready, Set, Launch!

Your dream is about to become a reality! Your book or film has been published or produced, and now it is time to think about getting your product into the hands of your audience.

An order fulfillment company is the answer to those nagging administrative and shipping tasks that an independent publisher is faced with.  After all, you are a writer and a publisher. Your primary business is not fulfilling and shipping orders (and that means world-wide shipping in this age of e-commerce). Let someone else handle those tasks so you can focus on what you do best – creating, inspiring, educating and entertaining through the power of books and film.

Without the distraction of processing and shipping orders – you can get ready, set and  DSC_0094 your next creative endeavor!

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Funding for Filmmakers

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There is not a shortage of creative talent in this world. There are more ideas and inspiring subjects for documentary films than there are “Carter’s Has Liver Pills,” to use my Mom’s ancient expression. We are a generous people, We Americans! There are so many outstanding non-profit organizations spreading the good news and helping others in this country. Many have inspiring tales to tell through the power of film.

The biggest stumbling block for independent filmmakers is finding funds to bring a project to fruition and getting enough financial backing to professionally market a film. Films of award winning caliber may not necessarily mean a feature film blockbuster. But, an outstanding film needs to attract the attention that it deserves.

There is grant funding available through Mandy.com and the Independent Documentary Association (DIA) to name a few resources. They both post deadlines and grant opportunities. PBS also offers non-profit status for film projects. It is a selective process, but I have yet to see a PBS film production that was not worth viewing!

Hiring a professional grant writer could pay off. They know the lingo, the approach and can help you navigate through the process of obtaining funds. And don’t forget, include a budget for professional marketing of your film in your application for funding.

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